This month marks the end of winter, and with it comes the final opportunity to indulge in seasonal delights like warm igloos and steaming mugs of cocoa. If you’re concerned about the weather, though, know that there are plenty of indoor activities to attempt, such as Filmfare and art exhibitions. Some of the greatest attractions and activities in Melbourne throughout August are listed here.

August is typically a winter month in Melbourne, Australia. The average high temperature is around 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit) and the average low temperature is around 6 degrees Celsius (43 degrees Fahrenheit). It can be quite cold, with occasional rain or even snowfall in the nearby mountains.

It’s a good time to enjoy indoor activities such as visiting museums, or checking out the local café scene. It’s also a great time to take a trip to the nearby wineries and enjoy the warm fires inside.

What Is There To Do In Melbourne In August?

There are a variety of things to do in Melbourne in August, despite the cooler weather. Some popular activities include:

1. Visit Museums And Art Galleries:

Visiting museums and art galleries are a great way to spend a day in Melbourne in August. Some of the most popular museums and art galleries in the city include:

• National Gallery of Victoria (NGV): The NGV is one of the oldest and most prestigious art museums in Australia, and it is home to a wide range of artworks from around the world, including European, Asian, and Australian art.
• Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA): The ACCA is dedicated to contemporary art from Australia and around the world, with a particular focus on emerging artists.
• Melbourne Museum: The Melbourne Museum is the largest in the southern hemisphere, and it covers a wide range of topics, from Australian history and culture to science and technology.
• Scienceworks: This museum is perfect for families and those who are interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The museum features interactive exhibits and hands-on activities that explore the world around us.
• Immigration Museum: This museum tells the stories of immigrants and their experiences through interactive exhibits, artifacts, and personal stories. It also offers tours, talks, and other educational programs that provide a deeper understanding of the history of immigration in Australia.
• Heide Museum of Modern Art: This art museum is located in Bulleen, a suburb of Melbourne, and it is dedicated to modern art, including contemporary art and design.
• Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI): This museum is dedicated to film, television, and digital culture, and it features interactive exhibits, screenings, and other events that explore the history and impact of moving images on our culture.

These are some of the best options for visitors interested in art and culture in Melbourne.

2. Check Out The Local Café Scene:

Melbourne is known for its vibrant café culture, and there are many cozy cafes to enjoy a warm drink and a bite to eat during August. Some popular café options include:

• Brother Baba Budan: This café is located in the city centre and is known for its specialty coffee, delicious pastries, and friendly atmosphere.
• Top Paddock: This café is located in Richmond, a suburb of Melbourne, and it is known for its delicious food, great coffee, and beautiful outdoor seating area.
• The Kettle Black: This café is located in South Melbourne, and it is known for its delicious breakfast and brunch options, as well as its beautiful interior design.
• Seven Seeds: This café is located in Carlton, and it is known for its specialty coffee, as well as its delicious food options, including sandwiches, pastries, and more.
• The Little Mule: This café is located in Collingwood, and it is known for its delicious coffee, as well as its unique and creative food options.
• The League of Honest Coffee: This café is located in Melbourne CBD and it is known for its specialty coffee, delicious pastries, and cozy atmosphere.
• Industry Beans: This café is located in Fitzroy, and it is known for its delicious coffee, as well as its creative food options, including a variety of breakfast and brunch options.

These are just a few examples of the many great cafes that Melbourne has to offer. Visitors can also check out coffee shops in different neighbourhoods to find the perfect spot for a warm drink and a bite to eat.

3. Take A Trip To The Nearby Wineries: 

Taking a trip to the nearby wineries is a great way to experience the local wine culture and sample some delicious wines while warming up by the fire in August. Some popular wineries and wine regions near Melbourne include:

• Yarra Valley: This region is located just an hour east of Melbourne and is known for its cool-climate wines, particularly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Some popular wineries in the Yarra Valley include De Bortoli, Yering Station and Rochford Wines.
• Mornington Peninsula: This region is located about an hour southeast of Melbourne and is known for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines. Some popular wineries in the Mornington Peninsula include T’Gallant, Main Ridge and Polperro.
• Macedon Ranges: This region is located northwest of Melbourne and is known for its cool-climate wines, particularly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Some popular wineries in the Macedon Ranges include Hanging Rock and Mount Macedon Winery.
• The Bendigo Region: This region is located in the northwest of Melbourne and is known for its Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Some popular wineries in the Bendigo region include Sandhurst Ridge and Red Hill Estate.
• The Goulburn Valley Region: This region is located north of Melbourne and is known for its Shiraz and Chardonnay. Some popular wineries in the Goulburn Valley region include Tahbilk and Mitchelton.

These are just a few examples of the many wineries and wine regions that are located near Melbourne, and visitors can also check out wineries in different regions to find the perfect spot for wine tasting. Also, many wineries offer tours, tastings, and dining experiences, and some of them also have accommodation options.

4. Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens:

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit in August. The gardens are located in the heart of the city and cover an area of 36 hectares, making it one of the largest botanical gardens in the world. Some of the highlights of the gardens include:

• The Australian Garden: This garden showcases the diverse and unique flora of Australia, with a particular focus on plants from Victoria and southern Australia.
• The Rose Garden: This garden features a wide variety of roses in different colours, shapes, and fragrances, making it a perfect spot for nature lovers and rose enthusiasts.
• The Herb Garden: This garden features a wide variety of herbs, including both culinary and medicinal herbs, and it also offers visitors a chance to learn more about the different uses and benefits of herbs.
• The Tropical Glasshouse: This glasshouse features a wide variety of tropical plants, including exotic flowers, fruits, and palms. It’s a great spot to take a walk around and enjoy the warm environment.
• The National Herbarium of Victoria: This herbarium is located within the gardens and it contains more than 1.5 million specimens of vascular plants, fungi, and algae, making it one of the largest herbaria in Australia.
• The Australian Native Garden: This garden showcases the diverse and unique flora of Australia, with a particular focus on plants from Victoria and southern Australia.
• The Tan Track: This track is a great spot for running and walking, it’s a 2.5 km track around the garden, it offers great views and it’s a peaceful space to enjoy nature.

The Royal Botanic Gardens are open every day of the year, and they offer a variety of guided tours, educational programs, and events throughout the year, making it a great place to visit for nature lovers and families.

5. Visit The Melbourne Zoo: 

Visiting the Melbourne Zoo in August is a great way to spend a day with family and friends. The Melbourne Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the world and it is home to over 320 species of animals. Some of the highlights of the zoo include:

• The African Rainforest: This section of the zoo features a variety of African animals, including gorillas, chimpanzees, and lemurs.
• The Butterfly House: This section of the zoo features a variety of butterflies, including some of the most colourful and rare species from around the world.
• The Australian Rainforest: This section of the zoo features a variety of Australian animals, including kangaroos, koalas, and Tasmanian devils.
• The Asian Rainforest: This section of the zoo features a variety of Asian animals, including Sumatran tigers, Indian rhinos and elephants.
• The Lion Gorge: This section of the zoo features a variety of African lions, and it allows visitors to see the lions up close and learn more about their habitat and behaviour.
• The Zoo’s Nursery: This section of the zoo allows visitors to see baby animals from different species and learn about the breeding program and conservation efforts of the zoo.
• The Zoo’s Farm: This section of the zoo allows visitors to see farm animals, such as cows, sheep, pigs, and chickens, and learn about the role of these animals in the ecosystem and agriculture.

The Melbourne Zoo is open every day of the year, and it offers a variety of guided tours, educational programs, and events throughout the year, making it a great place to visit for animal lovers and families.

6. Attend A Sporting Event:

Attending a sporting event in Melbourne in August is a great way to experience the city’s passion for sports. Some of the sporting events that may be happening in August include:

• Australian Football League (AFL): The AFL is Australia’s premier professional Australian rules football league and it’s one of the most popular sports in Melbourne. Games are usually held on weekends and occasionally on weekdays.
• National Rugby League (NRL): The NRL is the top-level professional rugby league competition in Australia, and it’s another popular sport in Melbourne. Games are usually held on weekends.
• International cricket: Melbourne is home to one of the most famous cricket grounds in the world, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which is located in the heart of the city. There may be international cricket matches taking place here in August
• Melbourne Victory FC (Soccer): Melbourne Victory FC is a professional soccer club based in Melbourne, and it plays in the A-League, the top tier of Australian soccer. The club plays its home games at AAMI Park, located in the city.
• Melbourne United (Basketball): Melbourne United is a professional basketball team in Melbourne, and it plays in the National Basketball League (NBL) which is the top tier of Australian basketball. Melbourne United games are held at Melbourne Arena in the city.

Please note that the availability of games and events will depend on the schedule and the current COVID-19 situation. It’s best to check the schedule of the games and events in advance and to get the tickets in advance if possible.

7. Go Shopping: 

Going shopping in Melbourne in August can be a great way to experience the city’s diverse retail scene. Some of the best places to go shopping in Melbourne include:

• Melbourne Central: Melbourne Central is a large shopping centre located in the heart of the city, featuring over 300 stores, including popular international and local fashion brands, electronics, and homeware.
• Chadstone Shopping Centre: Chadstone is the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring over 500 stores, including luxury fashion, electronics, and homeware.
• Queen Victoria Market: Queen Victoria Market is Melbourne’s largest open-air market and a historic landmark, featuring over 600 vendors selling fresh produce, meat, fish, and specialty foods, as well as clothing, jewellery, and souvenirs.
• Bourke Street Mall: Bourke Street Mall is a pedestrianized shopping street in the heart of the city, featuring a variety of department stores, fashion boutiques, and souvenir shops.
• High Street, Armadale: High Street is a trendy and upscale shopping street in the suburb of Armadale, featuring a variety of designer fashion boutiques, homewares, and gift shops.
• The Block Arcade: The Block Arcade is a historic arcade located in the heart of the city, featuring a variety of specialty shops, cafes, and restaurants, many of which are housed in ornate Victorian-era buildings.
• DFO South Wharf: DFO South Wharf is a factory outlet shopping centre located on the south bank of the Yarra River, featuring a variety of outlet stores from popular fashion and sportswear brands.

Melbourne also has a variety of markets that happen on different days of the week and locations, such as the Prahran Market, Camberwell Market, and the Rose Street Market, where you can find unique and handmade products and street food.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Melbourne in August offers a wide range of activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy. From visiting museums and art galleries to checking out the local café scene, taking a trip to nearby wineries, visiting the Royal Botanic Gardens, and Melbourne Zoo, attending a sporting event and going shopping, there are plenty of options to choose from. 

So, if you are planning to spend August in Melbourne, do it now. Pack your bags and prepare for the trip. You’ll never go wrong in choosing Melbourne as your go-to place for August.