Planning a Melbourne Itinerary is both exciting and challenging – but we have made it easy for you! We have created a perfect 3-Day Melbourne Itinerary that features all the premier sights.
Plus, we will venture beyond the city on an amazing day trip. Our detailed trip plan includes absolutely everything you need to know for spending 3 Days in Melbourne!
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Best Melbourne Itinerary
Our itinerary for Melbourne, Australia is packed with top sightseeing and additional adventures. Those visiting Australia solo, as a family, couple or with a group of friends will all find our Melbourne trip planner useful!
For more advice, also read our ultimate guide to the Best Things To Do in Melbourne.
3 Days in Melbourne Trip Plan
In our itinerary, we offer a succinct travel plan. Not only do we highlight the prime places to visit in the Melbourne CBD (Central Business District), we include tour recommendations, where to stay and how to get there.
Planning this 3 Day Melbourne Itinerary
Consider using Travel Planning Printables (like we do) to get (and keep) your vacation to Australia organized!
Our Melbourne Travel Itinerary
Our Melbourne Travel Guide contains everything you need for your Australia trip. So what are we waiting for? Let’s get started touring Melbourne!
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Day 1: Top Places to Visit in Melbourne CBD
On the first day of your Melbourne in 3 Days Itinerary, explore the sights in the heart of the city, the Melbs CBD.
Melbourne City Exploration
Begin your Melbourne City Tour Itinerary with our Free Self-Guided Walking Tour and route yourself to the city’s top sights.
It includes all the details as well as step-by-step directions. We are sharing some important highlights that you won’t want to miss here, as well.
Start your day with a cup of coffee at the buzzing Queen Victoria Market. After perusing the goods for sale, stroll through the city to historic Melbourne sights on our walking tour.
Arrive in Chinatown by lunchtime so that you can feast on a meal of famous Melbourne dumplings.
Continue on your walking tour of Melbourne, navigating your way to the Eureka Tower. Soar to the 88th floor observation deck (buy your ticket in advance) and take in the spectacular Melbourne views.
Adrenaline junkies will want to upgrade their ticket to experience “The Edge”. It’s where you basically hang off the side of the building in a glass cube!
Continue your Melbourne walk along the Yarra River to the Docklands. The revived area features heaps of food, drink and entertainment opportunities as well as pleasant views across the harbor to the impressive Bolte Bridge.
To complete your Melbourne city tour, hop on Free Tram #35 (one of our favorite Free Tours in Melbourne) at the Docklands and ride back to downtown.
Not only is a great way to get around, there’s commentary to help you better understand what you’re seeing!
Begin your evening by discovering the intriguing Laneways of Melbourne. Dine alfresco along the pedestrian zone on Hardware Lane (locals love Campari House and Max on Hardware). Then delve into the Melbourne nightlife scene!
Day 2: Melbourne to 12 Apostles Tour
On Day 2 of your Melbourne tour itinerary, leave the city behind. Discover the dramatic coastline along the Great Ocean Road (GOR) to the iconic rock formations, the 12 Apostles.
Day Trip to the 12 Apostles
The GOR stretches 150 miles from Torquay to Allansford. The world-famous byway features some of the most stunning scenery in Australia.
The Great Ocean Road was built after World War I and is dedicated to the soldiers who lost their lives during the conflict.
Find specific details about what to see and how to choose the right 12 Apostles Tour in our article – Great Ocean Road Day Tour.
There’s tons of tour options, so we can help you make the most of your day trip from Melbourne!
The biggest Great Ocean Road attraction along the route is the 12 Apostles rock formations. The weather-worn, limestone rocks that stand offshore are simply magnificent.
Other places of interest along the Great Ocean Road are cute coastal villages, sandy beaches, parks and memorials.
More Melbourne Day Trips
While the GOR is our top pick for a Melbourne day trip, it is a very long excursion and may not appeal to all travelers. Those looking for other day trip options from Melbourne have many choices, too!
Yarra Valley Wine Tasting
Located just 30 miles from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is a well-known wine producing region of Australia, excelling at chardonnay and pinot noir wines.
Popular Tours include tastings at wine estates, gourmet lunches, additional sightseeing and regional offers unique to Victoria.
Phillip Island Penguins
Phillip Island – just a two-hour trip from Melbourne – is a wildlife refuge and the best place to see Fairy Penguins!
Most Phillip Island Tours include roundtrip transport, wildlife viewing (including koalas and fur seals) and a good position along the Penguin Parade route. This is when they make their evening walk from the water to their burrows!
Day 3: Melbourne Neighborhoods and Culture Tour
On the last day of your trip, immerse yourself in the culture of the city by exploring historic neighborhoods and visiting Melbourne’s best museums.
Melbourne Coffee Culture
The Melbourne coffee scene is legendary! While opinions vary on who makes the best coffee in Melbourne, Brother Baba Budan, Patricia Coffee Brewers and Dukes Coffee Roasters are all raved about by locals.
Museums in Melbourne
After you are properly fueled for the day, spend the morning in one of the top Melbourne museums.
The city boasts a wide range of art galleries, interactive exhibition halls and historic Australian institutions.
We’ll leave it up to you to choose how many or how much time you want to spend at these venues.
