Best free activities you must try in Melbourne and Victoria
ENJOYING the world’s most liveable city doesn’t have to come at a great cost, with plenty of free activities to enjoy in Melbourne and beyond. These are 12 of the best cost-free things to do in Victoria.
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ENJOYING the world’s most liveable city doesn’t have to come at a great cost, with plenty of free activities to enjoy in Melbourne and beyond.
From the city’s most picturesque toilet to complimentary samples of delicious Victorian chocolate, these are 12 of the best cost-free attractions to check out.
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TOP 12 FREE ACTIVITIES YOU MUST TRY IN VICTORIA
1. GET LOST IN A BOOK IN THE STATE LIBRARY OF VICTORIA’S DOMED READING ROOM
This space is like something out of a movie. Norman G. Peebles, an architect from Bates, Peebles & Smart, designed the octagonal room, which opened in 1913. At the time, it was one of the largest concrete domes in the world. The design was based on the British Museum in London and the Library of Congress in Washington.
2. SEE CRANBOURNE’S ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS
A team of Melbourne gardeners replicated Cranbourne Royal Botanic Gardens’ “Australia Garden” to take home a gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show in London. Seven years on, the Cranbourne gardens are still something you must experience.
rbg.vic.gov.au/visit-cranbourne
3. GO FOR A WEE AT THE SOFITEL MELBOURNE ON COLLINS TOILETS
Toilet humour aside, it’s one of the nicer places to relieve yourself in Melbourne. You’ll get unspoilt views of the CBD, MCG and eastern suburbs from the luxury hotel’s 35th level. While you’re up there, make sure you indulge in No35 restaurant’s new menu by chef de cuisine Michael Harrison or try the Modern New Yorker Lunch featuring edible works of art to celebrate the MoMA exhibition at the NGV.
4. STEP BACK IN TIME AT POINT NEPEAN NATIONAL PARK
Found on the pointy end of the peninsula, Port Nepean National Park took an important role in shaping Victoria’s early settlement, quarantine and defence. Tour the Quarantine Station or view the memorial where prime minister Harold Holt went missing.
parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/point-nepean-national-park
5. WATCH THE SUNSET OR SUNRISE AT PRINCES PIER, PORT MELBOURNE
The early bird catches the worm or, in this instance, the early fisherman. Walk along the historic pier at the start or end of the day and take in the honeyed hues that kiss Port Phillip Bay.
6. SNACK ON FREE CHOCOLATE SAMPLES AT THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD CHOCOLATERIE
As with its Yarra Valley counterpart, you’ll be a kid in a chocolate store at the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie. Grab a handful of chocolate buttons (dark, milk or white) and explore the choc-full showroom.
7. QUEUE TO SEE THE MYER CHRISTMAS WINDOWS
Melbourne city is a special place to visit over Christmas, and while you’re doing a spot of shopping in the Bourke Street Mall, make sure you take a peek at the Myer Christmas windows. The windows were initially intended to be Myer’s first Christmas gift to the people of Melbourne in 1956.
myer.com.au/shop/mystore/gifts/giftorium-christmas-at-myer/giftorium-christmas-events
8. … AND CROWN CASINO’S CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR
While we’re on the subject of Christmas, head over to Crown Casino to see The Atrium’s free light and sound show, shown every 30 minutes during the festive season.
crownmelbourne.com.au/christmas
9. SPOT THE PENGUINS AT THE END OF ST KILDA PIER
Penguin viewing is not restricted to Phillip Island. A colony also calls the St Kilda breakwater home every night of the year. The best time for viewing is after sunset, when you may see penguins emerge from their nests in the rocks. But be patient and considerate — tourists are banned from poking selfie sticks into their nests or using flash photography.
10. BATHE IN A RIVER CROSSING AT LERDERDERG STATE PARK
Bask in the sun and take a dip at O’Briens Crossing in the Lerderderg State Park, near Blackwood. While camping isn’t allowed at the crossing, you can find a cosy spot to call home for the night at the Upper Chadwick campground.
parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/lerderderg-state-park/things-to-do/obriens-crossing
11. RUN A LAP OF THE TAN, WITHOUT WALKING UP ANDERSON ST
Every Melburnian has run or walked the Tan Track around the Royal Botanic Gardens, but not many choose to take the route that will see them run up Anderson St. The steep, almost 1km trek bordering the gardens between Alexandra Ave and Domain Rd is not for the faint-hearted, but great for those wanting a challenge. For others, a steady walk around the 3.8km circuit will get the blood pumping.
onlymelbourne.com.au/tan-track
12. FAREWELL THE DAY AT ONE OF VICTORIA’S HIGHEST POINTS
Mt McKay is the highest drivable peak in the country, at 1842m. From the mountain you’ll have clear views of Falls Creek Alpine Resort, the Kiewa Valley and Mt Bogong, Pretty Valley, Mt Hotham, Mt Feathertop and Rocky Valley Lake.
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