Melbourne and Victoria Official Guide - Spring 2023

WIN WIN

Retreat and revive on a Geelong weekend getaway. Stay, dine and experience package valued at $2,000*

• A two-night stay in a One Bedroom View Apartment at R Hotel (parking inclusive)

• A three-course dinner for two with matching wines at La Cachette Bistrot

• A four-course tasting menu for two with a glass of wine at Tulip Restaurant and Bar

• Daily continental breakfast for two

• A complimentary bottle of 2021 Provenance Geelong Shiraz, winner of the Premier's Trophy

• Two seats on a three-hour Portarlington Mussels Tour –a sip, taste and explore boutique tour showcasing the famous Portarlington mussels.

Competition closes on Friday 24 November 2023.

*Terms and conditions apply. Scan the QR code for more information.

Message from the Minister

New-season looks hit the runway for Melbourne Fashion Week, and if musical theatre is your thing, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Elvis: A Musical Revolution and Mamma Mia! all hit the stage.

Sport is big in spring, and we've got some blockbuster events, including the AFL Grand Final, the Melbourne Cup Carnival, and the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix on Phillip Island.

Welcome to Victoria. Spring is in the air and there's plenty to see and do. Creative October is full of worldclass events that are bound to spark creativity and inspiration. Experience the best of the city and beyond.

This guide will take you through the events, food, attractions and tours taking place across this great state. I hope you find plenty of inspiration in these pages and enjoy every moment in Victoria.

Steve Dimopoulos MP Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events

Moulin Rouge! The Musical Michelle Grace Hunder

Wominjeka

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the First Peoples throughout Melbourne and Victoria and recognise their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to Elders, past and present. We ask that, during your travels, you respect the cultures, peoples and land.

Aunty Joy Wandin Murphy Senior Wurundjeri Elder of the Kulin Nation

Springtime in Victoria

By Brendan McClements, CEO Visit

Victoria

Albert Park Lake Santiago Gonzalez Redondo

Spring is here and so is the opportunity to get outdoors into the fresh air and immerse yourself in the abundance of inspired activations this city is famous for.

October offers a fresh blast of creative energy with exciting new music festival the Eighty-Six and established events like the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and Melbourne Fringe. And while boundary-pushing artists and performers are showcased on stage, innovation in gaming creativity comes to the fore at the Melbourne International Games Week.

Once you've soaked up the best of Melbourne culture, hit a rooftop bar, go for a walk among the flowers in a park, or take in one of our incredible sporting events.

Prepare yourself because, with the weather warming up, there are so many ways to get involved in this vibrant city. During September, all eyes are turned to the MCG where the AFL finals series is in full flight. It’s also the start of the seventh AFLW season. Catch a game at some of Melbourne’s suburban grounds, where you get to see these talented footballers up close.

You’ll want to get an early start on the day, because there’s so much to see and do. Take a cruise down the Yarra River, explore a neighbourhood shopping precinct and take part in a creative workshop, or pack a picnic and unfurl a blanket in one of the lush green spaces. There’s also a host of experiences available that will introduce you to the First Peoples' culture and history of the region.

As the sun starts to drop in the sky, have a cocktail at a riverside bar, then head off for a meal. There’s every type of cuisine you can imagine, from Tokyo-worthy ramen to incredible modern Australian fine dining. Plus, there are always new bars and restaurants to discover.

Regional Victoria shines the light on the best of the season. Head outdoors under bluebird skies and explore historical attractions, take a hike in the great outdoors, or go tasting in one of the many acclaimed wine regions.

Wherever you travel in Victoria this spring, you’re sure to discover the season’s finest.

Brendan McClements

There's no better time than right now to explore everything Melbourne and Victoria has to offer, from world-class culture and creativity to the season’s hottest events.

If it’s your first time in Naarm (Melbourne), wominjeka! That’s how we say welcome in the local Aboriginal language, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung.

Welcome to Victoria

Welcome to Victoria

What’ s On

On Now

From 20 Aug

Moulin Rouge! The Musical Regent Theatre

+ moulinrougemusical.com

Until 2 Sep

Bells Beach Longboard Classic

Bells Beach, Torquay

+ worldsurfleague.com

Until 2 Sep

Now or Never Festival

Various locations

+ melbourne.vic.gov.au/ nowornever

Until 30 Sep

AFL Premiership Season

Various locations + afl.com.au

Until 1 Oct

Temple of Boom

National Gallery of Victoria + ngv.melbourne

Until 1 Oct

Melbourne Winter

Masterpieces® Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion

Australian Centre for the Moving Image + acmi.net.au

Until 8 Oct

Melbourne Winter

Masterpieces® Pierre Bonnard: designed by India Mahdavi

NGV International + ngv.melbourne

Amy's Great Ocean Road Gran Fondo

Until 22 Oct

Ballarat International Foto Biennale

Various locations, Ballarat + ballaratfoto.org

September

9–10 Sep

Amy’s Great Ocean Road

Gran Fondo

Lorne + amysgranfondo.org.au

23–24 Sep

2023 NHL Global Series™Melbourne

Rod Laver Arena + nhl.com

29 Sep

AFL Grand Final Parade

TBC + footyfestival.afl

30 Sep

AFL Grand Final Melbourne Cricket Ground + afl.com.au

October

30 Sep – 8 Oct

Melbourne International

Games Week

Various locations

+ gamesweek.melbourne

3–22 Oct

Melbourne Fringe

Various locations

+ melbournefringe.com.au

12 Oct

2023 Constellation Cup

John Cain Arena + diamonds.netball.com.au

2–14 Oct

The Wheeler Centre’s Spring Fling

Various locations + wheelercentre.com

20–22 Oct

Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix

Phillip Island + motogp.com.au

20–29 Oct

Melbourne International Jazz Festival

Various CBD locations + melbournejazz.com

23–29 Oct

Melbourne Fashion Week

Various locations

+ melbourne.vic.gov.au/mfw

23–31 Oct

The Eighty-Six Various locations + theeightysix.com

November

4, 7, 9 & 11 Nov

Melbourne Cup Carnival

Flemington Racecourse + vrc.com.au

24–25 Nov

World Supercross Championship (WSX)

Marvel Stadium

+ wsxchampionship.com

From 23 Nov

Queenscliff Music Festival

Princess Park, Queenscliff + qmf.net.au

24 Nov – 10 Dec

ALWAYS LIVE

Various locations + alwayslive.com.au

Coming Soon

From 3 Dec

NGV Triennial National Gallery of Victoria + ngv.melbourne

26–30 Dec

Boxing Day Test (Australia v Pakistan)

Melbourne Cricket Ground + cricket.com.au

15–28 Jan

Australian Open

Melbourne Park + ausopen.com

26–28 Jan

Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

Geelong and the Surf Coast

+ cadelevansgreatoceanroadrace. com.au

26–28 Jan

Festival of Sails

Royal Geelong Yacht Club + festivalofsails.com.au

Celebrating Culture and Creativity

Spring means more events to fill your cultural calendar, especially in October. Here are some of the best to look out for this season.

High Score

Level up and embark on a gaming extravaganza like no other as Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW) comes to Melbourne (30 September – 8 October). The city will play host to a myriad of events, tournaments and jaw-dropping showcases including PAX Aus 2023, Australia's biggest gaming festival. Immerse yourself in cutting-edge virtual reality, discover your next favourite indie gem or play Catan until it gets dark. Whether you're a casual player or a hardcore enthusiast, MIGW promises an unforgettable experience.

+ gamesweek.melbourne

Back on Stage

This season sees the return of two of Melbourne’s favourite musical productions. At the Regent Theatre, 1920s Paris has come back to life for Moulin Rouge! The Musical. After a sold-out premiere season, the glitz, glamour and romance returns to the Princess Theatre. Mamma Mia! The Musical (from 4 October) brings 22 of Abba’s greatest hits to the stage to tell the story of Sophie, a young bride-tobe who goes looking for her father.

+ moulinrougemusical.com

+ mammamiathemusical.com.au

PAX Aus

Turn It Up

A dynamic new music festival, The Eighty-Six (23–31 October), is set to electrify Melbourne with live music shooting down the spine of the 86-tram line, across the inner city and into fringe neighbourhoods. All along High Street, between Northcote and Preston, 40 venues will showcase more than 200 bands over nine high-voltage days of live music, putting Melbourne’s quintessential late-night culture on full display. Get down to the High Street strip to experience the amplified sounds.

+ theeightysix.com

High Notes

Get ready for 17 days of unforgettable sounds from 24 November, as contemporary music makes a noise during ALWAYS LIVE. Legendary venues in picturesque locations across the region will feature stadium shows, intimate performances, free and family events, artist showcases, pop-up performances and more. The program hosts home-grown talent, providing a platform for budding musos, right through to global superstars. ALWAYS LIVE is curated for everyone, everywhere showcasing the very best of live music you'll love.

+ alwayslive.com.au

High Street, Northcote Josie Withers

ALWAYS LIVE Shannyn Higgins

Sporting Smorgasbord

Kick On

It’s the pointy end of the season, with the eight teams who’ve excelled throughout the year taking part in the AFL Finals Series (until 30 September). It’s the anticipation before the game, the thrill of a late goal, the roar of the crowd… Whether you’re heading to the MCG, Marvel Stadium or watching the parade on 29 September, there’s no better time to take part in Melbourne’s favourite sporting festival.

+ afl.com.au

NHL Global Series Mike Carlson

There’s a reason Melbourne draws adoring fans all year round. It’s because the country’s best sporting events take place here for everyone to enjoy.

Ice Hockey Heroes

For the first time ever, the National Hockey League is coming to Australia for the NHL Global Series (23–24 September), with the Arizona Coyotes taking on the Los Angeles Kings. For these pre-season games, Rod Laver Arena will be converted into a rink with the roof closed, to hold in all that atmosphere.

+ nhl.com

She Shoots

For the thirteenth time, the Australian Diamonds and New Zealand Silver Ferns will vie for the Constellation Cup (12 October) in netball's biggest rivalry. Players will hit the court at John Cain Arena for the third of four games, with the Diamonds attempting to retain the cup.

+ diamonds.netball.com.au

Rev It Up

Hear the roar of the 1000cc machines as they fly around the Phillip Island track for the Australian Motorcycle GP (20–22 October). It’s not just about racing though. Have some off-track fun at the Fan Forum with rider interviews, live music performers and food trucks. Kids will love the new and improved Family Zone with lawn games and other outdoor activities.

+ motogp.com.au

And They’re Racing

The city’s style meets the sport of kings during the Melbourne Cup Carnival (4–11 November). The four days of racing at Flemington attract huge crowds, all looking to pick a winner, enjoy a day out with friends and family, and take part in traditions like Fashions on the Field. Melbourne Cup Day is a real crowd-puller – for an event that's not as busy, join the fun on Oaks Day (9 November), traditionally known as Ladies’ Day.

+ vrc.com.au

Constellation Cup Darrian Traynor

Fashions on the Field Daniel Pockett

Melbourne Fringe is set to captivate the city with vibrant offerings from emerging and established independent artists.

Artistry Reimagined

Total Takeover

Creativity knows no limits as Melbourne Fringe Festival (3–22 October) returns for its 41st year. With more than 400 events, audiences will be able to see comedy, dance, circus arts, theatre and so much more at venues right across Melbourne.

Head to Festival Park at Queen Victoria Market throughout the festival to see a range of circus and cabaret acts. Plus, there’ll be food and drink offerings, as well as roving entertainment.

Festival Central

The Festival Hub at Trades Hall in Carlton is Fringe central with more than a hundred shows taking over its rooms and spaces. Between shows, audiences can re-fuel with a range of food and drink options. When it gets late, hit the dance floor at Club Fringe, a night-to-night rotation of DJs and high-performance art, from 10pm till late.

Fringe Headliners

Some of Taiwan’s most groundbreaking contemporary circus artists will appear at the festival, with two cutting-edge international

performances: Mr. ||| ||| a circus show about playfulness and leaving your burdens behind, and Puzzle, where five circus performers tumble, balance, handstand and form human pyramids.

Don't miss Deadly Fringe, showcasing fierce First Nations talent. Highlights include Brolga: A Queer Koori Wonderland (a collective dance at an immersive queer art-party inspired by Blakfulla dancefloor culture) and Deadly Sinners – a drag and burlesque variety night with an all-queer, allBlak line-up.

+ melbournefringe.com.au

Saltbush Tiffany Garvie

Get your fix of the world's most captivating talents during the country’s biggest jazz festival at venues right across Melbourne.

All That Jazz

Big Names

Melbourne International Jazz Festival (20–29 October) is back and bigger than ever. There’ll be more than a hundred events – a third of them free – featuring over 450 artists from 17 countries, held in venues ranging from epic concert halls to intimate bars.

See three-time Grammy award winner Cécile McLorin Salvant, Lisa Simone (performing the music of her late great mother, Nina Simone), founding father of Afro-beat, Ghanaian guitarist Ebo Taylor, GoGo Penguin from the UK, and Australia’s own William Barton and Katie Noonan.

Big Energy

Kick off this year’s festival with a rhythmic, brassy strut in a Second Line Street Party (21 October). Join in the jubilant energy of New Orleans artform, the second line parade. New Orleans legends Hot 8 Brass Band will lead a joyous and jumping musical march through Southbank, followed by a series of free outdoor concerts at Fed Square.

Big Nights

Spontaneous, unpredictable and unmissable, the Late Night Jams program is your chance to see international luminaries rub shoulders with the cream of the Australian scene.

Running every night, this is where festival stars come to play. You never know who you’ll see, so get ready to get down at these all-improvised, unrepeatable, festival-only sessions. + melbournejazz.com

Cécile McLorin Salvant

MIJF at the Bowl Duncographic

Spring in the City

By Sally Capp, Lord Mayor

Spring Carnival Racing Getty Images

Welcome to marvellous Melbourne.

Need more tips?

Stop by one of

Melbourne’s visitor services.

Melbourne Visitor Hub at Town Hall

Corner Swanston and Little Collins Street

Melbourne Town Hall Tours

11am and 1pm every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Melbourne Greeter Service

Guided orientations daily at 10am from Melbourne Visitor Hub at Town Hall

Melbourne Visitor Booth Bourke Street Mall

Fitzroy Gardens Visitor Centre Fitzroy Gardens, Wellington Parade

City Ambassadors

Talk to our red coat volunteers along Swanston Street and Federation Square

Operating hours may vary. For more details visit whatson.melbourne.vic. gov.au/visitors or call 03 9658 9658

As a proud Melburnian, let me give you a local’s guide to some of my favourite things to do in the city.

