Your first move is the Uber from Melbourne Airport to Carlton Lygon Lodge. From the terminals, it’s usually about 25–40 minutes to Carlton depending on traffic and the time you land; at this hour, I’d expect a straightforward run via the Tullamarine Freeway and CityLink, with the fare typically sitting somewhere around A$55–90 depending on surge. If you’ve got checked bags, it’s absolutely the simplest option — don’t overthink it on day one. Once you’re in Carlton, take about 45 minutes to check in, drop your luggage, and reset properly so you’re not dragging the whole airport with you for the rest of the evening.
For your first meal, head straight to University Cafe on Lygon Street. It’s one of those very Melbourne, very Carlton institutions: old-school, unfussy, and exactly the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve arrived. Go for one of the hearty pasta or parmigiana-style mains, expect roughly A$30–45 per person, and give yourself around 1.5 hours so you can actually enjoy the pace of it. After that, wander a few minutes south along Lygon Street for gelato at Pidapipó — it’s the perfect post-dinner treat, and a nice way to get your bearings in the neighborhood without trying to “do” too much on day one. Budget about A$10–15 and 30–45 minutes for the stroll-and-scoop combo.
Finish the evening with your first real Melbourne transit experience: an evening tram ride along Swanston Street / Melbourne CBD loop. From Carlton, hop on a tram heading down Swanston Street and just ride into the lit-up grid of the CBD; this is one of the best low-effort orientation moves you can make on arrival because you’ll instantly understand how close Carlton, the city, and Flinders Street all are. The ride itself is about 45 minutes if you do a gentle loop and come back, and it’s included on myki once you’re within the free tram zone in the CBD, otherwise expect a standard fare around A$5.30. If you still have energy, keep your eyes open for Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston Street, and the glow of the city at night — then head back to Carlton Lygon Lodge and call it an early one.
Since you’re already in Carlton, this is a wonderfully easy day: walk straight over to Melbourne Museum in Carlton Gardens and start early, ideally around opening time so you get the galleries before the school groups roll in. Entry is usually around A$25–30 per adult, and you can comfortably spend about 2 hours here without rushing. It’s the best all-round museum in the city for a first proper look at Melbourne’s history, natural history, and local identity, and it sits just a few minutes from Lygon Street so there’s no need to waste energy on transport.
Inside, make Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre your second stop. It’s one of the most meaningful parts of the museum, with strong First Peoples storytelling and a quieter, more reflective pace than the main galleries. Give yourself 45–60 minutes here and don’t hurry it — this is the sort of place that rewards slow looking. After that, stroll next door to the Royal Exhibition Building, one of Melbourne’s most elegant landmarks and a UNESCO-listed beauty. If the interior tour is running, it’s usually worth paying the extra A$10–20; otherwise, even from the outside it’s a proper “only in Melbourne” moment.
From there, drift into Carlton Gardens and actually sit for a bit. This is the perfect midpoint of the day: broad lawns, formal garden paths, fountain views, and that lovely open-air feel that makes Carlton such a good base. You’re never far from the city here, but it doesn’t feel like it. For lunch or a late brunch, head to Le Miel et La Lune for pastries, coffee, or something a little more polished than your average quick bite. Budget roughly A$20–35, and if you’re anything like most locals, this is the kind of café where you’ll end up staying longer than planned.
After lunch, finish with a relaxed wander through Argyle Square and along Rathdowne Street to soak up Carlton’s quieter side. This is where the suburb shows off its terrace houses, leafy edges, and old-school village feel — a nice contrast to the big museum morning. It’s an easy 45-minute loop, totally free, and the best kind of “nothing much planned” walk. If you feel like stretching it a little, keep it gentle and just let the streets lead you back toward Lygon Street for an early dinner or a gelato stop later on.
You don’t need any big transit today; everything is walkable from Carlton Lygon Lodge. If you want to keep the afternoon loose, this is a good day to rest up, because the itinerary gets busier later in the week. And if you’re heading anywhere by tram after the walk, the closest routes are usually simple from Swanston Street or Lygon Street corridors, with myki fares typically capped around A$5.30 for the day.
