{"menuItems":[{"label":"Featured deals","anchorName":"#featured-deals"},{"label":"Outdoor activities in Melbourne for the school holidays","anchorName":"#outdoor"},{"label":"Indoor activities in Melbourne for the school holidays","anchorName":"#indoor"},{"label":"Road trips you can take from Melbourne during the school holidays","anchorName":"#day"},{"label":"See the latest Melbourne school holiday activity deals","anchorName":"#deals"},{"label":"When are the school holidays in Melbourne 2023\/24?","anchorName":"#when-are-the-school-holidays-in-melbourne-2023-24"},{"label":"Free school holiday activities in Melbourne","anchorName":"#free"}]}
If you're stuck on how to keep the little ones entertained in Melbourne, we've got you covered with inspiration in spades for the school holiday break.
Outdoor activities in Melbourne for the school holidays
Step into the Australian wild
Sign up for a fun day out in Melbourne by visiting one of the city's many zoos.
Off Road Animal Safari at Werribee Open Range Zoo from RedBalloon
Inclusions: General entry to the zoo, ride in an open safari vehicle and driver/guide
Family bonding doesn't get better than an escape room. You'll have to work together to find the clues and get out before the time is up! Most rooms are geared at ages 10+.
Rush Escape Game - South Yarra from TripAdvisor
Inclusions: Premium escape room experience - 60 mins
Discover stories of Melbourne's sordid past on a ghost tour of old cities such as Williamstown. Or, up the ante and take a tour of the eerie J Ward Lunatic Asylum. Most tours are for ages 13+ due to their fear-factor.
Old Melbourne Ghost Tour from Adrenaline
Inclusions: 90 minute walking tour, professional guide
Get those feet moving by exploring the city they're growing up in. Dedicated tours give curious minds the chance to ask experts all their niggling questions. You might even discover parts of the city you've never been to before.
Electric Bicycle Tour of Bayside Melbourne from RedBalloon
Inclusions: 2 hour guided bayside tour, electric bicycle and helmet, choice of a tea or coffee en route, photo of your experience emailed to you
Location: 15-20 minute drive or tram/bus ride from Melbourne CBD, Victoria
If you're a local, it can be easy to overlook some of the best attractions Melbourne has to offer. Be a tourist for a day and explore its popular sights.
Eureka Sky Deck Entry from Adrenaline
Inclusions: 360° views of Melbourne from 285 metres high
From meeting penguins to discovering the creatures that inhabit the world's oceans, there's an activity for kids of all ages during the school holidays.
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium General Admission from RedBalloon
Inclusions: General Admission for 2 hours at Melbourne Aquarium, all on-site presentations
Grab a paddle and kayak the Yarra, taking in the views of Melbourne and its waterways.
Twilight Sea Kayak Tour from RedBalloon
Inclusions: Twilight sea kayak tour, briefing with instructors, use of kayak, paddle, PFD, spray deck, paddle jacket and thermals, snacks and drinks at a rest stop
Do something a little different these school holidays with an overnight stay at Melbourne Zoo or a kayak camping trip.
Overnight Zoo Swags & Snags Safari with BBQ and Breakfast from RedBalloon
Inclusions: Glass of sparkling wine, snacks, dinner and ice-cream, swags, in-built double mattress, daily Melbourne Zoo admission for the following day, breakfast with coffee or tea
Inclusions: Overnight glamping for 5 kids, 5m bell tent, 5 x single mattresses, use of the camp kitchen - fridges, cook tops, kettles, toasters, camping fees, tent
For a relaxing day out, book the family on a sightseeing cruise to soak up the city's highlights while being entertained with commentary. If you'd prefer more privacy, you can steer your own course by hiring a boat instead.
Melbourne Highlights Sightseeing Cruise from RedBalloon
Inclusions: Two hour sightseeing cruise, complimentary tea and coffee
Indoor activities in Melbourne for the school holidays
Have fun learning a new creative skill
Let their creativity loose with these fun classes from ClassBento. From learning how to perform circus tricks to meeting and drawing a llama, there's something for every child.
Wheel Throwing Workshop for Beginners from Classbento
Inclusions: 2 hours pottery wheel foundation class
Grabbing a paintbrush and letting them loose on a canvas is one of the best outlets for creativity. Hone their skills even further with a dedicated art class and watch their imaginations run wild.
