It’s the middle of winter here in Melbourne, but fortunately we live in a milder climate and winter here isn’t brutal enough to keep us indoors for the season, so there are plenty of activities to keep busy! Docklands happens to be one of the better areas for this, too—especially on Friday nights for the next few weeks.
Every Friday night in Docklands at 7:30 for the months of July and August, fireworks are scheduled to be set off from barges in the harbor. What more wonderful way to start the weekend than some explosions over the beautifully lit harbor?
After the fireworks you could visit one of the Docklands many lovely bars and pubs. Head to Squires Loft for some well-cooked steaks—your hearty winter fare. Paired with a lovely bottle of wine, and you’ll be cozy and warm the whole night long. Still have some energy? Head over to the Woolshed Pub for a few after-dinner cocktails and stunning views of the harbor. Maybe even check it out before dinner—you might be able to see the fireworks from the bar! To keep the night going ‘till morning, check out Alumbra for some R&B and hip-hop vibes.
Wind down on Sunday with the Docklands Sunday Markets, filled with food and boutique pop-up shops; some say the best croissants in Melbourne lurk in this Sunday market, but it’ll be up to you to track them down! With free entry, of course it’s the best decision. To keep the soul going, head back to Alumbra for their Sunday Soul Sessions, complete with a rooftop barbecue overlooking the whole harbor.
See? Just ‘cause it’s winter doesn’t mean you have to bundle up on your couch with Netflix (though that is an enticing alternative). So get out and venture through the “winter wonderland” of Docklands and Melbourne at large!
More info about the Docklands Winter Festival here.