Ready to visit Victoria’s biggest theme park? Here’s everything you need to know about Gumbuya World.
Family
The best free things to do this school holidays
Spring school holiday guide: Best things to do around Melbourne and regional Victoria
Victoria's spring school holidays run from 21 September to 6 October 2024. Here are the best things to do these spring school holidays to keep kids busy and parents happy.
The winter chill is fading, and the trees are starting to blossom. That means it’s almost time to get out and enjoy the spring school holidays with our list of the most fun, family-friendly, and budget-savvy activities across Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Jump to
Spring school holiday activities in Melbourne
Go sky-high at Melbourne Skydeck
This spring, see Melbourne from a different angle atop the southern hemisphere's tallest observation deck: Melbourne Skydeck.
Daring kids will love The Edge, a moving glass cube that transports passengers three metres outside Melbourne Skydeck, leaving you suspended terrifyingly high above the streets below. Don't miss the Voygager Theatre: a 6D cinematic voyage through iconic Melbourne moments.
RACV Members save on tickets to Melbourne Skydeck. Book a family general admission ticket and kids go free until 4 October 2024.
Catch the historic Puffing Billy steam train
Spring is the perfect time to get on board the historic Puffing Billy steam train for a ride through the stunning Dandenong Ranges.
Dangle your legs over the side, see the leafy areas of Lakeside or Gembrook, and take in the scenic views of lush rainforest, town villages, meandering lakes and tranquil mountain ranges.
RACV Members save on Puffing Billy tickets.
Build and play at the LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Melbourne
Rainy day? Time to head to the LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre at Chadstone, where families can marvel at incredible professional LEGO® builds, head on rides, watch films in the 4D cinema and, of course, play and create with all the LEGO® on hand!
The Puffing Billy steam train is a well-loved Victorian activity in the Dandenong Ranges.
Ride the big dipper at Luna Park
If you’re looking for a day of fun and adventure, there’s nothing better than experiencing the thrill of rides and attractions at Melbourne’s iconic Luna Park.
Located in St Kilda, take a dip on the Great Scenic Railway, bump into your friends on the dodgems, grab some fairy floss, and cruise around the carousel at Australia’s oldest and most endearing theme park for all ages.
RACV Members get discounted tickets to Luna Park.
Find Nemo at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, features thousands of sea creatures from around the world. Get up close and personal with Gentoo penguins, Finding Nemo stars Nemo and Dory, and Pinjarra the giant saltwater crocodile.
From 21 September to 6 October 2024, the aquarium also offers children the chance to become a certified Seahorse Rescue Ranger. The interactive activity trail includes a complimentary activity booklet.
RACV Members save on SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium tickets. Kids go free until 20 September 2024.
Cosy up at the latest blockbuster movie
There’s nothing like a great movie to keep the whole family entertained, and these school holidays are no exception. Some of the great new movies coming out for families include Inside Out 2, Despicable Me 4, Harold and the Purple Crayon, Runt, The Wild Robot and Transformers One.
RACV Members save up to 40 per cent on movie tickets.*
Play a life-sized game of Monopoly at MONOPOLY DREAMS Melbourne
MONOPOLY DREAMS Melbourne is an interactive, immersive attraction based on the well-known board game Monopoly. You and the kids can now experience the beloved game through a series of rooms, activities, challenges, and explorations.
Located on the lower ground floor of the Melbourne Central complex, the attraction includes a tour through Mr Monopoly's luxury mansion, a laser maze challenge, and a 4DX cinema with motion-enabled seats and special effects.
Engage your imagination at LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre in Melbourne.
Spring school holiday activities across regional Victoria
Have a day of adventure and thrills at Gumbuya World
Not sure if you want to visit a water park, wildlife sanctuary or thrilling theme park? Get the best of all three with a visit to Gumbuya World, Victoria’s largest theme park that's less than an hour out of Melbourne.
Feel the adrenalin rush on the Mining Race Coaster, spin in classic teacups, ride bumper to bumper on the Desert Derby dodgem cars and book a close-up animal encounter with a koala or python. If it's warm, head to Oasis Springs for a cruise along the Lazy River, or simple have a play in the aquatic jungle.
RACV Members save on Gumbuya World tickets.
