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Best Attractions in Melbourne (2026)

Melbourne's main sights are unusually generous to visitors on a budget. General entry is free at the National Gallery of Victoria, ACMI, State Library Victoria and the Royal Botanic Gardens, and the Shrine of Remembrance asks only for a donation, so you can build several days around major collections without buying a pass. Paid highlights include Melbourne Museum, the Old Melbourne Gaol, the MCG tour and the view from Melbourne Skydeck on level 88 of Eureka Tower.

The sights fall into easy clusters. St Kilda Road links NGV International, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Shrine, which together make a full day on foot. Carlton Gardens hold Melbourne Museum and the World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building, whose tours can be booked at the museum. At the northern edge of the city grid, State Library Victoria and the Old Melbourne Gaol are a short walk apart and both tell the Ned Kelly story. Fed Square combines ACMI with the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. Most venues open around 10am and close at 5pm, so start early, save Skydeck for late afternoon or evening, and check the MCG tour schedule on match days.

10 places · Updated November 12, 2026

Our top 3 attractions in Melbourne

  1. National Gallery of Victoria Art museum, SouthbankAustralia's oldest public art museum, with free general entry to NGV International on St Kilda Road and the Australian collection at Fed Square.
  2. Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne Botanic garden, South YarraFree 38-hectare botanic garden near the city centre, with more than 8,500 plant species, lakes, lawns and a dedicated children's garden.
  3. Melbourne Cricket Ground Stadium and sports museum, East MelbourneAustralia's largest stadium, opened in 1853, home of the AFL Grand Final and Boxing Day Test, with guided tours and the Australian Sports Museum.

Attraction

6. Melbourne Museum

Natural and social history museumCarlton

Museums Victoria's flagship in Carlton Gardens, with a living forest gallery, Aboriginal cultural centre, dinosaur fossils, Phar Lap and an IMAX cinema.

View details — Melbourne Museum

Attraction

8. ACMI

Museum of screen cultureFed Square

Australia's museum of screen culture at Fed Square, with a free permanent exhibition on film, television, videogames and art, plus cinemas and a cafe.

View details — ACMI