Overview
The changing of the seasons is a sure-fire way to make you feel like a tourist in your own city. Come October in Melbourne, you start to notice new blooms and fresh growth; days start to stretch out a little longer and coats are finally put away. Trees that only a month ago were bare are heavy with life again, and frozen Melburnians are adventuring back outside. If you're feeling that spring invigoration and want to try something a little different, check out our list of off-road activities for this week.
We've teamed up with Mitsubishi, in celebration of the new Eclipse Cross, to help you discover a different side of Melbourne. Comedy roasts, dumplings and dancing in the dark are all on the cards this week as spring well and truly kicks into full swing.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 1: DANCING IN THE DARK
Channel Bruce Springsteen and do some dancing in the dark.
Dance like no one is watching because, well, they can't at No Lights, No Lycra. It's no surprise to anyone who's been to NLNL that this concept has taken off around the world. The East Brunswick contingent is hosted in a large church and plays a great mix of cheesy chart bangers, 90s nostalgia and kitschy classics. For a neat $8, you can dance the stress of the week away and you'll be shocked to discover how liberating it can feel. And for those not in the know, while it's dark, it's not the can't-see-your-hand-in-front-of-your-face-type dark so you won't bump into anyone.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2: DUMPLING DE-STRESS
Forget about your weekday woes with dumplings and a massage.
Massage and dumplings — certainly an odd couple but one that feels so right. Horse Bazaar is a trendy little restaurant and bar on Little Lonsdale Street that is offering this combo on Tuesday nights. For $15, you get a ten-minute massage, a three-piece dumpling dinner and DJ beats to top it off. It's a tender little package to get you through the working week. The menu has plenty of veggie and vegan options if that's your thing, as well as some left-of-centre fillings like Aussie breakfast — egg, bacon and Vegemite — and Nutella and nuts (N'n'N).
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3: HUMP DAY HARRY POTTER
Break up the week with a visit to the new Harry Potter store.
Wednesdays are grim and need a little magic to sort them out. You might not have received an official letter but that doesn't mean you can't deck yourself out in Hogwarts merch at The Store of Requirement. Though it's situated on Smith Street in Collingwood, it'll transport you directly to a shop in Diagon Alley. Wander through a treasure trove of HP trinkets and amazing decorations. You can even grab a glass of butter brew while you peruse. It's open midday to 7pm on Wednesdays, which should be just enough time to choose your wand.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4: A SECRET SHOW
Whisper the magic words to gain entry, then enjoy a fabulous Vaudeville show.
The sign on the door may read "Bible Study", but that's just a front. Approach Speakeasy — in the Apollo Theatre Room on Flinders Street — on a Thursday night and whisper "Knuckles sent me". You'll be invited inside to a world of wonder. Speakeasy is the home of burlesque dancers, cabaret artists, circus acts, comedians, tap dancers, and magicians. Every week is different but the food is always top notch with Prohibition pizzas and Blind Pig nachos on offer. Once you've got your snacks, sit back and enjoy a feathery, glittery, fabulous Vaudeville display.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5: ROAST AND ROAST
Tuck into a tasty roast while the folk at Kinfolk deliver a comedic roast.
Head to Bourke Street for roast chickens and jokes, all served up with love from the good eggs at Kinfolk. The team is putting on a roast dinner with all the trimmings and a side of comedic genius with staff roasts. If you've frequented Kinfolk, you'll be familiar with the lovely volunteer vibes, and while we can't imagine any truly devastating roasts will go down, we're still excited for the spectacle. Vegetarian and vegan options are available for all, just make a note when ordering your ticket.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6: OUTDOOR YOGA
Start the weekend right with open-air morning yoga.
Sun, fresh air and stretching is the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Head down to Docklands and join in on Roar Spirit's 9am outdoor yoga and meditation session. It's a one-hour session for all levels of expertise — from 'can't touch my toes' to 'I can stand on my hands' — that will step you through an invigorating Vinyasa flow under the watchful gaze of the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel. If you've never taken an outdoor yoga class, it's definitely worth the investment to feel the grass under your toes and the wind in your hair. Plus, you can do as many yoga farts as you please, the great outdoors is the perfect place for it.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7: ART AND SPAGHETTI
Peruse the 1000 Doors installation then finish the week with some crab spaghetti.
The Melbourne International Arts Festival is on and there's one experience in particular that you shouldn't miss. Book a ticket to 1000 Doors, a surreal installation by Christian Wagstaff and Keith Courtney, showing at the Arts Centre. Why doors? The artists explained how "a door is a beginning and an end, a promise and a warning", which is both horrifying and intriguing. Once you've been sufficiently beguiled and have worked up an appetite, head over to Fatto for more sensual delights. The pasta at Fatto is the perfect dish to help you contemplate the meaning of all those doors, and we recommend the spanner crab pasta served with lemon and chilli ($29) to go with some of that contemplation. It's punchy but light and will definitely fill you up.
Where to next? Make the most of every week with Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and navigate to your next destination here.