5 DAY MELBOURNE ITINERARY: HOW TO PLAN YOUR PERFECT TRIP & BEST THINGS TO DO FOR FIRST TIMERS!
LOOKING TO PLAN THE ULTIMATE MELBOURNE ITINERARY?
We spent an incredible 5 days in Melbourne during our 2 month travels around Australia. Now, you may be thinking, is that too long? Absolutely not! In fact, you need that long to pack in the very best of this colourful, quirky city – and beyond!
Below is the itinerary we basically followed, tweaked slightly to make it perfect (learnt from our experiences). This all inclusive guide includes all the best things to do, where to stay, getting around and lots of other helpful info.
Ready to plan your Melbourne adventure? Let’s go friend, we’ve got your itinerary covered from start to finish.
A MELBOURNE ITINERARY: THE ULTIMATE 5 DAY ITINERARY!
For our 5 days in Melbourne itinerary listed below, we initially begin in the the eclectic inner city for the first few days, before heading out on a few epic tours outside of Melbourne, such as Phillip Island, the Great Ocean Road and Wilsons Promontory.
DAY 1: SOUTH BANK, YARRA RIVER, SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE & EUREKA SKYDECK
MORNING: STROLL THE YARRA RIVER ON SOUTH BANK Coupling the natural beauty of the Yarra river, gleaming high-rise buildings and some (surprisingly large) funky art sculptures – a stroll along South Bank is a must to get your first taste of Melbourne’ beauty.
Start by crossing Sandridge Bridge from the South Bank promenade.
MORNING: MELBOURNE CRICKET GROUND Reaching the end of the South Bank, head over and lap the outside of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (commonly known as the “MCG”).
Stroll around the outside of the stadium and spot all the statues of famous rugby and cricket players. Or, there is the option to go inside on a guided tour around the Melbourne Cricket Ground!
Fun Fact: The River Yarra is named after the aboriginal word ‘Yarra’, meaning ‘ever-flowing’.
Top Tip: As you walk beside the Yarra River on the South Bank, you’ll find many free drinking fountains to use. P.s. I don’t know why, but the water tastes incredible!
Stroll along the Yarra River on the South Bank to get your first taste of Melbourne city’s beauty!
Pictured: The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Either stroll around the outside for free or enjoy a pre-booked tour inside the stadium itself!
AFTERNOON: SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE Cross back over the Yarra River to head towards the impressive Shrine of Remembrance, a national landmark built to honour individuals of war. Approach up a long sandy track lined with heartfelt memorial plaques and poppies.
Inside the Shrine itself, it offers tales of war history, a spot for quiet reflection and provides beautiful cityscape views of Melbourne. Visiting the Shrine of Remembrance is a free thing to do in Melbourne.
When at the Shrine, remember to look back to take in the breathtaking cityscape of Melbourne’s high rise buildings from this vantage point!
Add visiting the free Shrine of Remembrance onto your Melbourne itinerary.From the Shrine of Remembrance, look back to see the most amazing view of Melbourne’s skyline!
AFTERNOON / EVENING: EUREKA SKYDECK Want to witness Melbourne’s cityscape from above? Book your ticket up to the Eureka SkyDeck – The tallest viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere!
Once at the top, circle the 360 views in awe, watch the busy streets below through powerful telescopes or even post a letter in ‘Australia’s highest postbox’!
Ideally arrive 1 hour before sunset to 3 views for the price of 1 – daytime, dusk and night!
Fun Fact: The sky deck can sway 30cm each way, dependant on the direction of the wind!
Fun Fact: They have an annual ‘Eureka Stair Climb’ competition – involving a whopping 1642 stairs!
Pictured: The entrance to the Eureka Skydeck in Melbourne.Pictured: Gorgeous views of Melbourne city from the top of Eureka Skydeck!
DAY 2: INNER CITY, HOSIER LANE STREET ART, VICTORIA STATE LIBRARY & DOCKLANDS
MORNING: EXPLORE THE INNER CITY Meander the heart of Melbourne in Federation Square, featuring eclectic modern buildings, quirky eateries and bars. Venturing from here you will find the infamous ‘Flinders Street’ train station, plus souvenir shops and vintage clothing shops.
Just a 5 minute walk from Federation Square is Degraves Street, a narrow cobbled laneway lined with endless eateries and coffee shops. The dining tables are set up right in the middle of the pedestrian road!
To explore Melbourne inner city, start at its heart, Federation Square!Pictured: The bustling narrow Degraves Street, the epicentre of great food stalls.
