The Best Way to Spend a Day in the Melbourne CBD

The Best Way to Spend a Day in the Melbourne CBD

Post
Subscribe

Posted 2016-05-09 by Lesley Mitchellfollow
There are so many wonderful sights and sounds of things to do in Melbourne that it is really hard to cram them into one day.
However, let's say that's all you have, here are a few of my suggestions for how to fill that day.

To begin the day it is wonderful to catch a tram to St Kilda, all the while, taking in the lovely seabreeze with great views of Luna Park and the palm trees that line this lovely Promenade.

You can enjoy breakfast, selecting from any of the great cafes while strolling along with the wonderfully happening Acland Street and perhaps pick up a treat for afternoon tea at one of the Greek cake shops here.



Heading back into the city, you may like to stop by the Ian Potter Centre at the National Gallery of Victoria. There is usually an amazing exhibit happening, along with wonderful indigenous art and art pieces from around the world. The kids will love the water wall coming down the entry windows and if you are still in need of a cup of tea, the tea rooms here will provide a great respite.

Need some souvenirs to take home? Have a look in the gift shop in the downstairs foyer for some unique gifts.



Exiting the National Gallery of Victoria, turn left and you will walk past the Arts Centre. There are always many performances taking place and there may be a morning show that you could take in, or perhaps you would just like to experience the spire and the amazing architecture that is The Arts Centre.

If it is a Sunday that you have chosen to visit, underneath the Arts Centre there is a weekend market filled with local handmade giftwares from Melbourne artisans, where you may shop while strolling along the waterfront.



From here, heading west around the Arts Centre and along the waterfront promenade you'll come to South Bank. It is a vibrant, happening area filled with shops, cafes and great restaurants. If you continued walking you would end up at Crown Casino and then the Melbourne Convention Centre (or Jeff's shed as it is known to locals). Walking along the riverfront you will find our historic Polly Woodside boat docked here, where for a small entry fee you can experience some of Melbourne's history.

However if shopping is more your thing, keep walking and you will come to a collection of discount warehouses and shops.

Perhaps stopping way back at the art centre (or turning around and heading back along the waterfront), you will come to a lovely bridge in between the Art Centre and Flinders Street Station. On the opposite side of the road is ACMI - the Australian Centre for the Moving Image - with free entry and Federation Square, which often has free events around the square.

Venturing into the CBD itself, if shopping is what you desire, you can visit Myer, David Jones and the Emporium shopping centre. However I always walk west along Flinders Street before turning up the laneways to walk through. The walkways are filled with graffiti, cafes, restaurants and boutique shops and are always fun to wander through.

For lunch, take a look at the Hopetoun Tea House but you may have to queue (although it is less crowded for morning or afternoon tea). Located in the Block Arcade, Hopetoun Tea House is one of Melbourne's first tea rooms and still serving lovely old fashioned treats. It is one of our most historical places to take a meal although you may also like to just ogle the windows and then venture through the laneways to have a less formal meal at one of the laneway cafes.



In the afternoon, a walk up to the State Library is a lovely way to spend the afternoon. Just sitting on the steps and watching the people go by is lovely and if the weather is fine, there are often buskers here to entertain you.

In the evening you might finish your day with something very special, say a dinner cruise along the Yarra River or perhaps one of our famous theatre shows at Dracula's or Witches Britches, or if it is just dinner, head to Victoria street for Vietnamese Food, Brunswick St for funky retro vibes or Lygon St for Italian fare.

After dark there are many late night drinking bars and cafes as you travel back home or to your hotel room after a great day filled with your Melbourne experiences.

**Can you think of better things to do when you only have 1 day in the Melbourne CBD?
We would love to hear of your experiences. Please use the comments section at the top of this article to share your great ideas, we look forward to hearing from you.**

#bucket_list
#cake_shops
#cbd
#cheap
#child_friendly
#cultural_events
#family
#family -attractions
#girls_day_out
#guides
#inner_east
#inner_north_melbourne
#inner_south
#learn_something
#city
#near_melbourne
#north_east
#north
#north -west-melbourne
#south_bank
#south_east
#south
#st_kilda
#things_to_see
#tourist_attractions
#tourist_sites
#victoria
#lists
%wnmelbourne
104648 - 2023-06-12 11:25:28

Tags

Free
Festivals
Outdoor
Music
Markets
Nightlife
Fundraisers
Family_friendly
Community
Arts_culture
Food_drink
Educational
Random
Theatre_shows
Shopping_markets
Copyright 2022 OatLabs ABN 18113479226