Melbourne in 48 Hours — Friends' Fun & Vibrant Weekend
A lively 2-day plan for a friend group who wants great food, playful activities, street art, beaches and live music. Spring timing keeps days long and mild for outdoor fun, with group-friendly venues and social options for splitting costs.
Highlights
- Laneway street art crawl
- Queen Victoria Market eats
- St Kilda beach + Luna Park
- Brighton bathing boxes photo op
- Escape room challenge
- Rooftop drinks & live music
Itinerary
Day 1
Classic first day: breakfast in the CBD, laneways, market food, skyline views, then a tram out to St Kilda for beach fun and a lively dinner + live music night.
Breakfast at Hardware Société (CBD)
Start the day with inventive brunch dishes and strong coffee in a social café that welcomes groups.
Tips from local experts:
- Arrive by 09:00 on weekends to avoid the long queue — they seat groups together where possible.
- Ask for separate bills if you have multiple cards; staff are used to group tabs but confirm early.
- If anyone needs accessible seating, mention it when you arrive — they have space for 4–6 around a larger table.
Hosier Lane & CBD laneways walking tour (self-guided)
Explore Melbourne’s iconic street art and hidden lanes — great for group photos and quick coffee stops between murals.
Tips from local experts:
- Start at Hosier Lane and work toward Degraves/Centre Place to avoid the busiest, most photographed spots early in the day.
- Wear comfortable shoes — laneways are short but packed; keep a shared photo album (Google Photos) to collect shots from everyone.
- If you want a quick caffeine top-up, grab takeaway from a lane cafe (easier for groups than seating inside).
Lunch and foodie browsing at Queen Victoria Market
Sample diverse street food and share tasting plates — the market has group-friendly counters and plenty to try.
Tips from local experts:
- Go hungry and plan to graze — split small plates so everyone samples different stalls (easier on the wallet).
- Bring a reusable cutlery set if you prefer sit-down picnic-style at nearby benches; busy indoor food court seating fills fast.
- If visiting on a weekday or morning you’ll find shorter lines; in spring the market is lively but manageable midday.
Eureka Skydeck 88 & Southbank stroll
Panoramic city views from Skydeck, then riverside walk with options for gelato or a quick coffee at Southbank.
Tips from local experts:
- Book Skydeck tickets a little in advance to skip ticket queues during spring weekends.
- Southbank has wide promenades for groups — try to catch golden-hour light for skyline photos.
- There are public toilets at Skydeck and along Southbank; keep a meeting spot (e.g., Southbank Promenade fountain) if someone wanders off.
Tram transfer to St Kilda — short scenic ride
Take a tram (Route 96 or 16) down to St Kilda to feel like a local and avoid parking hassle.
Tips from local experts:
- Use a Myki card or a myki money top-up on the tram; purchase in advance if you don’t already have one.
- Sit on the left-hand side of the tram for River/sea glimpses as you approach St Kilda.
- If you’re time-poor, catch the 96 express tram from Bourke St — it’s direct and runs frequently.
St Kilda: Luna Park rides + beach stroll
Ride the historic rollercoaster and arcade at Luna Park, then stroll the St Kilda foreshore and pier for sunset vibes.
Tips from local experts:
- Buy Luna Park ride passes online or at the gate — a group pass can be cheaper and speeds up entry.
- Walk out on St Kilda Pier for great skyline and penguin-spotting at dusk (small colony nearby) — bring a coat for spring breezes.
- Acland Street cakes are close by if your crew wants a coffee and sweet break; share cake slices so everyone tastes different treats.
Dinner at Chin Chin (lively Southeast Asian sharing plates)
Famous, buzzy spot with dishes made for sharing — perfect for social groups who like bold flavours.
Tips from local experts:
- Expect a wait; put your name down early or plan to arrive when doors open. They’ll seat large groups together when possible.
- Order a mixture of mains and sides to share (splitting is easy and keeps the bill flexible).
- If anyone has dietary needs, tell staff when ordering — they handle veg/vegan requests well.
