Drinks, a quiet meal, and a course of panic buying: Melbourne's last hurrah on a sunny winter's day before the frustrating darkness of lockdown - as many businesses say they WON'T be back

Melburnians have converged on the CBD under magnificent winter sunshine to farewell their lives as they know it for the next six weeks. 

Beers were flowing across the city as people congregated as part of a civilised society for the last time.  

For many restaurants and bars, it will be the last time they open at all, with many already struggling. 

Along Hardware Lane, towards Melbourne's court precinct, friends and families queued up outside restaurants for a seat. 

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People continue to shop prior to the general lockdown in Melbourne on Wednesday. Melbourne's streets were busy with people doing last minute shopping and socialising 

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Caitlyn Teresa (Right) and Di Pasquale Teresa are seen dining out at Vons Restaurant and Bar in Hardware Lane in Melbourne's CBD on Wednesday 

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Panic buying gripped some of Melbourne on Wednesday with people stocking up on toilet paper and other staples 

Many were seen embracing and openly flouting the public distancing requirements that have doomed them to confinement.

On Degraves Street, in the heart of the city, cafes served their last lunch time customers. 

Flinders Street Station across the road was bustling with activity, with drinkers enjoying their last tipple inside the iconic Young & Jacksons. 

Along the Yarra, pint met pint as work colleagues drank away the afternoon. 

From burger joints to  Asian restaurants, crowds were seen lining the streets to sit down among friends and enjoy a simple meal. 

On Wednesday, Melbourne had come alive. 

Thursday would be dealt with come tomorrow. 

As the sun beat down, some Melburnians dared to strip off to their wastes and for a moment pretend it was warmer. 

It will be practically spring by the time most venture back onto the streets of Melbourne again. 

For all that is known, it could be summer. 

Underlying the joy of simple pleasures is the simple fact that the streets of Melbourne will be mostly deserted again. 

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Customers line for burgers outside a popular burger joint on Elizabeth St in Melbourne on Wednesday

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A drinker enjoys one final glass of white in the once-thriving Degrave's Street in Melbourne's CBD on Wednesday 

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Friends gathered on Degraves Street for a final lunch together before lockdown kicks in 

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Hardware Lane was also bustling with activity on Wednesday. Some businesses are resigned to never open again after the latest lockdown 

And the businesses that have embraced today will be largely closed. 

Their employees - many of whom had only just returned to work - will be back on the COVID scrap heap. 

Vons Restaurant and Bar manager Richard Gardner said the business would be lucky to survive the latest lockdown. 

The previous one had almost destroyed it.

Hardware Lane, where the restaurant competes in a competitive market, is popular with tourists traffic.   

Rent along the strip is high and any reduction in business is potentially deadly.

'This could end us,' Mr Gardner said. 'I think it will be the end for quite a few businesses. It's very, very sad.' 

At a nearby table, sisters Caitlyn Teresa and Di Pasquale enjoy a birthday drink.

The wine bar along the lane is heaving with customers. 

Come tomorrow they will be washed away like tears in the cold Melbourne rain. 

In the suburbs, people caught up for a coffee and something to eat together at their favourite cafes. 

Men and women got their done and people rushed into the gym.  

Take away coffees and order-in food will all too soon become their lives again. 

At supermarkets, the ugliness of lockdown was there to be seen. 

The hoarding had kicked off hours after Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Wednesday afternoon that he was locking down the best part of the state.

Cole's and Woolworths were quick to implement restrictions on ordinary household items.