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Melbourne Cruises

Melbourne offers a quirky alternative to the fast-paced urban lifestyle of Sydney. This Australian hotspot is the capital of the state of Victoria, with an intriguing gold rush history and modern artistic flair. The city centre is known for its hidden lanes, where you’ll find twinkling tearooms and vintage shops tucked away from the main drags. Melbourne is divided by the Yarra River, with plenty of parkland making it feel particularly green even in seaside neighbourhoods like Fitzroy and Richmond. Explore the city by tram or on foot to discover its cultural centres and hidden surprises!

What You Need To Know About Melbourne

What are the can’t-miss sights in Melbourne?

Get a birds-eye view of the city from Eureka Skydeck 88, before heading to Federation Square. This central square hosts events throughout the year and is lined with cinemas, shops, and restaurants with an onsite Visitor Centre to get you started. There’s certainly no shortage of cultural attractions, from the Australian artworks of the National Gallery of Victoria to the European collection in the International branch of the same museum. The State Library of Victoria rivals anything you’ll find in London with its millions of titles, and St Paul’s Cathedral stands out for its English Gothic style and colourful mosaics.

How can you reach Melbourne from the cruise terminal?

There’s not much to do around the port area, but fortunately it’s easy to get into the city centre from the cruise terminal. Melbourne’s tram system is fast, clean, and regular, so you can hop on the tram at the Port Melbourne station for swift access into town. The ride takes about 20 minutes, with the city’s prime attractions easily accessible on foot from there. There’s also a circular loop to take you around the city. Trains are on hand for access to the suburbs, and taxis are brightly painted in a standout yellow hue to make them easy to spot.

Parking facilities around the cruise terminal

Are you planning on parking in Melbourne? Vehicles are only allowed to drop off or pick up passengers at the pier, with boarding passes visible for Gatehouse guards before you’re allowed entry. A short-term car park is located next to Station Pier at Waterfront Place if you plan to hang out at the terminal for a bit, or you can look for longer term parking provided by Ace Parking on Bay Street. This Bayshore car park is only a 10-minute walk from the main terminal. Pre-booking isn’t available here, but the machines take both cash and cards at reasonable rates.

MELBOURNE - DID YOU KNOW?

Queen Elizabeth Market is a favoured haunt for locals and visitors alike for its charm and quality. Browse through stalls of colourful produce, tempting snacks, handcrafted specialties and unique clothing in this airy pavilion surrounded by cafes.

Australia’s plant life is as unique as its wildlife, so don’t miss the chance to see what types of plants grow here with a visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Lush and elegant in equal measures, the gardens were founded in the mid-1800s and show off over 50,000 different specimens in a tranquil setting.

Melbourne’s suburbs are as interesting as its city centre, so if you have time you can travel out to explore areas like St Kilda. This seaside district is home to old-fashioned amusement park Luna Park, offering a fun-filled day out for all ages. There’s also a popular arts and crafts here on the weekend.

Do you want to learn more about Victoria’s history during the gold rush? Visit Sovereign Hill, a recreated village with huts made out of mud and actors on hand to show you what daily life was like back in the 1850s. Do you feel lucky? You can even try your own hand at panning for gold!