Melbourne Sightseeing Itineraries
Maximise your visit to Melbourne by choosing one of our hand-selected Melbourne sightseeing itineraries. See the best of the city’s attractions and enjoy the many ‘bucket list’ experiences on offer.
Melbourne, like its famed city laneways, is many layered. It’s a city that’s prolific in architecture, performance, live music and the visual arts. Melbourne is also sporty and outdoorsy, with a wealth of wonderful parks and close proximity to stunning beaches and bushland. The city regularly makes it into the world’s ‘most liveable’ lists.
As intriguing as the city centre is, it’s worth taking the time to explore at least a few inner city neighbourhoods. The main attraction is not going to be a must-see sight, rather it’s the quotidian pleasures that the city does so well: shopping, sipping coffee, strolling through a park, catching up at the pub. You’ll see what makes Melbourne tick.
Beyond Melbourne’s urban attractions, Victoria offers an astounding diversity of landscapes – from the prettily bucolic to the wild and windswept, from the alpine to the arid – all within a relatively small area. Dotted throughout this stunning scenery is a wealth of historic country towns. Outdoor adventure is as varied as the countryside itself: rockclimbing, horseriding, diving, surfing, sailing, skiing, hiking and mountain biking can all be attempted within just a few days.
We’ve developed five sightseeing itineraries (1-Day, 2-Day, 3-Day, 4-Day & 5-Day) by asking visitors to Melbourne to list their standout experiences and attractions they saw during their visit. We hope you use our guide to maximise the enjoyment of your trip to Melbourne.
1-Day Itinerary
If you only have one day to spend in Melbourne, taking a City Sightseeing Bus/Melbourne Visitor Shuttle is the most efficient way to see the best of this chic, cosmopolitan city.
Morning
Start your day in Melbourne with a lovely breakfast at one of the cafes in Degraves Street, well-known for its laneway vibe and café culture. Following breakfast, take a leisurely stroll or tour around Melbourne’s laneways and arcades which the city is famous for. Choose our self-guided walking tour around Melbourne’s laneways and arcades or opt for a specialised guided tour which uncovers many of Melbourne’s hidden secrets.
Afternoon
Hop on board a City Sightseeing Bus or Melbourne Visitor Shuttle from Federation Square that takes visitors to prominent attractions in and around the Melbourne city precinct. Hop on and off the sightseeing bus at your leisure as you’re transported to bustling markets, cultural precincts, lush gardens, shopping arcades, sporting stadiums and much more. Travel in comfort as you listen to audio commentary that gives you an insight into Melbourne’s history.
Popular stops include Federation Square, Melbourne Museum and Carlton Gardens, Queen Victoria Market, Harbour Town & Docklands, Etihad Stadium & Victoria Harbour, Southbank & Yarra River and The Shrine & Royal Botanical Gardens.
Evening
Experience the best of Melbourne’s fantastic dining scene with a culinary experience aboard the iconic Melbourne Colonial Tramcar. Enjoy a five course dining extravaganza in a burgundy vintage tram car, the first in the world, while having the best seat in town for great night-time views of Melbourne city.
Make the most of your time in Melbourne by visiting one of the many bars in the city. See a different side to Melbourne after dark, when the city puts on a different cloak and locals come out to play.
2-Day Itinerary
If you have two days to spend in Melbourne, we recommend spending one day seeing the city sights in Melbourne and, on your second day, taking a day trip to Great Ocean Road.
Great Ocean Road Trip
The Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives where nature’s drama unfolds at every twist and turn. The scenery along the 106km (66-mile) coastal route includes huge cliffs, ocean vistas, beaches, rainforests, and some incredible rock formations, of which the 12 Apostles are world-famous. Stop at idyllic coastal villages along the way; watch surfers take on huge breaks; visit iconic lighthouses and take in luscious rainforests; spot native Australian wildlife – there’s so much to see and do along the Great Ocean Road.
This is a long day but one that will most likely be the highlight of your trip to Melbourne. Expect to be dazzled!
Options
You can opt to visit the Great Ocean Road by driving yourself or taking a guided tour, both of which have their own advantages and disadvantages.
A self-guided trip involves hiring a car, driving there and back, and choosing where you want to stop off along the way. See our Great Ocean Road page for the top things to see and do along the Great Ocean Road.
