The Melbourne Summer Guide 2015/16
It’s that time of year again, when the rising mercury sends us outdoors en masse, pumping our concrete playground with an energy of revelry and renewal.
The spirit of summer is a celebration of what it means to be alive. We rediscover our joie de vivre with sandy toes, burnished skin, BBQs by the pool, and one too many daiquiris. But with so much going on at this time of year it’s hard to know where to begin, and what is supposed to be some well-deserved chill time can become a full-blown panic attack. So, what do you do when overwhelmed with options?
Welcome to the Concrete Playground Summer Guide, a shortlist of the best this city has to offer over the warmer months, from rooftop bars to swimming holes to picnic spots to outdoor dining and much more. You’ll never be without access to the best of everything, because the year’s too long and summer’s too short to waste time on the mediocre.
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NewsThe 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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NewsThe Best Outdoor Swimming Pools in Melbourne
Melbourne's best outdoor swimming pools cater to athletes, casual summertime swimmers and those just looking to cool off during extra-hot days.
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NewsThe Best Waterfalls You Can Swim Under Near Melbourne
Forget TLC. Go chase some waterfalls in Victoria.
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NewsWhere 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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NewsThe Best Rooftop Bars in Melbourne
Rise above the burning concrete and escape to the echelons of summer delight.
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NewsThe Ten Best BYO Restaurants in Melbourne
Offset the damage to your wallet on your next night out.
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NewsThe Ten Most Incredibly Designed Public Swimming Pools in the World
Dip a toe into the pool of amazing aesthetics.
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NewsMelbourne's Getting a Twilight Cheese Festival
It's called Cheese Please because of course it is.
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EventSugar Mountain 2016
Sat, 23 Jan, 2016
VCA, Southbank
The killer music and art festival is back — this time with Courtney Barnett and Hot Chip.
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EventSunday Social Pop-Up
Thu, 14 Jan, 2016
Sunday Social, Fitzroy
Brisbane's threads-loving crew have headed south.
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EventSt Kilda Summer Twilight Market
Thu, 3 Dec, 2015
O'Donnell Gardens, St Kilda
Hunt for bargains in the shadow of Luna Park.
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EventSouth Melbourne Night Market 2016
Thu, 7 Jan, 2016
South Melbourne Market, South Melbourne
Get south of the Yarra, pronto.
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EventMelbourne International Jazz Festival 2016 Summer Sessions
Sat, 9 Jan - Sun, 17 Jan 2016
Various locations across Melbourne, Melbourne
Summer is getting saxy.
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EventSupper Market 2016
Fri, 8 Jan, 2016
Abbotsford Convent, Abbotsford
Spend your Friday nights snacking at the Convent.
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EventPierre's Pop-Up Soft Servery
Sat, 9 Jan - Sun, 10 Jan 2016
Green Park Dining, Carlton North
Soft serve Saturdays and Sundays, all summer-long.
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NewsConcrete Playground's 2015-16 Summer Reading List
Ten books to get stuck into by the pool, the beach or on the couch with an Icy Pole in hand.
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EventSuffragette
Sat, 26 Dec 2015 - Wed, 10 Feb 2016
Various cinemas in Melbourne
A stirring if somewhat conventional tale about the fight for women's suffrage.
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NewsThe Ten Best Places to See Wildlife in Australia
Go forth and make friends with adorable animals.
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NewsEight Beach Accessories for the Ultimate Summer Day Out
Next-level beach days come with extravagant towels, everlasting phone battery and the best inflatables.
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NewsTake a Little Staycation in Melbourne's Inner-North with Meg Mac
The ARIA-nominated artist crafts a mini-holiday for you in her (and our) hometown.
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NewsMr Miyagi's Got a Cute New Addition, Yukie's Snack Bar
We knew there was a reason Miyagi loved Yukie.
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NewsTen Easy Summer Health Hacks You'll Actually Want to Try
Because avo's better than butter every day of the week.
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NewsShadow Electric Announces 2016 Outdoor Film Program
Yet another outdoor cinema returns just in time for summer.
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NewsThe Rose Hotel Is Getting a New Upstairs Wine Bar
They'll be temporarily shutting up shop for summer renovations.
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NewsThe Ten Best Movies Hardly Anyone Saw in 2015
Do yourself a favour and add these to your must-see movie list.
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NewsFive Must-See Works At The NGV's Epic Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei Exhibition
Two of the most significant artists of the last two centuries, one extraordinary exhibition.
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NewsBrunswick's Boozy Mini-Golf Course Is Back
Just tap it in, give it a little tappy, a tap-tap-tapperoo.
