Melbourne Archives - Adventure, baby!

Melbourne

Met Art World – Metal Art Gallery In Melbourne Australia

November 8, 2023 / Melbourne, Travel, Victoria / 0 comment

Met Art World – Metal Art Gallery In Melbourne Australia

Met Art World is the biggest metal art gallery in Australia showcasing unique artworks, interactive installations and creative workshops for all ages.

Met Art World, located in Port Melbourne, Victoria, is a unique art gallery with stunning metal art statues handmade from scrap metal and recycled materials. The statues are interactive (feel free to touch, hold, sit, drive them and take pictures!) and represent many favourite characters from themes including anime, movies, animals, the military, cars, motorcycles, and princesses.

The second floor is home to an incredible starry night exhibition that uses advanced technology throughout the 12 exhibitions which include a 360° immersive experience tunnel, and a bright 5D starry sky.

Met Art World also hosts over 30 artmaking courses including various handicrafts from button painting to paper 3D puzzles, plus drawing, painting, installation, collage, and sewing, all included with the price of entry

There are also over 60 DIY workshops for all ages for an additional fee including the Turkish mosaic series, whipped cream decoration series, plaster doll painting series, sculpture painting collection, fluid bear pouring DIY, miniature box theatre, jewellery beading, shell painting, embroidery, and etc.

Met Art World – Metal Art Gallery
155 Boundary St,
Port Melbourne VIC 3207
metartworld.com.au

Find more things to do in Melbourne with and without kids here.

The Langham, Melbourne: Hotel Review

October 18, 2022 / Australia, Melbourne, Travel, Victoria / 0 comment

The Langham, Melbourne: Hotel Review

The Langham, Melbourne is a five star hotel located on the banks of the Yarra River. It’s ideally located within walking distance of many of the city’s top attractions, and has many amenities that make a stay here a stand-out.

The rooms at The Langham, Melbourne, come with either one king or two twin beds. Families can request a rollaway bed for an additional nightly fee. Warning – the bed is pretty hard!

We love the comfortable king bed at The Langham, and the general decor and ambiance of the hotel. Some points for improvement however would be built-in charging stations or additional wall sockets for device chargers closer to the beds.

Room amenities:

Refrigerated private bar
MP3 dock to play music in room and bathroom
Wardrobes, iron, and ironing board
Media hub to connect your laptop with the TV
Tea and coffee making facilities
42-inch LCD TV with Digital IPTV system
Langham Blissful Bed
Soft Langham bathrobes, slippers, and toiletries
Large marble bathroom, with separate shower and bath
Complimentary nightly turn down service including The Langham bottled water
Free WiFi

The Langham, Melbourne features Melba Restaurant, home to an award-winning buffet (open 6:30am – 11pm, daily) and Aria Bar & Lounge (10am – 11pm, daily), which is where their famed high tea service takes place.

You can read about our high tea experience at The Langham Melbourne, here.

Daily buffet breakfast takes place in the Melba Restaurant, and is a highlight for our family of our stay. The buffet includes cooking stations and a chocolate fountain.

A stay at the Langham, Melbourne, wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Chuan Spa (6am – 9pm, Monday to Friday; treatments available by appointment only at various hours). We enjoyed a delightful massage during our stay.

The Langham, Melbourne, also has a fitness studio with cardio machines (open 24/7) and a 15-metre long indoor swimming pool (6am – 9pm, Monday to Friday, 8am – 9pm, Saturday and Sunday, 8am – 9pm, Public Holidays).

THE LANGHAM, MELBOURNE
1 Southgate Avenue, Southbank, Melbourne, Victoria 3006, Australia
T:61 (3) 8696 8888
E:tlmel.info@langhamhotels.com
langhamhotels.com

Find more things to do in Melbourne here.

Tips for visiting the Heide Museum of Modern Art Melbourne

February 3, 2020 / Australia, Melbourne, Travel, Victoria / 0 comment

Tips for visiting the Heide Museum of Modern Art Melbourne

History of the Heide Museum of Modern Art Melbourne

The Heide Museum of Modern Art is an art museum in Bulleen, around 30 minutes drive from the Melbourne CBD, Victoria, Australia. The museum was established in 1981, and is home to a collection of houses modern and contemporary art in three exhibition buildings. Set within sixteen acres of heritage-listed gardens and a sculpture park, the Heide is the perfect Melbourne day trip offering an experience that includes art, architecture and nature.

After purchasing the property in 1934, owners John and Sunday Reed opened their home to artists including Sidney Nolan, Albert Tucker, Joy Hester, John Perceval and Danila Vassilieff. The Reeds established the Museum of Modern Art of Australia in 1958, which became a public art museum in 1981.

Visiting the Heide Museum of Modern Art Melbourne

While entry to the grounds, sculpture parks and gardens is free, there is an entrance fee to visit inside the galleries. The best option is to purchase a museum pass which is valid for an entire day and allows multiple entries and exists from the galleries, allowing visitors to explore the galleries, park and cafe in their own time. Museum entry is free for children under 16.

