If you are planning to visit Melbourne during the winter months, we’ve got plenty of ideas to keep you entertained and show you the best of the city.
We’ll also share some tips and tricks for staying warm and making the most of your visit! Melbourne is a vibrant town with plenty of options for activities and tours. The colder months don’t need to restrict you from making the most of your visit. Hopefully this article inspires a visit to Melbourne soon!
What to do in Melbourne during winter
Football and Food
To find the true passion of Melburnians, you can look in a few different places. At the football ovals, or in cafes and restaurants. Winter is when the Australian Rules football seasons take place. Whether its professional matches of local games (both men’s and women’s) – you’ll see passionate spectators cheering on their favourite teams.
Food is another major passion – and a major attraction in Melbourne. It’s also a great one for wintertime. Tuck into a hearty soup in one of the colourful laneway, or cosy up by an open fireplace in a fine dining restaurant. Sip (delicious) hot coffee as you tour the streets, or find a cuisine to suit your tastebuds – there’s a global food experience to be found in Melbourne.
If you don’t want to go it alone, find a local who will take you to a footy match, or take a food tour of the city.
Indoor attractions
NGV Gallery
Melbourne’s two galleries of classic and contemporary art are located in the city centre. The NGV is home to major international touring exhibitions and collections of European, Asian, Oceanic and American art – it is a great place to visit on a cold winter’s day. Or cross the road to the Ian Potter Centre to tour the impressive collection of Australian art – more than any other gallery in the world.
ACMI
ACMI is our national museum of screen culture. Located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, it has just undergone an extensive renovation and upgrade. Take time in your day to explore film, TV, art and video games. It is also home to Australian and International film festivals – so be sure to check what is playing when you plan your visit.
Shopping in the CBD
Some people plan holidays to Melbourne just for shopping alone. Winter is a great time to indulge in some shopping – the ultimate indoor activity. You’ll find high fashion and fine art, or jewellery and accessories, and even homewares and stationery – both in intimate laneway shops of Australia’s biggest department stores. As a bonus, you get to tour Melbourne’s colourful streets and you are never far from a coffee stop or a delicious meal.
For the kids
Sealife Aquarium
Step off Melbourne’s streets, and into a whole new – underwater – world. The state-of-the-art Melbourne Aquarium is a wonderful place to explore, particularly with kids. It is home to thousands of creatures from the Southern Ocean – giving you an up close look at what life is like under the sea!
Melbourne Museum
Melbourne’s vibrant museum is a great place to take the kids on a wintery day. The Children’s Gallery is packed with things for little kids to see and do. Or there’s a host of other great exhibits – all indoors to keep the chill away. Explore Australia’s Aboriginal history in the Bunjilaka Cultural Centre. Learn about Australia’s flora and fauna in the Forest Gallery. Step back in time – as far as the dinosaurs – in the Science and Life Gallery.
Iceskating in the Docklands
Embrace the winter chill with some laps around the O’Brien Group Arena skating rink in the Docklands. The kids will love zooming around the rink on this great family day out. You can hire all the gear that you’ll need to take to the ice and show off your moves. But be sure to rug up, you’ll need your winter gear inside the rink and out for this winter activity. So what are you waiting for? Get your skates on!
Take a tour
Our day tours from Melbourne run all year round – because there’s never a bad time to explore Victoria. Our knowledgeable guides will ensure you have a great day out, travelling in comfort in a heated, 24-seater bus. We’ve picked our top three winter tour destinations. Wine tasting in the Yarra Valley, relaxing in mineral hot springs on the Mornington Peninsula, or avoiding the crowds on the Great Ocean Road.
Whatever you choose, it’s sure to be a memorable part of your visit to Melbourne!
Yarra Valley Gourmet Tour
If Melbourne’s weather is getting you down and you need a pick-me-up – our Yarra Valley Gourmet Tour could be just what you need. For food and wine lovers, this wine region close to Melbourne is a hotspot to indulge. Sipping your way through a wine tasting with views out to the vineyards, is a great way to spend a winter’s day. Plus, you can enjoy a gourmet lunch by the open fire at Rochford Winery. Finish off the tour with a hot chocolate at the Chocolaterie.
Peninsula Hot Springs Tour
If you need a day of winter indulgence during your trip to Melbourne – this tour is for you! The Peninsula Hot Springs are the ultimate winter destination in Melbourne. When you step out of the cold and down into the hot mineral water pools – you’ll understand exactly why! You can spend the morning soaking in mineral hot springs, plus, hire a robe to keep you cosy between dips. You won’t even notice the cold after you indulge with Turkish steam bath, and once again, a tasty hot chocolate is a great way to finish the tour.
Great Ocean Road Tour
Winter is an ideal time to avoid the crowds on the famous Great Ocean Road – plus you’ll witness the power of nature along a spectacular coastline. Explore Victoria’s Surf Coast, winding coastal road, rainforest and more on this day trip from Melbourne. The Southern Ocean is at its most spectacular in winter, plus it is the best time to spot whales migrating along the coast. In winter the sun sets earlier in winter, so you may even catch a sunset at the Twelve Apostles.
Written by: Leah Furey – Digital Content Coordinator @gowest.com.au
