2 Days in Melbourne: First-Timer Plan
Two days is enough to get a genuine first taste of Melbourne’s CBD, its laneways and its two headline institutions, the NGV and the MCG, without trying to cram in a day trip. Before you land, confirm your ETA (subclass 601, about AUD $20 via the Australian ETA app) or, for EU/UK passports, the free eVisitor. There’s no train from Melbourne Airport (MEL), so budget the SkyBus (about AUD $25.90 one-way) or a taxi (roughly AUD $65-75) into the city.
Day 1: CBD, laneways and the Yarra
Start at Federation Square, the civic heart of the city, and walk the free permanent collection at the Ian Potter Centre (NGV Australia) right there on the square. From Fed Square it’s a short walk into the laneway network: Hosier Lane for street art, then Degraves Street or Centre Place for a coffee, since this is Melbourne and skipping the coffee stop would be a genuine mistake. Duck into the 1892 Block Arcade and the 1870 Royal Arcade (watch for the Gog and Magog clock figures) before lunch.
In the afternoon, walk the Yarra River promenade toward Southbank and take in the view from a rooftop bar as the light changes. Dinner in one of the CBD laneways rounds out the day; expect a mid-range meal to run roughly AUD $30-50 a head.
Since this whole day sits inside the Free Tram Zone, you can hop trams around the CBD and Docklands for free, no Myki required yet.
Day 2: MCG, Queen Victoria Market and St Kilda
Book a Melbourne Cricket Ground tour for the morning (about AUD $38), which also covers the Australian Sports Museum, then walk or tram across to Queen Victoria Market, running continuously since 1878, for lunch among the stalls.
In the afternoon, tram out to St Kilda (you’ll need a Myki here, since you’re leaving the Free Tram Zone). Walk St Kilda Pier, visit Luna Park, the world’s oldest continuously operating amusement park, and stay through dusk for the little penguins that come ashore on the breakwater. Book a timed viewing slot in advance; it’s free but fills up fast in peak season.
Concrete tip: buy your Myki as soon as you leave the Free Tram Zone for St Kilda, since trams and buses are still Myki-only even though Metro trains now take contactless cards.
Two days only scratches the surface of Melbourne’s city core, which really runs 3-4 days. For more time in the city itself, see the 3-day and 4-day itineraries, or the full Melbourne guide . If you’d rather use Melbourne as a base for the Great Ocean Road and Yarra Valley from day one, the Melbourne, Australia 2-day itinerary covers that version instead.
Before you fly: get your ETA or eVisitor approved, and pick up a Myki the moment you plan to leave the Free Tram Zone.