Hidden gems to visit in Docklands

Heading down to the waterside in Docklands? Check out these hidden bars, epic attractions and amazing art galleries while you're in the area.

Visit a festival of fire

Melbourne’s favourite free winter festival returns to Docklands from 3 to 5 July. Mark Firelight Festival in your calendar and get ready for a big weekend of family-friendly fun. There’ll be live music, fire dancers and flaming installations. Plus heaps of food trucks dishing up loads of tasty dishes and yummy treats.

Find Melbourne's cheapest coffee

Looking for a cute coffee spot with change from a fiver? Enter Bobby Stop Stealing Our Camping Chairs. The drinks all ring in at $3 to $4. That even includes a homemade iced matcha for $4. In this economy, unheard of! Ask the team about the lore of their cheeky name and settle in on the orange camp chairs for a story.

Soak in a floating sauna

Chase winter wellness with hot cold therapy at Sauna Boat Melbourne. This ice bath and sauna experience floats on the water in Victoria Harbour, overlooking the city skyline. Get toasty warm in the 80 degree sauna, then take the plunge into the onboard cold tub. You can choose between Victorian temps (a balmy 14 degrees) or if you're feeling brave – blistering ten degree Tassie water.

Kayak by moonlight

See the sun set over Melbourne from a different perspective. Kayak Melbourne offers sparkling night-time tours along the Yarra, with an active twist. But don’t panic, there’s no experience required! Departing from picturesque Docklands harbourside, this is an evening adventure like no other. You even get to dine while on the water.

Feast in a leafy brunch wonderland

Seek out some of Melbourne's most aesthetic brunch dishes in this cute-as-a-button cafe. Take a seat under Cocobei's towering wall of greenery and ponder the stacked all-day menu. Tuck into the braised beef benedict, the creamy sautéed mushrooms or the seafood linguine. To drink, try one of the specialty coffees. Our pick is the signature cold brew. It comes topped with creamy salted coconut foam and honey Cornflakes.

Sip your way through a three-level pub

Quarterhouse is a new pub offering a quintessential experience on the ground floor, with hearty meals and live sports. Upstairs, the rooftop provides an elevated escape with skyline views, cocktails, and DJs from sunset 'til late. A stones throw from Marvel Stadium, it's the perfect place for a pre-footy snack or post-concert drink.

Soar up to a poolside rooftop bar

Tucked away 15 storeys in the air, you'll find a little slice of the Riviera. Sunset House sits atop the Marriott Hotel. On a clear day, there's no better spot than beside the infinity pool. Order some tapas, and a cocktail of course, then soak in the stunning city skyline views.

Visit Docklands' coolest cafe

Enjoy an all-day brunch and stacked sandwiches at this sleek new cafe. Milkbar merges an old-school menu with gorgeous modern design. Expect buttermilk pancakes, Reubens, pastries and loaded salad focaccias. Stock up at the takeaway pantry section before you go.

Inhale the world's best porchetta panini

You might know the Flinders Lane store a little better, but Saluministi's Docklands outpost is just as delicious. And we simply can't go past the best-selling grilled panini, the porchetta. That’s free-range roasted pork ribboned with artichoke paste, partnered with pecorino and rocket. Served in a stone-baked ciabatta roll, with a side of house-made pickled veg, it's perfetto.

Play inside a neon-lit arcade wonderland

Roll up to Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq for the ultimate arcade experience. Once you’ve finished with bowling, bumper cars, arcade games, or virtual reality be sure to try their circus sour. A fruity twist on your classic cocktail, served with a tower of sugary sweet fairy floss on top.

Create a masterpiece at the library's free makerspace

Library at the Dock has one of Melbourne's biggest makerspaces, with stunning harbour views to boot. With podcast studios, a green terrace for yoga and oodles of books, it's an inspiring space to unwind, read, or get lost in your own thoughts. Head up to level 2 to experiment with sewing, laser cutting, embroidery and more.

Sink eco bevs at Urban Alley Brewery

You don’t need to drive out to the ‘burbs for a legit brewery experience. Urban Alley has the capacity to produce 1 million litres of beer a year, and its unique eco-model means your sips are super sustainable. Settle in for a signature bev in the loft style surrounds and order from a menu of burgers, pizzas and steaks.

Have a dumpling feast at Heartling

Melbourne's most exclusive dumpling restaurant has arrived. With space for just eight diners, you'll feel very special when you nab a seat at Heartling. The focus here is on 'slow' dining – a meditative food experience that allows you to savour every flavour. Choose the seafood or plant-based menu, then indulge in a series of hand-crafted, heart-shaped dumplings. Splurge on dessert, you won't be disappointed.

Find one of Melbourne's best katsu sando

Ilza’s home-style chicken katsu sandos are a Docklands sensation. The equally delicious pork-cutlet sandwiches are just as crispy, served on the same fluffy white bread. But why stop there, when there’s chicken karaage, udon noodles, yuzu cocktails and strawberry shortcake to devour.

Learn to ice skate

Whether you’re experts or beginners, skating with your crew is always fun at O’Brien Icehouse. Slice across the ice during the public skating sessions, or check out an ice hockey match. Grab a toastie at the igloo cafe or get a little fancy at the St Moritz bar on site.

See a floating art installation

A mesmerising light installation is casting a glow over Victor Harbour. Visit Docklands to see Echo of Central Pier, a collection of 147 illuminated buoys. By day, it shows the former footprint of the pier. But by night, the display comes to life. It's programmed to glow in a slow echoing rhythm, honouring the pier's maritime heritage.

Wander rooms of illusion at ArtVo

Lose yourself in a world of illusion at this one-of-a-kind art gallery. ArtVo is the ultimate trick art spot, home to a collection of over 80 hand-painted immersive artworks. Kids young and old will love the different zones where viewers become the art.

Explore a topsy-turvy house

Flip your world upside down and explore the mind-boggling House Down Under. Snap hilarious pics with your mates as you journey through this house of optical illusions. Walk on the ceiling, headstand on the couch and climb the walls at this immersive trick-art installation.

Explore a tropical oasis in an iconic sports stadium

Docklands just scored a massive new tropical beer garden. This palm tree-lined oasis is located inside Marvel Stadium and open on event days. Pop into Moon Dog Doglands for a pre-footy parma. It comes with double cheese, mozzarella and fior di latte! Plus a side of fries and green salad. Don't forget a craft beer or cocktail from the glowing 360-degree bar.

Live like a pirate

To get your pirate on, heave ho to the Mission to Seafarers. Test your pipes at a free sea shanty sing-along session. These ever popular sessions are the ultimate way to blow off some steam, pirate-styles.

Cook DIY okonomiyaki at Dohtonbori

The first of its kind in Melbourne, Dohtonbori is a popular export from Japan specialising in okonomiyaki. Plate up fresh cabbage pancakes at the helm of your personal teppanyaki hot plate, then load it with kimchi, lobster, pork belly and more.