Things to do in Melbourne

Live Music & Concerts

Ray O'Leary at Ovolo Comedy Club

Thu, 29 Oct, 8:00 pm AEDT

South Yarra · From $30

Ray O'Leary ("Have You Been Paying Attention?") headlines Ovolo Comedy Club in South Yarra. Ray O'Leary is one of the hottest acts in Australia right now, selling out theatres all around the country. Top quality comedy comes to South Yarra in one of the coolest hotels in town. Plus special guests.

Theatre & Shows

Passage: The Art of Atong Atem

Fri, 30 Oct, 10:00 am AEDT

Melbourne · Free admission

NGV presents the first-ever major solo exhibition of South Sudanese, Melbourne-based contemporary artist Atong Atem, who is celebrated for her dynamic and vibrant photographic self-portraits that explore identity, mythmaking and intergenerational storytelling. Transforming herself through textiles, paint, costume and symbolic objects, Atem uses her own body as a vessel to explore themes of race, gender and colonialism, as well as the beauty and resilience of her Dinka Bor culture and Melbourne's African diaspora. The exhibition showcases how Atem uses photography as a medium for celebration and reclamation, and how her practice interrogates how identity is performed, both in everyday life and before the camera, creating images in which history, memory and imagination intertwine.

Theatre & Shows

a/part: Hoda Afshar

Fri, 30 Oct, 11:00 am AEDT

Southbank · Free admission

a/part presents a selection of photographic and video projects by acclaimed Melbourne-based artist Hoda Afshar. The subjects in Afshar's works occupy positions at the edge of public consciousness and belonging held apart by borders, institutions, and structures of exclusion, yet connected through shared experiences of dispossession, survival and resistance. Curated by Charlotte Day, Director, Art Museums and Shanysa McConville, Associate Curator.

Food & Drink

Spring Carnival Lunch and Dinner

Fri, 30 Oct, 12:00 pm AEDT

Melbourne · From $38

Good food, great company and a reason to dress up. Spring Carnival calls for a proper celebration. Located in the heart of Melbourne CBD, Harry's is serving up a special Spring Carnival menu featuring delicious seasonal dishes, classic favourites and a few sweet finishes. Choose from two or three courses, bring your favourite people and let the occasion unfold. An Artisanal Cheese and Charcuterie Grazing Board is available at an additional cost. Visit their website for the full menu.

Food & Drink

Rolos Pizza Club Round Two

Fri, 30 Oct, 4:00 pm AEDT

Collingwood · Free admission

Raph Hyams and Geoff Marett are back at Molly Rose to ride, valiantly, through the trenches of dough for another big night of pizza and good vibes. Enjoy four special Rolos pizzas with dough perfected by Raph Hyams, and a pizza stretching competition and great prizes. There will also be some tasty small bites and special beverages from the Molly Rose crew . Come for the pizza. Stay for the pizza. Bookings are essential, so get in early.

Live Music & Concerts

Jessica Mauboy - The Story of Me

Fri, 30 Oct, 7:30 pm AEDT

Melbourne · From $20

Join Jessica Mauboy for a deeply personal and unforgettable evening in The Story of Me: A Musical Journey Through My Career.  Through music and candid storytelling, Jessica reflects on her extraordinary evolution from a young Darwin girl to one of Australia's most celebrated artists. For the first time, she opens up about the defining moments of her career, the highs, the setbacks, and the resilience it took to keep moving forward. With multiple ARIA #1 hits, gold and platinum releases, and acclaim as an award-winning actress across film and television, Jessica has become one of Australia's most celebrated entertainers.  Audiences will experience heartfelt ballads, reimagined classics, and powerhouse anthems as Jessica shares stories of leaving her long-time record label to reclaim creative control and launching her own music label and her beauty brand, Desert Rose. This intimate performance offers a rare glimpse into Jessica Mauboy as an artist, entrepreneur, and proud Indigenous woman honest, powerful, and inspiring.

