12 Best Things to Do in Melbourne in Winter [2025]
Looking for things to do in Melbourne in winter? The weather might be getting cooler, but Melbourne is buzzing with winter activities perfect for family fun.
You need to warm up; there’s no shortage of cozy spots to eat and drink.
Melbourne’s winter season, from June to August, is your perfect cool retreat. Explore these winter activities.
Are you ready for a cool escape? So, why wait? Wrap up warm and dive into our list of things to do in Melbourne this winter.
Best Things to Do in Melbourne in Winter
1. Skiing and Winter Fun at the Victorian Snowfields
You might wonder, what are the Victorian Snowfields? They’re the top spots in Victoria for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding.
As well as for enjoying the snow with activities such as toboggan riding and snowball fights!
Here’s a favourite Victorian Snowfields:
✅ Skiing To Mt Buller Village From Melbourne
Mt Buller is the nearest snow field to Melbourne and caters to all tastes.
If you’re keen on building a snowman with the kids, tobogganing, or eager to hit the slopes with a skiing or snowboarding lift ticket, there’s plenty to do.
Australia’s biggest and Victoria’s favourite ski resort, renowned for being the best for beginners. It is just a 3.5-hour drive (236 km) from Melbourne.
Enjoy a direct and luxurious coach transfer to Mt Buller Village without needing a shuttle bus.
Once on the mountain, take advantage of the excellent après-ski facilities, including restaurants, bars, cafes, and public amenities.
Spend 5 hours playing in the snow, skiing, boarding, and soaking in the alpine views.
Throughout the day, you’ll get the opportunity to ski or snowboard to your heart’s content.
Experience the thrill of a toboggan ride, and enjoy the enchanting views from the summit.
✅ Lake Mountain Snow Trip and Yarra Valley Chocolate Factory Visit
Enjoy three hours of fun at Lake Mountain Ski Resort. You can learn to ski, slide down hills on a toboggan, make a snowman, or have a snowball fight.
Next, visit Steavenson Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in Victoria. End your day with a trip to the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery.
See how chocolate and ice cream are made, try some free samples, and enjoy a yummy hot chocolate!
2. Winter Night Market at Queen Victoria Market
The Winter Night Market happens every Wednesday night in winter and is a fun way to enjoy an evening. There’s live music that makes the atmosphere relaxed and cool.
Imagine biting into a wood-fired pizza, twirling pasta right out of a cheese wheel, and snacking on roasted local chestnuts, among other delicious treats.
And what’s a winter feast without a warm cup of mulled wine or a hot gin toddy to sip on?
It’s like a huge night market, or “pasar malam,” where you can spend the evening enjoying tasty street food and warming up with hot chocolate.
It includes hot jam doughnuts, watching live performances, and shopping for local products. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss this winter.
After soaking up the vibrant atmosphere of the Winter Night Market, Why not explore Melbourne’s food scene further with the ultimate foodie tour and BBQ class?
✅ Queen Victoria Market Ultimate Foodie Tour
Take a fun 2-hour walk around the famous Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne, a place full of history from the 19th century.
The tour is small, with up to 12 people and a local guide, making it a friendly and personal experience.
As you walk and chat with locals, you’ll get to try some yummy seasonal foods included in the tour.
Depending on the day, you might taste things like oysters, grilled kangaroo, pickled octopus, local cheese, dolmades, and olives.
The best part? Ending the tour with a hot jam doughnut from the well-known American Doughnut Kitchen.
It is perfect for food lovers or anyone curious about Melbourne’s food scene. Even after the tour, the Queen Victoria Market has many food stalls and shops to explore.
✅ Barbecue Class at Queen Victoria Market
This class offers a beginner’s guide to BBQ styles, cooking methods, selecting and prepping meats, and the basics of rubs and marinades.
You’ll get to taste some tasty meats and craft beers to finish the class and take home notes and tips to enhance your BBQ skills.
