Top 6 Tourist Attractions in Melbourne – Splendid Highlights for the Sightseer

This well-known feature of Melbourne was opened to the public in the year 2002 in order to mark a century of the federation. Although the external appearance of this landmark has not met with universal acclaim, it is a vital feature of Melbourne and an excellent choice at which to commence your sightseeing tour. You will see that Federation Square has a very avant-garde appearance which stands in contrast with the stately Victorian buildings that surround it. Since over 2,000 different events are staged here annually, there is likely to be entertainment that takes your fancy here.

Set within verdant parkland a couple of kilometres from the city's central business district, you will find the Royal Botanic Gardens which are amongst the finest botanic gardens on the globe. You will find that this site occupies an extent of 38 hectares and contains over 8,500 plant varieties which include a number of rarely found specimens. The attractions of this garden do not end there as in summer you will find live theatrical performances and a night-time cinema here.

Since Melbourne is considered to be Australia's sporting hub, it is not surprising that a sporting stadium is ranked amongst its foremost attractions for tourists. The Melbourne Cricket Ground or MCG as it is popularly known seats 100,000 spectators and boasts a history stretching back to the year 1853. Many important sporting events have taken place at this stadium which is considered to rank amongst the greatest in the world. Another attraction here is the National Sports Museum which will capture the interest of sports lovers.

Visitors will find that Southbank which is situated beside the pleasant Yarra River contains an array of attractions that will draw the interest of the culture lover. The attractive Southbank promenade contains a range of outdoor as well as indoor restaurants, cafes and entertainment features. A fine art and craft market is staged here on Sundays, whilst this area also hosts numerous festivals right through the year. Meanwhile, the nearby Arts Centre features various theatres as well as other performance spaces too.

Having the distinction of being Australia's oldest art gallery that is open to the public, the National Gallery of Victoria contains over 70,000 artworks within two locations in the city. At St. Kilda Road, you will find the international art collection as well as The Great Hall which features a colourful ceiling made of stained glass. Meanwhile, the collection of Australian art is housed within the Ian Potter Gallery and is also worth taking in. A choice of accommodation to consider from which the National Gallery of Victoria could easily be visited would be Pan Pacific Melbourne which is one of the centrally located Melbourne hotels in the city.

If you appreciate modern sightseeing attractions make it a point to visit the Eureka Tower which rises to a height of 91 storeys over ground level and is located in the midst of Southbank. You will see that this skyscraper boasts a golden crown as well as windows that are gold-plated, making the building sparkle in the sun. Take the opportunity to experience the Skydeck, a public observation platform situated at the 88th storey. If you feel up to it, also visit the Edge, a vertigo-inducing cube made from glass that extends out of the building.