There comes a time in a young adult’s life where Easter loses its appeal. Unless you’ve got younger siblings or children there’s no more backyard Easter egg hunts, and no all-expenses paid family weekends away (thanks Mum and Dad).
But Melburnians needn’t panic. There’s still a bunch of stuff to do this long weekend, with plenty open to stay entertained from Friday through ‘til Monday. If you’re staying put in Melbourne with no plans, we’ve come up with a list of things to do (and avoid) to make sure your Easter doesn’t suck.
- Have a laugh
Who doesn’t love laughing? Bringing some of the funniest people in the world together, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is back and in full swing. It’s the second last week to get yourself to a show and forget about the stresses and struggles of real life.
With so many comedians performing each night, choosing your show can be a little daunting. But no matter what your sense of humour is like, there’s a show out there that will have you in stitches.
Make a night of it and grab some pre or post-show drinks (por que no los dos?) at one of these central bars on Flinders Lane.
- Have a drink
If you can make it to a bottle-o before Good Friday, then I would recommend it. Like many restaurants and cafes open on long weekends, bottle shops tend to up the price of their delicious and necessary beverages on public holidays. But if the need for a good tipple calls and you’re fridge has been drunk dry, these bottle shops will have you covered.
The Exford Hotel
199 Russell St, Melbourne
Open 24 hours
McCoppins
165 Johnston St, Fitzroy
10am-midnight
The Railway Hotel
29 Chapel St, Windsor
Open 24 hours
The Rising Sun Hotel
235 Swan St, Richmond
12pm-1am
Riversdale Hotel
Riversdale Rd & Auburn Rd, Hawthorn
12pm-11pm
If you’re desperate to get away this weekend but can’t get any accommodation, there’s still a few tickets left to Boogie 11. Melbourne’s own Cosmic Psychos are headlining this years boutique camping festival in Tallarook, about an hours drive from the CBD. In it’s eleventh year, Boogie continues to bring diversity in music, arts, booze and food, all while being environmentally friendly.
There’s a heap of both international and local artists playing, and those camping festival good times you can’t get anywhere else guaranteed. So find your tent, buy a slab, cover yourself in glitter and make your way to Tallarook for three nights of boogieing.
- Have a sleep in
The idea of the Great Luna Park Easter Egg on Sunday morning would have been amazing when we were 10. Hundreds of Chocolate eggs hidden all over Luna Park to find (and eat), the Easter Bunny and Mad Hatter making guest appearances, and all the usual rides and attractions of St Kilda’s historic amusement park. And hey, if you’ve got kids of your own or are just a big kid at heart then it might be for you.
But for many like myself, these days any form of free chocolate means an extra hour on the treadmill and Sunday mornings usually mean a pretty serious hangover.
If you’re not up to face the army of chocolate-fueled children on a sugar high then it is probably best to avoid Luna Park and surroundings between 11am and 3pm on Sunday.
- Have a snack from a food truck
Welcome To Thornbury is open all weekend and provides the perfect space to spend a few hours snacking and drinking. Six of your favourite food trucks will be set up on Friday from 12pm. Our pick for Good Friday is the smoke fish tacos from Twisted Fishermerman, or the lobster roll from Twisted Fisherman… or really anything from Twisted Fisherman. It is Good Friday, after all.
Not into seafood any day of the year? You’ll still have Satay Truck, Pizza Wagon, Mr Burger, Super Taxo and Lukumades to choose from on the 14th.
If you’ve got access to wheels and up for a road trip, why not make the journey to Food Truck Carnivale in The Briars Mornington. From midday until 9pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, the Briars Food Truck Carnival is up and running. As well as over 20 food trucks to choose from, there’s more than 50 performers, a free outdoor cinema, kids rides, and more.
Happy Easter!
By Madeline Wallman
