Melbourne regularly ranks among the best student cities in the world – and for good reason. Australia’s cultural capital, Melbourne offers an endless array of activities from festivals and food markets to museums and major sporting events.
But with so many things to do in Melbourne, it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive list of the best activities for students that won’t break the bank. Sounds good? Let’s dive in!
Melbourne really is the creative hub of Australia. Whether you’re looking to spend a day wandering through an art gallery or prefer to catch a live performance, Melbourne is home to many of the country’s top cultural attractions and most iconic venues.
Australia’s oldest and most visited art museum, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) needs no introduction. This huge repository of art is home to more than 76,000 works from around the world.
It’s so big that it’s split into sites: NGV International in Southbank and NGV Australia at Federation Square. If you had any doubts about whether it’s worth a visit, the permanent exhibitions are completely free!
Sat on the edge of the CBD, Federation Square – or ‘Fed Square’ as the locals call it – is the civic heart of the city and a key cultural hub. Throughout the year, it hosts film screenings, music concerts and other events that are great for soaking up the city’s energy.
As mentioned, it’s home to NGV Australia, but beyond that also boasts the ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) – another free museum that’s definitely worth checking out if you’re into films, TV and video games.
Melbourne has a whole host of incredible performance venues, but the Arts Centre Melbourne is the pick of the bunch. This huge complex houses several world-class theatres and concert halls where you can catch a show in immaculate surroundings.
The venue’s events calendar is stacked, with multiple events ranging from opera and theatre to comedy, musicals and dance taking place daily. And with promotions like Tix at 12, you can often secure student discount on your tickets.
Food and drink is another of Melbourne’s strong suits. In fact, the city regularly ranks among the world’s best cities for food. And while there’s plenty of Michelin-starred restaurants, there’s no shortage of student-friendly options either.
If you’re just settling into the city, Queen Victoria Market – or simply ‘Vic Market’ - should be your first port of call for food. Here you can grab local favourites like a hot jam doughnut or sample street food at the night market held on Wednesdays during summer.
It’s also a great place to stock up on groceries, pick out some souvenirs for your friends back home or people-watch as locals go about their business. During peak times there’s often live entertainment taking place, which adds to its infectious energy.
Home to more than 3,500 restaurants, Melbourne has something for pretty much every cuisine. Lygon Street is famous for its Italian dining and pasticceria, while Swantson Street is packed with affordable Chinese and Japanese restaurants.
For incredible pho and banh mi, head over to Richmond, or hit up Brunswick for mouthwatering Middle Eastern eats. The best restaurants are often tucked away in intimate laneways, with Flinders Lane, Hardware Lane and Niagara Lane well worth a visit.
Melbourne’s coffee culture is next level, with the city’s countless cafes and roasteries a central part of life for locals. Whether you’re looking for that morning hit of caffeine or a cozy place to study, you’ll never be more than a few minutes away from a cafe.
Some of the best spots to seek out are Rankins Lane and Degraves Street, two laneways lined with quirky cafes where you can grab a brew and a bite to eat. If you have a sweet tooth, the legendary Lune Croissanterie is a must for its world-famous croissants.
In such a forward-thinking city, it's easy to forget that Melbourne has a rich and captivating past. But away from the flash skyscrapers, there are plenty of historic buildings, museums and landmarks where you can learn about the origins of the city and Australia in general.
The largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere, Melbourne Museum is home to a huge range of exhibitions covering both human and natural history. From dinosaur fossils to Aboriginal artefacts, there really is something for everyone here.
Standout exhibitions include the Science and Life Gallery, the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre and the display of legendary racehorse Phar Lap. Best of all, students get in for free with a valid ID card!
If you’re into true crime or just love a good ghost story, Old Melbourne Gaol is a fascinating (albeit slightly eerie!) place to visit. This former prison housed some of Australia’s most notorious criminals, including infamous bushranger Ned Kelly.
Today, it offers a range of interactive tours where you can learn about daring escape attempts or even play the role of an inmate behind bars. If you’re feeling brave, grab a few friends and drop in for a spooky night-time ghost tour.
If you ever tire of your university library, State Library Victoria is the perfect change of pace. Opened in 1856, it’s not only Australia’s oldest public library but also one of the first free public libraries in the world.
This sprawling structure takes up an entire city block and is home to incredible study spaces like the La Trobe Reading Room. When you’ve finished catching up on lectures, there are also permanent and touring exhibitions to be found in the library’s many galleries.
Melbourne truly is a 24-hour city and arguably offers the best nightlife in Australia. Whether you’re looking for a casual drink or midnight rave, there’s always something going on – and with excellent late-night transport, getting home at the end of the night is fairly simple too.
There are literally hundreds of pubs and bars scattered across Melbourne, with a good chunk of these catering to the student crowd. Near the main universities, some of the favourite hangouts are The Curtin, Bobbie Peels and The Oxford Scholar.
Brunswick Street is another hotspot and lined with great options like Naked for Satan, where you can enjoy pizza and cocktails at the rooftop bar. Other student favourites worth seeking out include Prince Alfred in Richmond and The Hawthorn Hotel in Hawthorn.
When it comes to clubbing, most venues in the city converge around Russell Street. This includes Lucky Thursdays, a staple of Melbourne’s nightlife scene with its legendary student nights on Thursdays.
Just off Elizabeth Street, you can rave to electronic music until the early hours at SubClub or The Dove Club. Xe54 is another standout option in the CBD, while New Guernica in Collingwood offers great students deals on Thursdays.
If you’re not feeling up to a full night of clubbing, catching a gig at a more intimate venue can be a fun alternative. Many of Melbourne’s pubs and bars have stages tucked away in back rooms and transform into lively music venues after dark.
