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Once a month
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Skip Navigation LinksHome > Melbourne > Things to do in Melbourne > Things to do on a Sunday in Melbourne

The White Hat Guide to

20 Things to do in Melbourne on a Sunday

Sundays

Things to do

20 Things to do in Melbourne on a Sunday

However the easy gold reserves started to dwindle and new money craves new respectability. The once wild west town was now the wowser capital of Australia � in fact the word wowser was invented in Melbourne.

Sabbath observance was a big issue and anything that could be seen as entertainment was frowned upon. A good Methodist could not for instance take out a pack of cards to play a solitary game of patience. One of the few legal things to do was to go and tend your relatives� graves at the cemetery and maybe sit there and read some inspiring sermons � but not so inspiring that they could be deemed entertainment.

A minor scandal arose when the Gallery (then housed in the now State Library) decided to open its doors on a Sunday. A further scandal occurred when certain gentlemen were offended by an artwork called Chloe. Those gentlemen returned a number of times to be offended and to confirm that it was not the sort of rubbish that they would want their family to see.

In recent times, Melbourne has become a more lively place on a Sunday so we have compiled a list of 20 suggested things to do in Melbourne on a Sunday. Here they are:

  1. Have a lazy breakfast in Acland Street St Kilda and then browse the wares at the Esplanade Market. Nobody's in any hurry in St Kilda on a Sunday. More information at The White Hat Guide to St Kilda.
  2. Take the ferry to Willy. Williamstown (or Willy as the locals call it) still has a village atmosphere and the boat trip across the bay helps put you in a suitable relaxed mood. There is a farmers' market on the 2nd Sunday of the month and craft markets on the 1st & 3rd Sundays. The Historical Society Museum is also open on Sundays. More details at The White Hat Guide to Williamstown.
  3. Visit a historic house. Como, Rippon Lea, Black Rock House, La Trobe's Cottage and the Mansion at Werribee are open most Sundays. Villa Alba and the Portable Iron Houses in South Melbourne are open on the 1st Sunday of the month, Labassa is open on the 3rd Sunday of the month. More information at The White Hat Guide to Historic Houses in Melbourne.
  4. Enjoy a hearty Sunday brunch or even a full roast. Many hotels have a special Sunday lunch menu and if you choose one with, say, a view of the bay you can enjoy a relaxing Sunday whatever the weather.
  1. Go shopping or just window shopping in Chapel Street and watch the other window shoppers.
  2. Go to the Camberwell Sunday Market. This is one of Melbourne's most bustling market where people from all over Melbourne come to sell their second hand clothes and fashions, household goods and all manner of surprising stuff. If you are looking for fresh produce there are always farmers' markets somewhere in Melbourne on a Sunday or the South Melbourne Market is always a good standby. You can find a comprehensive list of Sunday markets at The White Hat Guide to Sunday Markets in Melbourne and Victoria.
  3. Most Sundays in Melbourne you will find a community, ethnic or multicultural festival and most have delicious home made food so there's Sunday lunch taken care of. You find a comprehensive listing of festivals at The White Hat Guide to Festivals in Melbourne.
  4. Enjoy free entertainments in the parks. Most Sundays throughout summer you will find free concerts or free entertainments of some sort in the parks and gardens. Lay back, kick off your shoes and enjoy a glass of bubbly. During the cooler months you will often find free indoor entertainment at places like the Melbourne Town Hall or Federation Square.
  5. Take some photographs. People are at their most relaxed and least self-conscious on a Sunday and you will get some atmospheric shots that would be difficult to take on a weekday.
  6. Experience Yum Cha in Chinatown. There are plenty of venues and price ranges to choose from. Take some friends and enjoy this typical Sunday tradition.
  7. Go bike riding. Melbourne has miles of wonderful bike paths and you can hire a bike or take your own. For short trips there are plenty of Melbourne Bike Share stations. For longer ones there are a number of places who will hire you a bike for a lengthier period. Why not take advantage of the cheap Sunday public fares where you can travel anywhere on the metropolitan public transport system all day for next to nothing. You are allowed to take your bicycle on the train for no extra cost so that gives you an opportunity to go for a ride on Melbourne's outskirts or even the country if you choose the appropriate train line. More information at The White Hat Guide to Cycling in Melbourne.
  8. Take a Guided Tour of Melbourne Cemetery. There is more life in the cemetery than you might think and it is an ideal introduction to Melbourne's history.
  9. Have a backyard barbecue. If you are visiting Australia, mention in public that you have heard of the Aussie tradition of the BBQ. Chances are that a local will invite you to one at their place.
  10. Spend a lazy afternoon in the sun at a rooftop bar such as the one on top of Curtin House.
  11. Go to a church service. You don't have to be Christian. You can just sit at the back and listen to the organ and the choir and the liturgy and see some of Melbourne's most iconic buildings doing what they were designed to do. Some notable churches in the city area are St Paul's Cathedral, St Patrick's Cathedral, Scots Church, Wesley Church, Collins Street Baptist Church and St Michael's Church.
  12. Go for a day trip. Some of the more popular day trips around Melbourne include sightseeing in the Dandenongs, Visiting wineries in the Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula, or a visit to the Macedon Ranges and spa country - maybe you could even have a picnic at Hanging Rock.
  13. Promenade. If you're feeling pretty good with the world and with yourself why not head out and strut your stuff. If your stuff is past the strutting stage nobody is going to mind on a Sunday or you could always just sit down and watch the passing parade. Some of the favourite promenading areas in Melbourne are Southgate, the St Kilda foreshore and Docklands.
  14. Roam around Docklands. On most Sundays there will be entertainment ranging from bands, markets and plenty of cafes, restaurants and pubs from which to drink in the relaxing view of boats, water and parks with barbecues and playgrounds. More information at The White Hat Guide to Docklands.
  15. Take a tour of Flinders Street Station. There are regular Sunday tours of this Melbourne icon. Details at Tour of Flinders St Station Tour.
  16. And finally, if it's raining then you could have a look at The White Hat Guide to 50 Things to do on a Rainy Day in Melbourne.

