Melbourne

Melbourne Museum

Opened in 2000, the award-winning museum houses a permanent collection in eight galleries, including one just for children.

9AM-5PM daily except Good Fri and 25 Dec · $15 adult; children and concessions free · Wi-Fi · Wheelchair accessible

Immigration Museum

Located in the restored Old Customs House, it covers customs and immigration history over the past 200 years. Details the stories and experiences of immigrations to Australia, both past and present.

Daily 10AM-5PM except Good Fri & Christmas Day · $6 adult, children/concession free · Wheelchair accessible

Luna Park

This St Kilda icon's famous mouth entrance continues to grace Melbourne's postcards and for good reason. Built in 1912, the historic amusement park is free to enter, with a number of rides to keep the young and young at heart entertained. The fabled Scenic Railway is the oldest continually operating wooden-framed rollercoaster in the world, and gives panoramic views over the nearby bay. Other rides include all the usual favourites, such as a Ferris wheel, dodgem cars and a ghost train. A great day out for kids and families. In poor weather, some rides may close, including the historic rollercoaster.

Opening hours vary, although generally open 11AM-6PM weekends and 11AM-8PM weekdays during school holidays; closed weekdays during school term · Single ride: adult (13+) $11, child (4-12) $9, infant $5; unlimited ticket: adult $49.50, child $39.50, infant $16.50

Old Melbourne Gaol

Built in 1841, it is now a penal museum, with a watch house and magistrate's court also on-site. Bushranger Ned Kelly was hanged here in 1880. The scaffold on which he and many others were hanged is displayed, as is Kelly’s death mask. There are other displays in many of the cells. Allow an hour or so for your visit.

Daily 10AM-5PM except Good Fri and Christmas Day. Night tours: Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat · $30 adult, $25 concession, $17 child (5-15yrs), family tickets available (free for National Trust members and members of reciprical trusts overseas)

Polly Woodside Maritime Museum

A maritime museum based aboard the restored 1885 Belfast-built, three-masted, iron-hulled barque "Polly Woodside". Various kids activities available, including Pirate Sundays.

Daily in Summer, July school holidays and weekends in Winter: 10AM-4PM · $10 adult, $7 child

Fawkner Park

Soccer, tennis, softball, and cricket in the summer. Local school Aussie Rules Football in winter. Popular dog walking area. Two large children's playgrounds and a BBQ area.

Old Treasury Building and Gold Museum

Built in 1858 by a 19-year-old architect, it was the city’s first Italian Renaissance building and many consider that its elegance has not been surpassed by anything in Melbourne since. Contains displays on the history of Melbourne as well as the history of gold in Victoria, including the original gold vaults. Fun activities for children, including the chance to earn a novelty gold licence. The expansive Treasury Gardens behind the building are also worth a visit.

Sun-Fri 10AM-4PM, closed Good Fri, Christmas and Boxing Day · Free · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

Royal Park

An expansive park just north of the city centre, containing grasslands, native gardens and many sporting facilities, and home to the city's zoo.

7 grams

For a 'best in show' coffee (check out the shelves housing their trophies). Despite these grand accolades, the cafe is unpretentious, with an understated decor and a row of black-topped, chrome-legged stools along a mirror bar. It's an all Greek family affair, with the three Haralambopoulos brothers running the cafe, while their mother Georgia helps out behind the scenes.

Eureka Tower

Contains the highest observation deck in the Southern Hemisphere on level 88, with panoramic views of the entirety of Melbourne. Only recommended in clear weather. Also offers an additional cost "Edge" experience whereby visitors are protruded outside of the building inside a glass-panelled cube.

10AM-10PM · $18.50 adult, $14 concession, $10 child (4-16yrs) and various family tickets. Discounted price for additional same-day visit at nighttime

Melbourne Zoo

One of Melbourne's most popular attractions. It is the oldest zoo in Australia and third-oldest in the world, having opened in 1861 from the proceeds of the Gold Rush. There are over 320 species of native Australian and exotic animals, birds and butterflies. The enclosures are spacious and engaging for the animals, as well as visitors. Particularly good are the lion exhibit, trail of the elephants, butterfly house, aviary and seal enclosure. Feeding and entertainment shows also run regularly throughout the day, but find out the time and plan in advance.

9AM-5PM daily · $30 adult, $13.20 children (4-15yrs; free on weekends/holidays), number of concession and family discounts available

Queens Park

A place to spend a relaxing day. There's a rose garden, a sunken garden, a lake, a cafe, and a 50-m pool open from November to March ($5.70 pool entry). Monuments include a cenotaph remembering Australia's dead in World War One, and a cairn marking the spot where the doomed Burke and Wills expedition camped on its first night heading out of Melbourne in 1860. There's a children's playground and an island rotunda, and if you follow the website link there's a brochure for a free self-guided local heritage walk starting and ending at the park.

Royal Arcade

Built in 1870, it is a historic shopping arcade that runs between Little Collins St, the Bourke Street Mall and Elizabeth St. The carved statues standing guard next to the iconic clock are worth a look, along with the numerous small shops.

Mon-Sat 9AM-5:30PM, Sun 10AM-5PM

St Kilda Botanical Gardens

St Kilda's own botanical gardens were established in the 1800s and are an oasis of tranquility amongst the area's bustling surrounds. A short five minute walk down a side street from St Kilda's main hub, its features include a large conservatory, glasshouses, a gazebo, playground, a giant chess board and an ornamental lake. Detailed information about the plants and wildlife are available on the council's website.

