How To Spend 3 Days in Melbourne, Australia – Visit Some Hidden Gems and Famous Sites

Melbourne is undisputedly the cultural and art capital of Australia where creativity and innovation come together. From the iconic graffiti lanes to the famous Yarra River and all its hidden gems, Melbourne is a great city to explore on your trip Down Under. Kaitlin, AKA HolidayHun on Instagram was lucky to spend 1 year there and has shared this detailed guide on how to best spend 3 days in Melbourne and all her personal favourite places.

Read: The Ultimate guide to moving to Australia from Ireland

Melbourne was voted the World’s Most Liveable City for seven years straight and for good reason. We will take a look at all of the top things to do, see and eat and also where to stay when you visit this iconic city.

Melbourne is often overlooked by Sydney, mainly due to the iconic landmarks such as the Sydney opera house and the harbour bridge. However, Melbourne does offer great weather in summer (December-February) and is home to one of the most famous roads in the world ‘The Great Ocean Road’.

If you are a sports lover you will know how famous Melbourne is for the sport scene in Australia. Every year the city hosts The Melbourne Cup, The Australian Open & The Australian Grand Prix. It is also home to the MCG Melbourne Cricket Ground which is the largest stadium in the Southern Hemisphere.

3 days in Melbourne Itinerary

Day 1: Let’s Explore Melbourne CBD

The first day of our 3 days in Melbourne itinerary takes us to the CBD also known as the Central Business district, where you will have the opportunity to visit some of the top tourist attractions. Make sure to wear comfy shoes it is going to be a full day of exploring. Everywhere listed below is really easy to get to whether it is by foot or jumping on the tram within the Free city tram zone.

Flinders street station & Federation Square

Time needed – Under 1 Hour

Firstly you are going to make your way towards Flinders street station which the oldest train station in all of Australia. Wherever you are staying, Flinders street station should be really easy to get to as it’s the main train station in the city.

Straight across the road from Flinders is Federation Square also known as Fed square which is the main square of the city hosting restaurants, bars and museums. The square opened in 2002 which is unusual as cities are usually built around town squares.

Check out ACMI – Australian Centre for the Moving Image Museum – certain areas are free to enter so worth a visit.

Cruise down the Yarra River on a Boat Tour

Time needed 1-2 hours

After Flinders and Fed Square I recommending talking boat ride along the famous Yarra river. GoBoat is a great option, you can take your own food and drink and drive as you please up and down the river taking in the cities sites.

If you’re not comfortable driving don’t worry there are plenty of river cruises that go daily whether you just want a casual tour, afternoon onboard with good food and drink, or just a short spin there is something to suit everyone.

View Cruises Here

Wander through Hosier & AC/DC Lane

Time needed – 20 Minutes

You can’t miss Hosier lane on your way around Melbourne – it is one of the top things to do in Melbourne city center. Wander around and admire the street art that has made the Melbourne urban art scene known across the globe. 

Many famous local and international artists’ work has been spotted in Hosier Lane since it was first made famous in the global street art scene in the 90s. The most well-known a Banksy stencil piece, Parachuting Rat from 2003, was mistakenly painted over by the city council in 2010.

Visit the State Library Victoria

Time needed – Under 1 hour

The State Library Victoria was established in 1854 making it Australia’s oldest public library and one of the first free libraries. It is also Australia’s busiest public library and, as of 2023, the third busiest library in the world. The library collection includes over 2 million books.

Take a spin on the 35 City Circle Tram

Time needed – Personal preference hop on hop off style tram

The City Circle Melbourne tram route 35 is a tram which runs around the CBD and is one of the many free things to do in Melbourne. The City Circle Tram service provides a free and convenient way to get around central Melbourne.

Tourists can use the City Circle Tram for travel to major attractions, shops and city events. You can catch the tram from beside the State Library Victoria every 30 minutes.

Visit the famous Queen Victoria Market

Time needed – 1 hour

Melbourne’s Iconic Queen Victoria Market is a major landmark in the city, Opened in 1878 it is home to over 600 small businesses. It is a great place to discover fresh and specialty produce, great coffee and food, souvenirs and clothing.

