Kid-friendly activities every family must try in Melbourne and regional Victoria
ARE YOU stumped for things to do with the kids each school holidays? We’ve compiled the ultimate activity bucket list every Victorian family must try.
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ARE YOU stumped for things to do with the kids each school holidays?
We’ve made it easier for you to decide with the ultimate activity bucket list every Victorian family must try, with kid-friendly things to do in Melbourne and out of town.
From bird watching, train riding, chocolate eating and getting lost (and found) in mazes — we’ve got 20 of the best for you to try.
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TOP 20 FAMILY FRIENDLY THINGS EVERYONE MUST TRY
1. TAKE A RIDE ON PUFFING BILLY
You may not be able to dangle your feet out the side for the interim, but the ride through the Dandenong Ranges on an old steam train is still magical for children. There are even dining experiences for adults to try.
2. BUY A JAR OF RASPBERRY DROPS AT SOVEREIGN HILL
There’s a lot more to Ballarat than the Sovereign Hill open-air gold rush museum, and a lot more to Sovereign Hill than what you saw on that school excursion many moons ago. You can still pan for gold and see the sound and light show, but it’s worth visiting the Winter Wonderlights, on until July 22, where snow is dusted along the main street. Don’t leave without a jar of raspberry drops.
3. GET LOST IN A BOOK IN THE STATE LIBRARY OF VICTORIA’S DOMED READING ROOM
This space is like something out of a movie. Norman G. Peebles, an architect from Bates, Peebles & Smart, designed the octagonal room, which opened in 1913. At the time it was one of the largest concrete domes in the world. The design was based on the British Museum in London and the Library of Congress in Washington.
4. HAND-FEED WILD PARROTS AT KENNETT RIVER
If you’re a bird lover, you’ll be in heaven at Kennett River. Cheeky king parrots are known to fly down to you in search of food. Stick your arms out if you’re brave. The best spot to search for the birds and koalas is Grey River Rd and Manna Gum forest.
5. BE TOUCHED BY A BUTTERFLY AT THE ROYAL MELBOURNE ZOO
If you haven’t ventured to Melbourne Zoo, make sure you visit the Butterfly House. Kids will have fun playing spot the butterfly in the enclosure, and if you’re patient, some may land on you.
zoo.org.au/melbourne/highlights/butterfly-house
6. RUN YOUR HANDS THROUGH THE WATERWALL AT THE NGV
This iconic water feature is a work of art in itself. It’s impossible for any child — big or small — to resist running their hands through and makes for some great happy snaps. But it’s just the start of any trip to the National Gallery of Victoria. Inside, the Great Hall is a wonder to behold. And on until October 7, don’t miss the MoMA exhibition.
7. TAKE THE PORTARLINGTON FERRY FROM DOCKLANDS
The zippy new addition to Port Phillip Bay works as a passenger ferry between Docklands and the Bellarine Peninsula. The 90-minute ride gives daily commuters and tourists a chance to unwind while on board.
8. LOOK FOR KOALAS AT FRENCH ISLAND
Hop on the ferry and spend the day at the state’s largest coastal mass, French Island. Take an island history or wildlife tour via 4WD or go “glamping” with ocean views. frenchislandglamping.com.au
9. SEE CRANBOURNE’S ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS
A team of Melbourne gardeners replicated Cranbourne Royal Botanic Gardens’ “Australia Garden” to take home a gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show in London. Seven years on and the Cranbourne gardens are still something you must experience.
rbg.vic.gov.au/visit-cranbourne
10. PAT A GUINEA PIG AT COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM
City slickers are given a taste of the country when they visit this Collingwood farm, about 5km from Melbourne’s CBD. The children’s farm is on the banks of the Yarra, surrounded by lush greenery and plenty of animals. Cows, chickens, ducks, geese, sheep, goats, pigs and guinea pigs are some of the critters on show. Parents can visit The Farm Cafe for a bite to eat.
11. SINK YOUR TEETH INTO A MEAT PIE AT THE FOOTY AT THE MCG IN WINTER
Make it a truly Melbourne experience by catching a tram or train to Flinders Street Station, walk along the Yarra River to the MCG, buy a Footy Record and tip a busker playing outside the ground before getting comfortable with a warm meat pie and a cold beer. If you’re a MCC member, pop into the bar and grab a drink before the first bounce.
12. SPOT THE PENGUINS AT THE END OF ST KILDA PIER
Penguin viewing is not restricted to Phillip Island. A colony also calls the St Kilda breakwater home every night of the year. The best time for viewing is after sunset, when you may see penguins emerge from their nests in the rocks. But be patient and considerate — tourists are banned from poking selfie sticks into their nests or using flash photography.
13. SNACK ON FREE CHOCOLATE SAMPLES AT THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD CHOCOLATERIE
As with its Yarra Valley counterpart, you’ll be a kid in a chocolate store at the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie. Grab a handful of chocolate buttons (dark, milk or white) and explore the choc-full showroom.
14. SNAP A SELFIE WITH PHAR LAP AT THE MUSEUM
It’s still one of Melbourne Museum’s most popular exhibits. The tribute to Australia’s favourite racehorse Phar Lap is displayed with objects from his life, including his training saddle and shoes. A must-see if you haven’t already.
museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/whats-on/phar-lap
15. PLAY ‘SPOT THE ROOSTER TREE’ ON THE HUME HIGHWAY
When something has a Facebook fan page, you know it must be popular. Hop on the Hume Freeway travelling north out of Melbourne and you’ll find the iconic “rooster tree” on a hill, somewhere between Wandong and the exit for Clonbinane.
Don’t believe us? facebook.com/pages/The-Rooster-Tree/236848209678638
16. CHECK OUT THE HEARTBEAT OF THE MURRAY LASER LIGHT SHOW
It’s a show like no other. Set on the banks of the Little Murray River, the 360-degree multimedia show uses light, laser, water, sound and special effects to tell the story of the Murray.
pioneersettlement.com.au/heartbeat
17. HAVE YOUR OWN PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK
It’s known as eerie, but Hanging Rock in Woodend is still a beautiful part of regional Victoria. Find some produce at A Market at Hanging Rock, held twice yearly at the reserve and enjoy your meal in new picnic shelters available for hire.
craftmarkets.com.au/markets/hanging-rock.aspx
visitmacedonranges.com/hanging-rock
18. STEP BACK IN TIME AT CHURCHILL ISLAND
Churchill Island Heritage Farm was one of the first farms in Victoria. Kids can enjoy watching the daily farm activities, such as milking cows and shearing sheep, between 2pm and 3.30pm each day. Top off your visit with a horse cart ride through the grounds. penguins.org.au/attractions/Churchill-island
19. GET LOST IN THE GIANT MAZE AT A MAZE’N THINGS
The tourist attraction is a Phillip Island institution and one to keep the kids entertained for hours. Get lost in the giant 3D maze or climb to new heights on the Sky Trail. amazenthings.com.au
20. VISIT THE WARRNAMBOOL PENGUINS — AND THE MAREMMA DOGS
If you’ve seen the film Oddball, you’ll know how these little penguins are protected from predators. The world-first project sees maremma dogs look after the critters on Middle Island, near Warrnambool. Take a tour and snap a photo with one of the dogs. www.warrnamboolpenguins.com.au/meet-the-maremmas
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