A 60-second guide to doing summer in Melbourne right

Jo StewartBy Jo Stewart
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How to deal with the summer heat, Melbourne style.

Whether you immerse yourself in live music at St Kilda Festival , watch the world’s greatest tennis players have a crack at winning the Australian Open , celebrate diversity at the Midsumma Festival or spend a day at the MCG listening to the crack of leather on willow, Melbourne’s many festivals and events make the city buzz all summer long.

Taste a Melbourne summer at these restaurants and bars…

New addition to the scene, Morena Barra is an all-day diner bringing Latin American, cantina-style fare (and flair) to the city. Around the corner, the revamped Farmer’s Daughters rooftop is a green oasis ideal for afternoon snacks or an evening tipple.

food served at Yarra Botanica
Dine on delicious fare at Yarra Botanica. (Image: Kim Jane)

Floating on the Yarra, Ponyfish Island and Yarra Botanica also spell summer fun. Got a sweet tooth? Join the throngs outside Pidapipó on Degraves Street for to-die-for gelato and sorbetto.

the Ponyfish Island on the Yarra
Ponyfish Island floats on the Yarra River. (Image: Rob Blackburn)

Hit snooze at these Melbourne stays…

Nothing says summer like an open-air rooftop pool. At the Paris end of Bourke Street, Le Méridien’s rooftop pool has five-star views of the city’s skyline.

the Le Meridien's sky-high pool
Retire to Le Meridien’s sky-high pool. (Image: Supplied/Diana Snape)

On Queen Street, Vibe Hotel has a humdinger of a rooftop bar. After checking in, head upstairs for a spritz accompanied by blockbuster Southbank views.

the dishes served at Fleet, Vibe Hotel
Brunch is served at Vibe Hotel’s rooftop bar, Fleet.

Melbourne’s summer to-do list

St Kilda Beach is a tried-and-true spot for a dip, foreshore walk or sunset cruise to see the thousand-strong colony of little penguins. At the Royal Botanic Gardens you can enjoy a genteel afternoon punting on the lake.

Further afield, the Fairfield Park Boathouse has gentleman’s rowboats, Canadian canoes or touring kayaks for self-propelled adventures on the Yarra.

punting on the lake at Royal Botanic Gardens
Punting on the lake at Royal Botanic Gardens. (Image: Rob Blackburn)

Our hot tip: Known as the ‘Happy Slam’, the energy is unrivalled in Melbourne during the Australian Open tennis grand slam. Not into tennis? Head to the precinct anyway for seriously good cocktails, eats and vibes.

an outdoor event during the Australian Open
The action-packed Australian Open is one of the key events in Melbourne. (Image: Rob Blackburn)
Jo Stewart
Jo Stewart is a freelance features writer who pens stories about nature, pop culture, music, art, design and more from her home in the Macedon Ranges of Victoria. When not writing, you can find her trawling through vinyl records and vintage fashion at op shops, antique stores and garage sales.
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This hidden region in Victoria is home to a peaceful lake trail

    Craig TansleyBy Craig Tansley
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    Video credit: Tourism Australia

    From pink salt landscapes to oases fringed by forests of red gums, the lakes of this rural region are astounding. 

    You’re going to find peace and quiet when you take a road trip through the lakes of the Wimmera Mallee region. Whether it’s mirror-like pink salt lakes that look like an inland sea, or lakes fringed by forests of red gums that showcase Victoria’s arid beauty, there’s a lake for you out here somewhere.  

    1. Lake Tyrrell  

    Lake Tyrrell
    The colours of Lake Tyrrell blend into the sky. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

    Located in the dead heart of the Mallee, Victoria’s largest salt lake, Lake Tyrrell , is a landscape photographer’s dream – especially at sunrise and sunset when the pink salt flats look like a gigantic mirror. It’s easy to camp or park a caravan nearby, too, though the tiny town of Sea Lake is just south (with accommodation). In winter, shallow water covers the salt, creating surreal reflections of the sky.  

    2. Nhill Lake  

    There’s a permanent water source here, so there’s always plenty of water for water skiing, swimming and fishing (the trout and redfin fishing here is legendary). Located beside the pretty heritage town of Nhill with its main street of historic buildings, there’s options for eating and drinking right next door. There’s also a barbecue area with plenty of shady picnic spots and a boardwalk for walking around the lake.  

    3. Lake Bringalbert  

    Lake Bringalert
    Lake Bringalert is a great spot for aquatic adventures.

    Located south-west of the pretty Mallee town of Kaniva, Lake Bringalbert epitomises the best of ‘outback’ Victoria. It’s ringed by red gums and red mallee and feels completely hidden from the world – you’ll barely ever see another person. There’s basic camping on its foreshore and Kaniva offers more accommodation options. It’s the perfect lake for swimming, kayaking and skiing, and the stars at night come without even a hint of city glow.  

    4. Lake Hindmarsh 

    If you’re a bird fan, you’ll love Lake Hindmarsh . Located north of Dimboola, Victoria’s largest natural freshwater lake is like an inland sea full of pelicans, swans and numerous species of ducks – but it also teems with everything from spoonbills to parrots. Sunsets here will blow your mind – the lake is a mirror for the pinks and golds you’ll see on the horizon. There’s free camping spots along the foreshore if you’d like to really contemplate the magic of the lake.  

    5. Pink Lake 

    pink lake
    The Pink Lake is most vivid after rain. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

    Also known as Loch Lel , the summer months offer up some seriously vivid pink water colour at this lake north of Dimboola. The pink varies throughout the year, but is best after rain (hence why summer is the time to visit).

    pink lake
    Pink Lake, also known as Loch Lel, is located near Dimboola in the Grampians. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    There’s plenty of birds, including wedge-tailed eagles, but you’re as likely to spot big lace monitors, kangaroos and echidnas. Nearby, check out the uber-cute heritage town of Dimboola and its eclectic shops, and Little Desert National Park, full of walking trails through mallee heathland. 

    6. Lake Lascelles 

    Lake Lascelles
    You can camp at Lake Lascelles.

    On a hot summer’s day, there’s nowhere better for a cooling dip, kayak or boat ride. You can camp by the lake , or at powered caravan sites – or the pretty town of Hopetoun offers numerous accommodation options a short walk away. At night you’ll see the lights of Hopetoun reflect off the lake. Fish for yellow belly, redfin or catfish, or try water-skiing. There’s also a great walking trail around the lake, where there’s more birds than you can count.