The Summer Guide to Melbourne 2018–19
Slap on your sunscreen and get out there — clear blues, secluded bush spots and ice-cold beers await.
Summer in Melbourne is nothing short of glorious. When it finally kicks in it's clear mornings, sunny afternoons and evenings that stay bright and burning long after you've escaped the office. It's fish and chips at Half Moon Bay, Saturday arvos at Fitzroy Pool and golden sunsets seen from CBD rooftops. We could go on, but you get it: summer is a truly jump-out-of-bed-in-the-morning time to be in Melbourne.
But, hey, we're spoilt and sometimes we forget just how damn special this time of year is. That's why, together with coastal brewery Gage Roads, we've put together the Summer Guide, a shortlist of the best this city has to offer December through to March, from rooftop bars and beaches to backyard barbecues and way, way beyond.
So whether you're cracking a tinnie on the sand or putting away a pint a cool corner of a beer garden, go forth and frolic. Summer is the ultimate Melbourne pop-up and it waits for no one.
The essentials
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The Ten Best Beaches in and Around Melbourne
Whether you're looking for a quick dip in the bay or an all-day adventure to the surf coast, there are plenty of great Victorian beaches to hit up.
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Sleeping Under the Stars: A Guide to Camping In, Near and Around Melbourne
Where to sleep when you're slumbering under the stars.
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All the Best Music Festivals Happening in Melbourne and Around Victoria This Summer
From camping festivals with with farm feels to a one-day inner city dance parties, this list has something for every musical inclination (and intensity).
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Road Tripping: A Melburnian's Guide
From quick city getaways just a few hours drive away to epic interstate adventures.
The Best Things to Do This Summer
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Outdoor adventures
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News
The Ten Best Swimming Holes Near Melbourne
Don't stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to — check out these fab swim spots just a few hours' drive from Melbourne.
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News
The Ten Best Beaches in and Around Melbourne
Whether you're looking for a quick dip in the bay or an all-day adventure to the surf coast, there are plenty of great Victorian beaches to hit up.
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News
The Best Waterfalls You Can Swim Under Near Melbourne
Forget TLC. Go chase some waterfalls in Victoria.
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The Five Best Rivers for Swimming In Near Melbourne
Skip the overcrowded sands of Port Phillip Bay in favour of floating upstream at these Victorian rivers.
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News
The Ten Best Free Camping Spots Near Melbourne
Weekend getaways don't have to cost an arm and a leg — at these free campsites near Melbourne, all you need is enough money for snacks, wine and petrol to get you there (and back).
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News
The 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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Five Epic Multi-Day Hikes to Conquer Near Melbourne
Walk your way through the most beautiful parts of Victoria (while staying at remote campgrounds) during these multi-day hikes near Melbourne.
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News
Seven Things You Didn't Realise You Could Do in Gippsland
From scenic camel rides to renting your own island.
Summer eats
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News
Where to Find the Best Ice Cream and Gelato in Melbourne
Whether you like your gelato and ice cream scoops creamy, salty, vegan or served with hot chips, you can find them here.
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Guide
Eight Melbourne Bars with Views for Days
Let your worries sashay away as you take in the views with an ice-cold brew at these bars with backdrops.
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News
Gelatissimo's Bundaberg Ginger Beer Gelato Is Your Refreshing New Summer Dessert
The limited-edition flavour turns the classic Aussie beverage into a tangy, slightly fizzy treat.
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News
Zero Gradi's Aperol Spritz Gelato Is Your New Go-To Summer Dessert
It's your favourite summer cocktail, but in ice cream form.
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Piccolina and LuxBite Have Released a New Line of Festive Gelato Cakes
The two indulgent creations are inspired by wintery white Christmases.
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News
Gelatissimo's Boozy Frosé Sorbet Has Arrived to Cool Down Your Summer
The frosty sweet treat combines Chandon Sparkling Brut Rosé and strawberries — and it's only available this month.
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News
You Can Now Get Food Delivered Straight to Your Beach Towel Thanks to Deliveroo
Next time hunger hits while you're basking in the sun with a book, you won't need to move.
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Gelato Messina Has Dropped a New Line of Its Famed Cakes Just In Time for Summer
The gelato experts have unveiled eight new creations for you to sink your sweet tooth into this party season.
Warm Weather Getaways
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News
The Ten Best Beach Camping Spots in Australia
Wake up to the sound of waves at these incredible beachside campsites across Australia.