Heide Gardens

The beautiful gardens at the Heide offer a free space for the public to enjoy the sculptures and several of the original gardens, which are now heritage-listed.

Wandering through the kitchen gardens will lead to discoveries of birds such as rainbow lorikeets, various flowering plants and trees overflowing with fruits.

The gardens are a beautiful place to picnic, so pack a blanket and food for the day and set up under one of the many beautiful big trees.

Connie Kimberly Sculpture Park and Tony and Cathie Hancy Sculpture Plaza

More than 35 permanent sculptures have been placed around the 16-acre property, with a focus on Australian artists and a selective group of international works.

Pick up a map at the entrance or take a look at the informational boards set up in various spots to locate the sculptures.

Heide Market

On the 2nd Saturday of every month, the Heide Museum of Modern Art and The Rose St. Artists’ Market collaborate on a beautiful collection of stalls that offer visitors the chance to purchase skilfully created handmade goods. Jewellery, clothing, baked goods, and more are on offer.

Visiting the Heide Museum of Modern Art Melbourne with Kids

The Heide Museum of Modern Art is the perfect family outing. Entry to the galleries is free for children under 16, and there is a range of activities to keep kids engaged while visiting.

Pick up a Heide Detective sheet from the Heide III information desk, at the main entrance to the museum. Follow the clues around the gallery and sculpture park to solve the puzzle.

The Heide also offers facilities including a cloakroom and baby changing.

While the onsite Café Heide offers kids meals and treats, visitors can also bring a picnic and let the kids run wild around the sculpture park.

There are plenty of great trees to climb, too!

Locals can get involved with family-focussed programs such as Heide Art Kinder or Art Babies. The Heide also offers creative programs during the school holidays.

Be sure to take kids on a stroll through the kitchen garden so they can see where there fruit and vege come from!

Café Heide

We dined at the onsite Café Heide, which is located at the main entrance.

The cafe serves simple, fresh food, using fresh produce from the Heide kitchen garden.

There are plenty of options for kids as well as options for dietary requirements. Our group ordered the Asparagus and Broccoli Risotto, $24, Kids’ Pasta & Tomato Sauce, $15, Kids’ Calamari, $15, Wagyu Burger, $25.

There are also plenty of baked treats to choose from. The scones looked amazing.

Getting to the Heide

Get info on getting to the Heide by car and public transport here.

For more things to do in Melbourne with kids.

Find the best places to stop on a Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive.

Find the best places to stop on a Sydney to Melbourne inland drive.

Treat yourself to the Langham High Tea Melbourne.

Get tips for visiting the Rain Room Melbourne.

Heide Museum of Modern Art
7 Templestowe Rd, Bulleen VIC
Hours: Tue-Sun and public holidays, 10am-5pm
Heide Cafe Opening hours: Tue-Fri: 9-4.30pm, Sat & Sun: 9am-5pm
https://www.heide.com.au/

Tips for Visiting SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

January 20, 2020 / Australia, Melbourne, Travel, Victoria / 0 comment

Meet over 10,000 animals at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium. The aquarium is located in central Melbourne, Australia, on the banks of the Yarra River.

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is home to some of the the world’s most incredible animals. Visitors can get up close to penguins, sharks, sawfish, stingrays, seahorses, tropical fish and more!

Tips for visiting SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

Book your tickets online

Save between 5% and 15% when you book your ticket online in advance, and even more if you bundle your ticket with another Merlin Entertainment attraction such as the LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Melbourne. You have 90 days to visit the second attraction once you redeem your aquarium ticket, so it’s a great deal.

Follow the map

It might sound obvious, but pick up the map at the entrance and follow the trail. It’s the most comprehensive way to see everything. The aquarium is over several floors, so it’s easiest to go around the exhibits in an orderly fashion.

Make the most of the photo ops

Aquariums are generally a bit tricky to take pics of your kids inside as the lighting can be quite dark. the aquarium has several really cure photo ops with decent lighting around the aquarium so you can come home with a few decent family shots.

Take a food break early

We pretty much arrived and needed a snack break to fuel us for our visit. The cafe is centrally located and has a huge fish tank in the centre, with plenty of tables around the edges and restrooms.

You can buy reasonably priced meals such as pizzas or nuggets and chips, or bring your own feed and eat it at the tables. We also used this time to make sure everyone had used the bathroom before heading deeper into the aquarium.

Mix it up

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium does a great job at mixing sea life exhibits with interactive zones, which are a great way to entertain kids. If you’re not short on time, I suggest letting kids enjoy the interactive areas and taking a break.

The brand new Interactive Wonder Wall is a fantastic spot for playing. It’s an all-new immersive, digital installation inspired by underwater movement.

Learn lots

My mini explorer is wild about sea life, so a trip to the aquarium for us is a learning experience. The best way to do this is by speaking with the staff around the aquarium. They are so happy to share their knowledge.

