Melbourne's Best Family Day Trips

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Best day family day trips out of Melbourne

Have you considered taking a day trip out of Melbourne? Your children will be excited, plus you'll enjoy the fresh air and scenery, too.

In our fifth installment of [link https://melbournemumsgroup.com.au/useful-lists/ Useful Lists], we asked members of our closed Melbourne Mums Facebook Group to suggest your recommendations for Melbourne day trips most suitable for families.

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Without further ado, we give you :

Mornington Peninsula

Head down the coast to the Mornington Peninsula, there's so much to do. For a start, there's the quaint seaside town of [link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mornington,_Victoria Mornington]. Here you'll find plenty of eateries, child-friendly cafes, ice creameries, great beaches with picturesque beach boxes for instagram worthy photographs, and there's a great public kid's park and playground with a wooden pirate ship for imaginative play.

[image4 Mornington Peninsula Beaches]

[link https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/the-briars/ The Briars] is a 230 hectare rural property in Mount Martha with bush walks short enough for your kids to enjoy. You might even spot native wildlife if you look closely. The visitors centre is filled with information on the history and wildlife of the area, there's the Eco Living Display centre, and the 1840s homestead housing a world renowned collection of Napoleonic memorabilia.

[link http://www.boneomazeandminigolf.com.au/ Boneo Maze and Mini Golf] is an entertainment and eco-tourism complex in Fingal, filled with outdoor games for kids to enjoy, a vintage carousel and wetlands to explore.

The [link http://www.enchantedmaze.com.au/ Enchanted Maze] at Arthurs Seat offers Tree Surfing, a zip line and tube slides.

[link http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/arthurs-seat-state-park/things-to-do/seawinds2 Sea Winds Gardens] is a 34 hectare area at the Summit of Arthurs Seat, 305 metres above sea level. The gardens offer spectacular views of Port Phillip Bay and Peninsula's.

"Sea Winds Gardens has nice walks, beautiful views and kangaroos come out in the afternoon." MMG Member

The [link https://melbournemumsgroup.com.au/mcclelland-gallery-and-sculpture-park/ McClelland Gallery & Sculpture Park] in Langwarrin is a beautiful spot to immerse yourselves in serenity while the kids can run amok. BYO picnic and enjoy picturesque views of the lake while the kids enjoy feeding the ducks some bird seed, or enjoy lunch in the cafe.

Immerse yourselves in nature at the [link http://www.moonlitsanctuary.com.au/ Moonlit Sanctuary] in Pearcedale; a 25-acre biopark and wildlife sanctuary, 50 minutes from Melbourne's CBD (by car). Feed the resident wallabies and kangaroos, and enjoy encounters with Koalas, Dingoes and more.

Relax and enjoy the first natural hot springs and day spa centre in Victoria; [link http://www.peninsulahotsprings.com/ Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs]. Children welcome.

Sorrento is another lovely seaside town. The beaches are beautiful, there's plenty of nice eateries, and you can catch the [link http://www.searoad.com.au/ Queenscliff to Sorrento ferry] for something fun to do.

Dandenong Ranges

"A walk on one of the trails or in one of the gardens (pram friendly). A stop at the gorgeous shops in Kallista. Fruit picking depending on the season. A meal at the [link http://www.piggerycafe.com.au/ Piggery Cafe]; setting and play space can't be beat." MMG Member

[link http://puffingbilly.com.au/en/ Puffing Billy Railway] is a century-old steam train which still runs on its original mountain track; a must for little train lovers. In recent years, Puffing Billy introduced a [link http://puffingbilly.com.au/en/events-and-dining/day-out-thomas-emerald/ Day Out with Thomas], where your little kids will get to meet the Fat Controller and get to ride on a 20 minute train journey with Thomas the Tank Engine and Diesel. Also look out for the [link http://puffingbilly.com.au/en/events-and-dining/santa-special/ Santa special with Puffing Billy], a festive day out for families.

[Image2 A Day out with Thomas]

[link http://www.grantsonsherbrooke.com.au/ Grants Picnic Ground] to feed the beautiful Rosellas and Cockatoos, enjoy one of the many bush walks, or enjoy a drink and lunch in the restaurant overlooking the Sherbrooke Forest.

[image5 Cockatoos at Grants Picnic Ground]

[link http://www.skyhighmtdandenong.com.au/ SkyHigh Mount Dandenong] for majestic views of Victoria's Port Phillip Bay.

