5 Affordable Places You Should Definitely Visit In Melbourne

The capital and most populous city of Victoria, Melbourne houses a population of around 4.9 million people. It is obvious that there will be a lot of attractions in the city. If you find yourself in this city as a tourist or student, do not forget to visit at least one of these top 5 places in Melbourne that are absolutely easy on your pocket!

No need to hold onto your wallets.

As a student, I am sure that you will be short of cash or maybe feel light in your pockets regularly. So, do not worry if you are not the top spender in your group and you do not need to be a kin of Jeff Bezos to explore what Melbourne has to offer.

There are several attractions in Melbourne that are absolutely free and will give you the same satisfaction as will spending $50 for a cup of coffee.

Here you go with the list of top 5 things to do in Australia that are absolutely free of cost!

1. National Gallery of Victoria

If you are an art lover or want to see what is it in the paintings that the people are paying millions of dollars for, you should definitely check this place out.

Walk up the St Kilda Road and you shall see a huge building made of bluestone on your left. This is National Gallery of Victoria and was designed by Sir Roy Grounds in the year 1861. Yes, it is quite old. National Gallery of Victoria, or NGV as it is popularly known, houses a collection of over 73,000 arts!

When you will enter through the arched entrance, the first thing you will see is the wall of water. Go behind that, not through that. There it is, the Great Hall. You will see here a ceiling of stained glass, which happens to be the largest, casting a kaleidoscope of colours on the floor. Not just a permanent collection, the NGV also hosts periodic exhibitions and special events.

You will works of notable artists like John Russell, Charles Blackman, Rupert Bunny, William Dobell, Fred Williams and others.

2. State Library of Victoria

Okay, maybe you are too hyped about this one. I can understand how much you must hate libraries and must have sweared a lot of times to never visit a library again. But hear me out.

The State Library of Victoria is a thing of beauty, from the very first moment your eyes settle on it. And the best part is that the outside beauty is just a percentage of the magnificence inside the library. The exquisite La Trobe Reading Room is domed from which the natural light pours in. And what’s more is that it does not disappoint you in the evening as well. The soft artificial light is enough to draw anyone in. Trust me, if you like to read, there is no better place in whole of Melbourne to read a book.

Oh, I do not believe you need to carry your books with you here. Why? Well, this place has a collection of more than two million books! If these books are insufficient to quench your thirst for knowledge, you can try your hands at newspapers, manuscripts, digital material, video and audio covering a large history of Victoria.

3. Queen Victoria Market

The Queen Victoria Market is a historic place and one of the most popular markets in Australia. And I do not think any of the market charges you anything to simply visit it. You can roam the streets for as long as you like and want.

You can discover fresh produce like fruits and vegetables, hot donuts that are freshly baked, souvenirs to carry back home and a series of home wares that you can choose from. They all are scattered throughout the market. If you have time, do not forget to visit the special Night Market that you is set for every Wednesday night for the months between November and April.

Not only that, there is also live music, food stalls selling delicious food and late night shopping for your midnight hunger pangs and cravings.

Oh, I forgot to mention the most important detail. It is the largest open-air market in all of the southern hemisphere. You will find rich art and culture in the marketplace related to western trends as well as eastern trends.

4. Royal Botanic Gardens

The city life of Melbourne is sometimes hefty for everyone, either student or working professional. Everyone needs to take a chill pill, connect with themselves and relax their mind and body in midst of nature.

If you want such a place, then do visit the Royal Botanic Gardens, the perfect escape from the Melbourne’s city streets and the buzz. People have often regarded it as the ‘tranquil sanctuary’ which is spread across 94 acres. The gardens are called Royal but it has no direct relationship with the aristocracies of Australia. It has a collection of 10,000 different species of plant kingdom – native as well as exotic, divided into 11 different lawns. You will find a lot of space and opportunity to relax and unwind your mind.

If you are a fitness concious person, you can take a jog or a run down a 2.4 mile long track. This track, called ‘The Tan’, circles the garden.

5. RAAF Museum

The Royal Australian Air Force Museum or RAAF Museum is at a distance of 25 minutes from Melbourne. I know I promised you free attractions in Australia but I think this travel is something that I think you will not mind paying.

This place is all about the history and details of Australian aviation and does not charge a single penny from the visitors. You can take a tour of the hangars, see the displays and enjoy the exhibitions. If you are visiting on a Sunday, Thursday or a Tuesday, you can see a heritage aircraft take flight in interactive Flying Displays.

So, that was all!

These were the top 5 free places to visit in Melbourne that are equally attractive as the ones charging you. Do tell me in the comments your thoughts about these places if you have visited them and what other places I could have mentioned.

Keep exploring!