Key points
- Don't drive a campervan into the CBD if you can help it. We parked for free at a suburban train station car park and took the train in, about 40 minutes.
- Check which direction your train's going. We got on the wrong one and lost an hour.
- The Free Tram Zone gets you around the city centre once you're there.
- Book Puffing Billy ahead. Pre-booking is essential, and you need to check in an hour before departure.
- Check market days before you go. We turned up to the Queen Victoria Market on a day it was closed, and to the night market on the wrong night.
- Stay in a caravan park. There are holiday parks within about 10 km of the city with public transport nearby.
- Melbourne is the gateway to the Great Ocean Road and the Spirit of Tasmania from Geelong.
Melbourne campervan parking
Melbourne's city centre is busy, with trams, one-way streets and car parks with low height limits. On our first visit, we left Ron at a suburban train station car park, where parking was free, and took the train into Melbourne Central, about 40 minutes away (see it in our video). We can't remember which station it was, so pick one on the line you want and check its car park before you go.
| Where | What we did | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Central Melbourne | Parked for free at a suburban station car park and took the train in. | Check the signs for time limits and whether the car park is for train users only. |
| St Kilda | Drove Ron there and parked by the foreshore. Parking wasn't free. | Fees apply, and Phillip Island Nature Parks says foreshore parking is limited in the evening. |
| Belgrave, for Puffing Billy | Parked in a free all-day car park about a 5-minute walk from the station (see it in our video). | There's no parking at the Puffing Billy station itself. |
| Queen Victoria Market | We took the train into the city. | Use the train or tram and the Free Tram Zone. |
Getting around: trains, trams and myki
On our first visit, we couldn't pay by contactless on the bus and needed a myki card. Ordering one online meant waiting about two weeks for it in the post, and it wasn't available in Apple Wallet, so we bought one at the train station instead (see it in our video). Once we were in the city, the free tram was a big help on a 33°C day (see it in our video).
A 4-day Melbourne campervan itinerary
We've done Melbourne in bits over several visits, so this pulls them into one plan, with a couple of popular extras we haven't done yet. It works from one caravan park, using public transport for the city.
- Day 1: the city centre. Coffee in Degraves Street, the laneways, the Queen Victoria Market, the State Library and a rooftop drink. See the city.
- Day 2: the river and gardens. A walk along the Yarra to the Royal Botanic Gardens, then the footy at the MCG in the evening if there's a game, or a stadium tour by day. See the MCG.
- Day 3: Puffing Billy. The train out to Belgrave, or a drive, and the steam train to Lakeside and back. See Puffing Billy.
- Day 4: St Kilda. The Sunday market, Luna Park and Acland Street, then the evening penguin viewing (popular with other travellers). See St Kilda.
The city: laneways, markets and gardens
- Degraves Street. Our first coffee, at Degraves Espresso, on the laneway near Flinders Street (see it in our video).
- The Queen Victoria Market. We turned up on a Wednesday, when it was closed, and came back the next day. It was bustling, with award-winning pies and a good double macchiato (see it in our video).
- The laneways. On our second visit, we tried what our viewers suggested. Hosier Lane was busy, with someone spray-painting a new piece. AC/DC Lane was quieter, and the art was more detailed (see it in our video).
- Lune. We had a croissant at Lune, which our viewers recommended.
- The Royal Botanic Gardens. A walk along the Yarra brought us to the gardens. The fern gully felt like Jurassic Park (see it in our video).
- The night market. We went on a Saturday and found it was only on a Wednesday. Don't trust Google on opening days (see it in our video).
- The State Library, Curtin House and Ponyfish Island. On our first visit, we went up to the rooftop bar at Curtin House, then had a drink at Ponyfish Island, under a footbridge on the Yarra.
Our Sydney to Melbourne guide has more on that second visit, just before the Tasmania ferry.
Puffing Billy tickets and tips
Puffing Billy is a historic steam train in the Dandenong Ranges, east of Melbourne. We did the Belgrave to Lakeside return on a Monday, and it was quieter than we expected. "Billy" is an old word for a can or kettle, if you were wondering. It was definitely worth it (see it in our video).
- Arrive early. We got there at 10:15 for the 11:10 departure (see it in our video).
- Your carriage is allocated, so there's no scramble for seats.
- The ride. It's about an hour each way, and we sat with our legs over the side.
- Lakeside. We had about two hours there. There's a visitor centre, and we had scones with jam and cream and walked around Emerald Lake (see it in our video).
- Sit on the platform side both ways. That's where the best views and the trestle bridge are (see it in our video).
