16 best school holiday activities in Melbourne 2025
Looking to make the most of their time off school? Melburnians, we've got you covered.
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The school holidays have come around again and even though its' getting colder, you've little excuse not to get out and explore.
From aquariums and museums to train rides and road trips, here's our take on what’s hot this school holidays.
See also: Aussie mum's secret to stress-free family holidays
Sleep over at the Melbourne Museum from $245 for adults and $225 for kids
The Melbourne Museum is a no-brainer when it comes to fun school holiday activities and this year some of the events include building bug habitats, a bubble laboratory in conjunction with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and a comedy club for kids. But it's the sleepovers on April 11 and 12, where explorers can hang out with their favourite characters in the Minecraft Movie 3D up-close on the big screen at IMAX with all the snacks. Cuddle up for campfire stories about creatures from the natural world in the Dynamic Earth exhibition before taking your very own Dinosaur Walk and Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs torchlight tours and settling in for some sleep (if you dare) among the fossils. We rate this as one of autumn's best kid friendly events but there are also interactive displays galore, a bunch of free attractions and big fun for the whole family.
Monster Truck Mania
The promise is for ‘bigger trucks, bigger stunts and bigger action’. Some of the leaping, smashing monster trucks on show will include Raptor’s Rampage, Wicked, Buddy and Wacky Doo. Add flame outs, flying motorbikes and the option of a VIP Pit Party where you can walk the track and meet the drivers and you have three hours of high octane fun. The Melbourne event takes place on May 3 and 4.
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, from $28.20
A winner with small and big kids alike, LEGOLAND is a colour wonder. Inside are 10 build and play zones to explore, two fun rides, a 4D cinema and the chance to tour the factory to see how the bricks are made. It's recommended to set aside an hour to get through the centre but as one Experience Oz reviewer says, "there’s a lot to do" as it's highly interactive. With add-ons like VR experiences and a Formula 1 theme, this is undoubtedly one of the best school holiday activities in the Victorian capital.
Melbourne Skydeck, $30.60 (adult), $20.40 (child)
See Melbourne from a new angle, 88 storeys up from Melbourne Skydeck. It’s the highest viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere and captures panoramic vistas of the Yarra, Royal Botanic Gardens, MCG and beyond. If they’re comfortable with heights you can give them an extra treat by booking a Skydeck Edge Experience, which sees you pop into a class cube that stretches out over the city. Here you'll find Melbourne's most awestruck kids aged from just a few months through to even the most disinterested teens. The additional MAX VR package will keep the kids entertained by showing them a whole new multi-sensory side to the city.
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, from $47.50 (adult), $34.20 (child)
Poised perfectly on the banks of the Yarra, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is an underwater wonder where you can meet over 10,000 creatures of the deep including Antarctic penguins and crocodiles. Nice touches include touch pools for kids and a 4D cinema show. Although it doesn't have specific school holiday programs, there are many events kids will adore, such as behind the scenes tour and the all new Jelly Lab Experience where you can feed live jellyfish. If your kids like this, they will love the programs at Melbourne Zoo - at Werribee, Healesville and in Melbourne - which will make school holiday time fly by.
Melbourne Cricket Ground Tours, Escape Deals, $34 (adult), $16 (child)
Australians and cricket go hand-in-hand. There’s a reason why Cricket was picked as Australia’s favourite Bluey episode after all. Fuel their love for the game by taking them to see the famous MCG. Tours get you behind the scenes into the player change rooms, the Melbourne Cricket Club Library and Long Room and onto that hallowed cricket ground.
Luna Park Melbourne Unlimited Ride Tickets, Escape Deals, $54 (adult), $43 (child)
It’s all fun and games (literally) at Melbourne’s iconic Luna Park. With an unlimited rides pass you can make your dollars go further and hop on all manner of rides from the roller coaster and ferris wheel to the dodgem cars and haunted house.
Melbourne Indoor Go Karting, Experience Oz, from $52 per person
Put the pedal to the metal, foster some healthy competition, and get their adrenaline pumping with an indoor go karting session. The karts can reach speeds of 60 kilometres per hour and you can book anything from 15-minute to 45-minute sessions to really fuel their need for speed. Keep in mind that drivers must be 13 years or older so it’s best for families with older children.
