Melbourne

Melbourne's premier public space and urban focal point, Federation Square is visited by more than 10 million people per year. The striking contemporary architecture houses ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image), the Ian Potter Centre featuring Australian art, and numerous restaurants and cafes. The square hosts major events, outdoor cinema screenings, and live broadcasts of sporting events on the big screen. It's where locals gather to celebrate, protest, and connect, making it the social heart of the city.

One of the world's largest open-air markets, Queen Victoria Market has been the heart and soul of Melbourne for over 140 years. Home to over 600 small businesses across seven hectares, it's a paradise for fresh produce, gourmet food, handmade crafts, and unique souvenirs. Over 700 tonnes of fresh fruits and vegetables are sold weekly. Visit the famous American Doughnut Kitchen, explore the multicultural Deli Hall, and on Wednesday nights during summer, experience the vibrant Night Market with street food, live music, and artisan crafts.

One of the world's finest examples of a botanical garden, the Royal Botanic Gardens is a 38-hectare urban oasis home to more than 8,500 plant species. Wander through scenic trails, admire the picturesque Ornamental Lake where you can enjoy leisurely boat rides, and visit the dedicated children's garden for interactive nature play. The gardens offer a perfect escape from city bustle, with guided walks available and the Tan Track popular for joggers. Free entry makes it an essential Melbourne experience.

Located on the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower, the Skydeck offers 360-degree views of Melbourne and is the highest observation deck in the Southern Hemisphere. For an extra thrill, step onto "The Edge" - a glass cube that extends from the building, giving you the sensation of floating above the city. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Dandenong Ranges and Port Phillip Bay. Best visited at sunset for spectacular views of the city lights coming alive.

Australia's oldest and largest art museum, the NGV houses over 70,000 works of art. The collection is split between NGV International featuring masterpieces from Europe, Asia, and the Americas including works by Rembrandt and Monet, and The Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square showcasing Indigenous, colonial, and modern Australian art. The gallery's architecture is a work of art itself, with the iconic water wall at the entrance. Many exhibitions are free, making world-class art accessible to all.

One of the world's greatest sports stadiums, the MCG can hold up to 100,000 spectators and is the spiritual home of Australian Rules Football and cricket. The stadium has hosted multiple Cricket World Cup finals, the 1956 Summer Olympics, and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Take a guided tour to go behind the scenes, visit the National Sports Museum, or catch an AFL match in winter or cricket in summer, including the legendary Boxing Day Test. The atmosphere during a game is electric and quintessentially Melbourne.

The 93 colorful beach boxes at Brighton's Dendy Street Beach are among Melbourne's most iconic and Instagrammable spots. Dating back over 100 years, these heritage-listed bathing boxes were originally changing rooms for Victorian ladies. Today, they're highly coveted pieces of real estate, each uniquely painted and adorned. The boxes line the beach with the Melbourne skyline visible in the distance, creating a picture-perfect scene. Best visited on a sunny morning for photos without crowds.

Melbourne's most famous laneway and a world-renowned street art destination, Hosier Lane is an ever-changing outdoor gallery of graffiti, stencil art, and murals. The unsigned laneway off Flinders Street features some of Melbourne's best street art, showcasing the work of both local and international underground artists. The art changes constantly as new pieces are added, making each visit unique. It's completely free to explore and a must-see for anyone interested in Melbourne's creative culture.