There are plenty of feedings and talks on throughout the day to attend, too. Check out the timetable to see what’s on when you visit.

Meet the jellies

The brand new Ocean Invaders section of the aquarium is excellent. There are three interactive zones to explore, filled with creatures such as upside down jellies, blue blubbers and sea nettles.

We loved seeing teeny tiny jellyfish babies in the lab.

Meet the animals up close

For a special occasion, check out these thrilling experiences – such as getting face-to-face with sharks or penguins!

Head back to the Ice Age

Enjoy a 4D cinema experience with Ice Age: No Time For Nuts, included in the general admission fee.

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
King St, Melbourne VIC
1800 026 576
https://www.melbourneaquarium.com.au/

Find more things to do in Melbourne with kids.

Enjoy a Langham High Tea Melbourne.

We were hosted by SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium. All opinions are my own.

Rain Room Melbourne: Tips For Visiting

January 15, 2020 / Australia, Melbourne, Travel, Victoria / 0 comment

Rain Room Melbourne at the Jackalope Pavillion

Information about the Rain Room

The immersive artwork Rain Room has found a permanent home in Australia at the Jackalope Pavillion in Melbourne. Making its Southern Hemisphere debut in August 2019, the Rain Room Melbourne has captivated over half a million visitors worldwide – with no signs of slowing down.

The Rain Room is a 100-square metre field of continuous rainfall housed inside a purpose-built pavilion in St Kilda. The Rain Room Melbourne is a responsive environment, meaning as you walk through the room, the rain response to your movement, and ceases to fall.

The clever technology behind the Rain Room has created a completely immersive experience whereby the visitor is able to walk though the rain – and not get wet.

The pavilion is located on the rooftop of a building – follow the signs to the elevator and take it to the top. The building and elevator are both well signed.

On the rooftop, umbrellas are set up for small amounts of shade, and there is a ping pong table for entertaining those who need it while they wait for their session.

Restrooms are temporary facilities on top of the roof, accessible by a ramp. There are no restrooms inside the Rain Room.

Bags and strollers are not permitted inside the Rain Room. Bags can be checked into free lockers just outside the entrance.

Expect to be mustered around five minutes before your booking time and to enter right on time.

Inside the Rain Room

We booked our tickets in the first session of the morning, at 10am. The session was fully booked, however some ticket holders didn’t show up, which meant our session wasn’t technically full. We had approximately 10-15 people in our session.

While the pavilion is large, with a group of people inside it, it feels quite small, as the rain responds to all the people in it – meaning if there are lots of people in the rain, more rain will be turned off, and less will be falling.

The staff let us know that in fully booked sessions the group is often split into two smaller groups, to allow each group to fully enjoy the Rain Room.

Since our group was not full, we entered as one group, with the suggestion that we didn’t spend all of our time actually in the rain but divided our time between being in it and standing on the wall in the dry area so that there as more rain falling for those in the rain.

Each session runs for 30 minutes, which includes time that is spent waiting inside the entrance for any ticket holders who are late. We probably spent around 20 minutes actually in the Rain Room Melbourne.

Getting wet – or staying dry

While the premise of the Rain Room is that visitors can walk through the rain without getting wet, the reality is that you can expect to get wet, no matter how hard you try to stay dry. We were instructed to walk slowly and not to walk near other people as moving quickly and groups of people confuse the technology and make it more likely that you will get wet.

We found that no matter how slowly we walked, we still got wet. If this is something that bothers you, take a change of clothes and shoes to change into afterwards.

Photography inside the Rain Room

Photography in the Rain Room is tricky. The room is extremely dark except for the one bright light shining from the back wall, and there are a lot of people also in the rain. I took many, many bad photos that were out of focus or filled with other people to get just a few that I considered great.

My best photos were taken at the end of the session after everyone else had left and we were the last people to leave the room.

The Rain Room Melbourne offers school holiday kids sessions, designed for families with kids aged 12 and under to experience the Rain Room in an interactive and fun format. We did not do one of these sessions however, and our session was full of kids, so it’s fine to do either session. If you want to do a kid-friendly session during the school holidays, look for times marked ‘KIDS SESSION’ in the session times. Kids under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

The Rain Room is a flat, even surface, with good sized doors and no steps or bumps, for those interested in a accessibility. The grates on the floor are very small and would accommodate a wheelchair.

I highly recommend booking tickets at least a week in advance.

Rain Room Melbourne at the Jackalope Pavillion
Corner Jackson and, Acland St, St Kilda VIC
https://www.jackalopehotels.com/art/rainroom
https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=RAINROOM19

Find more things to do in Melbourne with kids.

Enjoy an elegant afternoon with the Langham High Tea Melbourne.

