Touch down in Melbourne and take a SkyBus or taxi to your CBD accommodation—drop your bags, freshen up, then head straight to Degraves Street for a quintessential Melbourne coffee at Market Lane or Brother Baba Budan. Wander the nearby Block Arcade and Royal Arcade to admire heritage architecture and pick up a pastry or artisan chocolate, setting a relaxed, local tone for the week ahead.
After lunch, stroll through Hosier Lane to soak up iconic street art, then visit the National Gallery of Victoria International for a quick gallery fix or the Melbourne Museum if you prefer natural and cultural exhibits—both are easy tram rides from the CBD. Pause for a late-afternoon flat white at a laneway café such as Hardware Société, and take a short walk to Federation Square to orient yourself with the Yarra River and public transport for upcoming days.
As dusk falls, cross to Southbank for a riverside dinner at Lui Bar or The Meat & Wine Co, enjoying views of the city lights reflected on the Yarra; alternatively, try Chin Chin or Coda for lively modern Australian and Asian fusion. Finish with a relaxed stroll along the riverfront to the Crown precinct or a rooftop cocktail at Siglo, feeling settled and excited for tomorrow’s deeper dive into Melbourne’s arts scene.
Begin the day with breakfast at Hardware Société or Lyon&Belle to continue your café exploration, then head to the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV International) to wander its major international and Australian collections — don’t miss the contemporary displays and the impressive Great Hall. If you prefer design and local culture, detour to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) at Federation Square for interactive exhibits on film and digital art, keeping the cultural momentum from yesterday’s laneways.
After a relaxed lunch at the NGV’s garden café or at Chin Chin’s more casual neighbour, stroll across to the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square to focus on Australian art and Indigenous works for a deeper sense of place. From there, cross the Princes Bridge to Southbank for riverside galleries and the Southbank Promenade — pop into the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) or explore smaller riverside galleries, followed by an afternoon flat white at Higher Ground or the Southbank Espresso Bar.
As golden hour approaches, wander the Yarra River promenade toward the Crown precinct, pausing to watch rowers and city reflections; book an early dinner at The Meat & Wine Co or Conservatory at Crown for riverfront views and seasonal cuisine. Finish with a nightcap at Arbory Bar & Eatery or a rooftop cocktail at Siglo, enjoying the city skyline lights and a relaxed preview of tomorrow’s creative neighbourhoods and nightlife.
Start the day with a strong coffee and a smashed avo at Industry Beans or Proud Mary, then wander the colourful laneways of Fitzroy — drop into Rose Street Artists’ Market (weekend) or the many independent galleries and vintage stores along Brunswick Street to admire street art and pick up unique souvenirs. Don’t miss the murals around Nicholson and Rose Streets, where ever-changing panels by local artists make for perfect photo stops and a true introduction to Melbourne’s creative pulse.
After lunch at chic newcomer Supernormal or the laid-back Vegie Bar, take a short tram to Brunswick to explore Sydney Road’s eclectic shops, record stores and Middle Eastern bakeries; pop into Readings Bookshop for a curated literary find. If you prefer a quieter cultural stop, visit CERES Community Environment Park for a shaded walk and local food stalls, or head back to Fitzroy to browse independent boutiques like Aesop (for browsing) and local designers along Gertrude Street.
As dusk falls, settle in for dinner at Cutler & Co. or try the lively Asian-fusion plates at Di Stasio Citta, then hop between Fitzroy’s lively bars — try Naked For Satan for rooftop views and pintxos or Bimbo Deluxe for inventive cocktails and live music. End the night with a relaxed late-night gelato or a craft beer at Brunswick’s Union Hotel, soaking up the neighbourhood’s energetic nightlife before returning to the CBD for tomorrow’s coastal adventure.
Set off early from Melbourne and pick up a rental car or join a guided coach to Torquay — grab a quick flat white and a bacon-and-egg roll at The Pond Cafeteria before watching surfers at Bells Beach, then begin the scenic drive past seaside towns like Anglesea and Lorne, stopping for cliff-top views and photos along the way. Pause at the Memorial Arch and take in the wild coastal atmosphere as the road winds toward the dramatic Otway coastline, keeping an eye out for native wildlife along forested sections.
Arrive at the Great Ocean Road’s crown jewels in the afternoon: stretch your legs with the short boardwalk to Gibson Steps for a towering beach perspective, then continue to the iconic Twelve Apostles viewing platforms for golden coastal vistas and photographic opportunities — consider a helicopter flight from Port Campbell for a bird’s-eye view if time allows. Between stops, enjoy a relaxed seaside lunch in Port Campbell or a fish-and-chip picnic while watching the waves and exploring nearby Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge ruins for their fascinating shipwreck histories.
