Arrive into Melbourne, clear customs and take an express SkyBus or taxi to your accommodation in the CBD, then drop your bags and stretch your legs with a gentle orientation walk. Head to Federation Square to get your bearings, admire the Ian Potter Centre façades, and grab a strong flat white and a light brunch at Degraves Street’s top cafés like Market Lane Coffee or Patricia Coffee Brewers.
Spend the afternoon exploring Melbourne’s iconic laneways — wander Hosier Lane for street art, duck into Block Arcade and Royal Arcade for Victorian architecture and boutique shops, then pop into the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV International) for a quick cultural hit. If you prefer something lighter, stroll along the Yarra River to the Southbank precinct to watch river life and sample artisanal chocolate at Koko Black or gelato at GPO.
Return to the CBD for an easy first-night dinner in Chinatown or along Flinders Lane, where restaurants like Chin Chin (book ahead) and Tipo 00 showcase Melbourne’s vibrant dining scene, then finish with an after-dinner walk to the illuminated Federation Square and the banks of the Yarra. If you’re not too jet-lagged, head up to the Eureka Skydeck for panoramic night views of the city or enjoy a relaxed cocktail at a rooftop bar such as Rooftop Bar on Swanston Street to toast the start of your trip.
Start your day with a classic Melbourne coffee crawl: grab a single-origin flat white at Patricia Coffee Brewers or Market Lane on Degraves Street, then wander the nearby laneways — explore Hosier Lane’s ever-changing street art and duck into Centre Place and AC/DC Lane for hidden mural-lined cafés and boutique shops. Pop into the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) at Federation Square for an interactive exhibit, or stroll across to the Ian Potter Centre (NGV Australia) to enjoy Australian art before the lunch crowds arrive.
After a relaxed lunch at Hardware Lane or Chin Chin’s lighter options, head north to Fitzroy for a change of pace: browse vintage stores and independent designers along Brunswick Street, discover bold gallery spaces at Gertrude Street and stop by Rose Street Artists' Market (weekend) or the Fitzroy Town Hall Gallery for contemporary shows. Pause for a late-afternoon coffee and pastry at Proud Mary or Industry Beans, then enjoy people-watching in the eclectic courtyard cafés before continuing your arts-focused exploration.
For dinner, sample Fitzroy’s lively food scene with wood-fired pizza at Bimbo Deluxe or an inventive meal at The Rose St. Artists’ Market area eateries, followed by craft beer at a local brewery such as Young Henrys in nearby Newtown (or a cocktail at Naked for Satan if you prefer skyline views). Finish your evening with a relaxed walk back into the CBD via the Yarra or catch a live gig at Corner Hotel or a small music venue in Fitzroy to keep the city’s creative energy going.
Cross the Yarra from the CBD to Southbank for a riverside breakfast — try a long black and ricotta hotcakes at Hardware Societe or a seasonal brunch at Higher Ground — then wander the promenade past the Melbourne Arts Centre toward the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV International) to catch a morning exhibition and the striking River Terrace sculptures. Pause for a coffee at the NGV’s café before strolling the Arts Precinct, taking in the architecture and the outdoor installations along St Kilda Road.
Head into the Royal Botanic Gardens for a peaceful, shaded exploration: walk the Ornamental Lake loop, visit the Calyx for rotating plant-and-art displays, and stop at the Terrace Café for a light lunch overlooking lawns and mature elms. After the gardens, return to the Arts Precinct to explore ACMI’s latest installations or book a timed entry to a major NGV exhibition, then browse nearby galleries and specialty bookshops on Flinders Lane for design and art-focused finds.
As dusk falls, enjoy a riverside dinner at one of Southbank’s standout restaurants — try seafood at The Meat & Wine Co or contemporary Australian dishes at Vue de monde if you’re celebrating (reservations recommended) — then take a leisurely post-dinner walk along the river to admire the city lights reflected on the water. Finish the night with a performance at the Arts Centre Melbourne or a rooftop cocktail at the nearby Arbory Bar & Eatery for a relaxed city-nightcap with views of the Yarra.
Set off early from Melbourne for the full-day Great Ocean Road drive, enjoying coastal views as you head toward Torquay and the surfing landmark Bells Beach; stop at the Aireys Inlet Split Point Lighthouse for a short climb and panoramic morning light over the cliffs. Continue west with a coffee break in Lorne or Apollo Bay and stretch your legs on a short rainforest walk in the Great Otway National Park to feel the contrast between bushland and rugged coastline.
Arrive in the Twelve Apostles area in the early afternoon to take in the dramatic limestone stacks from the elevated boardwalks at the Port Campbell National Park lookout, then wander down to Gibson Steps for a different seaside perspective and the roar of the Southern Ocean. After photographing the Apostles and nearby Loch Ard Gorge, enjoy a relaxed late lunch in Port Campbell — try locally caught seafood at a café like 12 Rocks or a riverside pub — before beginning the scenic return trip along the coast with optional stops at Bay of Islands or the Grotto if time allows.
Return toward Melbourne as the sun begins to dip, arriving back to the city in the evening for a low-key dinner in the CBD or Southbank to recount the day’s highlights; a casual seafood meal at The Atlantic or a comforting pasta on Flinders Lane will feel just right after a big day. If you still have energy, treat yourself to a nightcap at a rooftop bar like Siglo or a quiet riverside walk to unwind and admire the city lights after a long coastal adventure.
