I personally think 5 days is a good amount of time to explore Melbourne. My 5 days Itinerary includes 3 days exploring the city itself, and a couple of additional day trips to famous nearby attractions like the Great Ocean Road, Yarra Valley wine region, or Phillip Island.
Basically, within 5 days, you can visit iconic landmarks in the CBD like Flinders Street Station, Federation Square, State Library of Victoria, and National Gallery of Victoria. You can go exploring the street art scene along many laneways/ arcades, enjoy cafe cultures, and go shopping at Bourke Street Mall.
You can explore the famous Queen Victoria Market; visit one of the city many parks and garden like Royal Botanic Gardens or Fitzroy Gardens; enjoy sweeping views at the Eureka Tower;
If you love art, be sure to check out the Immigration Museum and Melbourne Museum. For those who are interested in the theater scene, you can watch a show at the Regent Theatre or Princess Theatre.
The city is also known for its vibrant nightlife scene with many wine bars, rooftop restaurants, and pubs. You can consider taking a bar hopping tour if you are into the party.
Within 5 days, you will have time to see some of the city’s iconic beaches including St Kilda Beach, Brighton Beach, and Black Rock Beach. These are only a short train/tram ride from Melbourne CBD.
If you have only 1-2 days in Melbourne, I think you will be able to see major attractions that are concentrated in the CBD. With 3-5 days, you can make day trips outside Melbourne comfortably.
Check your visa condition
Before booking your accommodation and flights, you need to find out if you need to apply for an Australian tourist visa. Depending on your nationality, there are different types of tourist visa, and different conditions for each type.
You can check, apply and check all information on the official Department of Home Affairs website. Be sure to have your visa approved before leaving your home country.
When is the best time to visit Melbourne?
Melbourne is an all-year around destination. While you can visit the city any time of the year, spring and autumn are probably the best time to visit Melbourne when the weather is more pleasant. Spring is from September To November, Autumn is from March to May.
Summer is from December to March and is the hottest time of the year and is a great time to enjoy the beach. It is also the holiday season, so be sure to book your accommodation in advance. Winter, from June to August, has fewer tourists, so you can find a good deal of accommodation in this season.
In general, Melbourne’s weather is unpredictable. You can experience four seasons in one day. It can be hot during the day, and turn cold later, so always pack a light jumper, cardigan, or jacket with you.
How many days in Melbourne is enough?
In my opinion, 3-5 days is a good amount of time to see Melbourne and its surrounding attractions. You can explore major sights in the CBD, visit nearby beaches like St Kilda, and take day trips to the famous Great Ocean Road and Yarra Valley wine region.
With 1-2 days, it can be a rush to see the city but it is doable. You can focus your time to explore the city center area like street art spotting, do some shopping at Bourke Street Mall, check out popular sights like Flinders Station, Fed Square, State Library, and Queen Victoria Market.
Where are the best areas to book your hotel?
The best area in Melbourne to book your accommodations is Melbourne CBD. This is because it is the heart of the city, and has the highest range of accommodations for all budget travelers including backpacker hostels and luxury hotels.
Southbank and Docklands are also great locations to stay, especially if you travel with family. These areas have spacious apartment-tylle accommodations that can accommodate large families. Accommodations in these areas are mostly mid-range and luxury hotels, it is hard to find affordable accommodations here.
Arriving at the airport, get to the city center, and internet
Melbourne has two airports, Tullamarine International Airport and Avalon Airport. Tullamarine Airport is the main airport of Melbourne and most visitors arrive at this one.
The easiest way to get from Tullamarine Airport to the CBD is by taking the Skybus. The bus runs everyday from 4am to 1am, between the airport and Southern Cross Station (one of the major transport hubs in Melbourne). From here you can walk or take a free tram to your accommodation.
You can buy the ticket online or at its office right outside of the airport. The price is 20 aud/way and the journey is around 20 minutes. If you travel with a group or you have a lot of luggage, you can use taxi or rideshare services like Uber, Ola, or Didi.
To stay connected to the internet, you need to buy a Sim Card; popular choices are Optus or Telstra. You can consider using eSIM which is a digital Sim that allows you to connect the wifi without an interesting physical Sim into your phone.
How to get around Melbourne?
Getting around Melbourne is easy by using tram, train, bus, and rideshare services. To be able to get on public transportation, you need to buy a Myki Card (similar to Suica/Pasmo Card in Tokyo).
You can buy this card at the kiosk in many train stations or convenience shops like seven eleven. The fee for the card is 6 AUD, and you need to top up with some money in there.
Melbourne CBD has the free tram zone, which circles around the city center, and takes you to major attractions like Queen Victoria Market, State Library, Flinder Street, and Parliament. You can use the combination of this free tram and walking to explore the CBD.
