Overview
The summer of you has arrived — now that you've finally shaken that winter cold that held on for weeks, stopped begrudgingly ordering hot toddies at the pub and are now prepared to bring out your bare legs for the first time in months. You're also now saving stacks on not having to get Ubers door to door because of the rain and cold. What can you do to celebrate? Well, there's a bunch of things going on this summer in Melbourne that won't blow the bank — send those Uber funds elsewhere. We've joined up with Bank of Melbourne to pull together a list of what you should be doing before the season's through. Start planning and read on.
ROOFTOP POOL PARTY ON FLINDERS LANE
It's a hidden gem usually reserved for hotel guests, but come Saturday, January 19, the sun-drenched rooftop pool above Holiday Inn Melbourne on Flinders will open to the public for a one-off summer splash session. Kicking off at noon, the hotel's sky-high astroturfed terrace and adjoining pool will play host to the sort of classic Aussie pool party you don't often find in the heart of the CBD. Switch between taking dips and lounging in the sun, while enjoying free-flowing beer, wine, cider and soft drinks, all included in the ticket price. A sausage sizzle will be doling out yet more pool party staples, while the soundtrack's set to feature a fun-loving mix of classic summer jams and new favourites. Best of all, a ticket to the two-hour rooftop party will set you back just $40.
MIDSUMMA FESTIVAL X NOCTURNAL FEAT. NAKHANE
Melbourne Museum is good for more than just cool history stuff. The monthly adults-only sessions, Nocturnal, have produced an intriguing lineup for this summer. On Friday, February 1, the museum will host a special event in tandem with Midsumma Festival, presenting Nakhane, the South African artist making waves with his mix of percussive house-pop and speaking up as an important voice in the LGBTQI+ sphere. Joining him will be OKENYO, the project of actor and musician Zindzi Okenyo, with her neo-soul/R&B vibes. More will be announced soon, and without a doubt, a good night is set to be in store. Tickets are $25 for early bird or $35 full price.
JUGS OF SANGRIA NEXT TO THE BEACH AT REPUBLICA
Dog-friendly, right next to the beach, with comfortable outdoor seating and a menu rich in fresh seafood, Republica is one of St Kilda's finest. The bar also offers cocktail jugs, done in one-litre size. Sit in their sprawling outdoor area post-swim, and order a couple sangria jugs to get you through a warm summer evening on the beach. There'll likely be a pretty good food special on, too, depending on the day of the week. Perfect for sharesies with mates, a date or just you and your pooch (don't give alcohol to dogs, though), the jugs are $35 each and also come filled with Pimm's, Stones & Soda and Traditional Lemonade.
NGV FRIDAY NIGHTS: KLP AND EILISH GILLIGAN
NGV's Friday Night series has once again kicked off with a bang, with this year bringing a huge lineup of artists, DJs and dancers to keep you feeling arty and cultured and gooey about how much you love Melbourne. The NGV might well be our city's calling card, and it'll be trumping it late on Friday nights through summer. Your ticket includes entry to the gallery's Escher x Nendo: Between Two World exhibition so you can 'two birds one stone' it. Head along from 6pm on January 11 to see musicians KLP and Eilish Gilligan both do DJ sets. While you're there catch live performances of Bach pieces, discover the NGV's architecture commission for 2018 and hit up the pop-up gin bars. Tickets are $28 for museum members and $35 full price. We recommend booking in advance.
KIDULTING AT THE ENCHANTED ADVENTURE GARDEN
Arthurs Seat's Enchanted Adventure Garden is full of activities for both big and little kids alike. At the adventure park, full-grown adult types will find themselves feeling intrepid and at one with nature as they push past kids to win at the hedge maze — just remember you are actually bigger than them. Along with the three mazes on offer, you'll also find tube sliding, canopy walks and a spooky 3D maze. All day access is $30 for adults. There's also something called tree surfing — like a high ropes course — and a zipline, available at an additional cost.
BERRY PICKING AT BLUE HILLS BERRY FARM
There's something to be said about food you've grown, harvested and prepared by yourself — and here you'll get two of those three boxes ticked. Head to Blue Hills Berry Farm for its 'u-pick' service, where you can pick as many berries as you can — to add to a pav, or just scoff on the car ride home. Take your pick from the two locations in Silvan (offering either cherries or other berries), don your runners and off you go. Tip: check the farm's fruit report the day before you go to see what's ripe and ready for the pickin'. Entry fee is $13.50, plus whatever you pick (price per kilo varies depending on berry).
Nathan Doran.
THE ST KILDA FESTIVAL
If you're a fan of tasteful tunes and exuberant summer vibes that don't bruise the budget, the annual St Kilda Festival should be at the top of your summer bucket list. The nation's largest free music festival returns to St Kilda's foreshore for its 39th year on Sunday, February 10, bringing eight stages of live music and a ton of food stalls and interactive workshops stretching from Catani Gardens to the south end of Acland Street. As well as bangin' tunes, the air will be filled with the scent of delicious eats emanating from more than 100 food vendors. There'll be everything from curry to burgers, ribs and sushi — providing plenty of sustenance for all that dancing. And since the tunes are free, you'll have plenty of cash to splash on all the good eats expected.
Brook James.
WINE AND CICCHETTI OUTSIDE AT HEARTATTACK AND VINE
Opened by the owners as an homage to the small neighbourhood bars and cafes of Italy and Spain, Heartattack and Vine is a solo diner's dream as well as a place to have a red wine or four with friends. Sit outside in the warm months at the communal wooden table out the front and watch the Lygon Street traffic drizzle past. Heartattack's food speciality is cicchetti, a Venetian type of tapas, which constantly rotate — and at $4 a pop, you can't go wrong. Arm yourself with a negroni and go full Italiano.
GERSHWIN AND FRIENDS AT THE SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents this ode to old mate George Gershwin, the famous composer, and his other musically inclined mates. At this free concert in the Music Bowl, bring a picnic rug and embrace listening to something this silly season that isn't thumping house music — or Christmas carols on repeat. Let the strains of some of Gershwin's most well-known compositions (Rhapsody in Blue, An American in Paris) wash over you in the 90-minute concert on Friday, February 8. 2019 will celebrate 90 years of MSO free concerts and 60 years at the Bowl so it's a good year to be choosing classical music over cooked times at Revs. Entry is $0 but first in best dressed.
BRUNCH OUTSIDE AT THE STABLES OF COMO
South Yarra venue The Stables of Como is a more than just a trendy brunch place. It's part of a National Trust area, it's a wedding hotspot, high tea go-to and a picnic lover's dream. The converted stables are a multi-faceted site for occasions, strolls in the gardens or an outdoor meal. So hit up the café for a pink, summery juice (watermelon, strawberries, rose, mint and coconut yoghurt) and fill up on prawn toast soldiers ($18), then grab one of the lush cakes and a takeaway coffee to have yourself a little impromptu picnic on the grounds.