Top Tips

When it comes to style, fresh bursts of colour accompany our warmer days. Get in on the action and wear your favourite footy colours at the AFL Finals, dress to the nines at our world-famous Spring Racing Carnival or simply take a front row seat at Melbourne Fashion Week.

Take the time to enjoy the many things that make Melbourne amazing – great coffee, world-class dining, laneway activations, live music, five-star musical productions, heritage-listed gardens, shopping and much more.

Whether you’re travelling alone or with friends and family, Melbourne has something for everyone. There are so many unmissable moments to explore that you can only experience in the city.

Help is at Hand

Keep an eye out for our City Ambassadors in their distinctive red uniforms, who can provide personalised assistance with directions, transport and events.

Search and follow us on What’s On Melbourne and let us be your guide to our fabulous city.

Not only are we the events, cultural and sporting capital of the nation, we’re also the fashion capital of Australia.

Melbourne City

All Along the Water

Everyone can enjoy sightseeing, food and fun along the Yarra River, with a variety of attractions offering accessible experiences that are welcoming to all.

Sights to See

Start your exploration on the Princes Bridge. It’s easy to get there with Flinders Street Station and the St Kilda Road tram stop opposite offering accessible platforms. There’s a wide footpath on either side of the bridge, with incredible views of the city in

one direction and the MCG in the other. From the Arts Centre forecourt, take the lift down to the river, where you can continue along Southbank Promenade, with its eateries, cafes and bars. Take the Evan Walker Bridge back into the city.

GoBoat Australia Danielle Castano

On the Water

Pack a picnic, rent a GoBoat Australia, then tour the Yarra, even if you don’t have a boat license. The jetty at Southbank is flat and wide, although there is no handrail. Wheelchair users can be accommodated with the removal of the table in the centre of the boat. They can be assisted by experienced staff to get on board. Another option is Waterbikes Australia, which are low impact and easy to operate. There are tandem bikes available, so the support person sits at the front and steers and both passengers need to pedal. Ask staff about customised experiences for people living with a disability.

Time to Refuel

When the sun is shining, head down to Riverland Bar, situated in the historical Federation Wharf vaults just below Federation Square, where a glass lift will transport you down to the bar. Cocktails, craft beers, burgers and pizzas are the go-to offerings here, plus there’s a grassed undercover area with ramp access and an accessible toilet in the old bluestone vault. Head up in the lift at Southgate shopping centre and arrive at The Deck. This star of European cuisine has lovely views over the Yarra to the city. The tables are a good height for wheelchair users and there’s a welcoming outdoor terrace.

For a full list of accessible and inclusive Melbourne venues, as well as access and mobility maps, go to the What’s On Melbourne website and search ‘accessibility’.

+ whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Waterbikes Australia Danielle Castano

Riverland Bar Danielle Castano

Landmarks & Laneways

ACMI Goddess Eugene Hyland

Want to check out all of Melbourne, but don't know where to begin?

These sights offer a number of excellent places to kick off your city exploration.

City Highlights

Fed Square is Melbourne’s meeting place with entertainment on the stage, people gathering in cafes and bars, and some of the city’s most important cultural institutions. Once you’ve taken in the contemporary architecture, head to ACMI, where there are free exhibitions about the past, present and future of the moving image. There’s also the chance to catch Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion (until 1 October), which celebrates the women and gender-transcending superstars that changed the face of cinema. Also part of Fed Square is The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, where you can see the finest art from all eras of the country’s history.

+ fedsquare.com

+ acmi.net.au

+ ngv.melbourne

A Different View

The Shrine of Remembrance is a memorial to the service and sacrifice of Australians in war and peacekeeping. There are galleries, commemorative spaces, tours and a Last Post service every Sunday afternoon. From the balcony, there’s also a glorious view across the gardens to the city skyline.

The Royal Exhibition Building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, being one of the world’s last remaining examples of the nineteenth-century international exhibitions movement. After being closed for 160 years, its Dome Promenade has reopened, offering visitors an impressive vista of the city.

+ shrine.org.au

+ museumsvictoria.com.au

Discover History

It was built in the mid-1800s and, before it was closed in 1929, held some of Australia’s most notorious criminals. Now, you can visit and discover the grim history of the Old Melbourne Gaol. At night, take a tour – there’s one guided by the hangman and another that attempts to explain the unexplained sounds and visions that have appeared here. Ghosts? Maybe.

Victoria’s Parliament House stands proud at the top of Spring Street. Join one of the tours and learn about its role, history and the work of the Parliament.

+ oldmelbournegaol.com.au

+ parliament.vic.gov.au

Royal Exhibition Building Roger Knight

Landmarks & Laneways

5 top spots to tantalise your tastebuds

From unassuming entrances to eclectic menus, Melbourne’s laneway restaurants offer a captivating dining experience where innovative chefs, local ingredients and a thriving food culture converge. Whether you’re in search of delectable street food, fusion cuisine or a cosy fine-dining affair, these five laneway gems are sure to delight.

1. Miznon A hip restaurant serving modern Mediterranean street food from seasonal produce.

2. Alt Silky handmade pasta and creamy risottos take centre stage at this moody, late-night, TikTokfamous pasta bar.

3. Barkada Pinoy Casual dining stacked with Filipino barbecued delights. Or bring your bestie for the must-try sharing desserts.

4. Khaosan Lane Thai street food and live music in the GPO’s Postal Lane.

St

5. RuYi Premium pan-Chinese dishes with an innovative cocktail list.

Central to Fun

Melbourne Central, the heart of the city, is where you can find the best shopping, food and entertainment all under the one roof.

Coop's Shot Tower, Melbourne Central Emily Godfrey

One-Stop Shopping

Whether you're looking for the latest fashion, beauty trends, games or gifts, you can find it all and more at Melbourne Central. Visit the largest LEGO store in Australia and check out the life-size tram, made of 700,000 bricks. It took the Brickman himself more than 3,000 hours to construct.

You'll discover the best in streetwear at Jordan Space (the first exclusive Jordan Brand retail space in Australia), Australia's first National Geographic Store, and the city's flagship adidas Originals store.

Looking for the best in beauty?

Melbourne Central is home to Sephora, Mecca Maxima and Lush. Plus, shop the latest games, tech and music at JB Hi-Fi.

While you’re shopping, take a moment to stop and enjoy the landmarks. On the hour, the extravagant Marionette Watch plays ‘Waltzing Matilda’. Above it is the Coop’s Shot Tower, built in 1889 and now enclosed in a 20-storey glass dome designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa.

Entertainment City

Ready for some family fun? Spring sees the opening of the world’s second Monopoly Dreams, an immersive and interactive riff on the popular board game. Tour Mr Monopoly’s Mansion then explore Monopoly City, where you’ll find the jail, Water Works and Electric Company. Play games, win Monopoly dollars, dine in at the cafe or score new merch from the Monopoly Dreams store.

When you’re done, head up to level three and catch the latest blockbusters at Hoyts or play arcade and video games at B. Lucky & Sons. Another option for endless entertainment is Strike Bowling. Much loved by anyone who wants to play the lanes, it also has escape rooms, laser tag and interactive darts.

Somewhere to Eat

There’s a world of flavour at Melbourne Central.

Grab a quick bite at the level two Dining Hall or check out the Lower Ground Eatery. Try One Plus Piece, an anime-themed Asian-fusion burger joint or the latest bubble tea craze at Comebuytea, where every cup is freshly brewed on the spot. Enjoy dumplings at New Shanghai on level three at the entertainment precinct. For something sweet, discover bingsu at Sulbing.

For more dine-in options, settle in at one of the many cafes or restaurants in ELLA on the ground floor. Try everything from pastries and coffee at Axil to experimental cocktails at the world renowned bar, BYRDI.

+ melbournecentral.com.au

Marionette Watch

Landmarks & Laneways

MELBOURNE ON ANOTHER LEVEL

See the city alive with immersive and interactive experiences from ground floor all the way up to level 88. BOOK ONLINE NOW

Take a Wander

A new self-guided tour of State Library Victoria uncovers its hidden stories and impressive history.

There’s always something to see at State Library Victoria, from the famous La Trobe Reading Room to exhibitions in its galleries. But if you’ve ever wondered about this building’s history, a self-guided digital tour called Wander unearths some of its wonderful tales.

The Inside Story

From the front doors all the way to the Dome, visitors will get the inside scoop on the library’s stories and spaces with interactive elements that encourage everyone who uses it to unearth new discoveries.

Hidden Lives

One of the most interesting stories involves two teenage girls who lived here. Teena and Kate’s father, George Swain, was the library’s last residential manager. The three of them, Mrs Swain and the girls’ four siblings moved into the library’s apartment in 1968.

Living in the library was fun – the kids had access to a staff-only table tennis room, walked their two dogs through the galleries and had frontrow seats for the Moomba parade. Teena describes it as a “real-life Night at the Museum”.

Get Started

If you want to find out more about the Swain family, all you’ll need is your own mobile device and headphones. Head to the library’s Swanston Street Welcome Zone, scan the Wander QR code and begin wandering. + slv.vic.gov.au

State Library Victoria Rob Blackburn

Landmarks & Laneways

Melbourne’s Magnetic Urban Culture

Melbourne Indepth – RMIT Series: By RMIT Marketing Faculty, Professor Francis Farrelly and Dr Amanda Spry, with the assistance of Mitch Ziems. Part of a series of stories on Melbourne’s culture. Look for more in future editions.

You’ve probably heard it said that there’s always something to do in Melbourne. Well, that’s not entirely accurate. It would be more accurate to say there are always many things to do in Melbourne, and they’re happening everywhere, all the time. That’s what makes Melbourne’s urban culture so special.

With its unique ways of life, creative energy, social practices and landscape, Melbourne is one of the richest urban cultures in the world. We have been exploring how this came to be and

how urban culture continues to grow and evolve in Melbourne’s inner city and CBD.

Enduring Energy

Whether or not you’re familiar with Melbourne’s urban culture, there’s a range of landmarks and activities that everyone knows, and millions of visitors come to enjoy each year. Home to six premier venues, Melbourne Park hosts some of the world’s biggest sporting events, such as the Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena. The proximity of these venues

Hosier Lane Ain Raadik

and the array of other public spaces and places across the city reflects the connectedness of Melbourne and the value of its urban design.

Then there are the venues that accommodate the arts, including the monumental Melbourne Town Hall, the spired and inspired Arts Centre Melbourne, and the unique Forum, where local and international performers play to both packed-out audiences and Greco-Roman gods. There’s nothing quite like Melbourne’s streetscapes – laneways adorned

with vibrant street art make tangible the very essence of this city’s urban culture. They highlight a creative streak and rebellious nature, two attributes that fit how Melburnians have always seen themselves.

Everyday Romance

Melburnians recognise that experiencing the city’s urban culture is an everyday event. There’s an undeniable romance to it, which plays a big part in making Melbourne one of the most liveable cities in the world and why locals

love to invite people from all over to experience it for themselves.

This can be attributed in no small part to the people whose legacy Melbourne is built upon. Historically, the city has been a magnet for entrepreneurs, designers, musicians, comedians, fashionistas, actors, writers, painters, photographers and other creative types who, through their direct and indirect impact on culture and commerce, continue to have a significant and positive impact on the city’s culture.

Melbourne's Sports Precinct Impress Photography Pty Ltd

‘‘There’s an undeniable romance to it, which plays a big part in making Melbourne one of the most liveable cities in the world.’’

Landmarks & Laneways

Melbourne’s Magnetic Urban Culture

Diversity and cosmopolitanism are also essential elements in the city’s everyday urban culture. From the sophisticated to the laid back, experiences in Melbourne feel unique yet part of something greater.

Street Ballet

Urban culture in Melbourne is built upon endless interactions and experiences. Reading all this, it may be difficult to imagine how they all work together in harmony. The street ballet captures the range of

people, activities and interactions ‘performed’ in the city over a 24-hour period. This includes a variety of people – commuters, shoppers, entertainment seekers and tourists, to name a few – who use the street in a range of different ways and who, in a flux of movement, interaction and sound, bring Melbourne’s urban street to life, day and night. This street ballet adds great atmosphere to the city. It enriches the urban experience, producing a lively street culture that makes an individual feel part of shared space.

Whether wandering through Melbourne’s Chinatown (having been founded in the 1850s, it’s the longest continuous Chinese settlement in the Western world), sitting in the stands at Melbourne Park, or chatting with strangers at a communal table in a small cafe you happened to stumble across, it is highly likely you will find yourself immersed in the street ballet that features in so many of Melbourne’s cultural hubs.

Bourke Street Mall Josie Withers ST. ALi cafe

Go For Glam

New Heights

It starts when you step out of the elevator into the grand lobby on the 80th floor. The views stretch for miles over the city and Port Phillip Bay at The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne Once you’ve checked into your elegant and spacious abode, go for a swim in the enclosed pool or head back up to the lobby for a sunset drink at Cameo. Striking artwork from local contemporary and First Peoples' artists compete with the luxurious interiors and views for your attention.

+ ritzcarlton.com

Enter Stage Right

In the heart of Melbourne’s theatre district, Le Méridien Melbourne honours the building that first stood on its footprint. Originally a theatre, then a music venue, it has suites with record players and vinyl records from bands that once played here, rooms overlooking Parliament House and St Patrick’s Cathedral, and a restaurant named Dolly (after the commonly used camera effect –the dolly zoom – conceived of by Alfred Hitchcock).

+ marriott.com

A sweep of new luxury hotels in the city and beyond offers captivating views, classy eateries and dazzling rooms. Stay a while.

The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne

Driving Style

After a two-year transformation, The Royce Hotel has reopened, boasting a new level of opulence. The suites are cosy and comfortable, some with balconies, others with terraces. In the original building, a former Rolls-Royce showroom, are six loft suites with heritage Art Deco features and views of the Shrine of Remembrance. The Showroom Bar is a glitzy all-day diner already popular with locals. + roycehotel.com.au

3 More to Try

These more modest openings offer chic rooms and fantastic facilities in interesting locations. Comfort meets lifestyle at the Dorsett Melbourne

Located at West Side Place, it has transport, entertainment and Marvel Stadium on the doorstep. Before becoming accommodation, Richmond’s The Motley Hotel was occupied by a theatre costumier. Her artistry has been carried through the 80 rooms and common spaces. With its 106 apartment-style rooms, Adina Apartment Hotel Pentridge

Melbourne is perfect for family breaks and longer stays, all set within the bluestone walls of a former prison. + dorsetthotels.com

+ themotleyhotel.com.au

+ adinahotels.com

Dorsett Melbourne

Le Méridien Melbourne Pete Dillon

Landmarks & Laneways

Artistic Heritage Rekindled

One of Melbourne’s newest hotels takes design inspiration from the artistic flare of the site’s former residents.

