Looking for family-friendly activities for the weekend that won’t break the bank? Here’s our guide to the best free things to do in Melbourne.
Family
Summer school holiday activity guide in Melbourne and Victoria
A guide to the best and most budget-friendly activities to do over the summer school holidays in Melbourne and Victoria.
Summer school holidays means time for fun adventures, activities, road trips and entertainment. The Victorian school holidays run from 23 December 2024 to 28 January 2025.
Here’s the best things to do during the Victorian summer school holidays, from the best free activities to ideas for a fun day at home.
Summer school holidays guide: things to do in Melbourne and Victoria
Family-friendly summer holidays activities and attractions
Meet marine life at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
Melbourne CBD
Looking to beat the summer heat during summer holidays in Melbourne? SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium features more than 10,000 animals to see and learn about, including sharks, penguins, crocodiles, and seahorses. Kids can also head to the new Jelly Lab experience to learn more about these majestic marine creatures.
From 1 December 2024 to 2 February 2025, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is celebrating Melbourne's 'Cool Creatures', headlined by the one and only giant King Penguin chick, Pesto! Meet Melbourne’s coolest creatures, discover fascinating marine life, and discover why ocean conservation is more important than ever.
RACV Members save on tickets to SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium.
Strike a pose at ArtVo Melbourne
Docklands
Perhaps it’s raining, or you’ve had enough of the summer heat. Either way, great photo magic awaits at ArtVo, in Melbourne’s activity capital of the Docklands. In this immersive 3D gallery, trick imagery makes your photos appear as optical illusions and puts you at the centre of it all – whether you’re sitting in a fairy jar, in the clutches of King Kong, saving someone on a broken bridge or going to sleep in a mermaid’s clam.
RACV Members save on tickets to ArtVo Melbourne.
Try to avoid jail at MONOPOLY DREAMS Melbourne
Melbourne CBD
This attraction corners the market. MONOPOLY DREAMS Melbourne is an immersive take on the popular board game, where visitors can take the Chance to win Monopoly money, battle through a laser maze, explore Mr Monopoly’s mansion and 4DX movie, and play games to get out of Jail. Bookings are recommended over the Melbourne summer holidays.
RACV Members save on tickets to MONOPOLY DREAMS Melbourne.
Catch a game of tennis at the Australian Open 2025
Melbourne CBD
The Australian Open 2025 is set to be a big one, with Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka all set to play. Grab your tickets early to guarantee good seats close to the action - or remember that Federation Square streams the Open live for free, with plenty of seating around.
Take a ride on Puffing Billy
Belgrave
The Dandenong Ranges make for a day of beautiful exploration in nature – take a hike, walk through the botanical gardens, stay for lunch and have a ride on the historical steam train, Puffing Billy. Heading through mountainous rainforest, kids will love dangling their feet off the carriage as the century-old train takes passengers on a journey on this heritage attraction.
Puffing Billy is a fun day out for the whole family
See a blockbuster movie
Around Melbourne and Victoria
The cinema can be a great place to have a cool down, or even enjoy outdoors during the summer season. The summer break is blockbuster season, with plenty of entertainment on at cinemas this school holidays for the family. Don't miss Moana 2, The Wild Robot, Mufasa: The Lion King, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Paddington in Peru, and A Minecraft Movie - all sure to be hits with the kids.
RACV Members save when pre-purchasing movie tickets.
Explore the parks of Gumbuya World
Tynong North, Gippsland
Can’t decide between going to a water park, theme park or wildlife sanctuary? You don’t have to choose at Gumbuya World, which encompasses all these and more just an hour from the CBD. Made up of four distinct ‘worlds,’ you can visit Oasis Springs for waterslide and lazy river fun, head to Oz Adventure for a mix of thrill rides and rollercoasters, take the little ones for a gentler ride at Outback Explorers, and interact with Australian animals on the Wildlife Trail.
RACV Members save on Gumbuya World tickets.
Get your build on at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre
Chadstone
LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre is Australia’s first indoor LEGO® playground, specifically designed for kids aged 3 to 10 years old. With more than two million LEGO® bricks, interactive rides, a 4D cinema and much more, your children will get plenty of hands-on time discovering and constructing whatever their imagination desires.
RACV Members save on LEGOLAND Discovery Centre tickets.
Spend a day in the clouds at Melbourne Skydeck
Southbank
Melbourne Skydeck is the southern hemisphere's tallest observation deck, with panoramic views of Melbourne City, exquisite drinks and dining, and experiences like the world's largest positron virtual reality cinema on-hand. Kids will love the VR Plank experience, the 6D Voyager Theatre, and the hair-rising The Cube experience.
RACV Members save on Melbourne Skydeck tickets.
Hit up Luna Park for a day of fun
St Kilda
Luna Park is a classic day out for Melbourne-based families. This traditional carnival park is Australia’s oldest, and its thrilling rides, mini roller coasters, fairy-floss and carnival fun have given millions of visitors lifelong memories. As you walk through the iconic giant mouth (fun fact: his name is Mr Moon) into this amusement park, the kids will be overjoyed at the sight of everything to enjoy.
Melbourne Skydeck is full of different experiences for all ages
Musicals and shows in Melbourne over the summer school holidays
Melbourne is Australia’s cultural capital, with plenty of amazing theatre shows and musicals that are great for the family showing over the summer.
RACV Members save on a range of entertainment experiences with Ticketek.
Musicals on during the school holidays
Some highlights for families include:
- Beauty and the Beast, a much-loved Disney classic with spectacular new sets, costume designs and state-of-the-art technology
- A Christmas Carol, a heartwarming interpretation of Charles Dickens’ immortal classic that's brimming with music and merriment.
