Melbourne

Backpacking centre St Kilda caters to the need for thrills and adrenaline with sky diving right on the doorstep. They take you in a mini bus to the local airport to take off, but landing is on a patch of grass just south of the marina. The tandem dives require no previous experience and you get some great views of the city as you fall through the air, then a roller coaster ride back doen once the chute is pulled.

This gorge, so close to the city, is popular for day walks. There are 4 walks to do, 3 of them take around 2 hours each and the fourth, the Werribee gorge circuit walk, is 4.5hr long.
It's an interesting landscape to explore with plenty of wildlife to encounter.

Ski, snowboard or just play in the snow just 3 hours from Melbourne during winter. There are several resorts that you can visit but Mt Buller is the main one as it's the closest. On resort accommodation is available, so multi-day trips are possible, and many people stay in off mountain accommodation and drive up to ski each day (It's cheaper). Day trips are also possible, either driving yourself, or on a tour - both require an early start and make it a long day. Gear can be hired on the way or at the mountain. Lessons are available if needed - it's a great place for beginners. Or you can simply sledge/tube and build a snowman.

Bells beach is world famous for surfing. It's known as the best place in Australia for surfing, was the setting for the final scene in the 'Point Break' film (although not actually filmed there) and hosts a well attended Rip Curl Pro surfing competition.
The nearby town of Torquay has the Australian National Surf Museum ($12) and many places you can hire a board or sign up for lessons.

This museum, located in a fine building at the end of Collins Street, showcases the history of Melbourne and Victoria. Closed on Saturday's. Stories told include the yarra river, wars, gold, the governor and in the old gold vaults in the Melbourne panorama - a 360 degree taken in 1862.

This exhibition is an immersive exhibition showcasing Australian music, innovative digital participatory experiences and iconic objects from the arts centres 'Australian Performing Arts Collection'.

A Greek history, art and culture museum that features several exhibitions and includes an audio-visual tour guide for the Gods, Myths and Mortals exhibition. It is located in the former Royal Mint building, completed in 1872.

This museum houses a collection of modern and contemporary art in a purpose built art gallery, a house designed in the modern style, and within the historic on-site cottage. There are sixteen acres of gardens with an extensive sculpture park, two kitchen gardens, an excellent high end cafe, and a shop.

This sister garden to the much better know Royal Botanic Gardens (near the city centre - see above) is a newer garden and therefore has a much more modern design and is focused on South East Australian native species. There is a shop, cafe, explorer bus and scooter hire (if you can't walk so much) and tours available.
The adjoining bushland has over 10km of walking paths, 6km of cycling paths and a lookout tower.

Free 45min long tours are available five times per day during the week, when parliament is not sitting. You must pass through a security check point, provide ID and leave your bags at the reception.

This catholic church is the largest church in Victoria and in the gothic revival style. Click the link to see the mass times.

Chloe, the model in the nude painting, caused quite a stir when she arrived in Melbourne in 1880 and she's been hanging on the walls of the Young and Jackson hotel since 1909. Head upstairs to take a look and have a drink whilst overlooking Flinders Street station and Fed square.

This 1755 cottage was transported from Yorkshire, England, to Melbourne in 1934 and reconstructed brick by brick. It's said to have been the home to Captain Cook at one point (but probably wasn't), and you can see a little bit of his history, a statue of him, and the nice kitchen garden.

Built in 1885, this three masted tall ship has sailed over 1.5million miles and now sits docked in South Wharf, right in front of the convention and exhibition centre.
Only open on weekends to the public. On the first Sunday of the month they have a Pirate day event that is great for kids.
Nearby is the DFO outlet shopping centre and lots of food options along the waters edge.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground is one of the most magnificent and largest stadiums in the world. Try to catch a game if you can - AFL and cricket are the main sports played.
The stadium also holds the Australian sports museum which has galleries dedicated to AFL, Cricket, Horse racing, The Olympics, 'Sporting Nation' and the sports hall of fame. 'Game On' has interactive elements to test your sports skills.
The museum arranges tours of the MCG too which includes the players changing rooms, the city viewing terrace, a walk on the pitch and many more highlights.

