What’s on over the King’s Birthday long weekend in Melbourne and Victoria 2023

King’s Birthday activities and events in Melbourne and Victoria 2023

Activities

Go to the movies

Year round

While of course, the movies are open all the time, there’s nothing quite like rugging up in the cinema with a nice warm popcorn.

Over the King’s Birthday weekend, consider taking in a new blockbuster like The Little Mermaid, Fast X or Transformers. RACV Members save on movie tickets.

Go to the snow

Winter season

The King's Birthday long weekend marks the official start of the Victorian snow season, and might just be the perfect time to hit the snow and slopes.

Check out our comprehensive guide on the Victorian ski season, including where to go, stay, and how to prepare. 

Go whale watching

Winter season

Winter is the best time to spot magnificent whales as they pass on their annual migration.

On a Winter Whale Cruise in Phillip Island, you’ll also spot the country’s largest breeding fur seal colony alongside humpback whales, dolphins and sea birds.

Sovereign Hill

Year round

While the 1850s historical experience is open year round, winter is when Sovereign Hill really comes to life. The Ballarat attraction boasts fun for the whole family, from horse-drawn carriage rides to pantomimes, candle making, panning for gold, and even a go at being an old-timey student writing with ink and a quill. 

Mini Golf

Year round

With both indoor and outdoor courses open around Victoria, mini golf is a weather-friendly pastime that's fun for the whole family. Glow Golf in the Docklands features courses lit up with UV, while Yarrambat's Goanna Golf is decked out in an Australia animal theme.

For a combination of family fun and challenging courses for adults, Yarra Bend Golf offers courses for a range of ability levels.  

RACV Members save on family-friendly mini golf courses around Victoria including Boneo Discovery Park and Grampians Adventure Golf.

Puffing Billy

Winter season

All aboard! As one of the country's oldest heritage steam railways, choose from one of four Puffing Billy routes through the Dandenong Ranges for scenic views of lakes, forests, and the area's local shops and eateries.

Pentridge Prison

Year round

Like your activities a little more ominous? Head on an immersive tour of the maximum-security Pentridge Prison, featuring stories and artifacts from the prison's history.

Pentridge Prison B Division Tours take visitors through various areas of the division closed to the public, such as the South Wing prisoners’ cells, the former Chaplain’s office, and the remains of the Panopticon airing yard. Pentridge Prison H Division Tours take visitors into the dark heart of Pentridge, known by its inmates as Hell Division. 

Play catch up

Year round

With an extra day up your sleeve, why not take the time to go to that place or attraction you’ve been meaning to visit?

Check out some hot springs, have a fun night out at a themed restaurant, go on a spooky night tour, head to see the famous Melbourne street art everyone is talking about, or grab your family and friends and have a challenging night out at an escape room.

Theatre shows

Mary Poppins

29 January - 18 June

Heading to the theatre is the perfect way to spend a winter’s day, especially when it is with the supercalifragilicious Mary Poppins, at Her Majesty’s Theatre. 

Along with the myriad of musicals hitting our Melbourne shores this year, the theatre version of the classic film starring Julie Andrews guarantees a fun night out in the heart of the city.

& JULIET

26 February – 29 July 

The brand-new jukebox musical starring Rob Mills and Casey Donovan asks the question: what if Shakespeare’s Juliet had lived? 

Featuring the songbook of Swedish songwriter Max Martin, you’ll be surprised how many hits you know. From Backstreet Boys to Britney Spears and Bon Jovi, & JULIET is a musical and a concert all in one.

Trips

Go on a day trip

If you’d prefer to have an adventure, why not take a day to explore beyond the city? 

Indulge in the state’s thermal hot springs and baths, do the Victorian silo trail, or head on one of these awesome day trips from Melbourne - regional Victoria is wonderful in winter. 

Head away for the weekend

A winter long weekend is also the perfect time to rug up, get cosy by a fireplace and leave the world behind. 

Whether it’s taking the kids to Ballarat to experience the Winter Village and Kryal Castle, or heading to the Wildlife Park on the Great Ocean Road for some fresh coastal air, RACV Resorts around Victoria make for the ultimate base for a convenient and unforgettable long weekend away.

