https://https://au.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/melbourne/best-family-friendly-attractions/100001425525
Family-Friendly Attractions
Top 20 Family-Friendly Attractions in Melbourne [2025]
Table of Contents
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Puffing Billy Railway
4.7
/5
446 reviews
8.9
From AU$ 80.16
Based on 1,881 reviews
36.1 km from downtown
Phone +61 3 9757 0700
Address: 1 Old Monbulk Rd, Belgrave VIC 3160
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Saved by 1554 users333 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
The Puffing Billy steam train is really great! Sitting in the retro carriage, listening to the whistle, passing through dense forests and valleys. The scenery along the way is picturesque, and you can stick your feet out of the window and wave and interact with the enthusiastic residents. It feels like being in a fairy tale world. This unique journey makes people forget their troubles and is extremely comfortable.
The second day's itinerary in Melbourne ~ Centennial Steam Train
Sitting in a semi-open carriage
You can hang your legs freely outside the car
Feel the breeze and fresh air in the mountains
If you are longing for a trip to escape the hustle and bustle
Return to nature
This Melbourne Centennial Steam Train is definitely not to be missed
It is not only a simple journey
It is also an intimate dialogue with history and nature
There is a souvenir shop at the entrance. The refrigerator magnets inside are super beautiful. The children bought several. They are beautiful and inexpensive. Because the steam train takes about an hour, it is best to go to the bathroom after entering the entrance. After entering the train, you should sit on the right hand side of the train's direction of travel. Many Internet celebrity photos are taken here. The view is very good. I feel free and comfortable when I sit on the train. The children love it very much😘
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Melbourne Museum
4.6
/5
403 reviews
8.2
From AU$ 15.00
Based on 4,316 reviews
1.4 km from downtown
Phone +61-131102
Address: 11 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Victoria alpine ecosystem gallery
Rare blue whale skeleton exhibit
Saved by 532 users263 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Melbourne Museum is amazing! The modern architecture contrasts with the classical Royal Exhibition Building. The exhibits are rich and varied, ranging from huge blue whale skeletons and dinosaur fossils to exquisite minerals and Aboriginal cultural exhibits. The interactive experience is also great, and children can learn while having fun. If you are tired of visiting, you can also watch IMAX movies, which is definitely worth the price.
There is not much to see. Compared with the big museums in China, the layout and design are backward. The part introducing Melbourne's history is not bad, and the introduction of Aboriginal history and culture is also quite distinctive. The commentary of the dinosaur story is quite vivid. In short, if you take your children there and have enough time, you can visit it.
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SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
4.6
/5
805 reviews
8.1
From AU$ 38.00
Based on 4,080 reviews
Melbourne Central Business District | 851m from downtown
Address: King St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
12 themed areas & species
12 themed zones & marine life
Saved by 704 users570 positive reviews
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It is a ten-minute walk from Southern Cross Railway Station. The venue is not very big. The most special thing is that you can touch starfish and shark eggs. The staff are enthusiastic in their explanations. The restaurant prices are basically the same as eating out. One visit is enough.
Melbourne Aquarium is perfect for family outings and ocean lovers! There are more than 20 themed exhibition areas in the aquarium, where you can see giant manta rays and leopard sharks swimming in transparent tunnels up close, the little blue penguins on Penguin Island swaying and adorable, and there is a touch pool where you can touch starfish and sea cucumbers. The most stunning is the "Deep Sea World" exhibition area, where fish are surrounded in a huge cylindrical tank, as if you were at the bottom of the sea. There are also interactive screens and popular science explanations in the aquarium, where you can see the wonders and learn a lot after a round of fun. It is also very romantic to watch the lights on the aquarium's exterior wall light up at the pier in the evening~
No.
4
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Melbourne Zoo
4.5
/5
433 reviews
7.7
From AU$ 49.93
Based on 6,733 reviews
3.5 km from downtown
Phone +61-1300-966784
Address: Elliott Ave, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Observe gorilla family life closely
Colorful tropical butterflies exhibit
Saved by 485 users284 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
The environment is good and the staffs are very friendly. There are a lot of animals there, is worth to visit.
It is a little far from the city, but not far away. The types of animals included are also quite complete. I saw the platypus that I didn't see last time in Sydney Tarongo. The children were very happy. Generally speaking, it takes 3 hours to play.
No.
5
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Sovereign Hill
4.6
/5
441 reviews
7.7
From AU$ 40.40
Based on 3,882 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +61-3-5337 1199
Address: Bradshaw St, Golden Point VIC 3350
Recommended sightseeing time: 4-5 hours
No.7 of Best Things to Do in Melbourne
Saved by 278 users285 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
I like this zoo very much. Although it is not very big, it is well maintained and the staff are very nice. The scenery in the zoo is beautiful and there are many kinds of animals. You can get close to kangaroos, peacocks, alpacas and other animals. Both the elderly and children have a lot of fun.
