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Where do you want to look?

• East Melbourne
• Melbourne CBD
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• St Kilda Rd and Domain
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Public transport

Melbourne's famed trams and extensive train and bus network make it easy to explore every corner of the city.​​​​​​​​​​​​

Melbourne's public transport network extends from the city centre in all directions, with trains, trams and buses offering comprehensive public transport services.

There's also the free City Circle Tram to help you get around to all the city's major attractions.

Maps and timetables

For detailed information and timetables for trains, trams and buses, visit Public Transport Victoria or call 1800 800 007.

Plan your journey

The public transport journey planner can help you plan your trip from A to B. Many attractions are listed in the journey planner – simply enter your origin and the name of the attraction in the destination box for a tailored trip plan.

You can also download the PTV app .

Accessibility

Do you use a mobility aid, need priority seating or have a vision or hearing impairment? There are services, support and resources to help you access public transport in Melbourne.

For more information, visit accessing public transport .

All night public transport Friday and Saturday

Trains as well as some trams and buses operate through the night on Fridays and Saturdays. A selection of coach services also run to key regional centres. Find out more about the Night Network .

Free Tram Zone

Melbourne’s free tram zone includes the central city and Docklands, bounded by Spring Street, Flinders Street and La Trobe Street. The zone also includes Victoria Street, William Street and Elizabeth Street, surrounding the Queen Victoria Market.

If you’re only travelling in this zone, you don’t need a myki, but travelling by train or bus still requires a valid ticket.

Free Tram Zone map (PDF 757KB)

You’ll need a myki to travel on most of Melbourne's trains, trams and buses. It is a re-usable smart card that stores value to pay your public transport fare.

You can buy and top up a myki from:

7-Eleven stores and other retailers where you see the myki sign

major train stations, such as Flinders Street Station and Southern Cross Station

myki machines at metropolitan train stations

your Android phone , via Google Pay

online at Public Transport Victoria

calling 1800 800 007 (delivered to Australian addresses only).

How to use myki

Once you have a valid myki, you're ready to travel. All you need to do is touch on at the myki reader (at entry / exit points at train stations and on board trams and buses) at the start of each trip. Then touch off when you exit the train station or vehicle.

Failure to show a valid myki (that is topped up and touched on) to a ticket inspector can lead to a fine.

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Getting Around Melbourne: A Guide to Public Transportation

Marina is a freelance writer who began contributing to TripSavvy in 2019. She set off with a one-way ticket to Asia in 2017 and has been living and traveling abroad ever since.

Don’t underestimate the size of Melbourne, Australia. Travelers may only stick to Central Business District and its surrounding neighborhoods—but the city extends so much further than that, stretching around Port Phillip Bay for 3,857-square miles.

Melbourne is kind of like New York City , in a geographical sense, because a lot of Melburnians live in the outer suburbs and travel into the city for work. The daily commute isn’t ideal by car, so people in the city opt to use the Public Transport Victoria train, tram, and bus system instead. Sixteen regular service train lines run north, south, east, and west into and out of the city. It’s an impressive and efficient system for such a big city. 

Here’s what you should know about getting around Melbourne.

How to Ride the Metro Melbourne Train Lines

Most people who use public transportation in Melbourne hop on the train. There are 16 Metro train lines that jut out of the city center and into the outer suburbs. The two main stations are Flinders Street and Southern Cross. Riding the train is a convenient alternative to driving, although a train ride could take just as long (if not longer) to get you where you want to go due to frequent stops.

• Passes: First, you’ll need to buy a myki card for AU$6. It gets you onto trains, trams, and buses throughout Melbourne and regional parts of Victoria. You can purchase one at 7-Eleven stores, a ticket booth at a premium train station, or on myki machines. Next, load the card with money to get from one stop to the next. You can do this at the ticket booth or at the myki machine. 
• Fares: The lowest amount of money you can add to your myki card is AU$10. That will get you two rides as the default fare for the train is $4.50 one way. Children, seniors, and students are eligible for discounted tickets. However, keep in mind that the price for each train ride is different, depending on how far you travel and when you travel. A smart thing to do if you’re visiting for a week is to buy a seven-day myki pass for AU$44. This will save you from continually topping up your card. You can check fares using the myki fare calculator .  
• How to Ride: Once you’ve purchased and loaded a myki pass, you must tap your card onto the center of the reader as you enter the railway platform. When you get off at your desired stop, simply tap off the same way you tapped on. Metro police conduct random checks on every train to see if passengers paid for their ride. If you don’t tap on before entering the platform and an officer catches you, it could result in a hefty fine. 
• Hours of Operation: The train lines operate from 5 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Thursday. The night network runs Friday through Sunday, with trains operating every hour after 12 a.m. 
• Service Changes: It’s typical for the Metro train to have periodic service changes. Delays may happen due to construction on the tracks, public events, or disorderly conduct by passengers. In the event of a service change, there will be announcements made throughout the station and written on the monitors. Sometimes, buses replace trains between specific stops, but there is always clear signage to help you navigate your way. You can check to see if your train line is running on time using the Public Transport Victoria journey planner . 
• Transfers: Transfers are relatively easy to complete when using the Metro train. You can hop off one train and onto another without re-tapping your myki card. If you get confused about a transfer, ask a Metro train station employee (you’ll spot them in neon orange jumpers). They’re usually on the platforms during hours of operation to help passengers with their journey.  
• Accessibility: PTV train stations are accessible to people with disabilities. Ramps, designated seating, and a combination of audio and visual announcements are available at larger stops. If you have hearing difficulties, you can use the National Relay Service . For more information about accessibility and mobility aid specifications, check out the Public Transport Victoria website . 

