If you have just one week in Melbourne, how should you spend it? There are so many options, especially given the city’s museums, neighborhoods, and street art — and the natural beauty that lies just beyond its borders. But if I had just one week (or a little more), I would spend three days in the city and the rest exploring the Great Ocean Road.
Could you take the entire week just for Melbourne? Certainly, especially if you want to take it slowly. Melbourne’s cafe culture is a perfect fit for that travel style — you could while away many hours searching for the perfect flat white.
But I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to rent a car and head out along the Great Ocean Road. And you’ll want several days to make time for hikes, wildlife, and scenic stops.
One Week in Melbourne: At a Glance
What I love about a trip like this is that it’s truly choose-your-own-adventure: there’s no single best itinerary. You’re sure to find your own experiences, but here’s one great way to plan your week in and around Melbourne. Enjoy the city and the Great Ocean Road!
Three Days in the City
Melbourne is famous for coffee, laneways with graffiti, parks, museums, and markets. And you can get around the much of the city center for free on the public tram. There’s a lot to see — I’ve divided this into three days, but feel free to mix and match to find your favorite options.
Day 1: Markets, Museums, and Street Art
- Food: Queen Victoria Market
- Parks: Yarra River Trail, Carlton Gardens
- Museums: Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image)
- Street art: Look for alleys and laneways near Flinders Street Station and throughout Fitzroy
Day 2: Gardens, Libraries, and Architecture
- Gardens: Fitzroy Gardens, Alexandra Gardens
- Food: Prahran Market
- Architecture: State Library Victoria, RMIT, University of Melbourne
Day 3: Art at the NGV and the Royal Botanic Gardens
Take in the wide-ranging collection at Australia’s oldest public art museum, then stroll along the meandering paths and sweeping lawns of Melbourne’s largest garden.
Four to Five Days on the Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road probably deserves an entire week on its own, but four to five days should be enough to see the major attractions. Knowing that everyone will travel the road at their own pace, my Great Ocean Road posts aren’t laid out day by day. Instead, they’re organized so that you can see the highlights, visit an unusual lighthouse, and take a really special hike.
- Great Ocean Road Highlights: Must-See Stops
- Cape Otway: The Most Significant Lighthouse in Australia
- Walking to Magic Rock
No matter how you like to spend your time, you’ll find so much to do in and around Melbourne. Have fun exploring one of Australia’s most vibrant cities — and hitting the road for one of its most scenic coastal journeys.
