Ultimate 3 Day Melbourne Itinerary: A Local’s Guide for 2025

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Melbourne is often called the ‘cultural capital of Australia’. I won’t even begin to compare Melbourne to Sydney because, quite frankly, these are two of the most different urban centres in the world. In Sydney life is about beautiful beaches and coastal walks, while in Melbourne the focus is much more on the latest gallery opening, decadent brunch culture, vibrant Australian-Asian fusion dining and cozy pubs and bars with the latest Aussie indie band playing.

In my opinion, if you truly want to understand contemporary Australia it is crucial you allocate time to Melbourne in your Australia itinerary. Let’s face it: almost forty per cent of Australia’s population lives in either Melbourne or Sydney. Australia may be known for the raw landscapes of the Outback, or the stunning Whitsunday Islands. But it is here, in Melbourne, where contemporary Australian culture is constantly innovating.

Melbourne is at the heart of my story, the city where I was born, raised and lived for almost two decades. Growing up, I always knew Melbourne was the coolest city in Australia. However, it was only once I moved abroad when I could truly appreciate just what an excellent urban centre Melbourne is. With every trip home, I would start exploring new neighbourhoods, boutique museums and local eateries. And as I met people on my travels, I quickly became aware of Melbourne’s glowing international reputation: the global capital of smashed avo, the vibrant atmosphere of the Australian Open and, of course, AC/DC.

We have years of preparing bespoke itineraries for travellers to Melbourne. Whether you’re visiting for a long weekend from interstate, or including Melbourne on your two week Australia travel itinerary, I guarantee you won’t find a better 3 day Melbourne itinerary.

Before you go: Planning your 3 day Melbourne itinerary

Where to stay in Melbourne

For the best connectivity and most central location, I always recommend visitors stay in the heart of Melbourne CBD. Following the pandemic we’ve seen a number of new excellent hotels open in Melbourne. From large international brand names like the W Melbourne to the Ritz Carlton, to new smaller hotels like the Lancemore Crossley Street.

Getting around Melbourne

The most important thing to ensure your 3 day Melbourne itinerary is smooth and easy is to get yourself a myki card as soon as possible.

Myki cards operate as your catch-all transport card. You simply top it up in your online account and then tap the physical card on and off your respective transport option. However, you cannot buy a myki on the train or tram itself. Rather, you’ll need to stop past a 7-Eleven store or you can try the office at certain stations. You can also pre-order a myki and have it delivered to your hotel before your stay.

Once you’re all set up with a myki, you are on your way to using Melbourne’s excellent public transport system, which includes an extensive networks of trains, trams and buses.

Free tram zone

One of my favorite things about the Melbourne CBD is that it is a designated free tram zone. This means you don’t need to touch on or off with your myki when using trams to hop around the CBD. As many of the top attractions in your 3 day Melbourne itinerary are in the CBD, free transport is a real win for travelers to Melbourne.

Ultimate 3 day Melbourne itinerary: A Local’s Guide

Day 1: Melbourne past and present

Breakfast: Start your trip right

If there’s only one thing about Melbourne, you know it’s that this may be the best city in the world for breakfast.

At the outset, I dare say it’s crucial that any great 3 day Melbourne itinerary revolves almost entirely food. As such I want to ensure you don’t start your day too full (you need space for snacks), so I’m going to give you a few options for breakfast depending on how you like to arrange your appetite.

If you’re just after coffee and cake

Make your way to Dukes in Flinders Lane. This is easily one of the best cups of coffee in Melbourne CBD and you’ll usually be able to find some freshly baked pastries.

If you’re after a full brunch

If you’re the type who rolls out of bed hungry and you need a substantial meal to get the day started, make your way to either Higher Ground or Hardware Société. Both of these establishments were at the forefront of the great Melbourne brunch renaissance in the early 2000s and offer some of the most consistently good brunch options in Melbourne CBD.

For the more Instagram-friendly option, I’d lean towards Higher Ground as it is housed in an extremely photogenic heritage-listed former power station.

