Best things to do in Melbourne

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[{"address":"Royal Botanic Gardens, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra VIC, Australia","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.0421,"latitudeDelta":0.0922,"latitude":-37.8303689,"longitude":144.9796056},"media":[{"metadata":{"width":750,"height":562},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F9yBDBY24MR5fZP7VcV1I%2Fstop_0_0.png?alt=media&token=0cdd59cb-62e7-48a4-8ac4-8e53b1d15e5e"},{"type":"text","content":"#`1. Royal Botanical Gardens`\n\nWhat is it? This expansive garden is home to a cool 8,500 plant species, zen lakes and lush lawns.\n\nWhy go? Melbourne is lucky enough to have its Royal Botanic Gardens smack bang in the middle of the city. Being so accessible, the gardens are ideal for a picnic or even just somewhere different to eat your workday lunch. The expansive grounds means you’re rarely forced to awkwardly face off with someone for a good spot of turf."},{"type":"link","content":"https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/things-to-do/royal-botanic-gardens-victoria"}]},{"address":"National Gallery of Victoria, Saint Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC, Australia","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.0421,"latitudeDelta":0.0922,"latitude":-37.8225942,"longitude":144.9689278},"media":[{"metadata":{"width":750,"height":562},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F9yBDBY24MR5fZP7VcV1I%2Fstop_2_0.png?alt=media&token=68fd5e08-a468-4084-8414-86d7ff0626a2"},{"type":"text","content":"#`2. The National Gallery of Victoria`\n\nWhat is it? The National Gallery of Victoria, the grand modernist building that sits pretty on St Kilda Road, is also Australia's oldest and most popular art museum.\n\nWhy go? The NGV brings major international art exhibitions to Melbourne, showcasing classic works of art alongside hot contemporary talents. In the past, we've seen Van Gogh, Hokusai, MC Escher, Dior, Dali, Warhol, works from New York City's MoMA gallery, and the massive free NGV Triennial, which returns in late 2020. \n"},{"type":"link","content":"https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/"}]},{"address":"Australian Open Tennis Courts, Batman Avenue, Melbourne VIC, Australia","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.0421,"latitudeDelta":0.0922,"latitude":-37.8203778,"longitude":144.9770363},"media":[{"metadata":{"width":750,"height":562},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F9yBDBY24MR5fZP7VcV1I%2Fstop_4_1.png?alt=media&token=be9aef78-3a80-4271-acc2-5aedff649058"},{"type":"text","content":"#`3. Australian Open`\n\nWhat is it? Every year, thousands head to Melbourne Park to watch the superstars of tennis battle it out in the fierce summer heat for the southern hemisphere’s only Grand Slam tournament.\n\nWhy go? Even if you don’t make it to the arena, Birrarung Marr is abuzz with live entertainment and food stalls for the Australian Open Festival, where live screenings of matches are played on big screens. Whatever form the event takes in 2021, we're excited for it.\n\nDon’t miss: If you’re a tennis fan, opt for a Ground Pass. This ticket won’t get you into the big arenas, but you’ll instead get access to all the smaller surrounding courts where up-and-coming tennis stars will play. Plus, the tickets start at only $49."}]},{"address":"Driver Lane, Melbourne VIC, Australia","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.0421,"latitudeDelta":0.0922,"latitude":-37.8131442,"longitude":144.9631166},"media":[{"metadata":{"width":750,"height":562},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F9yBDBY24MR5fZP7VcV1I%2Fstop_6_1.png?alt=media&token=a7f16807-60a6-40d5-9992-dae9ef82ae0e"},{"type":"text","content":"#`4. Hidden Bar Beneath Driver Lane`\n\nWhat is it? An underground bar in Melbourne's CBD, Beneath Driver Lane certainly cuts the mustard amongst some of Melbourne's coolest hidden bars.\n\nWhy go? If you like cocktails, whisky, blues, good service and eating Reuben sandwiches at 2am, Beneath Driver Lane is the basement of your dreams. Occupying an old bank vault in the CBD, this bar has a speakeasy feeling that’s rare in a city whose subterranean spaces are sorely underused. \n\nDon't miss: Getting to know the well-rounded back bar that boasts a 100+ bottle selection of whiskies, including unicorns like Yamazaki 18 and Pappy Van Winkle. "}]},{"address":"Queen Victoria Market, Queen Street, Melbourne VIC, Australia","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.0421,"latitudeDelta":0.0922,"latitude":-37.8075798,"longitude":144.956785},"media":[{"metadata":{"width":750,"height":562},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F9yBDBY24MR5fZP7VcV1I%2Fstop_1_1.png?alt=media&token=01cc85b9-0eb6-4691-8fd1-c98d5245023a"},{"type":"text","content":"\n#`5. Queen Victoria Market`\n\nWhat is it? Queen Victoria Market is an open-air market that's packed with veteran stallholders who are passionate about fresh produce (and are happy to tell you about it). \n\nWhy go? It's popular with locals as their go-to for fresh fruit, veggies, meat and an outstanding variety of dairy and smallgoods, but it has also become something of a 'must visit' for tourists. And why not? With a huge number of stalls selling clothes, accessories and other bric a brac, the market has evolved into more than just the place to get your weekly shop. Pro-tip: be mindful of the market's opening hours before visiting as it's closed Monday and Wednesday.\n\nDon't miss: Hot jam doughnuts from the American Doughnut Kitchen van. These doughies should be in a museum: they’ve got just the right amount of oily crunch, the dough is flavoured with vanilla and stuffed with a sticky and sweet red dollop of strawberry jam, and they’re covered quite liberally with sugar."}]},{"address":"Melbourne Zoo, Elliott Ave, Parkville VIC, Australia","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.0421,"latitudeDelta":0.0922,"latitude":-37.7841346,"longitude":144.9515473},"media":[{"metadata":{"width":750,"height":562},"type":"img","version":1,"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F9yBDBY24MR5fZP7VcV1I%2Fstop_5_1.png?alt=media&token=9ec733ad-dbde-4bdc-addc-e7b5a9716115"},{"type":"text","content":"#`6. Melbourne Zoo`\n\nWhat is it? A massive display of the animal kingdom right outside Melbourne's CBD.\n\nWhy go? You can watch the world flutter by at the butterfly room, visit the colourful residents of the aviary and trek through the Trail of the Elephants to visit the close-knit family of big-eared beauties. Melbourne Zoo has all the animal action. There’s always something going on here, from the Zoo Twilights concert series in summer to keeper talks and zoo high teas. Be sure to say hi to the lion pride before you leave (follow the roars). \n\nDon't miss: For the wildest night of your life book in for a Roar ‘n’ Snore – a zoo sleepover where you camp in the historic elephant exhibition."},{"type":"link","content":"https://www.zoo.org.au/melbourne/"}]}]