Live music at The Night Cat (Fitzroy) — late-night gig
Finish the night with blues/soul/RnB in a vibrant live-music venue where dancing and cheering are part of the fun.
Tips from local experts:
- Check the gig times before you go — The Night Cat often has late shows that start around 9pm; pre-book tickets for headline acts.
- It’s a standing-room friendly venue; if someone in the group prefers a table, arrive early and claim a spot.
- Public transport back to the CBD is frequent after shows, but rideshares are plentiful from Fitzroy if you leave late.
Day 2
A photo-worthy morning at Brighton, a hearty brunch in Collingwood, then a playful escape-room challenge and Fitzroy’s bars and rooftops to close the weekend.
Brighton Beach bathing boxes photo stop
Iconic colorful bathing boxes on Brighton Beach — low-effort activity that makes for great group photos and a relaxed coastal walk.
Tips from local experts:
- Go early (09:00–09:30) to avoid crowds and get softer light for photos.
- There’s limited parking; take the Sandringham line train to Brighton Beach station for a short walk.
- If someone prefers a quieter spot, stroll a few minutes east for more spacious sand and fewer tourists.
Transfer to Collingwood (short tram or rideshare)
Move across town to Collingwood for brunch; allow travel time and a buffer for Melbourne traffic.
Tips from local experts:
- Trams are cheapest with a topped-up myki; rideshares are faster if you’re short on time and splitting the fare.
- Allow at least 30–40 minutes depending on time of day — weekend traffic can add a bit of time between Brighton and Collingwood.
- If you want to keep the social vibe, queue together for a rideshare with a single pickup to avoid split pickups.
Brunch at Proud Mary (Collingwood)
A local favourite for coffee and generous brunch plates — great for big tables and lingering conversations.
Tips from local experts:
- They roast their own beans — caffeine heads should order a flight of coffees to sample.
- Proud Mary is spacious but still busy; book ahead for groups 4–6 to secure a table.
- Their dishes are shareable — order a few mains and split to keep the mood relaxed and the cost down.
Escape Hunt Melbourne — group escape room challenge
A themed escape-room experience for 2–6+ players — a playful, problem-solving activity perfect for groups.
Tips from local experts:
- Book a single room for your whole group so you can collaborate; rooms usually fit 2–6 people — bigger groups may want two linked rooms.
- Arrive 15 minutes early for the briefing; the GM will split teams and explain rules (photo-friendly after you finish).
- Lockers are available for bags and coats; wear comfortable layers as rooms can vary in temperature.
Fitzroy & Brunswick Street exploring (cafes, boutiques, street art)
Afternoon wander through Fitzroy’s creative streets — ideal for window shopping, second-hand finds and casual coffee stops.
Tips from local experts:
- Brunswick Street is long — pick a meeting cafe (e.g., a named cafe) so everyone knows where to regroup.
- If you’re shopping vintage, bring a small foldable bag for finds (and expect to haggle politely).
- Sunday afternoons often have street markets (Rose Street Artists Market) — allocate extra time if browsing arts and stalls.
Drinks & pintxos at Naked For Satan (rooftop bar, Fitzroy)
A lively rooftop with views and sharable plates — great for groups that want a casual, energetic atmosphere.
Tips from local experts:
- The rooftop fills quickly; arrive early for a table or put your name down and grab drinks at the downstairs bar while you wait.
- Their food menu is designed for sharing — order multiple small plates so everyone tastes a few items.
- Cash is handy but they accept cards; rooftop can be breezy in spring, so bring a light layer.
Rooftop dinner & nightlife at The Emerson (South Yarra) — optional late-night dancing
Finish with a big rooftop dinner and the option to stay late for DJ sets — a marquee spot for groups who want drinks and dancing.
Tips from local experts:
- Book a dinner slot on the rooftop terrace to guarantee seating for your group; share large platters to keep things social.
- Dress-code is smart-casual for late-night rooftop areas — check event listings in advance if there’s a DJ set or ticketed event.
- Public transport from South Yarra is frequent; for a late exit, pre-book a rideshare pickup to avoid queues.
