Enter Melbourne. Known as a cultural melting pot with a vibrant foodie scene and a place where unpredictable weather rules.

Topping the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Most Liveable City Ranking in the world for five years running and with damn good reason.

Affordable housing, lane-ways teaming with café’s, restaurants and rooftop bars and more dumpling houses you can poke a chop stick at.

Maybe you swiped right on Tinder and want to take her/him on a date they’d never forget or perhaps you’re heading out with a mate from interstate and want to show them around.

If you’re not from Melbourne it can be hard to know “what’s up” in a city that marches to the beat of its own drum. So here’s a couple of ideas to get the most out of this vibrant city.

Itinerary 1 – CBD Day 

11:00 – Start the day with a morning stroll through the gardens of royal botanical…ness and pay homage to the diggers at the iconic and historical Shrine of Remembrance.

12:30 – Lunch time. Tram or train your way into the CBD and see Degraves Street for its string of café’s, boutique shops and lane way vibes.

(Warning: Myki required for travel on public transport, fare inspectors will find you and they will kill…er fine you.)

3:00 – Head over the busy Flinders/Swanston street intersection to see what’s shaking at Federation Square.

4:00 – Visit the most impressive State Library of Victoria.

6:00 – Finish up by Pony Fish Island and enjoy some bev’s at the seriously cool Pontoon Bar located under the Evan Walker foot bridge overlooking Southbank Promenade.

Itinerary – Road Trip

9:00 AM – Victoria’s Great Ocean Road coastal scenery is world class and second to none. Drive, cycle, walk or helicopter ride along and view The Twelve Apostles in all their glory: spoiler alert, it’s more like eight Apostles still standing after the effects of corrosion but who’s counting?

http://www.visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/

http://visit12apostles.com.au/

12:30 PM – All that regal coastline view makes for thirsty work, among other’s you can recharge the batteries at 12 Rock’s Beach Bar Café. Along the way you might find a lovely local cheese makers Apostle Whey Cheese, don’t forget to say “please”.

http://www.12rocksbeachbar.com.au/

3:00 PM – Upon return do yourself a favour and stop by Torquay, 21 kilometers south of Geelong, if you didn’t on the way through, as it is the gate way to the Great Ocean Road but also home to the iconic Bell’s Beach: surfing capital of Australia. Fish and chips on the beach mmm.

http://www.visitvictoria.com/Regions/Great-Ocean-Road/Destinations/Torquay

5:00 PM – Return hire car, reclaim security deposit (hopefully).

Itinerary 3 – Nightlife Galore

7:00 PM – Boston Sub. Simple looking plain exterior selling American sandwiches by day and seriously awesome cocktail bar behind closed doors at night. Def’s a Melbourne style word of mouth bar. Get in early.

http://www.bostonsub.com.au/

8:00 PM – Lucky Coq. Enjoy $4 dollar pizza specials. Heck yes four bucks! It’s a place guaranteed to get you off to the right start for the night (if you can manage to leave.)

http://www.luckycoq.com.au/

9:00 PM – Kick the night up a notch at Blue Bar. Warm up those dancing skills to the beats of Blue Bars house DJ usually spinning classic hip hop remixes.

https://www.facebook.com/bluebarchapelst/

10:30 PM – Temperance Hotel. Google says: “Cocktails and posh pub food served in a swanky, lively locale with modern decor, DJs and live music” I say: That’s pretty accurate. Heck of a night spot.

http://temperancehotel.com.au/

Mid night and beyond – Literally come as you are and arrive anytime. Revolver Upstairs has got you covered from AM to PM, the only question is can you handle it? Of course you can, you got this.

http://revolverupstairs.com.au/

Image Sources: Melbourne Ahoy, Bunyip Tours, Zomato