If you need reasons to head down to Melbourne, we have thousands, but in the interest of time, have narrowed it down for you in the form of unmissable experiences curated by our editors. We’re talking fashion, fast cars, Harry Potter, and a festival of music and comedy. As well as epic hotel offers (and sweet deals, we might add), for every type of vibe, exclusively from our friends at Qantas Hotels.
So if you’re ready for a vaycay, this is your sign to succumb to that hankering for new experiences, and fall in love with Melbourne all over again. Rediscover the galleries and restaurants, the neighbourhoods, the narrow nooks and cocktail-filled crannies, all while soaking up its cultural offerings and waking up in some of the best hotels the city has to offer.
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Events Worth Visiting Melbourne For
Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto at NGV
Calling all fashion lovers and aesthetes: this is Melbourne culture at its best. After settling into your room at the Hilton Little Queen Street (hot hotel deal below), totter over to NGV International. In partnership with the Palais Galliera, this limited-time exhibition celebrates the evolution of fashion pioneer Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel’s legacy and her impact on fashion as we know it. Lose yourself among the 100 outfits while lusting over the collections of Chanel jewellery, accessories, cosmetics, and perfumes in a sprawling display of fashion herstory.
Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto runs until 25 April 2022. Get your tickets here.
Formula 1® Heineken® Australian Grand Prix 2022
After a two-year hiatus, the Formula 1® Heineken® Australian Grand Prix 2022 is back and better than ever. This exhilarating spectacle is just the thing for anyone who enjoys a 300km-an-hour zooming good time - i.e. all of us. Expect delicious food and drink across 140 top-shelf outlets, exciting activities for the whole family and banging tunes from some of your favourite artists at the AusGP Sessions music festival right across the four days. Oh, and we can confirm Daniel Riccicardo will be behind the wheel, so we see absolutely no reason not to get your tickets now.
The Formula 1® Heineken® Australian Grand Prix 2022 runs from April 7-10, get your tickets here.
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child At Princess Theatre
Dust off your dress robes and practice pronouncing ‘levi-OH-sa’, because the time to see the *checks notes* eighth instalment of the masterpiece that is Harry Potter has finally come. The cauldron of fun is boiling over with technical wizardry you simply cannot miss, and you’ll only find it in Melbourne. Savour the show in its original two parts before March 27, or gobble up the brand new production in one spectacular afternoon or event from May 4 if you catch the reimagined production, your call. Just get there.
Get your tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child here.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
We could all use a good laugh after the last two years, right? Right? Yes. And we all know Melbourne hosts a veritable feast of sort-laughs in the form of its comedy festival. Get stuck into the silliness and have a lol alongside international talent including Sofie Hagen and Arj Barker, or show your support for local legends like Becky Lucas or the GOAT himself, Carl Barron. You’re guaranteed a good time, and potentially going to pee your pants. Pack spares.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival runs from 30 March - 24 April 2022. Get your tickets here.
Where To Stay While You’re There (And Hot Hotel Deals To Boot)
Whatever your style or getaway plans, here are six exclusive Qantas Hotels deals, to rest your head while you soak up the city's covetable culture. You’ll even earn 6 Qantas points per $1 spent to put towards your next getaway and if you’re a Qantas Frequent Flyer member use 30% less points on your next stay when you use Points plus Pay. There’s some fine print. Of course. It's a limited time offer so you’ve got to book within the sale time period mentioned. It’s the rules. But then you’ve got a whole year to fulfil. May the (admittedly very good because they are real) odds be ever in your favour. See here for the finer print.
Ovolo South Yarra
It's the big disco energy and glamour of luxury hotel Ovolo South Yarra for us. If the funky hotel lobby doesn't make your eyes pop and feet start tapping, then the retro-chic rooms complete with welcome loot bags, daily breakfast (which must be eaten in a plush robe) and free daily mini bar surely will. Sitting on the corner of Toorak Road and Chapel Street, this pop art paradise is the perfect base to get reacquainted with Prahran’s thrilling restaurant scene, with chef Scott Pickett’s Matilda restaurant and ever-evolving Atlas Dining nearby. Be sure to get stuck into Ovolo’s nightly social drinks in the manner of Mad Men before hitting the town. And feel free to let your hair down, because you’re guaranteed a late checkout on your last day.
Book here at Qantas Hotels. Prices start at $429 for 2 nights for 2 adults. That's a 42% saving, which basically means your event tickets are covered. #maths.
