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Melbourne Museum
2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Melbourne Museum

8.6
4.7/5
620 reviews
The Melbourne Museum was built in July 1996 and officially opened to the public in November 2000. It is the largest and innovative museum in the southern hemisphere. It is located in Carlton Gardens with the Royal Exhibition Hall. 1. Regional introduction The museum has three floors. The first floor includes the Bangiraka Indigenous Cultural Center, the Pacific Exhibition Hall, the Forest Exhibition Hall, the Science and Life Exhibition Hall, the Children's Hall, as well as shops and cafes; the second floor includes the Melbourne Exhibition Hall, the Mind and Body Exhibition Hall, Evolution Showroom; lower level includes Discovery Center and IMAX Cinema. 2. Collections and displays The collections and displays of the Melbourne Museum are amazing. You can see dinosaur fossils at the entrance, and there is also a 20-meter-long blue whale skeleton specimen, which is extremely rare. In more than 20 exhibition halls and independent exhibition halls, the museum has prepared all-inclusive content, and there are more than a dozen permanent exhibitions currently open. 3. Natural culture Nature is obviously the focus of the museum. The Science and Life Pavilion offers "Bees", "Life of Insects", "Ocean Life: Exploring Our Sea", "Human Body", "Consciousness: Enter The Labyrinth" and "From Darwin to DNA" at the Evolution Pavilion. 4. Indoor forest area The three-story indoor forest area introduces the ecological functions of the forest from the forest hierarchy, water conservation, plant composition, the seasonal distinction of Australian forests, and forest fires that often occur in Australia's dry season. There are also some Australian forests in it. Common birds and ants. The "Forest Secret" in the pavilion is at the center of the building, creating an ecosystem that is exactly the same as the natural environment, showing the trees, plants, wildlife and insects in Victoria's high mountains. Walking into the forest corridor, you will see more than 8,000 Australian plants planted here. In addition, there are insect exhibition areas and evolution areas that display the mysteries of the biological world. 5. The style of the style museum is very modern, which forms a strong contrast with the classical style of the Royal Exhibition Hall next to it. In addition to creating a visual effect, the metal frame and glass curtain wall also draw more natural light into the public spaces of the pavilion. You will see that the staff in the museum are wearing brightly colored work clothes, exuding a strong aboriginal cultural style, which contrasts with the avant-garde architectural form.Australia · Carlton
Penguin Parade
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Gippsland

Penguin Parade

8.6
4.3/5
208 reviews
The penguin parade is located at Summerland Beach on the southwestern tip of Phillip Island, serving as the signature attraction of Phillip Island Nature Park. It occurs daily around sunset: groups of little blue penguins return ashore on the waves after a day of foraging at sea, first gathering in shallow waters and peering around before waddling across the beach along fixed routes to their dune burrows. Spectators can observe this natural "mini parade" up close from viewing stands and boardwalks, often with penguins passing just steps away. The island is home to tens of thousands of little blue penguins. With blue feathers on their backs and snow-white bellies, they stand just over 30 cm tall and weigh approx. one kg when fully grown. Their round bodies and waddling gait make them utterly endearing. They spend their days foraging at sea and return to their nests in groups after dusk, following nearly identical round-trip routes between the ocean and their burrows generation after generation. On-site, you can hear their overlapping calls. There are a few points to note when observing: The eyes of little penguins are highly sensitive to light, so cameras or video recorders are not allowed on site, and quiet waiting is necessary to avoid disturbing them; after sunset, the seaside becomes windy and chilly, so even in summer, it is recommended to bring warm outerwear and arrive early to wait for the penguins to come ashore. This spectacle occurs year-round, with the southern hemisphere's spring and summer seasons (approximately August to February each year) coinciding with the breeding season, when penguin shore arrivals and nest activity become more frequent, typically creating livelier scenes. △ The little penguins leave the island to forage at sea during the day and return to their coastal nests in groups to rest at night. △ These little penguins are the smallest in the world, not only tiny in size but also very timid. Please avoid using flash to prevent irritating their eyes. △ The Penguin Parade can be observed year-round, with warmer weather from September to January coinciding with the breeding season, when penguin activity becomes more frequent, making it an ideal time for viewing.Australia · Summerlands

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Experiences you can't miss in Australia

