Subscribe
Subscribe
What’s On in Melbourne: Your Ultimate Guide for October & Beyond
Everything to see and do this month in Melbourne (and beyond).
The wintery wilderness is loosening its hold, and Melbourne is already pivoting into its most charismatic season. Spring here doesn’t just arrive — it unfurls, with blooms spilling across gardens, rooftop bars shaking off their hibernation, and the city buzzing with fresh energy.
Alfresco tables at our favourite wine bars fill again, long lunches spill into sunlit afternoons, and night-time events pulse with a lighter, brighter rhythm. It’s a season of renewal, but in true Melbourne style, it’s never saccharine — just sharp, stylish, and full of possibility. Step out, soak it in, and let the city show you how spring is really done.
Here’s everything to see and do this month in Melbourne.
Once-In-A-Lifetime Comet Lights Up Aussie Skies
Newly discovered comet, C/2025 R2 (SWAN), is swinging by for a rare cameo across the Southern Hemisphere. Making its closest approach to Earth around October 20, small binoculars will give you the best view, and under dark, clear skies, some lucky stargazers might even spot it with the naked eye. Comets don’t hang around for long, so take a moment to sweep the western horizon near Mars and constellations Libra–Virgo for this once-in-a-lifetime sky show — yep, the experts think this cosmic traveller will take more than 20,000 years to orbit the Sun. Don’t blink, or you’ll miss it!
Maho Magic Bar at Spiegel Haus Melbourne
Direct from Tokyo with a cocktail in hand and a trick up every sleeve, Maho Magic Bar is back to bewitch Melbourne audiences. After its sell-out 2023 run, the neon-lit spectacle returns with a fresh line-up of Japan’s finest sleight-of-hand prodigies — all charm, mischief and jaw-dropping illusions performed right at your table. Pair the gasp-inducing tricks with a curated menu of Japanese libations and you’ve got the closest thing to a night out in Shinjuku, without leaving Lonsdale Street.
November 25th to February 15th
Tickets from $71 + bf
Spiegel Haus Melbourne, 217 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Spring Just Got Boozy: Lychee Desserts and Sgroppinos Await at Askal and Inuman
To toast the arrival of White Possum’s latest drop — a Melbourne indie distillery known for its weird, wild and wonderful small-batch Aussie spirits — Filipino favourite Askal is going all-in on lychee. From 8th September to 5th October, diners can dig into a limited-edition dessert by Culinary Director John Rivera: Kariton Sorbetes’ coconut sorbet with raspberry sherbet and crystallised rose petals, theatrically finished at the table with a pour of White Possum Lychee Liqueur.
Upstairs at Inuman, the bar is shaking up frozé’s cooler cousin — a tart, tropical lychee sgroppino that’s icy, playful and dangerously easy to sip. A spring fling worth clearing the calendar for.
8th September to 5th October
167 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Tesselaar Tulip Festival
Step into a sea of blooms this spring as the Tesselaar Tulip Festival transforms the Dandenong Ranges into a floral fairytale. From early September through October, more than a million tulips will unfurl across Silvan’s rolling fields, painting the landscape in dazzling swathes of colour.
It’s not just about the blooms — weekends brim with live music, food stalls, and cultural celebrations, from Turkish and Dutch traditions to Jazz & Wine afternoons. Little ones can hunt through fairy gardens and clamber aboard tractor rides, while grown-ups indulge in wine tastings and photo moments among the tulip rows.
Celebrating its 70th year in 2025, this family-run festival is a rite of spring: equal parts nostalgia, nature, and pure joy. Bring a picnic rug, your camera, and an appetite for waffles and poffertjes — this is the closest you’ll get to Holland without leaving Victoria.
13th September to 12th October, 2025
357 Monbulk Road, Silvan
Road Trip, Alert: Hunt Down Australia’s Best Vanilla Slice
Forget the cruffin — the snot block reigns supreme. Sharp’s Bakery in Birchip has just reclaimed the crown at the Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph, officially serving up the nation’s best custard slab for 2025. Family-run since 1977, this regional Victoria icon now has lines out the door, dishing up thousands of their glossy, flaky slices to sugar pilgrims every week.
Road trip, anyone? Birchip is 3.5 hours from Melbourne — and worth every kilometre.
