Pop on a jacket, hit up Uniqlo for some long undies and prepare to explore the wonders of the Victorian capital this winter.
You simply can’t call yourself an Aussie sports fan until you’ve been to an AFL game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, aka the ‘G’. To make the prospect even more enticing, from rounds 14-17 (commencing June 16) all kids under 14 get in for free and there are games at Marvel Stadium too. Carn the Dees! AFL not your jam? This year, the British & Irish Lions take on the Wallabies in a one off rugby union test on July 26.
What is undeniably the city’s best stand up venue has embarked on a rather smart campaign to give punters a second chance at viewing shows that were either sold out during the Comedy Festival or chuckle lovers didn’t get a chance to see. The program runs from July 4 to August 2 but there’s also great show on every weekend featuring a slew of acts. Expect drop ins from the likes of the ever loveable Rhys Nicholson.
It would be irresponsible of us not to steer you in the direction of a stellar Melbourne meal. Aru fits the bill perfectly. Named after the group of islands which ancient seafarers frequented as part of the Sino-Indonesian-Australian route, Aru touches on early techniques – fermentation, smoking, curing, preserving and fire-licked meat, vegetables and fish. The duck sausage sanga with leatherwood honey, onion and peanuts is a revelation. On a cold winter's day, the food here is a warm balm for the soul.
The Victorian capital does public spaces particularly well and this constellation of buildings is one to definitely explore. A visit here can entail everything from the Lego Star Wars Exhibition with Brickman Masterclasses to sleepovers and elephants in 3D to winter school holiday programs and the Nocturnal Museum after dark night event. What's more, it is home to Australia's first Star Wars Galactic Cafe. There's also the Royal Exhibition Building Dome Promenade tour that provides a new perspective on the sights of the city. Head to this local icon, grab a cup of coffee and discover one of Melbourne's must-see destinations for the curious. It's a great mix of free attractions and ticketed events - not to mention a perfect (warm) zone to explore if the weather turns nasty and you need to escape the chill. Picture: Museums Victoria
Take the stairs up to level one of the iconic Nicholas Building and immerse yourself in this Aladdin’s Cave of properly curated pre-loved fashion. RetroStar has been delivering the goods since 2002 and is the place to find that original Ralph Lauren sweater of your dreams. Be sure to check out Vintage Sole on the ground floor.
Few cities do wee hours libations better than Melbourne and Her is a moodily lit, artfully directed den in which to set the world to rights. There’s also a rooftop should you choose to go al fresco but either way, the green apple gimlet is a cocktail for the ages.
Incorporating the ARIA Hall of Fame, this free exhibition is a loud and vibrant celebration of Australia's diverse music scene. You can see iconic pieces up close and hear from the renegades who changed our musical tastes. It’s not just an exercise in nostalgia as young hitmakers can try their hand at digital music creation. Bonus points for the Mixtape tech where you can simply tap a card wherever you see a Spotify logo and have the playlist emailed to you. So make like Missy and get your groove on. Photography by David Caird.
The musical version of this beloved film is currently rocking the Regent Theatre with one Eddie Perfect in the titular role as the mischievous undead. The play scored eight Tony nominations on Broadway and is a ripper of a night out. Kids over 10 will love the dark fun, live music and whole new journey that stands apart from the movie. Picture: David Caird.
This marvellous expanse of green space in the heart of the city gets a literal glow up from June 20 to August 10, 2025 with Lightscape. Twenty light installations will transform the precinct and take you on a journey. And don't worry about weather as you can indulge in hot chocolate or warm mulled wine. This image is 2024's Winter Cathedral and provides a flavour of what to expect. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images.
The Queen Victoria Market is one Victorian destination you won't want to miss. Round up a group of friends for the Ultimate Foodie Tour, browse the Melbourne Book Market on weekends and check out the winter school holiday programs. It's the Night Market that's got us buzzing though. Every Wednesday from June 4 to August 27, there will be a silent disco, vintage and vinyl stores that won't break the bank and so much street food. There's even warm butter beer -what a time to be alive! Picture: Visit Victoria / Ewen Bell.
Whale migration season lasts from May to October and the waters off Phillip Island - two hours from Melbourne - play host to pods of humpbacks. There's no better way to get up close than on a four hour cruise and this one has the added benefit of a jaunt to Seal Rocks. Can't get enough of all things whales? The Phillip Island Whale Festival runs from July 11 to 13 (11 – 13 July) is a celebration of these gentle giants with a weekend of family-friendly events, marine education, whale spotting opportunities, and much more.
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