Grab your guernsey and get set to Melbourne

Get swept up in the pulse and excitement of footy fever as it takes over Melbourne and Victoria. Join the crowd on a walk to the 'G', grab a tram to Marvel Stadium or hop on a train to GMHBA Stadium in Geelong or Mars Stadium in Ballarat for a regional Victorian footy experience.

Fill the hours before kick-off with brunches and long lunches, then settle in for post-match analysis at cafes, restaurants and bars in Melbourne's inner-neighbourhoods, or in regional foodie hot spots. Use the AFL fixture to plan an extra day and rediscover the vibrant creativity of Melbourne and its galleries, theaters, laneways and cafes. Or take a tour of the game's spiritual home, the MCG.

Join your favourite footy stars as they guide you around their home grounds, for pre and post-match revelry.

Key dates and locations

  • Toyota AFL Premiership Season – March to September
  • 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final – Saturday, September 30
  • NAB AFLW Season Seven – August to November 
AFL at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Image: AFL Media

Footy weekend itinerary

A game of AFL at the iconic MCG means you're perfectly placed to combine a big match with the city's famed laneways, bars, restaurants and galleries.

Play on, Melbourne

Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Melbourne, Victoria

What's on

Melbourne
Melbourne's events calendar is packed: music, film and design festivals, major exhibitions, sports events, theatre, and food and wine celebrations.
AC/DC Lane, Melbourne. Street art by Mike Makatron.

ACDC Lane

Streets
Named after the Australian musical heroes, ACDC Lane is the physical embodiment of Melbourne's love affair with rock 'n' roll.
couple walking up hosier lane, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Hosier Lane

Public art
Wander down the bluestone laneway and take in the dizzying array of colours and characters created by local and international street artists.
Princess Theatre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

East End Theatre District

Destinations
Book your seat to experience blockbuster international stage productions, musicals and comedy in Melbourne's historic East End Theatre District.
Frédéric, Richmond, Victoria, Australia

Top 20 eats around the MCG

Fuel up in preparation for the game and celebrate after the final siren – we've got the lowdown on the best bites, meals and bevvies within kicking distance from the 'G.
Thousands gather in Fed Square around a stage, surrounded by candles in the shape of a heart.

Fed Square

Architecture & design
In the tradition of the world's busiest public spaces, "Fed Square" buzzes with a daily program of events, restaurants and cafes and bold galleries.
Melbourne Skydeck

Melbourne Skydeck

Architecture & design
Teeter on The Edge, a switchable glass cube that slides you out from the building's 88th floor for unsurpassed views of Melbourne and far beyond.
Hamer Hall, Arts precinct, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Arts precinct

Destinations
Get some drama in your life with the cutting-edge artworks, symphonies, ballets and emerging thespians stuffed inside Melbourne's bulging arts pocket.
Degraves Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo: Robert Blackburn

Degraves Street

Streets
Join the happy hubbub in thecafes, boutiques and eateries on this iconic laneway between the city's fashion precinct and Flinders Street Station.

Blak Walk to the 'G' with Ben Davis and Nicky Winmar

 

Blak Walk to the 'G'

Dancing scene by William Barak

William Barak

Victorian stories
Leader, artist and activist, William Barak's legacy is writ large in Melbourne and Victoria.
Wooden table with numerous plates of colourful food and pink menu underneath

Big Esso by Mabu Mabu

Restaurants
Big Esso is an all-day bar and kitchen run by Torres Strait Islander chef Nornie Bero. Located in the heart of Fed Square, Big Esso is a celebration of...
Birrarung Marr, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Birrarung Marr

Parks & gardens
Listen to the ringing of the eye-catching Federation Bells and browse the open-air collection of artworks to discover Melbourne's Indigenous culture.
The front of a building.

Koorie Heritage Trust

Aboriginal art
Discover Aboriginal Victoria at the Koorie Heritage Trust - located in the cultural heart of Narrm (Melbourne) at Federation Square by the banks of the...
Australian Sports Museum

Australian Sports Museum

Museums
Become part of Australia's sporting history through sporting artifacts and multimedia displays at the home of Australian sport, the MCG.
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Melbourne Cricket Ground

Sport
See a match or tour the home of Aussie cricket and the Australian Football League, the site of the 1956 Olympics and the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Location

Pawa Cafe & Bar

Cafes & bakeries
Located along Southbank, in Arts Centre Melbourne's Hamer Hall Riverside Bar. With perfect views of the river, enjoy a cold display of sweet and savoury...