You can use the journey planner on the PTV website or app to plan your route and find out real-time departure and arrival information.

Riding the Melbourne Metropolitan Bus Network

The public buses in Melbourne are another standard mode of transportation. There are 346 routes within Melbourne and regional Victoria, so it covers more than the train. You can get to shopping centers, hospitals, sporting venues, and other Melbourne attractions via bus. This map shows the different bus routes within Melbourne. You can use the Public Transport Victoria journey planner to help you find the specific stop you’re looking for. 

The public bus takes the myki card as a bus pass, so make sure it’s loaded with money before you get on the bus. Fares are the same as the train. Note that riding the bus will take significantly longer than the train. Traffic, stop lights, and stops will add an extra 10–20 minutes to your journey. 

Airport-Specific Shuttles

Melbourne has a fast, frequent, and cheap airport shuttle called the SkyBus . It’s a big red bus with WiFi onboard and plenty of seating. From Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, there are six SkyBus services: Melbourne City Express, Southbank Docklands Express, St Kilda Express, Peninsula Express, Western Express, and Airport Bus Eastside. The Melbourne City Express bus, for instance, departs every 10 minutes and transfers passengers directly from the airport to Southern Cross Station (and vice versa). It takes about 30–40 minutes and costs AU$19.75 one way.

Melbourne city trams are convenient for traveling to a specific destination within the city and the surrounding neighborhoods. The best part? It’s free within Melbourne CBD . Outside of this free tram zone, the tram takes the myki card, with fares the same as the train. Keep in mind that you cannot purchase a myki card on a tram or at a tram stop. 

Use the Metropolitan tram network map to help you get to where you want to go. Locate the area where you want to go, then check the route number and destination on the front of the tram.  

Taking the ferry in Melbourne is a great way to get on the water and travel across the peninsula. From Melbourne CBD, you can take a one-hour cruise to Williamstown, an outer suburb known for being the city's first seaport. It costs AU$24 one way and departs at various times, depending on the season. There’s also a 90-minute cruise from the city to Portarlington , a historic little town on the Bellarine Peninsula. This costs AU$16 for an adult one-way ticket.

Melbourne sits along the Yarra River, where you can hop on a water taxi to shuttle to different stops along the waterway. It operates seven days a week and departs every 15 minutes from 9 a.m. to midnight. It’s a popular way to get around during the summer, so it’s recommended to book a water taxi ticket in advance.

Taxis and Ride-Sharing Apps

If you’re in a hurry, taxis and ride-hailing services are available throughout Melbourne. Local cabs, such as 13cabs , are white cars with bright orange writing on the sides. Ride-railing services such as Uber, DiDi, and Ola operate all over the city, including the surrounding suburbs. It’s a common and quick way to get around.

Car Rentals 

Renting a car to use within Melbourne CBD may not be the best idea. The city is dense with traffic, parking can get pricey, and the town has something called “ hook turns ,” which, if you’re not familiar with, are very tricky to navigate.

On the other hand, if you want to explore the Great Ocean Road or other outer suburb attractions, it might be a good idea to rent a car for the freedom to explore. Melbourne has car rental companies such as Budget, Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis. You can rent a car from the airport or within the city. Don’t forget, Aussies drive on the left side of the road! 

Tips for Getting Around Melbourne

Getting around Melbourne isn’t very difficult. The city has an impressive amount of public transportation options with informative signs and friendly employees to help you navigate your way around.

• Be wary of rush hour: Traveling during rush hour can be a bit of a headache. Peak traffic on public transportation and the roads is Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. During this time, the roads leading into and out of the city will be jam-packed with people traveling to and from work. If you’re traveling by train, be attentive towards the express services.
• Melbourne CBD is very walkable: Melbourne CBD is easy to walk around because the streets are set up like a grid. If you’re following a map, it’s very straightforward, and sometimes quicker to walk than take the tram. 
• If given the option, choose the train over the bus: The train is a bit more reliable without the traffic and quicker without so many stops. 
• Download the Public Transport Victoria app: This will help with planning your journey throughout the city and the surrounding suburbs. It is available on both Google Play and the Apple Store .

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Your Trip to Melbourne: The Complete Guide

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48 Hours in Melbourne: The Ultimate Itinerary

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Public transport

Everything you need to know to get around on a train, tram or bus.

