How to spend 24 hours in Melbourne

5am: see the city from above

Get a new perspective on Melbourne as you float through the clouds. Global Ballooning's sunrise hot air balloon flight spends an hour cruising over city landmarks and finishes with a buffet breakfast.

6am: start at the market

Join the early risers seeking the best local produce at Queen Vic Market. To fuel your market meander, grab a flaky croissant from Andrew’s Bread Shop. Then add a fresh piece of fruit from the Fontana Brothers.

7am: find early morning coffee

It’s time for some caffeine, and you’re in the right place for Market Espresso or Market Lane. Or take a comfortable morning stroll to early-openers Oko, Axil Coffee or Brother Baba Budan.

8am: wander beautiful gardens

Take your traveller for a leafy walk. Wander through Flagstaff Gardens, established in the 1860s on Melbourne’s highest point. Or journey to the tree-lined avenues of World Heritage-listed Carlton Gardens.

9am: visit a hidden conservatory

Smell the roses and take a romantic walk through The Conservatory. Housing magnificent indoor floral displays that change five times each year. The indoor garden is perfect for Melbourne’s four-seasons-in-one-day weather.

10am: have an iconic Melbourne brunch

That rumbling isn't a tram, it's your tummy saying it's brunch time. Check out Code Black Coffee's sleek concept store on Flinders Lane. Think elevated brunch staples and experimental coffee cocktails. Mix it up with a Japanese-inspired breakfast at Operator San. In Guildford Lane, cosy cafes Krimper and Brick Lane are beloved for a reason. Or if sweet is more to your taste in the morning, try a playful pastry from Bloomwood.

11am: find free art and outdoor experiences

For a spot of culture, explore the history of film at ACMI. Enjoy free entry to The Story of the Moving Image. Gaze upon weird and wonderful installations at Science Gallery's free exhibition. Then head to the Royal Botanic Gardens for a dose of greenery. Discover hidden waterfalls or embrace your inner zen at this thoughtfully-designed garden.

12pm: book a long lunch or try a cheap eats food crawl

Settle in for a midday banquet at a signature Melbourne restaurant. Try hawker-style dining at Chin Chin or timeless Italian at Pellegrini's. Choose from pan-Euro favourites at The European. One of the city’s finest, Bar Jayda is now serving $18 lunch bowls every week. If the cheaper price point is enticing, try Soi 38's $10 boat noodles or $5 onigiri at Norissong.

3pm: check in to one of Melbourne's best new hotels

Drop your bags off at swish digs for the night. One of the newest and sleekest additions is Melbourne Place. This architectural dream marries style with comfort. Think warm, earthy tones and cloud-like furniture. For stunning parkside views, check in to Lanson Place Parliament Gardens. Or find more of the latest hotel openings in Melbourne.

4pm: treat yourself to some retail therapy

Find gorgeous boutiques at some of Melbourne's coolest arcades. In the Nicholas Building, find vintage threads at RetroStar. Ride the lift at Curtin House to browse books at Metropolis, cult outfits at dot COMME and streetwear at PAM. Step back in time with a visit to Campbell Arcade. This underground strip has been given new life by the likes of zine store Sticky Institute and Melbourne's most colourful gift shop, Shuh.

5pm: find happy hour deals and rooftop bars

At happy hour, go luxe with $5 bubbles and $15 cocktails at Nick & Nora's. Vibey Southeast Asian spot Juni is slinging $9 beer and wine under neon lights. Or view Melbourne from above at the city's best rooftop bars. Start at the frequently photographed open-air bar Cleo. Enjoy stunning leafy views of Parliament House at terrace bar Siglo. Grab cocktails and izakaya treats at Disuko. Then visit the newly reopened seven-level pub, the Waterside Hotel.

7pm: eat at the best new restaurants

Melbourne's dinner menu is dazzling, so narrow the field by trying somewhere new. Visit the buzzy new spot Frenchie where everything on the menu is just $14. Keep things casual at local Carlton pizza joint Garfield. Or go ultra luxe at the four-storey French bistro Maison Bâtard.

8pm: take a date to ice-skate or seek out free festivals

Rug up and embrace the chill with a lap around the rink. Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, strap on your skates for a night of fun at O’Brien Icehouse. Sessions run until 11pm on Friday and Saturday nights. If you're low on cash, Now or Never festival has a slew of free art installations popping up from 19 to 30 August. See a kaleidoscopic light show cast a glow over the river. Then watch Evan Walker Bridge disappear in a curious cloud of mist.

9pm: have a go at pool, darts and interactive games

Grab your crew and head up to one of Melbourne's many hidden pool halls. Neon-lit iCue Lounge is open until 2am on Friday and Saturday nights. Also at QV is i Darts HIVE, an electronic darts bar with cheap drinks and $1 dart games every Tuesday. Keep the fun rolling at Hijinx Hotel with immersive games and quirky puzzles.

10pm: take an old-school portrait in a retro photobooth

Near the corner of Flinders and Elizabeth Street is Melbourne's iconic 24-hour photobooth. Pop in some coins, step inside and wait for the cue to strike a pose. It'll spit out the perfect keepsake to remember your night out on the town. Or grab your bestie and step behind the red curtain at the Bourke Street Photo Booth.

11pm: party into the morning

The dance floor at LB's Record Bar is worth the queue. Grab a cocktail and boogie to vinyl tracks under the disco ball. Keep the party going with luxury surround-sound karaoke at Ocean 12. On Fridays and Saturdays, play after-hours arcade games at B Lucky or give shuffleboard a try at Ballers Clubhouse. Then chill out with tunes from the curated playlist at Her's Music Room.

12pm: seek out late-night snacks

When you get the post-midnight munchies, leave room for oysters, caviar and cheeseburgers at glamorous Gimlet. Doors stay open for supper until 1am Friday and Saturday. Tuck into Greek share plates until 1am at Kafeneion. Stick to an old Melbourne tradition with a late-night souvlaki at Stalactites. Or slurp a big, warming bowl at Dragon Hot Pot, open until 2.30am.

1am: bring it home to the hotel

Is that really the time? Make your way back to your hotel to hit the hay. See the sunrise from W Melbourne's futuristic pool, open to guests 24/7. Or treat yourself to a luxurious waterfront stay at 1 Hotel Melbourne. Book the penthouse suite to unwind in a bath with sweeping city views.