A Star Wars LEGO exhibition with characters fighting with lightsabers and people looking through tubs of bricks.

The best Melbourne experience gifts

Left your shopping to the last minute, or just not sure what to get? These excellent experience gifts take mere minutes to book in and offer hours of enjoyment. And if you need a little extra help, the Melbourne Visitor Hub now has a representative from Experience Oz available to help visitors book tickets to shows, experiences, walking tours and more. This new service is open daily, from 9am to 5pm.

Blockbuster events to book

People sitting on cushions on a vast lawn in front of a large outdoor movie screen.

Moonlight Cinema

Kick back with a film under the stars at Melbourne’s most spectacular open-air cinema.

A small tour group looking up from the ground floor of the La Trobe Reading Room.

State Library Victoria Unlocked

On this exclusive tour, gain access to State Library Victoria before the doors open to the public.

Elton John in the 1970s wearing large spectacles and satin suit with Cher wearing Bob Mackie midriff-revealing strappy gown and Diana Ross wearing feather and sequin gown.

DIVA

From opera stars to pop icons, celebrate the power and creativity of the diva.

A person taking a photo of two mannequins dressed in colourful clothing in a fashion exhibition.

Westwood | Kawakubo

NGV’s summer exhibition pairs two icons of the fashion world, Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo.

People dressed at F1 drivers with helmets on, leaning back as if seated.

The F1 Exhibition

The F1 Exhibition makes its long-awaited debut in Australia.

Ballet dancer wearing 1920s fringed dress performing mid-air grand jete.

The Great Gatsby: A Jazz Ballet Odyssey

Jazz, tap and ballet bring Gatsby to life in a dazzling theatrical spectacle.

The full cast of the musical Book of Mormon on stage singing and dancing, with a painted sky coloured background and other theatre props.

The Book of Mormon

Australia’s biggest ever musical comedy returns this February.

River cruises and boat hire

Three long narrow boats with people seated in them and a guide standing at the rear of each boat, punting on the lake at Royal Botanic Gardens.

Punting on the Lake

Glide between the bays and islands of Ornamental Lake on a guided boat cruise.

People seated in a river boat with outside seating, passing city buildings.

Melbourne River Cruises

Sit back and relax as your captain details the history of Melbourne on a river cruise.

A sunset view of kayaks on the water, looking towards Bolte Bridge in Melbourne.

Kayak Melbourne

Guided paddling tours through Melbourne along the Yarra River and Victoria Harbour.

A group of women on a boat toasting with champagne glasses with a pizza box on the table.

GoBoat Melbourne

Be your own captain by renting a picnic boat, with no boat licence required.

A group of people on a small boat on the Yarra River in Melbourne.

On a Boat

Experience the Yarra River by boat on your own private cruise.

A group of people riding yellow and red water bikes on the Yarra River, with Melbourne's city skyline in the background.

Waterbikes Australia

Pedal the Yarra by waterbike - an unforgettable adventure through Melbourne’s heart.

Boat travelling beneath a bridge on a river.

Classic Steamboat Cruises

Public and private cruises and transport to events along the Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers.

Lady Cutler boat on the Yarra River with Melbourne Star Observation Wheel in the background.

Lady Cutler Melbourne Showboat

Cruise Melbourne on the Lady Cutler Melbourne Showboat, offering a range of cruising events.

Foodie experiences, tours and tastings

Two different hands holding two wine glasses, resting on a restaurant's dining table, a plate of food and napkins also on the table.

Mystery Sidedoor City: Wine and Asian Fusion Bites

Enjoy off-menu bites and paired drinks at a hidden Melbourne venue on this guided tasting adventure.

A person pouring out a measure of Aperol into a metal measuring cup.

Cocktail Making Class

Mix, shake and sip your way through the ultimate cocktail class in a hidden Melbourne bar.

Tour group standing on the steps of the Royal Exhibition Building.

Romance, Glamour and Migrants: An Italian Food History Walk

Find out why Melbourne is obsessed with Italian food on this cultural and culinary walking tour.

A plate of fluffy pancakes with ice-cream and chocolate over the top.

Chocolate Family Adventure Day

Enjoy an all-inclusive, stress-free family outing filled with fun, creativity, and delicious treats.

People lined up at a cheese stall at Queen Victoria Market.

Mystery Picnic Date: Melbourne Laneways

Solve clues and riddles to collect your special gourmet picnic on a unique foodie adventure.

