Max your summer in Melbourne

For most of us, Lego is a nostalgic hobby from bygone childhood years, but there are an exceptional few who took these tiny building blocks from a fun pastime to the next level. Lego artist Nathan Sawaya is one of these talented individuals who is showcasing his fascinating sculptures with a new exhibition that has to be seen to be believed.  The Art of the Brick Immersive Experience exhibition features more than 100 contemporary artworks, all crafted using more than one million Lego bricks to make large-scale, life-like creations.  After a sold-out season back in 2011, it's returning to our city as part of a huge world tour with brand new pieces, having already visited 100 cities across 24 countries. Sawaya is the only person in the world who has the double title of Lego Master Model Builder and Lego Certified Professional. Whoa.  Some of the works showcased in the exhibition include a giant version of Sawaya's most famous sculpture, 'Yellow', which stands at more than six feet tall, plus an installation with 250 kinetic Lego skulls, a piece called 'Infinity Rainbow' that features seven life-sized sculptures, the 30-foot long 'Big Swimmer', dazzling 360-degree digital projections and lots more. The Art of the Brick Immersive Experience opens on April 14 at the Melbourne Showgrounds. Tickets go on sale on March 21 at 7pm, and you can sign up for the waitlist here. Find out more about the exhibition at the website.  Looking for more things to do? Check out our guide to what's

From April 5-28, the picturesque region of the Macedon Ranges will play host to a huge celebration of all things autumn. The Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival features a program of events, markets, workshops and guided walks, plus plenty of opportunities to sample delicious local produce. Eat your way through 43 heavenly pastries as part of the Autumn Pie and Tart Trail. Both savoury and sweet pies will be available, including offerings like a lamb shank pot pie, Guinness pie, lemon meringue ice cream pie and an American cherry pie. Yum! Feeling thirsty? Take your pick from ten Tipple Trails, which will give you a taste of the best craft brewers, ciders, gin distillers, country pubs and winemakers. Or you could try the Edgy Veg Trail, which will see local pubs, cafés and restaurants create innovative plant-based dishes. Local musicians are set to take over community halls across the region as part of the Live and Local line-up, with Jarrod Shaw, the Whiskey Rogues and Shout Out To The Girls! scheduled to appear. And be sure to pick up your festival map and passport – collect all the stamps and you will go into the draw to win the highly sought-after 2024 Autumn Festival prize. Many of these events are free, but to find out more and book tickets where appropriate, head to the website. After more autumnal fun? Here are the best places to see autumn leaves in Victoria.

Update December 4, 2023: Due to popular demand, the dates for the BBC Earth Experience have been extended until April. Also, new session types have been introduced, including adults-only time slots every Thursday night and special seniors sessions, scheduled every second Friday. There will also be selected dates for relaxed, sensory-friendly sessions and pram sessions. These new sessions will begin in February, 2024. Plus, the experience is introducing children's activities with new Kids Passports, with children able to earn passport stamps by completing tasks. Find out more on the website.  There are few voices more recognisable and beloved than that of Sir David Attenborough's. For decades now, the famous British biologist's dulcet tones have accompanied countless incredible documentaries showcasing the wonders of the planet we call home.   A new immersive audiovisual experience from BBC Earth will transport you inside one of those documentaries at the Melbourne Convention Centre this year. Stepping in, you'll be surrounded by massive multi-angle screens playing a documentary from one of BBC Studios' award-winning natural history series, Seven Worlds, One Planet. Of course, it'll be accompanied by the voice of Sir Attenborough, who'll guide you on a 360-degree journey to far-off places across the globe, unveiling the intricacies of the natural world. You'll see up-close visions of all kinds of animals, from fireflies and monkeys to cassowaries and so much more.  The world-f

Working in a secret lab, scientists at Victoria's main four zoos have discovered a way to clone dinosaur DNA, found inside mosquitoes trapped in amber. They've filled in the missing sequences using frog DNA to create moving, roaring dinosaurs, which you can see until July throughout the zoos. What could possibly go wrong? OK, we might have got a little bit over-excited about the prospect of dinosaurs at the zoo. These dinosaurs are large-scale models of these ancient beasts, but they will be roaming around at Healesville, Werribee, Kyabram and Melbourne zoos once again. If you're lucky, you might see a keeper waking a sleeping dinosaur, or come face to face with a moving prehistoric creature. At Melbourne Zoo, keen explorers can explore the Dino Trail and embark on an adventure into The Lost Wild tunnels and unearth hidden fossils, while enjoying dino-themed treats or tackling a scavenger hunt. Or at Werribee Zoo, become a palaentologist and go on a dino dig to excavate fossils or navigate volcanoes and lava streams. There will be daily activities and plenty of dino facts to learn, with each of the four zoos offering slightly different experiences and activities.  All four dino experiences are running from now until July 14 and the cost is included in zoo admission. Opening hours vary slightly for each zoo. For more information, visit the Zoos Victoria website. So go on and make a visit, before they go extinct again.  Looking for more things to do? Here's a guide to what's o

