8 Must Dos in Melbourne’s Inner City

When it comes to cities, Melbourne’s got it all – live music, quirky architecture, individuality, good food and great coffee!  There’s a reason why Australia’s southern city of ‘cool’ has been named the world’s most liveable city year after year.  The inner city is never short of surprises, bustling with laneway cafes, rooftop bars, graffiti art, historical buildings, parks you can get lost in and a little something for everyone. Even if you have just a day or two to explore, these 8 Inner City “Must Dos” will offer a delicious taste of what makes Melbourne worthy of a top spot on your bucket list.
1. Hire a Bike
Scattered across Melbourne’s CBD you will find 51 ‘tourist friendly’ bike stations that offer daily hire for just $2.90 per day. The city is bicycle friendly with lanes running along Yarra River, through the Botanic Gardens, in and out of the city streets and through to the outer suburbs. Daily hire can be purchased at any of the blue bike stations.
2. Get lost in the laneways
There’s a certain mystic and secrecy about the many graffiti and cafe lined laneways hidden in the streets of Melbourne’s city. You will find vintage clothing stores, soup kitchens, organic coffee, humble rooftop bars, live music entertaining restaurant patrons and of course – an abundance of graffiti art. Our favourite laneways you ask?
For graffiti art, boutique stores, coffee or a quick bite to eat – Degraves Street and Hosier Lane are well worth a visit. Whereas neighbouring Hardware Lane is always bustling with locals enjoying an after work drink or a fancy feed. The restaurants here offer Italian style street dining and there’s always a busker or two to provide nightly entertainment.
3. Eureka Skydeck
With 360 degree views of Melbourne, Eureka Skydeck stands at 285 metres tall. Here you will experience the southern hemisphere’s fastest elevator ride as you make your way to the viewing platform. Take the free audio tour for a great overview of Melbourne’s architectural history and if you are game enough – ‘The Edge’ experience will have you standing in a glass cube that extends OUT from the building, overlooking the streets below – not for the faint hearted!
4. Take a ride on the City Circle Tram
Look out for the red City Circle Tram circulating Melbourne’s CBD. This particular tram operates just for tourists and it’s free! The audio commentary provides a break down on the city’s major landmarks and attractions.
5. Victoria Winter Night Market
Located in the north of Melbourne’s city centre, Victoria Market is a great place to buy… well, everything! You will find food trucks, souvenirs, clothing, jewellery, locals buying their groceries, buskers, gourmet delicacies, sangria, mulled wine, cheese, flavoured tea, international eats, bits and bobs… the list goes on!
The Night Market is open every Wednesday night from 5PM throughout Winter, attracting locals and visitors alike with live music, entertainers, food vans and more. Can’t make the Wednesday? Queen Victoria Market is also open daily (except for Mondays).
6. Royal Botanical Gardens
Amidst the city’s cafes, shops, restaurants and all round liveliness you will find the Botanic Gardens – a great place to update the Instagram and grab a coffee after a morning of exploring.  There’s a cafe located in the heart of the gardens and you will not struggle to find a quiet spot – the gardens are huge! Here there is also the opportunity to take a FREE Aboriginal Heritage Tour.
7. Explore the suburbs – Fitzroy, Brunswick, St Kilda, Lygon Street
Like most cities, the outer suburbs tend to be where the hipsters come out to play. Fitzroy and Brunswick can be found north of Melbourne’s CBD and are most definitely worth the short tram ride. You will find authentic international & vegetarian restaurants, loads of live music venues, beer gardens, independent clothing stores and ‘interesting to say the least’ locals.
South of the city and just a 20 minute tram ride away sits St Kilda – Melbourne’s funky beach side suburb. Like its northern counterparts St Kilda has a rich history with great nightlife, beach side cafes and of course – the infamous Luna Park.
In South Yarra you will stumble upon Chapel Street – an entire street dedicated to shopping, restaurants and late night clubs.
8. Catch an AFL Game
Ok – so the atmosphere may not be as hectic as an English Football match, but it’s still worth checking out the famous sporting match that every Melbournian lives and breathes! Etihad Statium and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) have a number of games on every weekend throughout Winter.
By Katie Tobias