Feel the enthusiasm of people for gold panning more than a hundred years ago. The scenic spot has preserved and restored the style of the gold panning town at that time. There are staff members playing the role of people living in the town. You can experience that there are not many activities, mainly sightseeing. You need to be very careful and patient to successfully pan the gold foil in the river water.
No.
6
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Werribee Open Range Zoo
4.4
/5
103 reviews
7.0
From AU$ 49.60
Based on 1,996 reviews
28.7 km from downtown
Phone +61-1300-966784
Address: K Rd, Werribee South VIC 3030, Australia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.9 of Best Things to Do in Melbourne
Highlights:
Safari ride & summer fun
See African wildlife up close
Saved by 382 users55% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Show E voucher in entry for staff to scan. Near city center and tram station. Very pleased to see the zoo's effort in building the environment more similar to each animal's habitat. Such as not putting 2 tigers in the same area thankfully. Quite enjoy the free animal talks. Still there could be more signage to indicate the current location.
Maybe the temperature was too high when I went there. In the 36-degree weather, the animals had no energy. The koalas were always sleeping and the kangaroos were hiding under the trees to cool off. There were free tour buses available in the release area, but they were far away from the animals. The staff said: If you want to take close-up photos of the animals, you can purchase an additional tour bus!
(Children under 16 can enter the park for free on holidays)
No.
7
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Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
4.7
/5
39 reviews
6.9
From AU$ 34.00
Based on 742 reviews
50.8 km from downtown
Phone +61 3 5978 7935
Address: 550 Tyabb-Tooradin Rd, Pearcedale VIC 3912, Australia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.10 of Best Things to Do in Melbourne
Highlights:
Koalas & kangaroos up close
2-hour nighttime wildlife tour
Saved by 221 users60% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
It's a 50-minute drive from Melbourne CBD, a little far but definitely worth it!
🎫
Buy a combined ticket (entrance ticket + koala-watching ticket) on Ctrip for less than 150. Get a dog tag ticket at the door (see video), don't forget to buy a small box of food (3 dollars) before entering~
It is recommended to buy tickets at 10 or 10:30, otherwise the animals will be full, and there will be a show at 11 o'clock.
🐨
After entering, walk along the left hand and you will immediately see the koala area (the highlighted KOALAS on the map), where there is a queue. The waiter at the door will mumble a bunch of precautions. You just need to wash your hands with the hand sanitizer next to you, and then nod your head continuously to pretend that you understand. Then follow the queue forward. When it's your turn, the waiter will take your ticket and help you greet the koala to pose, and you can approach it to pet it (the fur is a bit hard, but very cute)
🪑
Next, walk out of the koala area, you will see a lot of kangaroos and ducks. Don't rush to feed them, because there are a lot of kangaroos in front, at least 20! Go to the show first. There are a lot of people queuing in front. There is a show at 11 o'clock. The animal performances here are very relaxed. It feels like they have no pressure. They can eat a lot of snacks with simple movements. This is also a manifestation of Australian chill [Wang Chai]
🦘
After watching the show, go forward on the left hand side. There are a lot of kangaroos and ducks along the way. If the kangaroo wants you to come over, it is waiting for feeding. Remember to hold the feed higher, otherwise it will be snatched away by the ducks~ There is a young kangaroo that is a bit strong and has chest muscles. If you are afraid, you can avoid it. When the kangaroo eats the feed, it will grab your hand with its little hands. Its nails are a little sharp. Boys can definitely resist it, but girls should be careful.
📸
Go along the left hand all the way. There are many birds, which I can't name. They look a bit like starlings, with red hair and green hair. There are also large birds like small ostriches, which can be fed. The birds here are more active than kangaroos. Girls with tender hands, please throw the feed on the ground, otherwise your hands will hurt.
☕
Go forward and there will be a rest area and a souvenir hut. Put the feed in the recycling box and wash your hands before entering the house, and you can leave the zoo~
[Sun]
This is the only place in Melbourne where you can have this experience. Don't go to other zoos to watch from a distance, come here to feed with your own hands!
Overall it's not bad. Don't follow Google Maps and choose to get off at Baxter and walk for half an hour. It's too dangerous to walk on the road! It is recommended to take a taxi or rent a car after getting off at Cranbourne. Don't think about saving tolls and take a taxi after getting off at Baxter. There is a high probability that the driver will refuse. Then I made an appointment at 11:30, but it was already 12 o'clock when I arrived, and I was able to enter smoothly.
