The best things to do on the King's Birthday weekend in Melbourne

Leaving the city behind for a few days to recharge is always a good choice. These days, accommodation options reach far beyond a traditional hotel, cabin or B’n’B; Victoria is home to beachside glamping spots, art-filled mountain retreats, farm stays and lots more. 

As a chill settles over the city each winter, Rising returns with a nocturnal vengeance. This year, the much-loved arts festival will take place across twelve nights from June 4-15, with a red-hot program featuring 65 events, 327 artists and nine world premieres. A highlight will be when Flinders Street Station will double as a mini golf course as Swingers – The Art of Mini Golf takes over. This immersive (and fully playable) exhibition will include works by some of the world’s most dynamic and boundary-pushing female-identifying artists

You don't need to venture to the French Alps; you can experience winter magic right here in Melbourne. Fed Square has transformed into a charming alpine village, complete with wooden chalets, fire pits, and, most importantly, bubbling cauldrons of cheese and chocolate – need we say more?

What could be more luxe and relaxing than soaking in blissful hot water? As well as the mineral spring resorts in Daylesford and the ultra-popular hot springs on the Mornington Peninsula, there is a smattering of hidden oases waiting to be explored across Victoria.

Looking for something to do this King's Birthday long weekend? Head up to the charming village of Woodend, located just an hour's drive from the CBD, for its annual Winter Arts Festival (WWAF) from June 6 to 9. The diverse program features some of Australia’s leading classical musicians and greatest literary minds. 

A brand-new Lego Star Wars exhibition has made its world premiere, and it won't be in a galaxy far, far away but right here in Melbourne. Lego Star Wars: the Exhibition at Melbourne Museum comes from revered Lego genius Ryan 'Brickman' McNaught, who's back with his latest mind-boggling project of massive Star Wars brick creations – some standing at a whopping four metres tall. 

If you have a tendency to go into hibernation mode when winter rolls around, you're not alone. Melbourne's winters are cold, wet and painfully windy, and leaving your house can be a bit ask. But for the brave among us who are eager to embrace the cold, there are several amazing winter getaways worth bundling up for.

As a famously sunburnt country, snow is not exactly what we’re known for in Australia. But luckily for those of us who call Victoria home, we actually have a handful of ski resorts – including Mt Buller, Falls Creek and Mt Hotham – within driving distance. With a wide variety of terrain and a wealth of quality apres options, there’s something for skiers, snowboarders and toboganners alike.

'Beetlejuice the Musical' is playing at the Regent Theatre, while 'Hadestown' remains one of the hottest tickets in town. 'The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale' continues its blistering run at the Comedy Theatre, and there's a red-hot adaptation of 'The Birds' showing at the Malthouse. 

Unlock a new dimension at the 2025 edition of Oz Comic-Con, which is taking place at the Melbourne International Conference and Exhibition Centre on June 7 and 8.

Some huge international stars are set to appear and meet fans, including beloved actress Catherine Tate (Doctor Who) and Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, The Mandalorian). 

We've definitely become experts in the parks and gardens nearest to our homes, but now is the time to explore a bit further afield. Luckily there are lots of parks and gardens in Melbourne that are slightly off the beaten path. Here you'll find gardens devoted to Australian natives, fancy ferns and some not-so-ubiquitous plants like cacti, rhododendrons, tulips and lotuses – perfect for when you need some green in your life.

It's a huge month for fandoms, with exclusive activations for both Star Wars and Harry Potter to check out. Best of all, the Melbourne Museum is even playing host to a pop-up Star Wars-inspired café to accompany its exhibition. There are also some really fantastic Indigenous collections to explore, including Wurrdha Murra and Biik Milboo Dhumba – Country is Always Talking.

There's nothing quite like escaping the rat race, going off grid and getting back to nature. Of course, going bush doesn't have to mean going without. Enter glamping. A number of businesses around Victoria now provide spacious, comfortable and (importantly) already set-up tents for folks to hire out. 

The coast gets all the glory, with its shining vistas and its glittering seascapes. But central Victoria should be your next weekend away destination, particularly the arty hub of Castlemaine and foodie destination Kyneton. In recent years, Castlemaine and its surrounding towns have developed a reputation for being home to artists, musicians, writers and creatives. Castlemaine punches way above its weight when it comes to cultural festivals and activities – not to mention restaurants that are well worth the drive north. 

Perfect for embracing winter (or denying summer) these ice skating venues allow you to hire skates and hop on the ice for a graceful – or not so grateful – skating experience for all ages and skill levels.

There's a reason the Yarra Valley is one of the most visited wine regions in the world. It's only an hour from Melbourne, making it the perfect day trip or weekend away. There are 160 wineries to try in the region, from tiny mum-and-pop operations to giant foreign-owned behemoths. 

We are truly living in the golden age of the escape room. It's hard to remember a time when there weren't super-fun puzzle rooms throughout Melbourne, but the first one only opened in 2014. Now there are virtual escape rooms and online escape rooms, along with the bricks-and-mortar kind. Each escape room revolves around a different theme – and they cater to all manner of phobias. Time Out took the challenge of visiting escape rooms all over Melbourne. Whether we got out in time is a different matter.

One of the many great things about Victoria is that it's a comparitively small state, meaning that most destinations are within a day's drive from the capital of Melbourne. And boy, are there a lot of amazing destinations to visit. From surreal pink salt lakes to misty rainforests and ancient mountain ranges, Victoria is replete in natural wonders worth travelling for – and we've rounded up some of the best.

Are you overdue for a bit of self-care? Give your muscles the gift of a deep tissue massage or refresh your complexion with a soothing facial at these retreats around Melbourne. From luxury day spas and bathhouses to cosmetic clinics and wellness centres, there's a range of treatment options for you to choose from that will leave you feeling soft, warm and radiant.