A First-Timer’s Guide to Melbourne!

Melbourne is a city that oozes creativity and cool. Whether you’re wandering its art-filled laneways, sipping cocktails on the river, or shopping in its historic arcades, this city has something for everyone. Here’s your go-to guide for an unforgettable first visit to Melbourne - packed with the things I loved most. Of course there’s so much more - after you go, comment where you fave spots were!

Things to See & Do

Wander the Yarra River Trail

Start your visit with a peaceful stroll along the Yarra River Trail. Follow the path through green spaces, past city skyscrapers, and enjoy the blend of nature and urban energy. Once you hit Southbank, stop for a coffee or simply people-watch along the bustling river promenade.

Cocktails on the Water at Float

Yes, it’s a bar on a barge. Float on the Yarra River is the perfect place to pause with an afternoon cocktail and take in Melbourne’s skyline from a whole new perspective.

Street Art in ACDC Lane & Hosier Lan

You simply can’t visit Melbourne without exploring the laneways. Hosier Lane is an ever-changing outdoor art gallery of bold, political, and playful street art. Nearby, ACDC Lane offers a grungier, rock-n-roll vibe with hidden bars and eateries tucked among the murals.

Explore Fitzroy

A short tram ride from the CBD, Fitzroy is a creative, eclectic neighbourhood that’s full of character. Think indie boutiques, record stores, vintage treasures, buzzing brunch spots, and edgy art spaces. The vibe is relaxed, quirky, and full of colour - it’s one of my favourite spots to wander.

Chinatown & Little Bourke Street

For food, culture, and a touch of history, wander through Chinatown on Little Bourke Street. The area is a hive of energy with delicious eats and great shopping, including boutique arcades and side streets worth exploring.

Laneway Love

Melbourne’s laneways are iconic, and not just for their street art. Some of the best boutique shopping, hidden cafes, and stylish bars are tucked away in laneways off Flinders Lane, Little Bourke Street, and Degraves Street.

Carlton Gardens

Just north of the city, Carlton Gardens is a beautiful green escape. Wide open lawns, grand trees, ornamental lakes, and fountains surround the Royal Exhibition Building and Melbourne Museum. It’s a peaceful place for a walk or a moment of calm amidst city exploring and is close to Fitzroy if you want to combine with a visit there.

Where to Eat: My Top Picks

Melbourne’s food scene is next level. From Asian fusion to artisan pastries and Italian comfort food, there’s something for every craving.

Chin Chin (Flinders Lane)

Modern Asian fusion in a buzzing, vibrant atmosphere. One of the best restaurant experiences I’ve ever had - our waiter actually picked out all our food for us - it was incredible! I would definitely book in advance.

Ho Chi Mama (Little Bourke St & Richmond)

Incredible Vietnamese-inspired share plates, creative cocktails, and a fun, funky setting. There are locations in the city (Little Bourke Street) and Richmond.

Higher Ground (Little Bourke Street)

A stunning industrial space perfect for breakfast or brunch. Great coffee, excellent food, and a beautiful interior.

Lune Croissanterie

The viral spot for croissants that people line up for around the block! Apparently they are to DO for… I wasn’t willing to wait, but if you’re up early, you might skip the line!

agathe patisserie (The ROYAL Arcade)

One of the best almond / choc croissants I’ve ever had! Also super popular at the South Melbourne Markets.

MACCARONI TRATTORIA

My friend and I had a beautiful dinner here, Authentic Italian food which was excellent as was the service. A busy little hidden away spot on Manchester Lane.

brunetti

A Melbourne institution, and for good reason. An impressive selection of picture perfect cakes, pastries and desserts. They also do dinner here, which I haven’t tried - but can only guess based on the crowds it’s good!

Shopping Hotspots

Melbourne is one of the best cities to shop in - hands down. Whether you’re after luxury fashion, quirky gifts, or stylish homewares, the options are endless. There are lots of hidden spots in Melbourne because of the arcades and laneways, so it’s a good idea to look up where they are before you go.

Royal Arcade

Absolutely beautiful and one of Melbourne’s oldest arcades. Agathé Patisserie is a must-stop for authentic French pastries - perfectly flakey, buttery, and beautifully made. While you’re there, don’t miss Haigh’s Chocolates, one of Australia’s most beloved chocolatiers. Their handmade chocolates are seriously to die for. The rest of the time, just admire the floors and the ceilings!!

The Block Arcade

A heritage-listed arcade full of charm, boutique shops, and elegant little eateries. A Melbourne icon.

Flinders Lane & Surrounding Laneways

The laneways and arcades around Flinders Lane, Little Collins, and Little Bourke Street are where you’ll find the coolest little stores - clothing, art, books, and more.

Emporium & Melbourne Central

These neighbouring shopping centres cover everything - Emporium for higher-end fashion and brands, and Melbourne Central for everyday faves. Just across the causeway from one another.

H&M at the GPO

This has to be the most beautiful H&M in the world - housed in Melbourne’s grand old General Post Office building. It was big but well set out, found some goodies!

Fitzroy

If you love vintage, second-hand fashion, and indie designers, you’ll love Brunswick Street and Smith Street in Fitzroy.

Where to Stay

Location is everything in Melbourne. I recommend staying close to Flinders Lane or the East End laneways so you’re walking distance from the best of the city.

QT Melbourne

Boutique style, quirky and luxurious. Rooftop bar is a bonus!