Melbourne highlights with Angus Brayshaw and Danielle Frawley

Pre and post-match dining, inner city

Hutong Dumpling Bar, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

HuTong Dumpling Bar

Restaurants
Demand is deservedly high here for an alluring menu of homemade dim sum, especially the exquisite xiao long bao, and other provincial delights.
Bodriggy Brewing Co, Abbotsford, Victoria, Australia

Bodriggy Brewing Co

Breweries
Bodriggy Brewing Co. is so much more than just a brewery – expect 64 taps pouring craft beer and wine, Latin American fare and live music.
Supernormal at night

Supernormal

Restaurants
There are few places more aptly named than Andrew McConnell's Asian-inspired eating sensation, awarded a chef's hat from Good Food Guide 2020.
Nick and Nora's, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Nick and Nora's

Bars
Inject some old-world glamour into your cocktail hour or pre-theatre soiree at Nick and Nora's, tucked away off Little Collins Street.
Farmer's Daughters Restaurant

Farmer's Daughters

Restaurants
Farmer’s Daughters is an exciting dining and food experience, showcasing the abundant food offering of Victoria’s Gippsland region in the heart of Melbourne's...
Bodega Underground, Melbourne, Victoria. Photo: Jesse Hisco

Bodega Underground

Restaurants
There’s time to sample a little of everything at this open-till-late Mexican bodega serving up flavoursome tacos and tequila-based cocktails.
Baby Pizza, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Baby Pizza

Restaurants
Leave your ceramic wine jugs at the door and ditch the red-checked tablecloths – this Baby treats you to Italian food in decidedly stylish surrounds.
Wooden table with numerous plates of colourful food and pink menu underneath

Big Esso by Mabu Mabu

Restaurants
Big Esso is an all-day bar and kitchen run by Torres Strait Islander chef Nornie Bero. Located in the heart of Fed Square, Big Esso is a celebration of...
Cumulus Inc. - open every day from breakfast until late

Cumulus Inc.

Restaurants
This loft-inspired restaurant, hatted by the Good Food Guide boasts a drinking bar, an eating bar and regular tables for serious eating.

Richmond highlights with Matthew Richardson

Discover Richmond

The Corner Hotel, Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The Corner Hotel

Live music
Queue up to see international bands or local stalwarts most nights of the year at this classic Melbourne pub and live music joint.
Public House, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Public House

Bars
Forget the rock days of old and flex your expense account at this top-notch drinking establishment and restaurant.
Australian Sports Museum

Australian Sports Museum

Museums
Become part of Australia's sporting history through sporting artifacts and multimedia displays at the home of Australian sport, the MCG.
Top Paddock, Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Top Paddock

Cafes & bakeries
Give thanks to the local producers who have helped Top Paddock deliver their vision from the paddock to your plate, which will surely be licked clean.
New Quarter Interior

New Quarter

Restaurants
First opened in 2018, New Quarter changed up its offering in March 2021 driving a focus on Neo-Vietnamese. Executive Chef Scott Lord leads the kitchen,...

St Kilda highlights with Jarryn Geary

Kick on in St Kilda

Hotel Esplanade, St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Hotel Esplanade

Live music
St Kilda's iconic 'Espy' is back after an extended hiatus. And with three stages, 12 bars and two restaurants, there's something for everyone.
The Palais Theatre, St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Palais Theatre

Live music
This historic auditorium on St Kilda's esplanade boasts veteran as well as up-and-coming folk, country and indie stars.
Kids fun

Luna Park Melbourne

Leisure activities
Ride adrenaline-pumping, heart-stopping rollercoasters and try your luck with carnival games. There's a galaxy of amusements for all ages to explore.
Stokehouse, St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia

Stokehouse

Restaurants
Melbourne’s much-loved Stokehouse brings a luxe touch to seafood by the seaside, and earns a chef’s hat from Good Food Guide 2020 to prove it.
St Kilda Pier

St Kilda Pier and Breakwater

History & heritage
St Kilda Pier offers panoramic views of the Melbourne skyline and Port Phillip Bay, and is a popular destination for a stroll, cycling, rollerblading and...
The Astor, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The Astor

Cinemas
Get a dose of 1930s glamour, catch the big names of yesteryear, and advance your movie knowledge at directors festivals and 80s nostalgia nights.
Cicciolina, St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Cicciolina

Restaurants
Combining retro fittings and modern Mediterranean cuisine, this St Kilda institution is a favourite with locals, celebrities and local celebrities.

Collingwood highlights with Darcy Moore

Discover Collingwood

Collingwood Yards

Collingwood Yards

Art galleries
Collingwood Yards is a new, permanent and affordable home for scores of artists and independent arts organisations working across music, visual arts, performance,...
Easys, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Easey's

Restaurants
Take a ride on the nostalgic side with burgers and beers in commuter train carriages of yore and brekky in the Zone 1 cafe. Easey like Sunday morning.
Sense Of Self (SOS) Bathhouse

Sense Of Self (SOS) Bathhouse

Spa & wellbeing
Located on the border of Collingwood and Fitzroy, Sense Of Self Bathhouse occupies a double storey converted brick warehouse. The facilities include a...
Le Bon Ton, Collingwood, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Top 10 things to do in Collingwood