Plates of delicious looking smoked meats, olives, bread and tomatoes.

Talk and Tapas Evening Walking Tour

Walk Melbourne’s laneways, hear its history and enjoy drinks and tapas on this three-hour tour.

Dishes of Asian food with cutlery and glass on a table.

Mystery Sidedoor: 5 Plate South East Asia Tasting Menu

Enjoy off-menu bites and paired drinks at a hidden Melbourne venue on this guided tasting adventure.

Melbourne walking tours

Two pink cocktail glasses on a dark bench.

Mystery Rooftop Bar Hop

Solve clues to unlock rooftop bars, cocktails, snacks and stunning Melbourne city views.

A small group of people on a tour on a pathway with yellow grass on one side and a large building on the other.

Walking Tour: Robin Boyd's Neighbourhood

A walking tour exploring the architectural streetscapes, landscape and local history of South Yarra.

Hand holding up a bitten chocolate, with two people in background, blurred.

Chocoholic Tours

This chocolate walking tour visits some of the city's best chocolatiers with exclusive experiences.

Group of people on a walking tour of Melbourne.

Hidden Secrets Tours

Indulge and discover the city's hidden charm with Melbourne's original laneway walking tours.

Three people walking with a Fit City tour guide through a leafy laneway in central Melbourne.

History and Donuts Walking Tour

History, laneways and donuts – explore Melbourne’s sweet side on this 2.5-hour walking tour.

A tour group gathered in front of a green neon 'Melbourne' sign, all laughing and enjoying themselves in a huddle.

The Complete Melbourne Walking Tour

Uncover the best of Melbourne's laneways, history and more in this three hour walking experience.

Three people standing on a street corner as a tram passes by

The ultimate guide to walking tours in Melbourne

Guided tours that weave through Melbourne's hidden gems, foodie spots and street art.

Tour guide talking to a crowd of people with Melbourne city skyline in the background.

Melbourne Sights Walking Tour

Uncover the stories behind Melbourne's landmarks, gardens and events on this walking tour.

People walking past stencil artwork of cats on a white wall in a Melbourne laneway.

Art, History, Food and Wine Tour

The perfect introduction to Melbourne – street art, curious tales, wine tasting and tapas.

Three people standing for a selfie on the ground at the MCG.

Sports Precinct Walking Tour

Explore Melbourne's sports precinct on foot with a local guide, including a tour of the MCG.

A red cocktail with a cloudy dome, on a black tray next to two strawberries.

Mystery Basement Bar Hop

Solve clues to unveil three hidden basement venues and enjoy prepaid drinks and a snack.

High tea experiences

A three-tiered high-tea offering with cakes and small savoury bites, someone pouring tea from a pot.

Collins Coffee House

Modern Australian cafe located in a heritage building, specialising high tea and brunch.

A formal round table set for afternoon tea with empty tables and chairs blurred in the background.

The Windsor Hotel's Afternoon Tea

A century-old tradition, afternoon tea at The Windsor is an unmissable experience.

Large glass exterior window of a cafe showing three levels of assorted cakes and desserts on display, surrounded by floral arrangements.

The Tea Rooms 1892

Located in Melbourne’s famous Block Arcade, the Tea Rooms are steeped in history.

A display of individual desserts on a dark tray.

Oxi Tea Room

Afro-Asian tea room serving modern high tea and desserts with unique Taiwanese and Kenyan teas.

Three coloured gin-based cocktails with platters of snacks.

9 May – 13 Jun

Gin-dulgent High Tea Experience

Take your seat for a guided gin high tea like no other with bottomless sparkling.

Workshops and hands-on activties

Four women standing and holding up small mosaic lamps in front of a circular neon sign.

Mosaic Art Classes: Turkish Lamp Workshop

Make beautiful mosaic lamps at this Turkish lamp workshop in Melbourne!

A craft workshop with three women at a table decorating bowls.

Ceramic Painting Classes: Bowls, Plates and Mugs

Paint your own ceramic masterpieces with step-by-step guidance and Turkish tea treats.

Two people showing off their resin-decorated breadboards in a workshop setting.

Resin Art Class: Cheeseboards and Coasters

Make abstract art and discover the magic of working with resin.

The best activities and attractions

People walking around the outdoor balcony area in front of the Royal Exhibition Dome.

Royal Exhibition Building Dome Promenade

The Royal Exhibition Building opens its doors to a unique view unseen for 100 years.

