Ocean Roads & Art Alleys: What to Do in Melbourne for 2 Days
LAST UPDATED: MARCH 26, 2025 | TRAVEL DATES: FEBRUARY 2025 | EST. READING TIME: 16 MIN
IN THIS GUIDE ✺
Day 1
Day 2
Heading south to the artistically-inspired coastal capital of Victoria?
Visit the second-largest city in Australia to discover a creative cultural hub brimming with artistic inspiration, whether that’s on the sports field, in exhibition galleries, or on the walls of cobblestone alleys. Situated in the southeastern state of Victoria, the diversity of breathtaking landscapes from lush rainforests to rolling vineyards necessitates that the question of “how to spend 2 days in Melbourne” is answered with at least one day trip outside the city!
Journey down the Great Ocean Road to discover the best of the rugged coastline before diving into the renowned global culinary scene deriving inspiration from every corner of the globe! From decorative dishes served to masterpieces hung within the many exhibition spaces elevating the city, a trip to Melbourne is sure to provide creative inspiration with a side of spunk.
2 Days Melbourne Itinerary
In a hurry? Here’s a time-stamped overview of the detailed what to see in Melbourne in 2 days travel guide you’ll find below:
Day 1
7:45 - 8:25 AM: 🥐 Grab a freshly baked pastry from Melbourne’s notorious croissanterie, Lune (40 min)
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM: 🌊 Drive down the Victoria coast with a Great Ocean Road tour (3 hr 30 min)
12:00 - 1:00 PM: 🐚 See the turquoise coastline from above at Teddy’s Lookout in Lorne (1 hr)
1:00 - 2:00 PM: 👙 Head to Wye River for a surf break or just to hang out on the sand (1 hr)
2:00 - 2:45 PM: 🎣 Dig into a fresh seafood platter at the Apollo Bay Fisherman’s Co-op (45 min)
2:45 - 4:30 PM: 🐨 Stroll Maits Rest Rainforest Walk before scouring for koalas and kangaroos (1 hr 45 min)
4:30 - 5:30 PM: 🪨 Admire the Twelve Apostles from the viewing deck and cliffside beach (1 hr)
5:30 - 8:00 PM: 😴 Snooze on the drive back to Melbourne (2 hr 30 min)
8:00 - 9:30 PM: 🥡 Share Chinese fusion small plates at local favorite Chin Chin (1 hr 30 min)
Day 2
10:00 - 10:45 AM: 🍳 Discover the colorful brunch from The Kettle Black (45 min)
10:45 - 11:45 AM: 💐 Walk around the lush Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (1 hr)
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM: 🎨 Admire modern art installations inside the National Gallery of Victoria (1 hr)
12:45 - 1:45 PM: 🛟 Head across the Yarra River to AFLOAT for lunch or a midday drink (1 hr)
2:05 - 4:45 PM: 🛍️ Shop Gertrude Street named the second coolest in the world by Time Out (2 hr 40 min)
5:00 - 6:30 PM: 🥟 Try a variety of international cuisines at the Summer Night Market (1 hr 30 min)
6:45 - 7:30 PM: 🍹 Watch sunset from rooftop HER bar while toasting to your last night in Melbourne (45 min)
How to Get Around Melbourne?
WALK: Once you’ve reached your intended stomping grounds for the day, walking is the best way to get around. The CBD—or Central Business District—is quite compact and easy to traverse on foot, with pedestrian-friendly layouts found in neighboring communities like Fitzroy as well.
PUBLIC TRANSIT: Melbourne is connected to surrounding suburbs by a robust multi-modal public transit system, including buses, trains, and trams. A vast above-ground tram network spans the CBD—Melbourne’s trams are among the largest systems in the world.
For payment, use a physical Myki card. Contactless options aren’t universally accepted yet—there have been limited trials, but Myki is still the main option for tapping on and off transit. The good news is that you can ride within the Free Tram Zone in central Melbourne without using a card at all!
For this quick 2 day itinerary, you can certainly get away without a Myki card and a bit more walking—just follow the free directions detailed below to disembark at the appropriate stops. Otherwise, purchase a A$6 card from Myki machines within train stations and some larger tram stops, or from convenience stores like 7-Eleven. Or if you have an Android cell phone, you can add a digital Myki in the Google Wallet app. Melbourne has a daily fare cap from A$6.70 - 9.20 in Zones 1 and 2, so you won’t pay beyond that maximum within a single day of travel.
