Arrive in Melbourne and transfer to your CBD accommodation, then stretch your legs with a gentle orientation walk starting at Federation Square — admire the Yarra River views and the striking architecture of the Ian Potter Centre and ACMI. Pop into Degraves Street or Centre Place for a classic Melbourne flat white and a pastry from a bustling laneway café to fuel your first day.
Explore the heart of the city on foot: wander through the historic Block Arcade and Royal Arcade, browse specialty shops on Bourke Street Mall, and visit the peaceful Carlton Gardens or the State Library of Victoria for a quick look at its La Trobe Reading Room. Stop for lunch at Chinatown or one of the riverfront restaurants on Southbank, then consider a short tram ride to Queen Victoria Market if it’s open for late shopping and local food stalls.
As evening falls, take a sunset stroll along the Yarra Promenade and enjoy skyline views from the Eureka Skydeck or the AC/DC Lane graffiti-filled laneways for a nightlife preview. Dine at one of Melbourne’s celebrated restaurants in the CBD or Southbank — try modern Australian cuisine or fresh seafood — then finish with a nightcap at a rooftop bar or a cozy laneway wine bar to set the tone for the week ahead.
Start your day where Melbourne’s coffee culture was perfected — grab a flat white and a fresh pastry at Industry Beans in Flinders Lane or Market Lane Coffee near Degraves Street, then wander the adjoining laneways (Centre Place, Degraves, and Hosier Lane) to admire vibrant street art and historic arcades. Pop into the Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square or ACMI for a quick dose of contemporary Australian art and film before heading north toward Fitzroy.
Cross into eclectic Fitzroy after lunch and explore Brunswick Street’s indie boutiques, vintage shops and galleries; stop at Rose Street Artists' Market (if open) or visit the Contemporary Art Centre at Gertrude Street for cutting-edge works. Refuel at one of Fitzroy’s famed cafes — such as Proud Mary or Industry Beans’ Collingwood outpost — then stroll through nearby Carlton Gardens or Fitzroy’s small laneway galleries to keep the creative momentum going.
As twilight deepens, enjoy dinner at one of Fitzroy’s buzzy restaurants like Cutler & Co. or Supernormal for inventive modern dishes, then sample local craft beers at a neighbourhood bar such as The Builders Arms or the Fitzroy Beer Hall. Finish with a relaxed nightcap back in the CBD on a rooftop bar (Rooftop at QT or Siglo) to take in the city lights and reflect on two days of Melbourne’s culinary and cultural rhythms.
Set off early from Melbourne and collect your rental or join a small-group tour in Torquay — stretch your legs on the famous Bells Beach lookout and grab a coffee at a surf-side café before beginning the coastal drive. Roll through the dramatic coastal cliffs, pausing at viewpoints such as Split Point Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet and the colourful beach boxes at Brighton Beach-style stops to soak in the surf-town atmosphere.
Continue the scenic route via Lorne, stopping for lunch at one of its seaside eateries (try a fresh seafood plate at The Bottle of Milk or Lorne’s Pier Restaurant) and take a short rainforest walk to Erskine Falls for a cool, shaded interlude. Drive on toward Apollo Bay with photo stops at the iconic Kennett River to spot wild koalas in the gum trees, then follow the coastal curves west to the Twelve Apostles and Gibson Steps for sunset-ready views of the limestone stacks.
As daylight fades, dine in Port Campbell or Apollo Bay — sample local dishes like grilled snapper or lamb at a cozy bistro — then relax at your overnight accommodation and swap photos from the day’s coastal highlights. If staying near the Twelve Apostles, consider a nighttime stroll to a designated lookout to hear the surf and reflect on one of Australia’s most spectacular drives before turning in for an early night.
Rise early to catch the magical morning light at the Twelve Apostles — walk the boardwalks from the main viewing platform and descend the Gibson Steps for a closer look at the limestone stacks and pounding Southern Ocean waves. After photos, head into Port Campbell for a hearty brunch at a local café such as Forage or 12 Rocks, then visit the nearby Loch Ard Gorge to explore the dramatic cliffs and learn the shipwreck story at the interpretive signs.
