chloedickensonLast Updated on 2nd October 2022
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Melbourne was one of my favourite places in Australia so it only feels right that I share my ultimate Melbourne bucket list for first-time visitors with you guys, in an attempt to encourage you to visit this beautiful Australian city!
When it comes to the best things to do in Melbourne, you really are spoiled for choice. From watching an AFL game to wandering through the beautiful Botanic Gardens, there are so many fun things to do in Melbourne for all ages!
It’s a city that you could spend as little or as long as you want in, depending on your ideal travel itinerary. If you’re looking for a place to start as a first-time visitor, I’m sharing my ultimate 5 days in Melbourne itinerary in today’s post!
Watch an Aussie Rules game
One of the best things to do in 5 Days in Melbourne as a first-time visitor is to watch an Aussie Rules match.
Despite not really having much of a clue about what was actually going on in the game, I thoroughly enjoyed our couple of hours in Melbourne watching an AFL match.
It’s definitely something you should add to your Melbourne bucket list, especially as a first-time visitor to the city, as it’ll give you a perfect chance to immerse yourself in Aussie culture!
There are actually numerous teams in Melbourne so I’d say just pick the best-looking match in terms of competition and you’ll have a blast 😉
Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens
Many of Australia’s large cities have Botanic Gardens and Melbourne’s version is so beautiful.
Punctuated by intermittent skyline scenery, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne is a great place to wander around on an afternoon and soak up some sunshine.
They’re free to enter so you don’t have to worry about an entrance fee; something that you’ll be delighted to learn as a first-time visitor in Melbourne as many other things can be pretty expensive!
Visit a rooftop bar – Melbourne itinerary
One thing that you should definitely add to your 5 days in Melbourne itinerary is a visit to a rooftop bar.
Melbourne gave me SO many New York City vibes (and you all know by now how much I adore NY!) so it only felt right to head up to a rooftop bar and indulge in a yummy cocktail while admiring the spectacular skyline.
You’re not likely to find many rooftop bars offering cheap drinks in Melbourne, so if you’re looking to travel Australia on a budget, skip the alcohol and just head up for the view anyway!
See the skyline from Hamer Hall
As I mentioned above, Melbourne had a serious New York feel to it, which is probably why I loved the skyline so much.
A great place to take in the city’s skyscrapers is from Hamer Hall which is home to a concert hall that seats a whopping 2,466 people! You don’t necessarily have to go inside Hamer Hall and watch a show; simply just standing outside and admiring the view of the skyline (particularly at sunset) is more than enough!
Go to Queen Victoria Market for food and clothing!
If you are wanting to travel around Australia on a budget (I don’t blame you, it’s not the cheapest country!), then you’re definitely going to want to add Queen Victoria Market to your Melbourne bucket list.
It’s home to hundreds of stalls selling all sorts of fresh produce, food stalls and clothing and accessories stalls. Matt found a bargain t-shirt there for just a couple of pounds and if we’d have been staying somewhere where we were self-catered, then we’d have definitely taken advantage of all the incredible fresh fruit and veg!
Even if you don’t intend to purchase anything, it’s still one of the best things to do in Melbourne as there are always a few street performers outside who are fun to watch!
Head to Luna Park – 5 days in Melbourne itinerary
Speaking of fun things to do in Melbourne, Luna Park in St Kilda is one of the top attractions for the whole family.
We didn’t actually get to go inside when we were there as it was closed due to maintenance (I think?!) but apparently it’s home to a great rollercoaster and many other funfair attractions.
It’s open every Saturday and Sunday all year round and is also open throughout the week during the school holidays, so make sure to check opening dates and times before you go!
Watch Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in the theatre
Again, this wasn’t actually something we experienced in Melbourne as first-time visitors as Matt and I aren’t really theatre fanatics.
However, just standing outside the beautiful Princess Theatre was entertaining enough for us; just look how beautiful that building is!
The Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play is currently only available in 6 locations worldwide, including Melbourne, so if you do get the chance to get tickets then I’d highly recommend it because I’ve heard nothing but good things about it!
Get an ice cream from Pidapipó Gelateria
If you’re looking for some of the best ice cream in Melbourne, you definitely need to pay a visit to Pidapipó Gelateria.
There’s three locations in Victoria but arguably the most popular (and the best!) one is situated on Degraves Street in Melbourne.
Degraves Street is actually a popular tourist attraction in Melbourne by its own right as it’s one of the most famous ‘laneways’ in the city; there are many tours available where a guide will take you around all the famous laneways in Melbourne.
Back to the ice cream itself; there are so many flavours to choose from and there’s constantly new ones popping up as well; I think I had a combination of orange and lemon which was so yummy!
Walk along Southbank – 5 days in Melbourne itinerary
Southbank is such a gorgeous area in Melbourne that’s home to many restaurants, cafes and bars.
It’s the perfect place to enjoy a stroll along the river while admiring the beautiful buildings and architecture around you.
See the Royal Exhibition Building
The Royal Exhibition Building is located in the Carlton Gardens and is a World Heritage Site in Melbourne.
It’s also one of the oldest remaining exhibition pavilions in the world and you don’t even need to go inside to appreciate just how glorious it is!
While you’re there, make sure you take a wander through the Carlton Gardens as well as it’s such a beautiful and peaceful area in the city (the first two pictures in this post were taken in the gardens!).
Wander around the Arts Centre – 5 days in Melbourne itinerary
Located next to Hamer Hall as part of the Arts Centre is the mightily impressive Spire that kind of resembles the Eiffel Tower.
You’ll likely get neck ache to crane up to try and see the top of it, especially if you’re standing right next to it, but it’s a lovely part of Melbourne and you don’t even need to go inside to appreciate some of the art as there are often outdoor exhibitions that you can enjoy.
Pay your respects at the Shrine of Remembrance
The stunning building that is the Shrine of Remembrance was originally built to honour all the men and women in the state of Victoria that had served in World War 1.
It’s now used as a memorial to honour those who have served in any war and is a beautiful place to pay your respects to the brave men and women of Victoria who fought courageously.
On the walk up towards the Shrine, you’ll see a plethora of poppies laid beneath almost every single tree which is a really sombre but peaceful sight.
Wander through the King’s Domain
The Shrine of Remembrance is actually located in the blissful gardens of the King’s Domain which is a sight to behold in itself.
If you visit on a clear day with beautiful blue skies, the stunning greenery of the gardens will be perfectly complemented by the sky, leaving a gorgeous place to wander through on an afternoon.
As you can see, there’s so much to do in Melbourne as a first-time visitor! Make sure you save this post for later so you can check off everything you need to see and do while in Melbourne!
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Pin for later – 5 days in Melbourne itinerary
Have you ever been to Melbourne? If not, what’s on your Melbourne bucket list? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter at @imjustagirl_16.
