Family Fun

We all want to spend more time on holidays creating memories with the whole family. If you’ve only got a weekend to travel, look no further than Melbourne. The city offers an ever-changing array of kid-friendly attractions & events that mum and dad will love too.

Saturday

For families, there’s no easier way to travel to Melbourne than on public transport where your family adventure together begins as soon as you hop on-board. Using the V/Line train or coach network, you will be able to kick back and relax before arriving safely and comfortably at Southern Cross Station. From here, hop aboard a tram – which is free within the boundaries of the Free Tram Zone in Melbourne’s CBD – or hail a taxi to Punthill Little Bourke [11-17 Cohen Place], where a two-bedroom apartment will satisfy your needs perfectly.

One of Melbourne’ favourite lunch strips is Degraves Street, between Swanston and Elizabeth Streets near Flinders Street Station. Choose from one of the many cafes here, or treat the kids with a crispy, delicious French waffle from Waffle On [9/250 Flinders Street].

After lunch, take a 10-15 minute stroll along Flinders Street until you reach SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium [Corner King and Flinders Streets]. As well as the permanent exhibitions like the giant saltwater crocodile and the brand new Japanese Spider Crab, from 19 September the Aquarium will also be showing the 4-D theatrical experience Ice Age: No Time for Nuts. Watch as the sabre-toothed squirrel, Scrat, chases his beloved acorn throughout time, from the Colosseum of Ancient Rome to the dance floor of Studio 54.

For dinner, make the most of Punthill Little Bourke’s location and enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of Chinatown. From no-frills dumpling houses to fine dining establishments there are options for all tastes and budgets. Many allow BYO, and with a number of bottle shops in the street, an affordable, fun and delicious night out is guaranteed.

Sunday

After a good night’s rest, leave your luggage at Punthill and grab some breakfast from Arbory [Flinders Walk, pedestrian access only between Flinders Street Station and Yarra River], an open-air venue that sits on the north bank of the Yarra River.

For the best view in the city, you can’t beat Eureka Skydeck [Riverside Quay, Southbank]. Featuring (for a limited time during the September school holidays) The Walk photo experience, as well as the exhilarating Edge Experience, you’ll go home with a lasting memento of your visit to Melbourne.

After a casual lunch at Blue Train [Upper Level, Southgate Avenue, Southbank], make your way across Princess Bridge to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI)[Federation Square, Corner Flinders and Swanston Streets]. Home to the world-renowned David Bowie is exhibition until 1 November, take a look at the life and career of one of the 20^thCentury’s most revered figures in music, film and fashion. Alternatively, settle in and watch Bowie in one of his most iconic roles in Labyrinth as part of ACMI’s Kids’ Flicks line-up (see website for session dates and times).

As the day comes to an end, head back to Punthill Little Bourke to collect your luggage before jumping on a tram back to Southern Cross Station where your adventure began.