Melbourne Feb 2026 | The Lads Do Victoria

Thursday — Arrival & First Night

5 February 2026 • Land → CBD → Drinks

✈️ Your Arrival Time

✓ Saved

When do you land in Melbourne?

Itinerary times will adjust based on your arrival. Click a flight option below or enter a custom time.

✈️ Flight Options (SYD → MEL)

Pick your adventure level. Early flights = more day activities. Later = sleep in and hit evening drinks. Thursday was $37 cheaper than Friday in our search.

6:00 AM

Land ~7:20am → CBD by 8:30am

Opens up: Full day exploring, brunch, markets before afternoon drinks

8:00 AM

Land ~9:20am → CBD by 10:30am

Opens up: Relaxed morning, late brunch, laneway coffee, afternoon at leisure

12:00 PM

Land ~1:20pm → CBD by 2:30pm

Opens up: Quick explore, then straight into sunset drinks at Arbory

6:00 PM

Land ~7:20pm → CBD by 8:30pm

Opens up: Dinner and drinks only — sleep in, fly late, hit the ground running

🍻 Evening Plan

Wherever you land, the evening comes together at Arbory for sunset drinks, Chin Chin for dinner (no bookings, just rock up), then end the night at Eau De Vie speakeasy.

Riverside Bar

Arbory Bar & Eatery Confirmed

Iconic riverside bar tucked under Flinders Street Station. Perfect sunset spot with massive beer selection.

drinks couples

5:30 PM Click for details →

Southeast Asian

Chin Chin Confirmed

Melbourne's most hyped Asian restaurant. No reservations, just rock up. Expect a queue but worth it.

dinner couples

7:30 PM Click for details →

Speakeasy

Eau De Vie TBD

Award-winning speakeasy with secret whiskey room behind a bookcase. 1920s Gatsby vibes.

cocktails

10:00 PM Click for details →

Friday — Options for the Group

6 February 2026 • Pick your adventure

Enable drag-to-reorder Drag time blocks to customize your day

☀️

Morning — Brunch & Explore

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Start with Melbourne's best brunch spots and iconic markets. Jake & Nara have a car, or train/uber from Mernda.

French Brunch

Hardware Societe TBD

Melbourne's best French-inspired breakfast. The Croque Madame is legendary. Worth the queue.

brunch couples

9:00 AM Click for details →

Market

Queen Victoria Market Confirmed

Melbourne's iconic market since 1878. American Doughnut Kitchen, bratwurst, fresh produce.

market landmark

11:00 AM Click for details →

🌤️

Afternoon — Activities & Exploration

12:00 PM - 6:00 PM

All walkable from CBD within the Free Tram Zone (except Escape This which is a short uber). Pick based on the vibe.

Street Art

Hosier Lane & Laneways Confirmed

World-famous street art, hidden cafes, and the soul of Melbourne's laneway culture.

culture couples

1:00 PM Click for details →

Arcade + Bar

Archie Brothers QV TBD

Retro arcade meets cocktail bar. Bowling, arcade games, dodgems, and drinks. Group-friendly chaos.

games drinks

2:00 PM ✓ Walkable

Bowling + Bar

Strike Bowling QV TBD

Boutique bowling with glow lanes, cocktails, and karaoke rooms. Same building as Archie Brothers.

bowling cocktails

2:00 PM ✓ Walkable

Escape Room

Escape This Melbourne TBD

Puzzle-based escape rooms with immersive themes. Book ahead for a group slot — 60-90 min sessions.

puzzle team

2:00 - 4:00 PM 🚕 Short uber

Beach & Luna Park

St Kilda Beach & Luna Park TBD

Iconic beachside suburb with Luna Park, pier walks, penguins at sunset, and Acland Street cake shops.

beach couples

3:00 PM Click for details →

Floating Bar

Ponyfish Island TBD

Melbourne's only floating bar — literally on the Yarra under a bridge. Sunset drinks with city views.

drinks unique

5:00 PM (Sunset) ✓ Walkable

🌙

Evening — Dinner & Entertainment

6:00 PM onwards

Cap off the day with dinner, drinks, or a movie under the stars. Perfect for couples or the whole group.

Cinema

Rooftop Cinema TBD

Movies under the stars with city skyline views. Bar on site. Perfect date night ending.

date night

8:30 PM ✓ Walkable

Saturday — Day Options

7 February 2026 • Nature trip OR city vibes

🔥 Fire Danger Rating

Live from CFA

Today

MODERATE

Plan B ready

Saturday 7 Feb

LOW

Good to go

If HIGH or above: Skip King Lake, do city options instead (Fitzroy, NGV, breweries).

Check official CFA fire danger ratings →

Test Fire Danger:

🌲 Option A: King Lake Day Trip Weather Dependent

40min drive from Mernda. Mason Falls, picnic spots, eucalyptus forest. Jake's driving. Check fire danger above before committing.

