Free things you can do in Melbourne to give your wallet a break
Though Melbourne is often heralded as one of the best cities in Australia for dining, culture, and activities, these things can certainly make a huge dent in your budget.
And if you're in town for the Melbourne Cup, you're probably already planning to fork over a ton of cash on race day.
Thankfully, there are a ton of free things to do in Melbourne while you're there. Read on for some low-cost ideas.
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Melbourne doesn't have to drain your savings. Visit Victoria
Art and Design Exhibits
Until February 2026, you can check out the free Making Good: Redesigning the Everyday exhibit at NGV, which explores how designers are reshaping the products we use in our everyday lives, making them better for people and the planet.
Think clothing that adapts as you grow, concrete made from coffee grounds, and edible takeaway coffee cups.
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Or head to Science Gallery Melbourne for the Distraction exhibit, all about the digital world and what it does to our brains. Play interactive games, join free workshops and lose yourself in the art of time wasting. Open until December 7th.
READ MORE: Five things to do on a cultural weekend in Melbourne
Lose yourself in the free exhibits. Visit Victoria
Royal Botanic Gardens
On a sunny day in Melbourne, you've got to spend time outdoors seizing the opportunity. The Botanic Gardens are a great place to do this, with everything from a cacti garden to a real volcano.
You can even take a free guided walking tour to learn more about the flora and fauna around you.
Take a laneway tour
Melbourne has over 40 laneways and arcades to explore, from high-end shopping areas to street-art-filled passages.
But where to begin? Download the app GPSmyCity for a free, self-guided walking tour that combines history, culture, and gastronomy in the best possible way.
You can also join a free walking tour of the city from the State Library, which departs every day at 10am and 2pm. Book in advance.
Take a laneway tour to immerse yourself in the city. Artwork: Middle: Steen Jones/Right: Lukas Kaspar
Penguin watching
Pack a picnic (or grab a warming hot chocolate in winter) and head to the St Kilda Pier around sunset to witness the area's local fairy penguins return to their burrows after a day at sea.
Go museum hopping
No matter what you're into, plenty of Melbourne museums and galleries have free exhibitions you can wander around. These include:
- ACMI for all things film, TV, and video games.
- NGV International for art of all types
- Koorie Heritage Trust for Indigenous art
- City Gallery with exhibitions on Melbourne life
- Science Gallery Melbourne if you're keen to learn
- ACCA for contemporary art
Queen Vic Market has everything you need. Visit Victoria
Nab samples at the market
Take a leisurely stroll around the Queen Victoria Market to check out everything on offer in the way of produce, meat, dairy and smallgoods. If you're lucky, vendors may be offering samples of their wares.
But it's hard to visit without buying something to take home, whether it's a souvenir or a pastry for a snack later on.
READ MORE: Where to eat in Melbourne's CBD
Get into nature and tackle the Kokoda Memorial Trail. Visit Victoria
Take a hike
Once you're fuelled up on free samples, try to tackle the 1000 Steps Kokoda Memorial Trail. It's a steep, 1.5km ascent through the bush, but you're rewarded with stunning views and a feeling of satisfaction. Pack a picnic to enjoy at the top.
See what's on at Fed Square
The 'meeting place' of Melbourne in the heart of the city, Federation Square hosts a variety of free events for anyone to attend, including creative workshops, open-air movie screenings, tai chi and meditation sessions, and live music performances.
Check out their What's On page to see all the open access events coming up.
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Trams make it easy to get around. Visit Victoria
Take the free tram
If you're travelling on the Melbourne city tram within the limits of the CBD, it's totally free to ride. This is a great way to get around the city without tiring yourself out, as many of the top things to do and places to eat are just a stone's throw from a tram stop.