Featured Food & drink in Australia

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Uluru Sounds of Silence (pre-booked access only) dinner
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews· 81 booked
Duration: 4 hrs
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Affordable and relaxing - 1-day tour to Puffing Billy Railway and Yarra Valley & Dandenongs Ranges winery in Melbourne
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4.9/5
· 140 reviews· 1.6k booked
Duration: 4.8 hrs
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27 consecutive positive reviews
FromNZD 133.10
Tourism Bureau recommended experiences|Tasmanian Seafood Cruise - From Ocean to Plate, Fresh Catch Dining Experience
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Sydney: Hunter Valley Wine Tasting & Lunch with Port Stephens 4WD Sandboarding & Camel Ride Full Guided Day Tour
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4.8/5
· 4 reviews· 69 booked
Duration: 11 hrs
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Uluru Field of Light Sunset Dinner with Admission Ticket in Australia's Northern Territory
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FromNZD 68.82
Gold Coast cruise seafood buffet [Round-trip boat ticket + lunch/dinner + round-trip to Sea World/Surfers Paradise]
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FromNZD 112.03

Featured Culture & history in Australia

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Tasmania Tasman cruise 3h/Cape Raoul 1.5h | optional round-trip from Hobart
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5.0/5
· 4 reviews· 182 booked
Duration: 7.5 hrs
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FromNZD 211.65
Field of Light Uluru: General Admission + Transfer
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Duration: 90 mins
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Old Melbourne Gaol: Entry Ticket
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[Explore Australia Tours]Sovereign Hill Ballarat Day Tour
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Duration: 5 hrs
English
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FromNZD 210.95
1-day tour to the pinnacles desert, caversham wildlife park, 4WD adventure, sandboarding and fish & chips meal in Perth
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4.7/5
· 9 reviews· 136 booked
Duration: 7.5 hrs
English
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FromNZD 310.66
[Go West Tours]Great Ocean Road DayTour fromMelbourne|EnglishGuide|Max24|16Languages Audio
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews· 30 booked
Duration: 5.2 hrs
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kunanyi/Mt Wellington Ultimate Experience Tour from Hobart
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4.5/5
· 38 reviews
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Ngilgi Cave Ancient Lands Experience
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews· 35 booked
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FromNZD 39.87

Featured Outdoor & sports in Australia

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Port Stephens sandboarding experience (unlimited frequency)
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4.5/5
· 2 reviews· 250 booked
Duration: 2 hrs
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FromNZD 49.53
[Affordable Price for Tomorrow] Melbourne Puffing Billy Steam Train + Phillip Island & Penguin Island Day Trip
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4.9/5
· 1.6k reviews· 17.3k booked
Duration: 7 hrs
English
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37 consecutive positive reviews
FromNZD 181.11
Skydiving in Cairns city [hotel pick-up and drop-off + ocean view skydiving + overlooking the Great Barrier Reef]
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FromNZD 418.76
Limited-time offer Raging Thunder - Tully River Rafting in Cairns instructor + equipment + dinner transfer/self-drive
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4.4/5
· 7 reviews· 220 booked
Duration: 5.2 hrs
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Sydney Wollongong skydiving [high-altitude ocean view skydiving/free skydiving certificate]
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4.9/5
· 11 reviews· 300 booked
Duration: 1 hr
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FromNZD 477.44
Optional Mercedes-Benz 499] Melbourne Puffing Billy Railway + Penguin Parade Phillip Island 1-day tour
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4.8/5
· 1.2k reviews· 15.9k booked
Duration: 6 hrs
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93 consecutive positive reviews
FromNZD 175.78
Melbourne Puffing Billy Steam Train & Phillip Island Penguin Parade one-day tour
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4.7/5
· 289 reviews· 1.7k booked
Duration: 6.1 hrs
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93.4% of travelers recommend
FromNZD 201.10
Gold Coast Natural Bridge, Springbrook National Park half-day tour [Purling Brook Falls, Springbrook National Park + rainforest hike]
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5.0/5
· 4 reviews· 64 booked
Duration: 5.5 hrs
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FromNZD 157.82

Featured Nature & wildlife in Australia

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Uluru in the Northern Territory. Camel riding at Ayers Rock [sunrise/sunset viewing/English guide/hotel pickup]
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FromNZD 122.43
Blue Mountains Small Group Day Tour Special offer Including 3 cable car tickets+Three Sisters Peaks +Sydney Blue Mountains National Park Day Trip.Door-to-door hotel pickup in Sydney city center postcode 2000.
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Australia + Northern Territory Uluru [Uluru | camel ride to view - optional sunrise - sunset]
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5.0/5
· 6 reviews· 273 booked
Duration: 1.1 hrs
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Sydney Jervis Bay Wild Cruises / Whale Watching Cruise [Daily Departures / Fast Confirmation]
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3.0/5
· 2 reviews· 166 booked
Duration: 1.5 hrs
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FromNZD 40.01

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What travellers say about Australia

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露小茜13 October 2026
5.0
The theater isn't very large, so the view from the second floor was excellent, and the actors' performances were very lifelike, with very interesting dialogue. Plus, the theater has a beautiful terrace with floor-to-ceiling windows; I took some lovely photos there in the afternoon!