Sale dates: 01/02/2022 - 28/02/2022
Pullman Melbourne On The Park
Over in East Melbourne, on the intersection of culture and sport, you’ll find five-star luxury at Pullman Melbourne On The Park. Recently renovated with stunning rooms, expansive views, and modern amenities, it’s got tongues wagging across the city. The stars of Melbourne’s food scene won’t be far, either. Roam through the backstreets to find Lune Croissanterie’s CBD output for a buttery, flaky testament to true beauty before immersing yourselves under the iconic neon lights of Lucy Liu. For an unforgettable dining experience, it’s got to be Khanh Nguyen’s Aru. As for the deal, you’re getting a room upgrade, daily breakfast in the hotel’s chic restaurant, two signature gin cocktails on arrival, and parking if you need it.
Book here at Qantas Hotels. Prices start from $549 for 2 nights for 2 adults. Which is a 38% saving to be spent on whatever you damn well please, it’s your life.
Sale dates: 01/02/2022 - 31/03/2022
Hilton Little Queen Street
Sitting in the heritage-listed and newly restored Equity Chambers Building, Hilton Little Queen Street brought us all a glimmer of hope when it opened its doors in 2021. Oozing with luxury and old school glamour, it’s impossible not to get swept off your feet by its Melbournian charm. And the deal is delicious: we’re talking daily breakfast from Luci, the hotel’s elegant restaurant, two tickets to the stunning Gabrielle Chanel, Fashion Manifesto exhibition at the NGV, a welcome cocktail at The Douglas Club, the hotel’s ultra-chic Art Deco cocktail bar, and a 12pm checkout for maximum time relaxing in your fluffy robe and ordering brown butter pancakes from Luci. Treat yo self.
Book here at Qantas Hotels. Prices start from $335 for 1 night for 2 adults, saving you 38% and many hours googling.
Sale dates: 01/02/2022 - 31/03/2022
InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto
Tucked between the high rises of Collins Street is InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto, a haven of old-world glamour and unparalleled luxury encased in 29 suites, a luxury spa and three restaurants, suited to those of us that enjoy a relaxed experience in Melbourne’s epicentre. Then, throw caution to the wind. Get lost among the local laneways and let fate decide your dinner and drinks plans, join the queue at Tipo 00 for their famous fare, or settle into the bar at Cumulus Inc. for a late-night snack. Saving the best for last, this hotel deal includes daily breakfast, a free room upgrade, a complimentary bottle of sparkling vino and a delicious 2pm checkout to savour every moment in Melbourne.
Book here at Qantas Hotels. Prices start from $599 for 2 nights for 2 adults, saving you 45% to spend on dinner and drinks.
Sale dates: 01/02/2022 - 28/02/2022
Pan Pacific
There’s something magical about seeing the Yarra River lit up at night, especially when it comes with the five-star luxury of Pan Pacific Melbourne. Sitting over on South Wharf, this is the ultimate hotel experience, complete with buttery-soft robes, a bathtub for sinking into while sipping bubbles, and room service for days (and nights) in your cushy bed. What outside world? If you decide to join it, you’re a quick stroll from Grain Store’s sticky pork benedict, or the pancake at Higher Ground you’ve been crushing on for the past three years. Don’t think, do it.
Book here at Qantas Hotels. For this deal, you’re scoring return economy flights, plus two nights for the price of three, so use your annual leave accordingly and make it an unforgettable weekend.
Sale dates: 01/02/2022 - 28/02/2022
Citadines Melbourne
Modern, peaceful, and perfectly located, this one’s for those that like to make themselves at home with a bit more space on a little vaycay or staycay, very noble indeed. Citadines Melbourne offers at-home comfort in its brightly-coloured serviced apartments, with the added bonus of a sunlit pool for afternoon lounging or lapping, heaven. Make this your base as you remind yourself there are some things only Melbourne can do. Case in point: mussels & ‘nduja at Andrew McConnell’s Marion in Fitzroy, sundowners at Naked In the Sky, or vibrant street art strolls around the city’s laneways. This is living, Barry.
Book here at Qantas Hotels. And for the deal: It’s another return economy flight plus two nights for three, meaning you can pack in even more adventure.
Sale dates: 01/02/2022 - 28/02/2022
Whether you're looking for the perfect excuse to staycay or vaycay in Melbourne, these events and hot hotel deals are certainly it. Hit up your travel buddy and get booking, stat.
Image credit: supplied
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