Free and budget-friendly things to do in Melbourne
(+ ways to save!)
If you’ve been searching for free things to do in Melbourne with kids or budget-friendly ways to get out of the house, you’re not alone.
Lately, I’ve been getting more and more messages from parents asking for ideas that don’t cost much, and I completely understand why. Times feel tight for a lot of families right now, and those little days out can quickly add up.
But here’s something I want to gently remind you of:
You don’t need to spend big to create a great day!
Some of our best memories have come from the simplest outings. A walk through the gardens, spotting ducks by the water, jumping on a tram just for fun, or finding a new playground and turning it into an adventure. That’s the kind of stuff that sticks 🙂
At the same time, I know how important it is to get out, reset, and give the kids something different. So I’ve pulled together this guide with free and budget-friendly things to do in Melbourne, along with a few extra ways to save, discounts, and practical tips to help stretch your budget further.
Whether you’re planning school holiday activities, a weekend outing, or just need an easy idea for today, this list is here to help you make the most of Melbourne without overspending.
One of the biggest ways to save right now is transport. Public transport is free this month across Victoria, which makes getting around so much easier. And even beyond that, kids under 18 can travel free anytime with a Youth Myki, which is such a win for families, especially while fuel is so expensive.
Save it, share it, and come back to it whenever you need a little inspiration.
Free things to do around Melbourne
Australian Music Vault, Arts Centre Melbourne
100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC
A free, interactive music experience celebrating Aussie artists. Great for older kids and teens who love music and hands-on exhibits.
Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
Federation Square, Melbourne VIC
Free entry gallery showcasing Australian art with rotating exhibitions. Easy to pair with a CBD day out.
Docklands Public Art Walk
Harbour Esplanade, Docklands VIC
A relaxed walk along the waterfront with large-scale sculptures and installations. Great for prams, scooters and a slower paced outing.
RAAF Museum
480-490 Point Cook Rd, Point Cook VIC 3030
Free entry aviation museum with real aircraft, interactive displays and flying demonstrations on select days.
Science Gallery Melbourne
700 Swanston St, Parkville VIC
A bold, science-led gallery with thought-provoking exhibits. Free to enter but closed over the summer school holidays so check ahead.
Eastern Hill Fire Station
456 Albert St, East Melbourne VIC (enter via Gisborne St)
Free public displays every Friday at 10:30am (except Good Friday). A hit with little ones who love trucks, firefighters and real-life demos.
Bunnings DIY Workshops
Various locations across Melbourne VIC
Free kids workshops and hands-on activities on weekends and school holidays. Easy win for a low-cost outing.
Queen Victoria Market and narrm ngarrgu Library
41 Therry St, Melbourne VIC
Explore the market, grab a snack, then head to the library for free storytime, crafts and a quiet reset space.
State Library Victoria
328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC
A peaceful space inside a historic building with a huge Children’s Quarter, free activities, storytime and cosy corners.
City Circle Tram
Melbourne CBD
A free heritage-style tram loop that takes you past major attractions. Perfect for a low-effort city adventure.
Fox Classic Car Collection
749-755 Collins St, Docklands VIC
A dream for car lovers with rare vehicles and classic designs. Check opening days before visiting.
ACMI
Federation Square, Melbourne VIC
The museum of screen culture with interactive exhibits and free general entry. Great for all ages.
National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)
180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC
A must-visit with free entry and rotating exhibitions. Often includes kid-friendly spaces and activities.
Arts Centre Melbourne
100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC
A creative hub with free installations, workshops and plenty to explore around the precinct.
St Kilda Pier Penguin Viewing
St Kilda Pier, VIC
Free to view penguins at sunset all year round. Book your free ticket in advance, bookings open weekly at 10am.
Book here.
Laneway and Arcade Walks
Melbourne CBD
Download a free audio guide and explore hidden laneways, street art and historic arcades at your own pace.
ArtPlay at Birrarung Marr
Birrarung Marr, Melbourne VIC
Creative workshops and installations for babies through to early teens. Check what’s on before visiting.
Shrine of Remembrance
Birdwood Ave, Melbourne VIC
Climb to the balcony for beautiful city views and a quiet moment above the gardens.
