Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, is regarded as the cultural capital of Australia. The charming city is filled to the brim with exciting activities, an overwhelming amount of awesome food joints, a thriving wine scene, and an abundantly laid back atmosphere. From adrenaline pumping adventure sports like skydiving to serene wine tasting tours, the city offers something for every kind of traveler. There is plenty to do in the most liveable city on the globe but many forget that it is geographically surrounded by an unmissable amount of awesome experiences that are just a day trip away. Read on to know the best tours in Melbourne.
Top 7 Tours In Melbourne
If you’re reading this, you won’t have to miss either during your visit to the beautiful city that is Melbourne. Read on to find out about the most exhilarating day tours in and around Melbourne:
1. Phillip Island
Australian wildlife is truly a marvel to behold. However, this marvel becomes even more spectacular under the moonlight and a visit to Phillip Island will lay merit to our claim. Home to iconic Australian animals such as Kangaroos, Dingoes, and Wombats, the Moonlit Sanctuary is one of Victoria’s most magical destinations. If that doesn’t impress you, watching a penguin parade most definitely will.
The most noteworthy part of a tour to Phillip Island is watching the penguins return home after a tiring day of being a penguin (it isn’t easy). Watch them return home together in the majestic spectacle that is known as the Penguin Parade.
Time Required: 12 Hours
Cost: Rs 7200+ per person
Distance From Melbourne City Center: 142 Kilometers
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2. Great Ocean Road And The 12 Apostles
The Great Ocean Road is perhaps one of the most scenic roads on the planet. The expansive stretch is thus, one of the most frequented areas by travelers visiting Melbourne. While the road itself is a long drive, a day tour along noteworthy points near Melbourne is a great experience. From stories of tragic shipwrecks and heroic deeds to panoramic views of the ocean, a tour to The Great Ocean Road never disappoints a visitor.
Surprisingly, there is something even more spectacular to witness near The Great Ocean Road, the natural wonder that is known as the 12 apostles. The mesmerizing and unique structures emerging out of the ocean are truly a spectacle to behold, and makes for a perfect addition to your trip to The Great Ocean Road.
Time Required: 12-14 hours
Cost: Rs 6800+ per head
Distance From Melbourne City Center: 227 kilometers
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3. Winery Tour In Yarra Valley
What’s the point of visiting a new place and not trying out the local delicacies. While there are several day tours within Melbourne that will get you acquainted with the street food and cafes, there are only a few that will go the extra mile to take you on a tour to the local wineries in the Yarra Valley.
The Valley is blessed with breathtaking natural beauty and a collection of wineries that offer free flowing wine tasting sessions to visitors. Most tours also include a lunch spread and beer and ale tasting sessions.
With that said, it pays to know that while the cost of wine, cheese, chocolate, beer, and ale tasting may be included in the cost of the tour, the cost of lunch is usually expected to be paid by the guests.
Time Required: 10-12 hours
Cost: Rs 6800+ per head
Distance From Melbourne City Center: 45 kilometers
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4. Grampians National Park Tour
While the National Park tour does (obviously) feature some exciting encounters with the marvellous Australian wildlife, there is much more to look forward to during your trip to the Grampians National Park. Blessed with abundant natural beauty in the form of wildflower valleys, awe-inspiring waterfalls and dramatic canyons, the national park has several wonderful surprises up its sleeve.
The most pleasant one being, the gold rush town of Ballarat. Just like the national park has preserved the natural beauty and wildlife of the area, it has successfully preserved the gold rush era architecture of Ballarat which in 2022, becomes a rare sight to behold.
Time Required: 10-12 hours
Cost: Rs 7100+ per head
Distance From Melbourne City Center: 258 kilometers
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5. City Sightseeing With River Cruise
This tour is perfect for those looking to do something memorable with their afternoon, without breaking the bank. The pocket friendly tour is a refreshing change from all the other tours on this list, particularly because it does not involve travelling on road. The tour offers visitors a different view of Melbourne as they flat through the Yarra River.
