48 hours in Melbourne

Day 1: 11.00 AM

Touchdown in Melbourne

With only hand luggage, you’re off the plane and into the Melbourne air in no time! Pick yourself up a Myki card for use on public transport. Do what the locals do and catch the Skybus direct to Southern Cross train station, at the west end of the CBD. From here, drop your bags off at your hotel (either walking or catch the tram) and you’re ready to explore.

There’s a wealth of accommodation to choose from in the city such as Vibe, or one of the hotels at Crown Casino.

1.00 PM

Lunch and a spot of shopping or the aquarium and ACMI

The tummy is rumbling, so head to one of Melbourne CBD’s delicious eateries, such as Red Spice Road, or MoVida Aqui for lunch. After lunch, it’s time to hit the shops, as Melbourne is famous for. In the city, you can browse for hours through the Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne’s GPO, Melbourne Central and more. For bargain shopping head to the Spencer Street DFO at Southern Cross station.

Those who aren’t interested in shopping can visit the Melbourne Aquarium and ACMI, Melbourne’s moving art museum dedicated to film, animation, and digital arts.

7:00 PM

Dinner

For dinner, make your way south across the city and over one of the bridges to Melbourne’s Southbank area, for a meal on the waterside. Choose from restaurants such as The Left Bank, Ludlow Bar & Dining Room, or choose from the multitude on offer at Crown.

9:00 PM

Decisions, decisions

After dinner, either stay on in Southbank to play on the tables at Crown or make your way back to your hotel to relax after a tough day shopping!

Day 2:

9:00 AM

Catch the 96 tram to St Kilda

Take in breakfast at the hotel, and then it’s time for some more Melbourne exploration. Hop on the 96 tram, available outside Southern Cross station, and take in the views on your way to St Kilda, Melbourne’s beachside inner city suburb.

Wander around St Kilda and explore the historic Palais Theatre, the St Kilda Botanical Gardens, and Luna Park.

1:00 PM

Lunch in St Kilda

Make your way down to the beach for another waterside meal at Republica, Captain Baxter, Donovans, or further down at Riva on the St Kilda Marina, if you fancy a walk along the beach.

3:00 PM

Chapel St hop

Catch either tram 16 or 72 from Fitzroy St, St Kilda, to the top of Chapel St, Windsor. This is an eclectic shopping and bar district where you can find op shops, bookshops, barbers, and bars and restaurants a plenty.

Pick up a vintage treasure from the Chapel St Bazaar, try a delightful cocktail from Polish Borsch, Vodka and Tears, or find the hidden Boston Sub’s Jungle Boy, out the back of the sandwich shop – one of Melbourne’s famed hidden bars.

6:00 PM

Head to North Melbourne for dinner and comedy

Catch a taxi to North Melbourne to The Comic’s Lounge. With dinner and a show every night from 6.30PM, you can always be guaranteed a laugh in Australia’s home of comedy. Sometimes you’ll even strike it lucky with an international headliner!

A taxi will get you back to your hotel after the show ends, at around 11 PM.

Day 3:

5:30 AM

Time to go home

Pack up, and catch the Skybus back to the airport, in time for your flight.

Air New Zealand fly from Auckland to Melbourne daily at 8:50 AM, arriving at 10:55 AM, or from Christchurch at 6:10 AM, arriving 8:00 AM.

Return with Air New Zealand to Auckland at 8:40 AM (arriving 2:15 PM), or to Christchurch at 9:05 AM (arriving 2:30 PM) daily.

Jetstar, Qantas, and Virgin also fly this route.