The best free things to do in Melbourne in 2026 are the NGV's galleries, State Library Victoria's domed reading room, the Royal Botanic Gardens, riding the free City Circle tram, the Shrine of Remembrance, ACMI, the street art of Hosier Lane, a tour of Parliament House and the penguins at St Kilda Pier.
Melbourne has one of the best collections of free attractions in Australia. Trams are free inside the CBD's Free Tram Zone, which covers most of the city centre's sights, and several major museums and galleries charge nothing for their permanent collections. See also our best museums in Melbourne.
Australia's oldest public art museum, free to enter.
NGV International on St Kilda Road and the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square are free for their permanent collections, from Old Masters to Australian and First Nations art.
Major exhibitions are ticketed.
Good to know: Lie down in the Great Hall to see the stained-glass ceiling.
180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3006
A grand domed reading room and free exhibitions.
State Library Victoria's La Trobe Reading Room, under a huge dome, is one of Melbourne's most photographed interiors, and free exhibitions include Ned Kelly's armour.
The lawn out front is a popular meeting spot.
Good to know: Go up to the top-floor gallery for the view down into the dome.
328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Big, beautiful gardens with lakes, a stroll from the city.
The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne cover 38 hectares with lakes, lawns and plant collections, plus the free Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden.
The Tan, a 3.8 km running track, circles the gardens.
Good to know: Combine it with the Shrine of Remembrance next door.
Birdwood Ave, Melbourne VIC 3004
A free heritage tram loop around the CBD.
The City Circle tram (route 35) runs a free loop around the CBD and Docklands in heritage trams, passing sights such as Parliament House, the Old Treasury and Federation Square.
All trams within the Free Tram Zone are free too.
Good to know: Use it to get your bearings on your first day.
Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Victoria's war memorial with free galleries and a city-view balcony.
The Shrine of Remembrance on St Kilda Road has free galleries telling the stories of Australians at war, and a balcony with one of the best views of the city skyline.
A ray of light falling on the Stone of Remembrance is re-created every half-hour.
Good to know: Go up to the balcony for the skyline view.
Birdwood Ave, Melbourne VIC 3004
A free, hands-on museum of film, TV and games.
ACMI's main exhibition, The Story of the Moving Image, is free and hands-on, covering film, TV, video games and art.
It's at Federation Square, a hub of the city.
Good to know: Pick up a Lens at the entry to save objects to look up later.
Federation Square, Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Melbourne's most famous street-art laneway.
Hosier Lane, opposite Federation Square, is covered in street art and graffiti that changes constantly. Nearby AC/DC Lane and Duckboard Place are worth a look too.
The art changes constantly, so every visit is different.
Good to know: Visit early in the morning for photos without crowds.
Hosier Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
Free tours of one of Australia's grandest public buildings.
Parliament House on Spring Street, which served as Australia's federal parliament from 1901 to 1927, runs free guided tours of its ornate chambers and library on non-sitting days.
You can also watch debates from the public galleries on sitting days.
Good to know: Check tour times online before you go.
Spring St, East Melbourne VIC 3002
Little penguins come home at dusk to the breakwater.
At dusk, little penguins return to the breakwater at the end of St Kilda Pier. Volunteers are often on hand to explain the colony.
Pair it with a walk along the St Kilda foreshore.
Good to know: No flash photography; it harms the penguins' eyes.
Pier Rd, St Kilda VIC 3182
Visit the NGV, State Library Victoria, ACMI and the Shrine of Remembrance, walk the Royal Botanic Gardens and the laneways, ride the free trams in the CBD and see the penguins at St Kilda Pier at dusk.
Yes, within the Free Tram Zone in the CBD and Docklands. Outside it, you need a myki card. The City Circle tram (route 35) loops past many sights.
The NGV's permanent collections, ACMI's main exhibition, State Library Victoria, the Shrine of Remembrance and ACCA. Melbourne Museum and the Immigration Museum are free for children.
Hosier Lane, opposite Federation Square, is the most famous. AC/DC Lane, Duckboard Place and the back streets of Fitzroy and Collingwood are also covered in art.
Yes. Free guided tours of Parliament House on Spring Street run on non-sitting days; check times on the Parliament of Victoria website.