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The Best Summer Day Trips from Melbourne
Secluded beaches, rolling vineyards and air-conditioned art galleries are all just a road trip away from Melbourne during the warmer months.
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News
Ten Incredible Australian Islands for When You Want to Get Off the Mainland
You don't need to travel to Bali or Thailand to have an island holiday — these adventurous and relaxing spots are just off the coast of Australia.
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Ten Extremely Australian Big Things Worth a Detour on Your Next Very Long Road Trip
Giant watermelons, potatoes and lobsters named Larry might sound ridiculous, and they are — but that doesn't stop them from being among our most loved landmarks.
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The Whitsundays' Whitehaven Beach Has Been Named One of the Best in the World
Six Australian beaches have made FlightNetwork list of the top 50 best beaches in the world.
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Eight Epic Sculpture Parks in Australia Worth a Road Trip
From sculptures among vineyards and wildflowers to metal figures appear that sit on the surface of a gigantic salt-crusted lake.
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You Can Now Escape to a Luxury Dome Tent in the Middle of the NSW Bush
This two-person stay is located on a sprawling property and totally secluded, with stunning views and minimal carbon footprint.
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Sri Lanka Has Been Named the Number One Country to Visit in 2019 by Lonely Planet
The island nation has taken the top spot on the annual travel destination list.
Air-conditioned adventures
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News
The 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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Guide
Eight Blockbuster Art Exhibitions to See Across Australia This Summer
Plan interstate trips to view giant mirrored sculptures by Jeff Koons, check out a major installation by Lindy Lee and explore the world of First Nations fashion — all at Australia's best galleries.
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News
Six Mind-Bending Artworks to See at the NGV's New Escher x Nendo Exhibition
The world-first 'Between Two Worlds' exhibition features perspective-shifting installations and intricate optical illusions from two very different creators.
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Guide
Melbourne's Best New Spaces of 2018
Six of the most stunning and thought provoking new buildings, artworks and venues to arrive in Melbourne this year.
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News
Archie Brothers Is Melbourne's New Circus-Themed Arcade Bar for Kidults
The activity-filled warehouse from the team behind Holey Moley features dodgem cars, Mario Kart, bowling and colourful cocktails.
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Guide
Melbourne's Best Themed Bars for When You Want to Escape the Real World
Pretend you're somewhere else for a while.
Summer reading List
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News
Ten Films You Need to See in 2019
From Quentin Tarantino's star-studded Manson-era movie to the return of the screen's kookiest family.
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News
Concrete Playground's Top Ten Films of 2018
From beautiful black and white depictions of post-war Poland to heartbreaking tales from the Australian outback, here are the films you need to see before the year is out.
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News
Every James Bond Movie Is Coming to Stan This Week
All 24 official Bond movies hit the streaming platform in 4K on Boxing Day.
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You'll Be Able to Binge-Watch All Eight 'Harry Potter' Movies on Netflix in 2019
The full magical set will hit the streaming service in January next year.
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News
Summer Reading List 2018–19
Including a controversial memoir, this year's Man Booker winner and the latest effort from the author behind 'Call Me By Your Name'.
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Concrete Playground's 2018 Boxing Day Movie Smackdown
Get maximum bang for your Kris Kringle gift voucher buck.
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You Can Watch Netflix's First Original Australian Series 'Tidelands' Right Now
The eight-part supernatural drama was filmed entirely in Queensland.
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All of Your Favourite Disney, Pixar, Marvel and 'Star Wars' Films Are Headed to Stan
The huge collection of movies hits the Australian streaming platform on Friday, December 14.
Wellbeing
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The 16 Best Day Spas in Melbourne
Treat yourself to a Japanese-style massage, a bath overlooking the city or an incredibly opulent treatment paired with bottomless champagne at Melbourne's best day spas.
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Eight Australian Yoga Retreats to Help You Achieve Your Most Flexible Zen
Practise your back bends in Byron and your downward dog in the Daintree.
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Where to Eat Solo When You Just Need Some You Time
Just because you're hermitting that doesn't mean you have to eat every meal at home.
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Ten Sustainable Hacks For Keeping Cool Without Air Conditioning This Summer
Fill up the ice bucket, buy a spray bottle and put your sheets in the freezer.
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KNDRD Is Melbourne CBD's New Drop-In Meditation and Mindfulness Studio
And your first session is on the house.
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Where to Eat When You Want to Be Healthy but a Cleanse Sounds Like Hell
Healthy doesn't have to mean boring.