
15 Things To Do in Melbourne When You’re in Town for the Australian Open
Add these off-the-court activities to your Melbourne itinerary for when you’re in between matches.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a stape of Melbourne sightseeing tours. Admire its spire from above during a sunrise hot-air balloon ride; combine the cathedral with shopping at Victoria Market and the Laneways on a city tour; or cover sights such as the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance during a horse-and-carriage ride. To delve deeper into Melbourne’s religious history, opt for a tour that focuses specifically on Melbourne’s parks and cathedral.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is located at Cathedral Place in east Melbourne. The closest tram stop is Albert St/Gisborne St, which is covered by tram numbers 12 and 109. Parliament Station, stop number 10 on the no. 96 route, is a 5-minute walk from the cathedral.
The cathedral is open daily from the early morning until mid evening; the latest the cathedral stays open is on Wednesdays, when it opens its doors until 8:30pm. Mass is held several times a day; check the website for the exact times.
Unlike Melbourne CBD, east Melbourne draws fewer crowds thayn the city center. Highlights of the area include The Johnston Collection, which exhibits a private collection of antiques and art in a historic Melbourne townhouse; the Fairies Tree, a 300-year-old trunk decorated with mythical creatures; and the Fire Services Museum of Victoria.