Happy final day of 2024 to all those who celebrate. Whatever you're doing to celebrate the most overrated night of the year, have a good one. Here is our round-up for the day.

The Headlines

• Going out for a big one tonight isn't everyone’s cup of tea, so if you're keeping it chilled and just want to watch the big fireworks and light show over the city at midnight, here are the best places to watch for free. You can of course get prime position from one of the CBD rooftop bars, but there are also prime viewing from beaches, gardens, and hills a bit further out—away from the crowds.

• Everyone has a crazy Fairy Floss anecdote under their belt from the time you escaped hostels as a Melbourne newbie and moved in with some randoms. With sharehouses being an absolute rite of passage in the city, Beat has rounded up 20 of the most haunting and hilarious housemate horror stories—making an entertaining and relatable read. Which one of you was responsible for the spew and run?

• It's a pricey time of year for us all, and bank accounts are looking dry. Well, in great news for Melbourne, research has found it to be one of the luckiest place for lottery ticket winners in Australia. There have been five big-money winners with the postcode 3000 in 2024—it seems the CBD is the place to be. If you're feeling lucky this NYE, try your luck.

Where to Eat and Drink

Garden State Hotel on Flinders Lane is a Melbourne classic, with loads of bar spaces and open beer gardens—perfect for soaking up those long summer evenings in the CBD. This multi-level gem has plenty to offer. Upstairs, you’ll find a classic pub vibe with all your favourites: juicy steak sandwiches, chicken parmies, and a solid selection of craft beers. Downstairs, The Rose Garden offers a classy, intimate atmosphere where you can sip on some cocktails.

Where to Live

For the bargain price of $833 per month, this room is on offer in a share house in Thornbury. Being a 'friendly but not super communal' house, it sounds ideal if you're not one for flatmate small talk. Also ideal if you're green-fingered—their yard is in need of a bit of TLC, and you'd have full creative freedom over it.

Core selling point: Living with a colony of hopping mice.

Where to Work

Just when you thought Melbourne had more than enough gelato shops, another one enters the ring. GLO Gelato is a brand-new gelateria opening in Carlton, and they're looking for casual gelato scoopers to join the team ahead of the new opening. The requirements are being confident with a paddle—interpret that as you like. No better place to stay cool over summer.

Where to Go

There are simply too many events on tonight for us to pick one, and plans are surely locked in by now. Instead you could sample the latest big trend in pampering, a head spa—the ideal way to relax ahead of a heavy night. Soak Haus in Cheltenham is just one of many places in Melbs offering the full service relaxation treatment, including deep cleansing, treatments, and massages. Sounds divine.

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