Indulgent ways to treat yourself midweek in winter

Winter treats to get you through the week

Going to a gallery or art exhibition

Attending an art gallery or exhibition is a surefire way to expand your mind and give you a new appreciation for the world around you.

Melbourne is a famous art destination, with plenty of traditional and contemporary art galleries. Here you’ll find Australia’s oldest and most visited art gallery the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria); film, TV and video game art centre ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image); and an incredible Australian art collection in the Ian Potter Centre.

Across wider Victoria, don’t miss the new cultural destination ArtHouse at RACV Goldfields Resort, the 700km Silo Art Trail, or regional galleries like the Bendigo Art Gallery, Geelong Gallery, and the Shepparton Art Museum.

If you’re in Hobart, you can’t go past the always-exciting, boundary-pushing MONA (Museum of Old and New Art). The Gold Coast also has a plethora of fun exhibitions, from ArtVo to the quirky Wax Museum and futuristic Infinity Attraction. 

Staying at a beautiful resort

Spending one or two nights at a relaxing resort midweek can give you some serious refreshment. Pick a location that speaks to you and a resort that has onsite dining and fun facilities so you can relax, unwind, and not need to leave until you check out.

The picturesque Yarra Valley is a popular midweek escape destination, as is beautiful Cape Schanck on the Mornington Peninsula or seaside Torquay. If you prefer a country escape, Goldfields, Inverloch and Cobram are all great options. 

Enjoy two-night gourmet getaways from $299* at selected RACV Resorts.

Enjoying a decadent coffee and cake

Treats don’t have to be grand or expensive. Head to one of Melbourne’s best patisseries or bakeries like Le Petit Gateau to treat yourself to a decadent cake for a midweek bump. Perhaps you’ll indulge in a hazelnut mille feuille, a crisp lemon tart, a mango lime cheesecake, or a passionfruit brownie chocolate gateau. Whichever you choose, pair your treat with a quality coffee to perk yourself up.

Booking in for a massage or spa treatment

There’s nothing more relaxing than a luxurious spa day. Let the world fade away as you melt into a skilled massage or receive a restorative treatment at a tranquil retreat like One Spa, found at locations across Victoria and Queensland. Enjoy the peace and quiet, relieve tension and awaken your senses.

You can also indulge in self-care at endota spa, Australia’s largest spa network with a range of services from relaxation and remedial massage to results-driven facials and body treatments. RACV Members can purchase endota spa gift cards for five per cent off.

Catching the latest movie at the cinema

There are some great movies coming out this season, from the sparkling comedy Barbie to sombre biographical drama Oppenheimer. Cinemas are often quieter midweek, making it a great date night, family outing or friendly catch-up. RACV Members even save up to 40 per cent on movie tickets at Village, HOYTS, Palace, Event, Moonlight and IMAX cinemas.

Discovering a new restaurant or cocktail bar

When you finish work on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, the last thing you want to do is trek home and start cooking dinner. Use one of these nights to explore your city or town, discovering a new restaurant or bar to tantalise your tastebuds and keep you satisfied.

Regional Victoria has a myriad of bars and restaurants that cater to your every culinary desire. Cape restaurant on the Mornington Peninsula is bringing fun back to fine dining, with upmarket twists on prawn crackers, sticky chicken wings, and other childhood delights. A seasonal menu, an emphasis on native Australian ingredients and an extensive local wine list heightens the dining experience.

After you’ve tried Cape, munch your way through Healesville’s new foodie destination, sample 18 of the best regional restaurants in Victoria, and try the best coastal fish and chip shops in Victoria.

Treating yourself to a midweek theatre show

There’s nothing like a bit of lights, camera, action to get you pumped up in the middle of the week! Look up what’s on at your local theatre or concert hall to snag some tickets to the latest hottest show. The good news is that midweek shows often save you some dollars compared to the popular Friday and Saturday night or weekend matinee shows.

RACV Members save 10 per cent on Melbourne Symphony Orchestra concerts. RACV Membership also gives you exclusive access to pre-sale tickets, exclusive events, and great ticket prices across Melbourne’s most iconic theatre venues, including Regent Theatre, Princess Theatre, Forum Melbourne, Comedy Theatre, Athenaeum Theatre, Her Majesty’s Theatre and Arts Centre Melbourne. Don’t miss on iconic shows like & Juliet, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, or MIDNIGHT: The Cinderella Musical. The bawdy comedy dinner-show Witches in Britches is another great midweek theatre idea.

Regional Victorians should check out Victoria’s seven best regional theatres, like Her Majesty’s Ballarat near RACV Goldfields Resort or Geelong Arts Centre near RACV Torquay Resort.

Heading to your nearest wildlife park

If you have a day off midweek, make it count by immersing yourself in nature. Australia has a wealth of wildlife parks that combine native animal conservation with beautiful countryside or forest paths to help you unwind.

Get up close with Aussie animals at Phillip Island Nature Parks, Healesville Sanctuary, Ballarat Wildlife Park, Moonlit Sanctuary on the Mornington Peninsula, or Wildlife Wonders near the Great Ocean Road.

Or, if it’s a rainy day, there are thousands of underwater and sea creatures to discover at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium.

^{*Vouchers must be pre-purchased from RACV Retail Store or at racv.com.au/movietickets. Discount does not apply to postage or credit card fees for tickets purchased online. Exclusive to RACV Members and RACV membership number and/or card must be presented at time of purchase. Tickets valid at participating cinemas for traditional cinema sessions only, excluding Victorian Public Holidays and School Holidays. Not valid with any other ticket offer or promotion unless otherwise stated. Vouchers valid until the last calendar day of the month indicated on the voucher. Tickets cannot be refunded, exchanged or transferred. Tickets purchased from RACV are for personal use only and cannot be on-sold. Candy Bar voucher redeemable 24 hours after purchase for one regular or frozen drink and one regular popcorn and must be surrendered at the Candy Bar on use. Alternate food and beverage items may be substituted should the advertised options no longer be available. For more details visit an RACV Retail Store or refer to the terms and conditions printed on the voucher.}

^{HOYTS: Vouchers cannot be redeemed for LUX, Directors Suite, HOYTS IMAX® or group or special events. Before purchasing any vouchers please check with the cinema on the classification. HOYTS tickets are not valid after 2pm Saturday and Sunday or anytime on a public holiday. Vouchers are valid at all HOYTS cinema locations. Vouchers are not valid at HOYTS affiliated cinemas.}

^{Village: Not valid for Gold Class, group bookings, movie marathons, special events or in conjunction with any other offer or promotion unless otherwise stated. Mailout vouchers are valid at all Village cinema locations. Digital vouchers are not valid at Bendigo, Rosebud, Sorrento, Warragul and Warrnambool cinemas.}

^{Palace: Vouchers are valid at all Palace cinema locations.}