3. Explore Dockland’s Firelight Festival
Melburnians, we know it’s getting chilly, but that’s no reason for us to stay indoors. Melbourne doesn’t slow down just because it’s chilly outside.
Plus, if we stayed every time it was cold, we’d miss out on all the fun! This winter, there’s a hot reason to brave the cold and hit the streets.
The Firelight Festival is making a comeback at Docklands this winter, from June 30 to July 2.
Places like NewQuay Promenade, Harbour Esplanade, Victoria Harbour Promenade, Buluk Park, and Docklands Central Park will light up with amazing fiery installations starting at 5 pm for three nights.
This year, prepare for over 40 fire pits and 35 flame jets to warm up the winter nights.
4. Dinner in a Cozy Igloo
Winter in Melbourne wouldn’t be complete without those awesome igloos!
They’re popping up all over the place, and trust me, hanging out in one is such a cool winter thing to do.
Imagine chilling in an igloo, warming up with a glass of wine or a cocktail, and enjoying a tasty meal.
Book a private car rental to seamlessly travel to your igloo reservation, ensuring a comfortable and stylish arrival.
✅ Private Airport Transfer in Melbourne City in Luxury Vehicles
Enjoy a hassle-free journey to your igloo reservation in Melbourne this winter with a private car service.
You can select the vehicle that suits your style, from standard cars to high-end options like the Mercedes S class, perfect for two or with your loved one.
Your driver will warmly welcome you if you’re heading from your Melbourne hotel or the airport.
It will help you with your luggage and ensure a smooth ride to your winter wonderland destination.
5. Soak in the Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs
What’s better than warming up in the Peninsula Hot Springs on a chilly winter day? Just a 1.5-hour drive from Melbourne’s city centre, in Mornington Peninsula.
This relaxing spot lets you enjoy different hot spring pools, like mineral pools, therapy pools, a cave pool, and even an underground sauna!
The best view is from the hot spring on the hilltop, where you can see the beautiful bushland around you while you relax in the water. Make sure to take a dip there before you leave!
✅ Mornington Peninsula Food and Wine Taste Trail
This full-day tour immerses you in the local flavours of the Mornington Peninsula, showcasing a selection of the finest wineries and breweries.
You’ll also visit scenic spots like Arthur’s Seat and the iconic bathing boxes, offering fantastic photo opportunities.
It’s an ideal day out for couples or friends looking to enjoy great food and drink without the hassle of driving.
Travel in comfort in an air-conditioned vehicle, with lunch and alcoholic drink tastings included.
This tour offers a taste of the region’s best and educates you about the area through its culinary delights.
Pick-ups from some Melbourne CBD hotels are provided, adding convenience to your experience.
6. Go on a Whale Watching Cruise
This winter holiday, don’t miss out on a truly memorable experience with a whale-watching cruise.
During the winter months, from May to October, it’s whale migration season in Victoria, making it the perfect time to venture out to sea.
You’ll have the chance to witness the majestic beauty of these giant creatures as they play in the water right in front of you.
Although you won’t find whales directly in the city, a trip to Phillip Island, just a 2-hour drive from Melbourne, offers the perfect opportunity.
The 4-hour coastal cruise around Phillip Island lets you search for Humpback and Southern Right Whales on their yearly migration path.
Not only will you possibly spot whales, but you’ll also see the adorable Seal Rocks and maybe even dolphins.
The cruise includes lunch, complimentary tea and coffee, and for those interested, there’s a licensed bar onboard for an afternoon drink.
Check out the details below:
✅ Phillip Island Whale Watching Tour
Enjoy and witness Australia’s stunning coast on a 4-hour whale-watching cruise around Phillip Island. Hop on a cool boat with an expert guide and look out for amazing wildlife.
Spot thousands of fur seals at Seal Rocks, watch for unique birds like the shy albatross and little penguin, and see dolphins jump through the water beautifully.
If you’re lucky, you might even see humpback whales in their natural home during this exciting trip.
✅ Phillip Island Penguin, Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary from Melbourne
Explore Phillip Island’s natural beauty with an eco-tour from Melbourne.
