1. Breakfast and a Stroll in Flinders Quarter: Find your first meal of the day in the heart of Flinders Quarter, the area bordered by Flinders Lane, Swanston Street, and Elizabeth Street. Your best best? Try any one of the many cafes crammed into the narrow lanes of DeGraves Street and Centre. Afterwards, wind your way through the laneways to explore local boutiques (visit Little Collins Street for fashion shopping), bookstores, art galleries, and the Centre Place Arcade.

2. Flinders Lane Gallery: Stop by to see some of Australia’s best-known Aboriginal art. 137 Flinders Lane, 9654 3332, art.net.au

3. Nama-Nama: Refresh for lunch at this newly opened cafe serving simple Japanese fare, from house-made cake to customized bento boxes. Ground Floor, 31 Spring St, 9639 9500, namanama.com.au

4. City Basement Books: You could spend hours wandering through this recently relocated used bookstore, one of the city’s most loved. 342 Flinders St, 9620 0428, citybasementbooks.com.au

5. ACMI – the Australian Centre for Moving Image: Head to Federation Square to spend time in the cultural institution catching classics of Australian cinema or exploring a special exhibition. Federation Square, 8663 2200, acmi.net.au

6. Lily Blacks: Once early evening hits, head to this gin joint for cocktails, locally brewed ale, or wine from the nearby Yarra Valley. 12 Meyers Place, 9654 4887, lilyblacks.com.au

7. Cumulus: Grab dinner at this acclaimed foodie destination housed in a historic turn-of-the-century rag trade building (also conveniently located near the fortyfivedownstairs gallery). 45 Flinders Lane, 9650 1445, cumulusinc.com.au

8. Hihou: If you’re still going strong after a long day, check out this newcomer, a Japanese bar whose name means “secret treasure” — apropos, considering its entrance is hidden. (A hint: look for it just upstairs from Nama Nama.) First Floor, 1 Flinders Lane, hihou.com.au

Photos: acmi.net.au, cumulusinc.com.au, thethousands.com.au