This sculpture park and gallery features mainly contemporary Australian art in an indoor and outdoor setting.

Located on a small island on the Yarra river, this park is located just north of South Yarra, about a 20min walk from the train station. To access the island you either need a canoe or boat, or on weekends from January to Easter, there is a punt that you can take from Como landing.

A contemporary art, architecture and design space with an ever expanding collection and regular exhibits and events held in the Housemuseum galleries. The original building, still available to visit on a tour led by a family member, is the patrons personal residence that is part house part gallery.
Open Wednesday to Sunday only.

This area in Elsternwick is set for redevelopment to bring all the different elements together. Currently the Jewish Holocaust Centre museum is closed for the redevelopment, but the Jewish Museum and the Kadimah Jewish Cultural Centre and National Library are still open.

Victoria's government house, which is wonderfully located in a park setting, allows visitors on guided tours of the house or gardens at specific times.
The national trust run tours on select Mondays and Thursdays - ID and security check required. Free Garden tours are held on the third Thursday of the month. Otherwise you can visit for Open House or on Australia Day.

These two country cities each have their own collection of attractions and are both worth a visit for the day - 1.5hr train/drive to Ballarat, 2hr to Bendigo.
Ballarat's highlight is 'Sovereign Hill', a place to step back in time (pictured). The Eureka Centre tells of the rebellion and gold rush. Kryal castle is a medieval themed children's attraction . Click here for more. Bendigo gives you the chance to descend into the Deborah gold mine, ride the historic tram, climb the lookout and visit the Chinese museum. Both are in the 'Goldfields' region, and can be combined with other towns, like Castlemaine, for a multi-day trip.

Take a short flight over the city or bay to get some spectacular views of Melbourne from Moorabin or Essendon airports.
Microflite offer charter flights right from the CBD floating pad near Crown casino.

Steamrail Victoria restore and operate steam trains on various trips across Victoria. If you're in the city and hear the distinctive whistling sound of a steam train, it's usually these guys going out or back along the raised line that follows the river between Southern Cross and Flinders Street Station. The most popular are the day trips. Take a look at the website for everything that's on offer - no regular schedule is followed, although the Snow Train is a popular regular winter tour.

This historic port town on the bay is a quaint place you can spend half a day exploring. By the waters edge you can find Gen Pier with HMS Castlemaine (open at weekends). Further along, sometimes the Sea Shepard boat is in dock which you can tour, or look at their displays. There is a botanic garden, the Newport Railway museum (weekends only), a nice beach, and plenty of old buildings with nice cafes and restaurants to have lunch at whilst looking towards the water. They also have the Titanic Theatre restaurant. Scienceworks (see above) is also nearby. The Williamstown ferry is a great way to make a round trip to the city and back.

This museum, located at Point Cook, and only open with prior bookings on Thursday's and Sunday's, showcases many impressive aircraft, some squeezed into hangars, some outside, as well as photography and other exhibits relating to the history of the air force. Security provisions are in place as it is and active RAAF base, so plan ahead and check their website for the details.

This historical collection of 11 buildings and gardens is now a multi-arts complex with studios, two galleries and cafes, including the well known pay-what-you-want Lentil As Anything. There are multiple events held, such as exhibitions or markets and various tours available.
Next door is the Collingwood Children's Farm, a great place to take the kids.

This boathouse is in a beautiful location on the secluded upper section of the Yarra river where the city has given way to trees and nature. There is a sit down cafe and a separate kiosk plus the boat hire - rowing boats, canoes and kayaks available.

Rippon Lea is a historic mansion surrounded by an extensive garden that is open daily and has separate tours of both the house and garden. Many events are held, the most well known being the markets that usually have a focus on handmade art/design.

This new museum covers the technological advancement of communication through display of historical items and digital interactions. It is housed in a historical 1939 telephone exchange building in Hawthorn and has two floors of displays, many of which are interactive and suitable for all ages. Open Wednesday to Sunday. You can get there from the CBD on the train - it's next to Glenferrie station.

Another historic house with surrounding garden and plenty of events, a cafe, artist in residence and tours or exhibits.