RIDESHARE: Multiple ride-sharing services operate in Melbourne suited to varying budgets and demographics. Uber functions as expected while Lyft does not operate in Australia, although it’s priced as a more premium offering than cheaper Didi—which generally gets you better service for things like loading luggage into the trunk. Shebah is a female-only app if you’d prefer to have a woman as your driver—which can be reassuring when traveling late at night.
DRIVE: I wouldn’t bother with a rental car in Melbourne, especially since vehicles drive on the left side of the road in Australia! The central CBD becomes quite congested during rush hour, making public transit typically the cheaper and faster option. Avoid the headache altogether and simply use the three other transportation methods described above.
Taking an Australian road trip isn’t an efficient idea either unless you have significant time to spare, as the gigantic country (and continent!) typically requires 10-20 hours on the road to travel between major cities—and that’s without accounting for breaks and refueling!
Where to Stay in Melbourne?
STUDIO APARTMENT: WRAP on Southbank (Heritage Studio, $379 for 2 nights split among 2 people)
For a centrally-located apartment-style stay complete with a kitchenette and in-unit washer and dryer, look no further than the WRAP on Southbank. These spacious suites come with all the sleek fixings expected of a hotel and are elevated further by home appliances and a living area separate from the bedroom. The stylish converted warehouse has an indoor heated lap pool at the top of the building, in addition to a gym and Dee Casa restaurant available to guests.
This is the ideal type of accommodation to book towards the end of a trip, allowing you to freshen up any dirty laundry and spread out with your travel companions in a space that’s much larger than the typical hotel room. Just south of the CBD in Southbank, stay at WRAP to explore the NGV and Royal Botanic Gardens located just down the street!
What to Do in Melbourne?
Day 1
Breakfast - Lune
Begin your first day in Melbourne bright and early with an artisanal viennoiserie from Lune—which is so coveted a local guide revealed bakery customers often carry their to-go bags around all day to show they secured a bite. Arrive early at the end of the queue to avoid disappointment, as the flaky croissants prepared over three days with Pepe Saya cultured butter and French Beurre d'Isigny sell out quickly. Once inside, watch pastry chefs shaping and laminating dough for innovative pastries through the open kitchen before making your decision at the counter.
Great Ocean Road
When considering what to see in Melbourne in 2 days the Great Ocean Road undoubtedly tops the list, as this cliffside day trip highlights the rugged coastal landscape of picturesque beaches along the Southern Ocean while introducing you to quintessential Aussie animals.
Big bus tours are the common approach—and I absolutely wouldn’t recommend driving unless you want to spend 8+ hours behind the wheel—but for an optimal experience private tours are undoubtedly the way to go, especially when traveling in a group. Prioritizing comfort is critical for such a lengthy outing, and the personalized itinerary ensures you’ll have a say in curating your ideal experience supplemented with hidden gems recommended by local guides.
I couldn’t recommend my day trip with Melbourne Experiences more, with our charismatic guide Harrison balancing the perfect amount of solo exploration with guided insights while never rushing any portion of the excursion.
If you venture along Victoria’s southern coastline with this same group, expect to start the 12-hour day at St. Paul’s Cathedral before hitting the 151 miles constructed by returning World War I soldiers. An Australian National Heritage site, your first stop after 1 hour and 30 minutes of driving will be Bells Beach, home to one of the longest-running surfing competitions in the world attracting top professional shredders from around the globe with its powerful, consistent swell. Nearby Torquay 15 minutes away is naturally a surf capital and its evolution gave rise to major surf brands Quiksilver and Rip Curl—shop around the flagship location of the latter.
Lorne
Up next after another hour of driving is charming Lorne, a coastal town where you’ll undoubtedly encounter your first Australian animal of the day: white cockatoos with a yellow plume on their head. Indulge in local delicacies like Lamington—sponge cake squares coated in chocolate and rolled in coconut—from the Louttit Bay Bakery, but be sure not to feed the birds!
Continue down the main commercial strip built directly off the Great Ocean Road to shop for beach-inspired souvenirs from quaint curations like the Lorne Corner Store or more prominent Australian brands like Country Road. Totti’s Italian trattoria is the top place for lunch if you visit outside of a Tuesday or Wednesday; otherwise, grab a cocktail with a side of ocean views on the elevated deck of the Lorne Hotel bistro and beer garden.
Drive up to Teddy’s Lookout, a scenic vantage point showcasing the dramatic meeting of the Saint George River with the turquoise Southern Ocean. This is one of the most beautiful vistas along the entire length of the Great Ocean Road and a perfect opportunity for a photo.
Along the brief walk to the lookout, keep your eyes to the sky in hopes of spotting a laughing kookaburra hiding in the eucalyptus trees.
