Three Melbourne Itineraries for When You Need To Beat the Heat

There’s nothing like summer in the city. People are out, the vibes are high and everyone seems a little sunnier than usual. But when the heat gets overbearing, it can be hard to get out and make the most of Melbourne – and the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting hotter and longer summer days this year. Here, Broadsheet’s Melbourne editor shares three heat-friendly itineraries to experience your city, in comfort, when the mercury rises.

Cool scoops and indie cinema

Nothing beats a dark, air-conditioned cinema when it’s hot. Cinema Nova is one of the country’s best for independent and arthouse films, and the (excellent) choc-tops here are house-made – and, occasionally, themed around new releases. Or stop by Lisa Valmorbida’s Pidadpipo across the street for a scoop of gelato after the show.

Hot days also present a great opportunity to visit one of the new indie theatres that opened in 2025. See a flick at Eclipse in Collingwood, then stop by the newly opened Matcha Mate around the corner on Langridge Street for an ice-cold matcha latte. Or visit Brunswick Picture House – a new Sydney Road gem from the Thornbury Picture House team – where you’re encouraged to linger over a drink and a snack plate from neighbouring Lebanese restaurant Tiba’s before or after your screening. Plus, there’s ice-cream from Luther’s Scoops.

Retro games and old-school treats

The bowling alley and arcade are two great places to go for a cooling dose of nostalgia. The Keys in Preston is a retro, American-style leisure centre with three bars, 12 bowling lanes, a dance floor, a gaming arcade and a massive beer garden – so you can stay out of the heat all day.

In the city, head to Melbourne Central’s Strike Bowling on level three. Beyond the tenpins, there’s interactive darts, two escape rooms and kid- and adult-friendly laser tag. Across the way is B Lucky & Sons, an arcade and bar designed to look like an old-school pawn shop. They have everything from Mario Kart and virtual reality games to classics such as Skee-Ball and Space Invaders.

Stay in the cool shopping centre or visit a different location for another dose of childhood nostalgia (think hundreds and thousands and malted milkshakes) at The Pancake Parlour. The 60-year-old favourite has a limited-time summer menu at all 13 restaurants, including Kit Kat pancakes filled with milk chocolate and crispy wafers and topped with a big scoop of ice-cream; summer strawberry cups filled with fresh berries and your choice of fudge, Biscoff, pistachio or salted caramel; and refreshing old-school drinks such as the house-made strawberry lemonade. You’ll find some fun new twists too, like the Middle East-inspired angel-hair pancakes with pistachio and rose-infused Persian fairy floss. And the best part? When the temperature reaches 25 degrees Celsius or higher, all Pancake Parlours offer 50 per cent off the menu until 7.59am the next morning.

Forest bathing and coastal trails

Green space can be a lifesaver in summer. Plants provide shade and heat absorption, and even release water vapour, which means that on hot days the Royal Botanic Gardens will generally be cooler than the rest of the city. Rather than walk the Tan, use the weather as an opportunity to slow down and explore the gardens. Grab a picnic basket and a soft serve from nearby Baker Bleu, and sit by the central lake or on one of the many lawns.

Another great option is to go further out and let the sea breeze hit you on a coastal walk. Bushrangers Bay Walking Track is a 2.5-kilometre seaside trail stretching from Cape Schanck to Bushrangers Bay on the Mornington Peninsula, winding past sandy beaches, basalt cliffs and native banksia forest. After your walk, drive to Pizza Luna for a well-deserved pepperoni pie –this version was one Broadsheet staffer’s dish of the year.

Please note the beach and rock pools at Bushrangers Bay are not patrolled. If you are planning to swim, refer to beachsafe.org.au before visiting.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with The Pancake Parlour.