The Langham High Tea Melbourne

January 8, 2020 / Australia, Melbourne, Travel, Victoria / 0 comment

Enjoy an elegant afternoon tea experience with The Langham High Tea Melbourne. The Langham and Wedgwood have collaborated to present a special experience, “The Langham Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood”.

Wedgwood specialty teas are served up in tailor-made “Langham Rose” Wedgwood tea ware, alongside a with special menu created by the hotel’s pastry chefs.

Boutique Morsels

Gin & Kaffir lime cured Tasmanian salmon, crème fraiche, Rubicon River salmon pearls on blinis*
Queensland Yeppoon Spanner crab, Marie Rose sauce & cucumber, mini choux*
Yarra Valley Persian feta crostini with micro basil and confit tomato
Bendigo chicken and chive sandwich, Birch & Waite mayonnaise*

I received a mix of vegetarian sandwiches instead.

Savoury

Summer truffle and King Brown mushroom, gruyere bechamel crepe roulade
Quiche Florentine, pencil leek fondue

Sweet

Saffron panacotta with spiced figs, apricots and long pepper
Victorian summer berries tart
Lemon and kalamansi meringue tart
Blackcurrant cremoux chocolate tulip
Glenmorangie Nectar d’Or whisky chocolate torte with wild morello cherries
Jasmine tea and blueberry dome

Scones

Raisin scone and plain scone

Served with rose preserve, Yarra Valley pure cream and lemon curd

Espresso coffee, tea and hot chocolate

A delicious and generous high tea. The scones were serves fluffy and fresh, and I enjoyed the wide variety of savoury items. My vegetarian substitutes were delicious!

As always, The Langham staff prove themselves to be efficient and elegant, providing a five-star experience that I always expect from The Langham hotels across Australia.

Prices
Served with a glass of sparkling wine, Wedgwood tea, Langham Blend tea or espresso coffee
$75 per person

Twilight tea bookings may enjoy either a glass of sparkling wine or a Wedgwood tea infused cocktail served with free flowing sparkling wine
$88 per person*

Served with a glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne
$95 per person

Available Monday to Friday

Valid from 28th December 2019 and onwards
10:30am until 8:00pm

*Served for a period of 2 hours. Free flowing sparkling wine is only available if all guests are partaking.

+$5 public holidays. Excludes special events. Prices, times and menus subject to change without notice.

The Langham, Melbourne
1 Southgate Ave, Melbourne
1800 641 107
Online
Book your high tea online
Get directions.

Find more things to do in Melbourne with kids.

We were hosted for this high tea. All opinions are my own.

Peppa Pig High Tea at the Langham, Melbourne

January 8, 2020 / Australia, Melbourne, Travel, Victoria / 0 comment

Swap muddy puddles for finger sandwiches at this delicious Peppa Pig-themed high tea at The Langham, Melbourne these school holidays.

Weekdays from Friday December 27, 2019, until Friday January 24, 2020, The Langham, Melbourne is offering the most delectable Peppa Pig-themed high tea for little piggies and grownups.

My little piggy was a huge Peppa Pig fan when she was a wee thing, so was absolutely delighted for the opportunity to enjoy this darling pink high tea, filled with all tasty things that I’m sure Peppa herself would have approved of.

Peppa Pig High Tea Menu

Savoury buffet with hot chips, chicken nuggets, carrot and cucumber slices and dips.

Sweet buffet table with cupcakes, mini MnMs, strawberries, chocolate fountain and scones.

Three-tier cake stand that includes:

Peppa’s shortbread cookie
Muddy puddle dip cup
Strawberry and marshmallow fruit skewer

Fairy bread
Cheese and vegemite brioche

Chive and Parmesan Quiche
Honey and soy chicken skewer*

Cordial

Hot chocolate

Our vegetarian stand included a mushroom crepe instead.

Little Piggies will also be given a plush toy, colouring activity and Peppa Pig ears.

There is also a little play area with Peppa Pig toys that was a smashing hit with the kids, and also encouraged social interaction. How lovely to make new friends at a high tea!

Parents and grandparents can enjoy the hotel’s signature Wedgwood high tea for $69.00 per person, including a glass of sparkling wine, coffee or tea.

Read more about the Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood here.

The Peppa Pig High Tea is available at 10am until 11.30am and at 12.30pm until 2pm and costs $69.00 per child.

Bookings may be made via melbarestaurant.com.au (here) by contacting 1800 641 107 or by email to rest.res@langhamhotels.com.

The Langham, Melbourne
1 Southgate Ave, Melbourne
(03) 8696 8888
Get directions.

Find more things to do in Melbourne with kids.

We were hosted for this oink-tacular experience. All opinions are my own.

30 Awesome Things To Do In Melbourne With Kids

March 7, 2018 / Australia, Melbourne, Travel, Victoria / 0 comment

Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria, is also the Australian capital city of all things art and culture. We can never get enough of it’s alleys and street art, lush gardens, delicious cafes and animal encounters. There are so many things to do in Melbourne with kids!

