Looking for family-friendly activities for the weekend that won’t break the bank? Here’s our guide to the best free things to do in Melbourne.
Best Christmas gift ideas 2024: inexpensive to $100+
No matter your budget, this Christmas gift guide has the perfect present ideas for your friends, family and colleagues.
Finding the perfect Christmas present doesn’t need to be stressful. We’ve got a list of the best Christmas gifts for every budget, so you can cross off your present checklist with ease.
RACV Members save on a range of attractions, shopping deals and experiences.
In this article
Best Christmas gift ideas for every budget
DIY and inexpensive Christmas gift ideas
Christmas is all about giving, but that doesn’t have to equate spending lots of money. There are many affordable ways to show someone you care for them during the festive season, including making something yourself.
Bake a special treat
There are plenty of Christmas recipes to make someone as a gift. Depending on your chosen recipe, you might even have many (if not all) of the ingredients in your pantry, making baked treats both a delicious and thrifty Christmas present.
Some festive recipes to try include:
Read more: 23 recipes for the ultimate Christmas Day.
Raid your garden
For those with a garden, a bouquet makes a lovely, free gift for everyone from family through to coworkers.
While flowers are traditional, adding leafy plants can add interesting texture to a homemade bouquet.
Another idea is to gift a cutting from your garden. Potted plant cuttings aren’t only an affordable gift, they’re also a sustainable gift and one that will continue to grow and flourish well beyond the Christmas season.
Finally, if you've a bounty of homegrown fruit or vegetables, these can make for an excellent present.
Spend time together
Putting aside a day to spend with someone is a great gift that can really show you care. There are plenty of things to do in Melbourne that are free or low cost; you could visit the NGV, ACMI, one of our many free parks and gardens, head to the beach or even just grab a coffee together.
Read more: the best free things to do in Melbourne.
Christmas gift ideas for $50 and under
Movie tickets
A movie voucher makes a great gift for all ages and backgrounds. RACV Members can save on movie tickets from HOYTS, Village, Palace, IMAX, Moonlight and Event Cinemas. Melbourne’s best cinemas, with plenty of great flicks now showing or coming soon to cinemas in Australia.
Sovereign Hill tickets
If you know a history buff, they’ll love getting tickets to Sovereign Hill for Christmas.
This Ballarat treasure trove is an immersive ‘living museum’ of the 1850s gold rush. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage, head to an old timey pantomime, visit faithfully recreated shops and schools before panning for gold in the original diggings and touring the mines. People of all ages can easily spend an entire day exploring Sovereign Hill’s many gems.
RACV Members save on Sovereign Hill tickets.
Luna Park tickets
Luna Park has been a favourite pastime for Melburnians and tourists alike since 1912, and is one of the city's favourite tourist hotspots.
Its famous gaping mouth entrance is a Melbourne icon, while its Great Scenic Railway ride is the oldest continually running wooden rollercoaster in the world.
There are over 20 rides including gentle classics like the Heritage Grand Carousel and Moon Balloons for kids, and thrill rides like the classic Ghost Train and Twin Dragon for teens and adults.
RACV Members save on Luna Park tickets.
SEA LIFE Melbourne tickets
Discover thousands of sea critters for Christmas at the SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium.
While many might know the aquarium as the home of Pesto, the famous king penguin chick (he's even met the likes of Katy Perry and Olivia Rodrigo), there are dozens of sea creatures to meet.
From luminescent jellyfish and cute Manta Rays to spooky Moray Eels and Pinjarra the Mega Croc, you’ll spend hours gasping over the wonderful creatures on display.
Christmas gift ideas from $50 to $100
Gift cards
Gift cards can be more thoughtful than you might think, allowing the recipient to pick out something they’re sure to love from one of their favourite stores or brands.
They’re also perfect for events where presents must stay within a certain price range, like a work Kris Kringle or Secret Santa.
RACV Members save on eGift Cards redeemable at more than 30 leading retailers like Country Road, Priceline, Rebel Sport and Freedom Furniture.
Puffing Billy tickets
Puffing Billy is a genuine 1900 steam railway that chugs passengers through the heart of the Dandenong Ranges.
Make a day of it and purchase a return journey to Emerald Lake Park, where you can hire paddleboats and visit the model train museum.
RACV Members save on Puffing Billy tickets.
