Melbourne is a great place to visit with the whole family. It has a lot of cool activities for all ages and is a home city to the sporting teams for most major sports in Australia.
With pristine beaches, a rich history and culture, and a vibrant food scene, this city has something for everyone, but day trips from Melbourne for families are also a great idea.
- The best day trips from Melbourne for families
- Fun Day trips in Victoria – Gumbuya World
- BOOK YOUR GUMBUYA WORLD TICKETS TODAY
- Echuca
- Places to visit near Melbourne by car – Sovereign Hill
- Places to visit around Melbourne – Kryal Castle
- Book Kryal Castle entry tickets
- Drives from Melbourne – Puffing Billy
- Day trips in Victoria – Healesville Sanctuary
- Short drives from Melbourne – Werribee Open Range Zoo
- The Mornington Peninsula – family day trips
- Great Ocean Road
- Places to see around Melbourne – Phillip Island
- You can buy a 4 Park Pass for entry to Phillip Island nature parks
- Adventure Park Geelong (Geelong Water Park)
- Family day trips – The Grampians
- More Explore Victoria's inspiration
Within a few hours of driving, there are many short family fun day trips from Melbourne where you can get out of the city and do some pretty exciting things with your family.
While we recommend these day trips from Melbourne CBD for families, anyone can go on a road trip to the amazing Victorian destinations and have a wonderful time. So, how many of these awesome day trips from Melbourne can you add to your must-do Melbourne itinerary list?
The best day trips from Melbourne for families
Getting out and about as a family is so important in these times and many of us parents are looking for the perfect activities in Victoria for families.
Finding something that everyone will like and for every budget is the hardest part so luckily we have this awesome guide for you to help you plan some of your most memorable day trips from Melbourne for families.
Fun Day trips in Victoria – Gumbuya World
Gumbuya World or as many people could remember it as Gumbuya Park is a brilliant day trip from Melbourne for families. It’s the perfect place to spend a hot summer’s day.
With water slides, wave pools and cabanas to shade you from the heat, you can easily spend an entire day at Gumbuya World. On-site you will also find a small amusement park and a wildlife sanctuary.
Gumbuya World opening times
Opening times do differ during the seasons and for the separate sections of the park. The timetable is at times difficult to read on the website but you should allow time from 10 am is to 4 pm for all the sections.
Gumbuya World entry prices
Below are the Gumbuya World Entry prices as of November 2021
| Tickets | General (GA) | Junior (JA) | Tots (TA) | Senior (SA) |
| All sections | $57 | $51 | FREE | $48 |
| Wildlife only | $25 | $19 | FREE | $19 |
| Groups of 25-49 people | $55 | $51 | N/A | $46 |
| Groups 25-49 people | $53 | $49 | N/A | $44 |
GA = 120cm+ JA = 90cm – 120cm TA = below 90cm SA = 60+ years
Distance from Melbourne to Gumbuya World
Gumbuya World is located at 2705 Princes Highway Tynong, Victoria 3813 making it an easy family day trip. You can easily drive to Gumbuya World via the M1 and allow approximately an hour drive to get there for exhilarating water slide fun.
Tips for visiting Gumbuya World with kids
- Gumbuya World is NOT a BYO venue
- You can purchase snacks, food and drinks at the shops on site
- Lockers are available for hire to store your valuables
- Get there early to secure a lounge by the water. First in best dressed.
How much time do I need at Gumbuya World?
With the price of the tickets, I would plan to spend all day at Gumbuya World. If it is a hot day I would also consider spending the extra money on a cabana for the day which will make it an easy day trip from Melbourne for families and especially parents!
BOOK YOUR GUMBUYA WORLD TICKETS TODAY
Echuca
This border town packs a punch and there are so many things to do in Echuca for families. You can easily spend the day here or if you have more time a perfect getaway from Melbourne. Echuca is the perfect place for day trips from Melbourne for families.
Things to do in Echuca for families
There are so many things to do we have put together a list of the most popular activities in Echuca on your day trips from Melbourne for families list.
| Echuca Activity | Opening times | Entry price |
| Echuca Paddlesteamers* | 10 am to 2 pm 7 days | Family 2A + 4kids $70 |
| Port Of Echuca walking street | Always open | Free |
| Port of Echuca Discovery Center | 9 am to 5 pm 7 days | |
| Twisted Science* | Session times | Family 2A + 3 kids $58 |
| Cactus Country | 10 am – 5 pm Wed-Sun | Family 2A + 2kids $50 |
| Kyabram Fauna Park | 10 am – 5 pm daily | Family 2A + 2 kids $65 |
- Echuca Paddlesteamers run cruises on the river at 10.15 am, 11.30 am, 1.30 pm and 2.45 pm 7 days a week
- Twisted Science runs 3 sessions 10 -11:30am, 12:30 – 2pm and 2:30 – 4pm. Open days are school term opening hours – Wednesday to Sunday. School holidays opening hours – Monday to Sunday.