Wye River
The Wye River is a brief 25 minute trek away, representing the perfect place for a surf break if you feel like bracing the waves. Otherwise, frolic on the expansive sandy beach and grab Aussie snacks like Tim Tams from the Wye General Store.
Lunch - Apollo Bay Fisherman's Co-op
If you didn’t stop for lunch from Totti’s in Lorne, hit the Apollo Bay Fisherman’s Co-op 35 minutes down the road for a fresh taste of the sea paired with sparkling harbor views. The seafood platter for two is the clear winner, complete with flaky battered white fish and malt vinegar chips, silky scallops, and shiny red prawns.
Maits Rest Rainforest Walk
Another 20 minutes down the road is Maits Rest in the Great Otway National Park, complete with wildlife encounters and nature walks through lush fern-filled rainforests. The self-guided 0.5-mile boardwalk loop is a true walk—unlike other “walks” around Australia that would be more appropriately described as hikes—which takes 15 minutes to stroll past towering Myrtle Beech trees and moss-covered logs.
Assuming you booked with Melbourne Experiences, your next two spots will reveal cuddly koalas hiding in the treetops and a massive mob of kangaroos hopping through the plain. Given this is a specially curated private tour I won’t reveal their secret spots lest they be overrun by the big buses, but rest assured you’re pretty much guaranteed to spot these two quintessential Aussie critters in the wild over the next hour.
Twelve Apostles
Last but not least, 10 minutes later you’ve finally reached the Twelve Apostles! This dramatic collection of limestone stacks rising out of the Southern Ocean was formed by millions of years of constant wave and wind erosion. While there were never actually twelve columns, some have collapsed over time with this geological process eventually set to wipe away the whole scene—so be sure to get a look at their towering presence against the rugged coastline while you can!
A newly completed sleek viewing platform allows visitors to observe these formations from above, while a trip down the steps to the Gibson Beach reveals how truly staggering the cliffs are when observed from sea level.
After this day-long trek to one of Australia’s most photographed natural wonders, journey back into the city with a commute that lasts around three hours assuming you take the inland route.
Dinner - Chin Chin
Have your guide drop you off directly at Chin Chin, but before walking inside this cult-favorite foray into Southeast Asian cuisine pop onto Hosier Lane for a peek at the colorful street art scene. Whether you’re seated in the more intimate upper level or downstairs in the spunky GOGO bar, each inventive dish served is sure to defy the usual culinary pretensions.
Since today’s agenda has been a highlight of all things Australian, be sure to include the crispy barramundi and green apple salad in your order, which not only includes the continent’s prized buttery fish but is also topped with the caramelized sticky pork Chin Chin is renowned for.
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In addition to the salad recommendation listed above, starting with the Parlour Trick cocktail is a no-brainer since this green passionfruit and jasmine concoction features a green rendition of Chin Chin’s bunny logo in the sake foam.
We started with the pork “roll up” pancakes after craving more peking duck following a heavenly meal at Mr. Wong in Sydney, which paired perfectly with the cool yellowfin tune tartare topped with crunchy puffed rice.
To go with our barramundi salad was a more hearty crispy fried soft shell crabplate filled with wild fried rice. Be warned that one of the ingredients in this dish is incredibly spicy and can spook with an unexpectedly hot bite, but after thorough experimentation I’m under the impression this heat is contained to the basil leaves.
Our local guide from the Great Ocean Road tour wholeheartedly recommended Chin Chin as well, describing this as his go-to date spot!
Day 2
Breakfast - The Kettle Black
Begin the second of this 2 days in Melbourne “what to do” tour with a sophisticated brunch at The Kettle Black, serving up a seasonal selection of Australian cafe fare in a heritage-listed, 1880’s terrace house reimagined with state-of-the-art modern architecture and design.
The fluffy blueberry and ricotta hotcakes are complimented by a cup of specialty coffee bean blends, although you can’t go wrong with any of their vivid plates of local produce. If you wake up late and need to get a jumpstart on the day, gourmet sandwiches, pastries, and cakes are available to-go.
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
Just across the street are the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, 38 hectares of greenery in the city reflecting over a century and a half of horticultural development and heritage. First approach the free Shrine of Remembrance commemorating Australian wartime service, open from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily with an upper balcony featuring sweeping panoramic views of the skyline.
Continue pressing inwards to the Ornamental Lake, where private 30-minute punting boat tours are offered for A$90 across the water complete with a dainty sun parasol. No matter which wide lawns and themed gardens you wander through, discover tens of thousands of rare and endangered plant species from around the globe—or even a large colony of flying-foxes roosting in the palms overhead!
