Layover In Melbourne – The Ultimate Guide 2024

As one of Australia’s biggest and most vibrant cities, Melbourne isn’t such a bad place to have to make a stopover. If you find yourself with time to kill on a Melbourne Airport layover, don’t despair. There are better things to do than waste your time in the airport lounge.

It’s approximately 13 miles or 22 km from Melbourne Airport to the city’s Central Business District. By car or taxi, that’s around a 23-minute drive. If you prefer to take transit, the airport operates a SkyBus which travels directly from the airport to a coach station in the CBD every 15 minutes, seven days a week. By bus, the journey takes around 30 minutes, so plan accordingly.

To make things easier on yourself, don’t forget to drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Melbourne. Many of the city’s top attractions don’t allow luggage inside, and on a short Melbourne layover, you’ll need all the time you have for sightseeing.

6 hour layover in Melbourne

If you only have six hours to make your connection in Melbourne, you’ll need to be very selective in what you see. Once you’ve gotten through the often-rigorous Australian customs control, picked up your bags, and dropped them off again at a baggage storage in Melbourne, you may only have a few hours to see the city. Traveling to the CBD and back again will eat up at least an hour to an hour and a half.

Luckily, the coach station is close to some of the city’s top attractions. For example, a 14-minute tram ride or 15 minute walk will bring you to Queen Victoria Market. This market has been operating in the city since 1878 and remains the best place to shop in Melbourne. Enjoy some of the local produce and unique Australian delicacies, or browse for souvenirs in this covered market. An hour or two is plenty to experience the market and lets you see the city way the locals do.

• Take the SkyBus to the heart of the city, but keep an eye on the time so you don’t miss your flight.
• Walk or take tram 30 or 58 to Queen Victoria Market.
• Shop for souvenirs or try local delicacies to experience the city the way the locals do.

8 hour layover in Melbourne

Eight hours on your Melbourne layover gives you a little more time. From Queen Victoria Market, it’s only a short walk into the heart of town, and along the way, you’ll have the chance to experience some of the city’s most cutting-edge art. Check out the Marvel Graffiti near the market, celebrating the internationally popular Marvel comic book franchise. Then take a short stroll to Union Lane to see where Melbourne’s top street artists hone their craft. These locations are great for street photography, and they are also quick but interesting stopovers while you’re in the city. If you have the time and want to explore further, you could take a street art tour to see the city’s ever-changing artistic landscape.

• Walk from the Market to the Marble graffiti and Union Lane graffiti.
• Get photos of some of Melbourne’s best street art.
• If you have time, you could take a tour to learn more about the artists and their work.

10 hour layover in Melbourne

With a little more time to spend, jump on a tram or take a walk to Fitzroy Gardens. One of Melbourne’s top parks, this green space is home to the Fairies’ Tree, a tree stump carved by a local man with a belief in fairies to provide a home for the mythical creatures. The park is also home to a model village and Cook’s Cottage, the family home of explorer Captain James Cook which was shipped to Melbourne from England and rebuilt in the park. Fitzroy Gardens is a great place to stretch your legs and get some fresh air, and you could easily spend a couple of hours enjoying the weather and the scenery and learning a little more about the history of Melbourne.

• Walk or take transit to Fitzroy Gardens.
• Visit the Fairies’ Tree, the model village, and Cooks Cottage.
• This is a great activity for adults and kids alike.

12 hour layover in Melbourne

Add on another couple of hours to your Melbourne layover, and you could visit what many would argue is the spiritual heart of the city. No, not the Cathedral. We’re talking about Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Cricket games can go on for days, so you won’t have time to catch one on your layover. However, you will have time to take the 60-minute tour of the Cricket ground and learn about its history and importance in the cultural life of the city. Even if you’re not a cricket fan, the tour is an informative way to learn about an Australian passion.

• Take a short walk from Fitzroy Gardens to Melbourne Cricket Ground.
• Tours last 60 minutes and will explain the history of this stadium and its importance in the city’s cultural life.

24 hour layover in Melbourne

An overnight layover in Melbourne gives you a chance to really stretch what you can see in 24 hours. Once you’ve found a hotel and a Melbourne luggage storage, you can experience more of what the city has to offer. For instance, you could take a walk underneath the waves at the SEA LIFE Aquarium, which allows you to come into contact with the marine animals of Australia. You could also visit the National Gallery of Victoria, and spend at least a couple of hours browsing the galleries and checking out both Australian and international art. When night falls, you could spend some time on your long layover in Federation Square, watching it come alive as bars and clubs open up. Or you could head up Eureka Tower for an incredible view of the city as you watch the sun go down. Whatever you do, you’ll be able to get a glimpse of this fascinating city and, if nothing else, plan what you want to do on your next visit. Don’t forget to pick up your bags from your Melbourne luggage storage service on your way back to the airport to make your next flight.

• Visit the SEA LIFE Aquarium to encounter the marine animals of Australia.
• Explore art at the National Gallery of Victoria.
• Enjoy rowdy nightlife in Federation Square.