You can take the hassle out of the trip by joining a day tour to the Great Ocean Road which stops along the way at prominent attractions. In addition to being driven there and back, you’ll also be provided with lunch and snacks along the way as well as audio commentary from an informative tour guide.
- A sunset tour is highly recommended as the Great Ocean Road’s 12 Apostles is best seen at sunset.
- Take a helicopter flight over the 12 Apostles for an unforgettable experience.
Start your day in Melbourne with a lovely breakfast at one of the cafes in Degraves Street, well-known for its laneway vibe and café culture. Following breakfast, take a leisurely stroll or tour around Melbourne’s laneways and arcades which the city is famous for. Choose our self-guided walking tour around Melbourne’s laneways and arcades or opt for a specialised guided tour which uncovers many of Melbourne’s hidden secrets.
Hop on board a City Sightseeing Bus or Melbourne Visitor Shuttle from Federation Square that takes visitors to prominent attractions in and around the Melbourne city precinct. Hop on and off the sightseeing bus at your leisure as you’re transported to bustling markets, cultural precincts, lush gardens, shopping arcades, sporting stadiums and much more. Travel in comfort as you listen to audio commentary that gives you an insight into Melbourne’s history.
Popular stops include Federation Square, Melbourne Museum and Carlton Gardens, Queen Victoria Market, Harbour Town & Docklands, Etihad Stadium & Victoria Harbour, Southbank & Yarra River and The Shrine & Royal Botanical Gardens.
Experience the best of Melbourne’s fantastic dining scene with a culinary experience aboard the iconic Melbourne Colonial Tramcar. Enjoy a five course dining extravaganza in a burgundy vintage tram car, the first in the world, while having the best seat in town for great night-time views of Melbourne city.
3-Day Itinerary (Recommended)
A three-day itinerary is our recommended option for a visit to Melbourne and surrounds. See the best that Melbourne has to offer at a leisurely pace while exploring the city from every angle.
Make the most of your last day in Melbourne by rising early for a hot air balloon ride over the city at dawn. This is quintessential Melbourne – getting a bird’s eye view of the Melbourne city skyline with its bustling city centre, surrounding gardens and neighbourhood suburbs. Take your hot air balloon experience to another level with an added champagne breakfast option.
Spend the day visiting one or more of Melbourne’s wildlife zoos, parks or aquariums where you can get up-close and personal with many of Australia’s native animals. Choose from a visit to Melbourne Zoo, located close to the city centre; Werribee Open Range Zoo for a safari experience; Healesville Sanctuary to see native Australian wildlife in their natural habitat; or Melbourne Aquarium, home to several species of animals from the Southern Ocean. Whichever option you choose you are guaranteed a fun time.
Evening
Relax and unwind at one of the waterfront restaurants in Southbank with spectacular views of Melbourne city. Alternatively, choose from one of Melbourne’s culinary precincts famous for their ethnic food specialities – Chinatown, Carlton and Fitzroy are some of the popular dining hot spots in Melbourne.
Great Ocean Road Day Trip
The Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives where nature’s drama unfolds at every twist and turn. The scenery along the 106km (66-mile) coastal route includes huge cliffs, ocean vistas, beaches, rainforests, and some incredible rock formations, of which the 12 Apostles are world-famous. Stop at idyllic coastal villages along the way; watch surfers take on huge breaks; visit iconic lighthouses and take in luscious rainforests; spot native Australian wildlife – there’s so much to see and do along the Great Ocean Road.
This is a long day but one that will most likely be the highlight of your trip to Melbourne. Expect to be dazzled!
Options
You can opt to visit the Great Ocean Road by driving yourself or taking a guided tour, both of which have their own advantages and disadvantages.
A self-guided trip involves hiring a car, driving there and back, and choosing where you want to stop off along the way. See our Great Ocean Road page for the top things to see and do along the Great Ocean Road.
You can take the hassle out of the trip by joining a day tour to the Great Ocean Road which stops along the way at prominent attractions. In addition to being driven there and back, you’ll also be provided with lunch and snacks along the way as well as audio commentary from an informative tour guide.
- A sunset tour is highly recommended as the Great Ocean Road’s 12 Apostles is best seen at sunset.
