Coffee, laneways, street art and mouthwatering food will complete your Melbourne 5 day itinerary and leave you wanting more. Did I mention food? Because – lemme tell you somethin’ – you haven’t experienced a proper brunch until you’ve had a Melbourne brunch.

 

I don’t even really know how to describe this city, mind you, I’ve lived here for half of my life, yet I can’t quite summarise it in a cohesive way because Melbourne reminds me of many places. It’s a hip mix of Berlin, with a sprinkle of New York and London, plus bits ‘n’ pieces of Asia stirred together to create a fusion of flavours that make up the essence of this city.

It’s not the most picturesque or postcard-pretty city, but hey, what we lack in scenic beauty – we make up for in food, coffee and, well, hipsterism. Just wait until you stroll down Hosier Lane and stare in awe at mind-blowing pieces of street art, devour brunch that will change your life, or soak in some Vitamin Sea at the world-famous Brighton Beach Boxes that’ll have you snapping away pics faster than I can inhale a box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

If you don’t manage to fill up your schedule after reading through this action-packed guide, then be sure to squeeze in one of these unforgettable day trips from Melbourne. So, how do you fill your 5-day Melbourne itinerary? We’ll get to that in a minute because you might want to know the 401 on this city before we get to the nitty-gritty of things.

 

Have a bevvy and spot penguins at St Kilda Beach. Your Melbourne itinerary for 5-days won’t be complete without a visit to the city’s most popular and buzzing beachside suburb. Wander along the shorefront where you’ll find a row of cafés and eateries to grab a nibble, walk down the pier and soak in the spectacular panoramic views, or pop into the historic Luna Park for a thrill ride. If you need more inspiration, take a look at this huge list of fun things to do in St Kilda.

Pose in front of the Brighton Beach Boxes. Lined along a golden stretch of sand are 83 distinctive and vibrant mini beach houses that have become quite the spectacle in Melbourne. Back in the day, they were used as change rooms for women, but today, these little colourful huts have a market price of over $300k (insert jaw drop emoji) – inside you’ll find everything from kitchenettes to full-blown lounge rooms. For more on these bathing boxes, take a look at this post that delves into their history and information on visiting.

Day 3: Time for a Day Trip

Mornington Peninsula is the perfect day trip for those who don’t have enough time to venture down the Great Ocean Road, yet still, yearn to experience a slice of the stunning Aussie coastline.

Meander down the insanely beautiful boardwalk at Cape Shanck, leap off cliffs at the Pillars of Mount Martha that sorta resemble the French Coast, take a ride up Arthurs Seat Eagle and immerse yourself in awe-inspiring panoramic views from the highest point of the peninsula.

For more local insight, take a look at these 12 must-dos in Mornington Peninsula.

No car? No problems. Take a look at the following Mornington Peninsula sightseeing tours from Melbourne.

Ballarat, Victoria’s third largest city, is most famously known as the ‘gold’ capital of Australia. During the great Gold Rush era, 80 million ounces of gold was mined below the grounds of Ballarat and, basically, shaped the city into what it is today. Surrounded by lovely natural landscapes and rolling green hills, the city lies 1.5 hours’ drive outside of Melbourne and makes for a perfect day trip to explore Sovereign Hill, the city’s rich heritage and the beautiful Lake Wendouree that lies in the centre.

If you’re planning to add Ballarat to your Melbourne itinerary, then this Ballarat and Sovereign Hill day tour might be suited for you.

Great Ocean Road is, hands down, the most notable and popular Melbourne day trip in the entire country. Stand along the cliff’s edges and marvel at the incredible Twelve Apostles (there’s really only 6 left), swim inside the dazzling cove of Loch Ard Gorge or stroll along the viewing platform for panoramic views of the London Bridge arc. If you can afford to spare an extra day or two, this is one Melbourne day tour you won’t regret doing.

Take a look at the ultimate Great Ocean Road itinerary for more on what this region has to offer.

The best way to see the entirety of the Great Ocean Road is by renting a car, but if you’re unable to drive, these day tours are a great option.

Yarra Valley, a hilly region that’s home to beautiful sights and outdoor activities, is most recognised for being Victoria’s wine country. If vino and bubblies are right up your alley (with a cheeky hot air balloon ride in between) then this is the Melbourne day trip for you. The region is home to Healesville Sanctuary where you can get cuddly with Aussie animals, embark on an unforgettable sunrise hot air balloon flight over breathtaking green hills, ride the historic Puffing Billy Steam Locomotive, or simply indulge in the best wines, cheeses and cuisine of the region on a gourmet foodie tour.

Our apartment included a fully equipped kitchen which, mind you, was an absolute lifesaver during times when hangry kids came hanging off my legs and I could prepare them snacks or a quick meal, and even came with a washer and dryer to throw our grubby kids clothes into. Not to mention the free wifi also came in handy for the times we needed to throw on Netflix for the kids so us parents could get a moment of peace.

Kids or no kids – this stylish apart-hotel has rooms suited for all types of travellers. Studios, one or two bedrooms, if you want a place with all the amenities from home, yet still experience the perks of hotel life (ahem.. housekeeping) – this is it.

On top of that, Adina Northbank is situated in a perfect quiet corner of the city. We were literally a 1-minute walk away from the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, so the kiddos were pretty pleased with that (as kids would be). A 5-minute walk across the Yarra River took us to the scenic and lively Southbank Boulevard, Crown Casino Complex and Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

For lazy people (basically me), there’s a tram stop located in front of the apartment complex which allowed us to easily get around to see some of the best sights and attractions of the CBD. Plus, it’s within Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone so we could ride all the trams without having to purchase any tickets. Woot.

If you’re travelling to Melbourne by car, you’ll also be pleased to know that Adina Northbank has its own multi-level parking that you can reserve for an additional fee. Trust me, you’ll need this if you’re coming by car. A day of parking in the CBD will hurl you into the depths of bankruptcy. Well, close to.

So, if you’re after a centrally located abode with all the hotel vibes, plus more, then consider adding Adina Northbank to your Melbourne city tour itinerary as a place to stay cos you ain’t gonna find a more suited hotel / Airbnb hybrid where you can experience the best of both worlds.