Koorie Heritage Trust
Federation Square, Melbourne VIC
A meaningful cultural space sharing First Nations stories, art and exhibitions. Free to visit.
Melbourne Central Clock Show
Melbourne Central, 211 La Trobe St, Melbourne VIC
Watch the marionette clock come to life every hour, then head to the Lego store for some free play.
Parks Victoria Punt Service and Herring Island
Como Landing, South Yarra VIC
Take a small punt across to Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park. Runs weekends and public holidays from 11am to 5pm until Easter.
Airport plane spotting viewing areas ✈️Operations Road Viewing Area – 94 Operations Road, Melbourne Airport
&
Sunbury Road Viewing Area – cnr Oaklands Road & Sunbury Road, Bulla
Head to one of Melbourne Airport’s two best free viewing spots and watch the jumbo jets take off and land right above your head.
💡 My tip: download the FlightRadar24 app before you go so the kids can track exactly which planes are coming in and where they’re flying from.
Edendale Community Environment Farm
30 Gastons Rd, Eltham VIC
A peaceful farm experience with animals, gardens and open space for kids to explore.
Crystal World Dinosaur Garden
13 Olive Rd, Devon Meadows VIC
A quirky free stop with a dinosaur garden and “Rosie” the Great White Shark. Great for younger kids.
Menzies Creek Museum
49 School Rd, Menzies Creek VIC
Part of Puffing Billy Railway with trains and exhibits. Open Fri to Sun between 10:30am and 11:30am.
Warburton Water World
30 Woods Point Rd, Warburton VIC
A free outdoor water play area perfect for hot days. Seasonal, best in summer.
Rainforest Gallery and Mount Donna Buang
Donna Buang Rd, Warburton VIC
Walk through towering trees on the elevated platform and if it snows, head up to the summit for a bonus adventure.
Geelong Bollard Trail Walk
Geelong Waterfront VIC
A fun coastal walk spotting colourful bollard sculptures along the waterfront. Easy, pram-friendly and great for kids.
Sages Cottage Farm
60 Sages Rd, Baxter VIC
A calm, open farm space with animals, gardens and a café. Great for a slower, low-cost day out.
Red Stag Deer and Emu Farm
324 Hughes Ln, Eurobin VIC (near Bright)
A beautiful open farm where you can see deer and emus up close. Entry is free, with optional paid feed if you want the full experience.
Hubert Estate Art Gallery
1-3 St Huberts Rd, Coldstream VIC
A free contemporary art gallery in the Yarra Valley. Easy to pair with a winery visit or a relaxed day out.
Yarra Valley Nocturnal Zoo (free ticket deal)
Mount Evelyn VIC
Unlock free entry when you spend $30 or more at Yarra Valley Bush Café in Croydon. A fun and different animal experience for families.
Local Storytime Sessions
Various locations across Melbourne VIC
Libraries and community centres run free storytime sessions weekly. Great for younger kids and an easy, structured outing.
Bunjil Place Galleries
2 Patrick Northeast Dr, Narre Warren VIC
Free galleries with rotating exhibitions, plus a beautiful space to wander and explore with kids.
Buddhist Temple and Gardens
71 McCaffreys Rd, Narre Warren North VIC
Open Sundays 9am to 2pm. A peaceful space to walk, explore and slow down for a bit.
Tubing the Yarra River
Doon Reserve Caravan Park or Warburton VIC
A classic summer activity. Bring your own tubes and float down the river for a fun, low-cost day.
Royal Botanic Gardens and Children’s Garden
Birdwood Ave, Melbourne VIC
Nature play, splash areas and winding paths. Perfect for a slow, relaxed day outdoors.
More parks and pram-friendly walks below.
What’s on at Shopping Centres
Pop into your local shopping centre these school holidays – they’re packed with free activities like craft zones, meet-and-greets, live shows and pop-ups. It’s the perfect way to keep the kids entertained.
CBD / Inner City
East / South-East
- Chadstone
- Westfield Doncaster
- Eastland
- The Glen
- Westfield Knox
- Westfield Southland
- Bayside Shopping Centre
- Cranbourne Park
West
North / North-East
Walks and pram & bike-friendly trails
📍 Diggers Heronswood, Dromana
Show-stopping heirloom blooms with a view of the bay.
