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Melbourne Museum
2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Melbourne Museum

8.6
4.7/5
622 reviews
The Melbourne Museum was built in July 1996 and officially opened to the public in November 2000. It is the largest and innovative museum in the southern hemisphere. It is located in Carlton Gardens with the Royal Exhibition Hall. 1. Regional introduction The museum has three floors. The first floor includes the Bangiraka Indigenous Cultural Center, the Pacific Exhibition Hall, the Forest Exhibition Hall, the Science and Life Exhibition Hall, the Children's Hall, as well as shops and cafes; the second floor includes the Melbourne Exhibition Hall, the Mind and Body Exhibition Hall, Evolution Showroom; lower level includes Discovery Center and IMAX Cinema. 2. Collections and displays The collections and displays of the Melbourne Museum are amazing. You can see dinosaur fossils at the entrance, and there is also a 20-meter-long blue whale skeleton specimen, which is extremely rare. In more than 20 exhibition halls and independent exhibition halls, the museum has prepared all-inclusive content, and there are more than a dozen permanent exhibitions currently open. 3. Natural culture Nature is obviously the focus of the museum. The Science and Life Pavilion offers "Bees", "Life of Insects", "Ocean Life: Exploring Our Sea", "Human Body", "Consciousness: Enter The Labyrinth" and "From Darwin to DNA" at the Evolution Pavilion. 4. Indoor forest area The three-story indoor forest area introduces the ecological functions of the forest from the forest hierarchy, water conservation, plant composition, the seasonal distinction of Australian forests, and forest fires that often occur in Australia's dry season. There are also some Australian forests in it. Common birds and ants. The "Forest Secret" in the pavilion is at the center of the building, creating an ecosystem that is exactly the same as the natural environment, showing the trees, plants, wildlife and insects in Victoria's high mountains. Walking into the forest corridor, you will see more than 8,000 Australian plants planted here. In addition, there are insect exhibition areas and evolution areas that display the mysteries of the biological world. 5. The style of the style museum is very modern, which forms a strong contrast with the classical style of the Royal Exhibition Hall next to it. In addition to creating a visual effect, the metal frame and glass curtain wall also draw more natural light into the public spaces of the pavilion. You will see that the staff in the museum are wearing brightly colored work clothes, exuding a strong aboriginal cultural style, which contrasts with the avant-garde architectural form.Carlton · 539m from downtown
Penguin Parade
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Gippsland

Penguin Parade

8.6
4.4/5
211 reviews
The penguin parade is located at Summerland Beach on the southwestern tip of Phillip Island, serving as the signature attraction of Phillip Island Nature Park. It occurs daily around sunset: groups of little blue penguins return ashore on the waves after a day of foraging at sea, first gathering in shallow waters and peering around before waddling across the beach along fixed routes to their dune burrows. Spectators can observe this natural "mini parade" up close from viewing stands and boardwalks, often with penguins passing just steps away. The island is home to tens of thousands of little blue penguins. With blue feathers on their backs and snow-white bellies, they stand just over 30 cm tall and weigh approx. one kg when fully grown. Their round bodies and waddling gait make them utterly endearing. They spend their days foraging at sea and return to their nests in groups after dusk, following nearly identical round-trip routes between the ocean and their burrows generation after generation. On-site, you can hear their overlapping calls. There are a few points to note when observing: The eyes of little penguins are highly sensitive to light, so cameras or video recorders are not allowed on site, and quiet waiting is necessary to avoid disturbing them; after sunset, the seaside becomes windy and chilly, so even in summer, it is recommended to bring warm outerwear and arrive early to wait for the penguins to come ashore. This spectacle occurs year-round, with the southern hemisphere's spring and summer seasons (approximately August to February each year) coinciding with the breeding season, when penguin shore arrivals and nest activity become more frequent, typically creating livelier scenes. △ The little penguins leave the island to forage at sea during the day and return to their coastal nests in groups to rest at night. △ These little penguins are the smallest in the world, not only tiny in size but also very timid. Please avoid using flash to prevent irritating their eyes. △ The Penguin Parade can be observed year-round, with warmer weather from September to January coinciding with the breeding season, when penguin activity becomes more frequent, making it an ideal time for viewing.Summerlands · 78.7 km from Melbourne
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