How to Spend 3-5 days in Melbourne (Itinerary for first-timers)
Day 1: Melbourne CBD and Southbank
Start your first day at the Flinder Street Station, which is one the major transportation hubs of the city. It is also an iconic landmark of the city, so stop here and take a photo with the clock in front of the station.
You can check out the Federal Square located opposite of the Flinder Street Station. The square is a popular meeting place and location of many events throughout the year.
Then you walk across the Princes Bridge to the Southbank area. If you want to have sweeping views over the city, you can head to the observation deck of the Eureka Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the city.
Or, you can visit the National Gallery of Victoria, which is free to enter. It is a famous art gallery that features artworks of both international and Austrian artists. There are many nice photo opportunities in this building.
The Royal Botanic Gardens and Alexandra Gardens nearby are great places to take a leisure stroll. While in the area, you can have a look at the Shrine of Remembrance, which offers stunning views of the city skyline.
You can consider taking the 1-2 hour Yarra River Cruise, which offers different views of the city and its famous attractions from the water. I think it is a relaxing way to explore the city, river, and its banks.
Later on, you can walk or take the tram back to the city center, wander around its laneways and arcades to spot street art. Popular streets are Hosier Lane, Union Lane, Degraves Street, and Royal Arcade. You can grab your coffee or meal in one of the restaurants/cafes in these alleyways.
You can head to Queen Victoria Market to experience daily local life. The market is on a free tram zone, and is only open on certain days from 6am to 3pm, so check time before you go there.
The State Library Victoria is also a beautiful place to visit as well as the Parliament House where you can take a free guided tour. I think it is a must-see for those who are interested in history and politics.
If you love shopping, Bourke Street Mall is the place to go. It is a pedestrian street, packed with fashion and cosmetic shops. Even if you don’t go shopping, you can still enjoy the lively street atmosphere and the frequent performances by street artists.
Day 2: Fitzroy, Collingwood, and Carlton
Fitzroy, Collingwood, and Carlton are great neighborhoods in the North of Melbourne CBD. These areas have many multicultural eateries, a great art scene, and fun nightlife.
Carlton is the Little Italy of Melbourne, where you can find a huge Carlton Gardens with attractions like Melbourne Museum and Royal Exhibition Building. Lygon Street is the main street of Carlton, packed with Italian restaurants and cafes. Brunetti and Donnini’s are one of the great restaurants here.
If you happen to visit Fitzroy on weekend, be sure to check out the Rose Street Artists’ Market where you can find some unique handicrafts and artworks for gifts. To try some of the best almond croissants in Melbourne, you can visit Lune Croissanterie Fitzroy nearby.
Wandering around Fitzroy and Collingwood, you’ll spot a lot of street arts. Brunswick Street is where you can find many thrift stores or op-shops.
If time allows, you can check Fitzroy Gardens nearby, home of the interesting 18th Cooks’ Cottage. The ticket is 7aud and can be bought onsite.
Day 3: St Kilda Beach and Brighton Beach
St Kilda Beach and Brighton Beach are iconic city beaches. St Kilda Beach is only a 30 mins tram ride on the no 96. You can take a stroll along the beach, swimming, check out the little penguin at St Kilda Pier, or have a meal along the bustling Acland Street.
Brighton Beach is a 30 mins bus ride from St Kilda Beach. It is a very Instagramable place, lined with colorful bathing houses. Many tourists and locals enjoy taking photos with these boxes.
Day 4: Day trip to Great Ocean Road
In my opinion, renting a car is the best way to see the Great Ocean Road, but if you don’t drive, you can take a guided tour. The Great Ocean Road is known for its stunning beaches, beautiful scenery, and charming seaside towns like Lorne or Torquay.
The most popular stops on the Great Ocean Road include The 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and Kennett River. You can consider taking Helicopter Ride Over the 12 Apostles, which can offer memorial experiences.
Day 5: Day trip to Phillip island
Phillip island is best accessed by car or guided tour. It is located 2 hours drive from Melbourne, and is best known for its sunset Penguin Parade. You can see koalas at the Koala Conservation Reserve.
See more:
- 19 Best things to do in Melbourne for tourists
- 10 Best hotels in Melbourne
- 4 Best areas to stay in Melbourne
That is my itinerary for 5 days in Melbourne, including 3 days exploring the city itself and additional day trips to nearby beaches and islands. I think 5 days is enough to have a good introduction to the capital of the state of Victoria.
So, How many days are you planning in Melbourne? Which places are you planning to visit? Feel free to let me know in the comment box below. I’d love to read it.