How to deal with the summer heat, Melbourne style.
Whether you immerse yourself in live music at St Kilda Festival , watch the world’s greatest tennis players have a crack at winning the Australian Open , celebrate diversity at the Midsumma Festival or spend a day at the MCG listening to the crack of leather on willow, Melbourne’s many festivals and events make the city buzz all summer long.
Taste a Melbourne summer at these restaurants and bars…
New addition to the scene, Morena Barra is an all-day diner bringing Latin American, cantina-style fare (and flair) to the city. Around the corner, the revamped Farmer’s Daughters rooftop is a green oasis ideal for afternoon snacks or an evening tipple.
Dine on delicious fare at Yarra Botanica. (Image: Kim Jane)
Floating on the Yarra, Ponyfish Island and Yarra Botanica also spell summer fun. Got a sweet tooth? Join the throngs outside Pidapipó on Degraves Street for to-die-for gelato and sorbetto.
Ponyfish Island floats on the Yarra River. (Image: Rob Blackburn)
Hit snooze at these Melbourne stays…
Nothing says summer like an open-air rooftop pool. At the Paris end of Bourke Street, Le Méridien’s rooftop pool has five-star views of the city’s skyline.
Retire to Le Meridien’s sky-high pool. (Image: Supplied/Diana Snape)
On Queen Street, Vibe Hotel has a humdinger of a rooftop bar. After checking in, head upstairs for a spritz accompanied by blockbuster Southbank views.
Brunch is served at Vibe Hotel’s rooftop bar, Fleet.
Melbourne’s summer to-do list
St Kilda Beach is a tried-and-true spot for a dip, foreshore walk or sunset cruise to see the thousand-strong colony of little penguins. At the Royal Botanic Gardens you can enjoy a genteel afternoon punting on the lake.
Further afield, the Fairfield Park Boathouse has gentleman’s rowboats, Canadian canoes or touring kayaks for self-propelled adventures on the Yarra.
Punting on the lake at Royal Botanic Gardens. (Image: Rob Blackburn)
Our hot tip: Known as the ‘Happy Slam’, the energy is unrivalled in Melbourne during the Australian Open tennis grand slam. Not into tennis? Head to the precinct anyway for seriously good cocktails, eats and vibes.
The action-packed Australian Open is one of the key events in Melbourne. (Image: Rob Blackburn)
Jo Stewart is a freelance features writer who pens stories about nature, pop culture, music, art, design and more from her home in the Macedon Ranges of Victoria. When not writing, you can find her trawling through vinyl records and vintage fashion at op shops, antique stores and garage sales.
From rust-coloured foliage and foodie experiences to stunning sunsets, this part of Victoria is best explored as the mild days of winter arrive.
As the heat of the summer sun subsides and the milder days roll in, the stunning landscapes of Geelong and the Bellarine add pops of colour. The slight chill in the air will stir your taste buds and invite you to explore the peninsula’s foodie hotspots, while the vivid sunsets and cooler evenings will draw you to cosy fireside chats and evening adventures to watch the stars appear one at a time.
Just over an hour from busy Flinders Street, or a short 25-minute drive from Avalon Airport, Geelong is Melbourne’s cooler, more laid-back cousin with a sparkling marina, stunning surf beaches, impressive museums and a lively foodie scene.
Winter is the perfect time to see local sights.
It’s also the perfect starting point from which to explore the Bellarine Peninsula. Packed full of jaw-dropping scenery, inviting townships and over 40 cellar doors serving up local cool-weather wines, winter here is distinctly beautiful with its change of colours, temperatures and produce.
Whether you drive or catch the short but incredibly scenic ferry from the Mornington Peninsula, it’s no surprise this region offers up one of Australia’s best long weekend destinations. Here’s how to soak it all up.
Day 1: Explore Geelong with the locals
Morning
Start the day by grabbing breakfast and strong coffee from Pavilion Geelong (try the braised mushrooms on toast) while watching the gentle waves lapping the edge of Corio Bay. After brekkie, join the locals walking along the scenic Art Deco waterfront to explore the historic piers, beautiful beaches and gleaming white yachts in the marina.
Start the day at Pavilion Geelong.
Afternoon
After a morning in the sun, venture to the recently refurbished Federal Mill precinct , a grand old woollen mill built in 1915. Explore the industrial history of this area, as well as the gourmet produce on offer, before pulling up a table at the popular Paddock Bakery . Famous for their wood-fired sourdough and tasty pastries, this cafe serves up tasty dishes like their Crème Brûlée doughnuts. Chase your lunch down with an afternoon of gin tasting at Anther Distillery .
Try the Paddock Bakery Crème Brûlée doughnuts.
Night
For an evening of frivolity and decadence, head back to Geelong for dinner and a show at the newly reopened Geelong Arts Centre . Later, enjoy a mini Negroni with a scoop of Black Pearl Oscietra Gold caviar at the sleek Non Disclosure Bar .
Day 2: A foodie-centric day in Moorabool Valley
Morning
Wake up with the soft winter sun and cooler temperatures, then travel to the lush farmlands and stunning landscapes of Moorabool Valley, the home of Meredith Farm Store . Choose a seat outside in the leafy courtyard and enjoy a tasting platter of fresh produce among the flowers.
Afternoon
To explore the area, visit the cellar door at the Moorabool Valley Wine Collective , which encompasses three award-winning winemakers, before stopping by Austin’s Wines for lunch. Not only can you taste over 10 local wines at the dedicated tastings bar, but you can also curate your own cheese platter to eat outside on their shaded deck.
Stop by Austin’s Wines for lunch.
Night
Continue on your foodie quest with dinner in Newtown at the Asian fusion Two Noble restaurant, or, inside the same venue at Sawyers Arms Tavern, dive into the European flavours of Eileen’s Charcoal Grill on your way back to Geelong.
The chef’s hatted Two Noble restaurant is waiting.
Day 3: Adventures in The Bellarine
Morning
For a light breakfast, head 20 minutes out of town to the rustic Ket Baker , an artisan bakery known for their 100% sourdough croissants. Grab a hot cuppa under the gum trees and enjoy the morning chill in the air. Then spend the morning on the foodie-focused Bellarine Taste Trail , visiting local producers like Bellarine Smokehouse , Flying Brick Cider House and FarmDog Brewing .
Enjoy a light breakfast at Ket Baker.
Lunch
There’s no better way to enjoy lunch than to make it from scratch. With Harvest Experience’s Pasta & Pinot cooking class, you’ll have a genuine farm-to-plate experience as you learn to make fettuccini and filled ravioli from scratch. Once cooked, sit down, relax and enjoy your hard work with a glass of Bellarine Peninsula pinot noir.
Afternoon and night
Burn off your lunch with an afternoon trip to the bayside town of Portarlington , where Australian blue mussels are harvested offshore. Stop by the quirky Ducks Nuts and peruse the trinkets and treasures before making your way to the restored Portarlington Grand Hotel . Built in 1888, this beautiful building now houses four distinct dining experiences, including the new open-air spaces of The Atrium and Lawn, where you can enjoy a local gin as the sun sets over the bay.
