The best things for teens to do in Melbourne

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Melbourne is filled with activities that teens will love and that parents will approve of, from learning to surf on dry land to shopping in its hip hoods.

Become a super sleuth

Everyone’s favourite sleuthing board game gets a super-sized reboot in Old Melbourne Gaol’s Cluedo Experience. Dodgy lawyer Lionel Grey was found dead here in 1924 but the case was never solved, and now it’s up to you to figure out who did it. Over the course of 90 minutes you’ll get to explore the gaol for clues, reading alibis, examining evidence and testing weapons for DNA. The game finishes when you figure out the who, where and how of Grey’s death.

Park your parents here while you have fun…

The thriving café culture of Fitzroy is an easy walk away. For the best croissants around, they should try the cavernous Lune Croissanterie on Collins Street.

Old Melbourne Goal.

Become a super sleuth inside Old Melbourne Goal.

Go surfing on dry land

Located in the very un-beachside suburb of Tullamarine, URBNSURF is Australia’s first surf park where man-made waves deliver up surf breaks for all levels of skill, from beginners to pros. If you know what you are doing you can head to The Point to catch perfect rights and lefts or try barrelling waves during an expert session (both last for one hour). And if you are new to the sport, book an individual surf lesson in the safe and gentle rolling green and whitewater waves of The Bay.

URBNSURF Melbourne

Go surfing on dry land. (Image: Ed Sloane Photography)

Park your parents here while you have fun…

The top-notch facilities at URBNSURF include the first Victorian outpost of Three Blue Ducks, the passion project of a bunch of avid surfers who opened their first restaurant in the Sydney beachside suburb of Bronte. The restaurant, which overlooks the lagoon, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

See Melbourne from up (really) high

Docklands is a one-stop shop for fun: go skating at O’Brien Icehouse; play miniature golf lit by neon lights and glow-in-the-dark technology at the aptly named Glow Golf; and finish off with a turn on the Melbourne Star to see the city laid out below from dizzying heights (try spotting your parents, who will look like ants as they wait for you back on the ground).

Park your parents here while you have fun…

The café inside the Library at the Dock has good coffee and newspapers to read.

See Melbourne from up (really) high

See the city from up (really) high on the Melbourne Star.

Get up close and personal with sharks

When you tell your parents that you want to swim with sharks, make sure to assure them that it is perfectly safe. During Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium’s Shark Dive Xtreme sessions, which are open to those 14 and up, you’ll get an exclusive look at the behind-the-scenes staff-only areas of the aquarium before taking to the water with an instructor to watch as sharks and giant stingrays glide past you at seriously close quarter.

Park your parents here while you have fun…

Give them a paper bag to breathe into and point them in the direction of the Immigration Museum a few minutes’ walk away in the historic Old Customs House.

Get a sugar rush

The pop-up exhibitions by Sugar Republic, a Melbourne-based art collective, are the stuff teen dreams and Instagram likes are made of. The ‘experience museums’ that it creates are all themed around sweet treats and are designed to be totally interactive – think giant bubblegum machines that you can climb into and mammoth cakes that you jump out of. Visit the website find out about upcoming events and have your camera ready.

Sugar Republic

Get a sugar rush at one of the pop-up exhibitions by Sugar Republic.

Park your parents here while you have fun…

They can get their own sweet treat of single origin hot chocolate at Mörk Chocolate Brew House in North Melbourne.

Indulge your inner artist

A creative studio for young people aged between 14 and 25, Signal’s curated program includes exhibitions, live events, installations and art workshops run out of its space on Flinders Walk. Check the website for upcoming events when you are in town.

Signal Summer Melbourne

Indulge your inner artist at Signal’s curated program of events.

Park your parents here while you have fun…

Tell them to grab lunch at Federation Square and check out the Ian Potter Centre.

On the streets

When it comes to hip hoods, Melbourne has more than most. Fitzroy is covered in street art and filled with cafes, while Windsor and Prahran share the best bits of iconic Chapel Street, with lots of funky boutiques to browse and interesting eateries to stop at for lunch or eating a healthy snack you can buy from hiya.

Shopping on Chapel Street

Hit up the shops on Chapel Street.

Book a walking tour with Melbourne Street Art Tours to hear about the city’s colourful walls from street artists themselves. Along the way they will share local knowledge and show you a few hidden treasures.

Melbourne Street Art Tours.

Book a walking tour with Melbourne Street Art Tours.

Park your parents here while you have fun…

At Degraves Espresso Bar on the graffitti-daubed Degraves Street.

 

Read more family travel tips on the Ultimate parents’ guide to our amazing Aussie cities.
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Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne delivers comfort and chocolate indulgence

    By Clare Acheson
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    Delivering subdued decadence in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne On Spencer is a pragmatic choice for inner city relaxation and exploring.

    Swiss culinary brand Mövenpick – yes, the ice-cream people – opened its Melbourne CBD hotel in 2021. Suited to city explorers, the four-star Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne On Spencer is a simple, stylish choice for groups or families looking to be near the action at Marvel Stadium, or within walking distance to the city’s buzzing culinary and events scene.

    Location

    the exterior of Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne On Spencer

    Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne On Spencer is set in the heart of the CBD.