• Plan your journey (opens in a new window)
• Live travel updates (opens in a new window)
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Improvements are underway across the network to meet Victoria's ever-growing transport demand.

From bigger trains and trams and smarter signalling to adding capacity to run extra trains to key regional cities , laying the foundation for longer-term options for fast rail. (opens in a new window)

Buses are a vital part of Victoria’s integrated transport system .

We are buying new buses, adding new routes or adjusting old ones and overhauling contracts with operators to make bus travel better for passengers.

We’re also working to make our public transport network safer for everyone by installing better CCTV on trains and at stations, getting more PSOs out on the network and providing resources for teachers to plan lessons with a safety focus (opens in a new window) .

Updated 15 November 2023

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The PERFECT Melbourne Itinerary for 4 to 7 Days | Travel Guide

There’s a reason that the Australian city of Melbourne held onto the mantle of the “World’s Most Liveable City” for so many years in a row, and this Melbourne itinerary has got it all covered.

In a short amount of time, you can be transported from one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Australia to some of the best coastlines. This Melbourne travel itinerary will go over everything you need to know and do to experience the best that this incredible Aussie destination has to offer.

The capital of the south-eastern Australian state of Victoria, the appeal of Melbourne doesn’t seem to be losing any steam. Each year, the city welcomes 12 million domestic and international visitors and is rapidly overtaking Sydney, Australia as a must-see Australian city. Whether you are spending 4 days in Melbourne or up to a week (or even more!), it’s a place you won’t want to leave in a hurry. 

It’s one of my personal favorite cities in the world, and I’m always looking for a way to get back!

Melbourne Itinerary Overview

I’ve visited Melbourne on a couple of occasions now, and every time I visit I find myself thinking how much I would love to live there. It’s a city that will steal your heart and (despite its unpredictable weather), delivers the best food and coffee in the country and has a strange way of keeping you in its grasp for much longer than you ever thought.

There are so many incredible things to do to keep you busy during your time here that one week in Melbourne won’t ever feel like it’s enough.

I put together this Melbourne 7-day itinerary, but it’s also a helpful destination guide for if you only have 2 days, 4 days, or 6 days in the city – I know you’ll get some great ideas!

My 7-day Melbourne itinerary covers all of the major landmarks and day trip options that are highly recommended and even includes some insider tips that I picked up while there. These include the best places to eat, drink, and party!

I’ve also included some other helpful Melbourne travel tips to ensure your visit is a breeze!

What are the best things to do in Melbourne?

My Melbourne travel guide goes deep into all of the weird and wonderful things to do in the Victorian capital, but here’s a quick breakdown of what’s included. 

• Eat up big in Melbourne’s famous laneway cafes and immerse yourself in the city’s hipster vibe. 
• Sip on Melbourne’s world-famous coffee – it’s truly the best!
• Get involved in the sporting action that the city is renowned for. 
• Shop up a storm at premier retailers across Melbourne. 
• Win big at Crown Casino, one of the country’s best entertainment complexes. 
• Travel down the coast to the majestic Great Ocean Road or into the mountains of the Dandenong Ranges. 
• Cuddle up with cute Australian animals at Melbourne Zoo or Werribee Open Range Zoo. 
• Enjoy the sunshine and take a dip at one of Melbourne’s many picturesque beaches. 

Plus much more! Keep scrolling for an in-depth look at these Melbourne activities! 

Where should I stay in Melbourne?

Melbourne is a cultural melting pot with distinctly different neighborhood aesthetics, reminiscent of eternal world favorites London and Paris. A far-reaching metropolis that is ever-expanding as more and more people lay roots here, Melbourne accommodation has something for everyone.

Here are just a few of my recommended picks of where to stay on your Melbourne itinerary. 

Booking.com is always my favorite way of booking travel accommodation, and Melbourne is such a fantastic city to have your apartment to get a sense of local life. There are countless incredible apartments available all across the city and often work out cheaper than booking a hotel room!

• Brand New Apartment With Balcony, Gym, and Sauna (Located in Richmond, one of the coolest inner-city suburbs)
• Incredible 3-Bed Home in The Heart of St Kilda (St Kilda – right near the beach and an amazing bar scene!)
• The Marker Apartments Melbourne (Right in the heart of the action in the Melbourne CBD!)

Which Melbourne hotel should I stay at?

What if you want to stay at a hotel while enjoying a week in Melbourne? I have some incredible recommendations for that stay style too.

Park Hyatt Melbourne – One of my favorite hotels I’ve stayed at while exploring Melbourne. Great location, food, customer service, and overall amazing experience. While it’s on the luxury side of things, it’s absolutely worth it!

Selina Central Melbourne – If you’re looking to save a bit of money, then there’s no better place to stay than the iconic Selina Brand, which is known around the world for their amazing hostels and communities. It’s the BETS location right opposite the iconic Flinders Street Station in the heart of Melbourne, and 

Credit: Park Hyatt Melbourne

How many days should I spend in Melbourne?

