Family | City | Adventure | Food and Wine | Romance 10 January 2017

A Great Aussie Summer in the City

Our great Australian summer may present as the perfect time for residents to plan their coastal getaway and escape the soaring mercury, but it’s also an ideal opportunity to explore our fascinating cities at leisure and enjoy their balmy charms from dawn to dusk.

From sampling your way around Melbourne’s Summer Night Market, to catching the courtside action at the Brisbane International or dancing in delight under the stars at Sydney Festival – whichever city you have your sights set on, there’s plenty of summertime fun to be had with Oaks Hotels & Resorts.

Melbourne

Culture: ‘The Art of Banksy’, an exhibition by internationally acclaimed street artist Banksy, is adorning Melbourne’s Federation Square this summer, with a collection of more than 80 contemporary works on display until late January, including the iconic Flag wall, Laugh Now and Girl with Balloon pieces.

Sport: Melbourne has so much to offer in the way of seriously exciting sporting events this summer. Catch all the Australian Open action at Melbourne Park this January, and witness world-class athletes majestically battle it out on the court for the coveted Grand Slam prize. Cricket is also set to heat up the city, with the famous Boxing Day Test against Pakistan, the fast-paced Twenty-20 match, as well as a number of thrilling one-day International cricket matches taking the pitch.

Food: For the ultimate midweek culinary adventure, Queen Victoria Market’s celebrated Summer Night Markets are back by popular demand, offering Melbourne’s largest variety of mouth-watering street food selections, plus a number of carefully curated bars, vibrant live music and busking entertainment, and myriad of artisan and vintage market stalls for shoppers to explore.

Stay: Choose between Oaks Hotels & Resorts’ selection of contemporary apartment-style hotels throughout the CBD, South Yarra and Southbank, including the brand new Oaks Southbank, starting from $139* per night (minimum two night stay).

Sydney

Culture: Sydney Festival is back, with another killer line-up of contemporary and classical live music acts, comedy shows, theatrical and dance productions, visual art installations, and circus performances. Marvel at the beauty a powerful voice can behold at the Opera in the Domain, get lost in a labyrinth of mystifying mirrors in the House of Mirrors installation, and rock out with PJ Harvey and her electrifying 10-piece band in Darling Harbour.

Sport: For sailing enthusiasts, it’s hard to overlook the number of nautical events gracing the waters of Sydney this summertime, with the Extreme Sailing Series Act, the Sail Sydney event, the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Pittwater to Southport Yacht Race all scheduled for the season.

Food: Visit the historical Harold Park ‘Tramsheds’ for an all-round sensational foodie experience, brimming with character and community spirit. Sample some tasty Tapas at Bodega, devour a decadent Middle Eastern spread at Bekya and end the night with a scoop or two of the famed gelato sensation, Gelato Messina.

Stay: Book a room at one of three inner-city locations at Oaks Goldsbrough Apartments, Oaks Hyde Park Plaza and Oaks on Castlereagh, starting from $190* per night (minimum two night stay).

Brisbane

Culture: The marvelous, multi-award winning ‘Matilda the Musical’ is Brisbane bound this summer, with the feel-good production set to impress spectators with its imaginative storyline and vivacious original soundtrack.

Sport: The Brisbane International is bringing a stellar lineup of professional tennis pros to the Pat Rafter Arena in January, with Rafael Nadal making his Brisbane debut alongside other international and Australian tennis talents including Sam Stosur, Bernard Tomic and Eugenie Bouchard.

Food: Make the most of those temperate summer evenings by enjoying an alfresco dining experience from above. Check out one of Brisbane’s newest rooftop bars such as Sazerac – 30 storeys high (making it Brisbane’s highest) with extraordinary views of the city skyline and an equally impressive cocktail list.

Stay: Choose from 11 Oaks Hotels & Resorts locations scattered across the city, Woolloongabba, Milton and Bowen Hills, with rates starting from $109* per night (minimum two night stay).

To book your holiday and view Oaks Hotels & Resorts’ full collection of summer deals, visit http://www.oakshotels.com/en/  

*Terms and conditions apply; subject to availability; minimum two night stay; valid for selected properties over selected travel dates.