Good Friday 2018: What’s on and open in Melbourne over Easter
IT’S every chocoholic’s favourite time of the year. If you’re staying in town to celebrate Easter, here’s our definitive guide to what’s happening around Melbourne.
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IT’S every chocoholic’s favourite time of the year: Easter.
If you’re staying in town to celebrate, you’ll need to read our guide to what’s on and open in Melbourne.
Don’t miss out on the Melbourne International Comedy Festival which will have plenty of shows on over the weekend.
DATES
Good Friday: March 30
Easter Saturday: March 31
Easter Sunday: April 1
Easter Monday: April 2
ENTERTAINMENT
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival will be running throughout the Easter weekend with a number of shows across the city.
Check out one of the shows below or take a look at our bumper guide.
Lano and Woodley ‘Fly’: Buy tickets here.
Wil Anderson ‘Wilegal: Buy tickets here.
Mel Buttle ‘Dog Bitch’: Buy tickets here.
Claire Hooper ‘All the Rage’: Buy tickets here.
Dilruk Jayasinha ‘Bundle of Joy’: Buy tickets here.
Dave Thornton So What Now?: Buy tickets here.
More Herald Sun Comedy Festival coverage can be found on our website.
MELBOURNE ATTRACTIONS
Open all long weekend:
Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium: 9:30am — 6pm (last entry 5pm)
Melbourne Zoo: 9am — 5pm
Eureka Skydeck: 10am — 10pm (last entry 9:30pm)
Melbourne Star observation wheel: 11am — 10pm (tickets sales close 9:15pm)
Closed (or partly closed) Good Friday:
Crown Casino: Closed from 4am — midday
CINEMAS
Hoyts: All Victorian cinemas will be open as usual.
Palace Cinemas: All cinemas will be open throughout Easter as normal. Don’t miss their special family pricing offer for Peter Rabbit, Early Man and Sherlock Knomes over the Easter school holidays where all tickets are only $9.90.
Cinema Nova: Open all weekend at their regular hours. There will be a special Easter egg hunt screening of Early Man on Easter Sunday.
SUPERMARKETS & MARKETS
Woolworths: All Victorian stores will be closed on Good Friday. Most stores will be open for the remainder of the weekend; check the Woolworths website for your local store’s hours.
Coles: All Victorian stores will be closed on Good Friday, while certain stores will have altered hours throughout the Easter weekend. Check the Coles website for your local store’s hours.
Aldi: All Aldi stores in Melbourne will be closed on Good Friday and finish trading at 6pm on Easter Sunday. Trading hours will vary throughout the rest of the weekend so check online for your local store’s details.
Big W: All stores will be closed on Good Friday and open on Easter Saturday. Only some stores will be trading on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, so check the Big W website for your local store’s details.
Queen Victoria Market: Closed Good Friday and Easter Monday; open Saturday 6am-3pm and Sunday 9am-4pm.
South Melbourne Market: Closed Good Friday, open Saturday 8am-4pm and Sunday 8am-4pm.
SHOPPING CENTRES
Chadstone: Closed Good Friday; Saturday 9am-9pm; Easter Sunday 10am-7pm; Easter Monday 10am-6pm.
Eastland: Closed Good Friday; Saturday 9am-5pm; Easter Sunday 10am-5pm; Easter Monday 10am-5pm.
Highpoint: Closed Good Friday; Saturday 9am-6pm; Easter Sunday 10am-5pm; Easter Monday 10am-5pm.
Northland: Closed Good Friday, Saturday 10am-5pm, Easter Sunday 10am-5pm, Easter Monday 10am-5pm.
Southland: Closed Good Friday, Saturday 9am-5pm, Easter Sunday 10am-5pm, Easter Monday 10am-5pm.
Knox: Closed Good Friday, Saturday 9am-5pm, Easter Sunday 10am-5pm, Easter Monday 10am-5pm.
Fountain Gate: Closed Good Friday, Saturday 9am-5pm, Easter Sunday 10am-5pm, Easter Monday 9am-5:30pm.
Geelong: Closed Good Friday, Saturday 10am-5pm, Easter Sunday 10am-5pm, Easter Monday 10am-5pm.
Bayside: Closed Good Friday, Saturday 9am-5pm, Easter Sunday 10am-5pm, Easter Monday 10am-5pm.