If the names Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James get your attention, then listen up – because there's a new attraction coming to Melbourne that you're going to love.  The NBA Exhibition, the official fan experience endorsed by the famous basketball assocation, will bounce into our city on April 3. Showcasing the lifestyle, culture and rich history of the NBA over 20 themed sections, the exhibition includes heaps of interactive activities, virtual reality experiences, and even the chance to pose for a photo with a replica of the heralded Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, the prize awarded to the winner of each NBA final.  Test your b-ball skills, go for a slam dunk or see how you measure up to some of the NBA's biggest stars. Plus, snap a pic in the augmented reality photo booth with your fave player and marvel at the collection of more than 50 rare and autographed NBA memorabilia, like jerseys and sneakers worn by some of the legends of the game. There's also a gallery of original NBA-themed artwork by Australian and First Nations artists and a section in the exhibition dedicated to Aussie NBA players. This exhibition is essentially heaven for an NBA fan.  If this exhibition sounds like it's just as good as scoring a three-pointer then grab your tickets here. To find out more, check out the website.  Looking for more things to do in Melbourne? Check out this guide to what's on this week.

Whether you’re yet to grace restaurateur Chris Lucas’ opulent Society with a visit or you’re a die-hard dinnertime loyalist, it’s well worth a look in for a weekend lunch. From Friday to Sunday in the afternoons, the swish restaurant is hosting the Society Social, an extravagant multi-course affair featuring a generous array of savoury dishes and a roving dessert trolley to dazzle you at the end.  The offering was inspired by Lucas’ recent adventures in Paris and New York, cities where palatial dining rooms reign supreme and lunch is a social occasion in and of itself. Expect a fine dining experience but with a casual, unstuffy air and minus the enormous price tag (it costs just $77 per person for your choice of two courses or $99 if you opt for a third). You’ll start with artisanal housemade bread and butter and a rainbow of market-fresh crudité hand-picked daily from local farms. Opt for a crisp disc of radish dunked into taramasalata or a tree-like cauliflower bud smothered with smoked eggplant or crème fraiche. Repeat and relish the lavish assortment of textures and flavours before easing into your meal with one of Society’s signature drinks – or a bottle of Champers to make it a long and lazy one.  If you’ve got your eye on another varietal, just ask for the beverage director Loic Avril and his team of sommeliers, one of which will assist you in selecting the perfect drop from the impressive 10,000-bottle cellar. A selection of Society’s cult favourite snacks follow, fro

It doesn’t matter whether you’re inked head to toe or a cleanskin who’s contemplating their very first tattoo, the Rites of Passage Tattoo Festival welcomes all. This three-day bonanza of body art kicks off on April 26 at the Royal Exhibition Building and will feature more than 400 of the world’s best tattoo artists. When you’re not getting inked there will be a huge line-up of events to check out, including artists tattooing live, seminars and tattoo competitions. It’s a wonderful opportunity to discover new trends, meet your favourite artists and plan your future tatts. There will also be a bunch of giveaways and prizes to be won across the weekend, plus plenty of retail vendors selling tattoo-related gear. And that’s not all – you can enjoy live music acts and feast on tasty treats from a wide variety of food trucks. So come and experience the unity of the tattoo industry, and celebrate diversity and culture through body art. To purchase your ticket, head here. Looking for more ink slingers? Here's our guide to Melbourne's best tattoo shops.

Gather by the sea for a four-day long festival where a talented line-up of Australia’s best authors, playwrights, journalists and academics will descend upon the coastal town of Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula.  Running from April 25-28, the Sorrento Writers Festival (now in its second year) is an opportunity for literary enthusiasts to come together and celebrate the power of storytelling.  The brainchild of award-winning journalist, podcaster, former bookshop owner and festival director Corrie Perkin, the event includes author meet-and-greets, keynote speeches, panel discussions, musical performances and an en masse book club.  The stacked program features the likes of Magda Szubanski, Christos Tsiolkas, Julia Baird, Hedley Thomas, Nick McKenzie and Caroline Wilson, plus Miles Franklin Award winners Alex Miller, Anna Funder and Amanda Lohrey – to name just a few. Day passes are available now for $130, or you can purchase tickets to individual sessions. The majority of the events will take place at the Continental Sorrento, or nearby venues like the Sorrento Portsea RSL and Sorrento Golf Club. For more information, head to the website. Feeling inspired? Check out the best bookstores in Melbourne.