Ovolo Laneways

Funky and modern, tucked right into Melbourne’s famed laneway culture. Loved staying here.

Final Thoughts

Melbourne is a city that truly reveals itself the more you explore - through its alleyways, its food, its green spaces, and the energy of its neighbourhoods. It’s BUSY, super cool and never boring. If you’re visiting for the first time, prepare to walk a lot, eat even more, and fall in love with the city’s blend of urban sophistication and creativity.

J xx

Planning a family trip to the Gold Coast? We recently returned from a trip to the GC in order to do the theme parks with Aiden. We opted to go to Movie World & Wet n Wild, and had an awesome time. We had the three day pass and were intending to also hit up SeaWorld, but Aiden loved Wet N Wild so much we went two days in a row. Depending on when you’re visiting, the parks can get very busy and there are no caps on how many people they let in - so to help you navigate your visit like a pro, I've compiled essential hacks for each park, along with ticket pricing information. If you can avoid going in any of the Australia or NZ school holidays that would be ideal, but for many of us that is not an option, so these hacks will come in handy if like us you plan on visiting during the holidays.

Movie World Hacks

1. Arrive Early and Know Your Map

Get to Movie World at least 15 minutes before opening & familiarize yourself with the park map ahead of time so you can head straight to the most popular rides. This will help you beat the crowds and enjoy shorter wait times! The lines can get VERY long with over an hour and a half at some of the popular ones.

2. Invest in Fast Track Passes

Consider purchasing Fast Track passes for Movie World. While regular lines can be an hour or longer, Fast Track holders often wait just 5 minutes for rides. We really wished we had invested after chatting to other people there that had them. We ended up last min buying a fast track for Aiden and I on the log ride as we had been waiting almost an hour and it wasn’t moving! Doing this cost us $60! So although it’s an additional cost, the time saved is well worth it for a smoother experience and having time to do all the rides.

3. Download the Village Roadshow App

Before you go, download the Village Roadshow app, which covers both Movie World and Wet'n'Wild. This handy tool provides real-time ride wait times, park maps, and schedules, ensuring you stay informed throughout the day, I found it super handy.

4. Prioritize the Big Rides

Once you’re in the park, make a beeline for the most popular attractions, such as the Superman Escape, Green Lantern Coaster and DC Rivals Hypercoaster (longest line). These rides tend to get long lines quickly, so tackling them first maximizes your fun.

5. Plan for Shows and Meet-and-Greets

Check the schedule for live shows and character meet-and-greet opportunities. These are not only fun for kids but often have shorter wait times compared to rides. Make sure to catch the parade, too—it's a highlight for little ones!

Notable Mention: The Food at Movie World was actually really good! We were expecting really overpriced junk food, but had yummy tacos for lunch that would have rivalled a nice little cafe both in taste and price. Eat either early or late to avoid lines at peak times.

Wet'n'Wild Hacks

1. Claim Your Spot Right Away

Once you enter Wet'n'Wild, head straight to your desired area to secure a good spot. If you have little ones, grab chairs near the Wave Pool for a fun, lively atmosphere. For a more relaxed vibe, check out Calypso Beach, where you can lounge by the lazy river. We spent both days here in between going on slides and really loved it. They do also have Cabana’s for hire, but for cost personally I wouldn’t go this route, though many people do and love it.

2. Skip the Fast Track

Based on our experience, Fast Track passes at Wet'n'Wild would not be worth the extra cost. The layout and ride capacity often mean shorter wait times compared to Movie World, so you can enjoy a full day without the extra expense. The longest ride we waited for was the Constictor for about 40 mins.

3. Arrive Early for the Best Experience

Just like at Movie World, arriving early is key. Get in line before the gates open to secure your spot and enjoy the park with fewer crowds. On the first day we went I think we wasted too much time getting our spot and figuring out the park, but on Day 2 we were better prepared - dumped our stuff quick smart and headed straight for Kaboom (our fave!!) and enjoyed several rounds with no lining up. Kaboom, Mammoth Falls & Constrictor tend to have the longest lines.

*Ice cream at the end of a fun day at Wet n Wild*

4. Bring Sunscreen, Water & Snacks

Don't forget to pack sunscreen and refillable water bottles! Staying hydrated, fed and protected from the sun will keep everyone happy all day. There are places to get food, but we packed our own lunches for Wet N Wild and enjoyed at our little beachy spot and got ice cream in the afternoon.

5. Leave your self consciousness at home!

I was really happy to see a lot of ages, shapes, sizes and abilities at Wet n Wild - its not the place for feeling self conscious about your body, it’s the place for enjoying the water and fun with your kids!

Ticket Pricing and Where to Buy

You can purchase your tickets online for the best deals:

- Get Movie World tickets here

- Get Wet'n'Wild tickets here

Pricing Overview

- 3-Day Pass: This is the option we went for - Approximately AUD 129.99 per adult, AUD 99.99 per child for access to both parks. I purchased through the Village Roadshow website HERE

- Fast Track Pass: Approximately AUD 89.99 per person for Movie World.

With these hacks, your family's visit to Movie World and Wet'n'Wild will be smooth, enjoyable, and packed with fun! Remember to plan ahead, arrive early, and make the most of your time in these fantastic theme parks. Happy adventuring!

First-Timer’s Guide to Melbourne: What to See, Do & Eat!