5 Days in Melbourne: First-Timer Plan
Five days finishes the Melbourne city core in four days, then uses the fifth for a first taste of Victoria as a day trip. This stays a city-first trip; if day trips are actually the point for you, the Melbourne, Australia 5-day itinerary restructures the whole week around them instead. As always: arrange your ETA (about AUD $20) or free eVisitor before flying, and there’s no train from Melbourne Airport, only the SkyBus (about AUD $25.90) or a taxi.
Day 1: CBD and the laneways
Federation Square, the Ian Potter Centre (NGV Australia, free), ACMI (free), then the laneways: Hosier Lane, Degraves Street, the Block and Royal Arcades. All free-to-tram inside the Free Tram Zone.
Day 2: MCG and Queen Victoria Market
MCG tour (about AUD $38) in the morning, Queen Victoria Market, running since 1878, for lunch and browsing in the afternoon.
Day 3: Fitzroy, Carlton and the arts precinct
NGV International on St Kilda Road and the Royal Botanic Gardens (both free) in the morning, Fitzroy’s street art and boutiques in the afternoon, dinner on Carlton’s Lygon Street in the evening.
Day 4: St Kilda, Brunswick and Richmond
St Kilda Beach and Luna Park, staying for the little penguins at dusk on the breakwater (free, book the timed slot ahead). Add Brunswick’s Sydney Road or Richmond’s Vietnamese strip on Victoria Street for the afternoon or evening.
Day 5: Yarra Valley day trip
Take a day trip to the Yarra Valley, about 1 hour 15 minutes from the city by car or tour, for wine tastings and wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary. It’s a genuine day trip, not a rushed one, and gives you a real taste of why Melbourne works so well as a base for Victoria.
Concrete tip: book a guided Yarra Valley tour if you’re not driving, since public transport doesn’t cover the wineries directly.
For more day trips beyond just the Yarra Valley, see the 6-day itinerary or the full Melbourne guide .
Before you fly: confirm your ETA or eVisitor, and buy a Myki as soon as you leave the Free Tram Zone.