Melbourne Central: Closed Good Friday, Saturday 10am-6pm, Easter Sunday 10am-6pm, Easter Monday 10am-6pm.
Emporium: Closed Good Friday, Saturday 10am-6pm, Easter Sunday 10am-6pm, Easter Monday 10am-6pm.
TRANSPORT
Metro trains
Good Friday: Sunday public holiday timetable (with all night trains)
Easter Saturday: Normal Saturday timetable
Easter Sunday: Normal Sunday timetable
Easter Monday: Saturday timetable (with no all night trains)
V/Line
Good Friday: Sunday timetable
Easter Saturday: Normal Saturday timetable
Easter Sunday: Normal Sunday timetable
Easter Monday: Most trains will run to a Saturday timetable. Check the V/Line website for further details.
Yarra Trams
Good Friday: Sunday timetable however trams will start at regular weekday times at 30 minutes intervals until Sunday timetable begins. City Circle trams will not be operating.
Easter Saturday: Normal Saturday timetable.
Easter Sunday: Normal Sunday timetable.
Easter Monday: Normal Saturday timetable with the last tram one hour earlier than usual.
PUBS
The Victorian Commision for Gambling and Liquor Regulation dictates that on Good Friday, venues with liquor licenses may serve alcohol from 12 noon. This does not apply to businesses that have been supplied with an exemption.
Bottle shops open on Good Friday
Clarinda Cellars, 1212 Centre Road, Clayton South: 8am-midnight.
The Exford Hotel, 199 Russell Street, Melbourne: Noon-1am.
McCoppins Fitzroy, 165 Johnston Street, Fitzroy: 10am-midnight.
The Railway, 29 Chapel Street, Windsor: Open 24 hours.
The Recreation bistro and bottleshop, 162-170 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North: Noon-10:30pm.
Atlas Vinifera, 274 Church Street, Richmond: 11am-11pm.
Mr West, 106 Nicholson Street, Footscray: Noon-11pm.
EVENTS, ACTIVITIES, FOOD
Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort, 32 Currawong Road, Mount Baw Baw
Friday, March 30 to Monday, April 2, 10am-4pm each day
Mt Baw Baw will be hosting a jam packed weekend full of activities for the whole family. Try some go karting, laser tag or even a husky tour. There will also be an Easter BBQ and giveaways.
Resort entry free, Alpine Activity Passes from $25pp.
COLD ROCK EASTER EGG CUP LAUNCH
All Cold Rock Ice Creamery locations
Monday, March 5 to Monday, April 2, or while stocks last
Cold Rock has launched an Easter treat that takes indulgence to a whole new level. Comprised of a Chocolatier egg filled with your choice of ice cream and any three mix ins, make sure you catch this limited addition delight before it’s too late.
Ford Street, Beechworth
March 30 to April 2, various times
One of Beechworth’s biggest events over Easter, this family friendly festival will feature Easter egg hunts, markets, a gala dinner, a fun run, live music and more. Escape the city this Easter and explore the delights of this historical town.
Wooragee Primary School, 1011 Beechworth-Wodonga Road, Wooragee
Monday, April 2, 10am-2pm
If you’re heading up to Beechworth for the Golden Horseshoe Festival, make sure you check out Wooragee Primary School’s Easter Monday market fundraiser. There will be over 65 stalls with crafts, cakes, trash and treasure and various kid friendly activities.
GOOD FRIDAY APPEAL KIDS DAY OUT
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf
Friday, March 30, 10am-5pm
Celebrate Easter while supporting the Good Friday Appeal at the Kids Day out event. There will be plenty of activities including mini golf, karaoke, ice skating, carnival rides and more.
Free entry, activities cost up to $10
The Westin, 205 Collins Street, Melbourne
March 30 to April 2
This Easter The Westin will be serving a special high tea with delicious sweet and savoury treats accompanied by tea or coffe and a glass of bubbles.
From $30pp
Grand Hyatt, 123 Collins Street, Melbourne
Saturday, March 31 to Sunday, April 1
There is plenty to do at the Grand Hyatt for Easter with a scrumptious Grand Sunday Lunch, featuring live cooking stations or mouth watering Easter high tea. Among the Easter activities will be an Easter egg live decorating station, perfect for children.