Live Music & Concerts

Tom Waits For No Man - Melbourne

Fri, 30 Oct, 7:30 pm AEDT

Melbourne · Check price with organiser

Tom Waits depicted the poor, the punks, the hobos and the lost. He could also write a love song to shatter Cupid's bow. Stewart D'Arrietta covers this terrain of tenderness to terror and all the pathos in between. He has a long relationship with the music, and an affinity deeper than most having developed the hit show over two decades. One of the 10 best shows at Edinburgh Fringe according to the United Kingdom's The Sunday Times, his characteristic gravel-voiced sensitivity brings out the shapes and shades of legendary songs such as Invitation to the Blues, Martha, and the wrenching Tom Traubert's Blues. Band Members include Philip Rex on double bass, Hugh Harvey on drums, Jonathan Skovron on guitar and vocal and keys by Stewart D'Arrietta.

Live Music & Concerts

Impossible Occurrences - Melbourne's Exclusive Magic Show

Fri, 30 Oct, 7:30 pm AEDT

Melbourne · From $35

Witness Impossible Occurrences, one of Melbourne's most exclusive magic shows, at The Marriott Hotel. If you are a Melbourne local or visitor, this a must see. Award winning magician, Luke Hocking, intrigues and amazes with astounding displays of magic, illusion and mind reading. The performance blends elegance and astonishment to create an unbelievable entertainment experience like no other. Showcased in Melbourne's five star Marriott Hotel, this is a performance of distinction Choose from two show times per night. Contact the organiser for more information.

Live Music & Concerts

Basement Comedy Club

Fri, 30 Oct, 8:00 pm AEDT

Melbourne · From $20

Basement Comedy Club is the hottest comedy club in Melbourne. It is a New York-style underground comedy club that has the absolute best lineups in the country. It has seen Kitty Flanagan, Sam Pang, Wil Anderson, Arj Barker, Stephen K Amos, Dave Hughes, Celia Pacquola, Tony Martin and heaps more. Always big headliners, and always surprise big name guests.

Live Music & Concerts

The Vaudeville Revue

Fri, 30 Oct, 8:30 pm AEDT

Melbourne · From $39

The Vaudeville Revue is your ultimate Melbourne nightlife experience. The show brings together cabaret, burlesque, circus, sideshow stunts, and comedy on one electrifying stage, featuring a rotating cast of Melbourne and Australia's top live performers. Set in a beautifully restored 1850s heritage maritime building, the intimate theatre blends historic charm with modern entertainment. Once a ship's chandler along the Yarra, the venue now offers a unique backdrop for unforgettable nights of cabaret, burlesque, and live variety entertainment. Whether you're a visitor searching for the best things to do in Melbourne or a local wanting a night full of thrills and laughs, The Vaudeville Revue promises dazzling performances, a lively atmosphere, and plenty of surprises. Grab a drink, soak in the history, and let the show sweep you away. Performance note: Some shows may include partial nudity. Attendees must be over the age of 18 years.

Classes & Workshops

Pocket House

Sat, 31 Oct, 12:00 am AEDT

Melbourne · Free admission

Build a tiny house full of big memories with Pocket House. Inspired by These Long-Loved Things by Josh Pyke and Ronojoy Ghosh, Pocket House is your chance to create a little world filled with the things you hold close. Designed and illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh, fold and fill your Pocket House template with drawings of treasured objects, special people and the little things that make it feel like home. A little paper house with a big heart, take home a special keepsake celebrating the stories, places and things that matter most to you. Perfect for children aged 5 to 12 years. A parent or carer must attend this activity for the entire duration with their child/children. No bookings are required, drop in anytime.

