Travel
From Melbourne's best-kept secrets to last-minute road trips to major international jaunts, we've got your travel needs covered
Cosy cabins you can stay in near Melbourne
Cabins are an ideal solution for when you want to get off the beaten track without having to sacrifice access to indoor plumbing. Whether you wanted to head north to the mountains, west to the spa country, east to the Yarra Valley or south to the sea, there's a cosy cabin ready with a comfy bed and wilderness to explore. Take a staycation: these are the best boutique hotels in Melbourne.
The first airport brewery in the southern hemisphere is coming to Melbourne Airport
Nothing says "Melbourne" like throwing in craft beer at unexpected places. It seems this is also the case for our airport. Yes, you heard that right. Collingwood's Stomping Ground Brewing Company will be opening a brand-new airport brewery inside the international terminal at Melbourne Airport. It will officially be known as the southern hemisphere's first-ever airport brewery. As the Stomping Ground team will be brewing on-site, you'll get to choose from (and taste) a wide range of craft beer, plus a selection of food from the brewery's Collingwood menu. Maybe having your flight delayed isn't so bad after all... As part of a new hospitality upgrade, Melbourne Airport will also be opening new outposts by some of Melbourne's most loved cafés and bars. Chef Scott Pickett will open a second Pickett's Deli & Rotisserie (you'll find the original at Queen Vic Market); TV personality Shane Delia will open Moors by Shane Delia; popular café Cobb Lane will bring their famous pastries, plus there will be new outposts for Axil Coffee Roasters, Proud Mary and heaps more. New venues will start to open in September while full renovations of Terminal 2 and 3 are expected to be completed by December 2019. Stay tuned. Get excited: the 8 most exciting thing coming to Melbourne by the end of 2019.
Where to find Victoria’s pink lakes
No, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. That lake is that pink. And before you ask – it’s a completely natural phenomenon and not some camera trickery done to get more Instagram likes. Pink lakes are rare, and only a handful are found around the world. There are a couple in Western Australia (including maybe the most famous, Spencer Lake) and in South Australia, but Victoria is actually home to a few of its own rosy-hued lakes. Keen to see these liquid fairy floss lakes IRL? Here’s where to find Victoria’s best pink lakes. (Plus! Scroll down to the end to find out when is the best time to visit!) Check out more of Victoria with our guide to secret gardens, national parks and romantic getaways.
Glamping at Mirador Springs
Mirador Springs isn't all that far from the M1. But in the short, winding distance between the highway turnoff and the blessedly well-signposted retreat, you'll go from flat farmland to a mountain of densely wooded eucalypt forest punctuated by laughing kookaburras and warbling maggies. On arrival take your immediate right, following the narrow track signposted "cottage and tent". Yep, Mirador Springs offers both, though we can only speak for the tent. This is glamping as it should be – that is, as far removed from camping as possible. Sure, you'll be staying in a canvas tent (which is a roomy twin-bell design), but it has pretty much all the comforts of your standard hotel room. That means you get a mini-fridge, microwave, pod coffee machine and kettle. If you forgot to bring food it’s no problem, with a stack of menus for local restaurants and takeaway shops provided. Or if you’re prudent you can arrange for a breakfast hamper to be delivered for a little extra moolah. No compost toilets here; Mirador's amenities take the form of a luxe outhouse complete with deep dish hot water tub, polished stone basin and a real toilet in all its flushing glory. Plus, with enough pot plants to make a gen Y weep, this washroom is better than a number of hotel loos. You might be wondering about the heating situation. Just as those who live in glass houses should not throw stones, those who stay in canvas tents should not expect central heating. But Mirador Springs has taken steps to
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One perfect arts and culture weekend in Ballarat
