Nestled in the southeast corner of Australia is Melbourne, the capital of Victoria and often dubbed the country’s cultural heart.

Think moody weather (known for four seasons in a day), world-class food, and effortlessly cool locals sipping flat whites in quirky cafes like it’s an Olympic sport. Haha, I’m not kidding, Melbourne is known for the best coffee shops in Australia.

Whilst Melbourne is very much Australian, it has a distinctly European vibe, with its blend of historic architecture, city life, beaches, botanical gardens, art lanes, and healthy eateries. It’s such a cool place to visit, and so if you’re into your art, culture and city living, Melbourne is one of the best things to do in Australia.

When planning to visit Melbourne, remember you also have the Great Ocean Road on your doorstep and you could add on the likes of Tasmania, Bali and Sydney to your itinerary which are all just a short flight away!

In this Melbourne travel guide, I’m going to share with you the best things to do in Melbourne, the best places to eat in Melbourne and the things, in my opinion that you cannot miss whilst you’re here.

Are you ready? Let’s tuck in!

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A Guide To Melbourne - what to see, eat and do | Where's Mollie? A UK Travel and Adventure Lifestyle Blog

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A complete guide to Melbourne

How do you get to Melbourne centre from the airport?

Melbourne (MEL) is a huge international airport, so flying there is easy! Check flight deals on Skyscanner here.

Budget option – $19.50 Skybus (one way)

It only works out a tiny bit cheaper to buy a return, so, if you can spare a couple of dollars, I would recommend just buying a single. It is better to stay flexible in case you want to extend your trip, or you find a different way back to the airport, e.g. lift sharing. There are multiple stops on the bus routes, the buses go to multiple destinations in the Melbourne area, and you catch the bus from outside arrivals. My bus from the airport to St.Kilda took 35 minutes but allow an hour on way to airport incase of traffic. On Sundays, buses return to the airport every hour. Find out more about Skybus here.

Flexible budget – Taxi or Uber ($55-65)

There are taxis right outside arrivals or, Uber operates in Australia so you can order one there. There is WiFi at the airport. Don’t be immediately put off by the price; if there are three or more of you, it can work out cheaper than the Skybus. Get £10 off your first Uber with my code 1l08a.

What’s the best way to get around Melbourne?

The easiest way to get around the city is on the tram and bus networks that are set up pretty much everywhere you’re going to be heading.

To use the networks you will need a Myki card which, for you Londoners, is like an Oyster card. Top it up and scan it when you start and end your journey. Myki cards are $6 to buy, and each trip costs around $4. The cards do cap daily too.

Tip: Download the free app ‘tramTRACKER’ for live trams updates and information in Melbourne. Check out more apps you need for your travels here!

St.Kilda to the City (Fitzroy) for example is connected by a pleasant 40 minute tram ride. Otherwise you can walk, cycle or Uber. See my perfect coastal bike ride itinerary from St.Kilda here

Where should you stay in Melbourne?

I think it totally depends on the vibe you are looking for.

If you are looking to be super central and only have a few days to explore then… head for the CBD
For a beach side base with access to the city… head for St. Kilda.
For a young quirky, ‘Shoreditch’ type base just slightly outside the centre then… head for Fitzroy

These were the three recommendations I got when conducting research and the three I stand by after my time in Melbourne.

If you’re a backpacker, it’s always a good idea in Australia and NZ to google the location of Base/Nomad hostels and take note. The location of these main hostels will always indicate the popular backpacking area.

I stayed in St.Kilda and fell in love. St. Kilda is a beachside town in South Melbourne that has its own high street filled with boutiques, cafe shops and modern bars. The seafront is a 2-minute walk from the high street and is the perfect place to watch the sunset. St. Kilda is filled with young active individuals and the whole vibe is very laid back and social.

My favourite accommodation booking sites for Australia…

Hostelworld (for searching the best hotels in the area)
Booking.com (getting a great overall look on whats available and bagging cheaper deals on hotels)
Airbnb (searching for a unique experience or save money via a group booking).

The best places to eat in Melbourne

Naked For Satan

Pretty much everyone recommended this place to me when they found out I was heading to Melbourne. Naked For Satan is a rooftop bar located in Fitzroy and is a perfect spot for lunch or after work drinks as the sun goes down. I don’t think you can make reservations and there is limited outdoor seating so make sure you get there early!

Ponyfish Island Cafe (on the Yarra River)

Queen Victoria Night Market

The ultimate night market with food from your wildest dreams and live music and cocktails to entertain you all night long. Need I say more!

Choose a rooftop bar

Any of the rooftop bars, such as Palmz, Young and Jackson, Naked in the Sky, Good Heavens.

Lentils For Anything

A set of ‘pay as you feel’ not for profit vegan and vegetarian restaurants based in both Melbourne and Sydney!

Republica

Bar on the seafront in St. Kilda. Super cool hangout with outdoor quirky seating and live music.

Chinchin Restaurant

My friend who lives in Melbourne swears by this place. I didn’t get time to check it out, but… I trust her!

