Great way to see the Central Business District in Melbourne on the City Circle Trams…read more Hop on a historic W-class tram for free. Route 35 goes in a clockwise direction. The 60 minute ride has a narration in English and stops at highlights along the way. The W-class trams were built from the 1920s to the 1950s. They remind me a bit of the streetcars in New Orleans. We used the trams to get a nice overview of Melbourne with stops to reach museums, Flagstaff Gardens and Queen Victoria Market. Had a great view of Marvel Stadium, Flinders Street Station, St. Paul's Cathedral and the Immigration Museum from the tram. So interesting to also see all of the Australian Open/AO advertising throughout Melbourne. A nice way to explore Melbourne especially when you have limited time in the city.

We purchased a MetroCard and tapped it each time we got onto a tram. The trams in the central…read moreshopping / business district are free and we did not have to tap. All of the trams that we got onto during the weekend were very very crowded it was standing room only. most were wearing masks since we were squeezed on top of each other. The City Circle Tram is a free and convenient way to see the sights of central Melbourne and the Docklands while experiencing a ride on one of the city's much loved older & historic trams. An audio commentary should have provided details of city landmarks & major attractions. We waited for the number 35 tram that never came. There was no notice that it was not running for the three days we were in Melbourne. We stopped another tram driver and asked, we were told it's not running.

Ever had that urge to dress up as a giant smurf?…read more Then Mozzies Cozzies is for you. An adult costume will set you back around $80 to hire. They have a pretty big range, from superheros, to nurse outfits, to animals. I used Mozzies for my cousins 21st, opting for a nuns outfit while my then boyfriend dressed up as Wally. The costumes were clean and didn't smell and the process of hiring was fast and easy. There is plenty of parking, and it doesn't get too congested traffic wise around the area.

A quaint cottage at Fitzroy garden. Visitors can enter at a…read morefee, and they have staff dressed in clothing styled back in the day. There are costumes that visitors can also try out for a photo opportunity.

It's well worth a visit. Set in the beautiful Fitzroy Gardens and now with a stunning Information…read morecentre and cafe located right next door, Cook's Cottage is a great place to learn about the European discovery of Australia. The small cottage and its garden are beautiful and the volunteers that dress up in costumes of the era are a great addition.

Walk through the giant slate grey box that is the International Gallery, through the spacious…read moreentrance hall, through the stained glass room, and out to the garden. This is one of the lovely free art spaces dotted around Melbourne that are somehow still big secrets. I find that it's a beautiful place to relax, eat a packed lunch, drink a coffee, and just take time to oneself to enjoy the surrounds. The sculpture display changes in the garden frequently, so you can be sure to never get bored with what you see. Yes, I can still here the cars and the trams on the road, and yes, I am not alone in the garden. Yet who cares, when it's a little moment of peace in an otherwise busy day. And it's free!

Apparently this area was built about ten years ago but (according to a couple of locals and vendors…read morewe spoke to) because of high rents and parking there are always a lot of vacant stores and restaurant spaces. What a pity - beautiful location, Cargo is a great little restaurant and easy to reach on the (free) 86 tram. The outlet mall us pretty nice and has some crazy bargains (just ask my wife). The best deal of all were some pretty fancy high-heel pumps for $2 ( that's US$1.62!!!!!!) and no sales tax. Deal huh!!!!??

I've been staying here a little lately, so I like to think I'm fairly familiar with this area now…read more For the most part, everything people say about the Docklands is true - it's very windy, gets very cold, there are a lot of empty apartments, and the construction of even more apartment buildings means constant noise every day from 6:45am to 5pm (except on Sundays). I very rarely see more than a dozen people at a time and most of those people are construction workers. It's kind of a ghost town, but it does get a bit busier on the weekends. There's not that much more to tell. I don't particularly like Harbour Town that much; it's mostly factory outlets and the restaurants in the area aren't that great. I've wondered how the shops manage to stay in business with so few people visiting the area. I've been told that a Hoyts is going to be built here in the near future; that might attract more people to the area. On a brighter note though, the Docklands is within the free tram zone, so you can take a quick tram ride to the CBD free of charge.

The Public Purse is a huge granite and stainless steel sculpture. It was created after a contest to…read moredesign unique seating in Melbourne. It is a quirky place to have a seat for weary shoppers or tourists in the Central Business District. So fun!

I'm not really all that sure about this particular thing, though I guess it does serve to give…read moreMelbourne a bit of character. Mind you, I wouldn't go as far as calling it an icon, because it isn't as if people come to Melbourne just to see 'The Public Purse'. Yet, it is one of those places that could serve as a meeting spot, if it wasn't for the fact that there happen to be some clocks on Flinder's Street Station where people do the exact same thing.

Degraves Street was one of Melbourne's first laneways. Laneways are narrow streets, like an alley,…read more that support diversity in public spaces. Love the cute cafes and shops along this passage off busy Flinders Street.

It is a short, narrow laneway in the Central Business District & is famous for its alfresco dining…read moreoptions. It epitomizes Melbourne's coffee culture & street art scene. It is near the rail station and is all popular tourist destination.

Recently transformed from its weary state to a grassy haven in the centre of The Basin, the Basin…read moreTriangle is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon. Opposite the small group of shops on Mountain Highway, this little park area is a favourite amongst locals and visitors wanting a place to take the kids or the dog for a good old run around. With the play equipment getting a recent overhaul, what was a pretty tired wooden structure is now a state of the art (and quite futuristic) play area surrounded by chairs and tables for parents to drink their coffee and chat whilst the kids let out their energy. With the Basin Fish & Chip shop located across the road, this often proves convenient on a nice afternoon, as the lush grass provides the perfect place to unwrap your order and eat your chips. If you're after something healthier, grab a wrap or pie from the bakery or one of the coffee shops and unwind under the trees. Also the location of the yearly Basin Music Festival, the triangle is as old the suburb itself and recent boom sin property prices in the area is sure to usher in a new age of style and demographic to The Basin.