If you’re after a local experience

Melbourne CBD is unquestionably the heart of the city’s vibrant dining scene. However, for brunch, I would argue the best brunch restaurants are hidden in local neighbourhoods. For day 2 of your 3 day Melbourne itinerary, I’ll be taking you for brunch in the north. And so, if you’re up for a little bit of suburban exploration take a short tram ride down to South Melbourne and consider having breakfast at ST. ALi, easily one of the best places for brunch south of the Yarra.

ST. ALi is very much a Melbourne institution and you’ll even find a small, on-site grocer with home-made ST. ALi products, bags of coffee to take home and even T-shirts and memorabilia. If you don’t manage to get to ST. ALi in South Melbourne, you’ll be able to try their coffee at a number of cafes across Melbourne. There also happens to be a small ST. ALi outpost in Melbourne’s international terminal. Ideal for homesick expats to bring bags of coffee beans back to Singapore or London!

Morning: Shrine of Remembrance

Following the devastation of Australia’s communities in World War I, the Shrine of Remembrance was built to memorialise those lost in the battlefields of Europe defending the British Empire – God, King and Country.

I think the Shrine of Remembrance is central to any understanding of contemporary Australian identity. Despite the distance from Europe, World War I dramatically changed Australia. Nearly sixty-five per cent of the Australian military men sent to Europe were killed, giving Australia among the highest proportionate casualty rate of the war. Australian soldiers were often used as cannon fodder in military campaigns, leading the development of a unique Australian cultural identity – distinctly non-British.

For me, the boldness of the Shrine encapsulates all of this difficult history. Full of pain and suffering, this huge structure clearly aimed to envision a new, more confident Australia.

Under the Shrine you’ll find a free museum detailing Australia’s military campaigns. For those less keen on military history, bee-line to the upper balcony from where you will enjoy some of the best views over Melbourne. Keep an eye out for the Eureka Tower and Australia 108 on your left as you face the city skyline. These are the second- and third-tallest buildings in Australia and iconic pieces of Melbourne architecture

Afternoon: TI’s DIY contemporary Melbourne walking tour

Your day continues with our very own curated walking tour of Melbourne’s most famous sites, weaving you through contemporary laneways full of avant-garde art through to the old Victorian-era arcades with timeless boutiques. However, I encourage you not to follow this walking tour too closely.

Rather, take the time to explore Melbourne’s laneways, stop past the little galleries, before shopping at the uniquely Australian concept stores. And, of course, make sure you stop for coffee and a few snacks on the way. But, for your reference, we’ve prepared a list of some of the must see spots in Melbourne CBD.

Generally speaking, we recommend either starting or ending your walking tour at Federation Square. Before you head off, I love to bring visitors past the Indigenous galleries at the Ian Potter Centre in Federation Square. It’s free to pop in and you can really spend as long or as short as you’d like. But, in my opinion, this is an ideal way to frame your visit to Melbourne CBD.

We’ve tried to focus on the highlights of Melbourne CBD, but if you find yourself with more time definitely make your way up to Chinatown and the architecturally-impressive State Library.

Must-see laneways in Melbourne CBD

• Degraves Street: a bustling, and often quite tight, laneway full of cafes and concept stores. Stop past Degraves Espresso Melbourne for the quintessential flat white experience (although I think Dukes around the corner is a much better cup of coffee!). If you’re after a unique souvenir, check out Clementine’s local concept store which is full of Victorian art, pottery, homeware and more (and infinitely more unique than the souvenir shops on Swanston Street).
• When you’re done, continue up Centre Place for more laneway vibes. Don’t miss the quirky Kinki Gerlinki (a very Melbourne-style fashion boutique).

• Hosier Lane: perhaps the most famous of Melbourne’s street art laneways – have your camera handy. Many of Australia’s most prominent street artists rose to fame through Hosier Lane exposure.
• AC/DC Lane: named and decorated for Melbourne’s very own home-grown rock and rollers.