Purple velour-covered seating in an intimate cinema space.

Cinema Nova

Cinema Nova is Melbourne's home of quality arthouse and contemporary cinema.

Gold-plated Eureka Tower skyscraper and cityscape against the city skyline and blue sky with clouds.

Melbourne Skydeck

This 300m high public observation deck captures everything that is special about Melbourne.

A group of friends playing darts at Oche Melbourne, with platters of food on the tables near them.

Oche

Oche Melbourne - Darts with a twist

Circular doorway illuminated with pink neon and a ping pong sign.

Ballers Clubhouse

Melbourne's largest bar and games venue, in the heart of Chinatown.

Exterior of Holey Moley mini golf venue at night.

Holey Moley Golf Club

Holey Moley offers a mini golf course and bar with 27 themed holes plus a karaoke room.

People enjoying drinks and burgers at a bowling alley.

Kingpin Crown

Entertainment destination at Crown, with bowling, laser tag and the Playtime arcade.

Interior of Heroes Bar showing brightly coloured ceiling and wall decorations over a crowd of heads.

Heroes

Vibrant and lively vertical laneway of private karaoke rooms, open mic karaoke bar and rooftop bar.

Patrons seated at tables inside a restaurant eating and drinking.

Yum Sing House

Modern Asian dining and a late-night bar with the hedonistic spirit of 1960s Hong Kong.

People laughing and having fun on MotoGP arcade games.

Archie Brothers

One-stop entertainment venue with arcade games, bowling lanes, dodgem cars and cocktail bar.

People skating in an indoor ice rink with disco lighting.

O'Brien Icehouse

An ice arena for public skating and ice sports events, located in Docklands.

More gift shopping ideas

Two women walking past a florist with shopping bags and a bunch of flowers in their arms.

Best Mother's Day gifts under $50

Treat mum to treasures from Melbourne-owned brands and boutiques.

A woman browsing in a stylish home decor and fashion boutique. A giant paper lamp is in the foreground.

The best hidden shops in Melbourne

Find secret stores, iconic hidden gems and more.

A perfume store with an art deco interior and large arch windows.

Melbourne's most instagrammable shops

Our guide to the best looking shops in Melbourne, guaranteed to light up your Instagram feed.

A woman in a bookstore

Where to go late-night shopping in the Melbourne CBD

Whether you're looking for a last-minute gift or browsing after class, these stores are open late.

A person walking past an old book store with windows full of rows of books on display

Melbourne's most iconic shops

These iconic Melbourne shops are home to some of the city's most colourful retail characters

Bouquets of flowers for sale in a shop.

Gifts and homewares

From homewares to handcrafts or vintage items, it's easy to find that special gift in the city.

Museum shop items for sale including dinosaur book and figurines.

Museums Victoria Store

Nurture curious minds with a range of gifts for children and adults alike.

Florist store, set in a classical Victorian stone building.

Pollon Flowers

Pollon Flowers is noted for creative floral arrangements and their stunning window display.

Stranger Than Paradise Gifts shop exterior.

Stranger Than Paradise Gifts

Unique gifts and toys sourced from around the world.

Two smiling people standing side by side, holding a wrapped gift between them.

Queen Victoria Women's Centre Shop

A social enterprise gift store celebrating local women and gender diverse artists and makers.

Last updated on Fri 26 Dec 2025

Selection of books on display.

Metropolis Bookshop

Metropolis carries a specialist range of books focusing on art, design, popular culture and more.

A family of four standing in a grand library with antique desks, large white walls and a dome ceiling.

Things you can only do in the city

There's only one place to find these rare Melbourne experiences and secret spots.

A Ferris wheel in the city at sunset with colourful reflections on the river.

Melbourne’s most Instagrammable experiences

You won't need filters at the city's most photogenic spots.

Discover more

QV shopping centre at night with lots of bright lights.

Christmas Eve and late-night shopping hours in Melbourne

Melbourne's shopping centres are staying open late for your last-minute shopping emergencies.

A gift shop with taxidermy animals everywhere.

Rare shops you can only find in Melbourne

Melbourne is full of unique shopping spots you can only find in the city.

Inside a historic shopping arcade.

Iconic Melbourne shopping spots

The best shopping centres, strips, laneways and arcades in Melbourne for shopping.

Stationery on shelves inside Milligram store.

Milligram

Milligram carries 50 leading international and local stationery brands, along with cards and gifts.