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NewsMidsumma Announces Their 2016 Program
Melbourne's largest queer arts and culture festival is back.
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EventRooftop Cinema 2015-16
Tue, 8 Dec 2015 - Sat, 9 Apr 2016
Rooftop Cinema, Melbourne
Iranian vampire westerns, dinosaurs and All The Space Films.
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EventThe Richmond Yard Post-Apocalyptic Pop-Up Food Park
Sat, 5 Dec, 2015
Cremorne Carpark, Cremorne
Nothing like a fried chicken burger at the end of the world.
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News
Gelato Messina Is Now Delivering Ice Cream to Your Door, For Real
Netflix and chill just got turned up a notch.
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NewsHave the Fanciest Summer of Your Life at Mollymook's New Boutique Hotel
Languish in luxury on NSW's South Coast.
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NewsThe Ten Best Late Night Greasies in Melbourne
Late night snacks with a good ol' dose of Vitamin G.
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NewsSugar Mountain Reveals Tasty 2016 Food Lineup
Load up on banh mi, Biggie Smalls kebabs and local ice cream before you dance, dance, dance, ugh.
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NewsThis Private Island Off the Coast of Tassie Lets You Take the Ultimate Break From Reality
And it's all oysters, wine and seaside views.
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NewsMoonlight Cinema Reveals Huge Summer Program for 2015/16
Start designating who'll bring the hummus and who's on wine.
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NewsFrankie Says Is Richmond's New Riverside Restaurant and Bar
The Hoy Pinoy team have opened a permanent venue along the Yarra.
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NewsLido Cinemas Have Revealed Their First Ever Rooftop Program
The Hawthorn cinema's rooftop instalment will see more new releases than its openair competitors.
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NewsMelbourne's Rooftop Cinema Announces 2015-16 Program
Iranian vampire westerns, dinosaurs and All The Space Films.
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NewsThe Eight Best Unusual Fitness Classes to Try in Melbourne
Everything you need to let loose your inner superhero (or Beyonce).
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NewsThe Ten Best Places to Get Crafty in Melbourne
Express yourself through crochet, taxidermy and balloon art.
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NewsThe Ten Best Retro Film Programs in Melbourne
See an old classic the way it's meant to be seen.
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NewsThe Five Best Online Bottle Shops for Craft Beer in Melbourne
The biggest range at the shortest possible walking distance.
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NewsThe Nine Best Rum Bars in Melbourne
Where you'll find this city's best Zombies, Dark 'n' Stormys, Mai Tais, house infused apricot rum and more.
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NewsThe Ten Best Bottle Shops for Craft Beer in Melbourne
Tracking down that top notch craft beer you had at the pub? Don't even try the major bottle shops, try one of these gems.
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GuideEight Classic Melbourne Dining Institutions That Never Get Old
Hype is one thing, but tried and true resilience? That's a whole other ball game.
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NewsThe Ten Best Craft Beer Bars and Pubs in Melbourne
Which old favourite stocks more than 200 beers, referenced by index?
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NewsThe Ten Best Summer Getaways From Melbourne
When the Fitzroy Pool just doesn't cut it, get your friends together for one of these jaunts out of town.
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NewsSummertime Sips: Three Rum Cocktails to Make at Home this Summer
Your pool party punch and post-festival nightcap, sorted.
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NewsA Guide to the Perfect Summer Playlist from the Makers of JukeCase
Road tripping, house partying, beach-bumming. Here's how to soundtrack your summer.
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NewsThe Ten Best First Date Spots in Melbourne
Because no one should have to suffer through a bad Tinder date.
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NewsThe Ten Best Healthy Cafes in Melbourne
Raw Snickers bars, superfood salads and sugar-free pancakes. When did healthy food get so tasty?
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NewsThe Ten Best American-Inspired Restaurants in Melbourne
Melbourne often goes in waves with its international influences on dining, but there's one that's been around for a while now.
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NewsThe Ten Best Places to Get Your Cheese Fix in Melbourne
We love cheese. And because we know you do too, we've found the 10 best places to get your cheese fix in Melbourne.
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NewsHomegrown: The Five Most Sustainable Restaurants in Melbourne
Some venues are going past the first point of call and minimising their environmental impact in big ways.
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NewsTen Standout Craft Beers to Try Before the End of Summer
Meet some local beers doing amazing things with hops, water and yeast.
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NewsTen Outdoor Accessories to Make Your Next Camping Trip the Ultimate
The best gizmos and accessories for getting back to nature.
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NewsThe Five Best Scenic Running Routes in Melbourne
One of the best bits about running is exploring new suburbs and parks like these.
