Things to do in Melbourne this week

In good news for chocoholics: You can now get Perth’s award-winning brownies delivered to your door anywhere in Australia. Perth bakery Ox Rabbit has expanded its delivery offering so anyone in Australia can now gain access to its chocolate brownies.

Halloween is right around the corner, and just because we're in lockdown doesn't mean we can't celebrate the spookiest season of the year safely. There's plenty of fun ways to scare the bejeezus out of yourself without leaving home. From horror movie marathons to panic-inducing escape rooms, here's how to celebrate Halloween in Melbourne this year. 

Being in lockdown and having to stay at home doesn't mean you can't be dressed to the nines. If you have housemates, amp up your Friday nights by having a fancy or themed dress-up dinner party. Try dressing up as your favourite pop stars or Disney characters or villains. There are so many themes out there, and the world is truly your oyster.

Streaming (or should that be screaming?) services across Australia have got you sorted this Halloween, with a stack of spooky movies available to scare the bejeezus out of you. Gather some housemates and a few bowls of popcorn and get ready for a fear fest. If you're feeling brave and want to watch them alone, get ready to sleep with the lights on. 

In a time when things are so up and down, getting a little surprise in the mail can mean the world to someone else. Whether there’s a birthday on the horizon or maybe you’ve noticed a friend has been feeling a little down, one of the below gift packages might be just the pick-me-up they need. And hey, there’s no one saying you can’t send one to yourself, too! 

When you're feeling the lockdown blues, maybe dancing will help. And if you think it might, there is no one better able to help you locate those boogie shoes than internationally renowned DJ YO! MAFIA. The Melbourne-based DJ has toured with A-listers like Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Lady Gaga, as well as DJing huge events like the NGV Gala and R'n'B Fridays. But while lockdown means clubs and concerts are off the (turn)table for a while, one thing that will never stop is MAFIA's good vibes and relentless energy. Her sets are wall-to-wall bangers (think Prince, the Spice Girls, Madonna), with plenty of air horns and stories about her fascinating life. 

Is your pantry looking a little bare? Are you tired of recreating the five recipes you know off the top of your head? Or are you simply craving a top-notch steak with potatoes coated in an ungodly amount of duck fat? Whatever your reason to bring the restaurant experience home, we're here to help. Here you'll find some of the best meal delivery kits by Melbourne's best restaurants and brands. 

Most advent calendars are filled with chocolates or toys, but for those who like to turn their celebrations up a notch we've rounded up these boozy advent calendars. Pre-order one now so that you can taste top-notch beers, wines, ciders and spirits throughout December. And after the year we've had, let's face it: it might be time for a drink, or 24. 

The outside world can be stressful enough as it is, so you won't find any aggressive, bloody first-person shooters or unnerving apocalyptic games on this list. Instead, we've compiled a list of games that have cute graphics, soothing soundtracks and relaxing gameplay that will give you a much-needed distraction during lockdown while putting a smile on your face. Every game on this list is available on Steam. 

Streaming (or should that be screaming?) services across Australia have got you sorted this Halloween, with a stack of spooky movies available to scare the bejeezus out of you. Gather some housemates and a few bowls of popcorn and get ready for a fear fest. If you're feeling brave and want to watch them alone, get ready to sleep with the lights on. 

There's no better time than lockdown to upskill and lucky for us, many local institutions have opened their virtual doors to help us. Learn how to customise your own jewellery, colour your hair at home, create lino printed postcards and more with these online classes and DIY kits. If you want to turn the fun factor up a notch, pair these activities with some booze ordered from these places that deliver.

Here's our live list of online classes, workshops, and tutorials you can participate in from the comfort of your own home.

Since everything changed in 2020, congregating together, getting hectic, sweaty and sweary while running around breathlessly in a locked room seemed like a really bad idea. Which should tank the entire concept of a high-stakes escape room, right? Wrong. Turns out everyone’s favourite panic-inducing entertainment made the switch to digital too. The rapidly expanding at-home take on the escape room genre comes in many forms. 

Here are a few of our faves to keep you screaming for more clues/time/chill while you're stuck at home.

At this point, you might have scrolled all the way to the bottom of the page on both Netflix and Stan. It’s not your fault – we do have a lot of free time on our hands right now. Binge is Australia’s newest streaming service, coming from the same hands as Foxtel and Foxtel Go. Here are some of our favourite TV shows currently streaming on Binge.

The Australian Ballet is ensuring your time spent indoors is truly en pointe. Following the launch of its online studios during 2020, the Australian Ballet has re-released its online adult dance classes for the humble price of $16.

 We've rounded up a bunch of Australian advent calendars filled with everything from conventional offerings like chocolates and lollies to the less conventional treats like sex toys and healing crystals. Whether you're shopping for a child or an adult, there's bound to be a calendar on this list that will put a smile on their face. And if you're shopping for yourself, even better.

With gyms being closed yet again in Melbourne, we've compiled these handy online workout classes and apps you can access from home. Many of them are free and exercise is great for the heart and the mind, so scroll down and get ready to sweat from the comfort of your living room. 

Here are even more great things to do at home right now.