Must-see arcades in Melbourne CBD

Both the Block Arcade and Royal Arcade (very close to each other) are among the prettiest Victorian-style arcades in the world. Nearby Cathedral Arcade also has a monumental dome, but I find the shops there lacking in atmosphere when compared to the other two.

The arcades aren’t too big, so you’d have to try hard to miss out on seeing any of the speciality stores. But if you’re a chocolate person, take my advice and make your way to Koko Black (Royal Arcade) and Haigh’s Chocolates (Block Arcade) for a unique Melbourne chocolate experience (yes, we’re making this a thing to do). Beyond taste testing some delicious chocolates, these make a great, high quality Australian gift to bring home.

If you’re after more unique souvenirs, I personally love Essensorie. This small store in Block Arcade sells artisanal natural Australian essences and creams, made from natural indigenous oils and plants. You’ll want to, at least, smell the only-in-Australia lemon myrtle and bluefin eucalyptus.

Bonus: Pre-dinner drink

If you’re the type who enjoy a drink before dinner, make your way to the Caretaker’s Cottage. Set in a small heritage cottage, Caretaker’s Cottage epitomizes the charm of Melbourne: heritage architecture, homey pub-like vibes all fusing together with a slightly counter-cultural, funky twist. The masterful cocktails here have recently led Caretaker’s Cottage to be recognised among the top 50 bars in the world.

You can certainly return here after dinner, but in my opinion, you want to stopping past while its still light out. There’s some great outdoor seating and you’ll be able to appreciate the general prettiness of the cottage itself. Regardless of when you visit, you’ll want to make sure this pub-meets-cocktail-bar has a place on your 3 day Melbourne itinerary.

Dinner

If you’re on a budget

Melbourne is a tough city to dine on a budget. In saying that, you can certainly have some great meals with only a little bit of wiggle room on your budget. Some of my favorite restaurants in Melbourne CBD on the cheaper end of the scale include Soi 38 (Thai-style street food tucked away in a car park; very Melbourne), Shandong Mama (busy Chinese food which always hits the spot) or YOI Indonesian Fusion.

Mid to upper range

If you’re looking for something on the mid to upper range bracket, there’s nothing more quintessentially Melbourne then a night out at Chin Chin. The heart of Melbourne’s Australia-Asian fusion cuisine, Chin Chen is a sensory overload. Expect loud music, vibrant colours and live film, and some excellent flavours.

Much of contemporary Australian-Asian cuisine has Chin Chin to thank for many, now ubiquitous, dishes across contemporary Australian fare including kingfish sashimi and corn fritters. If you can’t get a table at Chin Chin, I’d recommend checking out either Cookie or Lucy Liu for a deep dive into the extremely delicious, yet slightly cheeky, world of Australian-Asian dining.

After dark

Following Sydney’s infamous lockout laws, Melbourne gladly took the crown as the best city in Australia for life after dark. Most nights of the week you’ll find bars buzzing full of people, and more often than not, with a live band.

If you didn’t make it to Caretaker’s Cottage before dinner, I’d head there now. Otherwise Melbourne CBD is full of hidden speakeasies, cocktail bars and relaxed rooftops. Some of my favourites include: Bar Margoux, Byrdi and HER rooftop.

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If you are keen to explore Melbourne’s live music scene, make your way to Cherry Bar on the appropriately-named AC/DC Lane. This small, dive-style bar made headlines for famously refusing to cancel a local Mildura band when Lady Gaga was in town and wanted to perform here. You can usually find their upcoming shows on their Facebook page.

Day 2: Northside: History and counter-culture

In recent years Melbourne’s reputation has become intertwined with a vibrant arts and cultural space and an ever-growing counter-cultural scene.

On the second day of your 3 day Melbourne itinerary, I’m taking you deep into the heart of Melbourne’s Northside neighborhoods. The goal of today’s itinerary is to show you the many contrasts of contemporary Melbourne.

Morning: Parliament House

Your morning starts with a walk over to Melbourne’s Parliament on Spring Street. If possible, I’d recommend taking a walking route which goes down Collins Street. I normally roll my eyes at these kind of local idioms, but we do actually call this section of Collins ‘the Paris end of Collins Street‘.

