Victoria family-friendly travel guide

January and February are the hottest months throughout Victoria, with average maximum temperatures 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.

December to February are the summer months and temperatures range from 14 to 25 degrees Celsius.

March to May are he autumn months and temperatures range from 11 to 20 degrees Celsius.

June to August are the winter months and temperatures range from 6 to 13 degrees Celsius.

September to November are the spring months and temperatures range from 10 to 21 degrees Celsius.

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 – be mindful you book flights to the correct airport, as sometimes people get the two confused!

Taxis are readily available around Melbourne and easily visible, as they’re bright yellow.

Melbourne is very well connected by trams, buses and trains. You can find timetabling and route information here. 

When it comes to eating out, Victoria is a haven for the keenest foodies as well as the fussiest kids. Victoria offers all types of cuisines from all nationalities, with its mix of diverse ethnic cultures and many of Australia’s most innovative chefs. In Melbourne alone, you’ll find over 3000 restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars dishing up every type of food imaginable and reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of the city. You’ll find everything from unique modern fusion to Thai, Chinese, French, Greek, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Vietnamese, Mexican, vegetarian and seafood specialities.

Around Victoria, there’s everything from laidback cafes and family restaurants to fine dining establishments, many boasting unbeatable locations. Accessible and abundant, Victoria’s gastronomic getaways allow you to sample such fresh local fare as venison, quail or trout, washed down with quality handcrafted wines.

Melbourne is known as the fashion and shopping capital of Australia. There’s no shortage of choice when it comes to spending cash, from big departments stores and snazzy basement boutiques to sprawling markets and hole-in-the-walls hiding 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.

Tipping is appreciated, but not expected in Australia.

Casual, lightweight clothing is the norm around Victoria in the summer. In winter, it can get pretty chilly, so be sure to pack a few thick (and waterproof) layers!

Australia is renowned for its laid-back, egalitarian culture – especially in Melbourne. By and large, friendliness is equated with good manners, and a smile, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ is plenty.

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).

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.

By and large, Victoria is considered a safe destination, although still exercise regular safety precautions as you would at home.

The coastline along the Great Ocean Road the a 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.

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, stretching out in the bay and ending in the heritage-listed Pavilion building (not to mention the colony of penguins that lives here!).

At around seven hectares in size, Queen Victoria Market is the largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere, so it’s little wonder people love to snap a picture or two for their Insta feeds while perusing the stalls here. Piles of fruit and veg, cheese stands, wine shops, buskers, bakeries, a famous churro stand and jugs of sangria are just a few of the sights one will encounter on a visit.

Eureka Skydeck is a 297.3-metre skyscraper located in the Southbank precinct of Melbourne and offers one of the best views of Melbourne. Those who suffer from vertigo might want to skip a trip to the Edge: an all-glass box that extends three metres out of the tower.