After your city explorations, take the tram down to St Kilda for a laid-back seaside morning — grab a strong coffee and a pastry at Acland Street favourite Cafe Di Stasio or one of the cake shops on Acland Street, then stroll the palm-lined St Kilda foreshore to the pier where you can spot local kitesurfers and, often, little penguins at the breakwater. If you’re feeling active, rent a bike and ride along the Bay Trail toward Elwood for fresh sea air and views back to the Melbourne skyline.
Spend the afternoon browsing the eclectic St Kilda Esplanade Market (weekends) and the nearby Luna Park precinct — try a savory snack from a food stall or enjoy classic carnival vibes on the Scenic Railway for fun photos. For a quieter moment, visit the St Kilda Botanical Gardens or pop into the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) area cafés before heading to Acland Street for lunch at Republica or Stokehouse for beachfront dining with modern Australian flavours.
Time your evening to catch a spectacular Melbourne sunset from the end of St Kilda Pier or the rooftop bar at The Prince, then wander back along the foreshore to dine at one of Fitzroy Street’s lively restaurants — Donovans or Cicciolina offer refined options close to the action. Finish the night with a relaxed drink at the Esplanade Hotel wine bar or a moonlit walk on the beach, enjoying the sound of waves and the city lights across Port Phillip Bay.
Leave Melbourne after breakfast and enjoy the scenic 1-1.5 hour drive northeast to the Yarra Valley, arriving mid-morning for your first tasting at Domaine Chandon where you can tour the sparkling wine production and sip a chilled brut on the terrace overlooking the vineyards. Continue to De Bortoli or Oakridge for a guided tasting of regional chardonnays and pinot noirs, pairing small plates or freshly baked breads while soaking up the valley light and relaxed country atmosphere.
For lunch, settle into the terrace at Yering Station or Meletos where seasonal, farm-to-table dishes complement local wines and sweeping vineyard views; afterwards visit a boutique cellar door such as TarraWarra Estate to browse contemporary art in the museum and enjoy another tasting. If you have time and energy, stop by the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery for a sweet detour or take a short hot-air ballooning return visit option (book ahead) to admire the patchwork valley from above.
Drive back toward Melbourne in the late afternoon with a leisurely stop in Healesville for a stroll through the charming main street and a final tasting at Innocent Bystander or small-producer Giant Steps before heading home. Back in the city, unwind with a relaxed dinner along Southbank or in the CBD—choose a glass from the Yarra Valley list at a wine-friendly restaurant like Tipo 00 or Supernormal—to reminisce about the day’s tastings and valley vistas.
Start with a strong coffee at Proud Mary or Industry Beans, then wander the riotous murals of Fitzroy — explore Brunswick Street and Rose Street to discover ever-changing street art in AC/DC Lane and Gertrude Street’s laneways. Pop into vintage treasures at Hunter Gatherer or Lost & Found Market stalls and browse independent designers in small boutiques, keeping the creative thread from earlier gallery visits alive.
After a casual lunch at the Rose Street Artists’ Market or a relaxed bite at Transformer Fitzroy, head into Collingwood to tour boutique breweries like Bodriggy Brewing Co. or Hop Nation for tastings and behind-the-scenes chats. Between brewery stops, duck into Smith Street’s concept stores and specialty shops (try Collingwood Yards or Aesop for local design finds) and pause at a café such as Industry Beans for a late-afternoon pastry.
As the sun sets, enjoy an inventive dinner at Cutler & Co. or a lively meal at Bimbo Deluxe, then sample craft ales at local beer gardens like The Everleigh or grab cocktails at Naked for Satan with its rooftop views. Finish with live music at the Corner Hotel or a cosy bar in Fitzroy to soak up the neighbourhood’s bohemian nightlife before returning to the CBD for your final full day in Melbourne.
Ease into your final morning with a leisurely breakfast at Degraves Street or the Collins Place precinct—grab a pastry and flat white at Market Lane Coffee before finishing any last-minute shopping in the nearby Block Arcade and Royal Arcade for souvenirs, artisan chocolate from Koko Black or design-led gifts from Beanhunter and Haigh’s. If you’d prefer fashion and specialty stores, stroll Bourke Street Mall and Emporium Melbourne for boutique finds and a final browse through Australian labels.
For a relaxed farewell lunch, choose a long-table meal at Tonka or a modern pasta at Tipo 00 on Flinders Lane, then take a chilled post-lunch walk along the Yarra River to the Southbank promenade to soak up the city one last time and pick up any edible treats from the South Melbourne Market if time allows. If your flight is later, pop into the National Gallery of Victoria’s shop for art-inspired keepsakes or enjoy a final gelato at GPO to savour Melbourne’s café culture.
When it’s time to go, allow plenty of transfer time—catch the dedicated SkyBus from Southern Cross Station or arrange a taxi/Uber to Melbourne Airport, leaving the CBD with at least 2-3 hours before international departures; if you have an earlier evening flight, aim to depart the city mid-afternoon to avoid peak traffic. If your schedule permits a final wine or small plates at a nearby airport hotel or the airport’s dining precinct, toast to a memorable eight days of city sights, coastal escapes and wine-country sunshine.