How to plan the ultimate family getaway in Melbourne

With its iconic laneways, markets, cafés and cocktail bars, Melbourne has earned a reputation as Australia’s cultural capital. But the fun isn’t only for adults. This family-friendly city has just as much to offer children, whatever their age or interests. Whether they gravitate towards movies, animals, toys or sports, there are plenty of things to keep your little ones entertained in Melbourne.

Federation Square  

A hub for arts and culture, Federation Square sits directly across from the iconic Flinders Street Station in Melbourne’s CBD. In addition to casual eateries and regular outdoor events, the main draw for kids here is ACMI, a quirky museum devoted to the moving image. Its ground floor features a free permanent exhibition with plenty of interactive elements to keep small hands busy. The in-house cinema and well-curated gift shop are well worth a visit, too.  

Just a short stroll from the square lies the expansive Birrarung Marr Playground. Set on the Yarra River, its colourful slides, swings, tunnels and climbing frames offer endless hours of entertainment. 

Legoland Discovery Centre  

Ingenuity meets play at Legoland Discovery Centre Melbourne . Its farm-themed Duplo section is perfect for under-fives, and the pair of medieval-themed rides are great for the whole family. Fans can design their own Lego Minifigures during the factory tour or visit a replica of Melbourne’s landmarks constructed from more than 1.5 million bricks. Workshops invite you to build what you please, whether that’s testing your Lego buildings against a simulated earthquake, or racing your custom vehicles with others. 

Sea Life Aquarium  

Just a couple of blocks from Flinders Street Station, Sea Life Aquarium welcomes families into a world of underwater activity. Expect up-close encounters with sharks, jellyfish and tropical reef inhabitants, as well as playful penguins, colourful rainforest reptiles and amphibians. Just make sure to keep an eye out for their mega-sized saltwater crocodile.  

For more animal experiences, check out Melbourne Zoo in Parkville and the smaller but more hands-on Collingwood Children’s Farm. Further afield, intimate wildlife parks in Healesville and Ballarat allow you to feed wallabies right from your hand. 

Melbourne Museum  

Your kids’ travel itineraries wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Melbourne Museum . This knowledge centre is not far from the CBD, with extensive playgrounds and the verdant Carlton Gardens just outside its door. Inside, you’ll discover prehistoric skeletons – including one of the world’s most complete triceratops fossils – and a forest gallery showcasing native plants and animals at close range. History plays a big role here too, spanning inspiring tales of Australian innovation and First Nations culture. Next door, IMAX Melbourne screens 3D nature documentaries as well as the newest releases. 

If you’re after an extended museum circuit, venture to the Immigration Museum in the CBD and Scienceworks, located across the Maribyrnong River in Spotswood.  

Luna Park  

Inspired in part by Brooklyn’s famous Coney Island, Australia’s first theme park opened in St. Kilda in 1912. Luna Park is still going strong more than a century later, with a bright array of rides appealing to kids of all sizes. A definite highlight is The Great Scenic Railway, the world’s oldest operating rollercoaster which offers unmatched views of the surrounding Port Phillip Bay. Video games, movies and sweet treats like fairy floss add to the bustling experience, and the location puts you right near the beach. And remember, there’s no going to Luna Park without snapping a photo out front, where the gaping clown’s mouth has welcomed visitors since day one. 

Melbourne Cricket Ground

Less than 20 years younger than the city itself, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG, but often nicknamed “The G”) is one of Melbourne’s most iconic sports destinations. Whether you want to check out a blockbuster game of Australian Rules Football – known as footy – or simply tour the building that has overseen many world-famous matches of cricket, this is a must for any sport-lover travelling to Melbourne. Just a 10-minute walk from the CBD, the MCG is close to other stadiums such as Rod Laver Arena, which hosts the Australian Open, and the kid-friendly cafés of Richmond.