In times gone by, this Melbourne location has been a theatre and music venue, and Le Méridien Melbourne plays homage to that history. Whether you’re staying upstairs – the Palace Suite has a turntable, Marshall speaker and vinyl records from bands who played in the old venue – or dropping in to eat, you’ll find the references at every turn.

Showbiz Showcase

The restaurant, Dolly, is named, not after the country music legend or the famous musical, but the dolly zoom technique, first used by Alfred Hitchcock. On the menu are European classics created using Victorian produce, while the drinks list includes theatrically presented

cocktails inspired by some of the big names in entertainment who appeared on stage and screen here.

Between the Scenes

On the ground floor is Intermission, a cafe and bar. Here, with its green marble benchtops, theatre lighting and menu boards, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time to the MGM Cinema that stood here from the 1930s to 1970. During the day, it serves Axil coffee, freshly baked pastries, sandwiches and scoops of gelato, and at night becomes a wine bar. Peek out to see the Stephen Baker mural in the driveway and enjoy the projected video art by Wendy Yu.

+ dollymelbourne.com

Dolly Restaurant Pete Dillon

A Place to Remember

The Shrine of Remembrance is the war memorial of Victoria and one of Melbourne’s most recognisable landmarks. We share the stories of ordinary people in extraordinary times, whose efforts and experiences helped shape our nation.

Explore the expansive Galleries of Remembrance, find peaceful reflection in the Sanctuary and ascend to the Balcony for spectacular views of the reserve and Melbourne.

Ticketed tours depart hourly from the Visitor Centre (except midday). The Last Post Service occurs every Sunday at 4.45pm on the forecourt, complete with buglers, bagpipers and Shrine Guard in historic uniform.

Free entry, every day.

Tram: Take any southbound tram from Federation Square (except route number 1) to Stop 19 Shrine of Remembrance.

Train: Flinders Street Station

Open: Daily, 10am to 5pm (last entry 4.30pm)

Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday

Birdwood Ave, Melbourne

t: 03 9661 8100

w: shrine.org.au

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Melbourne River Cruises

Enjoy sightseeing or a trip to Williamstown and discover the best of what Melbourne has to offer.

Yarra Sightseeing Cruises: One or two-hour cruises daily from 10.15am to 4pm, departing every 30 minutes. City & Williamstown Ferry: One-way or return trips daily from 10.30am to 3.30pm, departing every hour.

Open: Daily, 9am to 4pm

Special offer: 20% discount on all cruises*

Use code MRC20 when booking

Tram: Flinders Street Station Stop 4

Train: Flinders Street Station

Ticket kiosk: Southbank Lower Promenade

Berth 2 (below Southgate food court)

t: 03 8610 2600

w: melbcruises.com.au

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Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Entry is free to Australia’s number one tourist attraction and one of the world’s most beautiful gardens. Home to breathtaking landscapes and fascinating tours, it’s the perfect place to reconnect with nature, in an inner-city oasis.

Venture inside to explore unusual plants from across the globe, as well as rare native species. Wander between succulents erupting from the earth at Guilfoyle’s Volcano, take a moment of peace by the warbling creek in Fern Gully, or simply roll out a picnic rug by Ornamental Lake and spend your day relaxing or taking a peaceful boat ride.

Tram: Route 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 or 72 to stop 19

Open: Daily, 7.30am until 5.30pm (1 April to 4 October)

Daily, 7.30am until 7.30pm (5 October to 31 March)

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne

t: 03 9252 2429

w: rbg.vic.gov.au

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*T&C: Valid for adult and child tickets only. Cannot be redeemed with any other offer.

A trio of multilevel meccas of food, drink and entertainment make for a fuss-free night out in Melbourne. No wandering around the city required.

Eat & Drink

Morris House Jake Roden

Vertical Venue

The original vertical laneway has had a multitude of uses, from Tattersalls Club to Communist Party headquarters, but now Curtin House on Swanston Street houses restaurants, bars, specialty retail and music venues across its many levels. Start at sunset at the Rooftop Bar, where there’s a huge array of drinks to choose from, including cocktail jugs to start the night off right. Feeling peckish? Head downstairs to Cookie for excellent Thai food or to Mesa Verde for Mexican and mezcal. Later in the evening, The Toff has a range of events in its band room, including DJs, album launches and comedy.

+ rooftopbar.co

Raise the Bar

The many moods of the city can all be found at HER Melbourne. Whether it’s lunch or later, drop into HER Bar on the ground floor, where there’s a French-inspired menu and a list of signature and classic cocktails. Up on level four, HER Rooftop is a relaxed space with a cocktail-centric list offering the perfect opportunity for a sundowner. One floor down, BKK is a Thai restaurant taking its cues from the night markets of Bangkok. Think barbecued skewers, wok-fried noodles, curries and other fiery delights. Late-night moods and grooves are served up in the Music Room, a listening bar lined with vinyl. It’s the place to treat yourself to a nightcap.

+ her.melbourne

Upstairs, Downstairs

Chances are if you’ve been to Melbourne before, you might have stopped for a drink at Morris House. Built in 1924, but formerly the site of the European Bier Cafe, it has undergone a complete transformation. Now, across its four storeys, it offers elevated pub food in the dining room, a bar featuring live music, a rooftop bar and, in the basement, a dedicated comedy lounge. Drop in for a drink or a show or spend the night moving from one floor to the next.

+ morrishouse.com.au

The Toff

HER Melbourne

Eat & Drink

a Gastronomic Gem

Marco Pierre White: Melbourne’s

Marco Pierre White, renowned chef and culinary expert, shares his insights on Melbourne’s vibrant food scene.

Marco Pierre White at ISH Peter Foster

See more of Marco Pierre White's highly rated Melbourne dining experiences.

With his extensive knowledge and global travels, Marco Pierre White delves into what makes Melbourne truly special in the culinary world.

You’ve visited our city many times. What keeps you coming back?

Melbourne is one of the great gastronomic cities – there’s nowhere like it in the world really. It has a true love for eating, cooking and dining out. It’s a unique place with real creativity and passion for food. I mean, look at all these little holes in the wall. Most people wouldn’t even consider putting a restaurant in that size environment, but these people make their living being clever. It’s what they do and they’re cooking delicious food.

What do you think sets Melbourne’s food scene apart from others?

Melbourne excels in the middlemarket restaurant scene. Restaurants offer delicious quality food, friendly service and a relaxed atmosphere. They are places where you can have fun and enjoy your evening.

What do you love most about Melbourne?

The people. This city is made special by the kindness and warmth of its people.

When you come to Melbourne where do you like to stay?

The majority of the time I spend is in the city, but I love Gertrude Street.

It’s one of my favourite streets in the world. I love the architecture, the feel of the street and the food is delicious there. It’s got a really good European vibe, but that’s Melbourne. Melbourne is like a European city.

Where are your favourite places to visit and eat here in Melbourne?

I like Flower Drum and Di Stasio. Tipo 00 is another favourite. The list really does go on and on and on. It’s not just about the food, it’s about the whole evening,, the service and the environment you sit in.

Can you sum up the perfect restaurant in three words?

Something very delicious.

Tipo 00 Ain Raadik

Yarra Botanica Jake Roden

Pepe’s Italian & Liquor

Delightful Outdoor Dining

Refreshing Retreats

Four levels of dining, drinking and fun await at the gorgeous Garden State Hotel. Find a spot under the towering ficus in the beer garden and settle back with a margarita. Paired with a sizzling steak or fresh seafood, your outdoor evening will be off to an excellent start.

Situated in the heart of New Quay in Docklands, Cargo is a lively eatery and beer garden. Feel the breeze in your hair as you soak up the waterside views. Load the table with paella and pizza for everyone to dive into.

Italian Alfresco

Housed in a handsome nineteenthcentury synagogue, Pepe’s Italian & Liquor comes complete with a picturesque courtyard. Enjoy a drink under the garden’s 150-yearold heritage-listed tree.

Stroll north along leafy Lygon Street and discover where Melbourne’s famous cafe culture was born. It was here that post-World War II migrants developed a thriving community in the heart of the city. Lygon Street is home to The University Cafe, the site of Melbourne’s first espresso machine back in 1952.

Waterside Whimsy

On the edge of the city at South Wharf, the Boatbuilders Yard is an award-winning bar and cafe with a South American and Mediterranean slant. Stylishly blending the history and the charm of the maritime precinct with a modern twist, it's set beside the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and the Polly Woodside sailing ship. It has the perfect outdoor deck for brunch, dinner, sunset drinks, any time really.

Yarra Botanica is the ultimate golden hour spot in Melbourne. This two-level floating bar, in the heart of Southbank, celebrates seasonal local produce, including artisan cheeses, sustainable seafood and farm-fresh fruit and vegetables. With an all-local line-up of drinks, Yarra Botanica is an Insta-worthy must-visit this spring.

Let a local show you more of the city’s unique dining and architectural spaces during a free guided walking orientation of the city with the Melbourne Greeter Service.

Boatbuilders Yard

Eat & Drink

No Better Place

A Sporting Chance

It’s footy finals season, and there’s no reason to miss a moment of the action. The strategically positioned big screens mean you’ll never miss a goal when you catch up with friends at The Pub or Sports Bar. If you’re off to a game, meet up at one of Crown’s restaurants or bars – Gradi is great for brilliant pizza.

Once the footy season is over, the fun of spring racing begins. Celebrate in the sun at one of Crown’s terrace venues, like Merrywell, overlooking the Yarra River.

Dress for the Occasion

There’s no better time of year to refresh your wardrobe than spring, the season of renewal. Crown is home to several luxury fashion houses, including Prada, Ferragamo and Louis Vuitton. Finish off your new outfit with a visit to Paspaley or Omega.

Global Flavours

The Crown Riverwalk comes alive during spring with a range of eateries serving cuisines from around the world. Treat yourself to classic French fare at Bistro Guillaume, experience the art of Chinese cuisine at Silks,

or enjoy the famous fusion flavours of Nobu. For a modern take on Thai flavours, book a table at Ging Thai, with its delicious handmade cocktails and Thai food with a twist.

+ crownmelbourne.com.au

Crown Melbourne

Head to Crown Melbourne this spring for sporting action, incredible eateries and fashion moments.

Wake Up Wonderful

Once, ordering a non-alcoholic drink involved soft drinks and frothy fruity concoctions. But with a push to offer better options for those abstaining, barkeeps across the city are stocking fridges with no-alcohol wine and beer, adding zero per cent gins, whiskies and vodkas to the shelves, and preparing their own sodas, tinctures and bitters to raise the booze-free game. Here’s where to try them.

No Alcohol, No Problem

The rooftop at Madame Brussels is always popular, and its drinks list now includes a Those Who Abstain section. Toast spring’s arrival with the Penguin Parade (Lyre’s Italian Spritz, passionfruit, agave and soda). Take a peek at the science behind the sips at the worlds first non-alcoholic cellar door – at Non HQ in Cheltenham, interested punters can take a behindthe-scenes tasting tour.

+ madamebrussels.com

+ non.world

Northern Wonders

While Johnny’s Green Room in Carlton has a good selection of nonalcoholic drinks, including icy cans of Heaps Normal lager, head further afield to visit Brunswick Aces. This is Melbourne’s first bar and distillery where you can get alcohol-free or boozy versions of every drink on offer. Keen to find out how Sapiir, its version of non-alcoholic gin, is made? This is the place to do it. Or simply sit down at the bar and enjoy as many booze-free cocktails, beers and wines as you like.

+ johnnysgreenroom.com

+ brunswickaces.com

Madame Brussels Greg Elms

Booze-free bevvies are having a moment and the variety of options are better than ever.

Pullman Melbourne on the Park

It’s game time. Melbourne is the undisputed sporting and entertainment capital of Australia, and Pullman Melbourne on the Park is your home at the epicentre of the action. Next to the MCG and close to Rod Laver Arena, it puts you right in the field of play to explore springtime Melbourne's footy finals, concerts, dining and more. If you just want to stay in, high tea at the hotel in The Cliveden is a must.

Our world is your playground.

Tram: Route 75 & 48 to stop 11

Train: Jolimont Station

192 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne

t: 03 9419 2000

w: pullmanonthepark.com.au

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Marvel Stadium

Epic lives here!

Come down to visit the busiest multi-purpose venue in Australia, located in the heart of Melbourne. Marvel Stadium is renowned for hosting some of the city's biggest sporting events including AFL, BBL, soccer and many memorable concerts including Harry Styles, Adele and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The stadium also hosts special events and corporate functions, offering spectacular views of the arena and harbour.

Train: Southern Cross Station

Tram: Tram 11, 48, 86 & 96 towards Southern Cross Station Tram 30, 35 & 86 for La Trobe Street entrance.

740 Bourke Street, Docklands

w: marvelstadium.com.au

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Prahran’s Food Fair

Whether you’re filling the pantry or looking for lunch, you’ll find it at Prahran Market.

Since 1864, it has been a mainstay for Melbourne foodies. Today, Prahran Market remains an excellent option for sourcing quality ingredients –some of the traders’ families have sold their wares here for generations. Right alongside the finest fresh produce in the city, you’ll also find lip-smacking street food and snacks ready to be devoured all under the one roof.

Fresh Fix

Stop by Pino’s Fine Produce, a third-gen family fruiterer, or head to Paddlewheel, Victoria’s first farmers’ market store bringing the best and

freshest goods straight from farmer to consumer. Get specialty items from around the world at Pete n Rosie’s Deli and the freshest catch from Claringbold’s Seafoods

Culinary Diversity

People come from right across Melbourne to eat the incredible toasties from Maker & Monger, although Anatolia Gozleme’s offerings are just as popular, with lines out the door most days. If you’ve got a taste for Japanese food, take a seat at Wasshoi, a sumibi yaki (barbecued skewers) bar.

Learn More

Join one of the Prahran Market

Discovery Trails (on the third Saturday of each month) to sample some delicacies and meet the traders. It’s a great way to uncover unusual culinary delights right across the markets. Every Saturday and Sunday, grab something to snack on and enjoy live music in the square. + prahranmarket.com.au

Prahran Market Josie Withers

Eat & Drink

Make it a Queen Vic Market

Market Medley

Explore the Sheds

Queen Victoria Market is Melbourne’s premier shopping, food and event destination. Wander the stalls to eat, drink, shop and immerse yourself in more than 145 years of history and culture. Along the way, you'll meet some of the market’s wonderful personalities, soak up the atmosphere and see why Queen Victoria Market is loved by locals and visitors alike.