Did You Know? The tram lines are free to use in Central Melbourne! Plan the best routes via the Public Transport Victoria’s Journey Planner.
Did You Know? In the 1960’s, it only cost £10 to immigrate to Australia, earning the nick-name “Ten Pound Poms”!
Did You Know? Melbourne is the first place a Cappuccino machine was used, down Bourke Street in 1928!
MORNING: HOSIER LANE STREET ART One of the best things to tick off your Melbourne itinerary bucket list! Lose yourself in the vibrant street art dotted all across the city. The best street art destination spot in Melbourne is definitely Hosier Lane.
Get positively dizzy looking around at the overload of colour, characters, typography and symbols.
The street artists themselves also run guided Street Art tours providing great insight into all of the street art and graffiti dotted around Melbourne.
Fun Fact: The City of Melbourne commissions local and international artists to create large artistic street art pieces to maintain the vibrant, urban culture of the city.
Top Tip: Though also recommended by others, Union Lane is more ‘tagging’ graffiti, instead of art pieces. Hosier Lane is definitely the better option to visit.
At the top of your Melbourne itinerary has to be seeing the epic street art down Hosier Lane. As you can tell, we had a lot of fun!
AFTERNOON: VICTORIA STATE LIBRARY Escape the hustle and bustle of Melbourne’s streets and seek solace in the Victoria State Library. Entrance is free. Head to the ‘La Trobe Reading Room’ on the third floor.
Admire the Dome ceiling, people socialising or even playing chess on the rich timber tables in this traditional, elegantly designed space.
Fun Fact: Victoria State Library is Australia’s oldest public library, and is actually one of the World’s first free public libraries!
The La Trobe Reading Room on the third floor in Victoria State LibraryPictured: The Dome ceiling in the La Trobe Reading Room, Victoria State Library.
EVENING: THE DOCKLANDS Rested against a yacht lined harbour, The Docklands is an eclectic destination space for many organised pop-up evening events & festivals in Melbourne (see planned events here).
For example, we visited during the ‘firelight festival’, hosting exciting performances including fire eaters, live music and entrancing light installations.
Top Tip: Make your way to ‘The Docklands’ and back via the free to use “Melbourne City Circle” tram line. Check the Journey Planner for the live timetable.
Pictured: The Firelight Festival, one of many planned event at The Docklands, in Melbourne. Pictured: The fancy yachts all lined up at Melbourne’s Docklands.
Top Tip: There is free WiFi called ‘VicFreeWifi’, which is attainable throughout the majority of central Melbourne.
DAY 3: PHILLIP ISLAND PENGUINS FULL DAY TOUR
FULL DAY: PHILLIP ISLAND PENGUINS & WILDLIFE RESERVE Venture out on this highly recommended full day tour to Moonlit Wildlife Sanctuary Park and Brighton Beach before heading to the Phillip Island for the Penguin Parade, your best chance to see the world’s smallest wild penguin, The Little Blue Penguin, in the wild!
This was one of out favourite tours to do when visiting Melbourne, and was able to book it very last minute too!
Witness firsthand small groups of penguins scurry from the sea back up to their beach burrows as the darkness draws in, a natural ritual done everyday for thousands of years to avoid being spotted by predators.
No personal photography of any kind is permitted during the Penguin Parade to avoid disturbing the penguins.
Fun Fact: All spending in the visitor centre goes back to the penguins. E.g. 1 general admission buys 1 penguin nesting box and 1 cafe meal buys 2kg of pilchards to feed sick and injured penguins.
Fun Fact: The Summerlands (where the Penguin Parade occurs) used to be a bustling residential area. Over time, the Government brought all of the houses back to demolish and give the land back to wildlife. Look closely to spot old driveways and road signs randomly still in tact!
Pictured: Little Blue penguins coming out from the ocean.Pictured: The idyllic Summerlands on Phillip Island, where the Penguin Parade is based.
Little ‘Blue’ Penguin The world’s only ‘navy and white’ penguin, The Little Penguin has an average lifespan of 7 years – the oldest on Phillip Island being 24! There are around 32,000 living near the Summerlands. Nest building begins late Winter, and usually 2 eggs are laid.
SPOTTED WILDLIFE!
Eastern Grey Kangaroo Spotted at the Koala Centre. A marsupial mammal belonging to the ‘Macropod’ family meaning ‘Big Foot’ – larger hind legs than their arms. Their herbivorous diet ranges from grasses to plants, preferring to eat young green shoots!
