A sunny Melbourne Christmas - weird yet wonderful as always!

lorisolan
Dec 7, 2017
2 min read

After living in Ireland for most of my life and then for six years in Melbourne, you do not get used to the sight of a giant Christmas tree basking away in the heat of a 34 degree day. Again this was no different when we returned this November for a visit. Whilst it definitely helps to increase the inner spirit of Christmas, it does not hold the same effect as a crisp cold day back home. Nevertheless, Melbourne has upped the ante on it's Christmas decorating and 2017 is the most explosive one yet.

Christmas Tree on Federation Square (Swanston St & Flinders St, Melbourne)

Usually the giant tree along with toy soldiers and Santa's grotto can be found on Swanston Street, however with upgrade works to the Metro, the location for 2017 has changed to Federation Square. I did not know this until I arrived at Swanston street to a building site and was highly disappointed, however the move was only a 5 minute walk away so all was ok again. I don't know how I feel about the new look of the tree however it may work for some people. Just outside the tourist information centre is a giant bubble and inside is Santa's sleigh. On first glance, I just thought it was another addition to the Christmas decorating however this is a karaoke pod - yes you read right, they have set up a white winter wonderland as a back drop for your own karaoke video. I imagine the queues for this will be out of control when it opens.

Christmas at Crown Casino (8 Whiteman St, Southbank)

Whilst I wasn't as blown away as I usually am with the Melbourne Christmas display in the CBD, the Crown Casino made up for it. Inside the Atrium is a huge tree and a display of large pods. These pods come alive every half an hour to wonderful festive music. It really is a magical event.

Myer Giftorium (314-336 Bourke St, Melbourne)

The Giftorium is always worth a visit up the seven flights of escalators to the top of Myer department store. There is a Santa's Grotto for the kids however expect a long wait, the queue is always HUGE.

Pop-up floating bar at Arbory (1 Flinders Walk, Melbourne)

Christmas wouldn't be complete in Melbourne without a Pimm's on Arbory's pop-up floating bar located on the river behind Flinder's Street Station. The pop-up has been in existence since 2015 and is an incredible idea. It is a nautical themed bar which is moored along platform 13 of Flinders Street station. It can house up to 400 people and is the perfect summer venue. Their cocktail list is extensive and there are sun loungers if you can get in early enough. They have a food menu which we didn't avail of but from eye spying other peoples orders, the food does not look disappointing.It makes me want to live in Melbourne again as this is just one of the cool hangouts for the sunny season.