Perhaps one of the best times to visit is in fall, when cooler temperatures usher in all that amazing fall foliage action. While we know sweater weather is just around the corner, there’s still a chance for a potential heat wave (especially earlier on in the season). Meaning: Don’t ditch your SPF.

Fans of fall leaves (and who isn’t?) can get their fix at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. It’s home to thousands of plant species from all around the world.

The Melbourne Food And Wine Festival hosts an annual celebration of the best wines, cheeses, and other deliciousness the city has to offer.

Labor Day weekend is an absolute field day for adrenaline junkies. The annual Moomba Festival, a large community event, offers a range of cool rides and water sports to get your heart racing. Roving performers, pop-up concerts and street art installations add to the party-like atmosphere.

Winter in Melbourne is a bit of a mixed bag: Sometimes it’s chilly and sometimes it’s wet. But fear not! That just means it’s the absolute right time to hit up the city’s best restaurants for warm-you-up winter fare.

Head out to the Mornington Peninsula for the healing thermal waters at the Peninsula Hot Springs. Hot tip: Pick a spot in their coveted rooftop pool for 360-degree views of the region.

Film buffs, unite: The Melbourne International Film Festival, an iconic cultural event showcasing the best of Australian filmmaking since 1952, happens in the winter season.

Dive into Melbourne’s architectural history during Open House Melbourne, a two-day event that gives you the chance to explore some of the city’s most significant buildings, places of worship, and famous monuments—plus, you’ll get to dig into the stories behind them. The best part? Most of the guided tours are free.

Thanks to warmer and longer days, spring is the prime time to picnic in one of Melbourne’s parks. The weather can be a little all over the place this time of year, but locals don’t let that stop them (they just come prepared—so bring a rain jacket just in case).

Bookworks and storytellers alike will find inspiration galore at the Melbourne Writers Festival. There’s always a lineup of the best local and international names in the literary world.

Take advantage of the off-peak season to explore the Grampians, an expansive national park just out of Melbourne. Pick a hiking trail and take in epic, Instagram-worthy views of mountain ranges and valleys. (And oh yes, the wildflowers are in their full glory, too.)

Looking for a picnic spot? The Tesselaar Tulip Festival is always a crowd pleaser, offering plenty of space to enjoy a bagged lunch while watching tulips in full bloom.