Melbourne, AUSTRALIA 3 Days + Excursions 

Melbourne is the capital of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in Australia.

Melbourne is a blend of bustling laneways, world-class restaurants and captivating museums. It is home to many of Australia's best-known landmarks, such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the National Gallery of Victoria and the World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building.

Recently the city was recognized as a UNESCO City of Literature and a global center for street art, live music and theatre. Melbourne city is a spectacular combination of old and new architecture, elegant streetscapes, ethnic communities and lavish parks and gardens. It hosts major annual international events, such as the Australian Grand Prix and the Australian Open. Melbourne consistently is ranked as the world's most livable cities.

About 100 km west of Melbourne is the spectacular Great Ocean Road. The scenic road hugs the seaside cliffs that snake along the wild and windswept Southern Ocean. The striking vistas along the famous road evoke awe with craggy cliffs, empty beaches and soaring bluffs flanked by brilliant green countryside.

Before you go:

DAY 1

  • Arrive at Melbourne airport and transfer to your hotel.

  • Transfer options from Melbourne Airport to hotel.

  • Where to stay in Melbourne.

  • Best locations to stay: City Center, Docklands and Southbank.

    • City Center (CBD) - is the beating heart of the city of Melbourne. From the open spaces and royal gardens to the high-end shopping opportunities in Bourke Street Mall and the Melbourne Centre, the city has plenty to see and do. With first class restaurants, cool cafes, boutiques, and old arcades, a day spent exploring the CBD is definitely a fun time. <map>

    • Docklands - the area has been heavily regenerated over the past 20 years and is now mostly a resort destination full of high-rise apartments and office blocks. Dominated by the colorful Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, the area has plenty of big-name shops and waterside dining. There are murals, sculptures, and light displays to enjoy. <map>

    • Southbank - situated on the waterfront, Southbank is renowned for great restaurants, amazing art displays and upmarket shopping opportunities. Visitors can enjoy cultural venues like the Malthouse Theatre, the state-of-the-art Melbourne Recital Centre’s classical concerts and the Crown Casino Complex, a popular part of the city for high rollers. <map>

  • Do you need a car rental in Melbourne?

    —A car is NOT necessary in Melbourne. The city has excellent public transport. However when traveling outside the city to Penguin Island or on the Great Ocean Road journey, renting a car is convenient. Remember driving is on the left side of the road in Australia.

  • Getting around Melbourne: Metro train network map, <read more>

    • There is a free tourist tram in the city business district (CBD). The City Circle Tram makes 28 stops within Melbourne's CBD. Though the tram's main stop is at the Flinders Street Station, you can jump on and off at any point along the route. <route>

 

DAY 2 and 3

Highlights:

  • Get the best Melbourne city view from the Eureka Skydeck.

    • Located in Southbank, an easy walk from Princes Bridge.

  • Hop aboard a Yarra River Cruise. The boat tours range from one to three hour(s) which travel throughout the Docklands, Southbank and shipping precincts.

  • Visit the Flinders Street Station. It is Australia’s oldest train station, and with its prominent green copper dome. Its 708-meter main platform is the fourth longest railway platform in the world. Today, heritage-listed Flinders Street Station is the one of the busiest suburban railway stations in the Southern Hemisphere, with over 1500 trains and 110,000 commuters passing through each day.

  • Directly across the road is Federation Square which houses some lively bars and eating areas and outdoor entertainment screens.

  • Watch a cricket game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. All international and interstate matches are played from October to March.

    • Located at: Yarra Park, Brunton Ave., Richmond, Melbourne.

    • Tickets are available at the gate or through Ticketek.

  • Attend the Australian Gran Prix 2022 (April 8-10) <tickets>

  • Tour the Royal Botanical Garden.

  • Visit the National Gallery of Victoria, one of the enjoyable art galleries in the country.

  • Go on a Fitzroy Pub Crawl. Discover Fitzroy's edgiest hidden venues on this dynamic pub crawl where you explore live music bars, cocktail lounges and the hottest club Fitzroy has to offer.

    • Definition of a Australian Bar crawl: It is a bar hopping experience that will take you through several bars, pubs, and a club. Pub crawl (or bar crawl) will bring you together with locals and tourists from all around the world.

  • Visit “The Block Arcade”. It is an historic shopping arcade in the CBD. Constructed between 1891 and 1893, it is considered one of the late Victorian era's finest shopping arcades and ranks among Melbourne's most popular tourist attractions.

  • Queen Victoria Market - The market is a major landmark in the CBD of Melbourne. Covering over seven (7) hectares, it is the largest open- air market in the Southern Hemisphere.

  • Take a stroll through Birrarung Marr - an inner-city park between the CBD and the Yarra River.

