
Melbourne is famous for having four seasons in one day, but sometimes, it’s nothing but hot, hot, hot! And whether you love soaking in the sunshine, or you’re desperate to beat the heat, there’s lots of cool things for you to do on a hot day in Melbourne. Slip into a pool, cool down with icy treats, stay indoors at a cinema and more! If you need ideas, check out this list for some sizzling inspiration.
1. Go to the beach

Starting with an obvious one, but what better way to enjoy a hot day than by going to the beach? There’s some lovely beaches around Melbourne for you to splash around in, as well as some great beaches around Victoria. Bring your pup along to some friendly dog beaches, or venture out to explore the best beach in Australia. Just remember to wear sunscreen!
2. Cool off at the cinema
Escape the glare of the sun and retreat into the comfy dark rooms of your local cinema. Let the air-con work its magic, and let the movies sweep you away to another world. Here’s some awesome cinemas to check out around Melbourne.
3. Scream for ice cream
Keep your cool at these sweet ice cream and gelato shops in town.
4. Splash around in a pool
Not fond of the ocean? Dive into some lovely pools in Melbourne instead! Soar up to this infinity pool in Docklands, plunge into a pool at this inner-city hotel, dip your feet into a rooftop pool at this city hotel and more.
5. See a theatre show
Melbourne has a thriving theatre scene, so if you’d like to head indoors and escape the heat, why don’t you see a show? Check out productions like Beauty and the Beast, Sister Act, Dear Evan Hanson and more.
6. Dive into SEA Life Melbourne Aquarium
Think cool, watery thoughts with a day at the aquarium. Gaze at sea creatures as they swim around you at the Oceanarium, look at the adorable penguins like Pesto and more.
7. Spend a day at Melbourne Museum
Spend a hot day exploring the exhibitions and galleries at Melbourne Museum. Explore the hidden world of ants, gaze at a triceratops and more!
8. Ride the waves at URBNSURF
Escape to Australia’s first surf park near Melbourne Airport on a hot day, and have a rad time at URBNSURF. Surfing lessons are available for all ages, and if you don’t feel like surfing, you can also go swimming in the lagoon.
9. Discover some beautiful art at NGV
Get your dose of art and culture without breaking a sweat at both NGV International and the Ian Potter Centre in Fed Square. There’s always something cool to enjoy, and right now, you can see the spectacular Yayoi Kusama exhibition.
10. Keep cool with a bit of bingsu
Dive into this snowy, shaved ice dessert, and find fruits, sauces and toppings to suit any mood. A bowl of bingsu is a great way to cool off on a hot day in Melbourne, see our recommendations here.
11. Sip on a frosty cocktail at IceBar Melbourne
On a hot day, retreat to the chilly and comforting IceBar Melbourne. Put on some snow gear, and enter a fun and freezing world filled with unique ice sculptures and games. To drink, there’s cocktails, mocktails, shots and beers. Children are welcome to come along. Find this n(ice) bar at Fed Square. Get your tickets here.
12. Pass Go at Monopoly Dreams
Shopping centres are a great place to be on any hot day, and Melbourne Central has something extra fun for you to do. If you love Monopoly, you’ve got to visit Monopoly Dreams on the lower level of the building. This family-friendly themed attraction has immersive spaces themed after the board game, mini games for you to play, a 4DX cinema and more!
13. Glide over to an ice skating rink
If you prefer lower temperatures, escape to O’Brien Icehouse on the next hot day in Melbourne. This ice skating venue is open for all ages and abilities, with skates available for hire. Every day, the temperature is a nice 16 degrees Celsius. Find out more.
14. Wander into a library
Go on a tour, check out exhibitions, do a bit of research, try some workshops, grab a coffee, visit the bookshop and find a comfy spot to read inside State Library Victoria.
If you love a good book, there’s also narrm ngarrgu Library near Queen Victoria Market. This three-level library has reading rooms, sound studios, artworks and more.
15. Grab a drink
Thirsty? Find a nice iced coffee at a café, soak in the sun from a rooftop bar or grab a drink from a leafy beer garden. You can also pass the time at a board game café, curl up at a book cafe or stay out at a late-night coffee shop. If you’re after something alcoholic, Melbourne has plenty of bars to visit, and some of them are nicely hidden away.
16. Feel mesmerised by THE LUME Melbourne
Wander into this dark and cool immersive gallery, and stay out of the sun while admiring dreamy art. THE LUME Melbourne is bringing back their Van Gogh exhibition, along with some new features like a shared virtual reality experience. It will reopen on Boxing Day.
17. See what’s happening at ACMI
Visit ACMI and check out some cool exhibitions, such as The Story of the Moving Image, The Future & Other Fictions or Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition. Spend a few hours watching a film in their cinema.