Winter — the season of scarves and sweaters, cold mornings and cosier nights.
There are heaps of ways to enjoy the chilly season in Melbourne — and plenty of options further afield. Think toasty winter getaways and steaming, soul-warming eats; limited-time winter events and limitless ways to keep staying in, interesting.
To celebrate the coldest three months of the year, we’ve partnered up with Guinness to bring you the best of the season. BYO beanie.
Victoria is currently under stay at home orders. So, while you can’t do all these wintry activities just yet, you can get inspiration for when restrictions ease. Stay up to date with the developing COVID-19 situation in Victoria, as well as current restrictions, at the Victorian Department of Health website.
Movie Night at Home
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NewsNine New Movies You Can Watch Right Now That Have Been Fast-Tracked From Cinemas to Streaming
Get comfy on the couch with Austin Butler's latest brooding role, serial-killer chiller 'Longlegs' and the animated antics of 'Inside Out 2'.
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NewsTwelve Films and TV Shows You Need to Stream This Month
Spend your couch time watching Rashida Jones navigate a sci-fi mystery in Japan, Nicolas Cage face a post-apocalyptic future and a gripping Australian romance-scam thriller.
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NewsEight New Movies You Can Watch in July That Have Been Fast-Tracked From Cinemas to Streaming
Get comfy on the couch with 'Furiosa', the latest gem from Hirokazu Kore-eda and a hypnotic vision of an AI-dominated future.
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NewsTwelve Films and TV Shows You Need to Stream in June
Spend your couch time watching the delicious return of 'The Bear', Glen Powell playing a fake hitman and Lily Gladstone's latest excellent performance.
Out-Of-Town Escapes
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NewsSixteen of the Best Private Accommodations You Can Book in Regional Victoria
Escape the city and head to the wilderness for a holiday in these private getaways scattered around regional Victoria.
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NewsTen of the Best Walks in and Around Melbourne
Give that activewear the workout it deserves by hitting up these short hikes in and around Melbourne.
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NewsThe Eight Best Places to Go Glamping in Victoria
All these luxury Victorian glamping experiences are under two hours away from the Melbourne CBD — so you can easily have your weekend wilderness adventure and goose-feather down quilt, too.
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NewsThe Best Tiny Cabin Stays in Australia for 2024
Disconnect from the world and escape to a remote paradise.
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NewsThe Most Luxurious Boutique Hotels In and Around Melbourne
Whether you're vacationing or staycationing in Melbourne, these hotels will have you sleeping in soft linen, eating in fine restaurants and relaxing in big spa baths.
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NewsEight Easy Melbourne Day Trips to Tick Off Your List This Winter
Historic oak forests, gardens atop extinct volcanoes and country bakeries are all just a short drive away.
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NewsSeven New Zealand Snow Experiences That Aren't Just Skiing or Snowboarding
From dogsledding to backcountry trekking and driving around a snow-covered race track.
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NewsNew Zealand's Best Winter Festivals That Will Make You Actually Want to Go Outside
From slopeside music fests in Queenstown to solstice celebrations in Wellington, these events are made for winter getaways.
Things To Do
Soul-Warming Spots
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GuideMelbourne's Best Local Bookshops to Hunt Down a Great Read in 2024
Find the next book to sink your teeth into at one of these local Melbourne gems.
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NewsThe 18 Best Bottomless Brunches in Melbourne
Swap your muesli for a mimosa and your coffee pot for endless flutes of champagne at these outstanding bottomless brunch spots in Melbourne.
Pup-Friendly Plans
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GuideMelbourne's Best Dog-Friendly Bars, Cafes and Restaurants
All of your friends — most importantly, those furry ones with four legs — are welcome at these pet-friendly food and drink haunts.
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NewsThe 15 Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Australia for 2024
Spots where both of you can sit and stay.
Best of the Season
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NewsTwelve of the Best Places to Watch the Sunrise and Sunset In and Around Melbourne
Put the phone away after you've snapped a cheeky Instagram story, and look up.
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GuideSeven Supremely Delicious Culinary Pop-Ups and Events Happening in Melbourne This Winter
Warm up with hawker-style dishes, plenty of doughnuts, all the cheese and drinks inside a plastic igloo.
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GuideShow Victoria's Hospo Scene Some Love at These Nine Good Food Month Events
A program of long lunch feasts, crafty chef dinners and wine-fuelled parties await.
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NewsSeven Winter Gigs, Shows and Festivals That'll Help You Throw Off the Melbourne Chill
Suburb-wide festivals, screaming thrash metal and saucy pop culture burlesque — Melburnians, this is how you warm up your winter.
Experiences Ideal in Winter
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NewsMelbourne's Best Underground Bars That Are Actually Underground
From Mexican-themed mezcal bars, to haunts with over 400 different spirits, these are the best bars under the city.
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GuideMelbourne Restaurants and Bars with Private Dining Rooms
Made for long lazy lunches and birthday dinners to remember.
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NewsSeventeen Unique At-Home Activities to Keep You Amused Throughout Lockdown
DIY Kintsugi, make your own ceramics or join a Josh Niland online masterclass.
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NewsFour Natural Hot Springs in Victoria to Visit This Winter
Brave the cold for a dip in one of these naturally occurring beauties.
On the Beers
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NewsFive Melbourne Beer Gardens to Check Out At Any Time of the Year
Because sitting outside with a pint is one of life's simple pleasures — no matter the weather.
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NewsFive Cosy Melbourne Pubs Where You Can Catch a Live Gig
These Melbourne pubs bring the cosy vibes with live gigs and open mic nights.
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NewsSix Great Melbourne Pubs to Watch the Footy Live and Loud
Can't make it to the stadium? Cheer your team on from one of these cosy pubs.