The best socially distanced activities in Melbourne

Find gardens devoted to Australian natives, fancy ferns and some not-so-ubiquitous plants.

We’re pretty lucky having a river running through our city – mostly because it means we get to do things like paddle a kayak.

During the warmer months, Melbourne's long days and balmy nights make for the perfect backdrop for an outdoor cinema.

Head along to Australia's first inland surf park, Urbnsurf, to hang ten without having to go down the coast. 

Who says you need to leave the city to get into nature? There are plenty of gorgeous places to stretch your legs.

Drinking on a rooftop is at least 20 per cent more fun than drinking at street level.

While Sydney gets all the beachy glory, Melbourne's bay beaches are a terrific place to spend some time outside, whether you're keen on swimming, wading, beachcombing or just relaxing on the sand. Bring friends, bring a picnic and spend the day catching some rays. Don't forget to slip, slop, slap.

Rollerskating is certainly having a moment right now. Everyone from the kid next door to global comedy superstar (and Nailed It host) Nicole Byer strapped on some wheelie shoes and started exercising in style. Whether you want to get into roller derby, level up your TikTok game or just want to cruise your local streets and feel the wind in your hair, there's never been a better time to get into skating. 

OK, you might be a little tired of picnicking, but if you do it right it's still a lovely way to enjoy friends' company without spending time inside. Our number one picnic tip: bring camping chairs. There are loads of green pockets throughout Melbourne just perfect for a picnic.

Picnic packs are fantastic, but there's something about food that is cooked and eaten alfresco that makes it at least 15 per cent more delicious than food cooked and eaten inside.  We are very fortunate in Melbourne to have hundreds of free municipal barbecues in our parks, gardens, beaches and other summertime hot spots. Across the city there are plenty of picturesque spots with in-built barbecues just waiting to have some snags (meat or veggie) thrown onto them.

Golf has a reputation for being a snooty and expensive sport, but it doesn't have to be so. There are plenty of affordable public courses in Melbourne where you can work on your short game and get tips on improving your drive. These courses offer casual play as well as passes for golfers who are more committed, and many of them offer lessons to help total novices whose entire knowledge of golf comes from Happy Gilmore. You can rent clubs, balls and buggies, so don't let a lack of equipment stop you from hitting the links. Heck, some even offer mini-golf for those who aren't ready to tackle the big holes yet.