How to spend 48 hours in Melbourne

Let's say you're visiting Melbourne for two days and looking for some fun, or you've got a couple of mates down from Sydney (those chumps) and want to show them a good time. Either way, chances are that your head will be swimming with ideas. When it comes to things to do in Melbourne, the only limit is your imagination (and your budget).

From laneway bars to inner-city farms, it's hard not to get FOMO when planning 48 hours in this beautiful Australian destination, especially if it's summer. So we've decided to help. We reckon we’ve got a pretty good handle on what Melbourne has to offer — we've been here for 23 years, and our customers are always passing on great recommendations.

So, here's your bumper guide to 48 hours in Melbourne during summer — just don't forget your sunscreen!

DAY ONE:

Start off at Queen Vic Markets

Built in 1878, Queen Victoria Market sprawls across two city blocks. Rumour has it that it was built on top of the original Melbourne cemetery and that 9,000 bones lie underneath the main car park — but that's just an urban legend.

Grab a warm borek from The Borek Shop in the Deli Hall before making your way through all the fine cheeses, deli meats, and creamy dips this city has to offer. Samples are mandatory.

Hit up Market Lane for a kick-ass coffee before weaving through all the fruit and veggie stands to the multitude of shops selling clothing, footwear, hats, jewellery, and household knick-knacks. Don't forget to grab a bag of hot doughnuts before you leave from the Doughnut Van — they're a steal at $5.50 for a bag of five.

Check out the old Melbourne Gaol

Going to jail may not be at the top of your list of things to do in Melbourne, but this imposing bluestone building is definitely worth a look. Some of Australia’s most notorious criminals and gangsters spent time in the cells, including legendary bushranger Ned Kelly and Melbourne's own Squizzy Taylor. Between 1842 and its closure in 1929, the Melbourne Gaol was the scene of 133 hangings, and the gallows are still in place.

It's a pretty cool place to have a poke around and, if the Melbourne summer is getting to you, it's nice and cool inside. You can see Ned Kelly's death mask and tour the cells at the former city watch-house with the charge sergeant. Best of all, it's only a short walk from Queen Vic Markets or a quick trip on one of the free Melbourne trams.

Go visit the MCG

Take a tram to have a stroll around the hallowed Melbourne Cricket Ground. In Melbourne, footy is practically a religion, so even if it's the wrong time of year to catch a game, you have to include a visit to the 'G' in your itinerary. Considered the high temple of Aussie Rules Football, it's surrounded by sporting statues, and backstage tours operate on non-match days, so you can explore the inner sanctum.

The MCG is also home to the National Sports Museum, which sounds daggy but isn't. Along with a creepily realistic Shane Warne hologram, there's an incredible collection of sports memorabilia, including Bradman's baggy green cap. Joint tickets with an MCG tour are available. If you're still hungry for sports action after, have a wander through the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Precinct, which comprises a series of sports stadiums and venues spread across Olympic Park, Melbourne Park, and Yarra Park.

Get a meal in Chinatown

Don't bother trying to find a spot on Zomato — stumble into whichever restaurant smells the best and has a lot of happy-looking customers. Most restaurants in Melbourne's Chinatown are BYO, so pick up a couple of brews or a few bottles of wine from one of the many inner-city bottle shops. In the mood for a craft tinnie? Star City Liquor Store should be able to help you out, and it's right next door to Chinatown.

Melbourne is best known for its dumplings, so be sure to order a few no matter where you end up. After you've eaten, tap 'Globe Alley' or 'Croft Alley' into your phone to find some of the city’s best late-night laneway bars — remember, the dirtier and less promising a laneway looks, the more likely you are to strike gold.

DAY TWO:

Have brunch in a shipping container

Right, it's time to exit the city and see what the outer 'burbs have to offer. And like the Pet Shop Boys, we're going to suggest going west, young man/woman — life is peaceful there!

Take the train to Footscray and fuel up for the day at Rudimentary, a cafe housed within a shipping container conversion. Could it be more Melbourne? No, it really couldn't. Don't dismiss it as overly hipster, though. Rudimentary delivers the goods. The coffee is Small Batch, the Bloody Marys are spicy, and the menu includes a rissole roll. That's right, a rissole stuffed in a bun with beer-braised onions, tomato sauce, and house-made pickles. There's also a curried egg bhurji and your standard free-range eggs on sourdough. Hot tip: Ask for chilli jam on the side.

Try racing like the pros

Visit us at Ace Karts for some mid-morning thrills and spills on our 700-metre outdoor go-karting track. We've got the most authentic motorsport experience outside the professional world, and our 105-metre straight pushes our Super Karts to their 75-kilometres-per-hour capacity. Forget the sedate go-karts you remember from primary school — our engines are capable of near-highway speeds.

Go wild at Werribee

Round out your weekend by going on safari at Werribee Open Range Zoo. The Savannah focuses predominantly on African species, so you'll encounter lions, rhinos, giraffes, gorillas, elephants, hippopotamuses, zebras, and more. The gorillas hang out in what is supposedly one of the largest gorilla exhibits in the world at 6,000 square metres, and they're often as interested in you as you are in them — it's the ultimate case of 'monkey see, monkey do'!

Need more ideas? Book these Melbourne activities for a perfect weekend!

You've packed plenty into your weekend in Melbourne, but if you've got time to spare, why not add a few more stops to your itinerary? Whether you're after fun things for the whole family will love, a dose of art and culture, or a great way to experience the best of Melbourne, these extra recommendations have got you covered.

Discover Melbourne’s best exhibitions

If you love art, history, or science, Melbourne is packed with exhibitions worth checking out. The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) consistently showcases world-class art, with past exhibitions featuring Van Gogh, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Yayoi Kusama. If contemporary and digital art is more your thing, visit ACMI for immersive film and media installations. Science lovers should head to Melbourne Museum, where exhibitions range from prehistoric fossils to fascinating insights into Australia’s wildlife and First Nations cultures.

Experience Melbourne’s most exciting festivals

No matter when you visit, there’s always a festival taking place in Melbourne. In March, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival takes over the city with world-renowned comedians, while January brings the Midsumma Festival, a vibrant celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture. Foodies will love the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, which brings together top chefs, restaurants, and wine producers for an unforgettable experience. If you’re here during winter, RISING Festival offers a mix of live music, public art, and immersive performances across the city.

Visit Melbourne’s best Sunday markets

A Sunday market is a must for any visitor looking to explore Melbourne’s unique shopping and food scenes. The Camberwell Sunday Market is a treasure trove of vintage clothes, handmade crafts, and antiques. For fresh produce and artisanal goods, the South Melbourne Market is a local favourite, offering everything from organic vegetables to fresh seafood. Looking for something more quirky? The Rose Street Artists' Market in Fitzroy is where Melbourne’s most creative minds sell unique, handcrafted goods, from jewellery to artwork and home décor.

Ready to hit the track?

No need to book weeks in advance — our arrive and drive option makes it easy to jump on the track whenever it suits your schedule. Whether you’re here for a weekend in Melbourne or just passing through, we guarantee an unforgettable ride.