Melbourne and Surrounds itinerary in 7 days

Melbourne, located in South Australia, is the capital of the state of Victoria and one of Australia's best-known destinations! There are so many things to see and do, and having a week at your disposal is ideal for getting to know the city and its surroundings at its best! Let's take a 7-day tour of Melbourne!
SEE ALSO: What to see in Melbourne

Day 1: Walk through the CBD and Docklands

The itinerary starts, of course, in the CBD, the Central Business District. Start the tour at Fed Square, one of the liveliest squares in Melbourne! Then admire the beautiful Flinders Street Station, the famous railway station that has become a symbol of the city! Cross the intersection and enter St Paul's Cathedral (Tue-Sun 10am-3pm, Mon closed). Finally, walk down Swanston St to State Library Victoria (Thu-Thu 10am-9pm, Fri-Sun 10am-6pm), Australia's oldest library! When it comes to finding accommodations in Melbourne, you want to stay somewhere that offers both comfort and convenience. Consider staying at the Travelodge Hotel Melbourne Docklands, located in the vibrant Docklands precinct. This modern hotel offers stylish rooms, a variety of amenities, and is situated near popular attractions, restaurants, and shopping areas. Whether you're traveling for business or leisure, the Travelodge Hotel Melbourne Docklands is a great choice for your stay. For lunch head to Queen Victoria Market, the most famous market in Melbourne. Here you can have a quick lunch at Bratwurst Shop & Co (AUD 10.00/€6.30) and then enjoy a stroll through the stalls, with a wonderful view of the skyline. Stroll down Elizabeth St this time, cross the entire CBD and head to the Eureka Tower (daily 10am-10pm, recommended purchase of admission ticket online) the tallest and most beautiful observation deck in all of Melbourne!

At a glance:

• Distance travelled: 6.5 km

• Places visited: Fed Square and Flinders Street, St Paul's Cathedral (free), State Library of Victoria (free), Queen Victoria Market (free), Eureka Tower (AUD25.00/€15.80), Docklands

• Daily expenses: €55.00

• Where to eat: Lunch at Bratwurst Shop & Co(Get directions), Dinner at Squires Loft Docklands(Get directions)

Day 2: National Gallery of Victoria and Royal Botanic Garden

This day is dedicated to exploring South Melbourne, starting with a visit to the famous National Gallery of Victoria (Wed-Mon 10am-5pm, Tue closed)! It is the city's most important art museum and among the most important in Australia. The visit will take you the whole morning.

For lunch, stop at the Mexican restaurant Saporito Taquito (AUD 20.00/€12.60), located right behind the museum. Then reach, with a walk of about 15 min along Southbank Blvd, the Shrine of Remembrance (daily 10am-5pm), one of the largest war memorials in the whole country! Here you can climb up to the terrace and admire the view! Finally, end the afternoon in the nearby Royal Botanic Garden (seasonally variable, see official website), the green lung of Melbourne's city centre, home to over 50,000 plants from around 12,000 different species!

Finally, return to the Shrine of Remembrance, take tram 3, 3a, 5, 6, 64 or 72 to Southbank (25 min), the area overlooking the Yarra River, where you can spend the evening. Here you can dine at The Deck Southbank (50.00 AUD/€31.60).

At a glance:ì

• Distance travelled: 5.2 km

• Places visited: National Gallery of Victoria (free), Shrine of Remembrance (free), Royal Botanic Garden (free), Southbank (free)

• Daily spend: €50.00

• Suggested cards, tickets and tours: Melbourne: 1-hour river cruise, gardens and park

• Where to eat: Lunch at Saporito Taquito(Get directions), Dinner at The Deck Southbank(Get directions)

Day 3: Relax in parks, beaches and St Kilda Quarter

For this third day we move further south, starting at the beautiful Albert Park, the venue for the Australian Grand Prix! Enjoy a walk around the large lake, with wonderful views of the city skyline, before heading to Middle Park Beach for a stroll along the promenade or to relax on the beach.

Around lunchtime reach the famous St Kilda district and stop at Republica St Kilda Beach (AUD 30.00/€19.00). In the afternoon enjoy the beauty of this area, you can relax on the beach at St Kilda beach, visit the St Kilda Botanical Gardens or have fun at Luna Park Melbourne! Mid-afternoon take the 922 bus (Barkly St/Mitford St-Dendy St/Burrows St, 35 min) to the famous Brighton Beach, a true Melbourne landmark, known for its iconic colourful beach houses!