- Sister Act, which older kids and parents will be singing along to for days on end.
Orchestra shows to see over summer
Outside of musicals, there’s plenty more to experience on Melbourne’s stages. The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is playing several family-friendly concerts, from live-score movie screenings of Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark to child-friendly classical performances like Saint-Saëns's Carnival of the Animals and A Symphonic Christmas, which is full of favourites like Joy to the World, Silent Night and Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker.
Beauty and the Beast is a must-see musical these school holidays
Summer holiday and day trip ideas for families in Victoria
Go back in time to Ballarat
Ballarat in Victoria’s Goldfields region is a great holiday hotspot full of activities for the kids. Travel back to the 1800s gold rush at Sovereign Hill, enter a fantasy world full of dragons and knights at Kryal Castle, or visit native animals at Ballarat Wildlife Park.
Book a stay at RACV Goldfields Resort so you're nice and close to the action.
Take a walk on the wild side on Phillip Island
Full of nature parks, animals, beaches and activities, there’s a reason why Phillip Island and nearby Inverloch are popular Victorian holiday destinations.
Take the family around the Phillip Island Adventure Parks, where you can see marsupials up close at the Koala Conservation Reserve, head on a virtual trip to Antarctica at the Nobbies Centre, interact with farm animals on Churchill Island, and make a stop at the iconic penguin parade, where you’ll see the largest fairy penguin colony on Earth waddling up to say hello.
Make a weekend of it at the nearby RACV Inverloch Resort.
Relax by the river in Cobram
A family road trip to the Murray River region is the perfect way to while away those long summer days. Swim or fish in the mighty Murray, play a game of mini golf with the family, or visit Cactus Country to see Australia's largest collection of cacti in a beautifully presented garden.
Stay in a cabin, apartment or the caravan park at the RACV Cobram Resort for easy access to the Cobram area.
Get adventurous on the Mornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, while not having to travel too far to feel like you’re truly on holiday. With glittering beaches from Canadian Bay to Cape Schanck, spend those dreamy summer days enjoying the great outdoors.
There’s plenty for families to do just an hour out of Melbourne. Spend a whimsical day getting lost in the Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens, ride the Arthurs Seat Eagle gondola for breathtaking views across Port Phillip Bay to Melbourne city skyline, or visit nocturnal Aussie animals at Moonlit Sanctuary.
Book a stay at the RACV Cape Schanck Resort to make the most of your adventure.
Go on a day trip like the Great Ocean Road
If you’d prefer to just head on a one-off road trip, there’s plenty of places around Victoria that make for a great day trip on a summer’s day.
For example, you can cruise down the Great Ocean Road to the iconic Bells Beach in Torquay. If you prefer to stay dry, head on a tour to see the dolphins and seals as they dance across the sea.
Wherever you go, stay bushfire-safe, have an emergency kit in the car, and make sure your emergency roadside assistance policy is up-to-date.
Cactus Country is close by the RACV Cobram Resort
Free summer school holidays activities in Melbourne and Victoria
Hit the beach or a swimming hole
While summer (hopefully) brings on swimming weather, it’s the season for exploring the magnificent swimming spots and beaches of the state.
Take the family to an adventure to a natural swimming hole, hit up one of the best beaches in Melbourne, run around with your dog at an off-leash beach, or go on a fun coastal walk.
Remember to always stay safe around water, including sunscreen, parental supervision for children, and swimming between the flags.
Explore a new playground
We’ve rounded up the best playgrounds in regional Victoria and around Melbourne so you don’t have to!
Whether your kids love playgrounds shaped like a pirate ship, exploring musical play equipment, challenging obstacles or just a fun play on the good old swing and slide, a playground is the perfect place for some free outdoor fun in the sun.
Have a family bake day
Got a budding sous chef in your mist? Get the kids together for a play in the kitchen and let budding hands make some of their very own marvellous creations.
Give them a go at some child friendly recipes from the RACV Club Kitchen, like this salted caramel choc-chip cookie recipe, the popular mini pancake cereal, or this easy chocolate mousse cake recipe.
Go on a scenic hike
Make the most of the better weather by exploring the best of the scenic walks and hikes around Melbourne and Victoria. Whether you want to go chasing waterfalls, you’re looking for family-friendly walks, fun dog trails or nature hikes around the state, there’s always somewhere new to explore on foot.
Two of our favourite family-friendly walks are the 1000 Steps (Kokokda Track Memorial Walk) in the Dandenongs and a stroll around the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne.
Get on your bikes and ride
Dust off the bikes and head on a family ride around your suburb. It’s free, fun, and a healthy way to explore the great outdoors.
If you’re looking to explore a new region, you can head on one of these family-friendly bike routes, from a trip taking in the solar system along Port Phillip Bay, to a trip past the zoo and parklands on the Capital City Trail.
Don’t forget to brush up on the latest cycling road rules here.
Visit the libraries, galleries and museum
Did you know that there are many of Victoria's best libraries, galleries and museums with free entry and activities over the school holidays?
The NGV, ACMI, Australian Music Vault, Immigration Museum and Australian Sports Museum all have free entry, while kids under 12 are also free to visit The Heide Museum of Modern Art, Scienceworks, and The Melbourne Museum.
We've done a round-up of some of our favourite libraries and their facilities here, while here is our list of the best modern art galleries in Melbourne, as well as regional Victoria.
Many of these attractions are accessible by public transport. You can plan your route with the journey planning app arevo.
Free day trip guides
Explore greater Victoria without breaking the budget. Check out our guides for how to have a fun, free day out in the Yarra Valley, Ballarat, Mornington Peninsula, and even right here in Melbourne.
