Ah, Melbourne—the city of vibrant culture, graffitied laneways, and excellent coffee. While there are heaps to do in this buzzing culture capital, one unmissable activity that should be on your itinerary is marvelling at the fantastic Melbourne skyline. Apart from its tall towers, Melbourne is also blessed with pristine coastlines and awe-inspiring headlands that make up for a postcard-perfect view.
Planning to go around Melbourne? Save heaps when you visit key city attractions when you book the Klook Melbourne Pass to bundle and save!
There are plenty of vantage points in and around Melbourne, with views stunning enough to take your breath away. Here are 14 of our top picks (most are free!):
- Melbourne Skydeck
- Melbourne Hot Air Balloon
- Skydive Melbourne
- Albert Park Lake
- Hamer Hall
- The Bolte Bridge
- Shrine of Remembrance
- Birrarung Marr
- Gem Pier, Williamstown
- St Kilda Pier
- Brighton Beach
- Ruckers Hill
- SkyHigh Mount Dandenong
- Burkes Lookout
1. Melbourne Skydeck
See Melbourne 88 floors above the ground at Melbourne Skydeck! Photo by Alvin Balemesa on Unsplash
For the best views of Melbourne at night, Melbourne Skydeck offers the highest lookout point for the gorgeous cityscape. Here, you’ll climb 88 floors above the ground aboard the fastest elevator in the Southern Hemisphere (285 metres in just 38 seconds!). We recommend you visit right before sunset, so you can watch the city transform below your feet.
For more things to do in Melbourne at night, check out our top picks here:
2. Melbourne Hot Air Balloon
Soar above towering buildings in Melbourne!
Take your Melbourne sunrise experience to the next level by booking an exclusive hot air balloon ride! Brace yourself for unparalleled 360-degree views of both urban and hinterland sights as you glide across the fresh morning air. You’ll be flying above the Yarra River, the Australian Open Tennis Centre, and the massive MCG. If you’re going with a loved one, we recommend booking it with brekky you can enjoy as soon as you land!
3. Skydive Melbourne
Enjoy the adrenaline rush and fantastic scenery on this skydive experience.
Why not spice up your trip up with a thrilling skydive experience above Melbourne? If you’re up for the challenge, head on over to St Kilda for this tandem skydive session that lets you take the plunge. There’s nothing better than witnessing Victoria’s scenery and Melbourne’s skyline on this fantastic bird’s eye view from up to 15,000 feet in the sky!
4. Albert Park Lake
Walk over to the Lakeside Lookout at Albert Park Lake for this kind of view. Photo by cody gallo on Unsplash
No need to spend a dime for a million-dollar view—there are plenty of free things to do in Melbourne that also offer a stunning sight of its cityscape. You can visit Albert Park, home to the iconic Australian Grand Prix. Surrounded by landscaped gardens and walking paths, Albert Park also nestles an expansive lake that offers a magnificent shot of Melbourne’s skyline on the horizon.
Get more bang for your buck during Melbourne day trip with these cheap or free things to do in the city:
5. Hamer Hall
Hamer Hall is the preferred venue of the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Credits: @mattizakii_images
Catching a concert or a theatre performance at Hamer Hall? Take a detour to its riverside balcony before or after the show to catch a glimpse of the splendid Melbourne view. If you’re visiting mainly for the balcony view, you can join a guided tour of the iconic Hall once you’ve enjoyed the outdoor visual treat to your heart’s content!
6. The Bolte Bridge
The lights at Bolte Bridge vary depending on the celebration! Credits: @mr.adam.zed
The Bolte Bridge can’t be accessed via foot, but if you have a car, we recommend driving above the bridge to snap a quick photo of the Melbourne skyline! At night, this Melbourne icon transforms visually, thanks to the thousands of lights that line up the structure. For a peek of the Bolte Bridge in full glory at night, you can walk up one of the piers near the Victoria Harbour Promenade.
7. Shrine of Remembrance
What a view from the Shrine! Credits: @chill_in_wondermel
Visiting The Shrine of Remembrance is nothing short of spectacular. Located in the Melbourne Gardens, the Shrine is home to solemn halls and exhibitions that paint a historical picture of Australia in wartime and peacekeeping. Outside, the Shrine’s balcony lookout offers a great view of the Melbourne skyline and is also the perfect setting for some peaceful reflection. Good news: this is one of the free things to do in Melbourne, so you don’t have to break the bank!
8. Birrarung Marr
Set up a lovely picnic as you take photos of the Melbourne skyline from Birrarung Marr. Credits: @christian_peperoni
Another great park to see the best Melbourne view is Birarrung Marr, an urban park north of Yarra River and next to Federation Square. Standing on the park itself provides a majestic view of the city's business district. Birrarung Marr also has a hill you can climb to overlook the river's sights and the towering establishments that surround the park.
9. Gem Pier, Williamstown
Sunrises are equally beautiful at Gem Pier. Credits: @karennomikos
Want to capture the full grandeur of the entire Melbourne skyline? Check out vantage points outside the city! A ferry ride southwest of Melbourne CBD lies Williamstown, where Gem Pier is located. The historic pier is home to HMAS Castlemaine, a Heritage Honour Ship and museum. By sunset, we recommend you take a walk down the dock and enjoy a lovely vista of the city skyline.
10. St Kilda Pier
Don’t forget to visit St Kilda Pier on a clear day! Credits: @walking.with.nigel
Waterside views, salt air, and Melbourne at night make a perfect combination at St Kilda Pier, another fantastic sunset spot for the most spectacular Melbourne view. This iconic Melburnian pier also sets a lovely scene for some rollerblading action, but the main attraction is the adorable penguin parade at dusk!
11. Brighton Pier
Take your paw pals with you when you visit Brighton Pier. Credits: @janinemargaret
When it comes to picture-perfect views of Melbourne, Brighton Pier is a local favourite. Some of the most popular activities here include fishing, swimming, and biking since the pier is located along the Bay Trail. But, if you ask us what the best thing to do at Brighton Pier is: it's walking along the breakwater and munching on good ol' fish and chips as you marvel at the Melbourne skyline from a distance!
12. Ruckers Hill
Enjoy this majestic view atop Ruckers Hill. Credits: @nigel.harry
Keen on seeing a majestic Melbourne view without leaving the city? Drive over to the northern suburbs, park your car down High Street, and enjoy a lovely stroll up Ruckers Hill. Atop here, you may cast your eyes upon a spectacular tree-lined shot of the Melbourne skyline. Ruckers Hill is also a go-to New Year's Eve spot for those who want to catch the fireworks display.
13. SkyHigh Mount Dandenong
Escape from the city buzz and enjoy a marvellous view of Melbourne at SkyHigh. Credits: @sophia_naw
On your next Melbourne day out, indulge yourself, not just in spectacular scenery but also in sumptuous bistro food at SkyHigh in Mount Dandenong. You and your family can enjoy a lovely picnic outdoors or head inside the restaurant and marvel at the horizon through its floor to ceiling glass windows!
14. Burkes Lookout
Tag your bestie along to Burkes Lookout! Credits: @lekcee
On a budget? No worries—Mount Dandenong has a free option in case you want to watch the Melbourne skyline without spending a dime! Walk over to Burkes Lookout, and enjoy the serenity of the Dandenong Ranges as you spot the cityscape. If you go on a clear night, you might even catch the twinkling buildings on the horizon!
