Melbourne’s floating bar will transport you to Rio this spring

Emily MurphyBy Emily Murphy
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It’s channelling the colour, chaos and charisma of Rio de Janeiro.

You don’t need a passport to experience the wild, wonderful energy of Brazil’s most iconic seaside city; you just need to head to the banks of the Yarra.

This September, Afloat Melbourne returns with a brand-new theme, taking its design, drinks and dancefloor cues straight from the streets of Rio de Janeiro. Expect sun-kissed beach club vibes, tropical cocktails, chargrilled snacks and enough samba-infused entertainment to keep the party going all season long.

Afloat Melbourne at sunset
The 2025 theme captures the soul of Rio de Janeiro. (Image: Griffin Sim)

Each year, Afloat transforms into a vibrant homage to an exotic destination, and Season 10 might be its boldest incarnation yet. The 2025 theme captures the soul of Rio de Janeiro, or, as locals call it, the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvellous City), through an immersive fit-out and energy that’s impossible to ignore.

From rainforest-green umbrellas and ocean-blue awnings to sunset-hued furnishings and rattan bars, the new design radiates the laidback luxe of Copacabana meets Ipanema. Think handcrafted murals, palms galore and the heady contrast of colours inspired by Rio’s iconic beachscapes.

Caipirinhas and Carnival classics

Food at Afloat Melbourne
Dine on Brazilian beach snacks like crispy prawns.

The cocktail list is just as lively, with HQ Group’s drinks team (and local legends Straight Up Cocktails) designing a fruit-forward menu that oozes Brazilian flavour. Sip on mango batidas, guava Caipirinhas, açai daiquiris and passionfruit-spiked pisco sours, or head straight for the frozen cocktail section and pretend you’re dancing at Carnival.

The food? It’s a multicultural melting pot that echoes Rio’s own. Brazilian beach snacks like fried cheese, pastels and crispy prawns meet South American chargrilled meats, empanadas and arepas. It’s bold, bright and unapologetically flavour-packed.

Samba your way through spring

People by the pool at Afloat Melbourne
The new design radiates the laidback luxe of Copacabana meets Ipanema. (Image: Jake Roden)

And it wouldn’t be Rio without the rhythm. This season’s events calendar promises an all-out celebration of Brazilian culture: weekday salsa classes, all-night venue takeovers and DJ-led parties channelling the spirit of Carnival.

With panoramic views over the city and the buzz of the Yarra beneath your feet, Afloat’s latest transformation is one you won’t want to miss.

Afloat opens its 10th season on 29 August, with bookings now open for dining, daybeds and special events.

Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
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How a $1 deal saved Bendigo’s historic tramways

    Megan ArkinstallBy Megan Arkinstall
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    The passionate community that saved Bendigo Tramways has kept the story of this city alive for generations.

    It was an absolute steal: a fleet of 23 trams for just $1. But such a fortunate purchase didn’t happen easily. It was 1972 when the Bendigo Trust handed over a single buck for the city’s historic collection of battery, steam and electric trams, which had transported locals since 1890.

    inside the historic Bendigo Tram
    Bendigo Tramways is a historic transport line turned tourist service. (Image: Bendigo Heritage)

    The city’s tram network had been declared defunct since 1970 due to post-war shortages in materials to upkeep the trams and declining passenger numbers as motor vehicles were increasing. However, determined locals would not hear of their beloved trams being sold off around the world.

    The Bendigo Trust was enlisted to preserve this heritage, by converting the trams into a tourist service. The Victorian government approved a trial, however news spread that the Australian Electric Tramways Museum in Adelaide had acquired one of the streetcars for its collection.

    a tram heading to Quarry Hill in 1957
    A tram on its way to Quarry Hill in 1957. (Image: Bendigo Heritage)

    An impassioned group rallied together to make this physically impossible. Breaking into the tram sheds, they welded iron pipes to the rails, removed carbon brushes from the motors, and formed a blockade at the depot. The community response was extraordinary, and a $1 deal was sealed.

    A new chapter for the city’s fleet

    the old Tramways Depot and Workshop
    The old Tramways Depot and Workshop is one of the stops on the hop-on, hop-off service. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Today, Bendigo Tramways welcomes some 40,000 passengers annually, operating as a hop-on, hop-off touring service aboard the restored trams. Fifteen of the now 45-strong fleet are dubbed ‘Talking Trams’ because of the taped commentary that is played along the route. The trams loop between Central Deborah Gold Mine and the Bendigo Joss House Temple, which has been a place of Chinese worship since 1871, via other sites including the old Tramways Depot and Workshop.

    a Gold Mine Bendigo Tram
    The fleet comprises 45 trams that have been restored. (Image: Visit Victoria/Robert Blackburn)

    Keeping things interesting, throughout the year visitors can step aboard different themed trams. Tram No. 302 becomes the Yarn Bomb Tram, decorated both inside and out with colourful crochet by an anonymous group of locals.

    During the festive season, Tram No. 15 operates as a tinsel-festooned Santa Tram, and the big man himself hides out somewhere along the route for excited children to find. And on selected dates, the adults-only Groove Tram runs nighttime tours of the city, accompanied by local musicians playing live tunes and a pop-up bar.

    the historic post office turned visitor centre in Bendigo
    Visitors can hop on and off to see the city’s sites such as the historic post office turned visitor centre. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    As well as preserving the city’s history, however, the continuation of the tram service has kept the skills of tram building and craftsmanship alive in a practical sense. Bendigo’s Heritage Rail Workshop is world-renowned for restoring heritage trams and repurposing vehicles in creative ways.

    Locally, for example, Tram No. 918 was transformed into the Dja Dja Wurrung Tram with original Aboriginal artworks by emerging artist Natasha Carter, with special commentary and music that shares the stories and traditions of Bendigo’s first people. You can’t put a price on preserving history. Nonetheless, it was a dollar very well spent.