In Melbourne, there’s always something extraordinary on the horizon from sunrise to sunset. Here’s how to make the most of a day in the city with this 24-hour plan.
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Start at the market at 6 a.m.
Begin your day at Queen Vic Market, where you’ll find early risers looking for the freshest local products. Grab a fluffy croissant from Andrew’s Bread Shop to fuel your market stroll. Add a fresh fruit from the Fontana Brothers to the mix.
7 AM : locate an early morning coffee
It’s time for a caffeine fix, and you’ve arrived at Market Espresso or Market Lane. Take a leisurely morning stroll to Vacation Cafe, Her, and Bobby’s Coffee, which all open early.
8 AM : stroll through lovely gardens
Take your partner for a stroll in the park. The World Heritage-listed Carlton Gardens has tree-lined avenues. Alternatively, take a stroll around Flagstaff Gardens. It was built atop Melbourne’s highest point in the 1860s.
10 AM : luxuriate in a traditional Melbourne brunch
That rumbling isn’t a tram; it’s your stomach telling you that it’s time for brunch. Take a look at what’s new in Melbourne. Perhaps a toasted sandwich at Queensmith Baretto, or Asian fusion at Morpha or Budapest Cafe.
Drop into a famous alley café like Journal, Quarter, or Vertue to stay with the basics. To eat yuzu-filled croffles at Bakemono or famous croissants at Lune, you’ll have to wait in line.
11 AM : look for free art and outdoor activities.
Visit Queer at NGV International for a taste of culture. Alternatively, the Ian Potter Centre at the National Gallery of Australia offers free Indigenous art.
With free admission to the Story of the Moving Image at ACMI, you can learn about the history of film. Alternatively, visit the Royal Botanic Gardens for a free guided stroll or to punt on the lake.
12 PM: Schedule a long lunch or go on a cheap eats food crawl.
At a renowned Melbourne restaurant, enjoy a lunchtime buffet. Chin Chin serves hawker cuisine, while Grossi Florentino serves classic Italian. At The European, you may order pan-European favorites. Fill up on noodles at Udon Yasan, sushi train fun at Sushi Hotaru, or a $5 slice at Pizza Pizza Pizza, a local favorite.
Check into one of Melbourne’s newest hotels at 3 PM.
Check into your luxurious new lodgings for the evening. At W Melbourne, there are plenty of glitters, and Mövenpick on Spencer’s Chocolate Hour is a must-try.
4 PM : Discover city secrets and hidden laneways
Take some time for yourself and treat yourself to some pre-dinner treatment at Miss Fox or Cocoon Room. Alternatively, choose an off-grid store in a hidden arcade. RetroStar sells antique clothing and Reina sells archive fashion labels at the Nicholas Building. Take the Curtin House elevator to Metropolis for literature, dot Comme for cult ensembles, and PAM for fashion.
After 5 PM, look for happy hour specials and rooftop bars.
At Chancery Lane’s happy hour, treat yourself to oysters and champagne. Take a tour of Melbourne’s rooftop pubs to get a bird’s eye perspective of the city. Begin on the seventh floor at Curtin House’s open-air bar, where fiery margaritas are only $12 at happy hour.
On Farmer’s Daughters’ rooftop, you’ll find a greenhouse sanctuary, as well as a secret laneway bar atop Journey.
7 PM : Dinner reservations at the top new eateries
The supper menu in Melbourne is amazing, so reduce your options by trying something new. Perhaps Tippy-Tay in Garden State for traditional Italian, or Yakimono for charcoal-grilled Japanese. At Di Stasio Carlton, the pizza is always superb. Aru serves modern pan-Asian cuisine, while Crossley St Cantina serves exquisite tapas.
9 PM : Go ice dancing on a date.
Wrap yourself warm and do a lap all-around ice rink. Put on your skates for a night of fun at O’Brien Icehouse, whether you’re an expert or a beginner. On Friday and Saturday evenings, they stay open until 11 p.m.
10 PM : Go on an art discovery late at night
Melbourne’s most prominent arts and cultural institutions will be open till 1 is for two nights only! It’s all part of Art After Dark, a two-day festival that will take over the city on May 13 and 14.
Visit Fed Square for live music and beautiful installations, the Melbourne Museum for dinosaurs, the NGV for the renowned Triennial skulls, and more. Some events are free, while others need a ticket.
Where can you party until 3 a.m.?
At Ocean 12, keep the party going with premium surround-sound karaoke. Play end arcade games at B Lucky on Fridays and Saturdays.
At Ballers Clubhouse, enjoy shuffleboard, or roll the dice playing board games at Fortress. Relax to the sounds of Her Music Room’s selected vinyl playlist any evening of the week.
Where can I eat till 3 a.m.?
If you get hungry after midnight, stop by Bar Margaux for some Fromage and frites. It’s open till 1 a.m. At Gimlet, oysters and caviar are served. At 11.30 p.m., the kitchen shuts.
However, on Friday and Saturday, the doors remain open until 1 a.m. Alternatively, at Panda BBQ, open until 3 a.m., tuck on hot skewers while swinging on unusual bench seats.
Return it to the hotel.
Is it the correct time? Return to your accommodation before the sun comes up. Relax in your private courtyard hot tub while watching an outdoor movie at the Marriott. Your Airstream-with-Benefits at Notel has a private spa with views of Flinders Lane.
Alternatively, make a splash and watch the sunrise from Melbourne’s luxurious pool, which is available to guests 24 hours a day.