National Gallery of Victoria
Meander up the bank of the Yarra River to reach the National Gallery of Victoria, open daily from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Australia's oldest and most-visited public art gallery, rotating exhibitions like a Yayoi Kusama feature live alongside the permanent collection of more than 75,000 works spanning thousands of years—from ancient civilizations to contemporary times. This broad swath of art is completely free to visit, it’s only the featured exhibitions which require tickets for A$38. Innovative event programming fills the calendar at the NGV, with many guided gallery tours offered free of charge!
Lunch - AFLOAT
Walk 8 minutes across the river to dine directly on the water at AFLOAT, inspired by the bright, vibrant atmosphere of Italian beach clubs. The floating Capri cantina is the epitome of sun-kissed summer days, serving spritzes, pizza and pasta mains, and bar antipasti bites in this primarily walk-in venue open daily from 11:00 AM until late.
To incorporate further relaxation into your agenda, reserve a daybed or the whole Aperol Pool Club Lounge with a group for 2.5 hours to take a dip in the sparkling riverside pool.
Gertrude Street
FROM: AFLOAT (2, Flinders Walk, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia)
TO: Gertrude Street (Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia)
TRANSPORTATION: 5-Elizabeth St/Collins St (Melbourne City) → Gertrude St/Brunswick St (or Spring St/Collins St #8 at the edge of the Free Tram Zone to avoid payment) via Route 11 trams towards West Preston (8 min, 7 stops, A$4.60)
Ranked the second coolest street in the world by Time Out in 2022, this tree-lined stretch of funky Fitzroy—the creative hub of Melbourne—is chock full of independent shopping and dining joints. While the 850 meter strip can easily be explored in its entirety, keep an eye out for particularly inspired highlights like The Signet Bureau, a high-fashion amalgamation of couture pieces pushing the limits of convention. Mud Australia and Sunday Social also live on Gertrude Street, with the former offering perfectly polished porcelain sets and the latter curating trendy one-of-a-kind gems.
Dinner - Summer Night Market
FROM: Gertrude Street (Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia)
TO: Queen Victoria Market (Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia)
TRANSPORTATION: Gertrude St/Brunswick St (or Spring St/Collins St #8 at the edge of the Free Tram Zone to avoid payment) → 5-Elizabeth St/Collins St (Melbourne City) via Route 11 trams towards Victoria Harbour Docklands then 2-Collins St/Elizabeth St → Peel St/Victoria St via Route 57 trams towards West Maribyrnong (23 min, 7 then 4 stops, A$4.60)
The buzzing Summer Night Market running from November through March in the historic open-air Queen Victoria Market is the place to be on Wednesdays from 5:00 - 10:00 PM. With over 45 street food stands and trucks serving international cuisine from every corner of the globe, there’s truly something for everyone. Scramble to find a seat under the twinkling lights—or avoid this hassle altogether by reserving a 4 or 6 person table in advance for A$10 a head—to enjoy your fare before shopping around the independent vendor stands selling handmade wares and listening to the rotating lineup of live music during this multicultural night out.
Tasting small bites from three different continents in one night, I went for savory empanadas from Colombiantojos, Lui Boss’s famed Korean fried chicken, and golden arancini from IL Panzerotto Taste of Puglia. Saving room for dessert is a must here, especially when Son in Law makes cartoon character baos that are almost too cute to eat!
Drinks - HER
Round out your last night in Melbourne with a sundowner from HER bar. The relaxed walk-in rooftop open from 11:30 AM until late daily is the perfect place to watch the day turn pink behind the skyline, complimented with sophisticated concoctions including the signature HER energy drink infused with caffeine if you plan to keep the party going all night long!
How Much Do Two Days in Melbourne Cost?
