Summer Guide: Melbourne 2020–21
Slap on your sunscreen and get out there — clear blues, secluded bush spots and ice-cold beers await.
Summer is here, folks. And with it comes eased restrictions, open borders and a whole state (and country) to explore. After spending most of the year indoors, it's time to get outside. It's time to make the most of Melbourne's sunny evenings that stay bright long after you've escaped the office, fish and chips at Half Moon Bay, Saturday arvos at Fitzroy Pool and golden sunsets seen from CBD rooftops.
While most years we'd likely pause here and say something about taking it all for granted, in 2020, we're not. We all have a new-found appreciation for the bounty of experiences available to us in Melbourne. And to help you enjoy the best of it, we've, together with Jim Beam, put together the Summer Guide: a shortlist of all the good stuff going down in the city between December and March.
So whether you're drinking a bourbon, soda and lemon or putting away a highball in a beer garden, go forth and frolic. Summer is the ultimate Melbourne pop-up and it waits for no one.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
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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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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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The Best Waterfalls You Can Swim Under Near Melbourne
Forget TLC. Go chase some waterfalls in Victoria.
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The Seven Best One-Day Hikes Near Melbourne
Swap the inner-city pavement for idyllic bush tracks, coastal walks and mountain peaks.
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Eight Unexpected Natural Wonders to Visit Around Victoria
Start plotting breath-taking adventures around this lineup of must-see Victorian landmarks.
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The Nine Best Coastal Walks Near Melbourne
It's time to get off of the couch and onto the coast by hitting up some of these seaside walking trails.
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Ten Idyllic Picnic Spots Where You Can Throw a Rug Down in Melbourne
Pack your basket and head to these picturesque spots for a well-deserved park session.
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The Best Picnic Spots in Melbourne
Wait till the weather is just right, then fill your esky with cold beer, natural wine and an oversupply of snacks and get picnicking.
THINGS TO DO
SUMMER EATS
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The Best Bars in Melbourne with Beer Gardens and Boozy Courtyards
Save cosy pub corners for the depths of winter — it's time to drink a brew out in the open at these fab Melbourne beer gardens.
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The 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.
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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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Melbourne'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.
OUT-OF-TOWN ADVENTURES
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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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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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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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The Best Kayaking and Canoeing Spots Near Melbourne
Escape the city for a day gliding on the water spotting platypuses, dolphins and aquatic birds.
AIR-CONDITIONED ENTERTAINMENT
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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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Melbourne Bars with Games and Activities for When You Want to Do More Than Just Sit Around and Drink
Sip a Shiraz over Scrabble or polish off a pot with a game of pool.
STUNNING GETAWAYS
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Ten of the Most Luxurious Stays You Can Book on the Mornington Peninsula
Need to start planning a getaway from Melbourne? Escape the city for a luxe stay in the Mornington Peninsula at one of these amazing Airbnb's.
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The 15 Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Australia for 2024
Spots where both of you can sit and stay.
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Ten of the Most Blissful Waterfront Stays You Can Book in East Gippsland
This regional gem is filled with idyllic waterfront retreats offering the ultimate antidote to city life.
THE BEST OF 2020
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Melbourne's Most Popular Restaurants of 2020
Melburnians feasted on dumplings, boozy yum cha brunches and croissants this year. Did you?
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Ten Songs You May Have Missed in 2020 But Can Listen to On Repeat Over Summer
Refresh your summer playlist with these tracks — from feel-good hip hop to anthemic indie-rock.
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The Ten Best Films of 2020
With exceptional dramas, joyous concert documentaries and horror mind-benders, 2020 wasn't lacking in excellent movies.
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The Ten Best New TV Shows of 2020
From a topical horror series and a mind-bending sci-fi thriller to an offbeat Aussie sketch comedy — and they're all available to stream.
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The Ten Best Movies Hardly Anyone Saw in 2020
From topical dramas and animated delights to rousing flicks about the 90s electronic music scene and out-there sci-fi horror movies.
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The 11 Best Books of 2020 to Read This Summer
Use your time off to get deep into the winner of this year's 2020 Miles Franklin Award or a gripping memoir on the dark reality of Silicon Valley.
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Melbourne's Best New Cafes of 2020
Start your day at one of our favourite newcomers — there are spots dedicated to Japanese-style soufflé pancakes, rare coffee and incredibly flaky leatherwood honey croissants.