Nine weird and wacky things to do in Melbourne

LOOKING for something a little different to do in Melbourne? From ghost tours to coffee with cats, the city has something for everyone.

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MELBURNIANS all know about the city’s many tourists attractions and have probably visited them more times than they’d like to count.

The many zoos, the aquarium, the wheel are all great places to visit — but those looking for something different should experience the weird and wacky things Melbourne has on offer.

From ghost tours, to eating on the move or walking down the side of a building face first — there’s something for everyone.

Get spooked on a ghost tour

IF GETTING ghoulish is your thing, there are many ghost tours across Victoria sure to spook you. Whether its at the Altona Homestead, the Ararat Lunatic Asylum, Ballarat’s old cemetery or a tour of Australia’s oldest lighthouse in Cape Otway there’s got to be something to scare your socks off.

Historian and ghost tour guide Trevor Poultney knows everything about the ghosts and spooky occurrences that still go on today inside the Old Melbourne Gaol. Picture: David Caird.

Explore a cave

GO UNDERGROUND to the mystique and legend of Victoria’s most famous caves. The twisted and wrinkled Buchan Caves date back 300-400 million years and have been a tourist attraction since the 1920s.

The Fairy Cave at Buchan is a marvel worth visiting. Picture: Laura Ferguson

Eat on the move

IT’S NOT something you do every day — so why not wine and dine your loved one while travelling around Melbourne’s CBD on a tram or taking in the delights of the Dandenongs while enjoying a meal on the puffing billy. The tram car restaurant runs every day of the year and Puffing Billy runs a Steam and Cuisine Luncheon daily (except public holidays) and some special events — like Valentines Day.

Enjoy a meal on Puffing Billy.

Puffing Billy’s dining carriage.

Visit a themed bar

MELBOURNE is best known for its night-life — but step away from the norm and experience the weird and wacky bars on offer. From the garden party vibe of Madame Brussels to the hospital-themed Croft Institute — this city has something for everyone.

The Croft Institute, a hidden bar in Chinatown, is one of many themed bars in Melbourne.

Cat cafe

BOASTING Australia’s first ever cat cafe — Melbourne lets you enjoy a coffee and snacks while playing, patting and relaxing with an array of kitties. Those with allergies might want to give it a miss — but it’s a paradise for cat lovers.

Anita Loughran enjoys a coffee alongside furry companions in Melbourne. Picture: Jason Edwards

Get the adrenaline pumping

WANT SOMETHING to get the blood flowing? Why not jump face first off a seven storey building in the heart of Melbourne — apparently rap jumping is a thing when you abseil down the side of a building. If that’s too much for you, why not trying hitting the track at Sandown or flying through the treetops on a zip line in Belgrave.

Rap jumping will certainly get your blood pumping.

Escape rooms

IF GETTING locked in a room and not being able to get out until you solve an array of puzzles is your idea of fun — escape rooms could be perfect for you. There are so many choices across Melbourne — so grab a group of friends (who are great puzzle solvers) and away you go.

Ben McKenzie tries to escape a room in Preston.

Step back in time

MOST VICTORIANS have panned for gold at Sovereign Hill (if you haven’t, it’s worth checking out) but have you ever been to a medieval castle? Kryal Castle is Australia’s only medieval tourist attraction and includes a replica castle and daily shows of brave knights jousting in the arena.

For CL: Phillip Leitch is Kryal Castle’s resident knight and is a champion jouster. Picture: Andy Rogers

Go big or go home

ONCE THE bread and butter of America — food challenges are becoming popular in Melbourne. The key is to eat as much as you can of a monstrous meal within a time limit set by the restaurant of cafe. Succeed and get your name on the wall, fail and feel sick for days.

Up for it? Try our food challenge guide.

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