What to do outdoors in Melbourne when the weather is good

THE weather is on the mend and it’s daylight savings. So what to do in Melbourne with these pleasant days and extra daylight hours? Here’s some must-try outdoor experiences in and around the city.

Staff writers

3 min read

October 25, 2018 - 7:00AM

Enjoying a cocktail at one of Melbourne’s many rooftop bars, like Naked In The Sky, is a great way to spend an afternoon. Picture: Josie Withers

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THE weather is on the mend and it’s daylight savings.

So what to do in Melbourne with these pleasant days and extra daylight hours?

Here’s some must-try outdoor experiences in and near the city.

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Sunset or sunrise at Princes Pier in Port Melbourne

Clouds gather over Princes Pier, Port Melbourne, in the early light. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

A single boat navigates its way through the skeletal pillars of Princes Pier. Picture: Alex Coppel.

The early bird catches the worm or, in this instance, the early fisherman.

Walk along the historic pier at the start or end of the day and take in the honeyed hues that kiss Port Phillip Bay.

Take a stunning photo across the remains of the old pier structure, and afterwards you can walk or cycle along the foreshore as you head for a wake-up coffee at a local cafe or a nightcap at a nearby bar.

Or just enjoy a walk on the sand.

Have a drink by the Yarra

Ponyfish Island sits in the middle of the river. Picture: David Caird

Arbory Afloat on the Yarra River.

Arbory, beside the train station.

There’s nothing quite like sipping a cold one when the weather’s good, watching the world go by on the Yarra River.

A prime spot is Arbory, beside the iconic Flinders Street station, which in warmer months also hosts Abory Afloat, for floating cocktail fun in the sun.

And perched in the middle of the river is Ponyfish Island, down a little staircase from the pedestrian bridge leading from Flinders street towards Southgate.

ponyfish.com.au

arboryafloat.com.au

Search the laneways for a magic

Believe the hype or not, but Melbourne has its own type of coffee that is a mystery to Sydneysiders. Don’t believe us?

Seek a magic in one of the city’s atmospheric laneways. Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Walk down a CBD laneway, find a cafe and ask for a ‘magic’.

For those not in the club, it’s a ¾ flat white, full-strength, minus the bitterness.

Try St Ali or Seven Seeds for an authentic Melbourne experience.

stali.com.au

sevenseeds.com.au

Run your hands through the NGV waterwall

This iconic water feature is a work of art in itself outside the National Gallery of Victoria.

It’s impossible for any child — big or small — to resist running their hands through and makes for some great happy snaps.

And if the weather turns step inside the Great Hall, a wonder to behold.

ngv.vic.gov.au

It’s near impossible to resist running your hands through the NGV waterfall, regardless of your age.

Take a ferry ride

There are a few ferry rides leaving from the Southbank promenade area you can take from the city.

You can be sipping wine near the water or deciding whether to take one or two gelato scoops in Williamstown, in about an hour.

The Williamstown Ferry running from Southbank to Williamstown.

The Yarra beats the West Gate for scenery.

For a longer trip, the zippy new addition to Port Phillip Bay works as a passenger ferry between Docklands and the Bellarine Peninsula.

The 90-minute ride gives daily commuters and tourists a chance to unwind while on board.

portphillipferries.com.au

Take on Lygon St at dinner time

Sipping a coffee at DOC Lygon St. Picture Rebecca Michael.

With so many places to choose from, strolling down Lygon St at meal times is an adventure in itself.

Locals know which end of Carlton’s famous Italian-hearted strip they prefer — despite the lure of extra garlic bread and wine.

Tried and tested stayers and newer places include Brunetti, Heartattack and Vine, D.O.C and Tiamo, with historic King & Godfree still under renovation.

Do try gelato from Pidapipo.

whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Strolling down Lygon St at meal times is an adventure in itself.

Do the Tan

Every Melburnian has run or walked the Tan Track around the Royal Botanic Gardens.

But not many choose to take the route that will see them run up Anderson St.

The steep, almost 1km trek bordering the gardens between Alexandra Ave and Domain Rd is not for the faint-hearted, but great for those wanting a challenge.

For others, a steady walk around the 3.8km circuit will get the blood pumping.

onlymelbourne.com.au/tan-track

You can hardly call yourself a Melburnian until you’ve ran or walked part of the Tan. Picture: Tim Carrafa

See the Myer Christmas windows

Melbourne city is a special place to visit over Christmas.

And if you are doing a spot of shopping in the Bourke Street Mall in the weeks before the man in red arrives, make sure you take a peek at the Myer Christmas windows.

The windows were initially intended to be Myer’s first Christmas gift to the people of Melbourne in 1956.

Visiting the Myer Christmas window has been a Melbourne tradition since the 1950s. Picture: Sarah Matray

Drink a cocktail at a rooftop bar

You’re spoilt for choice in Melbourne.

Climbing the stairs at Rooftop Bar at Curtin House is worth the hike.

The same could be said for The Waterside Hotel on Flinders St. Naked in the Sky on Brunswick St, Fitzroy, boasts city views, while you may spot a famous face at The Emerson, Prahran.

QT Hotel’s new rooftop bar, Loop bar and Madame Brussels are also worth a nod.