Exploring Melbourne: A 6-Day Itinerary + Tips
Embark on a journey through Melbourne with our customizable 6-day itinerary, featuring exciting day trips tailored to your preferences. Let us ignite your wanderlust and uncover the heartbeat of this charming city!
Quick Preview:
Day 2: Food, History, and Nature
Day 3: Day trip for the Great Ocean Road
Day 4: Day trip: Wildlife and Penguin Parade Day!
Day 5: Explore Melbourne’s Central Business District
Day 6: Museums and Carlton Gardens
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Day 1: Wander the City
First, have some coffee!
Melbourne has a thriving coffee scene with over 1600 cafes, with over 95% independently owned.
The must-try coffee here is the classic flat white. Claimed to have been invented by the Australians, it is an espresso and milk drink usually one part espresso to five parts creamy milk served in a 6 oz ceramic cup.
If you want to learn more about the coffee culture, the best way is obviously to drink lots of coffee! You can even consider coffee tours such as this Coffee Lovers Walking Tour.
State Library Victoria
Australia’s oldest public library was established in 1854. Today, it features the renowned La Trobe Reading Room, a mesmerizing six-story octagonal design. It's a must-visit, with free access! Plus, it's a sought-after filming location!
Walking Tour
Exploring cities on foot is our passion! Walking tours immerse us in local history and help us orient ourselves. They're a must-do in each city we visit, offering unique insights and a chance to see things from a local perspective. Consider trying a free guided walking tour for an enriching experience or a paid guided walking tour!
Day 2: Food, History, and Nature
Queen Victoria Market
Spanning over 17 acres, this is a vibrant hub of over 500 food and shops filled also filled with souvenirs, clothes, groceries, art, and more. It’s a must-visit for tourists and locals alike. You will find yourself returning multiple times during your stay!
Check online to stay updated on hours and events; there's always something exciting happening here!
For a cool food tour of the market check this out! Next, we are going to be getting to the Shrine of Remembrance.
How to Get to the Shrine of Remembrance
You have several options for reaching the Shrine of Remembrance. You can walk directly, utilize the free tram service within the city center followed by a short walk, or opt for a cab/rideshare.
On a beautiful day, we chose the tram and enjoyed a scenic 20-minute walk to the Shrine.
Shrine of Remembrance
The 1934 Shrine of Remembrance stands as a tribute to Australian service and sacrifice in war and peacekeeping.
While the Shrine is free for all to visit, there are paid guided highlight tours or guided tours as such that offer an in-depth way to experience the memorial. Be sure to check online for updated hours and events.
Royal Botanic Gardens
The Gardens are located right across (steps away) from The Shrine making it a perfect pairing for the day. Best of all, this is also a free entry place!
The Melbourne Botanic Gardens span 94 acres. Be sure to grab a map at the front desk and check out the various highlight walks taking in the diverse flora and fauna.
Day 3: Day Trip for the Great Ocean Road
We opted for a highly enjoyable tour, which we wholeheartedly recommend. Check it out here! We were picked up near our hotel around 7-8 am and then dropped off at 9 pm (~12-hour day). While you could rent a car, we prefer the convenience of being chauffeured while on vacation.
However you choose to spend the day, here are our must-do stops on this day!
Torquay
Great Ocean Road Memorial Archway
Twelve Apostles and Port Campbell National Park
Get ready for a jaw-dropping experience at the Twelve Apostles! These incredible Port Campbell limestone stacks, formed over 5-15 million years ago, are the real deal!
Shaped by erosion and harsh weather, these towering marvels began as soft limestone caves, transformed into arches, and finally emerged as the majestic 160 ft-high stacks we see today. It's a natural wonder that will leave you in awe!
Loch Ard Gorge
This gem is nestled within the Port Campbell National Park, and the ultimate way to immerse yourself in its wonder is to descend the steps to the sandy beach. Continue the breathtaking views at a magical gorge surrounded by crystal-clear blue waters crashing against awe-inspiring rock formations. It's a scene that will steal your heart!
