Best Ideas For Spending One Day in Melbourne

Melbourne, Australia, is a vibrant and diverse city with many activities and attractions. It is in the state of Victoria and is often referred to as the cultural capital of Australia.

At the end of our Adelaide to Melbourne Great Ocean Road trip, we stayed in Melbourne for a few days to experience Australia's second busiest city.

We spent a day sightseeing in Melbourne City, which gave us enough time to see most of the city's landmarks. We then headed to St Kilda beach for two nights before sailing from Melbourne to Tasmania to continue our six-week Australian adventure.

So keep reading and discover the best things to do in Melbourne in one day.

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Melbourne Map

To help you navigate the city, I have created a map of Melbourne's attractions.

What to do in Melbourne, Australia, on a short visit:

Explore the Laneways

One of Melbourne's most famous attractions is its narrow laneways, filled with vibrant street art, graffiti, and independent boutiques, coffee shops, and bars. 

After dropping off our hire car, we headed to the city to check out the shops, get a haircut, and see the famous Melbourne street art, which has made the city a hit with urban artists and tourists alike.

As we love street art and have actively searched for it on all our travels, this was a must-visit in Melbourne.

Wander through Hosier Lane and AC/DC Lane to admire the best street art in Melbourne. 

If you are lucky, you might spot one of the urban artists at work. The tell-tale sign of an artist at work is typically when a group of people are all standing together looking at something.

Urban art is forever evolving, so joining a Melbourne street art tour is an excellent way to immerse yourself in the scene and learn more about the hip and trendy Laneways area.

Many laneway/street art tours are run by Melbourne locals who can provide an exciting insight into the individual artists and their works.

Visit Federation Square

Federation Square is across from Flinders Street Station and is a cultural hub hosting many events, from live music to food and drink festivals.

While we were in Melbourne, a music festival was in full swing in the square. We didn't know it would be on, so it was a nice bonus to our quick visit.

It's a great place to immerse yourself in Melbourne's arts and culture scene.

If you arrive and nothing is happening in the square (which is unlikely), you can visit the ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image).

Afterwards, stop off for lunch or a cool drink at Time Out. Sit on the terrace; it's an excellent place for people-watching!

Want to know what's on during your visit? Check out the Federation Square Website.

Step inside St.Paul's Cathedral

On the opposite side of the road to Flinders Street Station is the beautiful St.Paul's Cathedral. It carries the same name as the London landmark but looks very different.

The 19th-century cathedral, with its prominent red spire, stands at the busiest junction in Melbourne. It offers a quiet space within the bustling city.

It has a beautiful interior and is worth visiting, regardless of your faith.

Stroll along the Yarra River

Take a leisurely walk or a bike ride along the Yarra River; it's a fantastic place to take in the skyline and dine in one of the many Melbourne riverside restaurants.

Enjoy a scenic boat cruise to see Melbourne's landmarks, including West Gate Bridge, the Botanic Gardens and Government House.

A Melbourne river cruise is a leisurely way to see the city from the water and can be done during the day or at night.

Shop at Queen Victoria Market

One of Melbourne's major landmarks is the Queen Victoria Market, which covers over seven hectares and is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere.

Explore the market to experience local produce, gourmet foods, clothing, indigenous arts and crafts, and more. It's a great place to shop for souvenirs and enjoy delicious food.

Check out opening times and what's on at the Queen Victoria Market website.

Ride the City Circle Tram for free

Melbourne's public transport system includes the City Circle tram route, which stops at all the major attractions in the city centre.

And guess what? The City Circle trams in Melbourne are free, making it easy and budget-friendly to get around Melbourne.

If you want to go further to St Kilda, you must pay to take the number 96 tram from Bourke Street or the 112 from Collins.

In St Kilda, you can relax by the sea, have fun at Luna Park and even see the fairy penguins that live by the breakwater.

Enjoy the art at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)

The oldest art gallery in Australia features an impressive collection of historical and contemporary artworks, housed in two separate buildings.

NGV International showcases works of art from around the world, including pieces by Picasso.

The Ian Potter Centre is located near Federation Square and features a large and impressive Aboriginal art collection. Both museums are free to enter.

Visit the Shrine of Remembrance

One of Melbourne's most striking landmarks is located in the Royal Botanic Gardens.

The Shrine of Remembrance is a pyramid-shaped architectural building which is particularly eye-catching as you walk towards it through the gardens.

It stands as a memorial to all those Australians who served in the wars. The shrine is free to enter, but if you would like to join a guided tour to learn about the shrine and its significance, a fee of $20 applies.

You can find out more on the official Shrine of Remembrance website.

Discover Victoria's history at the Melbourne Museum

The Melbourne Museum is the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere, so be sure to plan precisely what you want to see before you visit. Otherwise, you might realise you've spent half a day inside!

Through interactive exhibits and fascinating displays, you can learn about Victoria's history, culture, and natural environment, which dates back millions of years.

Visit the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre to learn about the origins and struggles of Australia's Indigenous peoples.

Both museums are set in Carlton Gardens, a historic Victorian-era park.

Get your adrenaline pumping at the Melbourne Skydeck

Experience breathtaking views of Melbourne from the observation deck of the Eureka Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the Southern Hemisphere. 

