Weird, unique and unusual things to do in Melbourne

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.

Order noodles made by a robot

The robot chef has entered the restaurant at Jin Noodles on 179 Russell St. Order a bowl of classic knife cut noodles and watch the machine slice the dough with precision. This North Chinese dish comes with ingredients like slow-braised beef, pork ragu, forest mushrooms and more. Grab sides like spiced meatballs, pickles, vinegar peanuts and kelp salad for the ultimate Shanxi-style feast. 

Visit an unsettling exhibition about the future

A gallery dedicated to science is bound to have some weird and whacky art. Science Gallery’s EMERGENCE[Y] touches on the uncertainty of the future. Artist Patricia Piccinini is famous for giving us the heebie-jeebies and has created small fleshy sculptures that are worth a look. Then there are other thought-provoking works you can’t miss. Think clothes made out of mushrooms, a video of decaying cows and an immersive pod for the sleep deprived.

Discover a synchronised laser show in a historic Melbourne building

Melbourne’s arts, technology and music festival Now or Never is bringing a massive program of unique things to do around the city. Experience a sound installation featuring biological material from a dead composer. Check out giant dreamlike animations on the Hamer Hall facade. Or visit a free synchronised laser and light show by local artist Robin Fox at Melbourne Town Hall.  

See a doomscrolling hot dog at a free exhibition

A doomscrolling sausage, unsettling blobby statues and a tapestry of internet memes. Find these artworks at ACCA’s exhibition ‘Are you lonely tonight? I’m so lonesome I could cry.’ This free showcase features dozens of pieces touching on our need for human connection in an increasingly disconnected world.

Get tickets to a show with tap dancing knights

Look to the kings of all things kooky at Monty Python’s Spamalot. This hilarious show about King Arthur's quest will leave you in stitches. There are Broadway-style vocals, tap dancing knights and even the occasional flying cow. With 14 Tony Awards under its belt, this is most definitely a weird and wonderful thing to add to your list.

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.

Seek out the hidden rooftop garden

Even Fed Square regulars might not know about the secret rooftop garden hidden in the car park. A calm escape from the busy public square, the Test Garden is an experimental green space open daily for everyone to enjoy. The garden beds are filled with native and introduced plants that flower at different times of year, so it changes with every visit.

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.

Listen in on real-life voice messages at an interactive theatre experience

Dive into the worlds of emergency workers, truck drivers, new parents and more at this interactive theatre experience. The Nightline lets you eavesdrop on those who frequent the night. Enter a dark room, pick up the retro phone then listen in on real-life anonymous voice messages. You’ll hear intimate confessions, angry rants, singing and pranks.

Go on a tour of Melbourne's rare treasures

Learn fun facts, hilarious anecdotes and tidbits all about our city's history when you join an Art and Heritage Collection Tour. See a Foster's beer tower from the good old days. Marvel at retro Moomba Monarch crowns. And get an up close look at a bottle of spumante dating back to who knows when. This unique experience is open to the public for free but be sure to book ahead.

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.

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.

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.