47 Cumming Avenue, Birchip
NGV’s Making Good: Redesigning the Everyday
From mushroom leather handbags to seaweed straws, NGV’s Making Good: Redesigning the Everyday proves the future of design is as practical as it is visionary. More than 50 Australian and international innovators are reshaping the way we live — air-purifying paint freshens your walls, clothes grow with your child, and oyster shells are reborn as terrazzo tiles. Part science lab, part style guide, this free exhibition is a lively blueprint for a world where sustainability doesn’t just look chic, it feels inevitable.
Free entry
29th August, 2025 to 1st February, 2026
The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square
Burrata Festival: A Night Dedicated to Italy’s Creamiest Treasure
This October, the South Melbourne Market rooftop will be draped in decadence for the very first Burrata Festival — a night dedicated to Italy’s creamiest treasure. From burrata-laced creations by Melbourne favourites like Cannoleria, LaManna and Farmer’s Daughters, to sweet indulgences from Pistachio Papi and Naturalis Gelato, every corner promises temptation. Sip spritzes from Vino Bambino, explore local artisan stalls, and watch chefs including Alejandro Saravia work their magic in the Smeg Kitchen. With live music, roving entertainers and an Italian Disco DJ, plus indulgent VIP lounges and wine masterclasses, it’s a spring celebration made for cheese lovers.
Thursday 30th October, 5pm to 9pm
322 Coventry Street, South Melbourne
Hofbräuhaus Throws a Six-Week Beer-Soaked Birthday Bash
Melbourne’s OG German beer hall is back for its 57th Oktoberfest — and if anyone knows how to stretch a party, it’s Hofbräuhaus. From 13th September to 25th October, expect six rollicking weeks of litre steins, golden schnitzels the size of your head, pork knuckles with proper swagger, and Bavarian knödel that put carbs back on the pedestal where they belong.
The soundtrack? Live oompah bands, big singalongs and the odd stein-holding showdown (winner takes a year’s worth of beer — prost to that). Add schnapps rounds, surprise guest acts and 15,000 revellers in Market Lane, and you’ve got yourself a mini Munich in the heart of Chinatown.
Have a birthday in September or October? You’ll be shouted a stein and schnapps on the Haus. Lederhosen optional, but highly recommended.
Saturday 13th September to Saturday 25th October
Hofbräuhaus, 18-28 Market Lane, Melbourne
La Dolce Vita: Melbourne’s Italian Film Month
This spring, Melbourne goes full cinephile with the ST. ALi Italian Film Festival (17th September to 22nd October). From Paolo Sorrentino’s Oscar-winning La Grazia to Ferzan Özpetek’s glittering Diamonds, the lineup serves drama, comedy, and glamour in generous helpings. Watch lost Fellini scripts come alive in Napoli–New York, or scream with delight at Dario Argento’s restored Deep Red.
Contemporary tales, giallo classics, and heart-tugging stories await — a cinematic stroll through Italy’s finest, all without leaving the city. Grab tickets, and let Melbourne screen la dolce vita this month.
See the full program here
17th September to 22nd October
Candlelight: The Wizard of Oz Lights Up Melbourne
This October, Melbourne is swapping ruby slippers for candlelight. For two nights only, the Sea Life Aquarium will glow with thousands of flickering candles as Eclective Strings reimagines The Wizard of Oz soundtrack in a spellbinding classical concert. From “Over the Rainbow” to “Follow the Yellow Brick Road,” each note is cast in a golden, intimate atmosphere where cinema meets symphony. Add the aquarium’s dreamy surrounds, and you’ve got a one-way ticket to Oz — no tornado required.
October 20th to 21st, 6:45pm
Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium
Ngarrak Nakorang Wilam Park: Melbourne’s New Urban Sanctuary is Coming in 2026
Rising from the footprint of the former Healesville Freeway Reserve, Ngarrak Nakorang Wilam Park is set to become Melbourne’s newest urban sanctuary. Spanning 35 hectares in the city’s east, it’s being designed for connection — to nature, culture, and community. A 3.5-kilometre walking and cycling trail will link play spaces, picnic areas, shelters, and thoughtfully planted greenery that supports native wildlife, from kookaburras to Gang Gang Cockatoos. The park’s story is inseparable from the Wurundjeri people, with interpretive signage and cultural insights woven throughout.
Construction began in mid-2025, with completion expected mid-2026, creating a space for reflection, recreation, and a quiet city escape.
