Plan ahead for New Year's Eve with transport, road closure and accessibility info.
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
Australian Open
The summer stage for epic tennis, music, entertainment and unforgettable fan moments.
Moonlight Cinema
Kick back with a film under the stars at Melbourne’s most spectacular open-air cinema.
LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition
Step into a world of epic battles, spaceships and landscapes from a galaxy far, far away.
State Library Victoria Unlocked
On this exclusive tour, gain access to State Library Victoria before the doors open to the public.
Cats the Musical
Be thrilled by the 40th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber's record-breaking musical, Cats.
Westwood | Kawakubo
NGV’s summer exhibition pairs two icons of the fashion world, Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo.
Game Worlds
ACMI's new playable exhibition features more than 30 videogames from the 1970s to today.
Ten Thousand Hours
Eight world-class acrobats compress 10,000 hours of practice into 60 minutes you’ll never forget.
Anastasia the Musical
Discover the romantic and adventure-filled Broadway production inspired by the beloved film.
Martin Grant
A major exhibition of work by Australian-born Paris-based fashion designer Martin Grant.
Darkfield
Be immersed in an audio experience inside a shipping container as Darkfield returns for the summer.
The Great Gatsby: A Jazz Ballet Odyssey
Jazz, tap and ballet bring Gatsby to life in a dazzling theatrical spectacle.
PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival
Australia’s largest major fashion event celebrates 30 years of local fashion with a huge programme.
River cruises and boat hire
Melbourne River Cruises
Sit back and relax as your captain details the history of Melbourne on a river cruise.
Waterbikes Australia
Pedal the Yarra by waterbike - an unforgettable adventure through Melbourne’s heart.
Classic Steamboat Cruises
Public and private cruises and transport to events along the Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers.
Lady Cutler Melbourne Showboat
Cruise Melbourne on the Lady Cutler Melbourne Showboat, offering a range of cruising events.
Concerts and festivals
Thelma Plum and Sons of the East: Live at the Gardens
Hear Thelma Plum, Sons of the East and Jem Cassar-Daley perform at Live at the Gardens.
Marlon Williams and Emma Donovan: Live at the Gardens
Marlon Williams, Emma Donovan and Kee'ahn perform at Live at the Gardens.
Bliss N Eso, Drapht and Horrorshow: Live at the Gardens
The Live at the Gardens series ends with Bliss N Eso, Drapht and Horrorshow.
Cut Copy and Todd Terje DJ Set: Live at the Gardens
Enjoy a hometown dancefloor takeover with Cut Copy, Todd Terje (DJ set), CC:Disco! and more.
Leftfield with Paul Mac DJ Set: Live at the Gardens
Enjoy a night of electronic music with Leftfield, Paul Mac and Late Nite Tuff Guy.
Sunset Music Series
This summer, enjoy live music under the stars as the Gardens come alive with song.
Foodie experiences, tours and tastings
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.
Cocktail Making Class
Mix, shake and sip your way through the ultimate cocktail class in a hidden Melbourne bar.
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.
Chocolate Family Adventure Day
Enjoy an all-inclusive, stress-free family outing filled with fun, creativity, and delicious treats.
Mystery Picnic Date: Melbourne Laneways
Solve clues and riddles to collect your special gourmet picnic on a unique foodie adventure.
Talk and Tapas Evening Walking Tour
Walk Melbourne’s laneways, hear its history and enjoy drinks, tapas and stories on this 3hr tour.
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
Mystery Rooftop Bar Hop
Solve clues to unlock rooftop bars, cocktails, snacks and stunning Melbourne city views.
Walking Tour: Robin Boyd's Neighbourhood
A walking tour exploring the architectural streetscapes, landscape and local history of South Yarra.
Chocoholic Tours
This chocolate walking tour visits some of the city's best chocolatiers with exclusive experiences.
Hidden Secrets Tours
Indulge and discover the city's hidden charm with Melbourne's original laneway walking tours.
