What’s New in Melbourne & Victoria: Highlights for 2026 and beyond | News

What do Kylie Minogue’s iconic gold hot pants,Australia’s first ever NFL game, world-premiere exhibitions and one of the country’s most ambitious new wellness destinations have in common?

They’re all part of a wave of new experiences reinforcing why Melbourne and Victoria remains one of the world’s most dynamic visitor destinations. From major cultural moments and globally significant sporting spectacles to landmark hotel openings and transformative regional experiences, the state continues to evolve as fast as it’s epic sporting event calendar, giving travellers more reasons than ever to visit in 2026 and beyond.

GLOBAL SPORTING SPECTACLES

Melbourne’s reputation as Australia’s sporting capital will reach new heights with a series of landmark international events.

NFL Coming To Melbourne, September 2026: Australia’s first-ever regular season NFL game which will be hosted at the MCG has been confirmed, with the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers to play on Friday September 11, 2026 with a 10.35am AEST kick-off.

The 150th Anniversary Test: From March 11 – 15 2027, The G will host The 150th Anniversary Test, celebrating cricket’s rich legacy with a special one-off match between Australia and England, marking 150 years since the first Test at the MCG and 50 years since the unforgettable Centenary Test.

Marvel Stadium has launched its new 365 Tours, allowing visitors year-round access behind the scenes of one of Australia’s leading sporting and entertainment venues, with a new Roof Climb experience scheduled to launch later in 2026.

In 2027, Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 is heading to Melbourne. Australia’s sports capital is set to deliver one of the standout host city programmes with eight high impact matches featuring home nations Wales, Ireland and Scotland, staged across the tournament in the Marvel Stadium. The iconic venue promises world class rugby and a festival-like atmosphere for rugby fans.

MAJOR HOTEL OPENINGS & DEVELOPMENTS IN REGIONAL VICTORIA

Victoria’s accommodation pipeline continues to expand, offering visitors an exciting mix of luxury, wellness and immersive regional stays.

Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton, has opened, becoming Carlton’s first internationally branded hotel, introducing a new level of globally recognised accommodation to one of Melbourne’s most iconic inner-city precincts.

Levantine Hill in Yarra Valley will welcome to its grounds an architecturally-stunning new hotel complex, designed by Fender Katsalidis architects in October 2026. Designed to fit naturally within the landscape, and complement its existing cellar door and winery buildings, the new hotel will provide 33 rooms of accommodation for weekend escapes, weddings, events and conferences.

Near Warrnambool, Yumakiah Coastal Retreats is expected to welcome guests from late 2026, providing a distinctive coastal accommodation experience in southwest Victoria.

The ERDI Group, owner and operator of several Accor-branded hotels, has announced the transformation of the Saint Kilda Beach Hotel, which will reopen as Novotel St Kilda in October 2026. The hotel will feature 80 redesigned rooms, a new Urban and Kitchen bar and several function and event spaces.

NEW ADDITIONS TO THE GREAT VICTORIAN BATHING TRAIL

Victoria continues to invest in world class wellness sanctuaries across its regions.

Phillip Island Hot Springs, and ocean front thermal springs experience, is targeting a December 2026 opening, further enhancing Victoria’s growing wellness tourism offering and adding another excellent leg to the Great Victorian Bathing Trail.

12 Apostles Hot Springs & Resort is due to open in 2027 on a 79-hectare Great Ocean Road site and is expected to become Australia’s largest hot springs bathing destination, combining wellness, accommodation, dining and premium visitor experiences.

NATURE AND ADVENTURE IN REGIONAL VICTORIA

Victoria is enhancing its nature and tourism offering with major conservation projects, new cultural experiences and improved visitor infrastructure.

Before the end of 2026, Wilson’s Promontory National Park will become Victoria’s largest conservation sanctuary. The roughly 10-kilometer, $6 million+ predator-proof fence across the Yanakie Isthmus is designed to eradicate introduced predators (foxes, cats) and deer, creating a secure climate refuge for over 150 threatened species. Visitor experiences will also be improved as part of the $23 million Wilsons Prom Revitalisation project, allowing people to visit, stay and learn about the Prom in a more enjoyable, accessible and sustainable way.

The Eastern Maar Cultural Tourism Programme will see the rollout of new guided walking tours and on-country experiences aimed at supporting community members as tour guides from 2026. The Eastern Maar First Peoples are actively designing and implementing new interpretation experiences across their Country in southwest Victoria, with a major focus on the Twelve Apostles precinct and Tower Hill. These experiences are designed to move beyond traditional tourism, focusing on “sharing Country”.

The highly anticipated 12 Apostles Visitor Centre will be complete by the end of 2026, changing how visitors experience the region; providing safer and easier access to nature’s greatest attractions, while protecting the environment and cultural history at this spectacular location.

VICTORIA’S EVER EVOLVING FOOD & DRINK SCENE

Melbourne continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading food and drink destinations.

CÔTE BASQUE by Andrew McConnell and Jo McGann to open in the former Becco site on Crossley Street in Melbourne’s CBD. Scheduled to open this winter, ‘Côte Basque’ will offer a European grill inspired by the Basque coast.

Suspended above Federation Square and looking out across the Yarra and city, the new Transit Rooftop Bar will reopen this spring, as an all-day and late-night bar and restaurant with food by Tony Twitchett, cocktails by Matt Linklater, and music by WAT Artists.

CHANDON Australia launches Fondue + Bingo at their Yarra Valley winery. Available from Saturday 6 June until the end of August, this playful food and wine experience includes three pairings of CHANDON sparkling wine, a decadent shared cheese fondue with seasonal accompaniments, a self-guided bingo experience.

ARTS AND CULTURE

Victoria’s arts scene is set to shine with major new exhibitions, festivals and public art experiences across the state.

Australian Museum of Performing Arts (AMPA) announces ENCORE! 50 Objects. 50 Years. One Collection, a new exhibition on display from 16 September 2026 – 9 May 2027 showcasing treasures from across Australia’s performing arts history, from icons including Kylie Minogue, Hugh Jackman, Dame Nellie Melba and Archie Roach.

NGV presents the world-premiere of Children’s Play: Ragnar Kjartansson, the Icelandic artist’s first ever exhibition for children. Taking inspiration from the lavish festivities of European courts from the Rococo period that have since evolved into the modern theatre tradition of ‘dinner and a show’, Kjartansson invites visitors of all ages to create their own version of a theatrical feast.

The NGV’s world-premiere exhibition, Plant Life: The Nature of Design, will open on 28 August 2026 running until 7 February 2027. The exhibition looks to the future of plant-based materials as a vital alternative to plastics, synthetic and non-renewable materials. From leather grown, to fungi, to light reactive bio-plastics, and fibreboard made from hemp and bio-resin, the exhibition features the work of leading designers using plant-based materials.

Falls Creek has launched the Flower of the Alpine Sun, a public art piece that has been ~5 years in the making. The commission was completed by Artist Gio Veronesi.

Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF) has unveiled the first artists set to appear as part of its 2026 program, offering an early glimpse into this year’s festival ahead of its return from 16–25 October.