- Take a helicopter flight over the 12 Apostles for an unforgettable experience.
Morning
Start your day in Melbourne with a lovely breakfast at one of the cafes in Degraves Street, well-known for its laneway vibe and café culture. Following breakfast, take a leisurely stroll or tour around Melbourne’s laneways and arcades which the city is famous for. Choose our self-guided walking tour around Melbourne’s laneways and arcades or opt for a specialised guided tour which uncovers many of Melbourne’s hidden secrets.
Afternoon
Hop on board a City Sightseeing Bus or Melbourne Visitor Shuttle from Federation Square that takes visitors to prominent attractions in and around the Melbourne city precinct. Hop on and off the sightseeing bus at your leisure as you’re transported to bustling markets, cultural precincts, lush gardens, shopping arcades, sporting stadiums and much more. Travel in comfort as you listen to audio commentary that gives you an insight into Melbourne’s history.
Popular stops include Federation Square, Melbourne Museum and Carlton Gardens, Queen Victoria Market, Harbour Town & Docklands, Etihad Stadium & Victoria Harbour, Southbank & Yarra River and The Shrine & Royal Botanical Gardens.
Evening
Experience the best of Melbourne’s fantastic dining scene with a culinary experience aboard the iconic Melbourne Colonial Tramcar. Enjoy a five course dining extravaganza in a burgundy vintage tram car, the first in the world, while having the best seat in town for great night-time views of Melbourne city.
4-Day Itinerary (Recommended)
A four-day visit to Melbourne gives you plenty of time not just to experience the best of Melbourne but also to take a couple of day trips outside Melbourne. Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island are two of the most popular day trips from Melbourne.
Phillip Island Day Trip
Perhaps the most visited destination on a day trip from Melbourne, Phillip Island is world-famous for its Penguin Parade where tiny Fairy Penguins march ashore every evening and make their way across the sand to their burrows for the night. This spectacle can be witness every evening at sunset and makes the long drive to Phillip Island worthwhile.
Phillip Island is a great destination for nature lovers, families and kids as it has abundant wildlife viewing options. Apart from the Fairy Penguins, see a colony of Australian fur seals at Seal Rocks, spot koalas up-close from tree tops and play with farm animals at the Heritage Farm.
Options
You can opt to visit Phillip Island by driving yourself or taking a guided tour. If you choose to drive yourself, see our Phillip Island page which lists the top attractions you should visit. You can take the hassle out of your trip to Phillip Island by joining a day tour which includes a visit to the Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre, Seal Rocks, Churchill Island and Cape Woolami. Enjoy the comforts of luxurious transportation, BBQ lunch and a friendly and informative guide.
Eearly Morning
Start your day by rising early for a hot air balloon ride over the city at dawn. This is quintessential Melbourne – getting a bird’s eye view of the Melbourne city skyline with its bustling city centre, surrounding gardens and neighbourhood suburbs. Take your hot air balloon experience to another level with an added champagne breakfast option.
Day
Spend the day visiting one or more of Melbourne’s wildlife zoos, parks or aquariums where you can get up-close and personal with many of Australia’s native animals. Choose from a visit to Melbourne Zoo, located close to the city centre; Werribee Open Range Zoo for a safari experience; Healesville Sanctuary to see native Australian wildlife in their natural habitat; or Melbourne Aquarium, home to several species of animals from the Southern Ocean. Whichever option you choose you are guaranteed a fun time.
Evening
Relax and unwind at one of the waterfront restaurants in Southbank with spectacular views of Melbourne city. Alternatively, choose from one of Melbourne’s culinary precincts famous for their ethnic food specialities – Chinatown, Carlton and Fitzroy are some of the popular dining hot spots in Melbourne.
Great Ocean Road Day Trip
The Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives where nature’s drama unfolds at every twist and turn. The scenery along the 106km (66-mile) coastal route includes huge cliffs, ocean vistas, beaches, rainforests, and some incredible rock formations, of which the 12 Apostles are world-famous. Stop at idyllic coastal villages along the way; watch surfers take on huge breaks; visit iconic lighthouses and take in luscious rainforests; spot native Australian wildlife – there’s so much to see and do along the Great Ocean Road.
This is a long day but one that will most likely be the highlight of your trip to Melbourne. Expect to be dazzled!
