There is so much to see and do in Melbourne, that it’s sometimes difficult to know where to start!
So, we’ve put together an itinerary – all you have to do is hop in your car hire Melbourne Tullamarine Airport travellers choose for great service and quality rentals and follow it!
Morning
It’s about a 25-minute drive from the airport to the centre of Melbourne. Once you arrive, find a parking spot for your rental car and walk over the bridge to Southbank. You can enjoy a leisurely stroll by the Yarra River, admire the beautiful structures along Flinders Street (including the stunning Immigration Museum) and bask in the sunshine.
Make sure you keep an eye out for the SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, which is a great place to spend a day out with the family, and the Eureka Tower. This building is nearly 300 metres tall, so you may have to wander around with your eyes facing upward in order to see it properly!
Then, head back into the centre of Melbourne and find Bourke Street. This is the best place to shop in the whole city, and houses both upmarket boutiques and enormous department stores – so you don’t have to break the bank if you don’t feel like it! Step into Target or Myers for some bargains, or treat yourself to something a little more expensive at David Jones.
Afternoon
Travel east along Bourke Street in your rental car from Melbourne until you reach Spring Street. Here you’ll find Parliament and other beautifully crafted government buildings.
You can wander past them on your way to Fitzroy Gardens, which are located just behind them. This is the perfect place to have a picnic – there are plenty of open, grassy spaces and lots of shade if you need to step out of the sunshine for a while. You may want to set up next to the Dolphin Fountain, which was installed in 1982 and can be found at the northern end of the gardens.
If you haven’t packed a lunch, don’t worry – the Pavillion Cafe can be found amongst the flora and fauna, at the centre of Fitzroy Gardens. Sip on a well-deserved cup of tea and munch on a delicious sandwich as you gaze across the grounds and the Model Tudor Village nearby. This was constructed to thank Melbourne for sending food to Britain during World War Two.
Next, drive over to Cathedral Place and get ready to see the most gorgeous structure you’ve ever seen – St Patrick’s Cathedral. This building is absolutely gigantic, and is just as ornate on the outside as it is on the inside.
Make sure you step inside and have a look at the amazing gothic architecture – especially the roof arches on either side of the aisle – and light a candle under the enormous stained glass window that graces the back of St Patrick’s Cathedral.
Evening
After a action-packed day of walking, driving and sightseeing, you’ll probably want to spend the evening relaxing. Melbourne is famous for its range of exciting restaurants, serving dishes from pretty much every country you can think of.
We recommend driving to the Greek Precinct (on Lonsdale Street, between Elizabeth Street and Russell Street) and tasting some authentic Greek food in one of this area’s many eateries. Or, if you’re in the mood for some great Chinese food, check out the street parallel to this one – Little Bourke Street – and you’ll find yourself in Chinatown!
There are lots of little side-streets around the city that are full of restaurants, too, so you’ll never have to drive far to find something to eat!