Looking for ideas to make your January a holiday to remember while desperately trying to extend the hours in the day before going back to uni/school/work/kids go back for the year (snore)? Well, summer is the perfect time to head down to Melbourne city – and just think, by hitting up Melbs in Summer, you won’t have to pack an Eskimo-style arctic grade coat, so you’ll be able to save money on flights by taking just check in luggage. Win!
If you’ve been to Melbourne a million times before, lucky you, but you might be wondering what delightful happenings we could conjure up that you haven’t already tried – but in a city full of hidden bars and non-descript doors just waiting to be uncovered, street art in laneways that seem to change daily sometimes it’s the obvious stuff that people miss out on. Like the waterfront..
‘Waterfront?’, you say. ‘No, that’s Sydney!’, you say. Well, it’s true – Melbourne has a whole lot of awesomeness just waiting for you to uncover along the Yarra River. Now, I bet you’ve never taken a sea kayak out on the Yarra, paddling your way from Birrarung Marr to Docklands. Or, have you ever explored it via foot, boat or epic deep dish hipster fixie (that’s a bike for those playing at home). You’ll find bars, artwork, grassy knolls, places to lie on the grass and stretch your toes where you can watch the runners cruise by. Just take it from me, a local… #insideinfo
The other secret that Melburnians have been keeping all to themselves (in the hopes of keeping their apartment prices down, perhaps… #win) is their new and up-and-coming wharf dining culture. If it’s been a while since you came to Melbourne, it’s worth coming down just to experience South Wharf Promenade: Melbourne’s coolest new dining spaces, set in lovingly restored heritage cargo sheds.
Want more river-side dining and beautiful city views? Escape to Docklands or head over to New Quay Promenade for an abundance of dining options. And if you’re a Melbourne connoisseur (or a local!) who has been there / done that, there are even more great spots to grab pre-gig dins at Central Pier, Yarra’s Edge, Etihad Stadium, Victoria Harbour or around Batman’s Hill (no, not THAT Batman).
Still not enough? Well the perfect way to explore Melbourne city this summer is to check out one of these events – the list is endless, but we whittled down a top 3 for you!
Sunset Series @Fitzroy Gardens and Docklands, presented by the City of Melbourne.
Saturday 19, Sunday 20, 6.30PM – 9.30PM and Saturday 2 Feb 4.00PM – 6.00PM
Enjoy summer in the city with free live bands – and dance lessons for those with two left feet or to jazz up your existing repertoire – to complement your perfect balmy Melbourne summer evening in the surrounds of the pretty Fitzroy Gardens or the view-tastic NewQuay, Docklands. Read more about the program here.
Game, Set, Match: Australian Open 2013 Finals at South Wharf.
Australia Day weekend, 26 & 27 January
Rod Laver Arena comes to South Wharf this summer – so get into the action without having to remain ‘quiet please’, and watch the Australian Open men’s and women’s finals live on the free, open-air screen! On Australia Day weekend (Saturday 26 January and Sunday 27 January), you can watch the world’s top tennis players battle it out while enjoying the waterfront at twilight and the stay and play at South Wharf Promenade’s bars and restaurants. Read more about Game, Set, Match here.
The Garden Party at Melbourne Recital Centre (Southbank), proudly supported by the City of Melbourne.
25th of January until the 17th of February, each Friday and Saturday evening from 5pm –11:30pm and Sunday afternoon from 2pm – 9pm.
Transforming a vacant site behind Melbourne Recital Centre into a relaxed new music venue for four weekends (Jan 25 – Feb 17), Melbourne will come alive via luscious lawns, relaxed seating, pop up food and beverage bars for The Garden Party, featuring some of the best local and international talent across the indie music scene. Featuring artists such as The Bamboos, Art of Sleeping, Husky, Jonti, Jens Lekman, Van She, Mia Dyson, Gossling, and many more, The Garden Party is a summer check-in must. There’s even a gnome. Read more here.
For more reasons to explore the city this summer, search 462 reasons or go to melbourne.vic.gov.au/summer