Additionally, there are also easy hiking trails such as the Razor Back to admire even more natural rock formations! Be sure to check this out too!
Gibson Steps
Prepare for another exhilarating experience as you descend an 86-step (yes, it's pretty steep!) staircase to the beach below. From this vantage point, you'll be treated to yet another jaw-dropping view of the Great Apostles.
Pro tip: it's an excellent spot to witness a stunning sunset!
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as the stairs can be a bit uneven. Take your time savoring the moment—it's worth it!
Day 4: Daytrip: Wildlife and Penguin Parade Day!
Today’s day trip is dedicated to wildlife and the PENGUIN PARADE!!
We decided to pair our day trips together since this one started later in the day and the previous one was a long day giving us a more chill morning.
Check out the one we took, we absolutely enjoyed it and we highly recommend it!
Pickup time was around 11:30 am and dropoff was closer to 10:30 pm. They gave us ample stops for food and bathroom breaks and safely transported us around.
Breakfast and Coffee -Melbourne
Follow along for our highlight stops!
Brighton Bathing Boxes
There are 82 Brighton are Bathing colorful boxes along the beach today. In the 1860s, these served as changing rooms for swimwear. Today owners of the huts follow strict codes to maintain the original design and tradition of the boxes.
Be sure to snap all the photos you want of the vibrant colors and designs of each hut! As an added bonus- you also get a great view of downtown Melbourne from the beach.
Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
A trip to Australia would not be complete without mingling with the Aussie wildlife! What better way to immerse yourself in the experience than supporting an amazing sanctuary? The park is a 25-acre area that focuses on the recovery of threatened Australian wildlife and fauna.
The park was included as part of our tour ticket, however individual tickets are ~$26 for adults, check the website for updates. They have a variety of experiences combo of free and paid encounters. You can easily spend a few hours here and enjoy some lunch/snacks in their cafe.
Did we mention the kangaroo encounters and feeding are FREE!! Thus the kangaroos alone make the park price automatically worth it for a once-in-a-lifetime experience! This is a MUST-VISIT spot!
Phillip Island
This is only about a 90-minute drive from Melbourne City Center but is a completely different place located on the Australian Southern Coast that offers a transformative experience to nature and wildlife! It is most famous for the Penguin Parade which happens at sunset each night. But also makes for a great weekend getaway for some much-needed rejuvenation!
The Nobbies
Explore the hilltop information center offering both paid indoor museum experiences and free nature views via an easy, paved boardwalk trail. Enjoy stunning clifftop vistas of Bass Strait and discover Seal Rocks. Also, keep an eye out for penguin habitats along the boardwalk and spot other wildlife like wallabies, birds, and migrating whales! See our wildlife post to help you spot these common finds!
Cowes
Our next stop is filled with shops, restaurants, downtown vibes, and ocean views. A great place to grab an early dinner and explore for a bit before the main event at dusk- Penguin Parade!!
Penguin Parade
Phillip Island is home to the largest little penguin colony in the world and they do a great job of sharing the experience with visitors in a well-organized way.
About an hour after dark, the penguins waddle from the ocean to their homes (burrows) near and under the boardwalk. To get to witness their journey is truly mesmerizing!
Of course, to ensure they are safe in their natural habitat and we do no harm, there is no photography allowed. Phillip Island shared a photo for us to share that is below:
The details: Tickets and Tips
In the visitor center and as you enter the pavilion they will let you know how many penguins were counted (manually!) the night before. In the pavilion, before you go out on the boardwalk, there are some informative exhibits to brush up on your penguin intel and many hands-on exhibits for younger children as well. You can also find a cafe serving meals and snacks and bathroom facilities.
When you enter the boardwalk, you are led to the area for viewing based on your ticket.