Markets & Expos

Gleadell Street Market

Sat, 31 Oct, 12:00 am AEDT

Richmond · Free admission

Every Saturday, Gleadell Street in Richmond comes alive with the sights, sounds and flavours of one of Melbourne's most vibrant fresh food markets. Operated by Yarra City Council, Gleadell Street Market brings together amazing stallholders with local producers, fresh produce, artisan food makers, offering a diverse range of fresh produce and gourmet products in the heart of Richmond. Browse seasonal fruit and vegetables, artisan breads and pastries, specialty foods, fresh herbs, meats, dairy products, deli goods, beverages and much more. With a strong mix of long-standing stallholders and new traders, there's always something fresh to discover. The market is held every Saturday. Closed on Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Easter Saturday and Anzac Day when these fall on a market day.

Galleries, Museums and Collections

NGV International

Melbourne

The National Gallery of Victoria has two magnificent galleries located a short walk apart, both with free entry to the permanent collection. NGV International houses a whole world of international art, displaying the National Gallery of Victoria's collections of European, Asian, Oceanic and American art. Since the National Gallery of Victoria opened in St Kilda Road in 1968, the total collection has doubled in size to more than 70,000 works of art. A truly iconic Melbourne building, the gallery has been totally redesigned to house one of the most impressive collections in the Southern Hemisphere. The NGV offers an extraordinary visual arts experience with diverse temporary exhibitions, Collection displays, talks, tours, programs for kids, films, late-night openings and performances.

Galleries, Museums and Collections

The Torch Gallery

Carlton

The Torch Gallery is a First Peoples-led not-for-profit arts organisation based in Carlton, Victoria. They support a First Peoples community of artists to break the cycle of incarceration by strengthening cultural connection and knowledge through arts practice. Individual healing and self-determination are fostered by nurturing empowerment, economic elevation and a sense of purpose.     The Torch mentors First Peoples artists with lived experience of incarceration to reconnect with culture and earn income from art sales with 100% of the artwork price going directly to the artist, licensing, Cultural Activations, and exhibitions including their major annual exhibitions Confined and Future Dreaming.  Come along to explore an inspiring collection of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and our range of products. Discover new artists, immerse yourself in creativity, and let art spark your imagination. By purchasing an artwork from an artists at The Torch, you are directly supporting their economic empowerment and cultural practice, validating their story and contributing to their journey of healing. The Torch does not take a commission which means 100% of the artwork price goes directly to First Peoples artists. Visit The Torch Gallery today.

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Buxton Contemporary

Southbank

Buxton Contemporary opened in 2018 at the University of Melbourne’s art school, the Victorian College of the Arts. Designed by renowned architect Fender Katsalidis, the museum is located in the heart of the Melbourne arts precinct where it provides a creative forum through which the University engages local, national and international audiences with the best of contemporary Australian and international art. Buxton Contemporary is the result of a landmark gift to the University by the art collector Michael Buxton. In 1995 Michael founded the Michael Buxton Collection with the aim of developing a museum quality collection of contemporary Australian art. In 2014, in one of the most significant acts of cultural philanthropy in Australian history, Michael and Janet Buxton donated the Collection to the University of Melbourne, along with funds to build and partially endow a new museum in which to house it. Buxton Contemporary uses the Michael Buxton Collection as a foundation and inspiration for exhibitions, performance, research, teaching and publishing. The team respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Eastern Kulin nation, the traditional owners of the land on which Buxton Contemporary is situated. Admission to Buxton Contemporary is free. Now showing Tony Clark: Unsculpted.

Image: City of Melbourne

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Cooks' Cottage

East Melbourne

Originally located in Yorkshire, England, and built by the parents of Captain James Cook, the cottage was brought to Melbourne by Sir Russell Grimwade in 1934. Astonishingly, each brick was individually numbered, packed into barrels and then shipped to Australia. Navigator and explorer Captain James Cook never lived in the cottage – he’d been away from home for almost 10 years when his father built it – but this connection to the Cook family was enough to prompt Grimwade to transport the cottage to the other side of the world. Combining modern interpretations of Captain Cook's adventures, centuries-old antiques, a delightful English cottage garden, volunteers dressed in 18th century costumes and an interpretive space in the stable, Cooks' Cottage is a fascinating step back in time. Entry to the cottage includes a comprehensive fact sheet for a self-guided tour. Available in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Thai, Indonesian, Japanese, German, French, Vietnamese and Korean. School tours and group tours and visits are also available. Tickets and souvenirs can be purchased from the Fitzroy Gardens Visitor Centre, just 100 metres away.

