Backpack Victoria

Artistic secrets
If you find yourself under the clocks at Flinders Street Station with a few hours to kill, why not wander over to Federation Square, Melbourne's sharpest architectural offering. Aside from numerous bars, restaurants and cafés, Federation Square is home to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) – a celebration of all things multimedia. A book market is held here every Saturday morning, and other events are held in the main square, ranging from live music and small exhibitions to tai chi and free fashion parades. Federation Square also boasts the Ian Potter Centre, part of the National Gallery of Victoria and there's the NGV International on nearby St Kilda Road – both feature free entry to world-renowned permanent collections.

Natural attractions
Melbourne has some excellent parks and gardens, including the Fitzroy Gardens – where you can take a peek inside Cooks' Cottage – and the lovely Conservatory. The Royal Botanic Gardens are a great spot on a sunny day and they are so expansive that it's easy to get lost. Take a picnic. The Birrarung Marr park at the back of Federation Square is also worth wandering through – tracking the Yarra River back towards the Rod Laver Arena and iconic MCG.

The Melbourne Zoo is a favourite for seeing unique Australian animals up close. It also hosts jazz nights and has late opening hours in summer. Lions, tigers, and bears abound, as well as the natives, which include echidnas, kangaroos, koalas, wombats and the shy platypus.

The Melbourne Aquarium will let you swim with sharks if you're keen, or you could just watch and enjoy all sorts of unusual marine life in the frighteningly close tanks.

Thrilling views
The best views of Melbourne are from unexpected places. Catch the elevator up to the 35th floor of the Hotel Sofitel at 25 Collins Street and head to the bathrooms, where glass windows reveal the most amazing glimpse of Melbourne's south side.

Take a trip down to St Kilda Pier to see the city's buildings sparkle across the bay. Similar bay views backed by city skylines can be seen from the hill at Ormond Point, Elwood; further along at Middle Brighton Pier; and across the bay at Williamstown. If you've got access to a car, the vista looking back to the city from atop Bolte Bridge or the Westgate Bridge is hard to beat – although kerbside stopping is off limits.

You'll be astonished by how alive and green Melbourne is, when you see the city from Punt Road bridge, or the banks of the Yarra River. The view along here sparkles at night, as a rainbow of coloured lights from the high-rises reflects off the river water.

Take in other awesome vistas from Ruckers Hill, on Northcote High Street after dark (near a great strip of bars and cafes) and the Shrine of Remembrance on St Kilda Road, at dusk.

Or for an all-encompassing view, why not take in the city and suburbs at once, on an early-morning hot air balloon ride over the city? With champers of course.

They're not free, but the views from Melbourne's tallest buildings are sure to impress if you're not a fan of wicker and wide skies underfoot. The Eureka Skydeck and Melbourne Observation Deck are your well-grounded options.