Every two years, something pretty special happens in the Victorian city of Ballarat. Photographs from some of the best photographers in the world, plus a host of local talent, are displayed in venues throughout the city, enticing visitors from across Victoria. This year, the headline artist is Liu Bolin, who photographs elaborately painted human bodies hiding in plain sight. Bolin's Camouflage series, currently on display at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, includes painted people in front of colourful balloons, murals, vehicles and other improbable backdrops. The subjects are so expertly painted that it's nearly impossible to spot them without close examination. Bolin's work is only on display until October 20, and with Ballarat just an hour and a half from Melbourne, it's the perfect time to hit the road and get your culture fix for the weekend. There is so much to see and do in Ballarat that a day trip just won't cut it (plus, you definitely want to be able to sample the local wine, don't you?). If you make a weekend of it you can relax and enjoy the city, without feeling like you're rushing or missing out. Photographer Caitlin Mills recently spent a weekend in Ballarat exploring all of its art and culture. With her help, we've designed this weekend itinerary for any art lover or culture vulture. And if you need more inspo, you can head to visitballarat.com.au to help design your own itinerary – and even better, you can go into the running to win an incredible weekend away
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Mercedes Me is going sustainable with Joost Bakker and Returnr
We’ve all been there: you go to order a takeaway coffee only to realise you’ve left your reusable cup at home. Do you go without the coffee (risking caffeine withdrawal), or do you carry around the guilt that you’re contributing more waste to landfill? Well Mercedes Me are all too familiar with this scenario and have decided to take a stand. From September 9 to September 20, Mercedes Me will host a bespoke installation by environmental warrior Joost Bakker that cuts right to the heart of Australia’s (and the world’s) plastic crisis. Bakker’s installation combines 130kg of plastic waste collected from throughout Melbourne (130kg is the average amount of plastic used by each Australian every year) with tree branches to reflect almost literally the impact of waste on our environment. While the powerful installation will only be in store until September 20, Mercedes Me’s commitment to more sustainable café practices will continue long after its gone. Mercedes Me along with its coffee partner St Ali will be one of the first cafés in Australia to completely ditch takeaway cups and replace them with Returnr cups – a sustainable alternative. Returnr is a little like a rent-a-cup system. If you forget your reusable cup you can pay a $6 deposit and borrow aReturnr cup, pay for your coffee as usual, then when you return your cup to Mercedes Me (or any other participating café) you get your deposit back. Plus Mercedes Me is certified as a carbon neutral venue – meaning the venue offs
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Grand Final Day at Auburn Hotel
Even if your team didn’t make the finals this year you can still be a winner at Auburn Hotel. This Grand Final Day (that’s Saturday, September 28 in case you’re wondering) the grand Auburn Hotel is really into the festivities by transforming its spacious beer garden into a grandstand for the day and playing the nail-biting match on the Jumbotron screen. The Auburn’s grandstand experience is one of the most fun Grand Final Day experiences you can have, without having to sell your soul for a ticket at the ‘G. The hotel is getting a real set of bleachers installed in the beer garden right in front of the big Jumbotron television screens. You won’t have to empty your wallet for beer or food either. Tickets for the Grand Final Day grandstand package includes a bottomless drinks package (Furphy or wine) plus bottomless roving footy snacks. Prefer to watch the big game from the comfort of indoors? Auburn Hotel is also opening up its first floor to keen footy fans wanting somewhere exciting to watch the match. Plus those watching on level one also get the same bottomless food and drinks package as in the grandstand, so you won’t miss a minute of the action by having to go order food. Every second of the AFL Grand Final will be screened at Auburn Hotel so you and your mates don’t need to argue about who’s house is best to host the match. Tickets for both the grandstand and level one Grand Final Day packages at Auburn Hotel are on sale now.
Where to enjoy the AFL Grand Final in Melbourne
On Saturday, September 28 the last siren on of the AFL season will ring out across the hallowed grounds of the MCG. No matter who wins, Grand Final Day is always one of the most exciting days of the year for Melbourne, with even non-supporters keen to join in the city-wide celebrations. Of course the city’s bars and hotels are keen to get in on the action too, with a stack of special offers and packages available for those who want to watch the big game in style. Here are eight places to enjoy the AFL Grand Final in Melbourne.
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