Whether you visit Melbourne in the middle of winter or during the peak of summer, there’s always plenty of things for the whole family to see and do. From romantic autumn walks through ever-changing parklands to summer-time festivals and winter wonders, you will never find yourself with nothing to do.
Being a seasonal City means that whenever you visit, you are greeted with a whole new look and feel for your holiday. When the trees are bare and nature has quietened down, the city continues to provide year-round, vibrant, family-friendly fun.
Crowne Plaza Melbourne is the perfect place to cosy up during those cool and crisp winter days and ideal for those long, balmy summer months. As Melbourne’s only riverfront hotel in the heart of the city, endless opportunities for families, couples and business travellers are right on your doorstep.
Explore some of the best things to see and do in Melbourne while staying in modern, stylish, recently renovated rooms with sweeping cityscape and river views. Best of all, there is a tram stop right outside the hotel giving you direct access to the Free travel zone.
Things to do in Melbourne – Autumn 2019
The mild Melbourne autumn sees the city transform once again. Trees start to take on gorgeous amber and golden hues and a subdued quietness descend on the city. If you are looking for an experiential getaway, these autumn activities will keep you entertained.
Melbourne Grand Prix
Kicking off on the 22nd of March until the 25th of March 2019 at Albert Park, the formula 1 Australian Grand Prix makes its way into Melbourne. this is one of the biggest and best events in Melbourne and provides adrenaline-fueled entertainment for the entire family. Aside from the exhilaration of watching formula 1 cars
battle it out in front of your eyes, you can also enjoy live music, fun and festivities and a truly electric atmosphere. Being such a big event means it is a good idea to get your tickets early. Fast cars, fantastic food and all day long entertainment makes this an event you don’t want to miss.
Moomba
From March 9th to March 12th 2019, Australia’s largest community festival takes place. Head along and watch the iconic Birdman Rally first-hand. Dance the night away with some fantastic live music, enjoy mouth-watering food and drink, or get wet and wild with some of the best water sports around. Moomba Festival is perfect for the entire family. kids will be kept well and truly entertained with sand sculptures, puppet gardens and roller discos, along with a whole host of other family-friendly activities.
Melbourne Fashion Festival
from the 1st of March to the 19th of March 2019 the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival is coming to town. The main event is being at the Melbourne Museum Precinct, along with a handful of other local venues. Had a long and grab a runway-side seat to take an all of the latest up-and-coming fashions on the catwalk.
You will also have the opportunity to meet some of the industry’s biggest names and social media superstars at this fashioned focused festival.
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
Anybody who appreciates good food and great wine will love the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Running for two days from March 16th to March 17th 2019, you can take part in cheese and wine tastings while listening to DJs and live music. for those who are looking for a slightly more educational experience, why not take part in the mozzarella making masterclass. Melbourne Food and Wine festival is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of vino, some exquisite food and some of Melbourne’s finest musical talent.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Kicking off on the 27th of March 2019 and running through until the 21st of April 2019,
the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is bringing almost 4 weeks of laughter to Melbourne city. Comedy shows, skits and performances will be taking place 7 days a week in some of Melbourne’s best clubs, pubs, theatres and small spaces.
Whether you appreciate dry humour, stand-up comedy, old school jokes or theatrical silliness, you are certain to find that in Melbourne during the International Comedy Festival. Check out the website for the full comedy program and to book your tickets online.
AFL
With 43 home and away AFL matches allocated at Marvel Stadium, football is definitely coming home. For those with a busy schedule who can only travel on weekends, the stadium will be hosting 12 Saturday night and 4 Friday night games. Kicking off the 2019 AFL season on Saturday March 23rd is the Western Bulldogs V Adelaide Crows.
Throughout the season, Marvel Stadium also welcome St Kilda, North Melbourne, Hawthorne, Carlton, Essendon, Collingwood and Richmond. This AFL premiership season is packed to the posts with live sporting action you don’t want to miss
Melbourne Park Walks
Late autumn and early winter are the best times to enjoy one of the many parks in
Melbourne. Take to the trails in Fitzroy Gardens, explore the Riverside at the beautiful Alexandra Gardens or head to Flagstaff Gardens and enjoy an autumn stroll under the golden canopies.
One of the more popular Melbourne parks to visit during late autumn is Kings Domain Park. Set in 89 acres of Riverside parkland, this area of outstanding natural beauty is the perfect place for a romantic early morning walk surrounded by gentle mist and dew tipped grass. Throughout the year, you can also enjoy outdoor performances at the Sidney Myer music bowl or visit the shrine of remembrance to pay your respects.
Things to do in Melbourne – Winter 2019
During the winter, nature steps back and allows the glorious architecture of Melbourne City to truly shine. The crisp winter days are the perfect time to wrap up warm and see the city in a whole new light. Here are some fantastic things to do in
Melbourne during the winter.
Big Winter Festival – White Night
This year, Melbourne will see a glittering new winter festival descend on the city.
The after dark Festival will bring lots of family-friendly fun and entertainment to town. Enjoy great food, live music, film, dance and so much more as part of the mid-winter extravaganza.
Built on the success of the February 2018 White Night, this year sees it moving to a new slot in August 2019 while taking the fun activities to the next level. The long winter nights means things can kick off earlier making it ideal for families with younger kids. Sign up to the official White Night mailing list to be first to know who is headlining at the festival.