Following the above Melbourne 2 days trip totaled $988.09, costing me $494.05 per day as a young 20-something on a girls trip:
Transportation
$23.40 - Didi rides around Melbourne split amongst two people
$24.11 - Uber rides around Melbourne split amongst two people
Food and Drink
$11.65 - coffee and pastry from Lune
$14.77 - midday cocktail from the Lorne Hotel
$30.05 - half of a seafood platter from the Apollo Bay Fisherman’s Co-op
$55.78 - four shared small plates and a cocktail from Chin Chin
$20.86 - coffee and pancakes from The Kettle Black
$18.04 - empanadas and arancini from Summer Night Market
$12.86 - rooftop cocktail from HER
$21.99 - pizza, water, and soda from Roza’s Kitchen
Activities
$293.41 - Private Great Ocean Road tour with Melbourne Experiences
Souvenirs
$25.57 - themed candle from the Corner Store in Lorne
$56.60 - Abstract mesh tee from Sunday Social on Gertrude Street
Lodging
$379.00 - three nights in the WRAP on Southbank, split amongst two people
The 2 days I spent in Melbourne were during the second half of an 11-day first visit to Australia, meaning I was beginning to quell my exorbitant spending and no longer prioritizing fine dining experiences. Per usual, my souvenirs can be considered unnecessary expenses, but even these totals weren’t anything outlandish. I was most surprised by how affordable our upscale apartment rental ended up being, with this centrally-located stay coming out as my cheapest Australian accommodation by far. The true outlier in this list is the private Great Ocean Road tour, but for a 12-hour experience the per-hour expense felt entirely reasonable. The total price also occurs on a group basis rather than being charged per individual, so if traveling with others you could reduce this expense by up to ⅔!
To spend less in Melbourne, superfluous cocktails and boutique buys could be cut out, plus leveraging public transit is more affordable than booking ride-share services.
What to Wear in Melbourne?
Located south of Sydney, Melbourne has a more relaxed style profile suited for the warmer temperatures which reflects the playful personalities of residents with an eye for aesthetics.
A simple crisp tank is the perfect canvas to experiment on top of with more ambitious choices pushing style conventions. Elevated denim is another carefree base to consider when building around this staple fabric with added refinement. Graphic skirts are functionality appropriate for the scorching heat coming in a range of prints to compliment the murals of Hosier Lane. Accessorizing from head to toe is key to keeping things interesting, with bandana scarfs being an effortlessly cool, light head adornment to grab. Center your outfit around an outrageous statement purse, ideally one that could be left on a podium at the NGV and no one would bat an eye. Round out the look with casual cushioned thongs—or as Americans would say, flip flops—for an informal summertime shoe that’ll match every outfit.
Simple Tank
begin with a simple base to build the rest of your artsy outfit around to avoid going too avante-garde
Elevated Denim
elevate a carefree summer look with well-tailored denim pieces that convey relaxation with a touch of refinement
Bandana Headscarf
incorporate some spunk with a classic bandana tied around your hair as an effortlessly cool headscarf
Graphic Skirt
wear a breezy skirt as your canvas to beat the summer heat while embodying the spunky street art scene
Statement Purse
carry a masterpiece on your arm with a statement purse that steals the show as your ‘fits centerpiece
Cushioned Thongs
keep things casual with cushioned thongs (the shoes, that is) that are comfortable enough for daily wear
Is 2 Days in Melbourne Enough?
Unlike most destinations I’ve visited where leaving after a few days feels a bit premature, 2 days in Melbourne felt totally appropriate for a first visit. Whereas the Australian capital has one-of-a-kind outrageous experiences catered towards tourists—like climbing the Harbour Bridge —the second largest city of Melbourne came across as a more livable city rather than a must-visit locale.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved Melbourne and its artistic ambiance which reminded me so much of my beloved home in Los Angeles. As a resident, the many art galleries, sporting stadiums, and other cultural institutions make for a pristine standard of living under the sunny sky. However, as a tourist an extended period of time here can begin to feel a bit repetitive when the top itinerary items are museum after museum.
As a general rule of thumb, I’d set aside at least one day to explore Melbourne itself. This certainly isn’t sufficient to discover every suburb, but it’ll provide a solid glimpse into the city’s overall vibe. Then, for every day trip you’re interested in embarking on, add another day. You could traverse down the Great Ocean Road like I did, head out to Yarra Valley vineyards, see the Phillip Island penguin parade, or so much more.
Day trips around Victoria which are based out of Melbourne could almost be considered the best, or at least the most unique, part of visiting the city itself—so absolutely set aside one day per excursion. Many of these tours require extensive hours on the road given how large the continent is; switch back and forth between city and tour days to craft the perfect Melbourne itinerary.
Following the above formula will keep Melbourne feeling fresh and ensure you make the most of your visit with the time you have. With only 2 and a half days to spare this meant I spent one day exploring the central Southbank, CBD, and Fitzroy areas after venturing down the southern coast the day before—but with so much more to explore around Victoria I hope to touch down in Melbourne again!
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✺ ABOUT ME ✺
Hi, I’m Ashley. I’m determined to see the world. All of it. Are you coming with?
While I respect the digital nomads, van life, and the hardcore backpackers—that’s just not me.
I’m convinced I can travel and keep my job.
It’ll take a lifetime, but I’m going to make it to all 195 countries before my time is up—and I’m taking you along for the ride!
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