Things to do in Melbourne with kids

Old Melbourne Gaol

Old Melbourne Gaol was built in the mid-1800s, as a place for Melbourne to put its dangerous criminals, petty offenders, homeless and mentally ill.

It’s a stark and confronting place, especially when faced with the gallows that are still hanging inside – between 1842 and 1929, 133 people were hung inside these walls, including Australia’s infamous bushranger, Ned Kelly.

The gaol itself is quite small and tours are self-guided. We did a family activity while we were there that took us all around the goal, in and out of cells, to solve clues and “escape” the goal. The activity was an excellent way to engage kids in history and teach them a bit about what happened here – without freaking them out too much. The Old Melbourne Gaol is popular on lists of Melbourne attractions for a good reason – it’s a great little spot that’s rich in history and experiences.

Get more info on visiting Old Melbourne Goal here.

Old Melbourne Gaol
377 Russell St, Melbourne
oldmelbournegaol.com.au

National Gallery of Victoria

Australia’s oldest and largest art museum is a must-see in Melbourne. The National Gallery of Victoria, popularly known as the NGV, was founded in 1861. As well as an incredible selection of European, Australian and Asian art, it also has dedicated kids’ space and garden with sculptures, plants, shade, tables and small climbing structure.

Get more info on visiting the NGV here.

National Gallery of Victoria
180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne
ngv.vic.gov.au

Royal Botanic Botanic Gardens Melbourne and Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria are split between two sites, Melbourne CBD and Cranbourne. Both are well worth a visit. The Melbourne garden features an Aboriginal Heritage Walk, Ornamental Lake, a wide variety of plants such as succulents, roses, herbs, camellias and perennials.

You will also find the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden here. This beautiful garden gives kids plenty of nooks and crannies to explore in a natural setting. Plant tunnels to crawl through, rocks to climb and a bamboo forest for hiding. The gardens are a must for any list of things to do in Melbourne with kids.

Get more info on visiting the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden here.

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Birdwood Ave, South Yarra
rbg.vic.gov.au/visit-melbourne

Royal Botanic Botanic Gardens Victoria (Cranbourne)

The Cranbourne gardens are a 45 minute drive from Melbourne’s DBD. The focus is on Australia’s landscape, featuring more than 170,000 native plants. The water display area is particularly popular with kids, and there is a small children’s garden. Keep your eyes open for wildlife – we saw a bandicoot!

Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne
Enter via cnr Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive, Cranbourne
rbg.vic.gov.au/visit-cranbourne

Melbourne Museum and Carlton Gardens

The Melbourne Museum is located in the heritage-listed Carlton Gardens, along with the majestic Royal Exhibition Building and IMAX Cinema. The gardens also contain a beautiful fountain, flowers, lakes and plenty of wildlife.

As the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere, the Melbourne Museum is an absolute must for any itinerary of things to do in Melbourne with kids!

Inside the museum you’ll find plenty to keep everyone in the family entertained, from Australian history buffs to dinosaur fans, and even the junior set, who will be hard to drag out of the children’s’ gallery and garden. Melbourne Museum kids are especially spoiled with these brand new sections that are especially designed to engage kids aged 0-5.

The Melbourne Museum runs lots of activities year-round, so it’s a good idea to check them out when looking for ideas on what to in in Melbourne with kids.

Get more info on visiting the Melbourne Museum here.

Melbourne Museum
11 Nicholson St, Carlton
museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/

State Library Victoria

Australia’s oldest public library, and one of the first free libraries in the world, the State Library of Victoria is a beautiful, quiet spot to visit in the hustle and bustle of the city.

Check out the chess boards and soaring domed ceiling in the La Trobe Reading Room, Ned Kelly’s armour and the dedicated kids’ reading and play areas. The library has just undergone a massive renovation.

State Library Victoria
328 Swanston St, Melbourne
slv.vic.gov.au

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

Take LEGO-lovers to Australia’s first LEGOLAND Discovery Centre. Billed as the “ultimate indoor LEGO playground”, it’s a great day of fun with 2 rides, 5 LEGO build and play zones plus a 4D cinema. If your kids love LEGO then this is an absolute must for things to do in Melbourne with kids.

Get more info on visiting the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre here.

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre
Chadstone Shopping Centre, 1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone
melbourne.legolanddiscoverycentre.com.au

Melbourne Zoo

Get up close to Australian wildlife such as koalas, kangaroos, wombats and emus at the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens, AKA Melbourne Zoo. The zoo is also home to tigers, monkeys, lemurs, Little Penguins and Australian Fur seals. The zoo often tops lists of kids attractions in Melbourne with its excellent facilities and well cared for animals.

Melbourne Zoo
Elliott Ave, Parkville
zoo.org.au/melbourne

Werribee Open Range Zoo

You’ll feel like you’re in Africa visiting Werribee Open Range Zoo, located in Werribee, about 32 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. This African-themed zoo houses gorillas, lions, monkeys, cheetahs, rhinos, giraffes, zebra and antelope on 225 hectares of wide, open savannah.

