Melbourne has dozens of beautiful free parks and gardens you can visit - here are some of the best to enjoy across the city.
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What’s on this Labour Day 2022 long weekend
From a fresh-air cinema experience and a big basketball clash to wine tasting and Melbourne’s beloved Moomba Festival, Victoria has it all happening this Labour Day long weekend.
Labour Day long weekend is here again, and for many people it is the sweet spot in the year where work is back to full speed, and an extra day off is more than welcome.
Whether you’re a foodie, into music, a mad sports fan, want to explore the city’s culture, or get out and visit regional Victoria, there’s no shortage of things to see and do that will please everyone in your family.
Things to do this Labour Day 2022 long weekend in Melbourne and regional Victoria
Moomba Festival, Yarra River, Melbourne
Moomba Festival returns to the banks of the Yarra River from March 11-14 with a huge line-up of family-friendly fun. And the best part? There is no entry fee.
You’ll see nightly fireworks, carnival rides, food trucks, dance workshops, and on the final day of the festival, the highly anticipated Moomba Parade will show off fantastic floats as well as the Moomba King and Queen, who for 2022 are Peter Hitchener and Fifi Box.
Don’t forget the iconic Birdman Rally, as well as many other events to ensure everyone has a good time.
Brighter Days Festival, Bright
Brighter Days Festival is three days of family-friendly fun from March 11-13 up in Bright, in regional Victoria.
This festival fundraises money for children’s charities, drawing on the local Bright community along with the broader Brighter Days community to coordinate events and activities.
With fun for everyone, you can enjoy silent discos, an outdoor cinema, live music, a car show, and a treasure hunt around town – just to name a few of the amazing activities on offer over the weekend.
South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Melbourne United, John Cain Arena, Melbourne
Melbourne’s two NBL squads go head-to-head in an afternoon clash on March 13 in the heart of the city’s sporting precinct. With both teams in contention to win the championship, the clash, known as the ‘Throwdown’, is a must for hoops fans.
Earlier in the season, the Throwdown provided a thunderous highlight that trended globally when South East Melbourne Phoenix’s Mitch Creek dunked viciously on Australian Boomer, bronze medallist and NBA Champion, Matthew Dellavedova – so expect plenty of fireworks and competitiveness.
Music, art and food festival, Welcome to Thornbury, Northcote
The vibes are coming Northside with a festival celebrating all things music, art, and food at Welcome to Thornbury on March 13.
Wear comfy shoes to this indoor/outdoor event as you walk (or dance) around the precinct checking out local musicians, artists, and enjoying local fare from the multiple food trucks.
Tickets are strictly limited, so make sure you get in quick.
Outdoor cinema, Melbourne and regional Victoria
Whether it’s a deckchair on a rooftop, sitting in the back of a ute at the local drive-in, or a picnic amongst the flora and fauna, take advantage of the warm weather and go to an outdoor cinema.
There’s Moonlight Cinema at the Central Lawns of the Royal Botanical Gardens where programming boasts a mix of Hollywood classic and new releases, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy amongst the stunning backdrop of nature. Lido cinema is also screening the new Batman movie on the rooftop at 8pm or 8.30pm between March 10-13.
Or a little further afield is Melbourne Cable Park in Bangholme. Melbourne Cable Park run outdoor cinemas on a LED screen – beginning around 4 pm, before the sun goes down. Complete with live music, movie goers can also have fun at the Park’s attractions including cable wakeboarding, tree surfing, and the Aqua Fun Park before settling on the grass for an outdoor summer flick.
Check out more outdoor cinema action around Melbourne.
Grab the popcorn, and settle in for an outdoor cinema experience. Image: Getty
Tastes of Rutherglen, Rutherglen
For two days, March 12-13, experience the very best food and wine the Rutherglen region has to offer as 19 cellar doors invite people to Tastes of Rutherglen.
You can meet the winemakers themselves as you taste delicious food and sip of paired wines, and perhaps even taking part in a Masterclass event.
Kaleidosquare, Federation Square, Melbourne
Although this event has been running since January, the long weekend is a great chance to go to Kaleidosquare, if you haven’t already.
Located in Federation Square, Kaleidosquare is a colourful party for the senses and an exploration of curious experiences celebrating all the things that make Victoria unique and wonderful.
With more than 160 free activities, including workshops, live gigs, candlelight concerts, and Melbourne Fashion Festival, big and little kids alike will love this one.
AFLW matches, North Melbourne Recreation Reserve
Sports fans will love watching some great displays of sporting prowess in the AFLW competition this weekend, with Collingwood taking on Richmond at 3.10pm and Melbourne taking on Carlton at 7.10pm, both on March 12.
Melbourne comes into the game off the back of kicking the biggest AFLW score in history, breaking the 100-point barrier against Fremantle, with captain Daisy Pearce leading the charge with five individual goals.
Will there be another Dee-molition this weekend?
Need some road trip inspiration instead?
If events and activities aren’t your thing and you’d prefer to pack the car for a road trip, hit the open road and enjoy a few days away in destinations such as the Yarra Valley, the Grampians, or Geelong and the Bellarine.
Or, for more of a day trip, enjoy a nice long Sunday lunch at the newly opened Banyalla restaurant.
Just be sure to check your car is in tiptop shape before you jet off.
