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Surf World, Surfing MuseumBeach Road, Torquay
(03) 5261
4606
Adults - $5.50; Child - $3.50;Family (2 Adults + 3 children) -
$16
10am to 4pm
This is a museum that most families will enjoy, where
parents don't have to worry about their children breaking something. The museum
features a large number of interactive activities for children and adults alike.
There are displays that will interest those that are not surfers, as well as
surf fanatics. For surfing enthusiasts, the museum offers tips on some of the
best surf locations in Victoria.
Australian Toy Museum174-180 Smith Street
Collingwood
Tram
86
Daily 10-5 Children under 18 months free.
Historic building houses toys
from the 1880's to the present. A special feature is a permanent display of
dolls and doll houses. There is also a garden with a miniature steam train and
the Magic Pudding Café which caters to the tastes of children.
Classic Cinema 9 Gordon StreetElsternwick
Sandringham Line from Flinders Station to Eksternwick
Station
Sat. and Sun. and daily during school holidays.
Admission:
$7
Weekend "kids pics" present new releases and old
favorites.
Fun Factory257 Toorak Road
South Yarra
03-9826-8276
Daily
10-1
No admission charge.
One of the largest indoor amusement centers in
Melbourne, Fun Factory is equipped with Daytona racing machines, pinball,
shooting and skill test games, pool tables, a rollerblade rink and "dodge-em"
cars.
Melbourne Sports and Aquatic CentreAughtie Drive, Albert
Park
03-9926-1555
Tram # 96
This combination sporting facility and
playground has a wave and toddlers' pool, a water slide, pool garden, and a
diving complex. Childcare is available Mon.-Fri. 9-Noon. A school holiday
program and one on Saturday mornings for children ages 5-12 are low in cost, and
high in educational and entertainment value.
Red Bear's Playhouse134 York Street
South Melbourne
Tram #1
or #12
03-9645-0788
Mon.- Thurs. 9:30-6:30; Friday: 9:30-8 Sat. &
Sun.: 8:30-8.
Australia's largest indoor play center has piles of plastic
tubing formed into tunnels, ladders, and just piles of tubing which appeal to
all ages of children. Cappuccino, television and free newspapers and magazines
are provided for the entertainment of the adults.
ScienceworksBooker Street Spotswood
Williamstown and Werribee
Lines from Flinders Street station to Spotswood Station
Daily 10-4:30
Admission charged.
A series of interactive exhibits teach participants
about science and technology. The subjects range from sports, to insects, to the
human mind and body. There is also a digital planetarium.
Kryal Castle8 kilometres East of Ballarat on the Western
Highway
(03) 5334 7388
Fax: (03) 5334 7422
Weekdays/Weekends
Adults
$12.50 /$14.00
Children $7.00 /$8.00
Family *$37.00 /$42.00; Children
under 5 are free
10am - 5pm 7 days a week
Visit a medieval castle just a
short trip from Melbourne. Hidden on the hills of Warrenheip, just out of
Ballarat Kryal Castle lurks, waiting to amuse the whole family with medieval
re-enactments, fun games and shows. A truly magnificent day for the whole
family
Collingwood Children's FarmSt. Heliers
Street
Abbottsford
03-9205-5469
Epping Line from Flinders St. station
to Victoria Park station.
Daily 9-5
Small admission charge.
Children
can pet and feed a variety of farm animals (call for exact feeding times). They
are also shown how to do simple farm chores and can milk a cow, etc. Farm tours
instruct at a child's level about plants and animals along the way. The first
day of each month is Family Day. Horse rides and a home made farm lunch are part
of the fun on these special days.
Ashcomb MazeAdults: $6.00; Children: $4.00
10 - 5 everyday
except Christmas Day, Good Friday & during August.
Red Hill - Shoreham
Road, Shoreham 3916
(03) 9989-8387
This traditional hedge maze offers a
great afternoon of fun for the whole family, with the main maze and other
activities. My Recommendations: A fun afternoon, It could be on the way to
Phillip Island if you took a detour (wink wink). The maze is just out of the
lovely little seaside town of Shoreham on Western Port bay.
