Melbourne With Kids: Where to Eat, Stay & Play

Your go-to guide to Melbourne’s best places to eat, sleep and top things to do with kids.

Where to eat in Melbourne with kids

Parents looking to ignite their children’s appetite will find a lot to inspire in the multicultural capital of Victoria. Make Melbourne your next food-focused getaway at these sought-after spots attuned to pleasing the palates of diners young and old.

HERO at ACMI

ACMI is Melbourne’s museum dedicated to film, TV, videogames and art. After exploring the exhibitions, attending a talk or workshop, head to HERO, chef Karen Martini’s new on-site restaurant, which champions the produce of local farmers and purveyors. Line up for a house-made choc top or Maker & Monger cheese platter from Martini’s carefully curated cinema cart before heading in to see a cult classic or anime film.

Address: Federation Square, Melbourne VIC 3000

Inside Hero at ACMI — Inside HERO at ACMI. (Image: Peter Tarasiuk)

The menu at Hero at ACMI — Dine at HERO at ACMI. (Image: Peter Tarasiuk)

Lona Misa

This restaurant inside the funky new Ovolo South Yarra hotel is the perfect way to get vegetables into your kids without them even knowing. The kitchen here is helmed by chefs Ian Curley and Shannon Martinez, whose vegetarian and vegan food at Smith & Daughters has made root-to-stem dining seriously cool. The heavily vegan menu here is influenced by Martinez’s Latin roots and includes incredibly flavoursome dishes like whole peri peri cauliflower, tortilla (Spanish omelette) with aioli and moqueca, a Brazilian seafood stew with prawns fashioned from konjac (and painted pink for full effect) and tofu that looks just like fish fillets.

Address: 234 Toorak Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141

400 Gradi

What’s a visit to Melbourne without a visit to 400 Gradi? Melbourne’s pizza game has been strong for decades but founder and pizzaiolo Johnny di Francesco has taken it to the next level at 400 Gradi, which brings a slice of Naples to Brunswick in the form of his pizza, judged to be the World’s Best Pizza in 2014. Go for the marinara, or the award-winning margherita verace. Budding pizzaiolos can also sign up for a class to learn to make pizza Napoletana.

Address: 99 Lygon St, Brunswick East VIC 3057

China Red

This informal Chinese restaurant has a playful vibe that children will love. Beautiful red lanterns, dark-wood tables and ornate latticework set the scene in the casual restaurant where the large Chinese character symbol for ‘double happiness’ is everywhere. Double your family’s happiness by ordering a banquet comprising dishes such as deep-fried squid in salt and pepper, special fried rice, stir-fried Chinese broccoli and stir-fried pork in plum sauce.

Address: 206 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Brunetti Carlton

Melbourne’s big-city culinary smarts are on show for all to see at Brunetti, a glitzy 1500-square-metre eye-popping emporium where children will love browsing the dazzling display cabinets full of pizza, cakes, pastries, macarons and gelati. Brunetti’s cafe is part of the renaissance of the city’s Little Italy, and while much of the business revolves around its ‘grab and go’ menu, there are also multi-generational families celebrating over polpette, parmigiana, pizza and pastries.

Address: 380 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053

Brunetti Carlton is a treasure trove of eats.

Grazeland

Situated next to Scienceworks and five kilometres from the CBD, Grazeland is billed as a ‘Playground for Foodies’, where a riot of colourful custom-built food stalls have created a thrilling place for lovers of good food to wander. Arrive by bike via the Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail and pinball around the precinct where you can pluck food from 50 vendors including Doughville (doughnuts), the Hooked Fish and Chipper, BBL Tea and Lucky Little Dumplings.

Address: 20 Booker St, Spotswood VIC 3015

Higher Ground

Higher Ground is a hip café that extends over six levels in a heritage-listed powerhouse on Little Bourke Street. The post-industrial space, all tall arched windows and exposed brick walls, is full of discerning Melburnians who you will find scattered around bars and tables, and draped over lounges and easy chairs. Children will find ricotta hotcakes or seasonal avocado with a Vegemite emulsion enticing propositions.