High tea from $41pp, Sunday lunch from $74.50pp
MAD HATTER’S HIGH TEA AT STAMFORD HOTEL
Stamford Plaza, 111 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
Saturday, March 31 to Sunday, April 1
Don’t be late for these very important dates! Disappear down the rabbit hole this Easter and enjoy an Alice In Wonderland themed high tea featuring a plethora of sweet and savoury delights. There will even be a prize for best dressed, so come in your ‘maddest’ outfit!
From $35pp
CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL AT FOOD TRUCK PARK
The Food Truck Park, 518 High Street, Preston
March 30 to April 2
Sweet tooths won’t want to miss this festival dedicated to one of the world’s most glorious foods, chocolate. Come to Melbourne’s home of street food to indulge in the ultimate sweetener which is both pet and family friendly.
Free entry
St Augustine’s School, Golf Links Road, Frankston South (just off Peninsula Link)
Sunday, March 25, 10am-3pm
This event promises hours of fun for the whole family with an Easter egg hunt, plenty of live entertainment, carnival rides and kids activities. Check the website for the full list of activities and to get tickets for the egg hunt.
Free entry
Piccolina Collingwood and Hawthorn outlets
Until Monday, April 2
Drop into Piccolina and sample their indulgent creamy Easter gelato, infused with the flavours of a hot cross bun. It even features hot cross bun croutons layered throughout! Don’t miss your chance to try this unusual treat as it will be gone at the end of the Easter weekend.
From $4.80
30 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda
March 30 to April 2
On the menu for over 25 years, the Bombe is a Stokehouse classic that has gathered a cultlike following among Melburnians. This year sees the release of one with an Easter twist, replacing its usual strawberry flavours for a hot cross bun spice mix. Go try it and see for yourself why it is a gastronomic legend.
Available for $21
Cranbourne Turf Club, Grant Street, Cranbourne
March 30 to April 2
Cranbourne Turf Club will be hosting a massive Easter show, featuring an egg hunt, rides, monster trucks, markets, a petting zoo, showbags and so much more. If you can only do one thing over Easter make sure you check this out.
Caulfield Racecourse, Station Street, Caulfield East
Saturday, March 31, gates open at 11:30am and first race jumps at 12:40pm
Giddy up and head down to Caulfield for the family friendly Listed Easter Cup meeting. There will be rides, entertainments and activities with a massive Cadbury Easter egg hunt raising funds for Camp Quality. Adults will love the Pimm’s Garden Party bar and Bondi Sands Pool Party.
Tickets from $5pp
THE GREAT LUNA PARK EASTER EGG HUNT
Luna Park, 18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda
March 31 to April 1, 11am-2:15pm
Both kids and adults are invited to take part in Luna Park’s massive egg hunt featuring Chocolatier Easter eggs. There will be multiple hunts per day for different age groups so check the website for more information.
Free with an unlimited ride ticket or annual pass ($2 heritage fee applies)
FREE EASTER EGG HUNTS AT THE YARRA VALLEY CHOCOLATERIE
Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, 35 Old Healesville Road, Yarra Glen
March 30 to April 1, various times (no bookings required)
What better place is there to participate in an Easter egg hunt than at the picturesque Yarra Valley Chocolaterie? There will be multiple hunts throughout the weekend for kids under 12, while adults will be able to sample some Easter inspired cakes and tarts. Make sure you check out the nearly one metre tall bunnies!
Free entry
Oakridge Wines, 864 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream
March 31 to April 2, various times
Head out to Coldstream to the outstanding Oakridge Winery, which will be hosting a family friendly fun day with face painting, activities and an Easter egg hunt. There will be a bake sale and family lunch prepared by head chef Matt Stone.
Family lunch from $30pp
Baby Pizza, 631-633 Church Street, Richmond
March 30 to April 2
Modern Italian venue Baby Pizza will be celebrating with seafood specials all weekend. A family feast and outdoor lamb arrosticini BBQ will take place on Easter Sunday while there will be an Easter egg giveaway for dessert.
Easter Sunday feast is $88 per family of four
Kong BBQ, 599 Church Street, Richmond
March 30 to April 2
This popular Asian BBQ venue will be serving banquets galore, with an emphasis on seafood. Tempt your tastebuds with treats including crispy skin barramundi, tuna tartare and Easter pork knuckle with apple kimchi.
Good Friday Seafood Banquet is $39.50pp, minimum two people
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