Melbourne in 7 Days — City + Great Ocean Road Overnight + Tasmania Extension

Activities

1. 08:00 Patricia Coffee Brewers (CBD opening) + Lune CBD croissant 30 min

   Start with Melbourne's signature coffee culture at Patricia (standing-only counter, the locals' move). Pair with a Lune Croissanterie croissant from the CBD location (skip the Fitzroy queue).

   Cost: A$10-20 TIP: Lune CBD opens 07:30 — arrive 07:30 for fewest queues. Patricia is standing-only with no seats.
2. 09:00 Hosier Lane + CBD laneways street art walk 1.5 hours

   Walk Hosier Lane (most iconic street art) + AC/DC Lane + Centre Place + Union Lane. The murals change weekly — every visit is different. Free.

   Cost: Free TIP: Before 10am for no crowds + best light. Centre Place has café terraces; AC/DC Lane is shorter; Union Lane is gritty.
3. 11:00 Federation Square + ACMI Museum (free) 2 hours

   Federation Square plaza + ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image, free) inside. ACMI's interactive exhibits cover film + TV + digital culture. Ian Potter Centre (Australian art only) is also inside.

   Cost: Free (special exhibits A$25+) TIP: Friday evenings Dec-Mar have free outdoor movies in the plaza. Locals bring blankets + wine.
4. 13:00 Lunch at Cumulus Inc (Flinders Lane) 1.5 hours

   Andrew McConnell's all-day restaurant in Curtin House. Modern Australian sharing plates; the roast lamb is the standard order.

   Cost: A$60-100 TIP: Book 1+ week ahead for lunch. Walk-in possible early or late.
5. 15:00 Queen Victoria Market (since 1878) 1.5 hours

   Southern Hemisphere's largest open-air market — 600+ vendors across 7 hectares. American Doughnut Kitchen food truck (A$6 for 4 doughnuts since 1950). Market Lane Coffee inside.

   Cost: A$15-30 TIP: Closed Mondays. Wednesday Night Market (Jun-Aug or Nov-Mar) is the highlight + live music.
6. 17:30 Eureka Skydeck sunset (Southbank) 2 hours

   Southern Hemisphere's tallest observation deck (297m, 91st floor). 360° views of Melbourne + Port Phillip Bay + Phillip Island on clear days. The Edge (glass cube extending outside, A$12 extra) is the bucket-list option.

   Cost: A$28 / The Edge A$40 TIP: Sunset 30 min before for the gold-window of daylight + dusk + city lights. Book online ahead — sunset slots sell out.
7. 20:00 Dinner — Chin Chin (Asian fusion) OR Cutler & Co (modern Australian) 2.5 hours

   Chin Chin A$50-100 (no reservations, 1-hour queue typical, live DJ from 19:00). Cutler & Co A$150-250 (Andrew McConnell's flagship, book 1-2 weeks ahead).

   Cost: A$50-250 TIP: Cutler & Co requires booking. Chin Chin's queue eats into the experience — arrive 17:30 for first seating.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 07:30 Brighton Bathing Boxes sunrise 1.5 hours

   11 km south — 82 colorful Victorian-era bathing boxes (built 1862). Melbourne's #1 Instagram landmark. Sunrise has no crowds + no backlight + perfect light. Brighton Bathing Box #11 with Australian flag is most-iconic.

   Cost: Tram A$5 TIP: Sandringham Line tram to Middle Brighton (25 min), 5-min walk to beach. Sunrise + 30 min after for best photos.
2. 09:30 St Kilda Beach + Luna Park + Acland Street brunch 3 hours

   St Kilda is Melbourne's beachfront neighborhood. Luna Park (1912, National Heritage amusement park, A$49 entry). Acland Street cake shops (Monarch Cakes since 1934 is iconic).

   Cost: A$10-30 brunch + Luna Park A$49 optional TIP: Tram 16 or 96 from CBD (30 min). Monarch Cakes for old-school Polish-Australian cakes.
3. 13:00 Lunch at Stokehouse (St Kilda Beach) OR Acland Street café 1.5 hours

   Stokehouse A$60-120 (beachfront modern Australian + seafood). Acland Street has multiple casual cafés A$20-30.

   Cost: A$30-120 TIP: Stokehouse window seat (book ahead) is the move for beach views.
4. 15:00 South Yarra + Chapel Street shopping 2 hours

   Tram 78 from St Kilda 20 min to South Yarra. Chapel Street has 50+ Australian designer + international brands. The Olsen Art Series Hotel has art-themed coffee shop.

