Australia’s second-most populous has a lot to offer for tourists, as well as families. Since Melbourne is diverse, both young and old can find common activities they can enjoy out in the open, as well as indoors.
You can take your family to a wide variety of venues but here are the top 9 activities in Melbourne for the whole family to enjoy.
Cruising down the Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is one of the top privileges of living near Australia’s East Coast. Among the world’s most scenic coastlines, the 243-kilometer stretch of Australia’s southeastern oceanfront is packed with sights and sounds.
When you and your family get inside a car, a three-hour drive from Melbourne are Twelve Apostles. The limestone formation resembles towers from a fantasy movie. If you have teenage kids, they would most definitely want to snap a selfie here.
Visiting the Melbourne Zoo
Speaking of children, they would find the 320 animal species in the Melbourne Zoo rather interesting. The zoo, situated 4 kilometres north of the city’s center, welcomes visitors since 1862.
The Melbourne Zoo and its 5,000 or so animals are located in Royal Park, so you don’t need a passenger car.
There are regular tram and railways lines, making the zoo accessible for families with small children. The 22 hectares are populated with species children will adore. From orangutans to kings of the jungle, i.e., lions, all members of the family will have fun visiting the Melbourne Zoo.
Southgate is ideal for taking a walk
Flowing through the Southgate District, the Yarra River, or more precisely, its banks, are ideal for taking a family stroll. The long walkway along the river takes folks on a tour of Melbourne’s most popular sights, ideal for out-of-town families.
If the kids (or parents, why not) get hungry, they can find an empty table in one of the numerous restaurants and bars that dot the waterfront. The dishes and drinks offered are both Australian and international, since the district is a tourist hotspot. The perfect time of day for a family walk is in the early evening.
Climbing up the Eureka Tower
Children love it when they can see the entire city from one place and it’s safe to say that adults like the same views as well. Climb the 298 meters-tall Eureka Tower should be a must! Of course, you won’t take the stairs but one of the spacious elevators. The site is ideal for a proposal or romantic gesture, as every flower delivery in Melbourne will definitely be familiar with the address.
Situated in the Southbank precinct, the famous skyscraper has a sky deck that opened in 2006. The tower is actually a large residential structure (the third-tallest in Melbourne), so there is no need point complaining about the high admission fee.
A fun day at the Melbourne Aquarium
If you’re looking or a day trip, check out the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium. The aquarium features over 10,000 animals which come from more than 550 species, predominantly originating in the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic.
For 21 years now, whole families get to see endangered species: grey nurse sharks, sea turtles, seahorses, bamboo sharks, and sea-dragons. There are four levels in the aquarium building, meaning that family members can go their separate ways, without jeopardizing their security.
A market that is fun for children to visit
You know how grandparents like to take their grandchildren to the market with them? Well, Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market opened in 1878 and it is perfect for a fun outing with the whole family. Today, the market is a famous landmark inside the central business district.
Vic market, as it was nicknamed by the locals, is among the largest open-air markets in Oceania, spanning the surface of more than seven hectares. Apart from interesting foods and spices, you can meet folks from across the world here, as the Old Vic is part of every sightseeing tour of Melbourne.
Tram sightseeing
Speaking of tourists, Sydney might get more tourists than Melbourne, but Victoria’s capital has a special allure: trams. The city’s tram network might be old but it’s still running and it’s ideal for sightseers to hop on.
The most popular line is numbered 69 and it runs from the city’s north down to the south. If you decide to ride it with your family, you’ll get to see the Melbourne Museum and Luna Park, as well as other sights of Melbourne.
In winter, head to Mount Buller
In wintertime, the best place to be in Victoria is Mount Buller. Considered the most accessible ski resort in the country, you can reach it after a 3-hour drive from Melbourne. The whole family will enjoy the delight of winter and learn to ski or snowboard.
The views from most slopes are spectacular, so take your time coming down the mountain. As an extra perk, there are ski lessons for the kids and a ski lift for people with limited mobility. Of course, the climate up on Mount Buller is colder than in Melbourne, so be sure to pack warm, wine clothes.
Visiting all the museums
We’ve mentioned earlier that there are museums in the city but what exactly can you see in them? For instance, children will love the indigenous Aboriginal artifacts found in the Bunjilanka Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
Inside the Museum, there’s a giant cinema that is showing Hollywood blockbusters and 3D documentaries, ideal for parents who want to wander through the halls without their kids who are too young to appreciate art.
Furthermore, the Scienceworks museum offers numerous scientific exhibitions that are accompanied by demonstrations intended for the youngest visitors. There is an oversized Tesla Coin in the Lightning Room that explains the concept of electricity to laymen. Finally, there’s the Planetarium with a simulated projection of the night sky.
Conclusion
Enjoying Melbourne on one’s own isn’t as fun as enjoying the sights with your family. From simple riverside walks to visiting the city’s museums, there are plenty of venues in Victoria’s capital that are family-friendly.