Day Spas
While the rain pitter patters outside, there is no better time to indulge in a luxury spa treatment; Melbourne’s high end day spas are havens of relaxation and respite. Signature treatments include the Awaken Rituals at Miss Fox in the city centre – followed by a champagne at the spa’s private martini bar; a Chuan Escape at The Langham‘s Chinese-inspired Chuan Spa – followed by a Wedgwood Afternoon Tea at Aria Bar & Lounge; and an Isika Ultimate Journey at ISIKA Day Spa at Crown Metropol – followed by a night at the ISIKA residential rooms.
Melbourne’s Microbreweries
What better way to beat the rain than with a boozy afternoon at one of the many microbreweries scattered around town? The cosy interiors of 3 Ravens, Temple and Moon Dog Brewery and Bar to name but three, invite visitors to warm up while sipping on the local brewers’ ever-expanding range of quality beers. Snacks, share plates and larger meals are also on offer, providing every reason to stay sheltered from the rain. Alternatively, Aussie Brewery Tours offers the chance to explore up to five of Melbourne breweries or hit the road and experience the best beer and cider available in the Mornington Peninsula and the Yarra Valley.
Matinee performances
Melbourne is famed for its heritage theatres, world class performances and cutting edge theatre production. A show might be an obvious choice for an evening’s entertainment, but many theatres also schedule daytime performances – the perfect antidote to a wet day. Melbourne’s heritage theatres usually show matinee performances on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and the Arts Centre Melbourne also hosts daytime performances including Morning Melodies – a monthly feel-good concert series – and Behind the Scenes where visitors can catch a glimpse of the life of a professional ballerina.
For those who enjoy the thrill of the chase, Escape Rooms are all the rage. With new rooms frequently popping up across the city, there is always a new one to try and each is uniquely themed with a varied level of difficulty. Teams of two to six can test their skills, and brainpower, solving a series of puzzles to crack the code and finally escape from the room they’re locked inside. Each takes around 50 minutes to complete, but with so many to choose from an entire day could be spent deciphering various mysteries.
Home to an abundant collection of art that transverses history and genre, the NGV is Australia’s oldest and most visited gallery. Both NGV Australia, at Federation Square, and NGV International, on St Kilda Road, are idyllic places to idle the day away. A creative time warp, the gallery houses a variety of rich period pieces, innovative contemporary works and exhibitions showcasing fashion, design, architecture, sound and dance. Current exhibitions include the Degas: A New Vision (until 18 September) and the latest for kids: Martí Guixé Fake Food Park (until 11 September 2016).
A celebration of the moving image in all its forms, ACMI is the world’s largest screen gallery. Visitors of all ages and inclinations can escape the rain and immerse themselves in exhibitions, creative workshops and film screenings. An insight into the brilliant mind of a director in Scorsese can be enjoyed at ACMI’s current exhibition, Scorsese (until 18 September, 2016).
History is unearthed at Melbourne’s many museums. Melbourne Museum uncovers the history of Melbourne, and showcases a range of plant and animal life across its various gallery spaces. It is perhaps best explored with a free Highlights Tours that takes first-time visitors through the museum’s must visit displays. At Scienceworks, kids can learn all about technology, and concentrate on constellations at the Planetarium’s simulated display of the night sky. The Immigration Museum shows the history of Australia’s migrants and illustrates what the nation’s many cultures had to endure in order to call this country home.
Cinema experience
The classic way to wile away a rainy day, visitors can catch a film in style at some of Melbourne’s heritage cinemas. The Astor Theatre in St Kilda shows a range of classics, cult favourites and select new releases, while the recently opened Lido in Hawthorn screens foreign, commercial and indie movies. Northcote’s Westgarth Cinema and The Sun Theatre in Yarraville are great for art-house films while IMAX is the place to go for 3D encounters and the world’s second largest screen.
Get active indoors
Ice sports enthusiasts can head to Medibank Icehouse, an Olympic size arena offering lessons in figure skating, ice hockey and curling as well as adult drop in ice hockey and themed events. Trampoline fiends can find their way to Bounce, where there are more than 100 interconnected trampolines for kids as young as five and action sports addicts alike. Rock climbing revellers can hit the walls at Clip n Climb in Richmond, Hardrock in the city centre or Latitude in Heidelberg West to challenge their strength and agility.
Long lunch
Melbourne is famed for its fresh and fine food and is home to an abundance of cafes and restaurants. A leisurely lunch is an ideal way to spend the day and there are plenty of locations at which to do so. Vue de Monde, on the 55th floor of the Rialto is open for lunch Thursday-Sunday, while most laneway cafes and restaurants are open for lunch every day. Tonka, Coda, Cumulus Inc, Supernormal, Kappo, and Tipo00 are highly recommended.
Staying warm and dry – Melbourne style
Travelling and puddle jumping don’t exactly go hand in hand. For one thing, wellingtons are too cumbersome for the average suitcase. So, when the heavens open in Melbourne, make the most of the day with one of these ultimate rainy day activities.
