I have never seen such a mixed city in my life so far. A city with a mix of ethnicities and cultures ready to surprise you and open your mind. Melbourne is exactly that: a city that embraces everyone from all over the world. A big (but not too big) city with lots to see and do. Are you ready for a 5-days itinerary in Melbourne? Come with me and I'll show you my exclusive images.
Crazy and immensely multicultural. Being multicultural is certainly one of the reasons that makes it super special. Between Sydney and Melbourne (Australia's main cities) the 2nd makes you almost feel like you're in Europe. This is not to say that you won't experience the real Australia in Melbourne, on the contrary. All you need to do is move outside the city to to live great adventures.
But let's go step by step, I will first tell you what to do and see in Melbourne with my exclusive photos and then we'll head out of the city. In my article I will suggest many nice places to go. I will also suggest you the main attractions of this city (and its surroundings). There will be no shortage of lunches and dinners and breathtaking rooftop views. The main question could be: are 5 days enough for Melbourne? My answer is YES, saying also you can easily do some day trips. Ready for a tour of South Australia? Iamme ià.
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Melbourne 5 days itinerary: Brighton beach
Definitely one of the attractions not to be missed. I wouldn't even call it an attraction. Brighton beach is the most famous beach in Melbourne for its colorful houses. It is located slightly away from the city center and is definitely worth a visit. In summer it is also one of the most popular for swimming or sunbathing. So if you are in Melbourne in the summer, remember to bring your swimsuit.
Melbourne 5 days itinerary: the view of the city from Point Ormond Lookout
In addition to being one of the most beautiful viewpoints for the skyline, it's also the most romantic one. If you are in Melbourne make sure you come here at sunset. This place is close to Brighton beach so you can combine the two visits.
The view is spectacular from this hill, which is why you will find so many people. Many people ready to enjoy one of the most beautiful natural phenomena of all. The sunset…that thing that allows the day to give space to the night...a moment of peace and relaxation.
St Kilda beach
A few steps from Point Ormond lookout you will find the neighborhood of St Kilda. This area is very popular (especially in summer or when the weather is good). You will find many seafront venues or you can relax on the beach. Here, in the summer, they also set up volleyball nets and it becomes a magical place.
The vibe is super and relaxing, also take the opportunity to take a walk on the pier. In St Kilda the pier is famous for its view of the skyline of Melbourne, the perfect time is sunset.
Melbourne 5 days itinerary: CBD (Central business district)
The beating heart of the city. CBD is the World and when I say World I mean that you really find the World there. This area of Melbourne never stops, from 7 in the morning until late at night. Whatever you need you can find it here: shops, street food, restaurants, shopping centres. It's impossible not to stop by because from here you can reach other attractions.
Flinder Street station
The iconic train station in Melbourne with its unmistakable Renaissance style. Flinder station is a mandatory stop and within walking distance from here you will find Princes Bridge.
Princes Bridge: the first bridge in Melbourne
History says that Princes bridge was born in 1844 connecting Swanston Street to St Kilda road. A bridge that has become an icon of Melbourne also for the view it offers of this beautiful city. I recommend a visit at sunset, when the city lights start to turn on. From here you will have another beautiful view of Melbourne and its immense skyscrapers.
Pedestrian bridge
Not far from Princes bridge, you can reach it by walking along the riverside. Also known as Love lock bridge is crossed every day by around 30 thousand people. A crucial crossing point between South Bank and Flinder Street Station.
The area is full of restaurants and bars along the Yarra River, which is why it is also one of the most “popular” areas. You will find many nice spots with a view where you can have lunch/dinner or have a drink. The spot is also very beautiful for the sunset that you can admire at the end of the evening and which falls behind the skyscrapers. Spot not to be missed.
Melbourne 5 days itinerary: Shrine of Remembrance
It is a short walk from Princess Bridge and is a sanctuary where the war dead are remembered. The structure is very beautiful and is based on Greek architecture . It's worth just seeing it from the outside even if entry is free. So, if you want, take the opportunity to visit it inside too.
Built in 1934, there are free tours twice a day. On the upper floor you will also find a terrace and from here you can admire a beautiful view of the city. Also take the opportunity to admire the city from a different point of view.
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
Another attraction not to be missed in this city: the botanical gardens. The green lung of Melbourne, the oasis among the skyscrapers . The botanical gardens host various collections of plants for teaching/educational purposes.
A tour inside the park is necessary to escape from the frenzy of the big city. Entry is free and inside you will also find cafes and restaurants to stop at.
State Library Victoria
Founded in 1854, just 20 years after the birth of Melbourne and this alone is worth a visit. It is always located in the CBD area and is probably something you need to see. Libraries are always fascinating, perhaps because they exude history and culture. It was opened as a public library and is not only the oldest library of Australia.
State Library Victoria is also one of the first free libraries in the world. The Library was created as “the people's university”. A place of learning and discovery for all Victorians. It is entrusted with the responsibility to preserve Victoria's heritage. In fact, it collects objects of historical and cultural significance for future generations. The first time I visited it I was amazed by its architecture, beautiful place!
Melbourne 5 days itinerary: Albert park
As you have understood, there is no shortage of green spaces in Melbourne. Despite being a metropolis, it is a city with lots of green spaces, in addition to being a city by the sea. Albert park is another spot for which it's worth a walk. The main reason is that it is the only park with a lake.
There is a particular point in the park (to the south) from which you can admire the Melbourne skyline and CBD. The advice I give you is to always go there at sunset, when the city lights come on. The spectacle is guaranteed, the reflection of the sunset on the lake makes this place special.