European Evenings

The Europa Night Market brings your favourite European street eats to the market's sheds.

Browse homewares, art and design, gourmet foods and souvenirs. Enjoy traditional music and entertainment plus Euro-inspired bars. The Europa Night Market will run over five Wednesday nights this spring, from 27 September to 25 October.

One for the Foodies

Join the Ultimate Foodie Tour, a culinary journey through Queen Vic Market. Indulge in an abundance of local seasonal delights, the freshest seafood, char-grilled kangaroo, artisan cheese and chocolate, melt-in-yourmouth pastries, gelato and more,

as your small group explores the stalls, led by an expert tour guide. Tours are held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 10am. Bookings are essential.

+ qvm.com.au

day, where the whole family can enjoy tasty treats and loads of fun.

Holy Nuts at Queen Victoria Market

Aboriginal Victoria

Koorie Heritage Trust Justin Meneguzzi

Wonder Wall

The Birrarung Gallery at Melbourne Museum’s Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre celebrates the vibrant culture of local First Peoples. Along the north wall, see Judy Watson’s incredible work Wurreka, 74 etched panels reflecting imagery from Aboriginal cultural heritage and the landscapes of Victoria.

+ museumsvictoria.com.au

Indigenous Flavour

Her home of Mer, an island in the Torres Strait, is the inspiration for chef Nornie Bero. Big Esso at Fed Square is a funky space perfectly matched to the big flavours of her dishes, like braised spatchcock with a native green ant curry spice.

+ mabumabu.com.au

Cafe Culture

Native flavours are added to the lunchtime menu of sandwiches, pastries and salads at Pawa Cafe & Bar, located beneath Hamer Hall and overlooking Birrarung (Yarra River). Later in the day, stop by for grazing platters and cocktails made with Pawa’s own Taka Gin. + pawacatering.com.au

Kulin Country

The area around the Royal Botanic Gardens is a significant site for the people of the Kulin nation. When you join an Indigenous guide for the Aboriginal Heritage Walk, you’ll learn about its ongoing history, as well as how native plants are used.

+ rbg.vic.gov.au

All About Art

See Aboriginal art, both traditional and contemporary, at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, located in Fed Square. Watercolour Country: One Hundred Works from Hermannsburg (from 27 October) brings together works by Arrernte, Western Arrernte and Kemarre/Loritja artists, including Albert Namatjira.

+ ngv.melbourne

Immersive Interaction

If you’re heading east on a weekend getaway, stop in at the Aboriginal Art Gallery at Forestec in East Gippsland to view a wide range of artworks from many talented Aboriginal artists living, working and practicing culture across the region. The gallery has a bush cafe on site and is a warm and engaging space that offers visitors an opportunity to feel the connection that Traditional Owners have to Country and culture.

+ gunaikurnai.org/our-culture

Step Out

Check out the galleries and exhibition spaces at Koorie Heritage Trust at Fed Square or take advantage of the spring weather to join one of the guides for the Birrarung Wilam (River Camp) Walk along Birrarung (Yarra River). + koorieheritagetrust.com.au

Learn more about the living history of Victoria’s Indigenous communities by adding these tours and attractions to your itinerary.

Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre Artra Sartracom

Aboriginal Victoria

Meaningful Cultural Connections

In central Victoria, engage with the culture, history and welcoming community of the Taungurung Nation, who invite you to their Country for a wawa biik guided cultural experience you won’t forget.

Welcome Smoking Ceremony by Uncle Shane Monk

In Taungurung language, wawa biik means ‘hello Country’ and introduces visitors to the stories and perspectives of the Taungurung People, whose Country stretches from the High Country to the floodplains of Lake Eildon and to the wetlands of Nagambie. A wawa biik cultural experience is an immersive, educational and fun way to connect with their Country and Culture.

Sensing Country

One of the wawa biik experiences, ‘wawa Euroa’, leads guests through regenerated woodland at Euroa Arboretum. During spring it is possible to hear the pobblebonk frogs in ponds, see the vibrant colours of native flower species in full bloom, spot the red flush of the diamond

firetail finch and hear the gentle swoosh of native grasses as they sway in the breeze. Visitors will learn how sensory observations like these, that occur throughout each season, have a deeper meaning for the Taungurung people.

Connecting to Country

For thousands of years, Taungurung Ancestors have observed nature’s cycles and tracked the seasonal patterns. Indicators like plants, weather, moon phases and migration of animals provided vital details, signalling when to fish the rivers, harvest food on land, source natural resources (like medicines), or care for Country to promote the vitality of all living things interconnected with it.

Taungurung people are proud to share their perspectives on Country to help people feel more connected to the land they visit.

Custodians of Country

All experiences are led by Taungurung Custodians who are passionate about their role in caring for Country and Culture. The guides explain how their Ancestors lived in harmony with Country, taking only what was needed to minimise their imprint on biik and ensure it could sustain generations to come. These values are embedded in the Taungurung way of life today. By generously sharing the Taungurung story of biik, they believe everyone can begin to develop a deeper and more caring relationship with Country.

+ wawabiik.com.au

Wildflowers of Country wawa Euroa

Proud wawa biik guide, Jonah Honeysett

Aboriginal Victoria

Arts & Culture

Beyond Books

Set in one of the most architecturally impressive buildings in Melbourne, the State Library Victoria isn’t just a place to trawl shelves of books and magazines. A new digital guided tour called Wander combines stories from the library’s past with archival photos. Head to the library’s Victoria Gallery for Mirror: New views on photography, where more than 140 photographs from the archive, including work by Rennie Ellis, Viva Gibb, Helmut Newton and more, are combined with the words, performance and sounds of Alice Skye, Christos Tsiolkas, Jason Tamiru, Walter Kadiki and other storytellers to produce new narratives of Victorian people and places.

+ slv.vic.gov.au

Classic Beauty

At NGV International, check out Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi (until 8 October) and discover one of the central artists of the Nabi movement. Paris-based designer India Mahdavi, who shares Bonnard’s love for colour, has created a ‘scenography’ for his vibrant paintings, drawings, photographs and decorative objects, bringing many of the domestic elements seen in his work to life and placing the pieces within them.

+ ngv.melbourne

Sensory Storytelling

If you want to enjoy art in a different way, head to The Lume Melbourne Connection, the gallery’s newest exhibition, is a celebration of First Peoples art and music, showcasing more than 100 artists. The immersive digital gallery is a colourful landscape of projections, colours and sounds

which tells a story of the traditional custodians of the land in this unmissable exhibition.

+ thelumemelbourne.com

Stage Craft

Day and night, Arts Centre Melbourne offers entertainment and dining options. Check out free exhibitions at Australian Music Vault to discover (or rediscover) the story of pop, rock and other contemporary music forms. Stop for coffee in the sun at Protagonist, outside the Theatres Building, or arrive early for a show and grab dinner and drinks at The Barre. What to see? The MTC production of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill (from 19 October) is a portrait of one of Billie Holiday’s final shows. Or perhaps the Australian Ballet’s reinvention of Swan Lake (19–30 September) will put a pirouette in your step.

+ artscentremelbourne.com.au

Galleries and museums, theatre and music… They’re at the heart of Melbourne’s identity. Make some time during your visit to immerse yourself in their beauty.

Pierre Bonnard: designed by India Mahdavi at NGV Lillie Thompson

Arts & Culture

Spring in Bloom

Melbourne artist Manda Lane captured the essence of the season for the cover of this guide. This is how she did it.

Manda Lane

The natural world is Manda Lane’s biggest inspiration. Taking cues from a classic Melbourne painting and the unfurling of spring, she hand-cut a sensational artwork that showcases Melbourne waking up from winter.

Getting Started

Perhaps a late starter when it comes to the art world, Manda began drawing as an adult. “I started sketching passers-by in my work lunchbreaks, as well as drawing the Melbourne architecture around me before work,” she says. “I’d started working more with technology in my day job, and increasingly turned to illustration and art to step away from the computer and appreciate more of the world around me.”

Since then, it’s become a key part of her life, and Manda is an indemand muralist, illustrator and paper-based artist, whose work has appeared in streets and galleries across Melbourne, including NGV International.

Flower Power

It was nature’s imperfection that first drew Manda to depicting botanicals in her work. “Over time that obsession [with botanicals] grew,” she says. “It’s been seven years so far, and I still get excited by curled leaves, the detail on flower petals, and the unrestricted, winding nature of ivy growth.”

Cover Star

For this issue, Manda looked to a classic Melbourne painting, John Brack’s Collins St, 5p.m , which shows workers heading home from the city and now hangs at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. Her piece is called Melbourne, 5pm, in bloom.

“It’s hand cut from paper, featuring spring botanicals blooming around Melbourne locations, such as Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall, Fed Square and Flinders Street Station,” Manda says.

“This artwork looks at the city as a place of bloom, encouraging visitors to remain in the CBD as the daylight hours grow longer, the weather gets warmer, and Melbourne comes alive after winter.”

+ mandalane.com.au

Manda Lane P1xels

Manda Lane in Abbotsford P1xels

Arts & Culture

Spring’s the Thing

Is there anyone who doesn’t love this time of year? Cover artist Manda Lane tells us about her favourite elements when spring rolls around.

The Barre at Arts Centre Melbourne

City Fun

“I have a studio in Collingwood, so when the weather gets nicer, I love walking through Fitzroy and Collingwood, watching skaters on Rose Street, and grabbing a coffee with a friend along Brunswick Street.

“On Friday, I bounce out of work to meet friends at Arbory on the river or The Barre at Arts Centre Melbourne to grab a drink and a snack in the sun.”

Peak Inspiration

“I’m inspired by inner-city corners with nature and weeds – little signs of life and greenery – growing through the bricks and from concrete corners.

“Melbourne is home to some great bookshops full of creative inspiration. Readings Carlton, Brunswick Bound, Bookshop by Uro and Metropolis Books all contain great books on art and design.”

Gallery Greatness

“I have a solo show at Fitzroy’s North Gallery from 13 October. It is a beautiful, old space where exposed brick and the aged floorboards are celebrated. It offers a raw charm that complements delicate artworks like paper cuts. In November, I’ll have a paper installation at Off the Kerb in Collingwood to coincide with the Walking the Wood festival.”

Street Art Style

“Duckboard Place, Baptist Place, Guildford Lane, Degraves Street, Centre Place and Presgrave Place are all great for exploring art in the city. Warburton Lane is a lesser known one but home to some great murals, including a collaboration between me and stencil artist Stampz.

“If you’re vibing on art with a side of greenery, a day trip out to Belgrave is also recommended, particularly along

Blacksmiths Way. A lot of us recently created fresh new works along that whole road. So much fun.”

Back to Nature

“I love exploring local creeks where native grasses and plants grow. Spring is a beautiful time with the wattle so bright and vivid. Yarra Bend Park, Merri Creek and Moonee Ponds Creek have so much vegetation and birdlife, it’s easy to forget how close you are to the city.”

+ artscentremelbourne.com.au

+ northgallery.com.au

+ offthekerb.com.au

Duckboard Place Image: Shannyn Higgins

Artwork: Steen Jones/Right: Lukas Kaspar

Wattle in spring Robert Blackburn

Arts & Culture

Music Matters

Discover Australia's contemporary music story – past, present and future, at the always-free Australian Music Vault.

Feel the Noise

Head to the Theatres Building of Arts Centre Melbourne to find the immersive, interactive Australian Music Vault. This free exhibition space highlights the finest musicians in the country’s recent history across genres including rock, pop and electronica. Be sure to spend some time in the Amplifier, a 360-degree audio-visual experience, where it feels as though you’re at the 1972 Sunbury Music Festival. New to this feature is Mushroom: 50 Years of Making Noise, a movie about Australia’s finest record company.

Memorabilia and Mementos

See stage costumes worn by Split Enz, Kylie Minogue and Olivia NewtonJohn alongside posters, photographs and notebooks from some of the best bands and musos in the land, many of whom have become big names around the world. There’s also the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA) Hall of Fame, which honours musicians including Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter, Jimmy Little and many more. Strength in Sound, the most recent installation, features Australian music communities in all their shapes and forms.

Meet the Musos

The Australian Music Vault, in collaboration with The Channel, its high-tech learning lab with worldclass recording studio and vocal booth, also hosts special events, including workshops, conversations with artists and book launches.

+ australianmusicvault.com.au

Australian Music Vault Jacinta Keefe

Arts & Culture

Feel the Beat

Live music is part of Melbourne’s culture, with gigs taking place every night of the week. Pop, rock, metal or folk, here’s where to catch a show.

That’s Entertainment

It was a cinema, but now the historical Forum Melbourne hosts some of the hottest international and local acts passing through the city. Gigs often sell out far in advance, but during spring the venue is hosting They Might Be Giants (7 and 15 October), Happy Mondays (21–22 October) and Grinspoon (6 November). Check the website and try your luck.

+ forummelbourne.com.au

Forum Melbourne

Cherry On Top

Despite a change of location in 2019, Cherry Bar still holds its place as Melbourne’s home of rock and roll. With a capacity of just 260, expect to be up close and personal to the action on stage. There are regular jam nights, local bands, international acts doing DJ sets and pre- and postdrinks for some of the big stadium shows.

+ cherrybar.com.au

Dance Fever

One of the stayers on the scene is Fitzroy’s The Night Cat, which specialises in funk, soul, Latin, disco, hip-hop and R&B. Its central stage means punters can see from anywhere in the venue. Some big names have played the room, but the Sunday evening salsa classes followed by dancing to a Latin band are a Melbourne institution.

+ thenightcat.com.au

Rock Original

It has been doing its thing since 1965, so 170 Russell (formerly Billboard, and Melburnians still often refer to it as that) is a big drawcard for international acts looking for a more intimate space to play. Tiered viewing means it’s easy to find a place to see the stage, and you’ll want to when the Original Wailers come to town (24 November).

+ 170russell.com

Magical Mystery Gigs

Taking music out of nightclubs and into alternative venues, including people’s living rooms, is the remit of Sofar Sounds. The website lists the suburb and date of an upcoming show, and you put your faith in the artist booking team when you buy a ticket. Actual locations are revealed 36 hours before the gig and you’ll see two or three diverse artists on the night.

+ sofarsounds.com/cities/melbourne

Cherry Bar Zo Damage

Arts & Culture

Family Fun

Now’s the perfect time to get out and about around Melbourne with the kids. See the sights, ride bikes and have fun in the sun.