Eureka Skydeck Ice Slide
Having earned the nickname of Melbourne’s coolest attraction, the Eureka Skydeck Ice Slide has become a firm favourite in the city and is the perfect way to slide your way into winter. Climb into your very own tube toboggan and hit the 36 meters long for metre high ice slope.
Once you have had a few rides on the ice slide, why not make your way up to the 88th floor after Eureka Skydeck and take in sweeping panoramic views of Melbourne City and beyond. Winter is all about enjoying the fun times that the cold weather brings with it. And you will find it hard to find anywhere more fun than here.
Melbourne International Jazz Festival
This internationally renowned Jazz festival is the perfect way to kick off the
autumn and winter season. Kicking off in June, you can enjoy free events, late
night parties, art, up and coming artists and everything jazz-related.
This year, there are more than 100 different jazz performances being held in venues including Cooper’s Malt House, Bennetts Lane Jazz Club and Hammer Hall. If you want to get involved in all of the action, you can make your way to the State Library Lawn and take part for more information, check out the Melbourne International Jazz Festival calendar.
Things to do in Melbourne – Spring 2019
As the plants start bursting into life, so does Melbourne. Spring is the perfect time
for an affordable family getaway, and an abundance of activities are always
nearby. Here are some things to do in Melbourne during the spring.
Go Wild at Melbourne Zoo
Melbourne Zoo is another fantastic choice for a family day out during the spring. With more than 250 species of animals from around the world, from the big cats of
Africa to native Australian wildlife. Located in the heart of Melbourne, you
can wander through a lush world of Asian rainforests, explore the Australian
bushlands, or experience an underwater world with the penguins and seals. Get
up close and personal with some of the world’s most majestic animals just five
minutes from Melbourne city centre.
Once you have had your fill at Melbourne Zoo. Why not have a short walk to the Melbourne Botanic Gardens for an alfresco family picnic. From manicured lawns to
specially commissioned landscape projects, it is the perfect way to end your
day in some of Melbourne’s finest green space. Book your Melbourne zoo tickets online today.
Shop til you drop
Melbourne is a shopper’s paradise. From Markets to malls, there is always somewhere to head to pick up a bargain. The South Melbourne markets have been around since 1867 and are the perfect place to stock up on homewares, fashion, speciality food, books & more.
The Rose Street market is the place to go if you are into artwork, handcrafted jewellery and entertainment. The best-known market, the Queen Victoria market is a must-visit. The bustling atmosphere and rich history combined with traders selling everything you can think of makes it a market lovers dream.
Things to do in Melbourne – Summer 2019/2020
There is nowhere quite like Melbourne in the summer. From tennis to high tea and
festivals galore, you are literally spoiled for choice with things to see and do. Here are some of the best summer activities to do in Melbourne this 2019/2020.
Australian Open
Kick back and relax with champers and strawberries while the best tennis players in the world battle it out in the Australian Open. Taking place for a fortnight at the end of January each year, it is one of Melbourne’s biggest summer sporting events. Check out the schedule and book tickets for the Australian Open.
Cruise the Yarra River
Exploring Melbourne by foot can be exhausting during the summer heat. It can also be hard to get a different viewpoint from the pavements. This is where a cruise up the Yarra River really comes into its own. Sit back and relax as you take and some
of Melbourne’s most iconic sites.
See the Melbourne CBD in a completely different light. If you’re looking for something to do at night, treat yourself to a Yarra River dinner cruise. And for a truly personal river cruise, you can hire your very own private riverboat for you and your family to enjoy. Book yourself onto a Yarra River cruise today.
Melbourne Summer Festivals
No visit to Melbourne in the summertime would be complete without experiencing at least one festival. The Rainbow Serpent Festival is the perfect combination of art, music and spiritual relaxation. This celebration of nature merges modern technology and music for a memorable 3-day festival perfect for friends and groups to enjoy.
It’s not the only festival to be held in Melbourne, though. You can experience the
Australia Day parade, the Chinese New year festival and the St Kilda festival too. In fact, Melbourne is a festival-goers dream destination. Whether it’s family fun or an all-out rave, you will find it here. Check out the up-and-coming Melbourne festivals.
Rooftop and Floating Bars
There’s no better way to finish off a warm, busy day than good food, cold drinks and a skyline view. And if you’re looking for a great place to park during the weekends to enjoy a long afternoon, Melbourne’s rooftop and floating bars won’t disappoint. Arbory Afloat is not to be missed during summer with its Amalfi coast vibe, their fruit-driven cocktails and bespoke gin creations right in the heart of Melbourne, along the Yarra River. Another place that’s hard to get past by is the Rooftop Bar. Despite its simple name, it is considered as one of Melbourne’s frontrunners for the best rooftop bar in the city.
Checkout this list for the best rooftop bars in Melbourne.
Fun Activities For The Whole Family
If only summer could last forever, just like the Moonlight Cinema and the Queen Victoria Night Market. These two are some of the city’s hottest hangout for friends and family’s alike!
On the Central Lawn at Melbourne Gardens during summer, you can enjoy family nights at Moonlight. It brings the festival atmosphere all while enjoying family-friendly films on the big screen. Best of all, they offer a Moonlight Family Pass so kids and parents can settle in together and enjoy the movie!