You'll likely be resting after your flight from Singapore — take the morning easy with a leisurely breakfast at Hyphen or the hotel lounge to shake off jet lag and get your bearings. If you're feeling energetic, stroll along Collins Street to admire the historic arcades and pop into a café like Patricia Coffee Brewers for a strong flat white and a light bite.
Check in fully at Hyatt Centric and unpack, then head out for a relaxed exploration of nearby Southbank: walk the Yarra River promenade, browse the outdoor stalls by Southgate, and enjoy lunch with river views at Arbory Bar & Eatery or Pontoon. Pop into the National Gallery of Victoria or the Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square for a short cultural fix to set the tone for the week.
As night falls, take a short tram or 20-minute walk to Docklands for waterfront dining — try The District Docklands or Cargo for an easy meal — then return to the Hyatt Centric to confirm any reservations and review your schedule for the busy days ahead. If you're not too tired, enjoy a nightcap on the hotel rooftop (if open) or a gentle walk around the illuminated city center to soak up Melbourne’s evening ambience before an early night to prepare for tomorrow’s gown collection at Marvel Stadium.
Head to Marvel Stadium anytime between 9am and 11am to collect your gown and graduation ticket — the stadium precinct has clear signage and helpful staff, and there are cafés nearby (try The Hub Café or a Docklands venue) if you need a quick caffeine top-up beforehand. After collection, take a gentle walk around Docklands marina to admire the yachts and public art, or pop into Marvel Stadium’s merchandise and photo spots for a few celebratory snaps.
Return toward Southbank for a leisurely late lunch along the Yarra River — Arbory Bar & Eatery or The Deck at Crown offer scenic riverside seats and classic Australian fare; afterwards visit the National Gallery of Victoria or the NGV Studio for a relaxed cultural interlude. If you’d prefer fresh air, stroll across the pedestrian bridge to the Royal Botanic Gardens for a peaceful walk among lawns and ponds, perfect for trying on your gown later for a test photo session.
Dine in Southbank with views of the river — try Meat & Wine Co or Mumu Grill for something special — then enjoy an early evening riverside walk to take more photos and soak up the city lights while confirming logistics for your busy graduation day tomorrow. If you still have energy, stop by Eureka Skydeck for a twilight city panorama, then return to Hyatt Centric to rest and prepare your outfit and essentials for the next day.
Start the day at RMIT City Campus for your 10:00-12:00 pre-party — arrive a little early to mingle, snap candid photos in the historic Bowen Street precinct and grab a coffee from RMIT’s campus cafés or nearby Manchester Press. After the pre-party, head back to the hotel to change into your gown and pick up any last-minute items; a quick photo stop at the Hosier Lane murals on the way will give you colourful, iconic shots before the ceremony.
Make your way to Marvel Stadium in good time for the 12:30 ceremony, enjoying pre-ceremony photos on the Docklands promenade and with the stadium’s graduation photo backdrops; the ceremony runs to about 17:30, so plan light snacks and water in advance and consider a short post-ceremony celebration drink at The Hub or a nearby Docklands bar. After the ceremony, gather more photos and congratulate family and friends on the lawn or by the waterfront before heading back to the city to freshen up at the hotel.
From 17:00-22:00, soak up the festive atmosphere at the Summer Night Market at Queen Victoria Market — wander stalls of street food, artisanal goods and live music; try multicultural bites (dumplings, wood-fired pizza, and local gelato) and pick up a small memento to remember the day. Finish the night with a relaxed walk through Federation Square or along the Yarra, or stop for a celebratory dessert or cocktail at Vue de monde or a more casual Southbank bar before returning to Hyatt Centric to rest after a big, joyful day.
After a leisurely hotel breakfast, catch the 16 or 3 tram (or a short rideshare) to Brighton Beach to admire and photograph the colourful Brighton Bathing Boxes with Port Phillip Bay as your backdrop; arrive early to avoid crowds and take a stroll along the sand toward Middle Brighton Pier for panoramic views. Pop into Brighton Bathing Boxes café or a nearby patisserie for a coffee and light bite before heading back toward St Kilda for a change of scenery.
Spend the afternoon in St Kilda — wander the Acland Street cake shops, enjoy fish and chips on the foreshore, and walk the St Kilda Pier out to the breaks where you may spot little penguins at dusk; if you prefer a quieter option, relax in the St Kilda Botanical Gardens or book a casual lunch at Republica or Stokehouse for seaside dining. If you’re in the mood for a short cultural stop, drop into the Linden New Art gallery or the St Kilda Sea Baths for a swim or spa treatment.
