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Melbourne (AU), Melbourne City Centre
Photo: Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Destination template · 12 days

Melbourne & Canberra in 12 days

2 sightseeing days in Melbourne, a dedicated relocation day, then 9 days in Canberra. Includes Federation Square and National Gallery of Australia, with guide-listed dining suggestions.

Adapted from community travel guides · Researched Sources & notes

The stops are drawn from the guides below; daily order, times and durations are our suggested adaptation. Available map pins are approximate, not provider-verified; missing coordinates remain unset. Prices are left unknown; check tickets, opening hours and transport before booking.

Route data adapted from Wikivoyage contributors, with our own selection and suggested timing; shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source pages link to contributor histories. This is an editorial multi-day schedule; the source community has not rated this itinerary.

  • Stay in Melbourne for the first 2 sightseeing days; move to Canberra on day 3, then stay for 9 sightseeing days. Book accommodation in both bases rather than returning each night.
  • The 469 km figure is approximate straight-line separation, not transit distance. The relocation day reserves room for travel and check-in without promising a direct service or a same-day connection. Verify the journey before booking this two-base plan.
  • City visits and restaurants are adapted from the linked retained community-guide material, not newly verified opening hours, live menus or first-hand visits. Suggested times are editable planning blocks. Check closures, reservations, accessibility and dietary needs.
  • Cover photo shows the first city. Original source and photo credits remain attached. Adapted community route selections retain CC BY-SA 4.0 attribution; source research dates remain in the individual stop and dining notes.
5 local dining picks added to this itineraryDining sources

These picks have positive travel-guide coverage or a named professional recommendation; they are not live customer ratings. Suggested times are not reservations. Confirm service days, dietary needs and prices. Other days remain open for your own food discoveries.

  • Day 1 · Rococo — Pizza, pasta. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 2 · Stokehouse — Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 4 · The Meat & Wine Co. — Traditional. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 5 · Flavours Of Ethiopia — Curry. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 6 · Bamiyan — Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗

Sources checked 2026-10-30. Community-guide dining data is adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; source pages link to contributor histories.

Melbourne & Canberra itinerary: 12 days at a glance

Review the original daily plan before editing below. Times and durations are suggested planning blocks; dining stops are not reservations. Your personal edits appear in the editor and downloads.

Day 1: Melbourne: Federation Square & National Gallery of Victoria

  • · Federation Square · 120 min
  • · National Gallery of Victoria · 120 min
  • · Dinner: Rococo (Pizza, pasta) · 75 min

Day 2: Melbourne: Royal Botanic Gardens & Queen Victoria Market

  • · Royal Botanic Gardens · 120 min
  • · Queen Victoria Market · 120 min
  • · Dinner: Stokehouse (Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties) · 75 min

Day 3: Melbourne → Canberra: travel and check-in

  • · Relocate: Melbourne → Canberra · 600 min

Day 4: Canberra: National Gallery of Australia & Old Parliament House

  • · National Gallery of Australia · 120 min
  • · Transfer to Old Parliament House · 30 min
  • · Old Parliament House · 75 min
  • · Dinner: The Meat & Wine Co. (Traditional) · 75 min

Day 5: Canberra: Australian War Memorial & Canberra Museum and Gallery

  • · Australian War Memorial · 75 min
  • · Transfer to Canberra Museum and Gallery · 30 min
  • · Canberra Museum and Gallery · 120 min
  • · Dinner: Flavours Of Ethiopia (Curry) · 75 min

Day 6: Canberra: National Museum of Australia & National Library of Australia

  • · National Museum of Australia · 120 min
  • · Transfer to National Library of Australia · 30 min
  • · National Library of Australia · 75 min
  • · Dinner: Bamiyan (Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties) · 75 min

Day 7: Canberra: Parliament House of Australia & National Archives of Australia

  • · Parliament House of Australia · 75 min
  • · Transfer to National Archives of Australia · 30 min
  • · National Archives of Australia · 75 min

Day 8: Canberra: Australian National Botanic Gardens & Classics Museum

  • · Australian National Botanic Gardens · 120 min
  • · Transfer to Classics Museum · 30 min
  • · Classics Museum · 120 min

Day 9: Canberra: National Dinosaur Museum & Cockington Green Gardens

  • · National Dinosaur Museum · 120 min
  • · Transfer to Cockington Green Gardens · 30 min
  • · Cockington Green Gardens · 120 min