  • Plan a tour <read more>

    • Discover Melbourne with the best Hop-On Hop-Off Tour. The tour allows for a flexible experience of the city while making sure you don’t miss any of the sights. You can choose between a 24 and a 48-hour ticket, whichever suits your schedule.

 
 

Diversion: Side trip to Phillip Island.

 

Phillip Island is one of the most picturesque natural hotspots in the province of Victoria. It is filled with native wildlife, cultural attractions, and incredible views. Phillip Island is Victoria’s holiday sweet spot !

 
 

Highlights:

The Penguin Parade

This amazing attraction is one of the most popular to visit in Phillip Island. Each night at sunset, you can witness penguins returning ashore after a day of fishing and reside in their natural habitats for the night. There are a range of organized experiences to choose from, such as the penguin parade, underground viewing, penguin skybox, and the ultimate penguin tour. Adults and kids can also enjoy interactive and educational displays in the visitor center. <Learn more about tours & tickets>

Phillip Island Nature Park, 1019 Ventnor Road, Summerlands VIC, Australia +61 03 5951 2800

Koala Conservation Center

This eco-tourist attraction has been essential for saving the koala population of Phillip Island. The Koala Conservation Center allows you to get up close and personal, while still experiencing the koalas in their natural habitat. A breeding program has been added to help conserve the population even more. With this, you can also experience the koala joeys take their first adventures out of their mothers’ pouch. This koala center is great for photos and getting an educational experience about the creatures and their population.

Koala Conservation Centre, 1810 Phillip Island Rd, Phillip Island, VIC, Australia +61 03 5951 2800

The Beaches

One of the main reasons people visit Phillip Island is for its top-notch collection of beaches that span the coastline. Framed by white sands and cobalt blue waters, it’s practically a paradise island filled with sunbathing, surfing, and swimming opportunities. The best time to enjoy the beach scene is mid-December to mid-March.

Walking trails

Phillip Island is home to inspiring coastal walks and scenic bushwalks and trails; a must-do for any visitor !

Marvel at the beauty of the pinnacles on the famous Cape Woolamai Walk. Enjoy sweeping coastal views and the chance to spot whales on the Pyramid Rock Walk or discover the most southern mangroves in the world on the Rhyll Inlet and Conservation Hill Walk.

 
 

Diversion: Embark on a 4-day drive along the renowned Great Ocean Road.

  • The Great Ocean Road is one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world. It is famous for the dramatic Twelve Apostles rock stacks that emerge from the ocean.

  • Highlights include beaches, waterfalls, forests, lighthouses, limestone formations, koalas, and even at times, whales.

  • The best stops along the way are Torquay, Bells Beach, Lorne, Erskine Falls, Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles.

    • Torquay - is a well know surfing town on the Great Ocean Road. It’s known for surf beaches like Bells Beach and Jan Juc Beach. The Surf Coast Walk trail starts at Point Impossible Beach and heads southwest via Point Danger Marine Sanctuary, with its limestone reef and sea slugs. <interactive map>

    • Lorne - is a popular beach tourist resort town. Cafes and boutiques line the main road, creating a Mediterranean feel to the area.

    • Apollo Bay - is a popular stop on the Great Ocean Road. Apollo Bay offers both swimming and surf beaches, as well as a large boat harbor and marina which is home to a major fishing fleet. The town features a good selection of restaurants and cafes.

    • The Twelve Apostles - is a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of Port Campbell National Park

    • Enjoy the self-guided walks at Loch Ard Gorge, which introduce shipwreck history, geology, and coastal ecology.

    • Port Campbell - A colorful and lively seaside village, Port Campbell is home to restaurants and cafes with views of the beach, bakeries selling homemade goodies, and plenty of vibrant shops and galleries to explore. It is an ideal place to stay before returning back to Melbourne.

  • Drive time:

    Melbourne – Lorne: 2.5 hours

    Lorne – Apollo Bay: 1.5 hours

    Apollo Bay – 12 Apostles: 1.5 hours

    12 Apostles - Port Campbell: 10 minutes

    Port Campbell - Melbourne: 5.0 hours

 
 

Search for your hotel

 
 
 

Average cost:

(EXCLUDING AIRFARE)

$$$ USD for two (2) people

Budget: $1,200

Moderate: $1,600

Luxury: $2,100

 

Climate Guide

  • Historical weather data.

  • Weather-wise it is best not to travel to Melbourne in winter, when it is grey and a bit cold.

  • The best season to visit Melbourne is autumn (March to May).

  • During the month of March, April, October, November and December you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures ranging between 20-25 degrees Celsius (68-76°F).

  • Sunrise/Sunset times.

 
sources: Wikipedia.org, www.sydney-australia.biz

No copyright infringement is intended on this website by travelwildnow.com