Melbourne might have a reputation for high-end food, cutting-edge culture and moody laneways, but it’s also one of the most kid-friendly cities around. With just three days to explore with a child in tow, we created an itinerary of fun, food and family favourites. From a hotel with a chocolate hour to a train-themed burger bar, here’s how we made the most of 72 hours in Melbourne as a family.
Where to stay
movenpick.accor.com/en/australia-pacific/australia/melbourne/hotel-melbourne-on-spencer
Our base for the weekend, the Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer, was a quiet and comfortable haven at the end of each busy day, complete with heated pool. The luxury hotel is located opposite Southern Cross Station and within the free tram zone, which makes navigating the city easy. There are restaurants and cafes at your fingertips, too.
We stayed in one of the king suites — 41 square metres of absolute comfort with space to spread out (vital when travelling with kids). It had all the essentials: a generous bath (after walking all day, you’ll appreciate this), a coffee machine for those early mornings and comfy bedding. A rollaway bed was set up on request, which worked well for our family.
What really won our son over was the hotel’s daily chocolate hour. Every afternoon, the lobby transforms into a sweet-lovers’ dream with free treats. And if that isn’t enough, guests under 12 receive unlimited free ice cream for the duration of their stay.
Day one
We dedicated our first day to exploring the city the best way possible — on foot. Walking shoes on and curious minds at the ready, Melbourne Central was our first stop. In addition to around 300 shops, the shopping centre is also home to the beautifully preserved Coop’s Shot Tower, a 50-metre, towering piece of industrial history encased within the modern complex. Built in the 1880s to produce lead shot, it’s now home to a small museum and worth a visit for a quick history hit and the Instagrammable views.
Another centre favourite is the Hello Kitty Café — kitsch, cute and absolutely worth a peek. From there, we wandered into Koko Black for a spot of homegrown chocolate (Melbourne’s answer to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory) and then dropped a few coins at Capsule Station. This Japanese import features walls of gacha capsule machines, each one filled with a collectible or quirky toy. Expect everything from tiny sushi sets to anime figurines.
Monopoly Dreams, a life-sized Monopoly-themed attraction located on the ground floor, is also worth a visit. We challenged each other in board-game-style rooms and snapped a pic in the famous Monopoly jail. Allow at least 90 minutes to explore everything.
Next on the agenda? Melbourne’s laneways. Outside, we followed our favourite route – through Collins Street into the historic Block Arcade, where the mosaic floors and soaring glass ceilings are breathtaking. We stopped for a late lunch at The Tea Rooms 1892, its impressive and decadent cake cabinet catching our attention. With its pretty art nouveau-style chandeliers, floral wallpaper and dainty fine bone china, this Melbourne institution takes visitors back to the Victorian era. Book ahead for the high tea — tradition at its best — with pinwheels, individual quiche, petit fours and, of course, scones.
Older kids with a taste for cool collectibles will love the myriad of quirky stores the CBD has on offer. We started at the popular Minotaur for comic book treasures and anime goodies before popping into Plenty of Games. For vintage fashion, Retrostar and Vintage Sole are packed with everything from ’60s dresses to ’90s Levi’s.
Day two
legolanddiscoverycentre.com/melbourne/
Of course, a trip to Melbourne would not be complete without time dedicated to its family-friendly icons. There’s the SEA LIFE Aquarium, Melbourne Zoo and the museum, but with time for only one, we chose the LEGO Discovery Centre located at Chadstone. Think creative building zones, a mini city made entirely of bricks, even an indoor ride. It’s aimed at kids aged from three to 10, so perfect for younger travellers.
Day three
ptv.vic.gov.au/route/15834/35/
You can’t visit Melbourne without a ride on the City Circle Tram. It’s free, fun and gives tired legs a break while looping past landmarks like Flinders Street Station, Federation Square and the Queen Victoria Market. The audio commentary is great, too. We opted to disembark at the market, which is bound by Peel, Franklin, Victoria and Elizabeth streets. A few stalls piqued our son’s interest, one being Airbrush Co. Here, the artists custom-spray paint graffiti on caps and t-shirts to suit your style and interests. We also discovered Publique Bakery and RG Pantry, both crafting mouthwatering and tempting treats (you can’t go past the Dubai Chocolate Brownie at RG’s).
Tip: Grab the Queen Victoria Market Kids Passport from the Information Hub. Kids can collect stamps from traders and receive a small prize at the end.
After returning to the CBD, we strolled around Fed Square, where big events often bring unexpected bonuses. On our visit, it was Grand Prix weekend — and there was an F1 car on display. Fed Square is also home to cultural heavyweights like ACMI and the NGV Australia, and makes for a great lunch stop too.
Melbourne with kids is the kind of city break that offers more than the usual activities. It’s immersive, imaginative and never dull. And the best part? You can fly direct from the Sunshine Coast Airport, with an average of 40 direct flights to Melbourne each week.
The writer travelled at her own expense.
Where to eat: Family-friendly finds…
Melbourne’s food scene is legendary, and it doesn’t need to be sacrificed when travelling with kids. A few options worth visiting, include:
Easey’s in Collingwood is a hit for train-lovers. Set inside old train carriages on the roof of a five-storey building, it’s quirky, fun and surprisingly good value. Burgers and chips come served with skyline views and a side of nostalgia.
Brunetti Oro on Flinders Lane is our go-to for pizza, pasta and pastries. It’s bustling in the evenings, so bring headphones for sensitive ears, but the dessert selection alone is worth the visit.
Stalactites is a Melbourne institution, owned by the same Greek family since 1978, and the name alone had us intrigued. With faux stalactites hanging from the ceiling and souvlaki served till late, it’s an easy crowd-pleaser.