Best Places To Go With Kids In Melbourne

The kid’s activities Melbourne offers are endless, and not just in the CBD but the surrounding areas too.  The best things to do with kids in Melbourne include discovering the colourful murals down Melbourne’s laneways, soaring above the Melbourne skyline on the Star, cruising down the Yarra River and the kids will even be entertained riding the free trams around the city.

This Guide to Visiting Melbourne shows you the best things to do in Melbourne for kids, including everything you need to know about ticket prices, where to save money booking online and opening times. As well as all the family activities Melbourne has to offer; this guide will provide tips on getting to the Melbourne CBD from the airport, getting around the CBD and where to stay in Melbourne on a budget. There are so many great things to do in Melbourne’s surrounding areas that in this post, I am just going to focus on the things to do in Melbourne CBD with kids.

Melbourne Star Observation Wheel 

Located in: The District Docklands
Address: The District Docklands, 101 Waterfront Way, Docklands VIC 3008, Australia
Hours:
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 11AM–6:30PM
Friday 11AM–6:30PM
Saturday 11AM–6:30PM
Sunday 11AM–6:30PM
Monday 11AM–6:30PM
Tuesday Closed
Phone: +61 3 8688 9688
Height: 120 m
Construction started: 2006
Cost: 100 million AUD (estimate)
Opened: December 20, 2008

The Melbourne Star is a giant Ferris wheel in the Waterfront City precinct in the Docklands area of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. One of the fun things to do in Melbourne for kids is taking them soaring above the Melbourne skyline on board the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel.  This 30-minute journey is an excellent introduction to the city and one of the more popular Melbourne family activities.

As well as fantastic views across the entire Melbourne CBD skyline and beyond, you will receive commentary about the various sites around Melbourne.  With your ticket, you receive a free map so you can follow along with the commentary identifying the various landmarks. The Melbourne Star Observation Wheel has 21 individual air-conditioned, fully enclosed cabins.  Each cabin can fit up to 6 people, although the day we were there, there were only a handful of people, so pretty much everyone had an entire cabin to themselves.  There is plenty of room to walk about and take some fantastic photos of the city skyline. A ride on the Melbourne Star is certainly one of  Melbourne things to do; kids will just love.

• Location:
  The District Docklands – 101 Waterfront Way, Docklands
• Price:
  $36 per adult and, $22 per child – there are cheaper family passes available.
• Opening Hours:
  From May to August, the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel is open daily from 11 am to 6.30 pm.  From September to April (the warmer months), it is open daily from 11 am to 9.30 pm.

The District Docklands

The District Docklands is an indoor/outdoor shopping centre in the suburb of Docklands in the inner-west of Melbourne.
Address: 440 Docklands Dr, Docklands VIC 3008, Australia
Hours:
Opens 10AM Thu
Phone: +61 3 9328 8600
Opened: 2017
Number of anchor tenants: 4 (2 currently under construction)
Number of stores and services: 80

Looking for a one-stop shop for multiple fun things for kids to do in Melbourne?  Then head down to the District Docklands as there are numerous Melbourne family attractions here (keep reading below for more details about these family attractions Melbourne offers). The District Docklands is an outdoor shopping centre that is also a great dining and entertainment precinct.  

Here you will find plenty of great Melbourne attractions for kids, including the Melbourne Star, ArtVo, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, Chipmunks, O’Brien Icehouse, the Australian Cartoon Museum, Glow Golf and plenty more. There is over 80 specialty retail stores, cafes and various attractions within the District Docklands, so you could easily spend the entire day here.  This is an ideal place to check out if you are wondering what to do with kids in Melbourne. With many shops and attractions indoors, it’s also a great place to come if you’re wondering what to do in Melbourne with family when the weather is poor.

• Location:
  440 Docklands Drive, Docklands
• Price:
  Free to enter and browse the numerous shops and eateries.
• Opening Hours:
  The centre is open daily from 10:00 am to 6.00 pm.

