The Summer Travel & Leisure Guide

The 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.

The Best Waterfalls You Can Swim Under Near Melbourne

Forget TLC. Go chase some waterfalls in Victoria.

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.

Marquis of Lorne

411 George Street, Fitzroy

Drink down on the street, dine at the second floor restaurant or soak up some rays on the rooftop.

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.

The Best Rooftop Bars in Melbourne

Rise above the burning concrete and escape to the echelons of summer delight.

The Ten Best Bloody Marys in Melbourne

The ultimate breakfast of champions.

The Ten Best BYO Restaurants in Melbourne

Offset the damage to your wallet on your next night out.

St Hotel - CLOSED

54 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

Once a questionable choice of venue, the Saint Hotel has been transformed into a sleek Thai dining space and bar.

The 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.

MTC Announces NEON 2015 Season of Independent Theatre

Carnivals, cannibals and the real, foul-mouthed, alcoholic Calamity Jane.

Melbourne's Longest Eatery The Arbory Is Now Open

Taking cues from New York’s Highline, Melbourne's newest spot runs 150m along the old Sandridge railway line.

Tokyo Tina

66A Chapel Street, Windsor

The third sister has been born, and she brings a Japanese edge to the family.

Movies Under the Stars

Lap up the last of the openair cinema season with Docklands' free version.

Tomato Battle

Let the Romas fly.

New Food Precinct The Archway Opens in Flinders Lane

Homemade smores, chilli salt slices, maple bacon chipotle bagels. Lunch just got interesting in the CBD.

Fat Tuesday Southern Food and Music Festival

Fat Tuesday, or French Mardi Gras, means offensive amounts of delicious, greasy, Southern barbecued goodness.

Luna Park On Play - The School of Life

The School of Life and Rockwiz’s Brian Nankervis are letting you play all day. Really.

Fashion on Film 2015

Watch Vogue shoots with Lena Dunham, trace the history of bespoke Italian menswear, celebrate the glory of '90s fashion.

Zara Home Launches in Australia

Extend your wardrobe to your walls.

Bar Exuberante is Melbourne's Newest Secret Rum Bar

Find a little piece of Old Havana in the back of Bar Economico.

Slide Melbourne

Be the first to experience the biggest street slide in the world.

Farnsworth Republic For Dogs

The hottest canine event of the season.

Supergraph 2015

Welcome to an art fair you can actually afford.

Golden Koala Chinese Film Festival 2015

Spend the Chinese New Year with some of the country's latest cinematic exports.

This Swing Table Just Made Meetings Way More Fun

Swing your way through boring PowerPoint presentations.

Sustainable Living Festival 2015

All the tips you need to make life a little better.

Meet Tokyo Tina: Saigon Sally and Hanoi Hannah's New Chapel Street Sister

The family is growing.

Magic Mountain Saloon

62 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

An eatery and bar spawned from one of Melbourne's best hospo pedigrees.

Could This New Sky Garden Be the Workplace of the Future?

Forget the tedium of the office cubicle. The future is harvesting your own lunch, wearable tech and abseiling during coffee breaks.

Van Gogh Paintings Realised as Haute Couture

Van Gogh's little straw hat has never looked so Bjork.

St Kilda Festival 2015

Get amongst Melbourne's biggest (and most wallet-friendly) street festival.

Summer Sundays

The NGV are crashing festival season with a series of weekly free garden parties.

A Look Back at Ten Years of Laneway Festival

The last ten years have seen Australian festival after Australian festival launch and go under. How have Laneway managed to nail it?

Australian Hot Chip Vending Machines Will Soon Be Everywhere

Pocket vinegar at the ready.

This New App Can Tell You Which Friend Stresses You Out Most

Want to surround yourself with positive people? There's an app for that.

Code Black Howard Street

119 Howard Street, North Melbourne

Code Black starts a spin-off on Howard Street, and it's not just the same shtick.

Belle and Sebastian

Indie-pop royalty blown in on a breeze of Glaswegian whimsy.

Pope Joan Crew to Reinvent the Humble Milk Bar

Meet Jack Horner, who'll sit on a corner.

Belle and Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch Wanted Your Nine-to-Five Job

The Glaswegian lead singer also thinks you might have written his music for him.

Win Passes to Palace Cinemas Thanks to Appleton Estate

One of summer's classic cool retreats, now with a cocktail to match.

The Val Cinema

The Val is back in action for a summer pop-up on Swan Street.

All the Best Ways to Spend Australia Day 2015 in Melbourne

Sausages, citizenship, the Triple J Hottest 100. Celebrate what you value this Australia Day.

Eau de Vie to Open New Boilermaker House

Picture 700 whiskies. Now pair them with 80 beers.

Brunswick Street Cider House to Open Summer Pop-Up Garden

Just in time for the Australia Day weekend.

Union St Brewers - CLOSED

34 Union Street, Brunswick

Brunswick's newest cafe is baking their own bagels and pouring their own brew on Union Street.