Check out the colourful Brighton Beach bathing boxes, and take a moment to enjoy these historic spots.
Stop by the Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park to meet koalas and other Australian animals up close.
End your day at a beach, watching hundreds of the world’s smallest penguins march from the sea to their homes in the sand.
7. Eynesbury Winter Festival
The Winter Wonderlights Festival lights up Sovereign Hill in Ballarat, just a 1.5-hour drive from Melbourne.
Sovereign Hill, an outdoor museum showing life in the first ten years after gold was found in 1851, turns into a sparkling Christmas-themed wonderland in winter.
There are plenty of activities for everyone, like art and craft workshops, tours of the gold mine, and candle making, plus lots of tasty food.
Make sure not to miss the AURA show, an amazing sound and light show that tells the story of gold from the Dreamtime to the Eureka Rebellion.
✅ Eynesbury Homestead Dinner and Ghost Tour
Visit Eynesbury Homestead from Melbourne for an evening tour and discover its spooky history.
Walk through the ghostly grounds, including the creepy stables and the old meat room, with stories from your guide.
Finish the tour with a $30 gift certificate to use for dinner at the homestead’s award-winning restaurant.
8. Rising Melbourne’s Ice Skating Rink
The Rink at Rising set up behind Federation Square, offers a pop-up ice skating experience that’s perfect for families.
It mixes ice skating with awesome music, lights, and delicious food and drinks to keep you warm.
It’s a blast for all ages and skill levels, and there are kanga skating aids available to help kids and beginners glide along easily.
And you may want to visit an IceBar in Melbourne. Check out below.
✅ IceBar Melbourne: Entry Package
Located in Federation Square, right in the city centre, enjoy a cool drink at Melbourne’s only ice bar. It’s a fun spot for both tourists and locals.
Dressed in special snow gear, step through the doors of an explorer’s ship into a world of ice.
It’s a cool Arctic adventure for all ages, so kids are welcome as long as they’re with an adult. Inside, you’ll find over 40 tons of beautifully carved ice.
The ice bar is close to other big spots in Melbourne, like the National Gallery of Victoria, Botanical Gardens, Crown Casino, Melbourne Aquarium, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Sky Deck, and Bourke Street Mall, so you can easily visit more places.
9. Train of Lights Puffing Billy
This winter in Melbourne, bundle up in your warm clothes and discover the magic of the Puffing Billy Railway at night with the Train of Lights.
This unique light show on a train is the first in Australia.
It offers a journey filled with bright colours, mesmerising patterns, and projections of native animals that seem to jump out as you ride in open-side carriages.
✅ Puffing Billy & Healesville Sanctuary Scenic Tour
Hop into a comfy, air-conditioned ride from your place in the city centre and head over to the famous Puffing Billy steam train.
You’ll take a ride from Belgrave to Emerald Lake Park, chugging through the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, a top spot in Victoria.
Take your time walking around the pretty Emerald Lake, and then hit up Healesville Sanctuary.
You can see Aussie animals like koalas, kangaroos, and even a platypus there. Plus, catch some cool animal shows and learn a thing or two. You can grab lunch there as well.
The cherry on top? A stop at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie to try some free chocolates before we head back to your place in central Melbourne.
✅ Puffing Billy and Penguin Parade Combo Tour
Imagine a day trip from Melbourne that offers two unforgettable experiences.
First, you’re taken to the Dandenong Ranges for a scenic ride on the Puffing Billy steam train from Belgrave to Emerald Lake.
After exploring the lake and grabbing lunch, you’ll visit The Nobbies for stunning ocean views.
The day ends with the magical Phillip Island Penguin Parade, where you can watch penguins return home at sunset. It’s a day packed with nature, nostalgia, and wildlife.
And then, with a heart full of memories, it’s back to Melbourne CBD. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this adventure!
10. Try Indoor Virtual Reality Room
Even though it’s cold outside, Melbourne has a lot of indoor activities to keep you entertained during winter. It includes some that transport you to another world through virtual reality.
