Whether you’re social distancing indoors with (up to) five guests, taking a solo stroll for a dose of fresh air, or keeping things virtual for now. Here are some ideas that won’t hit the hip pocket too hard. Not sure whether it’s time to head out? Check the DHHS website for up to date information.
Coffee in the park
As long as you keep your distance, queuing for coffee to fuel your state sanctioned walk is officially okay. Warm your hands around your mid morning cuppa while you stretch your legs. Pair an espresso from Jardin Tan with a wander through the Royal Botanic Gardens. Stroll around Flagstaff Gardens with your soy latte and fresh croissant from Operator 25. Or grab a convenient caffeine fix from Cafe Babbo before hitting the Carlton Gardens world heritage-listed paths.
Get cooking with free classes
Save your bank balance from the UberEats order now button. Pop on a free podcast and spend Sunday arvo cooking. Or check out the Sandro Demaio Foundation’s free, easy peasy recipes that the kids can try too. Get Healthy at Home with banana bread, flatbread pizzas and cauliflower korma.
Cook cauliflower korma with Little Food Festival’s Healthy at Home recipes
Host a mini dinner party
Don’t stress the food prep. Impress your (up to) five guests with gourmet heat and eat meals from Melbourne’s finest laneway haunts.
Ripe’s un-brie-lievable cheese packs are a party starter. Split a five-cheese pack between six for affordable fancy cheese. Elizabeth Andrews hearty mains all clock in at less than $9 per serve.
Room for dessert? 10 for $14 Lukumades on Deliveroo. They even have vegan options, and extra Nutella is only $2.50.
Plant a veggie patch
While you’re at Queen Victoria Market, swing past new trader on the block Robbo & Sons. Pick up 5 for $10 broccoli, cauliflower, celery, silverbeet and bok choy seedlings. And grow your own supply for winter. They’re in Shed I – near the American Doughnut Van.
Prefer your plants pre-potted? Check out our full guide for indoor plants.
Grab 5 for $10 seedlings for your veggie patch from Robbo & Sons at the market
Join an online dance party
Push the couches against the wall, don your tallest platforms and burn baby burn to three hours of Studio 54 beats. Mr McClelland’s Finishing School takes the party online on Fridays. Go-go dance to 60’s pop 22 May and disco boogie 30 May. Join solo for a fiver and meet your mates there or sign up the whole household for $10. BYO glitter.
Take a street art stroll
Just because you can’t go inside a gallery, doesn’t mean you can’t get your art fix. Maybe now is the time to explore more of Melbourne’s street art on a curated street art walk? You can keep a safe social distance as you take in the ever-changing gallery walls of Hosier Lane and beyond.
ACDC Lane and Duckboard Place
Shop up at the market
Skip the supermarket and hit Queen Victoria Market. All Nonna’s know it’s the only place to get a $1 veggie soup bag. Stock up on fresh fruit and veg, meat and fish, cheese and wine and bathroom botanicals. Here’s a handy list of all the stalls that are open for takeaway and delivery. Prefer to shop from home? Here’s who’s offering online shopping.
Do free virtual Tai Chi
Shake up your at-home exercise routine this weekend with the Chinese martial art of tai chi. Tune in to Fed Square’s virtual tai chi classes and breathe out slowly with Master Han Jin Song to promote health and relaxation.
Tune in to virtual tai chi
Make movie magic at home
Staying in? Here’s how to get blockbuster vibes in your living room.
- Your library card is the key to thousands of free flicks. Use your library deets to watch movies, TV shows and documentaries for free on Kanopy.
- Tune in for fabulous full-length performances with the Australian Ballet’s free cinema-quality digital season to escape your lounge room to fairy tale forests and castles.
- Take a break from bingeing old Breaking Bad (or Gilmore Girls, no judgment here) with ACMI’s Virtual Melbourne Cinémathèque. This weekly free film club will screen movies chosen by the Melbourne Cinémathèque Committee.
- Recreate an experimental flick at home and project live jellyfish on your walls. Set a serene scene with this live stream from the aquarium.
Stream your life away online