Puffing BillyCost: Adult: $17.50 Children (14-16 years):
$9.00
Family (2 adults + 3 children): $49
Old Monbulk Road, Belgrave
3160
(03) 9754-6800
A terrific day trip for a family is Puffing Billy,
Victoria's best known steam train. Puffing Billy travels through the beautiful
bush land on the Dandenong ranges. Catch Puffing Billy to Emerald, have a picnic
lunch then travel back to Belgrave. A great day for all people from 2 to
102.
Healesville SanctuaryAdults (16 years and over) $15.95
Children
(4 - 15 years, children under 4 free) $7.95
Adult students $11.90
(2
adults & up to 4 children) $43.25
Over 65 (including health care card
holders) $11.90
9am to 5pm Daily (including Christmas day and public
holidays)
Badger Creek Road, Healesville. (follow signs)
(03) 1902 240
592
For overseas visitors and Australian visitors alike Healesville sanctuary
offers a complete relaxing day out. Explore the Sanctuary, set in the lush bush
land of Healesville on the Badger creek, home to one of Australia's most loved,
and most secretive animals, the platypus. See a wide variety of Australian Fauna
and flora. See emus, kangaroos, echidna's, koala's, possums and many other
Australian natives, in natural and peaceful settings. More info
Royal Melbourne ZooElliot Avenue Parkville
03-9285-9300
Tram
55,56,or 68
Melbourne Zoo is open every day of the year (including Christmas
Day and all public holidays) 9.00am - 5.00pm
Adults (16 years and over) -
$15.95
Children (4 to 15 years, children under 4 years free) - $7.95
Adult
Students -$11.90
Family Pass (2 Adults & up to 4 Children) - $43.25You
can not visit Melbourne without visiting the Royal Melbourne Zoo! The Royal
Melbourne Zoo offers a large range of exotic animals, beautiful gardens and an
educational experience to all its visitors young and old. Popular Meet the
Keeper sessions (wombats, seals, pelicans, penguins) teach children aboout the
animals in a most engaging manne. There are also twilight tours for better views
of nocturnal animals. A whole day is needed to explore and enjoy the Zoo to its
full extent. www.zoo.org.au
Victoria's Open Range Zoo At WerribeeK Road, Werribee
3030
Werribee Line from Flinders Station to Werribee station.
(03)
9742-7933
Adults: $15.95;Children (3 - 14) $7.95
Daily: 10- 5
A great
day out like the Melbourne zoo except for one thing... the people are in the
enclosure. You travel around the zoo which has only African animals in a bus, in
order to have a better idea of how animals interact with each other in the wild.
In addition there is a 30 minute Volcanic Plains walking Trail. More info
Sovereign HillSovereign Hill, Ballarat
(03)
5331-1944
Adults: $22.00 ;Pensioners Students: $16.00;Children:
$10.50;Family: $59.00
Daily 10am - 5pm (except Christmas day)
A whole day
is needed for sovereign hill, it is like an educational theme park and is
suitable for people of all ages and all interests, the air even feels
old!
Sovereign Hill is a great place to visit for a day, the gold rush themed
theme park is a great day of fun for old and young. The attraction offers many
old styled shops selling lollies, hot bread and scones to metal goods will
please any shop-a-holic. Children have great fun panning for gold in the creek,
many usually finding some real gold dust! Visitors can go through a tour of a
gold mine, and see a lot of real gold! More info
Geelong Naval & Maritime MuseumLocated near the stables at
the rear of Osborn House
Swinburne Street, North Geelong
(03)
5277-2260
Adults: $2; Children: 50˘;Family: $4
Monday, Wednesday, Friday,
Saturday & Sunday 10am - 4pm
The museum is set in the first Australian
Naval College (from 1913-1919). The museum has a wealth of information and a
large and interesting range of exhibits. The museum includes model ships and
submarines, and the museum is said to be haunted by a ghost! an interesting day
for all those interested in history and ships. you will need about 1 - 2 hours
to visit the museum.
Seal Rocks Sea Life CentreSeal Rocks, The Nobbys, Phillip Island.
(follow signs)
1300 367 325
Adults: $11.00; Children: Free
10 am - dusk
(see Sea Life Centre web site for approximate dusk time during your
visit)
One of the most popular attractions at Phillip Island, along with the
Penguin Parade and Koala Conservation Center is Seal Rocks, the sea life center
offers educational and enjoyable insights into the life of the Australian Fur
Seal. The Center displays views of Seal Rocks and the Nobbies, which is home to
Australia's largest fur seal colony. There is also a sea gull rockery a few
penguins. www.phillipisland.com
Luna Park18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda
03 9625 5033
Admission
to Luna Park is free.