Trying to decide how long to spend in Melbourne isn’t an easy choice. On the one hand, a visit to the city can be very expensive; but on the other, it’s a widespread city and needs more than just a few days to be fully experienced.

That’s why I created this guide. Technically,  a 4-day Melbourne Itinerary would be enough, but I also stretched the itinerary below to 7 days, which gives you more time to explore. I would say between 4 and 7 days is ideal.

The answer to this question will be based on your preferences and available time for your trip in Australia, but make sure you start every morning with a cup of delicious Melbourne coffee or two!

What is the best time to visit Melbourne?

Now that you’ve figured out how long you want to stay, it’s time to decide when should you visit Melbourne! While the summer season is between December and March and these months are more expensive than others, I’d recommend coming here during the shoulder seasons between March and May (autumn) and September and November (spring). 

During these two periods, the temperature is mild enough for you to enjoy some of this week-long Melbourne itinerary on foot, and it also won’t hurt your wallet too much.

If you’re heading to Melbourne on a budget, head down during the low season between June and August. This is winter in Melbourne, but winters here aren’t as cold as winter in the Northern Hemisphere, and the sun often comes out! Winter in Melbourne is the cheapest time to visit the city, but you’ll have to be content with the somewhat chilly weather and occasional rainfall. But this is also a great time to visit for winter lovers as you can go ice skating and skiing just outside the city, amongst other activities!

How do I get around Melbourne? 

Melbourne is famous for having one of the most extensive and well-serviced public transport networks in Australia, and getting around the city is relatively easy. Either way, there’s always a friendly local to ask for directions! It is Australia, after all. 

First things first. To use Melbourne public transport you need a Myki card, which is an easy-to-use tap-on/tap-off card, just like other world cities have in place. The card itself is cheap and sold at most premium stations, and you just top it up with money as needed. Myki covers not just Melbourne City but regional Victoria as well, and only recently, the government has made travelling across Melbourne or into the countryside even cheaper, with a capped per-day rate regardless of how far you travel on Myki. How cool is that!

Melbourne public transport options

Melbourne has a detailed rail network, which services not just the CBD (including the underground portion known as “The Loop”), but the outer suburbs and beyond too. They also have a ton of bus lines that criss-cross the city, and they have one little other things that sets them apart from the rest of Australia… trams! Melbourne’s famous tram system is smooth and streamlined and services the inner city and city fringe, passing through some of the coolest and most sought-after suburbs. One of the best things about Melbourne trams? The city also offers a “Free Tram Zone”, which means you don’t have to pay to cruise on Melbourne trams within the city centre! In addition, Melbourne has a handy “Night Network”, which runs all-night train, bus and tram services on weekends. This is fantastic if you’re planning a big weekend hitting Melbourne’s many bars and clubs!

Public Transport Victoria is your one-stop site for all Melbourne public transport timetables, routes, fare estimates and any other information you may need.

Other ways to get around Melbourne

If you’re eager to get where you’re going without trying to make sense of a Melbourne public transport map, the city is saturated by ride share options, including Uber Melbourne and Lyft, which can be a fair bit less expensive than Melbourne’s 13 CABS , which can cost a pretty penny, especially at peak periods or on holidays. There’s ferries that service the seaside locales of the city, and you can even rent a Lime Bike , an electric bike share service offered by the City of Melbourne. Just scan the QR code on a bike through the Lime or Uber app, and away you go!

Finally, if you want to have the freedom of coming and going where you want, when you want, you can easily hire a car in Melbourne. Hertz and Budget are major car rental companies available across Melbourne, and offer flexible pick-up and drop-off locations and times. Uber now offers a cost-effective carshare service as well!

You’ll have zero issue getting around Melbourne, thanks to its extensive public transport service and other travel offerings. The city is so well covered that getting from A to B is a breeze. 

Melbourne Itinerary Breakdown: 

Okay, I’ve rambled enough. It’s now time to get into the best itinerary Melbourne has to offer! Keep reading to learn more, but here’s a great starting point to get a basic idea of how to make the most of your time here!

• Day 1: Laneway Eateries & All The Coffee
• Day 2: Sporting Tours & A Culture In Spades
• Day 3: World-Class Shopping & High Rolling
• Day 4: Day Trip To The Coast – Or The Mountains!
• Day 5: Seaside Fun In St Kilda
• Day 6: Hang out with Australian furry friends
• Day 7: Explore hipster inner-city hangouts

Melbourne Itinerary Day 1: Laneway Eateries & All The Coffee

If you’ve traveled from abroad, the long flight to Melbourne might have left you feeling a little jetlagged. Take this opportunity to decompress and fuel up your energy levels with the coffee that Melbourne is world famous for. During your Melbourne trip, you’ll likely be enjoying many great coffees. Make sure to order an Aussie icon, the flat white. 

Melbourne is famous for its artistic, often grungy laneways, and these hip walkways are packed with some of the best cafes and eateries the city has to offer. Centre Place is a standout. Even if you are only doing a Melbourne 4-day itinerary, this is one of the must-visits.