National Park

King Lake National Park TBD

Mason Falls walk (1.5km), Masons Falls Picnic Area, Jehosaphat Gully. Pack a picnic, bring water.

nature picnic

Morning 🚗 40min drive

🏙️ Option B: City Day Recommended

If fire danger is high or just prefer city vibes — brunch, galleries, breweries.

Iconic Brunch

Higher Ground TBD

Melbourne's most beautiful brunch spot. Soaring ceilings, incredible food, buzzy atmosphere.

brunch couples

9:30 AM Click for details →

Art Gallery

NGV International TBD

National Gallery of Victoria. Free entry to world-class permanent collection. Nara will love it.

culture couples

11:30 AM Click for details →

Neighbourhood

Fitzroy & Collingwood TBD

Melbourne's creative heart. Brunswick & Smith St for indie shops, vintage, excellent coffee.

explore couples

2:00 PM Click for details →

Brewery

Stomping Ground Brewing Confirmed

Collingwood brewery with excellent craft beer. Free tours Sat/Sun at noon. Pre-night warm up.

craft beer lads

4:30 PM Click for details →

🍻

SATURDAY NIGHT OUT

Bar crawl through Melbourne's best hidden bars and craft beer spots. Everyone welcome — mix and match based on energy levels.

Stop 1 • Whiskey & Beer

Boilermaker House Confirmed

Start strong. 20+ craft taps and insane whiskey menu. Exposed brick, industrial vibes.

whiskey lads

6:30 PM Click for details →

Stop 2 • Classic Pub

The Terminus Hotel Confirmed

150 years of serving beer. 16 rotating taps with rare finds. Classic Melbourne pub.

craft beer lads

8:00 PM Click for details →

Stop 3 • Beer Hall

Forester's Hall TBD

50+ taps, late-night pizza, live bands in a giant clam shell stage. Beer heaven.

beer hall lads

9:30 PM Click for details →

Stop 4 • Hidden Bar

Beneath Driver Lane

Down a laneway, down stairs. 400+ spirits. Moody lighting, perfect booths, exceptional cocktails.

cocktails lads

11:00 PM Click for details →

Stop 5 • Themed Bar

Berlin Bar

Ring doorbell for entry. Wall separating opulent West from gritty East. Weird, wonderful.

themed lads

12:30 AM Click for details →

Stop 6 • Final Stop

Gin Palace

Melbourne OG. 30 years. 90ml Martini pours. Open til 3am. Where legends end their nights.

martinis lads

2:00 AM Click for details →

Sunday — Markets & Home

8 February 2026 • Markets → Op Shops → Airport

🛒 Morning Markets & Op Shops

Jake's driving. Hit the markets early (8am), browse some op shops, then brunch before airport. All close to Mernda. PTV Journey Planner →

Trash & Treasure

Thomastown Market Confirmed

Huge Sunday market — 15min from Mernda. Second-hand goods, vintage finds, cheap produce. Sundays 8am-2:30pm.

market bargains

8:00 AM 🚗 15min drive

Op Shop

Vinnies Fitzroy TBD

Best op shop in Melbourne. Brunswick St location, vintage clothing, furniture, records. Opens 9am.

vintage shopping

10:00 AM 🚗 20min drive

☕ Recovery Brunch

After the markets, hit brunch before heading to the airport.

Recovery Brunch

Top Paddock TBD

Richmond's finest. 16-hour beef brisket roll for the hangover. Great coffee. Buzzy atmosphere.

recovery

11:00 AM 🚗 From Fitzroy

Final Walk

Southbank Promenade TBD

Riverside walk, final coffee, reflect on epic weekend before heading to airport.

views

1:00 PM ✓ Walkable

Practical Stuff

Everything you need for a seamless trip

🏠

Base Camp: Mernda

We're staying in Mernda and heading into the city each day. It's about 40km north of CBD — roughly 50 mins by train or 35-45 mins by car (depending on traffic).

🚂 50min Train to CBD

🚗 35-45min Drive to CBD

🚂 Mernda → CBD

Train (Mernda Line)~50 mins
First Train5:15am
Last Train back~11:30pm
Uber (late night)~$50-70

💡 Mernda is the terminus — guaranteed seats!

🚗 Getting Around

Jake & Nara's carAvailable! 🚗
CBD TramsFREE Zone
St KildaTram 96 (30min)
Uber in CBD$8-15

💰 Budget (Per Person)

Flights (return)~$200-350
AccommodationSorted! ✓
Transport~$50-100
Food & Drink~$400-600

🌤️ February Weather

Average High26°C
Average Low14°C
VibeSummer ☀️
PackLayers + Sunnies

📱 Essential Apps

TransportPTV App
RideshareUber / Didi
BookingsThe Fork
WeatherBOM

⏰ Daily Timing Tips

Leave Mernda by9:30-10am
In CBD around10:30-11am
Last train warning~11pm
Lads NightUber home! 🍺