Go back in time at Sovereign Hill
Panning for gold, making rainbow candles, singing along with a pantomime, and dressing up as 1800s royalty? Experience all this and more at Ballarat's historical village experience, Sovereign Hill. An interactive, immersive experience, this unique regional living museum teaches kids about Victoria’s famed gold-rush era. Eureka!
RACV Members receive discounted tickets to Sovereign Hill and save on stays at the nearby RACV Goldfields Resort.
Joust with the knights of the round table at Kryal Castle
Just down the road from Sovereign Hill on a trip to Ballarat is the medieval-themed Kryal Castle.
Designed as a medieval village with labyrinths, mazes, jousting performances, axe throwing, archery, roaming knights and spell-casting wizards, spend a day going back in time in this sprawling castle attraction for all ages.
RACV Members save on tickets to Kryal Castle
Get up close with the fairy penguins at Phillip Island
Phillip Island is so full of activities, you’ll be wondering where to start! You can’t miss a viewing of the only blue-feathered fairy penguins in the world, a colony of 40,000 Little Penguins who parade the Phillip Island sandbar each night.
You could also explore the Phillip Island Nature Parks or head on a family hike to Cape Woolamai, among many more activities.
Head back in time with a visit to Kryal Castle in Ballarat.
Talk to the animals at Ballarat Wildlife Park
Meet some of Victoria’s cutest residents at Ballarat Wildlife Park and see kangaroos, koalas, wombats, birds, meerkats, snakes, crocodiles and even a giant tortoise called Hugo.
Admission includes a view of all the animals, as well as informative keeper talks. If you want a one-on-one animal experience, you can book your very own animal encounter.
RACV Members save on entry to Ballarat Wildlife Park.
Explore the desert at Cactus Country
Spring is here, so what better time is there to explore the great outdoors? Bring the dog for a family-friendly exploration of Cactus Country, near the RACV Cobram Resort.
Located near the famed Murray River, meander along eight different walking trails featuring more than 1,000 varieties of cacti and succulents at Australia’s largest cactus farm.
RACV Members save on entry to Cactus Country Garden.
Glide the sky on the Otway Fly
On a trip down the Great Ocean Road, head on a treetop walk through the Otways and stroll across the highest and longest rainforest walk in the world. Take the forest walk to the 47m-high observation tower, take on the high ropes circuit, or soar a zipline almost two kilometres long. RACV Torquay Resort is a great base nearby for exploring the area.
Kids will love getting up close and personal with the animals at Gumbuya World. Image: Visit Victoria
The best family-friendly holiday and resort stays in Victoria this school holidays
The best kind of holiday stays have something for everyone, from great meals, spacious rooms and fun activities to nearby experiences and attractions that are budget-friendly and keep everyone happy.
When staying at the RACV Resorts in Cape Schanck, Healesville, Torquay and Inverloch, kids will have a wild time exploring the activities on offer, from the outdoor playgrounds and tennis courts, to splashing about in the indoor pools and competing for glory at the onsite Games Rooms.
RACV Cobram Resort is a fabulous destination for parents and children, with a giant playground, pools, BMX tracks, and the chance to play a family game of basketball or tennis on the resort courts.
RACV Goldfields Resort is also family friendly, and caters for art lovers as well, with its ArtHouse: a dedicated onsite building showcasing specially curated art.
Markets like the Queen Victoria Market are a great free activity for the family. Image: Visit Victoria
The best free things to do this school holidays
Having fun with the family these spring holidays doesn't need to break the bank. Melbourne is full of great free activities, from browsing markets and ferreting out our unique street art to admiring beautiful cherry blossoms.
You can even cook up some sweet treats with easy recipes from RACV Club chefs including salted caramel chocolate chip cookies, a one bowl sponge cake and the ultimate flourless chocolate cake.
Regional Victoria can also boast plenty of free family fun. Mornington Peninsula has a plethora of beautiful beaches and coastal walks, while the Yarra Valley has wonderful bike trails and the scenic Black Spur drive. Head to Geelong for free cultural activities like the Narana Exhibition Centre and Geelong Gallery. Out in the goldfields region, Ballarat has great picnic areas and swimmable lakes, while Bendigo is full of splendid architecture and the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion: a giant Buddhist temple and garden area that welcomes all visitors.