When you're looking for Japanese fine dining, it doesn't get much more luxe than Nobu. The internationally acclaimed restaurant chain, which started in New York in 1994, has become known as the go-to eatery for celebrities across the globe. Luckily for Melburnians, Nobu opened up on the Crown Riverwalk in 2015, and it's been delighting locals with its expansive and creative menu ever since. You can't really go wrong by booking in and trying whatever strikes your fancy as, despite its glamourous reputation, it's a restaurant that welcomes this sort of spontaneity. But if you want to make sure you're getting the best signature dishes that Nobu has to offer, do yourself a favour and book in for the limited Petaluma x Nobu dinner experience. Partnering with Petaluma, a leading Australian winery based in the Adelaide Hills, Nobu has put together a seven-course omakase menu with wine pairings handpicked by winemaker Ben Thoman for their delicacy and character.  For $170 per person (plus $60 for an optional wine pairing), you'll get a taste of the salmon tartare with caviar, wasabi and yuzu salad, fresh nigiri selection, beef tenderloin and truffle amazu with crispy onion, and of course, the famous black cod miso. The cod has been a signature on chef Nobu's menu since his stint in Alaska in 1977, and no trip to Nobu is complete without a serving of the buttery, succulent fish. To cap off your meal, dessert is a Japanese take on a cappucino, infused with whisky.  This exclusive dinin

The East Gippsland town of Mallacoota is bringing back its seafood festival for 2024, so clear your calendar from April 26 to to 28. The fishy three-day affair invites visitors from all over Victoria (and interstate) to discover and feast on the region's pristine seafood.  After the inaugural 2019 festival was a smash hit, Mallacoota was hit hard by the 2019-2020 summer bushfires, and Covid caused the cancellation of the festival in 2020 and 2021. It's been rough, but since the festival kicked off again in 2022, the community is now bursting with excitement to welcome back visitors and re-establish Mallacoota's rep as one of Victoria's best off-the-beaten-path destinations. At the heart of this year's event is the free, open-air Wild Harvest Seafood Market, as well as a variety of events hosted by nationally renowned seafood chefs and nature enthusiasts. You'll be able to feast on abalone, sea urchins, oysters and more, to a cruisy program of live music and entertaining events.  Got a few little ones in tow? Younger sea-lovers can engage in the popular Parks Victoria Junior Ranger program, which runs a range of free activites for kids curious about all things ocean.  The legendary folks from FishCare will return on deck this year to run their popular fishing clinics, and you can learn all about the pristine Mallacoota lakes system aboard the M.V. Loch-Art for an exclusive inlet tour. For more information and to book your tickets, head to the Wild Harvest Seafood Festival webs

For most of us, Lego is a nostalgic hobby from bygone childhood years, but there are an exceptional few who took these tiny building blocks from a fun pastime to the next level. Lego artist Nathan Sawaya is one of these talented individuals who is showcasing his fascinating sculptures with a new exhibition that has to be seen to be believed.  The Art of the Brick Immersive Experience exhibition features more than 100 contemporary artworks, all crafted using more than one million Lego bricks to make large-scale, life-like creations.  After a sold-out season back in 2011, it's returning to our city as part of a huge world tour with brand new pieces, having already visited 100 cities across 24 countries. Sawaya is the only person in the world who has the double title of Lego Master Model Builder and Lego Certified Professional. Whoa.  Some of the works showcased in the exhibition include a giant version of Sawaya's most famous sculpture, 'Yellow', which stands at more than six feet tall, plus an installation with 250 kinetic Lego skulls, a piece called 'Infinity Rainbow' that features seven life-sized sculptures, the 30-foot long 'Big Swimmer', dazzling 360-degree digital projections and lots more. The Art of the Brick Immersive Experience opens on April 14 at the Melbourne Showgrounds. Tickets go on sale on March 21 at 7pm, and you can sign up for the waitlist here. Find out more about the exhibition at the website.  Looking for more things to do? Check out our guide to what's

