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Melbourne Museum
2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Melbourne Museum

8.6
4.7/5
618 reviews
The Melbourne Museum was built in July 1996 and officially opened to the public in November 2000. It is the largest and innovative museum in the southern hemisphere. It is located in Carlton Gardens with the Royal Exhibition Hall. 1. Regional introduction The museum has three floors. The first floor includes the Bangiraka Indigenous Cultural Center, the Pacific Exhibition Hall, the Forest Exhibition Hall, the Science and Life Exhibition Hall, the Children's Hall, as well as shops and cafes; the second floor includes the Melbourne Exhibition Hall, the Mind and Body Exhibition Hall, Evolution Showroom; lower level includes Discovery Center and IMAX Cinema. 2. Collections and displays The collections and displays of the Melbourne Museum are amazing. You can see dinosaur fossils at the entrance, and there is also a 20-meter-long blue whale skeleton specimen, which is extremely rare. In more than 20 exhibition halls and independent exhibition halls, the museum has prepared all-inclusive content, and there are more than a dozen permanent exhibitions currently open. 3. Natural culture Nature is obviously the focus of the museum. The Science and Life Pavilion offers "Bees", "Life of Insects", "Ocean Life: Exploring Our Sea", "Human Body", "Consciousness: Enter The Labyrinth" and "From Darwin to DNA" at the Evolution Pavilion. 4. Indoor forest area The three-story indoor forest area introduces the ecological functions of the forest from the forest hierarchy, water conservation, plant composition, the seasonal distinction of Australian forests, and forest fires that often occur in Australia's dry season. There are also some Australian forests in it. Common birds and ants. The "Forest Secret" in the pavilion is at the center of the building, creating an ecosystem that is exactly the same as the natural environment, showing the trees, plants, wildlife and insects in Victoria's high mountains. Walking into the forest corridor, you will see more than 8,000 Australian plants planted here. In addition, there are insect exhibition areas and evolution areas that display the mysteries of the biological world. 5. The style of the style museum is very modern, which forms a strong contrast with the classical style of the Royal Exhibition Hall next to it. In addition to creating a visual effect, the metal frame and glass curtain wall also draw more natural light into the public spaces of the pavilion. You will see that the staff in the museum are wearing brightly colored work clothes, exuding a strong aboriginal cultural style, which contrasts with the avant-garde architectural form.Carlton · 539m from downtown
Penguin Parade
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Gippsland

Penguin Parade

8.6
4.3/5
207 reviews
The penguin parade is located at Summerland Beach on the southwestern tip of Phillip Island, serving as the signature attraction of Phillip Island Nature Park. It occurs daily around sunset: groups of little blue penguins return ashore on the waves after a day of foraging at sea, first gathering in shallow waters and peering around before waddling across the beach along fixed routes to their dune burrows. Spectators can observe this natural "mini parade" up close from viewing stands and boardwalks, often with penguins passing just steps away. The island is home to tens of thousands of little blue penguins. With blue feathers on their backs and snow-white bellies, they stand just over 30 cm tall and weigh approx. one kg when fully grown. Their round bodies and waddling gait make them utterly endearing. They spend their days foraging at sea and return to their nests in groups after dusk, following nearly identical round-trip routes between the ocean and their burrows generation after generation. On-site, you can hear their overlapping calls. There are a few points to note when observing: The eyes of little penguins are highly sensitive to light, so cameras or video recorders are not allowed on site, and quiet waiting is necessary to avoid disturbing them; after sunset, the seaside becomes windy and chilly, so even in summer, it is recommended to bring warm outerwear and arrive early to wait for the penguins to come ashore. This spectacle occurs year-round, with the southern hemisphere's spring and summer seasons (approximately August to February each year) coinciding with the breeding season, when penguin shore arrivals and nest activity become more frequent, typically creating livelier scenes. △ The little penguins leave the island to forage at sea during the day and return to their coastal nests in groups to rest at night. △ These little penguins are the smallest in the world, not only tiny in size but also very timid. Please avoid using flash to prevent irritating their eyes. △ The Penguin Parade can be observed year-round, with warmer weather from September to January coinciding with the breeding season, when penguin activity becomes more frequent, making it an ideal time for viewing.Summerlands · 78.7km from Melbourne
Sovereign Hill
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Goldfields