Address: 650 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Higher Ground menu — Creative dishes at Higher Ground. (Image: Carmen Zammit)

Top Paddock

Glimpses of life around Richmond’s bustling Church Street are unavoidable when ensconced in Top Paddock. That’s perhaps part of the appeal as those threading past the space – all warm woods, floor-to-ceiling windows and wall panelling – become part of the performance art. Located near to the Botanic Gardens, families dining at Top Paddock will also enjoy the creativity on the plate on show in simple dishes such as buttermilk waffles and chilli scrambled eggs.

Address: 658 Church St, Richmond VIC 3121

Dine at Top Paddock with kids — Dine at Top Paddock.

Tim Ho Wan

When Tim Ho Wan staked out a place in Melbourne’s CBD mid-2020, locals couldn’t be happier. While the original Michelin-starred institution was a humble hole in the wall in Hong Kong, the Melbourne version of the franchise is big, bright and boisterous. Here, you can order dim sum for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the no-frills space. We recommend sweet-and-savoury pork buns, prawn and pork dumplings, and spinach and shrimp dumplings to get the party started.

Address: 206 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000

High Tea at The Langham

The Children’s High Teas at The Langham, Melbourne, are both satisfyingly decadent and innovative. The hotel, which runs a range of themed high teas throughout the year, offers a morning or afternoon tea which arrives on a three-tiered cake stand. Kids are encouraged to dress up and dig into treats that could range from rainbow cupcakes to mermaid doughnuts and unicorn cake pops.

Address: 1 Southgate Ave, Southbank VIC 3006

Where to stay in Melbourne with kids

Notel

This one is capital F fun: Notel is a collection of six sleek silver 1970s Airstream caravans assembled on an inner-city rooftop, and little ones can be accommodated in an extra bed or cot. Each trailer comes with an en suite, its own private deck, mini-bar with complimentary snacks, free wi-fi and Netflix via an iPad Pro, and an HP Sprocket Photo Printer to print out happy moments and selfies.

Inside the stay at Notel — Inside Notel’s 1970s Airstream caravans. (Image: Andrew Curtis)

SoYa Apartment Hotel

Your teens will adore SoYa (it stands for South Yarra, don’t you know), a 1960s apartment complex transformed into a boutique hotel of one- and two-bedroom apartments complete with kitchens, Netflix, funky mid-20th-century furniture (which you can buy), arresting wall murals, and even a pet-friendly room.

Milano Serviced Apartments

The kids may never want to go home after staying at this CBD property which boasts an indoor pool, private cinema, rooftop tennis court and rock climbing wall. You are going to love the bright and cheery apartments, laundry service, on-site supermarket and terrace barbecue area.

Arise Australia 108

Located in Melbourne’s bustling Southbank precinct, this ultra-modern tower juts into the sky offering expansive views from its family-friendly two-bedroom apartments. While in residence be sure to make the most of the facilities including an indoor pool, gym and private cinema.

Brady Hotels Jones Lane

This Little Lonsdale Street laneway property has 153 rooms spread out over 21 storeys, with great views through floor-to-ceiling windows. The rooms are all sleek and modern, and families can be accommodated in two interconnecting rooms that create a private wing. There’s a self-service laundry, casual dining and 24-hour reception.

Mantra on Russell

Enviably positioned on Russell Street in the heart of the city, rooms here include one- and two-bedroom apartments with all the facilities needed for a comfortable stay. The real selling point for the kids is the indoor pool where they can splash away rain, hail or shine.

Travelodge Hotel Melbourne Docklands

Leave your preconceived notions at the door and embrace this hotel’s bright and stylish interconnecting family rooms with kitchenette and two bathrooms, the free wi-fi, the lobby with its coffeehouse vibe (and grab-and-go café for morning caffeine hits) and the great position close to all the action.