Set to open mid-2026
Vermont, Melbourne
Victoria’s Secret Gardens Are Blooming — Here’s Your Spring Escape
Spring is calling, and Open Gardens Victoria is swinging the gates open to some of the state’s most breathtaking, off-the-radar gardens — but only for a single weekend each. From lush designer landscapes to wild native wonderlands, this year’s lineup is a choose-your-own-adventure across Victoria, celebrating the organisation’s 10th anniversary with returning favourites from the early days.
Highlights include:
- Telopea, Emerald (Sep 20th to 21st) — ten acres of drama, native blooms, a two-acre cactus garden, and sweeping hilltop views.
- Red Gums, Bellarine Peninsula (Oct 25th to 26th) — sculptural rocks, 150+ species, and talks with landscaping legend Sam Cox.
- Farm Raiser & Bellfield Community Garden, Banyule (Oct 25th to 26th) — veggie patches, compost workshops, pizza ovens, and good vibes.
- Blackwood Ridge, Macedon Ranges (Nov 1st to 2nd) — Japanese-inspired ponds, garden rooms, and high-impact seasonal colour.
- Ridgefield, Yarra Valley (Nov 8th to 9th) — 500 rose varieties and an on-site boutique perfumery.
- Bentwood, Yarra Valley (Nov 8th to 9th) — vintage sculptures, panoramic Kinglake views, and flower paddocks.
- Little Steading, Flinders (Nov 15th to 16th) — coastal bush meets wildflower meadows and dreamy pool gardens.
- Gherang Gardenalia, Surf Coast Hinterland (Nov 29th to 30th) — collector’s garden, native heroes, CWA scones, and a pop-up gallery.
Why go? For the plant sales, garden talks, coffee vans, zero screens, complete spring reset, and ridiculously photogenic moments at every turn. Your entry fee even supports community grants and mental health initiatives. Spring is waiting. You can go ahead and plan your garden-hopping weekends, now.
Pacific Flavours, Market Fresh: The Kana Club Hits Queen Vic
This September, Queen Victoria Market transforms into a Pacific playground. TV chef Arrnott Olssen’s acclaimed pop-up, The Kana Club, takes over Brick Lane Market for three nights of spicy sliders, coconut-laced curries, and Qalu — the Fijian caramel you never knew you needed. Pair a signature cocktail on arrival with a four-course, market-to-table feast, then linger for a live panel where traders spill the secrets behind their freshest produce.
The only downside? There are limited seats available! Melbourne’s taste buds, consider yourselves warned.
$89 per person
Book here
Thursday 18th, Friday 19th and Saturday 20th September
5.30pm arrival, for a 6pm start (finishes 10pm)
Brick Lane Market, 466 Queen Street, Melbourne
SANCTUM: Melbourne’s New Members’ Club for Sport, Culture and Connection
This spring, Melbourne welcomes SANCTUM, a members-only club connecting the city’s tastemakers, culture-chasers, and sport enthusiasts in one elevated space. Positioned on the CBD’s fringe and just moments from Melbourne’s iconic sporting and entertainment precincts, SANCTUM offers curated experiences that go beyond velvet ropes — from behind-the-scenes access at major events to intimate dining with cultural icons.
The HQ interiors, designed in collaboration with Cox Architects, balance restraint, warmth, and adaptability. Natural stone, hand-finished timbers, soft suedes, and bespoke Australian-made furniture create a space that moves seamlessly from day to night, work to play. It caters to moments both private and social: a quiet lounge for focused work, a curated performance at sunset, or an impromptu gathering at the bar.
SANCTUM members are able to access a range of premium perks, including:
- Priority access at Lucas Restaurants
- Wellness benefits through Fitness First
- Concierge services via Cavalo Prestige Cars
- Exclusive ticketing and green-room experiences at major sporting and cultural events
- VIP invitations to private dining and immersive cultural moments
- Travel perks, preferred hotel rates, and lifestyle concierge services
With a capped, diverse membership and a calendar of immersive experiences, the club delivers insider access, considered design, and a like-minded community. It’s where Melbourne’s heartbeat is felt, shared, and elevated — a place to belong, explore, and experience the city anew.
Find out more here
Spotted: Melbourne Zoo Welcomes Its First Giraffe Calf in Nearly 20 Years
Melbourne Zoo is celebrating a sky-high arrival — the first giraffe calf born there in almost 20 years. Delivered to first-time mum Nakuru, the gangly, wide-eyed newborn is already nearly two metres tall and took her first wobbly steps just minutes after birth. The drop-birth went smoothly, with keepers monitoring every moment from afar, and Nakuru has taken to motherhood with grace.