Where is the best coffee in Melbourne?

My top five recommendations for central Melbourne cafes or coffee shops that serve up a roast you will want to write home about are…

Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar – “Pellegrini’s is all about character, honest Italian fare and coffee. In fact, it is said (by Pellegrini’s themselves) that the first espresso machine to arrive in Melbourne was delivered here in 1954 – opening the gates to a city-wide obsession.”

Proud Mary – “We take great pride in supporting and representing coffee producers and communities. We visit our producers each year and venture into their farms, homes and families. This is a relationship. We discover who they are, what motivates them and how we can support one another. Through this tangible form, we generate mutual understanding and appreciation. These are the true rock stars of coffee, the story starts with the producer.”

Axil Coffee Roasters – “Our aim has always been simple; to source, roast and produce the best cup of coffee. We have a passionate and enthusiastic team who travel the globe to find the best specialty coffee available. We are continuously building relationships with coffee producers to ensure we are getting the highest quality.”

Dukes Coffee Roasters – “We are an Australian specialty coffee roasting company whose focus is the craft of carefully roasting the best coffees in the world using innovative and methodic roasting practices. We are committed to bringing the best selection of exceptionally grown, amazing tasting, and in-season specialty coffees to cafes and consumers in Australia.”

Auction Rooms – “We believe in quality, detail, great food, and good vibes. Combine that with a backdrop that will take your breath away and we are well on the way to hosting the most memorable of events for you.”

Where should I eat in Melbourne? 

After inflight “food” from hell, I’m sure you’ve got a raging appetite too, and you’ve touched down in the right city to satisfy any palate. Melbourne has been a cultural melting pot of international influences since its earliest days, and that has spilled over into not only coffee, but food as well. Culinary delights can be found on every corner of this beautiful city. But tonight, I recommend heading straight for the center of epic Asian food in Melbourne, Chinatown! Melbourne’s Chinatown is located in the heart of the CBD.

Once you’ve found your way there, make a beeline for the locally-loved Shanghai Dumpling House . This rickety old building is always heaving with visitors and locals filling up on their share of pork dumplings, Shanghai fried noodles, and Chinese broccoli. You won’t regret it.

“Looking for a “cheap & cheerful”? Tight budgets are never a problem here, with meals from around $10, served with complimentary Chinese tea.

Melbourne Itinerary Day 2: Sporting Tours & A Culture In Spades

Today you’re hopefully feeling fresher and with endless energy to make the most of your time in this vibrant city tackling this 4-day Melbourne itinerary. You’ve sampled some gold-star food and coffee, but now it’s time for sports lovers to get excited.

Melbourne is often referred to as the “sporting capital of Australia” – and for good reason. A year-round sporting schedule sees globally-recognized events hit town, with cricket, AFL (Australian Football or “footy”), and tennis being the main players that locals can’t get enough of.

The MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) runs tours of the holy grail of Aussie cricket, where you’ll get to walk on the very turf legends of the game have played on. You can also enjoy a tour of the various rooms, including player changing rooms.

If tennis is more your style and you don’t miss a minute of the Australian Open Grand Slam each year, you’ll have a blast on the Australian Open Tour, which takes you around the major arenas of the tournament, including Rod Laver Arena. There’s a range of Melbourne Park tours available, where you’ll be treated like a top seed yourself.

Melbourne Itinerary Day 3: World-Class Shopping & High Rolling

Day three in Melbourne has to be spent blowing some cold hard cash. After all, it’s just another reason visitors flock here throughout the year. Melbourne is a shopper’s paradise, with a long list of shopping centers, laneways, and city streets selling all the wares you could ever dream of. 

Chadstone Shopping Centre referred to as “The Fashion Capital”, is located in suburban Melbourne, approximately 20 minutes from the city center. It is the biggest shopping center in Australia. A free shuttle bus service for tourists runs to and from Melbourne Central to Chadstone each hour, so there’s no reason not to check it out while you visit Melbourne.

If you’re looking for other ideal shopping locations and love authentic markets, The QV Market and South Melbourne Market are other great options in Melbourne. If you happen to be in Melbourne on Sunday morning, get down to the hipster paradise of the Camberwell Market , on the city centre fringe bright and early and find a one-off treasure. It’s a huge flea market and wildly popular, and there’s hot jam donut and coffee stands to fuel you, if that tempts you. It tempts me!

Other top Melbourne shopping spots include DFO South Wharf for heavily discounted bargains and the famous Bourke Street Mall smack bang in the center of the city. 

Now that you’ve picked up a knockout outfit on your Melbourne shopping free, wear it somewhere deserving tonight and head to Crown Casino , located on Southbank. This huge, glittering casino runs alongside the Yarra River, and you can’t miss the riverside fire display each night. Inside, try your hand at blackjack or attempt to talk your way into the VIP high rollers area.