From April 5-28, the picturesque region of the Macedon Ranges will play host to a huge celebration of all things autumn. The Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival features a program of events, markets, workshops and guided walks, plus plenty of opportunities to sample delicious local produce. Eat your way through 43 heavenly pastries as part of the Autumn Pie and Tart Trail. Both savoury and sweet pies will be available, including offerings like a lamb shank pot pie, Guinness pie, lemon meringue ice cream pie and an American cherry pie. Yum! Feeling thirsty? Take your pick from ten Tipple Trails, which will give you a taste of the best craft brewers, ciders, gin distillers, country pubs and winemakers. Or you could try the Edgy Veg Trail, which will see local pubs, cafés and restaurants create innovative plant-based dishes. Local musicians are set to take over community halls across the region as part of the Live and Local line-up, with Jarrod Shaw, the Whiskey Rogues and Shout Out To The Girls! scheduled to appear. And be sure to pick up your festival map and passport – collect all the stamps and you will go into the draw to win the highly sought-after 2024 Autumn Festival prize. Many of these events are free, but to find out more and book tickets where appropriate, head to the website. After more autumnal fun? Here are the best places to see autumn leaves in Victoria.

Update December 4, 2023: Due to popular demand, the dates for the BBC Earth Experience have been extended until April. Also, new session types have been introduced, including adults-only time slots every Thursday night and special seniors sessions, scheduled every second Friday. There will also be selected dates for relaxed, sensory-friendly sessions and pram sessions. These new sessions will begin in February, 2024. Plus, the experience is introducing children's activities with new Kids Passports, with children able to earn passport stamps by completing tasks. Find out more on the website.  There are few voices more recognisable and beloved than that of Sir David Attenborough's. For decades now, the famous British biologist's dulcet tones have accompanied countless incredible documentaries showcasing the wonders of the planet we call home.   A new immersive audiovisual experience from BBC Earth will transport you inside one of those documentaries at the Melbourne Convention Centre this year. Stepping in, you'll be surrounded by massive multi-angle screens playing a documentary from one of BBC Studios' award-winning natural history series, Seven Worlds, One Planet. Of course, it'll be accompanied by the voice of Sir Attenborough, who'll guide you on a 360-degree journey to far-off places across the globe, unveiling the intricacies of the natural world. You'll see up-close visions of all kinds of animals, from fireflies and monkeys to cassowaries and so much more.  The world-f

Flowers can brighten up any day, but what can make it even brighter is the simple pleasure of getting to pick them yourself. Beloved community garden CERES is spreading this blooming joy throughout the warmer months, welcoming visitors every weekend to come and harvest a fresh bunch.  On Saturday mornings from 10am, head to Coburg site for the Festival of Flowers, where you can pick your own blooms at Joe's Market Garden. There are blossoming sunflowers, zinnias and cosmos to choose from, and you'll be able to build a beautiful bouquet with up to ten individual stems. Sessions are $30 and you can book a spot here.  Plus, there'll also be special floral events held on some Saturdays, including workshops on how to put together the perfect bouquet, flower vase arranging with floral experts and even eco-dyeing tote bag classes for kids. Book your place in an upcoming workshop here.  The Festival of Flowers will run until the end of April, with U-pick flower sessions happening every Saturday from 10am to 1pm. Find out more on the CERES website.  Are you a floral fanatic? Here's a guide on where to see beautiful blooms near Melbourne. 

Working in a secret lab, scientists at Victoria's main four zoos have discovered a way to clone dinosaur DNA, found inside mosquitoes trapped in amber. They've filled in the missing sequences using frog DNA to create moving, roaring dinosaurs, which you can see until July throughout the zoos. What could possibly go wrong? OK, we might have got a little bit over-excited about the prospect of dinosaurs at the zoo. These dinosaurs are large-scale models of these ancient beasts, but they will be roaming around at Healesville, Werribee, Kyabram and Melbourne zoos once again. If you're lucky, you might see a keeper waking a sleeping dinosaur, or come face to face with a moving prehistoric creature. At Melbourne Zoo, keen explorers can explore the Dino Trail and embark on an adventure into The Lost Wild tunnels and unearth hidden fossils, while enjoying dino-themed treats or tackling a scavenger hunt. Or at Werribee Zoo, become a palaentologist and go on a dino dig to excavate fossils or navigate volcanoes and lava streams. There will be daily activities and plenty of dino facts to learn, with each of the four zoos offering slightly different experiences and activities.  All four dino experiences are running from now until July 14 and the cost is included in zoo admission. Opening hours vary slightly for each zoo. For more information, visit the Zoos Victoria website. So go on and make a visit, before they go extinct again.  Looking for more things to do? Here's a guide to what's o

There's never been a better time to go vegan, with so much plant-based food available across Melbourne making the choice easier and more delicious than ever. And now, there's a free festival celebrating the vegan lifestyle, and you don't want to miss it. The Vegan Market will return to Melbourne on April 28 at The Edge in Federation Square, with stacks of local plant-based businesses selling their wares. There will be a ton of brands to explore at this healthy paradise, with everything from sweet treats and veggie delights to ethically made homewares and loads of health-related products. Also, it's taking place just before Mother's Day, so it's the perfect gift shopping opportunity.  Shop vegan baked goods, skincare, chocolate, grocery products and slow fashion. Bring the whole family with kids activities, product tastings and creative workshops. Plus, there'll be a vegan food truck hub with heaps of tasty plates to enjoy.  Shop at the market and support independent, ethical and sustainable Australian companies that are all 100 per cent vegan. And as a bonus, entry is completely free. Register to attend here. Want to shop more sustainably? Here's a list of eco-conscious clothing stores in Melbourne. 