Return to the CBD for a relaxed evening: take a sunset riverside walk along Southbank and choose a celebratory dinner at Arbory Bar & Eatery or Mumu Grill to toast your graduation week; alternatively, sample casual dining at Chin Chin or Tonka if you want lively flavours close to the hotel. Finish with a gentle post-dinner stroll through Federation Square and Hosier Lane to enjoy the city lights and street art before heading back to Hyatt Centric to rest for the Puffing Billy day tomorrow.
Head out from Hyatt Centric after breakfast and catch a train or rideshare to Belgrave to arrive in time for your 12:30 Puffing Billy departure; before boarding, explore Belgrave village’s charming cafes (try Ceres Café or Belgrave Bakery) and the historic station, where volunteers in period dress prepare the iconic steam locomotive. Take your seats on the open-sided carriage, feel the steam and hear the whistle as the train chuffs through fern gullies and tall mountain ash — it’s a picturesque, nostalgia-soaked ride that’s perfect for graduation photos and relaxed conversation.
Disembark at Lakeside around 13:20 to enjoy the Emerald Lake precinct — stroll the boardwalk, hire a paddleboat or feed the ducks, and savour a picnic or cake at the Lakeside Kiosk while soaking in the tranquil water views; then ride Puffing Billy back to Belgrave, enjoying the return run and the ever-changing forest vistas. If time and energy allow, detour to the nearby Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden or Olinda for a short walk among rhododendrons and gardens, and pop into local craft shops and bakeries on Olinda Village Road.
Return to Melbourne CBD and freshen up at the hotel before a relaxed evening in Southbank: enjoy a riverside dinner at The Deck at Crown or Arbory Bar & Eatery to toast the day with views of the Yarra. Finish with a gentle post-dinner stroll along the river or a visit to Eureka Skydeck for twilight city panoramas, then head back to Hyatt Centric to rest and prepare for tomorrow’s Werribee or Sovereign Hill choice.
If you choose Werribee Open Range Zoo, set off after breakfast for the 30-40 minute drive (or take V/Line plus a short taxi) to arrive at opening; start with the African safari tour to see giraffes, rhinos and zebras up close at the open-range savannah and then stroll the walking trails around the plains and African-themed exhibits. If you prefer Sovereign Hill, depart early for the ~90-minute drive to Ballarat and begin your morning with a guided visit to the recreated 1850s goldfields: pan for gold, watch costumed interpreters in the village and explore the historic mine site and museums.
At Werribee, enjoy a relaxed picnic lunch on the zoo lawns or dine at the on-site café before visiting the wetlands walk and cheetah enclosure, then catch one of the keeper talks or the afternoon safari for different animal vantage points; the open landscapes make for easy photo ops and a gentle pace after several busy days. At Sovereign Hill, savour a hearty Colonial-style lunch at one of the period eateries, then continue with hands-on experiences—try candle-making, visit the Red Hill mine tour, and take in the reconstructed shops and demonstrations that bring Ballarat’s goldrush history to life.
Return toward Melbourne in the evening and stop en route at Werribee Park Mansion and its formal gardens for a sunset stroll if you were at the zoo, or pause in Geelong for waterfront views and dinner if you’d like a coastal finish. Back in the CBD, choose a low-key dinner near Hyatt Centric—try Cumulus Inc. for modern Australian fare or Supernormal for lively Asian-inspired plates—then relax at the hotel and pack for your departure tomorrow, reflecting on a scenic, historically rich day.
Enjoy a relaxed final breakfast at Hyatt Centric or pop into Hardware Société for a decadent brunch before checking out of your room (store luggage with the hotel if needed). Take a final stroll through the Block Arcade and Royal Arcade to pick up any last-minute souvenirs, or wander into Emporium Melbourne and Melbourne Central for a few dependable Australian finds and duty-free tips.
Spend the afternoon at Queen Victoria Market for any remaining gifts and to grab a late lunch from the market food stalls—try some fresh seafood or a gourmet pie—then return to Southbank for a peaceful riverside coffee at Arbory Bar & Eatery while you confirm your airport transfer. If time permits, pop into the Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square for a quick cultural stop or visit Hosier Lane for one last photo with Melbourne’s street art.
Collect your luggage from Hyatt Centric and head to the airport with plenty of time for your 22:05 departure—arrange an airport transfer via SkyBus or a pre-booked rideshare to avoid stress. Before boarding, enjoy a final Aussie snack or wine at the terminal and take a moment to toast a memorable graduation week in Melbourne with your aunt.