Find the perfect blend of history and modernity right in the heart of Port Melbourne. An upscale coastal suburb nestled in Melbourne, it is one of Australia’s popular destinations and has quaint pubs and rustic historic structures tucked into classy and tastefully designed high-rise neighbourhoods. From cycling along the Bay Trail to kayaking at the bay to suntanning at the many beaches at Port Melbourne, there are plenty of activities to keep you going. Enjoy a night out at Bay Street, a popular hang-out place with trendy cafes and fine dining restaurants to fill your stomach. Should you like a taste of old meets new, this is definitely your next place to check out. Here is our list of the best things to do in Port Melbourne, Australia to get you started.
1. Get your adrenaline rushing on a go-kart race
Rain or shine, you will not be denied the opportunity to get adrenaline high at Melbourne’s only place for indoor go-kart racing - Auscarts! It sports a world class layout that ensures safety and covers technical challenges for you to embark on your hot chase pursuit. If you are one that is in need for speed, this is the perfect venue for family bonding, team building activities, and social gatherings. Waste no time and check out this state-of-the-art track!
Auscarts Racing
Address: 50 Salmon St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
Website: Auscarts Racing
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 10pm; Sat: 9:30am - 11pm; Sun: 9:30am - 10pm
Price: From 32 USD
2. Take Insta-worthy pictures at Westgate Park
Be it for racking up likes on social media feeds or taking a picture for memory’s sake, there is not a place quite like Westgate Park and its man-made, magnificent pink salt lake that creates such a buzz for locals and tourists alike. Watch the colours of the lake turn different hues of pink as it changes along with the seasons. Pretty or not, it is advised for viewing pleasure only. No touching please.
Westgate Park
Address: 4 Wharf Rd, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
Website: Westgate Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
3. Have a picnic at Edwards Park
Amongst the popular parks in Melbourne, it might be easy to overlook Edwards Park. However, if you are looking for a quiet and relaxing family-friendly park to unwind, Edwards Park is an ideal choice for you. Not only is it easily accessible by public transportation, it also has free parking along the perimeter of the park. Let the children have fun swinging on the monkey bars, gliding down the flying fox, or having a slide down the large wave slide while you enjoy a lovely picnic under the palm trees. It is certainly the place to spend some quality time with the family before heading down to Bay Street to soak in the vibes.
Edwards Park
Address: 219 Esplanade E, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
Website: Edwards Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
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4. Play in a marine-themed community park
Sandbox fun cannot get any better than this fantastic marine-theme community park - Maritime Cove Community Park! Let your imagination go wild in this fun and exciting play environment - with lookout tower, spiral slide, rope tunnel, wooden bridge, colourful buoys, marine bollards, and even a water play area with water sprays on high wooden poles. Play ship captain, tag, or simply enjoy the many play equipment this lovely community park has to offer. There is even an outdoor gym to work out/ Enjoy a lovely walk along the beach boardwalk equipped with fun and innovative exercises suited for all!
Maritime Cove Community Park
Address: Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
Website: Maritime Cove Community Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
5. Sunbathe at Port Melbourne Beach
Enjoy a quiet blissful weekend on Port Melbourne Beach, bordered by the shores of Hobsons Bay and the lower reaches of Yarra River. Unwind and relax to the sound of crashing ocean waves, while beholding the sight of the Lagoon and Kerferd Road Pier, beach-goers, and a beautiful view of the sea horizon. While it is often overlooked compared to the likes of Port Philip and St. Kilda Beach, Port Melbourne Beach has its fair share of fun for everybody! With a new adventure playground, exercise stations, beach-side cafes, water sports activities–you can never run out of things to do here!
Port Melbourne Beach
Address: Beach St., Port Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
6. Engage in outdoor activities at J L Murphy Reserve
If you are a sports enthusiast, you will definitely enjoy the large reserve of J.L Murphy Reserve. It is the largest Council controlled park in the City of Port Philip, and home to Port Melbourne Baseball and Soccer clubs. If you are a fan of them, come by and watch their training sessions if they are not in play. Otherwise, there are aplenty of recreational activities to engage in as well. With the distance covered in this huge reserve, it is perfect to unwind with friends and family over a barbecue session and feed the stomach right!
J L Murphy Reserve
Address: Williamstown Rd, 3207 Port Melbourne, Victoria
Website: J L Murphy Reserve
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
7. Go exploring at Princes Pier
Get a perfect photo at this historic site of Princes Pier - one of Melbourne’s finest picturesque spots. Interestingly, the pier was renamed after the Prince of Wales’ visit in 1920. Learn about the history of this place and bask in the sights of the remains of stumps. It sports a beautiful view of the bay and the docks, and makes a decent fishing spot for anglers. Cycle or take a walk on the trails along the foreshore to the nearby beaches and hit up the restaurants and cafes around Bay Street and Beacon Cove areas.
Princes Pier
Address: Pier St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
Website: Princes Pier
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 5:30pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
Price: Free
8. Learn about West Gate Bridge, Melbourne's architectural feat
One of Melbourne city’s iconic structures, West Gate Bridge is an architectural feat that connects the Central Business District and the city’s industrial suburbs in the west. The bridge spans twice the size of Sydney Harbour Bridge and stands as one of the highest bridges in Australia. It has two flagpoles erected on it, with the Australian and Victorian flags flying high as over 200,000 vehicles pass it each day. Drop by Westgate Memorial Park and learn about the history behind the bridge - a solemn moment in history that is still etched in the hearts of the community today. The park is also a good spot to see the panoramic view of the bridge.