If you have a head for heights, step into the EGDE, a glass cube that protrudes 300m above Melbourne's streets below. Afterwards, calm your nerves with a drink at Bar 88, the highest bar in Melbourne.

This city attraction can be visited in 30-60 minutes, so it's a good addition to a one-day Melbourne itinerary.

Pre-book a ticket for the Melbourne SkyDeck Experience.

See Indigenous animals at Melbourne Zoo

If you have yet to see Australia's indigenous animals in the wild, head to Melbourne Zoo, home to kangaroos, koalas, and exotic species. 

While I do not necessarily enjoy seeing animals in captivity, the Australian zoos I visited were focused on conservation; the enclosures were open, and the animals looked healthy. (I didn't see any animal pacing, which is the case in many zoos worldwide.) 

It's a great place to get close to indigenous Australian wildlife, especially if you are from Europe, where kangaroos, koalas and echidnas are not the norm!

Other Australian animal activities I experienced in Australia included:

• Visiting Kangaroo Island 
• Exploring the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane
• Learning about the Tasmanian Devil at Devils@Cradle

Stroll through Queen Victoria Gardens

Spend time wandering in the beautiful Queen Victoria gardens, which feature an array of native and exotic plants, lush lawns, and walking paths.

The floral clock is one of the centrepieces in the gardens. It features the statue of Edward VII, Queen Victoria's eldest son.

Take a tour of Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

If you're a sports enthusiast, you might like to catch a game of cricket while you are in town. Check out the fixtures on the MCG events calendar.

Have fun at St. Kilda Beach

Relax on the sandy shores of St. Kilda Beach, known for its vibrant atmosphere, cafes, and the iconic Luna Park.

There are many things to do in St Kilda, including seeing fairy penguins, taking boat trips and visiting Luna Park.

Book a trip to see the Great Ocean Road

While not directly in the Melbourne CBD, a road trip along the Great Ocean Road is a must-do activity in Melbourne. Witness stunning coastal views, the Twelve Apostles rock formations, and charming coastal towns.

We experienced the Great Ocean Road on our road trip from Adelaide to Melbourne, so it took us much longer to reach. However, it's a quick drive from Melbourne to see the Great Ocean Road attractions, so it's doable on a short city break - book online for your GOR day tour.

Recommended Great Ocean Road Day Tours

Experience the beauty of the Yarra Valley Wine Region

Take a day trip to the Yarra Valley to enjoy wine tasting at the region's many wineries and indulge in gourmet food experiences.

Many pre-bookable Yarra Valley Wine Tours include wine-tasting, lunches and even a balloon ride.

See the beauty of the Mornington Peninsula

The Mornington Peninsula is an hour's drive from Melbourne's central city area and a popular tourist destination for locals in Melbourne. If you want to see more of Melbourne's surrounding countryside and coastline, a guided tour from Melbourne is the answer.

Melbourne Frequently Asked Questions

Is Melbourne worth visiting?

While Melbourne didn't excite me as much as when I visited Brisbane and Adelaide, it is one of Australia's best-loved cities after Sydney.

Which is nicer, Melbourne or Sydney?

I preferred Sydney over Melbourne as it seemed more dynamic and had the famous Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach, two places I had always wanted to see.

Sydney is also only a 50-minute drive from the incredible Blue Mountains National Park, which is a must-see on anyone's Australian travel Itinerary.

Melbourne has a stronger coffee culture than Sydney; it is reportedly where the most coffee is consumed per capita in Australia. Sydney boasts a wealth of fine-dining restaurants and iconic landmarks.

How long do you need to stay in Melbourne?

If you are only visiting Melbourne for a day or two, you won't be able to do everything on this list. However, the fun is in picking out the attractions in Melbourne that appeal to you and working with them.

When we visited Melbourne, we focused on seeing the main CBD sights, but due to a lack of time, we didn't have the opportunity to visit the museums, the zoo, or the cricket ground.

After a day in central Melbourne, we headed to St Kilda for a few days before sailing on the Spirit of Tasmania from Melbourne to embark on an epic 8-day Tasmania Road Trip.

The Spirit of Tasmania dock is 70km southwest of Melbourne's CBD, and sailing is the perfect way of travelling to Tasmania overnight rather than flying. Just be aware that the waters can get choppy, and getting a good night's sleep may be more challenging than expected.

In reality, if you want to include a trip to the Great Ocean Road, Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula, plan to spend at least five days in Melbourne.

Melbourne FAQ's Continued

Are there beaches in Melbourne?

Melbourne has several lovely sandy beaches, so you have plenty to choose from.

St Kilda is the most famous, but others include Brighton Beach, Sandringham Beach and Altona Beach.

Is Melbourne a party town?

The city is lively, evident in the numerous clubs, pubs, and late-night bars that host gigs and concerts daily.

Additionally, the city hosts various festivals, events, and concerts throughout the year; check the local event calendar to see if anything is scheduled during your visit.

So, if you are young at heart and want to party like a Melbournian, this is the city for you!

Is it worth booking a walking tour of Melbourne?

If you only have a short time in Melbourne, a CBD walking tour with a guide is the perfect way to see the main highlights of Melbourne. You will learn exciting facts about each landmark and can even combine a walking tour with a food tasting experience. It doesn't get much better than that!

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