Melbourne with Kids
A zoo home to more than 250 species since 1862, life-sized animatronic dinosaurs roaming the grounds on rotation, and a science centre with a planetarium and giant steam engines, the version of Melbourne built for families.
Melbourne works well with kids in tow, several of its best sights are properly hands-on or dramatic by design, and the flat, tram-friendly streets make moving between them easy. Here’s how I’d spend a family day here.
Melbourne Zoo
A properly immersive zoo, home to more than 250 species since 1862, lions, orang-utans, giraffes and platypus among the highlights. Properly popular for a full day out, kids under 16 get free entry on weekends, school holidays and public holidays.
Scienceworks
A properly interactive science museum, its planetarium and giant steam engines sit alongside hands-on exhibits for kids of all ages. A genuine indoor option if the weather turns, worth a couple of hours, a short trip from the CBD.
Riding the trams
A properly fun activity for kids in its own right, Melbourne’s flat streets and extensive tram network make getting around part of the entertainment. The free City Circle tram loops past most major sights too, a good, easy way to see the CBD.
ACMI at Federation Square
A properly engaging stop for kids, this museum of screen culture inside Federation Square offers year-round exhibitions on film, television and digital media. A genuine indoor option, worth an hour or two between sights.
Fitzroy Gardens
A proper free spot for kids, this park has open lawns and the historic Cook’s Cottage to explore. Free, unhurried, and an easy way to burn off energy between the bigger sights.
Where to eat with kids
A meat pie is genuinely an easy, reliable win with kids, widely available at nearly every corner. A Queen Victoria Market stall works well for families too, casual and quick between sights.
A few practical notes
Central Melbourne is genuinely stroller-friendly, flat streets and an extensive tram network throughout. Pack proper layers, the city’s famous four-seasons-in-a-day weather can catch families off guard even in summer.
That’s everything I’ve got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government’s latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
