Headline openings 2021

ACCOMMODATION

W Hotel Melbourne (February 2021)

Luxe hotel chain W Hotel is anticipated to open their first property in Melbourne in early 2021. W Melbourne will feature 294 rooms and suites, along with a bar, restaurant, spa, gym and a heated indoor pool. The new hotel will be located in the towering new precinct called Collins Arch on Collins Street, with the hotel lobby located on Flinders Lane, the hugely popular gastronomical precinct. Adam D'Sylva, the chef behind Tonka and Coda, has been named as the creative director for Lollo, the flagship restaurant at the hotel. 408 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, VIC, 3000.

Ovolo South Yarra (early 2021)

Located in Melbourne’s cultural hub of South Yarra, right near the famed intersection of Toorak Road and Chapel Street, is the latest addition to Ovolo Group’s collection of ever-growing hotels, Ovolo South Yarra. Opening early 2021, Ovolo South Yarra will take design cues from the days of disco – all mods and zero cons. It will blend past, present and progressive, to create a place where retro-chic and pop-art meet. At the heart of the 123 rooms and suites of Ovolo South Yarra is Ovolo’s ‘effortless living’ philosophy, experienced through seamless technology integration and intuitive design. Guests and diners will be able to feed their souls at a unique Ovolo kitchen and bar concept, which will be inspired by fresh and locally sourced produce, ethical eating, and conscious cuisine. Alongside; seasonal cocktails and wines sourced from some of Australia’s most progressive producers will also feature. 230 Toorak Rd, South Yarra, VIC 3141

Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street (early 2021)

The famous Hilton brand will return to Melbourne with the opening of a centrally located property on the corner of Little Queen Street and Bourke Street in Melbourne’s central business district (CBD). The hotel will feature 244 stylish guest rooms, including 10 spacious suites, a restaurant and bar, a fully equipped gym, an executive lounge and five meeting & event spaces. The Hilton will be located in the Equity Chambers building, built in 1931, which is known for its beautiful revival architectural style and Italian Romanesque and Gothic detailing. 18 Little Queen Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000.

The Ritz Carlton (late 2021)

Destined to be an attraction in its own right as the tallest hotel in Australia, upon arrival guests will enter the hotel lobby via the porte-cochere and take a direct elevator straight to the hotel’s sky check-in on level 79, offering panoramic views across Melbourne’s CBD and beyond. Featuring 263 luxury hotel suites with quality finishes and furniture, guests will enjoy state-of-the-art bathrooms, breathtaking views, and luxurious amenities including day spa, restaurants and bars, concierge services, function rooms, business centre, 500-seat grand ballroom, and outdoor garden terrace. 250 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000

CULINARY

80 Collins St

The new 80 Collins St development in the heart of Melbourne’s city centre is set to become a dining destination in its own right. Along with a 255-room Next Hotel, the precinct will be home to two new premium restaurants. Chef Alejandro Saravia, from laneway restaurant Pastuso, will open a new farm-to-table eatery that celebrates the best of the Gippsland region. Farmer’s Daughters will feature across three-floors, offering an array of options, including a ground-floor deli, main dining room and a rooftop space. Joining Saravias in the precinct will be the much-anticipated new restaurant collaboration between former award-winning Sepia duo Martin Benn and Vicky Wild, and Melbourne restauranteur Chris Lucas of Lucas Group (Chin Chin, KISUMÉ, Hawker Hall, Baby, Kong). Expected to be one of the biggest restaurant openings in Australia in 2020, the new restaurant will create a new style of fine dining. The name and cuisine will be announced in the new year. 80 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000.

Levantine Hill Estate – New Cellar Door

Five years since first opening, Yarra Valley’s Levantine Hill is set to open its new $20 million winery development by acclaimed architect Karl Fender. The spectacular new building, which incorporates the highest levels of environmentally sustainable principles, will serve as a state-of-the art winemaking facility and brand showcase to the world. The three levels will include a winery, display and events space, as well as wine tasting and presentation areas. Visitors can now be guided through a true wine journey, starting with bespoke wine and food flights, each matched with their own exquisite snacks and leading into substantial meals for those so inclined. 882 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream VIC 3770.