Options
You can opt to visit the Great Ocean Road by driving yourself or taking a guided tour, both of which have their own advantages and disadvantages.
A self-guided trip involves hiring a car, driving there and back, and choosing where you want to stop off along the way. See our Great Ocean Road page for the top things to see and do along the Great Ocean Road.
You can take the hassle out of the trip by joining a day tour to the Great Ocean Road which stops along the way at prominent attractions. In addition to being driven there and back, you’ll also be provided with lunch and snacks along the way as well as audio commentary from an informative tour guide.
- A sunset tour is highly recommended as the Great Ocean Road’s 12 Apostles is best seen at sunset.
- Take a helicopter flight over the 12 Apostles for an unforgettable experience.
Morning
Start your day in Melbourne with a lovely breakfast at one of the cafes in Degraves Street, well-known for its laneway vibe and café culture. Following breakfast, take a leisurely stroll or tour around Melbourne’s laneways and arcades which the city is famous for. Choose our self-guided walking tour around Melbourne’s laneways and arcades or opt for a specialised guided tour which uncovers many of Melbourne’s hidden secrets.
Afternoon
Hop on board a City Sightseeing Bus or Melbourne Visitor Shuttle from Federation Square that takes visitors to prominent attractions in and around the Melbourne city precinct. Hop on and off the sightseeing bus at your leisure as you’re transported to bustling markets, cultural precincts, lush gardens, shopping arcades, sporting stadiums and much more. Travel in comfort as you listen to audio commentary that gives you an insight into Melbourne’s history.
Popular stops include Federation Square, Melbourne Museum and Carlton Gardens, Queen Victoria Market, Harbour Town & Docklands, Etihad Stadium & Victoria Harbour, Southbank & Yarra River and The Shrine & Royal Botanical Gardens.
Evening
Experience the best of Melbourne’s fantastic dining scene with a culinary experience aboard the iconic Melbourne Colonial Tramcar. Enjoy a five course dining extravaganza in a burgundy vintage tram car, the first in the world, while having the best seat in town for great night-time views of Melbourne city.
5-Day Itinerary
A five-day visit to Melbourne allows you to soak up all the best attractions in Melbourne and surrounds. You’ll get to live like a local and get a feel for the true essence of this vibrant cosmopolitan city.
Early Morning
See how Melburnians live and head to the Royal Botanical Gardens (locally known as the ‘Tan’) for a walk (or run) around the famous 3.8km Tan Track. Afterwards, reward yourself with a delicious breakfast at Jardin Tan, a gorgeous eatery dedicated to serving farm-to-table produce with a French-Vietnamese focus. On the way back to your hotel for a ‘freshen up’, take the opportunity to pop into the Shrine of Remembrance, Victoria’s largest and most-visited war memorial.
Late Morning
Lovers of sport can pay a visit to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and go behind-the-scenes with a tour around the MCG grounds; the National Sports Museum is also worth checking out.
Afternoon
No visit to Melbourne is complete without some retail therapy in the city. To wind up your visit to Melbourne, head to Emporium Melbourne and Harbour Town to grab yourself a bargain; pound the pavement at the Bourke Street Mall; or poke around Block Arcade and Royal Arcade. Alternatively, head further upstream to Chadstone Shopping Centre, the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere.
Late Afternoon
If your shopping trip has left you a little weary, pamper yourself with a luxurious high tea at the posh Hotel Windsor. Tuck into a traditional afternoon tea featuring French pastries and finger sandwiches.
Evening
Complete your visit to Melbourne by taking a cruise along the Yarra river while soaking up the picturesque views and scenic attractions along the way. Watch the sunset over the water as you meander your way around Melbourne’s trading port or cultural Arts precinct. Dine at one of the waterfront restaurants in the Docklands before taking your return river cruise back to the city centre.
Phillip Island Day Trip
Perhaps the most visited destination on a day trip from Melbourne, Phillip Island is world-famous for its Penguin Parade where tiny Fairy Penguins march ashore every evening and make their way across the sand to their burrows for the night. This spectacle can be witness every evening at sunset and makes the long drive to Phillip Island worthwhile.
