From the shopping precincts of Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne Central and the glitzy Paris End of Collins Street, to the markets and galleries of Federation Square, the CBD is a hotbed of activity.
Jump on the free City Circle tram if you’re a newb, which will trundle you past sights like the SeaLife Melbourne Aquarium, Old Melbourne Gaol and Parliament House – and of course, you’ll want to jump out and explore the coffee, boutiques and street art of the laneways and old arcades.
When you're spent and hungry try to find Izakaya Den, Cookie, Cumulus Inc, MoVida or one of the many iconic Melbourne hangouts. Need a drink? The CBD's best bars and pubs are listed below.
So do the time-honoured thing: meet someone under the Flinders Street Station clocks and explore.