Start with Melbourne Airport (Terminal 2/4 precinct) and give yourself a little more buffer than you think you need—traffic on the Tullamarine Freeway can snarl up quickly, and check-in/security queues are never worth rushing at the end of a trip. If you’ve got bags to drop or want last-minute essentials, this is the moment for airport pharmacy buys, chargers, or snack runs. Most airport shops stay open late, and you’ll usually spend about A$15–30 on small bits and pieces if you need anything.
For a proper sit-down send-off, head to Cafe Vue at Melbourne Airport. It’s one of the better options for a relaxed meal before a flight, with dinner plates and drinks typically landing around A$25–40 per person. If you’re traveling during a busy evening, order as soon as you sit down so you’re not watching the clock too hard; from there, it’s an easy transition to Hudsons Coffee for a final flat white, tea, or a quick snack if boarding gets delayed. Hudsons Coffee is usually the kind of place you use for flexibility rather than lingering, and 20–30 minutes is plenty.
If you’ve got lounge access, the Qantas Domestic Lounge is the best place to reset before departure: charge your phone, grab a quiet seat, and let the airport noise fade into the background for an hour or two. It’s the smartest move if your flight is later and you want to avoid hovering at the gate too early. If you still have a little time before heading through, a quick wander to the runway viewing areas near Tullamarine can be a surprisingly good last look at the airport in motion—just remember these are best kept to a short 20–30 minute stop so you don’t cut it fine.