Embark on an extraordinary journey through Victoria in March and April, where culinary wonders, thrilling sports events, captivating arts and culture, and the enchanting beauty of national parks converge. This diverse state appeals to a wide variety of travelers, from adventure-seeking solo travelers to LGBTQ+ foodie couples, and even power couple of the century, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce! Victoria radiates a welcoming ambiance, heightened by lively niche communities and a genuine celebration of different cultures. From iconic urban attractions in Melbourne to the tranquility of Victoria’s national parks, every explorer is ensured a memorable – and welcoming – visit.
Upcoming Events
VICTORIA’S STACKED CALENDAR SHOWCASES A LINEUP OF WORLD-CLASS EVENTS
As we transition to cooler months, the excitement doesn’t stop. In autumn, Melbourne is put on display as a true global events hub, complete with world-class entertainment, cuisine, and more. With endless events showcasing the city’s vibrancy, it’s the perfect time to experience Melbourne’s cultural richness. The 2024 lineup is set to include favorites such as:
· Moomba Festival (March 7 – 11): Melbourne’s longest running event & Australia’s largest free community festival welcomes guests to celebrate the vibrant diversity and strong community spirit of Melbourne. Moomba features street parades, nightly fireworks, a packed music program, a water skiing competition, skate park workshops, and more.
· Melbourne Food & Wine Festival (March 15 – 24): With over 300 food and drink-centered events in Melbourne, the festival highlights culinary talents like Garima Arora (the first Indian woman to win a Michelin star) London’s self-taught punk chef Stephen Harris, and Japan’s Chef Kobayashi from the 2-Michelin star Villa Aida. The epicenter is Melbourne’s Fed Square, hosting pop-ups, music, and events throughout its 10-day duration.
· Formula 1 Grand Prix 2024 (March 21 – 24): Venture beyond the ordinary as the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne unfolds — a celebration that transcends traditional racing. It’s a fusion of high-speed exhilaration, legendary circuits, and dynamic entertainment, creating a lifestyle experience that encapsulates the essence of innovation, glamour, and thrilling passion for the sport.
· Rip Curl Pro Surfing event at Bells Beach (March 26 – April 5): Held in the iconic surf capital of Australia – Bells Beach – The Rip Curl Pro stands as the longest-running event on the WSL Championship Tour. Set against the stunning backdrop, it attracts world-class surfers and spectators from around the world.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival (March 27 – April 21): Transforming the city into a laughter-filled haven, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival offers a diverse lineup of world-class special events, innovative solo performances, and entertaining late-night shows. Renowned as one of the best times of the year to be in Melbourne, 2024 presents comedians such as Canada’s award winning John Hastings, Scotland’s queen of comedy Fern Brad, Hong Kong’s Vivek Mahbubani – with his 100% Cantonese Stand-up and Aboriginal Comedy Allstars; Sean Choolburra, Kevin Kropinyeri, Andy Saunders and Steph Tisdell.
· Chillout Festival: Australia’s leading regional LGBTQIA+ pride event, takes place annually in Daylesford, Victoria. Originating in 1997, it has grown into the nation’s largest and longest-running queer country pride festival, drawing 30,000+ visitors. This year’s event is running from March 7-11.
· March marks the start of the AFL football season (March – September), and with many teams in Victoria, visitors can live like a local and check out a game anytime throughout the season.
· While Swifties will have just missed Taylor’s three-night residency at the MCG, fans can still follow an enchanting Swift-inspired Melbourne itinerary, immersing themselves in Melbourne – “Taylor’s Version”.
Did you know?
With over 200 nationalities represented and more than 260 languages spoken, Melbourne’s cultural diversity is a positive force shaping the city’s culinary landscape, festivals, and daily life. Beyond these statistics, Melbourne warmly embraces its LGBTQ+ community, seamlessly weaving inclusivity into the fabric of its core. A few favorite experiences that promote diversity and inclusion to check out include:
· Interlude Cocktail Bar & Dining: Located on Melbourne’s Chapel Street, this 100% Aboriginal and female-owned establishment opened its doors in May 2023 and integrates local and native ingredients in a sleek and luxurious setting. With intimate seating and local DJs this is the perfect location for any occasion.
· Ras Dashen: Owned by Wondimu Alemu and his wife, who overcame adversity fleeing Ethiopia and enduring a six-year stay in a Sudanese refugee camp, Ras Dashen is an authentic Ethiopian culinary gem. The restaurant’s immersive ambiance, drawing inspiration from mountains, deserts, and rural villages, elevates the dining experience, complemented by the enticing aroma of traditional Ethiopian coffee.
· Melissa Oakleigh: Melbourne, boasting the world’s largest Greek community outside Athens, is a Greek cuisine paradise. In the suburb of Oakleigh, Melissa stands out with its authentic Hellenic experience, offering delicious souvlaki, Greek sweets, and live entertainment with a DJ or traditional music bands.
· Bendigo Queer Film Festival: As the premier rural queer film and arts festival in Australia, BQFF draws attendees from across Victoria and beyond to celebrate diversity and inclusion through a vibrant showcase of LGBTQ+ cinema.
· Koorie Heritage Trust: Has made history as Australia’s first standalone cultural and arts center for First Peoples, it recently celebrated its grand reopening of its expanded First Peoples arts and cultural center in the newly renovated Birrarung Building in Melbourne’s Fed Square. Visitors can enjoy a range of authentic Victorian Aboriginal experiences from Birrarung Wilam Walk to handcrafted locally made gifts.
