1. Melbourne Zoo
Set within the leafy surrounds of Royal Park, the Melbourne Zoo is home to more than 300 species of animal from Australia and beyond. After getting up close to Asian elephants, playful lemurs and big cats, you can venture underwater at the Wild Sea exhibit. The kids will have a ball at Growing Wild, an interactive play area where giant tortoise talks are held each day.
2. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
On the south side of the Yarra River, the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria offers 38ha of landscaped gardens, lakes and lawns. If there’s one area that families shouldn’t miss, it’s the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden, an award-winning space where kids can immerse themselves in the world of plants while running, scrambling and exploring.
For the best experience, take a ride on The Garden Explorer, an open-air minibus with a live tour guide. It’s a relaxing and accessible way to wind through the gardens without tiring out little legs. Alternatively, learn about native plants on an Aboriginal Heritage Walk led by a Kulin Nation guide.
3. ACMI
Formerly The Australian Centre for the Moving Image, ACMI is one of Melbourne’s best-loved museums, offering a deep dive into the world of film, television and gaming. Aside from its family-friendly film screenings, activity days and school holiday programs, ACMI also boasts an exciting array of hands-on and interactive exhibitions that will appeal to kids of all ages.
4. Melbourne Museum
Located next to the magnificent Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens, the Melbourne Museum has something for everyone. You could easily spend a few days exploring its natural and cultural history displays, with life-sized dinosaur skeletons and a centre dedicated to Victoria’s Indigenous people. For young kids, a highlight is the Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery, a hands-on learning space where they can dig for fossils and dance at the “camouflage disco”.
5. Werribee Open Range Zoo
Just 30km southwest of Melbourne is the Werribee Open Range Zoo, an African-themed wildlife park where you can embark on a thrilling safari. Aboard the guided bus tour, you’ll get up close to hippos, rhinos, giraffes and camels before learning how to track lions in the recreated African village. The Pula Reserve Walking Trail allows you to explore the zoo on foot while coming face-to-face with vervet monkeys and meerkats.
6. Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium
On the banks of the Yarra River, the state-of-the-art SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is dedicated to Southern Ocean and Antarctic species and is known for its shark-filled Mermaid Garden. The self-guided tour takes you past the Crocodile’s Lair, the Penguin Playground and the Bay of Rays, and to the interactive Discovery Rockpools. Don’t miss the newly opened Ocean Invaders, a sensory experience featuring otherworldly jellyfish.
7. Luna Park Melbourne
Opened in 1912, Luna Park is packed with both thrilling and gentle amusement park rides that will appeal to all ages and adrenalin levels. You can brave the House of Horrors, explore the park on the Betty Choo Choo train or soak up the spectacular views across Melbourne from the Great Scenic Railway. A highlight of visiting Luna Park for families is riding the beautifully illuminated Carousel after dark.
Book: Get your Luna Park entry + unlimited ride tickets here
8. Collingwood Children’s Farm
Spread across seven hectares on a bend of the Yarra River, the Collingwood Children’s Farm encompasses livestock-filled paddocks, gardens and orchards where families can experience rural life. Learn how to milk the resident cows and bottle feed the lambs or see if you can find the chickens’ eggs. A farmer’s market takes place each fortnight and family days are regularly held, complete with tractor and pony rides.
9. Queen Victoria Market
Queen Victoria Market calls itself ‘the heart and soul of Melbourne’ and there’s plenty to discover, with iconic food halls and heritage sheds overflowing with produce. While parents eat and shop, kids can collect stamps on their Queen Victoria Markets Kids Passport to claim a special prize.
Look out for the seasonal night markets to add something special to your summer – or winter – in Melbourne. For the ultimate taste of the city, book a foodie tour and sample the very best of the Queen Vic.
10. Melbourne Skydeck
At the Melbourne Skydeck (formerly Eureka Skydeck) families can see Victoria’s capital from a whole new angle. On the city’s highest observation deck, bold visitors can brave the Edge: a mind-blowing transparent cube suspended 300 metres over the streets of Melbourne.
Cutting-edge VR experiences take this attraction to new heights, including the world’s largest virtual reality theatre, where you can smell the coffee aroma of Melbourne’s laneways, ride Luna Park’s rollercoaster and soar over the Great Ocean Road.
The VR Plank Experience is not for the faint-hearted, including a (virtual) plunge and zipline ride through Melbourne (for guests 8 years and up). With the Melbourne Skydeck app, kids can also engage with an ‘augmented reality’ model of the city and complete a 31-clue scavenger hunt throughout the day.
11. What the Putt
Take mini golf up a notch at What the Putt, an indoor course that’s far from ordinary. With 27 fun holes designed for excitement, this is mini golf like you’ve never seen before. Expect creative challenges, unusual themes, and lots of laughs. Whether you’re keeping score or just playing for enjoyment, it’s a perfect activity for families seeking something unique, no matter the weather.
12. St Kilda
Visit the beachside suburb of St Kilda, one of Melbourne’s most colourful destinations and and a veritable family seaside playground. As well as Luna Park, attractions include the historic St Kilda Sea Baths and fabulous Acland Street, renowned for its array of continental cake shops. On Sundays, don’t miss the St Kilda Esplanade Arts and Craft Market from 10am. St Kilda Adventure Playground is another crowd-pleaser with under-12s.
13. The MCG & National Sports Museum
Melbourne is Australia’s sporting capital, and a tour of the Heritage-listed MCG is a highlight for many families. Just a 10-minute walk from the centre of Melbourne, it’s the largest in Australia and the 10th-largest stadium in the world. Outside the grounds you will find statues of Don Bradman, Dennis Lillee, Dick Reynolds, Leigh Mathews and Ron Barassi.
The National Sports Museum at the MCG houses Australia’s largest collection of sporting memorabilia. It has fantastic interactive zones, 3D holograms, and collector’s items from the Olympics, AFL, cricket and horse racing.
Book: Bundle your MCG Tour and Australian Sports Museum Tickets here
14. Play a game of paintball
Paintball isn’t just for teens – low-impact adaptations mean over-10s can get in on the action at Hot Shots Paintball Adventure Park in Melbourne’s West. Splatball at Oakleigh and Little River is especially designed for ages 8 and up. Both include unlimited paintballs for a great-value family experience.
15. Enchanted Adventure Garden
This Mornington Peninsula attraction is famous for its traditional hedge mazes, but there’s plenty more to do at the Enchanted Adventure. Kids aged four and up can climb, jump and swing through the Tree Surfing courses and aerial playground. Plus, there’s a sky canopy walk, tube slides, pirate ship playground and life-sized Snakes & Ladders game.
Grown-ups will appreciate the stunning themed gardens, sculpture trail and Balcony Café. Even the hedge mazes are full of surprises – don’t miss the Loch Ness Monster topiary!
16. Polly Woodside historic ship
All aboard the Polly Woodside for a voyage back in time to the 1800s! This stunning and meticulously maintained sailing ship was built in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1885. Families can discover what it was like to live on a commercial ship over a century ago by participating in guided tours and exploring the interactive artefacts gallery.
The Polly Woodside traversed the globe for more than 80 years, covering 1.5 million kilometres and making 17 round-the-world trips. It was sold to National Trust of Australia in 1968 for one cent and moored in Melbourne’s South Wharf precinct to be converted into a floating museum. Every third Sunday of the month is ‘Pirate Day’ – don’t miss it!