The best things to do in Melbourne

Head for food and drinks at Queen Victoria Night Market

Melbourne does markets well, and the Queen Vic Night Market is the ultimate evening hangout if you’re looking for an evening activity. A wander around is one of the best things to do in Melbourne. Expect international cuisine (think gozleme, dumplings, and sizzling skewers), mulled wine in winter, icy cocktails in summer, live tunes, and buzzing vibes all year round.

It’s only open on select nights, so check the official website here before you go.

Explore the quirky boutiques and cafes within Fitzroy

Fitzroy is Melbourne’s inner-city creative hub, where vintage fashion, record stores, and plant-filled cafés collide.

Browse the streets of Gertrude and Brunswick for indie finds, grab brunch at Industry Beans or Proud Mary, and don’t miss The Rose Street Artists’ Market on weekends for handmade goodies and local art. It’s the kind of place perfect for a slow-wander, a Sunday morning dream.

Check out one of the open-air cinemas.

Melbourne does outdoor cinemas ridiculously well so on those balmy nights, go and try one out!

Moonlight Cinema (pictured below) is in the Botanic Gardens is an absolute fave (picnic rugs and BYO allowed!), while Rooftop Cinema in the city offers deckchairs, skyline views, and cocktails with your movie. It’s the ultimate summer night vibe. Check out the links below and book your ticket!

👉 Moonlight Cinema
👉 Rooftop Cinema

Coffee shop hop

I would have loved to have more time to drink the coffee in Melbourne but from what I did try, 10/10. The below was at Dukes Coffee Roasters, which I can highly recommend.

In Melbourne, café-hopping is practically a sport. It’s kinda hard to go wrong with coffee as there are just so many great spots! Here are a few more to check out:

Patricia Coffee Brewers
Market Lane Coffee at the Queen Vic Market
Brother Baba Budan

Explore the Botanical Gardens

If you need a break from the city and to immerse yourself in nature during your stay in Melbourne, look no further.

Just a short stroll from the CBD are the Royal Botanic Gardens – a sprawling green oasis that will return you to your inner bliss instantly.

You have the option to join a free walking tour, you could bring a picnic, rent a rowboat on the lake or just take a stroll. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world, it’s a pretty special spot and one of the best things to do in Melbourne!

Check out Centre Place for cafes and street buskers

This iconic Melbourne laneway is packed with character and felt like a melting pot of Europe and Asia! Narrow walkways, cobblestones, overflowing café tables, and the delicious scent of espresso and toasted sandwiches wafting into your nostrils around every corner.

This is a really cool spot to wander through, even if you don’t stop to eat. If you have time though, grab a juice, a coffee or some lunch and receive the frequencies of the buskers and the people passing by.

Grab a healthy lunch and juice at Laneway Greens

Up there with my favourite salads ever. Such a great spot if you’re looking for a healthy, nourishing, colourful lunch.

Head up the Eureka Tower for epic views over Melbourne

For unbeatable 360° views over the city, over the Yarra River, and out towards the bay, get this one on your list!

Take the lift up to the Eureka Skydeck on Southbank and step out ontoThe Edge for a shift in perspective as you walk over a glass cube that extends out from the building.

Wander through the famous street art laneways

Melbourne’s laneways are legendary for their ever-changing street art. Even if street art isn’t your thing, it’s so worth witnessing at least a couple!

Hosier Lane is the most iconic (and well photographed) lanewat but you could also check out:

ACDC Lane
Union Lane
Blender Lane

Exploring the street art is a completely free, creative, and constantly evolving thing to do in Mebourne. Every visit is different making it forever one of the best things to do in Melbourne.

A Guide To Melbourne - what to see, eat and do | Where's Mollie? A UK Travel and Adventure Lifestyle Blog-4

A Guide To Melbourne - what to see, eat and do | Where's Mollie? A UK Travel and Adventure Lifestyle Blog-5

Check out some of the spectator sports on offer.

Not only is Melbourne obsessed with coffee, Melbourne is also obsessed with sport.

It is here you should catch an AFL match at the mighty MCG, grab tickets to the Australian Open in January, or watch Formula 1 roar into town in March.

Even opting in to soaking up the atmosphere at a pub on game day is an experience worth adding to your Melbourne bucket list.

Venture down to St. Kilda

This bayside suburb is full of character. This is the area in Melbourne that I fell in love with on my first visit. It feels like it’s out of the city, it’s got the beachside vibes, but you’re also just a 20-minute tram into the centre.

When you’re here, make sure you walk the pier at sunset to spot the resident little penguins waddling home!!! A classic in Melbourne and one of the best things to do in Melbourne.

I also rented a bike whilst I was in St.Kilda and travelled south on the bike lanes to explore for the day. Highly recommend taking some water and snacks and doing this!

See more in my St. Kilda guide here.

The Perfect Coastal Bike Ride Melbourne, Australia, St Kilda | Where's Mollie? A Travel and Adventure Lifestyle Blog

Kick back and relax on the southern beaches.

Whilst on my bike ride from St.Kilda, I got the chance to explore and hang out of the southern beaches.

Be sure to check out the rainbow-colored huts on Brighton beach, or go for a swim / bathe at Elwood or Half Moon Bay. As you can see below, stunning scenes!