In the evening, we recommend heading back to St Kilda, which is very lively and full of clubs! Here you can stop for dinner at Fat Jak's - St Kilda (AUD 25.00/€15.80) and then enjoy the evening on the waterfront!

At a glance:

• Distance travelled: 16 km

• Places visited: Albert Park Lake (free), Middle Park Beach (free), St Kilda (free), Brighton Beach (free)

• Daily expense: €35.00

• Where to eat: Lunch at Republica St Kilda Beach(Get directions), Dinner at Fat Jak's - St Kilda(Get directions)

Day 4: Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles

The fourth day we recommend dedicating it to one of the best hikes you can do from Melbourne: the Great Ocean Road and the 12 Apostles. With only one day to spare, the best option is anorganised excursion, with transport included.

Departure is at 8am, with pick-up directly at the hotel. The entire journey is covered in a minivan with a guide. The Great Ocean Road is approximately 243 km long, between Torquay and Allansford, and has been declared an Australian National Heritage Site. During the tour you will drive a section of this road, visiting the coastal town of Lorne and then having lunch in Apollo Bay.

After lunch, you will reach one of the most famous spots on the Great Ocean Road, the legendary 12 Apostles, a series of limestone stacks along the coastline - an unforgettable sight! Finally you will arrive at Loch Ard Gorge, an area full of viewing platforms to admire the ocean!

Return is scheduled for 20:00/21:00 and, to round off this wonderful day, we recommend a stop in the CBD, dining at Arbory Bar & Eatery (AUD25.00/€15.80), near Flinders Street and overlooking the Yarra River.

In summary:

• Distance travelled: 507 km / 7 hrs by car / day trip duration 12 hrs, departure 8am

• Places visited: Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles(day trip from €85.38 per person)

• Daily expense: €100.00

• Suggested cards, tickets and tours: Great Ocean Road and the 12 Apostles: 1-day tour Great Ocean Road: Backcountry tour from Melbourne Great Ocean Road and Rainforest

• Where to eat: Lunch included in tour, Dinner at Arbory Bar & Eatery(Get directions)

Day 5: Werribee Open Range Zoo

For this day we recommend an activity closer to Melbourne, but still spectacular. We're talking about the Werribee Open Range Zoo (daily 9am-5pm, recommended to purchase admission ticket online). From Melbourne, you can reach it by car via the M1 (40 min) or by transport, first train to Werribee Station (Werribee Line), then bus line 439 Werribee South to the zoo.

This is a large zoo where animals live freely in their own space and visitors move around on the buses, just like a safari. The purpose of the zoo is to preserve endangered species. The visit will take you most of the day, certainly until 5 p.m., closing time. For lunch, you can stop at the zoo's restaurant, the Meerkat Bistro (20.00 AUD/€12.60) or bring a packed lunch.

Once back in Melbourne, probably around 6pm, we recommend spending the evening in Carlton, a neighbourhood near the CBD known for its 'Little Italy'. Here you can stop by Brunetti Carlton (AUD 30.00/€19.00).

At a glance:

• Distance travelled: 72.4 km / 1 h 19 min by car including drive from

• Places visited: Werribee Open Range Zoo (from AUD 38.00/€24.00), Carlton district (free)

• Daily expense: €60.00

• Card, tickets and recommended tours : Werribee Open Range Zoo: entrance fee

• Where to eat: Lunch at Meerkat Bistro(Get directions), Dinner at Brunetti Carlton(Get directions)

Day 6: SEA Life and Phillip Island

Photo by Pavel Špindler. Start this day by visiting SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium (Thu-Mon 10am-5pm, Tue-Wed closed; recommended purchase of admission ticket online), one of Australia's largest aquariums! It is home to around 10,000 marine species, mainly from the Southern Ocean or part of Antarctic marine life!

For lunch, stop at Simpsons Burgers (20.00 AUD/€12.60) and then set off in the afternoon to explore Phillip Island. The best option, having only one day available, is to join aguided excursion from Melbourne, transport included! Meeting point Immigration Museum(Get directions). Phillip Island is a natural oasis, a small island home to the Lesser Blue Penguins, the real attraction of the area, which you can observe very closely. A visit to the Phillip Island Koala Reserve is also included in the tour and you can see many other native animal species. Due to the many things to see and the late evening return to the city, we recommend that you bring a packed dinner.

