Things to do
A guide to Melbourne events, attractions, outdoor adventures and more
The 21 things you only learn in Melbourne the hard way
Make no mistake, living in Melbourne is the bee’s knees. But everyone – even the people who have lived here all their lives – has had to face some shocking realisations about this fine city. Some might make you mad and some might make you sad, but rest assured every single one of us has been there too. We have all learned... 1. That you can’t buy a tram ticket on a tram, nor a bus ticket on a bus. 2. That the airport is further away than you remember. 3. That trains inexplicably skip the City Loop, leaving you unexpectedly stranded at Flinders Street Station right before you’re meant to start work or meet a friend. 4. That hook turns are never easy, and we've all had to face the wrath of other cars and then sworn to never drive in the CBD again (only to accidentally make a wrong turn immediately after and have to try to turn all over again – ugh). 5. That trams take waaaay longer than you think they will (especially on Sydney Road and Victoria Street). 6. That it’s always better to take the stairs at Curtin House or up to Madame Brussels because the lift will take forever and you just need a drink stat. 7. That you can’t just rock up at Chin Chin on a Friday night at 7pm and expect there to be a table free. 8. That you should never, ever, trust your phone’s weather app and always bring an umbrella/jumper/sunhat/bucket of sunscreen just in case you end up at Arbory. 9. That getting a taxi from the airport is a huge ripoff. 10. That you should actually book
Things to do in Melbourne
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10 fun events you can't miss this summer in Melbourne
The long days, mild nights and glorious weather mean it’s time to experience the best Melbourne has to offer. Whether you're looking for drinks with a riverside view or fabulous festivals, summer in the city has it all with art, markets, food, film and more. Plus if your wallet is looking a little thin post-holidays there are plenty of free and cheap events as well.
Midsumma Extravaganza
Some of the hottest stars in showbiz are going to be performing at Midsumma's night of nights, the Extravaganza. The night is hosted by comedy superstar Rhys Nicholson, and it promises to be an absolute riot. Trevor Ashley (Fat Swan, Little Orphan TrAshley, Diamonds Are For Trevor, I’m Every Woman) is producing and performing in the show, and he says it's going to be an absolute hoot. "Last year it was just comedians, but this year, of course, they’ve got a fabulous nine-piece band on stage, fabulous singers getting up on stage and singing songs, drag queens, burlesque, as well as comedy. It's got a bit of everything." As well as Nicholson and Trevor, the show will include Barry Award winner Zoe Coombs Marr, Take Me Out host and household name Joel Creasey, cabaret superstar Carlotta, GLOBE Artist of the Year Mama Alto, The Voice star Sheldon Riley, 3RRR Breakfasters host Geraldine Hickey, Black Comedy writer Steven Oliver, ten-time Golden Guitars Winner Beccy Cole, singer Libby O'Donovan and cabaret/circus/burlesque YUMMY. And it's not over when the house lights go on. "It will be a great night out, the Arts Centre are keeping the bar open after the show so everyone should stick around after the show and have a drink," says Ashley. "There will be a DJ. It will be really fun to have so much campness in one grande dame of a hall."
Five ways to perfectly pair your next night out with Blue Moon
A lot of fuss is made about pairing your food to your wine, but not everyone likes wine. Luckily, beer is often the perfect match to a meal, especially when you’re talking spicy food and delicious salty bar snacks. Blue Moon Belgian White is a refreshing, citrus-laced brew that is increasingly finding its way behind bars across Melbourne’s drinking and dining scene. Next time you find yourself at one of these Melbourne establishments pair your schooner of Blue Moon Belgian White with one of these meals to experience the beer (and your food) at its best.
The Exchange Pop-Up Beach Club
You'll be able to enjoy the bright, blue ocean and fresh, white sand of Port Melbourne Beach with a little extra luxury this January. Over the Australia Day weekend, the Exchange Hotel will be setting up a pop-up beach club to make your trip to the seaside a little more interesting. The club will run from Saturday, January 26 to Monday, January 28 and will be open from noon to 9pm each day. It features some live entertainment, plenty of snacks, spritzes, and beer on tap, so you won’t run out of refreshments while you soak up the sunshine. If lounging about isn’t your thing then you can also try your hand at a game of volleyball or grab some food from the barbecue. On January 26, you'll also be able to hang around after closing for the Exchange's Australia Day After Party. The event is taking place near the Exchange Pub on Bay Street, so you should have no trouble finding it. To make things better, the pop-up club is free to attend. Find out more about the pop-up beach club on the Exchange website here.
