Melbourne’s spring guide:
Family-friendly things to do with your kids
Spring in Melbourne is a whole mood – sunny strolls, outdoor markets, rooftop catch-ups and blossoms bloom. If you’ve been hibernating through winter, this is your gentle nudge to shake off the doona and soak up all the good vibes the city (and beyond) has to offer. From family-friendly festivals to bougie brunch spots, dog-friendly wineries to wildflower walks, we’ve rounded up the best things to do across Melbourne and VIC this season.
Whether you’re a parent planning school holiday adventures, a hot girl walker chasing floral trails with your pup and podcast, or someone just looking for that post-winter pick-me-up, there’s something here for you.
Let’s make this spring a playful, picnic-packed one.
And pssst… Don’t forget to plan the school holidays from Sep 20 until Oct 5!
What’s on in Melbourne this spring
From festivals to musicals and expos, Melbourne’s spring event calendar is blooming with fun. Whether you’re chasing cherry blossoms, dancing under the stars, geeking out over LEGO, or booking that next family-friendly show, there’s something exciting on every weekend.
Father’s Day fun across Melbourne
Sunday 7 September 2025 is all about dad – and Melbourne’s got plenty of ways to celebrate.
🚗 Fuel the fun at classic car shows & adventure parks
Check out over 100 stunning vehicles at the 12th Annual Acland Street Car & Bike Show.
🍻 Cheers to beer and a view
Over at Melbourne Skydeck, dads can enjoy a $5 beer with a view from Bar 88 all weekend long. View my Reel here to see what to expect!
🌸 Chilled-out vibes and cherry ice cream
📍739 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream
Bloom & Graze at CherryHill Orchards (Coldstream location!) is throwing a laidback Father’s Day celebration complete with dad-themed photo ops, raffles, food trucks, wineries, distillery tastings, and even a custom Dad cocktail.
💕 🎨 Don’t miss The Makers & Shakers Market.
Running across 6 + 7 September at the stunning Royal Exhibition Building, this epic Father’s Day weekend event is more than just a market. Expect:
- Creative workshops (painting, cocktail making, jewellery)
- Awkward Portraits in denim with Dad
- A Leave Me Alone Dad Zone complete with deck chairs, drinks, and chill-out time
- Free Father’s Day card making for kids
- Mini Makers Market run by kids themselves
- All-vinyl DJ sets, exclusive Everleigh cocktails, and handmade gifts
🚧 Celebrate Father’s Day with a dig-tastic day out at Little Builders! On Sunday 7 September, your mini construction crew can enjoy:
- A giant indoor sandpit
- Construction toys
- Lego and building games
- Face painting & card making
- A sizzling sausage sizzle
This event is perfect for little legends who love to build, dig and explore. Grab your tickets via Little Tix and use code SIRI10 to get 10% off!
Mini train rides at Diamond Valley Railway
📍570 Main Road, Eltham
Take Dad for a spin on Melbourne’s most loved miniature railway this Father’s Day. For just $5 per person (under 2s ride free), you can hop aboard and enjoy the scenic ride. There’s also a fenced playground, huge oval to kick the footy, and coffee, ice cream and snag trucks to keep everyone fed and happy!
🌿 The Ian Potter Children’s Garden reopens just in time for Father’s Day
📍Royal Botanic Gardens, enter via Observatory Gate on Birdwood Ave in Melbourne
This lush, interactive garden reopens from Sunday 7 Sep – and it’s the perfect way to celebrate with dads. Kids can explore water play zones, climb through plant tunnels and roam wild in a safe, fully fenced space. Bring a picnic (or head over to the Terrace for lunch), let the kids run free, and soak up the spring sunshine in one of Melbourne’s most iconic outdoor spots. Free entry, no bookings needed. Add on punting the lake too for $90 for a 30-min private boat tour for up to 3 adults. Additional guests are $30 for adults and $15 for children aged 5-15, with infants (0-4 years) and well-behaved dogs riding for free.
And all the Father’s Day Freebies…
🎡 Treat Dad to a day at Gumbuya World, where he gets in free with any full-paying guest. Top it off with a Beers & Brisket lunch and some wildlife encounters.
⛳ Score some family points with mini golf or roller skating
Let Dad show off his swing with a free round at Melbourne Golf Park or skate into good times with free entry at Sk8House. Feeling competitive? Head to Holey Moley, where Dads putt for free all weekend with the code DADFREE.
🐟 For the LEGO lovers and sea explorers
Let Dad’s inner kid shine at LEGO Discovery Centre or SEA LIFE Melbourne – both offering free entry when booked online in advance.
🌲 Dads who love the great outdoors
At Otway Fly Treetop Adventures, dads go free between 1–5 September. Soar through the canopy or stroll the treetop walk in one of Victoria’s most unique forest escapes.
🎳 Strike Bowling
Dads bowl free on 6 & 7 September with code DADFREE. Perfect for a bit of friendly family competition or a dad-and-kids day out. Just book online and apply the code at checkout.
