6 Days in Melbourne and Victoria
Six days covers the city in two, then runs four day trips: coast, wine, wildlife and the Dandenong Ranges. Sort 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: Federation Square and the laneways
Federation Square, the Ian Potter Centre (NGV Australia, free), ACMI (free), Hosier Lane, Degraves Street, the Block and Royal Arcades.
Day 2: MCG, Queen Victoria Market and St Kilda
MCG tour (about AUD $38), Queen Victoria Market (since 1878), St Kilda for Luna Park and the little penguins at dusk (free, book ahead).
Day 3: Great Ocean Road, honestly
About 3-4 hours one way to the Twelve Apostles, a long single-day round trip. Book a tour or drive yourself, with a koala stop at Kennett River and real time at Loch Ard Gorge.
Day 4: Yarra Valley day trip
About 1 hour 15 minutes out: wine tastings and Healesville Sanctuary’s wildlife.
Day 5: Phillip Island day trip
About 1.5-2 hours south for the dusk Penguin Parade, car or guided tour only, tickets about AUD $33, book ahead for the late return.
Day 6: Dandenong Ranges day trip
About an hour out, and reachable by Metro train to Belgrave without a car. Ride the heritage Puffing Billy steam train through the ranges and grab lunch in one of the hill towns.
Concrete tip: put the Dandenongs on the day after Phillip Island, since it’s the easiest, lowest-key day trip of the week and a good way to recover from the previous late night.
For a seventh day and one more day trip, the 7-day itinerary adds the Mornington Peninsula on top of this same trip. The full Melbourne, Australia guide covers the whole radius, and the Melbourne 6-day itinerary covers an all-city version instead.
Before you fly: confirm your ETA or eVisitor, and keep your Myki topped up for the Dandenongs’ Metro train leg.