So you only have 2 days in Melbourne. I won’t say I’m mad at you, but I strongly encourage you to allot MUCH more time to spend in Melbourne next time! 😉 I mean, you CAN do Melbourne in 2 days, but it’s going to be tight.
A month (or a few years, in my case) is still not enough in Melbourne, because this city truly has it all. It’s got culture, diverse and amazing food, one of the best bar AND live music scenes in the world, the best coffee in the world, tons of art, unbelievable day trips, and an unmatched lifestyle… to name a few.
If you want to JAM PACK your 2 days in Melbourne, you’ve come to the right place. I’m going to help you squeeze every last drop out of your 48 hours in Melbourne, so you can see as much as possible. We will be exploring Southbank, St Kilda, the CBD, and Fitzroy. You will be tired – I warned you – but you will have made the absolute most of your time.
As with most of my itineraries, I will often make multiple suggestions and you can choose your own adventure based upon what you like best. A short time in Melbourne is also a great opportunity to plan a Melbourne Helicopter Ride to see everything at once from above.
Make sure you have your Australian visa if you need one and pack for whatever the unpredictable weather may bring.
This itinerary includes quite a lot of walking and a well-balanced mix between outdoor activities, viewpoints, museums, and food/drink. Depending on the time of year, you may need to switch a few things around to make the sunset spots I recommend work around dinner suggestions.
Other Melbourne Articles you Might Like:
- Places to Visit in Melbourne: A Complete Travel Guide
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- Best Brunch + Breakfast in Melbourne
- 30+ Fun Things to do in Melbourne for Couples
What to Know Before Your 2 Days in Melbourne Itinerary
Before your 48 hours in Melbourne, there are a few things you must plan for:
Where to Stay in Melbourne
If you only have 2 days in Melbourne, I suggest staying somewhere central in Southbank or the CBD (central business district/downtown). This way you won’t waste much time in transit from your hotel and will be right in the thick of it at all times.
My top recommendations are:
Victoria Hotel: Most budget-friendly hotel in the CBD that’s still really nice + great location
Flinders Backpackers: Budget Hostel with perfect location
QT Melbourne: 5-star luxury hotel experience right in the CBD
Getting Around Melbourne
Even if you only have 48 hours, you will need a public transport card (Myki card) to get to all the sights in this Melbourne itinerary. You can purchase one at any train station or 7-11, and top it up with some money to take trams around (the main mode of transport here).
The CBD has a ‘free tram zone’ (even more of a reason to get a hotel in the CBD) where all the trams are free. However, you should touch on your Myki card to pay the fare when leaving this zone. For 2 days in Melbourne, all you really need is to navigate the trams, which is simple using Google Maps public transport option.
Wifi + Service
Most hotels and restaurants will have wifi that you can use in Melbourne if you won’t be stopping to get a SIM card. If you do want a local SIM, Telstra and Optus are the most popular providers and have different short-term options. You could also get an eSIM for your days here, or a VPN service for free internet.
2 Days in Melbourne Day 1: South of the Yarra (Southbank + St Kilda)
For day 1 of this 2 day Melbourne itinerary, we will be exploring South of the Yarra River in Southbank/South Melbourne and then making our way to the local Melbourne beach, St Kilda. Get started as early as you possibly can to see more (I say this because I am NOT a morning person – if 9am is as early as you can then so be it, but I would say maybe 730/8).
Breakfast in South Melbourne
Because you only have a short 2 days here, you MUST have a proper Melbourne brunch! Two of the best brunches I have had are Kettle Black Cafe and St Ali Coffee Roasters, which are both in South Melbourne. You can’t possibly be disappointed at either of these cafes, which have beautiful food and a well-rounded and truly-Melbourne coffee selection.
If you have time: The South Melbourne Market is a great place to visit, with some fascinating market and food stalls. It’s open Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun.
Shrine of Remembrance
The Shrine of Remembrance is a huge concrete war memorial at the bottom end of the Botanic Gardens. It has a big museum underneath and also a viewing terrace that happens to be my second favorite view of the city.
Have a wander through the museum if you wish – but it might not be the best idea as time is limited. More than anything I suggest walking into the memorial, climbing up the stairs, and checking out the incredible view of the city skyline past the trees. It’s truly stunning and a great view to start your time in Melbourne!