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Be-Ras Creatives Art Cafe

Docklands

Welcome to Be-Ras Creatives, your cozy and welcoming art café in Docklands, Melbourne. At Be-Ras, which means lost in nirvana in Sanskrit, they believe that diving into crafting can help you discover a wonderful sense of inner peace and joy. They offer a fantastic range of art and craft workshops that are perfect for anyone looking to unwind and express their creativity. Whether you want to create a beautiful glass-painted lamp or a pressed flower lamp, immerse yourself in the gold lines of kintsugi, get lost in the world of mosaic, make a charming terrarium or kokedama, or even make some lovely jewellery in terms of polymer earrings, a cloisonne brooch, or a mother-of-pearl inlay brooch, or just have some fun with a decoupage bag. They have something for everyone. Their workshops are all about providing a cozy, creative space where you can explore your ideas with a smaller group of friendly faces. The moment you step through the door, you will feel right at home. Creating something new isn't just liberating; it's also a whole lot of fun. Come join a community of awesome, like-minded people and dive into your new passion project together. Creating something amazing with them.

Image: Haus of Dizzy/Nynno Bel-air

Shopping and Markets

Haus of Dizzy Retail Store

Fitzroy

Kristy Dickinson, a proud Wiradjuri woman, is the creative force behind Haus of Dizzy, a jewellery brand that champions Indigenous culture and inspires empowerment and joy in its wearers. Dickinson founded Haus of Dizzy in 2015 to address the lack of representation in the jewellery and fashion accessories industry. Her vision was to create a collection that empowered Mob to express their pride in a cool and fun way while initiating dialogues on Indigenous issues with allies. Each unique piece from Haus of Dizzy is meticulously designed, laser-cut, hand-painted, and assembled in the company's Fitzroy-based studio in Melbourne/Naarm. By using mirrored acrylic, glitter, dynamic patterns, and innovative interpretations of the Aboriginal flag, Kristy fulfils her mission of bringing social, political, and environmental matters to the forefront through vibrant and colourful accessories. You can visit the Haus of Dizzy studio by appointment or attend one of their jewellery making workshops for a unique creative experience, with a piece of your own Haus of Dizzy bling to take home.

Natural Attractions

Sauna Boat Melbourne

Docklands

Sauna Boat Melbourne offers a unique floating sauna experience in the heart of Docklands. Guests step aboard a custom-built vessel to enjoy the contrast of heat and cold while surrounded by uninterrupted views of Victoria Harbour and the city skyline. The timber-lined sauna provides a calming space to unwind, with large windows framing the water and skyline beyond. Between sauna sessions, guests can step outside to experience an invigorating cold plunge on deck. The cycle of steam, chill and repeat leaves visitors feeling refreshed, energised and deeply relaxed. What sets Sauna Boat Melbourne apart is its combination of traditional wellness practices with an urban waterfront setting. The boat is designed with both privacy and connection in mind, making it perfect for solo visits, couples or groups of friends. Every detail has been considered to create a slow, balanced experience in the midst of a fast-paced city. Sauna Boat Melbourne offers guests a new way to pause, reset and reconnect with themselves and their surroundings.

Image: Ricordino

Shopping and Markets

Ricordino

Fitzroy

Ricordino is a retail destination for locals and tourists looking for unique handmade affordable gifts and souvenirs. At Ricordino local art is made into gifts, reflecting food, culture and everyday rituals. Ricordino specialises in hand-crafted linocut prints, original paintings, hand-painted ceramics, locally designed clothing and prints reflecting Melbourne's iconic sites, vibrant food scene and craft culture. Ricordino also offers regular workshops in stamp making and printing and and gauche painting. Workshops are small classes with a maximum of eight participants and are a great idea for visitors looking for a unique experience and keen to make their own souvenir and gifts to take home as a memory of their time in Melbourne.