   Cost: Shopping varies TIP: South Yarra + Prahran are Melbourne's upscale shopping district. Pair with Prahran Market (since 1864).
5. 18:00 Fitzroy + Brunswick Street + Smith Street vintage + indie 2 hours

   Tram 11 from Chapel Street to Fitzroy. Brunswick Street + Smith Street are Melbourne's hipster + indie heart. Vintage shops, indie record stores, craft beer pubs, live music venues.

   Cost: Free (food/drinks extra) TIP: Industry Beans (Rose Street) for afternoon coffee. Gertrude Street for the upscale Fitzroy boutiques.
6. 20:30 Dinner — Cutler & Co (Fitzroy) OR Stokehouse (St Kilda return) 2.5 hours

   Cutler & Co A$150-250 (Andrew McConnell's Fitzroy flagship). Alternative: Stokehouse beach dinner if not done at lunch.

   Cost: A$60-250 TIP: Cutler & Co books 1-2 weeks ahead. Pair with craft beer at Naked for Satan (Fitzroy rooftop).
7. 23:00 St Kilda Pier little penguins (free, sunset 20:00-21:30 depending on season) 1 hour

   St Kilda Pier hosts a wild little penguin colony — same species as Phillip Island but free + tram-accessible. Penguins return to nesting burrows after sunset.

   Cost: Free TIP: **No flash photography** — strict to protect penguins. Tram 16 or 96 from CBD. Best months Oct-Mar.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 07:00 Option A — Great Ocean Road + 12 Apostles day tour 13 hours

   243 km coastal drive named after returning WWI soldiers built it. 12 Apostles limestone stacks at sunset is the iconic moment. Tours from Melbourne A$150-200 include 12-hour day with transport.

   Cost: A$150-200 TIP: 1-night overnight (Apollo Bay or Port Campbell, A$200-400/night) is the better way — day trips are exhausting. Tours run Mon-Sun via Klook + GetYourGuide.
2. 07:00 Option B — Phillip Island Penguin Parade tour 10 hours

   1.5h drive south to Phillip Island. Hundreds of little penguins (world's smallest, 33cm tall) waddle from sea to dune burrows at sunset. Tours A$130-180 include transport + Koala Conservation Reserve + Penguin Parade.

   Cost: A$130-180 TIP: **No cameras/phones during the show** — flash damages penguin eyes. Eyes only. Day-tour from Melbourne includes Wildlife Park + Koala Reserve + dinner often.
3. 20:00 Return to Melbourne + final dinner — Vue de Monde (Rialto Tower) OR Flower Drum (Chinatown) 3 hours

   Vue de Monde A$250-400 (3-Michelin-equivalent + Rialto Tower 297m views, book 1-2 months ahead). Flower Drum A$100-200 (Cantonese heritage since 1975, book 1-2 weeks ahead).

   Cost: A$100-400 TIP: Vue de Monde requires advance booking. Flower Drum is easier but still book ahead.
4. 23:30 Departure — MEL airport (most flights 22-02) Transit

   SkyBus from CBD to MEL airport A$22, 25 min. Allow 3 hours pre-flight for international.

   Cost: A$22 SkyBus TIP: SkyBus runs 24/7 — every 10 min. Uber A$50-70.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 08:00 Pickup rental car + drive Melbourne → Torquay (1.5h) 1.5 hours

   Rental car pickup at CBD (Hertz, Avis, Budget, A$70-100/day). Drive south to Torquay (start of Great Ocean Road) via Geelong.

   Cost: A$70-100 + gas TIP: International driving permit required (left-side driving — practice in suburbs before mountain road).
2. 10:00 Torquay + Bells Beach (surfing capital of Australia) 1.5 hours

   Torquay is the home of the Australian surfing industry (Quiksilver + Rip Curl HQs). Bells Beach hosts the world's longest-running surf competition. Wander Surf Museum.

   Cost: A$15 Museum + free Bells Beach TIP: Don't surf if inexperienced — Bells Beach is for advanced surfers only.
3. 12:30 Lorne lunch + Erskine Falls 2 hours

   Lorne is the seaside town midway. Lunch at Lorne Pier Sea + Stage Restaurant (A$30-60). Erskine Falls (35-min walk in Otway forest) is the rainforest dip.

   Cost: A$30-60 + free falls TIP: Lorne is the lunch stop on the way + worth stopping for the seaside views.
4. 15:00 Apollo Bay + Otway National Park 2 hours

   Continue 1h to Apollo Bay (small fishing town, the overnight base). Check into Apollo Bay accommodations. Otway National Park is the temperate rainforest gateway.

   Cost: A$150-300 overnight accommodation TIP: Apollo Bay accommodations book 1-2 months ahead in summer. Cape Otway Lighthouse 30 min south is the iconic stop.
5. 19:00 Apollo Bay dinner — La Bimba (Italian + seafood) 2 hours

   La Bimba is Apollo Bay's beloved Italian + seafood spot. Wood-fired pizza + fresh local fish.

