Explore Melbourne

Hi everybody! Enjoy the rest of your stay here in Melbourne, hopefully this list helps you out as you go.

This blog is in progress however I figured I would keep publishing so that you can use the information you have read so far! Keep checking back for more.

How to spend your days in Melbourne
For information on public transport in Melbourne, click here:

For all the food and drink options that I love check out this list here:

You can never trust the weather in Melbourne. One minute you will be in the freezing rain and the next you're sweating away in the heat. To accommodate your wardrobe on the cheap, check out this post for some great second hand stores.

You're going to be doing a fair bit of walking around so make sure you've got some comfortable waterproof shoes.

Useful Apps:
1. The Happiest Hour: Shows you all the special deals happening at any time across Melbourne's massive bar scene.
2. EatClub: Restaurants will offer you massive discounts if you go there when they are quiet - anywhere up to 50% off.

Day One: 

Today should be your day to get used to Melbourne. Maybe you've just stepped off of a flight or a long bus ride. I would recommend going for a walking tour. I would recommend if you haven't already, coming on  "I'm Free Tours". As with most major cities around the world there are various operators running 'Free Walking Tours', the concept being that you do not pay upfront however you're expected/encouraged to leave the guide with what you thought the tour was worth. I'm Free Tours operates at 10.30am and 2.30pm every day of the week starting outside the State Library of Victoria

These tours each go for around 2 and a half hours. "I'm Free" has a 10-15 minute break in the middle of theirs. Either way it is a great thing to do on the first morning you are there and will leave you with a great idea of the history and culture of the city.

There is also a 3pm Cultural Capital Tour, which is more of a tour of the laneways of Melbourne with a particular focus on Street Art.

If the weather is good I would then suggest going down to St Kilda. You can get the #16 tram from Swanston St down St Kilda Road all the way there. I would recommend doing this but with one stop off. If you do the 'I'm Free' tour you will finish at Hamer Hall near Flinders Street Station. From here I would recommend walking to the Shrine of Remembrance, the main War Memorial here in Melbourne. There is a city planning law that nothing can obstruct the view of the Shrine from Swanston St, and that means that from the Shrine looking back the other way you have an amazing view. I would suggest walk to this point, climb up to the balcony using the stairs inside the Shrine, and then have a look out from the balcony. Some of the best views in the whole of Melbourne.

From here you can get back on St Kilda Road and on the #16 tram down to St Kilda. At sunset each night there is a colony of penguins that come in and nest in the rocks at the end of the pier. The number that come in each night depends on the weather and how many tourists are there (if it is loud many will still hide away). As mentioned they come in each night just as the sun sets, so depending on the time of the year it may be anywhere from 5.30-9pm. There is a nice bar at the end of the pier that has a happy hour special between 4-7, whilst another good option is to go to Republica Bar on the foreshore. The beach is also a nice place to relax and have a swim if the weather is nice on the day. If you wish, St Kilda is a great spot for nightlife and there will be plenty of bars to check out!

For getting back to the CBD, the same tram (#16) will get you back towards the city. It will run until about midnight, though it operates 24 hours on Friday and Saturday nights.

Click here to find out more about St Kilda!

Day 2: Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is an amazing experience, particularly on a day where it is not raining. Plan the rest of your trip around doing this on a day where you have at least a little bit of sun. The Great Ocean Road can be done easily with a private car, through a tour, or somewhat through public transport. Read all about it here.



Day 3: City Exploring:
Do a bit of a street art tour! Check out my information here:


Day 4: Phillip Island: Obsessed with penguins?  Read about it here.



Day 5: Everything for Bad Weather Days

Go and check out some of the amazing galleries in the city. Find out more about that here.

Day 6: North Melbourne
Start the day at the QV Markets (open every day except for Monday and Wednesday) and do some shopping - then continue along Victoria St/Parade towards Errol St. Maybe stop in at Prudence, which is one of my favourite cosy little bars, and on Errol Street you'll find many cute cafes and also the beautiful North Melbourne Town Hall. If you want to continue your adventure you can jump on the 57 tram and head up towards Laksa King in Flemington, one of my favourite restaurants in Melbourne. Also worth checking out are Joe Taylors (Cocktails), Bonehead Brewing, and White Rabbit.



Day 7: Yarra Walk
Start your day in the city and follow the Yarra River along through Richmond and the sports precinct. Continue as far as Clifton Hill if you are energetic and take in the amazing views of the city from Ramsden Reserve on the hilltop. Uncle Drew is a really nice nearby cafe to there, though if you want a drink maybe stop in at Moon Dog Brewery. From here you can continue to follow the river to the Fairfield Boathouse. This is a full or half-day activity so wear comfortable shoes - you can easily get the train back to Flinders Street or any of the city stations from Fairfield Railway Station.

Day 8: Beach walk

Get on a train and head out to somewhere on the coast depending on how active you're feeling. You can get a train to Brighton, to Sandringham, or Mordialoc if you want a bit more of a challenge from where you can walk back into the city following the beaches of Port Phillip Bay.

Day 9: Dandenong Ranges
Click here to find out about a great day-trip to the Dandenong Ranges.

Other Stuff:
Check out some live music here in Melbourne. Melbourne has the highest amount of live music venues of any city in the world per capita! Here is some suggestions of live music venues.