Events

Winery tours in Victoria’s High Country

June 10 - 12 (check location for exact dates)

Put on that floppy hat and winter coat, it’s wine country time! Victoria’s High Country has a range of wine festivals happening over the King’s Birthday weekend. Those interested in a Winery Walkabout can head to Rutherglen for the 50th celebration of wine, entertainment, music, and food.

Over in the Glenrowan Wine Region, grab a ticket to the Trails, Tastings & Tales Food and Wine Festival and enjoy live music, craft markets, entertainment, impressive winter menus, and a range of cellar doors.

If you’re looking for fine wining and dining, consider a one-day Yarra Valley Winery Tour where you can taste your way across the Yarra Valley, or for a special occasion, a private luxury tour with a three-course meal at Domaine Chandon. 

You can also make a day of it by checking out one of the new wineries in Victoria on your own road trip, with a stay at the RACV Healesville Resort.

Oz Comic-Con 2023

June 10 - 11

Pop culture lovers rejoice, for a convention is headed your way! Featuring celebrity guests and panels, exhibitors, screenings, gaming, dress-up cosplay competitions, and merchandise, Oz Comic-Con will come to Melbourne over the King’s Birthday weekend.

The event will also have opportunities for autographs, photos, fan club meets, art displays, industry discussions, interactive activities, and of course, comics available for purchase. 

Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion

Until October 1

The latest exhibition to take over at ACMI celebrates iconic women and their stories, moments, and characters over the last 120 years. 

Featuring film, fashion, artworks and interactive activities, Goddess is a celebration of powerful women everywhere. Use the arevo journey planner app to find the most efficient way to get to Federation Square.

Festivals

RISING

7 - 18 June

Melbourne’s winter arts festival features ‘music, food, art and culture,’ in and around Melbourne under the moonlight. 

Visit ‘Euphoria’ for jazz music, ice skate under the stars at Birrarung Marr, view the First Peoples’ Melbourne Art Trams, or take in the free sparkling light show at Federation Square, plus much more.

The arevo journey planner app can help you find the best way to travel between RISING events dotted around the city.

The Winter Village at Federation Square

Winter 2023

The pop-up winter wonderland is back for another year of snow-capped adventure, featuring ice skating, private igloos, a snow machine, food trucks, a sip bar of hot toddies, mulled wine and gourmet hot chocolates.

Mornington Winter Music Festival

9 - 12 June

Who said festival fun only happens in the CBD? Head on down to the RACV Cape Schanck Resort and have a fabulous weekend at the Mornington Winter Music Festival.

With jazz and blues events running over four days from morning ‘til night, come down and groove to music encompassing roots, blues, pop, RnB, Celtic fiddles, rock, reggae, flamenco, folk, and everything in between!

The festival will be running all over Mornington, from The Grand Hotel to the Library Zone and local restaurants and cafes, so make sure to have a wander and explore all the area has to offer.

Free activities to do this King's Birthday long weekend

If you're looking for some fun activities without the price tag, Victoria is full of places to explore and uncover. Why not try: 

Go caving

Victoria is full of underground caves ripe for exploring. The Britannia Creek Caves, just 30 minutes from the RACV Healesville Resort, feature an underground river network, while the Buchan Caves in East Gippsland feature limestone Fairy Caves ready to be discovered. 

Visit a volcano

Did you know that Victoria is home to hundreds of volcanoes? From the Great Ocean Road to Hanging Rock, many of these volcanoes are accessible to visit, from guided tours to hikes and even the chance to camp in a volcanic crater. 

Explore a new hike or trail

Looking to explore the great outdoors? Whether you're looking for a dog-friendly trail, one of the newer hikes and nature trails in the regions or a great winter hike, immersing yourself in nature in regional Victoria is great way to keep fit. 

Tour a free museum or art gallery

As Australia's cultural capital, the Melbourne is unmatched when it comes to galleries, exhibitions, museums and artistic experiences.

Children, concession card holders, students and members can gain free admission into the Scienceworks museum, while the NGV, Koorie Heritage Trust, Australian Music Vault and ACMI in Melbourne's CBD have ongoing free exhibits year-round. 

Try a new recipe

While you may need to buy the ingredients if you don't have them already, trying out a new recipe is a great cost-savvy way to try something you haven't had before in the comfort of your home.

Over winter, why not try a fun mini pancake cereal or chocolate cake with the kids, or for a delicious winter warmer, a budget-friendly sweet potato and red kidney bean hot pot or spaghetti with Mediterranean roasted vegetables.