Six summer activities for international students in Melbourne

Six summer activities for international students in Melbourne

Catching your first summer in Melbourne? Here are some must-do activities for international students before uni classes start.

When the sun’s out in Australia, it’s Melbourne’s time to shine! Heating up from December through to February, the summer months are all about adventure and discovering the fun to be had in and around the city!

From a relaxing coastal getaway to soaking up the action of live sport, there is an abundance of events and summer activities to fill your calendar before the uni year begins and you step foot onto RMIT’s campus.

Here are our top six must-do summer activities for international students in Melbourne.

Bird's eye view of Great Ocean Road from Teddy's Lookout, Lorne Great Ocean Road winds along the Southern Ocean. Image credit: Belinda VanZanen, Great Ocean Road Tourism/Visit Victoria

#1: Take a day trip down the coast along the Great Ocean Road

As an RMIT student, the hustle and bustle of Melbourne’s CBD is bound to keep you entertained, but when summer comes around, Victoria’s coastline is hard to resist. Spanning far and wide, there are so many iconic sights to see with stretches of sand and ocean to enjoy.

The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most visited coastlines, officially beginning in the surfing hub of Torquay and winding along the ocean’s edge before concluding in the quaint town of Allansford, just outside of Warrnambool.

Home to native wildlife and featuring some breathtaking hiking and biking trails, as well as the world-renowned 12 Apostles, there are plenty of things to see and do on a tour along the 243-kilometre scenic road. Always remember to be sun smart and take water with you to stay hydrated!

#2: Witness live sport or put your own skills to the test 

Melbourne is known as the sporting capital of Australia, and for good reason. Over summer, Melbourne is home to the Australian Open Tennis Grand Slam, attracting an international audience with thousands of fans flocking to Melbourne Park to see the world’s best tennis players take the court. 

It’s also the season for cricket, with international and domestic men’s and women’s matches taking over the MCG and Marvel Stadium. Whether you cheer on the Aussies or your country of origin, sitting in the stadium stands with a group of friends on a summer’s day is not to be missed. It might even inspire you to purchase a beach cricket set and put your own skills to the test – a true Australian summertime tradition!

If you’re yet to get into cricket, there couldn’t be a better time, with RMIT re-establishing its partnership with Cricket Victoria at the end of 2023. Aligning with the Melbourne Stars and the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League, the partnership is expected to deliver more practical learning experiences for RMIT students, greater community engagement and sustainability research opportunities.

Crowd watching international cricket live at the MCG. As an RMIT student, you'll have the chance to witness sport live at the MCG. Image credit: Michelle Couling, Melbourne Cricket Ground/Visit Victoria

#3: Spend an evening at the Summer Night Market or the Moonlight Cinema

From late November to mid-March, the Queen Victoria Market hosts the Summer Night Market, attracting big crowds on Wednesday nights from 5pm–10pm. There you can feast on cultural street food and refreshing beverages while you enjoy the live music and entertainment sprawled across the market sheds. 

With the Summer Night Market exclusive to Wednesdays, choose another night of the week and catch a movie under the stars at the Moonlight Cinema. Located within Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, the outdoor cinema screens the latest releases, holiday favourites and nostalgic classics. Visit the Moonlight Cinema website for the full movie schedule.

#4: Soak up the sounds of live music at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl

There’s something about live music in summer that just hits a little different and Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Musical Bowl is the perfect destination to see artists from around the world. Nestled in Kings Domain and overlooking the city skyline, the outdoor venue also hosts symphonic performances, theatrical extravaganzas and more. 

Be sure to check out Sidney Myer Music Bowl’s schedule of gigs planned over the summer months and purchase a ticket for either a reserved seat or a spot on the lawn.

Live performance at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Living in Melbourne, RMIT students can enjoy live music in the city's best-known locations such as the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Image credit: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/Visit Victoria
I love how much culture permeates Melbournian life, with the music, the art and the constantly happening festivals, with musicals and films.

– Jai, international student from India

#5: Gather a group of friends and enjoy a day out at a festival

If you’re after an event that packs good food, live music and entertainment all in one day, Melbourne’s festival line-up over summer is sure to do the trick. 

Celebrate the Lunar New Year at the Chinese Lunar New Year Dragon Festival in Chinatown on Sunday 11 February. Just a few streets away from RMIT’s City campus, you can get around the festivities with cultural performances and market stalls throughout Chinatown. Melbourne will continue to celebrate the Lunar New Year across a number of events planned throughout February, so take a look at what’s on in Melbourne to find what interests you!

Midsumma Festival runs over 22 days from late January to mid-February, with a number of events centred around queer culture, involving local, interstate, and international artists. Visit the Midsumma Festival website to explore the full festival program and to purchase tickets.

Moomba Festival is Melbourne’s longest running free community festival, held annually across the Labour Day long weekend in March. Packed with family-friendly events and attractions including fireworks and the famous Moomba Parade, you won’t want to miss the lively action along the banks of the Yarra River.

#6: Join the RMIT Kirrip community on an adventure through the city

Arriving in a new city, there’s so much to learn and explore – from the heritage and stories beneath the streets, to discovering the latest dining hotspots and places to eat on a student-friendly budget.

As an RMIT student, there’s no better way to get acquainted with Melbourne’s iconic laneways and hidden gems than on a tour with our RMIT Kirrip volunteers. 

RMIT Kirrip is designed to help you ease into uni life, connecting new students with current students. All students are welcome to become part of the Kirrip community, providing the opportunity to make new friends while exploring Melbourne all at the same time.

RMIT Kirrip’s Melbourne in the Morning walking tours allow you to be immersed in Melbourne’s vibrant culture as you meander through the city streets, where street art and bustling cafes await at every turn. With tours set in February and with frequent events across the uni year, you’ll have the knowledge of a local in no time!

I loved RMIT Kirrip. It was such a great club to make new friends and enjoy new experiences. This is a club students should definitely join, they will have loads of fun.

– Pranooshini, international student from Sri Lanka

Story: Jacqueline Guldon

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information