🕹️ Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq
📍Docklands & Eastland
Free entry for dads from 7 to 11 September! Expect a wild arcade full of racing games, VR, and quirky carnival-style attractions. It’s a retro-futuristic fun zone that kids and parents love.
🦖 Dads go FREE at Hologram Zoo this Father’s Day weekend (5–7 Sept) with any paid child ticket!
Where to wander this spring: parks, gardens & wisteria walks
Melbourne is bursting with colour come spring, and there’s no better way to soak it up than with a garden stroll or park picnic. From dreamy blooms to wide-open lawns, these spots are perfect for hot girl walks, family wanders, or solo dates with a coffee and camera in hand.
See wisteria in full bloom from mid September:
📍 Montsalvat, Eltham – Wander beneath magical wisteria vines in this artsy heritage village. Open Wed–Sun. Entry: $15 adults, $10 teens, kids under 12 free. Or visit on Sunday 29 September for free!
📍 Alowyn Gardens, Yarra Glen – A wisteria archway straight out of a fairytale. Open 7 days. Entry: $15 adults, kids 12 and under free.
🌸 More spring garden favourites
📍 Broughton Hall, Jindivick
Lush terraces and sweeping valley views.
Open Thurs–Sun from 6 Sept to 14 Dec, 10am–4pm. Entry: $25, kids under 16 free.
📍 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!
Coming soon: new openings and family favourites to watch
Spring’s not just about flowers and sunshine – it’s also bringing a bunch of brand new, family-friendly experiences across Melbourne and beyond. Here’s what’s opening soon and totally worth putting on your radar:
🌟 Museum of Play and Art – Nunawading
One of Melbourne’s most loved interactive museums for kids is expanding! The Museum of Play and Art (MoPA) is set to open a brand new location in Nunawading, promising even more colourful creativity, imaginative play zones, and thoughtful design for littlies under 10. Opening date TBA but expected in September… it’s one to watch.
🌱 Gumnuts Playcentre – Westfield Knox (opening Sep 18)
Get ready, Eastside families! A brand new Gumnuts Playcentre is opening soon inside Westfield Knox, bringing soft play, role-play spaces, and a relaxing cafe for parents. Keep an eye on their socials for launch announcements and opening specials.
🦕 Oasis Berry Farm’s new Dino Garden – Steels Creek (opening Nov 1)
Reopening 1 November, Oasis Berry Farm is levelling up its already epic family experience. Their newly upgraded dinosaur garden now features an enchanting bamboo forest, animatronic dinos, and a glowing, Avatar-style luminous garden.
🌍 Our Wondrous Planet – Melbourne Museum
Launching October 2025, this will be the largest permanent gallery in Melbourne Museum’s history. Spanning a massive 1,800m², Our Wondrous Planet invites you to connect deeply with nature through mind-blowing interactive exhibits – like watching your veins mirror those of a leaf or tuning into the sounds of squelching earthworms. It’s science meets art meets wonder, and it’s set to inspire the next generation of planet protectors.
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.
Spring fun ideas for the whole family
Looking for a mix of excitement, fresh air and family-friendly fun this spring? Whether you’re a footy fan or looking to avoid the crowds, here are some top ideas to make the most of the season.
🏉 AFL Grand Final Weekend – 26 & 27 September
From the Grand Final Parade to the family-friendly AFL Footy Festival, Melbourne turns into a celebration of all things footy. Expect live entertainment, group viewing events, merch, food and more across the city.
Prefer something different? Book a behind-the-scenes MCG Tour or check out the Australian Sports Museum while the footy buzz is high. Use code SIRI20 for 20% off* until 5 October!
⛵ Take to the water
See the city from a new angle with a Melbourne River Cruise departing from Southbank, or row your own boat at Studley Park Boathouse in Yarra Bend Park – a peaceful escape just minutes from the CBD.
🐐 Meet the animals
Spring is perfect for visiting a local farm:
Little Sherwood Petting Zoo (Drouin) – our top pick for a more intimate experience. Click here for my reel and see what to expect!
Berry Dairy Farm (Maffra) reopens 1 October
See the full list of animal experiences for kids here.
👩🍳 Book a cooking workshop with Stef’s Mini Chefs
This wholesome 2-hour cooking workshop is perfect for little ones (ages 2-10). Held at spots like Hawkes Farm, Hill and Ridge Market, or even your backyard for a birthday party (within 90km of Crib Point), these workshops let kids create gluten-free mini cakes or pizzas, enjoy craft activities, and even get a cooking certificate.
🧚 True Fairies School Holiday Drop-Off Program – Croydon
If your kids are into unicorns, potions, and maybe a little demon hunting… this magical drop-off program is going to blow their enchanted minds.
Running across two sets of dates these school holidays, the team from True Fairies is transforming Wyreena Community Arts Centre into a fantasy world with six hours of hands-on fun. Kids will enjoy outdoor adventures across 4 acres of parkland, tuck into a hot pizza lunch, and dive deep into fantasy classes like unicorn studies and potion-making.
