Leave Trafalgar VIC around 7:00am so you’ve got a relaxed run into Melbourne before the gallery opens at 10:00am. If you’re taking the train, the trip is usually about 2 hrs 15 mins–2 hrs 45 mins via Traralgon and Southern Cross, depending on the service and connection timing; it’s the easiest no-stress option if you don’t want to think about parking. If you’re driving, expect roughly 1 hr 45 mins–2 hrs 15 mins, but give yourself a buffer for city traffic and getting oriented once you hit St Kilda Road. For parking, the simplest move is a paid car park in Southbank or near the Arts Centre Melbourne so you can walk the rest of the day.
Head straight into NGV International at 180 St Kilda Road for opening time. Entry to the permanent collection is free, and that’s where you can happily spend most of the morning without feeling rushed; just check whether any special exhibitions are ticketed before you go. The building itself is worth a slow wander, from the grand entrance and water wall to the soaring central spaces, and the galleries flow nicely if you like to drift rather than power-walk. Plan on about 2.5–3 hours here, and wear those comfy shoes because you’ll be on your feet more than you think.
For lunch, stay right where you are and sit down at The Tea Room at NGV International so you don’t lose momentum crossing the city. It’s a nice, easy break in the day and usually lands in the $25–$45 per person range depending on what you order. Aim for around 12:30pm and give yourself about 1 hour—enough time for a proper meal, a drink, and a reset before the second half of the day. If you want a more casual backup, the Southbank strip is close by, but the in-house option is the smoothest choice.
After lunch, cross over to Federation Square for the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. It’s an easy switch and a nice change of pace: you go from the international collection to Australian art, which gives the day a good rhythm instead of feeling like more of the same. Allow about 1.5 hours, and don’t try to rush it—this is the part of the day where wandering works best. When you come back out, you’re perfectly placed for a coffee or a short sit before the trip home.
Wrap up with a coffee, dessert, or a light snack at ACMI Café & Bar in Federation Square around 3:45pm for about 45 minutes. It’s a handy final stop with a good view over the square, and it gives you a soft landing before the return trip instead of heading straight from gallery mode to the road or station. Then make your move back to Trafalgar VIC around 4:45pm–5:15pm: if you’re driving, leave the city early enough to dodge the worst of the evening crawl; if you’re on the train, head to Southern Cross Station with time to spare for the next Gippsland service.