With lockdown restrictions easing in Melbourne and the weather warming up, it’s time to start planning your end-of-year break! Here’s the lowdown on fun (and safe) activities you can enjoy this summer.
Relax at the beach
There’s nothing like spending the day soaking up the rays at the beach. Luckily, Melbourne is full of great spots to do exactly that. Brighton Beach is ideal for unwinding, and its famous multicoloured bathing boxes provide the perfect backdrop for Insta snaps. St Kilda Beach is one of the city’s most popular beaches, perfect for embracing water sports like kite surfing and paddle boarding. For a more secluded experience, Half Moon Bay, located in the suburb of Black Rock, boasts an iconic shipwreck and the towering Red Bluff cliffs.
Picnic at the Royal Botanic Gardens
Enjoy the tranquillity and peacefulness of the Royal Botanic Gardens, which are located on the fringe of the CBD. The gardens are home to an astounding 8,500 plant species and an ornamental lake, and boast scenic walks throughout. You can easily spend hours and hours here taking in the lush surroundings, so pack a picnic and make a day of it.
Splash at Adelphi Pool
If there’s one place to take a dip this summer, it’s at the Adelphi Hotel! A glass-bottom pool that sits nine storeys above Flinders Lane, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve been transported to Miami when you step onto the Adelphi Hotel rooftop. With its retro cocktails and coastal white deck chairs, it’s certainly a cool place to be on a hot day! You don’t have to be a guest at the hotel to enjoy the 13.5 metre-long pool; it’s open to the public for just $35, which also includes towel hire for the day.
Cinema under the stars
Lido Cinema in Hawthorn recently announced that its rooftop cinema experience is returning from November 2. With movies such as No Time to Die, Lassie Come Home and Goodfellas set to show on the big screen this summer, it’s the perfect opportunity to grab a cocktail from their rooftop bar and take in a movie under the stars.
Picnic on a GoBoat
Picnicking on a Scandinavian-inspired boat as you skipper down the Yarra River – it doesn’t get any better than this. GoBoat has reopened on the waters and caters to groups of six who want to enjoy a summer day with a difference. The boats have their very own in-built wooden table where you can lay out your BYO picnic and drinks. You don’t require a boating licence to operate a GoBoat, and the team provides a full safety run-through before you set off. Happy boating!
Ride the waves at a surf park
URBNSURF is the latest craze to take over Melbourne and is sure to be the go-to spot this summer. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a pro, Australia’s first inland surf park is where you’ll want to put your skills to the test. There are different levels of waves to cater to varying abilities, and when you’re tired of riding the waves, you can stretch out and unwind in one of the beach-style cabanas.
Go on an ice cream/gelato hunt
Cool down on a hot summer’s day with some of Melbourne’s best ice cream and gelato spots. Gelato Messina (which has various locations across Melbourne) has been dubbed the best gelato in Australia, so naturally you’ll need to sample some of its flavours to see what all the fuss is about. Other great choices for ice cream include Nitro Lab on Bourke Street in the CBD, where liquid nitrogen is used to flash freeze your order, and Melbourne institution Pidapipo. Last, but certainly not least, you can even let robots assemble your ice cream of choice at Niska Robotic Ice Cream Bar located at Federation Square.
Enjoy a breathtaking coastal walk
Enjoy a stroll with some stunning coastal views on any of the following walks. The Bayside Coastal Trail stretches for 17km from Beaumaris to Brighton, with the track passing through popular stops like Sandringham, Hampton and Black Rock. Be sure to visit one of the trendy local cafes for a takeaway lunch and coffee. Another picturesque walk is the Port Melbourne to St Kilda Pier walk, where you can take in views of the bay. Or, take the Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail between Williamstown and Altona for a lesser explored but equally beautiful coastal walk.
Whatever activities you choose to explore in Melbourne, remember to check the latest rules and restrictions to make sure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information. Enjoy summer 2020 in Melbourne – it’s going to be a good one!