On your way home, if you’ve enjoyed a few drinks (or “bevvies”, as the Aussie say) you definitely need a good meal to put some pep in your step. Head over to one of Melbourne’s only 24-hour eateries, Stalactites , on Lonsdale Street. This Greek restaurant is a dining institution, and they won’t judge you for eating a souvlaki at 6am (that’s a Greek-style Aussie gyros). My kind of place!

Melbourne Itinerary Day 4: Day Trip To The Coast – Or The Mountains!

You’ve spent a few days exploring the incredible city limits of Melbourne, so now is the perfect time to pack your bag and head off on a day trip to experience a little of what Greater Melbourne has to offer.

Melbourne has so many doable day trips that it’s hard to pick the best, but the iconic Great Ocean Road has to be ticked off any bucket list.

Drive Along The Majestic Great Ocean Road

Whether you’re renting a car and doing it yourself, or taking advantage of the endless number of tour companies that run trips down this stunning slice of Aussie coastline, the Great Ocean Road is really deserving of a few days if you have it to spare.

Starting on the outskirts of Geelong, approximately 40 minutes from Melbourne CBD, this long and winding coastal road takes you through an array of gorgeous Victorian towns with crashing ocean views. Don’t miss world-famous surfing and swimming destinations like Bells Beach, Lorne, Torquay, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell, and Port Fairy.

Like every other visitor who has ever found themselves on the Great Ocean Road, you have to stop off at the natural formation that is the  12 Apostles , and take a snap to upload to the socials and make everyone back home green with envy. To do the entire Great Ocean Road right down to the Twelve Apostles and Port Fairy and back again, you’ll need about 10 hours at an absolute minimum. That’s taking into consideration stopping off at major lookouts and for a bite to eat along the way. It’s 275 km one way, after all.

For more information, check out this awesome Great Ocean Road Trip Itinerary for everything you need to know! Looking for other outdoor activities but closer to the city? Head down to the Mornington Peninsula or stick around the city centre and wander through the lush landscape that is the Royal Botanic Gardens .

Immerse Yourself In The Dandenong Ranges

If you’d choose the mountains over the beach any day of the week, another popular day trip that’s a lot more manageable time-wise than the Great Ocean Road is  the Dandenong Ranges,  a breathtaking natural landscape and less than an hour from the city.

This mountain range is located to the east of Melbourne, with their peak, Mount Dandenong, topping the range. The Dandenong Range are full of charming small towns, gardens, restaurants, cafes, hotels, and hikes. The 1000 Steps (official name the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk ) is an uphill trek that is absolutely packed with visitors most days but worth it to say you made it! It’s a serious test of your fitness, but you can go at any pace you want.

While you’re touring around the Ranges, enjoy a ride on the Victorian institution, Puffing Billy . This historic steam train winds its way from Belgrave to Gembrook through lush Australian bush. 

If you still have the energy upon your return to Melbourne, head to inner-city Carlton – specifically Lygon Street. This is a street name everyone in Melbourne knows – for a lot of reasons. Not only is it the unofficial home of Italian influence in Melbourne, but it serves up some of the best Italian food you’ll get your hands on in Australia. Melbourne’s answer to “Little Italy” is also a location where a lot of the well-documented Gangland Wars of the 1990s and 2000s took place. Culturally enriched, Lygon is where it’s at.

With that, you’d have been about done with what to do in Melbourne for 4 days, but I have a few more ways to spend days 5 to 7 in the city, if you’re sticking around. I’d recommend it!

Melbourne Itinerary Day 5: Seaside Fun In St Kilda

You’re still here! Awesome. That means that you’re planning on spending a little more time in the city of Melbourne. Great choice! 5 days in Melbourne gives you an extra day to explore.

After a day like yesterday, that no doubt involved a lot of walking (did you manage the 1000 Steps?), your fifth day in beautiful Melbourne is going to be a little slower, with lots of time allocated for R&R. If you’ve come to Melbourne during spring or summer, you’re in luck, as heading to the beach here is a popular pastime that you should reserve some time for. 

Head down to iconic St Kilda, a beachside suburb of Melbourne a short distance from the city. You can get there from the CBD on one of the city’s iconic trams and tick that off your list as well.

The St Kilda Esplanade stretches along the coast, from Fitzroy Street, a hub for eating and partying, to Acland Street , where achingly trendy bars and pubs exist alongside the landmark amusement park, Luna Park .

If you are lucky enough to visit St Kilda on a Sunday, the Esplanade Market stretches the length of the road and overlooks the sea, selling everything you could imagine. Other than that, you can visit the South Melbourne Market just up the road, which opens between Wednesday and Sunday with traders ranging from food stalls to florists.

Take a dip in Port Philip Bay, soak up some of that (really strong) Aussie sun, walk along St Kilda Pier, and visit the penguins. About five minutes from St Kilda Beach is Brighton Beach, which I recommend for a photo op in front of its unique Bathing Boxes. From a ginger to you, I recommend packing some sunscreen for your day on the beach. 