Prior to coming here, make sure you book the experience you want! Remember it definitely gets crowded and can get cold at dusk/night to choose what works for you! There are three options:
1) Boardwalk general area - Outdoors: The stands overlook Summerland Beach with tiered seating and boardwalks. This will be your cheapest ticket.
2) Penguin Plus Premium package- Outdoors: This offers visitors an up-close view of the penguins in the area where it highlighting both the Summerland Beach and the popular penguin pathways they take home.
3) Underground Viewing- Indoors: This offers you an eye-level view of the penguins waddling to their homes.
We chose the underground experience and it was warm and cozy and so COOL to see the penguins journey at eye level. We also got the opportunity to go outside and see them from the boardwalk.
Check website for more info and updated hours.
Remember this is nature and while we are all rooting for penguins to make it home safely this may not always be the case! So please refrain from taking pictures and just take in the moment.
Day 5: Explore Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD)
The central business district (CBD) is the area known as the city center and the oldest part of Melbourne. Historically, it used to be where the government area was and now holds most of the city’s popular attractions today.
While the area is very walkable, there is also a free TRAM system that you can take around the designated free zone.
The Block Arcade
The Block Arcade is known for its boutique shops and cafes. Inspired by Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, this late Victorian-era landmark boasts beautiful decoration and a rich history. A must-visit destination! You can even consider a guided tour to step back into Melbourne's colonial past.
Flinders Street Station
Flinders Street Station completed in 1909 in an Edwardian design with domes, towers, and clocks became an icon for Melbourne and a sight to see!
It was once home to the busiest passenger station in the world in the 1920s.
There are some famous sayings here: “I’ll meet you under the clocks” or “I’ll meet you on the steps” refers to the main entrance of the station.
Federation Square
This is the Central Square area of the Melbourne CBD and is naturally home to events and a gathering place for locals and tourists alike. It is surrounded by tons to do including cafes, bars, shops, and museums.
Hosier Lane and Graffiti
When in Melbourne, you have to take time to explore the graffiti work in the laneways. The most famous of all is Hosier Lane just minutes from Federation Square. Street art is full of surprises, statements, and colors.
It is now a famous tourist destination and the site of many fashion and wedding shoots as well. For a more in-depth experience, you can even take guided tours of the graffiti and artwork around the city!
Day 6: Museums and Carlton Gardens
Pick one or both museums to visit:
National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)
This is an art museum founded in 1861 that showcases a wide variety of exhibits both Australian and International. It is FREE to enter for general admission! The museum also offers guided tours along with so many other opportunities to understand the art.
As always, check updated hours for more information and special events!
Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI )
ACMI is located in Federation Square. It showcases the work behind the scenes of Australian film, TV, and art. It’s FREE to visit and so if you are dazzled by the silver screen be sure to stop by and learn more!
Check here for updated hours and events.
Carlton Gardens and Exhibition Building
The beautiful building was constructed in 1880 as part of the Melbourne International Exhibition. It has now a UNESCO World Heritage site and is surrounded by greenery and open public space. This is a great place to come take an evening walk and explore the area.
Modifications:
We recommend at least 5-6 full days in Melbourne to check out the city and do a couple of day trips. Of course, if you know us, we just love soaking up the city and having jam-packed days! We know everyone travels differently so we hope we inspire you to pick your favorites and plan your special getaway! We can’t wait to hear what you do:)
If you are looking for more things to do:
Go on a wooden roller-coaster built in 1912 at Luna Park
Catch a game or tour the Melbourne Cricket Stadium
Visit the Melbourne Zoo
Take a Yarra River Cruise
Check out the city from above at Eureka Skydeck (Highest observation deck in the Southern Hemisphere)
Take more day trips!
We absolutely recommend the two above (Phillip Island and Great Ocean Road), but there are many variations based on your interests. Including wine tasting in the Yarra Valley!
Explore the fun neighborhoods including St. Kilda and Fitzroy
Check out our Australia destination page for inspiration to spend more time here and check out our wildlife post and Sydney post!
Thank you for spending time with us and reading!
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