While the duo enjoy some quiet bonding time, lucky visitors may soon spot them on the zoo’s main trail. More than just adorable, this calf is a vital addition to the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe population — and a reminder of nature’s everyday magic.
NOSTRA Brings Handmade Pasta and Big Sunday Feels to Northcote
After a string of sold-out pop-ups across Melbourne (and a little Kyneton detour), NOSTRA is setting up shop at Onlys in Northcote for an eight-week residency starting on August 22nd. Expect hand-rolled pasta, fire-licked vegetables, and slow-cooked everything from chef Dane Hewson (ex-Embla, Etta), with Lydia Greenwood curating the vibe. Alongside their regular dinner service (Thursdays to Sundays), Thursdays bring $25 pastas and $10 martinis while Sundays turn into Nostra Famiglia — a spirited long lunch with guest chefs from Love Shack, Embla, Leonardo’s and more.
It’s all about food, connection and feeling like you’ve walked into a friend’s party — one where the playlist’s good and someone’s always pouring another glass.
August 22nd to October 13th
Onlys, 58A Victoria Road, Northcote
Jackalope’s Luxe Winter Day Pass Is the Peninsula’s Best-Kept Secret
Jackalope’s Winter Day Access Pass is here to turn your off-season into peak indulgence. Set on a private vineyard in Merricks North, this lush day package ($100 for two) includes access to the 30-metre heated infinity pool, outdoor spa, and infrared sauna, plus robes and tea on arrival. Make it a luxe midweek reset or vineyard day-date, then warm up by the fire at Flaggerdoot or linger over lunch at Rare Hare.
Sundays to Thursdays ‘til 30th September
166 Balnarring Road, Merricks North
Birrarung Riverfest Returns with 23 Days of Art, Culture & Nature
Spring unfurls along the Yarra as Birrarung Riverfest returns, transforming the river’s edge into a living stage of art, culture, and eco-conscious adventure. Now in its third year, the festival flows through 60+ events, from Wurundjeri-led bushfood walks and artful sensory strolls at sunrise, to gig nights, sunset paddles, and planting days for endangered species.
Closing on World Rivers Day with a flotilla at Federation Square, it’s a celebration of place, community, and the river’s enduring spirit. Fall in love with Birrarung all over again this spring, and to help protect her for generations to come.
Saturday 6th September to Sunday 28th September
Unlock Your Creative Spirit This Winter with NGV Art School
This winter, NGV Art School beckons the curious, the passionate, and the creatively restless to dive deep into a world where art transcends the canvas. From the hypnotic elegance of Japanese kimono craft to the vibrant pulse of First Peoples’ art, each course is a masterclass in seeing — and feeling — the world anew.
Whether you crave the tactile joy of in-person discovery or the flexible allure of online learning, NGV’s educators and curators invite you to journey through colour, design, storytelling, and history with fresh eyes and open hearts.
For more information on classes and enrolment, visit here
Embrace Solo Luxury This Winter at voco Melbourne Central
This winter, rediscover the art of self-indulgence with voco Melbourne Central’s exquisite solo staycation packages: Reset NOMO and Escape NOMO (Night On My Own). Tailored for the discerning solo traveller, these experiences marry serene comfort with curated cultural adventures. Reset NOMO offers a sublime two-hour massage and facial at Spa Bar Melbourne, while Escape NOMO presents a bespoke itinerary of Melbourne’s finest shows and exhibitions. Both packages include breakfast in bed, a welcoming bottle of Dal Zotto Prosecco, a luxe self-care kit, and a late checkout, allowing you to savour every moment of this elegant urban retreat.
Packages start from $380
Available now through December 2025
18 Timothy Lane, Melbourne
A New Cultural Landmark Now Open in the Grampians
After fourteen years of anticipation, the WAMA Foundation has officially opened its doors, becoming one of regional Victoria’s most extraordinary cultural destinations. Just outside Halls Gap, this 16-hectare site hosts Australia’s first National Centre for Environmental Art, currently showcasing End & Being by Jacobus Capone — a powerful meditation on climate, memory, and transformation.
With curated talks, DJ sets, workshops, local wines, and the thriving Gariwerd Botanic Garden featuring over 500 native plants, WAMA offers an immersive blend of art, nature, and community. Food trucks and a cosy cafe round out the experience, making it an essential winter escape for culture lovers and nature seekers alike.
