Visiting Melbourne: Where To Go And What To Do

We scoured Melbourne and Geelong for the best playgrounds and activities for kids and these are the results. If you'd like more information on any of the locations we've mentioned above, please take the time to read the relevant passages. Each of these places has its own special charm and should be experienced at least once to fully appreciate it.

Gisborne Adventure Playground

A CFA building designed to look like a fire station sits in a shady area behind a locked gate. There are puzzle panels, ramps, a slide, discs on a pole, a ladder truck, and a fireman's pole in this structure. Long plush crocodiles and a platypus lie on the floor, and there are also round tables and seats with carvings of natural elements on the surface, stepping stones, a variety of panels, a see-saw, two springers, and a teacup with a handwheel.

There are both shaded and unshaded tables and chairs available, as well as a large grassy area with a shelter and a barbeque.

Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary (Beaumaris)

Because of its proximity to the shore and abundance of rockpools, Ricketts Point is a great place to introduce kids to the fascinating marine life that can be found off the coast of Victoria. Rock pools and the diverse marine life that inhabits them can be explored to great effect on sandstone platforms. Because of the presence of lifeguards, going to the beach in the summer is a safe option for families.

Located in Melbourne's south-east, not far from Beaumaris, is a 115-hectare sanctuary. Sandstone outcrops, weathered into a network of platforms, sea caves, and offshore reefs, surround this child-friendly spot. Among the many different habitats that can be found in this area are sandy beaches, rocky sandstone intertidal and subtidal habitats, and soft subtidal substrates.

Due to the wide range of habitat types that have been protected, this area is home to a rich diversity of plant and animal life. Around the coast, invertebrates like brittle stars, bristle worms, and crustaceans can be found hiding out on the rocks that are covered in green and red algae.

A cuttlefish is one of the best masters of disguise, and if you look closely you might be able to spot one. These animals are experts at camouflage because of their ability to alter the tone and texture of their skin.

Frontier Park Playground, Frontier Avenue, Rockbank

The playground at Rockbank, which has become known as "Melbourne's Playground Capital," is a fantastic focal point in and of itself, boasting such features as massive slides, a water play area, a basketball court, and a small skate park. An additional skate park of modest size is available.

There are a number of large towers dispersed across a landscape of soft, colourful mounds, and these serve as the launch points for three enormous tunnel slides. Also, those who are feeling particularly daring can traverse a rope tunnel between the towers hundreds of feet in the air. To reach the slides, you can either take the easy route and walk down a winding set of stairs, the more challenging route and climb up a vertical rope tunnel, or the most terrifying route and walk across some terrifying bridges, depending on your level of bravery.

If you prefer your slides to be closer to the ground, there is a smaller, more compact version of the wave slide situated on the side of a hill.

One such area is a lengthy balance traverse that includes a number of logs and bridges, making for a fun and accessible obstacle course. Small children can stand on a massive carousel and spin it until they feel dizzy. A sizable sandbox is also available, along with a water pump to keep it moist. These two elements are situated close to one another. The enormous bird's nest in the ceiling completely dwarfs it.

A water play area with a shallow concrete channel lined with water sprays and passing through rock barriers and chutes that kids can raise and lower to their desired height. You can follow the stream until it empties into a drain. The water park is open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM from October through March. There is no set schedule for when the water features will be turned on.

This set features a pentagonal frame and five swings (only one has a safety chain and is suitable for younger kids). Next to the playground is a small skate park with ramps, a quarter pipe, a rail, and a fun box in the middle, as well as a basketball court with baskets at both ends.

There are restrooms and a few tables and seats spread out in the sun, and there is also a small shelter with three tables and a barbeque.

Redwood Forest (Warburton)

Just a short drive from Warburton is a forest of Sequoia Sempervirens trees, or California Redwoods, which is one of the region's best-kept secrets.