What to do in Melbourne with kids

Festivals and events in Melbourne

Treasures of the Natural World, Melbourne Museum

12 June – 16 January

Let London come to you by heading to the Melbourne Museum to be transported to the Natural History Museum via some of its most fascinating treasures on display in Australia for the first time. This family-friendly exhibition invites visitors to journey through the natural world and marvel at more than 200 objects that changed the course of scientific history, including the rare Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing, the biggest butterfly in the world, and the Latrobe Nugget, one of the largest clusters of cubic gold crystals. Add on a screening of Museum Alive 3D at IMAX, where Sir David Attenborough leads you on a nocturnal adventure through London’s world-famous museum.

See Treasures of the Natural World at Melbourne Museum. (Credit: Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing Butterfly, The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London)

Skywhales: Every Heart Sings, MPavilion

11 December

Earlier this year, two monumental sculptures by artist Patricia Piccinini in the form of hot-air balloons graced the skies above Canberra in a spectacle staged by the National Gallery of Australia. Now those two strangely compelling whale-like mammals, Skywhale and Skywhalepapa – together the Skywhale family – are on tour across the skies of Australia, arriving in Melbourne in December.

Don’t miss Skywhales: Every Heart Sings, MPavilion. (Image: Patricia Piccinini: Skywhalepapa, 2020; National Gallery of Australia, Canberra)

Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, Princess Theatre

Ongoing

Believe the hype. Our sources say that the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play absolutely deserves the buzz it has generated but can’t spill any secrets about what exactly goes down in the five-hour spectacle in two parts. The first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage, it finds the protagonist as a grown-up father of three. A fully immersive experience, the Princess Theatre has even undergone a makeover so that it looks and feels like it’s straight out of Hogwarts.

Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, Princess Theatre.

Disney: The Magic of Animation, ACMI

Until 17 October

Australia’s national museum of screen culture, ACMI, has had a huge revamp and the first big show off its newly polished ranks will spellbind the whole family. It celebrates nearly 100 years of Disney animation through more than 500 original artworks from the 1920s through to the present day, with classics ranging from Mickey Mouse’s first talkie Steamboat Willie to Bambi and all the way to Frozen.

Disney: The Magic of Animation exhibition — See Disney: The Magic of Animation at ACMI. (Credit: Artwork: Bambi, 1942, Disney Studio Artist, story sketch, coloured pencil and graphite on paper @Disney Enterprises)

Dates for the diary

From 9 June Frozen The Musical Her Majesty’s Theatre
18 June – 3 October Plans For The Planet: Olaf Breuning For Kids NGV International
28 June – 10 July The Melbourne Magic Festival Various venues
Until August 29 The Winter Village Federation Square

Take a day trip from Melbourne

The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges

The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges combine to offer day-trippers a grab bag of quaint towns and stunning natural landscapes. Drop in at Healesville to visit Healesville Sanctuary to see our fabulous fauna up close, then head to the Rainforest Gallery/Donna Buang in Yarra Ranges National Park. When tummies start to rumble, visit Meletos Garden and Café in Coldstream for gyros overlooking the vineyard and then venture into the lush natural landscape of the Dandenong Ranges to ride the Puffing Billy Railway on your way back to the city.

Visit Meletos Garden and Café in Coldstream. (Image: Rob Blackburn)

Torquay

Driving the Great Ocean Road needs to be undertaken over a few days to do it justice, so in the case of a day trip head straight to one of its sparkling coastal towns. In Torquay, less than 1.5 hours from Melbourne, life revolves around the water so spend the day paddling at Torquay Front Beach or Cosy Corner. The kids can take surf lessons (try Torquay Surfing Academy) and you will all love the Australian National Surfing Museum ($25 for a family ticket).

Stop by the Australian National Surfing Museum,

Mornington Peninsula

The Mornington Peninsula is where Melburnians day-trip to in search of beaches, cute towns and great food and wine. There is so much to do here that you will need to plan ahead (or go back for a longer stay), but some suggestions include a visit to Mt Martha to see the colourful bathing huts, a tour of Pt Leo Estate’s Sculpture Park in Merricks, and zip lining at the Enchanted Adventure Garden in Arthur’s Seat.

