The best Father's Day gifts under $50

It's that time again, and we've got a bunch of gifts for dad from trusty socks to once-off experiences. These local gifts are the best buys in Melbourne.

When is Father’s Day in 2023?

Put it in your diaries – Father’s Day will be on 3 September in 2023. Don't be fooled by some Northern hemisphere countries, which celebrate Father's Day in June!

Quirky socks - from $12

What’s a gift guide without socks? Bruce Goose at Queen Victoria Market makes pairs covered in colourful stripes, polka dots and, yes, with kangaroos. More laid-back fashionistas will love single colour and breathable socks. A Happy Socks gift pack is a reliable way to earn major brownie points. Go for the option packaged up in a cardboard beer glass.

Rare LEGO sets - from $13

If you’ve got a LEGO nerd on your hands, Brickville needs to be your next port of call. This local Kensington gem deals in hard-to-find, decommissioned and retired LEGO sets. So if there's a particular Marvel minifig or vintage set they're after, this brick-loaded wonderland has it all sorted.

Cooking essentials - from $16.50

Melbourne's Mabu Mabu restaurant has brought First Nations' food to Fed Square – and now it's coming to dad's pantry. Their small batch sauces and spices are made with native ingredients right here in the city. Think fermented chilli sriracha, pineapple hot sauce and lemon myrtle meat rub – all found in their extensive pantry range. For that super keen cook in the family, pick up Koorie Heritage Trust's Australian Native Food Harvest Book.

Pop Vinyls - from $20

From Star Wars to Dragon Ball Z, there's a perfect Pop Vinyl figurine for everyone's interests. Pop culture paradise Minotaur sells stacks of the little statuettes. That includes four different Yoda iterations to choose from. Critical Hit also has a huge range of these cuties, with a focus on Japanese characters.

Mini grooming pack - $25

If you’re shopping for more of a a guy on the go, Men’s Biz has made skincare extra simple for them. Treat your dapper dad to a travel-friendly shave kit. It comes with a brush, shaving cream and aftershave balm for an irritation-free shave.

Lantern-lit ghost tour - $39

Got a history buff in the family? Book a ghost tour for dad to discover Melbourne's spooky past. There'll be tales of opium dens, medical science mysteries and a deep dive into the dramatic end of famous opera singer Federici. Add the dinner option and enjoy a meal at one of the city's most iconic old pubs before venturing off into the night!

Baby Yoda Monopoly - $41

From Fortnite to Friends, Melbourne's oldest game shop has a Monopoly board for every super fan. Swing by the Mind Games Melbourne store to find capitalist adventures with Care Bears, Baby Yoda, Sailor Moon and Elvis! Give the team a buzz if the board you want is out of stock – they're always happy to order in.

Koko Black gin chocolate - $49.90

Premium chocolate purveyors Koko Black have brought the goods again with a bumper selection of Father’s Day range. This year they've teamed up with distillery Four Pillars to bring you a chocolate collab like no other with the Gin Collection Gift Box. From yuzu to shiraz-flavoured treats this is the perfect gift for the dad who loves a sweet treat. All perfectly presented in a funky package.

Handy keyfinder - $50

This Orbitkey bluetooth tracker is the ultimate buy for gadget-obsessed dads. The tracker’s slim design means it can be slipped into a key organizer or clipped to a key ring with ease. Set it up to connect to his phone, and with the touch of a button the lost item is located in seconds. Available from Milligram.