Resort voucher
Gift the perfect getaway this Christmas with a voucher to a luxurious RACV Resort, which can be redeemed at nine locations across Victoria, Tasmania, and Queensland.
From fine dining and dramatic coastal scenery to rich bushland or a bustling city break, there’s a resort experience for everyone. Your recipient can choose from resorts in:
- Torquay on the stunning Great Ocean Road
- Cape Schanck on the coastal Mornington Peninsula
- Cobram along the serene Murray River
- Inverloch on the pristine Gippsland Coast
- Goldfields near historic Ballarat and relaxing Daylesford
- Healesville in Yarra Valley’s wine country
- Noosa, the foodie’s hotspot on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast
- Gold Coast in Queensland’s surfing paradise
- Hobart, Tasmania’s ever-evolving capital city.
Driving Lessons
Got someone in your house preparing to get their license?
Steer them in the right direction with a driving lesson package to help them develop the skills to drive safely and confidently with a professional instructor.
Lessons can be bought in a range of package options, from a one off to a three or five-lesson voucher pack.
RACV Members save on packages with RACV Drive School.
Hot springs soak
There’s nothing like a day filled with relaxation and indulgence like that at some of Victoria’s finest hot springs.
RACV Members save on a range of mineral water bathing experiences, from newcomer Alba Thermal Springs and Spa with its 22 geothermic bathing pools, to moonlit bathing, dinner and add-on experiences at the Peninsula Hot Springs.
MONOPOLY DREAMS Melbourne tickets
MONOPOLY DREAMS is the latest attraction to Pass Go in the city’s Melbourne Central complex.
The fun-filled family attraction brings the famed board game to life, where players can visit Monopoly City, Mr Monopoly’s mansion, a 4Dx cinema, laser maze, the Chance to win Monopoly money and more. Just try not to go to Jail!
RACV Members save on tickets to MONOPOLY DREAMS Melbourne.
Mini golf passes
Why not grab a mini golf gift voucher this Christmas for a fun day out for the family?
RACV Members save on mini golf experiences across Victoria, like Boneo Discovery Park, Grampians Adventure Golf and Sporties Mini Golf.
Christmas gift ideas: $100 and up
Cooking class experience
At Otao Kitchen in Abbotsford, guests can choose to participate in a range of experiences, from a Thai or Vietnamese cooking masterclass, to learning to cook with Australian native ingredients.
Each class is run by an expert chef, with budding cooks all able to enjoy their delicious creations at the end of class.
RACV Members save on Otao Kitchen Cooking Experiences.
Live entertainment tickets
From stage shows to concerts, there's never a shortage of fantastic events on in Melbourne,
Grab some tickets to see the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra perform, or gift someone tickets to theatre shows like The Nutcracker and Jesus Christ Superstar.
RACV Members save on a range of experiences with Ticketek.
One Spa retreat experience
Give the gift of relaxation and self-care with a voucher to the One Spa wellness and beauty retreats, located throughout Victoria and Queensland.
At One Spa, guests are given a soothing herbal tea in the Relaxation Room before indulging in restful and revitalising treatments designed to leave your giftee feeling refreshed, calm, and revitalised for the year ahead.
RACV Members save on One Spa treatments.
V8 supercar drive experience
Pump up your supercar enthusiast’s Christmas with a high adrenaline V8 supercar driving experience at Melbourne’s Sandown International Raceway.
A professional, experienced driver will remain by their side to ensure their safety.
RACV Members save on Melbourne motorsports and V8 supercar experiences.
Escape room experience
Escape rooms challenge your logic, problem-solving and communication skills, making them an awesome gift experience for friends and family.
RACV Members save on Escape Hunt and Virtual Room escape rooms.
Hot air ballooning
Looking to gift an experience like no other high above the clouds?
Glide up, up, and away to see Victoria’s capital several thousand feet above the ground, with panoramic views that stretch from the Yarra Valley to Port Phillip Bay.
RACV Members save on hot air ballooning experiences.
Winery lunch
Lookng to spoil someone? This luxury Christmas gift includes a private driver, tastings at a range of wineries, a three-course champagne lunch, tour at Domaine Chandon and a wine masterclass with a delicious cheese platter to match.
RACV Members save on the World Class Wine Discovery with Lunch - For 2.