{"id":5169,"date":"2024-06-12T01:32:50","date_gmt":"2024-06-12T01:32:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/?p=5169"},"modified":"2024-06-12T01:32:52","modified_gmt":"2024-06-12T01:32:52","slug":"7-reasons-to-visit-melbourne-in-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/travel\/7-reasons-to-visit-melbourne-in-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Reasons to Visit Melbourne in Winter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Melbourne is definitely cold in winter, but that\u2019s no reason to stay away. In fact, the city can be rather enchanting during the cooler months \u2013 when fires are roaring, light shows are dazzling and nearby mountains are ready for skiing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are five reasons to pack your warmest jacket, and spend some time in Melbourne<\/a> this winter.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WANDER THROUGH LIGHTSCAPE AT ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winter gives you the chance to see Melbourne\u2019s Royal Botanic Gardens in an entirely different light. From mid-June to early August, the Lightscape<\/a> festival takes over with incredible light installations, fantastical soundscapes and delicious eats. Highlights in 2024 include Submergence<\/em>, an interactive adventure, as well as Winter Cathedral<\/em> and Laser Forest<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Lightscape
Image credit: Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

GET COSY NEXT TO A ROARING FIRE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melbourne is filled with pubs, bars and eateries with fabulous fireplaces \u2013 from the century-old Bobbie Peels pub in North Melbourne, to the eccentric Tramway Hotel in Fitzroy, to the bluestone Gasometer Hotel in Collingwood. Wherever you are, settle in for an evening while sipping on warming ales or fine wines, and feasting on great local produce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GO WHALE WATCHING OFF PHILLIP ISLAND<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From May to October, the waters off Melbourne become a stage for a whale spectacular, as thousands of humpbacks, southern right whales and orcas swim north to have babies. The best place to see them near Melbourne is Phillip Island, which is two hours\u2019 drive to the southeast. For top lookouts on land, follow the Whale Discovery Trail \u2013 on foot, by bike or in your car. Alternatively, head out to sea on a whale watching tour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

MEANDER THROUGH THE CITY\u2019S LANEWAYS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melbourne\u2019s famous laneways are interesting at any time of year, but they\u2019re especially magical in winter. It\u2019s easy to spend hours winding your way from one to another, stopping to sip on coffee, linger over soup, hunt down street art, try on clothing and listen to live music. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Peninsula
Image credit: Visit Melbourne<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

TAKE A DIP IN HOT SPRINGS <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just an hour\u2019s drive southeast of Melbourne, you\u2019ll find the Peninsula Hot Springs. This magnificent property, based on geothermal natural springs, offers more than 70 bathing and wellness experiences. These range from the hilltop pool, which affords 360-degree views of the Mornington Peninsula, to Nepalese massaging mineral showers, to a Japanese-inspired cave pool. Plus, if you\u2019re able to stay till after dark, you can go moonlight bathing and even stay overnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SKI, BOARD, SNOWSHOE OR TOBOGGAN AT MOUNT BAW BAW<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The closest ski field to Melbourne is Mount Baw Baw, which is a three hours\u2019 drive west. With plenty of gentle slopes, it\u2019s especially good for novice skiers and snowboarders. Plus, there\u2019s a bunch of other activities on offer, including snowshoeing through beautiful snow gum forests, tobogganing and meeting snow dingoes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CATCH A FLICK AT THE MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every August, the Melbourne International Film Festival takes over for three glorious weeks. It\u2019s been going since 1952, making it one of the longest-running events in the city and one of the oldest film festivals in the world. The program includes the biggest annual showcase of Australian films on the planet, as well as a variety of ground-breaking flicks from around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

GETTING TO MELBOURNE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melbourne<\/a> is nine hours\u2019 drive south of Sydney<\/a>, and seven hours\u2019 drive south of Canberra<\/a>. If you\u2019re travelling from the national capital, then our Canberra to Melbourne road trip guide might come in handy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Short on time? Jump on a flight to Melbourne Airport<\/a> (aka Tullamarine) or Avalon Airport<\/a>, then hit the road in a SIXT car rental.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Melbourne is definitely cold in winter, but that\u2019s no reason to stay away. In fact, the city can be rather enchanting during the cooler months \u2013 when fires are roaring, light shows are dazzling and nearby mountains are ready for skiing.  Here are five reasons to pack your warmest jacket, and spend some time in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":108,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[57,59],"class_list":{"0":"post-5169","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-travel","7":"tag-melbourne","8":"tag-victoria","9":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\n7 Reasons to Visit Melbourne in Winter - SIXT Magazine Australia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Melbourne is definitely cold in winter, but that\u2019s no reason to stay away. 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