Churchill Island

In spite of the fact it’s right next to Phillip Island, Churchill Island (the land of the Boon Wurrung /Bunurong people) is definitely a secret gem. Head here to wander the wide open spaces, do a spot of birdwatching and see the historical buildings dating back to European settlement in the 1850s. Spend the arvo at Churchill Island Heritage Farm watching displays of blacksmithing, cow-milking, sheep-shearing and whip-cracking, and enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride, too.

Phillip Island

Just 90 minutes’ drive from the city, Phillip Island is famed for its penguins (32,000 versus just 10,387 people), its motorbike race and as the spot where the Hemsworth brothers spent their formative years. It’s also a great day trip with lots to explore, from visiting the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre and watching the little cuties shuffle ashore to wandering the treetop boardwalks to see koalas in their natural habitat at the Koala Conservation Reserve to spotting whales in season and spending time in the island’s townships of San Remo, Newhaven, Cape Woolamai and Cowes.

Ballarat

An attraction that combines dressing up and a sneaky history lesson is worth a 1.5-hour drive, ask any parent. Sovereign Hill in Ballarat recreates life at the height of the gold rush complete with hands-on gold panning and the chance to dress in Victorian-era school clothes.

A world away from the hustle, bustle and chaos of the big smoke – yet with a distinct sense of familiarity – Victoria’s Wimmera Mallee region is an incomparable place.

Victoria’s Grampians are a visual feast, a seemingly endless vista of craggy cliffs, rolling valleys and untamed bushland. But they’re also much more than a scenic mountain landscape. Diverse and storied, each region within the range has its own rhythm. The Wimmera Mallee – a pocket in the state’s north-west, stretching from Horsham to near Mildura – is one of the most captivating.

Once known as Victoria’s agricultural heartland, the Wimmera Mallee has evolved in recent years into a dynamic, slightly offbeat hub. It buzzes with a creative hum and welcoming energy, and harbours an eclectic mix of long-time locals and tree-changers. Once you encounter its unmistakable charm, feel its warm country hospitality and taste its nationally celebrated vanilla slice, you may find yourself lingering longer than planned.

Eager to explore? These must-visit spots let you experience the inimitable spirit of this special part of the world.

Wimmera Mallee’s quirky attractions

The Dimboola Imaginarium, Wimmera Mallee victoria — Step into the whacky Dimboola Imaginarium. (Image: Denis Bin)

If you’re after something a little more unconventional, the Wimmera Mallee delivers in droves.

The Dimboola Imaginarium – located in a historic bank building in its namesake town – is a gift shop and boutique accommodation in one. Shop for unique and whimsical keepsakes, stay overnight in an elegant themed room, and lose yourself in one of the Imaginarium’s interactive experiences.

Also in Dimboola, just a short drive from the Imaginarium, is a menagerie of utter delight. Tiny Goats and Co. is home to a herd of miniature goats, with the farm offering group visits and special events like goat yoga and cuddle sessions.

Arcade aficionados should visit the Australian Pinball Museum in nearby Nhill. Here, you’ll find the biggest selection of playable pinball machines in the country, featuring modern models and classics dating all the way back to 1931.

Arts and culture in Wimmera Mallee

Step into the Wimmera Mallee’s storied history at the Stick Shed — Step into history at the Stick Shed. (Image: Visit Vic)

As a thoroughly creative community, it’s no wonder the Wimmera Mallee has a host of venues focused on its rich arts and culture scene.

Wander Trickbots Metal Art & Sculpture Garden in Nullawil, a winding trail filled with unique and quirky creations fashioned from metal odds, ends and scrap. A walk through the garden is inspiring enough, but consider buying a piece to take home and treasure.

The town of Nhill also has a significant Karen-Burmese refugee community, who make up 10 per cent of the local population. Discover the artistry of this vibrant culture at Paw Po , where you can purchase traditional hand-woven and textile products. Choose from a selection of beautifully crafted homewares, fashion and dolls.

Step into the Wimmera Mallee’s storied history at the Stick Shed , the only WWII emergency grain store still standing today. This National Heritage-listed structure takes you on a journey through the region’s agricultural past and is a dramatic sight with its towering and eerily striking timber poles.

