Five Fun Family Activities in Melbourne

Expedia travellers love Melbourne – it’s famous for great restaurants, laneway bars, striking architecture, culture, shopping and big ticket sporting events. All the elements you need for a perfect, very grown up, short break.

Not long ago I lived in Melbourne for 16 months but I had a toddler and a newborn baby in tow. My cultural and culinary experiences of the city were limited but I can tell you now, Melbourne is great to visit with children.

For a short family break in Victoria’s capital, I suggest staying somewhere in the city. You’re closer to all the action and attractions. Hotels on tramlines south of city are popular too but you’ll find plenty of options in the Melbourne CBD. The Adina Apartment Hotel on Flinders St is a short walk from Flinders St Station and has two bedroom apartments with kitchens and family friendly bed configurations.

Once you’ve checked in, here’s a few of my favourite family-friendly activities in Melbourne:

Ride a Tram

A truly Melbourne experience is the City Circle Tram and it’s free. The tram operates from 10am, 7 days a week, with trams running every 12 minutes on a loop around the CBD. The heritage W class trams are vintage machinery kids will love riding. Simply hop on and off, at designated stops, as often as you please.

Collingwood Children’s Farm

Just 5km from central Melbourne is this rural oasis where children can milk a cow, help feed some animals, pat a sheep in the paddock or look for chook eggs. Set on seven hectares of land nestled on a bend in the Yarra River, the Children’s Farm is a great place for kids to get their hands dirty and experience farm life. My daughter still talks about our visits here. The first Sunday of every month (except Dec and Jan) is family day – pony rides, tractor rides and guinea pig cuddles. The recently renovated Farm Café serves excellent sustainable food made from scratch. Daily 9am-4.30pm, families $16, adults $8, children $4 farm.org.au