Itineraries for Your Trip to Melbourne
2 Days in Melbourne for First Timers
Although I grew up in Melbourne, I’ve spent most of my adult life living elsewhere. It was only during the pandemic that I returned to the city to reacquaint myself with a place I once knew. Over the past few years, I’ve found that Melbourne has hidden depths, from little street art corners tucked into the heart of the city to funny and fascinating bits of local history that I never knew when I lived here originally.
Getting to know the city again has also taught me how important it is to get outside the city center, to the neighborhoods where Melbourne’s personality shines through. This itinerary will show you how to explore widely and really get to know Victoria’s capital.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a wander through Melbourne’s laneways.
“Four seasons in a day” is a common way of describing the weather, so plan accordingly.
Begin your visit with a walking tour of Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD) to get a sense of the city center. See the street art of Hosier Lane, the clocks of Flinders Street Station, and the city’s iconic laneways, such as Degraves Street. Alternatively, opt for a local coffee tour if learn about some place to get your caffeine fix while you see the city.
Continue exploring the center of Melbourne by traveling south over the Yarra River to the Southbank Promenade. This is a scenic spot for a stroll that also offers shopping opportunities at Crown Entertainment Complex and views from the lofty Eureka Skydeck. You can also experience more of the Yarra’s scenery with a river cruise or bike tour, or visit landmarks such as the Shrine of Remembrance and the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Melbourne’s inner north often goes underappreciated by visitors, but it’s well worth a visit. Start your second day by popping up Lygon Street to find a cafe for breakfast and coffee. Afterwards, visit the nearby cultural giants, the distinguished Royal Exhibition Building and the informative Melbourne Museum. Alternatively, you can spend your time wandering from stall to stall in the celebrated Queen Victoria Market.
Switch gears this afternoon and spend some time relaxing by Port Phillip bay. Take the tram down to St. Kilda to see one of the city’s closest and most popular city beaches, which is also home to the oversized grinning face of Luna Park Melbourne. Those who don’t mind traveling a little farther can instead head out to Brighton Beach to see its iconic and colorful bathing boxes.
Melbourne prides itself on its nightlife, and options range from the motley assortment of bars around the CBD to lively nightlife precincts like Chapel Street. Start with a nightlife tour to sample a few different venues around the city; that way you go back to one, if you have a favorite, or keep exploring. Chapel Street is a popular choice thanks to the great selection of restaurants that sit alongside its row of bars.