Ice Skating at Docklands

The Icehouse is an Australian ice sports and entertainment centre, located in the Docklands precinct of Melbourne, in Victoria, Australia. It is open to the public 7 days a week and offers an extensive range of educational ice-skating classes for customers, as well as pathways to ice sports.
Located in: The District Docklands
Address: Ground/105 Pearl River Rd, Docklands VIC 3008, Australia
Phone: +61 1300 756 699
Capacity: 1,500 (seating)
Opened: February 12, 2010
Former names: National Ice Sports Centre; Medibank Icehouse (2010–2015); O'Brien Group Arena (2016–2018)
Surface: 61 metres (200 ft) × 30 metres (98 ft) with a corner radius of 4.2 metres (14 ft)

Looking for active things to do for kids in Melbourne?  Then head down to the O’Brien Icehouse for some ice skating at Docklands. This is quite literally one of the cool things to do in Melbourne. Ice skating is an excellent opportunity for some family bonding time, and I love any activity that gets the kids physical.  It was difficult to drag Myla away!  While I recommend bringing warm clothes, once you get going, you warm up, so make sure you wear layers that you can take off.

If you go on a weekend or school holidays, you can join one of the free skate lessons before you get started. Over school holidays, this is undoubtedly one of the fun places to go in Melbourne as the arena has a variety of fun family activities, including games, face paintings, circus performers, skating performances and a craft zone.

• Location:
  105 Pearl River Road, Docklands.
  
• Price:
  Skating is $28 per adult, $24 per student, $14.50 for children under 8 – these prices include skate hire – minus $5 if you bring your own skates.  Spectators are just $4.
• Opening Hours:
  In general, public skating is daily from 9.00 am.

ArtVo

Located in: The District Docklands
Address: Shop NCF, 07 Level/1 26 Star Cres, Docklands VIC 3008, Australia
Phone: +61 3 9600 1118

ArtVo is an immersive art gallery or ‘trick art’ gallery – the first of its kind in Australia. Unlike a traditional art gallery or museum, visitors are encouraged to touch and interact with the artworks, photographing themselves and becoming part of the art. With over 11 themed zones, visitors can explore large interactive 3D artworks painted directly onto the walls and floors. Additional sculptural elements allow visitors to immerse themselves into different scenes, locations, and famous paintings. ArtVo is open daily except New Year's Eve, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Last admission is at 5pm.

If you have kids of varying ages and are looking for Melbourne things to do with kids, then you will love ArtVo!  ArtVo is an art gallery with interactive 3D art where you are encouraged to touch and interact with the artworks. The art is painted on both the floor and walls with various other sculptural elements so you can get among the numerous scenes, photographing yourself and becoming part of the artworks. In each piece of art, there is a photo point marked on the ground; stand here and follow the directions on the best way to take the photograph. There are various gallery zones, including Australiana, Jungle Safari, Aquatic Adventure, and Dimensional Dreams, to name a few.   Definitely one of the fun places to go in Melbourne for kids.

Read more at https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/

• Location:
  26 Star Crescent, Level, 1 The District, Docklands
  
• Price:
  Entry is $28 per adult, $18 per child (5-15) and under 5s are free.  Family passes (2A + 2C) are available for $78. 
• Opening Hours:
  Daily from 10 am to 6 pm.

Glow Golf 

Located in: The District Docklands
Address: Shop 35 Star Cres, Docklands VIC 3008, Australia
Hours:
Wednesday 11AM–7PM
Thursday 11AM–7PM
Friday 11AM–10PM
Saturday 10AM–10PM
Sunday 11AM–7PM
Monday 11AM–7PM
Tuesday 11AM–7PM
Phone: +61 3 9642 5442

Glow Golf is another one of the fun things to do in Melbourne for families.  Play 18 holes of golf in the smallest mini golf course in Australia – in the dark!.  Well, it’s not complete darkness; play your way through iconic Australian iconic landmarks under ultraviolet lighting.  It has been specially tailored for children, families, teenagers and all keen golfers alike.  Glow Golf is undoubtedly one of the fun things to do with kids in Melbourne that the entire family will love.   

• Location:
  The District Docklands – Level 1, Shop 35
• Price:
  $12 per game and kids under 5 are free. 
• Opening Hours:
  Sunday to Thursday 11 am to 7 pm, Friday 11 am to 10 pm and Saturday 10 am to 10 pm

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq has a range of fun things to do with family in Melbourne, all in one place.  Here you will find loads of arcade games, dodgem cars, VR, ten pin bowling and more! All the classic arcade games are here, so parents are also entertained, but of course all the latest games are here too.  With each game you play, you will credits, which can be traded in for cool prizes at the end.

