Melbourne itinerary 7 days — How to spend 7 days in Melbourne for a budget trip?

Named the world’s most liveable city for seven years, the definition of “boredom” does not exist in Melbourne. Being the second largest city in Australia, Melbourne will bring you a peaceful and relaxing experience while enjoying the world famous ballet art and opera. Visiting the city of “The Queen of South Australia”, you will have the opportunity to visit Federation Square – one of the city’s famous cultural spaces, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Hosier Lane street art, watch the boats up and down on the fanciful Yarra river … With its majestic nature, rich culture and diverse cuisine, countless recreational activities and exceptional delicious coffee, you will always be busy when traveling to Melbourne.

So, how many days in Melbourne is enough? Now, let’s discover one of the best cities to living in the world through our Melbourne itinerary blog (My trip to Melbourne blog, Melbourne trip itinerary blog): Melbourne itinerary 7 days — How to spend 7 days in Melbourne below.

Melbourne itinerary 7 days — Day 1: Tullamarine International Airport -> City Circle Tram -> Docklands

After moving from the airport to the hotel, check in and rest for a while, you can visiting surrounding spots on your first day in Melbourne.

Trip 1: City Circle Tram #35

Tram is a popular transport and also a symbol of Melbourne. City Circle Tram is a free tram system with the main object is the tourists to promote Melbourne, the trams in the system will go through the famous scenic spots. In Melbourne’s tram system, tram number 35 still retains its ancient design which brings visitors travel around the city with no fee, through major tourist attractions and listening to historical lectures about every place. A great way to start your journey, right?

How to go: Stop 6 / Melbourne Central Station, Swanston St or any other stop on this itinerary. There are 2 trams running in the opposite directions, all started & ended in Docklands.

Operation hours: 9:10 – 18:20

Trip 2: Docklands

This is where the Yarra River flows into Port Phillips Bay, you can take a stroll around the Harbor Esplanade and enjoy the wonderful sea views. Formerly Melbourne’s wharf area, it is busy and bustling at night. If you come in July you will also be participated in the fireworks festival. In addition, if you come here in the daylight, you definitely have to visit the Library at the Dock. Surely, this is the great place to read books or study next to the hot cup of coffee and beautiful view of the sea! However, you remember to walk slightly, talk quietly, smile lightly to avoid influence to the atmosphere of learning and work around.

How to go: Tram 35 (as above), down to the end point, or the trams 30, 70, 86, 48 & 11.

Melbourne itinerary 7 days — Day 2: Melbourne City Tour -> Royal Botanic Gardens

Trip 1: Flinders Street Station – Federation Square – Hosier Lane – Chinatown – State Library of Victoria (You can visit all places in one morning)

Flinders Street Station: Completed in 1854, Flinders is Australia’s oldest train station and a typical symbol of Melbourne. In front of the station is the row of old clocks – where initiate the origin of the phrase “meet me under the clocks” that people here still use to make appointments.

Federation Square: The place organize for cultural events, attractive art. There are some of good things here: Ian Potter painting center, ACMI animation center or walking along the Yarra River to experience the dynamic and multicultural environment here.

Hosier Lane: If in Vietnam, paint on the wall (mural art or graffiti) is almost prohibited or restricted but in Melbourne, street art (graffiti) is a characteristic art. Hosier Lane is a paradise for this art enthusiasts. Here you can freely to posing in any posture, just hold up camera and you will be captured the beautiful photos because any graffiti works here are beautiful and lively.

Chinatown: The first Chinatown in the southern hemisphere. In addition to the cafes (rather cheaply priced) and bars, you can visit the Chinese Museum to learn more about the history of Chinese immigrants. You can forecast your future by picking your fortune card.

State Library of Victoria: It is home of more than 2 million books and a series of rare materials, including Captain James Cook’s diary and the founders of the city. Stepping into here, you will feel like as go to the Hogwarts library in Harry Potter with ancient bookshelves, the beautiful rows of wood tables are arranged following the bamboo fan shaped. Because the library is also a place for reading and studying of the people of the city, you should pay attention when walking and taking pictures to not affect them!

