When to visit Victoria
The best time to visit Melbourne is in Spring (Sept-Nov) and Autumn (March to May). Crowds over the summer are high with several key events and Australia’s long summer school holiday period.
Weather in Victoria
It gets pretty cold across the state over the winter, but it’s the perfect time to enjoy a break by the fire in Daylesford or the Yarra regions and, of course, the ski season in the high country. If you want to swim at Victoria’s beaches, visit in February or March.
Find out more weather and temperature details on the Bureau of Meteorology.
Victoria Event Calendar
The biggest event of the year might be Melbourne Cup, but the AFL Grand Final and Melbourne Grand Prix are also huge.
| 17-30 January | Australia Open in Melbourne |
| 11 March – 14 April | Moomba |
| 12 March – 3 April 2022 | Lorne Sculpture Biennale |
| 31 March – 3 April 2022 | The Little Vic (Great Vic Bike Ride) |
| 09 – 10 Apr 2022 | Mt Baw Baw Sprint – Rally |
| 30 March to 24 April 2022 | International Comedy Festival – Melbourne |
| 30 April – 01 May 2022 | Grampians Grape Escape – Halls Gap |
| 4–21 August 2022 | Melbourne International Film Festival |
| 2-11 September | Melbourne Writer’s Festival |
| 14-16 October | Australian Moto Grand Prix – Melbourne |
| TBC October | Three Peaks Festival – Dunkeld |
| 16-22 October | Melbourne Fringe Festival |
| 01 November | Melbourne Cup (first Tuesday in November) |
| 26 November | Williamstown Heritage Beer and Cider Festival |
Victoria School and Public Holidays
Long weekends see prices rise and availability drop, so book in advance for the best deals. Rates are exceptionally high for sporting events. Most attractions only close on Christmas day and perhaps Anzac Day or Good Friday, but please check individual places before you visit.
Public Holidays in Victoria 2022-2023
| New Year’s Day + Monday Holiday | 01 and 03 January | 01 – 02 January |
| Australia Day | 26 January | 26 January |
| Labour Day | 14 March | 14 March |
| Good Friday | 15 April | 07 April |
| Easter Sat. | 16 April | 08 April |
| Easter Mon. | 18 April | 10 April |
| Anzac Day | 25 April | 25 April |
| Queens Birthday | 13 June | 12 June |
| AFL Grand Final | TBC – Friday before AFL Grand Final | TBC – Friday before AFL Grand Final |
| Melbourne Cup | 01 November | 07 November |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | 25 December |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | 26 December |
Source: Victorian Government website
School Holidays in Victoria 2022-2023
If you don’t have children avoiding these dates will save you money, and you will find the museums a lot less crowded.
| Period | 2022 | 2023 |
| Autumn break: | 09 April – 25 April | 07 April – 23 April |
| Winter break: | 25 June – 10 July | 22 June – 09 July |
| Spring break: | 17 September – 02 October | 16 September – 01 October |
| Summer break: | 19 December – 26 January 2023 | 21 December – 28 January 2024 |
Last Update: 23 November 2021
