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© Arnab/Manisha Maity / Dollar Photo Club

Best time to visit

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Due to moderate climate and tourist crowds, March to May and September to November are the best time to visit Melbourne. Grape and wine tasting and admiring golden foliage—what could make your Melbourne autumn better? A chilly period between June and August sees fewer tourists and a lot of cultural events to push yourself out of the blue. And what a fantastic chance to ski snowy Mount Hotham or Mount Buller! Spring months promise amazing blooms during Tesselaar Tulip Festival and iconic events like Melbourne Fringe and Melbourne Festival. December to February bring stunning beach vacations and cricket season to Melbourne. However, the city also attracts hordes of tourists during summer time, so try to plan in advance.

57 things to do in Melbourne

District Ice Slide

June 29–July 14, 2019 Activity

A 15-metre ice slide offers winter fun at Docklands

Wildflowers

September–November Nature

Enjoy the riot of bright colours of wildflowers from late August–early September when spring comes to Victoria

Skiing

mid-June–September Activity

Did you know that the State of Victoria boasts the largest number of ski resorts in Australia?

Rhododendron Blooming in Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden

June–early December Nature

Contemplate the beauty of this stunning flower that grows across the Dandenong Ranges

Kitesurfing at St Kilda Beach

October–April Activity

Even in bad weather, St Kilda Beach is not empty, here you can often see kitesurfers enjoying their favorite sport and amazing nature

Kangaroo Watching

all year round Nature

Charismatic kangaroos are the most popular wild animals in Victoria

Grape Harvest in Yarra Valley

March Activity

Yarra Valley is a real paradise for wine lovers, this region produces excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines

Rising: Melbourne (Melbourne Festival)

June 1-16, 2024 Event

A leading art event in Australia brings more than two weeks of entertainment at indoor and outdoor venues throughout the city

Christmas Season

mid-November–late December Event

Enjoy a whole month of Christmas trees, lights, carols, and delicious food in Melbourne

Antipodes Festival

February 22-23, 2025 Event

Enjoy Greek cuisine and its rich culture at the Lonsdale Street Festival organized by the Greek diaspora in Melbourne

Sugar Mountain Festival

January 20, 2024 Event

A real "melting pot" of dance music and visual arts

Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix

October 17-19, 2025 Event

Phillip Island offers a superb circuit for one of the most exciting motorsport events in the world

Melbourne Fringe

October 1-20, 2024 Event

This annual madness, known as the Fringe Festival, embraces Melbourne once again with a huge amount of new art, ideas, and performances

Cricket in Melbourne

late December–February Event

There were references to the first Australian cricket matches as early as in the 18th century

Australian Open

January 12-26, 2025 Event

The famous Australian Open Tennis Championships is among the four Grand Slam tournaments

Chinese New Year in Melbourne

February 11, 2024 | February 25, 2024 Event

One of the biggest Chinese quarters in the world is celebrating its biggest holiday

Moomba Festival

March 7-11, 2024 Event

The annual Moomba Festival taking place on the Yarra River personifies its influence on the culture of the people who once lived here

AFL Grand Final

September 28, 2024 Event

Even if you are not familiar with the rules of Australian football, don't miss this greatest sports event in the country

River Rink at Fed Square

2018 (cancelled) Activity

Put your skates on and take a spin around the rink at Federal Square in the middle of Melbourne winter

Waterfalls near Melbourne

June–August (all year round) Nature

Discover the numerous incredible waterfalls of Victoria

Picnic at Hanging Rock Car Show

February 11, 2024 Event

Check out this exhibition of retro cars of different models and brands

Sand Sculpting Australia

January–April 2024 Event

A unique festival where sculptors represent their skills embodied in one of the most fragile materials—sand

Rose Blooming in Victoria State Rose Garden

October–May Nature

This large-scale botanical garden dedicated exclusively to roses, in October, attracts thousands of visitors who come to admire the Queen of Flowers

Tesselaar Tulip Festival

September 14, 2024-October 13, 2024 Event

The largest flower festival of the continent strikes with bright colours and great entertainment