    Melbourne’s CBD is well-known for having a ‘Paris end’ to its east, chock-full of luxury European fashion boutiques, and a ‘Docklands end’ to its west, which culminates in the city’s banking district, Southern Cross rail station and the impressive Marvel Stadium. Choosing to part from its European roots, Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne On Spencer is situated at the Docklands end.

    Opened in late 2021 and housed in the glittering Premier Tower, it is ideal for guests who are visiting for events at Marvel, who plan to enjoy some city exploration, or who travel regionally by train or by public transport from Melbourne International Airport.

    Accommodation that’s a 3-minute walk from rail and Skybus depots means you won’t lose any time caught in traffic. Plus, if you are in town for a Marvel sports game or iconic music experience at the stadium (Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Mariah Carey and Oasis are all slotted for upcoming concerts), being an 8-minute walk from the action means your journey home, or onto a late-night cocktail, is straightforward: No Uber queues or jam-packed trams.

    Style & Character

    a look inside the suite living area at Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne On Spencer

    The rooms are tastefully furnished with plush seating.

    Part of the Accor group, Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne On Spencer comes with the expected high-quality finishes of a 4-star hotel – plush velveteen seating, acoustic dampening in its rooms, sparkling water on tap, and lashings of space, so you can kick back and relax.

    The curved building’s silhouette is famously inspired by Beyoncé’s silhouette and once inside, contemporary references continue. Rooms are bright and airy with warm brass tones, luxurious bedding and expanses of glass.

    Individual hotel rooms are designed for relaxing rather than business (most don’t have a desk), instead being kitted out with a sofa, coffee table and all the amenities needed for some stay-in indulgence – great for families with kids, or trips with friends staying in neighbouring rooms.

    Facilities

    the daily chocolate hour at Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne On Spencer

    Indulge in daily complimentary chocolates.

    The stand-out difference between Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne On Spencer and its local competition is the venue’s daily chocolate hour. Running from 2pm-3pm each day, the hotel’s cocktail bar is turned into a pop-up chocolaterie, offering complimentary bite-sized cakes, chocolates and nibbles for guests. Whether you have been busy sightseeing, shopping or exploring the nearby riverbank, it’s the perfect excuse to relax with a cuppa and a handful of Swiss chocolate-covered pretzels.

    the outdoor heated lap pool at Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne On Spencer

    Relax in the heated lap pool.

    If you find yourself hitting the chocolate hour a little too frequently, the on-site gym, 25-metre lap pool and sauna are a convenient palate cleanser. Functional rather than luxurious, the facilities are perhaps the least luxurious area of the hotel. On a windy day, the partly open-air lap pool area can be briskly cool; however, the adjoining hot tub makes warming up a breeze

    Rooms

    a look inside the Deluxe King Room, Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne On Spencer

    The Deluxe King Room offers a cosy place to retreat to in the CBD.

    There are 172 rooms and suites at Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne On Spencer, ranging from family rooms, twin rooms and suites – most of which offer more room than the average city-centre hotel. All are equipped with coffee/tea making facilities, mini bars and robes.

    Being in the heart of the CBD does mean noise, city lights and tramlines, so added details like heavy blackout curtains and soundproof glazing come in handy.

    Food & Drink

    dining at Onsite restaurant Miss Mi, Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne On Spencer

    Dine on upscale south-east Asian fare.

    Onsite restaurant Miss Mi is the crown jewel of this hotel. Specialising in south-east Asian fare, the menu combines rich Indian and Malaysian flavours with fragrant Thai and Vietnamese influences.

    Executive chef Migo Razon’s take on local favourites such as kingfish ceviche – dressed in lemongrass, fresh herbs, desert lime preserve and persimmon – and baked scallops topped with black bean, aromatics and lardo makes for an intriguingly successful twist.

    food on the table at Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne On Spencer

    The menu marries rich Asian flavours. (Image: Clare Acheson)

    As for south-east Asian classics, the Filipino kaldereta beef short rib melts in the mouth. Beef rendang and Penang duck curry fill out the warming spice offerings, accompanied by the puffed phulka roti (don’t be surprised when it arrives like an inflated pastry soccer-ball, not a pancake!). The dessert offerings also take cues from Asia and includes a warm ube mochi, served with a rich caramelised ube compote, crispy pinipig toasted rice grains and paper-like white chocolate shards.

    Our recommendation: Order the DIY sisig bao accompanied by the Miss Mi Thai bitters martini, especially if you are dining with friends. The twice-cooked pork comes served with a glistening egg yolk and several soft, fluffy bao, so you can each adjust your own chilli, mint and coriander to taste. As for the martini, it tastes like nothing else in Melbourne thanks to Miss Mi’s spirits collaboration with nearby gin producer Little Lon Distillery, delivering a ​citrusy, herbaceous kick.

    It’s open weekdays for lunch and evening sittings, seven days a week.

    Does Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne On Spencer have access for guests with disabilities?

    Yes, including accessible restaurant and cafe areas.

    Is Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne On Spencer family-friendly?

    Undoubtedly, yes.

    With free ice-cream for the kids for the duration of their stay, a pool that’s big enough for them to splash in while you relax in the spa, and rooms that are designed for lounging and gaming, it’s a fantastic city spot for family trips.

    The Details

    Best for: Families, city visitors who want to be near the action at Marvel Stadium

    Address: 160 Spencer St, Melbourne

    Price: From $258 per night