Start at State Library Victoria right when it feels calmest, ideally around 9:00–9:30 am so you can enjoy the La Trobe Reading Room before the day gets busy. It’s free, and the first hour or so is best spent wandering the grand halls, checking any rotating exhibits, and taking your time in the dome-level spaces. From Carlton, the easiest move is simply a walk or short tram ride down Swanston Street into the CBD; it’s quick, and you’ll arrive without the fuss of changing transport. After that, continue on to Old Melbourne Gaol for a very different kind of history — gritty, colonial, and a little eerie. Budget about A$35 pp and allow a good 90 minutes if you want to read the stories properly rather than rush through.
From the gaol, head into the city centre around Bourke Street Mall and the GPO precinct for a bit of Melbourne’s everyday energy — trams rattling through, street performers, and the kind of laneway-adjacent shopping that makes this city feel alive. This is a good time to keep things loose and just soak up the CBD rather than power-walk through it. When lunch calls, slip into Degraves Street for exactly the kind of Melbourne lunch break people come here for: tiny cafes, blackboard menus, and constant foot traffic. A sandwich, pasta, or eggs-on-toast with coffee usually lands around A$20–35 pp; if you want a dependable local stop, Degraves Espresso Bar or Manto are both easygoing picks, and you can linger without feeling out of place.
After lunch, drift over to Block Arcade via the covered arcades and laneways so you stay mostly out of the weather and get that classic old-Melbourne feel. The arcade itself is gorgeous — mosaic floors, ornate ceilings, and boutique windows that are worth a slow stroll for 30–45 minutes. Finish at The Block Arcade Tea Rooms for a proper coffee or afternoon tea; it’s one of those places where sitting still is part of the experience, and A$15–30 pp is a reasonable expectation depending on what you order. If you have energy afterward, this is a perfect part of the CBD to keep wandering on foot — the laneways around Flinders Lane and Collins Street are right there — but there’s no need to overplan it.
Start with a long, unhurried walk along Southbank Promenade first thing, when the river is still calm and the skyline reflections are at their best. It’s the kind of Melbourne start that feels expensive but costs nothing: keep to the Yarra River edge, watch the runners and cyclists, and just let the city wake up around you. From there, head straight up to Eureka Skydeck while visibility is usually better and queues are lighter; allow about an hour and budget roughly A$30–40. If you’re keen on the glass-edge photo, go early before the decks get crowded, and don’t rush the viewing gallery — the sweep over the CBD, the river bend, and the bay on a clear day is the whole point.
After the lookout, drift over to Crown Entertainment Complex for a quick wander through the grand internal spaces and riverside frontage. You don’t need to stay long; this is more about soaking up the scale of the precinct than “doing” it. If you feel like lingering, there are plenty of cafés and bars, but the easy, sensible lunch is Gradi at Crown — woodfired pizzas, solid pasta, and a reliable sit-down break before the indoor part of the day. Expect around A$25–45 a head, and if you want a quieter meal, arrive just before the lunch rush rather than right at noon. After that, pop into Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium for a mellow indoor reset; it’s especially good if the weather turns or you just want something slower for about 90 minutes. Tickets are usually around A$40–50, and it’s well set up for a leisurely browse rather than a sprint.
Finish by taking the Yarra River promenade toward Princes Bridge, which is one of those classic Melbourne walks that quietly stitches the whole city together. It’s an easy, flat stroll and a nice way to wind down the day without overplanning it — stop for photos, watch the trams slide by, and if you’ve still got energy, peel off toward the CBD for a coffee or keep the river in view until you naturally arrive back near the city core. If you’re thinking about timing, this part is best left flexible; Melbourne works better when you give yourself room to wander, and this stretch is exactly where a relaxed afternoon feels most natural.
Get to Melbourne Zoo just after opening, because Parkville feels at its best early and the animals are far more active before the heat and crowds build. Expect roughly A$40–50 per adult and plan on 2.5 to 3 hours if you want to do it properly without rushing. The big win here is timing: head for the Australian native areas first, then loop through the rest of the grounds while the day is still cool. From Carlton it’s an easy tram-and-walk or a quick Uber if you’d rather save energy for later.
After the zoo, drift into Royal Park for a relaxed reset — it’s one of those Melbourne green spaces that locals use for a genuine breather, not just a photo stop. Grab lunch at the nearby Parkville Café in the zoo precinct so you don’t waste time crossing back into the city; think decent café classics, coffee, and a simple lunch for about A$20–35. If the weather is kind, eat outside and keep the rest of the day loose — that’s the point of this area. On your way back toward Carlton, make a pleasant detour through the University of Melbourne South Lawn, where the old stone buildings and leafy paths give the afternoon a very Melbourne, slightly academic feel.