Trip 2: Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

It sounds like a small garden, but this place is more than 38 hectares wide, home to many Australian native and foreign plants. The garden is divided into 19 zones, each zone is a different theme from the primeval forest of Australia, the desert of the United States to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, wide enough for you to explore. Entering here you will feel like walking in a primeval forest rather than an artificial garden at all. Every tree is beautiful, shady, blooming flowers in variety shapes, so you have to spend the whole afternoon to discover this garden.

Address: Birdwood Ave, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
Opening Hours: 7.30am to sunset every day of the year
Phone: +61 3 9252 2300
Free entrance
Website: https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/
Getting There: Tram 3/3a (East Malvern) or 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 & 72, down at stop point 19 Shrine of Remembrance/St Kilda Rd.

7 days in Melbourne — Day 3: Melbourne Museum -> St Kilda Beach -> Luna Park

Trip 1: Melbourne Museum

The best way to explore a city is to go to the museum there. The Melbourne Museum has a modern architecture, divided into 8 exhibit galleries, spread over 3 floors, with collections of art and culture and original artifacts, designs and indigenous photography. After visiting the main museum, you can visit the nearby Royal Exhibition Building or take a stroll in Carlton Gardens.

Address: 11 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053
Ticket price: AUD15/adult, free if you a student in Australia
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 17:00
Getting There: Tram 86 (Bundoora RMIT), 96 (East Brunswick), down at stop point 12/Melbourne Museum. Or take tram 35 (clockwise), stop at 11 Victoria Pde/Nicholson St.

Trip 2: St Kilda Beach

The stunning blue water and white sandy of St Kilda Beach are ideal place for swimming, cycling, play volleyball or leisurely strolls on palm tree shady roads. On the winter nights there will be penguins, super cute running on the beach! In addition, this is the aristocratic area of Melbourne, so St Kilda has many magnificent villas along the coast. Along Acland Street is a countless of pastries shop & cafes, only looking will make your mouth watering.

Getting There: From Melbourne Museum, take the Tram 96 (St Kilda Beach) down stop point at 136/The Esplanade.

Luna Park

At first glance, Luna Park is small, old, there are not many games so we do not understand why it is famous. Read the history on the outer wall, it was established in 1912 and has the world’s oldest glider road still in operation. So, even though Melbourne now has more magnificent parks, Luna Park still holds a special position.

Address: 18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182 – walking short distance from St Kilda Pier.
Entrance fee: The park is free entrance for visitors to sightseeing, take photos, but you have to buy tickets if you want to play the game. Ticket price is AUD11/game or AUD50/all games.
Opening hours: 11:00 – 18:00

Melbourne itinerary 7 days — Day 4: Melbourne Zoo -> Brunswick -> CBD

Trip 1: Melbourne Zoo

Having arrived in Australia, it is a big mistake if you not meet the native animals. The Melbourne Zoo is home to more than 320 Australia indigenous animals and the world. Visiting here, besides the kangaroos jumping at everywhere and lazy koalas all day only hugging trees, you also meet the tigers, elephants, giraffes … big & fierce. You will also hear the caregiver – who understands them better than anyone else – shares their daily work and conservation efforts. Zoo is super wide, you must spend at least 3 hours to discover all. Remember to bring a map to avoiding get lost.

Address: Elliot Ave, Parkville VIC 3052
Ticket price: AUD37 for adult, AUD28 if you are student in Australia
Opening hours: 9am – 5pm
Getting There: Take the train to Upfield from Flinders Station (or other stations in City Loop) and get off at the Royal Park – Zoo, at the entrance gate. Or catch the 58 (Toorak), down at stop point 26/Melbourne Zoo.

Trip 2: Brunswick

Brunswick is famous for its bohemian culture (free-living, non-social). This place is very photogenic with unique and different architectural houses, Graffiti streets interspersed with the old streets. Especially Italian pizza & ice cream gelato in this area is called number 1!

Getting There: From the zoo back to Royal Park station and take the train to Upfield, passing the two station will reach to Brunswick Station.

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