Why we love Melbourne in Autumn
If there’s a perfect time of year to explore Melbourne, it’s autumn. Summer’s heat has bowed out, avenues of trees are dressed in an outrageous display of colour, and the milder days and evenings beckon you to stroll around this intriguing city.
But if you think you really know Melbourne, you may just need to think again. Even people who have lived here for years concede the city is rather like that proverbial iceberg where just 10 per cent is visible, and the other 90 per cent is hidden, ambiguous or there for a short time. Melbourne’s famous laneways and arcades, its inspired restaurateurs and chefs, baristas and sommeliers, fashion and jewellery designers all seem to be engaged in a delightful conspiracy to surprise residents and visitors with new discoveries that make this city one of constant change. Hidden Secrets Tours is, of course, right across all this, and adds to its walks as Melbourne adds new morsels to its ever-changing menu of things to do.
Food, wine, coffee and now artisan spirits are absolutely central to Melbourne’s culture. But much of the city’s best is hidden away in lanes and arcades, behind secret doors and atop historic buildings where there’s a fabulous trail of rooftop bars. You can certainly explore on your own, but you can also cut to the chase and join a walking tour to find the very best, or bring a group of friends for your own private group tour.
Coffee is an essential kick-start to the day for many people – even Nigella Lawson said: ‘I don’t usually drink coffee, but you have to have coffee in Melbourne!’ when she was at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. So take a Café Culture Tour through the maze of laneways, learning about the coffee palaces of the 1950s, getting the heads-up on the top coffee roasters and single-origin beans, and finding those little café gems you can return to every morning while you’re in Melbourne. Lunch is included in a hidden café on this tour. If you’d like to explore more broadly, the Lanes and Arcades Tour gives you a taste of café culture, but also reveals local fashion and other designers, Melbourne’s famous street art and 19th-century architecture. Then set aside time to see some international art: don’t miss your last opportunity to step inside the French impressionists’ daring, intriguing and uplifting world and visit the extraordinary, Monet & Friends at The Lume (Australia’s first digital art gallery) running until June 4; Connection Opens June 23 at the Lume. It’s the most comprehensive telling of our country’s story through art, bringing together First Peoples ‘art, music and culture in an immersive new experience, fusing the world’s oldest culture with cutting edge technology.
Dinner time? There are so many great restaurants in Melbourne that it’s hard for even the locals to keep up. A Progressive Degustation Walk includes three venues, each with a different food style, history and design, along with individually chosen wine tastings and savoury snacks. By now you’ll have nailed Melbourne’s food and beverage culture, so what about some special events and shows? And then of course there’s sport. Australian Rules Football (AFL) is the local obsession, and there are games at Melbourne’s big stadiums every week. Soccer and rugby union are played at top levels too. Autumn is also a great time to plan for Melbourne’s extraordinary ‘RISING’ festival, which features dozens of day and evening art, music, performance, ceremony and food events from June 7 to 30 July. Just remember to book a cosy hotel for your visit!
We love this time of year, and particularly we encourage you to book at tour, a restaurant or what ever else tickles your curiosty early – book in advance, watch for last minute updates, but do book ahead, as it helps everyone to staff venues and ensure your experience is the best it can be. For more information on these and other events, visit https://www.visitmelbourne.com/regions/melbourne/whats-on
Where to start? The best way to orientate yourself is with a Hidden Secrets walking tour such as Golden Mile Heritage Walks of Melbourne or Melbourne Lanes and Arcades Tour. The former includes some of Melbourne’s grandest buildings and intriguing tales from the gold rush boom days; the latter takes you deep into the twists and turns of the lanes and arcades that are filled with busy cafes, bars and designer stores.
If that whets your appetite to delve into Melbourne’s religious fervour for coffee, book the Café Culture Tour. You’ll discover that some of the very best coffee comes from tiny hidden cafes and specialty roasters. Lunch is included at a secret location.
Art abounds in winter, and the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is the epicentre. Celebrate new and ambitious local art and design at Melbourne Now running at the Ian Potter Centre until August 2023 or check out The Takahiro Iwasaki exhibition at NGV International. Recognized as one of Japan’s leading contemporary artists his Reflection Model (Itsukushima) exhibition is on until October 2023 and entry is FREE, Our tip: make it a blockbuster Friday, see both exhibitions and stay on for the popular evening entertainment, bars and dining.
The extraordinary, immersive Monet & Friends exhibition at The Lume (Australia’s first digital art gallery) runs until June, so why not make a weekend of it and stay in one of the many hotels within an easy walk of the galleries.
When you’re ready for cocktails and dinner, your tours will have put a number of Melbourne’s best bars and dining experiences on your personal map. Or you can book a Progressive Degustation Walk to three restaurants, each serving three savoury food tastings with a flight of wine or other beverages.
At the Royal Botanic Gardens, until August 7 is the illuminated spectacular ‘Lightscape’. See the gardens after dark as never before to celebrate the beauty of nature on a trail featuring installations made up of over half a million dazzling lights. Also at the gardens a must-do in the art-tech space is ‘Seeing the Invisible’ augmented reality artworks. Thirteen immersive virtual works by established and emerging artists are viewed through a special app on your smartphone or tablet simultaneously at venues around the world. Be prepared to be amazed – and Australia’s only venues for this international exhibition are the botanic gardens in Melbourne and Cranbourne.
Next, a totally indulgent shopping experience at the Boho Luxe Market and Boho Bride at the Royal Exhibition Buildings. Think of a Byron Bay-inspired bohemian wonderland, and shop for homewares, jewellery, clothing, kids’ items, prints, candles, stationery and more. Till August 28.
Melbourne’s markets are famous, and the Winter Night Market takes over Queen Victoria Market on Wednesday evenings until August 31. Come and enjoy Melbourne’s best street food, brewers, distillers, artisans and entertainment. And the Malaysia Hawker Festival tempts with the spices and scents of that tiny nation on September 10 and 11.
Now, you can’t visit Melbourne without seeing a musical or play. Moulin Rouge! The Musical was so popular it is back for round two after its first sold out season, running at the Regent Theatre from 20 August to 1 October 2023. Or why not watch “the greatest love story ever told” Romeo and Juliet at the Art Centre for a limited season in July..
Still got gaps in your holiday diary? The Melbourne International Film Festival runs from August 3 -20, the Indian Film Festival from August 11 – 20, and
Australian Rules Football is played at Melbourne’s big stadiums every week, with soccer and rugby at top levels too.
Come and #MeetMelbourne soon.
(For more information on these and other events, visit https://www.visitmelbourne.com/regions/melbourne/whats-on)