As soon as the original eucalypt forest was cut down, around 1930, the Board of Works began reforesting the area with California Redwoods. Trees were propagated from seed in this case. It was mainly Bishop Pine, Douglas Fir, and California Redwood that were planted. Additional Radiata Pine, Western Red Cedar, and Redwood seedlings were planted between 1960 and 1963. The criteria used were part of the Board's hydrology research programme, and they determined which plantations would be used in experiments.

There are more than 1476 trees, with the shortest one measuring 20 metres and the tallest reaching 55 metres in height. They are planted in a grid and have been arranged in an aesthetically pleasing pattern.

Throughout the Plantation, there is a web of hiking trails that were once used as carriage roads. Both on and off the premises, you'll find these paths.

Leaving Warburton, follow the Warburton Highway until it changes into Woods Point Road. Turn left onto Cement Creek Road after about 7 kilometres. There are sloppy areas and general roughness here. After 0.7 kilometres, on the right side of the road, beyond a small gate barrier, is a parking area bordered by a fence. Navigate around the obstacle.

Something of great value. It's hard to find a more pleasant setting than this one, with its towering, uniformly spaced trees that create a breathtaking backdrop. Nesting branches can be found strewn about the forest floor. At the foot of the hill, there's a path that winds through some tree ferns and down to the river.

Just follow the sound of the water to find your way to the river. There are paths in both directions here for pedestrians to take. Remember that the trails that skirt the river can get very muddy during wet weather.

Grassy area adjacent to the plantation is home to a nest. The parking lot was completely full on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and there are no picnic tables or restrooms (the closest public restrooms are located at the East Warburton Public Hall).

Outer East

Ray Bastin Reserve, Norfolk Drive, Narre Warren

When in Narre Warren, be sure to check out Norfolk Drive and the Ray Bastin Reserve.

Please take me to the moon, or at least to Narre Warren's Ray Bastin Reserve. You don't have to be an aspiring rocket scientist to have fun at a fantastic rocket-themed playground.

There is a large rocket on a launch pad in the middle, and a very winding tunnel slide that can be used as an emergency exit. Instead of travelling to Kazakhstan, why not use the Ray Bastin Reserve? There is a huge control panel at the side of a rocket launch pad.

A large moon buggy, a writhing alien creature, colourful stepping stones that grow like mushrooms, and a spacious sandbox are just some of the features.

The playground is conveniently situated close to a BMX track and a skate park. The area also features a sensory trail that guides guests through various ecosystems, as well as shelters, shade sails, barbeque pits, a plethora of shaded tables and seats beneath trees, and restrooms.

Little Peninsula and Big Peninsula Tunnels (McMahons Creek)

The Little Peninsula and Big Peninsula tunnels on the Yarra River can be found just over 14 kilometres east of Warburton. To get to the Little Peninsula Tunnel Picnic Ground, travel east on Warburton-Woods Point Road towards McMahons Creek (you'll pass Starvation Creek Road on the way).

Barbecue pits are available, and the Little Peninsula Tunnel is only 150 metres away on foot. In order to facilitate gold mining during the Gold Rush, the Yarra River was diverted. Making this possible necessitated digging tunnels beneath the river.

The Upper Yarra Valley is steeped in history, and the hunt for gold was a pivotal part of that history. The upper reaches of the Yarra River and its many tributaries provided fertile ground for archaeologists to unearth artefacts in a number of different locations, including the Warburton and Hoddles Creek areas.

By the late 1860s, miners in the area were considering the possibility of diverting the Yarra River from its typical course. Most likely, dynamite was used to blast through the rock for the Little Peninsula tunnel, and the debris was hauled away using a horse and cart. The length of the tunnel is approximately 30 metres.

You can also reach the Tunnel from the upper parking lot, which is connected to the picnic area by a short path.

From the highway parking lot, the three-minute walk to the Little Peninsula Tunnel is along a gravel path downhill. 

The other side of the bridge leads to a grassy clearing with two picnic tables. Even though the bridge was closed when we were there, it was still possible to drive to this picnic area from the main road. When the bridge's maintenance and repairs are complete, it will reopen to traffic. Before you cross the bridge, you can reach a grassy area across the river by stepping across the water on some rocks. It's across the river from the picnic area.

