A Winter Guide to Melbourne

While most of us Melburnians are content to hibernate through all of winter, only stepping outside unless "ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY", I challenge you this season to unwrap yourself from the blanket fort you've made and don your best winter gear because I have some great ideas for the rainy days ahead! As Melbourne is notoriously known for having four seasons in one day, I've compiled a list of activities and attractions that will see you indoors or under cover to enjoy some of the best coffee, entertainment, food and shopping that one of the world's most liveable cities has to offer you! 

The Queen Victoria Winter Night Market has long been a staple activity for the people of Melbourne. It's officially winter when the Winter Night Market begins so it's time to put on your beanies, scarfs and fashionable winter coats and bring a bunch of friends with you. Skip dinner because the number of food options at the market is endless, the first thing that hits you when you reach the food portion of the market is the smells of smoky pulled meat, spicy seafood paella and the beers from the craft brewery at the center of the market. Yes, you'll sort of be shuffled along by the insanely big crowds that flock to the euro themed market every Wednesday night, but find yourself a little wooden table to devour your food at and the last thing on your mind will be the crowds. Finish that off with a hot jam donut and you've just won. Take that Winter. 

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by City Of Melbourne (@cityofmelbourne) on Apr 16, 2019 at 10:03pm PDT

Every year the National Gallery of Victoria holds Friday Nights at the NGV, an exhibition that goes on from the 31st of May to the 11th of October. The star of this year is the Ancient Chinese terracotta warriors set side by side with the work of modern artist Cai Guo-Qiang. Every Friday night this winter will see live music shows playing in the Great Hall and Hutong's Dumpling Bar will feature as the pop-up dining option so you can enjoy steaming hot, juicy dumplings perfect to cure that winter chill. This is one of Melbourne's top cultural events in the social calendar so get in quick to book your tickets. 

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by National Gallery of Victoria (@ngvmelbourne) on Sep 27, 2017 at 3:04am PDT

Another way to beat the cold winter nights? Get locked in an escape room for 45 minutes and be blissfully unaware that it is pouring with rain outside. Since the first escape room opened in 2014, more have followed suit now giving us the chance to experience multiple puzzles and interesting storylines until we become the escape room connoisseurs. Escape Hunt, for example, is part of an altogether huge global company with its origins in Bangkok. Today they have branches worldwide and switch their rooms up every 9 months so that you can go again next winter and have a whole new mystery to solve  😉

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Escape Hunt Melbourne (@escapehuntmel) on Nov 8, 2018 at 4:28pm P

This may seem counterintuitive but what better time to go ice skating than in winter? While Melbourne doesn't see any snowfall to create outdoor ice skating rinks, the O' Brien Icehouse has got you covered (and it's indoors so its a win-win situation.) Lace up a pair of skates and spend your evening dancing away on the ice, or if you're anything like me, clinging on to the handlebars for dear life. Whatever you decide to do, it's a great activity to take the kids during the day and can be easily accessed by the historic City Circle Tram.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by O'Brien Icehouse (@obrienicehouse) on Mar 6, 2019 at 3:00pm PST

Looking for a date night idea this winter? How about checking out one of the many musical productions that will grace the stages of Melbourne this season. Check out the brand new musical based on the iconic Australian movie 'Muriel's Wedding' which is running until the 16th of June. After that, the incomparable Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will play at the Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne for a season there. Playing at the Comedy Theatre at the moment is Barnum: The Circus Musical which is running at the Comedy Theatre till early June.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by AARON FLEMING • QUEENSTOWN NZ (@aaronflemingnz) on May 7, 2019 at 5:53am PDT

If you're a foodie and you ever find yourself in Melbourne, you will not be disappointed. This winter brave the cold and make a quick dash through the rain into the warm arms of any of the restaurants in the CBD. For a great Mexican feast, head to Fonda, one of the city's most loved restaurants. I headed to Fonda last Friday night and was blown away by the quality of the food. For drinks, start with the Lychee & Elderberry margarita, a frozen boozy delight that is soft and the perfect accompaniment for the rich food. The fish tacos are also a must try along with the pulled pork quesadilla, it's unlike any you've ever tried before. While you don't need to book for groups less than 6, be prepared to wait as this restaurant is extremely popular, and for good reason too!

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Fonda (@fondamexican) on Feb 9, 2019 at 4:32pm PST

If ever you find yourself in the CBD on a frozen winter morning, what better way to warm up then by a great coffee and pastry combo? Agathe Patisserie's Petite Shop in the Royal Arcade should be your next stop for Parisian style pastries to warm up your soul. Head pastry chef Agathe Kerr pairs classically French pastries like croissants with untraditional flavours such as matcha and pandan. But if it's something warm and comforting you're after, don't fret as her range includes those as well.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Agathé Patisserie (@agathepatisserie) on May 10, 2018 at 12:55am PDT

If you're need in a caffeine fix, then you're in the right city. Melburnians are extremely proud of our coffee culture and so while there are many coffee shops I could tell you about, I'll just leave this with you: Dukes Coffee Roasters. They roast their coffee locally in Melbourne and are pioneers of ethical trading. Housed inside the Ross House building, a beautiful space for you to enjoy a coffee before you brave the rest of the day.

Of course, if winter is one of your favorite time of year and you love the weather, what better way to enjoy it then to head to the snow this year? Mt Buller is Victoria's premier ski resort and the easiest of all snow locations to get to from Melbourne CBD. Ski or snowboard your way down the many slopes at the resort, and then relax at the spa with a relaxation massage if you choose. There's plenty to do at night time as well! Make your way to Mt. Buller's cinema, the highest altitude one in Victoria to watch one of the latest blockbusters, and end your night with a velvety hot chocolate (marshmallows anyone?) If you're wanting to take a tour (or even spend a night there), there are heaps of tour companies offering you the chance to make as many snow angels as you like. Melbourne based companies like Sightseeing Tours Australia, Melbourne City Tour and Last Minute Day Tours can provide you with transport to get to Buller, as well as cool upgrades such as equipment hire and skiing lessons taking all of the stress out of your next snow trip!

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Sightseeing Tours Australia (@sightseeingtoursaustralia) on May 8, 2019 at 4:20pm PDT

Where are your favorite winter hotspots? Did it make the list?Let me know in the comments below!