Adults $18
Saturday, 11am to 6pm, Sunday and Monday, 10am to 5pm
4000 Ararat-Halls Gap Road, Halls Gap, Victoria
Glow On the Go: HYDE Melbourne Adds Cult LED Masks to the In-Room Lineup
Self-care just got a glow-up at Melbourne’s most creative new stay. HYDE Melbourne Place is now offering Sonna’s cult-status LED face masks — available straight from your in-room compendium. With six high-tech settings (think Rejuvenate, Anti-Ageing, and Morning Mode), this luxe treatment is perfect for winding down or getting ready to go out.
Designed by Kennedy Nolan and stocked with Leif and Aesop, HYDE is all about sleek vibes — and Sonna fits right in. Wellness, but make it effortlessly chic this winter.
130 Russell Street, Melbourne
French Impressionism at NGV
Claude Monet, Renoir, Degas and their Impressionist pals are back at NGV International — this time with a vengeance. After the 2021 lockdown robbed us of the show, French Impressionism from Boston returns, brighter and bolder, with over 100 masterpieces capturing the magic of light, colour, and life’s fleeting moments. Wander through Parisian streets, lush forests, and Normandy’s coast — all while soaking in 18 Monet canvases spanning three decades. It’s a dreamy, brush-stroked escape that’s pure visual poetry and the perfect winter muse.
Until 5th October
180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Kimono at the NGV
Kimono is another exhibition at the NGV set to wow Melburnians this June, offering a breathtaking deep dive into the rich history, craftsmanship, and enduring cultural significance of Japan’s most iconic garment. From the ornate designs of the Edo period to bold contemporary interpretations by designers like Hiroko Takahashi and Jotaro Saito, Kimono showcases the garment’s evolution over centuries. Highlights include Saito’s Dark Romantic collection, which premieres in Australia and features hand-painted pieces created using the traditional yuzen dyeing technique.
Alongside the garments, the exhibition will also display over 150 related works — think woodblock prints, paintings, and decorative arts — creating a rich, immersive experience that tells the full story of the kimono’s global influence.
180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
YTB Launches Reimagined Afternoon High Tea
The iconic YTB (Yugen Tea Bar) has a brand new afternoon high tea, available to enjoy every weekend. YTB’s reimagined take on the classic afternoon high tea offers a curated menu that balances savoury and sweet morsels, providing delight with every bite. Highlights that grace the tier include a carrot tart, Kung Pao Chicken and ramen egg sandwiches, buckwheat teriyaki, and Hokkaido tart. We’ll be booking into this one, stat.
Saturdays and Sundays, 12pm to 2:30pm
$130 per person
605 Chapel Street, South Yarra
Regional Farmers Monthly Market at Abbotsford Convent
The Abbotsford Convent has got a new monthly farmers market, with more than 45 stalls of organic fruit and vegetables, locally sourced dairy, homemade desserts and more on offer. Embrace the spring sunshine and stroll through the bustling stalls, with highlights include Spring Creek Organics, Heathmont Honey, the fresh kefir and vintage cheddar at Blue Bay Cheese, and the delightful desserts at Pudding Nana. Bread and butter pudding, anyone?
$2 entry
8:00am to 2:00pm
Second Saturday of every month
What’s On in Melbourne This Month: Regional Adventures
Nomads of the Night Sky: Stargazing in East Gippsland
Leave the city lights behind for Nomads of the Night Sky, a stargazing campout like no other in remote East Gippsland. Held at Noorinbee Hall and Recreation Reserve near Cann River, this immersive overnight experience includes expert-guided stargazing with equipment supplied, a three-course spit roast dinner (featuring wild venison), nocturnal wildlife walks, and breakfast. Bring your tent, your curiosity, and maybe a four-legged friend — this pet-friendly site includes hot showers and toilets. A relaxed, back-to-nature weekend under the stars awaits.
Book here, from $169
Saturday 20th to Sunday 21st September
Djaara Lights in Bendigo
Step into the story of the land at Djaara Lights, a mesmerising fusion of art, culture, and technology illuminating Bendigo’s Oscars Walk and Bath Lane Precinct. Through stunning Dja Dja Wurrung artwork and augmented reality, experience the six seasons of Djandak as told by the Traditional Owners. It’s immersive, moving, and a must-see this month.
Daily, 7pm to 11pm
Until March 2027
Bendigo, Victoria
Looking for more fun things to do in Melbourne this spring? We have plenty to keep you entertained. From Melbourne’s best new restaurants and bars to friendly pubs, cafes and late-night cocktail haunts, here’s all you need for an epic weekend in the city.
