Things to do in Melbourne between Christmas and NYE

Open every day

Melbourne's OG floating bar and restaurant has returned for its eighth season on the Yarra. Last year, Arbory Afloat was decked out in the style of the picturesque Balearic Islands — and this year, it's a sun-drenched take on the tropical Yucatan Coast. 

The 69-metre pop-up has been rebirthed as Afloat Viva Mexico: a tribute to the rich vibrant culture of hot vacation spots like Oaxaca, Tulum and Mexico City. The jungle-meets-paradise oasis will be a celebration of colour, festivity and flavours, and if the success of the floating bar's past seasons are anything to go by, Melburnians are in for a riotous treat. 

Open every day except Christmas Day

Some people go to waterparks for the wave pools and ample sun lounges – and then some people go for the heart-racing waterslides. Either way, Adventure Park in Geelong has a treat in store for you. Thrillseekers can tackle rides like the Tornado, the biggest and longest waterslide of its kind in the state, which will drop you down 24 metres of snaking slides; or take it easy on the Lazy River, sit back in an inflatable ring and idly float down the tropically themed river.

Check cinemas for times 

For those craving a nostalgic cinema experience, these drive-in cinemas in and around Melbourne are brimming with the feeling of old-timey movie outings. Park yourself in front of the screen, tune into the FM broadcast and enjoy your movie in a safe, physically distanced location. 

Check cinemas for times

Are you keen for a classic garden cinema experience? Or what about an inner-city rooftop? You could even catch a film by the beach. These are our top choices of alfresco cinema in Melbourne.

Open every day except Christmas Day

Is there anything better than fresh summer fruit? Maybe being able to pick your own straight from the orchards. 

This summer you’re invited to pick your own cherries at CherryHill Orchards in the Yarra Valley. This picturesque property produces some of the country’s finest cherries, and the CherryHill team are opening their doors to the public this year for picking season. 

CherryHill Orchards will be open every day throughout cherry season (excluding Christmas Day), which runs from November 30 to early January. The orchard will be open from 9am until 5pm, with the CherryHill team on hand to show you where and how to pick the best cherries. 

Entry costs $19.50 per adult and $10.50 per child (aged four to 13) to pick your own fruit, and you'll be charged per kilo for cherries to take home. All cherries eaten on site are included in the entry price.

Open every day except Christmas Day

Calling all kids, parents, and kids-at-heart: did you know that there is a huge theme park less than an hour's drive north from Melbourne? Funfields, located in Whittlesea, opened in 1985 and has since become one of Melbourne's best-loved attractions. Your entry ticket gets you access to 22 rides, plus a water play section for kids and a barbecue area. 

Open every day except Christmas Day

GoBoat’s five-metre-long boats seat up to eight people and don’t need a boating licence to operate. The best part? They come equipped with a built-in wooden picnic table in the middle of the boat. Would-be salty sea dogs can hop aboard from GoBoat's berths at Banana Alley (between Queens Bridge and Sandridge Bridge on the north side of the Yarra).

Open every day

A trip to Melbourne Zoo done right takes a day. The largest exhibit is the majestic Wild Sea, where penguins and seals bask on land before slipping into clear waters. Another highlight is the sprawling Orangutan Sanctuary, where a family of beautiful, orang-utans swing from tree to tree, play with each other and feed high off the ground. Then there’s the Trail of the Elephants; an immersive Asian village and garden where five Asian elephants thrive. 

Open every day

Just over an hour from Melbourne, located in Victoria's green Yarra Valley, is Healesville Sanctuary – home to a host of Australian animals living in their native environment. Arguably the most thrilling experience at Healesville Sanctuary is the Spirits of the Sky show. Free with the cost of admission, the show is a spectacular demonstration of the beauty and power of Australia's birds of prey and parrots. Head to the flight arena and see fierce wedge-tailed eagles, falcons and owls, as well as colourful parrots as they swoop around the arena and show off their skills. 

Open every day

You’ll feel like you’ve stepped through a portal to the African savannah when visiting the Werribee Open Range Zoo. This world-leading zoo just around 30 minutes from the Melbourne CBD features sprawling enclosures and animal encounters. The savannah is the highlight of the zoo, with open-air safari buses taking visitors out to encounter giraffes, rhinos, zebras and hippopotamuses splashing in the river.