Choose a particular Sunday

Some forthcoming events on a Sunday in Melbourne

Port Phillip Mussel Festival

White Hat can thoroughly recommend this vibrant seafood festival come street party. Enjoy mussels and other seafood cooked in a wide variety of ways all accompanied by one of Melbourne's best free jazz festivals. Street vendors combine with the market's own restaurants to provide plenty of variety from the cheap and cheerful through to chef-prepared restaurant dishes. Sit in the sun with a cold sangria and a hot mussel paella or enjoy a craft beer with wok cooked drunken mussels.

Details at Port Phillip Mussel Festival

Our rating - 4 Hats

Hat Hat Hat Hat  

7th & 8th March 2020
South Melbourne Market, cnr York & Cecil Streets, South Melbourne

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Scandinavian Christmas Bazaar

Discover Scandinavia in Melbourne at the annual Scandinavian Christmas Bazaar in the beautiful gardens of the Swedish Church, Toorak. Festive atmosphere with stalls full of gorgeous items from Sweden, Denmark and Norway, especially imported for the Bazaar. Handicrafts, Scandinavian food, entertainment and lots of fun activities for the kids. Full information at Scandinavian Christmas Bazaar.

5th and 6th December 2019 (tbc)
Toorak House, 21 St Georges Road Toorak

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Knox Festival

Food court at Knox Festival

The Knox Festival is an annual free event with an emphasis on family-friendly activities. It features local artists and performers, markets stalls, rides, entertainment, cultural activities and plenty of food.

If you can only make it for part of the time, White Hat recommends the Saturday Evening Program from 5 until 9pm  where you can pay your respects to the Country Fire Authority Volunteers in their torchlight parade culminating in a fireworks display.

10am to 9pm Saturday 29th February 2020
10am to 5pm Sunday 1st March

Full details at Knox Festival.

March 2021 (dates tbc)
Wally Tew Reserve, Brenock Park Drive, Ferntree Gully

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Yarraville Festival

The Yarraville Festival has been operating since 1981 and has steadily grown into one of Melbourne's liveliest community festival and White Hat feels that the location helps add to the genuine village atmosphere. There is music across 7 stages from local professional and community performers, everyone will find something that they enjoy.. Kids of every age, from toddlers to teenagers, will hear music suitable for their age group, and a range of activities and rides are available for them. From jumping castles to carnival rides to bungee jumping, with many of the rides free.

The Yarraville Festival also features its annual market with plenty of stalls. Selling everything from vintage clothing, food and handmade gifts the market is a great opportunity for visitors to pick up a bargain.

Further details at Yarraville Festival

Our rating - 4 Hats

Hat Hat Hat Hat  

28th March 2021
Yarraville Village, Anderson Street, Yarraville

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Melbourne Italian Festa

Carlton Italian Festa

Melbourne Italian Festa - this event is free but beacuse of Covid restrictions in 2021 you are required to register online for a your free ticket.

Lygon Street has always been the focus for Melbourne’s Italian community. This Festa provides an opportunity to celebrate Melbourne’s rich Italian heritage.