Melbourne 5 days itinerary: Queen Victoria Market
On 20 March 1878 the Queen Victoria Market opened. Nerve point of the city and the inhabitants of Melbourne. Open from early morning until afternoon, it is a unique place with its shops.
On Wednesdays it is open from afternoon until late evening with a concept entirely food. You find stalls with food from every corner of the globe and I recommend you go there. There will be a lot of people and crowds but it will be worth it, the vibe and energy is incredible.
Melbourne 5 days itinerary: view from Sky Deck
Another place not to be missed being the 2nd tallest skyscraper of Melbourne and with a 360° view of the city. From the Sky Deck you can admire the beauty of Melbourne from almost 300 meters tall. The best time to go up is, as usual, sunset so you can enjoy day and night. When the city lights turn on the view becomes magical. I leave you the link to book access to the Sky Deck.
Where to stay in Melbourne
On where staying in Melbourne I recommend either b&b or hotel (depending on your "pocket"). The best area, logistically speaking, is Southbank. Nearby, within a 10-minute walk, you also have CBD with Flinder street station.
Rooftop Melbourne: Beverly and it's top view from South Yarra
If you're looking for a cool place in the city to bring friends or for a special occasion, you've just found it. Of all the rooftops in the city, Beverly is definitely the one with the best 270° view of Melbourne. On one side the ocean and on the other the city with its enchanting skyline. The location is both a bar and a restaurant with a fine dining service that will not disappoint you. If you are in Melbourne I recommend you go there because the atmosphere is cool.
Italian restaurants in Melbourne: cucinetta
Do you know why in Australia (especially Melbourne and Sydney) there is a strong Italian culture? Between 1945 and 1972 there were almost 400 thousand Italians who emigrated towards the land of kangaroos. This meant, over time, that these cities acquired a strong Italian culture. In Melbourne, in fact, you find a strong culture for Italian food with its restaurants. One that I recommend you try is “Cucinetta”, the smallest from Melbourne. In Italy, we usually say: in the small barrel there is good wine.
Places to visit around Melbourne
The great thing about Melbourne isn't just the city itself, it's also what you find near the city. Melbourne is a beautiful city but, if you are here, you also need to visit nearby places. Melbourne is also a big city and like all big cities it doesn't have much space for "nature".
This is why we will go out of the city to discover a few nice places. Places where it will be worth spending a day out. Places that make Australia special for what it (also) is: lots of nature.
Great Ocean Road
Some say it is one of the most beautiful roads in the world along a stretch of coast. Now...as many of my readers already know, I'm from Naples. Being from Naples, I live very close to the Sorrento and Amalfi coasts. I don't want to be picky about this all the time, but my places can't beaten. Aside from this small stance, the Great Ocean Road is a MUST.
Freedom. The sensation as soon as the stretch of the coast begins will make you fall in love with another Australia. That Australia that everyone talks about, that Australia that everyone dreams of discovering. To visit the Great Ocean Road you have a couple of options: rent a car or guided tour. Can I be honest with you? Take the guided tour (which lasts a full day) and relax . I leave you the link at the end of the paragraph so you can book it. What I will do now is show you the places where you will stop and the encounters you will have:
- Torquay beach
- Memorial Arch with great ocean road sign
- Apollo bay
- Walk in the popular Australian rainforest
- Gibson steps and the 12 Apostles
- Loch and Gorge
These that I have just listed are the main places where you will stop during the tour. In each place you will stop for about 30 minutes to admire the surrounding landscapes. Among the most iconic ones are “12 Apostles” and “Loch and Gorge” which are incredibly fascinating. Take the opportunity to take some souvenir photos, especially of the "12 Apostles". Unfortunately, due to the wind and the force of the sea waves, they are slowly crumbling.
This means that they will disappear in the future, so take the opportunity to admire their uniqueness.
Koalas on great ocean road
We know very well that the dream of those who travel to Australia is also to discover its nature. By nature I mean flora and fauna (trying to avoid spiders, snakes and crocodiles). As everyone knows, the symbolic animals of Australia are kangaroos and koalas! I saw them both during my tour on the Great Ocean Road. Luckily for me my guide was a biologist and she knew where to look and explained how we could spot them.
Observing these animals in complete nature and freedom is something exciting. I still remember when, during the tour, a guy behind me suddenly shouted: koala! The driver/guide stopped and, once we got off the bus, we were able to observe a koala up close. He was also awake, which is very uncommon during the day because they sleep a lot. My photos speak for themselves about how the charm of nature is disarming and why I love photography.
Here you will find the link that allows you to book the guided tour (the same one I did) of the great ocean road.
Peninsula hot springs
1 hour and 30 minutes from Melbourne to enjoy a relaxing experience at 360°. Peninsula hot springs is a place to spend a whole day to relax. It is a thermal park with numerous outdoor swimming pools and many wellness programs. I recommend it for a day out of the city and enjoy the Australian countryside .
Physical well-being (which then leads to mental well-being and vice versa) should be a must. The park is very large with different areas and services (including sauna, steam room and many other things). I leave you the link where you can book half a day of relaxation in Peninsula hot springs.
Melbourne 5 days itinerary: conclusions
We are at the end, as usual, hoping that my article has given you some good ideas. Melbourne is a special city that should be seen in (at least) 5 days (considering day trips). Together with Sydney, it is certainly one of the Australian cities to visit. Indeed, if you are traveling to Australia, I would combine the visits to the 2 cities. Melbourne and Sydney are only 1 hour far by plane.
I take this opportunity to leave you the link to the article I have written about Sydney. Take a look at it, maybe if you have more time available you can combine the two visits. To the next trip and remember: those who travel live twice…
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