Must not miss spots in Melbourne – For a classic Melbourne holiday

Located on the banks of Yarra River, the Royal Botanic Gardens are a must-visit for Melbourne visitors. Occupying a land area of 38 hectares, these gardens encompass locations in both Melbourne and Cranbourne. The garden nurtures nearly 8, 500 plants species. The Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden is purposed to inspire the next generation of gardeners. One of the main highlights of the garden is the Aboriginal Heritage Walk that educates visitors on the indigenous heritage and people in Australia. The other attractions include the moonlight cinema and the live theatre. The Royal Botanic Gardens can be easily reached from any Melbourne hotel.

One of the best places to start any sightseeing tour, Federation Square came into being in 2002 to commemorate 100 years of federation. The square is an integral part of Melbourne, though some locals don't exactly love it; however, Federation Square became an excellent addition to the touristy appeal of Melbourne. The building's ultra-modern style juxtaposes with the surrounding Victorian-style buildings. Federation Square hosts nearly 2,000 events on a yearly basis. This is also where you find the Ian Potter Centre and the Australian Centre for the Moving Images. Most commonly referred to as the Fed Square, this is another free Wi-Fi spot in Australia.

Located within walkable distance from Pan Pacific Melbourne, the Southbank promenade is all about live entertainment, cafes and restaurants. There's an amazing art and crafts market every Sunday, and the area remains festive for most of the year. The Arts Centre houses State Theatre, Hammer Hall and Fairfax Theatre – this is also where the most loved Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is held.

With over 70,000 works of art, the National Gallery of Victoria is the oldest gallery of its kind in Australia. The gallery has two locations: St. Kilda Road building where the international art collection is housed and the Ian Potter Gallery in Federation Square where the Australian art collection is housed. St Kilda Road building is known for The Great Hall where you can lie on the floor and admire the ornamental glass ceiling.

Dating back to 1822, Melbourne Zoo is one of the oldest places in Australia that sustains wildlife. The zoo shelters around 300 species with state-of-the-art facilities. One of the highlights is the Trail of the Elephants that gives visitors an insight into the lives of elephants that live in a natural setting. Orang-utan Sanctuary is another highlight where the animals have a setting similar to their natural habitat. With a range of tours and other behind-the-scenes activities, the zoo offers tourists an unforgettable experience.

Located in Kings Domain Gardens, Shrine of Remembrance reminds people of the repercussions of wars. The shrine was constructed after the Great War to pay respects to those who were affected by the Great War. Shrine of Remembrance is the focus of the Remembrance Day and ANZAC Day. The site offers guided tours, but you can also tour the place by yourself. The shrine assumes its best countenance at night where there's lighting.

One of the historical icons of Melbourne, Queen Victoria Market is equally popular with locals and tourists. Since 1878, the market has been the centre for fresh produce shopping. Open five days a week, the market trades in a range of merchandise including clothes, toys, crafts and souvenirs. The best time to visit the market is during the summer; this is when the market becomes the host for live events, including music concerts.