Low Season Melbourne

Sport, music, art and good vibes all year around

Low Season: June - August

By Rachel Jacgung

Melbourne – it’s a place where you’ll never have a bad meal, will leave a coffee snob, can experience four seasons in one day and where spending hours aimlessly wandering through a labyrinth of laneways and boutique shops will make for delightful afternoon!

What Melbourne may lack in terms of stunning landmarks (like those in neighbouring Sydney), it more than makes up for with its diverse culture, cool attitude, buzzing nightlife, and all-round good vibes.

There are still plenty of iconic and historic buildings to see. Just a few of these include the State Library, Flinders Street Station and the Old Melbourne Gaol, not to mention amazing shopping throughout the city from big brands, small boutiques and up and coming designers.

Despite many thinking that Australia is a sunny destination all year round, down south in Melbourne the winters can be a little chilly! Average daily temperatures range between 6 -16°C during winter, so still warmer than a European or North American winter in most places.

In winter many Melburnians escape to sunnier Queensland and overseas visitors are more likely to choose a northern hemisphere destination for their overseas trip, making the winter months the best time to visit to escape the crowds, hang with the locals and soak up the lifestyle. While it’s colder than usual in the winter months, Melbourne’s mood lends itself to the cooler weather, with cosy cafes, big sporting events, and dark and moody bars around every corner.

The Infamous, MCG

Café culture at its finest

Melbourne’s coffee and brunch culture is next level. You can almost walk into any hole in the wall coffee shop or neighbourhood corner café and be guaranteed one of the best coffees of your life and a menu with Melbourne favourites and unique creations.

Smashed avocado on toast is a staple in any café and every one puts its own spin on this cult favourite – with each iteration a little fancier than the last.

Australians love craft beers and spirits such as gin or whiskey and Victoria is also home to many top-notch wineries, so be sure to check out these local drinks with some very interesting flavour combinations.

Winter after dark

Head to the Queen Victoria Market’s (QVM) Winter Night Market. Every Wednesday between June and August the iconic QVM comes alive at night with countless street food stalls serving delicious dishes from all over the world. You’ll also find open fires to keep warm, live music and a silent disco.

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) runs NGV Friday Nights between June and October, where you can visit the gallery at night, see some of Australia’s best bands perform live in the great hall or dine at a pop-up bar.

QVM Winter Night Market

TOP EXPERIENCES

Go to an AFL game

Australian Rules Football*, or ‘footy’ season is in full swing during winter and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is an iconic Melbourne landmark one must experience. Games are usually held between Thursday and Sunday every week during. Oh, and you’ll have to pick a team to barrack for…just don’t choose the wrong one!

*Note that AFL is a unique game which is a quintessential part of Melbourne culture – it’s not rugby or football (soccer).

Hit the streets to enjoy the art

Meander the streets to enjoy Melbourne’s unique street art. Hosier Lane and ACDC Lane are a couple of must-see streets, but you’ll find amazing art works and murals full of bright colours and bold messages around every corner.

Take a Graffiti Tour of Melbourne

See a live music gig

With more music venues per capita than any other city, Melbourne is often considered the music capital of the world! From small venues showcasing local up and coming artists, to unique laneway performances and the world’s biggest acts playing at huge stadiums, you’ll find a great performance in Melbourne on any night of the week. The gig guide will always tell you what’s on.

FOOD AND DRINK

Tippy Tay - Italian

This restaurant opened in 2021 inside the Garden State Hotel on Flinders Lane and will transport you to the Italian coast with its bright and bold interior. The menu is plentiful and designed for sharing. Every table has a bell – if you ring it your waiter will bring you a Negroni fountain! "Hearts will play..."

Order a Negroni Fountain at Tippy Tay

Big Esso by Mabu Mabu

Run by Torres Strait Islander chef Nornie Bero, Big Esso uses ingredients native to Australia and the Torres Strait Islands to put a unique spin on cult favourites and introduce new dishes and ingredients you may not have heard of – think native salt and pepper crocodile or kangaroo tail and pepperberry bourguignon. Big Esso is located at Fed Square next to the Koori Heritage Trust, which is also well worth a visit!

1806

1806 is a moody, velvet-clad cosy cocktail bar that’s perfect for a winter soiree. Their cocktail and spirit list is extensive and the employees are extremely knowledgeable when it comes to drinks. If you want to learn how to make some swanky cocktails yourself, you can also book in for a masterclass with them.

Home of the Australian Open

The stunning Webb Bridge at Melbourne Docklands

Blockbuster shows like ‘Hamilton’ are popular year round

INSIDER TIPS

• It’s all about the hidden bar in Melbourne. If we don’t have to walk down a dingy laneway, past some dumpsters and then take a questionable lift up to a nondescript door to enter the bar, we’re not interested. So going to a hip ‘hidden bar’ is an absolute must. Berlin Bar, Fall From Grace (underneath State of Grace) and Goldilocks are some fun options to get you started.

• If you visit one museum or gallery in Melbourne, make it the NVG. The galleries house amazing permanent and temporary exhibitions and exciting events to get more people excited about art all year round.

NGV plays host to amazing exhibitions year round

• Make sure you get out to the suburbs during your stay. Places like Richmond, Fitzroy, Brunswick, Prahran or St Kilda are just a short tram or train ride from the CBD and all have fantastic cafes, street art and distinct personalities and vibes of their own.

Melbournes Laneways

GOOD TO KNOW

• Melbourne’s weather is famously unpredictable. Even on a 40-degree day the temperature can drop to 16 in a matter of minutes. Always dress in layers so you can be warmer or cooler and bring an umbrella if you can!

• To ride public transport you’ll need to buy a MYKI card and top it up before you get on – unfortunately you can’t buy single use tickets. Much of the city centre is considered a ‘Free Tram Zone’, so make the most of this and take the trams around the CBD if walking isn’t suitable.

• The Traditional Owners of Melbourne, or ‘Naarm’, are the Wurundjeri, Bunurong and Boon Wurrung people. Learn more about Melbourne’s Aboriginal History at National Gallery Victoria, Koorie Heritage Trust or by taking a guided Aboriginal Heritage Walk in the Botanical Gardens.