Once you’re back in Carlton, leave room for wandering rather than forcing a second big attraction — this part of the day works best as a gentle stroll, a bakery stop, or an early rest before dinner. If you want a solid, no-fuss meal, head to the Queensberry Hotel dining room in North Melbourne; it’s close enough to keep things easy, and the pub menu is exactly the kind of dependable dinner that suits a full zoo day, with mains usually around A$25–40. If you’re not in a hurry, the tram network is simple from here, and you can be back in Carlton quickly after dinner without any hassle.
Head out early from Carlton so you’re on the Belgrave line in good time for Puffing Billy Railway, Belgrave Station — it’s the kind of day where being first matters, because the train feels most magical before the crowds and heat build. From Flinders Street or Parliament, the rail trip to Belgrave is the simplest move, and you’ll want to be at the station with enough buffer to grab a coffee, find your platform, and not rush the steam departure. Budget around A$5.30 on myki for the train side of it, and if you’re planning to take photos, sit on the open-sided carriage and keep your camera ready for the classic bridge and forest moments. The full outing is a proper half-day anchor, so don’t try to cram anything else in before it.
After the ride, stay in the Dandenong Ranges and drift into Sassafras Village — it’s the right kind of slow after the train, with tea rooms, little gift shops, and that cool mountain air Melbourne people escape for on weekends. For lunch, Miss Marple’s Tearoom is the obvious charming pick if you want the full old-fashioned experience; book ahead if you can, because weekends can get busy, and expect roughly A$25–40 per person depending on how much tea, cake, or a proper meal you order. If you prefer a quieter pace, just wander the village lanes first and let lunch happen a little later; the area is compact, leafy, and very easy to enjoy without a fixed plan.
If the weather’s kind and you still have energy, continue to Sherbrooke Forest for a short walk among towering mountain ash and cool gullies — it’s one of the best resets after the steam train and village stop, and it costs nothing except the time. Keep this to a manageable loop so you’re not battling daylight or tired legs, then finish at SkyHigh Mount Dandenong lookout for the broad late-afternoon view back over Melbourne and the bay side if the visibility is decent. Entry is usually only a small fee, and it’s worth arriving before sunset light if you want that layered city-and-hills panorama; by then, you’ll have had a full, properly Victorian hills day without overdoing it.
Make your way back toward Carlton once you’re done at SkyHigh Mount Dandenong lookout — if you’re relying on public transport, keep an eye on return connections because the hills slow the whole day down, and it’s one of those trips where leaving a little earlier makes the night much easier. If you’re hungry on the way back, a simple dinner near Lygon Street is the least stressful option, especially after a day outdoors.
Start early at the MCG Tour in East Melbourne so you’re inside before the match-day energy takes over. If you can, aim for the first or second tour slot of the day; it keeps things calm, the photos are better, and you’ll usually have a clearer look at the stands, players’ areas, and the ground itself. Expect about 1.5 hours and roughly A$35–45 per person. It’s one of those very Melbourne experiences that actually lives up to the hype, especially if you’re into sport at all.
From there, walk straight over to the National Sports Museum at the MCG and give yourself about an hour. It’s compact but well done, with a strong focus on Australian sporting history and plenty of cricket and footy memorabilia. If you like the game-day rituals, this is the place that gives the stadium context. Keep an eye on time so you’re not rushing: by late morning, the area around Yarra Park and Brunton Avenue starts to fill with people arriving for the afternoon fixture.
For an easy pre-game lunch, head to The Olympic Stand on the Richmond side of the ground. It’s exactly the right kind of pub meal for a footy day: burgers, parma, chips, a beer if you’re having one, and no faffing about. Budget around A$25–45 per person and give yourself about an hour so you can eat without stress. If you’ve got time after lunch, wander a little around the Richmond fringe and soak up the build-up, but don’t drift too far — the best part of a game day here is arriving early enough to feel the crowd swell.
For the AFL game at the MCG, get to your seat well before bounce. Even if you’re not a die-hard fan, the pre-game atmosphere is half the fun: scarves everywhere, the food queues, the chanting, and that moment when the stadium noise rises just before kickoff. Plan on 3–4 hours all up depending on the fixture, and if the weather turns, bring a layer because Melbourne can flip from mild to chilly fast. After the final siren, don’t rush to the exit with everyone else unless you absolutely have to — a short pause helps the tram crowd thin out. Then take the post-game tram back via Swan Street and the city grid to Carlton, usually around 30–45 minutes once things settle.