Dive into an incredible experience with Entermission’s VR and escape rooms.
Bring along up to five friends and work together to solve puzzles and crack codes before time runs out.
✅ Virtual Reality Escape Room Experience
Step into an all-encompassing 3D adventure with Melbourne’s virtual reality escape room. You’ll find yourself in a vividly detailed virtual landscape, brought to life with stunning graphics.
You’ll get your own space to stand and move around in. Team up with up to 6 players for each game, using your hands, body, and brain to tackle challenges.
Whether it’s drinking potions to shrink in size, scaling tall buildings, or utilising advanced in-game technology, you’re in for a thrilling experience.
11. Watch An AFL Game
If you’re looking for a blast this winter in Melbourne, you’ve got to check out the AFL games.
Seriously, it’s like the whole city catches AFL fever, and I totally get why.
There’s something about the chill in the air, the crowd’s buzz, and the game’s thrill that meshes together perfectly.
And let me tell you, catching a game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is an experience in itself.
The stadium is massive, and the views of the action? Absolutely awesome. So, if you’re around, make sure to swing by the MCG for a match. It’s where all the excitement is!
✅ Australian Aussie Rules Football
Imagine diving into the heart of Aussie culture with a thrilling 4.5-hour AFL match at either Marvel Stadium or the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Picture yourself settling into some of the best seats in the house, with Premium reserved seating giving you a fantastic view of the action.
But it gets better – you won’t be watching alone. You’ll be sitting next to a host who’s as passionate about ‘footy’ as you are curious.
They’ll walk you through the rules of this unique game. It makes every cheer and gasp from the crowd even more exciting because you’ll actually get what’s happening on the field.
And what’s a footy match without the quintessential meat pie and a complimentary drink in your hand? Yep, that’s included, too, making quarter time something to look forward to.
Plus, you’ll get a show bag filled with goodies, including a souvenir program to remember the day.
It isn’t just any tour; it’s a private experience with just your party and a local host, making it all the more special.
12. Explore Great Otways and Great Ocean Road
Exploring the Great Otway National Park and the Great Ocean Road is an adventure that’s hard to beat.
It’s like stepping into a world where nature’s at its finest, with stunning coastlines, lush rainforests, and breathtaking waterfalls all in one trip.
If you’re planning a visit, here’s what you need to know to make the most of your journey.
✅ 12 Apostles & Great Ocean Road Winter Escape
Embark on a minivan journey to the iconic 12 Apostles and picturesque beaches. It winds through the lush Great Otway National Park and Redwood Forest.
Enjoy local fruit snacks and spot native koalas on this breathtaking Australian adventure.
Start early from Melbourne with your expert guide to beat the crowds at the 12 Apostles. Enjoy a leisurely walk on the boardwalk for magnificent views.
Then, descend the Gibson Steps to the beach below for a photo session against a 70-meter cliff backdrop.
Next, drive through the enchanting Great Otway National Park. Take a break for a short rainforest hike to a hidden waterfall, recharging amidst nature’s tranquillity.
Continue along the famous Great Ocean Road, passing Apollo Bay to Kennett’s River, home to koalas in their natural habitat.
Pause in the charming town of Lorne for shopping, exploration, or a refreshing ocean swim, wrapping up an unforgettable day of discovery.
Final Thoughts: Winter in Melbourne
Wrapping up, exploring the Great Otway National Park and cruising along the Great Ocean Road are must-dos for anyone visiting Victoria.
These spots offer an unforgettable mix of coastal views, lush rainforests, and cascading waterfalls, perfect for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike.
While you’re in the area, exploring the things to do in Melbourne in Winter can add another layer of excitement to your journey.
This bustling city offers various winter activities that will make your trip even more memorable.
For more travel experiences and tips across Australia, make sure to dive into our other articles.
Whether you’re looking for hidden gems or popular tourist spots, we’ve got you covered with insights and advice to help you make the most of your Australian adventure.
