Experience the magic of winter at The Rink at Rising, Melbourne’s newest outdoor skating rink and dining precinct located at Birrarung Marr, on the north bank of the scenic Yarra River behind Federation Square.
This pop-up ice skating Melbourne attraction is back after a sold-out season at Rising Festival 2022 (then at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl). It’s the perfect winter outing for families, especially during the school holidays when it will be opening for an extended season after the end of the Rising Festival.
Whether your little ones are seasoned ice skaters or trying it for the first time, The Rink at Rising is a fantastic family-friendly ice skating venue that offers an unforgettable experience that guarantees fun for all ages.
And if you’re not skating, The Rink precinct is free to enter. You can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere with pop up food stalls and food vans serving delicious treats such as woodfired pizza, toasties, crepes, hot dogs, doughnuts, bubble tea, ice cream, burgers and more!
Ice Skating Melbourne Tickets
To secure your spot on the ice, I recommend booking tickets in advance. Visit the official website of The Rink at Rising to conveniently purchase your tickets online. You can purchase tickets on-site but there’s no guarantee that spots will be available, plus the family packages are not available to purchase at box offices on-site.
Your ticket gives you access to the ice rink for a 1-hour 45-minute time slot from the entry time on your ticket. This includes 90 minutes of skating time, as there is a 15-minute ice-cleaning window in the middle. We find that we’re all ready to finish after 45 minutes.
Skate hire and kangaroo skate aids are included in the ticket price, or you can bring your own ice skates.
There are family tickets available for 1 adult and 2 children $69, 2 adults and 2 children $99. To book, select individual tickets on the booking page and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.
Note that children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult on the ice and children under 3 years old are not permitted to skate.
Be sure to check the website for session timings, pricing details, and any additional information you may need before your visit. Exchanges are possible subject to availability and incur a $3 per-ticket exchange fee. Requests must be made more than 24 hours prior to the event.
Preparing for Ice Skating in Melbourne
Dressing appropriately for the chilly weather is crucial to ensure a comfortable skating experience. While the ice rink is sheltered under a big top so you can skate even with some rain, it is open-walled so strong wind and rain can still get in.
Don’t forget to pack gloves, thick socks (a pair of dry socks for after skating is a good idea), hats, and scarves to keep everyone warm. Dress in layers, so you can easily adjust – you’ll get hot as you skate!
For added safety, there are helmets available for free for your little skaters.
I highly recommend arriving approximately 15 minutes for your session at The Rink at Rising. This allows you ample time to get your skates fitted properly and explore the surrounding area. You can stow all your belongings in the lockers.
A drink bottle is a good idea too, as skating is surprisingly thirsty work!
Family Fun & School Holidays At Rising Ice Skating
The Rink at Rising offers a family-friendly environment that caters to skaters of all levels, including children. Make the most of your family’s skating experience with these tips:
Take it Slow: Encourage your kids to start by holding onto the railing or a kangaroo skate aid and take their time to build confidence. The Rink at Rising is the perfect place for beginners to find their feet on the ice.
Book in Skate Lessons: Skating lessons are available in the 12PM and 1PM sessions on Saturdays and Sundays during the RISING season (1-18 June). Lessons are for the first 15 minutes of each session for an extra $10 per person.
Embrace the Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Don’t hesitate to ask for assistance from the friendly staff.
Take Breaks and Enjoy the Surroundings: Skating can be physically demanding, especially for children. Encourage everyone to take short breaks to rest and warm up.
School Holidays Program: RISING’s School Holiday Program hosts ice skating, bubble art making and live DJs during some school holidays sessions from 23 June—8 July.
Eating and Drinking at The Rink At Rising
Once you’ve finished your skating session, take the opportunity to explore the rest of the precinct at Birrarung Marr. You can treat yourself to delicious snacks and hot drinks available from nearby food stalls, including Mork Chocolate, Pie Thief, Cha Time and more.
The bar (D: Rink – so clever!) includes a fully-stocked bar range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
You can even bring your own giant marshmallows and telescopic marshmallow roasting sticks! We happily roasted marshmallows around the fire pits and marvelled at the scenic Yarra River.
Getting To Ice Skating Melbourne CBD
Located in the heart of Melbourne at Birrarung Marr, The Rink at Rising is easily accessible via car or public transport.
The nearest train station is Flinders Street station, along with all the tram stops for trams running up and down Swanston Street. The walking distance is approximately 550 metres, which takes about 7 minutes to walk.
The nearest car park is at Federation Square although there are numerous private car parks within walking distance (check Wilson Parking and Secure Parking websites for the best locations and prices). We part at Flinders Gate Car park across the road from Federation Square, which is cheaper than the Federation Square car park.
The paths to and within The Rink precinct are accessible for prams. They’ve done their best with the potentially muddy ground by laying down rubber matting.
If you’re looking for a city ice skating experience don’t miss The Rink at Rising!
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