Many travellers are surprised to find out that Melbourne was in fact Australia’s first capital. Following the Victorian Gold Rush, increased calls for labor rights eventually led to greater calls for Australian democracy. And thus, following Australia’s federation in 1901, Parliament first sat in Melbourne. It later moved to, the much quieter, Canberra.

These days, Victoria’s great Parliament House is home to the state parliament. Parliament House is one of those buildings whose design is so intimately connected with history. For example, all the gold you see is actually real gold leaf mined in Ballarat itself. Like much of Melbourne, Parliament House reflects the wealth and confidence of the Victorian Gold Rush. If you’re interested to learn more, you’ll find free guided tours of the ornate interior chambers (with real gold leaf everywhere).

Just up the road from Parliament House, you’ll spot one of Melbourne’s historic theatres: the oh-so-pretty Princess’ Theatre. And if it’s not too early for gelato, Gelateria Primavero (inside the adorable Spring St Grocer) offer some of the best Italian-style gelato in Melbourne.

Local tip: Just behind Parliament House, take a quick walk to a little side-street: Saint Andrews Place. Here, you’ll find some of the most quintessential Victorian terrace homes in Melbourne. Dating to the mid-1850s, this distinctly Australian architectural style adapted European architectural styles for the Australian climate. Typical design features include large ornate porches (locally referred to as ‘verandas’).

Brunch: Collingwood

From Spring Street, hop on a tram or take the 25 minute walk up towards the hip, Northside neighborhood of Collingwood. Here, you’ll find Terror Twilight – perhaps my favorite brunch spot in the north (yes, I’m aware this is really a huge call).

In true Melbourne-style, Terror Twilight’s ever-changing brunch menu reflects the best of brunch culture, with a slightly Asian-inspired undertone. You’ll want to keep your eyes open for the halloumi, cabbage and zucchini fritters, or the eggs kurosawa. But don’t stress too much, this is one of those Melbourne brunch cafes where your breakfast arrives like something out of a gourmet restaurant. The decor at Terror Twilight is also perfectly Northside. Slightly retro, slightly edgy but, ultimately, just very Melbourne (you’ll soon start to understand what I mean by this).

Late morning/early afternoon: Collingwood and Fitzroy

After brunch, spend some time exploring the eclectic neighborhoods of Collingwood and Fitzroy. These two neighborhoods are the heart of ‘cool’ Melbourne and will very quickly give you Berlin or East London vibes. If you’re excited by small concept shops, unique Melbourne-based fashion labels and delicious snacks, you’ll want to spend a few hours here during the day.

I’m not going to give you a concrete route to follow. In my opinion, the joy is simply meandering into small stores, finding little home-baked snacks and just lapping up Melbourne. However, to help guide your adventures, here are a few of my favorite spots around Collingwood and Fitzroy:

Northside Fashion and concept stores

• HoMie flagship store: a Northside-based streetwear fashion label. HoMie give 100% of their profits towards supporting young folks impacted by homelessness in Melbourne.
• Third Drawer Down: Melbourne’s very curated collection of ‘usable art‘. Think porcelain ware, unique Australian designs and some extremely quirky gift ideas (nose soap dispenser anyone?).
• Hunter Gatherer: one of Fitzroy’s most famous thrift shops. You’ll genuinely feel like you’re making the way through your grandparents’ vintage closet.
• Northside Records: Melbourne’s premier vinyl and record store. If music is your thing, you’ll find some of the rarest collection of dancehall, electro and other genres here.

Northside bites and drinks

• Fluffy Torpedo: nowhere captures the slightly bizarre side of northside more than this self-described ice cream science laboratory. You’ll find a number of wild flavors (airplane grape jelly anyone?) and a number of uniquely Australian flavors (white chocolate and Vegemite).
• Naked for Satan: if you’re blessed with some good weather, this rooftop tapas bar on Johnston Street is a great place for a drink with some of the best views over Melbourne’s skyline.