There’s also an option to take an e-bike tour that includes the Shrine of Remembrance and many other sights if you don’t want to walk a lot.
Royal Botanic Gardens
The Shrine is only a few minutes’ walk from the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens. It’s easy to spend an eternity in here as they are HUGE and contain thousands of fascinating plant species, but try to spend maybe an hour or so exploring the flora and fauna.
If you want, bring a few snacks and have a mini picnic from the South Melbourne Market in a secluded shady corner. There are benches everywhere!
National Gallery of Victoria
Next, you’ll walk about 10-15 minutes to what is, in my opinion, the best art museum in Melbourne! The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) has a constantly rotating lineup of amazing and interactive exhibits, and often has a paid exhibit with a world-renowned artist/art (past have been Keith Haring, Chinese Terracotta Warriors, and M. C. Escher.
Check what is on at the NGV now right here. Spend about an hour exploring the museum, then it’s time to skedaddle!
Southbank Promenade – Walk + Lunch
From the NGV, exit and walk to the left until you see the Yarra River. Walk down the steps before the bridge over the river, and drink in an amazing city view! You’ve now reached Southbank Promenade, which is a 2km strip of bars, restaurants, and river views.
There are often street performers here doing interesting (read: strange) skits, sometimes small festivals on the walking path, and TONS of great food and drink. Spend some time walking along the river, taking photos of the skyline, people watching, and eventually grabbing some patio-style food/drink when you get hungry.
Pick any place that looks good to you or read my Southbank guide for more info! They’re all good, but my recommendations are as follows:
Food in Southbank: Waterfront (upscale seafood), Hopscotch (relaxed burgers + craft beer), Southgate Center food courts (for a quick/cheap bite).
Drinks: Ponyfish Island (a bar in the middle of the river under a bridge), Hophaus (Germain bier on a balcony), Petanque Social (vibey new bar on the river).
Eureka Skydeck
I said before that the Shrine of Remembrance was my second favorite viewpoint in Melbourne… and this one is my number one! The Eureka Tower is the second tallest building in Australia and home to the highest viewing platform in the whole Southern Hemisphere! For a small fee you can take the fastest elevator in the southern hemisphere to a view over ALL of Melbourne.
This is where you make up for the fact that you only have 2 days in Melbourne. From up here, you can see ALL the things you may not be able to see in person – the huge Melbourne Cricket Ground stadium, the Yarra River flowing past the docklands and out into the sea, and the beautiful mountain ranges surrounding the city.
Pick out the points of interest you have seen (ex. Shrine of Remembrance, NGV, and Botanic Gardens) and the ones you are yet to see. It’s truly an amazing view and a touristy activity that I deem worthwhile.
You can save a few bucks on tickets at the door by buying them in advance online here or book a bites + sights tour that includes the skydeck.
Crown Casino
The Crown Casino is the largest casino in Australia and an important point of interest in Melbourne. It may not interest everyone, but it is worth mentioning that you will walk past the Crown (which also encompasses 3 upscale hotels) on the Southbank Promenade.
You can marvel at it from the outside, or you can go inside and check out the decor and maybe even enjoy a round of roulette. There are LOTS of upscale restaurants inside, which border the Southbank Promenade, so if you want a fancier lunch this could be it (my favorite is Gradi Italian).
Take the Tram to St Kilda
Right past the crown casino, you will come to a tram stop in front of the Melbourne Convention Center. Have your Myki card ready (see transport section above) and tap onto a number 96 tram heading south to St Kilda.
Now (disclaimer) St Kilda definitely isn’t the nicest beach in the whole world, but it’s definitely a must-see in Melbourne!
Luna Park + Acland Street
You can ride this tram all the way to its last stop, checking out some places you might want to return to along the way. You’ll get off at the end of Acland Street, so have a walk around!
Acland Street is one of the main hubs of St Kilda, where you can find lots of bakeries and pastry shops, food, and drinks. Peruse the street if you feel like snacking or shopping, and maybe scout out a dinner option or two.
Head back toward the sea and marvel at the huge clown face entrance of Luna Park, take a photo, and go inside if you want to do some old school carnival rides (it’s open on the weekends).
If you love the coast, check out this bayside cycling tour that visits more beachy areas too.
Esplanade + Dinner
The Esplanade is the main street that runs above the shore. It has a big market on Sundays, so make sure to check that out if your days align!
