Looking for great spots to visit this 2018? If so, then you should include Melbourne on your travel bucket list. This elegant, vibrant city is praised as one of the best all-around places, not just in Australia, but also in the world. In fact, it’s a consistent contender for the title of “Most Liveable City in the World.”

 

Even if you’re lucky enough to have visited Melbourne previously, you can’t fully appreciate all its splendour in just one go. So, whether you’re a newcomer or a returning visitor, you won’t run out of fantastic sights to see and exciting things to do.

 

Most of these exceptional locations are just a quick drive away. Now, for your convenience, be sure you look for a car hire in Melbourne, so you can save some money and make the most of your trip. To help you get started, we’ve listed several of the city’s top attractions below.

Royal Botanic Gardens

For those who want to look for a quick escape and enjoy nature, the Royal Botanic Gardens is the perfect spot you can go to without actually leaving the city. Located on the south bank of the Yarra River, it’s a spacious garden that has an area of about 40 hectares.

 

It is home to a wide variety of trees and around 50,000 plants, including many rare species. No matter what time of year you visit, you can join tours, see a massive selection of plants, and see why millions of people love to visit this beautiful garden every year.

Queen Victoria Market

If you want to shop like a local, then Queen Victoria Market is the place to be. This massive open-air market represents the city’s culture and heritage. Located on the corner of Queen and Victoria streets, you find plenty of nice things to buy, such as souvenir items, clothes, and all sorts of knick-knacks.

 

It’s also an excellent place for food lovers. You can join the Queen Victoria Market Ultimate Foodie Tour. This is a 90-minute guided tour along the heritage-listed market food halls where you can enjoy a diverse selection of food tastings as you go. You can also shop for fresh produce, meat, and a variety of dairy products.

St Kilda

Australia is home to some of the best beaches in the world, and you can find one of them in St Kilda. This lively coastal suburb is just six kilometres away from the CBD. From locals to backpackers, one of their favourite things to do is relax and go swimming at St Kilda Beach. The best part is that it’s free.

 

If you are looking to get your adrenaline pumping, there are plenty of exciting water sports you can choose from, like kite-surfing, water-skiing, and sailing. Also, don’t forget to say hi to the cute penguins that made their home at the end of St Kilda pier.

Eureka Skydeck

Want to experience the best views of the city? There’s no better place to get them than the Eureka Skydeck. Conquer your fear of heights and enjoy a bird’s eye view of Melbourne.

 

Located at the Riverside Quay, Southbank, you can take some of the most Instagram-worthy shots and be the envy of your social media followers.

 

You can take stunning photos of Albert Park, Port Phillip, the Dandenong Ranges, or simply wait for the beautiful sunset and wait for Melbourne to light up.

 

These are just some of the top places you can visit in Melbourne this year. If you have some good spots you’d like to recommend, we’d love to know them. Please share your experiences and sound off in the comments below.