Embrace the cold like a Melburnian

Embrace the cold like a Melburnian

As the days become shorter and the weather cools, Melburnians dust off their coats and ready themselves for brisk mornings, chilly afternoons and evenings in the cold.

Victoria is a state that embraces the four seasons with many experiences perfect for the big chill, from city to country.

Footy, footy and more footy…
Australian rules football takes centre stage across winter, as Melburnians don their team colours for the most talked about topic in town - the battle for the AFL premiership.

Masses at Etihad Stadium or the Melbourne Cricket Ground create an atmosphere that has to be experienced first hand, as passionate fans cheers on their idols. For visitors not making it to the ground, one of Melbourne’s iconic pubs can be just as good a setting with action playing out on the big screen over a pint of craft beer.

Wind your way through the regions…
Local markets, an abundance of decadent food and wine and natural experiences as green as green can be. What more could visitors ask for from an escape to Victoria’s regions this winter?

Victoria boasts an endless array of touring routes to fill a weekend or week-long getaway, with Ballarat, the Great Ocean Road, the Yarra Valley, Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges among those to welcome visitors year round.

Head north to the high country…
Pack your skis and head for the snowfields as snow brings Victoria’s alps to life with bunnies of a different kind.

Mt Buller, Mount Hotham and Falls Creek are among the locations to tackle a black run, with accommodation, dining and event experiences for the whole family ensuring a trip to remember.

Dine by an open fire…
The addition of an open fire to any dining experience in winter brings a warmth that no hot meal can achieve. From Allpress Espresso and Bluebonnet Barbecue, to the Local Taphouse, L’Hotel Gitan and Donovans, Melburnians are spoiled for choice.

Or embrace the locals by joining them at an event…
Wonderland at ACMI
5 April - 7 October, ACMI
Wonderland celebrates more than a century of Lewis Carroll's timeless Alice stories on screen.

This world premiere exhibition explores how dozens of screen adaptations have used the magic of film craft, animation, video games, special effects and new technology to make the impossible possible.

From first gracing the page in 1865, Alice has delighted audiences and inspired artists across generations. In more than 40 cinematic odysseys, she has epitomised the best in animation, been an arthouse icon and a blockbuster success.

Alongside her journey through pop culture, Wonderland explores how filmmaking, special effects and technology have reimagined one of the world’s most beloved characters.

MoMA at NGV
9 June - 7 October, National Gallery of Victoria
The NGV will be the sole international venue for the Masterworks from MOMA exhibition, showcasing renowned art and design from a line-up of seminal artists including Paul Cézanne, Salvador Dalí, Marcel Duchamp, Edward Hopper, Jeff Koons, Henri Matisse, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Lyubov Popova, Mark Rothko and Vincent van Gogh.

The exhibition will feature around 150 works including some never-before-seen in Australia, and is the largest instalment of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series, for the first time traversing the entire ground floor of NGV International.

Melbourne International Jazz Festival
1-10 June, various locations
With a program catering for a range of audiences, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival is sure to fulfil your winter entertainment needs. Held in June each year, the Festival's diverse programming provides something for everyone.

The Melbourne International Jazz Festival is Australia's pre-eminent jazz festival, internationally renowned as a programmer of creativity and innovation. It showcases Melbourne's thriving jazz sector nationally and internationally and makes a unique contribution to Melbourne's artistic reputation. Its vision is to be one of the world's leading centres of creative jazz presentation by providing a platform for performance, collaboration, education and engagement.

This is achieved by the presentation of a 10-day annual festival with over 130 events in 25 locations across greater Melbourne.

Game 1, NRL State of Origin
6 June, Melbourne Cricket Ground
Nothing hits sports fans like Holden State of Origin in Melbourne.

Melbourne’s iconic MCG will once again take centre stage when it plays host to the opening game of the 2018 Holden State of Origin series. Pitting New South Wales and Queensland against each other on neutral turf, it's a winter blockbuster too good to miss.

Open House Melbourne
28-29 July, various locations
Open House Melbourne has been connecting people with good design and architecture in the city.

Open House Melbourne invite people to explore outstanding houses, buildings, infrastructure and landscapes that illustrate the city's rich history, reflect how people live and work within it, and offer insights into the future of the city. Open House Melbourne do this through their annual free weekend at the end of July and through a series of accessible, informative and entertaining talks, tours, workshops and events throughout the year.

visitvictoria.com