A 60-second guide to doing summer in Melbourne right

How to deal with the summer heat, Melbourne style.

Whether you immerse yourself in live music at St Kilda Festival, watch the world’s greatest tennis players have a crack at winning the Australian Open, celebrate diversity at the Midsumma Festival or spend a day at the MCG listening to the crack of leather on willow, Melbourne’s many festivals and events make the city buzz all summer long.

Taste a Melbourne summer at these restaurants and bars…

New addition to the scene, Morena Barra is an all-day diner bringing Latin American, cantina-style fare (and flair) to the city. Around the corner, the revamped Farmer’s Daughters rooftop is a green oasis ideal for afternoon snacks or an evening tipple.

Dine on delicious fare at Yarra Botanica. (Image: Kim Jane)

Floating on the Yarra, Ponyfish Island and Yarra Botanica also spell summer fun. Got a sweet tooth? Join the throngs outside Pidapipó on Degraves Street for to-die-for gelato and sorbetto.

Ponyfish Island floats on the Yarra River. (Image: Rob Blackburn)

Hit snooze at these Melbourne stays…

Nothing says summer like an open-air rooftop pool. At the Paris end of Bourke Street, Le Méridien’s rooftop pool has five-star views of the city’s skyline.

Retire to Le Meridien’s sky-high pool. (Image: Supplied/Diana Snape)

On Queen Street, Vibe Hotel has a humdinger of a rooftop bar. After checking in, head upstairs for a spritz accompanied by blockbuster Southbank views.

Brunch is served at Vibe Hotel’s rooftop bar, Fleet.

Melbourne’s summer to-do list

St Kilda Beach is a tried-and-true spot for a dip, foreshore walk or sunset cruise to see the thousand-strong colony of little penguins. At the Royal Botanic Gardens you can enjoy a genteel afternoon punting on the lake.

Further afield, the Fairfield Park Boathouse has gentleman’s rowboats, Canadian canoes or touring kayaks for self-propelled adventures on the Yarra.

Punting on the lake at Royal Botanic Gardens. (Image: Rob Blackburn)

Our hot tip: Known as the ‘Happy Slam’, the energy is unrivalled in Melbourne during the Australian Open tennis grand slam. Not into tennis? Head to the precinct anyway for seriously good cocktails, eats and vibes.

The action-packed Australian Open is one of the key events in Melbourne. (Image: Rob Blackburn)