Show Stopper

The best of Victoria comes to Ascot Vale for the Melbourne Royal Show (21 September – 1 October). See the finest livestock, watch the showjumpers, groove to live bands and ride the heart-stopping carnival attractions both day and night. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, including lots of showbags to take home at this family-friendly day out. royalshow.com.au

Animal Magic

Who doesn’t love a cute critter? Head to Melbourne Zoo where you can stroll through Lion Gorge checking out the big cats or lurk around the Gorilla Rainforest to see the apes and monkeys, lemurs and pygmy hippopotamus.

Find out what it’s like beneath the surface of the ocean at SEA LIFE Melbourne. From tiny marine creatures like seahorses to Pinjarra, the saltwater crocodile measuring more than five metres long, they’re all here to observe. Be mesmerised by the sea jellies in the Submerged exhibition or watch the antics of the penguins during your day at the aquarium.

+ zoo.org.au

+ visitsealife.com/melbourne

Good Sports

If the family likes cheering at the game or watching the cricket on TV, go behind the scenes with MCG Tours. Explore the inner sanctum of this world-famous ground, sit on the sidelines and check out the players’ rooms, the media centre and the MCC Library during this 75-minute guided tour.

If you’re new in town, join Melbourne by Bike for its city tour. For four hours, you’ll pedal around the city, checking out all the most famous sights – the MCG, Queen Victoria Market, the Yarra River –as well as quite a few hidden gems.

+ mcg.org.au

+ melbournebybike.com

Other Worlds

Head to Melbourne Skydeck where, from 88 levels above the ground, you’ll be able to see right across the city skyline, suburbs, Port Phillip Bay and beyond. While you’re there, the kids might enjoy the Voyager Theatre, a virtual reality ride that will have them flying over the city.

The wizarding world and the real one come together at Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature (until 8 October), on display at Melbourne Museum. Diverse specimens and artefacts from London’s prestigious Natural History Museum will be on display alongside custom-made models, original artworks and props from the Harry Potter movie series.

+ melbourneskydeck.com.au

+ museumsvictoria.com.au/ melbournemuseum

Melbourne Royal Show

Family Fun

Time to Get Active

Fill

For Thrill Seekers

Get ready for the ultimate mash-up of footy and golf with Stadium Golf at Marvel Stadium. Swing your way through a nine-hole course set out on the pitch below. Tee off from the corporate boxes or the player entrance and show off your skills. Score a hole-in-one and bag a cool $10,000 prize!

For tiny adventurers, there’s nothing quite like hitting the walls at Hardrock. This indoor climbing gym has courses to suit all levels and ages. Equipment is available for hire and even accommodates smaller members of the family, so everyone can get involved.

+ marvelstadium.com.au

+ hardrock.com.au

For Fun Folks

Hit the gas at Auscarts, an indoor go-karting set-up in Port Melbourne. In a GTV racing kart you’ll be hitting top speeds along the straight and manoeuvring into the corners on the 450-metre track. The minimum age for drivers here is 13.

your days with fun and games for the whole family. They’ll have a great time and so will you, whether you’re watching or playing along.

Hardrock

No matter how old they are, you’ll be able to find excitement and fun at The District Docklands. Take some great portraits at interactive 3D gallery ArtVo, play nine holes of mini golf, go bowling or take on the arcade games at Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, or strap on your skates at O’Brien Icehouse. It’s a world of entertainment.

+ auscarts.com.au

+ thedistrictdocklands.com.au

For Explorers

Take the youngest members of the family on a mission in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Collect a Seek and Find nature card from the visitor centre then go and explore the different landscapes while searching for everything on the cards.

Jump aboard Melbourne River Cruises for one of its Ports & Docklands tours along the Yarra River and check out the city, as well as Melbourne’s busy port, from the water. It’s the perfect way to spend an hour in the sunshine.

+ rbg.vic.gov.au

+ melbcruises.com.au

ArtVo at The District Docklands

Stadium Golf at Marvel Stadium Dylan Burns

Spirit of Melbourne Cruising Restaurants

Enjoy a relaxing three-hour Yarra River dinner cruise when you book a place on the Spirit of Melbourne cruising restaurant. Ticket includes:

+ Entrée tasting platter

+ Main course (one selection per guest)

+ Dessert platter

+ Cheese tasting platter

+ Tea, coffee and chocolates

+ Premium selection of Victorian red, white and sparkling wines, beers and spirits

+ Port or liqueur

Adult: $175 | Teens (13-17): $105 | Child (2-13): $80

Operating hours:

Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun: 7.30pm to 10.30pm

Office and booking hours: Daily, 9am to 5pm

Southbank Lower Promenade Berth 1

t: 03 8610 2600

w: melbcruises.com.au

Grand Galaxy Chauffeur

See Melbourne your own way with an executive driver –the ultimate mobile concierge experience. Choose from a selection of chauffeured vehicles and ride in first-class comfort. Open up a world of discovery and experience the attractions you want to see – wineries, landmarks, bay-views, mountains and more.

Use code GGCVIP to receive a 20% discount when booking (valid until 30 September 2023).

Pick up from anywhere in Victoria.

t: 0486 288 888

e: info@grandgalaxychauffeur.com.au

w: grandgalaxychauffeur.com.au

Find us on:

Take the Board Walk

Inside the Mansion

The experience starts with a tour through Mr Monopoly’s Mansion and getting a peek into his extraordinary life. Check out his study, gallery and the heart of his wealth, the vault. Inside it is a precious diamond guarded by a laser beam security system. Can you disable it?

See the City

Once you’ve left the mansion, it’s on to the streets of Monopoly City. Visit the Water Works and Electric Company before purchasing the

title deeds. Visiting hours at the jail are open, so you can stop by to visit Jake the Jailbird. Otherwise, head to the bank and try your luck winning Monopoly money.

Cash In

Monopoly is built on the idea that the more money you have on the board, the better. While enjoying the Monopoly Dreams experience, you can play a series of games, win Monopoly dollars and redeem them at the on-site retail store.

+ monopolydreams.com.au

If you’re a fan of passing GO and collecting $200, get on board at Monopoly Dreams.

Monopoly Dreams 4DX cinema

MCG and Australian Sports Museum

Step on hallowed turf of the Melbourne Cricket Ground and discover a world-class stadium where sporting history is created.

Follow in the footsteps of greatness at the MCG

Ever wanted to see behind the scenes at the mighty MCG?

Experience an unforgettable MCG Tour with an access-all-areas walk-through following the steps of great sporting legends. Follow your tour guide and soak up the atmosphere of the player change rooms, the Ron Casey Media Centre and members-only areas of the

Melbourne Cricket Club, like the Long Room. You’ll then walk along the sidelines of the hallowed arena. Come to the inner sanctum of the Melbourne Cricket Ground and discover what makes Australia such a great sporting country.

Discover more at the Australian Sports Museum

The Australian Sports Museum is no ordinary museum. It’s an exciting, interactive and everchanging experience where the latest technology has been used to create immersive exhibits and galleries. Take in historic and quirky facts and tales about cricket, Australian football and the Olympics. There’s also the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and the Victorian Racing Gallery. Visitors are

Tram: Route 48 or 75 to stop 12 or 70 to stop 7C

Train: To Richmond or Jolimont Station

MCG Tours: Daily, every 30 minutes between 10am and 3pm Australian Sports Museum: Daily from 10am to 5pm Alternative trading hours apply on event days. Please visit our website for information.

Gate 3, MCG, Yarra Park, Jolimont

t: 03 9657 8879

w: mcg.org.au

w: australiansportsmuseum. org.au

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invited to immerse themselves in important sporting moments with the largest collection of grassroots to elite sporting memorabilia.

Game On!

Test your own skills in the reimagined Game On! interactive space. Collect your sweatband, interact with the exhibits and register high scores, as you learn and immerse yourself in Australian sporting culture.

Family Fun

myki is your ticket to travel on trains, trams and buses around Melbourne and some parts of regional Victoria.

It’s easy to buy and instantly top up your myki with these simple steps:

1. Buy a myki card at a range of shops

3. Open the PTV app and select the myki icon

Find out more at ptv.vic.gov.au/myki

2. Download the PTV app and register your myki

4. Scan your myki and add funds straight to your phone

The Tea Rooms 1892

The Tea Rooms are a must-visit for anyone who comes to Melbourne. The first tenant of the Block Arcade when it opened on 14 October 1892, the famous tea rooms have been serving cakes, sandwiches, tea and scones, all made daily on site, for more than 130 years. The oldest tea rooms in Australia, having changed names three times in their 130-year history, have remained in their original home since 1892. A must for any visitor.

Open: Mon – Fri 8am to 5pm, Sat –Sun 9am to 5pm

Shops 1 & 2, The Block Arcade, 280 Collins St, Melbourne

w: thetearooms1892.com.au

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Melbourne Theatre Company

With new and in-demand productions all year round, Melbourne Theatre Company is your first stop for stories – the ones less told, the ones told before and the ones yet to be told. Located in the heart of the Melbourne Arts Precinct, you don’t have to travel far to experience world-class theatre. Discover what's on during your visit at mtc.com.au

Tram: Route 1 to stop 17 Train: To Flinders Street Station

Southbank Theatre

140 Southbank Boulevard, Southbank

t: 03 8688 0800

w: mtc.com.au

Find us on:

Melbourne Zoo

Bring your curiosity to life and explore a world of natural wonder. See our three gorgeous elephant calves as they learn, explore and grow. Engage your senses and journey into a range of different environments from an Asian rainforest where tigers roam to an Australian bushland with all your native favourites. There’s even an underwater world where penguins and seals swim around you. Enjoy free keeper talks, lush outdoor spaces and playgrounds for the kids. Kids visit free on weekends and school holidays.

Tram: 58 to stop 26 Melbourne Zoo

Train: Upfield Line, Royal Park Station

Open: Daily, 9am to 5pm

Elliott Avenue, Parkville

t: 1300 966 784

w: zoo.org.au

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Quirk Factor

If you’re into specialty items, make your way to Collins234. Head down the escalator and you’re in the centre of a huge Dymocks store, filled with every type of book imaginable. On the ground floor is Dacqua, an art and antique concept store, while upstairs is Morris and Sons, specialising in knitting and needlecraft supplies. + collins234.com.au

Fun Factory

If some want to shop and others would rather catch a movie or go bowling, head to The District Docklands. It has a range of stores, including women’s and men’s fashions, as well as tonnes of entertainment options. Once you’ve all had your fun, come together to have lunch at one of the many restaurants.

+ thedistrictdocklands.com.au

Local Legends

All your fashion needs come together under one roof at Emporium Melbourne. Situated in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, it showcases a range of Australian designers on level two. Some Melbourne faves include Gorman, Búl and Scanlan Theodore. Need a break? Head to stylish AU79 on level three for coffee and signature cafe dishes.

+ emporiummelbourne.com.au

Prized Items

Linked to Emporium by pedestrian bridges is Melbourne Central. Expect to find cool boutiques and stores here, including Milligram with its incredible stationery selection and Secret Sneaker Store for collectable footwear. Also worth checking out is the 100 Squared Emerging Designer Market beneath the shot tower. + melbournecentral.com.au

Hip to be Square

Designed around several alleyways emulating the city’s laneways, QV Melbourne opens to a central square surrounded by restaurants. Before you decide what’s for lunch, check out some of the individual looks

at Monsterthreads, Marais Men’s, Via Artists and American Rag. In the square, check out the feminist concept store, QVWC Shop.

+ qv.com.au

Designer Style

While exploring the luxury designer boutiques on Collins Street, make a stop at 80 Collins. Here you’ll find a clutch of high-end retailers, including Georg Jensen, Golden Goose and Saint Laurent. Of interest to many, is Şener Besim’s eponymous store, displaying his handcrafted, minimalist jewellery and eyewear alongside complementary clothing by Wardrobe.NYC.

+ 80collins.com.au

80 Collins Street Precinct Jesse Hisco

Fashion Fever

Take part in the city’s most stylish festival and see the best looks on the runway.

Catwalks in inspiring locations. Talks and workshops with the experts. Pop-up moments and immersive experiences. You can see it all at Melbourne Fashion Week (M/FW) from 23 to 29 October, when spring meets the runway.

Melbourne’s Finest Designers

Celebrate the best local fashion as it appears on M/FW runways right across the city. Expect the unexpected as shows featuring designers like Arnsdorf, Collective Closets, Ngali

and Chris Ran Lin come to the public in unexpected locations. Celebrate Melbourne’s vibrant and diverse fashion community, recognising talent from backstage to the front row.

Fashion Party Starters

It’s not all about the runways though. Take part in talks with design legends, hands-on workshops, creative fashion pop-ups, experiences that immerse you in the world of style and much more. Unlike many fashion festivals, all events at M/FW are open to the public so everyone can be inspired.

New Talent Uncovered

Each year, M/FW features collections from the next big names in fashion with a runway showcase featuring students from the city’s top fashion schools. The M/FW Student Award is also announced during this runway. Past winners include Helen Dong, now making waves in New York, and Amy Cottrell, whose namesake label merges unusual and recycled materials with innovative construction techniques.

+ melbourne.vic.gov.au/mfw

Melbourne Fashion Week

Shop

Sensational Style

After studying fashion design in South Africa, Belinda Glynn found herself in Melbourne. She worked her way up through the industry, ultimately becoming designer and creative director for OnceWas. In 2020 she took the leap and, with her business partner, bought it.

Timeless Elegance

Now, Belinda designs OnceWas pieces that make women feel confident and comfortable. “Our vision is to create remarkable investment pieces for women seeking effortless, stylish and timeless clothing with transitional wearability and versatility,” she says.

One of the designer’s signature features is pattern: “Our collections feature exclusive prints accented by luxurious leathers and fabrics that have an emphasis on natural fibres.”

Boldly Bright

Expect a bright outlook with the change of season. “I think this spring we’ll see a lot of colour – greens, blues and earthy toned neutrals – to really ease us out of our classic Melbourne winter wardrobes,” says Belinda.

“We have three gorgeous, tailored suits for spring, each in a breathable natural fabric, perfect for the unpredictable Melbourne weather and all in a different colourway and hand-designed patterns, making them an effortlessly chic eventdressing option.”

Race Day Panache

Many fashion insiders and influencers have worn OnceWas during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. “I think we’ll see a lot of patterns, embellishments, colour and matching co-ordinates,”

Belinda says, when asked about the 2023 trends. “Many will be bringing inspiration from their overseas winter travels back to Melbourne in spring.”

What about the rules surrounding each of the days? Is Derby Day still monochrome? Oaks Day incredibly feminine? “There are ways you can make the rules your own and rebel a little against some of the traditions,” Belinda advises. “By using accessories to accent an outfit you can add a little colour here and there and really put your own style stamp on the Melbourne Cup Carnival.”