The Rooks Return

201 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Your local better watch out — The Rooks Return threatens to take its place.

Entrecote Brings Parisian-Style Dining to South Yarra

Dine like a Parisian — late, simple, with fries.

The 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.

Five Reasons To Head To Sugar Mountain That Have Nothing To Do With Nas

Despite what the buzz may tell you, there's more to this festival than Illmatic.

The Grand Trailer Park Taverna - CLOSED

87 Bourke Street, Melbourne

East Coast trailer trash at its finest (and funnest).

Slidestreet

Your summer dreams just came true. This 315 metre-long Slip 'N' Slide is unfurling in Fitzroy Gardens.

Whisky at the Cinema

Two of your favourite things together at last.

Build Your Own Smartphone With Google's Project Ara

Pick and choose the components of your phone. Nice one, Google.

Jardin Tan

Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra

A bit of Vietnamese exoticism in the middle of the Botanic Gardens.

Gelato Messina Fitzroy

237 Smith Street, Fitzroy

How do you know it's summer? You're standing in the queue at Messina again, dummy.

Gelato Messina to Launch International Soup Kitchen

You won't find boring ol' tomato soup in these cans.

This Durable Cardboard Bike Costs Just $10 to Make

A bike so cheap that it's not even worth the energy deployed in trying to steal it.

Midsumma 2015

Melbourne's favourite summer festival is back to paint the town every colour in the rainbow.

The Ten Best Things To See At Midsumma 2015

Melbourne's favourite summer festival is back to paint the town every colour in the rainbow.

South Melbourne Night Market 2015

South Melbourne Market has a whole lot more to offer than dim sims.

Royal Croquet Club

It's time to break out the Pimms.

The Ten Best Things to Come Out of Jamaica

Jerk, James Bond, the world's finest coffee and rum? Thank Jamaica.

Cookie Team to Open New Magic Mountain Saloon

The brains behind The Toff in Town, Cookie and Boney have made a new nest in a 19th century warehouse.

Swan Street Chamber of Commerce is Actually a New Pop-Up Food Precinct

Pop-up record stores, ice cream sandwiches and retro films. Hell-o, Swan Street.

Ten Tasty Ways to Break Your 2015 New Year's Resolution

Rules are made to be broken - especially ones that cut out food.

A Giant Slip 'N' Slide is Coming to Sydney and Melbourne

Wish, granted.

Wye Oak

Soaring, unmissable folk direct from Baltimore to you.

Summertime Sips: Three Rum Cocktails to Make at Home this Summer

Your pool party punch and post-festival nightcap, sorted.

So Frenchy So Chic In The Park 2015

Don your best floral-headband-and-sundress-combo and gear up for un merveilleux après-midi.

Danny Brown

Fast, frantic and truly original, Detroit's must-see rapper returns to Melbourne.

The Best New Year's Day Parties in Melbourne

Dust off that hangover, 2015 awaits.

Woodford Folk Festival 2014/15

Set up camp, let your hair get knotty, and roam makeshift tarpaulin towns.

The 2014 Boxing Day Movie Smackdown

It's a fierce field of contenders, except for one sadly flabby has-been.

The Enduring Lure of Shakespeare Under the Stars

Why do midsummer nights go so well with the Bard? Shakespeare in the Royal Botanic Gardens director Glenn Elston has a hint.

Orphans' Christmas 2014

With free food, games and movies at Fed Sqaure, Christmas away from home isn't looking half bad.

Gasometer Hotel Summer Season 2014

Everything else may be winding down for the year, but The Gaso is only just getting started.

Coburg Drive-In Food Truck Festival

Ditch the tacky choc tops for some gourmet creme brulee.

Goje Frozen Yogurt

38 Anderson Street, Yarraville

More than your typical frozen treat, this is small batch frozen yoghurt that might actually be good for you.

Concrete Playground's Summer Reading List

Ten books from this year that no bibliophile should miss.

Haus Party at Munich Brauhaus

Raise a stein to one bier-fuelled New Year's Eve.

The Summer Design & Style Guide

Forget layers; summer and style go hand in hand, and its greatest hits are never disposable.

The Summer Arts & Entertainment Guide

The nights are long; savour them in the best outdoor (or air conditioned) events.

The Summer Food & Drink Guide

You've not a care in the world besides finding that new cabana bar and staying there.

The Summer Guide to Melbourne

St Jerome's Laneway Festival 2015

Celebrating ten years of Laneway shenanigans, it's only fitting to invite Mac DeMarco's mum to the party.

Summersalt

Come for the giant inflatable whale, stay for the art.

Shadow Electric Cinema 2015

The convent's cinema is open for another year. Share a bevvy with Talking Heads, Christopher Nolan and Wes Craven under the stars.

Mr Claws Lobster Rolls Pop-Up

If you hadn't planned on eating lobster rolls all summer, think again.

Craft Supermarket 2014

Craft have your Christmas shopping sorted with this unique artists' market.

