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Alexandra Gardens
On the southern side of the Yarra River, directly across from Federation Square, these historic gardens were first laid out in 1904 and feature ornamental gardens, lawns, the Riverslide Skate Park and historic rowing boathouses
whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au
Australian Centre for the Moving Image
Located at Federation Square, find out everything about cinema, television, computer games and screen-based digital art of the future.
www.acmi.net.au
Birrarung Marr
Located on the northern bank of the Yarra River next to Federation Square, this 7 hectare park features hundreds of trees and plants, terraced lawns and sculptures. Children can visit ArtPlay - a creative centre with workshops and events. The William Barak Bridge connects Birrarung Marr with the MCG, providing impressive views of the city.
whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au
Chinatown
Chinatown is a fine example of the multicultural diversity which makes up Melbourne. It also helps to keep alive the history of the early gold rush era of the 1850s. Situated on Little Bourke Street with five grand arches identifying its entrances, Chinatown features authentic Asian cafes and grocery stores along with shops offering Chinese medicine, gold and jewellery, as well as unique and exotic gifts. Many traditional festivals and activities are also held in Chinatown.
www.chinatownmelbourne.com.au
Chinese Museum
Situated in the vibrant and bustling Chinatown, the Chinese Museum is a five-floor masterpiece featuring Australia's long Chinese history. With regular international and national exhibitions on show, the Chinese Museum is a treasure trove of artefacts depicting the contribution of the Chinese community in Victoria and across Australia in social and economic contexts. Visitors can see the ancient ceremonial regalia, lanterns and famous Chinese lion and dragon costumes donned by members of the Chinese community during the Chinese New Year Festival.
www.chinesemuseum.com.au
Federation Square
Opened in 2002, this public square fronts the Yarra River and is located on the corner of Flinders Street and Swanston Street. It features several museums, restaurants, bars, specialty stores and hosts world-class events.
www.fedsquare.com
Government House
Built in 1876, Government House is the principal residence of the Governor of Victoria and is one of Australia's finest examples of Italianate architecture. Located in Kings Domain and adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens, visitors can join a tour and see the Grand Ballroom, State Dining Room, Billiard Room, significant outbuildings and explore the regal grounds.
www.governor.vic.gov.au
Hellenic Museum
Located in the former Royal Mint building, this museum celebrates the cultural heritage of ancient and modern Greece. See antiques, statues, artwork, photographs and audio-visual displays.
www.hellenic.org.au
Her Majesty's Theatre
The stomping ground for international musical and concert acts visiting from around the globe, Her Majesty's Theatre is an Exhibition Street icon in the heart of Melbourne. The historical building is grand in its architecture having been built in 1886 as the Alexandra Theatre for the Princess of Wales at the time.
www.hmt.com.au
Immigration Museum
Australia's rich multicultural past is captured at the Melbourne Immigration Museum, located at Old Customs House. Visitors will unite in their appreciation of the museum's recreation of real-life stories about how the nation of Australia has evolved since the arrival of the First Fleet. The thought-provoking, the sad, the sombre and the truly magnificent pieces of Australia's multicultural revolution are depicted among the exhibitions of moving images, personal voices and memorabilia. Encased in the Immigration Museum is the popular Customs Gallery, which examines Victoria's humble beginnings as a trade and shipping port.
www.museumsvictoria.com.au
Kings Domain
It consists of 36 hectares of parkland which encircles Government House and the Shrine of Remembrance. It features many monuments, sculptures, open lawns, shady trees, garden beds, walking tracks and the Sidney Myer Music Bowl which is a summertime outdoor performance venue.
whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au
Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre
Discover the vibrant living history and culture of the indigenous people of south-east Australia through the centre's interactive visual and sound exhibition
www.kht.org.au
Melbourne Interculture Fine Art Gallery
A contemporary exhibition space showcasing the works of artists from the Asia Pacific region
www.mifa.com.au
Melbourne & Olympic Parks
Australia's premier sports and entertainment precinct is located along the Yarra River, between Melbourne's CBD and the Royal Botanic Gardens. It consists of 6 major venues - Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, John Cain Arena, AAMI Park, Centrepiece and Kia Arena. These venues host many types of sports events, concerts and live shows.
www.mopt.com.au
Moonlight Cinema
This open-air cinema screens latest releases and cult movies on the lawns of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne between December and March. There is a food truck and fully licensed bar at all screenings.
melbourne.moonlight.com.au
National Gallery of Victoria
This gallery is spread across two locations. The St Kilda Road building in Southbank houses an extensive international collection and offers an eclectic array of interesting and diverse art pieces. At Federation square, the Ian Potter Centre is home to an Australian art collection covering both indigenous and non-indigenous works from colonial times to the present.
www.ngv.vic.gov.au
Old Melbourne Gaol
Comprising of the Old Melbourne Gaol, former City Watch House and the Old Magistrate's Court, this extensive complex allows visitors to step back in time and uncover the history of crime and justice in the state. The infamous bushranger Ned Kelly was hanged here in 1880 and the jail is known to have also housed the rebels of the Eureka Stockade and World War 2 prisoners.
www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au
Princess Theatre
The Princess Theatre is one of Melbourne's most spectacular landmarks. First opened in 1854, the theatre has staged international shows and major musical productions including Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserable, Cats and Dirty Dancing.
www.marrinergroup.com.au
Queen Victoria Gardens
A triangular 5 hectare park fronting St Kilda Road with a series of ornamental ponds, the famous Floral Clock, rose gardens and several monuments and sculptures
whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au
Regent Theatre
The Regent is a gorgeous Victorian artefact which was first opened in 1929. It hosts large-scale international musicals, stage shows and renowned theatre productions.
www.marrinergroup.com.au
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Established in 1846 along the southern bank of the Yarra River, it is widely known for its sweeping lawns, lakes and an immense range of plants from across Australia and the world, with a garden shop, cafe and guided tours
www.rbg.vic.gov.au
Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium
An exotic and educational aquarium for visitors of all ages. It is dedicated to Southern Ocean and Antarctic marine life with many interactive experiences. Come face to face with huge sharks, get up and close to a colony of sub-Antarctic penguins, glide along in a glass bottom boat offering a unique window to an underwater world, and see the largest collection of seahorse and seadragons in the world.
www.visitsealife.com/melbourne
Shrine of Remembrance
Victoria's largest war memorial, honouring those who served in World War I and conflicts since, complete with visitor centre and lookout
www.shrine.org.au
State Library of Victoria
First opened in 1856, it is Victoria's major reference and research library with over two million books and collections of material in digital format
www.slv.vic.gov.au