Sun, Sand, and The Big Switch: Your Melbourne Sunday Briefing

The Mood: A City in Full Summer Swing

Melbourne wakes up this morning to the high-energy buzz of a city at the height of its summer festival season. There is a distinct sense of celebration in the air, fueled by the double-header of the St Kilda Festival and the beginning of Lunar New Year festivities. From the salt-sprayed foreshore to the red-lantern-lined streets of the suburbs, the mood is optimistic and outdoorsy. Melburnians are shaking off the standard Sunday morning lethargy to secure spots at the beach or at one of the many community festivals marking the transition into the Year of the Horse.

The Talking Point: Navigating 'The Big Switch'

The primary topic of conversation across the dinner tables and train platforms remains the 'Big Switch.' It has been two weeks since the $13.5 billion Metro Tunnel fully integrated into the network on February 1, and the city is still finding its rhythm. While the five new underground stations—Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall, and Anzac—have been lauded for their design, especially the Melbourne-made chandeliers at State Library Station, the new travel patterns are a major talking point.

Commuters on the Sunbury, Pakenham, and Cranbourne lines are still adjusting to the fact that their trains now bypass the traditional City Loop. Significant congestion has been noted at Caulfield Station as passengers navigate transfers, and there is a shared citywide frustration with mapping apps that are still catching up to the new rail geography. For many, today is a chance to test the 'turn-up-and-go' frequency of the new corridor without the pressure of the Monday morning rush.

Feel-Good Story: Big Festival Sunday in St Kilda

The heart of today’s joy is found on the St Kilda foreshore. Today is 'Big Festival Sunday,' the pinnacle of the 44th St Kilda Festival. Following yesterday’s 'First Peoples First' celebration, the suburb has been transformed into Australia’s largest free playground. Seeing thousands of people gathered at the South Beach Reserve to watch local icons like Jessica Mauboy and Sneaky Sound System perform against the sunset is a powerful reminder of the city’s resilient creative spirit. The festival remains a rare, entirely free gift to the city, proving that even as the skyline changes, the quintessential Melbourne summer experience of live music by the bay remains untouched.

Your Sunday Checklist

• Lunar New Year: Head to the Springvale Shopping Precinct for the Lunar New Year Festival. Expect 70,000 people, lion dances, and fireworks until 10:00 PM.
• Live Music: If you aren't at the beach, OneRepublic is taking over the Sidney Myer Music Bowl tonight for a perfect summer evening under the stars.
• St Kilda Highlights: Catch Babe Rainbow and Grace Cummings on the main stages throughout the afternoon.