If you’ve ever taken a trip to Melbourne, you’re bound to have heard that one of the absolute must do activities to tick off your Melbourne bucket list is to wander its bluestone, graffiti covered laneways. However, there are plenty of other unique attractions in the city and lots of less conventional (and more entertaining) ways to experience them. This week, we look at four of our favourites.
Boat Trips
As a bayside city with the famous Yarra River running like a central artery up through the heart of the city, a boat ride along Melbourne’s waterways is a crowd and traffic free way to take in this unique urban landscape. Take in the sights of the city with a Yarra Valley cruise or travel east to west across the bay aboard the Williamstown Ferry and marvel at the city skyline.
Bike Hire
If you’re feeling energetic, why not take advantage of Melbourne’s bike share system which is a fun and affordable way to explore the inner city. The best areas to explore by bike are around the leafy streets of Carlton and North Melbourne which are home to the beautiful Royal Exhibition Building and Gardens, as well as Melbourne’s lively Italian culture and dining district on Lygon street.
Tram
Travelling by tram is without a doubt the most quintessentially Melbournian way to explore the city. Tram travel has been a fixture in Melbourne since 1884 and there is now a 250km web of tram routes running through the city and inner suburbs. Tram travel is a great way to take in the sights of the city at a leisurely place and the perfect place to watch Melbourne’s fashionable and sometimes eccentric citizens go about their day to day lives. MOTM’s winter tram travel pick is a ride on the 86 heading towards Bundoora RMIT. Along the way, the tram passes through the bohemian neighbourhoods of Fitzroy, Collingwood, and Northcote, well known for their coffee and food culture, street art, and colourful characters.
Hot air balloon ride
See Melbourne from above with a truly unforgettable sunrise balloon ride across the city followed by a champagne breakfast at Pullman on the Park. Travelling this way gives you a unique opportunity to see many of the city’s iconic attractions such as the MCG, the Yarra River, and Flinders Street Station from an entirely new perspective. Melbourne on the Move runs hot air balloon flights (with breakfast included) all year round.