Lace up your skates, here’s where to go ice skating across the region
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08.07.2022

Lace up your skates, here’s where to go ice skating across the region

It's hard to deny it, ice skating is a pretty cool way to spend a day.

You know how during the colder months you’ve wanted nothing more than to step outside your front porch, lace up some ice skates and glide your way to whatever your destination? Maybe that’s just me.

But nonetheless, for locals across the region, it’s possible to do just that with some brilliant ice rinks across Melbourne and regional Victoria, with some permanent and some special ones popping up for winter.

Ballarat Winter Festival, Ballarat

After its enormous success in previous years, a popular ice skating rink is making a comeback to help you make the most of winter.

Armstrong Street South will be transformed into a winter wonderland from 25 June through to 17 July thanks to the team at Stars On Ice, giving locals and tourists alike the chance to skate along the ice, with or without a skating aid to keep you upright.

Returning as part of the Ballarat Winter Festival, there will be great tunes and disco lights in the all-weather marquee, as well as child-friendly, sensory sessions, disco sessions on Friday and Saturday nights, and for two sessions only, ‘Bollywood on Ice’, with DJ Bobby M live and mixing the hottest Bollywood tunes on Saturday 16 July, at 7.30-8.30pm and 9-10pm.

The sessions run for an hour each day and are open to all ages.

There’s really nothing like gliding elegantly over a brightly-lit smooth ice rink (when you’re able to finally let go of the side barrier, of course!), and watching kids navigate their way around is classic entertainment. So unless you’ve got plans to hit up the snowy mountains in the region, this is the next best thing you can get up to when it gets colder.

Go on, get your skates on because tickets are now on sale for Ballarat’s pop-up ice skating rink.

You can find out more information here.

O’Brien Group Arena, Docklands

Located in Docklands, O’Brien Group Arena is an ice skating rink open all year round.

Hailed as Australia’s premier Olympic ice sports venue, this spot provides the perfect destination for a day out with friends and family or perhaps even when you’re looking to level-up your next date night.

Featuring two rinks, skating can be done seven days a week, 364 days a year and is open to people of all ages and all skill levels. So whether you’re a pro or its your first time on the ice, this spot has you covered. They offer a range of skates for hire in all sizes if you don’t have your own, and advise that beginners wear helmets and other protective gear for extra safety.

And while you’re not outside in the wind, the icehouse is kept at a frosty 16 degrees Celsius, so it’s advised to wear warm clothes (jackets, gloves, beanies) particularly for people sitting in the stadium. For the skaters, a pair of nice, warm thick socks are essential; you can also purchase socks along with your skates.

They also offer a range of fun activities the whole family can enjoy, including the use of skate aids and plastic seals. O’Brien Icehouse has lockers for hire too so you can stash your valuables while you hit the ice. They even offer ice skating classes, parties and events and school group bookings. It also has an onsite cafe and bar so that’s a win.

If you’re looking for a fun way to spend the day with family, friends, or a loved one, you can’t really go past a day here.

Find out more here.

 

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Eynesbury Winter Festival, Eynesbury

Perfect for those looking for something fun and outdoorsy to do with the kids or your pals this winter, the Eynesbury Winter Festival is a month-long winter celebration located just an hour’s drive away from Geelong.

Running from Friday 24 June to Sunday 24 July, the festival is just the ticket to fight off those winter blues with a whole bunch of treats and activities (hot cocoa, fire pits, a winter village, roving entertainers, live music, Disney parties etc.), but a highlight is of course the ice skating rink.

The ice-skating rink is being specially constructed for the event and will be a centrepiece for locals and visitors alike. For the last few days of the school holidays, the ice rink will be open Friday and Saturday from 10am to 9pm, while the remainder will see it open on Fridays from 4pm-9pm, Saturdays from 10am-9pm, and Sundays from 10am-7pm. Skating sessions run for 45 minutes, beginning on the hour, every hour.

You can bring your own skates or hire on the day and sessions start at $18, and up to $26 for adults with cheaper options for those with skates already. Entry is free to the festival, however, tickets need to be booked for ice-skating.

With igloos, ice skating and fit pits, this festival makes for the perfect excuse to pack the car and hit the ice!

 Visit the website for more information.

Olympic Ice Skating Centre, Oakleigh

With free skate high, this ice skating rink is sure to go on the bucket list.

Open for public skating and figure skating, the ice centre also offers a bunch of lessons, including ice hockey, speed skating, figure skating, adult skating and more. It’s the perfect spot for adults, families and birthday parties and events.

As for pricing, it’s pretty reasonable with $25 per adult, kids 14 and under $15 while kids under five free.

With free parking (very important in Melbourne), this gem is open throughout the weekend and on select days during the week.

Head here to find out more. 

Ice HQ Sports Arena, Reservoir

When it comes to the most comprehensive venue dedicated to ice, this baby takes the cake!

Located in Reservoir, IceHQ is open seven days a week and offers a bunch of ice skating lessons for aspiring figure skaters and ice hockey players, or if you just keen on improving your casual ice skating skills, public ice skating, hockey scrimmage, freestyle figure skating and stick n’ puck sessions.

If you’re just there to tear up some ice the old fashioned way, public sessions will set you back just $20 for adults and $16 for kids. Protective gear and skate hire is free of charge, which also applies to the parking.

The state-of-the-art ice rink can also be hired for groups, events and birthday parties.

You can find out more here

 

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