Day 10: Canberra: Glebe Park & National Capital Exhibition

  • · Glebe Park · 120 min
  • · Transfer to National Capital Exhibition · 30 min
  • · National Capital Exhibition · 75 min

Day 11: Canberra: Drill Hall Gallery & ANU School of Art & Design Gallery

  • · Drill Hall Gallery · 120 min
  • · Transfer to ANU School of Art & Design Gallery · 30 min
  • · ANU School of Art & Design Gallery · 120 min

Day 12: Canberra: National Film & Sound Archive & Shine Dome

  • · National Film & Sound Archive · 75 min
  • · Transfer to Shine Dome · 30 min
  • · Shine Dome · 75 min

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Day 1
  • 10:00120m
    Melbourne

    Suggested visit block; confirm opening hours, admission and transfer time. Map pin unavailable; locate the entrance before navigating. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Melbourne (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 14:00120m
    Melbourne

    Suggested visit block; confirm opening hours, admission and transfer time. Map pin unavailable; locate the entrance before navigating. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Melbourne (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    85/91 Acland St

    Pizza, pasta. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Guide-listed service: 11AM-11PM. Recheck with the restaurant. Route distance is unknown; check travel time and the entrance. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Melbourne/St_Kilda (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5391326; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 2
  • 10:00120m
    Melbourne

    Suggested visit block; confirm opening hours, admission and transfer time. Map pin unavailable; locate the entrance before navigating. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Melbourne (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 14:00120m
    Melbourne

    Suggested visit block; confirm opening hours, admission and transfer time. Map pin unavailable; locate the entrance before navigating. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Melbourne (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    30 Jacka Boulevard

    Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Guide-listed service: Midday-midnight. Recheck with the restaurant. Route distance is unknown; check travel time and the entrance. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Melbourne/St_Kilda (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5391326; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 3
  • 08:00600m
    Melbourne → Canberra

    Dedicated relocation day from Melbourne to Canberra; no transport is booked. The city centres are approximately 469 km apart in a straight line, not a measured road or rail route. Choose and book a suitable flight, train, bus or ferry; confirm operating days, total door-to-door time, luggage rules and arrival before making reservations. This full-day block is reserved time, not a timetable. Move the following day if your journey needs longer.

Day 4
  • 09:30120m
    Parkes Place, Parkes

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/South_Canberra (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Canberra

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.68 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0075m
    King George Terrace

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/South_Canberra (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    Ground Floor, 220 London Cct

    Traditional. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Guide-listed service: Tue–Sat. Recheck with the restaurant. About 2.1 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/Civic (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5408119; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 5
  • 09:3075m
    Treloar Cres

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/North_Canberra (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Canberra

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (1.64 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    176 London Cct

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/Civic (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    33 Allara St, City Walk

    Curry. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Guide-listed service: Mon–Sat (closed Sun). Recheck with the restaurant. About 0.4 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/Civic (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5408119; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 6
  • 09:30120m
    Lawson Crescent

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/Acton (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Canberra

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.81 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0075m
    Canberra

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/South_Canberra (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    62/10 Lonsdale St., Braddon

    Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Guide-listed service: Sun–Thu noon–3PM, 5–9:30PM; Fri Sat noon–3PM, 5–10PM. Recheck with the restaurant. About 2.4 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/North_Canberra (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5396813; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 7
  • 09:3075m
    Capital Hill

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/South_Canberra (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Canberra

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.62 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0075m
    Kings Avenue

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/South_Canberra (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 8
  • 09:30120m
    Clunies Ross St

    Check weather and access conditions; arrange any required ferry or return transport separately. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/Acton (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Canberra

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (1.15 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    Ground Floor, A.D. Hope Building

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/Acton (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 9
  • 09:30120m
    cnr Gold Creek Road and Barton Highway, Nicholls

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/Gungahlin (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Canberra

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.29 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    11 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls

    Check weather and access conditions; arrange any required ferry or return transport separately. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/Gungahlin (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 10
  • 09:30120m
    cnr Bunda St, Akuna St and Cooyong St

    Check weather and access conditions; arrange any required ferry or return transport separately. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/Civic (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Canberra

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (1.02 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0075m
    Barrine Drive

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/North_Canberra (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 11
  • 09:30120m
    Kingsley St

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/Acton (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Canberra

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.62 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    cnr Ellery Cres and Liversidge St

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/Acton (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 12
  • 09:3075m
    1 McCoy Cct

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/Acton (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Canberra

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.14 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0075m
    Gordon Street

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Canberra/Acton (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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