Novotel Melbourne Preston - Family & Business trip hotel - Our Itinerary Has Your Day Out in Melbourne Sorted, This Winter

Looking for the perfect Melbourne winter weekend getaway? Head north and discover hidden gems of Melbourne and its surrounding suburbs. Explore a vibrant pocket of local breweries, wineries, indoor activities, wellness experiences, and indulgent treats.

Whether you’re planning a cosy couples escape, a fun group stay, or a relaxed weekend retreat, Melbourne’s north delivers the ultimate mix of comfort, entertainment, indulgence and local character.

Here’s how to spend the perfect winter weekend in Preston while supporting local businesses.

Indoor Activities in Preston: Big Swing Golf

When temperatures drop, indoor activities in Melbourne become the perfect hang out for families and friends.

Offering state-of-the-art golf simulators, this experience goes beyond traditional golf. Visitors can enjoy 10 simulated sports and interactive games, including soccer, basketball, baseball, and arcade-style experiences like zombie dodgeball. This makes it one of the best group activities in Melbourne’s north, perfect for friends, families, or team outings.

The venue also features a fully licensed bar, creating a social and relaxed environment ideal for a winter night out. Simply book in your simulator time, hire their clubs or bring your own for the golf professionals. It’s game on!

Address: 105–109 Bell Street, Preston VIC 3072

Website: https://bigswinggolf.com.au/preston

Craft Beer and Dining: Tallboy & Moose

No winter weekend in Melbourne is complete without a visit to a local brewery, and Tallboy & Moose delivers a down-to-earth but boutique experience.

This independent, pet-friendly brewery in Preston is known for its freshly brewed craft beers, on-site where you’ll find yourself sitting among the production while you take your pick from the rotating taps of their craft beer in a vibrant warehouse-style setting. The menu features hearty pub meals and weekly food specials, making it a popular choice for casual dining.

The venue also hosts a calendar of regular events, including:

• Trivia nights
• Drag bingo
• Community pop up events
• Live entertainment and themed events

With its warm atmosphere and community feel, Tallboy & Moose is a must-visit for anyone exploring Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

Address: 270 Raglan Street, Preston VIC 3072

Website: https://www.tallboyandmoose.com/

Urban Winery: Jamsheed Wines

Tucked away on a quiet Preston street, Jamsheed Urban Winery is one of Melbourne’s most unique and unexpected wine experiences. From the outside, it’s unassuming, but step inside and you’ll discover a vibrant venue spanning three distinct spaces, combining winery, lounge style bar, and restaurant in one.

Founded in 2003, the Jamsheed label has built a reputation for showcasing the diverse terroirs of Victoria. In 2019, winemaker Gary Mills and hospitality expert Elika Rowell brought the vision to life in Preston, opening the winery doors to guests where the wine is made. Today, Jamsheed offers three unique wine labels:

• Jamsheed Single Vineyard Wines, highlighting Victoria’s regional character
• Apricity Wines, exploring experimental and lesser-known varietals
• Park Wines, made for easy, relaxed drinking — perfect for sharing

Whether you’re stopping in for a tasting, settling in for a long lunch, or enjoying a drink with friends, Jamsheed delivers a local wine experience with depth, personality, and a true sense of place.

Address: 4 Albert Street, Preston VIC 3072

Website: https://www.jamsheed.com.au/

Hair and Beauty: Salon Identity

For those looking for that Winter glow-up, Salon Identity offers a complete hair and beauty experience in Preston.

Located within the Novotel Melbourne Preston hotel, this full-service salon specialises in hair colouring, cuts, blow-waves, keratin treatments, and extensions. Whether preparing for an event or simply enjoying a self-care moment, the team delivers high-quality, personalised results.

Adjacent to the salon is their beauty spa, offering a well rounded menu of beauty services, including the increasingly popular Japanese Head Spa experience, along with a range of advanced beauty treatments.