🗓 Tuesday 23 – Thursday 25 September & Tuesday 30 September – Thursday 2 October
📍 Wyreena Community Arts Centre, 13–23 Hull Road, Croydon
💰 $85 per child
🌳 Tree-scaling and adventure play
For a big spring energy release, book an outdoor adventure that gets the whole family off screens and into the trees:
Enchanted Adventure at Arthur’s Seat is filled with tube slides, hedge mazes, canopy walks and sculpture gardens, set against sweeping Peninsula views.
Otway Fly Treetop Adventures offers jaw-dropping rainforest views from their 25m high treetop walk, or you can zipline between ancient gums.
Treetops Adventure Belgrave, tucked in the Dandenong Ranges, is a local fave for rope courses and flying foxes just 45 mins from Melbourne.
🎪 SkyHigh’s Children’s Festival – Mount Dandenong
Springtime in the clouds? Yes please. SkyHigh Mount Dandenong is bringing back its annual school holiday festival with a full lineup of kid-friendly fun with epic views.
Expect bouncy castles, treasure hunts, pony rides, circus workshops and more – all set in a garden paradise overlooking the city skyline. Events are best suited for kids aged 5–12 and run every weekday of the holidays from 11am to 4pm.
🗓 Weekdays from Tuesday 23 September – Thursday 2 October (excl. weekends and public holidays)
📍 26 Observatory Road, Mount Dandenong
💰 Free to enter but $5 parking per car
🐨 The Funky Farm – a boutique zoo in Hastings
Want a truly hands-on wildlife experience without the crowds? The Funky Farm is a hidden gem on the peninsula that runs by bookings only, so you get a calm, crowd-free visit that’s packed with up-close moments. Perfect for the school holidays, kids can meet native Aussie animals like dingoes, koalas, kangaroos, snakes and more – all in a personal, guided setting that’s both fun and educational. Bonus is that photos are all included, no extra hidden costs! Book ahead to lock in your spot.
🚂 Mornington Tourist Railway – Yelpie Kelpie’s Railway Adventure
📍Moorooduc Station, 460 Moorooduc Hwy, Moorooduc
All aboard the Yelpie Kelpie express! This dog-friendly train ride is a school holiday winner with restored 100+ year old Red Rattlers, a dog-friendly carriage, activity sheets, storytime, sausage sizzle, and baby animals to cuddle at the station. A fun day out for train lovers, animal fans, and four-legged friends!
📅 Sat 20, Sun 21, Sat 27, Sun 28 September
🕙 Departures: 10.30am, 12pm, 1.45pm, 3pm
🎟 Online bookings required
🦖 All the dino fun
📍 Dinosaur World, Somerville
A hidden gem for dino-lovers! Wander past lifelike animatronic dinosaurs, meet Wilson the walking dino, and enjoy hands-on dino dig zones.
🗓️ Open Fri–Sun, plus every day during school holidays & public holidays
🎟️ $18 adults, $16 kids, under 2s free (save 15% with Small Ideas)
📍 DinosRoar, Caribbean Gardens, Scoresby
Step into a massive prehistoric attraction packed with life-size animatronic dinosaurs, a GIANT inflatable dino maze, live entertainment, foam blasters, interactive games, mini golf, and more!
🗓️ 13 Sep – 12 Oct
🎟️ Paid entry but use code MELBOURNEWITHSIRI for 10% off
📍 DinoFest, Werribee South
See dinosaurs come to life in this thrilling open-air experience! Expect dino performances, real-life puppets, and roaring entertainment that will leave little ones wide-eyed.
🗓️ 13 Sep – 12 Oct running multiple sessions a day
🎟️ Paid entry
📍 Oasis Berry Farm, Steels Creek
Launching 1 November, the farm’s popular dino garden (and blueberry farm) is back with a huge upgrade! Expect new animatronic dinosaurs, a bamboo forest, and a glowing Avatar-inspired luminous garden for beautiful strolls.
🗓️ Opening Nov 1
🎟️ $12 for adults and kids go free
📍 Crystal World, Devon Meadows
A FREE dino garden, fossils, rocks and crystals, plus Rosie the giant great white shark ond display? Yes please. This place is quirky, educational, and filled with prehistoric fun for dino-loving families.
🗓️ Open daily
🎟️ Free entry
📍 Gardenworld Nursery, Braeside
A mini dinosaur garden hiding in a popular plant nursery. Walk past the dinos, browse indoor jungle plants, and finish with a milkshake at the café.
🗓️ Open daily
🎟️ Free to visit
And way more
Don’t forget to swing past a local playground while the sun’s out – here’s my top list of playgrounds with something for everyone.
Need a lunch spot with a play area? Check out my go-to eats with space for the little ones.
Keen for a grown-up lunch date or wine kind of day? Here are my favourite spots for adult.
Want more outdoor adventures? Click here.
Need indoor ideas just in case? Click here.
Spring’s calling – now go make it unforgettable!
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