Galleries, Museums and Collections

The Johnston Collection

East Melbourne

Discover a secret, hidden gem in the heart of East Melbourne. The Johnston Collection house museum features an astonishing array of Georgian, Regency, and Louis XV fine and decorative arts and hosts a regular program of exhibitions, lectures and events. Enjoy a tour of the historic townhouse, Fairhall, led by knowledgeable volunteer guides. View beautiful objects arranged in a domestic setting unfettered by ropes. This is an intimate experience, with no more than eight guests per guide. Your ticket includes tea/coffee served on delightful Wedgwood fine bone china. Tours are offered at 10am, 12pm, and 2pm and pre-booking is essential. The house is located in a residential area so the address cannot be published, but that only adds to the mystery! Visitors are welcomed at Pullman on the Park and arrive at the museum via our courtesy bus – only a five-minute journey.

Image: Artvo

Amusement and Theme Parks

ArtVo Immersive Gallery

Docklands

ArtVo is a new immersive art gallery or trick art gallery – the first of its kind in Australia. Unlike traditional art museums, visitors are encouraged to experience art through touching and interacting with the artworks, as well as photographing themselves as part of the art. Stretching over 1900 square metres, visitors can walk through a variety of different zones, each featuring their own incredible, hand painted artworks which cascade directly from the walls to the floors; the possibilities for your imagination are endless. Immerse yourself into different scenes, locations and famous paintings. What is even more refreshing is the museum staff who encourage you to take as many photos and selfies as possible. They can assist you so you and your friends are free to become part of the art at all times. ArtVo's unique, interactive and immersive content also makes it the perfect venue for a school excursion; the engaging environment allows for students to explore a range of topics such as team building, writing, art and cultural understanding. The gallery, which is located in the District Docklands is easily accessible by train or tram from Melbourne Central. Parking space available.

Image: John Gollings

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Australian Centre for Contemporary Art

Southbank

The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) plays an inspirational and critical role in investing in the creative, artistic and wider communities, leading the cultural conversation and setting the agenda for contemporary art. ACCA has a long and celebrated history of investing in, nurturing and propelling the careers of contemporary artists by supporting them to make new, risk-taking and experimental work that challenges thinking, encourages new perspectives, and connects and resonates with diverse communities. ACCA develops exhibitions exploring the ideas and work of significant artists from around the world, commissions ambitious new works by local and international artists, and delivers a range of curatorial, educational and public programs including talks, lectures, symposia, performances, screenings, music and events. Housed in one of Melbourne’s most iconic buildings on Sturt Street in the Melbourne Arts Precinct, ACCA is a short tram ride or 10 minute walk from Flinders Street Station. Please visit the website for the latest information on exhibitions and events.

Entertainment Venues

The District Docklands

Docklands

Step into the District Docklands, your all-in-one destination for dining, entertainment and world-class shopping. Browse international favourites including UNIQLO and H&M, then treat yourself to over 40 delicious dining options and 15 unique experiences, all in one convenient location, just minutes from the Central Business District in Melbourne's Free Tram Zone. Challenge friends to escape at Prison Island, race against the clock at DreamRace, or let the kids' imaginations run wild at Little Builders and Chipmunks. The fun doesn't stop there. Go bowling or ride the dodgem cars at Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, ice skate at O'Brien Icehouse, watch the latest blockbusters at HOYTS, or explore mind-bending worlds at ArtVo, Dreamskape and Imaginator. When it's time to refuel, you'll find everything from craft beer and hearty meals at Urban Alley Brewpub, to all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue at Seoul Garden, seafood feasts at Krabby's Crab Boil, and quick, tasty bites at KFC, Subway and Spudbar. With covered open-air laneways, unique dining experiences, free tram travel and 90 minutes of free parking, the District Docklands is the perfect day out for the whole family – rain, hail or shine.