History and Donuts Walking Tour
History, laneways and donuts – explore Melbourne’s sweet side on this 2.5hr walking tour.
The ultimate guide to walking tours in Melbourne
Guided tours that weave through Melbourne's hidden gems, foodie spots and street art.
Melbourne Sights Walking Tour
Uncover the stories behind Melbourne's landmarks, gardens and events on this walking tour.
Sports Precinct Walking Tour
Explore Melbourne's sports precinct on foot with a local guide, including a tour of the MCG.
High tea experiences
Collins Coffee House
Modern Australian cafe located in a heritage building, specialising high tea and brunch.
The Windsor Hotel's Afternoon Tea
A century-old tradition, afternoon tea at The Windsor is an unmissable experience.
The Tea Rooms 1892
Located in Melbourne’s famous Block Arcade, the Tea Rooms are steeped in history.
Oxi Tea Room
Afro-Asian tea room serving modern high tea and desserts with unique Taiwanese and Kenyan teas.
Gin-dulgent High Tea
Take your seat for a guided gin high tea like no other with bottomless sparkling.
The best family experiences
Family Museum Sleepovers (Ages 6 to 12)
Explore the Museum after dark in this unique overnight experience at Melbourne Museum.
Hot Air Balloon Dining Experience
Gather with friends and family at The Wharf Hotel's hot air balloon dining pods.
NBL: Melbourne United v South East Melbourne Phoenix
It's time for the final throwdown of the Hungry Jack's NBL 2026 regular season.
Workshops and hands-on activties
Mosaic Art Classes: Turkish Lamp Workshop
Make beautiful mosaic lamps at this Turkish lamp workshop in Melbourne!
Ceramic Painting Classes: Bowls, Plates and Mugs
Paint your own ceramic masterpieces with step-by-step guidance and Turkish tea treats.
Resin Art Class: Cheeseboards and Coasters
Make abstract art and discover the magic of working with resin.
The best activities and attractions
Royal Exhibition Building Dome Promenade
The Royal Exhibition Building opens its doors to a unique view unseen for 100 years.
Melbourne Skydeck
This 300m high public observation deck captures everything that is special about Melbourne.
Holey Moley Golf Club
Holey Moley offers a mini golf course and bar with 27 themed holes plus a karaoke room.
Heroes
Vibrant and lively vertical laneway of private karaoke rooms, open mic karaoke bar and rooftop bar.
Yum Sing House
Modern Asian dining and a late-night bar with the hedonistic spirit of 1960s Hong Kong.
Archie Brothers
One-stop entertainment venue with arcade games, bowling lanes, dodgem cars and cocktail bar.
Monopoly Dreams
Enjoy a fully immersive and interactive Monopoly experience, featuring games and challenges.
More gift shopping ideas
Melbourne's most instagrammable shops
Our guide to the best looking shops in Melbourne, guaranteed to light up your Instagram feed.
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.
Melbourne's most iconic shops
These iconic Melbourne shops are home to some of the city's most colourful retail characters
Gifts and homewares
From homewares to handcrafts or vintage items, it's easy to find that special gift in the city.
Pollon Flowers
Pollon Flowers is noted for creative floral arrangements and their stunning window display.
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
Only In The City
Metropolis Bookshop
Metropolis carries a specialist range of books focusing on art, design, popular culture and more.
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There's only one place to find these rare Melbourne experiences and secret spots.
Melbourne’s most Instagrammable experiences
You won't need filters at the city's most photogenic spots.
Discover more
Christmas Eve and late-night shopping hours in Melbourne
Melbourne's shopping centres are staying open late for your last-minute shopping emergencies.
Rare shops you can only find in Melbourne
Melbourne is full of unique Christmas shopping spots you can only find in the city.
Milligram
Milligram carries 50 leading international and local stationery brands, along with cards and gifts.
Kay Craddock – Antiquarian Bookseller
Antiquarian and second-hand books, dating from the 16th to the 21st centuries.