+ oncewas.com.au

It’s the season of renewal and a return to the outdoors. Here, designer Belinda Glynn makes some spring style predictions.

Belinda Glynn Cara O'Dowd

St Kilda Esplanade Market

Discover handmade crafts and local food products at Melbourne’s only outdoor market by the bay. Set against the backdrop of St Kilda Beach, this vibrant makers’ market features unique artwork, jewellery, fashion and accessories, beauty products, delicious food and so much more.

The market is a great day out with family, friends and fur babies.

Start right here when you’re exploring St Kilda!

Handmade, unique, local… That’s your Esplanade Market.

Tram: Route 3a, 16 or 96 to stop 138

Open: Every Sunday from 10am to 4pm

Upper Esplanade, St Kilda

t: 03 9209 6777

w: stkildaesplanademarket.com.au

Find us on:

Brunetti Classico

Indulge in la dolce vita at cafe and pasticerria, Brunetti Classico, known and loved by tourists and locals alike for a truly authentic Italian experience. Mouth-watering biscuits, pastries, cakes and tarts are expertly crafted. Fresh pasta is handmade each morning, and woodfired pizza is lovingly prepared. Check out the all-new gelateria extension! All delicious treats are made with the highest quality fresh ingredients using recipes handed down through the generations in this family-owned business. Visit Brunetti Classico when you’re in Melbourne!

Tram: Tram 1 or Tram 6 towards Stop 112 - Lygon St/ Elgin St

Open: Mon–Thurs and Sun: 5am to 10pm, Fri–Sat: 5am to 11:30pm

380 Lygon Street, Carlton

t: 03 7034 7066

w: brunetticlassico.com.au

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Honouring Handmade

Crafted by Hand

Each weekend, the stalls at Rose St Artists Market are laden with items you’ll find hard to resist, whether you’re seeking something to wear or add to your home. A piece of art, some new earrings and carefully crafted homewares are all on offer, and if you can’t find exactly what you want, speak to a maker and commission something special.

Set in the heart of South Melbourne Market is SO:ME Space, an incubator for Melbourne’s finest young design talents. The focus is handcrafted, sustainable fashion and other wares from creative local businesses that have been around for fewer than five years.

+ rosestmarket.com.au

+ southmelbournemarket.com.au

To market, to market to buy something great! Right across Melbourne you’ll find stalls filled with the finest work from the city’s best makers.

SO:ME Space - The Supercool Josie Withers

Hungry for More

Head to the lively Prahran Market, a hub of quality organic produce, sustainable seafood, specialty cheeses and more. This established market is home to diverse and passionate traders – explore the theatre of food or join a monthly market discovery tour. If you’re feeling peckish, tuck in to hearty Italian from Oltre or freshly shucked oysters from a local fishmonger at Prahran Seafoods. You won’t go hungry as you explore one of Melbourne’s thriving markets.

+ prahranmarket.com.au

Sunday Best

Got some time one Sunday morning? Take a stroll along St Kilda Road in front of Arts Centre Melbourne to check out the Sunday Market. Meet the people who’ve stitched the fashions or thrown the clay as you browse all sorts of crafts from leather goods to hand-poured candles. Before you go, be sure to pick up a homebaked cake or perhaps some Dutch pancakes to enjoy.

Otherwise take to the waterfront for the St Kilda Esplanade Market.

Since 1970, it has been serving up high-quality creations by some of Melbourne’s best artists and craftspeople. If you’re looking for innovative fashion, a unique gift or handmade candles and soaps, you’ll find it all here.

+ artscentremelbourne.com.au

+ stkildaesplanademarket.com.au

Prahran Market

St Kilda Esplanade Market Josie Withers

Head into the suburbs for a fun day out. Find new flavours, shop up a storm or join a class to learn something new. Explore further and discover a whole other side of Melbourne.

Melbourne’s Neighbourhoods

Yarraville Village

The North Face

There are many independent boutiques and gift shops along Northcote’s High Street. Check out Clothing the Gaps, a fashion social enterprise that celebrates Aboriginal people and their culture. Ed Sheeran wore one of the label’s t-shirts on tour. At the end of the day, head to Free to Feed, where newly arrived migrants lead hands-on classes teaching their cuisines – it could be Persian or Vietnamese or Columbian. Of course, the night ends with a feast of everything you’ve cooked.

+ clothingthegaps.com.au

+ freetofeed.org.au

Southward Bound

Every Saturday morning, Terrapotter Studios in South Melbourne offers an open two-hour introduction to wheel throwing, where you’ll learn the fundamentals and make your own piece of pottery. Afterwards, you’ll likely be hungry, but you’re just a short walk from Lamaro’s Hotel, which offers some of the finest pub food in all of Melbourne.

+ terrapotterstudios.com

+ lamaroshotel.com.au

Eastern Promise

It’s time to brunch, and Box Hill is the place to do it. Zero Mode has a mix of classic brekkie dishes and Asian-inspired flavours on the menu. You might not be able to decide between crab chilli scrambled eggs or waffles with crispy chicken. Then it’s on to Puss & Mew Distillery for a gin-making masterclass. You’ll learn all about distillation then hit the botanicals wall to decide on your flavour profile. You’ll have your own tiny copper still to get it all going. + zeromode.com.au

+ pussandmew.com.au

Go West

If it’s lunchtime, head to Village Cantina, where you can fill up on Yarraville’s best tacos, burritos and margaritas. Afterwards, stroll around the collection of boutiques and stores or see what’s showing at the Sun Theatre. As the day ends, grab a bottle of your favourite adult beverage and head to Pinot & Picasso to flex your artistic muscles. There’s a different theme every evening, so choose one to suit.

+ facebook.com/villagecantina

+ suntheatre.com.au

+ pinotandpicasso.com.au

Puss & Mew Distillery

For more information within Victoria, visit the local Visitor Information Centres. + visitvictoria.com/vic

Northcote 1

Catch the number 86 tram from the city to get your shop on. Cute boutiques and gift stores can all be found within a couple of hundred metres on Northcote High Street. When you’re feeling hungry, head to Field Black for all-day brunch and a great coffee. Northcote is renowned for its live gigs. The biggest venue is Northcote Theatre but check out Northcote Social Club, too. Rock on!

Camberwell 2

Get your beauty sleep on Saturday night because Camberwell

Sunday Market is packed full of amazing retro, vintage and antique collectibles. Get there early (from 7am) to nab the best bargains. Luckily, trains on the Alamein, Belgrave and Lilydale lines all stop there. Afterwards, head to Haiku Cafe for Japanese brunch – the waffles are really popular – then check out what’s showing at the Art Deco Village Cinemas Rivoli

Yard Works

In a repurposed technical college in Collingwood, the arts community and members of the public come together in a space that encourages neighbourhood connection.

Collingwood Technical College Stefan Postles

The Collingwood Technical College was built in 1912, but the site had been sitting neglected and derelict for almost 20 years when a group of visionaries turned it into a place where the arts could flourish. Now, Collingwood Yards is a collection of affordable studios, retail and hospitality establishments, galleries and a boutique hotel.

Eat and Drink

Need a boost? Head to Padre Coffee for a caffeine hit and fresh sweet or savoury snack. As the day starts to wind down, step up to the rooftop and Runner Up Bar, where you can enjoy a limoncello spritz with views of the northern suburbs. Yes, it’s a community station, but Hope St Radio is also a restaurant and bar. Stop by for shared snacks or fresh pasta dishes.

Shop

Make an ethical fashion statement at The Social Studio, a not-for-profit social enterprise that provides training and jobs in the refugee and immigrant communities. If you’re inspired by the sounds coming from Hope St Radio, head to Licorice Pie, where you can pick up second-hand vinyl records from all parts of the globe. At Bookshop by Uro, browse the curated selection of architecture and design tomes.

Explore

Get a hit of contemporary creativity at artist-run West Space. Arts Project Australia is a social enterprise supporting and promoting artists with intellectual disabilities. They create at a studio in Northcote and curated shows are presented in this

space. Micro cinema Composite shows the work of artists working on the moving image, either as special events or as exhibitions.

Stay

Rest your head in this creative neighbourhood at Veriu Collingwood Located adjacent to Collingwood Yards, it offers 95 SoHo-inspired rooms and suites (the latter have fully equipped kitchens), some with balconies. Plus, there’s a rooftop bar, heated swimming pool and working space in the lobby.

+ collingwoodyards.org

+ veriu.com.au

Bookshop by Uro

The Social Studio Julian Chung

Melbourne’s Neighbourhoods

From the Source

That’s the Spirit

In a converted Williamstown warehouse, Bathtub Gin Co creates not only small-batch gins, but also whiskies, brandies, vodkas and limoncello. At the Distiller’s Bar, meet the makers, taste the spirits or try a cocktail. Check out Brogan’s Way in Richmond, where father-daughter duo Simon and Brogan Carr make four signature gins and seasonal and limited releases. Take a gin-making workshop or pull up a seat at the bar for cocktails.

+ bathtubginco.com.au

+ brogansway.com.au

True Brews

Settle in at Preston’s own brew pub, Moon Dog World, with its retractable roof for those sunny spring days. Choose from a whopping 72 taps serving Moon Dog beers and refreshing Fizzer seltzers. Kids will love the wide choice of arcade games in the dedicated game space. In Moorabbin, discover a locals’ favourite at 2 Brothers. This brewery and beer hall has a relaxed vibe, with a great selection of beers and ciders on tap, and Fat Bob’s Burgers to satisfy your hunger.

+ moondog.com.au

+ 2brothers.com.au

Grape Expectations

You wouldn’t expect to find a winery in Brunswick, but Noisy Ritual is a bit different. Sure, you can just come in for a glass, but you could also join a blending workshop or do a barrel tasting. On the banks of the Yarra River, Hawthorn Estate has less than a hectare of pinot noir, chardonnay and nebbiolo grapes. Make a booking if you want to visit and do a tasting.

+ noisyritual.com.au

+ hawthornestate.com

Raise a glass where your drink was made at these urban wineries, craft breweries and distilleries.

Brogan's Way Georgia Quinn

A Delightful LIL’ DETOUR

Get lost amongst 5000 roses in the Victoria State Rose Garden at Werribee Park, just 30 minutes from Melbourne. Don’t miss the State Rose & Garden Show on 11–12 November. Gather tips from gardening experts, picnic amidst the petals and much more. Start planning your little detour at visitwerribee.com

Take It Outside

Pack Your Lunch

Whether you make some sandwiches or fill a basket with salads, bread, cheese and wine, find a gorgeous spot to spread out your blanket. With huge shady trees and open lawns, there’s always somewhere to settle in at Edinburgh Gardens in Fitzroy North. Reserve a tennis court if you want to work up an appetite before lunch. The roses will be starting to bloom and there may even be ducklings in the pond at this time of year at St Kilda

Botanical Gardens. There’s a giant chessboard if you’re a keen player and gazebos and glasshouses to explore, either before or after your picnic.

+ yarracity.vic.gov.au

+ portphillip.vic.gov.au

Row Your Boat

After a multimillion-dollar glow-up, Kew’s Studley Park Boathouse is back open. Hire a rowboat for a splash on the Yarra then take your pick of what you want to do. Even

St Kilda Botanical Gardens Neil O'Connor

Get some sunshine on your face and fresh air in your lungs when you pack a picnic or pull on walking shoes and head outdoors.

though the 160-year-old building is looking splendid once more, the picnic packages, designed to provide everything for a riverside lunch, might be hard to resist on a spring day. Take out a rowing skiff, canoe or kayak at Fairfield Boathouse & Tea Gardens, set on a bend on the Yarra River. If you get an early start, come back and order a Devonshire tea.

+ studleyparkboathousekew. com.au

+ fairfieldboathouse.com

Try a Trail

You don’t need to go too far to find a great place to walk. The Maribyrnong River Trail is 28 kilometres long, running from Southbank in the city all the way to the suburb of Brimbank Park. There are plenty of places you can get started, like Canning Reserve, then walk north first, which will eventually head back towards the city. Head Bayside to conquer part of the 17-kilometre Brighton to Beaumaris coastal trail. Popular with artists for

many years, the trail is dotted with interpretative signs that show the art the landscape inspired.

+ victoriawalks.org.au

Head to the PTV website, or download the app, to plan your trip to any of Melbourne’s amazing attractions.

Plan your journey

+ ptv.vic.gov.au

Studley Park Boathouse

Melbourne’s Neighbourhoods

Delight the senses at our award winning cellar door.

Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park

Visit Moonlit Sanctuary, Melbourne’s award-winning wildlife park, for an unforgettable experience with Australia’s diverse wildlife. Explore our enchanting bushland while engaging with more than 70 captivating Australian species, including endangered animals. Get up close and personal with kangaroos and wallabies as you hand-feed them. There’s also the chance to cuddle adorable koalas and take part in captivating encounters with colourful birds, adorable wombats, mesmerising reptiles, playful dingoes, and other fascinating creatures.

Open: Daily, 9:30am to 4:00pm

550 Tyabb-Tooradin Road, Pearcedale

t: 03 5978 7935

w: moonlitsanctuary.com.au

Find us on:

Werribee Open Range Zoo

From the mighty roar of lions to the unique sights of the savannah, spark curiosity and let your senses roam wild!

Climb aboard the safari bus and spot giraffes, rhinoceros, zebras and more.

Come face to face with lions, meerkats, and gorillas on the African River Trail and spot native animals including koalas, kangaroos and emus on the Australian Trail.

Kids visit free on weekends and school holidays.

Train & Bus: Werribee Line to Werribee station then Bus 439 to Werribee South

Open: Daily, 9am to 5pm

K Road, Werribee

t: 1300 966 784

w: zoo.org.au/werribee

Victoria’s Regions

Coastal Vision

Head to the Geelong Pier for the nineteenth Toast to the Coast (15 October), the city’s ultimate wine festival. Nearby, on the Bellarine Peninsula, Queenscliff Music Festival (from 23 November) features artists including Dan Sultan, G Love & Special Sauce and Ian Moss, alongside music for the kids in the family.

Be moved by the power of song, dance and storytelling at Reckoning (9 September), a powerful celebration of Indigenous culture being held at Portland on the Great Ocean Road.

Torquay plays host to the second leg of the new-look WSL World Longboard Tour during the Bells Beach Longboard Classic (until 2 September). It’s the only Australian stop on the tour and will feature 48 longboarders from around the world.

+ toasttothecoast.com.au

+ qmf.net.au

+ portlandartscentre.com.au

+ worldsurfleague.com

The Regional Edition

Australia’s premier food and wine festival hits the road from 11 to 19 November, bringing a thrilling program of special events to Gippsland, Ballarat and the Yarra Valley. Think celebrity guest chefs, exclusive collaborations with the best regional eateries, family-friendly food events and unique dining experiences in unexpected places.

