16 best school holiday activities in Melbourne 2024
Looking to make the most of their time off school? Melbournites, we've got you covered.
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The school holidays have come around again and with the weather warming up, 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 break.
See also: Aussie mum's secret to stress-free family holidays
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, from $25.20
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.
Melbourne Skydeck, $28 (adult), $19 (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, MCF 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.
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, from $39.60 (adult), $28.79 (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.
Monster Jam at AAMI Park, Ticketek, from $38
If your kid is anything like my nephews they love monster trucks. The bigger, the crazier, the better. This school break Monster Jam is coming to town bringing with it larger-than-life vehicles as they trash the dirt and flip through the air. Junior tickets start from $38 though for a real treat you can also book front front row seats and packages that get you into the Pit Party which gives them the chance to see the trucks up close and meet the drivers.
Melbourne Cricket Ground Tours, Escape Deals, $33 (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, $53 (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.
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, Experience Oz, $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 spring school holidays start on September 21, 2024 and finish on October 6, 2024.
What are the dates for the Victorian school holidays in 2024?
These are the beginning and end dates for school term in Victoria. Depending on your child’s school these may vary slightly.
Term 1 : Thurs 30 Jan 2024 – Thu 28 Mar 2024
Term 2: Mon 15 Apr 2024 – Fri 28 Jun 2024
Term 3: Mon 15 Jul 2024 – Fri 20 Sep 2024
Term 4: Mon 7 Oct 2024 – Fri 20 Dec 2024
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:
More Coverage
-Best things to do in Melbourne CBD
-Best camping spots between Melbourne and Byron Bay
-Best things to do in Victoria
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