DAY 4: GREAT OCEAN ROAD FULL DAY TOUR
FULL DAY: GREAT OCEAN ROAD TOUR For those who only have 1 day to see the Great Ocean Road, this 5* 12 hour full day guided tour is the perfect option for you. Stopping off at all the famous scenic Great Ocean Road hotspots from Melbourne all the way through to Port Campbell.
The unique selling point of this tour is not only is it much more personalised with maximum 12 people, it does the usual Great Ocean Road route in reverse. This means missing the majority of large tourists crowds at the main sites (i.e. 12 Apostles), which makes all the difference to your experience!
From quaint towns, lush National Parks, jaw-dropping coves and the rugged landscapes of the 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, we can vouch from personal experience this trip is not one to be missed.
There is plenty of wildlife to spot throughout the day, including wild kangaroos and cockatoos at Anglesea and a resident wild koala at Apollo Bay! One of the best places to visit in Melbourne.
Fun Fact: The Great Ocean Road was originally created to make jobs for returning WW1 serviceman and women.
Fun Fact: There is a face carved into one of the rocks, made by the women workers as a practical joke for ships coming in.
Fun Fact: There was apparently only ever ‘9’ Apostles, however 12 sounded better. It was once also nick-named the ‘Sow and Piglets’.
Pictured: The iconic sign marking the start of the Great Ocean Road!The 12 Apostles, an iconic sight on this Great Ocean Road full day tour!Loch Ard Gorge is a must see on a Great Ocean Road tour, a must do on your Melbourne itinerary!
The Koala Spotted at Apollo Bay! Australia’s most famous fluffy icon – The Koala! Koalas have a specific diet of toxic eucalyptus leaves, with a tough digestive system allowing them to eat them safely. This however takes up an awful lot of energy – causing koalas to sleep for 18/20 hours a day!
DAY 5: WILSONS PROMONTORY FULL DAY TOUR
FULL DAY: WILSONS PROMONTORY NATIONAL PARK A visit to Melbourne is not complete without this recommended hiking tour to Wilsons Promontory Peninsula, approximately a 3.5 hour drive from Melbourne city centre.
Embark on a small hiking tour to explore this idyllic National Park, full of jaw-dropping scenery and luscious beaches. It is also very common to see wild Australian Wombats roaming on the open plains of Wilsons Promontory!
Wilsons Promontory National Park is one of the most idyllic sights you’ll see on your Melbourne itinerary!
🔮 Hotel No (Rooftop glamping in converted AIRSTREAM trailers. Fun speak easy style ‘secret’ entrance. Super cool & quirky)
GETTING TO MELBOURNE
GETTING TO MELBOURNE BY AIR: 🛫
If you are looking to get to Melbourne directly from another major Australian city, or from an International country, the most convenient method for you is to fly.
Most major cities in Australia fly directly into Melbourne Tullamarine in just a few hours, including Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Cairns.
It is possible to also catch an intercity train service from Sydney to Melbourne, with a duration of approximately 10 hours. They also provide a ‘sleep-friendly’ night service, where you can sleep overnight throughout the majority of the journey. Check out Australia Trains for their prices and timetable here.
GETTING TO MELBOURNE BY BUS: 🚌
FROM MELBOURNE TULLAMARINE AIRPORT:
Just before you leave the airport, purchase a ticket for the SkyBus ‘Melbourne City Express’ (around £14 each) from the kiosk and catch the SkyBus waiting directly outside.
It took approximately 30 minutes, terminating at Southern Cross train station in Melbourne’s city centre. The SkyBus provides an additional ‘link’ service from here to popular hotels. Use the touch screen to see if yours is included, or make your own way from there.
FROM ANOTHER CITY IN AUSTRALIA:
Getting to Melbourne by the Greyhound Australia bus is the best way to get to Melbourne for anyone travelling or backpacking Australia Greyhound Australia offers a flexible and affordable hop-on, hop off ticket covering from Sydney to Cairns.
GETTING TO MELBOURNE BY CAR: 🚙
For those who want to stop and see the scenery up the East Coast to Cairns in their own time, a popular option is rent a car for multiple days. Check the best rental car deals for your dates!
HOW TO GET AROUND MELBOURNE CITY & VICTORIA
HOW TO GET AROUND MELBOURNE CITY: ON FOOT 🚶🏻♀️
Melbourne city in its entirety is a deceivingly large, however the majority of its key attractions (Federation Square, Hosier Lane, Yarra River and South Bank etc) are all located in a similar area.
