As the capital of Victoria, Melbourne has plenty to offer—from the street art to great food. We couldn’t possibly squeeze it all into 24 hours, but here are the highlights.
Queen Victoria Market
Start your day at the bustling Queen Victoria Market. The largest open-air market in the Southern hemisphere, it’s been around since the 19th century and continues to offer quality produce and food to shoppers. Open Thursday to Sunday from 6am, get here early to avoid the crowds—yes, even on weekdays!
Grab breakfast at one of the excellent cafes or food stalls in the market itself. Indulge your sweet tooth with the Nutella doughnuts at Café Verona, or a hot jam doughnut from the vintage American Doughnut Kitchen. For something a little more savoury, indulge in the curries served up at Drums Café.
Hosier Lane
Burn off the calories with a 20-minute walk along Swanston street to Hosier Lane, one of Melbourne’s most iconic laneways. Lined with graffiti and street art, this is the grungy hipster Melbourne you see on Instagram. From the Kardashians to Lord Ganesha, Hosier Lane and its surrounding streets have become the canvas of upcoming street artists.
Stop by here for your quintessential Melbourne Instagram shot. We recommend keeping to the footpaths as this is a shared road for vehicles and pedestrians, and can get pretty busy depending on when you’re visiting.
Federation Square
Just minutes from Hosier lane is Federation square, also known as the heart of Melbourne. This arts and culture centre is located on the fringe of the CBD is home to a number of important landmarks, including the Koorie Heritage Trust—an Indigenous cultural education centre, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the Ian Potter Centre.
Fuel up after all that walking at one of Melbourne’s best cafes— In a Rush Espresso. Founded on the belief that fast food can be healthy, this quaint little gem serves up delicious café fare such as sandwiches, wraps, soups, and salads made with locally-sourced ingredients at pocket-friendly prices.
National Gallery Victoria
Melbourne is known for being the art capital of Australia, and no visit to the city would be complete without checking out the oldest and largest gallery in Australia. This world-renowned gallery houses imprints from the greats, Hokusai, Tiepolo, and Picasso. There are also whole departments dedicated to textile and furnishing, so even if oil on canvas isn’t your thing, you’re sure to find something to appreciate at NGV.
Be prepared to dedicate at least two hours and lots of walking to this place—and that’s just for a quick look. The in-house café at the gallery provides a range of dining options including gourmet sandwiches and soups for hungry guests. Pair your dish with a local wine for a truly local experience.
These spots are just the beginning of your foray into Melbourne—there's so much more to discover in this charming city and after the first 24 hours, you may just find yourself spending more time in it!
