The Surprise and Delight of a Melbourne Spring
Spring in Melbourne is a time of hope and possibility in so many ways. Longer days and more sunshine tempt us outdoors while neighbourhood parks and streets lift our spirits with their cloaks of green.
There’s nothing like spring blossom or buds to make you feel that anything is possible. And then there’s the high stakes of an AFL premiership or a win at the Melbourne Cup to encourage these dreams. There’s really nothing that seems too hard or unachievable at this time of year. So here’s a curated collection of fun things to do to expand your sense of wellbeing and encourage adventure as Melbourne puts on a show to remember throughout September, October and November.
Now is the time to celebrate the old, while ensuring we continue to embrace the new…
Explore Melbourne in Spring
Heading north to Carlton Gardens
Situated on the northern boundary of the CBD is a remarkable space that many Melbournians take for granted. It’s the UNESCO World Heritage listed Carlton Gardens where the Royal Exhibition Building can be found.
Originally known as the Exhibition Building, as its name suggests, it was constructed for the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880 – taking just 18 months to complete (!!!). In 1901 it hosted the opening of Australia’s Federal Parliament. The painting of this iconic event, with His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall and York resplendent in full uniform and gold epaulettes, can now be viewed in Parliament House, Canberra. A visit to this original parliament is well worth the time, with perhaps a picnic in the gardens before or afterwards. You may also wish to squeeze in some early Christmas shopping in the gift shop, tour the Dome for outstanding views of the entire city, or take time to view memorabilia and read wartime stories associated with the building.
You’ll be situated right next to Melbourne Museum as well, where the ROME: Empire, Power, People exhibition runs until 25 October.
Plan your visit, parking, accessibility and pre-purchase tickets for the Dome tour (Seniors Card or concession $23), with more info here.
Learning the craft of coffee
Is Melbourne really the coffee capital of the world? I believe so, but as a proud local it’s just possible that I may be biased. Regardless, it certainly ranks high on the list of great coffee cities, which means that there is a seemingly endless list of cafes for you to try. But why not make spring the season when you do more than just order a coffee – why not learn more about the fine art of coffee appreciation. Here’s a fun fact to start with – a coffee tasting is called coffee cupping. And here are two highly respected coffee houses who offer great ways to learn more about blends, varietals, roasting and sipping, without breaking the bank
Market Lane Coffee is a well-established presence across the city. It conducts public coffee cupping at its Prahran Market cafe every Tuesday morning at 10am and also on Tuesdays at the Sydney Road venue in Brunswick. Sessions are priced at $10 per person.
Across town in Collingwood, sister venues, Aunty Peg’s Brew Bar and Proud Mary Cafe feature a different showcase each month, highlighting coffees from different regions or across different varietals and processing methods. Weekly and monthly cuppings at the roastery in Collingwood provide the community with a great opportunity to taste the new coffees being released that month and find out what makes them special. The Saturday cupping offers a relaxed environment for anyone who hasn’t tried cupping before to give it a go, with 4-5 coffees on the table to try.
The monthly cuppings feature up to 12 coffees, ranging from easy drinking, everyday brews all the way up to Proud Mary’s deluxe, award winning lots.
No bookings are necessary, all are welcome and there’s no charge.
Monthly Community Cuppings – First Monday of every month 5pm
Weekly Public Cuppings Every Saturday 10:30am
A riot of roses
Melbourne affords many places to enjoy the beautiful blooms of spring. Here are three ways to immerse yourself in roses, through very different collections.
Royal Botanic Gardens
As with all of its other displays, the rose section at the Botanic Gardens is gorgeous. But more importantly, the varieties on display are now carefully chosen to reflect ‘climate ready’ rose plantings. There’s little point in denying the dramatic change in our seasons and weather patterns – so best to get with the program and choose plants that will withstand our blistering summers and wild storms.
You will learn a lot from this carefully researched planting. Find more here.
Flemington racecourse
The Spring Racing Carnival is far more than a horse race. It’s a fashion festival, a foodie’s bonanza – and a chance for Melbourne to be showcased across the world. And nothing says spring more than the roses at Flemington’s famous racetrack. With more than 16,000 bushes and 1000 varieties adorning the track, there’s a fragrance and colour to match any outfit. Head gardener, Mick Ryan, and his team start six months before Cup Day to ensure it will all be ‘blooming marvellous’. Read more about this wonderful display here.
Victoria State Rose Garden, Werribee
Part of the Werribee Park complex, this five hectare site features 5000 bushes planted in the shape of – you guessed it – a rose! This little-known, but award-winning, garden is tended mainly by volunteers who are trained by rosarians. You, too, can make a difference by volunteering on a Wednesday or Saturday, enjoying a great way to combine flowers and friendship. Learn more here.
Remember, however, as you enjoy the colour and fragrance in these special gardens that now is not the best time to source a rose and plant it. That should have been done with a bare-rooted plant back in June! So when you are out and about, take photos and make notes. You can then order your bare-rooted plants next year, around April (before they sell out), for arrival and planting mid-year. This gives the roses time to establish themselves and reward
you with beautiful blooms in mid-September. I order my roses from The Diggers Club or Treloar Roses, but there are many other online options as well.
Nature in our galleries
Melbourne’s spring means sunny days, but it can also deliver grey skies and soaking rain. Which means finding nature indoors is a smart way to enjoy the natural world without freezing. Two current exhibitions offer very different forms of artistic expression – both are marvellous.
Monet and more at Geelong Gallery
I made the trip to Geelong with my friend Kez a week or so ago. It’s such an easy journey from suburban Melbourne to Southern Cross Station for the hour or so rail trip to Geelong. A short stroll uphill and we enter the Geelong Gallery which tends to punch well above its weight when it comes to showcasing fine art.
Discovering the Impressionists: Paul Durand-Ruel, Art Dealer Among the Artists is stunning. You enter what appears to be a fine arts establishment near the Arc de Triomphe – of course it is a facsimile of dealer, Durand-Ruels’ showroom. We should all be grateful to this man who first appreciated the Impressionists – and then nurtured them so they could afford to continue painting, creating works which are revered the world over.
What makes them so special? The ability to capture flickers of light which so emphatically represent colour, mood and harmony in nature. The works on display show pastures, rivers, coastal walks, mountains and, of course, Monet’s beloved garden.
It’s only open until 11 October, so make sure you don’t miss out! More here.
And Margaret in the city…
Meanwhile, back in town at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square, a retrospective of the marvellous Margaret Preston features 250 works from her nearly 70 years of work. Known as a painter, but perhaps more so as a woodblock printer, her representations of Australian plants and flowers is both striking and joyous. I am heading to this exhibition next week and simply cannot wait. I have had two of her prints adorning our family room for 30+ years – so to see the originals will be a rare treat.
There are free guided tours on a daily basis and so make sure to check out all options before you book (concessions $25). The exhibition runs until 31 January, 2027. Read more here.
A special month of outings
And last, but definitely far from least, the Victorian Seniors Festival kicks off on 1 October. This is a serious springtime offering of fun and educational experiences. Brochures listing all activities can be collected from Coles supermarkets, local townhalls etc. But if you want an easy shortcut to booking the best events, why not use the Seniors in Melbourne handy eGuide?
Heading off on your own Melbourne adventures? Join our Facebook Group and share your stories, ask questions and connect with others for further inspiration.
