How to spend 48 hours in Melbourne: where to stay, eat and explore, from Yarra River near Flinders Street Station and the Royal Botanic Gardens, to the hip conclave of Fitzroy
- Melbourne is known for being a melting pot of cultures – experience that via the National Gallery of Victoria, the food and craft offerings at Queen Victoria Market, and much more
- Consider staying at Laneways by Ovolo for its cheeky decor, fun communal areas and great location between Chinatown and Fitzroy Gardens, or The Langham, Melbourne – an institution in the city
Not only the capital of Victoria, Melbourne is Australia’s cultural hub with some of the best coffee – and food – in the world.
On a recent visit, we had the chance to explore all this vibrant town has to offer and came up with an itinerary for the ideal 48-hour stay.
Day One
Days are short in the winter down under, so if you want to get the most out of your trip, get up early and hit the ground running. The best way to get your bearings is a walk along the Yarra River near Flinders Street Station, the main train hub at the heart of the city’s centre, where most hotels and shops are located.
The station, which is Australia’s oldest, is not far from the National Gallery of Victoria, the country’s oldest and most visited museum. Check out one of the gallery’s exhibitions, which range in topics from fashion to artists’ retrospectives and ancient history. Then explore the beautiful greenery of the nearby Royal Botanic Gardens.
There’s no better place to grab a bite and do some shopping than the Queen Victoria Market, where you can find informal eateries offering everything: freshly baked doughnuts, burek, oysters, polish sausages, ginger shots and produce. Souvenir and traditional craft stalls are also part of the market, which is not far from Bourke Street and Collins Street, the city’s main shopping thoroughfares. The area is home to global high street stores, luxury boutiques and malls catering to teenagers and the many international students who call Melbourne home.
You have plenty of options when it comes to dinner. For something quick, head to nearby Chinatown, where you can grab a steaming bowl of Vietnamese pho – or indulge in authentic dim sum at one of the many casual restaurants dotting Little Bourke Street.
Day Two
