Make the most of Melbourne on the Route 58 tram

Despite being Australia’s oldest zoo, this vibrant animal world is constantly evolving, with new exhibits, events, and of course, creatures great and small. Hop off a Route 58 tram at Stop 26 Melbourne Zoo just outside the zoo's gates to see penguins, seals, orang-utans, elephants, lions, lemurs, meerkats, butterflies and native animals. Make a day of it or just spend an hour or so hitting the highlights. 

In Sydney it's Paddy's; in Melbourne it's the Queen Vic. The open-air Queen Victoria Market is loud and proud, packed with veteran stallholders who are passionate about fresh produce (and are happy to tell you about it). Best of all, if travelling from the CBD or Docklands, you can get there for free on a Route 58 tram – get off at Stop 9 Queen Victoria Market, which is in the city's Free Tram Zone. Stock up on fresh fruit, veggies, meat and an outstanding variety of dairy and smallgoods, or browse clothes, accessories and other bric-a-brac. 

Learn more about the multicultural fabric of Melbourne at the Immigration Museum. The museum uses first-hand accounts, real-life imagery and memorabilia to tell the true stories of people who have migrated to Victoria. It's housed inside a magnificently restored building that, between 1858-70, acted as Melbourne's own Customs House, gateway to the fledgling colony. The museum is a few metres away from Stop 1 Flinders Street on Route 58 (at Flinders Street and Queensbridge Street). It's in the Free Tram Zone, so you won't need to touch on your myki when you board unless you're coming from outside the free zone.

If there’s anywhere you can escape the madness of the city without actually leaving it, the Royal Botanic Gardens is the place. Located on the city’s fringe, this expansive garden is home to a cool 8,500 plant species, zen lakes and lush lawns. Workshops, tours, walks and talks showcase the intricacies of the gardens – from star-gazing night tours in the Melbourne Observatory to science seminars. You can get to the Royal Botanic Gardens on the Route 58 – just hop off at Stop 123 Fawkner Park. While you're there, go on the Aboriginal Heritage Walk, which takes you on a journey into the history of the Koolin nation.

World-class shopping can be found on Chapel Street, Melbourne's must-visit destination for fashionistas and those looking for new duds. International fashion brands hang out a shingle here, alongside plenty of local designers. Everything can be found on Chapel Street, from the latest It Bag to curiosities and oddities well worth a browse. You can hop on the Route 58 to Stop 128 Chapel Street to get amongst the heart of the action. When your feet (or credit card) are tired, there are also two big cinema complexes (Jam Factory and Palace Como) and a plethora of restaurants and cafés to refresh you.