Melbourne Sydney Itinerary - 9 Days 8 Night (Part 1 - Melbourne)

My last visit to Australia was many years back. I still clearly remember that my whole family had so much fun! We would remise those days on the road, where my brother and father would drive along the coastal road and the rest of us will sing in the car. I was very excited when H & I book the tickets to Melbourne and Sydney about 1.5 months before the trip. The clear blue sky and pretty beach automatically came to my mind. So here’s my trip itinerary for Melbourne – Sydney! 

Hope it helps!

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Melbourne

Day 1: Singapore Airport - Melbourne Airport - IBIS Swanston - Mamasita – DIY Melbourne City Walk - Princes Pier - Fancy hank - Gelataria Ice Cream

Day 2: Queen Victoria Market – Market lane coffee – The Big Design Market - Melbourne museum - Brighton Beach Bath Box

Day 3: State library of Victoria - Grain store - Port Campbell - Bay of island - Bojangles Pizza Restaurant

Day 4: The Arc- The twelve apostles- Gibson Steps- Great Ocean Road Brewhouse -Apollo Bay Habour - Apollo Bay Fishermans Co-Op

Day 5: Kenneth river for breakfast, wild koala and birds - freshwater creek for pies and cakes - Farmers cafe - Avalon airport - Sydney airport - Chat Thai (Sydney)

Sydney

Day 6: Parliament House - Royal Botanic Garden - Sydney Opera house- Darling Harbour - circular quay - Cadman cottage- pancake on the rock - ribs and burger - Christmas walk- Queen victoria - St cathedral 

Day 7: Sydney fish market - Manly beach -Barefoot Coffee Traderscafe- Chicabonita

Day 8: Sydney fish market – Glennbrook Café 2773 - Blue Mountain - Scenic world - Grand Canyon blue mountain

Day 9: Sydney – Singapore

  

Day 1: Singapore Airport - Melbourne Airport - IBIS Swanston - Mamamista – DIY Melbourne City Walk - Princes Pier - Fancy hank - Gelataria Ice Cream

Mamasita, a popular Mexican restaurant in Melbourne, serves excellent Tostada! Fresh shrimp and crab, it is like the perfect combination. We went there after lunch hour and were glad that there isn’t any queue. We ordered a few Taco to try and they are pretty good. Favourite got to be De Pescado! The fish are fresh, sweet and sour, making it very appetizing! Al Pastor is pretty good too,  especially with pineapple!

Mamamsita - Level 1, 11 Collins Street, CBD, Melbourne

From there we start our DIY city walk. Melbourne has always been a place of its own kind, where city meet art. Also, there are many popular restaurants and bar along these alleys. You might want to check here out for some DIY guide.

 

Before the last light, we head over to Princes Pier. The pier, 580 metres long on port Philip, was a major arrival point for the new migrant in the past. Today, the view of the pier is still as amazing as before.  I love how the wooden stick line across the pier and a great place to relax

Princes Pier - 2 Pier St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia

We went back to the city for dinner at Fancy Hank for some fancy American food. The pulled pork is pretty good, perfectly smoke and not too dry. Plus the sauce goes really well with the meat. However, H tried its beef brisket and thought it was mediocre. 

Fancy Hank - 79 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Day 2: Queen Victoria Market – Market lane coffee – The Big Design Market - Melbourne museum - Brighton Beach Bath Box

Morning at Queen Victoria Market couldn't be better with a cup of coffee from Market lane coffee. The aroma brew coffee made me go back twice. H favourite takeaway from the market was the pork sausage from the market. He won’t stop raving about it. 

QueenVictoria Market  - 13 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Market Lane coffee  -176 Faraday St opposite queen victoria market. They have stalled in the market too

We were on time for The Big Design Market, which happens once a year. A must-do event if you happen to be there. Most items are designed from local designers and every piece is a gem. Next to the market was the Melbourne Museum. The museum has a lot to explore. From history to today’s science, the Melbourne museum covers it all.  

Melbourne Museum - 11 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

Then, we head over to Brighton Beach in the evening. The bath box is definitely worth a visit.  The colourful Bathhouse lined across the beach with the wind gushing through our face, it was amazing. Although we were greeted by lots of houseflies, it didn’t stop us from having fun. 

Brighton Beach Bath Box - Dendy Street Beach, Dendy Street and the Esplanade, Brighton, Victoria, 3186

Day 3: State library of Victoria - Grain store - Port Campbell - Bay of island - Bojangles Pizza Restaurant 

State Library of Victoria is probably the most stunning library I have visited. The architecture design along with a spacious reading/work table is one of its kind. I would love to spend a day with books there.