In summary:

• Distance travelled: 282 km / 3 h 47 min by car / excursion to Phillip Island 12 h, departure 3 pm

• Places visited: SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium (from 36.80 AUD/€23.20), Phillip Island excursion (€91.70)

• Daily expense: €130.00

• Suggested cards, tickets and tours: Phillip Island: tour from Melbourne with Penguin Parade Phillip Island: penguins, kangaroos and koalas Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium: entrance fee

• Where to Eat: Lunch at Simpsons Burgers(Get Directions), Picnic Dinner

Day 7: Cruise + Collingwood and Fitzroy Districts

Last day in Melbourne. In the morning enjoy a wonderful ferry cruise that will take you to Williamstown (departure 10:30am from Pier 2, Southgate Arts and Leisure Precinct Landing - Get Directions). On the way you can see the town from a different perspective and take wonderful photos of the skyline. You will then arrive in Williamstown, a wonderful, very quiet suburb, where you can stroll through large parks, such as the Williamstown Botanic Gardens, or relax on the beach.

For lunch, enjoy fish and chips with a sea view at Off the Pier (AUD15.00/€9.50) and then head back to Melbourne. You can either take the ferry (15:30) or return by train (Williamstown line, 31 min, arrival at Flinders Street). Once in Melbourne, enjoy the street art of the famous Hosier Lane and then head to the Collingwood district, an arts district, popular with young people and full of galleries and clubs!

Finally, end the evening in the neighbouring district of Fitzroy, Melbourne's bohemian district with plenty of places to hang out! Here you can stop by Smith & Daughters (AUD 25.00/€15.80).

In summary:

• Distance travelled: 37 km

• Places visited: Williamstown (free / ferry cruise one way €14.23, round trip €23.40), Hosier Lane (free), Collingwood (free), Fitzroy (free)

• Daily expense: €55.00

• Where to eat: Lunch at Off the Pier(Get directions), Dinner at Smith & Daughters(Get directions)

How much does a week in Melbourne cost

NB: The costs expressed in the table above are per person.

Melbourne, like all of Australia, is a very expensive destination, starting with the cost of the airfare! The Australian summer, i.e. from December to mid-March, is the high season and prices also tend to rise. As far as accommodation is concerned, the best option is to stay in the CBD, the city centre (book at https://www.hotelsinvictoria.net/en/near-her-majesty-s-theatre-407989/), where you will find many different accommodations to suit all budgets!

In the city you can get around comfortably with the efficient public service, consisting of metro, bus, tram and train (weekly ticket AUD 45.00/€28.40). The car is not recommended because of the traffic, but it can be a solution for visiting the surroundings, e.g. the Great Ocean Road. In this case, however, it is better to rely on organised tours that also include transport and entrance fees.

• Low cost flights: from €950.00 - look at the offers

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €50.00 per room - see offers

• Total cost of a week, including flights: from €1,840.00 per person

Before you go: useful tips

• When to visit Melbourne: mid-seasons are the best time. Beware that the seasons are reversed from Italy, summer is from December to February/March, winter from late May to August

• Getting there: Melbourne Airport, there are no direct flights from Italy. 25 km north of the city centre, reachable by Skybus (from 18.00 AUD/€11.40) and taxi (30 min, average fare 80.00 AUD/€50.00)

• Where to sleep: in the CBD, the most central and convenient district. Alternatively, the districts of Albert Park and St. Kilda (ideal for families and summer stays), Fitzroy (ideal for young people), South Melbourne (on a budget)

• Gettingaround: in the CBD also on foot, to get to neighbourhoods and attractions we recommend transport, especially metro and trains (get a Myki, a rechargeable card to travel on all transport). A ride on the historic circular tram is recommended (around the CBD)

• Local currency: Australian dollar (AUD) / Exchange rate: €1.00 = 1.57 AUD

• Time zone: GMT+10 / compared to Italy April-October (during summer daylight saving time in Italy) +8 h, November-March (during summer daylight saving time in Australia) +10 h

• Entry requirements: valid passport; tourist 'e-visitor visa' to be applied for on the official Australian immigration website (duration 90 days)

• Safety info: Melbourne is a very safe city, you just need to adopt the common caution measures of big cities; pay attention to environmental risks, especially in the summer months (risk of big fires outside the cities);