Take a chill trip to Melbourne and regional Victoria’s winter wonderland! Imagine being bathed with magical snowfalls that may or may not end up in fun snowfights, stunning light projections in the city and its surrounding, getting cosy with a warm cuppa or two to accompany your mornings and nights, and stargazing under the open skies. Don’t miss these experiences that you should definitely add to your bucket list!
RISING (4-15 June)
RISING, Melbourne’s rapturous winter festival of new art, music and performance, unveils its 2025 program featuring; 65 events, 327 artists, 15 new commissions, 9 world premieres, returning to showcase the city in all its moon-lit glory over two epic weekends. Over 12 nights, RISING transforms the CBD into a pulsating playground of music, theatre and dance and public performances, including indie-pop sensation Suki Waterhouse for two Australian exclusive performances. Continuing RISING’s legacy of unlocking hidden corners of the city, the program will spill into laneways, arcades, underground basements and grand theatres showcasing an unmissable lineup of world-class international and local artists, in a city-wide celebration.
www.2025.rising.melbourne
NGV Melbourne Winter Masterpieces 2025: French Impressionism (6 June – 5 October)
NGV International has partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston to bring this blockbuster exhibition to Melbourne as part of this year’s Winter Masterpieces. See more than 100 paintings by famous artists including Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Edgar Degas and witness the trajectory of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism in late 19th-century France. Through ten thematic sections, French Impressionism will evoke the artistic energy of the period by placing emphasis on the thoughts and observations of the artists themselves. Their words, as recorded in letters, journals and articles, will reveal the mutual admiration and personal connections that united the practitioners at the centre of this avant-garde movement.
www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/french-impressionism/
Lightscape in Royal Botanic Gardens (20 June – 10 August)
Step into a world of wonder as the all-new Lightscape 2025 returns to Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne this winter. New sights. New sounds. A whole new journey. Whether it’s your first visit or a returning tradition, Lightscape 2025 promises an unforgettable night out. This winter, Melbourne’s award-winning immersive light experience transforms Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne into a mesmerising display of more than 20 brand-new illuminations. Wander through glowing floral canopies, marvel at the stunning ‘Effervescence’, and lose yourself in a landscape reimagined with artistic lighting and immersive soundscapes. Stroll beneath the stars, sip on mulled wine or hot chocolate and indulge in delicious treats – all while surrounded by a symphony of light and nature. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly outing, a romantic date night, or simply an enchanting escape into the natural world after-dark, Lightscape offers something special for everyone.
www.lightscape.com/melbourne
Winter Wonderlights in Ballarat (4-27 July)
Sovereign Hill transforms into a glittering wonderland as Winter Wonderlights returns. By day, enjoy the classic Sovereign Hill experiences – hop on a coach ride, try your hand at gold panning and more. Then, as night falls, the streets come alive with faux snow, wintry treats and music, all under the magical winter glow of stunning light projections. For those looking for something for the family, fret not, as activities include arts and crafts for little ones, and live theatre performances that promise laughter for the whole family!
www.sovereignhill.com.au/events/winter-wonderlights
Hot Chocolate Festival (1-31 August)
The most anticipated annual event at both Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery and Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery returns this August with a new flavour each day throughout the month. That means 31 delicious and unique flavours for you to enjoy! Each hot chocolate is barista-made, served in a large glass with amazing treats to stir in, dip and dunk along with a giant fluffy home-made marshmallow and shot of warm couverture chocolate. In the 45-minute hands-on tasting sessions, you are in for a treat to sip and sample a selection of 8 flavours. Then, choose from dozens of ingredients to make 3 different hot chocolate spoons – just add to hot milk at home and create your own personalised decadent hot chocolates.
www.yvci.com.au / www.gorci.com.au
Victoria Snowfields (June – August)
Instead of hunkering down to avoid the wintry chill, layer up and head to higher altitudes for the adventure of a lifetime! From pretty mountain villages, try your hand at everything from skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tobogganing to dog sledding, and building a snowman. Head to Mount Hotham, Mount Buller, Lake Mountain or Falls Creek and carve up the slopes all day long! Further soak up the atmosphere by staying at alpine lodges (Hotham Alpine Resort, Mount Buller Alpine Resort, Lake Mountain Alpine Resort and Falls Creek All Season Alpine Resort) where restaurants, cosy fireplaces, and hot choccies you could possibly dream of await. On a clear night, make the alpine resorts the perfect place to gaze at a star-bright sky.
Natural Hot Springs
Escape the cool winter by warming up and soaking in the goodness of the variety of hot springs and spa! Check out Victoria’s treasure trove of hot springs and spa will leave you feeling relaxed, refreshed, rejuvenated. For an exceptional experience, don’t miss the Alba Thermal Springs & Spa and Peninsula Hot Springs in Mornington Peninsula, as well as Metung Hot Springs in the Gippsland region where you can stargaze and watch the magic of the night sky while relaxing in natural mineral water.
Wind down this season as you marvel at Melbourne’s captivating cityscape experiences and inviting Victorian regions that promise the best winter adventure yet!
For more information visit www.visitmelbourne.com.