Winter has finally come to an end and rays of sunshine have started to peek out from behind the clouds. We may be stuck in lockdown for now, but as Victoria approaches its vaccine target it's looking like beachy summer days are on the horizon. We've handpicked several of the best Australian swimwear brands that cater to all genders so you can frolic along the sand and lounge by the pool in style.

Cakes, doughnuts, pretzels, chocolate… there’s something to be said about getting sweet treats delivered to your door, rather than slaving over a hand mixer and an hour or two in the oven. Plus, when you get these things delivered, it’s infinitely easier to clean up. So here we are – some of Melbourne’s finest desserts that can be delivered right to your doorstep. 

Growing your own food is not as easy as throwing a few seeds into a pot and feasting in a fortnight. So, to help out, we spoke to Mat Pember, co-owner of the local, independent nursery Little Veggie Patch Co, about how to grow food anywhere, successfully, and in a calm and rational manner. 

Otter parents Paula and Odie and their four pups (Murphy, Rodney, Gunther and Squid) are on camera 24 hours a day on Melbourne Zoo's livestream. The webcam captures their sleeping quarters, so you can watch them snoozing in a giant otter cuddle pile, which is just as adorable as you think it is. 

Here are the super-duper scoopers serving Melbourne’s best ice cream, gelato and soft serve. Don't want to venture out to get your ice cream? We've also added info on how to get it delivered to your door. 

If you're looking for a fun way to keep your mind sharp and stay connected to the people you live with during lockdown, board games are the answer. From quick two-player games like Coup that test your poker face and bluffing abilities to the immersive fantasy game Lords of Waterdeep that can take a couple of hours to play, this list has something for everyone.

If you missed out on the 2020 Triennial or simply want to revisit the highlights, you can now tour the exhibition via NGV Channel. You can view projects including 'Fallen Fruit', which consists of vibrant wall paper featuring plants, fruits and flowers being used as backdrops for the NGV's 16th and 17th century gallery, and 'Plastocene' which features large-scale handmade sea creatures made from disposed objects like plastic bags, cigarette butts and coffee cups.

Abunch of ceramics studios have adapted their businesses so you can get busy moulding your own mugs, vases and assorted sculptural vessels at home.

Go on, allow the tactile task of rolling clay between your hands to remind you of the sensation of human touch as you re-enact that classic scene from the 1990 romantic hit Ghost. 

There's cake, and then there is cake. If you're in need of a delicious and highly decorative dessert then you've come to the right place. These are our favourite party cakes in Melbourne, with everything from the traditional layer cakes to OTT tiers of sponge and buttercream. Get them delivered to your doorstep, or pick them up in-store.

Lockdown has been a great excuse to stop wearing tight jeans and slacks in favour of comfortable joggers and loose tees. If your loungewear collection currently consists of ratty old sweatshirts and holey trackies, elevate your wardrobe with pieces from these Australian loungewear brands. Comfortable enough to be worn around the house all day long but stylish enough to wear out to the shops and while running errands, soon you'll be wondering why your whole closet doesn't simply consist of loungewear. 

If you've been feeling a bit stir crazy from spending so much time indoors this winter during lockdown, take advantage of spring and the sunshine by playing some fun outdoor games with your household. From burrito dodgeball to board games that are windproof, these games are sure to keep kids entertained and help you feel connected to the people you live with. 

Being surrounded by nature is good for the soul. These Melbourne nurseries can set you up with everything from hardy house plants to native shrubs and top-notch gardening accessories. If you don't have a green thumb, don't worry – the staff at these local garden shops can offer you advice so you don't kill your darling new plant friends. Great news – all of them offer delivery or click and collect during lockdown!

Trying to find the perfect gift for your fussy friends who say they don't need anything can be difficult, but these Melbourne-based gift shops are up to helping you with the task. From candles and homewares to cheeky trinkets and novelty gags, these shops know how to cater for every occasion and the pickiest of people. The best part? These stores all offer delivery or click and collect to make your life that much easier. 

RECOMMENDED: The best homewares stores in Melbourne.

It can be tricky to find ways to keep your kids occupied and entertained during lockdown, so why not try ordering some fun new toys and activities from these stores in Melbourne? These top-notch stores specialise in seling well-made toys ranging from quirky puzzles to handcrafted wooden toys. The best part is that all of these stores offer delivery or click and collect to make your life even easier. 

It's time like these you need a drink, but not just any drink, something that involves the premium ingredients or artistry you can't easily mimic at home. This is why we're thanking the entrepreneurial types who came up with the idea of delivering booze straight to our doorstep. 

Netflix has a lot of good movies that we'd watch any day – more than 70 by our count – but in terms of the sheer escapist bliss you need in your life right now, there are a handful of clear winners. There's nothing here to get you down: just nostalgia, hilarity, heart and a good dollop of hope. So order in, raid the fridge for ice cream, and settle in. 

Because they don’t have the overheads of regular retailers, they can sometimes offer better value for money, especially when it comes to premium and organic produce. Some offer access to things that aren’t easily found in the big supermarket chains, like items from smaller producers and specialty goods that usually go to restaurants. And others allow you to put your money where your values are by buying locally, ethically and sustainably.

Whatever your fancy, here are eight grocery delivery services in Melbourne worth checking out.

Take a look at our ultimate bucket list: 101 fun things to do in Melbourne, plus what makes the city great, from the food to the festivals and everything in between.