The Big Peninsula Tunnel is reached by driving down a gravel road and parking roughly 100 metres before the swing gates. A flight of stairs with 47 steps and wooden handrails is located a few hundred metres from the road. The stairway winds its way down the slope of the hill. At the tunnel's end, the water flows out into an open area and then over a set of rocks.

The tranquil path the river once took can be made out. There is a picnic table there, and the area is covered in tree ferns.

Cardinia Community Adventure Playground

After extensive renovation, the playground still features the original wooden adventure structure. There are many different levels, bridges, ladders, and paths for kids to explore in this structure.

There is now a huge tower with three slides. Among these slides are an extreme twisting orange and yellow monster tunnel slide, a shorter, more conventional tunnel slide, and a steeper, more conventional yellow and orange tunnel slide. In addition, one of the walls can be used as a climbing wall. 

Aside from the two in-ground trampolines, the area also has four regular swings and a bird's nest swing.

A great bike path for toddlers and preschoolers to use with their tricycles or bikes runs along the perimeter of the playground. The road map includes landmarks like a bank, a supermarket, and an ice cream truck.

Grills, tables (without any overhead cover), and water faucets can all be found in a covered area. There's a skate park and an outdoor gym not far away.

State Library of Victoria (Central Melbourne)

• Get your family along to a free one-hour Library Heritage Tour! Run from Monday to Friday at 2 pm. Bookings required for groups only.
• See the armour of one of Australia's most infamous outlaws. You can see Ned Kelly's armour, his rifle and even one of his boots in The changing face of Victoria exhibition in our Dome Gallery.
• Find and photocopy the front page of the newspaper published on the day you were born, in the Newspaper Reading Room!
• Spin the latest grooves in our Arts Reading Room. Listen to the latest CDs and DVDs in our sound-proofed booths!
• Drop by Experimedia to use the latest free AFL X-Box computer games and other exciting PC and X-Box games. Read ebooks with your kids!
• Scroll through microfiche and find out more about your family tree in our Genealogy Centre.
• Take a look at the paintings and portrait sculptures of famous and infamous Victorians in the Cowen Gallery exhibition.
• Fight it out in a battle of wills in a game of chess! The Chess Room is located on the mezzanine level above the Arts Reading Room.
• Spend half an hour surfing the internet for free in the Information Centre.
• Read books on any subject from aircraft to zebras in the Library!

The whole family is invited to a free, hour-long Heritage Tour of the Library. The schedule for the run is every day at 2:00 pm from Monday through Friday. Reservations are required only for groups.

Take a look at the armour worn by a historical outlaw in Australia. Part of Ned Kelly's armour, his rifle, and one of his boots are on display in our current exhibition, "The Changing Face of Victoria," which can be found in our Dome Galler

Search for and photocopy the front page of the newspaper that was in circulation on the day you were born in the Newspaper Reading Room.

The newest, free AFL X-Box computer games, along with other exciting PC and X-Box games, are available to play at Experimedia. Have family booktime by reading digital books to the kids.

Our Genealogy Centre houses microfiche that can help you learn more about your ancestors.

Well-known and infamous Victorians are depicted in paintings and portrait sculptures at the Cowen Gallery's current exhibition.

Conclusion

Behind a locked gate in a shady area is a CFA building that was designed to look like a fire station. With its 115 ha, Ricketts Point is a protected marine area. In the summer, when lifeguards are on duty, families can feel at ease visiting the beach. Known as the "Playground Capital of Australia," Rockbank Playground can be found in Melbourne. The term "Playground Capital of Melbourne" has been coined to describe Rockbank.

There is a small skate park, a basketball court, a water play area, and massive slides. There is also a smaller skate park for those who need it. Perhaps the best-kept secret in the area is the Forest of Redwoods (Warburton). The shortest tree is 20 metres tall, while the tallest is 55 metres. There are over 1476 trees in total. Nesting branches are dispersed all over the forest floor.

