Melbourne School Holidays Activities

School holiday activities in Melbourne cover indoor play at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and ArtVo, a steam train ride in the Dandenong Ranges, and day trips to Phillip Island's penguins and koalas. The options below are sorted by what the day involves, so you can match them to the weather and the ages of your kids.

Indoor school holiday activities in Melbourne

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre General Admission is a popular choice for younger kids, with LEGO rides, build and play zones, a 4D cinema and a LEGO factory tour, plus express mobile ticket entry. It's at Chadstone on Dandenong Road. The LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium combo adds a single entry to the aquarium in the CBD, which is a separate trip across town.

ArtVo Melbourne in Docklands is a trick-art gallery where kids pose inside more than 80 hand-painted 3D artworks across nine themed zones, with floor markers showing where to stand for each photo. It's a popular pick for older kids and teens who want something to photograph.

For older kids and teens, the Melbourne Virtual Reality Escape Room in West Melbourne is a 40 to 50-minute time-travel adventure played in teams of two, three or four. The operator says there's no motion sickness.

Day trips from Melbourne in the school holidays

The Puffing Billy Belgrave to Lakeside Return ride suits kids who like trains. The heritage carriages are open-sided, so they can dangle their legs out the side, and Lakeside Station is at Emerald Lake Park, where you can hire a bike or walk around the lake.

On Phillip Island, the Phillip Island 3 Park Pass and Phillip Island Nature Parks Multi Park Pass cover the Penguin Parade, the Koala Conservation Reserve and Churchill Island Heritage Farm. Penguins arrive at sunset every night of the year, so the parade is a late finish to the day. Guided options with Melbourne transfers, such as the Phillip Island Penguin Sunset Tour, are on the animal experiences page.

In winter holidays, snow day tours to Lake Mountain and Mount Buller give kids a day of tobogganing.

City sights and history for the holidays

The Melbourne Skydeck Ultimate Experience at Eureka Tower includes a 6D VR journey in the Voyager Theatre and The Edge, which is suspended 3 metres out from the building. The Melbourne Cricket Ground Tour and Australian Sports Museum pairs a 75-minute walking tour of the MCG with the museum's interactive sports galleries, and the tours leave every half hour on days without an event.

Frequently asked questions

What are good school holiday activities in Melbourne?

Popular school holiday activities in Melbourne include LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, ArtVo's trick-art gallery, a Puffing Billy steam train ride and day trips to Phillip Island's Penguin Parade and Koala Conservation Reserve.

What can kids do in Melbourne on a rainy school holiday day?

Indoor options include LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Chadstone, ArtVo in Docklands, the Melbourne Virtual Reality Escape Room in West Melbourne and the Australian Sports Museum at the MCG.

Do adults need to be with kids at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Melbourne?

Yes. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Melbourne, and adults aged 18 and over need to bring a child except at adult-only evening events.

What age is the Melbourne Virtual Reality Escape Room suitable for?

The Melbourne Virtual Reality Escape Room is recommended for ages 8 and over, and children aged 8 to 9 must be accompanied by an adult. It needs a minimum of two players.

Can you see penguins on a school holiday day trip from Melbourne?

Yes. On Phillip Island, penguins arrive at sunset every night of the year, and the Phillip Island Nature Parks passes include general viewing, the Koala Conservation Reserve and Churchill Island.

Pick an indoor activity or a day trip above, and book your Melbourne school holiday outing online.