Back to St Kilda, the area is filled to the brim with incredible bars and clubs, and a night out here is like no other. If it’s a summer night, there’s a unique hippy vibe to it that’s indescribable.

What are the best bars in St Kilda, Melbourne?

After a sunny day on the beach or jumping off St Kilda Pier, it’s time to enjoy a refreshing Aussie ale at one of the burb’s best bars and live music venues, which the neighborhood is positively packed with. A few St Kilda bars I recommend are…

• The Vineyard
• The Esplanade Hotel (“The Espy”)
• The Local Taphouse 
• The Prince of Wales Hotel

If your day/night out in St Kilda gets particularly messy, head back to your hotel via Chapel Street in Windsor and experience the grungiest, dirtiest and potentially the most fun time of your life at Revolver . With tons of dark rooms pumping everything from hip-hop to electronic and techno, it’s a night you won’t forget. Or may actually, forget. I can speak to that. 

Melbourne Itinerary Day 6: Hang out with Australian furry friends

No trip to Melbourne, or Australia as a whole, is complete without a visit with some of the country’s native animals. And no, I don’t mean those animals that are popular for terrorizing Australians. I mean those cute, fluffy, and friendly critters. Your friends expect a picture of you cuddling a koala, so make it happen. 

Which Melbourne zoos should I visit?

Luckily for those visiting Melbourne, there are a number of zoos and sanctuaries you can get to that are a stone’s throw from the city. Melbourne Zoo , probably the most heavily trafficked, is a short train ride from the CBD and is home to over 5,000 Aussie and international animals. If checking out some of Australia’s (often bizarre-looking) furry inhabitants is on your agenda, head to the koala, kangaroo, platypus, Tasmanian Devil, and wombat enclosures.

Werribee Open Range Zoo is slightly further afield but can be reached by car in about 40 minutes. A more interactive, natural environment than Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Zoo lets you get up close and personal with some majestic beasts in a safari-style habitat. You can even do a “Slumber Safari”, where you sleep amongst the lions, tigers, and bears (oh my!) under the stars in a luxury camp.

Finally, Healesville Sanctuary , nestled the picturesque Yarra Valley and just an hour from Melbourne, is another natural bush haven for native wildlife. Wandering around Healesville Sanctuary is a joy, as the location has conservation and care for the animals foremost in its mind.

Hot tip: A day at these wildlife parks involves a lot of walking, so wear sensible footwear.

Melbourne Itinerary Day 7: Explore hipster inner-city hangouts & Night Tour

It’s your final day in Melbourne, and I bet you’ve had an absolute blast and are devastated (“devo”, to Aussie) to leave. Don’t worry, I’ve got a final treat in store for you to cap off your trip. Get your skinny jeans and your fedora on because the most hipster suburbs of Melbourne await you.

Exploding in popularity in recent decades, the urban, inner-city hubs of Fitzroy, Brunswick, and Northcote have transformed themselves from some of the least-coveted suburbs to topping the list of the most in-demand real estate in the city. The hippest of Melbourne’s cool crowd either live in or flock to these neighborhoods to be seen at the unique bars, clubs, thrift stores and cafes that cram the streets.

What are the coolest suburbs in Melbourne?

In trendy inner-city Fitzroy, I recommend The Rum Diary for a well-earnt drink or  Naked for Satan for a wild night out with a superior view of the Melbourne skyline. Always buzzing, Brunswick is packed with bars, coffee shops, and unique shopping along Sydney Road, so pick up a strong espresso at warehouse cafe Lux Foundry and rub shoulders with the in-crowd.

For a few bevvies, don’t miss Howler . Northcote is a suburb close to Melbourne CBD that is so damn hip it makes you instantly feel inferior. The entire city knows the institution, Northcote Social Club , a popular venue for regular live entertainment, gigs, and a great outdoor deck where you can smash some of the best eats and drinks in Melbourne.

While you’re exploring the inner-city suburbs of Melbourne, take a leaf out of the local’s book and be sure to spend some time wandering around the many “op shops” (thrift stores, as we Americans say) and vintage stores. You are sure to pick up a one-off treasure that will remind you fondly of your time in Melbourne.

Where can I see art in Melbourne?

After spending a couple of hours in the inner-city, Melbourne’s famous street art won’t go unnoticed. Its famous laneways are often heaving with budding photographers, taking snaps of its street art. For the best street art in Melbourne, head to AC/DC Lane (yep!), Caledonian Lane, Hosier Lane and Degraves St, just for starters.

If you’re in the mood for taking in some classic art, be sure to pop into the National Gallery of Victoria . One of Australia’s best museums, the NGV is home to thousands of pieces of both Australian and foreign art, and regularly host exciting events or nighttime shindigs. 

What’s a fun Melbourne night tour to do?

Tonight, do something a little different and sign up for a spooky nighttime Melbourne tour. There’s a range of tours that takes you on foot through the darkened streets of this awesome city, telling you twisted, scary stories of Melbourne of the past and the ghosts that lurk down its eerie laneways. Or head to the eerie Old Melbourne Gaol for a frighteningly good time on the “ Hangman’s Night Tour “. 