Don’t worry, if you choose this tour, you won’t be missing out on anything. The river cruise tour, like all good city tours, takes visitors to all major tourist spots of the city. The best part is, for an extra $24, you can also include a lunch on the cruise and enjoy a gourmet meal as you are guided through Melbourne’s beautiful attractions.
Time Required: 5-6 hours
Cost: Rs 4000 per head
Distance From Melbourne City Center: N/A
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6. Melbourne City Tour
If you’ve just landed in the city and find yourself confused about where you must start your adventure, the Melbourne City Tour is perfect for you. The tour takes visitors through pleasant, manicured city gardens, Melbourne’s architectural marvels, and through hidden gems in the lanes of Little Italy that you would have otherwise missed. In other words, this city tour is the perfect introduction to the city of Melbourne.
The best part is, this tour starts early in the morning (7 AM) and ends at around half past noon, leaving you with plenty of time to go around the rest of the city and explore.
For cricket fans, the tour can be upgraded to include a guided visit to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a relic among cricket lovers.
Time Required: 5-6 hours
Cost: Rs 2500 per head
Distance From Melbourne City Center: N/A
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7. Mount Buller Snow Tour
This one is a seasonal option but if you’re visiting Melbourne during the Australian Winter, a visit to Mount Buller is a must-have on your itinerary.
The tour packages to Mount Buller can be customised to include everything from a guided tour of the snow-covered mountain to unlimited access to the ski-lift (along with other skiing/snowboarding equipment on rent).
However, keep in mind that since Mount Buller is a bit of a drive from Melbourne, the tours typically leave very early in the morning (think 5:30 AM). Thankfully, most tour operators will drop you back in Melbourne just in time for lunch. Those looking to extend their time in the snow can rest assured as there are comfortable overnight stay options available at Mount Buller.
Time Required: 12-14 hours
Cost: Rs 4300+ per person
Distance From Melbourne City Center: 236 kilometers
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Melbourne is truly a beautiful city filled with hidden wonders. Thankfully, there are a number of tour options that take visitors around these tourist spots, without the fear of missing out on any important places or information. With that said, it pays to conduct a bit of research on your end, before your visit, to ensure you opt for a tour that is most conducive to your itinerary for Melbourne.
Frequently Asked Questions About Melbourne Tour
What is the best time to visit Melbourne?
While the peak tourist season in Melbourne lies between December-February and June-August, these months attract higher flight, hotel prices, along with a larger number of tourists that flock to the city. Tourists looking to avoid these things should plan their visit between the months of March and May and September and November. This way, you can not only avoid large crowds and the subsequent lines at tourist places, but can also enjoy a more pocket-friendly experience of the city.
What is the ideal number of days to spend in Melbourne?
While there is no end to exploration in the cultural capital of Australia, for tourists on a timeline, a period of 4-5 days is ideal for a visit to Melbourne. During this time, you can opt for one of the tours mentioned in the article above, and can also undertake some offbeat activities such as adventure sports. Even after all that, you will have plenty of time to enjoy the laid back vibe and world-famous nightlife of Melbourne.
How do I get around in Melbourne?
Like all great cities on the planet, Melbourne also boasts an extremely efficient public transport system. The city’s inner suburbs are connected via a picturesque tram, which is also one of the top tourist attractions in the city. The rest of the city is connected with an extensive network of trains. Whatever gaps are left behind by these two transport systems, are filled by the extremely well-connected network of buses running within Melbourne. In other words, getting around Melbourne will never be a challenge. If you find yourself stranded on the road at night, when these systems are not functional, you can always find a cab willing to drop you to a destination of your choice.
How much does accommodation cost in Melbourne?
While this is greatly dependent on the time you choose to visit Melbourne, a night’s stay in a 3-star property in Melbourne starts an (average) Rs. 4000, including breakfast. With that said, there are a number of cheaper and more expensive options abundantly available.
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