On Wednesday nights, there is a night market with different themes and live music. I love taking a visit here after work, so if you find yourself in Melbourne on a Wednesday definitely visit the night market.

Have a drink at the Arbory Afloat

The Arbory Afloat is a floating bar on the famous Yarra river with great views, drinks and food – and is a personal favourite of mine in Melbourne. It is centrally located just behind Flinders Street station. The venue is Mexican themed so expect cool music and flavoursome food and drinks.

Sunset time at The Melbourne Skydeck

Time needed – 1 hour

The Melbourne Skydeck is easily one Melbourne’s best view points. Buy tickets at the door or pre book online and save some money.

Make sure to visit around sunset to get the best views of the city in the daylight, and also in the dark with all the bright city lights. There is a bar and seats where you can chill and enjoy the insane views.

Now it’s Time for Dinner and a drink

There are some amazing restaurants in Melbourne, that cater for whatever cuisine you like. My favourites in the city are: Pepe’s Italian, Kiss & Tell Asian fusion , Daughter in Law Indian and Chin Chin South East Asian food.

If you would rather a quick and casual bite to eat then head for Betty’s Burgers which is an Australian burger chain which everyone loves, I would say it’s similar to Eddie Rockets at home.

Don’t miss the story book themed bar called ‘Storyville‘ for pre or post dinner drinks. The cocktails here are one of a kind with bubbling and smoking concoctions that are sure to impress – this is a quirky bar you wont forget on your trip to Melbourne.

This concludes Day 1 in Melbourne and you have seen some truly popular sights.

Day 2: A Trip Down The Coast

Melbourne is often overlooked when it come to the beaches as they are deemed not as impressive as other places in Australia, but a short drive away from the CBD you will find the Mornington Peninsula -you will be blown away by the beauty and landscape. I suggest you either rent a car for Day 2 or take an organised tour along the coast.

View Tour Here

Visit the Famous Brighton Bathing Boxes

Your first stop of the day is going to be the iconic Brighton beach and its colourful bathing boxes. You don’t particularly need a car to reach here as it is accessible from the city. Take the train from Flinders street station as it will only take 30 minutes to reach the beach town.

There are around 82 bathing boxes lined along the whole beach. I counted 88 when I visited and google says 92 so when you visit, count and see for yourself.

The first box was built in the 1860s and the average price of a bathing box is a whopping $200,000! The boxes don’t really do anything, as they have no electricity or water and are used mostly for storage, but they are definitely a must see in Melbourne.

Mornington Peninsula

On Day 2 you are going to spend majority of the day exploring the stunning coastal area, called Mornington Peninsula. There are tonnes of things to do here including a hot spring spa, top class wineries, swim spots, wiewpoints and trips on cable cars.

Peninsula Hot Spring Spa

Peninsula Hot Springs is an award-winning day spa destination on the Mornington Peninsula, just 90 minutes from Melbourne. Natural thermal mineral water flows into the pools and private baths at this coastal oasis, providing an stunning setting for relaxation.

The Bath House is a social bathing area that features around 70 globally inspired bathing experiences. These include a cave pool, reflexology walk, Turkish baths and a hilltop pool with panoramic views of the region.

The Spa Dreaming Centre is a blissful sanctuary which includes thermal mineral pools, cold plunge pool, massaging bamboo showers, traditional sauna, Moroccan hammam, Zen Chi massage and poolside lounges. This is the perfect place to kick back and relax.

Arthurs Seat & Cable Car Ride

A walk up the 300 metre hill of Arthurs Seat is a peninsula must do. Your reward is the amazing view of golden beaches, Mornington peninsula, and the twinkling city skyline of Melbourne, far across the bay.

For a bird’s eye view over the bay jump onboard the Arthurs Seat Eagle, a state of the art cable car ride which soars high above the trees.

Not into heights? Then lose yourself in the Enchanted Maze and wander through it’s themed gardens, admire the artworks of the Sculpture Park Walk maybe take a small picnic.

Swim stop at Mt Martha Beach

Mt Martha beach is super popular in the Peninsula. You just have to see pictures of it and you’ll want to visit. There are amazing cliff jump spots and clear blue water for swimming.

