ATTRACTION EAST MELBOURNE

Known colloquially as the ‘G, Australia’s favourite stadium the mighty Melbourne Cricket Ground, is the birthplace of Test cricket and the home of Australian football, holding more than 80 events annually and attracting close to four million people. The MCG is located in the heart of Melbourne, just a short walk or tram ride away from the CBD providing visitors easy access.

The MCG has hosted more than 100 Test matches (including the first in 1877) and AFL Grand Finals. In 2015 the MCG will host the ICC Cricket World Cup final, among other major sporting events, attracting visitors from around the world.

In addition to events, visitors can experience the inner sanctum of the MCG on a tour and discover what makes Australia such a great sporting country).The MCG is also home to the National Sports Museum, Australia’s finest repository of sporting artefacts and history.

Experience all what this great stadium has to offer, then wind down over a tasty lunch and barista-style coffee in the Paddock Café, and complete your visit at the MCG Superstore where you can find the perfect gift for everyone.   

The National Trust offers groups heritage walking tours of Melbourne's city sites. The walks take you down the hidden laneways and tells the stories of the influential people who shaped the city. There is 4 walks to choose from including Marvellous, Mercantile, Traditional and Commercial Melbourne. The walks run for 2 hours with a morning or afternoon tea to follow

Emerge brighter. Welcome to eforea, Hilton's transformational spa concept designed to address the evolving wellness and beauty needs of today's spa guest. You will be greeted with the warm hospitality for which Hilton is known, and a selection of signature best-in-class therapies delivered in a nurturing, soothing environment.

At eforea, guests emerge with their bodies renewed, their spirits lifted, and their outlook brighter.

The Chrysalis collection features works by over 81 leading Australian artists, exhibiting paintings, photographs, prints and sculpture throughout the year.

Ask the staff about the work on display, which might include pieces by such esteemed artists as Charles Blackman, John Brack, Deborah Halpern, Louis Kahan, Ponch Hawkes, Michael Leunig, Marise Maas, John Waller and Warmun Artists.

Built in classic Spanish Mission style, complete with adobe colour palette, the Fitzroy Garden's lovely Conservatory building opened in March 1930.

The Conservatory exhibits five floral displays each year. Hydrangeas and fuchsias bloom from November to February, begonias and gloxinias from February to April, tropical plants and poinsettias from April to July, cinerarias and cyclamens from July to September, and schizanthus and calceolaria from September to November.

Built in Yorkshire in 1755 by the parents of Captain James Cook, Cooks' Cottage was transported to Melbourne and erected in the Fitzroy Gardens in 1934.

The cottage was taken apart brick by brick and packed into cases and barrels to be shipped to Australia, along with cuttings of ivy that originally adorned the house, which were replanted when the building was erected in Melbourne.

Combining modern audio-visual interpretations of Captain Cook's life and adventures with centuries-old relics and a vibrant, colourful English cottage garden, Cooks' Cottage provides a unique insight into English family life in the 18th century.

Visit the Discovery Centre to learn more about the amazing journeys of Captain James Cook, his tragic death and enormous legacy.

Built from bluestone and sandstone, St Patrick's Cathedral is a leading example of Gothic-revival architecture, built in stages between 1858 and 1940.

A place of worship, prayer and reflection in today's busy world, St Patrick's is the tallest and largest church building in Australia.

Melbourne Library Service offers vibrant community spaces, including meeting rooms for hire, gallery and projections, free internet and word processing.

The library's collections include community languages; extensive music and film collections on CD and DVD; local history; and reference, non-fiction and fiction for all tastes, from genre to edgy.

Public programs support lifelong learning and include programs for children and families; book groups and other events on a range of subjects; a home library service to housebound residents; reference and homework help services; and 24-hour access via the virtual library service.

Victoria's Parliament House - one of Australia's oldest and most architecturally distinguished public buildings. The Parliament of Victoria welcomes you to share in our history and heritage. Sit in the chambers where Victoria's laws are made, take in the majesty of Queen's Hall, and see where Australia's first Federal Parliament conducted proceedings for 26 years. The interior features classical decoration, including an intricate mosaic of Minton floor tiles, gold-leaf, columns, statues and paintings. FREE guided public tours are provided on non-sitting days, Monday to Friday, at 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:45pm. (Tours for groups of 6 or more are also free, but must be booked in advance by calling our Tours Office). Book for Lunch or High Tea in Stranger's Corridor during non-sitting weeks. When Parliament is sitting, come and sit in the public galleries of the Upper and Lower Houses and see Parliament in action. NEW: Gift shop open 12pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

The Fire Services Museum of Victoria was formed in 1972 by a small group of people with the aim of preserving Fire Brigade memorabilia for later generations to look back on. The Museum was a nomad society for sometime moving the ever growing collection to larger premises until they were offered permanent residence at the present site. This Museum is one of only a few in the world operating in an original Headquarter Fire Station, being the Eastern Hill Fire station. Two unique features of the building are the Queen Anne architecture and the 52 metre watchtower. The building is on the Victorian Heritage List and has a National Trust Classification. Touring the Museum one will start at the board room with the original décor and the mural depicting the first decade of the Fire Service. The next room is where the Chief Office spent some of his day while on duty. Around the room are souvenirs presented to retiring officers. The main hub of a fire station is the front station where fire fighters responded to fire calls, here you will see the hand and horse drawn vehicles through to the beautiful brass trimmed early fire engines. The watch room opened in 1927, this was the main fire control centre and where fire alarms throughout some of the city centre were monitored. The Museums collection includes memorabilia from Fire Services that provide fire coverage throughout Victoria. Including Country Fire Authority and the Department of Sustainability and Environment. Also visit the International room and their memorial area dedicated to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Please take the time to visit the souvenir shop before leaving. The museum is ideal for school excursions and tours for groups. Vehicles are available for hire.

The Victorian Artists Society is for artists and art lovers. Since 1870 we have been actively contributing to the development of art in Australia. Their 19th century award winning Romanesque style building was one of the first in American style architecture to be built in Victoria. Many original features still remain today. Victorian Artists Society holds a number of changing exhibitions throughout the year. Art is always on show. Art classes and workshops are also available, accommodating all different mediums Come and visit the art galleries, explore their heritage and walk in the footsteps of some of Australia's past and present prominent artists. Entry is free. The Victorian Artists Society is a registered not for profit organisation and a registered charity.

The National Sports Museum at the MCG houses Australia's most comprehensive sporting collection, showcasing more than 3500 objects related to the greatest moments in Australian sporting history. Located at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, the National Sports Museum celebrates the contribution that sport has made within the development of the uniquely Australian culture. The achievements of Australian sportsmen and women at all levels are showcased within an environment rich with sporting artefacts and interactive technology. Showcasing the great moments in Australia's sporting history, the museum includes a number of permanent exhibitions focused on Australian football, boxing, basketball, cricket, cycling, golf, thoroughbred horse racing, netball, Olympic and Paralympic Games, rugby union, rugby league, soccer, and tennis. Also featured is the Melbourne Cricket Ground story and the Melbourne Cricket Club Museum and National Sports Museum Cinema Sport features non-stop sporting action. The National Sports Museum at the MCG also includes two three dimensional theatrical experiences with Australian cricket legend Shane Warne in 'Cricket Found Me' and Australian football star James Hird in 'Off the Bench'. Game On is a fully interactive gallery allowing you to personally experience the thrill of participation in a diverse range of sporting environments and activities. More than just a museum, the National Sports Museum at the MCG captures the spirit of Australian sporting life and relives the moments that have shaped Australia's rich sporting traditions and cultural heritage.