Therefore, as long as you stay in Melbourne near the centre (i.e. near Federation Square), everything you’ll want to see in the immediate centre of Melbourne is accessible on foot.
HOW TO GET AROUND MELBOURNE CITY: THE TRAM 🚃
One of the best ways to get around Melbourne is by their excellent tram service. In fact, the “Melbourne City Circle” tram zone, servicing the immediate inner city, is free to use by everyone! See the free tram zone map here.
If you wanted to go further afield on the tram, you’ll need to buy a MYKI card from any available 7/11 shop and top it up with credit. Find out more on the MYKI card here.
The modern Melbourne City Circle tram, which is free to use in the immediate inner city!
HOW TO GET AROUND OUTSIDE OF MELBOURNE CITY IN VICTORIA STATE 🚌🚗
For those who do not want to rely on a tour pick-up to get around outside of Melbourne city, or wants to freedom to explore further afield in Victoria by themselves, there are two main options:
UTILISE PUBLIC TRANSPORT 🚃🚍
The first, and most cost efficient option, is to take advantage of Melbourne’s multiple public transport links (trams and bus services) originating from Federation Square, Melbourne city centre.
This is when the previously mentioned MYKI card is required!
Pictured: Standing on the platform at Flinders Street train station
RENT A CAR 🚗
Another option is to rent a car for one or multiple days to fully explore the rest of Victoria freely with no restraints on your Melbourne itinerary. This is a great option if you have extended time in the Melbourne region.
IN SUMMARY: IS IT EASY TO GET AROUND MELBOURNE WITHOUT A CAR? 🚙❓
Yes! It is incredibly easy, and probably more convenient, to get around Melbourne city without a car. Melbourne’s public transport system is top notch with an extensive tram system, so there is no need to rent a car if just explore the city centre.
There are also extensive tram, train and bus options to get to one-off destinations just outside of Melbourne city, examples including the Yarra Valley and St Kilda beach.
If you wanted to drive further afield to i.e. Phillip Island, Wilsons Promontory or the Great Ocean Road freely on your own terms (aka not on organised tours), these are great examples where renting a car in Melbourne would be very beneficial.
ABOUT VISITING MELBOURNE: “KNOW BEFORE YOU GO” FAQ’S
WHY IS MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA SO POPULAR? WHY SHOULD YOU VISIT?
Melbourne (Australia’s second-largest city) is so popular to visit for so many reasons. Not only is it laced in quirky architecture, bold colour and commissioned vibrant street art, it is also a renowned sporting and cultural hub.
You have the option to explore the exciting inner city before venturing out to all the rural gems in Victoria state!
WHAT ARE THE BEST MONTHS TO VISIT MELBOURNE?
To increase your chances of having pleasant weather during your stay, we would suggest the two shoulder seasons of late Spring (September – November) or early Autumn (March-April) are the best months to visit Melbourne.
In the Winter months (June – August), Melbourne’s Southern location in Australia means it can get pretty cold here!
HOW MANY DAYS IS ENOUGH FOR MELBOURNE?
If you were simply staying in the inner city, we would suggest 3 days would be enough to visit Melbourne.
However, we believe to get the best out of your Melbourne itinerary, you need at least a few more days to venture out and explore the incredible areas surrounding Melbourne city, including the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island and Wilsons Promontory National Park.
Therefore, for the best Melbourne itinerary plan, we would say 5 days is the perfect amount of time to visit Melbourne!
CONCLUSION: MELBOURNE ITINERARY
To conclude, 5 days is a perfect amount to time to allocate for your Melbourne itinerary.
This eclectic city has something for everyone, from quirky street art, buzzing inner city, infamously delicious coffees and idyllic surrounding National Parks full of wildlife.
We hope you have the best time following our Melbourne travel guide, and make memories that will last a lifetime!
This blog post was written by Jordie Flain!
Founder of TheFlainsTravel.com
A travel-obsessed Sagittarius creating honest, easy-to-follow guides. Powered by tea, chocolate and a slightly concerning amount of tomato ketchup.
Jordie Flain is the owner and author of The Flains Travel, a travel blog with emphasis on ethical wildlife experiences, "seen to be believed" natural beauty and "real magic" phenomena, such as the northern lights. Jordie crafts every itinerary and post to perfection for travellers to follow and get the very most out of their time in a destination.
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