Sydney Opera House

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Amy Ong 66221 November 2026
5.0
Great trip for someone who doesn't like too much walking. All the highlights are within walkable distance. Great scenery with many interesting animals like Koala, Giraffe, Capybara, Ring tailed lemurs, Tasmania Devil and many more... unique animals. Worth it!

Taronga Zoo Sydney

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Olga_Quest30 September 2026
5.0
Amazing whale-watching experience in Sydney! 🐋I really enjoyed this experience from start to finish. The scenery and the whole environment were absolutely beautiful, and we were lucky enough to see a lot of whales! It was amazing watching them in their natural environment, and the experience was even better than I expected. Definitely a great activity to do while visiting Sydney, and I would happily recommend it to others!

Sydney Whale Watching Cruise

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M30***186 October 2026
5.0
A fantastic museum experience! The entire exhibition hall was beautifully designed, offering an immersive and interactive experience suitable for people of all ages. It allowed for close-up observation of dinosaur fossils and showcased different periods of Australian culture. I recommend allocating 4 to 5 hours for a visit.

Melbourne Museum

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Travel.coffee.donuts26 February 2026
5.0
describe gold coast beachesBest Beaches On The Gold Coast to Visit | QueenslandGold Coast beaches feature 57km of stunning, white-sand coastline along the Pacific Ocean, offering world-renowned surf breaks, patrolled swimming areas, and vibrant, developed shorelines. Key spots include the bustling Surfers Paradise, the surfing mecca of Snapper Rocks, and serene spots like Currumbin and Burleigh Heads.

Gold Coast beach

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知了Chan16 October 2026
5.0
We went straight to the zoo after getting off the plane. We arrived quite late, but we were lucky enough to see most of the animals, including wombats, Tasmanian devils, and smiling rats. A great zoo, highly recommended. The coffee at the entrance was delicious, and feeding the parrots was also very interesting. Feeding starts at 4 PM, and even when we left at 5 PM, there were still parrots to feed.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

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willem_king24 October 2026
5.0
It's best to buy the plus ticket. The visitor center has an estimated time when the penguins will come ashore, so just arrive a little early. The estimated time is very accurate; the penguins appear little by little as soon as the time comes, and then they come ashore in groups. They're tiny and very cute.

Penguin Parade

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Thinh03047 October 2026
5.0
My friends and I had a fantastic time visiting the SkyPoint Observation Deck. Everything about the experience was absolutely excellent, from the breathtaking scenery and environment to our overall enjoyment. We also felt it provided exceptional service and value for money. It’s a perfect spot to visit with friends, and we highly recommend it!

SkyPoint Observation Deck

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焚書坑儒26 October 2026
5.0
No tickets are needed; simply scan the QR code to enter the park, which is significantly cheaper than buying tickets on the official website. Most rides have no queues, making for an extremely enjoyable experience. Even the most popular roller coasters only have queues of about 20 minutes. Transportation is convenient; take the Surfers Paradise light rail to the northernmost station and then transfer to a bus; the entire journey takes only one hour.

Warner Bros. Movie World

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Anonymous user6 June 2026
5.0
Long train ride outside of the city. Surrounding Great nature. Worth to visit

Puffing Billy Railway

Trip Moments in Australia

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Australia?

Don't miss these attractions in Australia: Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo Sydney, and Sydney Whale Watching Cruise. If you like Food & drink, try Uluru Sounds of Silence (pre-booked access only) dinner. If you enjoy Culture & history, try Tasmania Tasman cruise 3h/Cape Raoul 1.5h | optional round-trip from Hobart.

You can give Uluru Sounds of Silence (pre-booked access only) dinner and Sydney Tower Revolving Restaurant Seafood Buffet [Window Seat Optional & Lunch/ Dinner & 360-degree Panoramic View of Sydney Sydney Tower Eye] a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

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