As a city of bustling areas and architecturally significant buildings, Melbourne offers many rewards to the sightseer. Queen Victoria’s Market, one of the largest outdoors markets in the world, presents the bustle and spectacle of more than 600 vendors. Nearby Federation Square, which occupies a city block, has held some of Australia’s most important public demonstrations. Collins Street recalls the sights of 19th century Australian life, and residents still amble the art deco and mosaic-lined street to window-shop Parisian-style boutiques. If you need a rest, consider a stay at the State Library, which has welcomed visitors since 1856.
History buffs will find plenty to appreciate in this metropolis founded in the early 19th century. Flinders Street Station, built in 1854 as Melbourne’s first rail station, is a city landmark notable for the remnants of lavish workers’ facilities and underground passages filled with art. A short distance away, the 1861 Abbotsford Convent offers a window into colonial missionary work. The nearby Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building, a World Heritage Site, offers free tours of Victoria’s first parliamentary space. The current Parliament House of Victoria, a massive 1856 monolith, also offers free tours of both houses and the library.
As a city that prides itself on urban design, Melbourne features many outdoor spaces and public parks. Fawkner Park in the city of Port Philip presents a huge expanse of greenery perfect for sports. Elm-lined walkways intersect throughout, and old Moreton Bay figs lend some shade. St. Kilda Foreshore, a seaside area south of Fawkner Park, has an expanse of sandy beach and promenades with palm trees. The Royal Botanic Gardens is one of Melbourne’s most frequented free attractions. Aongside the Yarra River, the gardens present an international selection of plants and an array of wildlife.
Melbourne has an international arts reputation and does not disappoint with its selection of institutions with free admission. The Ian Potter Centre houses Victoria’s authoritative collection of Australian art and artifacts. The first floor of this museum holds artwork from Australia’s indigenous peoples, while the upper floors present work from the Heidelberg School and Australian modernists. The museum's sister institution, the National Gallery of Victoria International, has a collection that ranges from ancient sculptures to contemporary masterpieces. For visitors interested in checking out the local arts scene, the Footcray Community Arts Centre features exhibits in a space next to the Maribyrnong River.