Werribee Open Range Zoo
K Rd, Werribee South VIC
zoo.org.au/werribee

Collingwood Children’s Farm

Milk cows, bottle feed lambs, feed farm animals and cuddle a guinea pig at the Collingwood Children’s Farm, a not-for-profit, inner city farm on the Yarra River in the Melbourne suburb of Abbotsford.

Collingwood Children’s Farm
18 St Heliers St, Abbotsford
farm.org.au

Healseville Animal Sanctuary

See Australian wildlife in their natural habitat at the Healesville Sanctuary, located in the Yarra Valley. Set across 70 acres of bushland, the sanctuary offers a unique opportunity to get up close to koalas, kangaroos, wombats, emus, dingoes, birds of prey and platypus. The interactive platypus show is not to be missed.

Healseville Animal Sanctuary
Badger Creek Rd, Healesville
zoo.org.au/healesville

Penguin Parade Phillip Island

A highlight of things to do in Melbourne with kids: taking the little ones to see the world’s smallest penguins as they return ashore at sunset after a day fishing. Each night the Little Penguins can be seen at the Phillip Island Penguin Parade, a two-hour drive from Melbourne.

Phillip Island
1019 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands
penguins.org.au

Federation Square

There’s always something happening at Federation Square, from art exhibitions to events and cultural attractions. Right in the centre of town, Federation Square is a great place to start when looking for kid-friendly Melbourne CBD attractions and activities. Check the website to see what’s on when you visit.

Federation Square
Swanston St & Flinders St, Melbourne
fedsquare.com

Australian Centre for Moving Image

Located in Federation Square, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) is the place to go if you’re into movies, TV and digital culture.

The ACMI has seasonal exhibitions, and permanent installations many of them extremely kid-friendly. The video game section, on the history of video games and arcade games, is a huge hit for kids.

Australian Centre for Moving Image
Federation Square, Flinders St, Melbourne
acmi.net.au

Eureka Skydeck 88

Peer down at the city from the 88th floor gold-plated observation deck of the highest viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere.

Eureka Skydeck 88
7 Riverside Quay, Southbank
eurekaskydeck.com.au

Fitzroy Gardens

Stroll through one of Melbourne’s most historic gardens, conveniently located in the CBD. Features in the garden include Captain Cook’s cottage, a dragon slide and giraffe swings, a dolphin fountain, fairy tree and miniature Tudor village.

Fitzroy Gardens
230-298 Wellington Parade
East Melbourne
fitzroygardens.com

Enchanted Adventure Garden at Arthurs Seat

Take a day trip from Melbourne to enjoy the Enchanted Adventure Garden at Arthurs Seat. Kids will love running through mazes, discovering art and themed gardens and hurtling down slides. Stop by the Amazing Lolly Shop for a giant lolly pop if you dare.

Enchanted Adventure Garden at Arthurs Seat
55 Purves Rd, Arthurs Seat
enchantedmaze.com.au

Puffing Billy Railway

This is one for the train-lovers! Hop on board an 100-year-old stream train and wind your way through the Dandenong Ranges National Park. The Puffing Billy Railway is located an hour east of Melbourne so plan on making a day trip out of it.

Get more info on Puffing Billy Railway here. Pic courtesy of Explorewitherin.com.

Puffing Billy Railway
1 Old Monbulk Rd, Belgrave
puffingbilly.com.au

Scienceworks

If your kids are into science (like mine!) then a trip out to Scienceworks is for you. This world-renowned science museum is a bit of a drive out of the centre of Melbourne, so you’ll need to drive or get a taxi (which is pretty expensive).

Scienceworks is designed to challenge young minds with hands-on exhibits and machines. There’s also the Melbourne Planetarium that can be visited there, and a great playground outside.

Get more info on visiting Scienceworks here.

Scienceworks
2 Booker St, Spotswood
museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks

St Kilda Beach & Luna Park

Kill two birds with one stone on a trip to St Kilda. Easily accessible by tram, bus or train, St Kilda is home to a family-friendly beach and also the historic Luna Park.

Luna Park opened in 1912 and is still the place to go for a day of family fun. From jaw-dropping thrill rides to the carnival atmosphere of Coney island, a day at Luna Park is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser. A day trip to St Kilda is a top choice when looking at things to do in Melbourne for kids.

Luna Park
8 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda
lunapark.com.au

Rain Room

Read more about visiting the Rain Room Melbourne.

Rain Room Melbourne at the Jackalope Pavillion
Corner Jackson and, Acland St, St Kilda VIC
https://www.jackalopehotels.com/art/rainroom
https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=RAINROOM19

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

Meet over 10,000 animals at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium. The aquarium is located in central Melbourne, Australia, on the banks of the Yarra River.

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is home to some of the the world’s most incredible animals. Visitors can get up close to penguins, sharks, sawfish, stingrays, seahorses, tropical fish and more!