Enjoy Dinner in Sorrento

Spend the afternoon in Sorrento on the Mornington peninsula. It’s a laidback seaside town which has stunning boutique shops and trendy restaurants to enjoy some dinner. Here you will find the Sorrento Pier and the departure point for the popular fishing trips, seal and dolphin watching excursions, sight-seeing cruises and diving trips.

For dinner I’d recommend The Conti restaurant at the Continental Sorrento, it is a great meeting point in the heart of Sorrento which boast both indoor and outdoor seating. You will be treated to a stunning setting with original limestone walls, it is the perfect place for breakfasts, casual lunches, drinks straight off the beach or evening cocktails. The menu has something for everyone and is bound to impress.

This is the end of day 2 now time to head back towards the city to get ready for another busy day.

Day 3: The Famous Great Ocean Road

On Day 3 you are going to spend the whole day exploring one of the most famous roads in the world The Great Ocean Road. You will need to set off early for this road trip to beat the traffic from the city, as its a super popular day trip from Melbourne.

Victoria’s top tourist destination, the amazing Great Ocean Road, hugs the seaside cliffs that go along the the Southern Ocean. You will see striking sights along the iconic road including craggy cliffs, empty beaches, amazing viewpoints like the twelve apostles, as well as brilliant green countryside.

The road is super easy to follow and navigate if you want to hire a car, but there are many tour options available too.

1 day Self Drive Itinerary of the Great Ocean Road

1. Torquay – A surf beach town perfect to stop for some early morning breakfast and coffee before the big drive ahead.

2. Great Ocean Road Arch – Possibly the most famous picture spot along the road. The arch was built in honour of the 3,000 soldiers who worked on the road in World War I.

3. Lorne – Another small beach town located in the centre region on the Great Ocean Road, Lorne is a tourist favourite. It is a popular destination for surfing, pier fishing, swimming, and camping.

4. Apollo Bay – Offering plenty of viewpoints and local wildlife, you cant miss Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean road. Make sure you get in for a dip and you might be lucky to see the famous seals who call Apollo Bay home.

5. Twelve Apostles – When you google ‘The Great Ocean Road’, I’m sure this is the picture that comes up and very good reason too it’s the most popular sight on the trip. An iconic last stop before you head back towards the city.

There are so many things to see along the Great Ocean Road, it is a unique experience so don’t miss it!

Looking for a longer itinerary for Melbourne? Here are 12 unique things to do in Melbourne!

1. Go in search of wildlife at Phillip Island

The laid back Phillip Island packs a punch when it comes to wildlife and exploring. This tiny island sanctuary is busy with seals, migratory whales, koalas and brilliant birdlife. Watching little penguins dash home across the sand at dusk at Phillip Island Nature Parks’ Penguin Parade is a firm favourite.

2. Marvel at Moonlit Sanctuary

This is perfect place to see all the Australian native animals from wallabies, kangaroos and little koala bears, it’s definitely not to be missed. Moonlit Sanctuary can also be visited on the way to Phillip Island.

3. Take a gondola ride

Did you know you can take a gondola ride in Melbourne? The Royal Botanic gardens offers such an experience around its stunning lake. The Royal Botanical Gardens is also a lovely place for a stroll or picnic and is easily reachable from the CBD and within walking distance from Flinders street station.

4. Step back in time on Puffing bill

Take a historic train journey like no other through the Dandenong ranges on Puffing Billy. Make sure to book a while in advance as it is very popular and books up fairly quickly.

5. Visit Luna Park

The oldest amusement park in Australia Luna park is one of the top things to do in Melbourne with kids. Located just off St Kilda beach. The typical fun fair rides are great for younger kids and the carnival atmosphere and rides have entertained visitors for over 100 years.

6. Enjoy a Night out on the famous Chapel Street

No night out is complete in Melbourne without ending up on Chapel street. The bar and club lined street is a great place for a few drinks and a late night boogie.

7. Shop at Chadstone Shopping Centre

The biggest shopping centre in the southern hemisphere a shopaholics dream. Chadstone Shopping Centre is kitted out with a social quarter as well as a cinema. There is a courtesy shuttle bus that runs from the CBD to Chadstone daily as it’s hard to get to with public transport.