Check out some of the bars/restaurants on the water, such as Captain Baxter and The Pontoon, or The Esplanade up above (visible on Google Maps). If you have time, grab a drink and possibly some food wherever looks good to you, or have a walk on the beach.
Some great places for a meal are Donovan’s, Claypots Seafood, and any of the places I mentioned above.
Sunset: St Kilda Pier + Penguins
At sunset time, head to the St Kilda Pier to view some ADORABLE fairy penguins – a truly unique Melbourne must-do! A colony of the smallest penguins in the world lives right here in St Kilda, and they come up out of the water to have a rest in the rocks of the pier each evening just after sunset.
There aren’t as many here as there are on Phillip island (which is a popular day trip from Melbourne), but if you only have 2 days in Melbourne, you can still view them in St Kilda and it’s definitely a highlight. If you want more info, read more about viewing the St Kilda Penguins here or book a private St Kilda tour if you love the area.
You may have to swap the sunset and dinner depending on the time of year you are in Melbourne. The most important thing is that you arrive on the St Kilda Pier just before/during sunset, and wait for at least 30 minutes after it sets to see the cutest little penguins you ever did see. Don’t forget a jacket!
After Sunset
After sunset, I assume you will be knackered and ready to head back to your accommodation for some much-needed rest. If not, there are tons of bars in St Kilda. Try The Esplanade for drinks, Dog’s Bar for live music, or have a walk down Fitzroy Street and pop into anywhere that looks good.
You can also head back to the city for drinks at any of Melbourne’s amazing hidden bars. I’ve organized Melbourne’s best hidden bars here.
2 Days Melbourne Itinerary Day 2: North of the Yarra (CBD + Fitzroy)
Good morning – I hope you’re ready for some laneways and cafes for your second day of 48 hours in Melbourne Australia. Today we start in the CBD and make our way up to the hipster suburb of Fitzroy in the afternoon/evening.
Laneway Breakfast
First and foremost, it’s time for a classic Melbourne experience, which is breakfast at a tiny table in a busting laneway. To do this, head to famous Degraves Street (across from Flinders St Train Station), check out the chalkboard menus displayed in the lane, and pick a cafe to sit down at.
I suggest sitting at a table in the middle of the lane for optimal people-watching delight. If you are more selective for brekky, check out my complete Melbourne CBD breakfast and brunch guide or pick a spot on Block Place instead.
Self-Guided Melbourne Walking Tour
Now, I’m going to take you on a walking tour around some of the best sights in Melbourne CBD. If you want, you can sign up for an actual walking tour (like the ones I used to lead) which leave from the Gordon Reserve at 11 am each morning. Up to you!
From Degraves Street, you can walk these attractions in order to see the best Melbourne points of interest quickly:
Flinders Street Train Station
This is the main train station of Melbourne in an interesting architectural style. One of the main points to see is the clocks across the front which used to dictate upcoming train times.
Federation Square
This is the main ’square’ of the city. Fed Square holds all kinds of festivals and events, and is also home to three different museums which you can check out if you want: the ACMI (museum of the moving image), Koorie Heritage Trust (indigenous museum) and Ian Potter Centre (Museum of Australian art)
AC/DC Lane + Hosier Lane
These are the best street art laneways of Melbourne! AC/DC lane is lesser-known and is full of rock and roll-related murals and great photo ops. Hosier Lane is usually very crowded but fascinating, with all different kinds of graffiti and murals.
Centre Place
Walk down Centre place, which is another great laneway for a meal, on your way to the arcades.
Block + Royal Arcades
Melbourne was made famous from a huge Gold Rush in 1851, and these arcades were built in the 1800’s with all the gold rush money. They’re reminiscent of European shopping arcades and have beautiful architecture. Pop into some shops or grab a coffee or chocolate.
[click_to_tweet tweet=”Here’s how to spend the perfect, jam-packed, and adventurous 2 days in #Melbourne, #Australia! If you only have 48 hours in Melbourne, this itinerary will help you make the most of them with sights, food, wildlife, drinks, and landmarks.” quote=”Here’s how to spend the perfect, jam-packed, and adventurous 2 days in #Melbourne, #Australia! If you only have 48 hours in Melbourne, this itinerary will help you make the most of them with sights, food, wildlife, drinks, and landmarks.”]
