Australia Premium Tour Itinerary | The Ultimate Travel Guide to Melbourne
Melbourne is a city best experienced at an unhurried pace. Beyond its famous cafés and laneways lies a destination of refined experiences: private fashion appointments, acclaimed dining, celebrated art, world-class wine, coastal adventures and restorative wellness escapes.
For travellers looking to experience the city beyond the ordinary, this four-day Melbourne itinerary brings together the best of Victoria with a distinctly premium touch. From a private helicopter flight over the Great Ocean Road to an intimate winemaking experience in the Yarra Valley, each day is designed around discovery, comfort and memorable moments.
At the centre of it all is Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, a sophisticated boutique hotel in the heart of Melbourne, providing an elegant elevated home base between each experience.
Melbourne 4-Days Itinerary Recommendation
Melbourne Itinerary Day 1
Morning: Boutique Styling on Collins Street
Melbourne has long held its reputation as Australia’s fashion capital. Discover Melbourne’s renowned Paris End with a private shopping experience along Collins Street, home to some of the world’s most coveted fashion houses.
From Gucci and Prada to Dior and Chanel, several boutiques offer private appointments with dedicated fashion advisors, allowing you to explore seasonal collections with personalised guidance in an intimate setting. For a more curated experience, arrange a private shopping appointment at Le Style Boutique, where expert guidance and a considered edit of designer pieces make it possible to shop with a more personal touch. Whether searching for a statement piece, refining your wardrobe or simply enjoying Melbourne’s fashion scene at its most sophisticated, a private appointment transforms an afternoon of shopping into a more memorable experience.
Afternoon: Step Into Melbourne’s Art Scene at NGV
Photo: Sean Fennessy
Continue your journey at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), where CARTIER: Melbourne Winter Masterpieces® 2026 brings together nearly 400 exceptional jewellery, timepieces and objects tracing the evolution of the iconic Maison. Created by the V&A in London in partnership with NGV and Cartier, the exhibition explores Cartier’s enduring influence on art, design and craftsmanship, with pieces once owned and worn by royalty and Hollywood stars.
CARTIER is on display at NGV International till 4 October 2026, with tickets required. The exhibition is open daily from 10am to 5pm, making it easy to incorporate into your Melbourne itinerary at a time that suits your plans.
For those looking to make the day a little more special, consider visiting on a Friday night. NGV Friday Nights offers after-dark access to the CARTIER exhibition from 6pm to 10pm, accompanied by a changing program of live music, performances and activities, with food and dining available throughout the evening. It is an atmospheric way to experience the gallery after hours, particularly for travellers looking to combine art and culture with Melbourne’s vibrant evening scene.
Evening: Dining at Chronicle 502 Bar & Dining
After an afternoon of exploring Melbourne, return to Lanson Place Parliament Gardens and transition effortlessly into the evening without another journey across the city.
Located within the hotel, Chronicle 502 Bar & Dining offers an elegant setting for dinner, with a menu shaped around modern Australian flavours and seasonal produce. Settle into the sophisticated surroundings and begin the evening with a Coravin Label glass of wine.
The convenience is part of the appeal: after dinner, your apartment is only moments away, allowing you to end the first day at your own pace.
Discover Chronicle 502 Bar & Dining
Melbourne Itinerary Day 2
Morning: Private Chauffeured Great Ocean Road Tour
Day two takes you beyond Melbourne and towards one of Victoria’s most spectacular landscapes: the Great Ocean Road.
Start the morning in the comfort of a private chauffeur-driven vehicle, allowing you to enjoy the stunning scenery without worrying about navigating the road yourself. As Melbourne gives way to rolling countryside and coastal landscapes, settle into a slower rhythm and enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
Along the way, pause at a picturesque seaside enclave for an artisanal coffee and uninterrupted views of the Southern Ocean. With a private itinerary, the day can unfold with your pace, whether that means lingering over coffee, taking photographs or simply enjoying the coastline.
Afternoon: Private Helicopter Flight to the 12 Apostles
The centrepiece of the day is an unforgettable private helicopter experience above the Great Ocean Road.
Take to the skies and watch the rugged Victorian coastline unfold below, with dramatic cliffs, turquoise waters and sweeping stretches of untouched coastline creating a perspective impossible to experience from the road.
