14 unique things to do in Melbourne that are perfect for weekends

Behold the city of Melbourne—a melting pot of culture, people, and good vibes! Australia’s cultural capital has so much to offer, but good ol’ Melby still has its extraordinary side for tourists to discover. Stray away from the typical city tours and join these unique experiences in Melbourne for the weekend! From spooks to booze, the Victorian capital is brimming with unique must-dos and must-visits.

Not sure where to start looking for things to do in Melbourne this weekend? Here are 14 unique tours you should join!

Consider yourself a Braveheart? As one of Australia’s most haunted cities, Melbourne’s grim past comes to light as darkness surrounds the city. If you’re on the hunt for a good scare—well, good news for you: there are plenty of eerie spots in the city, which you can explore through Melbourne’s unique tours!

When it comes to haunting suburbs in Melby, Fitzroy lands very high on the list. From the 1880s through the 1920s, the affluent suburb was considered to be the home of Melbourne's criminals. On this Fitzroy True Crime Walking Tour, you'll be walking along modern Fitzroy as you listen to the chilling story of the Fitzroy Vendetta, a gang war at the heart of Fitzroy's crime scene.

Get blasted to the past of Old Melby, when the spices of Chinatown filled the air. This unique Melbourne tour starts with a coffee stop at the city's most famous haunted pub in Young & Jackson Hotel and takes you all the way to Flinders Street and Swanston Street. Here, you'll hear stories of opera singer Federici and his tragic story, and visit poor houses and past opium dens.

The city’s ghastly past comes to life in this Scary Tales and Hidden Bars tour. If you're looking for a weekend thing to do on Melbourne's northern and eastern sides, this tour combines ghouls and booze. You'll be visiting critical historic landmarks and three hidden bars, and hear scary tales about Jack the Ripper suspects while sipping your complimentary cocktails!

Time to step back to 1850s downtown Melbourne, when Little Lon was run by an all-female crime syndicate and candy shops offered more than just sweets. On this Historical Crimes, Gangsters & Lolly Shops Walking Tour, a professional guide will take you to buildings that were once brothels and grog shops and tell the stories of how Little Lon madams stood their ground against notorious gangsters!

Or, if you wanna take your Melbourne weekend to a more chilling level, explore downtown Melbourne at night and watch the city's gangster past brought to life with laser projections. This comes with a tour booklet containing photographs of all the characters that will be discussed.

If you're still stuck on things you can do in Melbourne for the weekend, let's venture a bit further to visit Williamstown, the original Victorian capital. Now a Melbourne suburb, it was once called King William's Town and was steeped with alleyways frequented by drunken sailors, colorful ladies, and convicts. What makes this unique Melbourne tour chilling? You explore Vic's oldest morgue by lamplight!

Is Friday looking a bit dull? Spice up your weekend with one of the most unique things to do in Melbourne: visiting an old haunted asylum! On this JWard Lunatic Asylum ghost tour, you have the chance to see Oz's home for the criminally insane. You'll be walking through halls that once contained criminals, including Chopper Read, Gary Webb, and William Wallace.

Whether you're in Melby for the first time or have been here, relishing in the city's vibrant culture is always a great idea. Thanks to its graffiti alleys, excellent coffee, cultural diversity, and bayside location, there are so many unique experiences in Melbourne that are worth your weekend.

Fall in love with Australia's charming art scene on this unique Melbourne art tour. You'll be guided by actual pro street artists, so you get an in-depth exploration. There are two locations to choose from: one starts in ACMI, while the other starts in Federation Square. 

Start your morning right by making your way downtown with a donut in hand on this History and Donuts walking tour. This two-hour unique Melbourne tour starts at Federation Square and goes through the vibrant Chinatown, Queen Victoria Markets, and quaint laneways in Hosier Lane and AC/DC Lane. Be on the lookout for quirky street art along the way. We also recommend you go on an empty stomach—donuts and coffee are provided on the trip. 

What's a vacay without a little bit of thrill, right? The city is mostly sunny, which is a good thing if you love being outdoors and staying active. Whether you're up for a running adventure or an off-road one, the following unique Melbourne tours are for the adrenaline junkies.  

Get the adrenaline pumping when you go on this off-road quad bike adventure near Melbourne. It only takes a 90-minute drive from 90 Mile Beach, and you'll soon be conquering muddy flats, inclines, and bumpy terrain as you reach speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour! Once you feel hungry from all the action, you can feast on the complimentary BBQ lunch on tour. 

Put an exhilarating spin on the ordinary city tour when you join Fit City Tours' Laneways Discovery Running Tour. You'll do the usual visits to art galleries and Melbourne's famous laneways…while running! It's a great way to stay active while on vacation and is definitely a unique Melbourne experience that is one for the books. Worried about feeling peckish halfway through? You have a donut stop to help you refuel!

As the sporting capital of Australia, a behind-the-scenes tour to Melbourne Cricket Ground should be on your list of things to do in Melbourne this weekend. Here, you can explore the world's largest cricket stadium and get an all-access pass to areas, such as the player's changing rooms, the Melbourne Cricket Club, MCC Long Room, Cricketer's viewing rooms, and the Media Center.

Can't get enough of the running tour? Jog through Melbourne CBD and uncover the story of Melbourne's Aboriginal history on this Yarra Sunrise Running Tour. You'll be guided through Melbourne's famous parklands to visit some of the city's most impressive landmarks, such as the Shrine of Remembrance. Bonus: There's a post-tour coffee sesh to keep you energized!

Melbourne is not just famed for its coffee scene—it's also doing pretty good with its wine regions. With the city's thriving wine bars, it's no surprise that Melbourne is fluent in winemaking. But, if you're tired of the typical club scene or bar run, joining a wine tour is probably the best thing to do in Melbourne for the weekend.

If you wanna have a taste of Australia’s homegrown wines, this Yarra Valley scenic tour will take you to the Valley’s best wineries. Indulge in all the wines and chocolates you want, and enjoy a lovely scrumptious lunch along the way. You’ll even get a glimpse of the majestic Dandenong Ranges and the Valley’s scenic rolling hills. 

Ready to have your own dose of fun in Melbourne? Book your Melbourne unique tours right here on Klook!