things to do Tag

District Docklands is the new entertainment hub you need to know about.

District Docklands is a revitalised and exciting open-air shopping precinct with attractions, entertainment, dining and fresh food. Designed to provide families with everything they need for a fantastic family weekend away, or an urban holiday in the heart of Melbourne city, District Docklands has something to occupy every member of the family. However, if you’re looking for a little advice on crafting the perfect itinerary for your visit, read our round-up of the best things to do in and around District Docklands below.

ArtVo

ArtVo is an interactive trick art museum and the first of its kind in Australia. Here, visitors can touch and photograph themselves interacting with the art. Expect whitewater rafts floating through raging rapids, icebergs where whales bound overhead, and scale narrow bridges between fiery dragons.

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq

Boasting six bowling lanes, 67 arcade and ticketed games, dodgem cars and an XD theatre, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq is a carnival circus-themed urban hangout. There’s a cocktail bar that’s a feast for the senses, with draped red-velvet curtains, popcorn machines on red-and-white striped carts, arcades and a kissing booth.

O’Brien Icehouse

O’Brien Icehouse is Australia’s largest and most respected ice arena, and a great spot for the kids to learn how to skate. If ice skating isn’t quite for you, you can warm up with a drink at St Moritz Bar while you watch others give it a go through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Mini golf

Fancy yourself a fair putter? Put your skills to the test at GlowGolf, a miniature 18-hole golf course entirely blanketed in darkness. Not to worry, the UV lights will illuminate your way. If golfing in the dark doesn’t sound like a good time, why not try something a little more… magical? PotionPutt is a 9-hole pop-up course that takes inspiration from the stories of a certain boy wizard. There are cauldrons, potions and magical portals to explore.

Saboteurs

Fans of the hugely popular online game AmongUs will revel in Saboteurs, an immersive, interactive space-themed game. Housed within 11 converted shipping containers, inside is a Moon Base-themed play space where players are required to complete tasksto make it through to the end.

Imaginator

Formerly known as Imaginaria, the Imaginator is an immersive play experience for kids, and kids at heart. Dreams and technology come together to create wondrous environments of colour, light and sound installations.

Magnet Galleries Melbourne

This social enterprise aims to bring people with a passion for photography together to share knowledge and experiences. However, depending on when you visit, Magnet Galleries also hosts photographic exhibitions in the gallery.

Where to stay at District Docklands

Families looking for fantastic accommodation right in the heart of all the action need to check out Nesuto Docklands. This new apartment hotel has everything you could want as a home away from home and is nestled right up against the District Docklands entertainment precinct. The design of the hotel focuses on lifestyle design and atmosphere, and has facilities such as 24-hour reception, gymnasium, housekeeping and dry cleaning services, on-site parking, and free WiFi. And, should you be catching a sports game or concert at Marvel Stadium, the stadium is only a little walk away.

Where to eat at District Docklands

A short walk away from Nesuto Docklands is Urban Alley Brewery, which provides the perfect lunch (or dinner) spot with options for the entire family from a superfood grain salad to the beast burger, and a kids’ menu. This spacious venue is an award-winning brewery and every beer on the menu is brewed on-site. The Slapshot Aussie Pale Ale is so good even non-beer drinkers will love its citrus, mango and passionfruit aromas. For breakfast, try nearby Day Break Café. Reminiscent of a Melbourne laneway cafe, the food here is an art form. We recommend the tiramisu pancake with tiramisu mascarpone, ice-cream, cocoa soil, cinnamon and pistachio crumbs, cocoa powder, biscoff cookies and coffee cream.

This article originally appeared in Holidays with Kids magazine. Subscribe to the latest issue here.

Keep reading:

• The best things to do with kids in Melbourne
• Cool day trips from Melbourne to do with kids

Victoria family accommodation