Playing on Brighton Beach
It’s been just over a year since we moved to Melbourne with our young kids. What have I discovered? Simply that Melbourne is a fan-freakin-tastic place to explore with kids. With two little boys, and a baby girl in tow we’ve dedicated ourselves to exploring Melbourne’s north, south east and west and found treasures of fun in all directions. Today’s post – ten of our favourite places to visit in Melbourne with kids. I’ve tried to focus on some of the lesser known gems for those that live here as well as those that visit.
Melbourne’s Bayside Beaches
Add a pinch of gorgeous sunny weather and a dash of beach time and this Mamma couldn’t be happier. Melbourne’s bayside beaches were a revelation to me this year as, after leaving tropical Queensland I had thought our local beach play was behind us. Not so it turns out. Yes the water is chillier but when do young kids care much about water temperature?
Inflatable World
Alas the sun does not always shine on Melbourne. Thankfully a new concept in indoor playgrounds arrived on our shores recently. In multiple locations around Melbourne Inflatable Worlds have sprung letting kids and adults frolic together “It’s a Knockout” style. You can read more about our own experience of Inflatable World here
My son – more frog than human at Inflatable World in Doncaster
The National Gallery of Victoria
The National Gallery of Victoria, in Melbourne’s CBD is a world class gallery that is pulling all stops to attract young visitors. Their program of family friendly exhibitions is second to none. The NGV receives an extra mega tick of approval from me as entry is free. Their exhibitions change regularly but there is always something great for kids. Oh, their outdoors sculpture garden is a permanent fixture and is very kid friendly too.
NGV Sculpture Garden
Werribee Open Range Zoo
Yes we are fans of the Melbourne Zoo but we are recent converts to the Werribee Open Range Zoo. The reason – well, there are many but they have weekday open range safaris dedicated to families for under fives. There is an amazing water splash area, Hippo Beach, and a gorgeous interactive playspace “Ranger Kids”. Plus there are plenty of gorgeous animals.
Werribee Open Range Zoo
Clip and Climb
Another great wet day option is Clip and Climb in Melbourne’s inner eastern suburb, Richmond. Clip and Climb’s own website describes it as climbing wall meets theme park. It is a fair description. Climbers of all ages are challenged to climb multicoloured,feature walls using a clip in system that removes the need for an anchor person below. The climbs are of varying difficulty and even my four year old enjoyed himself.
Bub 6 at Clip and Climb in Richmond
William Rickett’s Sanctuary
This sublime sculpture park in the Dandenong Ranges, William Rickett’s Sanctuary combines art and nature. Entry is free to the park where visitors roam among Aboriginal and environmental themed sculptures located among fern forest. Beautiful, thought provoking and unusual in one.
William Ricketts Sanctuary
The Melbourne Museum
Located in Carlton the Melbourne Museum is a place that we could visit every week. A natural history museum the exhibits are interactive and engaging for both children and adults. The compulsory dinosaurs are there, in the Dinosaur walk – and they are impressive. The Melbourne Museum runs fantastic school holiday programs including evening events – this school holidays there are two Deep Ocean Family nights and spider themed activities during the day.
The Dinosaur Walk at the Melbourne Museum
The Sculpture Garden at Heide Museum of Modern Art
This free sculpture garden in Melbourne’s eastern suburb of Bulleen is a divine place for a picnic on a sunny day. Large sculptures, including some whimsical ones are scattered throughout beautiful beautiful parklands. There is plenty of space for boisterous kids to run around at the Heide Museum of Modern Art’s gardens. Onsite is a cafe which serves some fancy nosh including perhaps the most impressively posh kid’s boxed lunches ever.
Heide Museum of Modern Art
Watermarc
If Watermarc had existed when I was a kid I would have been begging my parents to visit every day. In the north-eastern suburb of Greensborough, and on the train line, Watermarc is an indoor aquatic centre. It has two substantial watersides and a large indoor splash play area that incorporates smaller watersides and a large tipping bucket. There is a toddler pool. During school holidays they bring out an inflatable water obstacle course and splash in movies.
The splash play area at Watermarc
The Australian Shark and Ray Centre
Perhaps Melbourne’s most surprising attraction for families is the Australian Shark and Ray Centre in Dandenong. We recently checked out this amazing place where the entire family is allowed into pools to feed and pat sharks and stingrays. The Australian Shark and Ray Centre offers families a once in a lifetime opportunity to engage with some magnificent creatures.
The Australian Shark and Ray Centre
Have I missed your favourite place to visit with kids in Melbourne? Please add it as a comment so others can visit too.
Bubs on the Move provides tips and advice for parents traveling with small children including attraction and accommodation reviews. I’d love for ya’ll to join us on our adventures by either signing up for the newsletter, joining us on Facebook, Twitter,Pinterest and Instagram to receive updates.
From all of these i love to travel “The Melbourne Museum”. Me too become a kid while travel in these places with my kids. Awesome places.