(Weather permitting):Friday:7p.m.-11p.m; Saturday:
1-11pm.;
Sunday:1pm until dusk. Closed Christmas Day.
School holidays and
public holidays 11 - 5
Ride ticket prices (coupons $1.00 each)
Children
under 4 years: 1 coupon per ride
Children 4 to 12 years: 2 coupons per
ride
Adults: 3 coupons per ride;16 coupons, $15;40 coupons, $35; 80 coupons,
$60
www.lunapark.com.au A day of family fun is Luna Park, offering a large
selection of rides including a roller coaster, ferris wheel and ghost train..
Luna Park is Melbourne's own "mini theme park". More info
Ballarat Wildlife ParkFussell & York Sts. Ballarat
(03)
5333 5933
Fax: (03) 5333 4025
A public tour runs between 11.00am and
12.00pm daily as required for groups 20 and over.
Adults - $12.00 Over 65 /
Students - $10.00 Children - $6.00 ;Family $30.00 (2 adults and 2 children)
9am - 5:30 pm everyday (except Christmas day)
This superb wildlife park,
just 4 minutes from Sovereign hill features many native Australian animals
including Koalas, Wombats, Saltwater and Freshwater Crocodiles, Tasmanian
Devils, Goannas, Giant Tortoises, Wedge-tailed Eagles, venomous and non venomous
Snakes, Wallabies, free-range Kangaroos, Emus and many more. There are plenty of
opportunities to have your picture taken with an animal.
Serendip Sanctuary100 Windermere Road, Lara
(03) 13 19
63
Adults: $5;Child / Concession: $2.50;Family (2 Adults & 6 Children):
$12.50
10am - 4pm daily
Take a walk with Australian wildlife and have a
close encounter with Brolga, Kangaroos, Emus, and waterfowl. Delightful picnic
areas are available with barbeques in this wetland setting. Discover the
serenity of Serendip Sanctuary. A delightful visit for the whole family,
particularly animal lovers. This is a relaxing day, and a whole day is needed to
walk the entire park at a nice steady relaxing pace. It is well worth a visit,
spring time (September - November) is the best time to visit, as there is a lot
of cute baby birds.
Melbourne AquariumAdults: $19.00; Children: $9.00
Daily 9am -
6pm
Corner of Queenswharf Road & King Street, Melbourne
(03)
9620-0994
This is one of Melbourne's newest attractions, situated at
Southbank, opposite the Crown Casino on the tranquil Yarra river. It has a large
collection of fish and sharks enjoying life in its aquariums and oceanarium. The
aquarium towers 2 stories high and goes one story underground, and is even under
the Yarra itself! Some of the aquarium attractions include a coral atoll,
oceanarium, and billabong display. More info
Penguin ParadeAdults: $12.50;Children: (4-16): $6.50;Family:
30.40
Hours change depending on the time of year. the penguins come in just
after sun set.
Summerland Beach, Phillip Island
Visitors to Phillip
Island look forward to the Penguin Parade. The penguins put on an impromptu show
just by performing their ordinary daily routines. You do need to wear something
very warm in the evening as the cold sea breeze is part of the fun. More info
Royal Botanic GardensBirdwood Avenue, South Yarra, 3141
(03)
9650~9424
7:30am - Sunset
Admission: Free
The Royal Botanic Gardens are
situated on the edge of Melbourne next to the Yarra River . Surrounding them is
a beautiful lake with ducks, eels and swans. The gardens contain a variety of
plants from all over the world. There are many beautiful spots for a picnic
lunch by the lake on the lush green lawns. This is a country garden right in the
heart of Melbourne! Remember to take a little extra bread as the children enjoy
feeding the swans, ducks and eels. Visitors usually bring their own food as the
kiosk is quite expensive.
Anakie Fairy Park2388 Ballan Road Anakie 3221
(03)
5284-1262
Adults: $7;Children: $3.50
Daily - 10am to 4pm
This is a
fascinating place for a family day trip, set in the mountains of the Brisbane
ranges, southwest of Melbourne. The Fairy park offers playgrounds, walks and
attractions to please the whole family. A whole day could easily be spent
exploring. The park has a medieval castle theme and is truly magical. There is
quite a bit of walking involved as the park is on a hill.
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