The best Melbourne experience gifts
Left your Mother's Day 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
Cats & Dogs
From cattle dogs to lap dogs, divine felines to cat superstitions, explore more than 250 works.
YIRRAMBOI Festival
Hosting 400+ First Nations creatives across 180 performances and activating over 40 venues.
LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition
Step into a world of epic battles, spaceships and landscapes from a galaxy far, far away.
An Evening of Fairy Tales
Explore the worlds of ballet and opera with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
Fondue Chalet
Enjoy a fully immersive fondue experience in your own chalet at this Fed Square pop-up.
Nocturnal: Museum After Dark
Step into a world of wonder at an after-hours Melbourne Museum experience just for adults.
RISING: Marlon Williams
The Māori singer performs his sublime Māori-language album for the first time in Australia.
Foodie experiences, tours and tastings
Melbourne Foodie Culture Tour
This walking tour introduces you to Melbourne's favourite foods, architecture and stories.
Learn to Cook Thai: Pad Thai and Papaya Salad
Join a hands-on cooking class, featuring two of Thailand’s favourite dishes.
Rosso Coffee Experience: Specialty Coffee Roastery & Cafe
North Melbourne’s hub for coffee: expert roasting, gourmet food and hands-on experiences.
Chocolate Family Adventure Day
Enjoy an all-inclusive, stress-free family outing filled with fun, creativity, and delicious treats.
Celebrate Mexico: Tequila Versus Mezcal
Enjoy a guided tasting of artisan agave-based spirits paired with gourmet Mexican canapés.
Mystery Picnic: Melbourne Laneways
Solve clues, taste and collect pre-paid gourmet food on this unique foodie adventure.
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.
Melbourne walking tours
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.
The Complete Melbourne Walking Tour
Uncover the best of Melbourne's laneways, history and more in our three hour walking experience.
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.
Art, History, Food and Wine Walking Tour
The perfect introduction to Melbourne – street art, curious tales, wine tasting and tapas.
Sports Precinct Walking Tour
Explore Melbourne's sports precinct on foot with a local guide, including a tour of the MCG.
Mystery Basement Bar Hop
Solve clues to unveil three hidden venues and enjoy pre-paid drinks and snacks.
Melbourne Foodie Culture Tour
This walking tour introduces you to Melbourne's favourite foods, architecture and stories.
Hits from 2000s Theme Silent Disco Walking Tour
This classic Silent Disco City Tour features uplifting dance music from the 2000s.
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 with Mixologist Antony
Take your seat for a guided gin high tea like no other with bottomless sparkling.
Mother's Day with Emelia Jackson
Treat Mum to Emelia Jackson's exclusive high tea at State Library Victoria.
Best gigs to book
Michael Bublé by Glenn Starr
Experience the magic of Michael Bublé brought to life as Glenn Starr sings his greatest hits.
The Capitol Orchestra and Grease
Enjoy an afternoon of live 1920s-style jazz and a screening of the 1978 classic Grease.
RISING: SHOUSE Communitas
Another epic session of Communitas, where everyone’s in the band, including you.
Chris G LeBon: From Paris to New York
The internationally acclaimed crooner performs a jazzy bluesy cultural trip.
Dolly Parton: Double Down
Join the Audrey Twins as they present a perfect blend of music and comedy.
Mother's Day Concert
Michael Petruccelli (tenor) and Coady Green (piano) present favourite and classic songs.
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.
Oche
A blend of superlative cuisine, cocktails, and state-of-the-art electronic darts gaming experience.
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 Cirque Electriq
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
Melbourne's best gifts for kids
Treat the kids in your life to a little something special from Melbourne's best boutiques.
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 Wed 7 May 2025
Only In The City
Metropolis Bookshop
Metropolis carries a specialist range of books focusing on art, design, popular culture and more.
Only in the City
This city hums with energy - with hidden laneway cafes, rooftop bars, art and culture at every turn.
Meyers Place
Explore one of Melbourne's most iconic laneways, filled with bars, restaurants and murals.
Discover more
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 15th to the 21st centuries.
Morris and Sons
A haven for craft enthusiasts, stocking a wide range of knitting and needlecraft supplies.
