Melbourne is so much bigger than you might think. The city itself feels like someone took Sydney, flattened it, and stretched it out like pizza dough. Makes for spacious living conditions, but also means longer transit times than you might think. Fortunately, there is Uber, and car rentals aplenty in the city and at the airport (just be sure to book in advance, as they sell out in peak season!).

Weather – “peak” season is between October – March, when temperature is 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit / 18-28 degrees Celsius, and less than 10 days of rain in a month on average. But in the coastal regions, temperature drops in the evenings can be harsh, so be sure to bring a light-to-medium jacket.

Activities – the city itself has many options to keep you busy (Tripadvisor List of To-Dos), but in my humble opinion, Melbourne’s true beauty sits outside downtown. Whether self-guided or as part of a tour group, do consider carving out a couple days to explore all that Melbourne has to offer. Take a look at my guides below to start planning your trip!

Sample Itinerary in December 2017 (Peak Summer)
Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights (3 Effective Days)
Purpose: Balanced itinerary, tourism heavy

Day 1 (Full Day (Layover) in Melbourne):
– Royal Botanic Gardens / Shrine of Remembrance
– South Melbourne Market
– Southgate Melbourne

Day 2 (Touring the Great Ocean Road):
– Great Ocean Road

Day 3 (How To See Melbourne’s Wildlife):
– Koala Petting (Moonlit Sanctuary)
– Penguin Parade (Philip Island)