Are you planning a recent trip to Melbourne? If you do then there are a lot of things that you need to know about the city before you plan your trip. Australia is a really beautiful place and Melbourne is its one of the most happening cities.

There are a lot of activities you can take part in and you might not want to miss them. One of the most famous among them is the Melbourne Cup which is held on the first Tuesday of November. This Thoroughbred race is one of the biggest in Australia and in the world. So if you plan your trip in late October then you surely would not want to miss this because not many in the world can experience this!

Melbourne is not only the place where a lot of things go on but has a lot of great places to visit too. The places to visit in Melbourne are:

Philip Island Nature Park

This nature is the most popular wildlife attraction in Melbourne. If you are a penguin lover then this is surely the place you wouldn’t want to miss. Here, you can get the chance to see the Penguin Parade as they return home to the island after an entire day in the ocean in search of food. You can see this entire incident from an elevated place with a guide from the nature park who would provide you with the history of Philip Island as also many other facts. Excepting the penguins, this nature park also constitutes of the Churchill Island and the Koala Conservation Centre.

Melbourne Museum

Melbourne Museum is where you get to learn about this city’s as also Australia’s history and cultural heritage. There are many shows that take place in this museum and they provide tourists a better understanding of their history, culture, evolution and earth life. The shows held are about Dinosaurs, marine life, archaeological artifacts, architectures, etc. and they are really educational for children. You can check for the latest and on-going shows before you visit.

Puffing Billy Steam Train

The Puffing Billy Steam train is a hundred years old railway located in the Dandenong Ranges. This is now a tourist railway that still runs on the originally paved mountain tracks. This train attracts tourists due to its historical value and fun ride over the ranges. Lunch, dinner and snacks are served in the train and depending on your schedule of visit you can enjoy them. The train also provides for themed tours during Christmas and Halloween and tourists can also enjoy the souvenirs and the jazz music that is often played.

Yarra Valley Wineries

A short one hour drive from Melbourne towards the outskirts will lead you to the Yarra valley. This is where the country’s finest wine is made. The wine from these wineries will overwhelm your senses and quench your thirst for quality wine. You can extend your stay here by checking into a hotel or a winery estate and you can even purchase wine directly from the local wineries and wine makers to avail great discounts.

Crown Entertainment Complex and Federation Square

This is where you will experience the city life and night-life of Melbourne. The Federation Square is the ultimate destination for shopping, accommodation and food. Here you will find the buzz of life and the Melbourne’s daily activities. You can visit the Melbourne Visitor’s Centre, art galleries, sports events and other interesting events. For a more luxurious stay, you can visit Crown Entertainment Complex where there are premium restaurants and lodging facilities.

Conclusion

Melbourne, being a beautiful city itself, is a really impressive family vacation destination and if you are planning for a short vacation then, Melbourne is certainly a good option as it is a balanced synthesis of peace, pleasure, entertainment and natural beauty. So, plan your trip well before you visit because the better your plan, the more you can do in a short time span!