Melbourne City and Highlights
Two days in the city, plus the Puffing Billy steam train, Phillip Island penguins and the Yarra Valley, then a self-drive on the Great Ocean Road with one night away.
A week-long itinerary based in the city centre that covers Melbourne's most popular day trips. Ride the Puffing Billy steam train from Dandenong, then join the penguin parade on Phillip Island at dusk. The next day, after a lie-in, head to the Healesville Sanctuary and the wineries of the Yarra Valley. Then rent a car and self-drive the Great Ocean Road, spending a night in Apollo Bay. The following day, see the Twelve Apostles and return to the city via the inland route. Suited to first-time visitors who want to see it all, though the pace is tight.
Penguins can be seen year-round, and summer and autumn bring more stable weather on the Great Ocean Road.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival and Federation Square Area
Melbourne（Flinders Street Station & Federation Square、Hosier Lane、Degraves Street & Centre Place）
SkyBus to Southern Cross Station takes about 30 minutes. In the afternoon, explore the city centre on foot.
Stay: CBD
Day 2 · Markets, Library and Southbank
Melbourne（Queen Victoria Market、State Library Victoria、National Gallery of Victoria (NGV International)、Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria）
Walk and take trams within the free tram zone. In the afternoon, cross the river to the Southbank gallery and the Botanic Gardens.
Stay: CBD
Day 3 · Steam Train and Penguin Parade
Melbourne（Puffing Billy Railway、Dandenong Ranges） → Phillip Island（Koala Conservation Reserve、The Nobbies、Phillip Island Penguin Parade）
Join a tour or self-drive. In the morning, ride the steam train at Dandenong. In the afternoon, it takes about 1.5 hours to Phillip Island. Return to the city at night.
Penguin Parade tickets often sell out, so book early during holidays.
Stay: CBD
Day 4 · Yarra Valley Wildlife and Wineries
Melbourne（Healesville Sanctuary、Yarra Valley）
Sleep in and set off. It takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to Healesville. Visit the Yarra Valley wineries and return to the city in the evening.
You'll be back late from the penguin trip the night before, so avoid an early start today.
Stay: CBD
Day 5 · Eastern Great Ocean Road Coast
Great Ocean Road（Bells Beach、Split Point Lighthouse、Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch、Teddy's Lookout、Kennett River Koala Walk）
Rent a car and leave the city via Geelong to Torquay, about 1.5 hours. Then drive slowly along the coast to Apollo Bay, about 200 km in total.
Stay: Apollo Bay
Day 6 · Twelve Apostles and Back to the City
Great Ocean Road（Maits Rest Rainforest Walk、Gibson Steps、The Twelve Apostles、Loch Ard Gorge）
Apollo Bay to Port Campbell takes about 1.5 hours. After seeing the sea stacks, return inland via Colac to Melbourne, about 3 hours.
The Twelve Apostles are quieter, with better light, in the early morning or late afternoon.
Stay: CBD
Day 7 · South Melbourne Market and Seafront
Melbourne（South Melbourne Market、St Kilda Beach & Luna Park）
Take the tram to South Melbourne Market, then another tram to St Kilda. In the afternoon, take SkyBus to the airport.