From East Melbourne, it’s an easy reset into the inner north: either hop the Route 11 or 86 tram toward Fitzroy or just walk it in about 15–20 minutes if the weather’s good. Aim to leave around 9:30 am so you land in the area after the commuter rush but before the lunch crowd; if you’re carrying anything bulky, an Uber is only about 5–10 minutes and usually sits around A$10–18. Start with a focused contemporary-art stop in the city fringe — if you’ve got your eye on a proper gallery visit, Australian Centre for Contemporary Art is the kind of place where you can spend 60–90 minutes without feeling rushed, with tickets typically in the A$15–25 range depending on the exhibition.
After that, head north into Brunswick Street, which is still one of Melbourne’s best strips for people-watching, indie shops, records, and street art. It’s best enjoyed slowly: duck into side lanes, browse the vintage stores, and keep an eye out for the murals around Fitzroy rather than trying to “do” it too fast. For lunch, Lune Croissanterie Fitzroy is the obvious treat stop — expect a line, especially on weekends, but it moves fast and it’s worth it for a coffee and pastry combo in the A$15–30 range. If you want something less sweet, there are plenty of cafes along Gertrude Street and Smith Street just a short wander away, so don’t stress about locking in a perfect plan.
After lunch, continue to the Old Melbourne Stock Exchange in the CBD for a neat dose of heritage architecture and a reminder of how seriously the city once took its money and marble. It’s usually a quick stop — about 20–30 minutes is enough unless you’re on a guided access day — and it fits nicely before you head back toward the inner-city creative core. Finish at the Nicholas Building, one of Melbourne’s loveliest art-deco curiosities, where the public areas and studio doors give you a real sense of the city’s maker culture; give yourself around 45 minutes here, then end with a relaxed Gertrude Street wander back in Fitzroy for bookstores, design shops, and one last coffee before heading home.
Start at St Kilda Beach as early as you can — this is when the bay is calmest, the light is soft, and the whole foreshore still feels local rather than touristy. Walk the sand, cut up along the palm-lined edge, and take your time with the views back toward the CBD; on a clear morning, it’s one of the best “this is Melbourne” moments of the trip. From there, drift over to St Kilda Esplanade Market if it’s operating — Sunday is usually the day to catch it — for handmade prints, jewellery, ceramics, and the kind of stall browsing that works best when you’re not in a rush.
From the foreshore, head up to Acland Street for lunch and a proper St Kilda reset. This is the old-school cake-shop strip, so it’s worth doing it the classic way: a savoury bite first, then something sweet after. Good easy picks are Lentil as Anything for a casual sit-down, Galleon Café for something reliable and beachy, or one of the old bakery counters if you want to lean into the district’s history. Expect lunch to run around A$20–35, and give yourself a bit of extra time because this is a people-watching street, not a grab-and-go stop.
After lunch, continue to Luna Park for the full St Kilda nostalgia hit. Even if you don’t do many rides, the giant grin entrance and old amusement-park atmosphere are worth the stop, and it photographs beautifully in the afternoon light. Budget roughly A$10–50 depending on whether you just wander or buy ride tickets. When you’re done, cross to The Esplanade Hotel for a late drink or early dinner — it’s one of those St Kilda institutions that still feels right for a relaxed afternoon pause, especially if you want a rest before the evening waterfront walk.
Finish with the stroll to St Kilda Pier penguin viewpoint as the sun drops. It’s a lovely way to close the day: the water, the breeze, the skyline behind you, and a real chance of spotting the little penguins if they’re active and the area is open for viewing. Go gently and keep noise low; they’re protected and the experience is best when you treat it like a quiet local ritual rather than a show. If you’re heading back to Carlton after sunset, the tram route via the city is the simplest option — just allow a little extra time, because evening trams can be busy around the beach and St Kilda always moves at its own pace.
Start at South Melbourne Market as early as you can, ideally just after opening, because it’s at its best when the produce stalls are still fresh and the café crowd hasn’t fully spilled in. Grab a proper breakfast from St Ali Coffee Roasters if you want something dependable and Melbourne-level good, or go for pastries, fruit, and a few market snacks to graze on as you wander the aisles. Budget roughly A$15–30 per person depending on how much browsing turns into buying; it’s one of those markets where you’ll come for breakfast and leave with half a picnic basket. From there, it’s an easy, low-effort walk through Albert Park toward the lake, with the city skyline peeking over the trees.