Whale Watching in Victoria

May–early October Nature

You will definitely meet humpback and blue whales during the migration period off Victoria coast

Midsumma Festival

January 21 - February 11 Event

This festival has been a leading global LGBTQI+ celebration since 1988

Surfing Off Victoria Coast

September–May Activity

The wild coast of Victoria may offer the best surfing in the world, among the densely overgrown hills and cliffs

Melbourne Cup

November 2-9, 2024 Event

One of Australia's most prestigious thoroughbred horse races

Koalas

December–February (all year round) Activity

While these small grey creatures sleep in eucalyptus branches, tourists have one calling–to see koalas and be touched!

Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival

October 12, 2025 Event

Challenge yourself and join Australia’s largest marathon

Melbourne Music Week

August 17–September 2, 2023 Event

Melbourne Music Week creates a leisurely summer mood

The Color Run

March 17, 2024 Event

Watching this multicolored running madness is hilarious, and participating is even more fun

White Night Melbourne

August 22–24, 2019 Event

White Night is a grand annual event that brings together different kinds of art

Beach Season in Victoria

November–March Activity

Spend your vacation on one of Victoria's beautiful beaches from which you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Southern Ocean

AVALON Australian International Airshow

INDUSTRY: March 25–28, 2025 | GENERAL PUBLIC: March 28–30, 2025 Event

The greatest achievements of modern military aviation—world's pride and menace at the same time

Pumpkin Season

March–August Food

Pumpkin seeds were brought to Australia on the First Fleet back in 1788

Quince

March–July Food

One of the latest fruits of the year that will brighten up any dessert!

Capsicum

December–May Food

This glossy and brightly colored fruit will be a good addition to your meal

Boxing Day

December 26 Event

One of the best days to go shopping or enjoy a family BBQ

Asparagus

September–November Food

In most refined dishes, asparagus should maintain its taste and structure: it should be slightly soft, but not too much

Pine Mushrooms (Saffron Milk Caps)

March–May Food

These grow in places where the soil is densely covered with old coniferous needles, and often hide under them

Electric Gardens Festival

March 30–April 7, 2024 (March 30—Melbourne, March 31—Sydney, April 6-7—Perth) Event

Electronic-centric music festival in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth

AUS-X Open

November 27-28, 2024 Event

One of the biggest and most famous supercross and freestyle motocross events in the world

Rainbow Spirit Festival

January 2024 Event

Australia's most colourful party, one of the best of its kind in all of the Southern Hemisphere

Cherry Blossom

September Nature

Enjoy the beauty of hanami season in Victoria

Easter

March 29–April 1, 2024 Event

Easter Bilbies, shows, and festivals—there's something extraordinary about Easter celebrations in Australia

Halloween in Melbourne

October 2024 Event

Cemetery tours, spooky attractions, a scary maze and other fun things to try

Aurora Australis or Southern Lights

May–September Nature

Melbourne is one of the lucky cities to have quick access to the aurora-viewing spots

New Year's Eve & New Year's Day

December 31–January 1 Event

Say 'hello' to a new beginning with a free Melbourne fireworks show

St. Patrick's Day

March 14–17, 2024 Event

Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne boast impressive celebrations of the Irish culture

Oz Comic Con Melbourne

June 8-9, 2024 Event

One of Australia's premier cosplay events

Christmas Festival of Lights

November 16, 2024–January 25, 2025 Event

Christmas Festival of Lights in Adventure Park near Melbourne welcomes everyone to celebrate Christmas

Frankston Festival of Lights

November 30, 2024 Event

The start of festive season in Frankston

Westgate Park Lake

December–February Nature

The lake turns bubblegum pink every summer

Melbourne International Jazz Festival

October 18-27, 2024 Event

Enjoy ten days of jazzing at Australia's largest jazz festival

Melbourne Food & Wine Festival

mid-March, 2025 Event

Explore the richness of Victorian cuisine and wine at the Garden City's biggest feast

Meredith Music Festival

December 6–8, 2024 Event

Experience the quintessential joy of music at the celebration in the heart of Victoria

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