Sovereign Hill

7.9
4.6/5
594 reviews
Sovereign Hill is an open-air museum located on the Ballarat goldfields, recreating the original appearance of a gold rush town during the first decade after gold was discovered in 1851. Walking into the park, the gravel-paved main street is lined with bakeries, candy stores, blacksmith shops, candle workshops, and old-fashioned photo studios, where staff in period costumes move about, and horse-drawn carriages occasionally pass by, transporting visitors back to the gold rush era of the 1850s. The signature experience here is gold panning: carefully sifting through creek water with a pan, and with luck, you might take home tiny gold flakes. The underground tunnels of Red Hill Mine recount the story of miners discovering the "Welcome Nugget," a gold nugget weighing nearly 70 kg. In the gold melting workshop, staff pour molten gold into bars on the spot—a truly impressive sight. The red-coated soldiers' musket-firing demonstrations along the main street and the handmade raspberry hard candy process in the candy workshop are year-round highlights. After dark, visitors can enjoy the AURA sound and light show, which tells the legend of gold. The park is spacious with many activities, so it's recommended to set aside most of a day for a leisurely visit. The main street has gravel paths, so wearing comfortable shoes is advisable. Gold panning, vintage photos, and carriage rides are particularly popular, so it's best to prioritize these upon arrival. △ It feels like traveling back to the gold rush era of the 1850s △ Observe the candy-making process up close △ Listen to the stories of the red-coated guards on Main StreetAustralia · Golden Point

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Experiences you can't miss in Melbourne

Featured Culture & history in Melbourne

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Old Melbourne Gaol: Entry Ticket
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[Go West Tours]Great Ocean Road DayTour fromMelbourne|EnglishGuide|Max24|16Languages Audio
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews· 30 booked
Duration: 5.2 hrs
English
Free cancellation
FromBRL 607.23
Melbourne Puffing Billy Steam Train + Redwood Forest + Yarra Valley & Dandenongs Ranges Day Tour [Premium Group | Hotel Transfers]
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FromBRL 754.43
Melbourne: Skydeck Experience Packages
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[Explore Australia Tours]Sovereign Hill Ballarat Day Tour
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Duration: 5 hrs
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FromBRL 645.42

Featured Food & drink in Melbourne

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Affordable and relaxing - 1-day tour to Puffing Billy Railway and Yarra Valley & Dandenongs Ranges winery in Melbourne
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4.9/5
· 139 reviews· 1.6k booked
Duration: 4.8 hrs
English
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26 consecutive positive reviews
FromBRL 406.99
Yarra Valley Full Day Grazing Tour: Gin, Wine, Pizza, Cheese
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4.9/5
· 11 reviews
Duration: 8 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromBRL 684.72BRL 720.76
Melbourne Yarra Valley & Dandenongs Ranges wine tasting + gourmet food + Healesville 1-day tour with hotel transfer
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4.8/5
· 4 reviews
Duration: 4.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
92 travellers saved
FromBRL 678.94
Melbourne Puffing Billy Train + Redwood Forest + Yarra Valley Winery English Day Tour in Australia
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FromBRL 724.98
1-day tour of Yarra Valley winery in Melbourne with lunch, wine tasting and cheese sampling
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FromBRL 1,288.64

Featured Spa & wellness in Melbourne

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1-day round-trip tour to Peninsula Hot Springs from Melbourne
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23 booked
Duration: 8.3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
FromBRL 750.35
Peninsula Hot Springs: Entry Ticket with Bath House
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4.8/5
· 12 reviews
Duration: 5 hrs
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5% off
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FromBRL 289.81BRL 305.07
Mornington Peninsula: Alba Thermal Springs & Spa
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Duration: 1 day
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5% off
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FromBRL 361.49BRL 380.52
Mornington Peninsula: Hot Springs and Body Clay Ritual
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Duration: 4 hrs
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5% off
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FromBRL 361.49BRL 380.52
Peninsula Hot Springs: Fire, Ice, and Bathe
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Duration: 45 mins
English
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5% off
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FromBRL 361.49BRL 380.52
From Melbourne: Peninsula Hot Springs and Bath Box tour
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Duration: 4 hrs
English
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5% off
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FromBRL 683.22BRL 719.18
Mornington Peninsula Small Group Wine & Hot Springs with Lunch
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4.6/5
· 12 reviews
Duration: 8 hrs
Free cancellation
FromBRL 1,029.89

