School holidays: 5 day trips to do with the kids in Victoria

GETTING out to explore Victoria is the stuff of childhood memories. As the school holidays roll on, Genevieve Alison finds five fun day trips to keep kids — as well as mums and dads — entertained.

Bridie McCauley gets up close to a dinosaur at Docklands. Jurassic Creatures, featuring Prehistoric Creatures of the Ice is an interactive walk through event that will captivate young and old alike. Explore an ancient world full of moving dinosaurs at Docklands Open at Harbour Town Melbourne from 12 March to 17 April.Picture:Rob Leeson.

GETTING out to explore Victoria is the stuff of childhood memories. As the school holidays roll on, Genevieve Alison finds five fun day trips to keep kids — as well as mums and dads — entertained.

VICTORIAN GOLDFIELDS RAILWAY

TAKE the kids on a memorable train ride through historic gold mining towns. Ride in a family carriage and listen as the vintage steam train huffs and puffs through rolling hills. A treat for train fans big and small, passengers also have a chance to experience the trip from the best seat in the house: in the driver’s cabin. Trains depart from Castlemaine and Maldon.

vgr.com.au

Bridie McCauley gets up close to a dinosaur at Dinosaur World. Picture: Rob Leeson

DINOSAUR WORLD

WALK with dinosaurs at Victoria’s biggest collection of prehistoric creatures (right), just
an hour out of Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula. Let the kids’ curiosity run wild as they pick their way through the bushy dinosaur trail and the creatures move and roar when they pass by.

dinosaurworld.net.au

Audrey the baby koala at Healesville. Picture: Tim Carrafa

HEALESVILLE SANCTUARY

JUST over an hour from Melbourne, the sanctuary specialises in native animals. These holidays, it is offering visitors an opportunity to go behind the scenes and be “keeper for the day”, learning what it takes to work in a zoo. Kids under 16 can visit the sanctuary free on weekends during the holidays.

zoo.org.au/healesville

I HEART MELBOURNE TOURS
These tours offer a breath of fresh country air, with activities for the entire family. Parents can relax and enjoy a day of eating, drinking and visiting boutique producers in the breathtaking Yarra Valley. Meanwhile, the kids will stay entertained with games on the lawns, fruit-picking in orchards, tractor rides, and cheese and chocolate sampling.

iheartmelbournetours.com.au

SOVEREIGN HILL
EXPERIENCE the wonder of life during the gold rush at award-winning Sovereign Hill. Kids are invited to take part in activities including steam engine tours, pantomime performances and hands-on craft activities. There’s plenty to keep parents busy, too, with licensed restaurants and cosy cafes to choose from.

sovereignhill.com.au