If you happen to be visiting on Saturday or Sunday, make your way to the Rose Street Market. This small, community-focused market is full of local artists and homemade snacks.

If you’re looking for more excellent Melbourne coffee, Northside is full of some institutional greats in the Melbourne coffee scene. In fact, many cafes here actually sell their beans to other cafes around the city. Some of my favorites include Proud Mary and Industry Beans.

Afternoon: Royal Exhibition Buildings and Carlton Gardens

Once you’re done with your Fitzroy and Collingwood explorations, head over to the Royal Exhibition Building. This magnificent structure is Melbourne’s only UNESCO heritage listed site, recognised as the last remaining example of ‘typical’ 19th century exhibition buildings in the world.

The Royal Exhibition Building has hosted a number of pivotal moments in Australian history. Some examples include: sitting the first Australian parliament (before it was moved down the road), the unfurling of the first Australian flag, a basketball venue during the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, and, most recently, a mass vaccination centre during COVID-19.

I find the adjacent Carlton Gardens to be some of the prettiest gardens in Melbourne and a beautiful spot for a little stroll among the ducks and other wildlife. Keep your eyes open for some indigenous Australian birds, including Cockatoos and Rainbow Lorikeets.

If you’re running well for time, feel free to pop into the Melbourne Museum (free admission) for a crash-course on Australian history and the natural wonderland of our great continent. If you’re less of a museum-type and keen for more neighborhood explorations, make your way over to Carlton’s Lygon Street. People of Italian heritage make up the second-largest ethnic group in Melbourne, and Lygon Street sits at the heart of Melbourne’s Little Italy. To truly feel the energy, head over to the Melbourne legend Brunetti for a little pre-dinner cannoli.

Dinner: Depends on your mood

If you’re after something special

I always recommend guests make a reservation at the Carlton Wine Room. This delightful wine bar with an innovative contemporary Australian menu is truly one of my favorite restaurants in Melbourne and another must-eat on your 3 day Melbourne itinerary. But don’t take my word for it, you’ll find plenty of locals who agree that the Carlton Wine Room is a consistent bet for some of the best food in Melbourne. Add in some dim lighting, quality Australian wines and subtle jazz undertones and you’ll soon agree with us.

If you’re after something a tad more casual

Head towards Capitano Carlton for some of my favorite Italian in Melbourne (don’t miss the Grandma’s slice) or, if you’re visiting over the weekend, sunhands, a small wine bar and one of my newer favorites on the Carlton dining scene.

If you’re craving (more) Australian-Asian cuisine

Make your way back to Fitzroy, and get yourself a table at Rice Queen. With low hanging lanterns and just the right amount of kitsch, the food here is anything but ordinary. You’ll want to order any of their Bang Bang dishes which take Sichuan-fusion to a whole new level.

If you’re traveling with a group, feel free to book the karaoke room for a little extra fun. Now for those of you find yourselves enjoying Melbourne’s Asian-fusion scene, don’t miss our ultimate guide to dining at Melbourne’s Australian-Asian restaurants.

If you’re after vegetarian fine dining

Melbourne in general is a vegetarian’s heaven. While almost all restaurants offer countless vegetarian options, some go above and beyond. Set in a typical former industrial space in Collingwood, Smith + Daughters is a whole new take on vegetarian fine dining.

After dark: Fitzroy night out

To really understand Northside, I’d recommend spending one night out in the north. To maximize your night in the north, I’d recommend a DIY crawl between some of the below venues.

If a bit of grunge and a live band is your vibe, nothing is more Melbourne than a night out at Fitzroy’s beloved The Evelyn. You’ll often hear tourists saying this is their favorite bar in Melbourne. Regardless, in my opinion, The Evelyn should make it on your 3 day Melbourne itinerary. One of my favorite things about The Evelyn is the ‘bottleshop system’. First, you buy a bottle of wine at the bottle-shop next door. Then, The Evelyn team will serve it to you from the bar throughout the evening.

