The Perfect First-Time Itinerary for Melbourne

🌟 Trip Highlights
✅ City Walk + Gold Rush History + Great Ocean Road Drive + Penguin Island + Shopping
✅ Includes attraction ticket prices & unique experiences
✅ Well-planned route covering must-visit Melbourne landmarks
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📅 DAY1: Cultural City Walk
Route: Queen Victoria Market → St. Paul's Cathedral → Hosier Lane → Flinders Street Station → NGV → State Library
Queen Victoria Market: Melbourne's "community pantry" with fresh produce and must-try food trucks!
St. Paul's Cathedral: Gothic architecture + graffiti streets = 💯 photo ops
NGV: See authentic Picasso and Monet works for free!
State Library: Visit the iconic domed reading room and channel your inner bookworm📚
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📅 DAY2: Steam Train & Penguin Island Day Trip
Route: Brighton Bathing Boxes → Puffing Billy → Maru Koala Park → Nobbies Center → Penguin Parade
Brighton Bathing Boxes: 82 colorful beach huts = perfect seaside photos🌈
Puffing Billy: Dangle your legs over the forest like Harry Potter!
Maru Koala Park: Cuddle koalas and feed kangaroos!
Penguin Parade: Watch thousands of penguins waddle ashore at dusk - pure magic!
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📅 DAY3: Great Ocean Road Highlights
Route: Geelong → Split Point Lighthouse → Apollo Bay → Twelve Apostles → Loch Ard Gorge
Split Point Lighthouse: Fairytale red-and-white tower = insta-worthy📸
Twelve Apostles: Take a helicopter ride over this coastal wonder!
Loch Ard Gorge: Hear shipwreck tales amid crashing waves🌊
🚗 Driving Tip: Grab a Flat White in Geelong to stay alert☕️
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📅 DAY4: Gold Rush History Tour
Route: Sovereign Hill → Red Hill Mine → Ballarat Gold Town → Werribee Mansion
Sovereign Hill: Time-travel to 1850s gold rush and pan for gold!
Red Hill Mine: Roleplay as miners in immersive experience
Werribee Mansion: 19th-century manor with adorable alpaca feeding🦙
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📅 DAY5: Shopping & Hidden Markets
Route: CBD → Royal Arcade → South Melbourne Market → Fitzroy Market
CBD Shopping: Myer, Emporium and Royal Arcade's vintage charm!
South Melbourne Market: Locals' favorite for oysters and cheese🦪
Chadstone: Southern Hemisphere's largest mall with free shuttles🛍️
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📌 Pro Tips
1️⃣ Bring warm clothes for windy Penguin Island!
2️⃣ Choose right-side seats on Puffing Billy for best bridge photos🌉