Things to do in Melbourne this week

In London it's Chelsea and in Canberra it's Floriade. In Melbourne, the event that sets plant-lovers' hearts a-flutter is the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. Not just for Melburnians gifted in the landscaping and gardening department, the Flower and Garden Show is a lush interactive experience. Over five days in March, floral and gardening experts come together to showcase their knowledge on the main stage, while retailers will share advice on the best tools, plants and designs for your garden. Walk through the immersive Show Garden installations at Carlton Gardens and marvel at the pop-up mini gardens by people with greener thumbs than yours. Follow the scent of fresh flowers into the Royal Exhibition Building as Melbourne’s best florists showcase their brightest blooms across two levels. This year you can look forward to a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-inspired indoor plant installation from the Plant Society, a series of mindful, meditative gardens created by Beyond Blue, a floral-inspired high tea from Holland America, and the Gardens by Twilight will return to give city dwellers the opportunity to visit the show after dark (and with a glass of wine in hand).  Whether you’re looking to redo your entire garden or just spruce up your indoor spaces with some greenery, the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is the place to be.

As the saying goes, the only thing certain in life is death (and taxes). But a new mini-festival coming to the Espy wants you to embrace your own mortality, and in doing so, embrace life. We’re All Going to Die is a three-day event where guests will be reminded of the fact that they are 100 per cent going to end up dead – so stop worrying and go enjoy the world. The mini-festival has previously been held in Sydney and Byron Bay, with the Espy being the first Victorian location to host it. Wear black if you want to (it is Melbourne after all) but don’t expect We’re All Going to Die to be a morbid affair. Guests will experience everything from pop-up bedroom dance parties and life drawing to short films, Q&A sessions and death meditation (where you can experience the same loving and conscious way of thinking about living that terminally ill people often feel). Despite the title, the festival is as much about letting go of your anxieties as it is about death.  We’re All Going to Die is happening over three nights from March 26 to 28. Each night follows the same structure, so you only need to attend once (unless you really enjoy yourself of course).

When Cherry Bar announced it was shutting up shop in ACDC Lane Melbourne was collectively shaken. The famous rock ‘n’ roll venue (some would say the best) will cease trading in the colourful CBD lane on Saturday, March 30. And while management has assured the public that they will reopen in another location (still to be revealed) there’s no denying that punters will miss getting loose in ACDC location. In true Cherry Bar style, they’re not closing the doors until they’ve had one last hurrah – and it’s going to be a big one. The bar is hosting a massive 12-hour street party on March 30 for 850 hard-rocking guests. First and foremost, Cherry has always been about the music and so they’ve lined up some banging local bands (think Batz, Drunk Mums, Fluff and Child) as well as guest DJs. The farewell gig is too big to be contained to just Cherry, with the party spilling out onto the street and into Jack and Bones Bar. Keen to be there for one final headbang? There are two types of tickets available. For $25 you’ll get general entry to the party from noon until midnight. Hardcore Cherry Bar fans will probably want to shell out for the $94 ticket which includes general entry, a limited edition T-shirt (delivered to you) and access to the party until 5am – because as everyone knows the craziest antics always happen after midnight. Tickets for Cherry Bar’s laneway farewell party are on sale now.

When is the last time you really considered your gut health? Or thanked the tiny microbes that live your intestinal track and digest your food, boost your immunity and keep you healthy? Scientists are learning more every day about the fascinating community of microbes that live inside each and every one of us. There are more microbes inside the human body than there are stars in the Milky Way, and they weigh up to 2kg.  Melbourne Museum's Gut Feelings exhibition will change your mind about the tiny creatures (yes, they're alive!) that you share your body with. The interactive exhibition is a multi-sensory experience, with things to touch, hear and see.

Guess what? Not everything in Melbourne costs a bunch of money. From art shows to coffee tastings, there are a bunch of things to do in this fine city that you can do for free – here are our favourites.

From food to laneways, drinking to ghosts, these tours are the best way to get to know a different side of Melbourne.

The definitive Melbourne bucket list: knock off these 50 activities and you'll really, properly know our great city.