Albert Park Lake with the Melbourne city skyline behind it

A week in Melbourne

Melbourne for Anya, Dax, Eva & Mae

A relaxed run of days, starting around Fri 13 November. Each day has a theme and a few things to choose from. Pick what feels good and skip the rest.

See the days

No timetable here

Think of each day as a menu, not a schedule. The dates are only gentle hints, so swap days around as you like. Do one thing or three, rest when you like, and tap any place to see more.

  1. Day 1Land softlyAround Fri 13 Nov
  2. Day 2City wanderAround Sat 14 Nov
  3. Day 3Markets and the bayAround Sun 15 Nov
  4. Day 4Fitzroy, then gardensAround Mon 16 Nov
  5. Day 5Out to the Yarra ValleyAround Tue 17 Nov
  6. Day 6Coffee, art and the riverAround Wed 18 Nov
  7. Day 7The Great Ocean RoadAround Thu 19 Nov
  8. Day 8A slow, easy dayAround Fri 20 Nov
  9. SpareIf you're still hereSat 21 and Sun 22 Nov

Day 1 · Around Fri 13 Nov

Land softly

You land just after midnight (around 00:10), and we'll pick you up at about 1am. Sleep in and rest. There'll be home-cooked food, like chicken spread with nice bread, and maybe some soup. After lunch, a gentle walk around the lake at Caroline Springs. Then the evening highlight: a Welcome BBQ at home.

Lake Caroline, Caroline Springs

A gentle walk

Lake Caroline, Caroline Springs

A calm stroll beside the lake in the middle of Caroline Springs, right by CS Square. Just right for stretching your legs after the flight.

About Caroline Springs

Photo: Philip Mallis (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Lunch option

Zaza

Pizzas that cook in about 90 seconds, plus focaccia folds, truffle fries and cannoli. All halal. A short walk from CS Square on Lake Street.

Mamma Knows West

Lunch option

The Jolly Miller

A relaxed café inside CS Square with brunch dishes, hearty lunches and good coffee. Open until 4pm.

thejollymiller.com.au

Lunch option

Roger Roger Deli

A halal deli in the Caroline Springs main precinct on Lake Street, known for big focaccia sandwiches, melts, waffle fries, tiramisu and good coffee. Seating is limited, so it suits takeaway. Open until 3pm.

rogerdeli.com.au

Lunch option, a short drive

NeNe Chicken (Ravenhall)

Korean fried chicken and street food. There isn't a NeNe in Caroline Springs itself, so this is the closest branch, at 2 Delma Rd in neighbouring Ravenhall. Open 11am to 9:30pm.

nenechicken.com.au

Lunch option

Caroline Thai Cuisine

Thai cooking in CS Square, with lunch served from 12 to 4pm on Fridays.

cssquare.com.au

Evening highlight

Welcome BBQ at home

Your first night is a big, relaxed welcome at the house. We'll cook on the grill: BBQ steak, lamb and pork, with grilled veggies, broccolini and charred corn, and plenty to share.

Pork cooking over charcoal on the grill
Steaks on the charcoal grill
A seared steak resting on a wooden board
Sliced steak, ready to share
Grilled broccolini and charred corn

Photos from our own BBQs.

Day 2 · Around Sat 14 Nov

City wander

A day in the middle of the city. Start with brunch at the market, then drift between laneways, arcades and big old buildings. Pick three or four and let the rest go.

Queen Victoria Market

Brunch

Queen Victoria Market

Melbourne's big, busy market since 1878. Graze on pastries, deli finds and fresh produce, and take your time.

qvm.com.au

Photo: Bob T (CC BY-SA 4.0)

State Library Victoria

Wander

State Library Victoria

Step inside to see the grand domed reading room. It's free, and it's a lovely quiet pause.

slv.vic.gov.au

Photo: Diliff (CC BY 2.5)

Hosier Lane

Wander

Hosier Lane

A laneway covered in ever-changing street art. Wonderful for photos, and it costs nothing.

About Hosier Lane

Photo: WANG.PC (CC BY 2.0)

Federation Square

Sit and watch

Federation Square

Melbourne's meeting place. Find a spot on the sloping paving and watch the city go by.

fedsquare.com

Photo: DXR (CC BY-SA 4.0)

St Paul's Cathedral

Wander

St Paul's Cathedral

A Gothic Revival cathedral with three spires, right across the road from Fed Square. Peaceful inside.

cathedral.org.au

Photo: Donaldytong (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Melbourne Central

Rainy-day option

Melbourne Central

A heritage shot tower sits under a glass cone inside this shopping centre. Lovely to look up at.

melbournecentral.com.au

Photo: Jordan from Singapore (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Emporium Melbourne

Rainy-day option

Emporium Melbourne

A bright, light-filled shopping centre in the city, all under cover if the weather turns.

emporiummelbourne.com.au

Photo: Wpcpey (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Block Arcade

Wander

Block Arcade

A Victorian-era arcade with a mosaic floor and a glass roof. Home to the Hopetoun Tea Rooms.