Then I don't know if the park is deliberately arranged like this or what, many trees are dead, the park is not big, and it takes about 1 hour to walk and stop (you can extend it if you want to participate in other additional projects, especially the waiting time and waiting for the start time of the next project)
Remember to ask where to get or buy feed, otherwise you will be like me, just watching others feed, but I can only take two photos quickly after others attract the animals😂
If they have quokka smiling angels, it will be perfect😌
No.
8
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LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Melbourne
4.4
/5
75 reviews
6.4
From AU$ 25.60
Based on 223 reviews
13.1 km from downtown
Address: Level 2/1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone VIC 3148, Australia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.15 of Best Things to Do in Melbourne
Highlights:
Melbourne landmarks in LEGO bricks
Unlimited LEGO movies in 4D
Saved by 176 users68% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
It is on the second floor of a shopping mall. It is not a big store. It is not worth spending a day here for the large experience stores like the Wanda Plaza in China. The children are very happy. The Ctrip ticket booking is indeed a good deal. The customer service said that you can enter by scanning the code, but in fact you have to choose a time period at the door. Due to language communication barriers, it took half an hour. Later, the staff at the door helped to choose the time period on the machine. You must come out within two hours. The children had a good experience, but I think it is quite average. I feel cheated if the ticket is more than 200 yuan in China. Booking tickets online in advance is much cheaper than on-site
A paradise for Lego fans, with Melbourne landmarks built with Lego, entertainment facilities for children, Lego building areas, and unlimited 4D movies. There are food for sale in the park, and children can play all day long.
No.
9
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Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria - Melbourne Gardens
4.6
/5
469 reviews
5.5
Based on 10,947 reviews
2.3 km from downtown
Phone +61 3 9252 2300
Address: Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.20 of Best Things to Do in Melbourne
Highlights:
Tropical plants from worldwide
Thousands of exotic plants worldwide
Saved by 365 users137 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is one of Australia's most famous botanical gardens. It is located on the banks of the Yarra River south of Melbourne's city center and covers an area of about 38 hectares. The garden is famous for its beautiful natural scenery, diverse flora and tranquil environment. It is an ideal place for local residents and tourists to take a leisurely walk.
Scenic features:
1. Diverse plant areas
The garden has more than 8,500 species of plants, including native Australian plants and rare plants from all over the world. In particular, the Australian rainforest area and the cactus garden show completely different natural landscapes.
2. Lakes and wetlands
The central lake (Ornamental Lake) is the core landscape of the garden. The lake reflects the surrounding trees and sky, providing visitors with a peaceful view. There are seats and paths by the lake, suitable for slow walking and relaxation.
3. Hiking and viewing trails
There are many trails in the garden that shuttle through the trees. From the winding trails, you can enjoy the natural landscape from different angles, especially in spring and autumn, when the garden is most colorful.
4. Landscape Architecture and Sculptures
There are some exquisite pavilions, stone bridges and sculptures in the garden. These buildings are harmoniously integrated with the natural environment, adding cultural and artistic atmosphere to the scenic area.
5. Bird watching and wildlife
The garden is home to many kinds of birds, including black swans, parrots and ducks, making it a paradise for bird watchers. In addition, you can occasionally see traces of kangaroos or possums.
6. Seasonal landscape
In spring, the garden is full of flowers, especially the rose garden area, which is fragrant; in autumn, maple trees and deciduous plants present brilliant colors of golden and crimson.
Featured activities:
• Moonlight Cinema
During the summer, visitors can enjoy open-air movies on the lawn and experience the combination of nature and culture.
• Guided tours and educational activities
The botanical garden provides free or paid guided tours to help visitors better understand plants and their ecological significance.
Summary
The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is not only a place to appreciate natural beauty, but also a window to experience Australia's unique ecological environment. Whether it's a leisurely walk, a family gathering, or a photography project, this place can bring an unforgettable experience.
I came here for the second time. It is very big and has a lot of green plants. Maybe it is because of autumn, many flowers have withered, but the leaves are still green. There are many flowers and plants that I have never seen before. I saw the red spider lily.
[Cost-effective] High
[Scenery] Good, not only flowers and plants, but also many ducks, birds and swans.
No.
10
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Scienceworks (Museums Victoria)
4.0
/5
21 reviews
4.8
From AU$ 15.00
Based on 716 reviews
6.4 km from downtown
Phone +61 131102
Address: 2 Booker St, Spotswood VIC 3015, Australia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 hour
Featured in Best Things to Do
Verified User Reviews
Melbourne's Science Exhibition Center holds countless themed exhibitions and interactive science exhibitions. Its entertaining and educational presentation is very attractive to children and often benefits them a lot. It is highly recommended.
The overall effect and content of the museum are good. However, there is little explanatory content, and you have to watch it by yourself. In addition, there are too many children and not many projects for adults.
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