Learn to Surf Lesson, RedBalloon, $104
The school break is the perfect time for the kids to learn a new skill. And being Australia, there’s no better sport to learn than surfing. URBNSURF Park makes it easy. It’s a dedicated surf park that runs throughout the year and generates gentle waves for beginners to learn the basics in a safe environment. Each lesson is around two hours long and includes wetsuit and surfboard hire. Spectator passes or general entry passes are also available for those who don't need any tutelage. Bear in mind that wetsuits may be required. These are available for hire. Without one at this time of year, this may be an activity better suited to the summer school holidays.
Board a historic steam train (and imagine you’re taking off for Hogwarts) through the arresting Dandenong Ranges while enjoying a bit of Australian history. Booking in advance - particularly over the school holidays - is a must as tickets often sell out. For a bit of fun, children four years or older can sit and dangle their legs over the carriage sills.
Phillip Island Tour From Melbourne, Viator, $220 (adult), $170 (child)
No trip to Melbourne would be complete without a visit to Phillip Island to spy its resident little penguins as they return to shore. This tour makes a day of it, seeing you indulge in a local wine tasting and full up on woodfired pizza before spying fur seals off the island's craggy coast and catching the iconic Penguin Parade as the sun goes down. On tour you'll also be given the option to get up close and cuddly with koalas at Phillip Island Koala Reserve
ArtVo Melbourne Tickets, Escape Deals, $29 (adult), $19 (child 5-15 years old)
Prep your camera and your poses as you head into this interactive trick art gallery. Inside are over 80 artworks and optical illusions for them to play and snap that Insta-worthy photo in. “This was amazing,” says one 5 star reviewer. “It was the best thing I’ve done for a long time. I highly recommend this to anybody and it is suitable for all ages. You can spend hours here,” they said.
Melbourne iFLY Indoor Skydiving, Klook, $85 per person
Little daredevils can feel the wind in their hair as they tumble and fly in the safety of an indoor glass tunnel. Each flight is designed to simulate the feeling of freefalling from 14000 feet above, and each lesson comes with a training session. Once your little one has gotten the hang of things they can start learning tricks, too.
Melbourne Virtual Reality Escape Room, Klook, from $49 per person
Team up as a family or drop your kid off with their mates to take on this out-of-this-world challenge. They’ll be strapped up in headsets, and popped into a virtual room where they’ll have to solve puzzles and complete challenges to complete their mission. Take note that this Escape Room is suitable for ages 10 and up.
Cactus Country Garden Entry, $17.50 (adult), $7.50 (child 5-15 years old)
Would you believe this is in Australia? Giving off Mexican vibes, Cactus Country is a 12 acre space that’s home to over 4000 plant varieties. A series of garden trails are theirs to explore while you relax in the cafe and courtyard with a cake, ice cream and cool drink. Sounds like a day well done, right?
Yarra River Waterbike Tour, Klook, $90 per waterbike
Clear your calendar on a sunny day and hop on a waterbike down the Yarra River to take in the sights of the city. This 90 minute session is guided and anyone 120 centimetres can ride. For tykes that are shorter, an inflatable deck can be attached to the water bike for them to chill out on. Rentals are currently 30 per cent off - a bargain for money savvy family.
Sovereign Hill, Experience Oz, $49 (adult), $29 (child 5-15 years)
Wind back the clock to the colonial years when horse-drawn carriage was the mode of transport and striking it rich at the gold mines was the great Australian dream. This interactive living museum spans 15 acres and features a bucket-load of activity including gold panning, musket firing and candle making. Tuck in.
When are the next Melbourne school holidays?
In Victoria, the autumn school holidays start on April 5, 2025 and finish on April 20, 2025.
What’s on in Melbourne on the school holidays?
Every school holiday comes packed with fun family-friendly activities. Some, for example, the iFLY Indoor Skydiving and Penguin Parade, occur throughout the year. Others are more seasonal, such as learning to surf.
Over the school holidays you’ll also find many museums, shopping centres and activity centres host themed school holiday activities.
See also:
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