Nature escapes around Wimmera Mallee

pink Lake Tyrrel, Wimmera Mallee, Victoria Australia — Take in the pink hues of Lake Tyrrell. (Image: Visit Vic)

Much like the majestic beauty of the wider Grampians, the Wimmera Mallee is a mélange of serene and spellbinding nature escapes.

Victoria’s pink lakes are famed nationwide, and two of them are found right here. See the flamingo-pink hues of Loch Iel, particularly vivid after a heavy downpour, or the vast and ancient Lake Tyrrell , which turns pink during wet and warm conditions.

The Snowdrift dunes in Wyperfeld National Park are ideal for adventurers. Set amid the area’s semi-arid landscape, the dunes are expansive mounds of sand deposited around 40,000 years ago. Hike or sandboard them and make sure to visit at sunset, when the sand glows golden.

And while some travellers chase the highest peaks, you can see the most modest in the Wimmera Mallee. Standing a mere 43 metres above the surrounding terrain, Mount Wycheproof is considered the smallest registered mountain in the world. Courtesy of its relatively gentle inclines, it’s a lovely spot for a walk and a picnic.

Culinary adventures in Wimmera Mallee

border inn in the Wimmera Mallee — Meet the locals at Border Inn.

As a region rich in agricultural bounty, it’s little surprise the Wimmera Mallee has such a robust and vibrant food scene. The community is fiercely proud of its local produce, showcasing the flavours and heritage of the area.

The Border Inn in the village of Apsley is a quaint country pub and meeting spot for the local community, featuring a classic country menu and warm hospitality.

The Horsham Golf Club is a popular spot for golf buffs with an adjoining bistro and bar. Try a modern twist on hearty favourites while taking in views of the green. For a taste of the area’s vintages, head to Norton Estate Wines – a boutique wine producer and cellar door open weekends.

A Wimmera Mallee jaunt wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the famed Sharp’s Bakery in Birchip. Here, you’ll find a velvety vanilla slice that’s been crowned as Australia’s best seven times.

Wimmera Mallee accommodation

Fulham Homestead in wimmera mallee — Escape to Fulham Homestead.

If you’re enjoying an extended trip, you’ll need somewhere to rest. After a day tackling Wyperfeld’s epic dunes, visit Pine Plains Lodge , also in the national park. Built from reclaimed timber planks and logs, and anchored by rugged stone fireplaces, the lodge is a rustic and cosy hideaway.

For a refined yet relaxing escape, head to Fulham Homestead – a gorgeously restored guesthouse on an idyllic working farm, complete with farm animals and scenic vistas. Built in the 1840s, it has all the elegance and charm of its heritage, plus contemporary comforts like a modern kitchen, wi-fi and air-conditioning.

The Hermitage Hotel is Victoria’s oldest inland pub and an equally delightful blend of old and new. The restored rooms are perfectly appointed and adorned with period furnishings and high-quality linens. The pub itself is a favoured food and wine spot among locals and travellers alike.

If camping is more your style, the Lake Lascelles Cabins and Camping (formerly Mallee Bush Retreat) is a sprawling oasis with powered and unpowered sites and snug cabins. The setting is stunning too, the pristine Lake Lascelles sitting right in its centre.

Annual events

Wimmera Mallee Nhill Aviation Museum — Time your visit to Nhill Aviation Museum for the annual air show.

You may not need an excuse to revisit the Wimmera Mallee, but these annual and bi-annual events will almost certainly have you returning again and again.

Each year, the Lake Chalegrark Country Music Marathon takes over the town for a spectacular line-up of musicians from around Australia. The event is easygoing, family-friendly, and set in scenic surrounds on the shores of Lake Charlegrark.

Every two years, the region holds colourful events like the Wimmera Steampunk Festival , a raucous celebration of 19th-century steampunk culture with a different theme each time; the Nhill Air Show , which features jaw-dropping aerial stunts, aircraft displays, music, activities and more; and the Nati Frinj , a festival of art, culture and performance showcasing the many talents of the Natimuk community.

From the quirky to the tasty, start planning at visitwimmeramallee.com.au

A family guide to where to eat, stay and play in Melbourne