Famous for its live music, bars, charming alleyways, and lively people, Melbourne, the capital of the South East Coast Australia is a beautiful metropolitan city which has been attracting travelers with all of its hidden treasures. The ‘European enclave’ of Australia is known for being scenic yet cosmopolitan, business centric yet young and trendy. There is a thriving art scene, and a lot of unique shops and award winning restaurants in Melbourne . The city charms everybody who visits the place and it is a popular spot for cruise vacations . However, Melbourne is not all about business and no beauty. In fact, there are a lot of beautiful places in and around the city for you to explore during your trip to Melbourne . Here are the top three attractions in Melbourne which you must visit for the ultimate Melbourne sightseeing experience.

1. Royal Botanic Gardens

The beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens is one of the most prized attractions in Australia . The gardens cover 86 acres of land and are rich with a variety of flowers, shrubs, and trees. You can spend a whole day here walking around the gardens and relaxing. You can also go on the various heritage tours which are conducted in the gardens. You will be taking part in a traditional smoking ceremony, which is said to be beneficial for the participants and the area where it is conducted. After that you will be accompanied by an indigenous guide, who will take you on a tour of the gardens, explaining the traditional usages of the various plants, flowers, and fruits. It’s a great way to learn all about the traditional ways of life and culture of this place.

2. The Dandenong Ranges

Located at approximately 35 kilometers east of Melbourne, The Dandenong Ranges consist of beautiful rolling mountains, lush green valleys and thick rainforests full of Mountain Ash trees. This is one of the real hidden gems of Melbourne sightseeing experience. The lonesome walking trails, small little towns with their quaint little shops and the pristine hilly region full of greenery make it one of the must visit Melbourne attractions. Go for a relaxing walk and find yourself lost among nature, explore the hidden waterfalls of the region, come face to face with the secret historical areas spread throughout the valley and find viewpoints which provide some beautiful panoramic views of Melbourne. There are plenty of things for you to do when you visit here, and you won’t regret a moment you spend here.

3. The Shrine of Remembrance

The Shrine of Remembrance is one of the most recognized attractions in Melbourne. The largest war memorial of Victoria, this shrine stands as a tribute to the country’s soldiers and servicemen who lost their lives during the uneasy times of First and Second World Wars. It is also one of the most active venues for paying tributes to the heroes of Australia, holding over 120 ceremonies throughout the year. The architecture of this shrine resembles the ancient Greek architecture – as the ANZACs identified themselves with the Greeks during their time of service. A journey to Melbourne will not be complete if you do not pay your respect at the Shrine of Remembrance.