10 things Melbourne does best in spring

Milder weather and longer days are back, so it's time to embrace the sunshine and explore the best of Melbourne in spring. Festival fever is in the air, with live music taking centre stage across the state, while the city is abuzz with art exhibits and cultural experiences that highlight Melbourne's creative side and rich Indigenous history.

Join a stadium crowd as international hockey stars take to the ice and Australian netballers shred up the court among the city's top spring events, or spend a leisurely afternoon strolling through Melbourne's arcades and shopping from independent boutiques or renowned global brands.

Here are our top spring picks.

1. Events in full swing

See Disney's beloved musical, Beauty and The Beast, now enchanting audiences at Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre. Continue to support homegrown talent at Melbourne Fashion Week, with this year's event celebrating and supporting the best in Australian fashion with runways, pop-up fashion moments, immersive experiences and more. Or, celebrate live music when ALWAYS LIVE takes over Victoria with live performances, both big and small.

And that's just the beginning. There are lots more events to enjoy in Melbourne this spring.

2. Spring sport

You can hear the roar of sporting fans year-round in Melbourne, and spring is no exception. Start the season off strong with the 2024 Toyota AFL Grand Final as 100,000 people pack out the MCG to see who this year's victors will be. Keep the energy up for GWM Ironman 70.3 and the Melbourne Cup Carnival, among countless sporting events happening over the sunny spring period. 

3. Experiential dining

Fresh and exciting flavour combinations, quality local produce and spectacular surroundings are all the ingredients you need for fantastic spring dining opportunities.

Sample Victorian-grown treats with views of the river at Victoria by Farmers Daughters, or head to Collins Street for a sophisticated new Nordic approach to Australian dining at Freyja. There are literally hundreds of restaurants and bars to choose from in Melbourne's thriving food and drink scene.

4. City shopping sprees

Shop 'til you drop as the spring fashion wave takes over the city. Bold colours, lush fabrics and the latest of independent and designer fashion is right at your fingertips. Obus Northcote creates breathtaking prints and considered designs for the contemporary woman, while Primness in Armadale is the clothing equivalent of Australia's relaxed lifestyle with all clothing made from natural fibres and lightweight threads. 

Let's not forget the stylish men, Mr Simple has all the chinos, shorts and tees a discerning man could possibly desire, or Chadstone - The Fashion Capital has every clothing brand you could possibly dream of under one, sundrenched roof. 

5. Cultural experiences 

Journey through Melbourne's cultural and creative hub and discover expressions of creativity and history at every corner. Take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk in Melbourne Gardens with an Aboriginal guide and discover why the site is significant to the local Kuli Nation. Continue your journey through Indigenous culture at the Koorie Heritage Trust at Federation Square. Next stop, The LUME Melbourne, to learn about connection through captivating art and music of First Peoples in an immersive gallery space. 

Back in Federation Square, explore the world of film, television and digital media at ACMI, or pop into The Australian Music Vault for an insight into the history of homegrown music with interactive and digital experiences. 

Turn up the volume this spring and pump the tunes from dusk till dawn right across Melbourne. Rock out to local talent and old favourites at the iconic Cherry Bar, or head downstairs at St Kilda's home of music The Espy to catch a performance from your local favourites. In the heart of Melbourne, take a seat at The Forum, where local and international names take the stage every week. Melbourne's live music scene never sleeps.

Soak up the sunshine with a refreshing spritz, fruity cocktail or crisp glass of white in hand as the weather warms and Melbourne's alfresco scene bursts back to life. It's prime time to have drinks and nibbles on a rooftop, or enjoy happy hour by the river. Some prime spots to try include HER Melbourne, Transit Rooftop Bar and beautiful floating hotspot Yarra Botanica.

It wouldn't be Melbourne if there wasn't always something new to explore. Hotels, bars, restaurants... the list of new openings in the city and its buzzing neighbourhoods is always on the move. Be the first to get in the know and hit up somewhere fresh for dinner, Friday night drinks or a cheeky boozy brunch. 

Find a patch of green amongst Melbourne's high-rises and artsy laneways in one of many gardens scattered throughout the city's concrete jungle. Stroll the manicured lawns and pass under towering oaks at The Royal Botanic Garden, enjoy a picnic at Flagstaff Gardens or strike a pose by the picturesque fountain at Carlton Gardens. 

We all deserve to feel pampered, especially on holiday. Make yourself the centre of attention with a relaxing massage, facial or full body scrub from an urban day spa. Want to soak your worries away? Sink into the soothing water at Sense of Self Bathhouse in Collingwood, or connect with your inner self in a flotation pod at Water Temple Floatation and Holistic Health.