5 of the best free things to do in Melbourne

There is so much to see and do in Melbourne, but if you are on a tight budget here are some of the best free things to do in Melbourne.

1. Get a free city tour on  the City Circle Tram.  See some of Melbourne’s top attractions onboard a vintage W-Class tram. You’ll visit Flinders Street Station, Melbourne Museum, Parliament House, State Library Victoria, Docklands, Federation Square, SEA Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Princess Theatre, with audio commentary so you can learn about the attractions and other interesting facts along the way.

2. Visit a gallery. Melbourne is home to many incredible art galleries and museums and some of them have permanent exhibitions you can visit for free. The NGV, ACMI, The Ian Potter Centre and Koorie Heritage Trust all have fascinating exhibitions open to the public for free, where you can see art through the ages from ancient to modern and learn about our indigenous history.

3. Explore the wonder of nature Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens. With over 94 acres of green you lose yourself for hours amongst the beautiful lawns, waterways, and collection of 10,000 plants – both native and exotic. A must see is the vibrant Fern Gully, a natural gully within the gardens providing a perfect micro climate for lush ferns, and the Tropical Glasshouse with plants from tropical regions around the globe.

4. Channel your inner bookworm at the State Library of Victoria. The domed La Trobe Reading Room is one of the most beautiful architectural designs in Melbourne and if you are so inclined, definitely a shot for your instagram feed! Not just great for a photo, the library is home to over two million books you can peruse and also several interesting art exhibitions. 

5. Roam the streets to discover Melbourne’s street art. Street art is part of Melbourne’s culture and the streets are constantly changing and evolving with colourful murals, stencils, paste-ups and mixed media art. Some of the best in the cbd are found on Hosier Lane, Centre Place, Duckboard Place, AC/DC Lane, Caledonian Lane, Croft Alley and Rankins Lane.  Check out this street art map from the City of Melbourne for a self guided tour. Note: The if you want to explore a little further afield, the  inner city suburbs of Collingwood and Fitzroy are home to some of Melbourne’s best street art.