33 best things to do in Melbourne this winter
While other folks are holed up for the cooler months, Melbourne’s winter warriors are getting amongst the city’s coolest activities. By Rebecca Russo & Cass Knowlton
1 What better way to warm the cockles than with a rich, deep mug of hot chocolate? Mörk’s comes with a smoke-fogged glass and toasted marshmallow. 150 Errol St, North Melbourne 3051. Tue-sun 9am-5pm.
2 Whack on your waterproof gear and go on a hike in the dog-friendly You Yangs Regional Parkà Branch Rd, Little River 3211.
3 Rug up and head to an AFL game at the MCG. Get a pie, a hot jam doughnut and a beer and get ready to yell like a bastard. You know you want to. www.afl.com.au.
4 Tuck into soup-filled xiao long bao dumplings at Hutong Dumpling Bar. Also the wontons with hot chilli sauce. And the dry chilli chicken. Oh, and the pork spare ribs. Basically everything. 14-16 Market Ln, Melbourne 3000. Mon-thu 11.30am-3pm & 5.30-10.30pm; Fri, Sat 11.30am-3pm & 5.30-11pm; Sun 3.30-10.30pm.
5 Hang out in the Royal Botanic Garden glasshouse and pretend you’re somewhere tropical. Birwood Ave, South Yarra 3141.
6 Get a hearty pub meal at the Lincoln, the Carlton casual diner with the palate of a
wine bar. 91 Cardigan St, Carlton 3053. Mon-sat noon-late; Sun noon-6pm.
7 Take a day trip to Melbourne’s closest alpine resort Lake Mountain and have a go at tobogganing. 1071 Lake Mountain Rd, Marysville 3779. www.lakemountainresort.com.au.
8 See a gig at the reopened Esplanade Hotel. The Espy crew are doing a cracking job programming the line-up. 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda 3182. Mon-wed noon-midnight; Thu, Sun 11am-1am; Fri, Sat 11am-3am.
9 Drink a cocktail at hidden bar Beneath Driver Lane, which is located underground in an old CBD bank vault. Basement, 3 Driver Ln, Melbourne 3000. Sat-thu 4pm-3am; Fri 1pm-3am.
10 Soothe away aches and cares at Collingwood’s Ofuroya Japanese Bathhouse. Just $33 gets you an hour-long soak and sauna. 59 Cromwell St, Collingwood 3066. Tue-fri 11am-9pm; Sat, Sun 11am-7pm.
11 Take a chance on cheap theatre tickets at Tixatsix. At least 20 tickets become available from 6pm every single night at Arts Centre Melbourne, meaning you can see music, theatre, dance, opera or circus for only $30. www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/visit/tixatsix.
12 Skim your fingers along the water wall at the entrance of NGV International and get set for an afternoon of world-class art. 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne 3006. Daily 10am-5pm. 13 Bust out of an escape room. The Mystery Rooms in Fitzroy are home to ancient Egyptian riddles, medieval mysteries and Ned Kelly’s last stand. 303 Napier St, Fitzroy 3065. Wed-fri 5-10pm; Sat, Sun 10am-10pm.
14 To spice up a dull day inside, sneak in a game of pool at Red Triangle Snooker Room. There are board games for those who are cue-challenged, and excellent milkshakes. 110 Argyle St, Fitzroy 3065. Daily noon-2am.
15 Test your body’s limits by swapping between the sauna and the ice cave at Peninsula Hot Springs. 140 Springs Ln, Fingal 3939. Daily 7am-10pm.
16 Three! Hundred! Beers! That’s how many different kinds of brewski make an appearance at the Local Taphouse every year. Head inside to try the finest craft beers from
around the world. 184 Carlisle St, St Kilda East 3183. Sun-thu noon-midnight; Fri, Sat noon-1am.
17 See a classic film at St Kilda’s 1936-built Art Deco cinema the Astor. The oldest single-screen cinema in Melbourne offers classic films, cult pictures and new releases, and you can often catch a double bill.
