2 Days In Melbourne: A Full Itinerary

Looking to spend 2 days in Melbourne? It’s been voted the most liveable city in the world time and time again. So it’s no surprise that travellers to Australia flock to the state capital of Victoria in their thousands.

With great music, delicious food, even better coffee, street art, a relaxed atmosphere and some interesting, multicultural history, Melbourne’s a must-visit for any city hoppers.

If you’re trying to escape the winter blues in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s the perfect choice if you’re looking for the the some warm places to visit in December, January and February.

It’s a popular destination on many traveller’s journeys around Australia as it is the start or terminus of the popular east coast road trip route.

Due to its huge range of cultural activities, events and creative spaces, you could spend months in the city and never get bored, but 2 days in Melbourne is sufficient to see exactly what makes this city tick.

So let’s dive into the best things to do in Melbourne in 2 days. Make sure that you have a lot of energy, because this itinerary is jampacked with exciting attractions!

Melbourne Itinerary: Day 1

Today we will focus on the Melbourne CBD. If you haven’t got breakfast included in your accommodation, grab a spot to eat and a coffee at Vacation on the corner of Flinders and Exhibition Street.

Then head down to Federation Square, the modern heart of Melbourne. Here there are many events taking place (normally throughout the summer) and it’s a great place to people watch.

You can also check out the free Australian Centre for the Moving Image here.

Read Also: Top Places To See In Sydney

Right by Federation Square is Flinders Street Station. It’s a notable building that has attracted a lot of attention through its lifetime.

It was the first railway station in any Australian city and was the world’s busiest station in the 1920s.

Its oriental design sparked rumours that it was meant to be a station in Mumbai, however these have never been confirmed. Nonetheless, it’s a great building to snap a photo of!

Next up is Melbourne’s fantastic street art – which is arguably what makes the city famous.

Hosier Lane, the most notable laneway in the city, is right by Flinders Street. The wall art here changes frequently and has different designs – from contemporary scenes to political statements. It’s well worth a walk down to check out the city’s free outdoor art gallery.

Now it’s lunch time! There are a few great options in the CBD. If you’re on a budget, I recommend Om Vegetarian.

For just $7.50 you can enjoy an all you can eat curry lunch. It’s delicious and you can eat as much as you want!

Heading up to the Melbourne Museum in the afternoon will help you get a more thorough grounding of this city.

There are various displays, including local, regional and Aboriginal history. The permanent exhibits include the science and life gallery, a history of Melbourne, the Mind and Body Gallery, the Bunjilaka Aboriginal cultural gallery, an exhibition about Pacific Islanders, and more. There are also many temporary exhibits.

Read Also: A 2-Day Itinerary of Perth, WA

To finish day one in Melbourne, take a tram up to Fitzroy. This funky suburb is perfect for vintage shoppers and coffee fans, with lots of restaurants and bars to enjoy.

Check out the shops – and purchase some edgy garments if you desire – and then enjoy a delicious meal.

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If you fancy some world foods, the Village People Hawker Food Hall serves up the best of Asian cuisine. Or for something a bit different, try Nomada Food and Wine for tapas and great drinks.

After dinner, there are plenty of spots to relax and unwind with a drink in Fitzroy. Popular spots include Mr Wow’s Emporioum (with pinball machines and table tennis) and Bad Frankie, which features a completely Australian drinks menu.

2 Days in Melbourne: Last Day

Begin day number two in Melbourne at the Queen Victoria Markets. It’s Melbourne’s most famous market, with food, drink, crafts, unique gifts and clothes – you might find that you leave with substantially heavier bags!

The stalls are beautiful and blend seamlessly together. It’s also a great spot to grab some breakfast, especially if you’re on a budget and need something cheap.

Note that the markets are not open on Monday or in the daytime on Wednesday – there is however a Summer Night Market on Wednesdays from 5pm until 10pm. Otherwise, they open at 6am daily, and 9am on Sundays and close mid-afternoon.

Read Also: Top 10 Must-See Attractions in Australia

Close to Queen Victoria Markets is the State Library of Victoria. This is just a quick stop-off, but is well worth it for the beautiful La Trobe Reading Room.

This old-school library room has vintage wooden desks and is surrounded by authentic bookcases.

There are also some exhibitions within the museum that are worth checking out.

South of Melbourne CBD is the peaceful King’s Domain. It’s a great spot for a stroll around in nature without leaving the city, and is perfect for a picnic – with produce purchased from the market!

The main reason to visit King’s Domain is to experience rural tranquillity of it all, but the Shrine of Remembrance is worth seeing.

It has a great viewing platform from the top and a museum below which commemorates Melburnians in World Wars One and Two.

Vivacious Southbank, lining the Yarra River, is a great spot to spend an afternoon after you’re finished in King’s Domain.

There are often street performers, as well as outdoor events. It’s also a great spot to people watch and there are lots of places to grab a bite to eat or drink here – as well as great views of the city skyline.

But don’t stick around too long – because you can’t spend two days in Melbourne and not see the beach!

Take a tram down to St Kilda for your final evening in the city. Home to gorgeous sunsets and penguins, St Kilda is a must-do while in Melbourne.

First, enjoy the beach for what is left of daylight and stick around for sunset. Then make your way to the penguin viewing area.

Every evening, around 30 minutes after sunset, penguins come into the St Kilda breakwater and visitors can see them.

To protect the penguins, visitors must stay behind railings and not use flash photography or white light.

Seeing the penguins swim and toddle up to the rocks is a much-loved experience by many Melbourne tourists and locals.

If you’re visiting St Kilda on a Thursday, stick around for the drum circle which takes place right by the main beach.

Dancing is optional! If you’re after a cheap, delicious meal in St Kilda, head to Lentil As Anything.

This restaurant operates on a pay-as-you-feel basis; you can order from their daily menu and pay by donation.

The food is great, and please remember to pay what you can – this is how the business works.

There are also plenty of places to grab a drink in St Kilda after the sun goes down. Check out The Local Taphouse, which serves 400 types of beer, the Irish-styled The Fifth Province, or Lady Grace, which has fantastic views over St Kilda and Melbourne CBD.

Places To Stay In Melbourne

You’ll want a good place to stay in Melbourne with all of these activities – check out these great accommodation options.

Hostel – Urban Central

With all 4 bed dorms, each with their own cubicle including separate light and plug, Urban Central is a fantastic spot for a bit of extra comfort on a budget.

The hostel has a travel shop, as well as cheap meals on offer each night and free rice, pasta, coffee and tea. There is also an attached bar.

Hotel – Rendezvous Hotel

This hotel dates back to 1913 and has comfy beds and well-facilitated rooms. It’s in a prime location, near Federation Square, but rates start at just $100 per night.

Hotel – Pan Pacific Melbourne

This 5* property offers luxurious accommodation in Melbourne’s CBD. Rooms have beautiful views of the city and the Yarra River, and all have state-of-the-art furnishings and facilities.

About the author: Claire Martin is a British travel blogger and freelance writer. She blogs about eco-travel and overland adventures on her blog Claire’s Footsteps; she has driven around the entirety of Australia and is currently planning an overland trip from Bali to London.