Anonymous creatures touching your feet under water? Pass.
We've found 7 sand-free ways to enjoy your summer in Melbourne. Thank us later.
Reunion Island Rooftop Pool Club
St Jerome's (the pioneers of Melbourne's rooftop glamping movement) are shaking thing up a little this summer. They've decided it's time to move on to bigger and better things. You can call 'em Reunion Island Pool Club, now.
Reunion Island is turning Melbourne's Centrals rooftop into a summer sanctuary with palms, a bespoke bar menu, poolside lounges and 10 temperature controlled plunge pools for groups of 2 - 12. Each pack comes with 1 or 2 hours of pool time and a bev for each person, with package pricing ranging from $25-$50 a head.
All that lounging worked up an appetite? One of Melbourne's burger greats, Easey’s, has partnered with Reunion to serve up LA-style poolside fare. Grab your tix here.
Photo by Alex Eames
St Kilda Fest 2019
Celebrate summer @ none other than Melbourne's very own St Kilda beach. (Yeah we said no beaches but this doesn't count.) On the 10th of Feb, the (free) St Kilda Festival sends off the season with one hell of a bang. The full program announcement is set to release in Jan - but expect live local music & performances, workshops, carni rides, market stalls, kids entertainment, sport and dance. Last year, we saw Tkay Maidza, Dan Sultan, The Jezabels and Mallrat hit the stage, alongside some blossoming local talent in the FReeZA Push Start Comp Grand Final.
With over 400,000 people flocking out to attend each Feb, the fomo will be very real if you don't head on over. Gather the crew and give it a spot on your calendar. Check out the program when it releases on the festival's official website.
Aqua S - Sea Salt Soft Serve
Sea salt soft serve is as close to the sea as we need to be this summer. Just on the top of QV, quirky little icecream store Aqua S serves up some life-changing signature sea salt soft serve, rotating through a bunch of other exotic flavours fortnightly.
Right now ('til the 31st of December) they're serving Pandan Vanilla and Rose Latte flavours - that you can choose to have solo or pair with their signature sea salt. Finish it off with a beautiful fairy floss crown, a toasted marshmellow and/or a bunch of caramelised popcorn. Ur summer body can wait.
Plus, pay with Liven at Aqua S, and you'll earn 10-15% every single time.
Air Canada Ice Rink
Not one for sand & sun? Put a hold on the heat and head over to the Queen Vic Market to try the complete opposite. Ice. Straight up, cold, hard ice. Remind yourself just how uncoordinated you are and
go get to gliding, slipping and sliding on the glorious Air Canada Ice Rink pop-up. It's well thought out position in the Queen Vic Market means you can treat your cold, bruised body to a hot drink + snack afterwards. It's all about balance.
You'll wanna buy tickets for this one; it's only 'til Christmas eve and remaining sessions are selling out quick. If you're still in the skating spirit once it's gone, head over to Melbourne's more permanant home of ice skating, The O'Brien Group Arena.
QVM's Summer Night Market
The Summer Night Market is back & in business. From 5-10pm Every Wednesday 'til the 20th of March (exl. Boxing Day), the Queen Victoria Market is going to be taken over by an array of global food & specialty shopping stalls, bars, live music and backyard-style summer games (yes indeed, there will be totem tennis and giant jenga.)
What's on our to-eat list? First debuted at the Night Noodle Market, the very IG famous "Flying Noodles" are back and baffling all passers-by. If you buy these noodles, please hit us up. We need answers...
Melbourne Star Summer Beach Box
While you may not be into sand in your hair and sunburns - we're sure you're not opposed to lounging on a reclined beach chair, drinking sangria and grazing on a cheese platter? Take the beach experience away from the beach. 120 metres away from the ground itself, actually.
The Melbourne Star has transformed two of it's glass cabins into little summer hideouts for six. There will be sangria. There will be cheese. There will be reclining beach chairs. There will also be air conditioning. While it is definitely a pricier experience if you opt to go with 2, it is undoubtfully one you'll remember and is perfect for a special occasion. With a gang of 6, it'll be about $63 each. You've got until 28 January 2019 to check it out. Tickets here.
Aqua Donut
Grill & chill on a cute lil' boat floating down the Yarra. Aqua Donut allows a very different dining experience. Round up the troops and go for a 2hr cruise fit with a BBQ during the day or night. B.Y.O food, booze and phone for tunes (they've got a speaker you can connect to.) Someone's gotta do the driving - so be sure to rope along a pre-warned designated driver.
Taking off from Docklands, Aqua Donut is the perfect way to spend a summer day. Grab tickets here.
