The Summer Guide to Melbourne 2017–18
Slap on your invisible zinc and get out there. Blue skies wait for no one.
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 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 its in the sand or 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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A Guide to Australia's Best Summer Festivals in 2017–18
The best camping festivals, one-day dance parties and multi-day arts meets hitting the country this year.
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Ten Epic Art Exhibitions to See Across Australia This Summer
From Yayoi Kusama to Pipilotti Rist to the NGV's huge new Triennial, this might be the country's best summer of art yet.
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Road Tripping: A Melburnian's Guide
From quick city getaways just a few hours drive away to epic interstate adventures.
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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.
Summer events
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Outdoor adventures
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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 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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News
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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Guide
The Best Outdoor Cinemas in Melbourne to Check Out Over Summer
Pack a picnic and catch a movie under the stars here.
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Guide
32 Highly Awesome Ways to Splash Around In Melbourne
It's not hard to take a dip in this town.
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Guide
89 Highly Awesome Outdoor Melbourne Adventures to Try
There's got to be at least one in here for you. At least.
Summer eats
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Guide
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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Guide
Melbourne Restaurants and Bars with Private Dining Rooms
Made for long lazy lunches and birthday dinners to remember.
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Guide
Where to Eat When You're Saving but Don't Feel Like Another Meal at Home
Places for a weeknight feed that won't blow the budget.
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Guide
Melbourne Breakfast Spots to Try
Rise and shine, Melbourne — these are breakfasts worth getting up early for.
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Guide
The Ten Best Waterside Bars in Melbourne
Summer calls for spritzes by St Kilda Beach and a few cold ones on the banks of the Yarra.
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News
The Best Toasties in Melbourne
From bacon to lamb, Vegemite to bolognese — all sealed between golden slices of bread.
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News
The Ten Best Beers To Drink This Summer
A beer snob's guide to the top hops for the summer months.
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News
Nine Ice Cream Sandwiches to Try in Melbourne This Summer
The best ice cream sangas Melbourne has to offer.
Crew hangs
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News
Vegemite Has Released an Icy Pole Recipe and People Are Confused
The most Aussie summer treat since the Sunnyboy (RIP).
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News
Five Tournaments to Challenge Your Mates to This Summer
A bit of friendly competition never hurt anybody.
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News
The Rustic Hobbies Made Better by Technology to Adopt for Summer
For the burgeoning urban hobbyists among us.
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Guide
Melbourne's Best Happy Hours for Some Serious Co-Worker Bonding
Options that will put the mate in workmate.
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News
Eight Summer Eskies That Take Beverage Cooling More Seriously Than Most
Don't settle for warm beer.
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Guide
12 Killer Summer Recipes from Some of Australia's Best Chefs
Entrees, mains and cocktails from Porteno, Kitchen by Mike, Matt Stone, Big Poppa's and more.
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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News
Ten Classes in Melbourne You Can Take Over Summer to Learn Something New
Seize your spare time and skill up over the summer break.
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News
The World's Biggest Bouncing Castle Obstacle Course for Adults Is Coming to Melbourne
The Monster is set to take over Melbourne Showgrounds for a three-day adults-only festival this January.
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Guide
Melbourne's Best New Spaces of 2017
Honouring the best new additions to Melbourne's design scene this year.
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News
Melbourne Is Getting a Massive Ball Pit Playground Over Summer
Prepare to dive into an adult playground filled with one million glow-in-the-dark balls.
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Guide
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.
Reading List
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Guide
Melbourne's Most Popular Bars of 2018
The rooftop bars, themed hangouts, old-school pubs and cosy courtyards you flocked to this year.
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Guide
Melbourne's Most Popular Restaurants of 2018
The new openings and old favourites you flocked to this year.
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News
Summer Reading List 2017-18
Find a shady spot on the beach and make your way through these seven books.
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Guide
Melbourne's Most Popular Restaurants of 2017
The new openings and old favourites you flocked to this year.
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News
Ten Australian TV Shows You Should Stream This Summer
Hit pause on your fifth run of 'Seinfeld' — there's plenty of hilarious, relatable and completely bingeworthy local television to get into.
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Guide
Melbourne's Most Popular Bars of 2017
The rooftop bars, themed hangouts, old-school pubs and cosy courtyards you flocked to this year.
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News
Concrete Playground's Top Ten Films of 2017
If you didn't catch these in cinemas, make it your mission to seek them out before the year's end.
Wellbeing
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News
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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News
F*IT Is Melbourne's New Nightclub-Inspired Gym
The Ascot Vale fitness studio has thumping tunes and its own onsite bar.
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Guide
Where to Eat When You Want to Be Healthy but a Cleanse Sounds Like Hell
Healthy doesn't have to mean boring.
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Guide
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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News
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.
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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News
Ten Must-Visit Places Worth Travelling Overseas for in 2018
Check for cheap flights and lock in a date.
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News
Ten Great Australian Houseboats for a Cruisy Summer Holiday
Explore the rivers less travelled (and take your accommodation with you).
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News
Five Epic Australian Treehouses You Can Spend the Night In
You couldn't have dreamed these up as a kid.
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Guide
A Weekender's Guide to Melbourne's Best Getaways
Where to eat, what to see and where to stay in Victoria.