Hit the road from Trafalgar VIC around 7:15 am and head down the M1 / Monash Fwy into Melbourne. On a good run it’s about 1 hour 30 minutes, but I’d budget closer to 2 hours once you factor in weekday traffic and the last stretch into the CBD. If you’re driving in, aim for parking near Federation Square or the Southbank car parks so you can walk straight into the gallery precinct without circling around the inner city. If you’d rather skip the parking stress altogether, the train is also a clean option from Trafalgar into the city, but for this day plan the drive gives you the most flexibility.
Get to NGV International right at the 10 am opening so you can enjoy the quietest part of the day before the school groups and tour crowds build. This is the easy way to do it: start with the headline rooms, then wander into the calmer galleries once your feet have settled into the day. Entry to the permanent collection is free, while special exhibitions usually cost around $25–$40 depending on the show. Give yourself 2.5 to 3 hours here; that’s enough time to see the highlights properly without turning the visit into a marathon.
Stay close and have lunch at Waterwall Restaurant at NGV so you don’t waste time crossing the river or hunting for a table elsewhere. It’s a convenient, polished option with mains and lighter dishes generally landing in the $25–$45 per person range, and it works well because you can be back out the door quickly. After lunch, take the short walk into the CBD to Hosier Lane for the classic Melbourne laneway hit: peeling paint, layered murals, photographers everywhere, and something different every week. It only needs 30–45 minutes, and it’s best treated as a relaxed wander rather than a “must check off” stop.
From the laneways, head up to Queen Victoria Market for a proper late-afternoon change of scene. It’s about a 10–15 minute walk if you’re already in the CBD edge, or a short tram if your feet need a break. This is where you can graze a bit, pick up snacks or souvenirs, and soak up the old-school Melbourne atmosphere before the drive home. Most stalls are best from late morning through the afternoon, and you’ll usually spend 1 to 1.5 hours here without trying. Aim to leave the city around 4:30–5:00 pm for the run back to Trafalgar VIC via the M1 / Princes Fwy; if you want one last caffeine stop, grab it near the market before you hit the freeway, because the traffic out of Melbourne can build quickly once commuters are on the move.