Places to eat in Echuca for families
There are some brilliant places to eat in Echuca for families as they wrap up their day trips from Melbourne.
- The Moama Bakery for a great pie or pasty
- The Curry Club
- Moama Bowling Club
Distance from Melbourne to Echuca
The drive from Melbourne to Echuca is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes along the Calder Freeway (M79).
Parking around the Port of Echuca is free but has a 2-hour limit
How much time do I need at Echuca?
Being only 2 hours 45 minutes from Melbourne you can easily plan a wonderful day in Echuca with plenty of the activities mentioned. I would plan to start your day with the 11.30 am river cruise and then pop in the activities you would like to do from there.
Finish with an early dinner at one of the restaurants in town and head home down the highway on your day trips from Melbourne for families.
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Places to visit near Melbourne by car – Sovereign Hill
The award-winning Sovereign Hill is one place kids and adults alike fall in love with and is one of the best day trips from Melbourne for families all year round. A completely immersive experience from the gold rush era where you can pan for gold, see old gold mines and wander streets from a forgotten era.
Take a walk around and see people dressed in period costumes, get photos and go on a horse and cart ride.
Located in Ballarat, a family day trip to Sovereign Hill is an epic day trip from Melbourne for families. If you have more time, stay in Ballarat and enjoy a weekend getaway.
Sovereign Hill opening times
Sovereign Hill is open on Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm
Sovereign Hill entry prices
Here are the entry prices to Sovereign Hill valid as of November 2021
| Ticket | Single Entry | Annual Pass |
| Adult | $39 | $124 |
| Child (5 – 15) | $20 | $32.50 |
| Concession* | $32 | N/A |
| Family of 4 2A -2C | $99 | $262 |
| Family of 5 2A – 3C | $99 | $262 |
| Family of 6 2A – 4C | $99 | $262 |
| Single Parent Family 1A- 2C | $71 | $170 |
| Single Parent Family 1A – 3C | $71 | $170 |
- For concession to be given a valid concession card must be used
- Prices are for entry, it does not include extra activities like mine tours or carriage rides
- For a brilliant addition, there is also Aura at Sovereign Hill which is a nighttime activity.
Distance from Melbourne to Sovereign Hill
Sovereign Hill is located approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Melbourne along the Western Freeway.
Parking at Sovereign Hill is free and there is a short walk to the entry if it is busy.
How much time do I need at Sovereign Hill?
For anyone that wants a great day out, I would plan on arriving at around 11 am from Melbourne. This will give you time to do mine tours, have some old-time photos taken together, pan for your wealth in gold, have some lunch, rider the carriage, have some lunch and wander the grounds easily.
If you leave at around 5 you can pick up some dinner in Ballarat and be home for bed before 9 with memories of the perfect day trips from Melbourne for families.
Need more time in Ballarat? Discover 7 amazing places to stay near Sovereign Hill for a hassle-free visit
Places to visit around Melbourne – Kryal Castle
Step back into the medieval past at Kryal Castle. This one is definitely one of the best day trips from Melbourne for families of younger kids. For some Aussie kids, they have not seen a castle so this is a great opportunity for them to experience one.
Many people think that Kryal castle is a real castle but unfortunately, this is a theme park and there are no medieval castles in Australia, however, it does provide good family entertainment.
Kryal Castle opening times
The family-friendly Kryal Castle park is open 10 am-4 pm (last entry at 3 pm) every weekend and daily during the school holidays.
Kryal Castle entry prices
Entry prices to Kyral Castle are correct as of November 2021
| Tickets | General Admission | Annual Membership |
| Adult 16+ | $35 | $69 |
| Child 3-15 | $22 | $40 |
| Concession | $28 | $55 |
| Family 2A – 2C | $99 | $179 |
| Single parent family 1A – 2C | $79 | $139 |
| Royal Family Ticket (2A – 4C) | $295 | N/A |
Tips for visiting Kryal Castle with kids
- There are activities like jousting, potion making and axe throwing throughout the day. Get a timetable and plan to see them when they are on
- Kids’ birthday parties can be organised in advance
- There are Murder Mystery Nights held throughout the year. While aimed at adults, older kids may find these brilliant to experience
Distance from Melbourne
Kryal Castle is an easy day trip from Melbourne and takes approximately 1 hour to arrive along the Western Freeway towards Ballarat.
How much time do I need at Kryal Castle?
I would aim to arrive around 10 am at the opening. This