The whole family will enjoy competing against each other in a game of ten pin bowling and bumping and dodging each other in the bumper cars.  Then for something a little different, take the Thrillrider, where you sit back and relax in a cinema style setting, although you’ll need to hang on in this virtual reality thrill ride. On site, there is also a bar and cafe which sells a range of burgers and sandwiches. Archie Brothers is also another option if you’re looking for fun kids things to do Melbourne has on a rainy day.

• Location:
  The District Docklands – 440 Docklands Drive, Docklands
• Opening Hours:
  Daily 10 am to 10 pm
• Price:
  Games and rides vary in price. Dodgems are $6 per ride, bowling starts at $17 per game and the Thrillrider is $8 per ride. 

SEA LIFE Melbourne

Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium is a Southern Ocean and Antarctic aquarium in central Melbourne, Australia. It is located on the banks of the Yarra River beside and under the Flinders Street Viaduct and the King Street Bridge. The attraction is a Sea Life Centre owned by Merlin Entertainments.
Address: King St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Opened: 2000
Function: Aquarium
No. of animals: 10000+
No. of species: 550+
Number of animals: 10,000
Architecture firm: Peddle Thorp

Another one of the great Melbourne kids attractions is Sea Life.  Sea Life Melbourne is located on the Yarra River banks and showcases more than 10,000 marine creatures over four different levels.  Animals on display include penguins, sharks, fish, rays and one of the biggest saltwater crocodiles in captivity.

• Location:
  The corner of Flinders Street and King Street on the Yarra River.  There is also a free Shuttle Bus service from the Legoland Discovery Centre.
• Opening Hours:
  Daily from 10 am to 5 pm.  
• Price:
  Tickets at the gate on the day are $46 for adults and $32 for children.  Children 0-2 are free. 

City Circle Tourist Tram

The City Circle is a zero-fare tram running around the Melbourne City Centre in Australia. Aimed mainly at tourists, the route passes many Melbourne attractions while running along the city centre's outermost thoroughfares, as well as the developing Docklands waterfront precinct.
Vehicle: W-class Melbourne tram
Operator: Yarra Trams
Zone(s): Free Tram Zone
Began service: 29 April 1994
Depot: Southbank

A fun way to get around Melbourne is via the trams (more on this below).  However, the City Circle Tourist Tram is an attraction in itself and it’s another one of the great free kids’ activities Melbourne offers. Yep free!  Jump on board the free City Circle Tram (number 35) and along the way, listen to the audio commentary about the various sights around Melbourne.  You can get off when you see something that interests you, once you are done, get back on and continue the route.

You can easily spot the City Circle Tourist Tram as it is serviced by the heritage W class trams which are decorated in maroon and green with yellow and gold trimmings – just gorgeous!   Although there is no need to get on the City Circle Tram unless you want to hear the commentary, as all the trams within the CBD are free too.  Yes, that’s right, completely free!!! So jump on any tram and take a ride around the city for some family fun Melbourne time! For the bigger kids, get them a map and let them help you identify the various things to see in Melbourne and figure out the best route to take.  Myla just loved doing this!

• Price:
  Free
• Open:
  The tram runs every 20 minutes (in both directions) between 10 am and 6 pm Sunday to Wednesday and 10 am to 9 pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Legoland Discovery Centre

Destination for Lego-themed rides, kids' play areas & interactive building zones, plus a cinema
Located in: Chadstone - The Fashion Capital
Address: Level 2/1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone VIC 3148, Australia

For kids who love Lego,  the Legoland Discovery Centre would have to be one of the best kids attractions Melbourne offers.  Here you can explore 13 play areas, including Miniland Melbourne, where kids can spot Melbourne’s most iconic landmarks, Duplo Farm Adventure, an area especially for kids aged 2 – 5, Heartlake City, where you’ll find the Lego Friends and more.  There are also rides such as Kingdom Quest and Merlin’s Apprentice, a 4D Cinema which plays a range of different movies (watch one or watch them all!) and workshops. A day at Legoland Discovery Centre is one of the fun things to do for kids Melbourne has.  It is a true hands on experience where the kids will love doing all things Lego.  There is also a cafe on site.

