Things you can only see in the city

Uncover Melbourne’s secret rooms, historic architecture and iconic landmarks found only in the city.

Shop at the biggest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere 

Melbourne’s bustling Queen Victoria Market is the largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s packed with hundreds of stalls offering everything from produce to hand-made trinkets. Do a circuit of the Meat and Fish Hall. Load your trolley with cheese, dips and salami at the Dairy Produce Hall. Then stock up on locally-grown produce at the fruit and veg sheds. Many of the family-run stalls have been serving Melburnians for generations so stop for a chat and a cheeky sample.

Wander past a tiny Tudor village

Tucked away in the stunning Fitzroy Gardens is a miniature Model Tudor Village. This tiny rambling town was gifted in 1947 from the people of Lambeth in England, in appreciation for food parcels from Australia sent during WWII. Head across the path and you’ll spot the Fairies’ Tree, sculpted in one of the garden’s original red gum trees in 1934 by Ola Cohn. The artist’s work features fairies, dwarfs, gnomes and a bunch of adorable Australian animals. 

Have a latte in a Victorian-era former sub station

The folks at Parco have converted a charming Victoria-era sub station into a lovely little cafe on a traffic island. Located next to Argyle Square in Carlton, this local go-to will cure your morning blues with a nice cup of jo. Take a seat under the the umbrellas and watch the world go by as you sip on your latte. Or get takeaway and go for a leisurely stroll in the park across the street. Hungry? Grab a loaded chicken sandwich, cherry Danish or egg-n-bacon banh mi.

See a towering portrait of Aboriginal activist William Barak  

Look up at the 31-storey apartment building on 555 Swanston St and you’ll see a portrait of Aboriginal artist and activist William Barak. This well-respected leader of the Wurundjeri people was a strong advocate for his people and traditional culture as well as being a witness of the John Batman treaty. His towering portrait reveals itself through the balconies and negative spaces in the building’s facade. Head to the top floor of the Shrine of Remembrance for the best view.  

Visit the largest grand romantic organ in the Southern Hemisphere

Find the largest grand romantic organ in the Southern Hemisphere at the iconic Melbourne Town Hall. Step inside and marvel at this gigantic 32 feet-high musical icon containing a whopping 9,592 pipes, drums and bells. This sophisticated and computer-controlled instrument has gone beyond classical music and has been the main attraction at jazz, electronic and rock concerts. There have been two permanent organs installed in the Town Hall since 1872 and the second was installed in 1929 following a fire in 1925. Book a free Melbourne Town Hall tour to get exclusive access.  

See a riverside Aboriginal art installation  

Take a riverside stroll along the banks of the Yarra and make your way to the Birrarung Wilam Aboriginal art installation. This piece along Birrarung Marr was created to celebrate the diversity of Victoria’s indigenous culture. The winding pathway symbolises the importance of the eel as a traditional food source. And a semicircle of metal shields represents each of the five groups of the Kulin Nation. 

Visit an old ballroom on the top level of Flinders Street Station 

Did you know the upper level of Flinders Street Station used to hold extravagant parties? This secret ballroom was boarded up and closed to the public for decades. Then in recent years winter arts festival RISING has given it new life with exhibitions, performances, immersive experiences and more. Get rare access to the ballroom at Swingers this winter – a pop-up mini golf course and exhibition woven through the corridors and corners of this Melbourne icon.