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Cosmopolitan, elegant and chic, Melbourne has a passionate soul and a welcoming heart that makes every stay a truly memorable experience. Spend time in the city centre and you’ll discover pockets of busy, chilled, bohemian, architectural and accidentally cool spaces to explore. Stumble upon indie fashion boutiques, artisan workshops, and street artists at work.
Explore historic arcades and laneways lined with fine dining restaurants, chic cafes and hidden bars. Wander waterside trails for raspberry ripple sunsets and climb to a rooftop bar for cocktails with a twinkling night sky view. You’ll also find that whatever the season, the city is buzzing with theatre, exhibitions, concerts, festivals and sporting events.
Melbourne enjoys warm Summers where you can take in the fresh country air and taste delicious summer fruits; mild Autumns where you can enjoy a spectacular display of leaves turning amber, yellow and red; crisp Winters to snuggle and snow play with your loved ones and glorious Springs where beautiful blooms and wildflowers greet you. There is always a reason to visit again!
Magical Moments in Winter
Melbourne’s iconic laneways are the perfect place to tuck yourself away in winter. Wind your way from one to another, stopping for piping hot soup and exceptional coffee at bustling cafes along Centre Place and Degraves Street. Join a walking tour to unearth the best of Melbourne’s bluestone cobbled laneways and street art along colourful Hosier Lane and follow fashion at stores along Flinders Lane and Little Collins Street.
Crisp days and chilly evenings are just the excuse you need to cosy up with a book, a warm cup of coffee or a glass of red in one of Victoria’s regional villages. There’s nothing quite like the crackle and flicker of a winter fireplace – the smell of wood smoke and the promise of a hearty winter meal and a warming drink.
Dine at fireside tables and sip cocktails in cosy retreats. Pamper yourself at a luxury day spa and get your glow back this winter. Bathe in warm natural mineral springs and enjoy spa rituals and natural treatments designed to refresh and re-energise.
So, gather the gang together and explore Melbourne and beyond for an unforgettable holiday, filled with events and lots of winter fun! You’d be sure to find warmth, whimsy and wonder on a winter warmer getaway in Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Winter Events
Get ready for the forthcoming winter with a packed calendar of brightly lit events around Melbourne and Victoria. From June to August, you’ll find exhibitions, art shows, markets, workshops, wine and food festivals. Queen Victoria Market is also home to the Night Market on Wednesday nights, showcasing global street food, live music and entertainment.
MELBOURNE WINTER MASTERPIECES® 2023
Opening in June at the National Gallery of Victoria, the blockbuster Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition Pierre Bonnard presents the iridescent paintings of Bonnard within immersive scenography by Paris-based designer India Mahdavi. A kaleidoscopic exhibition, Pierre Bonnard features more than 100 works by the celebrated French artist, spanning the late nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century. Paintings, drawings, photographs, folding screens and early cinema will bring modern France to life with startling beauty and vivid colour.
RISING Festival 2023
RISING is Melbourne’s flagship festival that brings the city’s eclectic arts and culture scene, up from the underground, into the world. Wander along the river into a technicolour burst of large-scale installation, outdoor projection, street feasting and unexpected performances. Discover cutting-edge music and theatre from local and international talent, along with immersive experiences set in iconic Melbourne venues. Music, food, art and culture – under moonlight.
Winter Wonderlights, Ballarat
Christmas comes early in Ballarat! Don’t miss the twinkling lights, markets and family-friendly entertainment at Winter Wonderlights, an after-dark program of sound, lights and theatre. See the gold rush era brought to life in a dazzling light show, splayed across the buildings of the open-air museum.
Victoria’s Snowfields
From short trips to week-long holidays in the mountains, Victoria’s snowfields are a great place for everyone. Experience all the thrill and excitement of Victoria’s snowfields in wintertime, hit the slopes, unwind in boutique accommodation, and watch the sunset over the stunning Victorian High Country.
Winter sparkles in the mountains: the air is crisp and the scenery spectacular, with a pristine cover of snow at the highest reaches. Suit up for a day of skiing or snowboarding. Explore the Alpine trails on a snowshoe expedition, or just step out the front door of your chalet and join the kids in building a snowman or scoot downhill on toboggans. Of course, friendly snowball fights are always a blast. When your muscles start to ache and you need a rest, jump on an always-popular dog-sled tour.
For families with children, there’s no end of children’s activities on offer, including ski-school for all ages and abilities. Get out on the mountain and enjoy everything from skiing and snowboarding to toboggan rides and snow tubing!
You can drive, fly or catch a bus to Victoria’s snowfields. Most of Victoria’s alpine resorts lie to the north-east of Melbourne.
Mt Buller
An easy three-hour drive from Melbourne, Mt Buller is the most accessible major snow resort in Australia. Take in spectacular views as you whiz down the slopes on skis, snowboard or toboggan on an exhilarating day trip or extended holiday. Set out across the slopes with a band of huskies on a sled dog tour, take in views of the mountain on scenic chairlift rides, and indulge with relaxation packages from Australia’s highest day spa.
Mt Hotham
One of Australia’s highest alpine villages, built on a spectacular mountain ridge. The resort features majestic views, terrain to suit all abilities, along with a host of activities to keep you entertained, both on the slopes and off. The 357 km drive from Melbourne to Mt Hotham takes approximately four and a half hours (via Bright).
Falls Creek
Victoria’s largest alpine resort and the spiritual home of cross-country skiing. A treasure trove for thrill seekers, Falls Creek boasts true ski-in/ski-out accommodation, 65 kilometres of free cross-country trails, downhill skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, and terrain parks with some of the best rails and jumps around.
For more information, please visit: www.australia.com