Day Spas
While the rain pitter patters outside, there is no better time to indulge in a luxury spa treatment; Melbourne’s high end day spas are havens of relaxation and respite. Signature treatments include the Awaken Rituals at Miss Fox in the city centre – followed by a champagne at the spa’s private martini bar; a Chuan Escape at The Langham‘s Chinese-inspired Chuan Spa – followed by a Wedgwood Afternoon Tea at Aria Bar & Lounge; and an Isika Ultimate Journey at ISIKA Day Spa at Crown Metropol – followed by a night at the ISIKA residential rooms.
Melbourne’s Microbreweries
What better way to beat the rain than with a boozy afternoon at one of the many microbreweries scattered around town? The cosy interiors of 3 Ravens, Temple and Moon Dog Brewery and Bar to name but three, invite visitors to warm up while sipping on the local brewers’ ever-expanding range of quality beers. Snacks, share plates and larger meals are also on offer, providing every reason to stay sheltered from the rain. Alternatively, Aussie Brewery Tours offers the chance to explore up to five of Melbourne breweries or hit the road and experience the best beer and cider available in the Mornington Peninsula and the Yarra Valley.
Matinee performances
Melbourne is famed for its heritage theatres, world class performances and cutting edge theatre production. A show might be an obvious choice for an evening’s entertainment, but many theatres also schedule daytime performances – the perfect antidote to a wet day. Melbourne’s heritage theatres usually show matinee performances on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and the Arts Centre Melbourne also hosts daytime performances including Morning Melodies – a monthly feel-good concert series – and Behind the Scenes where visitors can catch a glimpse of the life of a professional ballerina.
For those who enjoy the thrill of the chase, Escape Rooms are all the rage. With new rooms frequently popping up across the city, there is always a new one to try and each is uniquely themed with a varied level of difficulty. Teams of two to six can test their skills, and brainpower, solving a series of puzzles to crack the code and finally escape from the room they’re locked inside. Each takes around 50 minutes to complete, but with so many to choose from an entire day could be spent deciphering various mysteries.
Home to an abundant collection of art that transverses history and genre, the NGV is Australia’s oldest and most visited gallery. Both NGV Australia, at Federation Square, and NGV International, on St Kilda Road, are idyllic places to idle the day away. A creative time warp, the gallery houses a variety of rich period pieces, innovative contemporary works and exhibitions showcasing fashion, design, architecture, sound and dance. Current exhibitions include the Degas: A New Vision (until 18 September) and the latest for kids: Martí Guixé Fake Food Park (until 11 September 2016).
A celebration of the moving image in all its forms, ACMI is the world’s largest screen gallery. Visitors of all ages and inclinations can escape the rain and immerse themselves in exhibitions, creative workshops and film screenings. An insight into the brilliant mind of a director in Scorsese can be enjoyed at ACMI’s current exhibition, Scorsese (until 18 September, 2016).
History is unearthed at Melbourne’s many museums. Melbourne Museum uncovers the history of Melbourne, and showcases a range of plant and animal life across its various gallery spaces. It is perhaps best explored with a free Highlights Tours that takes first-time visitors through the museum’s must visit displays. At Scienceworks, kids can learn all about technology, and concentrate on constellations at the Planetarium’s simulated display of the night sky. The Immigration Museum shows the history of Australia’s migrants and illustrates what the nation’s many cultures had to endure in order to call this country home.
Cinema experience
The classic way to wile away a rainy day, visitors can catch a film in style at some of Melbourne’s heritage cinemas. The Astor Theatre in St Kilda shows a range of classics, cult favourites and select new releases, while the recently opened Lido in Hawthorn screens foreign, commercial and indie movies. Northcote’s Westgarth Cinema and The Sun Theatre in Yarraville are great for art-house films while IMAX is the place to go for 3D encounters and the world’s second largest screen.
Get active indoors
Ice sports enthusiasts can head to Medibank Icehouse, an Olympic size arena offering lessons in figure skating, ice hockey and curling as well as adult drop in ice hockey and themed events. Trampoline fiends can find their way to Bounce, where there are more than 100 interconnected trampolines for kids as young as five and action sports addicts alike. Rock climbing revellers can hit the walls at Clip n Climb in Richmond, Hardrock in the city centre or Latitude in Heidelberg West to challenge their strength and agility.
Long lunch
Melbourne is famed for its fresh and fine food and is home to an abundance of cafes and restaurants. A leisurely lunch is an ideal way to spend the day and there are plenty of locations at which to do so. Vue de Monde, on the 55th floor of the Rialto is open for lunch Thursday-Sunday, while most laneway cafes and restaurants are open for lunch every day. Tonka, Coda, Cumulus Inc, Supernormal, Kappo, and Tipo00 are highly recommended.
Staying warm and dry – Melbourne style
Travelling and puddle jumping don’t exactly go hand in hand. For one thing, wellingtons are too cumbersome for the average suitcase. So, when the heavens open in Melbourne, make the most of the day with one of these ultimate rainy day activities.
This content can be shared and edited for the purpose of promoting Victoria as a visitor destination. Not for use in paid advertising. Please credit Visit Victoria.
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