Open daily. Entry: $15, under 16s free.
📍 Cornella Canola Walk
Vibrant yellow fields in full bloom make for golden hour perfection (check dates for seasonal open days).
📍 Duneira Estate, Mt Macedon
Historic gardens with old-world charm.
Open on select spring days.
📍 Forest Glade Gardens, Mt Macedon
One of Victoria’s finest private gardens, open weekends.
Entry: approx. $10.
📍 Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
Cherry blossoms, rhododendrons and sweeping views.
Free entry.
📍 Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden, Sherbrooke
Meandering paths, waterfalls and ornamental lakes.
Free entry.
📍 Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne & Melbourne
Native landscapes and lakeside lawns.
Free entry, open daily.
📍 Fitzroy Gardens Conservatory
Seasonal floral displays in a historic greenhouse setting.
Free entry, open daily.
📍 Victoria State Rose Garden, Werribee South
Over 5,000 blooming roses set in beautifully manicured beds.
Free entry, open daily.
Whether you’re packing a pram, a picnic, or a playlist, these gardens are perfect for your spring bucket list. Don’t forget to tag us in your blossom-filled adventures!
Council activities
Don’t forget to check your local council for free or low-cost school holiday activities. They often run everything from craft workshops and nature play to sports, movies and library events. It’s a great way to keep kids entertained close to home without blowing the budget. Many are drop-in or just a gold coin donation!
Casey and Bunjil Place
Budget-friendly things to do around Melbourne
Melbourne Museum
11 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC
Free for kids under 16 and around $15 for adults. The Children’s Gallery alone is worth it, and you can add IMAX if you want to level it up.
McClelland Sculpture Park
390 McClelland Dr, Langwarrin VIC
A beautiful outdoor gallery where kids can roam between large sculptures. Easy, low-cost and perfect for a slow wander.
Hawthorn Tram Museum
8 Wallen Rd, Hawthorn VIC
Gold coin donation entry. Open selected Saturdays and Wednesdays, great for transport-loving kids.
Montsalvat Arts Community
7 Hillcrest Ave, Eltham VIC
A stunning, heritage-listed arts village with galleries, gardens and old buildings to explore.
Moorabbin Air Museum
First Ave, Moorabbin Airport VIC
A great low-cost outing with aircraft displays and aviation history. Best for kids who love planes.
Kew Traffic School
Cnr Cotham Rd and Grange Rd, Kew VIC
Kids can ride bikes or scooters through mini roads with traffic lights and signs. Fun and educational.
Chinese Museum
22 Cohen Pl, Melbourne VIC
Colourful exhibits, cultural displays and one of the largest Chinese dragons in the world.
Immigration Museum
400 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC
Free for kids under 16. Includes interactive exhibits and the Joy exhibition, which is great for families.
Scienceworks
2 Booker St, Spotswood VIC
Free for kids under 16. Hands-on science exhibits that are always a hit with curious kids.
Mini Golf Spots Across Melbourne
Various locations across Melbourne VIC
A fun, low-cost activity that feels like a proper outing without the big spend. Great for all ages and easy to turn into a little family challenge.
Zoos Victoria Membership and Kids Free Entry
Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary
Kids go free on weekends and school holidays. Membership from around $12.42 per month with kids included, plus access to interstate zoos and extra discounts.
Fort Nepean
Point Nepean National Park VIC
A stunning coastal walk with history, views and lots to explore. Bring bikes or rent one, electric is worth it with the hills, or take the shuttle bus.
Miniature Train Rides (selected days)
A fun, affordable outing that kids love. Most run on Sundays and some weekdays. You can find all train-themed activities here.
Diamond Valley Miniature Railway in Eltham
Open every Sunday with scenic rides through bushland.
Most farms are also such a low cost and fun day out. You can find all the best animal experiences here.
Collingwood Children’s Farm
18 St Heliers St, Abbotsford VIC
A relaxed farm experience close to the city with animals, open space and a slower pace.
