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Overview
You may think you know Melbourne. You may think you've seen it all — the MCG, the botanical gardens, the hidden rooftop bars, the laneways. Been there, done that. You may call the city home or may visit frequently. But Melbourne — like ogres and onions — has layers. And, likely, you've barely scratched the surface.
Melbourne rewards those who seek to look deeper. To help you see the city in a whole new light, we've compiled five experiences you should add to your Melb itinerary, whether you're just visiting or have called Melbourne home your entire life.
MELBOURNE SKYDECK COCKTAILS IN THE CLOUDS (AND VR EXPERIENCE)
Right in the heart of the city, Melbourne Skydeck isn't just a cool view, it's the best view (in the southern hemisphere). Imagine being 300 metres above the busy city, a carefully crafted cocktail from Bar 88 in hand, while the lights of Melbourne glow below. This is the stuff dreams are made of, or at least nice Insta story posts.
Melbourne Skydeck's Cocktails in the Clouds package costs $50 online or $60 on-site. Included in the package is a signature cocktail, admission to the Skydeck and a wild ride at the 6D Voyager Theatre — the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Expect to strap in and experience the rush of the city via a virtual reality journey, which takes you through 16 iconic Melbourne experiences in just 11 minutes. It's Melbourne in a nutshell — immersive, vibrant, wild and damn, it's pretty. Given there is so much included, try to allow at least one and a half hours for the Cocktails in the Clouds experience — or longer, if you prefer.
And just when you thought your heart rate was stabilising, there's the Edge. It's a transparent cube that moves out from the building, suspending you in the air with the city buzzing below. Be warned, this one isn't for the faint of heart. If you'd prefer to keep your feet firmly on the "ground" then you can try the virtual zipline or the VR plank walk within the safe confines of the Skydeck. Keep in mind that Edge and VR Plank aren't included in the Cocktails in the Clouds package, and will come at an additional cost (but it's well worth it).
Or just spend the whole time at the bar. Melbourne Skydeck is the ultimate watering hole with a view; it's your ticket to see the city from a whole new perspective. It's Melbourne, on another level.
Oh, and here's the best part. For a limited time, you can save 10% off Melbourne Skydeck's Cocktails in the Clouds package when you book online. Go on, go make some memories.
MELBOURNE SUNRISE HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT
In keeping with the sky-high theme thus far, why not take a ride over the city on one of man's original flying machines? Better yet, why not elevate your sunrise by doing it at the crack of dawn? Yes, waking up early is hard, but the views will be well worth it.
Global Ballooning Australia offers flights that take off from the city that promise an unparalleled panorama of Melbourne's iconic landmarks like the MCG and Port Phillip Bay, all slowly illuminated by the waking sun as you rise further and further into the sky.
Adult tickets float between $569–609, while kids hit a slightly lower bracket of $569–594. Throw in an additional $40 per adult or $25 per kid, and you'll finish the experience with a nice post-flight buffet breakfast at the lavish 5-star Pullman on the Park hotel. It's not cheap, but it'll be memorable.
As for the actual flight, it's approximately a one-hour gentle drift around and above the city. And there's no need to worry about dropping your camera as there are complimentary in-flight photos provided. Be warned: experiencing Melbourne like this might ruin every other sunrise for you.
THE OLD MELBOURNE GHOST TOUR
Melbourne isn't just footy dorks and coffee snobs. There be spirits a'lurking. With The Old Melbourne Ghost Tour, you can journey back in time when the aromatic spices of Chinatown veiled the smoke of opium dens and when poor houses donated questionably obtained bodies for the advancement of medicine. Or enjoy the slightly less morbid echo of the famous Federici, Melbourne's illustrious phantom, lingering in the laneways around Princess Theatre.
The tour is operated by Lantern Ghost Tours, and it's a steal at $36 for adults, or $75 for a dinner and tour combo. What a tantalisingly morbid date night. Catch it every Friday to Sunday, from 8.30pm–10pm.
ROAR 'N' SNORE AT MELBOURNE ZOO
Remember being a kid and thinking 'wouldn't it be cool to sleepover at the zoo?' Well, you can actually do that with Melbourne Zoo's Roar 'n' Snore. Ditch the standard night in and trade your bedroom for a luxe tent among the shapes and sounds of the animal kingdom.
Enjoy dinner beneath the sprawling eucalyptus while listening to wild animal stories from your hosts. Experience an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek into the secret nightlife of all creatures who call the zoo home.
It's priced at $292 per adult (with variations for weekends and school holiday periods). But you can chalk this up to a good cause, as the money goes towards contributing to the 160-year legacy of Melbourne Zoo's conservation efforts. And don't stress if camping isn't your thing, as comfy camping mattresses are provided. Bring a sleeping bag and a pillow, and you're good to go.
Dean Sunshine
FITZROY STREET ART TOUR
Fitzroy is cool. Full stop. Wandering around the storied and colourful streets of Fitzroy is even cooler. And even higher up on the cool scale? Wandering the cool streets of Fitzroy with a cool artist who knows the ins and outs like the back of their brush. And here's the coolest part — you can take a street art tour through Fitzroy with a real street artist. Got all that? Cool.
Fitzroy Street Art Tours, conveniently chilling at its 48 Easey Street starting point, offers people a chance to plunge into the vibrant underbelly of the city's street art scene. Yeah, Hosier Lane is nice, and tours are offered there too, but Fitzroy is where Melbourne's artistic soul resides.
Over two and a half hours, you will wander through back streets and laneways, basking in the glory of everything from giant murals to blink-and-you'll-miss-it treasures. The tour wraps up at the Rose Street Artist Markets, where you can snap up a little memento and enjoy a complimentary coffee, tea or soft drink.
The tour costs $69 for adults $35 for the mini humans (3–15 years), and is free for even mini-er humans (two years and under). This isn't just your standard city tour. It's an invitation to see the city through a technicolour lens, guided by a local legend. And what could be cooler than that?
Feeling inspired? For a limited time, you can save 10% off Melbourne Skydeck's Cocktails in the Clouds package. Go on, go make some memories.