8. Go on Safari at Werribee Open Range Zoo

Not to be mistaken for Melbourne Zoo, the Werribee Zoo has a great concept offering an African adventure safari trail. Join the team for a free guided safari through their unique ruins, where you can see rhinos, giraffes, and zebras. This is a popular family attraction in Melbourne.

9. Go wine tasting at Yarra Valley vineyards

If you love wine, I’d highly recommend a visit to the nearby wine regions. You won’t need to go too far as you can reach some about an hour outside the city.

10. Splash the cash at Crown Casino Complex

A massive entertainment and hotel complex right in central Southbank, Crown Casino showcases shops, restaurants and a cinema. If you have time definitely worth a visit one of the evenings.

11. See Melbourne from above on a hot Air balloon ride

Up up and away – See Melbourne from above on a once in a lifetime hot air balloon ride over the Yarra valley – the ultimate thing to add to your Melbourne bucket list.

12. Walk around a Forumula 1 track

Walk around the stunning lake at Albert park its one of my favourite things to do in Melbourne, and it doesn’t take too long. This is home to the Australian Grand Prix track.

How many days in Melbourne is enough?

I think you need a minimum of 3 days in Melbourne but you could easily do more. The longer you have the better, I think 5-7 days would be the perfect amount of time to see majority of the sights in the city and surrounding areas.

Ideally it would be great to spend two days exploring the Great Ocean Road rather than fitting it into one, but it all depends on the time you have. The city itself is not as big as Sydney so you can see more in less time.

How to get around while spending 3 days in Melbourne:

Getting to and from the Airport

There are two main ways to get from Melbourne Airport to the city or suburbs. Uber which is easy and efficient, will see you in the city within 20 minutes. Alternatively check out Sky Bus -they run very frequently from the coast or the city centre. Pre book tickets online to save money.

Note there are 2 airports in Melbourne: Tullamarine (MEL) which is international and closer to the city, and Avalon (AVA) which is domestic only and about an hour further away than Tullamarine. Make sure you check your tickets carefully.

Tram

Melbourne offers a free tram zone within the city centre. To use public transport outside of the free tram zone, you need to purchase a myki card, You can purchase one from retail outlets displaying the myki sign, visitor centres and at train stations.

Train

Trains are a great way to visit attractions across the city and reach the surrounding suburbs. Major stations in the city include Central, Flinders and Southern Cross Station.

Bus

Buses are not as ideal as the trams, which are super efficient, but buses are still popular in Melbourne. Depending on where you are staying or planning to visit buses can also be an option.

Lime scooters

Scooters are a great way to see the city, especially around the quieter suburbs as the city can be slightly chaotic to be roaming around. But rent at your own risk – and make sure you have insurance!

Uber/DiDi

Uber are always a convenient way to get around any city but check out the Australian version DiDi, which can sometimes be better value and more readily available.

Where to stay in Melbourne:

Southbank

Southbank is a very central point on the Yarra river and within walking distance to the CBD. You will find fully serviced apartments in South bank. If you need cooking facilities on your trip to Melbourne then Southbank is the area for you.

Check Prices Here

St Kilda

St Kilda is the perfect location if you want to stay near the beach in Melbourne. This lively suburb is easily reachable from the city. There is tonnes to see and do and some fabulous coffee shops here too. St Kilda is a popular place in Melbourne with Irish residents, and this suburb is where you will find your typical Irish pubs – Jimmy O’Neill’s and The Fifth Provence.

Check Prices Here

Southern Cross Station

If you are looking for a hotel stay in Melbourne then check out the area around Southern Cross Station. Chain hotels are be dotted around here such as The Movenpick, Holiday Inn and The Savoy to name but a few. Southern Cross Station is ideal for getting Trains and Buses to other parts of the city or even country, you can even get a sleeper train from here to Sydney.

Check Prices Here

I hope this guide on 3 days in Melbourne will help you enjoy your time in the city as much as I love living here.

Kaitlin

Kaitlin Murphy is a former Irish travel agent currently living in Australia. She travelled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia.

While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, activities and descriptions are subject to change. Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links, where I receive a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional cost to you.