There is no doubt that Melbourne is one of the best places to spend a weekend holiday in. The place is simply beautiful and is full of attractions that will surely make your stay in the city very memorable. Now, while there are hundreds of destinations you can go to while you’re in Melbourne, most of these places are usually crowded and busy, and may not be the perfect spot for you if your main aim at visiting the area is to relax and release some stress. Melbourne, however, offers several sites you can visit that will surely clear your mind and help you relax.
Melbourne Aquarium and Melbourne Zoo
If you are an animal lover, these two places are perfect for you! The Melbourne aquarium, in particular, is home to thousands of aquatic animals, ranging from the majestic King penguins to the enchanting sea creatures such as sea jellies, sea horses, and spiky lionfish. Perhaps the most exciting part of touring the place is viewing live sharks, stingrays, and other ocean creatures in the park’s Oceanarium. And then there is the award-winning Melbourne Zoo, home to more than 300 species of animals coming from different parts of the world. If you want to do something fun and education, either by yourself or with your family, these are definitely the places you should go to.
Fitzroy Garden
If you are more of a lover of plants and flowers than of animals, then you should visit the Fitzroy Garden instead. Among the main features of the garden is the Conservatory, which houses glorious indoor floral displays. Also in the garden is the Cook’s Cottage, home of the parents of Captain James Cook. Cook was one of the first Europeans to chart the eastern coast of Australia. You can take part in a free tour of the garden that takes place on Wednesdays.
Yarra Valley
Now, if you are nature lover and would love to experience a combination of what the Melbourne Aquarium, Melbourne Zoo, and Fitzroy Garden have to offer, then the Yarra Valley is the exact place you need to visit. No, the Yarra Valley does not have live sharks and tigers, but it has something more unique to offer. For one, the valley is home to a number of thriving wineries in the area. These wineries are just some of the many attractions you can visit while in the valley and you can take the wine tours either on foot or on bicycle. And then there’s Global Ballooning, one of the main activities you can enjoy in the valley, which involves you riding a hot air balloon and cruising over the region. The balloon takes flight early in the morning right before the sun rises. Following the trip, you will then be offered a sumptuous breakfast at Rochford Wines. For more information about Yarra Valley and what it has to offer, check this website out.
When it comes to places to go to and things to do in Melbourne, the options are simply unlimited. But when you talk about pure relaxation, then these are the places you should put on top of your list!
Andrew Connor is a travel and leisure blogger. He is currently working as a freelance travel writer and studying photography for fun. Among the hundreds of beautiful tourist spots and unique attractions found in the city of Melbourne, nothing can equal the beauty that is offered by the Yarra Valley region. Click here today to discover what this favorite tourist destination can offer you that the rest of the sites in the city cannot provide!