by Teena Celis,

Melbourne market, cr-orld-guides.com

What are Melbourne’s freebies? What all can you see and do in Melbourne that won’t cost a pie? Melbourne is a popular Australian destination along with Sydney and Perth, and just as expensive. For the budget-savvy traveler, here are 20 Melbourne freebies to enjoy while feeling rich.

1. Enjoy Free Park And Dockland Entertainment: Look up the White Hat guide for free entertainment at the Federation Square, Melbourne Parks and the Melbourne Town Hall or Docklands.
2. Explore The Colonial Past Of Melbourne CBD: Walk through its narrow, European narrow lanes and check out old colonial homes while sipping delicious coffees at the many cafes in this area.
3. Step Into A Time Gone By: Fitzroy Gardens is a faithful reproduction of everyone’s fantasy world with fairies, dragons, mystery trails and so on. There are even miniature villages to explore.
4. Run Through The Dancing Fountains: The heat in summer can be stifling, so how about running through the dancing water fountains outside Crown Casino on Yarra River’s south side to cool off?
5. Watch Friday Night Football: Check the MCG or Docklands Stadium for Friday night football matches during winter. You can watch them for free and enjoy a night out with other fans. Pay only for your burger and chips!
6. Listen To Friday Night Jazz: Check the White Hat Guide for jazz performances at venues like Bennets Lane or Collingwood. Sometimes there’ll be all night jazz jam sessions with some free food thrown in.
7. Enjoy Melbourne Markets: Check the White Hat guide for a list of Friday, Sunday and Monday markets in Melbourne. There are food markets, antique goods markets, indigenous art markets and much, much more.
8. Look up the Post Maters Gallery: You’ll find hidden museums and art galleries based on unusual themes at the Post Master’s Gallery. Be sure to keep an eye out for unusual stuff here.
9. Explore St. Kilda: Check the White Hat Guide for St. Kilda Sunday free events. Browse wares at the Esplanade Market, eat a lazy breakfast on Acland Street, and enjoy yourself.
10. Take the ferry to Willy: Take a boat trip to Williamstown and enjoy the rural atmosphere. Look up the White Hat Guide to Williamston for a listing of the farmers and craft markets on Sundays.
11. Explore Historic Houses: Check out the White Hat Guide and explore various old houses on different Sundays. There’s the Como, Rippon Lea, Black Rock House, La Trobe’s Cottage, the Werribee Mansion and so on.
12. Check Out Free Community Festivals: Enjoy multicultural, ethnic or community festivals on Sundays – the listing will be in the White Hat Guide. Sometimes free food is thrown in as well.
13. Ride Around The City For Free: The Melbourne City Circle Tram makes free 30-minute circuits of the city several times a day. You can get off and on any number of times.
14. See Australia’s Most Important Art Collections: At NGV International, you can enjoy Renaissance, Baroque, Asian and contemporary art, plus sculptures, Egyptian and Roman antiquities.
15. Explore The History Of Australian Art: At the Ian Potter Centre, view over 20 galleries of photography, fashion, prints and drawings including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.
16. Explore Movie Evolution: Enjoy art and movie installations and movie evolution from silent movies to digital media on the world’s largest dedicated screen gallery at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.
17. Hike The Bay Trail: From St Kilda Pier to the Acland Street café, heading past the historic Luna Park and the St Kilda Marina. The hike will take you two hours. You can rent a bike and enjoy this scenic route in 40 minutes.
18. Explore the Royal Botanic Gardens: It’s amazing that this 35-hectare large collection of extensively landscaped gardens is totally free to explore. Take advantage of the self-guided audio walks and the free guided walks.
19. Tour The State Library Of Victoria: There are timed one-hour tours of the Cowen Gallery, the Dome Gallery and the domed La Trobe Reading Room that are accompanied by a historical commentary.
20. Explore The Outdoor Contemporary Art Gallery: Enjoy the creative outputs of Melbourne’s street artists along the Yarra River bank. There are paintings, sculptures and architectural wonders.