2024 – The Year of Solo Travel!
With 40% of today’s travelers (and 50% of LGBTQ+ travelers) traveling solo, Melbourne & Victoria stand out as an excellent destination for solo travel due to its emphasis on safety, efficient transportation systems, and traveler-friendly infrastructure. For those seeking an enriching and independent travel experience, the following options are highly recommended:
· Check out some of the most iconic cultural institutions in the cultural capital of Australia:
o With countless cultural institutions solo travelers can curate their Melbourne adventure to match their preferences, be it a day of solitary exploration or mingling with locals and other travelers on guided tours. Kick off at the State Library of Victoria – a haven for history & book lovers – before having lunch at the vibrant Queen Victoria Market with its fresh produce and diverse goods. End the day at the National Gallery Victoria to marvel at the stunning art collection or visit the ACMI – Australia’s national museum of screen culture for art and cinematic delights.
· Experience quintessential Aussie hospitality at these Melbourne dining spots, perfect for solo travelers. Explore the list below or check out some more solo dining experiences on our website here!
o Welive for Hotpot: Tailored for introverts, WeLive for Hotpot offers solitary dining bliss. Reserve a private booth with timber dividers and individual hotpots. Dishes discreetly arrive through a curtain, perfect for the shy foodie. Discover this Chinatown gem for a personalized feast.
o Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar: For an authentic taste of Melbourne’s Italian essence, Pellegrini’s is the spot. Dive into coffee history, culture, and hospitality with a warm cup. Grab a seat at the curved bar, savor simple spaghetti, or enjoy a flat white while perusing your new book from the nearby Paperback Bookshop.
o MoVida Next Door: A solo diner’s go-to, this spot offers tapas perfect for individual sampling—favorites include the zucchini and manchego croquettes or Cantabrian anchovies with tomato sorbet. Snag a window seat overlooking Hosier Lane and Flinders Street for some prime people-watching.
· Escape to the Mornington Peninsula for a rejuvenating day of rest and relaxation at one of the many geothermal pools. Fan favorites include:
o Peninsula Hot Springs: This award-winning natural hot spring and day spa features 70 bathing experiences including a cave pool, reflexology walk, Turkish Hammam and hilltop pool with 360-degree views of the region. Perfect for a quiet day of solo wellness experiences!
o Alba Thermal Springs & Spa: Positioned in beautiful landscaped gardens, Alba offers contemporary bathing including a rain pool, botanical pools, forest pools, a sunset pool, and private pools on the rooftop and The Terrace. Luxurious full day self-care packages, half-day rituals and treatments are available in the spa.
Destination Highlight: Wilson’s Promontory
Poised to become Victoria’s largest conservation sanctuary through the Prom Sanctuary Project, Wilson’s Promontory is a local’s favorite National Park outside of Melbourne. With overnight-stay permits sometimes booking out 6 months or more in advance, visitors hoping to visit this stunning nature haven are encouraged to book now for May – October 2024 visits! While visiting some things to do include:
· Cruising with Wanderer Adventures: With daily tours offered straight from the beach at Tidal River, visitors are invited to board the world’s first amphibious boat, across sand and sea. These 2.5 hour cruises include sightings of whales, dolphins, unique birdlife and an opportunity to marvel at the iconic granite monolith of skull rock.
· Scenic Trails: With a range of different hikes for all abilities some options include the stunning Mount Oberon Summit Walk with panoramic views, the immersive Lilly Pilly Gully Circuit Walk through lush rainforest, or the Tongue Point Walk which unveils coastal wonders, showcasing the diverse beauty of this natural haven.
· Beaches: In ‘the Prom’, an abundance of beautiful beaches awaits. Take a stroll along the renowned white (and audible!) sands of Squeaky Beach, or explore nearby gems like Norman Beach (closest to Tidal River accommodations), Whisky Beach, and the tranquil Picnic Bay for an unforgettable coastal retreat.
· Wildlife: Discover diverse wildlife, including kangaroos, emus, wombats, and echidnas, thriving in their natural habitat.
New & Noteworthy
· Lyall Hotel: After undergoing an extensive two-year redesign, The Lyall proudly reopens its doors in March 2024. Boasting a transformed collection of 49 suites, an expanded restaurant, and a harmonious blend of modern style and timeless elegance, the “all-new” Lyall presents a unique sense of place. Situated in the trendy suburb of South Yarra, this location is great for those eager to explore stunning architecture, savor contemporary cuisine and indulge in Melbourne’s premier shopping experiences.
· Scheduled to open Autumn (Australia’s March – May), Saddle Lookout , located at 12 Apostles along the stunning Great Ocean Road, is poised to reveal an elevated viewing experience, perfect for seizing picture-perfect opportunities.
· Coming to Melbourne in March, Gigi Salon a Champagne is set to redefine the city’s nightlife. This glamorous, party-friendly champagne bar promises a sophisticated and lively atmosphere.
· Chef Victor Liong, renowned for Lee Ho Fook will be unveiling Silk Spoon at Melbourne’s 500 Bourke Street. Inspired by the ancient Silk Road, this venture promises a culinary journey blending Malaysian-Chinese heritage and innovative flair.
