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Collingwood is just a 10 minute walk from Fitzroy but feels less crowded and the food scene is seriously underrated. You've got places like Kong BBQ for Korean fried chicken or the Everleigh for a proper cocktail, and getting into the city on the 86 tram is dead simple. The rents are a bit cheaper too, so you might get more space for your money.
honestly just stay in northcote if you want good food and easy transit. high street has heaps of spots like the merri creek hotel for a burger or little sister for asian fusion, and the 86 tram gets you to the city in about 20 minutes. it's less touristy than fitzroy and still has that melbourne vibe without the crowds
if you want easy transit and solid food, fitzroy is hard to beat. you're on the tram line to the city in 10 mins, and smith street has a bunch of great spots like nico's for sandwiches or the standard for a pub feed. just avoid the touristy bits near the market, it's pricier and not as good
3 Days in Melbourne: Itinerary 2026
Base yourself in the CBD or Southbank for easy access to trams and trains. The city's grid layout makes walking between attractions simple, but you'll want a Myki card for longer… 🗺️ Where to Start
Base yourself in the CBD or Southbank for easy access to trams and trains. The city's grid layout makes walking between attractions simple, but you'll want a Myki card for longer trips. Pick one up at any 7-Eleven or train station for $6 plus credit.
☕ Day 1 Morning: Coffee and Laneways
Start at Patricia Coffee Brewers (493-495 Little Bourke St) for a flat white around $4.50. Then wander Degraves Street and Centre Place for street art and boutique shops. These laneways are a 5-minute walk from Flinders Street Station.
🎨 Day 1 Afternoon: Arts and Culture
Head to the National Gallery of Victoria (180 St Kilda Rd), open daily 10am-5pm with free general admission. From the CBD, take tram 1 or 3 from Swanston Street (15 minutes). Don't miss the Great Hall's stained glass ceiling.
🍽️ Day 1 Evening: Foodie Hub
Dine at Chinatown on Little Bourke Street, where you'll find dumplings at Shanghai Dumpling House (23 Tattersalls Ln) for around $15 per person. Alternatively, try the Queen Victoria Market's night market (Wednesdays November-March, 5pm-10pm).
🌿 Day 2 Morning: Royal Botanic Gardens
Take tram 3/3a from Swanston Street to the Royal Botanic Gardens (Birdwood Ave, open 7:30am-sunset daily). Spend 2 hours exploring the free gardens, including the Tropical Glasshouse and the Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden.
🏖️ Day 2 Afternoon: St Kilda Beach
From the gardens, catch tram 16 (20 minutes) to St Kilda Beach. Walk the pier to see the little penguin colony at sunset (free, best at dusk). Grab fish and chips at St Kilda Sea Baths (10-18 Jacka Blvd) for around $12.
🎭 Day 2 Evening: Fitzroy and Nightlife
Take tram 11 from Collins Street to Fitzroy (15 minutes). Explore Brunswick Street for live music and bars. Try the rooftop bar at Naked for Satan (285 Brunswick St) for views and pintxos from $3 each. Open until 1am.
🚂 Day 3: Great Ocean Road Day Trip
Book a small-group tour (around $100-$150 per person) departing from Federation Square at 7am. The drive to the Twelve Apostles takes 3 hours each way, with stops at Bells Beach and Loch Ard Gorge. Return by 7pm. Alternatively, rent a car from Avis at Southern Cross Station.
This is a well thought out plan, you've got the pacing right. One thing I'd tweak on day 1 is the evening spot. Instead of Chinatown, walk 10 minutes north to Smith Street in Collingwood for dinner at Laksa King. It's a cash-only hole in the wall that does a $14 laksa that's better than anything in the CBD. The line moves fast even at peak times, and you're already on the right side of the city for day 2's tram to the gardens.
For day 3, I'd actually recommend the Puffing Billy day trip over the Great Ocean Road if you're solo or not a confident driver. The train from Belgrave is about 90 minutes from the city by train, you get to hang your legs over the side through the Dandenongs, and you can pair it with a lunch at the pie shop in Emerald for $8. It's a much more relaxed day and you'll be back by 4pm without the highway fatigue.
ngl you've nailed the big stuff here, but i'd swap day 3 for a morning at the yarra valley instead of the great ocean road if you're short on time. the drive to the apostles is brutal for a day trip, 6 hours round trip in a car, and you'll spend more time on the bus than actually seeing things. the yarra valley is only an hour from the city by train to lilydale then a bus, you can hit 3 wineries by lunch and be back for a nap by 3pm
for day 2, the fitzroy bit is spot on but if you're there on a sunday, hit the fitzroy markets on rose st instead of the botanic gardens. it's a 5 minute walk from brunswick st and has vintage clothes and local art, way more melbourne than staring at plants. the coffee there is average but the vibe is unmatchable
also your day 1 chinatown pick is good but shanghai dumpling house gets a line out the door by 6pm, i'd go to hu tong on market lane instead for the xiao long bao, it's $18 for 8 but the soup inside is worth the extra few bucks. just get there before 7 or you're waiting 40 minutes
honestly this is a solid itinerary, you've covered the big ones well. one thing i'd add is on day 2, after the botanic gardens, if you're already on tram 16 towards st kilda, hop off at stop 29 for the albert park lake. it's a quick detour and you can see the grand prix circuit if that's your thing, plus the lake has black swans.
for day 3, renting a car is the move if you can drive. the small group tours are fine but they rush the stops, and you miss the hidden bits like the memorial arch at eastern view or the koalas at kennett river. i'd pick up the car the night before from southern cross station to get an early start, aim for 6am to beat the traffic out of the city.
also, skip the queen vic night market if you're here in winter, it's a summer-only thing. instead, hit up section 8 in the cbd for a container bar vibe, it's open till late and has cheap drinks.