Melbourne Solo Trip Day 1｜Jetstar Arrival, the Shrine of Remembrance, and a Sunset Stroll Along the Yarra River｜Special Itinerary for ANZAC Day

Leaving Sydney, Flying to Melbourne Early morning on April 25th, after checking out from Sydney, we took the Airport Link again to return to Sydney Airport, preparing to board Jetstar to Melbourne. The check-in process here uses self check-in machines, and then we go to the counter to check in our luggage. Overall, it's smooth and easy to operate.

The flight took about an hour and a half, and when we arrived in Melbourne, the weather was clear and cool, with a refreshing breeze blowing against us—a wonderful start that really lifted our spirits.

Airport Transportation Choice: SkyBus vs. Uber For this trip, we chose to take Uber directly to the city hotel. For four people, it totaled 72 Australian dollars. If we had taken SkyBus, it would have been 22 Australian dollars per person (not including shuttle service). Overall, Uber was more time-saving and cost-effective. We stayed at Miami Hotel Melbourne.Although a triple room was booked, upon opening the door it turned out to actually be configured for five people (1 double bed + 3 single beds, split across two rooms). It seemed like an upgrade at first, but in reality the space was extremely cramped — there was nowhere to put the luggage, and the beds nearly filled the entire room. Also, the hotel is quite a distance from the free tram zone in the city center; walking back each day takes about 15 minutes, which could be a minor downside for travelers who don't want to tire their legs too much. Melbourne City Half-Day Walking Tour (guided by Woody) After settling in, we immediately met up with our friend Woody and let him guide us on a relaxed and enjoyable half-day tour through several iconic attractions in the city center. Melbourne Central Shopping Center | Glass Dome and Cuckoo Clock Display Melbourne Central is a premier shopping landmark located in the heart of the city. Beyond the numerous brands and restaurants housed within, the most captivating feature is the glass dome at the center and the historic clock tower preserved below. We arrived just in time for the top of the hour and got to enjoy the famous cuckoo clock show here—the music started up, and the little wooden puppets spun into view. It only lasted a short while, but it had a charm all its own and left a real impression.

An unexpected episode: my first experience with watermelon cake Just before heading to the next stop, I suddenly spotted a familiar watermelon cake ad. I had been regretting not getting to try it in Sydney, but then Woody said he remembered there was a shop nearby. We immediately checked Google Maps, and sure enough, we found it without any trouble! This cake isn't cheap — a small piece costs 12 Australian dollars — but it looks exquisite and tastes light and refreshing. It felt like experiencing one of Australia's most popular desserts, and it made up for missing out on it in Sydney.

Royal Arcade | Melbourne's Oldest Shopping Arcade The Royal Arcade is one of Melbourne's oldest shopping arcades, built in 1869. With its ornate Victorian-style architecture, it's a beloved shopping and photo spot for both locals and tourists. The arcade is home to many charming boutiques and specialty coffee shops. Strolling through it easily brings to mind Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and its rich European atmosphere makes it a place you won't want to leave.

Flinders Street Station | Melbourne's Landmark Train Station Next we come to Flinders Street Station, the most iconic train station in Melbourne. Built in 1910, it is renowned for its golden dome and vintage clock tower, making it one of the most photographed buildings in the city. Although its exterior is grand and classical, the interior leans more practical, and it remains one of Melbourne's most important transport hubs. Crowds bustle outside the station, full of energy and life.

St Paul's Cathedral | Gothic-Style Church St Paul's Cathedral stands directly across from the station. This church, completed in 1891, is a quintessential example of Gothic architecture, featuring multiple spires and symmetrical aesthetics. The interior atmosphere is solemn and serene. If you're interested in religious architecture, consider taking a moment to visit and explore inside.

Melbourne War Memorial | Experiencing the Solemnity of ANZAC Day We took a tram to the Shrine of Remembrance (War Memorial), a commemorative building erected to honor Australian and New Zealand soldiers who sacrificed their lives during World War I. Today is April 25th - ANZAC Day. Although we missed the early morning veterans' parade, the ground was still blanketed with fresh flowers, and the atmosphere was solemn and reverent, deeply moving to witness.

Passing by the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) — I'll come back next time! After leaving the memorial, I originally wanted to go into the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria) to have a look around, but it happened to be right during their exhibition changeover period, so it wasn't open to visitors that day. I'll just have to save it for my next visit.

Dinner by the Yarra River | Ludlow Bar & Dining Room As evening descended, we made our way back along the banks of the Yarra River. The sunset gradually painted the sky in shades of red, creating a truly comfortable and delightful evening stroll.

For dinner, we chose Ludlow Bar & Dining Room by the river. We had originally found out that there was a steak discount promotion on Tuesdays, but it turned out that the promotion wasn't in effect that day, possibly because it was an Australian public holiday. Each of us ordered a steak, priced at around AUD 60.5. It tasted great, but the price was a bit on the high side — it would definitely be more worthwhile to come back on a discount day.

After dinner, we continued our walk along the riverbank, and passed by Crown Casino, the largest casino in the Southern Hemisphere. The building is grand and magnificent, but we didn't go inside to gamble—we simply enjoyed the night view.

Completed the task Mom assigned, hurried back to the hotel early to get ready for the hot air balloon tour. After finishing dinner and our walk, we rushed to grab some Australian must-buy cosmetics, completing the task Mom had assigned us.

Because early the next morning I'm off to the Melbourne hot air balloon experience — one of the most anticipated activities of this Australia trip — I'm heading back to the hotel early tonight to rest up, getting ready for the challenge of setting off before dawn! More Australia self-guided travel guides: Itinerary Planning Australia Self-Guided Travel Guide: 7 Must-Know Things + 10-Day Itinerary Overview ▍Sydney Australia Self-Guided Travel Day 1-2: Flying from Vietnam to Sydney & City Walking Guide Sydney Opal Card One-Day Tour: Exploring Sydney's Classic Attractions and Transit Experience Blue Mountains One-Day Trip Guide | Scenic World Railway, Cable Car & The Three Sisters Complete Guide ▍Melbourne Melbourne Self-Guided Trip Day1 | Jetstar Arrival, Shrine of Remembrance & Yarra River Sunset Stroll | Special ANZAC Day Itinerary Australia Self-Guided Trip Recommendation: Yarra Valley Hot Air Balloon Sunrise Experience & Melbourne Sightseeing Walk Puffing Billy Steam Train + Phillip Island Penguin Parade One-Day Tour Grampians National Park, Australia | Encounter Wild Kangaroos & Victoria's Most Spectacular Waterfall Great Ocean Road One-Day Tour | Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Melbourne's Most Beautiful Coastline Mornington Peninsula Itinerary Review | Are These Attractions Worth Visiting? Hot Springs, Wineries, Lighthouse - Complete Analysis