48 hours in Melbourne
Melbourne's Southbank.
What comes to mind when you think of Melbourne (Narrm)? Is it the coffee culture and street art? Maybe it’s the mighty MCG. Whatever it is, this fast-paced, cosmopolitan city has plenty to keep you busy for the weekend.
Words: Andrew Rasch
Sometimes you visit a place and think to yourself… ‘If I can’t taste, buy or experience it here, I can’t anywhere.’ That’s Melbourne to a tee. This city is known for its buzz and diversity, with its laneway cafes and restaurants, art exhibitions and world-class sporting events like the Australian Open and Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Melbourne is an entertaining, welcoming place and you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy it. Whether you love fine food, culture, arts, sports, shopping or nature, the hardest thing about a weekend in Melbourne is choosing what to leave out.
Saturday
After a Friday-night arrival and a restful sleep, wake early on Saturday, ready for action. For a tempting mix of sights and smells take a short walk to the South Melbourne Market. Much like the Adelaide Central Market, this bustling institution is chock-full of local farmers, artisans and producers. They sell everything, from fresh fruit and veg, seafood and dairy to clothing, books and homewares. For breakfast, follow your nose. Something light? Perhaps a flaky croissant from Agathé Pâtisserie and a rich espresso from Clement Coffee, or maybe a doughy, spicy lamb, cheese and spinach Turkish treat from Market Borek.
Time to walk off that delicious breakfast, so how about a stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne? Entry is free to these sprawling 38-hectare gardens, home to more than 8500 plant species from around the world, including roses, cacti, rainforest flora and camellias. Wander around at your own pace or take a guided walk, where an expert will explain the gardens’ plant diversity. Until the end of 2024, you can join an Aboriginal Heritage Walk and learn about the gardens’ significant native plants and their uses, customs and ongoing connection to Country. Kids will also love the award-winning Children’s Garden, where they can explore, learn and visit an active kitchen garden.
If sport’s your thing, it’s only a short walk to the Colosseum-like Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). September is AFL finals time, so if your team is playing – or even if not – try your luck at scoring a ticket to a footy match. If there’s no footy (or cricket) scheduled, join an MCG Tour, where you’ll walk along the boundary line of the famous ground, see the players’ change rooms, enjoy panoramic views from the Ponsford Stand and much more.
No doubt you’ll have worked up an appetite after the day’s adventures so why not head to Chinatown on Little Bourke Street for dinner? Among the hanging lanterns and lucky cats, you’ll find mouth-watering stir fries, spicy Sichuan cuisine and everything in between. Head to Tim Ho Wan Australia, the famous Michelin-star (yet affordable) yum cha restaurant, which originated in Hong Kong and is now in Melbourne. Try the BBQ pork buns or made-to-order steamed dumplings, and for a sweet treat, order some Hong Kong-style egg tarts. Melbourne’s bar scene is world renowned so if you enjoy a tipple, grab an after-dinner cocktail at one of the city’s many rooftop bars.
AC/DC Lane with street art.
Chinatown Melbourne at night.
Sunday
Start the day with a walk to Higher Ground on Little Bourke Street for breakfast with a twist. Here in a heritage-listed brick building, you’ll find a popular all-day dining destination that extends over three levels. You could choose something standard like Bircher muesli or eggs on toast, but you’re on holiday, so why not go for a dish to remember? Try the soft-shell crab banh mi in a toasted croissant, a blueberry and ricotta hotcake, or even spanner crab benedict on a savoury danish.
Now, round off your holiday with some arts and culture and in Melbourne, you’re spoilt for choice.
Your first option – the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) – is the oldest and most-visited gallery in Australia. The NGV’s collection of more than 76,000 works from local and international artists spans thousands of years and features a vast range of disciplines and styles. The gallery runs free tours, highlighting its international and Australian collections, as well as special events and exhibitions.
Until 6 October, the NGV is hosting Pharaoh, celebrating 3000 years of ancient Egyptian art and culture. Meanwhile, the gallery is also presenting Africa Fashion which showcases the creativity and global impact of African fashion from the mid-20th century until today. From December 2024 until April 2025, be sure to visit the Yayoi Kusama exhibition, which highlights the mix of styles, patterns and vivid colours of this famous Japanese artist.
Next, there’s the wonderful Melbourne Museum – a favourite for kids and adults – with its fascinating mix of permanent and temporary exhibitions recognising Victoria’s natural environment, cultures and history. Visit the popular Bugs Alive! and get up close to some live creepy crawlies, including stick insects, praying mantises and giant spiders (if you dare). Until 20 October, you can travel back 66 million years to see Australia’s biggest example of a real Tyrannosaurus rex fossil and don’t miss the museum’s most popular exhibit – Australia’s greatest racehorse, Phar Lap.
Higher Ground cafe.
Lastly, if aquatics is your thing, head to SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium. Here, you can meet Odin the king penguin with his yellow-tinged plumage, or KT the gentoo penguin who’s quite a fast underwater swimmer. You can also see Pinjarra – the 6m-long, 65-year-old saltwater crocodile – stingrays, sharks, tropical and ocean fish, and a few rainforest creatures like turtles and frogs. The kids will love the captivating Ocean Invaders exhibition, with thousands of jellyfish set among spectacular lighting effects.
You’ve had a dose of arts and culture, reconnected with nature, satisfied your foodie side and no doubt jumped aboard a tram or two. In other words, you’ve made the most of 48 hours in Melbourne. It’s time to head home sweet home. But you’ll be back.
Stays
Budget Mercure Welcome Melbourne – comfortable and affordable accommodation in the heart of the CBD.
Mid-range Batman’s Hill on Collins – a charming historical hotel opposite Southern Cross Station.
Luxury QT Melbourne – stylish rooms and a terrace with views, and only 200m from the Regent Theatre.
Royal Botanic Gardens Aboriginal Heritage Walk.
IMAGES: Getty; Visit Victoria/Street art: Mike Makatron.
Ready for a Melbourne escape?
RAA members get great discounts on Melbourne accommodation and experiences. See travel.raa.com.au for details.
