Melburnians love to make lighthearted jabs at our city’s ‘four seasons in one day’ schtick, but often, a reprieve from warmer weather is a welcome change—especially in peak summer.
Dressing for a day out in Melbourne is an art form itself but once you nail the execution, exploring one of the most livable cities in the world can end up on your life’s highlights reel.
Whether you stick to the CBD and its surroundings or venture further out for the sun and surf (AKA light waves ideal for frolicking with the whole fam), you can rarely turn a corner without bumping into some form of entertainment.
For those who like to prepare beforehand, Melbourne Skydeck offers free sign-ups to the Journey Beyond club, where you can nab early notifications and access to upcoming events, members-only deals and access to a community of fellow travel lovers.
With that in mind, here’s a round-up of kid-friendly places to see and things to do in Melbourne CBD.
Picturesque Views at Eureka Tower
First and foremost: the views. At 88 stories high, Melbourne Skydeck at the Eureka Tower offers the highest vantage point in Melbourne to see the city in all its hustling and bustling glory. Get a birds’ eye view of the heaving streets and turn your head south to witness the sea collide with the sand.
The tallest observation deck in the southern hemisphere is also open on public holidays, so no one in the family has to miss the skyline scenes.
Virtual Reality Tours Of Victoria At Voyager Theatre
Keep the good vibes going at the Eureka Tower with a trip to the Voyager Theatre, which gives you access to Melbourne’s streets and distinct scenery through virtual reality—there are 24 VR pods that give you 360-degree views of the city, even taking you on Luna Park’s iconic roller coaster as if you were actually riding the rails in person.
Touted as a 6-D experience, the closest comparison would be a 4D screening of The Avengers—but with additional two Ds on top of that. It’s truly a wild ride.
A Family Affair In Fitzroy Gardens
On any given day that’s sunny and over 25°C, families flock to Fitzroy Gardens to laze on the grass with a picnic basket stocked with mango slices and ice-cold drinks.
The large crop of greenery has fountains galore to add to the serenity, or, if you’re up for something more involved, a short and sweet 30-minute guided tour of Cooks’ Cottage can inject the right amount of educational fun into the trip.
A walk through Fitzroy Gardens will undoubtedly lead you to the Model Tudor Village, a miniature town gifted to us by the British with everything from model Tudor inns to Shakespear’s Theatre. It’s both cute and quirky.
Children’s Quarter At State Library
Pictures truly don’t do the State Library justice—it’s an architectural feat. The practicality of the library is often overshadowed by its prettiness, but both elements make it worth a visit.
Spanning over two floors of the State Library you’ll find the Children’s Quarters, where kids can get involved with reading and learning against the backdrop of their very own two-story children’s castle.
A Tram Out Of The CBD
Occasionally, leaving the free tram zone to reach the wider world of Melbourne is a must. Hop on the tram and venture to Collingwood, which requires its own day or two of exploration—it’s a divine mixed bag of restaurants, playgrounds, unrivalled sandwich shops and a Children’s Farm for the young ones.
South of the city, there’s a lot to offer depending on the lengths you’ll go to. A tram ride to St Kilda is perhaps the quickest option for a day at the beach or roaming Luna Park, however, this local suggests a 40-minute ride on the Frankston line to access beaches just a little out of reach for most city dwellers.
For an increasingly rare experience of having a beach almost to yourself so the kids can run free, get off at Aspendale station and walk about 10 minutes back towards the city. Don’t tell anyone else, though.
Join Melbourne Skydeck’s Journey Beyond and get first dibs on everything happening in Melbourne.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Melbourne Skydeck and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Image credit: Journey Beyond and Urban List