Phillip Island is a great destination for nature lovers, families and kids as it has abundant wildlife viewing options. Apart from the Fairy Penguins, see a colony of Australian fur seals at Seal Rocks, spot koalas up-close from tree tops and play with farm animals at the Heritage Farm.
Options
You can opt to visit Phillip Island by driving yourself or taking a guided tour. If you choose to drive yourself, see our Phillip Island page which lists the top attractions you should visit. You can take the hassle out of your trip to Phillip Island by joining a day tour which includes a visit to the Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre, Seal Rocks, Churchill Island and Cape Woolami. Enjoy the comforts of luxurious transportation, BBQ lunch and a friendly and informative guide.
Early Morning
Start your day by rising early for a hot air balloon ride over the city at dawn. This is quintessential Melbourne – getting a bird’s eye view of the Melbourne city skyline with its bustling city centre, surrounding gardens and neighbourhood suburbs. Take your hot air balloon experience to another level with an added champagne breakfast option.
Day
Spend the day visiting one or more of Melbourne’s wildlife zoos, parks or aquariums where you can get up-close and personal with many of Australia’s native animals. Choose from a visit to Melbourne Zoo, located close to the city centre; Werribee Open Range Zoo for a safari experience; Healesville Sanctuary to see native Australian wildlife in their natural habitat; or Melbourne Aquarium, home to several species of animals from the Southern Ocean. Whichever option you choose you are guaranteed a fun time.
Evening
Relax and unwind at one of the waterfront restaurants in Southbank with spectacular views of Melbourne city. Alternatively, choose from one of Melbourne’s culinary precincts famous for their ethnic food specialities – Chinatown, Carlton and Fitzroy are some of the popular dining hot spots in Melbourne.
Great Ocean Road Day Trip
The Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives where nature’s drama unfolds at every twist and turn. The scenery along the 106km (66-mile) coastal route includes huge cliffs, ocean vistas, beaches, rainforests, and some incredible rock formations, of which the 12 Apostles are world-famous. Stop at idyllic coastal villages along the way; watch surfers take on huge breaks; visit iconic lighthouses and take in luscious rainforests; spot native Australian wildlife – there’s so much to see and do along the Great Ocean Road.
This is a long day but one that will most likely be the highlight of your trip to Melbourne. Expect to be dazzled!
Options
You can opt to visit the Great Ocean Road by driving yourself or taking a guided tour, both of which have their own advantages and disadvantages.
A self-guided trip involves hiring a car, driving there and back, and choosing where you want to stop off along the way. See our Great Ocean Road page for the top things to see and do along the Great Ocean Road.
You can take the hassle out of the trip by joining a day tour to the Great Ocean Road which stops along the way at prominent attractions. In addition to being driven there and back, you’ll also be provided with lunch and snacks along the way as well as audio commentary from an informative tour guide.
- A sunset tour is highly recommended as the Great Ocean Road’s 12 Apostles is best seen at sunset.
- Take a helicopter flight over the 12 Apostles for an unforgettable experience.
Morning
Start your day in Melbourne with a lovely breakfast at one of the cafes in Degraves Street, well-known for its laneway vibe and café culture. Following breakfast, take a leisurely stroll or tour around Melbourne’s laneways and arcades which the city is famous for. Choose our self-guided walking tour around Melbourne’s laneways and arcades or opt for a specialised guided tour which uncovers many of Melbourne’s hidden secrets.
Afternoon
Hop on board a City Sightseeing Bus or Melbourne Visitor Shuttle from Federation Square that takes visitors to prominent attractions in and around the Melbourne city precinct. Hop on and off the sightseeing bus at your leisure as you’re transported to bustling markets, cultural precincts, lush gardens, shopping arcades, sporting stadiums and much more. Travel in comfort as you listen to audio commentary that gives you an insight into Melbourne’s history.
Popular stops include Federation Square, Melbourne Museum and Carlton Gardens, Queen Victoria Market, Harbour Town & Docklands, Etihad Stadium & Victoria Harbour, Southbank & Yarra River and The Shrine & Royal Botanical Gardens.
Evening
Experience the best of Melbourne’s fantastic dining scene with a culinary experience aboard the iconic Melbourne Colonial Tramcar. Enjoy a five course dining extravaganza in a burgundy vintage tram car, the first in the world, while having the best seat in town for great night-time views of Melbourne city.
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