Rooftop Cinema 2014-15

Curtin House is lighting up once more with big releases, cult flicks and childhood nostalgia atop the city's skyline.

The Five Best Summer Drinks in Melbourne

Quench your thirst with these summer concoctions both spiked and non-alcoholic.

Shadow Electric Outdoor Cinema Announces 2015 Program

Share a bevvy with Talking Heads, Christopher Nolan and Wes Craven in a convent.

Melbourne Designed Twilight Markets

Because who said gift-giving had to be stressful?

Southgate Cinema 2014

The only place you can watch free movies under the stars without the fear of getting rained out.

Mambo: 30 Years of Shelf-Indulgence

Follow the 30-year trajectory of the people behind the iconic farting dog.

Moonlight Cinema 2014-15

Get your picnic at the ready; the Botanic Gardens are coming to life again.

The Emerson

145 Commercial Road, South Yarra

One of the best rooftops south of the river.

Jimmy Watson's

333 Lygon Street, Carlton

Among the best-kept secret rooftops.

Rooftop Bar

252 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Rooftop Bar is the centrepiece of Melbourne's alcohol stocked skyline.

A Guide to the Perfect Summer Playlist from the Makers of JukeCase

Road tripping, house partying, beach-bumming. Here's how to soundtrack your summer.

Coburg Night Market 2014

Not sure what to do with your Friday nights before Christmas? Relax. Coburg's got this.

Ben and Jerry’s Openair Cinema 2014

Don't settle for that simple choc-top at your usual movie theatre; step your summer game up a notch by heading to St Kilda Beach for a proper 'Sundae Session'. With great bands, new movies, and free ice cream, what's not to like?

Mr Claws Lobster Rolls Pop Up On Smith Street For Summer

The guys behind Huxtable and Huxtaburger have teamed up for a mouth-watering new venture.

This Classy Trailer Park Has Spiked Milkshakes and Mac & Cheese Burgers

It's finally fashionable to overindulge.

Moonlight Cinema Announce 2014-15 Program

Whip out the picnic rugs and get the wine cooler at the ready.

Rooftop Cinema Announce 2014-15 Program

Twilight Pimms and Drop Dead Fred? Yes please.

Say Hello to Summersalt: Melbourne’s New Outdoor Arts Festival

Come for the giant inflatable whale, stay for the art.

Batman Market

Batman has just solved all your hungover weekend woes.

Plus Five Smoothie - CLOSED

265 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

They've got the green, the chocolate and every smoothie in between.

The Sand-Ditching Shake Tote Will Make Your Entire Summer

The mother of all beach bags.

The Ten Best First Date Spots in Melbourne

Because no one should have to suffer through a bad Tinder date.

Falls Festival 2014

Spend NYE with SBTRKT, Jamie XX and alt-J.

The Ten Best Healthy Cafes in Melbourne

Raw Snickers bars, superfood salads and sugar-free pancakes. When did healthy food get so tasty?

The 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.

The 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.

Cafe BU - CLOSED

585a Canning Street, Carlton North

Sip a coffee above the suburbs atop the perfect Carlton North perch.

The Ten Best Laneway Bars in Melbourne

Melbourne is always bragging about its 'best-kept secrets'. These are what we mean.

Homegrown: 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.

Ten Standout Craft Beers to Try Before the End of Summer

Meet some local beers doing amazing things with hops, water and yeast.

The Ten Best Beer Gardens in Melbourne

Rooftops be damned, the humble beer garden is the place to be this summer.

Ten Outdoor Accessories to Make Your Next Camping Trip the Ultimate

The best gizmos and accessories for getting back to nature.

Loop Roof

Level 3, 23 Meyers Place, Melbourne

A gem in Melbourne's rooftop crown.

Naked in the Sky

285 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

The best position on Brunswick Street is in the sky.

The Ultimate Escape in the Daintree and Port Douglas

For the ultimate Aussie getaway, we head far, far north to Port Douglas, the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.

The Bluffer’s Guide to Summer Entertaining

Be the host/hostess with the most/mostess.

Summer Style Guide for Men

Because swim shorts 24-7 are not socially acceptable unless you live on the beach.

Summer Style Guide for Women

Some of the season's best looks for every taste.

Ten Hotel Oases That Will Cool You Down in Summer

Boutique hotel experts Mr & Mrs Smith have the lowdown on where the trendsetters sleep.

The Ten Best Cafe Courtyards in Melbourne

Because coffee tastes better with the sun on your back.

The Best Bike Shops in Melbourne

Whether you're a fixie rider on training wheels or a regular Cadel, Melbourne has the bike shop for you.

The Five Best Scenic Running Routes in Melbourne

One of the best bits about running is exploring new suburbs and parks like these.

The Ten Best Pizza Joints in Melbourne

We have rounded up ten of our favourite places to grab a slice, with both newcomers and familiar faces featuring on the list.

Naked For Satan

285 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

It’s the Pintxos that truly set Naked for Satan apart from the 7,564 other bars in Melbourne's inner hub.