Overview
In Melbourne, the long winter can really take a toll. As spring rolls around and you realise that you've barely left the house for six months, it's time for some excitement. But don't reach for your passport just yet. Consider this, you probably haven't explored every intriguing corner of Melbourne. And, even if you have, new corners pop up every other day.
It's time to make better friends with the city you live in. When you're surrounded by so much vibrancy every damn day, you can unintentionally take it for granted. But as the days get longer and warmer, you might find yourself venturing out with adventure on your mind. To help you out, we've teamed up with Mitsubishi in celebration of the new Eclipse Cross and curated a list of experiences to shake up your week. Try something new every day this week and get reacquainted with our great city.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 8: ART TO START
Begin the week with a wander through some stunning architecture.
Get out of the office, and head to MPavilion in the Queen Victoria Gardens, just across from the National Gallery of Victoria. Today, the commissioned work by Barcelona-based architect Carme Pinos will be unveiled. For those of you who don't know, the MPavilion is a public design space that shows the works of prominent designers and architects. It's always a delight to wander through the exhibitions, and this year, it's particularly special. To contextualise just how special, Pinos is a renowned European architect, with her work spanning public architecture, social housing, urban refurbishment, furniture and object design. She's also won prizes for her work on gender advancement in the architectural field. Pinos' structure will be displayed from today until February 3, 2019.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9: QUEER TALK
Celebrate the launch of Queer History month and attend a free panel discussion.
Head to the Wheeler Centre on Swanston Street, and get ready for a history lesson they (sadly) don't teach in school. To celebrate the launch of Queer History month, the Wheeler Centre is hosting a free panel discussion, Past, Present and Future Queer Australia. The panel consists of academics, writers, and performers including Daniel Marshall, Dennis Altman, Laniyuk Garcon and Sally Goldner, who will discuss the contributions of Australians that have helped shape queer communities. It's a great way to show support for the LGBTQI+ movement and learn a thing or two at the same time. The event is free, but make sure you book your tickets to save a spot.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10: BACKSTAGE BALLET
Tour the Australian Ballet's production centre to see props and sets from the past 50 years.
Try something a little different this Wednesday. Book a tour of the Australian Ballet Production Centre. Located in Southbank, the centre is bursting with costumes, lace and colour. It contains stage pieces from 50 years worth of productions and is a veritable treasure trove of fancy things that will make you gush "oh" and "ah". A town car will pick you up and take you to the centre for the intimate tour. Groups are capped at 12 so you won't be shoulder to shoulder and can take it all in.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11: LUNCHTIME NGV
Check out the International 50th Anniversary exhibition at the NGV.
Break free of your lunchtime routine and head to the NGV for a quiet stroll through the exhibitions, cleverly avoiding the hordes of weekenders. On display at the moment: a show that documents the life of the NGV gallery itself. The building was completed in 1968 and has since had some major embellishments added by artists and architects alike. Peruse relics from the first ever NGV exhibition, a gorgeous — now quite retro — exhibition named The Field. The exhibition was all about colour field painting and abstract sculpture and was considered hyper-contemporary and rather controversial at the time. How things change, huh?
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12: THE ORIGINAL BLADE RUNNER
Welcome the weekend with baby-faced Harrison Ford.
If Blade Runner 2049 left you yearning for the original, treat yourself to a night at the Astor. Tonight, the cinema is going back to the 80s and playing the original Blade Runner, complete with a young Harrison Ford and kick-ass soundtrack. The viewing starts at 7.30pm, and you better strap in because it's the final cut. In 2007, for the 25th anniversary of the original release, Ridley Scott edited and released another cut of the film that he had complete artistic license over. The resulting masterpiece is right at home in the regal confines of the Astor. Once it's over, head to Chapel Street for a bite to ponder the question that will puzzle us forever: was Deckard a replicant?
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13: CANNOLI FEAST
Start with a walk, then treat yourself to some magical Sicilian desserts.
Kick your Saturday off right with a walk around the Maribyrnong. There are plenty of walking paths to suit whatever mood you're in, from a lazy Saturday stroll (try the Cruickshank Park loop at just 1.1 kilometres) to something more vigorous (the Chifley Drive and rowing club loop at 4.2 kilometres). Once you've worked up a light sweat, it's time to reward yourself with ridiculous treats. Head to the Cannoli Bar in Avondale Heights. Yes, that's right. It's an entire venue dedicated to the delicious cannoli. You can't really go wrong with ordering here, just ask the staff to keep 'em coming and relish every guilt-free mouthful.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14: MARKET FINDS
Snag a Sunday bargain at the Round She Goes markets.
Melbourne has so many incredible markets that permanently reside or pop-up around the place, it's hard to keep track. Some are ideal for a long morning of foraging, but if you want a market where it's all gold, head to Round She Goes in Coburg. It's been running in Melbourne for about a decade and features 60 stalls of incredible, curated vintage fashion. There's no need to forage here, every table is weighed down with gems at reasonable prices. Entry is $2 (so bring your spare change) and if you're already yearning, check out the website for an online store that sells the same great pieces 24/7.
Where to next? Make the most of every week with Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and navigate to your next destination here.
Top image: Julia Sansone.