   Cost: A$50-100 TIP: Book ahead in summer. Sunset views from the dining room.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 08:00 Apollo Bay → Port Campbell drive (1.5h via coast) 2 hours with stops

   Continue west along Great Ocean Road. Coastal cliffs + Southern Ocean views + Otway forest. Multiple lookouts (Castle Cove, Princetown).

   Cost: Included in rental TIP: Slow drive — multiple photo stops. Cape Otway Lighthouse (30 min detour) is the Light Station.
2. 11:00 12 Apostles (Port Campbell National Park) 2 hours

   Iconic limestone stacks (now 8 remaining from erosion). Multiple viewing platforms + 86 steps down to beach (Gibson Steps). Helicopter tours A$150-300 for aerial views.

   Cost: Free / Helicopter A$150-300 TIP: Mid-day photos = harsh light. Better at sunrise or sunset. The Gibson Steps beach view is worth the climb.
3. 13:30 Loch Ard Gorge + London Arch + Bay of Islands 2 hours

   Loch Ard Gorge (1878 shipwreck site with only 2 survivors). London Arch (1990 famous collapse). Bay of Islands further west.

   Cost: Free TIP: Less crowded than 12 Apostles + equally dramatic. Walking trails between sites.
4. 16:00 Port Campbell dinner pre-sunset 1.5 hours

   Port Campbell is the western base. 12 Apostles Hotel + Forage on the Foreshore for dinner. Pre-sunset meal then return to 12 Apostles for golden hour.

   Cost: A$40-80 TIP: Port Campbell has limited dinner options — Forage on the Foreshore is the standout.
5. 18:30 12 Apostles sunset (golden hour) 1 hour

   Return to 12 Apostles for sunset (best photos). Golden limestone + Southern Ocean + sunset combo is the iconic Australian image.

   Cost: Free TIP: Arrive 30 min before sunset to claim photo position. Bring tripod for low-light long exposure.
6. 20:00 Return drive Melbourne (3.5h via inland) 3.5 hours

   Return inland route (faster than coastal). Arrive Melbourne late evening. Return rental car next morning.

   Cost: Included in rental TIP: Inland route via Colac + Geelong is faster + safer at night (kangaroos on coastal road).

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 08:00 Return rental car + fly Melbourne (MEL) → Hobart (HBA, 1h, A$100-200) 3 hours total

   Jetstar + Qantas + Virgin Australia daily flights. Return rental car at MEL airport before check-in.

   Cost: A$100-200 + rental return TIP: Book flight 1-2 months ahead for best prices. Jetstar is cheapest but baggage extra.
2. 11:30 MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) 4 hours

   Australia's largest privately-funded museum. Provocative contemporary art collection by gambler-philanthropist David Walsh. The MONA experience is the must-do Hobart attraction.

   Cost: A$28 TIP: MONA Roma ferry from Hobart Brooke Street Pier (30 min, A$25 round trip) is the iconic arrival method.
3. 16:00 Salamanca Place + Battery Point heritage walk 2 hours

   Salamanca Place (1830s sandstone warehouses, now galleries + restaurants). Battery Point (Hobart's 1820s heritage neighborhood) walking tour.

   Cost: Free TIP: Saturday Salamanca Market (08:00-15:00) is iconic — 300+ stalls of Tasmanian produce + crafts. Other days quieter.
4. 19:00 Hobart dinner — Aloft (Brooke Street Pier) OR Templo (Modern Tasmanian) 2.5 hours

   Aloft A$80-150 (sustainable seafood with harbor views). Templo A$60-100 (Modern Tasmanian, intimate 20-seat).

   Cost: A$60-150 TIP: Book 1-2 weeks ahead. Tasmanian seafood + cool-climate wines (Tasmania pinot noir is world-class).

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 08:00 Wineglass Bay day tour (Freycinet National Park, 2.5h drive) 10 hours

   World's top 10 beaches (TripAdvisor) — perfect white-sand crescent in Freycinet National Park. Hike 1.5h to the lookout + 30 min down to the beach. Day tours from Hobart A$200-300 include transport + lunch.

   Cost: A$200-300 TIP: Alternative: Bruny Island day tour (45 min ferry, A$180-250, oysters + cheese + Truganini Lookout). Bruny is easier; Wineglass Bay is more dramatic.
2. 19:00 Return Hobart + fly to Melbourne (1h, A$100-200) + MEL departure Transit

   Return tour drops Hobart 18:00. Fly Hobart → Melbourne (last flights typically 19:00-21:00). Connect to international departure (most Asia/Europe 22-02).

   Cost: A$100-200 flight + Uber TIP: Book Hobart-Melbourne flight with 4+ hour international connection buffer at MEL.

Meal Recommendations