Fun things to do in Melbourne & Surrounds in Winter
Looking to escape the unbearable heat in Singapore? Then now is the best time to travel to Australia to enjoy a winter holiday! June to August is the winter season in Melbourne, bringing cool temperatures and fun winter activities and festivals, from skiing and snowball fighting at the Victorian Snowfields to indulging in delicious eats at the seasonal Winter Night Market.
Can’t wait to embark on a cool escape already? Here are some fantastic winter must-dos in Melbourne and its surrounds.
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1. Skiing and other winter activities at the Victorian Snowfields
What are the Victorian Snowfields, you ask? These snowfields in Victoria are the best places to indulge in winter sports from skiing and snowboarding and pure snowy fun like toboggan riding and snowball fighting!
Cult-favourite Victorian Snowfields include:
Place | Drive from Melbourne | Description |
|---|---|---|
Mount Buller | 3.5 hour drive (236 km) | Australia's largest, and Victoria's most popular, ski resort and voted best for beginners |
Falls Creek | 4.5 hour drive (385 km) | Home of Australian cross country skiing with easy access chair lifts and a beginner-friendly zone |
Mount Hotham | 4.5 hour drive (385 km) | Best for those who have skied before as it is famous for its scenic intermediate terrain in Victoria |
Lake Mountain | 2 hour drive (120km) | One of the closest snow resorts to Melbourne - ideal for families who prefer a shorter drive. There are cross-country ski trails, and plenty of kid-friendly activities like tobogganing, snowman-making and snowball-fighting |
Mount Baw Baw | 3 hour drive (176km) | One of the closest snow resorts to Melbourne - besides the usual ski, snowboard and toboggan activities, there’s also dingo snowshoe and cuddle sessions available |
For those who are looking to do a convenient and fuss-free day tour instead (families we gotchu), the Lake Mountain Snow, Waterfalls and Chocolate Day Tour from Melbourne is a full-day tour with pick up and drop off in Melbourne’s inner city and an itinerary chock-full of fun.
This day trip itinerary includes:
- Transport to Lake Mountain Ski Resort via a bus ride through the scenic Yarra Valley, where you will pitstop at Yarra Valley Gateway Estate Coldstream or Beechworth Bakery for some lunch and shopping
- 3 hours of snow play at Lake Mountain Ski Resort - Take a cross-country ski lesson, toboggan down snowy slopes, build a snowman, challenge your family and friends to a snowball fight, and more!
- Leave Lake Mountain Ski Resort to see Steavenson Falls, one of the highest altitude waterfalls in Victoria
- Enjoy a delightful visit to the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery to see how chocolates and ice cream are made and of course, enjoy free samples and sip on delicious hot chocolate!
2. Go on a Whale Watching Cruise
For a whale-y unforgettable sight this winter holiday, a whale-watching cruise is definitely a must! Winter means whale migration season (May to October for the region of Victoria), which is the best time to head out to sea in search of one of the earth’s most magnificent creatures, and marvel at them frolicking right before your eyes.
While there are no whales right in the city, you can head to Phillip Island to catch them (Phillip Island is a 2-hour drive from Melbourne)! The Winter Whale Watching Cruise in Phillip Island is a 4-hour Phillip Island coastal cruise and search for Humpback and Southern Right Whales on their annual migration route. Besides whales, you’ll also get to see some cute Seal Rocks and even dolphins too! Lunch, complimentary tea and coffee is provided and you can also enjoy an afternoon tipple from their licensed bar onboard if you wish.
📍Meet at Rhyll Jetty, 16 Beach Rd, Rhyll VIC 3923
⏱️ Check in is 30 minutes prior to departure and boarding will begin 15 minutes prior
3. Soak in the Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs
Honestly, what could be better than a rejuvenating soak in the nourishing waters of Peninsula Hot Springs on a cold winter’s day? Located in Mornington Peninsula which is about a 1.5-hour drive from Melbourne’s city centre is a relaxing escapade where you can enjoy bathing in various hot spring areas, from thermal mineral pools to aqua therapy pools, a cave pool and even an underground sauna!
The most scenic hot spring is located at the hilltop where you can enjoy the sprawling bushland around while you soak in the waters so make sure you don’t leave before taking a dip there!
There are various packages that you can opt for, including a body clay and bathe experience which includes a 45-minute on the healing properties of natural clay via a signature body clay ritual or a picnic experience that includes a picnic basket filled with freshly baked treats, nourishing salads and fruit ready for pick up at the Amphitheater after your bath.
For those who don’t intend to drive, there is also a tour with return transfers to and from Melbourne which also includes a pitstop at Green Olive for a sumptuous lunch as well as a wine-tasting experience at a local farmgate, and also a gondola ride at Arthurs Seat Eagle too!