Westgate Bridge
Address: West Gate Fwy, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
9. Bring your kids to Garden City Reserve
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Nestled in the back streets of Port Melbourne, Garden City Reserve is a well-landscaped park with lovely gardens, and a fun play space that is home to the iconic Portosaurus playground. With swings, vertical spiders-web climbing frame, monkey bars, hanging disks, and curved wooden bridge, it is definitely an ideal place to spark a kid’s imagination. There are picnic benches and tables to enjoy a family day out with packed lunches and sandwiches. Head down further Bay Street where shops and cafes are aplenty.
Garden City Reserve
Address: Beacon Rd & Crichton Avenue, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
10. Go bowling at Port Melbourne Bowling Club
Located near to Melbourne’s Central Business District, Port Melbourne Bowling Club is an ideal choice for friends and family to get together. They have large function rooms for parties, events, work functions, corporate and social gatherings with easy pre-booked catering available. Club members will love the lawn bowls within the premises, as well as the opportunity to bowl… barefoot. A definitely must-try for all, and be sure to try out the yoga programmes specially catered for women of all ages!
Port Melbourne Bowling Club
Address: 130 Spring St W, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
Website: Port Melbourne Bowling Club
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 12pm - 9pm (closed from Sat - Mon)
Price: 14 USD onwards
11. Try the barbecue fondue at Third Wave Cafe
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
While you are keeping your day occupied with fun-filled activities that Port Melbourne has to offer, be sure to fill your stomach with yummy delights. Check out Third Wave Cafe, an authentic Melbourne-American barbecue restaurant, located at Rouse Street. Be sure to check out the ultimate barbecue fantasy - Melbourne’s very first barbecue fondue with its very own special house-made sauce. it is perfect for family-sharing. Also, they have all kinds of meat to fulfill your cravings - from chicken, beef ribs, briskets, salmon, lamb shoulders - you name it, you got it. It is the one-stop for any kind of celebration and you know you deserve the treat!
Third Wave Cafe
Address: 189 Rouse St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
Website: Third Wave Cafe
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 7am - 10pm; Fri: 7am - 11pm; Sat: 8am - 11pm; Sun: 8am - 10pm
12. Have a true-blue Aussie experience at The Local Pub
Nestled in the heart of the ever-popular Bay Street, The Local is definitely a true Aussie local pub that one has got to experience in their visit to Port Melbourne. It prides itself on ‘everything local’ - from icy cold beers, pub delights, and the best live sports screenings from all around the globe. There is no other place in Port Melbourne to experience a lively atmosphere, with celebration and good-hearted jeers all in one place. Apart from sports, the place is also home to many birthday celebrations, engagement parties, hens or bucks night, and even corporate functions. It is one-stop for everything you could ever think of. Be sure to check out their tantalising menu of yummy delights!
The Local Pub
Address: 22-24 Bay St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
Website: The Local Pub
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 12pm - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 1am (Fri & Sat)
13. Spend a day at Lagoon Reserve
Come and chill for a day at Lagoon Reserve, a sizeable park with lovely gardens, a large playing field, and a pier that local anglers love to frequent! Fishing enthusiasts will love the spot for the quiet and tranquil setting with many sightings of fishes. No wonder it is a local favourite! Lagoon Reserve is situated at a former lagoon and industrial area and the sheer sizeable land space makes for a nice, tropical setting with native gardens at its peripheral and groves of palm trees providing shady walkways. It is an ideal choice to take your family outdoors for quality time, or host a barbecue session with friends.
Lagoon Reserve
Address: Liardet Street, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
14. Indulge in savoury and sweet delights at Noisette
Located in the heart of the Bay Street precinct, Noisette is Port Melbourne’s favourite French bakery and cake shop. Drop by this lovely cafe and indulge in its full array of savouries and traditional French patisserie. It is perfect for a coffee date, and definitely to leave a lasting impression on another. Needless to say, a visit there would warrant another one, and soon enough, you will understand why it is such a favourite amongst many. It is an ideal choice for your morning coffee, tea break, or even to buy it on the go. There are choice cakes for celebrations and sandwiches to pack for a sumptuous picnic.
Noisette
Address: 84 Bay St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
Website: Noisette
Opening hours: 6:30am - 5pm (daily)
15. Enjoy the sunset at Sandridge Beach
Check out this beautiful sculptural addition to the beautiful landscape of Port Melbourne! This architectural feat is a visual landmark for those out at sea and sports an extensive view of the Melbourne skyline. It is definitely a place worth checking out, and is also a good Insta-worthy spot for picture-perfect holiday photos. The viewing platform makes a good spot for panoramic photos, especially at sunset. It is a nice and short walk from Sandridge Life Saving Club, with easy access to Webb Trail. You would not want to miss this one!
Sandridge Beach
Address: Port Melbourne, Victoria 3207, Australia
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
Port Melbourne - a place for all
From adrenaline-pumping go-kart racing to sandbox fun to quality solo activities, Port Melbourne is a place for everyone! There are plenty of activities to keep you (and your family) occupied, as well as beautiful gardens to lounge on for a quiet day out. Indulge in the local treats, or savoury delights, or go big with a barbecue fondue feast; Port Melbourne is definitely a place to keep your stomach full and your heart satisfied.
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