Here’s A Guide To The Treasures Of Melbourne

As Australia’s cultural capital, Melbourne is brimming with attractions that appeal to visitors year-round and span the arts, sports, nightlife and wildlife.

Melbourne is a culturally rich city that hums with life at all hours. With museums, galleries, live performances, the perfect coffee, a view over parklands or immersion in the deep ocean, too, here’s a guide to the treasures of Melbourne.

* Melbourne Zoo

Melbourne Zoo – Australia’s oldest zoo – is home to more than 320 different native and exotic animal species. In addition to exhibitions and tours all year, there are also special events, such as Christmas parties and theatre performances. The unmissable habitats are the wonderful Trails of Elephants and the Butterfly House. The zoo is committed to fighting extinction and runs research projects and conservation programs in six countries. It’s highly recommended that visitors book online.

* Eureka Skydeck

Among the tallest buildings in Melbourne, Eureka Tower offers unparalleled views over the entire city from the 88th floor. A 38-second elevator ride delivers visitors to the Eureka Skydeck. For those who dare, ‘The Edge’ is a three-metre (10-foot) glass cube suspended 300m (984ft) above ground, enabling thrillseekers to hover above the whole city. Book online to avoid disappointment.

* Melbourne Cricket Ground

Since 1853, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has played host to the city’s beloved AFL games, as well as cricket and major music events. The largest sporting facility in the southern hemisphere, MCG also offers dining options and is home to the National Sports Museum, which explores the history of the venue, its most memorable characters and events. Guided tours depart daily and take 75 minutes.

* ACMI

Located in the post-modern and architecturally unique Federation Square, the ACMI, or Australian Centre for the Moving Image, is “Australia’s only national museum of film, video games, digital culture and art”. In addition to the permanent interactive exhibition Screen Worlds, which explores the evolution of screen culture, there are two exhibition spaces, and the ACMI often hosts exclusive screenings and displays.

* Melbourne Museum

Set in the serene and manicured Carlton Gardens, the Melbourne Museum is the largest museum in the southern hemisphere. It houses seasonal exhibitions, as well as year-round displays, and offers visitors the chance to learn about dinosaurs, view indigenous artefacts at the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, understand the origins of Melbourne city and see the famous racehorse Phar Lap up close. The museum is also home to IMAX Melbourne cinema.