When you’re studying abroad, it can sometimes be difficult to get out and explore your new city because of study and work commitments. When you are stuck in a routine, it can be hard to break the shackles of the repetitive cycle of sleep, study, work and sleep again. However, today is your lucky day, as we take a detailed look at what you can get up to in Melbourne this summer that won’t break your budget.
The Summer Night Market
The summer night market is a great way to experience some awesome food and entertainment mid-week after work. Running every Wednesday from 5pm – 10pm, the markets start in mid-November and continue until April. So grab a couple of mates and head down for a great night of food and drink that won’t impact your weekend.
Beat the Heat
As the weather starts to heat up, there are heaps of things to do to stay cool in the middle of summer in Melbourne. Although not renowned for its beach culture, Melbourne still has plenty to offer once summer kicks in. To beat the heat, try these cool activities:
- Take a road trip to Brighton Beach – roughly about a 30-minute car drive from Melbourne’s CBD, Brighton is your best bet if you’ve got a need for sand between your toes and a cool refreshing swim. You can also check out the famous Brighton Bathing Boxes while you’re down there.
- Go ice skating – strap on your skates and head to O’Brien Group Arena in the Docklands for a heap of fun. The arena has many events to keep you interested and is the perfect way to keep cool on a hot summer’s day in Melbourne.
- Cool off at the Ice Bar – there’s no better way to keep cool then to head for a drink in a bar that is entirely made up of ice. The venue remains at Arctic temperatures so you can sip on a refreshing cocktail in a glass made up of ice.
The Moonlight Cinema in Melbourne
The Moonlight Cinema in Melbourne is located in the picturesque Royal Botanic Gardens and runs from the 1st of December to the 1st of April. Catch some of your favourite movies in a great location once the sun goes down. You can check out their website for a full program of what movies they are screening this summer.
The Australian Open
Although it can be tempting to sit in the luxury of your living room and watch the tennis with the added comfort of your air conditioner, it certainly doesn’t beat being there and experiencing the live action. If you’ve never gone to the Australian Open before it’s definitely worth a visit to watch some of the best tennis players in the world. Although the second week can be expensive to go to, our tip is to go for some of the first round matches where tickets are a bit cheaper.
White Night
White Night Melbourne is a must-see for anyone new to the city. White Night is twelve continuous hours of art installations, exhibitions, lightings and projections that offers an ongoing adventure from dusk to dawn. Although it can get quite crowded at peak times, we have heard it on good authority that the best time to experience the lights and action is anytime past midnight.
Whatever you decide to do in Melbourne this summer, the main thing to keep in mind is to get out there and explore such a beautiful city! Melbourne is brimming with awesome activities and events, so always leave time to get out there and discover new hidden gems.