Collingwood has some amazing spots like The Tote – a hub for punk and indie rock since the 1980s – and The Gasometer Bar. If you’re into jazz music, book in for an intimate show at Bird's Basement or The Paris Cat Jazz Club.
Melbourne isn’t all concrete jungle. With its wide streets and lush greenery, the CBD never feels overly oppressive. Beyond the city centre, there are plenty of peaceful gardens, nice walking routes and even a few beaches! If you’re willing to travel further, we’ve also picked out some great day trips from Melbourne in another blog.
Winding its way through the city and marking the divide between north and south, the Yarra River is the lifeblood of Melbourne. On weekends, there are few better things to do than taking a long walk along the Main Yarra Trail, which follows the river for over 30km.
It’s also popular for jogging and cycling, and if you’re feeling really adventurous you can rent a kayak or join a stand-up paddleboarding session. Along the route, you’ll find plenty of picnic spots and barbecue areas that are great for getting together with friends.
You don’t have to go far to escape the bustle of the city. Situated just a few minutes from the CBD, Carlton Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens are two gems with plenty of shade for a picnic or some quiet reading.
Venturing south of the Yarra River, the Royal Botanic Gardens is a prized part of Melbourne. Home to over 10,000 species of plant and picture-perfect lawns in every direction, it’s a dream spot to unwind after a long day of study.
Melbourne may not be as well-known for its beaches as Sydney, but it still has some nice sandy spots where you can lay down your beach towel and soak up the sun. Most of these are easily accessible too, so you can make a day of it or just drop by for a few hours.
St Kilda Beach is the most famous of Melbourne’s beaches, but it can get busy during peak season. Further down the shoreline, Brighton Beach’s colourful bathing boxes make for a great Instagram shot, while Half Moon Bay is ideal for escaping the crowds.
Melburnians are mad about sports with the city staking a strong claim for being the world’s sporting capital. From Grand Slams and Grands Prix to horse racing and Aussie Rules Football, there are plenty of opportunities to catch a game or race throughout the year.
Melbourne’s sporting calendar gets off to a flying start in January with the Australian open, one of the four major tennis Grand Slams. Even if you can’t get hold a ticket, it's worth heading over to Melbourne Park during the tournament to soak up the carnival atmosphere.
If you prefer to play rather than spectate, you can even hire a court at Melbourne Park – though not during the Australian Open. Alternatively, there are dozens of tennis centres dotted around the city, while universities also have their own tennis clubs for students.
If you’re into your cricket, you’ll know that it's a big deal in Australia. Melbourne Cricket Ground – Australia's largest and most iconic stadium – hosts international test matches all through summer, with none bigger than the annual Boxing Day Test.
Domestic cricket involving teams from different states and cities is even more frequent and often easier to secure tickets. The Big Bash League, a fun and fast-paced version of the game, is especially popular among students and great for newcomers to the sport.
Aussie Rules Football (AFL) may not have the global appeal of tennis or cricket, but in Australia it’s serious business. Melbourne is home to some of the biggest teams and best venues, so there’s no better place to get your first taste of AFL action.
You'll find lots of local students attending games, which run regularly through autumn and winter. Discounts are often available to students and in the past the AFL has even given away free tickets to international students.
By this point you’ll have realised that Melbourne likes to do things big – and that’s no different with shopping. Whether you’re into high fashion, quirky independent boutiques or vintage wares, you won’t have any issues finding it here.
If you’re after variety, Melbourne’s massive shopping centres won’t disappoint. Chadstone Shopping Centre – the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere – is an obvious starting point and has everything from high-end brands to budget-friendly options.
Closer to the CBD, Melbourne Central features over 300 retailers spread over five floors, while Emporium Melbourne is the place to go for luxury brands. Many stores in the city offer student discounts, so don’t forget to bring your ID!
Need a break from the bustle of Melbourne’s shopping centres? The city is home to a couple of beautifully preserved 19th century arcades where you'll find lots of laid-back cafes and independent stores.
The Royal Arcade is the oldest shopping arcade in Australia and worth a visit for the famous Gog and Magog statues that chime every hour. Just a few minutes away, the Block Arcade has some great boutiques but is best known for its beloved tea room.
If you need your student budget to stretch as far as possible, Melbourne has some fantastic factory outlets where you can score big discounts on top brands. The two main ones are based not far from the CBD, so you don’t need to travel out of town either.
Just across the Yarra River, DFO South Wharf has over 100 stores including student favourites like Nike, Adidas and The North Face. Spencer Outlet Centre has some great options too with major discounts available.
With such a wealth of things to do, it’s no surprise that Melbourne is considered one of the best student cities in the world. There really is something for everyone here, making it an unforgettable place to spend your student years.
The only question is where will you choose to study? If you’re unsure, be sure to read our guide on universities in Melbourne. And if your mind is already made up, start exploring our student accommodation in Melbourne!
There are plenty of fun things to do in Melbourne that are completely free. On a sunny day, you can stroll the Main Yarra Trail or stop by at the Royal Botanic Gardens, before heading to the National Gallery of Victoria and the ACMI for world-class art exhibitions. If people-watching is your thing, set up shop at Federation Square or hit Queen Victoria Market.
All Melbourne students are eligible for a myki student pass which offers major savings on public transport. Beyond that, cinemas and performance venues like Hoyts, Villages Cinemas and Arts Centre Melbourne offer student discounts at select times, while concession rates are often available on AFL and cricket tickets.
Melbourne’s nightlife is anything but one-dimensional. Queen Victoria’s Summer Night Market is a must visit in summer for its amazing street food. If live music is your thing, check out iconic venues like The Tote and The Paris Cat Jazz Club. For rooftop bars, head over to Brunswick Street or dance the night away in one of Russell Street’s many clubs.
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