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For those who prefer things a little calmer, check out Marion Wine Bar, the slightly sophisticated-yet-still-very-Fitzroy Black Pearl or Fitzroy’s favorite pub, the Marquis of Lorne (also a great spot for an Aussie-style pub dinner).

If grunge is less of your thing, make your way to Above Board (entry through Chopper Lane). This small, intimate, 16-seater cocktail bar reminds me of some of the best bars in Hong Kong or Tokyo. Recognised as one of the best bars in the world, Above Board take Melbourne mixology to the next level.

Day 3: Choose your own adventure

If you want to see more of Melbourne’s urban fabric

If you are someone who likes to understand different neighborhoods and sub-cultures, then I’d recommend spending a day in Melbourne’s southern, sea-side suburbs. You could probably squeeze some of these sites into your first 2 days in Melbourne, if you start early enough.

If you are visiting Melbourne during the summer, you will want to spend a day in the beachside neighborhoods lapping up the summer vibes.

In my opinion, an ideal day south of the Yarra starts with world-class brunch before visiting the Brighton Beach bathing boxes. Spend the afternoon in the sun by Luna Park and the St Kilda esplanade. To end a lovely day south of the Yarra, make a dinner reservation at one of the excellent restaurants on the Windsor end of Chapel Street. Both Hawker Hall and Tokyo Tina are some of my absolute favorite restaurants in Melbourne.

The St Kilda pier was previously one of the best places to see Little Penguins coming ashore every night at sunset. The penguin area is currently under redevelopment, but watch this space as we’re hoping for a 2025 reopening.

If you want more from Australia’s cultural capital

As Australia’s cultural capital, Melbourne is unquestionably home to the best museums in Australia. If museums are your thing, consider allocating some museum time in your 3 day Melbourne itinerary.

Some of my favorites include:

• National Gallery of Victoria: One of Australia’s premier art collections, often featuring extremely popular international exhibitions. If you are curious to learn more about Australian art (Indigenous, colonial and modern), I’d recommend the NGV’s free tour of the Australian collection. You’ll find NGV branches on St Kilda Road and by Federation Square (included in our walking tour above).
• Melbourne Museum: A classic one-size-fits-all natural and cultural history museum featuring dinosaurs, Indigenous history and all things flora and fauna. The Melbourne Museum is a particularly great option for those visiting Melbourne with kids.
• Immigration Museum: Housed in the photogenic Customs House, this is the go-to museum for those interested in learning more about the waves of immigration which have created contemporary Australian multiculturalism.
• Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI): Something a little different, this museum focuses on Australian screen culture (movies, TV, video games).

If you’re keen for high-end Australian designer shopping

I know many people love a good shopping vacation, so if high-end local designers sounds like your thing you’ll want to make your way to High Street, Armadale. This neighborhood is home to Melbourne’s largest concentration of local fashion designers, generally focusing on women’s fashion. Australian fashion designers like Scanlan Theodore, Camilla and Marc, Carla Zampatti and Bianca Spender all have large floor shops along High Street, and you’ll often find the designers in store too.

While in Armadale don’t miss having a coffee at High Society or Coin Laundry (one of our favorite brunch places in Melbourne (south of the Yarra)). If you’re looking for a quick snack-on-the-go, don’t miss the very Armadale (read: bougie), cafe deli Blakeaway.

If you want to see Australia’s natural beauty

Let’s be honest: the real reason everyone comes to Australia is to experience its world-famous natural beauty. Luckily for you, Melbourne sits within driving distance of a number of unique Australian landscapes. In my opinion, the Great Ocean Road, Wilson’s Promontory and the Grampians National Park offer some of the best natural landscapes in Australia (and lots of wild animals!). This means you can easily squeeze some of Australia’s unique landscapes into your 3 day Melbourne itinerary.

I’ll be frank though; all of these national parks deserve at least one night (if not more). However, if you are tight for time, and do you start early, you could easily visit one of these natural beauties on a day trip from Melbourne during your 3 day Melbourne itinerary.

If long drives aren’t you’re thing, or you’re after something a little closer to Melbourne, consider visiting the very-photogenic Organ Pipes National Park.

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