If the names Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James get your attention, then listen up – because there's a new attraction coming to Melbourne that you're going to love.  The NBA Exhibition, the official fan experience endorsed by the famous basketball assocation, will bounce into our city on April 3. Showcasing the lifestyle, culture and rich history of the NBA over 20 themed sections, the exhibition includes heaps of interactive activities, virtual reality experiences, and even the chance to pose for a photo with a replica of the heralded Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, the prize awarded to the winner of each NBA final.  Test your b-ball skills, go for a slam dunk or see how you measure up to some of the NBA's biggest stars. Plus, snap a pic in the augmented reality photo booth with your fave player and marvel at the collection of more than 50 rare and autographed NBA memorabilia, like jerseys and sneakers worn by some of the legends of the game. There's also a gallery of original NBA-themed artwork by Australian and First Nations artists and a section in the exhibition dedicated to Aussie NBA players. This exhibition is essentially heaven for an NBA fan.  If this exhibition sounds like it's just as good as scoring a three-pointer then grab your tickets here. To find out more, check out the website.  Looking for more things to do in Melbourne? Check out this guide to what's on this week.

Whether you’re yet to grace restaurateur Chris Lucas’ opulent Society with a visit or you’re a die-hard dinnertime loyalist, it’s well worth a look in for a weekend lunch. From Friday to Sunday in the afternoons, the swish restaurant is hosting the Society Social, an extravagant multi-course affair featuring a generous array of savoury dishes and a roving dessert trolley to dazzle you at the end.  The offering was inspired by Lucas’ recent adventures in Paris and New York, cities where palatial dining rooms reign supreme and lunch is a social occasion in and of itself. Expect a fine dining experience but with a casual, unstuffy air and minus the enormous price tag (it costs just $77 per person for your choice of two courses or $99 if you opt for a third). You’ll start with artisanal housemade bread and butter and a rainbow of market-fresh crudité hand-picked daily from local farms. Opt for a crisp disc of radish dunked into taramasalata or a tree-like cauliflower bud smothered with smoked eggplant or crème fraiche. Repeat and relish the lavish assortment of textures and flavours before easing into your meal with one of Society’s signature drinks – or a bottle of Champers to make it a long and lazy one.  If you’ve got your eye on another varietal, just ask for the beverage director Loic Avril and his team of sommeliers, one of which will assist you in selecting the perfect drop from the impressive 10,000-bottle cellar. A selection of Society’s cult favourite snacks follow, fro

Sri Lankan festivities will take over Queen Victoria Market on Sunday, April 28, coinciding with Sinhala and Tamil new year celebrations.  The festival will run from 10am to 4pm with immersive cultural experiences and culinary favourites to enjoy. There'll be activities for all ages, including live performances from local artists, traditional dance displays and workshops.  Naturally, you'll also be able to get your fill of Sri Lankan street food as well. Expect savoury bites including kottu roti, hoppers and curries and traditional sweets like kokis, plus plenty more.  The best part is, the festival has free entry. Find more details on the website.  Looking for more things to do? Here's our guide to what's on in Melbourne right now. 

It doesn’t matter whether you’re inked head to toe or a cleanskin who’s contemplating their very first tattoo, the Rites of Passage Tattoo Festival welcomes all. This three-day bonanza of body art kicks off on April 26 at the Royal Exhibition Building and will feature more than 400 of the world’s best tattoo artists. When you’re not getting inked there will be a huge line-up of events to check out, including artists tattooing live, seminars and tattoo competitions. It’s a wonderful opportunity to discover new trends, meet your favourite artists and plan your future tatts. There will also be a bunch of giveaways and prizes to be won across the weekend, plus plenty of retail vendors selling tattoo-related gear. And that’s not all – you can enjoy live music acts and feast on tasty treats from a wide variety of food trucks. So come and experience the unity of the tattoo industry, and celebrate diversity and culture through body art. To purchase your ticket, head here. Looking for more ink slingers? Here's our guide to Melbourne's best tattoo shops.