Melbourne is known for its wide variety of things to do, be it going to sporting events, attending live music venues or going to galleries but there is an array of relatively unknown things to do in the Garden City which might surprise you.
Visit the ice bar
There is one ice bar in Australia and it is located in the heart of Melbourne. The establishment is primarily made of ice, including the tables, chairs, cups and even the bar itself. Before you enter the ice bar you are given a special full-length snow cape and gloves to protect you from the -10-degree temperature. Once you’re in, you can order a drink and take a seat at an ice table and enjoy. There are ice sculptures littered around the room and you can even sit in a full-sized ice throne. There is a time limit on your visit to the ice bar to ensure that you are not affected by the low temperatures.
Street art tours
Many little alleyways wind throughout the city of Melbourne and several of them have some exceptional street art to offer by professional street artists. You can take tours to explore the art in these laneways which is both eclectic and amazing, to say the least. Some of the tours are run by street artists themselves, who can explain how the artwork is done and what tools are used. Worth checking out if you are into the underground art scene.
Australian Rappelling
Australian rappelling is like normal rappelling except you are facing the ground as you descend. This may sound crazy and it kind of is, but it is definitely worth doing if you are not afraid of heights and are a bit of an adrenaline junkie. It’s like betting on the Melbourne Cup, you might feel apprehensive, to begin with, but it could be a good payoff. It’s not for the faint of heart but it is really fun to do if you have the necessary sense of adventure.
Check out Ned Kelly’s armour
Ned Kelly was Australia’s most notorious outlaw and bushranger back in the 1800s. He became a convict quite young, at only 14 and was soon in a gang that had a grudge against the Police for imprisoning Kelly’s mother. The gang fled into the bush after killing three police officers and they were then proclaimed outlaws. They evaded police for years, only for them to end up in a shootout with police after they tried to derail a police train. They were wearing the infamous armour made from plough mouldboards but everyone except Kelly was ultimately killed. He was tried and hanged in the Old Melbourne Gaol in 1880 aged only 25. His armour can be seen at the State Library of Victoria along with a plethora of information about his and his gang’s legendary exploits.
Coop’s Shot Tower
This is where shot pellets were manufactured from 1888 when it was built, until 1961. It was once the tallest building in the city until later industry allowed for more stable and taller buildings. It is remarkably well preserved, partly thanks to a giant metal and glass cone placed over it and is now a museum. The building is a sight to see considering it was going to be demolished in 1973. It is now part of the Melbourne Central complex and makes up some of the fabric that is Melbourne city.
There you have it, a selection of Melbourne attractions that might not necessarily make the regular tourist itinerary but are definitely worth a look.