There will be plenty of pizza, pasta, gelato and Italian cuisine as well as a main stage featuring Italian and Italian_Australian performers.

2021 performers:

  • Michelle Serret Cursio - One Australia’s foremost female vocalists
  • Siesta Cartel - A unifying musical movement led by a group of young Italians
  • Rebecca Gulinello - Italian opera singer
  • Mark Pellegrini DJ - Melbourne based DJ with over 30 years of experience
  • Sarah C. - Powerful and soulful voice
  • Stefano Marciano DJ - Italian DJ
  • Lorenzo Iannotti - Lorenzo is an Italian-Australian singer songwriter
  • Santa Taranta - A collective of talented musicians to reinvent Italian folk music
  • The Two Maria’s - Performed by James Liotta and Piero Viavattene

Details at Melbourne Italian Festa >>

10am to 8pm, Sunday 18th April 2021
cnr Lygon Street & Argyle St, Carlton

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Glenferrie Festival

Crowds at Glenferrie Festival

The Glenferrie Festval has grown to be one of Melbourne’s largest community festivals with over 250 stalls and over 100,000 visitors each year (White Hat reminds you that number is a full MCG crowd.) Set in a popular and extensive shopping strip and easily accesible from the local Glenferrie Railway Station, this is great opportunity to check out the offerings of the local traders and join in the atmosphere of this popular destination. There will be live music, activities and the signature Glenferrie Festival Deconstructed Parade. Further details at the Glenferrie Festival website.

11am to 5pm, Sunday 27th March 2022
Glenferrie Road Between Burwood & Barkers Road Hawthorn

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Moulin Rouge! The Musical

L'Amour sign on steps of Regent Theatre

Baz Luhrmann’s film comes to life on stage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. A theatrical celebration of truth, beauty, freedom and - above all - love.

tue to Sun, until 4th February 2024
Regent Theatre, 191 Collins St, Melbourne

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Hurstbridge Wattle Festival

The festival celebrates Australian heritage, environment and community. To find out more about the significance of Wattle Day in Australia's history go to Another Date for Australia Day. Lots of family activities including steam train rides.
Free entry
Sunday 25th August 2024
Hurstbridge Village, Main Road Hurstbridge

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More events below



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Come From Away

ast of Come From Away

 

The Tony® and Olivier Award winning musical Come From Away tells the remarkable true story of thousands of stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland, Canada that welcomed them all.  Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

Full details and bookings on the Comedy Theatre website.

Wed to Sun, until 30th Oct 2022
Comedy Theatre, 240 Exhibition St, Melbourne

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The Phantom of the Opera

Opera Australia presents one of the most successful musicals of all time, in Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of The Opera to Melbourne.

Featuring well-known numbers such as Music of the Night, Think of Me, All I Ask of You and, of course the title song, Masquerade.

Full details and booking information at the Opera Australia website.

Tue to Sun, until 18th February 2023
Arts Centre Melbourne

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Sydney Road Street Party

An annual event with stalls, entertainment and refreshments.

noon to late, 5th March 2023
between Union & Victoria streets, Sydney Road

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Open Day - Plant Craft Cottage
Open day in this historic cottage in the Botanic Gardens. ..
.. 3rd Sunday of the month ..
Gypsy Jazz on the Village Green
Come and jam to the music of Django Reinhart, or just have a listen. If you would like to come along and jam, contact Misja on carbowalker@optusnet.com.au ..
Free .. From 1pm, Sundays .. CERES Community Environment Park

Selected attractions open on certain Sundays in Melbourne

Cruden Farm open day

Cruden Farm

Once a month during the warmer season, Cruden Farm is open to the public. You are welcome to come for the day and bring a picnic if you wish. Sometimes, light refreshments may be available but White Hat suggests it is safer to bring your own and, after all, a picnic at Cruden Farm is a great privilege. On open days, the garden is open from 10am to 4pm.

A garden tour is available and lasts for over an hour. The tour commences at 10am sharp and must be prebooked.

Open day entry costs $20 and open day entry with prebooked guided tour costs $35. Details and tour bookings on the Cruden Farm website.