The Ray Bastin Reserve in Narre Warren is an awesome park with a rocket theme. A massive rocket sits on a launch pad, and an intricate tunnel slide serves as an escape route in case of emergency. Visitors can explore the area's various ecosystems with the help of a sensory trail. The Merthyr Tydfilipino River runs right alongside Big Peninsula Tunnel and Cardinia's Community Adventure Park. There is grassy area across the river from the Little Peninsula Tunnel, and the total ascent is 47 steps.

Numerous family-friendly events and exhibits are available at the State Archives and Library of Victoria. At Experimedia, you can play free AFL X-Box video games. The Cowen Gallery houses portrait paintings and sculptures of both celebrated and infamous Victorians. Located in the heart of Melbourne's financial district is the State Library of Victoria. Oil paintings can be seen in the Cowen Gallery, which is located on the ground floor. The Victoria Gallery is located in the north of the building, and it is accessed through a rotunda. This is Shakespeare's window, and it has spectacular views of the dome and the lower reading room.

Content Summary

• We searched all over Melbourne and Geelong to find the finest playgrounds and kid-friendly attractions, and the following are the results.
• Popular among Gisborne residents and visitors alike is the city's Adventure Playground.
• It is protected by the Marine Sanctuary Act, Ricketts Point is a place where marine life can thrive (Beaumaris)
• Ricketts Point, with its close proximity to the shore and abundance of rockpools, is an excellent place to introduce children to the fascinating marine life found off the coast of Victoria.
• A 115-hectare sanctuary can be found in Melbourne's south-east, close to Beaumaris.
• Rockbank is home to both Frontier Avenue and the Frontier Park Playground.
• Rockbank has a fantastic playground that has earned the nickname "Melbourne's Playground Capital." The playground features large slides, a water play area, a basketball court, and a small skate park.
• Soaring redwood trees (Warburton)
• One of the best-kept secrets in the area is a grove of Sequoia Sempervirens trees, also known as California Redwoods, located just a short drive from Warburton.
• The Board of Works started planting California Redwoods in the area around 1930, right after the original eucalypt forest was cleared.
• The shortest tree is 20 metres tall, while the tallest is 55 metres. There are over 1476 trees in total.
• A network of carriage roads, now used as hiking trails, can be found all over the Plantation.
• Visit the Norfolk Drive and the Ray Bastin Reserve while in Narre Warren.
• Ray Bastin Reserve in Narre Warren is as good as the moon to me, so please take me there.
• The Ray Bastin Reserve could be used as an alternative to a trip to Kazakhstan.
• The Little Peninsula and the Big Peninsula are joined by a series of tunnels (McMahons Creek)
• A little over 14 kilometres east of Warburton are the Little Peninsula and Big Peninsula tunnels on the Yarra River.
• At the height of the Gold Rush, the Yarra River was rerouted to better serve the mining industry.
• The search for gold has played a significant role in the history of the Upper Yarra Valley.
• Getting to the Little Peninsula Tunnel from the highway parking lot is a steep three-minute downhill slog along a gravel path.
• There's a picnic area just across the river from it.
• Driving down a gravel road, then stopping about 100 metres before the swing gates, will bring you to the Big Peninsula Tunnel.
• Adventure Park for the People of Cardinia
• The playground's original wooden adventure structure was preserved during the extensive renovations.
• There is a plethora of things to do in and around the State Archives and Library of Victoria in central Melbourne.
• There will be a complimentary one-hour Heritage Tour of the Library for the whole family to enjoy.
• Check out this historical outlaw's armour from Australia.
• At Experimedia, you can play the newest, free AFL X-Box computer games, as well as other exciting PC and X-Box games.
• Read digital books to your kids as a family and enjoy some quality time together.
• Upstairs, past the Arts Reading Room, is the Chess Room.
• In addition to its many other offerings, the State Library of Victoria is a great place to play chess, listen to music, play video games, research your family tree at the Genealogy Center, and even hunt for Ned Kelly's armour.
• The State Library of Victoria in Australia is worth a visit for any booklover.
• In addition, a rotunda located in the building's northern part provides access to the Victoria Gallery.