What’s Next? Our picks of creative Melbourne experiences to add to your staycation itinerary this season…

Synonymous with art and cultural events staged in iconic locales to hidden laneways, Melbourne’s CBD is a treasure trove of discoveries for aesthetes and the culturally curious. Armed with our latest guide – and our friendly Concierge team ready to send you in whatever direction your heart and mind desire – get set to uncover some of the city’s creative experiences this season, right on the hotel’s doorstep…

Discover Time – Rone’s latest exhibition at Flinders Street Station

Set in the long-abandoned third-floor wing of Flinders Street Station, Time is a nostalgic love letter to mid-century Melbourne and a tribute to one of the city’s great icons.

In Rone’s most ambitious project yet, this truly site specific project was created and developed
over the past three years to capture both the grand scale and character of the site and the minute detail of a period of Melbourne’s history long lost to progress. Profoundly atmospheric, expect to be transported to a fictional history of post WWII Melbourne where the spirt of the city’s industrious past is celebrated in faded yet enduring beauty in a series of haunting and mesmerising installations.

Open daily, closed Dec 24-Jan 4 and all public holidays. Tickets a must here

Explore the Temple of Boom, outdoor installation at Melbourne’s NGV

Make your way to the National Gallery of Victoria to enjoy their annual Architecture Commission for 2022 – the Temple of Boom by Adam Newman and Kelvin Tsang.

The annual series invites Australian architects to create a work of site-specific, ephemeral architecture for the NGV Garden – and this year’s work is an evocative reimagining of The Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens.

The likeness of The Parthenon will be painted with overlapping large-scale artworks by Melbourne-based artists, adding further layers of meaning to the ancient monument inspired by the vibrant colours and artistic embellishments that defined the original building over two-thousand years ago. Expect the Temple of Boom to be a wonderful meeting place at the NGV and the backdrop to a diverse program of NGV-curated outdoor performances, programs and live music across the summer period.

Unveiled November 22. Entry is free. More here

Enjoy Phantom of the Opera’s stunning return to Melbourne

One of the world’s much loved musicals, Phantom of the Opera, makes a stunning return to Melbourne’s live theatre scene in a spectacular new production staged at the Victorian Arts Centre.

Featuring a stunning customisation of the theatre, complete with the special effects, an underground lake and the world’s largest chandelier for ‘that scene’, the large cast and full orchestra brings to life the thrilling score, from the romance of Music of the Night, Think of Me and All I Ask of You, to the splendid Masquerade and brilliant title song.

Overseen by Cameron Mackintosh and Matthew Bourne, the reinvention of this musical phenomenon has already stunned critics across the UK and North America and the new staging by Opera Australia is one show theatre lovers won’t want to miss this season. On at The State Theatre now, until February 5. More here

Flash Forward – a new city discovery

Flash Forward is an epic new creative program taking over 40 Melbourne laneways with murals, aural soundscapes and more from the best local talent.

With a changing line up of works completed at different CBD locales, you’ll be able to discover a collection of intriguing public works from over 80 Melbourne artists as you meander through the city’s lesser known laneways.

Look out for towering murals, music, light installations and interesting sculpture that provoke, stimulate, challenge perceptions and ultimately beautify a range of the city’s streetscapes, bin filled laneways, and the rarely-seen backs of buildings.

Check out the latest information on locations, completed laneways and participating artists here to plot your own creative walkabout in the city…