31 Itinerary Ideas For Spending One Day in Melbourne CBD
You’ve got just one day in Melbourne – the vibrant heart of Victoria, Australia.
While we believe it’s really worth spending more than a day in Melbourne, here’s our ultimate guide to help you make the most of your day out.
Brimming with fun and affordable things to do, Melbourne is a cultural playground, boasting world-class museums, gardens, galleries, and more. It may seem overwhelming, but we can assure you that a day in Melbourne is all it takes to fall in love with this captivating city! Pick and choose, and enjoy.
Best of all, many of these midweek outing ideas will make your day memorable without breaking the bank. Read on to discover your perfect day in Melbourne.
What to do in Melbourne for a Day
Book a Guided Tour
1. Melbourne Greeter Service
Spend half a day in Melbourne exploring the top city sights, including graffiti art, historical buildings and grabbing a coffee on the iconic Degraves Street. This free orientation led by local volunteers is available in various languages. Walking tours run daily, must be booked in advance, and last 3-4 hours. Wheelchair friendly. Read more here.
2. City Art & Heritage Collection at Town Hall
From memorials to quirky artefacts, this Town Hall exhibition celebrates both the grandeur and the everyday life of Melbourne. Tours run at 11 am every Tuesday and 2.30 pm every Thursday and Friday. Tickets are free and bookings are required. Wheelchair friendly. Read more about it here.
3. Royal Botanic Gardens – The Explorer
If you’re seeing Melbourne in a day, you can’t go without a visit its iconic gardens. See the UNESCO World Heritage-listed gardens on a 30-minute guided tour aboard an electric open-air mini bus. Running daily, between 11 am and 5 pm, a seniors discount is available. Bookings can be made online or at the visitor centre. Read about our experience on the tour here.
A variety of other tours and events are on offer at the Melbourne Gardens, including the Aboriginal Heritage Walk, where you uncover ancient secrets of plant uses for food, tools, and medicine. Book here.
4. Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building Dome Promenade Tour
Stand beneath the majestic dome, climb to the top for views only recently restored, and soak in the grandeur of Melbourne’s rich history. Weekday tours run twice daily, while on weekends there are more times available. Tickets include general entry to Melbourne Museum, and a seniors card discount is available. Find out more here.
5. Melbourne River Cruise
Embark on a two-hour narrated city cruise in Melbourne, offering unique views of the historic centre and a leisurely journey along the iconic Yarra River. Complimentary tea and coffee add to the experience. Read more here.
6. MCG Guided Tour
Discover the magic of the Melbourne Cricket Ground with a guided tour, exploring iconic areas like the MCC Long Room and player change rooms. Visit the Australian Sports Museum for interactive exhibits celebrating sporting legends. Read more here.
Related reading: MCG Tour Melbourne: An Absolute Must-Do!
7. Town Hall building tour
Melbourne Town Hall is worth a walk by in the least, if exploring Melbourne in a day. On this free 60-minute tour, wander through the halls where history was made, from debates on Federation to musical debuts by renowned artists. Tours run every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Tickets are free and bookings are required. Wheelchair friendly. Find out more here.
8. Parliament House High Tea & Guided Tour
Indulge in a timeless tradition with high tea at the Parliament of Victoria, followed by a guided tour of the building, including the Legislative Chambers, Parliament Library, and more. Bookings are essential and are available on Thursdays when Parliament is not sitting. A seniors discount is available. Wheelchair friendly. Read more here.
Read our review of Parliament House High Tea.
9. Flagstaff Gardens Guided Walk
Enjoy a 75-minute guided walk of the Flagstaff Gardens run by the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. Bookings are essential and tickets cost $10 each (children under 16 are free). Tours run every Monday at 11 am. Wheelchair friendly. Read more here.
10. NGV International – Collection Highlights Tour
NGV International boasts an extensive collection that spans centuries and cultures. Sometimes gallery visits can be overwhelming. These tours are a great way to explore a gallery with a guide taking you to just a few poignant pieces and sharing the details and stories behind them. Tours run twice daily and are free. No bookings are needed just show up. Wheelchair friendly. Read more here.
11. NGV Australia – Collection Highlights Tour
Same as the NGV International above but the focus at this gallery is Australian art and artists, located at the Ian Potter Centre, Fed Square. Free tours run daily. No bookings are needed just show up. Wheelchair friendly. Read more here.
Related reading: 13 Art Galleries Melbourne Visitors Must See
Visit an Attraction
12. Immigration Museum
More than just migration, delve into interesting stories around identity. Plus, the current Joy exhibition is fantastic! Open daily, with a seniors discount available, or free entry for pensioners! Wheelchair friendly. Find out more here.
13. Koorie Heritage Trust
Visit the gallery for free, open daily in Fed Square. Marking a pioneering initiative as the first of its kind in an Australian Capital City, this is an incredibly moving indigenous art gallery. Wheelchair friendly. Read more here.
14. Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
From beautiful and historic eucalypts to ancient and endangered cycads, coupled with vibrant flower displays and a calming lakeside setting. This urban oasis is a must-visit when spending a day in Melbourne. Open daily with free entry. Wheelchair friendly. Read more here.
15. Shrine of Remembrance
Embrace the stories, reflect on history, and let your curiosity guide you at this poignant tribute to our nation’s military heroes. Free entry, conveniently located next to Melbourne Botanic Gardens. Guided tours can be booked with a seniors discount on offer. Wheelchair friendly. Read more here.
16. Melbourne Museum
Step into the museum galleries and immerse yourself in Victoria’s natural and cultural heritage. Open daily, with a seniors discount available, or free entry for pensioners! Wheelchair friendly. Read more here.
17. State Library Victoria
Explore iconic spaces and collections at the world’s first lending library, filled with history, art, and architectural beauty. Open daily, free entry, and free walking tours are available too. Wheelchair friendly. Read more here.
18. Fitzroy Gardens
With a gorgeous cafe, Visitor Centre, and various heritage attractions (including Cook’s Cottage), Melbourne’s Fitzroy Gardens reveal a captivating blend of history, nature, and beauty. Open daily. Wheelchair friendly. Read more about our experience here.
19. Old Treasury Building
On a self-guided walk through this museum, experience the legacy of the Gold Rush era and the diverse narratives of the region’s development. Free entry, open daily. Wheelchair friendly. Read more here.
Related reading: Old Treasury Building Melbourne: Step Back in Time for Free
20. Athenaeum Library
Discover a unique library with historic charm and a diverse collection of over 30,000 print, digital, and audiobooks. Free entry, open daily. Read more here.
21. City Circle Tram
Travel along the city loop on one of Melbourne’s iconic heritage W-class trams. A cool (and free) experience although the audio commentary doesn’t work too well. Find out more here.
22. THE LUME Melbourne
Experience art in a whole new light at THE LUME Melbourne with state-of-the-art technology and multi-sensory encounters. Open daily, with a seniors discount available at concession rates. Read more about it here.
23. SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
Explore mesmerizing marine creatures at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, from penguins and sharks to jellyfish and tropical reef fish. Open daily, a seniors card discount is available at concession rates. Book tickets here.
Related reading: 15 Best Discounts Using Your Seniors Card: Melbourne Attractions
24. Queen Victoria Market
Experience the vibrant Queen Victoria Market, a 140-year-old landmark filled with local and imported goods, specialty foods, and unique finds. The Market is open five days a week: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Ultimate Foodie Tours are a fun option if you’d like to splurge on your day out in Melbourne. Read more here.
Free Live Music
25. Lunchtime Organ Recitals
From timeless classics of Bach to modern pieces from the likes of Fletcher and Farjeon, it’s free for visitors to come in and enjoy live music on the impressive grand organ. Wheelchair friendly. Thursdays at 1 pm. More information here.
26. St Paul’s Cathedral Lunchtime Concerts
These half-hour concerts showcase young local talent and offer a delightful blend of fine music and a tranquil space for contemplation. Wheelchair friendly. Wednesdays at 1 pm. Read more here.
27. Sea Shanties & Folk Songs
Head along to a free evening of music, history, and seafaring spirit! Uncover maritime history with interesting artefacts on display too. Wheelchair friendly. Thursdays at 7 pm. More information here.
Related reading: Anchor For an Arvo at The Mission to Seafarers Melbourne
28. Motley Jazz
Unwind with smooth jazz tunes at this free weekly event featuring talented musicians at The Motley Bauhaus in Carlton. Saturdays 5 pm – 8 pm. Find out more here.
Weekend outing ideas
29. St Kilda Sunday Market
For a seaside shopping experience and a curated selection of handmade arts and crafts. On every Sunday 10 am – 4 pm. Wheelchair friendly. Read more here.
30. Candlelight Concerts
Discover the beauty of Candlelight Concerts in iconic venues across Melbourne, showcasing a variety of musical genres under the soft glow of candlelight. Various dates and venues. Read more here.
31. Exquisite Classical Experiences
Celebrate 15 years of music excellence with captivating contemporary and chamber music experiences at Melbourne Recital Centre throughout 2024. Various dates are available. Find out more here.
More Melbourne outing ideas:
- The Best Shopping in Melbourne: A Guide to Iconic Spots and Hidden Gems
- Melbourne Musicals 2024: It’s Showtime
- 11 Melbourne Sunday Markets To Explore This Weekend
- 34 Best Gluten-Free Melbourne CBD Lunch Spots 2024
Heading off on your own Melbourne adventures? Join our Facebook Group and share your stories, ask questions and connect with others for further inspiration.
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