Melbourne City Escape

Melbourne is the coastal capital of the state of Victoria. At the city's centre is the modern Federation Square development, with shopping, bars, and restaurants by the Yarra River. In the Southbank area, the Melbourne Arts Precinct is the site of Arts Centre Melbourne and the National Gallery of Victoria, with Australian and indigenous art. As the cultural capital of Australia, Melbourne has a hidden gem around every corner - Rich history, bustling laneways, rooftop bars, and world-class restaurants are just the beginning!

Get up close and personal with Australia's cutest furry friends in this exciting day tour to the French Island and Phillip Island. Venture upon the Western Port Ferries to the French Island where you will be taken on a guided 4WD tour and learn about the wildlife that inhabit the island. Jump back on the ferry and island hop to Phillip Island where you will be taken on a short adventure along the Nobbies Boardwalk and view dramatic sea bluffs, ocean views and a furry seal colony. Finish the journey getting up close and personal with the little penguins whilst listening to expert ranger commentary from your premium viewing platform.

Melbourne is the cool, artsy capital of the state of Victoria. Renowned for its laneway art, cafes, bars, restaurants and museums, there is no shortage of things to do, see, eat and drink. Grab a coffee in Degraves Street, see the murals on Hosier Lane or Blender Lane, pop over to St Kilda and stroll along the promenade or visit one of the many museums. For a spot of retail therapy, catch the 86 or 96 tram from the CBD to the bohemian Brunswick Street shopping district for an eclectic mix of second hand vintage and high-end boutique stores. On the opposite side of the city, the Docklands open-air entertainment precinct boasts a myriad of public artwork, family fun activities such as glow in the dark mini golf, and a variety of dining options lining the marina. Get there easily on the free City Circle tram, or wander over the Bourke Street footbridge. To make the most of your time in Melbourne, we recommend taking a city tour to get true local insight into this vibrant city.

At Melbourne Skydeck, the Southern Hemisphere’s highest viewing attraction, the city of Melbourne comes alive in front of your eyes when you take it all in from nearly 300 metres high. It’s Melbourne on another level. The Skydeck experience features Bar 88, in association with Bollinger, operated by the Eureka 89 team. With 360° panoramic views all day and night, you can relax and enjoy all of Melbourne’s legendary views with a delicious snack and cool drink.

Join a local tour guide for a delightful stroll through Melbourne’s famous arcades and secret laneways as you discover the beautiful chocolatiers and pâtissiers tucked away down the back streets of Melbourne sampling chocolates and sweet treats along the way!
Visit five of the most secret chocolatiers and dessert bars in Melbourne. They are all exclusively Australian, and many are unique to Melbourne, all with their unique tastings and experiences. While the specific spots you visit will vary from tour to tour, amazing food and incredible experiences are guaranteed on every tour.

The Melbourne hidden bar culture is a unique part of Australia’s cultural capital. The difficult thing is just that – they’re hidden! This city makes you work to find its best bits, which is why you’ll find some of the best bars behind other venues, underneath laneways, or tucked into repurposed spaces.
Join an experienced guide and uncover four of these fascinating venues in one afternoon, and learn what makes each one special over a drink, or four. Speak with talented bartenders during this small-group experience, making sure to chat with them about what kinds of drinks you like to personalise your Melbourne Hidden Bars Tour even more.

Experience this majestic coastal drive in style with this small group and enjoy time to relax and fully appreciate the wonders of this world-famous touring route. Stay on the lookout for some very special animals including whales, dolphins, echidnas and bandicoots, you’ll also be taken to the best hiding spots for koalas and kangaroos in the wild. The first stop will be at Apollo Bay, a tranquil seaside town which is most noteworthy for its setting among the soft rolling hills. It offers a great selection of cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy some lunch (not included). Following this, you will enjoy a walk in the forest in the Otway Ranges. Cap the day off with a visit to the famous 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.

Spend the day admiring the Mornington Penisula on a spectacular sightseeing cruise with Explore Australia Tours. Depart from Melbourne and head south to the London Bridge, an impressive amphitheatre-like rock formation nestled on the Portsea Beach. Board the Searoad Ferry to embark on a 2-hour cruise with a lunch made up of a shared grazing table with local produce and wine. After enjoying the sea breeze and spectacular coastal views of Port Phillip and the Bass Strait, you will be taken to St Andrews Beach Brewery, a converted horse training facility, where you will be invited to a tasting paddle. Then visit Murray's Lookout, the highest point of the Mornington Peninsula where you can admire the stunning views stretching from across the bay to the city. We'll stop for a while at the Peninsula Bathing Boxes, an icon of the Port Phillip Bay. These vibrant boxes nestled on the sand make a fantastic photo opportunity and is the perfect location to end your time on the peninsula.