• Location:
  Level 2 / 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone
• Opening Hours:
  Thursday to Monday from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm.
• Price:
  $34.50 per person 

Melbourne Zoo

Melbourne Zoo is a zoo in Melbourne, Australia. It is located within Royal Park in Parkville, approximately 4 kilometres north of the centre of Melbourne. It is the primary zoo serving Melbourne.
Address: Elliott Ave, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
Phone: +61 1300 966 784
Notable animals: Dokkoon, Mek Kapah, Hutan, Kanzi, Num-Oi
Opened: October 6, 1862
Area: 22 ha
No. of species: 320
Number of animals: 5,120

If you want to see some animals during your visit to Melbourne with kids, then go to the Melbourne Zoo, where kids get free entry on weekends!  Only 10 minutes from the city centre you can see over 320 exotic species from around the world at Melbourne’s Zoo.  Animals include tigers, orangutans, penguins, seals, and elephants as well as Australian animals such as Koalas and Kangaroos.

• Location:
  Elliott Avenue Parkville.  
• Opening Hours:
  Daily from 9 am and 5 pm.
• Price:
  Adults are $38 and children are $19 Monday to Friday but free on weekends, public holidays and school holidays.

Luna Park

Luna Park Melbourne is a historic amusement park located on the foreshore of Port Phillip Bay in St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria. It opened on 13 December 1912, with a formal opening a week later, and has been operating almost continuously ever since.
Address: 18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia
Hours:
Wednesday Closed
Thursday Closed
Friday Closed
Saturday 11AM–6PM
Sunday 11AM–6PM
Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Phone: +61 3 9525 5033
Opened: December 13, 1912
Owner: Linfox, Virtual Communities, and Liberty Petrol
Roller coasters: 3
Operating season: All year round

No doubt, one of the fun family things to do in Melbourne is to visit Luna Park.  Luna Park is one of the world’s oldest existing amusement parks, with it being in operation for over 100 years. Of course, one of the more famous Melbourne attractions for the family is the enormous giant smiling face entry for the required family selfie. The park has 18 different rides, with various rides aimed at different age groups.  There are slow rides for the little munchkins right up to the crazy rides for the adrenaline junkies and all kinds of rides in between.  As well as the rides, there are various games and places to eat. The rides do have height restrictions with some of the rides requiring children to be accompanied by an adult.  The adult also requires a ticket.

• Location:
  18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda.  Luna Park is between Jacka Boulevard, Shakespeare Grove and the Esplanade.  If you are coming from outside of St Kilda, you can easily catch a tram from Melbourne CBD, or there is plenty of metred parking around the park. 
• Opening Hours:
  Friday, Saturdays and Mondays 11 am to 10 pm, Sundays 11 am to 7 pm and Thursdays 11 am to 10 pm.  Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
• Price:
  Entry is $5 per person but individual ride tickets are $5.00 to $11.50 per ride or you can purchase unlimited ride passes starting at $18 for children 0-3, $41.50 for children 4 to 12 and $51.50 for 13 years and old and over.  They also offer a 4 person family pass of $155.00 which can be purchased at the gate. 

IceBar

Located in: Fed Square
Address: The Atrium Federation Square, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Hours:
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 12–8PM
Friday 12–8PM
Saturday 12–8PM
Sunday 12–8PM
Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Phone: +61 3 9077 9716

How about some fun family activities in Melbourne, where everything is made from ice?  At the IceBar, everything is made from ice, including the walls, tables, chairs and bar. No need to bring your warm clothes, IceBar provide you with everything you need including a snow cape and gloves to keep you toasty.

• Location:
  The Atrium in Federation Square
• Opening hours:
  Thursdays to Sundays from 12 pm to 8 pm.  Children are only allowed in the venue from 11 am to 7 pm.  
• Price:
  $39 for adults and $19 for children.  The entry price includes which includes snow gear and a cocktail for the adults and mocktails for the kids. A family pass $99.

Read more about this topic at https://thriftyfamilytravels.com/. 

Family activities in Melbourne

Overview

There's plenty to keep families big and small entertained in Melbourne. From interactive museums and kids' festivals to exhilarating outdoor adventures and wildlife parks, you'll discover a whole host of fun things to do with the family.

