Melbourne

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Melbourne For Free

A travel journal to Melbourne by Heather F

Towering TallMore Photos

Visiting places usually costs lots of money. Here are some things in Melbourne you can do for free.

  • 7 reviews
  • 6 photos

Melbourne For FreeBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Towering Tall
City Circle Tram

Queen Victoria Market

Wandering Southbank

Exploring the parks and gardens

The beaches

Quick Tips:

Ask at the Tourist Information.

Check in local newspapers as lots of free perfomances are advertised there.

Walk, walk and walk some more.

Best Way To Get Around:

Walking when distances aren't too great.

Catch a tram or train.

Ride a bike as there are lots of bike paths.

Queen Victoria MarketBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Whether you want gourmet cheeses and meats, fresh fruit and vegetables, clothes or fish the "Vic Market" has it all. Covering two city blocks its plethora of market stalls are under cover making it a good place to wander and look even if it is raining. The gourmet food shops with cheeses, meats, bread, olives etc. and the fresh meat stall some with huge fish on display are both inside buildings more than 100 years old. Around the edges are trendy cafes and coffee shops. Behind is the fresh fruit and vegetables, some of the freshest in Melbourne. There is even a separate section for organic produce. In another large area, under a large roofed area are a mass of stalls selling goods such as shoes, jeans, hats, fashion clothing, fabric and lots of souvenir stalls. You will find proces here much cheaper than in the shops, about 60%. You can even try bargaining if you dare. In the surrounding alleyways are a number of factory outlets which also sell cheap goods, particularly clothing. Catch any tram going up Elizabeth St. (from outside Flinders Street Station) and you will end up there. If you catch the City Circle Tram, it is only a couple of blocks to walk.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Heather F on October 28, 2001

Queen Victoria Market
513 Elizabeth St Melbourne, Australia 3000
+61 (0)3 9320 5822

City Circle TramBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Tramming it Around
An easy way to learn something about Melbourne, to see some of the sights and to get any of your questions answered as there is a conductor on the tram. See Parliament House, Flinders Street Station, the Tennis Centre, Flagstaff Gardens, Immigration Museum, Old Customs House, Colonial Stadium, Melboune Central shopping centre and much, much more. At present the tram travels in both a clockwise and anticlockwise loop along Flinders, Spencer, Latrobe and Spring Streets. It travels between 10am and 3 pm about every 15 minutes but these times could change if the number of trams does. You can always wait for the next one though if they are further apart. A conductor gives entertaining commentary on sights along the route and will also answer visitor questions. e.g How do I get to such and such or where should I get off???? You must pay to travel on other trams.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Heather F on October 28, 2001

City Circle Tram
Tram stops along Flinders, Spring, Latrobe and Spencer Streets Melbourne, Australia 3000
13 1638 (Local calls

Southbank SightsBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Southbank"

River Views
Home to the casino, lots of trendy cafes and restaurants and adjoining the Yarra River, Southbank is a great place to sit and watch the world go by. Watch the rowers and cruise boats on the Yarra. Watch the buskers and performers on the promenade.

If you can afford it try a coffee in one of the many cafes.

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Heather F on October 28, 2001

Southbank Sights
Throughout Melbourne Melbourne, Australia

National Gallery of VictoriaBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Has a world standard collection of art. Features many famous Australian artists, such as Arthur Streeton and Tom Roberts, and has a section dsiplaying Aboriginal art. This part is free.Check the local papers to see what special exhibits are showing. Regularly has visiting exhibitions. Usually an entrance fee is charged for these.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Heather F on October 28, 2001

National Gallery of Victoria
180 St Kilda Road Melbourne, Australia 3000
+61 (0)3 9208 0203

Chinatown Heritage TourBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Heritage Walk"

At the Station
Melbourne has many gracious Victorian buildings largely completed during the economic boom of the 1880s. It is possible to just wander and look but a better alternative is to take a self-guided walk. There are 7 illustrated pamphlets detailing self-guided Heritage Walks around Melbourne which are available from the Tourist Information Centre. These include "Arcades & Laneways", "Melbourne City Churches & Cathedrals" and "Eastern Hill & the Parliamentary Precinct". Places such as Parliament House, Flinders Street Station, Young and Jackson's Hotel, Post Office with their rich, historic architecture courtesy of the Victorian gold rush are included on the tours.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Heather F on October 28, 2001

Chinatown Heritage Tour
22 Cohen Place Melbourne, Australia 3000
+61 (0)3 9662 2888

Sidney Myer Music BowlBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Free concerts at Sidney Myer Music Bowl"

During Summer free concerts are held at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in the Kings Domain gardens. It is just a short walk from Flinders St. Station and the centre of town.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Heather F on October 28, 2001

Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Kings Domain Melbourne, Australia

About the Writer

Heather F
Heather F
Heywood, Australia

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