By The Top Melbourne Attractions in 2020
It pains me to have to say this. As a born and bred New South Welshman, I’ve long embraced the tried and true tradition of hating anything and anybody south of the Murray River. I’m Sydney till I die.
However, with international travel not on the cards for the foreseeable future, exploring your own backyard might be the only travel on the agenda for you. With that in mind, a trip to Australia’s southern capital is a fantastic way to mix things up.
Accessible by planes, trains, and automobiles, Melbourne is jam-packed with attractions. If you’re visiting soon, you’ll probably be planning a list of all the great things you’re going to do there and wondering how you’ll find time to fit them all in. Luckily for you, I’ve rounded up the top things to do while you’re in the city in 2020, so you don’t miss any of the big hitters on your visit.
Below are the top 2020 Melbourne attractions.
Skydiving in St Kilda
Australia is one of the most popular countries in the world for skydiving and with such beautiful landscapes to admire as you soar through the skies, it’s easy to see why. With so many beautiful places to do it in Victoria, it’s no surprise that skydiving always tops the best things to do in Melbourne lists. Experience the exhilarating adrenaline rush when you skydive at St Kilda and land on the golden sandy beach.
Shark Diving at the Sea Life Aquarium
Melbourne is perfectly positioned for those thrill-seekers looking to shark dive, be it in the ocean or a contained area like at the Sea Life Centre. The face to fin experience you’ll get in Melbourne is one of the best in the world which makes it a must to tick off your bucket list while you’re in the area. Without a cage, you’ll be able to get up close and personal with Nurse Sharks, Blacktip Reef Sharks, Sandbar Whalers, Large-tooth Sawfish, huge rays, and more.
Soaking up Federation Square
Located straight across from the iconic Flinders Street Station, Federation Square is one of the first places to head in the city to start your sight-seeing. Here you’ll find a bustling hub of activity, with sports and cultural events regularly hosted in the square for free. It’s the perfect place to sit back relax and watch the world go by. Inside the galleries, you’ll find indigenous art on display, educational exhibits at the Koori Heritage Trust Centre, and contemporary art at the ACMI gallery.
For a morning or afternoon of cultural discovery and people watching, the Federation Square/Flinders Street Station double is a must.
Hosier Lane
With all its cutting-edge art galleries, hip pop-up bars, and trendy neighbourhoods, Melbourne is Australia’s capital of cool. What better place to embrace the free spirit of the city than with a stroll around Hosier Lane? Whenever you visit, you’ll be greeted with fresh pieces of street art, crowds of tourists and you’ll get to experience the true spirit of Melbourne.
Melbourne’s iconic street art extends beyond Hosier Lane, however, with a variety of street art tours out there for those passionate about this distinctive form of cultural expression.
Catch Some Live Sport
Melbourne often boasts that it is Australia’s sporting capital and it’s hard to argue against that. With teams in every major Australian sporting code as well as a host of international sporting events, there is no better place in Australia to shout yourself hoarse.
You’ve got the Melbourne Storm playing rugby league, three teams playing European football, multiple AFL sides, cricket, rugby union, and major events such as the Spring Carnival and the Australian Open. Melbourne is truly the place to be if you love your sport.
See a Show
As if being Australia’s sporting capital wasn’t enough to boast about, Melbourne can also stake a legitimate claim to being Australia’s cultural capital.
From stand-up comedy to touring bands to a thriving local theatre scene, there’s always something going on in Melbourne. Hell, go old school and catch a matinee at the Astor – Melbourne’s last standing single screen cinema!
With the region’s famous rainy weather likely to ‘spoil’ at least one of your days of exploration, it pays to have an indoor backup planned!
Eat, Drink, and be Merry
Sporting capital. Cultural capital.
Did I also mention that Melbourne is a foodie heaven with one of Australia’s most dynamic nightlife scenes?
While I’ll always take my business to the fantastic Ends & Means when I want to drink, there’s something for all tastes in the city. From night clubs to crowded sports bars to old fashioned pubs to hipster havens like the aforementioned Ends & Means, you can imbibe in in whatever way works best for you.
And the food? The food! Chiefest amongst the Melbourne attractions for me is the city’s diverse and dynamic dining scene. While Greek and Italian cuisine are especially prominent, you’ll find cuisines from every corner of the world in the cosmopolitan streets and lane-ways of Melbourne.
With so much to see and do, there’s always tons to cram in on your visit to Melbourne. Later in 2020, there will be tons of exhibitions, concerts and sporting events gracing the much-loved city. Keep your eyes peeled for what’s on when you visit and make sure these 4 attractions go straight to the top of your list.
Looking for more Australian travel inspiration while COVID-19 dashes your international travel plans? Check out my Australian bucket list!