Grazeland

Grazeland is Melbourne’s most exciting new culinary destination: a playground for foodies and families that brings tantalising food and entertainment together in one location. Situated 5km from Melbourne’s city centre, the new gastronomical precinct will provide a rotating weekly festival featuring live performances, roving entertainers, and an incredible atmosphere that celebrates Melbourne’s amazing food culture. Booker St, Spotswood VIC 3015.

Lakes Entrance Slipway (TBC)

This will be a culinary and cultural delight featuring some of Gippsland’s best producers who have never formerly had a physical shopfront. Enjoy tastings from renowned Sailor’s Grave Brewing. Their beers are unique, sometimes challenging but always with nuance and subtle layers of complexity. They make hand crafted, artisanal beers that explore showcase the “terroir” of place and are an expression of our areas agricultural & maritime history and the pristine wilderness that we call home. Think smoked oyster stout and Sea Urchin + Lemon Myrtle gose. Partner this deliciousness with a popup from Gippsland Jersey for a sweet treat found rarely in Australia, taikayi cones. The perfect summer destination.

EXPERIENCES

ACMI (opening 11 February 2021)

ACMI is set to underline its standing as the world’s premier moving image institution when it reopens in early 2021 following a $34.8 million development. One of the country’s most progressive cultural icons, Australia’s museum of film, TV, videogames, digital culture and video art is the most visited moving image museum in the world. As part of the new design, ACMI’s Fed Square home has been stripped back to reveal a spacious, light-filled interior. The reimagined space will feature emerging technologies and transformative architecture to combine to create a globally connected museum of the future. Federation Square, Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000.

Grampians Peaks Trail

Due to be completed by Parks Victoria in early 2021, the Grampians Peaks Trail will be a once-in-a-lifetime 13-day hike through the backbone of a mountain range famed for its dramatic scenery and Aboriginal heritage. The 160-kilometre trail, located three hours west of Melbourne, will stretch the length of the Grampians National Park and feature dramatic mountain peaks, rugged rocky outcrops, unforgettable panoramas and the ancient Aboriginal heritage of Gariwerd. Stage one is already open with a 36-kilometre, 3 days/2nights, hike through the rugged interior of the national park, beginning and ending in Halls Gap.

Wildlife Wonders

Wildlife Wonders is a unique ecotourism experience and social enterprise which will offer visitors to the Great Ocean Road unsurpassed opportunities to observe and photograph the iconic animals of the area in a natural, predator-free setting. Based on a spectacular 20 hectare property just west of Apollo Bay, the attraction will be the first of its kind on the iconic Great Ocean Road. Accompanied by a qualified conservationist guide, visitors will be able to see koalas doze in the treetops, potoroos and bandicoots forage on the ferny forest floors and kangaroos hop along the horizon against a spectacular ocean vista. The experience has been designed and created by Brian Massey, who was the Greens Master for ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, Art Director of ‘The Hobbit’ and landscape designer of the highly successful ‘Hobbiton’ in New Zealand. In addition to the walking path, the project includes a themed ‘field-research base’; visitor arrivals building; and a café and retail outlet showcasing local products.

EVENTS

RISING 26 May – 6 June 2021

Taking the place of the Melbourne International Arts Festival and White Night Melbourne, RISING is a major cultural event for the Asia Pacific Region created by a diverse team of local, national and international artists and curators. RISING will begin on the evening of the total lunar eclipse in May 2021. Interlocking circles of experience and connection will radiate through the night, as the city re-synchronises and is re-energised with public art, performance and music spanning the emerging and iconic, the epic and intimate. The inaugural festival will take place 26 May – 6 June 2021.