The Summer Guide to Melbourne 2016/17
Slap on your invisible zinc and get out there, blue skies wait for no one.
Well folks, 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, barbecues by the water, and one too many frosés.
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 next three months, from rooftop bars to beaches 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.
Now slap on your invisible zinc and get out there, blue skies wait for no one. Summer, we salute you.
Summer eats and drinks
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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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GuideThe 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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NewsThe Best Rooftop Bars in Melbourne
Rise above the burning concrete and escape to the echelons of summer delight.
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NewsSix Ways to Spend the Australia Day Public Holiday in Melbourne
Join a protest, see a local film, brush up on your history and really appreciate Australia's natural beauty.
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NewsThe Ten Best Australian Craft Beers of 2016
Negroni IPAs, hibiscus sours and barrel-aged doppelbocks. Try 'em all.
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NewsAustralia's Best Locally-Made Icy Poles to Cool Down with this Summer
Sunny Boys, move to the back. These local pops, blocks and poles do summer right.
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EventBurn City Smokers BBQ Beach Boutique Pop-Up
The barbecue masters are heading down the Peninsula for summer.
Outdoor adventures
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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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NewsThe Ten Best Spots for Whale Watching on the NSW Coast
Grab your binoculars, some snacks and a little bit of patience and head to these prime whale spotting locations.
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NewsFederation Square Is Getting an Inflatable Walk-In Labyrinth This Summer
Arboria is a huge immersive installation, inspired by the forest.
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NewsMelbourne's Giant Waterslide Is Returning to Federation Square for Summer
It's the Summer of Slides.
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NewsSummer Outdoor Activities You Can Do in Melbourne
Spice up your casual drinking session with some low-key outdoor activity.
Beach needs
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NewsSix Great Beach Umbrellas for Your Shady Picnic Set-Up
Protect yourself from those UV rays with these collapsible canopies.
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NewsThis Pristine Blue Paradise Has Been Named Australia's Best Beach for 2018
This far north Queensland island beach has topped a list of 11,761.
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NewsEight Summer Eskies That Take Beverage Cooling More Seriously Than Most
Don't settle for warm beer.
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NewsConcrete Playground's 2016/17 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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NewsThe Ten Best Designer Beach Towels for Summer Lounging Sessions
Time to throw out your ratty bath towel.
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NewsTen Modern Beach Chairs for People Who Don't Have Time for Sand
From design-chic teak to the all-time classic banana lounge, there’s a beach chair to suit every style.
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NewsThis Pristine Blue Paradise Has Been Named Australia's Best Beach
Where is it, you ask? Good question.
Backyard shenanigans
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NewsHow to Make Beetroot-Cured Kingfish With a Former Tetsuya's Chef
A former Tetsuya's chef shows us what to do.
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NewsHow to Make Big Poppa's Next-Level Pasta from Scratch
Try the steak tagliata and semifreddo dessert too.
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NewsGive Your Party a Killer Theme with Help From Luke Lucas of Lifelounge
Take your afternoon party to the next level with help from an accomplished creative director.
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NewsCraft Some Killer Backyard Decorations with Paper Artist Benja Harney
A burger pinata, some sandwich bag bunting and a lantern made of streamers. This summer, paper your backyard.
Air-conditioned adventures
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GuideMelbourne's Best High Teas for When You Want to Feel a Little Bit Fancy
From art-inspired creations to ultra-decadent chocolate degustations with bottomless sparkling wine, Melbourne's high tea scene is full of contemporary twists.
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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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NewsTen New Australian Films You Need to See In 2017
A Muslim rom-com, Martin Freeman braving the apocalypse, and Dev Patel in everything always.
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NewsTen 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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NewsTen Films You Need to See in 2017
Long-awaited Blade Runner and Trainspotting reboots, Sofia Coppola's newbie and Greta Gerwig's solo directorial debut.
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EventWho's Afraid of Colour?
Featuring 200 contemporary artworks by 118 Indigenous Australian women.
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NewsConcrete Playground's Top Ten Movies of 2016
From moody South Korean thrillers to whimsical Hollywood musicals, these are our favourite films of the year.
Out-of-town getaways
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NewsThe 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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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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NewsHow to Road Trip the Coral Coast in Seven Days
Take a scenic drive to see dolphins, sharks, reefs, beaches and one of Australia's most famous rock formations.
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NewsA Road Tripper's Guide to Central West NSW from Bathurst to Parkes
One trip, three stops and many local produce feasts are in order at beautifully repurposed historic buildings.
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NewsEight 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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GuideA Weekender's Guide to Brisbane's Best Getaways
Where to eat, what to see and where to stay in Queensland and northern NSW.
Summer events
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EventRide the Night
Ride through the night to help make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged youth.
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NewsAn Overwhelmed Punter's Guide to What to See, Hear and Eat at Laneway Festival 2017
See NAO, inhale Belles Hot Chicken, pre-prepare with a podcast.
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