A private flight offers a particularly memorable way to see the 12 Apostles, allowing you to appreciate the scale and beauty of the landmark from above while avoiding the feeling of simply following the crowds.
After landing, continue the experience with a secluded gourmet picnic featuring premium regional produce. Surrounded by the Victorian landscape, enjoy a leisurely meal before beginning the return journey.
Evening: A Relaxed Evening by the Coast
There is no need to fill the evening with another activity.
Instead, settle into a celebrated seaside restaurant overlooking the water and enjoy a relaxed dinner centred around freshly caught local seafood and regional produce.
As the sun begins to disappear over the coast, take your time over dinner before your private chauffeur returns you comfortably to Melbourne.
After a full day of coastal discovery, arriving back at Lanson Place offers the perfect opportunity to retreat to your apartment and unwind.
Melbourne Itinerary Day 3:
Morning to Afternoon: Behind the Scenes at Levantine Hill
Venture into the Yarra Valley for an exclusive behind-the-scenes winemaking experience at Levantine Hill, one of Australia’s most acclaimed wineries. Set among the region’s rolling vineyards, the estate offers access to areas not usually open to the public, including its architecturally striking winery, underground barrel store and surrounding grounds.
Go beyond a traditional cellar-door tasting with a guided exploration of how Levantine Hill wines are made, from vineyard to bottle. The Behind the Scenes Winemaking Experience offers the opportunity to taste wines directly from oak barrels before they are bottled, accompanied by seasonal snacks and a bottle of the estate’s flagship Samantha’s Paddock Mélange Traditionnel, personally signed by the winemaker, to take home.
For a more elevated day, opt for the Perfection Winemaking Experience and arrive by private helicopter from Melbourne CBD before enjoying a tutored tasting of Family Paddock wines and an exclusive lunch at the estate. It is an exceptional way to experience the Yarra Valley through its wine, landscape and craftsmanship.
Yarra Valley Winemaking Experiences | Levantine Hill Estate
Complete the experience with lunch at picturesque Levantine Hill’s restaurant, where Mediterranean-inspired cuisine showcases the finest local produce from the Yarra Valley. Indulge in a five- or six-course menu, each thoughtfully paired with wines from the estate.
Night: An Evening at Melbourne’s Theatre
Return to the city as evening falls and experience one of Melbourne’s most enduring cultural traditions: live theatre.
From grand musical productions to acclaimed plays and contemporary performances, Melbourne’s theatre calendar offers something new throughout the year. Dress for the occasion and make your way to one of the city’s celebrated theatres, where historic architecture and beautifully staged performances create an exhilarating night out.
Choose a performance at one of Melbourne’s landmark venues, such as Princess Theatre or Regent Theatre. Pair the performance with Pre-Theatre Dinner at Chronicle 502 Bar & Dining, only a 5-10 minutes’ walk to the theatre precinct, turning a night at the theatre into a full Melbourne experience.
Melbourne Itinerary Day 4:
Morning: Exclusive Truffle Hunting
For the final morning, venture towards Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula for a distinctly seasonal culinary experience.
At Red Hill Truffles, join an expert-led truffle hunting experience accompanied by trained truffle dogs. Follow them through the woodland as they search beneath the earth for the prized fungi, gaining an insight into one of Australia’s most intriguing culinary traditions.
The most sought-after time to visit is winter, from late May to August, when the prized French black Périgord truffles are harvested, offering an especially memorable opportunity to experience one of the region’s most celebrated seasonal delicacies. Red Hill Truffles also grows several varieties throughout the year, with spring Bianchetto, summer black and autumn Burgundy truffles offering a different experience depending on when you visit.
The experience can continue with a private gourmet tasting centred around freshly discovered truffles, allowing you to appreciate their distinctive aroma and flavour in carefully prepared dishes.
Afternoon: Alba Thermal Springs & Spa
After a morning in the outdoors, spend the afternoon slowing down at Alba Thermal Springs & Spa in the Mornington Peninsula, only a 20-minute drive from Red Hill Truffles.
