Victoria family-friendly travel guide

From the breathtaking, rugged beauty of the coastline along the Great Ocean Road to the calm of the Gippsland Lakes and the cosmopolitan cool of Melbourne, Victoria can offer wonderful family holidays to suit all tastes and budgets. 

there are many day trip options not far from Melbourne. 

Visit the fantastic Open Range Zoo at Werribee. Ride on the legendary Puffing Billy steam train, or swim at one of the pristine beaches of the Mornington Peninsula.

Kids of all ages will love a visit Phillip Island.

Here animal lovers can watch the penguin parade at Summerland Beach or see the fur seals near The Nobbies.

Follow it up with a day boogie boarding or surfing at some of the beaches in the state.

Do your little ones enjoy a little bit of history with their holiday? A visit to Sovereign Hill in Ballarat is a must.

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Where to go in Victoria

Melbourne is packed with things to do for visitors of any age.

Kids will love the tram ride down to St Kilda pier, the children’s gallery at Melbourne Museum and the simulated underwater rollercoaster ride at Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium.

Of course, no trip to the capital is complete without a walk through that famous giant mouth at Luna Park.

Parents will no doubt be just as thrilled by Melbourne’s fantastic shopping, dining and nightlife, as well as the excellent National Gallery of Victoria and the leisurely cruises down the Yarra River.

Check out our Melbourne family-friendly guide here

Mornington Peninsula

Great Ocean Road

Winding its way along the wild Southern Ocean, the Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most iconic drives. It is also among the best in the world.

The coastline along the Great Ocean Road is the jewel in Victoria’s crown, with natural and spectacular attractions such as the Twelve Apostles, London Bridge and Loch Ard Gorge. Kids will love the wild surf, rugged cliffs and pretty beaches, with plenty of photo opportunities for the family album.

Gippsland

The Gippsland area is a place of great natural beauty, with the stunning Ninety Mile Beach, Wilson’s Promontory National Park and the many lakes offering excellent camping, fishing, boating, hiking and swimming.

Inland, the tiny goldmining village of Walhalla is a hidden treasure, complete with its own Goldfields Railway.

Most photographed places

St Kilda is very photogenic – home to Luna Park, St Kilda Pier and its very own ‘city beach’.

Of all these attractions, St Kilda Pier is the most photographed.

Make sure you check out the colony of penguins that lives there.

At around seven hectares in size, Queen Victoria Market is the largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere.

Piles of fruit and veg, cheese stands, wine shops, buskers, bakeries, a famous churro stand and jugs of sangria.

These are just a few of the sights you’ll see when you visit the Queen Victoria Market. 

Eureka Skydeck is a 297.3-metre skyscraper located in the Southbank precinct of Melbourne. 

It offers one of the best views of Melbourne.

Those who suffer from vertigo might want to skip a trip to the Edge.

It is an all-glass box that extends three metres out of the tower.

Winding its way along the wild Southern Ocean, the Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most iconic drives. It is also among the best in the world.

Read our family-friendly guide to the Great Ocean Road, including where to sleep, eat and play if travelling with kids.

January and February are the hottest months throughout Victoria.

Average maximum temperatures are around 20 degrees Celsius in the High Country, 25 degrees Celsius along the coast and up to 35 degrees Celsius in the north-west of the state.

In winter, maximum temperatures range from below 10 degrees Celsius in the High Country (less than three degrees Celsius on peaks) to 13 degrees Celsius in coastal areas and 17 degrees Celsius in the north-west.

Spring has the highest amount of rainfall, while Summer is the peak period and popular hotels can often be booked out.

The ski season is from July to early September.

Melbourne Airport, colloquially known as Tullamarine Airport, is around 20 minutes from the city.

The Sky Bus operates regular, direct transfers between the airport and Southern Cross Station in the CBD. 

Avalon Airport is also situated on the fringes of Melbourne.

Make sure you know which airport you are booking your flights to.

Melbourne is known as the fashion and shopping capital of Australia.

There’s no shortage of choice when it comes to spending cash.

Explore big department stores, basement boutiques and sprawling markets selling all sorts of unusual and unique treasures.

Walking is the best way to shop, especially along Melbourne’s delightful arcades and laneways.

Outside the city centre, visit shopping precincts like Chapel Street in South Yarra, Acland Street in St Kilda and Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, especially on weekends.

Here you’ll find everything from retro homewares to funky shops selling cult-in-the-making jewellery.

These strips also have stacks of streetside cafes, where you can refuel between sprees.

Outside Melbourne, the larger regional centres all have department stores and retail outlets, while locally-made crafts and collectibles can be found in towns and villages across the state.

Look out for traditional aboriginal handicrafts and local produce like wines, cheeses and fruits.

Casual, lightweight clothing is the norm around Victoria in the summer.

In winter, it can get very chilly, so be sure to pack a few thick (and waterproof) layers.

Mains voltage in Australia is 230V AC, 50Hz.

Use a two-pin (shaped like a “V”) or three-pin adaptor (different to British three-pin adaptors).

Safety and health precautions

No special immunisations or vaccinations are required to visit Australia unless you have come from, or have visited, a yellow fever infected country within six days of your arrival.

However, regulations and medical advice can change at short notice, so check with your doctor and the Australian Department of Health before you leave home.

Tap water is generally safe to drink in Australian cities.

Regional Victoria can experience bush fires during the summer.

Victoria is considered a safe destination. However we suggest you still exercise regular safety precautions as you would at home.

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Victoria Map