Read more about visiting SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium.

SEALIFE Melbourne Aquarium
King St, Melbourne VIC
1800 026 576
https://www.melbourneaquarium.com.au/

Queen Victoria Market

The Queen Victoria Market is the largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s also the largest and most intact surviving 19th century market in the city., making it a fun place to visit and experience the huge variety of goods for sale.

From fruits and vege to baked goods, clothes, jewellery and bric-a-brac, you’ll find something here for everyone.

Kids will love the hot donuts and Flagstaff Gardens Playground across the road.

Queen Victoria Market
Queen St, Melbourne
qvm.com.au

Street Art

Melbourne has some of the most incredible street art around. While you can find a huge variety just by wandering the streets, if you want to avoid the distinct odour of Hosier Lane and still see some beautiful street art, I suggest a more strategic approach.

High Tea at the Langham, Melbourne

The Langham, Melbourne does such a lovely high tea for adults and kids alike. During school holidays the Langham, Melbourne, usually offers a themed children’s high tea (such as the Peppa Pig one we experienced recently). Kids are always welcome and if there isn’t a specific kids’ high tea on offer, they will love the chocolate bar high tea with its free-flowing chocolate fountain.

Read more about the Langham High Tea Melbourne.

The Langham, Melbourne
1 Southgate Ave, Melbourne
The Langham, Melbourne

Harry Potter at Myer

Harry Potter madness has taken over the basement level of Myer. Here you will find a huge range of toys, gifts, stationery, costumes, homewares and apparel, plus some great photo ops.

Put on a Harry Potter dress up and post with the Platform 9 3/4 wall!

Harry Potter at Myer
314-336 Bourke St, Melbourne
myer.com.au

ArtPlay

ArtPlay is a place where children – from babies to 12 year-olds – can explore their creativity and share unique artistic experiences with professional artists. Located behind Federation Square, on the Yarra River, ArtPlay is also home to the only playground in the Melbourne CBD.

There are slides, sandpits, swinging hammocks, activity panels, rock and rope climbing features and balance beams. Check the calendar to see what days workshops are available.

Art Play
Birrarung Marr, Russell St Ext, Melbourne
facebook.com/ArtPlayKids

Heide Museum of Modern Art

Read more about visiting the Heide Museum of Modern Art.

Heide Museum of Modern Art
7 Templestowe Rd, Bulleen
heide.com.au

Polly Woodside

The Polly Woodside is a tall ship, built in 1885 in Belfast, that has been docked in Melbourne and is welcoming visitors aboard. After travelling 1.7 million kilometres and circumnavigating the world 17 times, the Polly Woodside now offers a range of activities including a gallery with the story and history of the ship, children’s Crew Calls, Pirate Days and a wharf with picnic facilities.

During school holidays the Polly Woodside offers fun and interactive tours of the ship where children with loud voices, energy to scrub decks and pull scary faces are encouraged to attend!

Polly Woodside
21 S Wharf Promenade, South Wharf
nationaltrust.org.au

Met Art World

Met Art World is the biggest metal art gallery in Australia showcasing unique artworks, interactive installations and creative workshops for all ages.

Read more about visiting Met Art World here.

Met Art World
155 Boundary St, Port Melbourne
metartworld.com.au

Getting around

We usually stay in the CBD and use the tram to get around, or walk by foot. On the odd occasion the trams don’t go to where we’re going, you can catch a taxi or the river ferry.

Trams are free in the city loop – check here where the loop goes. If you travel outside it you will need a MYKI transport card.

Where to stay

We like to stay central in the CBD when we visit Melbourne as it means many things are then in walking distance. We have previously stayed at the Novotel Melbourne on Collins Street and found it to be an excellent location.

Read my review of the Novotel Melbourne on Collins here.

Get the best deals on Melbourne Hotels here.

More ideas for Melbourne and surrounds

Looking for sweet treats in Melbourne? Check out the best sweet spots right here.

Looking for more kids activities Melbourne? Find out what’s on in Melbourne for kids by clicking here.

Get a list of current family activities Melbourne by clicking here.

Rainy day in Melbourne? Find plenty of indoor activities here.

Want to see more of Victoria? Take a drive on the Great Ocean Road!

Get your perfect 7-day Melbourne itinerary here.

This post contains affiliate links. That means, if you buy or book using the link, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Adventure, baby!

Places to visit in Melbourne: National Gallery of Victoria International

February 8, 2018 / Australia, Melbourne, Travel, Victoria / 0 comment

The National Gallery of Victoria, known as the NGV, is Australia’s oldest, largest and most visited art museum. It’s divided into two buildings, the NGV International and Ian Potter Centre.

The International building houses blockbuster exhibitions and international art, while the Ian Potter is home to the Australian collection, which includes Indigenous and non-Indigenous art from the colonial period to the present day. The galleries are a short walk from each other, and both are free to enter the permanent exhibitions.

