If you happen to be in Australia, Melbourne is the one city you can’t skip. The amount of unusual and unique things that you can do and see only in Melbourne is astounding. It is one of those cities that never ceases to surprise.
There are a lot of sides to Melbourne, you just need to be willing to explore them. Let’s see some of the unusual and unique things you can do only in Melbourne.
1. See penguins on Phillip Island
Phillip Island is just a short drive from Melbourne and it’s a place you have to visit. On this island, you’ll not only be able to enjoy the breathtaking views and walk on amazing trails and beaches, but you’ll also be able to see some of the most amazing wildlife.
Penguins, koalas, seals, and dolphins are some of the inhabitants of this amazing island. But if it’s just penguins you’re interested in, you’d be delighted to know that the main event on this island is called the Penguin Parade. Each evening, hundreds of penguins come ashore to nestle in their burrows.
2. Visit a pink lake
Westgate Park, located some 15 minutes from the CBD, is home to a lake that turns pink every summer. So, if you want to see a pink lake, this is where you go. The pink lake is probably the most photogenic lake out there – it almost looks like someone spilled pink paint in it.
If you want to know the reason why the lake turns pink, experts claim that it’s due to a mix of high temperatures, algae, sunlight, and lack of rain. A rather underwhelming explanation for such a spectacular view.
3. Pay a visit to Royal Botanic Gardens
If there’s one thing that Melbourne is famous for then that has to be the Royal Botanic Gardens. Even though it’s located a couple of minutes from the CBD, the Gardens will transport you into a completely different world – a world unparalleled in beauty and diversity.
There you’ll be able to enjoy the fresh air, and gardens filled with a wide variety of plants and plant species. In addition to seeing amazing plant life, you can also take part in interactive workshops, visit a library, have a drink in a café, and even watch a movie in an open-air cinema. Only in Melbourne!
4. Experience Melbourne nightlife
If there’s something that Melbourne doesn’t lack then that’s the nighttime activities. Melbourne is a city of bars, pubs, discos, restaurants, cruises, and other types of entertainment. Simply put, there’s something for everyone. If you prefer active nights out, you’ll be glad to know that Melbourne has several great bowling alleys, golf courts, and even pool and ping-pong places. For those who love to sing and dance, we recommend checking out karaoke clubs and nightclubs that usually feature some of the world’s hottest DJs.
And if you’re partial to exotic nights out, you’d love to know that numerous popular Melbourne brothels and casinos are waiting just for you.
5. Check out the 19th-century gallery
If you’re a fan of history, you’ll love visiting this place. The gallery is actually a house museum filled with 19th-century furniture, chandeliers, antiques, and portraits. The Johnston Collection is a legacy of an antique dealer WR Johnston and it features many decorative arts from the Georgian and Louis XV periods.
In the gallery, you can expect regular tours, exhibitions, lectures, and even special events. If you decide to visit the gallery, be prepared to take a step into the past.
6. Visit the Old Melbourne Gaol
Yet another piece of Melbourne history you shouldn’t skip when visiting the city – especially if you’re a fan of horror and gore. The Old Melbourne Gaol is a place that once housed a cult figure and bushranger Ned Kelly and even a serial killer Frederick Deeming who was rumored to have been Jack the Reaper.
The Gaol is an amazing building but what makes things even more exciting are all the interactive exhibitions and displays. With the guidance of historians, you can explore cells and gallows, the prison yard, all the while listening to the most harrowing stories about people who inhabited them.
The number of unique and unusual things to do and see in Melbourne doesn’t stop here. We have merely scratched the surface. One thing is for sure though, you will never have enough time to explore all that Melbourne has to offer.