Melbourne Itinerary Tours and Experiences 

Tackling Melbourne on your own is pretty easy, but I definitely recommend using tours to see more of the city with a local guide. There are a number of you can look at during this Melbourne 1 week itinerary, including the following:

• From Melbourne: Phillip Island Penguin Parade Eco Tour : “Experience the magic of Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park on a bus tour from Melbourne. Enjoy views at Cape Woolamai prior to visiting the world-famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island.”
• Melbourne: Complete City Walking Tour : “Join your tour guide for a walk through Australia’s culture capital and learn what makes this city great and so much more.”
• Melbourne: Hidden Alleyways, Ghosts and Best Instagram Spots : “Travel back to 19th-century Melbourne on a 1.5-hour ghost tour of the most haunted and Instagrammed locations. Discover hidden lanes, historic buildings, and spooks that still linger on the city streets.”

And there you have it.

My tips for the best week-long Melbourne tour itinerary . I hope you find it as diverse and enjoyable as this world-class city.

Don’t forget to purchase travel insurance!

Whether you are heading to Melbourne for just a few days or embarking on a lengthy trip around Australia, travel insurance is absolutely essential. Have you seen some of the crazy animals they have Down Under, or indeed, how expensive some things can be in Australia?

Getting sick or having items stolen while traveling is rare, but when it does happen, it can be an absolute nightmare. Having insurance (which is essential for visas in some countries) will give you the peace of mind that if anything terrible does happen, you are covered.

I highly recommend HeyMondo due to their extensive range of cover for all situations and trip lengths, their fair pricing, and their handy app, which allows you to not only manage any claims within the app but also access free assistance online, so you don’t need to rack up an expensive phone bill while abroad!

So, whether you need a single trip cover or an affordable annual cover for multiple trips worldwide, be sure to buy your travel insurance before you travel and relax during your trip, knowing that HeyMondo has your back. Nowadays I would never travel without insurance again, especially after hearing so many (expensive and dangerous) horror stories from other travelers I’ve met!

Still planning your trip? Get a no-obligation  travel insurance quote now, so you have an idea of how much extra to budget for your vacation. 

Planning a trip to Australia?

I’ve got so much love for this country, and I think everyone needs to visit down under at least once in their life. I actually lived and worked in Sydney for a year, and I miss it so damn much. I’ve written a lot about Australia, so check out some of my other top articles!

• Best Rooftop Bars in Melbourne
• 30 Music Festivals in Australia To Experience Before You
• Top 30 Music Festivals in Melbourne
• 14 Words You’ll Start Saying When You Move to Australia
• The Ultimate Guide For Moving To Sydney on a Working Holiday Visa
• Cairns – Sydney: The Ultimate Greyhound Bus Pass Itinerary
• The 15 Best Music Festivals in Sydney
• 15 Best Beach Resorts In Australia
• 15 Best Yurts In Australia For A Glamping Getaway
• 57 Quotes About Australia  

Thanks so much for reading my Melbourne Itinerary!

If you’re not already following me, be sure to check out my Facebook & Instagram for more of my international adventures!! As always, if you have any questions about anything you read, feel free to shoot me a DM or email me. I’m happy to help any way I can!

suggesting shopping….seriously? who goes to melbourne to do shopping? no comment…

Everyone in Australia would go to Melbourne to shop, I reckon. It’s considered to be the prime shopping destination in the country and was the first place to have Direct Factory Outlets, years and years ago. Now there’s plenty of boutique stores selling all sorts of interesting things.

Hi, great site and awesome insights. Very helpful to get an overview before I book the tickets :) I am planning for a 10-12 day vacation in australia from India this August. Is it a good time to visit? I would like to cover the best, most in a little relaxed mode with medium budget to spend. Travelling with husband and 2 kids under 10 years of age. Any tips, itinerary options are welcome! PS: I am a photographer and would appreciate any specific photography spots/times.

I’d definite;y make sure you do the Great Ocean Road for a few days! It’s a must for photographers! :-)

The Park Hyatt was way out of my league. But i stayed there as a treat to myself at the end of a business trip.

Hey ! thanks for such a great post.and many interesting point are cover in this blog. again thanks for a posting a interesting artical…

Thank you very much for all your beautiful pictures and ideas!! We are going to visit Australia next month. You give/ gave us a lot of inspiration!!!

Excellent post it is very helpful and knowledgeable content good work keep it up. Makes me want to visit Melbourne again so bad

Thanks so much for the article.Really thank you! Keep writing. What’s your favorite thing to do in Melbourne?

Excellent post, although I generally don’t like Australia. I think if you were to travel to Australia Melbourne is the best city to go to.

Loved this post! I’m planning a 5-day trip to Melbourne for my birthday and this itinerary has been super helpful in making my plans. Can’t wait to try out some of the restaurants and cafes you recommended!

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