Hello Reader,

It’s Angie here,

With all the recent changes to public transport fares, I thought I’d share a simple reminder that’s easy to overlook — free weekend travel for Seniors Myki holders is still available anywhere in Victoria.

I decided to give it a proper test. Instead of driving, I hopped on a spotless McHarry’s bus into Geelong, caught the train into Melbourne, and made a day of it.

First stop was the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, where I spent a happy hour wandering through the Top Arts 2026 exhibition — always inspiring to see the creativity of young Victorian artists.

After that, I treated myself to lunch at Brunetti Oro before catching the train home again.

A lovely day out, plenty to see and do — and not a dollar spent on petrol or parking.

If you haven’t planned on making the most of the free weekend travel yet, it might be worth choosing something small — even just a few hours in the city can feel like a lovely change of scenery. Or if you're based inner city, a regional Victoria day trip would be a wonderful expedition.

Warmly,
Angie

P.S. A gentle nudge from me to you — if you're 65+, winter's prime time to sort out your flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations. Best part? They're free! Pop in and see your GP or pharmacist, or have a squiz at health.gov.au/winter-vaccinations for the full rundown. Don't let winter catch you off guard!

Let's Explore Melbourne and Beyond

​Indulge in a Delightful High Tea Escape​ Treat yourself to elegant sweet and savoury delights in Montrose. Book for June or July and save 10% on your High Tea using code EOFY10 Book High Tea

“ I liked arriving in Montrose to find an unpretentious weatherboard house as my venue, a place a little tucked away, stopping people just lobbing in from the street. ​Read more here.​ — Marjie

PARTNER CONTENT ​The City's Hidden Side Streets​ Discover the muscle and money behind Melbourne's earliest industrial days — a short, sharp 90-minute walk through streets you've passed but never really seen. Book one of our walking tours

​Climb Aboard the Famous Blues Train​ Enjoy live blues music, great company and a unique rail journey through regional Victoria. Book your ride

​Relax at this Unreal Seaside Resort​ Escape to the Mornington Peninsula for coastal views, luxurious accommodation, great dining and a rejuvenating getaway. Read Nadine's review

​Book Talk and Morning Tea ​ Join us at Mary Martin Bookshop QVM for an inspiring book talk with owner Jaye over a social morning tea. Join us on Thurs 30 July

PARTNER CONTENT ​Shopping Deals From Trusted Partners​ It's that time of year again! EOFY is your golden opportunity to save big across fashion, tech, homewares, travel and more. We've also shared some of our favourite local charities running EOFY appeals. SHOP NOW

​Explore the City by Water​ "Seeing our city from a different perspective is fascinating, especially hearing of the changes to the river and its surrounds before and since white settlement." - Kathy River cruise options

Popular Picks: This Week’s Top 3

• ​My Guide to Cheap Cinema Tickets in Melbourne​
• ​Australian Brandenburg Orchestra 2026 Season at Melbourne Recital Centre​
• ​Social Events and Activities for Older People in Melbourne​

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​Win a Family Pass to Mercy at NGV​ Enter now for your chance to enjoy a captivating exhibition of immersive art, music and storytelling by acclaimed artist Ragnar Kjartansson. ENTER TO WIN

WHAT'S ON - Mark Your Calendars

• ​Hardware Lane Precinct: 1.5-hour Walking Tour (Fridays, 2 pm – 3.30 pm). Behind Bourke Street, uncover the old warehouses, service lanes and quiet corners revealing how the city has reinvented itself over time. Tickets $40. Book here.​
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• ​Open House Melbourne (24 - 26 Jul 2026). Don't miss the rare chance to step inside some of the city’s most intriguing spaces—many of which only open their doors to the public this one weekend a year. The 2026 program goes live on Wednesday 24 June 2026. Read our guide here.​
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• ​Ballarat Winter Festival (27 Jun – 19 Jul 2026). A vibrant winter celebration transforming the city into a seasonal wonderland, featuring a pop-up ice-skating rink, the Hot Choc Showdown café trail, immersive light displays and family-friendly entertainment across multiple venues. The program also includes special events such as Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill and live performances in the festival precinct.
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• ​EONARIUM Enlightenment Melbourne (until 5 Jul 2026). Discover a unique light and sound experience that blends art, music and immersive storytelling, inviting visitors to reflect, relax and explore deeper themes of consciousness and connection in a multi-sensory setting. Seniors card tickets $31.
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• ​Copland Dance Episodes (23 Jun – 2 Jul 2026). A vibrant, contemporary ballet set to the music of Aaron Copland, where dynamic choreography and energetic performances promise an exhilarating dance experience.​
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• ​KHT NAIDOC Week First Peoples Art and Design Market (Fri 10 Jul, 2026). More than 20 First Peoples artists and designers come together in this annual market, plus a day of free community celebrations from 12noon to 5.30pm.
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• ​Glen Eira Storytelling Festival (18 Jun – 5 Jul 2026). This vibrant annual festival celebrates storytelling in all its forms, featuring author talks, performances, workshops and engaging discussions that bring together diverse voices and creative expression for all ages.
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• ​Malvern East Chamber Music Festival (9 – 12 Jul 2026). This new classical music festival brings world-class chamber music to Melbourne’s south-east, featuring internationally trained musicians in a welcoming community setting.

​seniorsinmelbourne.com.au​

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