When it comes to winter, Melbourne has been dealt a harsher hand than most states. Temperatures can get close to freezing (not actually, but you know what I mean), the sky gets dark at about 3pm, and going outside can feel less than inspiring, to say the least. Thankfully, this is also a city that knows exactly how to do winter. Think pubs with fireplaces, great exhibitions, day spas and cosy wine bars bars that make the cold feel almost worth it. If you're looking for an excuse to leave the house this season, we've found it.
Our pick of the top things to do this winter, below.
Warm up at a bathhouse
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Melbourne has some of the best bathhouses in Australia, and few things sound more appealing than sinking into a steaming magnesium pool when it's chilly. Our picks for the best spots to unwind at are Sense of Self or Comma for somewhere city-centric, or if you don't mind a drive, Peninsula Hot Springs. You can peruse our guide to the city's best bathhouses.
Spend an afternoon gallery-hopping
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Grey skies call for a day at the gallery. An obvious first choice is the NGV, which has newer exhibitions and a massive permanent collection, so you could easily lose a few hours here. But the city also has plenty of smaller, independent galleries, like Linden New Art, The Ian Potter Centre, and Heide Museum of Modern Art.
Get acquainted with your local wine bar
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Melbourne's wine bars are great year-round, but I'd argue they really come into their own at this time of year. What's better than a glass of red sipped in a cosy, candle-lit room when it's cold outside? Go solo with a good book, or organise a catch up with a loved one, there are no rules.
Head to the movies
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I mean, need I say more? Melbourne is home to plenty of beautiful cinemas, and the 2026 release slate is pretty compelling. Why not make Christopher Nolan proud and book in to see The Odyssey in 75mm IMAX (which is the only city it's available in Australia)?
Visit the Queen Victoria Winter Night Market
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Trust me, it's worth braving the cold for. Rug up, arrive hungry and settle in for an evening of mulled wine, street food, live music, and of course, fire pits.
Retreat to a cosy pub
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Melbourne's pubs don't only shine when they involve something cold sipped in a sunny beer garden. In fact, as the temperature drops, there's nothing quite like claiming a table by the fire and settling in for a long afternoon. It's also the season to tuck into some classic pub food – a parma, a pie, maybe a Sunday roast. Whatever you're preference, you'll find somewhere warm to escape the drizzle.
Spend the day vintage shopping
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Fitzroy, Brunswick, and Collingwood are brimming with a mix of carefully curated, high-end boutiques, and sprawling thrift shops. If you've got time to burn, you could easily spend an afternoon making your way through each neighbourhood, perhaps stopping in for a coffee and a sweet treat between stores.
Take a day trip
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Sometimes the best cure for cabin fever is leaving the city altogether. Luckily, Melbourne is surrounded by destinations that are arguably even better in winter. Escape to Daylesford for for something wholesome, hop through wineries in the Yarra Valley, or head towards the Mornington Peninsula for a thermal bath.