School Holiday Creative Thinking and Art Workshop from Classbento
Inclusions: Monday to Friday art, discovery and learning
Location: Dya Art and Creative Thinking Studios - 252 Graham Street, Port Melbourne VIC
Kids love hands-on activities and learning how to cook is a great skill to pick up. Purchase a children's baking kit if your little ones are cooking for the first time. Otherwise, invest in a kids cookbook so they can take the reins in the kitchen.
School Holiday Cooking Class for Kids and Teens from Classbento
Road trips you can take from Melbourne during the school holidays
Grampians National Park
Distance from Melbourne: 3-hour drive. Public transport takes around 3.5 hours with trains and buses.
Situated to the northwest of Melbourne, Grampians National Park offers hiking, swimming, lookouts, kayaking and even zoos. You won't be short of things to do – just make sure everyone has their walking shoes ready.
The Grampians Full Day Hiking Tour from RedBalloon
Inclusions: Return transfers from Melbourne, entry to Grampians National Park, two moderate to challenging hikes, fruit, snacks, coffee and tea, tour guides
Location: The Grampians National Park departing Melbourne, VIC
Distance from Melbourne: 1.5-hour drive. Public transport takes around 2.5 hours.
It's safe to say that the Great Ocean Road is a favourite among Victorian locals and tourists alike. With free road trip options as well as adventure activities to choose from, there's no doubt that this will keep the kids entertained.
Great Ocean Road Guided Wildlife Walk from RedBalloon
Inclusions: 75 minute guided walk, guide, entry into Wildlife Wonders, audio headset and binoculars
Location: 5 minutes from Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road, VIC
Distance from Melbourne: Just over a 1-hour drive. Public transport will take around 1.5 hours.
The Mornington Peninsula is a great school holiday spot jam-packed with activities and is only an hour away from Melbourne. From wildlife parks to endless hiking options, we think the kids will love this day out.
Tree Surfing Grand Course from RedBalloon
Inclusions: Two hours on the Grand Tree Surfing, all safety equipment, activity briefing and training, all-day general admission access to Enchanted Adventure
Inclusions: Admission to attractions, guide, round-trip transfers to and from the meet up location, onboard water refill station, mini-coach travel, audio translation in 10 languages
Available on select dates on destinations including Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. Minimum spend of $300 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, skydives and high teas. T&Cs apply.
Available on selected accommodations in Cairns, Port Douglas, Gold Coast, Whitsundays, Darwin, Melbourne, Sydney, Queenstown, Adelaide and Dubbo. Limited time offer. T&Cs, exclusions apply.
Enjoy mini golf with friends at Holey Moley. They have 9, 18, and 27 holes, plus karaoke and a food bar. Available in NSW, QLD, VIC, WA and SA. T&Cs apply.
Available on hot air balloon flights, skydiving, lunch cruises, jet boat rides and attraction passes on Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, SkyPoint Observation Deck, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Madame Tussauds and more. Minimum spend of $350 is required. T&Cs apply.
Up to 10% off Melbourne activities + an extra $10 off with code
Available on select dates until 2023 on activities including driving experiences, kayak tours, attraction passes and more. Minimum spend of $300 is required. T&Cs apply.
Up to 60% off activities, experiences and things to do
Valid on select dates including holidays such as Christmas, New Year's and more depending on the destination. Destinations include Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Dubai, Australia, London and the US. T&Cs apply.
Tamara Medojevic was a travel writer at Finder. She graduated from the University of Technology Sydney with a Bachelor of Communications, majoring in Journalism. Tamara believes that travelling is an experience that can be enjoyed on all budgets. She loves writing and can be found immersed in poetry on her days off.
See all that South Africa has to offer with a combination of thrilling and relaxing experience we have listed in this list of things to do while you're there.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stands by our editorial principles
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them.
Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn't a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan and read any disclosure documents (such as any Target Market Determination (TMD) and/or Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)) issued by the provider before making a decision.
Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. Acceptance by insurance companies is based on things like occupation, health and lifestyle. By providing you with the ability to apply for a credit card or loan, we are not guaranteeing that your application will be approved. Your application for credit products is subject to the Provider's terms and conditions as well as their application and lending criteria.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
RedBalloon
Wotif
Holey Moley
Classbento
Klook
Experience Oz