Destinations
Inner-northern suburb Collingwood leads the way in food, culture and late-night fun. Fill the days, and all of the nights, with these top 10 things to do.
Northside Records, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Northside Records

Music
Head northside to this purveyor of new and secondhand music for vinyl LPs, CDs, DVDs, books, DJ equipment and phonic rarities.
Huxtaburger, Collingwood, Victoria, Australia

Huxtaburger

Restaurants
If you reckon less is more in the burger kingdom, look no further than Huxtaburger, where five tasty burgers, crinkle cut chips and cans of beer rule.
vintage garage, collingwood, melbourne, victoria, australia

Vintage Garage

Fashion
Dive into a funky mix of vintage treasures and bric-a-brac, from fabulous clothing and accessories to vinyl and retro signage.
New Jaffa, Collingwood, Victoria, Australia

New Jaffa

Restaurants
Head to this restaurant for a taste of the Middle East. Order what could be the best hummus in Melbourne, prepared using a secret technique.
Stomping Ground, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Stomping Ground

Breweries
Get an education in all things amber nectar at this good-looking brewery and beer hall with a 30-tap bar and tasty dishes matched to brews.

Inner West highlights with Josh Bruce

Discover the Inner West

The Sun Theatre, Yarraville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The Sun Theatre

Cinemas
Head west to this beautifully restored Art Deco theatre, for the newest releases and arthouse flicks, paired with popcorn and homemade choc tops.
Scienceworks

Scienceworks

Museums
Journey to the stars and beyond at the Melbourne Planetarium, travel through space and time, and have a hair-raising encounter with lighting volts.
Maribyrnong River

Maribyrnong River

National parks & reserves
The Maribyrnong River, which begins on the slopes of Mount Macedon and flows to Port Phillip, has played a major role in the occupation and development...
Mr West, Footscray, Victoria, Australia

Mr West

Bars
Pull up at this winning neighbourhood bar and boutique bottle shop in Footscray – the locals' favourite for all things crafty and artisanal.
Seddon Deadly Sins, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Seddon Deadly Sins

Cafes & bakeries
Tick off at least one of the seven deadly sins in the courtyard at Seddon, and you may get to cancel out a few more following drinks in the Good Room.
Chibog, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Chibog

Restaurants
Discover modern Filipino comfort food in West Footscray. Expect braised meat dishes, bright with fresh, colourful veg. Vegetarians are well catered for and the cocktails are a delight.

Carlton highlights with Darcy Vescio

Discover Carlton

Carlton Wine Room, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Carlton Wine Room

Restaurants
Expect excellent food and wine pairings from this Carlton star with award-winning John Paul Twomey at the helm. Hatted by Good Food Guide 2020.
Pidapipo, Lygon Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Pidapipó Gelateria

Cafes & bakeries
Forget everything you know about gelato. The art of excellent ice-cream is a thing to be taken seriously – nowhere more so than at Carlton's Pidapipó.
Johnny's Green Room, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

Johnny's Green Room

Bars
Expect fabulous views, drinks and Italian bar snacks, even Pidapipó choc tops, at this spacious rooftop bar atop the King and Godfree deli.
Carlton Gardens, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Carlton Gardens

Parks & gardens
Enjoy the wildlife, majestic landscaping and ornamental features of these heritage-listed gardens, a popular picnic area for locals and museum visitors.
Triceratops

Melbourne Museum

Museums
Touch and feel your way through local history; give Phar Lap a nod, explore a rainforest, rest in a rollercoaster car, and discover Koori heritage.
Readings Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Readings

Books
Whether you're popping in at lunchtime, attending a literary event, or filling time before a movie, Readings is always a hive of bookish activity.
Baker D Chirico, Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Baker D. Chirico

Cafes & bakeries
From the striking interiors and designer packaging to the carefully crafted bread, everything about Baker D. Chirico shouts, 'I Love What I Do'.
Agostino, Carlton, Melbourne, Australia. Picture by Pete Dillon

Agostino

Bars
Explore the outstanding wine menu at this Good Food Guide hatted wine bar, a perfect aperitivo to Lygon Street's King & Godfree Italian empire.
}

Unable to get data

You may also like...

MoVida Next Door, Hosier Lane, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Laneway dining

Food & wine
Dine like a local and find some of the city's favourite eateries tucked away upstairs, downstairs and behind bustling queues in Melbourne's laneways.
Northcote Social Club, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Pubs

Food & wine
Melburnians love their pubs almost as much as they love their footy. And with imaginative pub grub, sunny beer gardens and killer live music, what's not to love?
Luna Park, St Kilda, Melbourne

Fun activities

See & do
Live the life of leisure and be as busy as you please in Melbourne, choosing from a range of fun-filled activities guaranteed to shake up the weekend.
Blender Studios Street Art Tours, Hosier Lane, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Urban Adventure

See & do
No time to be bored: Melbourne is full of fun and active urban adventures and activities that will keep energetic teens (and adults) going.