As daylight softens, drive back toward Lorne or Torquay, timing your return to Melbourne to catch a seaside dinner — try The Bottle of Milk in Lorne for burgers or the more elevated Brae (if you’ve pre-booked) for a special tasting experience en route home. If you’re on a coach tour you’ll be dropped back in the CBD in the evening; either way, finish the day with a slow post-trip drink at your hotel or a cosy wine bar in the city, reflecting on the coastline’s dramatic beauty and tomorrow’s relaxed St Kilda plans.
Catch a tram from the CBD to St Kilda and start with breakfast at Café Di Stasio or Republica for a relaxed seaside meal, then stroll the palm-lined foreshore toward Luna Park to admire its vintage façade and grab a photo by the iconic face. Wander the St Kilda Esplanade, pop into the monthly St Kilda Markets (if it’s running) for local crafts and snacks, and pause at Acland Street to sample a famed cream cake from one of the European bakeries.
After a casual lunch at Stokehouse or Donovans for modern Australian fare with bay views, rent a bike or take a leisurely walk along the beachfront toward the St Kilda Botanical Gardens and the St Kilda Sea Baths for a restorative dip or spa treatment. If you prefer wildlife, head out on a short cruise from the pier to spot little penguins or visit the nearby Catani Gardens and Luna Park for a relaxed afternoon of seaside atmosphere and people-watching.
As golden hour approaches, stroll out onto the St Kilda Pier to watch the sunset over Port Phillip Bay and keep an eye for the little penguins returning to shore at the pier’s breakwater viewing platforms. Finish with dinner at Circa or The Espy’s rooftop bar for seafood and cocktails, then enjoy live music at The Espy or a quiet nightcap on the esplanade, rounding out a chilled coastal day before tomorrow’s winery or wildlife choices.
Yarra Valley option: Rise with a country breeze and head east for a guided or self-drive wine trail, beginning at Domaine Chandon for a sparkling tasting and estate breakfast or at Oakridge for a scenic vineyard walk and coffee; the lush valley scenery continues to Yering Station and De Bortoli for cellar-door tastings and a behind-the-scenes look at winemaking. Phillip Island option: Catch an early Mornington Peninsula/Peninsula Link transfer toward Phillip Island, stopping for a hearty seaside brunch at Cowes’ Salty Cow Café or at The Cape, then visit the Koala Conservation Centre to wander the treetop boardwalks and spot koalas in their natural gum-tree habitat.
Yarra Valley option: After a leisurely lunch at the renowned Healesville Hotel or the farm-to-table menus at Rochford, continue with boutique tastings at TarraWarra Estate or Punt Road Wines and consider a visit to the nearby Healesville Sanctuary for native wildlife close-ups and informative keeper talks. Phillip Island option: Spend the afternoon exploring coastal highlights — walk the Churchill Island Heritage Farm, relax on Cowes Beach, or take a scenic coastal drive to Cape Woolamai for dramatic cliff-top views and short hikes before returning to the island township to prepare for the evening spectacle.
Yarra Valley option: As the day cools, enjoy a long, leisurely dinner at Oakridge’s dining room or a seasonal tasting menu at Innocent Bystander, paired with local Pinot Noir, then drive back to Melbourne with vineyards sliding by in twilight and a restful countryside glow. Phillip Island option: Experience the iconic Penguin Parade at sunset as little penguins waddle ashore at Summerland Beach — prebook boardwalk viewing for the best vantage — then dine in Cowes at The Waterboy or Naple’s for seafood before a late ferry or coach return to the city, tired but full of memorable wildlife moments.
Savour a final Melbourne breakfast at Manchester Press or Seven Seeds in Carlton, then wander nearby Lygon Street for one last slice of local café culture and Italian pastry treats before returning to the CBD. Use the morning to pick up any souvenirs—stop by the Block Arcade’s specialty shops or the David Jones/Emporium precinct for Australian designers and gourmet exports—and enjoy a slow flat white as you tie up loose ends.
Check out of your hotel and stow luggage if needed, then take a relaxed wander through Chinatown and the Queen Victoria Market precinct to grab perishables or artisanal goods for the journey home; if time allows, pop into the Ian Potter Centre for a quick final glimpse of Australian art. For a scenic final stretch, walk along the Yarra to Southbank for a riverside lunch at The Atlantic or Bistro Vue, soaking in one last view of the city skyline before you head to the airport.
Allow ample time for your transfer—catch the SkyBus from Southern Cross or a taxi to Melbourne Airport, stopping for a farewell espresso at the airport’s Market Lane kiosk or a craft beer at the departure lounge. Depart with a relaxed sense that you’ve seen both the city’s creative neighbourhoods and coastal highlights, leaving Melbourne with plenty of stories, local flavours and a few souvenirs tucked into your carry-on.