What To Do in Melbourne For a Day (Before Embarking on a Campervan Road Trip)
Just touched down in Melbourne? Or maybe you’ve already picked up your campervan and are taking a day to settle in before hitting the open road? Either way, spending a day in the city to explore the Melbourne highlights is the perfect way to ease into your campervan road trip adventure.
Melbourne is packed with culture, great food, and easy sightseeing, all within a compact city grid that’s simple to explore, whether you're on foot or parking your camper nearby. If you’re wanting to make the most of your one day in Melbourne itinerary, you’re in the right place! In this guide, we will walk you through how to spend 1 day in Melbourne. From early-morning city icons to laid-back riverside dinners, this itinerary will ensure you capture the essence of Melbourne in 24 hours. Ready? Let’s go.
Morning: Melbourne highlights in the heart of the city
Begin your day by venturing into the heart of Melbourne and into Federation Square and Flinders Street Station. Here, you can dive into a morning of arts and events, grab a classic Melbourne morning brew, and explore this cultural hub. Right next door, you'll find the ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image), a great stop if you're travelling with kids or anyone who enjoys film, TV, or gaming culture.
From there, it’s a short walk to Degraves Street or Centre Place (two of Melbourne’s most loved laneways). Tucked between buildings, these narrow arcades are packed with independent cafés and breakfast spots. Grab a table, order a flat white (Melbourne takes its coffee seriously), and enjoy something classic like smashed avocado on toast or a warm pastry.
After breakfast, take a walk along the Yarra River. The riverside promenade is perfect for stretching your legs and soaking in the city’s skyline. You can follow the trail across Princess Bridge for a great view back toward the CBD, or cross over to the Southbank side, which offers plenty of photo opportunities and stunning views.
Mid-morning: cultural fix and hidden gems
Once you’ve had your fill of Melbourne’s central icons, it’s time to dig into the creative side of the city.
Start with a wander down Hosier Lane, which is arguably Melbourne’s most photographed laneway. Every wall here is a canvas, constantly changing with fresh murals, political pieces, and bold tags. You can either stroll through at your own pace or join a short street art tour to hear more about the artists and stories behind the work.
From there, it’s a short walk to the National Gallery of Victoria. The NGV is free to enter and has something for everyone, from Australian and European masters to contemporary installations. Plus, it is incredibly family-friendly and easy to explore without taking up too much of your day.
If the weather’s on your side, trade gallery walls for greenery and head to the Royal Botanic Gardens. It’s a peaceful place to stretch your legs and let the kids roam. Grab a takeaway coffee from one of the Domain Road cafés nearby and enjoy a calm moment before the pace picks up again.
Image: Visit Victoria
Lunch: iconic food and local flavours
By lunchtime, you’ll be ready to sample some of Melbourne’s best food, and luckily, pretty much every corner of this city delivers. With so many options, lunch really is a highlight of any one day in Melbourne itinerary.
First, head to the iconic Queen Victoria Market, especially if you’re planning to stock up on supplies for the camper. It’s a Melbourne institution packed with local produce, deli goods, food trucks, and handmade wares. Grab a freshly grilled bratwurst or tuck into dumplings, gozleme, or a falafel wrap. It’s also a great place to pick up a few snacks for your campervan road trip (think olives, cheese, and a bag of fresh fruit for the road).
Prefer to sit down for a meal? Head toward Chinatown for dumplings, noodle soups, or quick bites packed with flavour. If Italian is more your style, Lygon Street (often referred to as Little Italy) is full of classic pasta joints and pizza places with a local twist. You’ll find vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options in both spots, so everyone’s covered.
Afternoon: local experiences and shopping
After lunch, there’s still time to explore a few more pockets of Melbourne before picking up your motorhome and getting ready to head out of the city. For families, a visit to the Melbourne Museum is a great call. It’s fun and educational, with hands-on exhibits and fascinating displays, including natural history and local wildlife. The First Peoples exhibition is a standout and offers a meaningful look at the world’s oldest living cultures. Just outside, the heritage-listed Carlton Gardens offer space to relax, run around, or enjoy an ice cream under the trees.
If you prefer something more low-key, head north to Fitzroy and Brunswick Street. These neighbouring streets are full of vintage shops, quirky bookstores, and independent labels. It’s the perfect area to grab a small souvenir or browse for a new paperback to enjoy by the campfire later in your trip. If there’s time, you might even sneak in a craft beer or a rooftop coffee before wrapping up your city visit.
Evening: wrap-up with views or vibes
After a full day exploring Melbourne highlights, it’s time to wind things down with a memorable evening. Whether you’re after city views or a relaxed riverside meal, Melbourne offers plenty of ways to close out your Melbourne one-day trip in style.
To end your itinerary in style, head to the Eureka Skydeck just before sunset. Perched 88 floors above the city, it’s the highest observation deck in the Southern Hemisphere, and a fantastic spot to see the skyline light up. From here, you can watch the sun dip behind Port Phillip Bay and catch panoramic views that stretch from the city centre to the Dandenong Ranges.
For dinner, wander over to Southbank or Docklands. Both areas are packed with options, from upscale dining and riverside restaurants to laid-back pubs and family-friendly venues. Depending on the night, you might find live music, outdoor seating, or just a calm spot to reflect on the day. Either way, it’s the perfect setting to recharge and get ready for the open road ahead.
Practical tips for your one day in Melbourne
If you’re planning just 1 day in Melbourne before heading off in your camper or motorhome, a bit of prep will help everything run smoothly:
Getting around the city
If you plan to explore the city without your campervan, you’re in luck because Melbourne’s public transport system makes it easy to get around without a car. Pick up a Myki card for access to trains, trams, and buses. If you’re staying mostly in the central grid, there’s good news: the city has a Free Tram Zone covering much of the CBD, so you can hop on and off without using your card.
Storing your luggage
If you’re not collecting your campervan until late in the day, use lockers at Southern Cross Station to stash your bags while you explore. It’s a secure, central spot that keeps your hands free for coffee cups and shopping bags.
Picking up your campervan
Once you're ready to hit the road, head to Apollo Melbourne to collect your vehicle. Apollo’s team can walk you through the basics, and they’ll answer any last-minute questions about your route, stops, or set-up.
Pre-road trip tips
Before you leave the city, it’s smart to stock up on a few essentials. Stop at a nearby supermarket for groceries, check out a camping supply store if you’re after gear, and make sure you’re topped up on fuel before heading out. For everything else, download the thl Roadtrip App. It’s packed with useful tools for your campervan hire journey, including campsite finders, instructional videos, and even exclusive discounts.
As you can see, one day in Melbourne is just enough to get a feel for the city’s character: creative, laid-back, and full of things to discover. From iconic landmarks and laneway breakfasts to skyline views and riverside dinners, your time here sets the tone for an unforgettable campervan road trip across Victoria and beyond. Whether you're travelling solo, as a couple, or with the whole family, taking the time to explore Melbourne before you set off makes the experience even richer. Now that your Melbourne 24-hour itinerary is sorted, it's time to think about the journey ahead. Whether you're heading down the coast or planning an inland escape, Apollo makes it easy to get started. For more tips on planning your Melbourne campervan trip, be sure to check out some of our top guides below:
Then, once you have your bucket list sorted, all that is left is to book your campervan, plan your route using one of our travel itineraries, and get ready to explore Australia at your own pace: one stop, one view, and one unforgettable moment at a time. What are you waiting for? The road is calling.