Social Events
We’ve organised a raft of events to see Melbourne and enjoy quality time with your fellow Rubyists.
The first event is the opening party on Wednesday 4th Feb, and the last events are the closing picnic and after party on Saturday 7th, with plenty of fun in-between!
Please note: all conference attendees will receive a link to book their places for these events. The family picnic, however, is open to everyone! Book your spot for that now!
Opening Party
Sponsored by REA Group
Wed 4th Feb, 7pm – 10pm
Whether you are joining us for a full day of workshops on Wednesday 4 February, travelling from near or far or just coming in from the burbs, make sure you join us in the evening to kick off RubyConf Australia 2015 with our massive opening party at Trunk Bar & Restaurant. Along with our sponsor REA Group, we would like to invite you to join us for a relaxed night of good food and drink while you re-acquaint yourself with old colleagues, network with some new faces and get together to chat about the days to come.
Wed 4th Feb, 7pm
Trunk Bar & Restaurant
275 Exhibition St
Melbourne
Free of charge, including food and drink. Booking is required!
Melbourne by Night
Sponsored by Redbubble
Thu 5th Feb, 8pm – 12am
After our first day of conferencing it is time to relax and unwind in true Melbournian style at a rooftop bar! Thanks to our sponsor Red Bubble we have secured the Rooftop Cinema at Curtin House for a screening of the Aaron Swartz documentary, The Internet’s Own Boy. Sit back and enjoy the show while taking in the sights of Melbourne from a height.
Grab a bite to eat before climbing the 7 odd flights of stairs up to this hidden gem of Melbourne (there is a lift, but it takes ages!). Movie starts at 9.30 sharp and your first drink is on us!
Thu 5th Feb, 8pm
Rooftop Bar & Cinema
7/252 Swanston St
Melbourne
Free of charge for the movie, and drinks and snacks can be purchased at the bar. Places are limited, so book now!
Friday Night Dinners
Fri 6th Feb
Photo: (cc) Charles Haynes
Friday night is always busy in Melbourne, and it can be hard to find a spot to eat. We're going to make it a little easier for you, as we've booked a bunch of tables at fantastic restaurants across the CBD with cuisines ranging from Thai to Spanish, Japanese to Greek, and more!
This is a great opportunity to connect with conference speakers and attendees in a more informal and personal setting, and the conference will even chip in to help cover some of your dinner.
Fri 6th Feb
Various Venues & Times
Melbourne City
$25 per person - remaining dinner cost is covered by the conference (but drinks are not included). Places are limited, so book now!
Healesville Sanctuary
Sat 7th Feb, 9am – 4pm
Photo: (cc) Robyn Cox
Healesville Sanctuary is a zoo specializing in native Australian animals located one hour out of Melbourne in beautiful Healesville. With a history of breeding native animals and the reputation of being the most hands-on of all the Victorian Zoos to experience, a trip to the Sanctuary is a must for anyone visiting from out of town. Your guide for this trip will be Rubyist Pete Yandell.
The bus trip is on us, and tickets to the Sanctuary can be purchased on the day when you arrive for $30.80. Healesville is known for its great food and there are a number of cafés within the Sanctuary that you can visit for lunch or bring a picnic with you.
Sat 7th Feb, 9am
Departing from Federation Square
(Russell St Extension)
Corner of Flinders St & Russell St
Melbourne
Free of charge for the bus trip, but tickets to the Sanctuary are not included. Places are limited, so book now!
Melbourne Bike Ride
Sat 7th Feb, 9am – 1pm
Photo: (cc) Fernando de Sousa
After spending two days sitting down listening to our wonderful speakers, it's time to give those legs a stretch. Hit the pavement for a ride along Beach Rd and stop for a coffee in St Kilda. Join local Rubyists Gareth Townsend and Gus Gollings on an easy ride from Federation Square to St Kilda and back again for lunch.
If you don’t have a bike, you can always hire one from bikeNOW, Tokyobike, Rentabike, St Kilda Cycles, or the Melbourne Bike Share service.
Sat 7th Feb, 9am
Departing from Federation Square
(Russell St Extension)
Corner of Flinders St & Russell St
Melbourne
Free of charge to attend, but food, drink and bike hire is not included. Places are limited, so book now!
Melbourne City Tour
Sat 7th Feb, 11am – 2pm
Photo: (cc) Joshua Rappeneker
If you haven’t yet had a chance to visit this great city, or you just want to see a different side of Melbourne you haven’t yet discovered join RubyConf organisers Melissa Kaulfuss and Pat Allan on a walking tour of some of their favourite sites.
Bring your best walking shoes as we wander through the alleys and arcades of Melbourne, hunting down fine coffee, colourful street art and excellent gelato.
Sat 7th Feb, 11am
Departing from Federation Square
On the steps - Corner of Flinders St & Swanston St
Melbourne
Free of charge to attend, but food and drink is not included. Places are limited, so book now!
Hack Day
Sponsored by reinteractive
Sat 7th Feb, 10am – 3pm
Photo: (cc) re:publica
After all the learning you've done at the conference, we wouldn't blame you if you're itching to put that theory into practice and fire up your favourite text editor. We'll provide a space for you to code away to your heart's content with other like minds from the conference.
Sat 7th Feb, 10am
Envato
121 King St
Melbourne
Free of charge to attend, though lunch is not included. Places are limited, so book now!
Closing Picnic
Sponsored by reinteractive
Sat 7th Feb, 4.30pm – 8.30pm
Photo: (cc) Valberg Lárusson
It's the pièce de résistance - we've lined up some of Melbourne's best food trucks and tasty treats (including the Beat Box Kitchen and Taco Truck) for a bunch of fun in the green surrounds of Flagstaff Gardens.
Bring your family, bring your friends, bring a picnic rug and a frisbee, and join us for a relaxed and kid-friendly evening at Melbourne’s oldest public park to celebrate the close of the conference and the Australian Ruby community.
Sat 7th Feb, 4.30pm
Flagstaff Gardens
Corner of Williams St & La Trobe St
Melbourne
Free of charge to attend, though food and drink is not included. Please note that this is a dry event (no alcohol), and booking is required. You do not need to be a conference attendee to join us for this event - all are welcome! Please book your spot now.
After Party
Sponsored by reinteractive
Sat 7th Feb, 8pm - late
Photo: (cc) Scott Sandars
The final stamp for your conference passport: once the sun has gone down and the picnic's wrapped up, drop by the Melbourne Bowling Club (conveniently also located in Flagstaff Gardens) for a drink and a game or two of lawn bowls.
Sat 7th Feb, 8pm
City of Melbourne Bowling Club
Within Flagstaff Gardens near Dudley St
Melbourne
Free of charge to attend, and there's a bar tab. Booking is required.