Things to Do With Kids in Melbourne 2026

Melbourne Family Activities 2026 — Overview

Melbourne has an extraordinary range of family activities, from world-class museums and zoos to Luna Park, Scienceworks, the Melbourne Zoo and an outstanding free cultural precinct along St Kilda Road and the Yarra waterfront. Here's a guide to the best things to do with kids in Melbourne.

Zoos and Wildlife

• Melbourne Zoo — Elliott Avenue, Parkville. Australia's oldest zoo (1862). Lions, gorillas, orangutans, seals, meerkats and a large butterfly house. Tram access (Route 58 to Zoo). Open daily 9am-5pm. Annual memberships available. zoo.org.au/melbourne
• Werribee Open Range Zoo — K Road, Werribee South. 225-hectare open range safari experience (no cages — the animals roam free). Guided bus safari, walking trails, gorillas and rhinos. 45 minutes from the Melbourne CBD.
• Healesville Sanctuary — Badger Creek Road, Healesville (Yarra Valley). Australian wildlife sanctuary specialising in native animals. Platypus viewing, koala and kangaroo encounters.

Museums and Interactive Experiences

• Scienceworks — 2 Booker Street, Spotswood. Melbourne's interactive science museum — hands-on exhibits for children on sport science, the mind and electricity. The Lightning Room show is a highlight. Combined with the Melbourne Planetarium on-site. museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks
• Melbourne Museum — 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton. Natural history, Australian culture and the Children's Gallery. Phar Lap's stuffed hide, the forest gallery and the human body mind exhibition.
• Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium — Corner Flinders Street and King Street, Melbourne CBD. Large sharks, stingrays, penguins and the coral atoll. melbourneaquarium.com.au

Free and Outdoor Activities

• Luna Park — 18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda. Heritage amusement park (since 1912) with free entry (pay per ride). The Scenic Railway (oldest operating roller coaster in the world) and the Ghost Train are highlights. Saturday and Sunday, school holidays and evenings.
• Birrarung Marr and Yarra Riverbank — Free outdoor playground, Federation Bells, the Angel installation and river views. Connects to the CBD and the Arts Precinct.

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