Work your way around Albert Park Lake along the flat lakeside paths — it’s a classic Melbourne reset after a busy market morning, with runners, rowers, and wide open views that make the whole place feel bigger than it looks on a map. Keep going to the Shrine of Remembrance around midday; go up to the balcony for one of the best free skyline views in the city, and if you have the energy, spend a little time inside as well. Entry is free, though a donation is appreciated, and it’s usually worth allowing 1 to 1.5 hours if you want to do it properly. For lunch, head to Pippies by the Bay near the Albert Park / Port Phillip edge for a relaxed seafood-and-café lunch — think easy plates, unhurried service, and enough of a sit-down break to reset for the afternoon, usually A$20–40 per person.
After lunch, do the scenic practical thing and take the St Kilda Road tram ride back toward the city — this is one of those very Melbourne moments where the tram isn’t just transport, it’s part of the sightseeing. You’ll roll past parkland, formal avenue trees, and the elegant edge of the inner south before curving back toward the CBD and Carlton side; it’s a simple 30–40 minute ride and a good excuse to sit down after walking. If you still feel like stretching your legs once you’re back in Albert Park, finish with the gentle Albert Park Reserve foreshore loop — an easy final wander with open water, wide paths, and just enough breeze to make the day feel finished without feeling overdone. Leave the evening free; this is the kind of day that works best when you don’t rush it.
Start the day with a proper CBD wander from Regent Theatre, one of Melbourne’s most ornate performance spaces, with that old-world glamour you only really get in a few cities. If there’s a tour or foyer access running, it’s worth the A$20–30; otherwise, just pausing out front and taking in the interior details is still a nice way to begin. From there, stroll up Collins Street, where the city’s best architecture, luxury storefronts, and heritage facades line up in a way that feels very Melbourne — keep an eye out for the little details in the building fronts, especially around the older banking and legal precincts. The walk is easy and flat, and this stretch is best enjoyed slowly before the lunch crowd fills the sidewalks.
Turn off into Flinders Lane for the shift from grand boulevard to laneway energy; this is where the city gets a bit more interesting at street level. It’s a good place to stop for coffee and take in the design-forward atmosphere before brunch at Manchester Press, which is a reliable call for bagels, eggs, and strong coffee around the A$20–35 mark. Go a little earlier if you can — by late morning the best tables go first, especially on a weekday. After brunch, keep wandering through the surrounding laneways and older financial streets around Deutsche Bank Place and the heritage core nearby; you’ll get a nice mix of street art, narrow passages, and polished towers, all within a few minutes’ walk of each other.
Use the afternoon for a slower, more incidental loop through the CBD rather than trying to “tick off” every corner — this part of the city rewards drifting. If the light is good, linger over the side streets, stop for a quick drink, or duck into a small gallery or bookstore if something catches your eye. The key is not to rush: Melbourne’s city centre is most enjoyable when you let the laneways lead you instead of trying to force a route. By evening, make your way to The Astor Theatre in St Kilda East for a film or venue visit at one of Melbourne’s most treasured single-screen cinemas; it’s old-school in the best way, with tickets usually around A$20–30 and a wonderfully cinematic atmosphere. Plan to arrive a little early so you can enjoy the foyer and settle in — it’s a very Melbourne ending to the day.
Start early at Abbotsford Convent so you get the place at its calmest; from Carlton it’s an easy tram-and-walk or Uber ride, and by late morning the courtyards and lawns start filling with locals, walkers, and creative types. Give yourself about 1.5 hours to wander the gardens, old cloisters, and the little gallery spaces — the grounds are free, though individual exhibitions or workshops may have separate entry. The best part is just slowing down here: coffee in hand, ducks in the distance, and that very Melbourne mix of heritage and artsy life all in one place.
From there, it’s a gentle move to Collingwood Children’s Farm, which feels wonderfully unexpected this close to the city. Even if you’re not travelling with kids, it’s a pleasant, low-key stop for about an hour, and the riverside setting makes it feel more like a countryside detour than an inner-city attraction. Budget roughly A$15–25 per person, and if you’re hungry after the farm, keep things simple and head toward lunch without rushing — this area rewards wandering more than clock-watching.