Tour dates are announced several months in advanced. Current dates are 14th October, 25th November and 9th December 2018.
10am to 4pm, 3rd Sunday of month
Cruden Farm (enter via Cranhaven Rd), Langwarrin
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Grainger Museum

Grainger Museum

Built by arguably Australia's finest musician, Percy Grainger, to house his collection of music-related instruments, scores and other items associated with his life and career. more info > >

13 Royal Parade, Parkville
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Black Rock House

This historic mansion, after which the suburb of Black Rock is named, is open
to the public on once a month. More information at Black Rock House.
1pm to 4pm, First Sunday of month
34 Ebden Avenue, Black Rock
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Heide Museum of Modern Art

The Heide Museum of Modern Art is a gallery, sculpture park and museum of important art and artists from Melbourne and beyond. White Hat recommends that anyone interested in Australian art, particularly that of the Heidelberg School, should pay a visit to this important site. More details at Heide Museum of Modern Art >>
10am to 5pm Tue to Fri; noon to 5pm Sat/Sun /Public Holidays
7 Templestowe Road, Bulleen
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Luna Park

Melbourne's iconic fun park.

The Esplanade, St Kilda
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Old Treasury Building

One of Australia's finest Victorian era buildings. It is open to teh public on Wednesdays and Sundays and features fine displays related to Melbourne history. More info >>
10am to 4pm, Sunday to Friday
Cnr Spring St & Collins St, Melbourne
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Villa Alba

A stately mansion in Kew open to the public on the first Sunday of the month. Villa Alba was built between 1882 and 1884 and is notable for its painted decorations. It is being restored as a museum and educational facility for the collection, study and display of interior decorations and decorative finishes. More info >>
1pm to 4pm, 1st Sunday of month
Walmer Street, Kew
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La Trobe's Cottage
La Trobe's cottage was the home of Victoria's first Lieutenant-Governor, Charles La Trobe. He transported the pre-fabricated dwelling with him when he came to Australia in 1839. More info>>
2pm to 4pm, Sundays (Oct to April) .. cnr Birdwood Ave & Dallas Brooks Drive, South Yarra ..
Melbourne Steam Traction Engine Club
Melbourne Steam Traction Engine Club
11am-4pm Saturdays & Sundays .. National Steam Centre, 1200 Ferntree Gully Rd.,, Scoresby .. (Mel ref 72 D9)
Mooroolbark & District Miniature Railway & Steam Club
Mooroolbark & District Miniature Railway & Steam Club
11am-4pm, 4th Sun of month (except Dec) .. Kiloran Reserve, Hawthory Road,, Mooroolbark .. (Mel ref 51 F2)
Australian National Aviation Museum
A collection of aeroplanes and displays relating to Australia's aviation history. The museum is at Moorabbin Airport. more info > >
.. , ..
Bundoora Homestead
Bundoora Homestead is a wonderful Queen Anne style Federation mansion operating as a historic house, art gallery and licensed café. Free admission.More info >>
11am to 4pm Wed to Sun, noon to 5pm Sat & Sun .. 7-27 Snake Gully Drive, Bundoora ..
Ian Potter Museum of Art

The Ian Potter Museum of Art at Melbourne University is a short tram ride from the city and a short walk from Lygon Street Carlton. Entry is free but from time to time there are special exhibitions in part of the gallery which may entail an entry charge. Exhibited works are chosen from teh art clocction of the Unversity of Melbourne - the largest university art collection in Australia. More info >>
Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm; Thursday 10am to 9pm .. Swanston Street (near corner of Elgin Streets and Swanston Street), Parkville ..
Jewish Museum of Australia
Preserving and exhibiting Jewish heritage, arts, customs and religious ritual in all its diversity. It includes the significant contrbutions of Jewish people to Australian life. more info > >
.. , ..
Labassa
A historic mansion in Caulfield which is open to the public once a month. More information at Labassa.
10.30am to 4.30pm, 3rd Sunday of month (except Dec) .. 2 Manor Grove, Caulfield ..
Melbourne Fire Services Museum
Australia's largest collection of fire brigade memorabilia housed in a historic fire station. More info >>
.. , ..
National Gallery of Victoria - Australian Collection
National Gallery of Victoria - Australian Collection
.. , ..
National Gallery of Victoria - International Collection
National Gallery of Victoria - International Collection
.. , ..
Portable Iron Houses
Some of the few 19th Century prefabricated iron buildings remaining in the world. There are situated in South Melbourne and are open to the public once a month. More information >>
1pm to 4pm, first Sunday of month (except Jan) .. 399 Coventry Street, South Melbourne ..
Westgarthtown
The remains of a historic German settlement in the northern suburbs of Melbourne which is open to the public once a month. More information at Westgarthtown.
1am to 4pm, 2nd Sunday of the month .. 100 Gardenia Road, Thomastown ..
Williamstown Historical Society Museum
Williamstown Historical Society Museum
2-5pm, Sundays .. Electra Street, Williamstown .. (Mel ref 56 C9)
White Hat Classical Music Newsletter

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