📍140 Springs Ln, Fingal VIC 3939, Australia
⏱️ Daily, 5am to 11pm
4. Firelight Festival
The cold definitely won’t bother you anyway at the Firelight Festival. Get fired up at one of the most lit festivals in Melbourne this winter, which promises visitors a dazzling night out. Come see the various light and fire-themed performances from a spectacular liquid, laser and light show to light installations and more! In fact, the event has over 40 fire pits and drums and 35 flame jets, fire sculptures and arches that will definitely keep you spellbound.
And when you are famished after your exploring, there’s also tons of food trucks with tasty offerings to warm your belly. Sip on smooth hot chocolate, munch on some bbq skewers or have a hearty serving of paella - there’s something for everyone.
📅 1 to 3 July 2022
📍Docklands Park, 1-91 Harbour Esplanade Docklands
⏱️ Friday to Sunday, 5pm to 10pm
🎫 Entrance is free
5. Winter Night Market at Queen Victoria Market
After a three-year hiatus no thanks to Covid-19, the Queen Victoria Winter Night Market is back! Some of Melbourne's best street food traders will be back to dole up delicious winter menus, and you can expect a slew of mouthwatering delights from wood-fired pizza, pasta tossed in a cheese wheel, roasted local chestnuts and more. And of course, don’t forget to wash it all down with a cup of mulled wine or hot gin toddy!
Similar to a giant pasar malam, the Queen Victoria Winter Night Market is perfect for a night of feasting on street eats, savouring hot chocolate, munching on hot jam donuts, enjoying live performances and shopping for local goods. A cannot-miss this time of year.
📅 1 June to 31 August 2022
📍Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
⏱️ Every Wednesday night, 5pm to 10pm
🎫 Entrance is free
6. Winter Wonderlights Festival
The Winter Wonderlights Festival is a glittering affair at Sovereign Hill, Ballarat (1.5-hour drive from Melbourne City Centre). Sovereign Hill is an open-air museum that depicts Ballarat's first ten years after the discovery of gold there in 1851. This winter it will be transformed to a sparkly wonderland decked out in all things Christmassy and filled with fun things to do. Expect lots of activities for all ages, including art and craft workshops, gold mine tours and candle dipping to delicious eats galore.
Don’t miss the AURA show, a spectacular sound and light show that follows the journey of gold from Dreatime to the Eureka Rebellion (make sure to do an online pre booking for this).
#KlookTip: Do go in early and book your favourite activities to avoid disappointment
📅 25 June to 17 July 2022
📍Bradshaw St, Golden Point VIC 3350, Australia
⏱️ Daily, 10am to 7pm
🎫 Event is ticketed
7. Adventure Park’s Winter Glow Event
Adventure Park is Victoria’s biggest water theme park and come winter, it transforms into a snowy wonderland with its Winter Glow festival. Located in Geelong, a breezy 1-hour drive from Melbourne, the Adventure Park Winter Glow event is guaranteed to delight both the young and the young-at-heart.
Get ready for a slew of things to do, from thrilling amusement rides to snow-making machines, live ice-sculpting, fire-twirling performances, marshmallow roasting, mini golf and a whole lot more!
📅 23 June to 10 July 2022
📍1249 Bellarine Hwy, Wallington Geelong VIC 3222
⏱️ Daily, 3.30pm to 8.30pm
🎫 Event is ticketed
➡️ Book tickets at https://www.adventurepark.com.au/winterglow/
8. Hit all Your Favourite City Sights with Klook Melbourne Pass
Done with all your snowy adventures and visited all the winter festivals and events? Time to explore your favourite Melbourne haunts! Whether you want to get cosy and escape the cold at Melbourne’s indoor attractions, or go all out and enjoy theme parks and more, save money on the attraction entrance fees with the Klook Melbourne Pass!
Choose between 2/3/4 or 5 attractions and save up to 45%! P/S: It’s up to over $40 saved with a 3 or more attraction pass!
Pass | Original Price | Discounted Price with Klook Melbourne Price | Savings |
$88.25 | $49.89 | $38.36 | |
$122.79 | $76.75 | $46.04 | |
$151.59 | $105.55 | $46.04 | |
$178.45 | $133.35 | $45.10 |
The best part about this pass? That you can mix and match whatever attractions you like! Here’s what’s included:
How it works:
1. Purchase your pass on this page
2. Visit your “Bookings” section in “My Account”
3. Click on reserve to visit your first activity!
4. Repeat as necessary and visit activities at any time until expiry.
Note: The pass is valid for 6 months and gives you flexibility to pick and choose depending on when and where you would like to go!