7.9
4.6/5
1k reviews
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is located on the banks of the Yarra River, with a building designed to resemble a boat moored by the river; its interior extends several meters underground and features 12 themed exploration zones, connected by a one-way visitor route that links diverse ecosystems ranging from tropical coral reefs to Antarctic ice and snow. Penguin Playground is a much-loved exhibition area in the aquarium, where you can observe king penguins and gentoo penguins up close as they swim and play in a real ice and snow environment. The circular oceanarium at the center of the aquarium is another highlight, where visitors can walk around and watch large marine life such as sharks and rays swimming beside them. The crocodile lair is home to saltwater crocodiles, which can be observed up close through an underwater viewing window. In addition, Seahorse Pier displays delicate creatures such as seahorses, squid, and weedy seadragons, the marine symbol of Victoria; the Coral Atoll presents the brilliant colors of tropical fish schools; and the Marine Invaders area is themed around jellyfish, showcasing a variety of transparent and graceful jellyfish species. The aquarium has a touch pool where you can touch intertidal creatures such as starfish by hand. Free guided talks and feeding demonstrations are held regularly every day, covering multiple exhibition areas. The aquarium also offers paid experience programs such as glass-bottom boat rides and close encounters with penguins, suitable for visitors who want a deeper understanding. A visit takes approx. two hours in total.Melbourne · 850m from downtown
Sovereign Hill
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Goldfields

Sovereign Hill

7.9
4.6/5
595 reviews
Sovereign Hill is an open-air museum located on the Ballarat goldfields, recreating the original appearance of a gold rush town during the first decade after gold was discovered in 1851. Walking into the park, the gravel-paved main street is lined with bakeries, candy stores, blacksmith shops, candle workshops, and old-fashioned photo studios, where staff in period costumes move about, and horse-drawn carriages occasionally pass by, transporting visitors back to the gold rush era of the 1850s. The signature experience here is gold panning: carefully sifting through creek water with a pan, and with luck, you might take home tiny gold flakes. The underground tunnels of Red Hill Mine recount the story of miners discovering the "Welcome Nugget," a gold nugget weighing nearly 70 kg. In the gold melting workshop, staff pour molten gold into bars on the spot—a truly impressive sight. The red-coated soldiers' musket-firing demonstrations along the main street and the handmade raspberry hard candy process in the candy workshop are year-round highlights. After dark, visitors can enjoy the AURA sound and light show, which tells the legend of gold. The park is spacious with many activities, so it's recommended to set aside most of a day for a leisurely visit. The main street has gravel paths, so wearing comfortable shoes is advisable. Gold panning, vintage photos, and carriage rides are particularly popular, so it's best to prioritize these upon arrival. △ It feels like traveling back to the gold rush era of the 1850s △ Observe the candy-making process up close △ Listen to the stories of the red-coated guards on Main StreetAustralia · Golden Point

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Featured Culture & history in Melbourne

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[Explore Australia Tours]Sovereign Hill Ballarat Day Tour
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Duration: 5 hrs
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Melbourne: Skydeck Experience Packages
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Melbourne Puffing Billy Steam Train + Redwood Forest + Yarra Valley & Dandenongs Ranges Day Tour [Premium Group | Hotel Transfers]
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[Go West Tours]Great Ocean Road DayTour fromMelbourne|EnglishGuide|Max24|16Languages Audio
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5.0/5
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Duration: 5.2 hrs
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Old Melbourne Gaol: Entry Ticket
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Melbourne: MCG & Sports Venue Sightseeing Tour
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 3.5 hrs
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Featured Food & drink in Melbourne

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Affordable and relaxing - 1-day tour to Puffing Billy Railway and Yarra Valley & Dandenongs Ranges winery in Melbourne
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4.9/5
· 141 reviews· 1.6k booked
Duration: 4.8 hrs
English
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28 consecutive positive reviews
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Melbourne Yarra Valley & Dandenongs Ranges wine tasting + gourmet food + Healesville 1-day tour with hotel transfer
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4.8/5
· 4 reviews
Duration: 4.5 hrs
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Melbourne Puffing Billy Train + Redwood Forest + Yarra Valley Winery English Day Tour in Australia
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Wine Tasting in the heart of the Yarra Valley - Small Group Full-Day Tour
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Duration: 24 hrs
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1-day tour of Yarra Valley winery in Melbourne with lunch, wine tasting and cheese sampling
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Duration: 6.9 hrs
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Must-do in Melbourne | Yarra River city cruise & dinner
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Duration: 3 hrs
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Featured Spa & wellness in Melbourne

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Peninsula Hot Springs: Entry Ticket with Bath House
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4.8/5
· 12 reviews
Duration: 5 hrs
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1-day round-trip tour to Peninsula Hot Springs from Melbourne
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Duration: 8.3 hrs
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Mornington Peninsula: Alba Thermal Springs & Spa
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Mornington Peninsula: Hot Springs and Body Clay Ritual
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Peninsula Hot Springs: Fire, Ice, and Bathe
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Duration: 45 mins
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Mornington Peninsula: SUP, Hike, & Hot Springs Trip w/ Lunch
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From Melbourne: Peninsula Hot Springs and Bath Box tour
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Featured Day tours in Melbourne

