From cheering on the Aussies at the cricket and tennis to concerts galore, art exhibitions, Christmas events and more, there are plenty of reasons to stay and play in Melbourne this summer – and Oaks Hotels has seven centrally-located properties across Melbourne with prices starting from just $179 per night to kick back and enjoy the festive vibe all summer long.
Experience Melbourne’s sporting spirit up close
Attending a sporting event in Melbourne is a bucket-list experience for most Australians, and fans will be out in force to support the green and gold this summer, with several epic fixtures to choose from at the iconic MCG, the home of Aussie cricket, and Rod Laver Arena, the host of the Australian Open tennis grand slam. The Big Bash cricket on 10th and 15th December is made for family fun, while the Boxing Day test on 26th December is a must for those who prefer the traditional version of the game. Between 17th and 30th January, Melbourne will put its best foot forward during its beloved tennis event, with a festive ambience, concerts, food events, and of course – all the courtside action.
Craving culture?
From wizards to phantoms, there’s plenty on offer for fans of theatre, culture and more during November, including Australia’s innovative new production of The Phantom of the Opera – complete with magnificent chandelier – enchanting audiences at the State Theatre, as well as Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, which is currently lifting the roof off the elegant Regent Theatre. Hip hop sensation Hamilton is a must-see at Her Majesty’s Theatre, with smash hit Mary Poppins set to take over the historic space from January 2023.
Concerts galore…more is more
Music fans of all genres will find something to sing about in Melbourne during November and December, when concert season well and truly ramps up and the Victorian capital becomes the concert capital of the country. Featured acts will include Guns’n’Roses, Kendrick Lamar, The Wiggles, Pixies, Billy Joel, Tyga, Keith Urban, The Killers, Birds of Tokyo, Human Nature…and more.
Art comes to life
For an immersive art experience, don’t miss The Lume, a digital gallery which incorporates sound and aromas for a unique experience that takes art appreciation to a whole new level. The current feature exhibition Monet & Friends Alive.
Feast on fantastic food and wine
From the freshest local produce at Queen Vic Market in the mornings to exceptional Greek cuisine in Oakleigh to Italian icons on Lygon Street or hidden bars and restaurants in the city’s famed laneways, there’s plenty for foodies to tuck into in Melbourne. Plus, with fabulous wineries throughout the Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley – both an easy bus ride or drive from central Melbourne – there’s plenty of reasons to get set for a day trip!
Vintage vibes
Melbourne is the home of vintage and thrift-store shopping in Australia, with hotspots for bargain hunters and lovers of retro threads including Brunswick Street, Fitzroy and Collingwood. RetroStar in Cathedral Arcade, American Rag in Southgate and the QV shopping centre, and Retropolis in Preston are also firm favourites.
Christmas in the city
From the famous silly season window displays at Myer in the city to pop-up markets, festive events, the giant tree in Fed Square and dazzling light displays, Melbourne sure knowns how to get into the Christmas spirit. Check out the full Christmas in the City program of events from mid-November.
7 ways to stay…and play
Renowned for its roomy, comfortable accommodation and welcoming ‘home-away-from-home’ ambience, there are plenty of reasons Happy Folks Choose Oaks, and with seven properties to choose from across Melbourne, there’s bound to be a perfect pick for every type of traveller, from boys’ trips to families to couples and solo explorers.
In the CBD, options include the elegant Oaks Melbourne on Market Hotel, with an onsite Oak and Vine restaurant, indoor pool and gym (priced from $224 per night); Oaks Melbourne on Lonsdale Suites with accommodation ranging from studios to three-bedroom suites in a handy location a hop, skip and jump from bustling Chinatown (priced from $206 per night); Oaks Melbourne on William Suites, which offers suites with views over Flagstaff Gardens in a convenient location just moments from the Queen Victoria Markets (priced from $206 per night); and historic Oaks Melbourne on Collins Hotel in a prime central location (priced from $179 per night).
Along the river, Oaks Melbourne Southbank Suites is just minutes from the chic restaurants and bars of Crown Casino, and home to fully equipped apartment-style accommodation (priced from $242 per night), while the contemporary WRAP on Southbank incorporates an indoor pool, gym, restaurant and bar, just steps from the National Gallery of Victoria (priced from $269 per night).
Over in cosmopolitan South Yarra, guests can experience a taste of local life amidst boutique shopping and cosy restaurants, before retreating to Oaks Melbourne South Yarra Suites, which offers stylish accommodation with full kitchens and laundries, skyline views, and a rooftop terrace with a BBQ for a casual dinner in (priced from $206 per night).