State library of Victoria - 328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

We had a hearty brunch at Grain store before our self drive Great Ocean Road Road Trip. Though the corn fritters itself was mediocre but the thick bacon is awesome. H order mushroom, surprising it was good. The mushroom is the perfect match with thick bacon.

Grain Store- 517 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, 3000

Start of Self Driving Great Ocean Road Road Trip 

After our brunch, we went to pickup our rental car from Hertz for our Great Ocean Road Road Trip.

We did the opposite route to avoid the crowd as well as keep the car rental within 2 days. We did multiple stopover at Winchelasea and Colac to rest. Finally after 3 hours of drive along Princes highway A1,we did two stop over at Port Campbell Scenic lookout and Bay of Island. Perks of arriving late in the evening means you get the whole place to yourself.

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Bay of Island - Great Ocean Road, Peterborough, Victoria, 3270

Port Campbell Scenic lookout - 12 Great Ocean Rd, Port Campbell VIC 3269, Australia

Then, we settle the night at Airbnb in Allansford and had dinner at Bojangles Pizza Restaurant. We ordered one pizza and was blown away by how delicious it was.  We ordered a Half-Half - Giovanne and Hawaiian pizza. The whole pizza was covered with topping and the dough was perfect! BEST PIZZA EVER!

Bojangles Pizza Restaurant. - 61 Liebig St, Warrnambool VIC 3280, Australia

Day 4: The Arc- The twelve apostles- Gibson Steps- Great Ocean Road Brewhouse -Apollo Bay Habour - Apollo Bay Fishermans Co-Op

We kick start the great ocean road from The Arc. The view was amazinggggg! Then, we head off to the Twelve Apostles where the crowd are. Nonetheless, it was gorgeous. From the Twelve Apostles Visitor Center, you can either walk down to Gibson Steps or drive down. Although the steps at Gibson are steep, I think it is super worth the time. The wind gushing onto your face and waves crashing on the beach. With us standing so close to the water, I felt so small and fragile. Gibson Steps is my favourite among all.

The Arc - Great Ocean Rd, Port Campbell VIC 3269, Australia

The Twelve Apostles Visitor Center - Great Ocean Rd & Booringa Rd, Princetown VIC 3269, Australia

Gibson Steps - Port Campbell National Park, Great Ocean Rd, Port Campbell VIC 3269, Australia

Then, we continue with a coastal drive along the great ocean road and arrive at Apollo Bay. We stop by for a drink before heading over for chips. Located at the back of the restaurant, Great OceanRoad Brewhouse is a gem. From cider to craft beer, they have it all. Plus, you get to do a tasting for $8. Definitely, a steal if you want to try all but couldn’t decide what to get. 

Chips at Apollo Bay Fishermans Co-Op is pretty mediocre but the view is great. Chips and Beer from Great Ocean Road Brewhouse is a great match. #cheapthrill. I probably wish I have booked my Airbnb at Apollo Bay because the one at Sugarloaf was a disaster.

Great Ocean Road Brew House - 29-35 Great Ocean Rd, Apollo Bay VIC 3233, Australia

Apollo Bay Fishermans Co-Op- Breakwater Rd, Apollo Bay VIC 3233, Australia

Day 5: Kenneth river for breakfast, wild koala and birds - freshwater creek for pies and cakes - Farmers cafe - Avalon airport - Sydney airport - Chat Thai 

Start off the day with a 10 minutes drive to Kenneth River - Kafe Koala for breakfast and to see the wild koala! Managed to find 2 but they were so high up in the trees. Nonetheless, they are still adorable! We set off for the airport and stop by at freshwater creek cake for a break. Their pies and slices of cakes are pretty good!  A little pity that we didn't get to try the famous sponge cake as it came in one size. 

Kafe Koala - 5 Great Ocean Rd, Kennett River VIC 3221, Australia

Freshwater Creek Cakes - 650 Anglesea Rd, Mount Duneed VIC 3216, Australia

Hope it helps!

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Read our Melbourne Sydney Itinerary - 9 Days 8 Night (Part 2 - Sydney) here
Read more on Western Australia Itinerary 8 Days 7 Nights Part 1 here
Watch our Trip vlog here 

Looking for more Road Trip ideas? Read our road trip to Hokkaido here