IMAX Melbourne

Home to the world's largest screen, IMAX Melbourne is the most exciting and immersive cinema experience on the planet. The cinema screen spans a massive 32 metres wide and 23 metres high. Visiting IMAX Melbourne goes beyond seeing any movie on the giant screen - with 15,000 watts of digital surround sound, the experience envelops you. Films are presented on Australia’s only IMAX 4K Laser Projector, ensuring the best possible on-screen presentation in the global market. The screen size combined with the revolutionary projection system and digital surround sound makes a visit to IMAX Melbourne the ultimate movie-going experience. IMAX Melbourne screens 45-minute documentary films, the latest Hollywood blockbusters, and a selection of foreign language films.

Located in the Melbourne Museum's west wing, IMAX Melbourne is open every day except Christmas Day from 10:00am until late.

Accessibility:

• Actively welcomes people with access needs
• Suitable for guests who have challenges with learning, communication, understanding and behaviour
• Suitable for guests with a vision impairment. Attained by providing for guests with partial vision impairment or total loss of useable vision
• Suitable for guests who depend on the use of a wheelchair in a seated position at all times
• Suitable for guests with high support needs who uses a hoist and always travel with a carer

Facilities:

• Bar
• Café
• Car park
• Non smoking establishment
• Public toilet

Australian Sports Museum

The Australian Sports Museum at the MCG, home of Australia’s largest collection of sporting memorabilia, has reopened following a $17 million redevelopment. This is no ordinary museum. From touch screens and avatars, to climbable walls and sporting challenges, visitors get to be part of the action and discover the unique stories of Australian sport. Tickets are now on sale at the website. Be one of the first to enjoy this exciting new experience at the MCG.

Cost:

• Indicative prices
  $30.00 - $40.00
• Tickets start at $30 for adults. Combine with an MCG Tour for $40 for both experience
  

Opening hours:

Daily: 10:00am - 5:00pm

Accessibility:

• Actively welcomes people with access needs
• Suitable for guests with sufficient mobility to climb two or three steps, but would benefit from fixtures and fittings to aid balance
• Suitable for guests who depend on the use of a wheelchair in a seated position at all times

Facilities:

• Café
• Conference/convention facilities
• Lockers
• Non smoking establishment
• Public toilet

Membership:

• Museums Australia
• Australian Tourism Export Council
• Victoria Tourism Industry Council

Animal Land Children's Farm

What makes Animal Land so popular with families is that you can get to actively hold, pat, feed, ride, milk and truly experience what farm life is like. Your country life experience begins as you get to meet, greet and interact with all of your favourite farmyard animals including cows, sheep, goats, pigs, ducks, chooks, ponies, alpacas, donkeys, deer, turkeys, peacocks, rabbits, guinea pigs and more. You will enjoy non stop entertainment as you participate in all the farms fun filled activities including having a hand led pony ride, Strolling around the farm to feed the animals and nursing the baby animals too.

Collect the eggs from the chooks, feed the ducks on the dam, go ponding, plant a tree and have a go at growing some seedlings. Even try your luck at farm sports such as poopa scooping. Located just 30 minutes from the Melbourne CBD, this unrivalled day of family fun is in easy reach. Animal Land is famous for the sensory experience it offers visitors of all ages and a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with some really cute farm animals.

Cost:

• Indicative prices

$15.00 - $150.00

Pre book and save with family passes. Two adults and two children $40 All visitors must abide by DHHS conditions when entering the Farm.

Opening hours:

• Tuesday: Closed
• Monday: 9:45am - 2:15pm
• Wednesday: Closed
• Thursday: Closed
• Friday: 9:45am - 2:15pm
• Saturday: 9:45am - 2:45pm
• Sunday: 9:45am - 2:15pm

Accessibility:

• Actively welcomes people with access needs
• Suitable for guests who have challenges with learning, communication, understanding and behaviour
• Suitable for guests with a vision impairment. Attained by providing for guests with partial vision impairment or total loss of useable vision
• Suitable for guests with sufficient mobility to climb two or three steps, but would benefit from fixtures and fittings to aid balance
• Suitable for guests who depend on the use of a wheelchair in a seated position at all times

Facilities:

• Café
• Car park
• Coach parking
• Conference/convention facilities
• Games/recreation room

Activities:

• Canoeing
• Horseriding

Membership:

• Regional Tourist/Tourism Association/Organisation

Read more about this topic at https://www.visitvictoria.com/.