One of our favorite museums in Melbourne is the National Gallery of Victoria, which offers free entry into the main collection.
The nearby Shrine of Remembrance and Royal Botanic Gardens (which is an ideal spot for a picnic lunch) can easily be added to your Melbourne city itinerary.
Other entertaining museums and attractions include SEA Life and ScienceWorks – both of which are great things to do in Melbourne when traveling kids.
The State Library of Victoria, Melbourne Museum and the Melbourne Gaol are all excellent places to learn more about the history of the city.
Sports fans will want to head for the Melbourne Cricket Ground for a stadium tour and to visit the adjoining National Sports Museum.
Melbourne Neighborhood Discovery
In the afternoon, venture beyond the Melbourne CBD to one of the surrounding neighborhoods. Among our favorite Melbourne neighbors are Fitzroy, Collingwood and St. Kilda.
The Fitzroy District was developed in the 1830s as a working-class neighborhood and is just a quick tram ride or short walk from downtown Melbourne.
The historic area is highlighted by Victoria-era architecture, classic pubs and excellent examples of the thriving Melbourne street art scene.
If this is your jam, neighboring Collingwood offers more of the same vibe. Explore on your own or join an intriguing Street Art Tour.
St. Kilda is a seaside bohemian enclave of boutique shops, hipster cafes and stylish restaurants. Many of these are clustered along the Esplanade and Fitzroy Street.
Other top reasons to visit the district is the famed Luna Amusement Park, the beautiful residential architecture and the St. Kilda Beach and pier.
Well-connected to the CBD by trams (#12 or #16), St. Kilda is easy to access with Melbourne public transport.
Alternately, take a tram to Port Melbourne then walk along the stunning 3 mile coastline path to the St. Kilda Pier!
Best Melbourne Pubs & Bars
End your Melbourne 3 Days Tour by hoisting a local beverage from an ideal perch. Ponyfish Island is one of our favorite Melbourne Bars due to its unique location on the Yarra River.
Other solid options along the water are the Arbory Bar, General Assembly and Riverland.
The best Melbourne rooftop bars – like Naked For Statan (Fitzroy), Rooftop Bar & Cinema, Goldilocks or The Rooftop at QT (CBD) and Johnny’s Green Room (Carlton) – are fun spots, too. Cheers to Melbourne!
Where To Stay in Melbourne, Australia
The best area to stay is in the CBD – especially on a short trip. We have also stayed in Collingwood and along the coast in Seaford and loved experiencing the unique vibes of those neighborhoods.
There are a range of accommodations in and around the Melbourne CBD. Some of the top-rated hotels are the Quay West Suites, The Como MGallery by Sofitel and the centrally located Rendezvous Hotel.
How To Get to Melbourne, Australia
Most travelers will arrive at the Melbourne International Airport (MEL). To find the best prices on airline tickets, we use SkyScanner.
To get to the city center from Melbourne airport, you can take the SkyBus, a shared shuttle bus or book private transfer.
Once in the city, visitors can use the network of trains, trams and buses that make up the Melbourne public transportation network.
Find out more about the system and tickets on the official PTV Website. Rideshares apps, like Uber, are also available in Melbourne.
What To Pack For Your Melbourne Trip
Ready to travel to Melbourne? Great! We have a few final travel tips and packing hacks for your trip Down Under!
Durable Travel Shoes
Our Melbourne Itinerary does include a lot of walking, so make certain you bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes for your vacation.
I like to wear lightweight trainers – like these by New Balance. Kris is most comfortable in Merrell trail shoes.
Melbourne Weather Appropriate Attire
Melbourne has a temperate subtropical oceanic (and notoriously fickle) climate. Meaning summers are hot and winters are fairly mild but wet.
Regardless of the time of year of your trip to Melbourne, you will likely want to pack clothing that can be layered.
In the summer months, don’t forget sunscreen and a wide-brimmed travel hat – and a packable raincoat or travel umbrella is a good idea, too!
Travel Camera
We believe Melbourne is an incredibly photogenic city! Rather than relying on your phone, we recommend upgrading to a DSLR Camera for high quality pictures.
We always carry a Canon Rebel with a 18-135mm lens – and love it! It is an ideal budget camera and comes bundled with heaps of accessories.
Day Pack and Melbourne Guidebook
Whether you travel with a backpack or a suitcase, you will also want a great day bag for keeping all of your essential everyday travel items organized. Of course, a guidebook for Australia can also be helpful.
Australia Travel Insurance
Trip insurance may be useful in the case of delayed flights or lost luggage, and can be cultch if travelers get sick or injured abroad. Consider the rates and coverage at World Nomads.
Start planning your trip to Australia! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more tips and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
Visiting More of Australia
We have spent months discovering the Great Southern Land. Our experience traveling in the Land Down Under can help you have your best vacation!
- Best of Sydney in 3 Days
- Self Guided Sydney Walking Tour
- Brisbane Things To Do
- What To Do in Cairns
- Fun Times on the Gold Coast
- Things To See in Perth
- Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
- Blue Mountains Day Trip from Sydney
- Nature Walk from Manly to Spit
- Hobart, Tasmania Itinerary
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