For the kids · Melbourne, Australia

14 Things to Do in Melbourne with Kids

Parks, zoos, hands-on museums and rides: the Melbourne the kids will actually remember.

Kid-oriented places (parks, zoos, theme parks, hands-on museums) ranked by traveler review volume, out of 168 tracked Melbourne places. Updated monthly.

  1. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

    Park & natureFree entry

    Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens are a magnificent 38-hectare green expanse just south of the city centre, regularly rated among the world's finest botanic gardens.

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  2. SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

    Park & nature

    SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is a popular family attraction located on the banks of the Yarra River at the corner of Flinders and King Streets.

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  3. Crown Melbourne

    Entertainment

    Crown Melbourne is a premier entertainment destination situated on the south bank of the Yarra River.

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  4. Fitzroy Gardens

    Park & natureFree entry

    Fitzroy Gardens is one of Melbourne's most beautiful and beloved Victorian-era public gardens, 26 hectares of elm-lined avenues, sweeping lawns, fountains, and flowerbeds, right on the edge of the city centre.

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  5. The Little Penguin Bus

    Park & nature

    The Little Penguin Bus provides a seamless and enjoyable experience for visitors wanting to witness the famous Penguin Parade at Phillip Island without the hassle of driving.

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  6. The Regent Theatre

    Entertainment

    The Regent Theatre on Collins Street is one of Melbourne's most iconic live performance venues, renowned for its opulent interior and excellent acoustics.

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  7. AAT Kings

    Park & nature

    AAT Kings is a leading tour operator based in Melbourne, specializing in day tours and extended trips to Victoria's most famous natural landmarks.

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  8. Her Majesty's Theatre

    Entertainment

    Her Majesty's Theatre is a grand performance venue located on Exhibition Street in Melbourne's Chinatown. Built in the late 19th century, it is one of the oldest surviving theatres in Australia.

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  9. Princess Theatre

    Entertainment

    The Princess Theatre is one of Melbourne's most beloved and architecturally stunning performance venues, located on Spring Street in the city's East End theatre district.

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  10. Outback Billy's

    Park & nature

    Outback Billy's is an outdoor adventure park located in Melbourne, Australia, offering a mix of wildlife experiences and adrenaline-pumping activities.

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  11. Flagstaff Gardens

    Park & natureFree entry

    Flagstaff Gardens is one of Melbourne's oldest parks, located in the city's West End near the Queen Victoria Market.

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  12. Intrepid Travel Pty Ltd

    Park & natureFree entry

    Intrepid Travel Pty Ltd, listed as a park and nature attraction in Melbourne, is actually the office address of the travel company Intrepid Travel, situated on Level 7 of 567 Collins Street.

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  13. Comedy Theatre

    Entertainment

    Comedy Theatre is a beloved entertainment venue located in the heart of Melbourne's Chinatown on Exhibition Street.

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  14. Virtual Room Melbourne

    Entertainment

    Virtual Room Melbourne is a cutting-edge entertainment venue located in the heart of Melbourne, offering group virtual reality experiences that blend escape room puzzles with immersive storytelling.

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How we pick these

We keep only child-appropriate venue types — parks, zoos, hands-on museums, theme parks — then rank them by how many families actually review them well, out of the 168 Melbourne places we track. Refreshed monthly, with no paid placement.

Good to know

Best for

Most picks suit ages 2 to 10; a few also work for older kids and teens.

Beat the queues

Popular museums and parks in Melbourne are calmest right at opening or after 3pm.

Rainy-day backup

Keep one indoor pick in your back pocket in case the forecast turns.

Common questions

Is Melbourne good to visit with kids?+

Yes. Parks, boat rides and hands-on museums make it easy to break up sightseeing with things children enjoy, and every spot on this list is one families rate highly.

What can you do for free with kids in Melbourne?+

Plenty of parks and playgrounds cost nothing. See our free things to do in Melbourne for the full set.

How many days do you need in Melbourne with children?+

Two to three days is enough to cover the highlights at a relaxed, kid-friendly pace.

Grown-up hours? Best things to do in Melbourne · hidden gems · build a family itinerary

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