"We always take our kids to [link http://www.flippinpancakes.com.au/ Flippin' Pancakes] in Sassafras for lunch when we visit the Dandenongs" MMG Member

[link http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/william-ricketts-sanctuary-gardens-of-the-dandenongs William Ricketts Sanctuary] a short bush walk filed with the mystical sculptures by late Australian artist William Ricketts.

Yarra Valley

The Yarra Valley isn't all about vineyards, there's plenty of other family friendly activities to enjoy.

The [link http://www.yvci.com.au/ Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery] in Yarra Glen has breathtaking views of the Yarra Valley, as well as plenty of indoor and outdoor fun for kids.

The [link http://melbourne.kidtown.com.au/mckenzie-reserve-in-yarra-glen/ McKenzie Reserve in Yarra Glen] on Bell Street next to the library has state-of-the-art playground for kids to enjoy.

[link www.zoo.org.au/healesville Healesville Sanctuary] a bushland haven for Australian wildlife, with a magnificent interactive playground for children.

[image8 Meet the Kangaroos]

"For extra fun, add on a Magic Moment wildlife encounter at Healesville Sanctuary" MMG Member

[link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marysville,_Victoria Marysville] a beautiful town in a pristine natural environment.

Phillip Island

Most famous for the [link https://www.penguins.org.au/ Penguin Parade] where visitors far and wide come to watch the penguins emerge from the water to waddle across the sand to the safety of their burrows.

There's also the [link http://phillipislandchocolatefactory.com.au/ Phillip Island Chocolate Factory], the Koala Conservation Centre, The Nobbies Centre and [link http://www.amazenthings.com.au/ Amaze N'Things].

Heide Museum of Modern Art

[link https://www.heide.com.au/ Heide Museum of Modern Art] offers three galleries, stunning architecture and fifteen acres of gardens and sculpture park to explore.

"Pull up your picnic rug and enjoy a lazy sunny day while the kids run free." MMG Member

Ballarat

There's a reason why open air museum [link http://www.sovereignhill.com.au/ Sovereign Hill] remains a permanent fixture on Victoria's tourist map.

[image7 Sovereign Hill]

The open air museum is a fabulous family tourist attraction, which is not only lots of fun but educational, too.

Ballarat is also home to the [link http://made.org/M.A.D.E Museum], located at the site of the Eureka Rebellion in Ballarat, as well as the [link www.wildlifepark.com.au/ Ballarat Wildlife Park].

Eight kilometres east of Ballarat is [link http://kryalcastle.com.au/ Kryal Castle], a replica medieval castle.

"Price (for Kryal Castle) was reasonable as I purchased a voucher on Groupon, and best advice is to pack your own lunch as there are places to sit and have picnic near the playground". MMG Member

Macedon Ranges

Enjoy 7 hectares of garden heaven at the [link http://www.visitmacedonranges.com/tourism_listing/gardens-of-tieve-tara/ Gardens of Tieve Tara]. Great for kids to run around on Treasure Island, and there's a fairy tree to visit. Open 1st March to 31st of May then 1st September to 30th November each year.

Daylesford

The iconic and beautiful [link http://www.lavandula.com.au/ Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm] is well worth a visit.

"Lavender farm - beautiful gardens, animals, cafe, pond, they also do tours of the old farm house" MMG Member

Other mentions include

"Another place in my to do list with the kids is Warburton. Heard it is lovely and quaint." MMG Member

"Mt Donna Buang for some snow and tobogganing" MMG Member

"Lake Mountain in winter for snow play" MMG Member

[image6 Lake Mountain]

"[link https://altonaminiaturerailway.com.au/ Altona mini train rides] on every third Sunday of the month." MMG Member

"[link http://www.fairypark.com/ Fairy park] Anakie" MMG Member

"Warrandyte, the closest State Park to Melbourne for bush walks and picnics" MMG Member.

A change of scenery does the world of good for Melbourne families. Break out of your weekly routine and hit the road on a weekend adventure where you don't need to book an overnight stay.

[INTRO Have you considered taking a day trip out of Melbourne? Your children will be excited, plus you'll enjoy the fresh air and scenery, too. Here are our suggestions for best day trips for families in Melbourne's suburbs and beyond as voted by you.]
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