Now in its second year, the Ballarat Unlocked program is a special feature of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival Regional Edition, and offers visitors incredible dining experiences designed to showcase the rare gems and historical buildings in this thriving cultural city.

+ melbournefoodandwine.com.au

Art and Fun

Meet the makers during the Loddon Valley Arts Trail (6–7 October) in the Bendigo region. It will feature more than 20 artists and venues exhibiting many forms of art, including paintings (in a range of mediums), knitting, metal, wood craft, mosaics, garden art and more.

Head to the hills for the Mansfield

High Country Festival (3–7

November). Check out the producers’ market, roaming entertainers, concerts, children’s entertainment and a petting zoo. Taste local wine, beer and cider alongside a variety of street food options.

+ bendigoregion.com.au

+ highcountryfestival.com.au

Give your time in the regions an extra dimension by taking a trip to coincide with a food, wine, music or arts festival.

Queenscliff Music Festival

Victoria's Regions

For more information within Victoria, visit the local Visitor Information Centre. + visitvictoria.com/vic

Daylesford 1

There’s goldmining history in this region, of course, but there’s much more to discover. Take in the Daylesford Sunday Market before lunch on the deck at the acclaimed Lake House.

Castlemaine 2

If you love fossicking through treasures, Castlemaine is the place to be. The Mill Castlemaine serves up a collection of art studios, makers’ workshops, vintage warehouses and a food precinct.

Macedon Ranges 3

Woodend is at the heart of the Macedon Ranges and it’s the perfect base for exploring wineries and Hanging Rock.

Plan your journey

Use the free PTV app or visit the website below to plan your journey and get travel updates. + ptv.vic.gov.au

Spring brings the blooms, so head out of Melbourne to enjoy magnificent gardens and national parks and be dazzled by the colourful displays.

Victoria in Full Flower

Wildflowers in the Grampians

Wildflower Flare

North of Geelong, Brisbane Ranges

National Park is the richest wildflower habitat in Victoria. Head to Stony Creek Picnic Area and follow one of the walking trails through gullies and along ridges where you can see the seasonally blooming grasstrees, wattles, hakeas, bush peas and orchids.

There are more than a thousand species of flowering plants in the Grampians region, and spring is the best time of year to see them. Take on the easy or more challenging walks in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park to enjoy spectacular views, cascading waterfalls and native wildflowers.

+ parks.vic.gov.au

Flourishing Festivals

Head to Silvan in the Yarra Valley for the Tesselaar Tulip Festival (16 September – 15 October). More than a million flowering bulbs, including 900,000 tulips, will transform the landscape into a colourful floral tapestry.

At a nearby orchard, check out the Cherry Hill Blossom Festival (from 16 September), where the cherry blossoms come out for two weeks. There are posh picnics, workshops and the chance to have a professional photographer take your picture among the flowers.

The Kyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival (until 10 September) puts the bulb in focus. The weekend of open gardens and arts events concludes with a grand parade and fair on the town’s main streets.

+ tulipfestival.com.au

+ cherryhill.com.au

+ kynetondaffodilandartsfestival. com.au

Glamour Gardens

Take a walk around the lake and look for ducklings at Castlemaine Botanical Gardens while you enjoy the blooming brilliance of one of Victoria’s oldest botanic gardens. Bring a picnic because there’s plenty of lawn to enjoy among the displays of spring flowers, including daffodils, jonquils, silver wattle and fairy wax flowers.

Another spectacular display can be seen at Ballarat Botanical Gardens

Enjoy the sculptures, check out the Robert Clark Conservatory with its display of butterfly flowers and spring bulbs, or visit the farmers’ market on the second and fourth Saturday of every month.

+ bendigoregion.com.au

+ ballaratbotanicalgardens.com.au

Victoria's Regions

Ballarat Botanical Gardens Jarrod Andrews

Tessellar Tulip Festival

INTERNATIONAL ROSE GARDEN FESTIVAL 11 - 12 NOV, MORWELL

The buds are set to bloom for a two-day celebration of over 4,000 roses in the heart of Gippsland. The festival program is bursting with attractions including Costa Georgiadis, stalls, workshops, night light installation, live music, food trucks and children’s activities. Travel to and from the event in style by heritage steam train from Melbourne. Festival entry is free.

irgfm.com.au

Seasonal Delight

Golden Days

During the gold rush, the tiny mountainside town of Walhalla was home to 4,000 fortune seekers. Today, it remains almost unchanged, although now only a handful of residents live in homes neighbouring the heritage buildings. Ride the Walhalla Goldfields Railway through the spectacular Stringers Creek Gorge and tour the Long Tunnel Mine. Above ground, bright wildflowers add colour to the landscape.

Spring in Bloom

The wildflowers around Mirboo North in South Gippsland come to life at this time of year. Stroll or cycle along the Grand Ridge Rail Trail stopping for a pub meal at Grand Ridge Brewery. Baromi Park in the centre of town is perfect for families, with a playground, barbecues and skate park. Otherwise, hit the Lyrebird Forest Walk and finish with lunch in the garden courtyard at Lamezleighs Cafe.

Festival of Flowers

Head to Morwell for the International Rose Garden Festival (11–12 November) to view magnificent blooms. You can even learn how to make a terrarium or native bee hotel. More than 4,000 bushes are planted in the Morwell Centenary Rose Garden, so give yourself plenty of time to stop and smell them. There’s a huge program of workshops and talks, as well as market and food stalls, live music and family activities.

+ visitgippsland.com.au

Spring blooms, gold fever and spectacular gardens can all be found in Gippsland at this time of year.

Mirboo North Everyday Nicky

Victoria's Regions

On the Ball

Mick Fanning is one of Australia’s most successful surfers, having won three world championships during his 16-year career. He’s also one of the stars of Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, having rung the bell there four times. Now, he’s got a new sport, and in Victoria he can play golf near his favourite surf spots.

Tee Off

You might think being a world champ in one sport means you’d be an allrounder, but Mick is still mastering the game. “I got invited to play in the Presidents Cup Pro-Am and I had two months to learn,” he says.

When he’s in Melbourne, he tries to get to Barwon Heads to play at 13th Beach Golf Links. It has two courses – a beach course and a creek course – and they rotate days, so that one is available for members and the other for guests. “I played there with Owen Wright a while back and the bunkers are absolute monsters," says Mick.

“One of the great things about 13th Beach though is that you can go and have a nice wine at Jack Rabbit Vineyard on the other side of the Bellarine Peninsula when you’ve finished your round.”

Beachside Bunkers

There are other options for taking a swing around Mick’s old stomping ground of Bells Beach. “The RACV Torquay Golf Club is really nice,” he says. “It’s a links course with big wide fairways and great views.

“Then there’s Anglesea Golf Club at the start of the Great Ocean Road, which overlooks the ocean and has hundreds of kangaroos that like to hang out on the course.

“If you’re there on the weekend, you should head to Love House, the restaurant at Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club, for lunch. The food is great, and the deck looks right out over the beach.” + visitvictoria.com/golf

His retirement from professional surfing has allowed Mick Fanning to take up another sport. Here, he tells us about his favourite golf courses.

Travel on a Shoestring

Did you know you can explore anywhere in Victoria for as little as $10.00 a day? You'll need either a myki, V/Line paper ticket or bus paper ticket for your journey. Use the free PTV app or visit the website to plan your adventure.

+ ptv.vic.gov.au

Mick Fanning and Owen Wright at Jack Rabbit Vineyard

Mick Fanning

Watch how Mick Fanning goes from Bells to Birdies.

Victoria's Regions

Burgeoning Ballarat

Caught on Film

For its tenth edition, the Ballarat International Foto Biennale (until 22 October) is bringing the art of the camera to venues, both inside and out, right across the city. At the Art Gallery of Ballarat, see British portrait and documentary photographer Platon’s memorable portraits of people who have shaped the world, from the likes of Madeleine Albright to pop star Prince. Discover a collection of Andy Warhol's Polaroids, along with whimsical work from New Delhi-based Vineet Vohra, recognised as the most highly acclaimed street photographer of his generation. Be immersed in photography by hundreds of artists, and surrounded by images and ideas, in the heart of Ballarat.

In this former goldmining city, a new era of creativity is emerging. Here’s how to enjoy the best of it this spring.

Platon, Cate Blanchett, November 2004

Raise the Bar

New to Ballarat’s excellent bar scene is Grainery Lane. The saloon-style bar, located in a historical grain house, will bring back the glamour of the city’s gold rush era – think Peaky Blinders meets the Great Gatsby – with a mahogany bar, glittering chandeliers and leather couches. Gin and vodka are distilled on site, and the drinks list will showcase the venue’s products in traditional cocktails, alongside a select range of other spirits and drinks. The food

menu continues the liquor theme, featuring dishes infused with spirits (like gin-infused oysters) and other delicious morsels cooked over coals.

Blossoming Ingenuity

Get an insight into the hidden gems of the region while choosing your own analogue adventure. The Made of: Ballarat Experiences series showcases the city's creative community and natural landscapes. These immersive adventures, led by inspiring local hosts, take guests off the beaten path

to unwind from the daily grind. New for spring is a full day of gardening at the National Trust-listed Mount Mitchell Estate. Located in the Pyrenees wine region, this homestead, established in 1838, is framed by formal manicured rose gardens, parkland and orchards. For a mini retreat, you can also enjoy a day of guided yoga and hiking in the rural fringe of Ballarat.

+ visitballarat.com.au

Grainery Lane

Victoria's Regions

Outside Interests

Spring brings out the best in Victoria’s regions. Whether you want to walk to a waterfall or explore national parks, take it outdoors.

Wilsons Promontory Lightstation Walk

Walk the Walk

Head to Gippsland for some of the best walks in Victoria. Take a deep breath of fresh ocean air on the spectacular seven-kilometre George Bass Coastal Walk that follows the clifftops from San Remo to Kilcunda. With lush landscape, majestic trees and epic waterfalls, the 1.4-kilometre Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk follows a gully carpeted with ferns and across trickling streams.

The Wilsons Promontory Southern Circuit, also known as the Great Prom Walk, offers the best of everything in Victoria’s most loved national park. Enjoy beaches, hidden coves, wildlife, sunrises and sunsets, with the option to stay overnight in the lighthouse.

+ visitgippsland.com.au

Natural Beauty

Along the Great Ocean Road, discover the beauty of the Great Otway National Park. From wild beaches to lush rainforests, it’s all there to be explored. Walk to waterfalls, check out the Cape Otway Lightstation or kayak on lakes searching for platypus. Why not stay longer and camp or book a cabin at one of the area’s holiday parks?

See the best of Gippsland’s Snowy River National Park on the 3.2-kilometre return walk to Tulloch Ard Lookout. When you arrive, you’ll be standing above the Snowy River and staring out at a magnificent vista of mountains covered in grey gum forest.

+ parks.vic.gov.au

Cascade Central

One of the biggest single-drop waterfalls in Victoria can be found at Trentham Falls, which spills about 32 metres over basalt columns. It’s surrounded by lush bushlands, offering many spots for a shaded picnic. Plus, at this time of year, wildflowers turn it into a magical forest.

In the Yarra Valley, near Warburton, witness the beauty of racing water at La La Falls. Walk beside the mighty mountain ash trees and through ferny glades to the base of the falls.

There are four different walks in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, from easy to challenging, to get to Mackenzie Falls, the region’s only permanent waterfall.

+ daylesfordmacedonlife.com.au

+ visityarravalley.com.au

+ visitgrampians.com.au

Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk Josie Withers

Snowy River National Park

Garry Moore

Victoria's Regions

Phillip Island Nature Parks

Witness one of nature’s true spectacles as you watch Little Penguins waddle home every night at Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade. Spot koalas, wallabies and birdlife in their bushland habitat at the Koala Conservation Reserve, and experience the heritage working farm, historical grounds and gardens at Churchill Island. Learn stories of conservation, climate resilience and what lives in the deep, with the interactive and immersive experiences at the Antarctic Journey.

Make the most of your whole day out on Phillip Island and help us protect nature for wildlife by purchasing our best value ticket, the 4 Parks Pass.

Just 90 minutes from Melbourne, Phillip Island Nature Parks is a self-funded organisation. Revenue raised through our attractions is invested in vital research, environment and education programs.

Open: Daily from 10am. Penguins arrive at sunset.

1019 Ventnor Road, Summerlands, Phillip Island

t: 03 5951 2830

w: penguins.org.au

Find us on:

Arthurs Seat Eagle

Get ready to soar. Board a state-of-the-art gondola and fly over the state forest to the highest point of the beautiful Mornington Peninsula. Located just over an hour from Melbourne, The Eagle offers breathtaking views across Port Phillip Bay to Melbourne city skyline from the safety and comfort of a contemporary cabin. At the summit you can enjoy a casual dining experience at The Eagle Café, with its amazing views and an expansive outdoor deck. You’ll also find locally inspired gifts and fun souvenirs to remember your visit.

Open: Daily, from 10am

1085 Arthurs Seat Rd, Dromana

t: 03 5987 0600

e: info@aseagle.com.au

w: aseagle.com.au

Follow the Flavours

Enjoy tasting trails and a world of flavour in Shepparton and Goulburn Valley this spring.

Trail News

If you’ve got a weekend to explore, check out the recently launched Seasoned tasting trail. Taking in towns right through the Goulburn Valley, including Tatura, Murchison and Dookie, it brings together brewers, roasters, distillers, farmers and restaurateurs to tell their stories and bring guests the finest flavours in the region. The aim of the trail is to connect visitors to the rich food story of the region and allow them to sample a taste of all it has to offer.

Festivals of Fun

Shepparton turns it on during the St Georges Road Food Festival (7 October). This twilight food market, featuring dancing, musical performances and cooking demonstrations, will open your eyes to the magic of the region's diversity and culture. A month later, Fryers Street Food Festival (11 November) brings the city’s eat street to life, with food trucks, a kids’ zone, live music and specials from favourite local food businesses.

Flower Power

During spring, the flowering yellow canola turns the fields of Dookie Hills into a patchwork of green and gold. Pack a picnic and take a drive to the top of Mount Major. Walk the Mulana nin iyoga walking track, which provides plenty of viewing points for the more adventurous. Otherwise, grab a glass of wine at Rye at Tallis, a reimagined wine bar with a seasonal local menu, and take in the panoramic views towards the Great Dividing Range.

+ sheppandgv.com.au

St Georges Road Food Festival

Victoria's Regions

Reinvigorate Body and Soul

You’ve got to take care of yourself and there’s no better time for revitalisation and renewal than spring. Get a taste of the good life.

