Weird, unique and unusual things to do in Melbourne

Delve beneath the surface, and there’s a world of weirdness to discover in Melbourne. Take a walk on the wild side with these offbeat attractions.

Explore a huge sensory installation

Melbourne's premier arts festival Now or Never returns this winter. Step inside MATRIA, a bold new installation part of this year's program. The work sees Royal Exhibition Building transform into a breathing, womb-like organism. Immerse yourself in the stunning spectacle. Then join a breathwork session or catch a special night-time performance.

Get lost in a digital exhibition

Melbourne's Science Gallery is home to some of the most unusual art installations in town. The upcoming exhibition Distraction delves into content overload and dwindling attention. From scrolling curated feeds to escaping into digital universes. Take a playful peek into the ways we juggle the modern world.

Play mini golf in a hidden ballroom

This equal parts art exhibition and mini golf course first debuted at RISING. Bring your pals and enter the clubhouse for drinks and a practice putt. Then tee up for some off the wall fun in the abandoned Flinders Street ballroom. Each hole has been designed by local and international artists. Let your swing determine your fate on the final hole – a giant fortune telling wave.

Receive gifts for the end of the world

For an out of the ordinary experience, book an appointment at The Office of Chthonic Services. Located in a city office, this conceptual project focuses on the theme of apocalypse. Here you'll meet artist Olivia Concetta Lennon. Describe apocalyptic objects and receive small watercolour paintings and curious items in return.

Unveil the secrets of an iconic building

Most Melburnians are well acquainted with the State Library. But have you seen what's buried below? In this new tour, you'll get exclusive access to unseen spaces. Explore the catacombs and rummage through the library’s old card catalogue system. Then experience a rare moment of quiet in the grand dome.

Pay homage to Elvis at the cemetery

The closest the King of Rock and Roll got to Australia was Hawaii. But no matter, Elvis Presley is honoured with a shrine in the Melbourne General Cemetery. It’s believed to be the only authorised Elvis memorial outside the US. Commissioned by Presley’s Victorian fan club, the landscaped grotto was unveiled by rock legend Johnny O’Keefe in 1977.

Go on a tour of Melbourne's rare treasures

See a Foster's beer tower from the good old days, retro Moomba Monarch crowns and a bottle of spumante dating back to who knows when. City of Melbourne's Art and Heritage Collection is open to the public for free guided tours. Drop in on the Open House Melbourne weekend.

Solve puzzles on a mystery bar crawl

If you can't decide where to go for drinks this weekend, leave it in the hands of the experts. AmazingCo has mashed up a bar crawl, walking tour and escape room into one glorious afternoon. Book the Mystery Basement Bar Hop and solve the puzzles to discover three of Melbourne's coolest subterranean bars. Once you've cracked the code, revel in your reward – cocktails and bar snacks!

Visit a gallery frozen in the 19th century

Multi-award-winning, critically acclaimed and held at an undisclosed East Melbourne location. The Johnston Collection is quite literally a hidden gem. The home’s maze of rooms are filled top to bottom with all that’s gilded and antique. Think chequerboard floors, glittering chandeliers and portraits of ruffle-necked figures. The special house museum hosts exhibitions and events year-round.

Go to the city's only axe-throwing bar

Find Melbourne's first – and we'd hazard to say only – axe-throwing bar on Elizabeth Street. From the outside, Maniax looks like a black tunnel into nowhere. Approach the stairs and you're met with a dazzling neon sculpture. Head down and learn how to throw from the pros in a purpose-designed axe arena. Then refuel with pizza, cocktails and craft beer in the separate bar.

Get served by robot kitty waiters

Love them or hate them, robots are becoming a bigger part of daily life. To combat staff shortages, and to give hard-working waiters extra assistance, heaps of Melbourne's best restaurants are utilising these cute animatronic kitties. See the machines in action at Kata Kita or Dodee Paidang. Then swing by Sam Sam to see the ultimate invention: a massive robot arm that cooks fried chicken.

Leave reality behind in an escape room

Want weird rather than everyday challenges? Find the clues and solve the puzzles posed by Melbourne’s perplexing escape rooms. Bring your crew along to Trapt and search for treasure in an abandoned mineshaft. Dial up the fear factor to explore the paranormal world of Annabelle at Lost in Melbourne. Or use your critical thinking skills to unlock the Odditorium at Escape Hunt.

Live like a pirate in a century-old building

To get your pirate on, heave ho to the heritage listed Mission to Seafarers and test your pipes at a free sea shanty sing-along session. These ever popular sessions are the ultimate way to blow off some steam, pirate-style. They run every Thursday, so dust off that eye patch and head on down for a pint and an evening of old timey music.

Discover hidden coin booth karaoke

Private karaoke rooms and the odd open mic night are pretty well-known in Melbourne. Mini coin-operated singing booths? Not so common. Enter Kono, a hidden gem lined with disco-lit nooks perfect for solo or small group singing. Regulars can be heard singing along to ballads in perfect Korean, but there’s a song book of English tunes to pick from too.