Trip Itinerary - Australia | 4 minutes

MELBOURNE: ONE DAY TRIP ITINERARY

City skyline

Photo By: John Doe

Want to see what Melbourne is all about but don't have much time? This quick itinerary will give you a taste of the city.

Recently we have had a ton of American friends come to Australia to visit us, and they want to spend a day getting a feel for the Melbourne Central Business District (CBD). Obviously there is enough to see and do for many days here, however if you want one day to kick off your trip where you get a little feel for the city, this is your go-to itinerary.

City skyline

Street tacos at Taqueria Honorio in Tulum.

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Birthday Sparks

Coba Mayan Ruins.

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Start at Flinder Station, and iconic train station. Across the street you will find Federation Square. This is a great place to start in the city, as there are new monthly installations here. In December you can find the city Christmas tree, in February this year there is an art installation. There is always something new here and it’s worth quickly checking it out.

“Melbourne is an amazing city filled with art, amazing coffee, free museums, and gorgeous gardens."

- Lindsey Farrah

From here, you walk a short walk to Hosier Lane. This street is famous for its ever changing graffiti and it’s great to wander around and check out all the unique art. If you are lucky, watch some artists at work in the lively laneway.

Next on the agenda; explore some of Melbourne’s famous laneways. Wandering around you will stumble upon many lovely shops, cafes and random street art. Head to Duke’s Coffee Roasters for a proper Ozzie flat white and use this as a starting point to wander around. You never know what hidden gems you will might find, so don’t be afraid to wander down as many random lanes as possible to see what you can discover.

By now you might have worked up an appetite so it’s time to grab a bite. Chuckle Park is by far my favourite place to eat in the CBD for lunch. This little gem is hidden down a laneway and featured whimsical decor including tons of hanging lights and gorgeous flowers. My favourite item on the menu is the pulled pork roll and and highly recommend it!

Now it’s time to check out the Melbourne waterfront.

City skyline

Xpu Ha beach.

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Head to the Docklands to check out the beautiful views, and be sure to cross over the Seafarers Bridge for a gorgeous view if the CBD. This is a great place to take some photos of the city skyline and grab a cocktail on the water if you are in the mood for a drink.

After taking in the waterfront, I would wander over to the National Gallery of Victoria. The NGV is a gorgeous museum that is worth exploring. It’s a free museum so you can commit as little or as much time as you want. Stop in here for 10 minutes for for 10 hours, it’s completely up to you. Out back there is a gorgeous garden area if you want to sit and relax for a bit. I love this museum because they always have a revolving guest exhibit so you can go back time and time again and enjoy new art during every visit.

City skyline

Gran Cenote.

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Birthday Sparks

Xpu Ha beach.

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When you are ready for your next adventure, head to the Shrine of Remembrance. It is about a fifteen minute walk from the NGV. This gorgeous shrine offers one of the best views of the city, so definitely climb to the top to get some Insta-worthy photos.

If you still have energy, walk over to the Royal Botanical Gardens. This garden is massive and very gorgeous, so you could spend hours here. On the weekends you will see lots of locals enjoying a picnic. If you are feeling rather romantic, you can go for a gondola ride through the river in the park. This is only a few minutes walk away from the Shrine of Remembrance so it’s very easy to get to.

When you are ready to wind down for the day, head to Eureka Tower for an unforgettable view of the city.

City skyline

Xpu Ha beach.

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I highly recommend coming here for the sunset and watching the city change from day to night from a bird’s eye view. Take in the full view of the city at 297 metres above the streets. It’s fun to look down at this large city and try to spot some of the places you visited during the day.

By now you have definitely worked up an appetite for some grub and some much needed sitting. There are so many places to eat in Melbourne, and I recommend walking around and checking out some menus to find somewhere you fancy. After dinner, you can finish the day by grabbing a drink at my absolute favourite bar ever, Holey Moley. Here you can play a round of putt-putt while enjoying your adult beverage of choice.