- Avoid the front carriages if you don't want soot on your legs (see it in our video).
- Bring sun cream for sitting in the open.
- Most people come by Metro train to Belgrave station. We drove and parked in a free all-day car park about 5 minutes' walk away.
Some links are affiliate links, which help support us at no extra cost to you.
Puffing Billy tickets: you can book directly with Puffing Billy Railway, or compare Puffing Billy tickets and tours on GetYourGuide, including tours from Melbourne if you'd rather not drive. That's an affiliate link.
The MCG and the footy
Our first AFL game was Carlton against Geelong at the MCG, with our Aussie mate from our regional Victoria job (see it in our video). We bought a scarf and a cap, sat on level 4, learned that the quarters are 20 minutes and had a meat pie with tomato sauce (see it in our video). The game was sold out, and Carlton won by a whisker.
- Buy tickets early. The game we went to was sold out.
- Leave the van. The MCG is a walk from the city centre, and trains and trams stop nearby.
MCG tours: see MCG tours and experiences on GetYourGuide. That's an affiliate link.
St Kilda and the penguins
St Kilda was a first for us, the day before we drove to Geelong for the Tasmania ferry. Parking wasn't free. We went to the Sunday market, walked past Luna Park and along Acland Street, and had a paddle (see it in our video). Near the breakwater we were lucky enough to see a little penguin in daylight (see it in our video). We skipped the evening penguin viewing because we were about to go to Tasmania.
More popular day trips from Melbourne
We haven't done these, but they're among the most popular trips from Melbourne.
Where to stay in a campervan
On our first visit, we were working in regional Victoria and did Melbourne as a long day trip, with about a 3-hour drive back to the park where we were working (see it in our video). Before the Tasmania ferry, we drove on to Geelong.
For how we find campsites, see our van life apps guide.
Leaving Melbourne
- West: our Great Ocean Road guide covers Torquay to Mount Gambier, and our Adelaide guide picks up from there.
- South: the Spirit of Tasmania leaves from Geelong. Our Spirit of Tasmania guide covers booking and quarantine.
- North: our Sydney to Melbourne guide covers the coast road the other way.
FAQs
Where can you park a campervan in Melbourne?
We parked for free at a suburban train station car park and took the train in, about 40 minutes. Read the City of Melbourne's guidance on larger vehicles and the street signs if you do drive in.
Can you use contactless on Melbourne public transport?
When we first visited, we needed a myki. Transport Victoria now says contactless cards, phones and watches work on myki-enabled trains, trams and buses, and the Free Tram Zone covers the city centre.
Do you need to book Puffing Billy tickets in advance?
Yes. Puffing Billy Railway says pre-booking is essential, and you need to check in 60 minutes before departure. Belgrave to Lakeside runs every day.
Where do you park for Puffing Billy?
There's no parking at the Puffing Billy station. We used a free all-day car park about a 5-minute walk away, and the Belgrave Metro Station car park is a few minutes away. Most people come by train.
Which side should you sit on Puffing Billy?
We'd sit on the platform side both ways for the views and the trestle bridge, and avoid the front carriages if you don't want soot on your legs.
How many days do you need in Melbourne?
Four days covers the city and its markets, the gardens and the MCG, Puffing Billy and St Kilda, from one caravan park.
Can you see penguins in St Kilda?
Yes. Little penguins come ashore at the breakwater after sunset. Tickets are free but must be booked. We were lucky enough to see one in daylight.
Is there a caravan park near Melbourne CBD?
Other travellers use BIG4 Melbourne Holiday Park in Coburg, about 9 km from the CBD, and Discovery Parks Melbourne in Braybrook, then take public transport in.
Sources
Our own experience comes from our visits to Melbourne and the videos linked above. Official and other travellers' information was checked on 4 November 2026, except where a box says otherwise. Timetables, ticketing and parking rules change, so check before you go.
- City of Melbourne: parking larger vehicles
- VicRoads: parking rules
- Public Transport Victoria
- Transport Victoria: contactless payments
- PTV: Free Tram Zone
- Queen Victoria Market: opening hours
- Puffing Billy Railway
- Puffing Billy Railway: getting here
- Puffing Billy Railway: safety
- MCG: tours
- AFL: tickets FAQ
- Phillip Island Nature Parks: St Kilda penguins
- Phillip Island Nature Parks: Penguin Parade
- Phillip Island Nature Parks: Koala Conservation Reserve
- Zoos Victoria: Healesville Sanctuary
- Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
- BIG4 Melbourne Holiday Park
- Discovery Parks: Melbourne