Gardens: sunrise–sunset, conservatory: Mon–Fri 10:30AM–3:30PM, Sat Sun sunrise–sunset

Melbourne Aquarium

Home to over 10,000 aquatic creatures, there are four distinct areas of the aquarium dedicated to Antarctica, seahorses, the rainforest and the ocean, the latter of which includes a glass walk-through experience. Shark diving and animal feeding available.

Daily 9:30AM-6PM, last admission at 5PM · $35 adult, $21.50 child (4-15 yr), $29 concession, $92 family (2 adult+2 children); discounts online

Queens Park

A place to spend a relaxing day. There's a rose garden, a sunken garden, a lake, a cafe, and a 50-m pool open from November to March ($5.70 pool entry). Monuments include a cenotaph remembering Australia's dead in World War One, and a cairn marking the spot where the doomed Burke and Wills expedition camped on its first night heading out of Melbourne in 1860. There's a children's playground and an island rotunda, and if you follow the website link there's a brochure for a free self-guided local heritage walk starting and ending at the park.

Loreto John York Park

If you've grabbed some cheap takeaway food and want to watch the trams sail by, or maybe if you have some children who need to let off some steam, this small park might be the perfect place. Named after the first Maltese-Australian to serve as Mayor of any Australian city, this park has a playground and an accessible water fountain.

Free

Collingwood Children's Farm

Perched on the banks of the Yarra River, the attraction's aim is to provide a traditional country farm experience for city-dwellers. A perennial favourite with kids, the farm allows visitors to unwind in the peaceful setting whilst interacting with a variety of farm animals. Cow milking is held daily at 10AM and 4PM, and visitors can also cuddle animals such as guinea pigs, lambs and goats. A café is on-site, and a lively farmer's market is held on the second Saturday morning of each month.

9:15AM-4:30PM · $10 adults, $5 children/concessions, $20 families (2A+4C) · Free entry

Australian National Aviation Museum

The Australian National Aviation Museum houses a substantial collection of over 50 civil and military aircraft, including several rare and locally significant types. Its exhibits chart the evolution of aviation in Australia from early pioneering designs through to the jet age, with many aircraft undergoing active restoration. Largely volunteer-run, the museum offers an informative and accessible insight into the country’s aviation heritage.

Mon-Fri 10AM-4PM, Sat Sun 10AM-5PM, closed Good Fri, Christmas Day and Boxing Day · Adult $10, child $5, family $20, concession $7

H&M

Melbourne GPO

Famous Swedish retailer's first store in Australia, housed in the historic General Post Office building. Sells a variety of cheap, quality womens, mens and kids clothing, along with a variety of home furnishings.

Sat-Wed 9AM-7PM, Thu Fri 9AM-9PM

Heide Museum of Modern Art

Set on the Yarra River floodplains, Heide is internationally acclaimed for its collections of modern and contemporary art. Featuring three galleries and an outdoor sculpture garden, the museum is also renowned for its connection to iconic Australian artists such as Sidney Nolan.

Tue-Sun 10AM-5PM · $16 adults, $14 seniors, $12 concessions, children (<12) and sculpture park entry free

Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park

Eco-tourism zoo with rare and endangered Australia animals such as koala, kangaroo, wallaby, dingo, Tasmanian devil, wombat and birds. Koala petting is available at additional cost.

10AM-5PM (Night tours are available and must be booked in advance) · Adults $26; Child $13; Seniors and students $23

Werribee Mansion

An Italianate mansion from the 1870s, built by famous Scottish landlords Thomas and Andrew Chirnside. The building and its 60 rooms have been restored, and an audio tour is available. A café is available nearby. Paid tours depart Su-F at 11:30AM.

Nov-Apr: daily 10AM-5:30PM; May-Oct: Mon-Fri 10AM-4PM, Sat Sun 10AM-5PM · Adult: $7, student/concession/child: $5, family (two adults and two children): $22

Werribee Open Range Zoo

An open range park with animals from the grasslands of Africa, Asia, North America and Australia.

Daily (including Christmas Day and all public holidays) 9AM-5PM, entry closes at 3:30PM. Sat Sun during Jan-Feb open till 9PM. Safari bus tours (50 minute) begin 10:30AM-3:40PM (Jan Feb: Sat Sun until 7:40PM) · $24.80 adult, $12.40 4-15 years

Barefoot Bowls

It’s a fun night for families and a sausage sizzle is included.

Every Fri evening at 6PM (weather permitting) until dusk, during daylight savings · $8.00 per adult and $2.00 for children

Harley & Rose

WeFo's finest wood-fired pizza place. Unpretentious and delicious, good for families. Dining out front, inside and in courtyard.

Jells Park

Featuring well-maintained paths and lovely picnic spots overlooking a lake, Jells Park is a popular destination for families and nature lovers alike.

Werribee Park

A 10-acre park that used to be pastoral farmland. Includes fruit orchards, flower gardens, sculptures and wide open spaces. Contains many attractions, including Werribee Mansion and Zoo.

Free

Westfield Knox

A popular shopping complex in the eastern suburbs, Westfield Knox is home to a wide selection of stores covering fashion, homewares, electronics, and more. The centre’s entertainment precinct includes a state-of-the-art cinema and an indoor play area for children, making it ideal for a full day of family shopping and leisure.

Whitehorse Lunar New Year Festival

Box Hill Chinese New Year Festival

Celebrate Melbourne’s multicultural spirit at this vibrant festival, one of the largest Chinese New Year events in the state. The festivities feature dragon and lion dances, traditional music, fireworks, and delicious street food. It’s an exciting way to experience Chinese culture, with activities and performances for the whole family. Free entry.