Myuna Farm
182 Kidds Rd, Doveton VIC
A low-cost farm with animals, pony rides and play areas. Easy and affordable for families.
Little Sherwood Petting Zoo
Drouin West VIC
A small, hands-on animal experience that’s great for younger kids.
Chesterfield Farm
Chesterfield Rd, Scoresby VIC
A well-loved farm with animals, tractor rides and regular activities.
The Big Goose
233 Mornington-Tyabb Rd, Moorooduc VIC
A fun farm day out with animals, play areas and seasonal activities.
Bundoora Park Farm
1069 Plenty Rd, Bundoora VIC
Low-cost entry with animals, playgrounds and plenty of space to roam.
Main Ridge Dairy
200 Main Creek Rd, Main Ridge VIC
Visit the goats up close and wander the beautiful grounds. Entry is free, but it’s a lovely spot to grab a coffee or some cheese to support the farm while you’re there.
Free (low effort) activities
Pet Shop Visits
An easy outing where kids can wander, look at animals and feel like they’ve had an adventure without spending a cent.
Bunnings or Garden Centres (Garden World)
810 Springvale Rd, Braeside VIC
One of my go-tos. Garden World even has dinosaurs on display which makes it feel like a mini adventure while you wander.
Local Library
Various locations across Melbourne VIC
Free storytime, play areas, books and a quiet space to reset. Such an underrated outing that always delivers.
IKEA
A full outing without needing to spend. Walk through the showrooms, let the kids explore and grab a cheap snack if you want.
Op Shop Treasure Hunt
Turn it into a game. Give the kids a mission to find something fun or unusual while you browse.
Airplane Spotting
Intersection of Sunbury Rd and Oaklands Rd, VIC
A surprisingly fun one. Watch planes fly low overhead and feel the rumble as they come in to land.
Train Spotting Trip (Puffing Billy)
Dandenong Ranges VIC
Pack snacks and head to one of the free viewing spots to watch the iconic Puffing Billy trains go past.
Trestle Bridge, Belgrave
Approx. 5–10 mins after departure from Belgrave
Iconic wooden bridge with stunning forest views—this is the ultimate Puffing Billy photo moment.
Menzies Creek Station
Approx. 30 mins after departure
A quiet station with a charming setup. Great for train-loving toddlers who want a calmer spot.
Clematis Station (via Paradise Valley Hotel)
Approx. 35–40 mins after departure
Grab a drink from the pub and catch the train chugging past in full view. So easy, so fun.
Emerald Crossing & Hogan Park Playground
Approx. 45 mins after departure
Let the kids go wild on the playground while you watch the train roll through the crossing.
Lakeside Station, Emerald
Approx. 1 hour after departure
Plenty to explore here—nature walks, paddleboats, even a little café for coffee refills.
Cockatoo Station
Approx. 1h 15m after departure
A peaceful stop nestled among the trees with old-timey charm and fewer crowds.
Gembrook Station
Approx. 2h after departure (if the train goes the full route)
The final stop where the train switches tracks. Cute village and a good spot to grab lunch.
Wright Forest Bushland Reserve (Trestle No.8 & Cockatoo Creek Trestle Bridge Loop)
A hidden gem surrounded by towering gums—feels like stepping into a movie. You’ll hear the train before you see it!
Local Oval and Playgrounds
Sometimes the simplest days are the best. Kick a ball, ride scooters or explore a new playground.
Find my favourite spots here or use the map below.
Find places near you or plan a trip
Planning made easy! Use the “Legend” side panel (top left next to my profile pic) to tick or untick categories to find my fave spots near you.
It’s raining? Tick “Indoor” or “Playcentres”.
Want to head over to a playground and find a spot to have lunch (with a play area) – tick “Playgrounds” and “Eateries”.
Or use it on your phone to navigate from your place to the next.
Discounts & deals
Looking for ways to make your Melbourne adventures more budget-friendly?
Find exclusive discounts and special deals generously shared by local businesses, plus hand-picked savings to help you explore more while spending less.
Submit a tip
Know a unique spot or activity in Melbourne or VIC that deserves a feature, or want to add a location to this list? Fill out the form to share your recommendation!
Please note, this is for featuring only, not for collaboration or visits