About Block Arcade

Photo: a.canvas.of.light from Melbourne, Australia (CC BY 2.0)

Degraves Street

Coffee stop

Degraves Street

A laneway full of little cafés with outdoor tables. A great place for a coffee and a sit.

About Degraves Street

Photo: Philip Mallis (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Pellegrini's Espresso Bar

Dinner

Pellegrini's Espresso Bar

A much-loved Italian espresso bar on Bourke Street, a Melbourne classic for pasta and good coffee.

pellegrinis.com.au

Photo: Nick-D (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Day 3 · Around Sun 15 Nov

Markets and the bay

The markets are open today. Brunch at South Melbourne Market, where there's plenty to graze on. If cherries are in season, grab a bag from the fruit stalls. Then a drive down to the water, and fish and chips by the pier for dinner.

South Melbourne Market

Brunch

South Melbourne Market

Open since 1867, with stalls for every kind of snack. Wander the aisles and graze on whatever looks good.

southmelbournemarket.com.au

Photo: Commander Keane (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Brunch option

Hector's Deli

Famous toasties and sandwiches, a short walk from the market on Coventry Street. Open from 7am to 3pm every day.

hectorsdeli.com.au
Köy Gözleme

Market treat

Köy Gözleme

A market stall for gözleme, the Turkish flatbread that's rolled out by hand and cooked fresh while you watch.

southmelbournemarket.com.au

Photo: Maderibeyza (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Browse

Chef's Hat

A two-storey kitchenware shop right opposite the market, full of tools and gadgets for keen cooks.

chefshat.com.au
Albert Park Lake

A drive and a stroll

Albert Park Lake

A wide lake with the city skyline across the water. Easy, flat walking and plenty of birds.

parks.vic.gov.au

Photo: Donaldytong (Public domain)

St Kilda Pier

Sunset stroll

St Kilda Pier

A long timber pier with its little kiosk and views back to the city. Lovely as the light softens.

About St Kilda Pier

Photo: Donaldytong (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Brighton Bathing Boxes

Photo stop

Brighton Bathing Boxes

Rows of brightly painted beach huts on Dendy Street Beach. A cheerful spot for a photo on the sand.

About the Bathing Boxes

Photo: Arnas Goldberg (CC BY 3.0)

Day 4 · Around Mon 16 Nov

Fitzroy, then gardens

Begin at Lune around 10am, then amble through Fitzroy's streets with a late lunch along the way. Finish in the green spaces near the city before dinner.

Lune Croissanterie

Morning treat

Lune Croissanterie

Famous for its croissants and cruffins. A lovely slow start to Fitzroy day.

lunecroissanterie.com

Photo: Badbobbyreid (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Brunswick Street

Wander

Brunswick Street

Fitzroy's lively main street, lined with cafés, vintage shops and little galleries.

About Brunswick Street

Photo: Marcus Bichel Lindegaard (CC BY 2.0)

Smith Street

Wander

Smith Street

A cheerful stretch of cafés, record shops and bakeries. Gertrude Street, nearby, is another good wander.

About Smith Street

Photo: Nick-D (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Marquis of Lorne

Late lunch

Marquis of Lorne

A classic Fitzroy pub with a rooftop and a menu that includes chicken schnitzel, burgers and oysters.

marquisoflorne.com.au

Photo: Nick-D (CC BY-SA 4.0)

St Patrick's Cathedral

Wander

St Patrick's Cathedral

Melbourne's grand Catholic cathedral, with soaring spires and a hushed, cool interior.

About St Patrick's

Photo: Donaldytong (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Treasury Gardens

Wander

Treasury Gardens

Shady lawns and winding paths just beside the city. A calm place to rest your feet.

About Treasury Gardens

Photo: -wuppertaler (CC BY 4.0)

Shrine of Remembrance

Views

Shrine of Remembrance

A beautiful memorial on a hill, with sweeping views back over the city from the steps.

shrine.org.au

Photo: Jorge Láscar from Australia (CC BY 2.0)

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Stroll

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Lakes, lawns and tree-lined paths. A peaceful end to the day.

rbg.vic.gov.au

Photo: Johntorcasio (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Dinner

Pacific Seafood BBQ House

Cantonese roast meats and seafood, in South Yarra and Richmond. Easy to reach from the gardens.

Menu and details

Day 5 · Around Tue 17 Nov

Out to the Yarra Valley

A scenic drive of a bit over an hour to Healesville. Bakery pies, a walk around town and a relaxed wine and cheese stop. Dinner is back home.

Bakery and pies

Beechworth Bakery, Healesville

The country bakery has a Healesville shop on the Maroondah Highway. Good for pies, pastries and a slow cuppa.

beechworthbakery.com.au

Town wander

Healesville

A friendly town at the foot of the ranges, with a main street that's made for ambling.

