What’s on in Melbourne
in August
August in Melbourne – days are getting longer, with a few warmer days and blue skies some taste of spring. This is a great time for walks or bicycle rides along the creeks and the Bay, and to soak up some vitamin D when the suns out.
Melbourne has 100s of kilometers of
bike and walking paths,
away from traffic. Many of them run along the Yarra and creeks, as well as the Maribyrnong River and the Bay. They are scenic and will give you an instant out of the city feel.
Also, this is the last month to take advantage of the
snow in the Victorian Alps
for this season. The snow is as usual struggling with temperatures that don’t want to quite stay under freezing.
Nevertheless, it is a great opportunity for snow-play only just over an hour out of Melbourne, and for serious skiing and snowboarding in the alpine resorts. The conditions are reasonably good, with lifts in all Victorian ski resorts are pretty much all open.
Or you can put on your coat and take of the one of the following, August 2011, Melbourne events:
Melbourne Film Festivals
The Melbourne International Film Festival, the most significant film event is Australia, is still running until August 7 – and a great opportunity to catch some great work of emerging and established Australian and oversees filmmakers.
Melbourne Film Festival
Then there is the Indonesian Film Festival. It is the largest celebration of Indonesian film in Australia. It showcases top range Indonesian films, from mainstream motion pictures to an eclectic range of art house cinema, all coming from a particular corner of the globe often known for its striking beauty and rich culture. From August 19th – 25th at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image with some real gems for foreign film lovers.
Indonesian Film Festival
There are going to be a range of film festivals at the
Palace Cinemas:
The Bayside Film Festival, from August 17-20, features a light hearted collection of Australian and World premieres, hand-picked for their originality and quirkiness, with a focus on young and emerging filmmakers whose film making journeys you can explore there.
The Russian Resurrection Film Festival, from August 18-28, screening some of the greatest Russian films of recent times. You will have the opportunity to meet visiting Russian filmmakers and actors, sample some famed Russian hospitality at the festival parties and reminisce with a series of classic Russian films being screened.
The Israeli Film Festival, from August 30-September 4, is an opportunity to see the rich and diverse Israeli films that have struck a chord with international festivals and audiences. It will show films such as Hanotenet and Naomi, Intimate Grammar, The Matchmaker, Mabul and Rabies, which have developed a strong following in Israel and worldwide.
Melbourne Writers Festival
The
Melbourne Writers Festival
has been a cornerstone of the city's literary culture for over 25 years, providing a corner stone for Melbourne’s community of readers and writers to grow and prosper.
Over 400 of novelists, playwrights, poets, screenwriters, journalists, songwriters, bloggers from Australia and around the world will come together, celebrating the works of the know and the writers you did not know existed.
It puts on an enormous range of literary activity including entertaining discussions, debates, readings, film screenings, interviews, literary banquets, performances, workshops and book launches, as well as a lively schools' program for primary and secondary students, and is a great opportunity for writers and readers to connect and explore.
Hurstbridge Wattle Festival
And for the kids and family, on Sunday, August 28, the Hurstbridge Wattle Festival is a significant cultural event, celebrating our heritage, environment and community.
As you approach the township of Hurstbridge, along Diamond Creek, the wattles will be out in full blaze. The main street will be a bustle of entertainment, events and family activities.
There will be vintage cars, Cobb & Co coach rides, double-decker buses, heritage trails, animal nurseries, an art gallery and art show, Indigenous food and gardens, entertainment, music and great food.
For a special treat, you can travel to the festival by a historic
steam train from Flinders Street or Eltham Stations.
These are some of the Melbourne things to do in August 2011!
With all the best Wishes
Brigitte,
for the
We Love Melbourne team