1 Chapel St, St Kilda 3182. Various times.
18 Slurp up some spicy braised beef noodles at Lanzhou Beef Noodle. The noodles are the best we’ve had in Melbourne, and you can customise your spice level. 379 Elizabeth St, Melbourne 3000. Daily 10am-3pm & 4-10pm.
19 Warm the cockles of your heart and drink mulled wine at Lygon Street winenerd paradise Rewine, all winter long.
522 Lygon St, Brunswick East 3057. Tue-thu 3-10pm; Fri 3-11pm; Sat noon-11pm; Sun noon-10pm.
20 Dig into a bowl of ramen at Mr Ramen San. You’ll probably have to queue for the tiny space, but the silky, richly porky broth is worth it. Our tip: ask for the shaker of MSG.
12a/200 Bourke St, Melbourne 3000. Sun-thu 11.30am-3pm & 4-9pm; Fri, Sat 11.30am-3pm & 4-9.30pm.
21 Learn something new at Melbourne Museum, which has a fascinating permanent exhibition about the history of the city as well as temporary exhibitions.
11 Nicholson St, Carlton 3053. Daily 10am-5pm.
22 Dig for treasures at an indoor market like Chapel Street Bazaar. Find clothing, jewellery, furniture, books, toys and even electrical gear. 217 Chapel St, Prahran 3181. Daily 10am-6pm.
23 Go for a drive to Victoria’s High Country to go skiing or snowboarding, or just get into the region’s award-winning food and wine scene. 24 Spend hours browsing the shelves at Readings Carlton bookstore, named the best bookstore in the world in 2016.
309 Lygon St, Carlton 3053. Mon-sat 9am-11pm; Sun 10am-11pm.
25 Geek out at the Planetarium, which just underwent a $1.2 million upgrade. The screen is now brighter than ever, making it the perfect time to learn about the wonders of space – and you can do it child-free on Friday nights. àscienceworks, 2 Booker St, Spotswood 3015. Daily 10am-4pm.
26 Limber up cold muscles and go rock climbing at Hardrock Climbing. All are welcome, from beginners to free soloists. 4/8 Franklin St, Melbourne 3000. Mon, Tue, Fri noon-10pm; Wed, Thu 6-9.30am & noon-10pm; Sat, Sun 11am-7pm.
27 Dance until dawn at the Toff in Town, where you’ll find live music, DJS, live theatre and patrons ranging from club kids to arty types. It’s open until 5am every damn day of the week. 2f/252 Swanston St, Melbourne 3000. Daily 5pm-5am.
28 Whether you’re a jam-first or creamfirst type (jam first, please), high tea is a definite winter warmer. At the Hotel Windsor it’s called by its proper name, afternoon tea, and on weekends the dessert buffet is a thing of unlimited beauty (and gluttony). 111 Spring St, Melbourne 3000. Mon, Tue 11.30am-2pm; Wed-sun 11.30am-2pm & 2-4.30pm. 29 Do as the AFL teams do and warm cold muscles at the St Kilda Sea Baths. You can float in the hydrotherapy spa instead of jumping into the frigid ocean water. 10/18 Jacka Blvd, St Kilda 3182. Daily 5.30am-midnight.
30 Sip on a flight of locally made whisky at Starward Distillery. Cocktails and snacks are also available, so you can make a session of it. 50 Bertie St, Port Melbourne 3207. Wed, Thu 3-10pm; Fri, Sat noon-10pm; Sun noon-8pm.
31 See the penguins at St Kilda Pier. You don’t need to go all the way to Phillip Island to see Melbourne’s smallest citizens returning to their rocky homes every evening. 32 Eat a late-night burger at 24-hour restaurant Butcher’s Diner. For those who are more plant based, the vending machine outside offers 100 per cent vegan snacks. 10 Bourke St, Melbourne 3000.
33 Embrace the chill and explore the free, pop-up Winter Village at Federation Square, a (faux) snow-covered pop-up bar inspired by European winter markets. Test your skills at the ice skating rink or enjoy a hot beverage inside a mega igloo, where it snows (inside!) every hour. Federation Square. Mon-thu noon-late; Fri-sun 11am-late.
Find more things to do at timeout.com/melbourne