Metung Hot Springs Rikki-Jo Molinaro

Thermal Therapy

Escape to geothermal bliss when you bathe in East Gippland’s Metung Hot Springs. With pools, massaging showers, architecturally designed sauna experiences, a reflexology walk and bathing barrels, it’s the perfect spot for a hit of zen. Plus, you can stay overnight in the glamping accommodation.

On the Mornington Peninsula, relax and indulge at Alba Thermal Springs

Spend the day floating in 30 pools filled with warm mineral water, getting a massage and lunching on healthy, delicious dishes at on-site restaurant, Thyme.

Combine your spa treatments and soaking with a stay by the ocean at the Bellarine Peninsula’s Lon Retreat & Spa

+ metunghotsprings.com

+ albathermalsprings.com.au

+ lonretreat.com.au

Canvas Castles

Stay in luxurious bell tents at Garden of St Erth at Blackwood, near Trentham. Wake up surrounded by a world-class garden, where spring unfurls a carpet of daffodils.

The Inverloch Glamping Co offers a unique experience set on Gippsland farmland with ocean views. Luxury bell tents, a geodesic dome tent and cabins offer the perfect hideaway for springtime replenishment.

Want to stay among vineyards?

Balgownie Estate, outside of Bendigo, has glamorous safari set-ups complete with outdoor baths. Lunch at the excellent restaurant, do a tasting at the cellar door, then relax overlooking the grapes.

+ gardenbedsglamping.com.au

+ theinverlochglampingco.com.au

+ balgownie.com/bendigo

Nature’s Remedy

If you’ve dreamed of swimming with dolphins, now’s your chance. Sea All Dolphin Swims on the Bellarine Peninsula offers twice-daily dolphin and seal swims. Take your snorkelling gear to St Leonards Pier and explore more underwater worlds among the pylons, home to fish, sponges and sea dragons.

Penguins on parade is the big attraction at Phillip Island Nature Parks. As the sun sets each day, see little penguins come in from a day of fishing and waddle up the beach to their burrows. Arrive earlier and head to the Koala Conservation Reserve to stroll along the treetop boardwalks to see these fascinating marsupials.

+ dolphinswims.com.au

+ penguins.org.au

The Inverloch Glamping Co Robert Blackburn

Lon Retreat and Spa Cameron Murray

Victoria's Regions

Bendigo Region in Bloom

Floral Fantasy

From mid-September to midOctober, one town becomes a display of outstanding colour. The Bendigo Annual Tulip Display sees Pall Mall and the Conservatory Garden transformed as more than 53,000 bulbs bloom in a spring extravaganza. Nothing makes the heritage streets come alive quite like a display of seasonal blooms and tulips are one of the most beautiful and loved.

There will be curator talks throughout the event, which is perfect if you want to create your own tulip garden, as well as Bloom After Dark, where a display of tulips and projections will be illuminated along Pall Mall.

Wild Life

Take a walk from the picnic area at Paddys Ranges State Park, outside of Maryborough, to the dam and enjoy a splendid display of spring

Take a trip to the Bendigo region to indulge in all the season has to offer, from new sculpture gardens to fields of wildflowers.

wildflowers. There are about 230 species that bring with them an incredible array of birds, including the rare swift parrot. Thank goodness for the conservation group that lobbied for the protection of this box-ironwood forest in the 1950s. From the 1840s, the land had been used for grazing, timber harvesting, goldmining, eucalyptus oil and honey production, but now it’s the perfect place to spend a few hours bushwalking or picnicking.

Birds of Paradise

In Wedderburn, the Birds Eye View murals are a must-see for bird and art lovers alike, with five large murals of local bird species painted on select buildings in the township. Alternatively, paddle down Loddon Valley’s Serpentine Creek Canoe Trail to observe diverse birdlife in the wild. Take a drive to Terrick Terrick National Park for a picnic. This is a popular spot for twitching (the pursuit and observation of rare birds).

Sculpture Session

In 1861, a gaol was built at the highest point in Castlemaine to house offenders from the goldfields. It’s been used for various purposes over the years and, in 2018, the Old Castlemaine Gaol was purchased by artist David Bromley. Now he and his wife Yuge have been accumulating some of their favourite pieces, including a series of sculptures that can be viewed in the garden.

+ bendigoregion.com.au

Pall Mall AJ Taylor

Old Castlemaine Gaol Sean McDonald

Birds Eye View murals

Wildflowers

Victoria's Regions

Escape the daily grind.

Spring is the time to indulge your adventurous spirit. Hike granite peaks you’ve never ventured. Sip on crisp wine in lush vineyards. Lap up the sun in the great outdoors.

From beaches and family fun to fresh foodie finds, hit the road and explore something new in Geelong and The Bellarine.

Start planning your trip at visitgeelongbellarine.com.au

BRISBANE RANGES

Spring Fling

Get out in the sun and enjoy some coastal fun on the Bellarine.

Family Feasts

Head to Flying Brick Cider Co, right across the road from Adventure Park, where there’s a great lawn area with a food truck. Order some tasty snacks and let the littlies run themselves ragged. Basils Farm serves seasonal dishes using fresh produce from the garden, plus they have a children’s menu and plenty of places for them to play outside.

Take a Hike

Look for wildlife, like koalas and kangaroos, while stepping out on one of the many bush trails in the You Yangs Regional Park. The spring wildflowers are out along the inspiring walks in Brisbane Ranges National Park. There are also beautiful walks, like the Barwon Bluff Trail, that take in spectacular bay views.

Luxury Digs

Turn a visit into a holiday when you book a stay at Sagres. This spectacular Queenscliff home has five bedrooms, so it’s perfect for days away with extended family. Just the two of you?

Lon Retreat has seven exquisite suites with views of the coast and Point Lonsdale Lighthouse, as well as an exclusive spa.

+ visitgeelongbellarine.com.au

You Yangs Regional Park Cam Rosin

Flying Brick Cider Co Michele Froidevaux Sagres Monika Berry

Victoria's Regions

Seasonal Bounty

From the Farm

The best place to buy veggies, fruit, cheese and all the other incredible produce available is to get it straight from the farmer. On the third Sunday morning of every month, Yarra Valley Farmers Market takes place on the grounds of Punt Road Winery.

Bendigo Community Farmers Market has two options: the main market on the second Saturday morning of every month at Dai Gum San, and a smaller

On the third Saturday morning of every month in one of the town’s beautiful parks, the Warragul Farmers Market is an authentic, family-friendly event showcasing the wonderful goods of Gippsland producers.

+ yarravalleyfood.com.au

+ bcfm.org.au

+ warragulfarmersmarket.com.au

Thursday afternoon offering at the Good Loaf.

Warragul Farmers Market Rob Blackburn

There’s no better time of year than spring to taste the best and freshest produce Victoria has to offer. Here’s how to enjoy it.

Scotchmans Hill Winery

Perfect Picnics

Grab a picnic hamper from Bridgewater Farmhouse Kitchen and head to the Loddon River, where there’s a natural infinity pool, swimming platform and shady red river gums.

Pick up supplies from Halls Gap then find a spot near Lake Wartook, where you can lunch while taking in views over the water to Reeds Lookout. Redfin, brown and rainbow trout are

in abundance here and you’re likely to see people trying to catch dinner.

The Garden at Broughton Hall in Jindivick showcases delicate bulbs in September, cherry blossoms in October, and swoon-worthy roses in November. Bring your own picnic to enjoy in these fairy-tale grounds.

+ facebook.com/

bridgewaterfarmhousekitchen

+ visitgrampians.com.au

+ muskersbroughtonhall.com.au

Tasty Trails

Venture to the King Valley and follow the Prosecco Road. These vineyards, perched on the fertile slopes above the King River, are home to great wines and their innovative makers.

The Bellarine Taste Trail is the ultimate way to savour makers and growers on the peninsula, including those who produce honey, seafood, Portarlington mussels, tomatoes, olives and olive oil, smoked goods, butter and wine.

Drive the Farm Gate Trail in the Murray region, which passes through Yarrawonga, Cobram, Nathalia and Barmah. Drop into farm gates for your pick of fresh fruit and veggies, cheese, olives, boutique wines and craft beers.

+ winesofthekingvalley.com.au

+ thebellarinetastetrail.com.au

+ visitthemurray.com.au

The Garden at Broughton Hall Harvest Experience

Victoria's Regions

Healesville Sanctuary

Sight majestic birds of prey in flight and bring your curiosity to life in a lush Australian bushland.

Wander through the tranquil trails and spot kangaroos, koalas, emus and critically endangered species.

Marvel at a variety of native reptiles and amphibians.

Don't miss the daily Spirits of the Sky free-flight bird presentation, or the Wurundjeri Walk, which celebrates the life of Elder William Barak.

Enjoy free keeper talks, outdoor picnic spots and natureplay areas for the kids.

Kids visit free on weekends and school holidays.

Open: Daily, 9am to 5pm

Glen Eadie Avenue, Healesville

t: 1300 966 784

w: zoo.org.au/healesville

Ballarat Wildlife Park

With over 100 free-roaming kangaroos to hand-feed, the largest colony of koalas in Victoria, wombats and emus, an exhibit of the world’s smallest penguins and the chance to see CRUNCH the Super-Croc, the family-owned Ballarat Wildlife Park is a must-visit destination for animal lovers young and old.

Attend daily presentations including meerkats, Little Penguins, Tasmanian devils, dingoes and reptiles. You can even see the Sumatran-Siberian tigers in their stateof-the-art sanctuary.

Be sure to book your up close and personal animal encounters upon arrival!

A park for conservation and recreation.

Open Hours: Daily, 9am to 5pm (closed Christmas day)

250 Fussell Street, Ballarat East

t: 03 5333 5933

w: wildlifepark.com.au

Find us on:

SkyBus Airport Transfers

SkyBus Melbourne City Express is famous for fast, frequent and affordable travel to and from the airport – and it’s easy! Jump off your flight and onto one of our red buses and you’ll be on your way to the heart of the city. We operate from 4am to 1am 365 days a year, transferring you between Melbourne Tullamarine Airport and Southern Cross Station in as little as 30 minutes.

Enjoy free Wi-Fi onboard and unlimited luggage. Buy your tickets online or via our handy SkyBus app or at our ticket kiosks. Kiosks are conveniently located kerbside at T1, T3 and T4, and inside the T2 and T4 terminals at Melbourne Airport, and within the Southern Cross Station Bus Terminal.

We also service Avalon Airport with our Avalon City Express service, meeting all major flights.

Adult tickets start at $18 and kids $4 based on a return fare. Kids under 4 travel free.

t: 1300 SKYBUS (759287)

w: skybus.com.au

Find us on:

Avalon Airport

If you want to touch down and drive straight out to enjoy the sights, choose Avalon Airport. Avalon is the most efficient and economical airport in Australia. It’s only 40 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD, which is now easier than ever to reach on the SkyBus Avalon City Express.

Avalon Airport is also the closest international airport to the Great Ocean Road, Bells Beach, Geelong and the 12 Apostles. Drive straight up the highway, park out the front, grab a drink or meal and stay connected with free wifi, while charging all your devices in comfort right by the gate. It really is flying made easy.

Bus: SkyBus Avalon City Express to/from Southern Cross Station via Werribee, or SkyBus Geelong Express to/from Geelong, the Bellarine and the Surf Coast

Open: Daily, 4am to midnight

80 Beach Road, Lara

t: 03 5227 9100

w: avalonairport.com.au

Find us on:

Regional train and coach network

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Melbourne tram network

Melbourne Official Visitor Guide is supported and endorsed by the following organisations:

While every attempt has been made to ensure accurate information at the time of going to press, the publishers accept no responsibility for supplied information or omissions.

Seasonal Offers

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FREE LUXURY COACH TRANSFERS

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Enjoy free luxury coach transfers to/from the CBD (Federation Square) and Chadstone – The Fashion Capital, Australia’s premier retail, fashion, dining and entertainment destination

1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone. (03) 9567 1062 chadstone.com.au chadstone.tourism@vicinity.com.au

T&Cs apply: Scan QR code opposite page.

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Use coupon code: SOM20

T&Cs apply: Scan QR code opposite page.

10% OFF 4 PARKS PASS

Phillip Island Nature Parks

Includes entry to Penguin Parade (General Viewing), Antarctic Journey, Churchill Island and Koala Conservation Reserve.

1019 Ventnor Road, Summerlands. (03) 5951 2800 penguins.org.au

Use promo code: OVG23E

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20% OFF ULTIMATE FOODIE TOUR Queen Victoria Market

A delicious and fascinating guided walking tour of the Queen Victoria Market. The tour includes generous tastings, and a Queen Vic Market shopping bag.

Corner of String Bean Alley & Queen Street, Melbourne. 0437 190 249 qvm.com.au/tours tours@qvm.com.au

Use coupon code: SPRING23

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5% OFF GIFT SHOP SOUVENIRS Ballarat Wildlife Park

Enjoy 5% off items in the gift shop. 250 Fussell Street, Ballarat. (03) 5333 5933 wildlifepark.com.au info@wildlifepark.com.au

Use coupon code: SPRING5

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Melbourne River Cruises

Save 20% on Sightseeing and Williamstown cruises. Tea, coffee and live commentary included. Departing from Southgate Berth 2.

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7 Riverside Quay, Southbank. (03) 9693 8888 melbourneskydeck.com.au admin@melbourneskydeck.com.au

Use coupon code: OVGSpring

T&Cs apply: Scan QR code opposite page.

15% OFF ADULT FERRY TICKETS

Port Phillip Ferries

Operating daily services to Portarlington on the Bellarine Peninsula. From winery packages and mussel tours to cycling trails and coastal hikes, make getting there part of the adventure.

131 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands. (03) 9514 8959 portphillipferries.com.au

Use coupon code: OVGSpecial15

T&Cs apply: Scan QR code opposite page.

FREE SHOPPING TOTE Spencer Outlet Centre

Grab a bargain and pick up your free reusable shopping tote from our Customer Service Desk (located next to TK Maxx on Level 1) upon presentation of this coupon.

Level 1, 201 Spencer Street, Docklands. (next to Southern Cross Station) spenceroutletcentre.com.au 03 8689 7577 info@spenceroutletcentre.com.au

T&Cs apply: Scan QR code opposite page.

High drama Get set to Melbourne

MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL

Melbourne is setting the stage for entertainment this spring. From first light to late night, it’s the season that turns up the volume, the action and the fun. Take a seat and get set to Melbourne. visitmelbourne.com

JOHNNY’S GREEn ROOM