Melbourne, Australia is arguably best known for its grown-up delights – like bars and live music — Melbourne is just as welcome for families. As a relatively youthful city, children are very much a welcome part of the social sphere. You’re never far from a family-friendly museum, a well-planned park or playground, or a cafe offering kid-friendly babyccinos and toasties.
Places to go in Melbourne are inherently child friendly making them just perfect for a family summer vacation! Before we list out our favourite child-friendly places to go in Melbourne, let us explore why it is the perfect place for a family summer vacation!
Melbourne — The perfect place for family fun
One of the best places to visit in Australia- Melbourne’s city center is encircled with a number of huge, well-tended parks and gardens. Elsewhere, you’ll discover family-friendly amenities including playgrounds and swimming pools, clean public bathrooms and drinking fountains. Free barbecues are also frequent in Australian parks, giving a great opportunity to have a cheap family lunch. All the recommended places to go in Melbourne are just perfect for the entire bunch!
Cafes are an excellent way to involve youngsters in Melbourne’s culinary culture, while larger venues are probably more ideal than little hole-in-the-wall establishments. Choose one adjacent to a playground or park and allow your small passengers to burn off energy while you relax over a flat white.
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Need ideas for different family fun activities? Here are our favourite places to go in Melbourne!
From fascinating animal encounters to energetic experiences, there’s something ideal for caregivers and kids of all ages.
Visit the Melbourne Museum for a fun-filled educational adventure
If your children love to study more about history, then this museum will transport you to the dinosaur period. There is a Dinosaur Walk containing 17 prehistoric creatures skeleton located in the midst of the show. There’s also a children’s gallery where your toddlers may enjoy, play-based-learning. And can even get their hands filthy into fossils and dance at the camouflage disco. Truly one of the most fascinating places to go in Melbourne!
Fascinated by the spiders, Then here is the appropriate spot to visit, since there are live spiders such as tarantulas and local spiders like the redbacks and orb weavers. Rest assured, they are all contained. In keeping with its mission to be an autism-friendly facility, the museum has developed specialised materials to assist families in getting their autistic children ready for a visit.
Visit the different zoos in Melbourne
Collingwood Children's Farm and Werribee Open Range Zoo both offer chances for animal lovers to encounter both local and exotic creatures. In addition, after the renovations to the famous pier in bayside St Kilda are finished in early 2024, tourists will be able to see the tiny penguins go back to their nests every night as the sun goes down. This is undoubtedly the ultimate destination in Melbourne for families seeking animal-themed fun!
For some good old family fun near the beachside
Aside from the vibrant Brighton bathing boxes, another family favourite is swimming in the serene bay waters of Melbourne. St Kilda is a great place for families to stay because of its beach and other attractions, such as the world-famous Luna Park. Truly one of the most entertaining places to go in Melbourne!
Interactive parks in Melbourne
A wonderful place for children to learn while having fun is the Children's Garden at the Ian Potter Foundation. Children may learn about different plant species while playing in an environment that encourages exploration. Kids of all ages and cultural origins may have fun while exploring nature in a whole new way. Children will learn "how to care and take responsibility for the environment" through its carefully crafted design. This school is truly one of the most innovative places in Melbourne!
There are plenty of old-fashioned gaming arcades in Melbourne that offer friendly competition.
Games are a wonderful way to pass the time for people of all ages. To win a reward or get some cash is everyone's goal. This is a place where adults can go to gamble if they so desire. However, Playtime Crown caters to those seeking exciting games such as arcades, video games, blackjack, and more. Everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, loves arcade games. Prepare yourself to strike the target with accuracy and experience the joy of accomplishing it. Spend the remainder of your day having fun with your children playing video games. The arcade is one of the best places to go in Melbourne for the entire family!
While adults can enjoy the bowling alley, both kids and adults can thoroughly enjoy the laser tag arena and the vortex. Vortex may give children a little fright, but it's a fantastic way for them to learn about science.
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Melbourne theme parks for ultimate entertainment
When you want a fun activity and a venue that will truly keep the entire family hooked, these are some of the best places to go in Melbourne!
Scienceworks
When you visit Scienceworks, you will hear nothing but scientific terms and concepts. Its goal is to make science fun for children. Not only is it a treasure trove of scientific information, but it also sheds light on the city's power grid. It provides a wealth of opportunities for children to learn via play. Additionally, a gigantic Tesla coil may be used to teach kids about electricity. There is also a playroom where young children can play games and do other things. Anyone, from kids to adults, may have a galactic adventure at a planetarium or light show.
Fairy Park
Witnessing the emergence of your beloved fairytale characters before your eyes is an unforgettable experience. Fairy Park is the oldest theme park in Australia. Twenty-two meticulously animated scenarios, including Cinderella, Goldilocks, and Jack and the Beanstalk, are themed sections in this park where you can witness the ideal fairytale life come true alongside your loved ones. You will also find a cuisine section there so you can savour your delicious meal with your family!
Gumbuya World
Gumbuya World truly has everything! Water slides, a roller coaster, and animal exhibitions are just a few of the thrills available. Oasis Springs, Outback Explorers, Oz Adventure, and Wildlife Trail are the four divisions that make up this entertainment park, making it the perfect place to go in Melbourne for the whole family for an entire day!