Make wellness the destination – where geothermal bathing meets considered spa rituals in a tranquil natural setting. For the ultimate indulgence, reserve The Stars — a private experience featuring an hour in your own pool on The Terrace, a tailored one-hour massage on your private deck, and dinner served by candlelight as the sun sets across the Peninsula, accompanied by local wine and craft beers.
For an even more decadent experience, The Jewel combines geothermal bathing with a two-hour signature ritual featuring a champagne sugar scrub, restorative massage, 24kt gold and lime caviar facial, hair and scalp treatment, followed by champagne and caviar.
Autumn and winter are particularly suited to a slower, more restorative visit, when the warmth of the geothermal springs, private bathing and indulgent spa treatments offer a welcome contrast to the cooler Peninsula landscape.
Plan your visit to Alba Thermal Springs & Spa
5-Star Boutique Premium Hotel Accommodation in Melbourne CBD: Lanson Place Parliament Gardens
The right accommodation transforms an itinerary from a series of experiences into a truly seamless holiday.
Set opposite Parliament Gardens in Melbourne’s CBD, Lanson Place Parliament Gardens provides an elegant home base from which to explore the city and beyond. Its boutique character and apartment style make it particularly suited to travellers who appreciate having space to settle.
For an elevated stay, choose the Premium Two-Bedroom Penthouse.
Designed for both extended stays and intimate gatherings, the penthouse features two beautifully appointed ensuite bedrooms, sweeping views towards Parliament Gardens and Melbourne’s skyline, and a dedicated butler’s pantry designed for effortless entertaining. The open-plan living and dining area is anchored by a ten-seater dining table, creating an inviting setting for shared meals. After discovering the region’s finest produce throughout your journey, from freshly harvested truffles to wines crafted in the Yarra Valley, invite our private chef to tailor a menu around your favourite discoveries and create a truly personal private dining experience in the penthouse.
And the penthouse is not reserved solely for overnight stays.
For a milestone birthday, private dinner, intimate celebration or special occasion, the space can also be booked as a private event venue. Invite our private chef to curate a dining experience as music hums softly in the background. Sip on fine wines, toast to something worth remembering, and let time slow down just for you.
Entertain guests with ease across expansive indoor-outdoor spaces, where the beautiful skyline becomes your backdrop, it is a setting designed to make the occasion feel personal.
Australia Premium Tour Itinerary FAQ
1. How many days should I spend in Melbourne for a holiday?
For a premium Melbourne holiday, four to five days provides a good balance between exploring the city and venturing further into Victoria. Four days allows you to experience Melbourne’s gardens, fashion, dining and cultural attractions while also dedicating time to the Great Ocean Road, Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula.
If you have more time, consider extending your stay to seven days. This allows for a slower pace, additional dining experiences, more time exploring Melbourne’s neighbourhoods and a possible overnight stay in regional Victoria.
2. Is the Yarra Valley one of the best wine regions to visit on an Australia premium tour?
The Yarra Valley is an excellent choice for a premium Australian wine experience, particularly for travellers interested in cool-climate wines, scenic vineyards and intimate cellar-door experiences.
Its proximity to Melbourne makes it especially convenient for a private day trip, while its wineries provide opportunities to go beyond standard tastings with experiences such as private tours, winemaking and vineyard dining.
For travellers who value a slower, more immersive approach to wine, a private winemaking masterclass can make the Yarra Valley experience particularly memorable.
3. When is the best time to visit Melbourne for a holiday in Australia?
Melbourne can be enjoyed throughout the year, but the best time depends on the experiences you want to include.
Spring, from September to November, is ideal for gardens, outdoor experiences and exploring Melbourne’s parks and neighbourhoods as the city comes alive.
Summer, from December to February, is particularly appealing for coastal escapes, the Mornington Peninsula and outdoor dining.
Autumn, from March to May, brings cooler temperatures and beautiful seasonal colour, making it an excellent time for exploring the Yarra Valley and enjoying Melbourne’s food and cultural scene.
Winter, from June to August, is ideal for art, dining, theatre and cosy city experiences. It is also when Melbourne’s Winter Masterpieces season brings major exhibitions and after-dark cultural programming such as NGV Friday Nights.
For a premium itinerary combining city experiences with regional escapes, spring and autumn are particularly comfortable choices, while summer is ideal if coastal experiences and wellness retreats are a priority.