We always visit the NGV International when we visit Melbourne. The temporary exhibitions are always extraordinary, even without mentioning the permanent collection of works. The NGV International houses over 70,000 art works from Europe, Asia, Oceana and the USA.

While we visit the NGV for the incredible art, we stay longer and enjoy it even more because of how welcoming the gallery is for families.

There is a permanent NGV Kids space that changes inline with the temporary exhibitions and is always free to enter. The NGV works with contemporary artists and designers to engage kids in the arts and culture from around the world.

The NGV also has a place on their website to check out what are the most family-friendly exhibitions currently on display, as well as tips for experiencing the gallery with young children (here).

Free NGV Kids activity sheets are available to collect from the Information desk on Ground level at NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.

The NGV International features a beautiful outdoor sculpture garden that is also free to enter. It features a “mist” installation, flower gardens, sculptures, shade clothes, tables and chairs and a climbing structure for kids to play on. It’s a gorgeous place to enjoy a picnic lunch.

While the NGV has several eateries on site, we found the food to be overpriced and not very nice (ie cold hard sandwiches). I would suggest bringing your own food.

National Gallery of Victoria International
180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne
ngv.vic.gov.au

Looking for more things to do in Melbourne? Check out this free walking tour.

Places To Visit In Melbourne: Melbourne Museum

February 7, 2018 / Australia, Melbourne, Travel, Victoria / 0 comment

When visiting Melbourne, one simply must see the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere, the Melbourne Museum.

Located in Carlton Gardens, the Melbourne Museum needs to be seen over a full day to do it justice.

Over two floors, it tells the story of nature and culture in an array of interactive and interesting exhibition spaces.

Some highlights for us included:

Bugs Alive – the amazing world of insects and spiders.

First Peoples – this exhibition tells the story of Victoria’s Aboriginal People.

Wild – over 600 taxidermied birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals from around the world.

Dinosaur Walk – plenty of dinosaurs here, plus a huge skeleton of a blue whale in the hallway.

Marine Life – up close with creatures under the ocean.

Dynamic Earth – immersive exhibition about our ever-changing Earth.

Phar Lap – Australia’s greatest race horse has been taxidermied here.

The newly renovated Children’s Gallery is a hit with littles, although it’s only meant to be for kids up to the age of five. The gallery features an indoor play space and outdoor garden with features like water play, rocks, fossil dig zone and chill out spaces.

I would say it’s suitable for kids aged up to about eight, with the older kids needing to be very aware of the younger ones, particularly in the indoor play space.

A cafe near the Children’s Gallery sells basic food (kids’ lunch box pictured), but you can bring your own and eat it either in the garden or outside the museum as a picnic in the park.

The museum features a wide variety of activities for families, particularly during school holidays. Check the website for details in advance of your visit.

Melbourne Museum puts on incredible exhibitions throughout the year – ones in the past have included Titanic and Jurassic Park – so it’s worth seeing what’s coming and planning a visit accordingly.

Melbourne Museum
11 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC
museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum

Melbourne

Met Art World – Metal Art Gallery In Melbourne Australia

The Langham, Melbourne: Hotel Review

Tips for visiting the Heide Museum of Modern Art Melbourne

History of the Heide Museum of Modern Art Melbourne

Visiting the Heide Museum of Modern Art Melbourne

Heide Gardens

Heide Market

Visiting the Heide Museum of Modern Art Melbourne with Kids

Café Heide

Getting to the Heide

Tips for visiting SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

Book your tickets online

Follow the map

Make the most of the photo ops

Take a food break early

Mix it up

Learn lots

Meet the jellies

Meet the animals up close

Head back to the Ice Age

Rain Room Melbourne at the Jackalope Pavillion

Things to do in Melbourne with kids

Old Melbourne Gaol

National Gallery of Victoria

Royal Botanic Botanic Gardens Melbourne and Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden

Royal Botanic Botanic Gardens Victoria (Cranbourne)

Melbourne Museum and Carlton Gardens

State Library Victoria

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

Melbourne Zoo

Werribee Open Range Zoo

Collingwood Children’s Farm

Healseville Animal Sanctuary

Penguin Parade Phillip Island

Federation Square

Australian Centre for Moving Image

Eureka Skydeck 88

Fitzroy Gardens

Enchanted Adventure Garden at Arthurs Seat

Puffing Billy Railway

Scienceworks

St Kilda Beach & Luna Park

Rain Room

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

Queen Victoria Market

Street Art

High Tea at the Langham, Melbourne

The Langham, Melbourne 1 Southgate Ave, Melbourne The Langham, Melbourne

Harry Potter at Myer

ArtPlay

Heide Museum of Modern Art

Polly Woodside

Met Art World

Getting around

Where to stay

More ideas for Melbourne and surrounds

The Langham, Melbourne
1 Southgate Ave, Melbourne
The Langham, Melbourne