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No optional zoo visit, includes Gibson Steps | Melbourne Great Ocean Road Trail + Twelve Apostles Day Trip
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4.9/5
· 1k reviews· 9.7k booked
Duration: 6.8 hrs
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12 apostles 90 minutes/no backlight] Melbourne Great Ocean Walk + Twelve Apostles 1-day tour
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4.8/5
· 1.6k reviews· 19.4k booked
Duration: 7.1 hrs
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Optional Mercedes-Benz 499] Melbourne Puffing Billy Railway + Penguin Parade Phillip Island 1-day tour
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4.8/5
· 1.2k reviews· 15.9k booked
Duration: 6 hrs
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Melbourne Puffing Billy Steam Train & Phillip Island Penguin Parade one-day tour
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4.7/5
· 289 reviews· 1.7k booked
Duration: 6.1 hrs
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Melbourne Great Ocean Road + Twelve Apostles Day Tour -General Route or Reverse Route-The reverse bus tour, plus some tour types, includes lunch at the zoo at the participants' own expense.
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Puffing Billy Steam Train & Wildlife Day Tour with [Explore Australia Tours]
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What travelers say about Melbourne

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M30***18October 6, 2026
5.0
A fantastic museum experience! The entire exhibition hall was beautifully designed, offering an immersive and interactive experience suitable for people of all ages. It allowed for close-up observation of dinosaur fossils and showcased different periods of Australian culture. I recommend allocating 4 to 5 hours for a visit.

Melbourne Museum

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willem_kingOctober 24, 2026
5.0
It's best to buy the plus ticket. The visitor center has an estimated time when the penguins will come ashore, so just arrive a little early. The estimated time is very accurate; the penguins appear little by little as soon as the time comes, and then they come ashore in groups. They're tiny and very cute.

Penguin Parade

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Anonymous userJune 6, 2026
5.0
Long train ride outside of the city. Surrounding Great nature. Worth to visit

Puffing Billy Railway

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MandadadadaMay 30, 2023
5.0
Lovely place to walk past on the way to the Melbourne museum. This time of the year, there’s autumn leaves covering the walkways. There is even a small pond with some ducks in the corner. And right in front of the royal exhibition hall, there is a fountain where sometimes you will catch couples taking their wedding photos here.

Carlton Gardens

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Avinash KhanapurMarch 22, 2026
4.0
I have completed summit of various tallest buildings and observatory decks. However Eureka Towers lacks the punch or experience and assuming that I was never designed from a commercial aspects. However being jn CBD, it does offer some spectacular views and photographic opportunities. But challenge always remains that Wearher should support u. The GenZ experiences like EDGE and VR are there but can be much better. Felt they are not value for money.

Melbourne Skydeck

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_TI***ueOctober 5, 2026
5.0
Can see all the native animals at one place. No need to travel to Western Australia to see Quokkas.

Melbourne Zoo

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Anonymous userOctober 3, 2026
5.0
It was such a nice experience to visit the aquarium in Mel! Our girl definitely had lots of fun locating all the residents and stamping them in our booklet. It is quite a big space to see various kinds of fish and sea life.

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

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M10***60October 4, 2026
5.0
You can experience riding a mine cart down the mine shaft, with a 45-minute guided tour, which is quite a novel experience. Overall, it's pretty good! However, considering the two-hour drive and ticket price, the value for money isn't very high, so it's not a must-see attraction. If you're short on time, you can skip it; if you have more time, it's still a great option!

Sovereign Hill

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JaymeLeeJanuary 28, 2025
4.0
Amazing viewing point! make sure you check out the beach and also the viewing deck. facilities are well taken care of and large parking lot

Twelve Apostles

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谢颖华October 24, 2025
5.0
It's actually not bad. There are a lot of people, and I really followed the online suggestions and bought ordinary seats. There is no need to buy too good seats. They will be close to each other anyway. Overall, this trip is worth experiencing.

Phillip Island

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What are the must-do things in Melbourne?

Don't miss these attractions in Melbourne: Melbourne Museum, Penguin Parade, and Puffing Billy Railway. If you like Culture & history, try [Explore Australia Tours]Sovereign Hill Ballarat Day Tour. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Affordable and relaxing - 1-day tour to Puffing Billy Railway and Yarra Valley & Dandenongs Ranges winery in Melbourne.

You can give Affordable and relaxing - 1-day tour to Puffing Billy Railway and Yarra Valley & Dandenongs Ranges winery in Melbourne and Melbourne Yarra Valley & Dandenongs Ranges winery wine tasting 1-day tour [quality English group | cheese & chocolate tasting] a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include No optional zoo visit, includes Gibson Steps | Melbourne Great Ocean Road Trail + Twelve Apostles Day Trip, 12 apostles 90 minutes/no backlight] Melbourne Great Ocean Walk + Twelve Apostles 1-day tour, and Optional Mercedes-Benz 499] Melbourne Puffing Billy Railway + Penguin Parade Phillip Island 1-day tour. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of November 4, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Melbourne is around USD 20.69 – USD 129.78. Rates vary by duration, group size, transportation, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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