Address: 02/215 Bell Street, Preston VIC 3072

Website: https://salonidentity.com.au/

Melbourne Couverture Chocolate: Chocilo

For a winter indulgence, Chocilo Melbourne is a must-visit destination for artisan chocolate in Melbourne’s north.

Located in Ivanhoe, this family-owned chocolate shop creates premium products using high-quality couverture chocolate, offering everything from handcrafted treats to luxury gift options. Originally launched in 2017, Chocilo has become known for its personalised, direct-to-public, gifts and carefully curated product range.

Visitors can stop by for a coffee or hot chocolate, before taking a walk along the beautiful nearby Donaldsons Creek Reserve with a walking trail which feeds through all the way to Darebin Parklands. Or if it’s raining, pick up a gift, or take something back to enjoy during a cosy evening in.

Address: 244 Waterdale Road, Ivanhoe VIC 3079

Website: https://chocilo.com.au

Relaxation and Wellness: Urban Sanctuary

For a restorative escape, Urban Sanctuary offers a premium wellness retreat in Melbourne’s north. Your experience is tailored to your needs whether you need to warm up from the inside out in an infrared sauna, or feel weightless and let life float away in their magnesium pool. Maybe it’s a day off from your workout routine, enjoy a massage or compression boots to work out your muscles.

Whatever your spa needs, unwind during the cooler months, Urban Sanctuary features a range of services including:

• Infrared Sauna
• Float Therapy
• Massage Treatments
• Cold Contrast Therapy
• Red Light Therapy Beds
• Laser Skin Treatments

This is an ideal addition to any relaxing winter getaway in Melbourne, providing a peaceful contrast to the city’s energy.

Address: 19 Bell Street, Ivanhoe VIC 3079

Website: http://www.urbansanctuary.com.au/

Happy Hour & Comfort Dishes: The Stampton

Whether you’re heading out for a day of exploring or returning after enjoying the area’s best attractions, all-day dining at The Stampton makes it easy to refuel, ready when you are with opening hours from 7am through to 10pm, everyday. From relaxed meals before teeing off at Big Swing Golf to a casual bite after a wellness session or shopping trip, the menu is designed to suit every moment of your stay.

As the day winds down, settle in at the bar and take advantage of Happy Hour at The Stampton. With happy hour running daily from 3 – 6 pm, the perfect way to unwind after a winter day in Melbourne’s north. Enjoy a drink with friends, catch up on the day’s adventures, or simply relax in a warm and comfortable setting.

For those who love a lively atmosphere, The Stampton also offers a sports bar-style experience, with live sporting matches playing throughout the week on the big screen. It’s an ideal spot to gather with mates, watch the game, and enjoy a drink in a social, energetic environment.

Whether you’re starting your day, taking a break between activities, or finishing off a full itinerary, The Stampton provides a convenient and welcoming hub for your Preston dining experience.

Address: 215 Bell Street, Preston VIC 3072

Website: https://www.novotelmelbournepreston.com/restaurant/the-stampton-1/

Explore it All with a Stay & Play Accommodation Offer at Novotel Preston

Complete your Melbourne winter escape with the Stay & Play accommodation package at Novotel Melbourne Preston, combining comfortable accommodation (and a guaranteed room upgrade!) with curated local experiences across Melbourne’s north.

Perfectly positioned as your base for a weekend getaway, guests can enjoy a cosy night in with a movie, before starting the day with a hot buffet breakfast at The Stampton. From there, step out and explore each and every one of the business’ we recommend for the perfect winter day, all within easy reach.

With secure undercover parking, you can come and go with ease, staying warm and protected from the winter weather while discovering Preston and its surrounding neighbourhoods.

Offering over $400 of added value to your accommodation booking, get ready to experience indoor entertainment and craft breweries to wellness retreats and indulgent experiences in the north of Melbourne.

By booking the Stay & Play package, you’re not only securing exceptional value, but also supporting local businesses and community-driven experiences, making your winter getaway both memorable and meaningful.

Book your stay while it lasts, for a limited time from 8-June-26 to 31-August-26!