🗺️ The Perfect One-Day Melbourne Itinerary for First-Time Visitors (2025)

If you’ve only got one day in Melbourne, don’t worry—you can still experience its coffee culture, laneway art, markets, museums, and a golden seaside sunset. This guide gives you a step-by-step plan you can follow right off the plane, during check-in/check-out gaps, or even on a short Melbourne layover.

💡 Pro tip: Arriving too early for check-in? Drop your bags with a secure local service so you can explore hands-free. If you’re near the CBD or Southern Cross Station, Luggage Terminal offers convenient luggage storage Melbourne options — including luggage storage near Southern Cross Station — and optional Airbnb key handover Melbourne so your host/guest doesn’t have to wait.

📋 Quick Summary (TL;DR)

• ☕ Morning: Coffee + laneways → Federation Square → NGV or ACMI
• 🥟 Midday: Queen Victoria Market or brunch nearby
• 🎨 Afternoon: Yarra River walk → Street art → St Kilda or Fitzroy
• 🌅 Evening: St Kilda Pier sunset or Eureka Skydeck
• 🍜 Night: Chinatown dumplings or Lygon Street Italian

⏰ 7:30–9:30 AM — Laneways & Coffee Culture

Start at Degraves Street and Centre Place for breakfast and people-watching. Wander through the historic Block Arcade and Royal Arcade. Snap some early-morning shots of Hosier Lane before the crowds arrive.

If you’ve just arrived, stash your bags first. Look for a secure bag drop Melbourne CBD so you can enjoy coffee and laneways without dragging luggage.

🏛️ 9:45–11:30 AM — Federation Square & Museum

Federation Square is a must-see. Pick one museum:

• 🖼️ NGV International — world-class art
• 🎥 ACMI — film & digital culture
• 🌏 Immigration Museum — stories of Australia’s people

🍽️ 12:00–1:30 PM — Queen Victoria Market Lunch

Head to Queen Victoria Market for fresh produce, deli snacks, and coffee. Or try brunch in Hardware Lane.

🚶‍♂️ 1:45–3:00 PM — Yarra River Walk & Street Art

Stroll along Southbank Promenade and enjoy street performances. Detour to AC/DC Lane and Duckboard Place for colorful murals.

If you’re storing bags, choose a location near where you’ll end your afternoon — like luggage storage near Southern Cross Station — so pickup is quick before your next journey.

🌇 3:30–6:30 PM — Choose Your Vibe

• 🌊 St Kilda: Cakes on Acland Street, pier walk, and maybe penguins at sunset.
• 🎨 Fitzroy & Collingwood: Vintage shops, murals, and indie cafés.
• 🏙️ Skyline: Eureka Skydeck for panoramic views.

🍝 7:00–9:00 PM — Dinner

• 🥟 Chinatown — dumplings
• 🍝 Lygon Street — Italian classics
• 🍷 Flinders Lane — trendy dining

💼 What to Do With Your Bags

If your flight lands early or you have a late departure, you can easily store bags in Melbourne for a few hours. Popular spots include luggage storage Melbourne CBD and luggage storage near Southern Cross Station for easy access to trains and SkyBus.

• 🔹 Store luggage near CBD & stations
• 🔹 Use Airbnb key handover Melbourne for smooth check-ins

Luggage Terminal offers secure luggage storage Melbourne with short-stay pricing and Airbnb key safe/handover to make your trip stress-free.

✨ Final Tips

• ☀️ Melbourne weather can change fast — carry a light jacket
• 🚋 Use the Free Tram Zone for most CBD attractions
• 🔋 Carry a power bank for your phone

With this plan, you’ll get a true taste of Melbourne — without dragging luggage around all day.