Spend the afternoon completing the coastal circuit with short stops at London Bridge, The Arch and the Bay of Islands lookout for sweeping sea-cliff vistas and more photo opportunities, then drive east toward Warrnambool or begin the return journey to Melbourne with a scenic lunch stop in Apollo Bay if time allows. If you haven’t yet, detour to the Great Otway National Park for a short rainforest walk (Maits Rest or Hopetoun Falls) to contrast the coastal panoramas with fern-filled glades and towering gums.
Make the most of the return drive by pausing for sunset en route—either at Lorne’s beachfront or at a Yarra Valley-style lookout if you get back later—then arrive in Melbourne for a relaxed dinner in Southbank or the CBD, choosing a riverside restaurant to reminisce about the day’s sights. Unwind back at your accommodation with a glass of local wine and an album of your coastal shots, letting the sound of the ocean linger in your memories as the trip continues.
Leave Melbourne after breakfast and enjoy the scenic drive to Phillip Island, stopping at San Remo for a coffee and panoramic views of the Bass Strait from the jetty. On arrival, head straight to the Koala Conservation Reserve for a boardwalk walk among eucalyptus canopies where you can spot snoozing koalas and learn about local conservation efforts at the visitor centre.
After lunch in Cowes — try fresh fish and chips on The Esplanade or a relaxed café like Rusty Water Brewery & BBQ — explore Nobbies Centre and stroll the boardwalks to view seal colonies from the bluff and the dramatic coastline. Fit in a visit to Churchill Island Heritage Farm for historic homestead gardens and a short farm demonstration, or join a guided wildlife cruise from San Remo for close-up views of fur seals and seabirds before the evening event.
As dusk falls, settle into the Penguin Parade experience at Phillip Island Nature Parks: watch the nightly procession of little penguins as they return to their sand-burrowed homes from the sea via boardwalk viewing platforms or the underground viewing for a more intimate perspective. After the parade, enjoy a relaxed dinner back in Cowes or drive toward Melbourne, reflecting on the day's wildlife encounters with a warm drink and the island’s coastal breeze still in your hair.
After breakfast in Melbourne, drive an easy hour northeast to the Yarra Valley and begin your day with a guided tasting at Domaine Chandon or Yering Station, sampling cool-climate sparkling and Pinot Noir while taking in manicured cellar-door views. Follow with a stroll through the lavender and produce stalls at the Yarra Valley Dairy or Healesville Harvest for fresh cheese and regional treats to enjoy with your tastings.
For lunch, settle into a long, leisurely meal at Innocent Bystander or Oakridge Wines, pairing seasonal plates with estate wines and soaking up vineyard panoramas; afterwards join a behind-the-scenes tour or barrel tasting at De Bortoli or Coldstream Hills to deepen your appreciation of local winemaking. If you prefer a nature break, detour to nearby Healesville Sanctuary for an afternoon wildlife encounter — glimpse platypus, kangaroos and native birds — before returning to the valley.
As the light softens, enjoy a late-afternoon wine flight and picnic among the vines or a sunset tasting on the terrace at TarraWarra Estate, then dine at a cosy Yarra Valley restaurant such as Ranksborough House for refined local fare. Return to Melbourne or retire to a valley boutique stay, sipping one last glass beneath the stars and reflecting on a day of relaxed indulgence ahead of your final travel day.
Wake to a relaxed final morning in the CBD with a coffee and pastry at Degraves Street or Market Lane Coffee, then stroll through the Block Arcade and Royal Arcade to pick up any last-minute souvenirs or artisan goods. If you missed Queen Victoria Market earlier in the trip, return for gourmet provisions, local honey and handcrafted gifts before checking out of your hotel and consolidating luggage.
Spend a leisurely afternoon ticking off any remaining shopping on Bourke Street Mall or exploring Emporium Melbourne and Melbourne Central for duty-free or Aussie fashion labels; drop into Flinders Lane for a final long lunch at Chin Chin or Tipo 00 if time allows. Allow plenty of time to collect your bags and take a direct SkyBus or taxi to Tullamarine Airport (MEL), with a quick detour to Southbank for one last riverside walk if traffic and schedule permit.
If your flight is later in the evening, unwind with a calm dinner at the airport lounges or grab a final glass of Victorian wine at one of the airport bars before boarding. Reflect on your week of coastal drives, wildlife encounters and Melbourne city discoveries as you depart—carry home photos, new favourite cafés and a taste for return visits to Australia.