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

Leaving Sydney, flying to Melbourne On the morning of April 25th, after checking out from our hotel in Sydney, we took the Airport Link train once again back to Sydney Airport, ready to catch our Jetstar flight to Melbourne. The check-in process here involved using self check-in kiosks, followed by dropping off our luggage at the counter — overall it was a smooth and easy process.

The flight took about an hour and a half. When we arrived in Melbourne, the weather was clear and cool, with a refreshing breeze blowing against us — a wonderful start that put us in a great mood.

Airport transportation choice: SkyBus vs. Uber For this trip, we chose to take Uber directly to the hotel in the city, which cost 72 AUD total for four people. If we had taken SkyBus, it would have been 22 AUD per person (not including the transfer), so overall Uber was faster and more cost-effective. The hotel we stayed at was Miami Hotel Melbourne.Although we booked a triple room, when the door opened it turned out to be a five-person configuration (1 double bed + 3 single beds, split across two rooms). It seemed like an upgrade at first glance, but in reality the space was extremely cramped — there was nowhere to put luggage, and the beds nearly filled the entire room. Also, the hotel is quite a distance from the free tram zone downtown, taking about 15 minutes to walk back each day, which is a minor drawback for travelers who don't want to tire out their legs too much. Melbourne City Half-Day Walking Tour (guided by Woody) After settling in, we immediately met up with our friend Woody from Melbourne, who took us on a relaxed and enjoyable half-day tour, visiting several iconic spots around the city center. Melbourne Central Shopping Centre | Glass Dome and Cuckoo Clock Show Melbourne Central is a major shopping landmark located in the heart of the city. Besides gathering numerous brands and restaurants, its biggest draw is the glass dome at its center, along with the historic clock tower preserved beneath it. We arrived just in time for the top of the hour and got to enjoy the famous cuckoo clock show here — the music started playing and the little wooden puppets spun into view. It was only a brief moment, but it had a charm all its own and left a lasting impression on us.

An unexpected surprise: our first watermelon cake experience Just before heading to our next stop, we suddenly spotted a familiar watermelon cake ad. We'd been regretting not trying one in Sydney, but Woody said he remembered a shop nearby, so we quickly checked Google Maps — and sure enough, we found it right away! This cake isn't cheap — a small slice costs 12 Australian dollars — but it looks exquisite and tastes light and refreshing. It's really about experiencing one of Australia's most popular desserts, and it made up for missing out in Sydney.

Royal Arcade | Melbourne's Oldest Shopping Arcade 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 alike. The arcade is home to many charming boutiques and specialty cafés. Strolling through it easily brings to mind Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II — the rich European atmosphere makes it hard to want to leave.

Flinders Street Station | Melbourne's Landmark Train Station Next, we arrive at Flinders Street Station, Melbourne's most iconic train station. 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 toward a more practical style, as it is one of Melbourne's most important transport hubs. Outside the station, crowds bustle about, full of life and energy.

St Paul's Cathedral | Gothic-style Church Directly across from the station stands St Paul's Cathedral, completed in 1891. It is a classic example of Gothic architecture, featuring multiple spires and a symmetrical, elegant design. The interior atmosphere is solemn and dignified, so travelers who enjoy religious architecture may wish to step inside for a brief visit.

Melbourne War Memorial | Feeling the Solemnity of ANZAC Day We took a tram to the Shrine of Remembrance, a memorial built to honor the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who sacrificed their lives in World War I. Today is April 25th — ANZAC Day. Although we missed the early morning veterans' parade, the ground was still covered with flowers, and the solemn atmosphere left a deep impression on us.

Passing by the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) | Next time for sure! After leaving the memorial, I originally wanted to stop by the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) for a walk around, but it happened to be during an exhibition changeover that day, so it wasn't open to visitors. I'll just have to save it for my next visit.

Dinner by the Yarra River｜Ludlow Bar & Dining Room In the evening we walked back along the Yarra River, as the sunset gradually painted the sky red — it was a truly pleasant stroll.

For dinner, we chose Ludlow Bar & Dining Room by the river. We had originally found that they run a steak discount promotion on Tuesdays, but it turned out that day was likely an Australian public holiday, so the promotion wasn't in effect. Each of us ordered a steak, priced at around 60.5 AUD, and it tasted good, but the price was a bit high — it would be much better value to come back on a discount day.

After dinner, we kept strolling along the riverside and passed by Crown Casino, the largest casino in the Southern Hemisphere. The building looked grand and magnificent, but we didn't go in to play — 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 buy some must-have Australian beauty products, completing the task Mom had given us.

Since I have to catch the Melbourne hot air balloon experience early tomorrow morning — one of the activities I was most looking forward to on this Australia trip — I'm heading back to the hotel early tonight to rest up, 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 transportation experience Blue Mountains One-Day Trip Guide | Complete Guide to Scenic World Railway, Cable Car & Three Sisters ▍Melbourne Melbourne Free & Easy Trip Day 1 | Jetstar Arrival, War Memorial and Yarra River Sunset Stroll | Special ANZAC Day Itinerary Australia Free & Easy Travel 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 A One-Day Trip Along the Great Ocean Road | The Twelve Apostles & Loch Ard Gorge, Melbourne's Most Beautiful Coastline Mornington Peninsula Trip Review | Are These Spots Worth Visiting? A Full Breakdown of Hot Springs, Wineries, and the Lighthouse