Walk or roll a scenic section of the Yarra Trail between Abbotsford and Richmond; this is one of those Melbourne stretches that locals actually use, so you’ll see runners, cyclists, dog walkers, and the occasional rower on the river. It’s free, easy to dip in and out of, and a relaxed 1–1.5 hours is enough to feel like you’ve properly connected the day’s stops. For lunch, Harpers Kitchen + Bar is a solid inner-east choice for a sit-down meal — modern Australian, dependable service, and an easy A$25–40 per person depending on whether you keep it light or go for a full plate.
After lunch, finish with a loose wander through Richmond’s terrace streets and side lanes, where the vibe shifts from river calm to a more lived-in, slightly gritty Melbourne character. This is a good area to just drift: look for heritage façades, tucked-away pubs, and the sort of streets where the city feels a bit less polished and a bit more real. If you’ve still got energy, you can easily linger here over a drink before heading back to Carlton; otherwise, a tram from Richmond back toward the city is straightforward and usually takes around 15–25 minutes depending on where you hop on.
Leave Carlton early and head down to Brighton Beach so you catch the bathing boxes in the soft morning light before the tour buses and weekend crowds settle in. This is one of those Melbourne moments that’s better before 10:00 am: the colours pop more, the bay is usually calmer, and you’ll have an easier time getting clean photos without people everywhere. After that, keep walking the Brighton Beach foreshore — the sand stretch here is gentle and easy, and the view back across the water is classic Port Phillip Bay. If you want a coffee once you’re off the sand, Church Street Brighton is the natural village strip to drift into; it’s lined with cafés, bakeries, and a few good boutiques, and it feels more local than flashy if you pick the side streets rather than the obvious beachfront spots.
For lunch, Brighton Savoy is a simple, convenient choice if you want to stay near the water, but there are plenty of nearby cafés on Church Street if you’d rather keep it casual. Expect around A$25–45 per person depending on whether you’re doing coffee-and-a-toastie or a fuller sit-down meal. After lunch, wander down to the Middle Brighton Baths area and let the pace slow right down — this part of the bay has a nice, unhurried feel, with swimmers, walkers, and that slightly old-school coastal Melbourne atmosphere that’s very different from the inner-city energy. It’s a good spot for one last coffee or just a quiet sit before you head back.
Give yourself a little buffer and leave Brighton in the late afternoon, once the beach light starts softening and the area gets busier with locals. The return to Carlton is straightforward enough: train and tram combo via the city usually takes about 45–60 minutes depending on connections, and if you’re tired, an Uber is the easy fallback. Aim to be on the move before peak evening traffic if you can; that keeps the trip smooth and gives you time to freshen up back in Carlton before dinner.
Start close to home with Lygon Street breakfast at Fillou — it’s exactly the kind of soft landing you want on your last day in Carlton: good coffee, proper pastries, and zero commute stress. Aim to be there around 8:00–9:00 am so you can linger without feeling rushed; expect roughly A$20–30 per person. From there, take a quiet final stroll along the Melbourne General Cemetery perimeter and the Princes Park edge. It’s an underrated Carlton reset: tree-lined, calm, and a nice way to see the neighborhood before you head into the city one last time.
Make your way to Queen Victoria Market for your final big Melbourne market stop. This is the place to grab souvenirs that don’t feel touristy — local honey, biscuits, chocolates, olives, coffee beans, and anything you meant to buy earlier but didn’t. Budget around A$10–30 per person depending on how much you want to take home, and if you’re after a proper snack, the market is still one of the easiest spots for a quick bite without overthinking it. After that, head to Hardware Société in the CBD for a celebratory final brunch or coffee; it’s a good “we’re really done now” moment, and late morning is the sweet spot before the lunch rush.
If you’ve got time, do one last gentle loop through the State Library of Victoria for a final landmark moment — even a short revisit works, especially if you want one more look at the grand rooms before leaving town. It’s free, and 30–45 minutes is enough if you’re keeping it light. Then head back to Carlton Lygon Lodge for bags, check-out, and a final reset before your Uber from Carlton Lygon Lodge to Melbourne Airport. I’d leave 3–4 hours before your flight, especially if it’s a weekday or you’re checking luggage; the drive is usually 25–40 minutes, but Melbourne traffic can change quickly. If you end up with a little extra buffer, the airport road is much less stressful when you’re not cutting it close.