As Melburnians, we’d be lying to ourselves if we said we weren’t champing at the bit to get back to a gallery, take a trip out to Mornington for some hot springs action or perhaps get an anger-management session inat that axe throwing joint that’s craved—hell knows we need it after the year that was.
We’ll update this list as more information comes through, but for now, here are the dates and info you need to know on the reopenings of all your favourite cultural hubs, hotspot, haunts and institutions.
NGV
the one we've all been waiting for, yep, the NGV will begin to reopen from Wednesday 3 November to vaccinated Melburnians. From Wednesday, you'll be able to see an extended season of Camille Henrot: Is Today Tomorrow and Reko Rennie’s newest work Initiation OA_RR at NGV International.
Further highlights include the Golden Shells and the Gentle Mastery of Japanese Lacquer exhibition over at NGV International (showing from Thursday 25 November), while several new shows will headline NGV Australia.
Meanwhile, the highly anticipated Coco Chanel, Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto, exhibit will be open to the public from Saturday 4 December. For more info and tickets, click here.
Museums Victoria
Melbourne Museum, IMAX, Scienceworks and the Immigration Museum are all reopening this Saturday 30 October. Headlining the bill across the venues is of course the Melbourne Museum's Treasures of the Natural World exhibition which features over 200 items from London's Natural History Museum (yes, there are woolly mammoth bones).
Several big features are also hitting the (very) big screen at IMAX, including Shang-Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings, and Eternals. Bookings are essential for all Museums Victoria venues, and you'll need to be double jabbed.
Coburg Drive-In
A Melbourne favourite of many years is reopening the parking lot this Friday 22 October, and the best part, because it's a drive-in they'll be able to operate at full capacity. The program is expectedly stacked for summer with the latest Bond flick, No Time To Die, no doubt heading up the bill. Tickets are on sale now and as you'd expect tickets will go damn quickly—book in yourself and a carload of mates here.
Peninsula Hot Springs
Soak and steam away 2020 and 2021 at the Peninsula Hot Springs, because they’ve just announced they’ll be reopening from Friday 5 November. Bookings are essential, and they’ll be following heightened government health guidelines—find out what you need to know here.
URBNSURF
The state’s only inland wave park is set to reopen on Saturday 23 October. Melbourne's best point break will be opening at a capacity of 25 surfers in the lagoon per two hours, and a total of 50 at the park. Three Blue Ducks will also be running, but dishing up takeaway only. So those hoping to catch a break and throw up a shaka or two will need to book ahead now. More information here.
Lido Rooftop Cinema
The gorgeous southside rooftop above Lido Cinema is set to reopen from Tuesday 26 October. As you can expect, they’ll be operating under government health and capacity guidelines, so you’ll want to book in stat for a film under the night skies here.
Check out everything else happening in and around Melbourne here.
Image credit: Peninsula Hot Springs