Family Days Out in Melbourne

November 5, 2026

Melbourne suits families because the main child-friendly sites sit close together and several offer free entry for younger children.

Zoos Victoria

Melbourne Zoo in Parkville, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary share a policy. Children under 16 enter free on weekends, Victorian public holidays and Victorian school holidays, and they must be with an adult. Children aged 4 to 15 pay from about AUD 30 on weekdays, and adults pay from about AUD 58. At Werribee the 21-hectare Elephant Trail opened in March 2025 for the herd of nine Asian elephants that moved from Melbourne Zoo in February 2025. Healesville focuses on native animals, and its koala experience is hands-off, as holding koalas is not offered in Victoria. See the Zoos Victoria kids page .

Melbourne Museum

Melbourne Museum in Carlton Gardens lets children aged 16 and under in free. Adult entry is about AUD 18, and special exhibitions cost extra. It opens around 10am to 5pm daily. Check the Museums Victoria site for the latest prices, since a further rise is planned for 2027.

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

The aquarium sits beside the Yarra. Adult tickets start from AUD 39 and children aged 2 to 15 from AUD 25, with under-2s free. Booking online in advance gives the lowest price. It opens Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and on weekends from 9:30am to 5pm, with last entry an hour before closing. King and gentoo penguins live in the Penguin Playground, and a saltwater crocodile named Coowonga is among the residents. The SEA LIFE Melbourne page has current tickets.

Luna Park

The St Kilda amusement park charges for entry, with park entry and one ride at AUD 30. An unlimited ride pass is AUD 57 for ages 13 and over and AUD 47 for ages 4 to 12, and ages 0 to 3 are free. Opening days are limited, usually from Friday evening through the weekend and during school holidays, so check the Luna Park site before you travel.

Melbourne Star and Puffing Billy

The Melbourne Star wheel in Docklands reopened on 15 October 2026. Each ride is a 30-minute rotation. Puffing Billy runs from Belgrave, and tickets must be booked ahead. Both work well for an older child’s treat.

Practical notes

Free tram travel inside the CBD and Docklands helps with strollers and tired legs. Public transport is half price for everyone until 1 January 2027.

Booking

Family tickets and tours can be compared on GetYourGuide .