Unusual And Quirky Things To Do In Melbourne

Melbourne is a bustling Australian city, known for its culture, art and history! You'll find cafe-lined alleys, abstract street art, trendy bars, and plenty of museums scattered across the city. There's no shortage of things to do during your visit like visiting the national art galleries, Botanic Gardens, the famous Brighton Bathing Boxes, or the St Kilda Pier. But if you're tired of being a tourist, why not try some non-touristy activities in Melbourne.

Here are our top unusual and quirky things to do in Melbourne!

Visit a Smash Room in the City's North West

Smash rooms are quite literally becoming all the rage, so be sure to visit Melbourne’s very own in the city’s north west with prices starting as low as $60*. The obscure activity involves entering a room armed with a baseball bat (or golf club) where you can smash literally anything you see, like old televisions or glass bottles. Safe you ask? It sure is! You’ll be given safety equipment to wear, and the staff will provide detailed instructions to ensure your safety. 

Take a Llama for a Walk at Hanging Rock

Walking a llama is definitely one of the more unusual things to do in Melbourne. Visit Hanging Rock where you have the option to simply meet the llamas, or take them for a stroll. There are a variety of trekking options that you and your new llama buddy can choose. Costs range from $75* to $100* per person for up to 5 hours with these beautiful animals. Hanging Rock is a tad out of the city, but very much worth the drive to see the llamas!

Image sourced: Hanging Rock Llama Treks

Go Skydiving in St Kilda

Here's one for the bucket list, and definitely not the typical thing to do in Melbourne. If you're an adrenaline seeker or want to try something that is completely out of your comfort zone, then a skydive is just for you. Skydive over Melbourne, where you can catch views of landmarks like Luna Park, the MCG, and St Kilda Beach. You can jump out of a plane (strapped to an instructor, of course) from 15,000 feet for around $500*. It's more on the pricier scale, but you'll remember it forever!

Visit the Old Melbourne Gaol and Take a Ghost Tour

In the heart of Melbourne lies an old gaol, built in the mid-1800s. The gaol held many dangerous criminals, including the infamous bushranger, Ned Kelly. Today, the Old Melbourne Gaol is open to the public as a tourist attraction (and no, prisoners are no longer kept here). On select nights of the week, you can take a ghost tour through the spooky site. Guided tours are one-hour long and will wind you through confined spaces and eerie rooms, in complete darkness! Tickets are priced at $45 per person, so if you’re up for a fright, then this is an affordable yet unusual activity for you.

Image sourced: Old Melbourne Gaol

Go Surfing at URBNSURF, Australia's First Ever Surf Park

For those who love to surf or have always wanted to try this beloved Aussie sport, Melbourne has its very own surf park. URBNSURF in Melbourne delivers the perfect waves for surfers of every level. Spend the day (or night) catching cutting-edge tech waves with prices averaging around $80-$150* depending on your level. Surfing is definitely an unusual thing to do in Melbourne, considering the closest actual surf beach is over one hour away. Plus, it's the perfect place to start practicing your moves before hitting the iconic Aussie surf destinations like Byron Bay and Noosa. 

See the Cow Up A Tree Statue in Docklands

This one is taking Melbourne's street art to a whole new level. The Cow Up A Tree sculpture is located in Melbourne’s Docklands. The artwork was created by Australian artist, John Kelley, who has a whimsical sense of humour. While the cow sitting upside down in a tree may seem funny, it does have a deeper meaning. Australia has a history of flooding, so the cow represents the absurd tragedy of what can happen in the aftermath of a flood. This activity is a free and unique thing to see during your visit to Melbourne! 

Throw Axes in Melbourne's CBD

Axe throwing is a wacky yet thrilling activity you can do in the heart of Melbourne at MANIAX CBD. Grab your friends, family, partner or colleagues, and book yourselves in for an unforgettable experience of throwing axes at targets. As daunting as it may sound, axe throwing is super safe. Prices start from as low as $29* per person for a one hour session. Treat yourself to a tasty bite to eat afterwards, seeing as you'll have worked up an appetite with all that throwing.

Sleepover at the Zoo on Werribee’s Slumber Safari

Located in Melbourne’s west is Werribee Open Range Zoo where you can spend the night amongst the animals. The Slumber Safari includes a guided tour of the zoo, two animal experiences, meals, luxurious tent accommodation, and zoo admission for two days. Prices are more on the expensive side sitting at around $450* per person, but if you’re an avid animal lover then we say go for it! If you're looking for a cheaper option, you could always join a penguin and koala tour.

Visit Elvis Presley’s Memorial in the Melbourne General Cemetery

Visiting the Elvis Presley Memorial Garden in the Melbourne General Cemetery is definitely on the higher end of unusual things to do in Australia. Nestled in amongst the cemetery is a shrine dedicated to Elvis, who never actually visited the country. The memorial was commissioned by the President of the Elvis Presley Fan Club of Australia back in 1977, and has become one of the largest plots in the cemetery! So, if you’re looking for something unusual to do while visiting Melbourne, take a visit to the Elvis memorial.

Image sourced: The Guardian

Ride the World’s Oldest Operating Rollercoaster in Luna Park

The Great Scenic Railway, located in Melbourne’s beloved theme park, Luna Park, is the oldest continuously operating rollercoaster in the world! The wooden rollercoaster has been running since 1912, and is now heritage-listed. To tick off this quirky bucket-list item, visit Luna Park in St Kilda. Tickets start at as little as $25*, where you can explore the park’s other unique attractions too!

*The prices listed can change without notice.

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