About Healesville

Wine and cheese

De Bortoli Yarra Valley

A family winery with a cellar door in the Yarra Valley. A relaxed place for a tasting and a bite.

debortoli.com.au
Healesville Sanctuary

If you've got extra energy

Healesville Sanctuary

A wildlife park for Australian animals, close to town. A lovely wander if the sun is out.

zoo.org.au

Photo: Ymblanter (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Day 6 · Around Wed 18 Nov

Coffee, art and the river

A softer city day. Coffee at about 10am, some art, a walk beside the river and some views. Dinner is Costco food or a home-cooked adobo.

Coffee at 10am

Small Batch Roasting Co.

A North Melbourne roastery and café for specialty coffee and pastries. It's small, so it's perfect for a quick, good coffee.

smallbatch.com.au
National Gallery of Victoria

Art, and a rainy-day option

National Gallery of Victoria

Melbourne's big art gallery on St Kilda Road, with a famous water-wall entrance. Choose a room or two and enjoy.

ngv.vic.gov.au

Photo: Shkuru Afshar (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Southbank Promenade

A riverside walk

Southbank Promenade

An easy walk along the Yarra, with cafés, buskers and the city skyline right beside you.

About Southbank

Photo: Nick-D (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Melbourne Skydeck

If you've got extra energy

Melbourne Skydeck

A lookout at the top of Eureka Tower, with big views over the city and out to the bay.

melbourneskydeck.com.au

Photo: Indrajit Das (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Pantry top-up

Costco Ardeer

The Melbourne Costco is now at 740 Ballarat Road, Ardeer, much closer to home than Docklands. Bring the membership card.

melbourning.com.au

Day 7 · Around Thu 19 Nov

The Great Ocean Road

An early start for a big, beautiful day. It's a long drive, so feel free to turn back sooner for a shorter day. Have lunch at a burger place along the way, and a late dinner at Supper Inn when you're back.

The scenic drive

Great Ocean Road

One of the world's great coastal drives, with cliffs, surf beaches and forest. Take it slowly and stop whenever a view calls.

About the Great Ocean Road
Twelve Apostles

The big view

Twelve Apostles

Towering limestone stacks rising out of the Southern Ocean. Golden in the late afternoon light.

About the Twelve Apostles

Photo: Michael J Fromholtz (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Loch Ard Gorge

Close by

Loch Ard Gorge

A sheltered cove with golden cliffs and a small beach, a short drive from the Apostles.

About Loch Ard Gorge

Photo: DXR (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Supper Inn

Dinner

Supper Inn

A Chinatown favourite for Cantonese dishes, up a little lane off Little Bourke Street. Photo shows nearby Little Bourke Street.

Broadsheet

Photo: User:Bmra73 (Public domain)

Day 8 · Around Fri 20 Nov

A slow, easy day

A slow morning for packing and last-minute bits, then lunch at home. A kebab dinner from Galata is an easy option. The airport drop-off is whenever the flight home is, and we'll sort out the timing together.

Dinner

Galata Kebab & Grill

Halal Turkish kebabs and grills with fresh bread from the in-house bakery, on Caroline Springs Boulevard.

Halal Food Melbourne

Spare days · Sat 21 and Sun 22 Nov

If you're still here

Only if you're still with us over the weekend. Nothing is planned. Sleep in, have a long lunch, or borrow an idea from earlier in the guide. Both markets run on weekends, so they suit these days nicely.

Queen Victoria Market

Spare day idea

Queen Victoria Market

Melbourne's big, busy market since 1878. Graze on pastries, deli finds and fresh produce, and take your time.

qvm.com.au

Photo: Bob T (CC BY-SA 4.0)

South Melbourne Market

Spare day idea

South Melbourne Market

Open since 1867, with stalls for every kind of snack. Wander the aisles and graze on whatever looks good.

southmelbournemarket.com.au

Photo: Commander Keane (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Spare day idea, a gentle stroll

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Lakes, lawns and tree-lined paths. A peaceful end to the day.

rbg.vic.gov.au

Photo: Johntorcasio (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Brighton Bathing Boxes

Spare day idea, a day by the sea

Brighton Bathing Boxes

Rows of brightly painted beach huts on Dendy Street Beach. A cheerful spot for a photo on the sand.

About the Bathing Boxes

Photo: Arnas Goldberg (CC BY 3.0)

Albert Park Lake

Spare day idea, a lake walk

Albert Park Lake

A wide lake with the city skyline across the water. Easy, flat walking and plenty of birds.

parks.vic.gov.au

Photo: Donaldytong (Public domain)

Good to know

Opening hours can change, so it's worth a quick look at a place's website before you head out. Flight times can shift, so we'll work out the airport drop-off nearer the time.

Photo credits

All photos are from Wikimedia Commons, shared by their contributors under open licences (CC BY, CC BY-SA or public domain). Tap a title to see the original and its licence.