Bourke Street Mall + Emporium
Bourke Street is one of the busiest streets of Melbourne, as you will see when you walk out of the Royal Arcade. There are always buskers on every sidewalk and LOTS of shopping to do, if you are so inclined.
Chinatown
Melbourne’s Chinatown is one of the oldest in the world. There are tons of tiny hole-in-the-wall dumpling houses to eat at – if you’re hungry yet, pop into one!
State Library of Victoria
This is the second museum I REALLY recommend. The State Library of Victoria is a beautiful historic Gold Rush-era building that houses 2m+ books and fantastic historical exhibits. If you choose not to take a proper walking tour, head in here to pick up some info about the fascinating history of Melbourne.
If you aren’t into history, at least go in to check out the AMAZING light-filled atrium dome, the La Trobe Reading Room. You’ll be glad you did.
Lunch
After the State Library, it should be nearing lunchtime. There are SO many great places to eat around here!
My top recommendations are Chinatown (get some authentic dumplings! Try Juicy Bar, Shanghai Village, ShandongMama, Empress of China, or China Red), Hakata Gensuke (unbelievable Ramen in a tiny restaurant), Hardware Lane (hawker-style Italian food – my favorite is Max on Hardware), or simply checking out the food court in Melbourne Central station for something quick + cheap).
If you want a lunchtime drink or a more chilled meal, check out the aptly named “Rooftop Bar” just near Chinatown.
Head up to Fitzroy
Next up is Melbourne’s hipster capital: Fitzroy! Fitzroy is centered around one main street called Brunswick Street, which is full of quirky shops, bars, and restaurants. From the State Library, you can walk to Brunswick Street (about 15-20 minutes) or you can jump on the number 11 tram from Collins St.
If you have time: If you sped through the morning itinerary, you might have an hour or so to check out the Melbourne Museum, which is in Carlton Gardens just above the CBD. This one is not free but it’s super comprehensive and fascinating.
Explore Fitzroy
Wander through some shops and marvel at some street art in Fitzroy. If you happen to be there on a Saturday, the Fitzroy Mills Market and the Rose Street Market will be going on. Fitzroy is known for having street art on every corner (especially the area around these markets) so have a nice little afternoon walk and see what you can find.
For more info, check out my guide to what to do in Fitzroy.
Sunset: Naked for Satan Bar
Around (or before) sunset, head to another of my favorite rooftop bars: Naked for Satan. This one’s very famous among Melburnians and has a fantastic view of the city. The cocktails here are top-notch, and they also have grazing bites as well. See if you can get a table near the window and drink in some views of the city you just explored.
Dinner/After Sunset
After sunset, you can either choose to have dinner and check out a few bars in Fitzroy if you like the vibe, or head back to the CBD to explore it more thoroughly.
I have a full guide to Fitzroy, Fitzroy Brunch, and a guide to Fitzroy Bars, so you can check out some more in-depth info on all these areas. But in short, I recommend:
Fitzroy Restaurants: Ides (upscale), Shop Ramen (tiny little amazing ramen spot), Easey’s (burgers in a rooftop train car), Smith + Daughters (Vegan)
Fitzroy Bars: The Everleigh (upscale cocktails) Baxter’s Lot (live music every night), Rum Diary (rum), Black Pearl (cocktails with a secret bar upstairs called The Attic), Beermash (beer)
CBD Restaurants: Max on Hardware Lane (if you didn’t go for lunch), Tipo 00 (amazing Italian food), Pastuso (Peruvian in a laneway), Chin Chin (fancy Asian fusion – book ahead)
CBD Bars: Beneath Driver Lane (amazing underground cocktails), Whitehart (shipping container bar), State of Grace (hidden bookshelf bar), Little Lon (hidden gin bar in a tiny heritage building) Eau de Vie (fanciest cocktails)
Well, that’s it for a fully jam-packed 2 days in Melbourne! You wanted to see as much as humanly possible, and that’s exactly what I gave you! I call these ‘adventurous itineraries’ for a reason, people!
You’ll be exhausted, but definitely content with your adventuring. Pat yourself on the back because that was a LOT of things to do in a short amount of time.
I would love any feedback on this 48 hours in Melbourne itinerary. Was it WAY too much? Did you fit it all in? Was one day longer than the other? Your feedback is always appreciated so I can improve my travel tips. Have a great trip!
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Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.