Featured Day tours in Melbourne

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[Affordable Price for Tomorrow] Melbourne Puffing Billy Steam Train + Phillip Island & Penguin Island Day Trip
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4.9/5
· 1.5k reviews· 17.2k booked
Duration: 7 hrs
English
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97% of travelers recommend
FromBRL 305.85
No optional zoo visit, includes Gibson Steps | Melbourne Great Ocean Road Trail + Twelve Apostles Day Trip
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4.9/5
· 1k reviews· 9.6k booked
Duration: 6.8 hrs
English
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100 consecutive positive reviews
FromBRL 80.75
Optional Mercedes-Benz 499] Melbourne Puffing Billy Railway + Penguin Parade Phillip Island 1-day tour
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4.8/5
· 1.2k reviews· 15.9k booked
Duration: 6 hrs
English
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90 consecutive positive reviews
FromBRL 305.85
Melbourne Puffing Billy Steam Train & Phillip Island Penguin Parade one-day tour
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4.7/5
· 288 reviews· 1.7k booked
Duration: 6.1 hrs
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93.4% of travelers recommend
FromBRL 572.86
all-inclusive zoo/Split Point Lighthouse] Melbourne Great Ocean Walk + Twelve Apostles 1-day tour
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5.0/5
· 86 reviews· 914 booked
Duration: 7.4 hrs
English
Free cancellation
86 consecutive positive reviews
FromBRL 80.75
Melbourne Phillip Island + Brighton Bathing Boxes + Moonlit Sanctuary day tour [Penguin Island transfer quality group]
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4.5/5
· 4 reviews· 111 booked
Duration: 3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
61 travellers saved
FromBRL 643.51

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Free things to do in Melbourne

What travellers say about Melbourne

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M30***186 October 2026
5.0
A fantastic museum experience! The entire exhibition hall was beautifully designed, offering an immersive and interactive experience suitable for people of all ages. It allowed for close-up observation of dinosaur fossils and showcased different periods of Australian culture. I recommend allocating 4 to 5 hours for a visit.

Melbourne Museum

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willem_king24 October 2026
5.0
It's best to buy the plus ticket. The visitor center has an estimated time when the penguins will come ashore, so just arrive a little early. The estimated time is very accurate; the penguins appear little by little as soon as the time comes, and then they come ashore in groups. They're tiny and very cute.

Penguin Parade

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Anonymous user6 June 2026
5.0
Long train ride outside of the city. Surrounding Great nature. Worth to visit

Puffing Billy Railway

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Mandadadada30 May 2023
5.0
Lovely place to walk past on the way to the Melbourne museum. This time of the year, there’s autumn leaves covering the walkways. There is even a small pond with some ducks in the corner. And right in front of the royal exhibition hall, there is a fountain where sometimes you will catch couples taking their wedding photos here.

Carlton Gardens

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Avinash Khanapur22 March 2026
4.0
I have completed summit of various tallest buildings and observatory decks. However Eureka Towers lacks the punch or experience and assuming that I was never designed from a commercial aspects. However being jn CBD, it does offer some spectacular views and photographic opportunities. But challenge always remains that Wearher should support u. The GenZ experiences like EDGE and VR are there but can be much better. Felt they are not value for money.

Melbourne Skydeck

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_TI***ue5 October 2026
5.0
Can see all the native animals at one place. No need to travel to Western Australia to see Quokkas.

Melbourne Zoo

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Anonymous user3 October 2026
5.0
It was such a nice experience to visit the aquarium in Mel! Our girl definitely had lots of fun locating all the residents and stamping them in our booklet. It is quite a big space to see various kinds of fish and sea life.

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

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M10***604 October 2026
5.0
You can experience riding a mine cart down the mine shaft, with a 45-minute guided tour, which is quite a novel experience. Overall, it's pretty good! However, considering the two-hour drive and ticket price, the value for money isn't very high, so it's not a must-see attraction. If you're short on time, you can skip it; if you have more time, it's still a great option!

Sovereign Hill

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JaymeLee28 January 2025
4.0
Amazing viewing point! make sure you check out the beach and also the viewing deck. facilities are well taken care of and large parking lot

Twelve Apostles

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谢颖华24 October 2025
5.0
It's actually not bad. There are a lot of people, and I really followed the online suggestions and bought ordinary seats. There is no need to buy too good seats. They will be close to each other anyway. Overall, this trip is worth experiencing.

Phillip Island

Trip Moments in Melbourne

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Melbourne?

Don't miss these attractions in Melbourne: Melbourne Museum, Penguin Parade, and Puffing Billy Railway. If you like Culture & history, try Old Melbourne Gaol: Entry Ticket. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Affordable and relaxing - 1-day tour to Puffing Billy Railway and Yarra Valley & Dandenongs Ranges winery in Melbourne.

You can give Affordable and relaxing - 1-day tour to Puffing Billy Railway and Yarra Valley & Dandenongs Ranges winery in Melbourne and Yarra Valley Full Day Grazing Tour: Gin, Wine, Pizza, Cheese a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include [Affordable Price for Tomorrow] Melbourne Puffing Billy Steam Train + Phillip Island & Penguin Island Day Trip, No optional zoo visit, includes Gibson Steps | Melbourne Great Ocean Road Trail + Twelve Apostles Day Trip, and Optional Mercedes-Benz 499] Melbourne Puffing Billy Railway + Penguin Parade Phillip Island 1-day tour. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 31 October 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Melbourne is around BRL 80.75 – BRL 643.51. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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