Out of Town
Melbourne may be home but we've scoured the state of Victoria many times looking for family activities.
We have reviewed almost every playground, swimming pool, animal park and tourist attraction in regional Victoria.
To find a list of activities within a certain area or town, try Fast Find. It will be like entering Aladdin's Cave - and you don't even need to say Open Sesame!
You may want to cut to the chase and explore an area using one of our area guides which covers the top family activities and playgrounds in each regional council area. The guides are:
Central Region
Ballarat City Council Region Guide (Ballarat and suburbs, Buninyong)
Bass Coast Shire Council Region Guide (Wonthaggi, Inverloch, Cape Paterson, Pioneer Bay, Grantville, Corinella, Coronet Bay, Bass, Kilcunda, San Remo and Phillip Island)
Golden Plains Shire Region Guide (Bannockburn, Dereel, Haddon, Inverleigh, Linton, Meredith, Rokewood, Smythesdale, Steiglitz and Teesdale)
Hepburn Shire Region Guide ( Clunes, Creswick, Daylesford, Hepburn Springs and Trentham)
Macedon Ranges Shire Region Guide (Gisborne, Kyneton, Lancefield, Malmsbury, Mount Macedon, Riddells Creek, Romsey and Woodend)
Moorabool Shire Region Guide (Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Darley, Gordon, Maddingley, Mount Doran and Wallace)
Surf Coast Shire Region Guide (Aireys Inlet, Anglesea, Jan Juc, Lorne, Moriac, Torquay and Winchelsea)
North Central
Central Goldfields Shire Region Guide (Maryborough, Carisbrook, Dunolly and Talbot)
Mitchell Shire Region Guide (Broadford, Kilmore, Seymour, Tallarook and Wallan)
Mount Alexander Shire Region Guide (Castlemaine, Harcourt, Maldon, Newstead and Taradale)
Murrindindi Shire Council Region Guide (Alexandra, Buxton, Eildon, Kinglake, Lake Mountain, Marysville, Strath Creek, Thornton, Toolangi, Yarck and Yea)
West & South Gippsland
Baw Baw Shire Region Guide (Drouin, Longwarry, Mount Baw Baw, Neerim South, Noojee, Trafalgar, Warragul, Walhalla and Yarragon)
Latrobe City Council Region Guide (Moe, Morwell and Traralgon plus Boolarra, Churchill, Newborough, Yallourn, Yallourn North and Yinnar)
South Gippsland Shire Region Guide (Korumburra, Leongatha, Foster, Meeniyan, Mirboo North, Venus Bay and Welshpool)
Wellington Shire Region Guide (Heyfield, Maffra, Rosedale, Sale, Stratford and Yarram)
North East
Alpine Shire Region Guide (Bright, Myrtleford, Dinner Plain, Falls Creek, Mount Beauty, Mount Buffalo, Mount Hotham)
Benalla Rural City Region Guide (Benalla and surrounding area)
Indigo Shire Region Guide (Beechworth, Rutherglen, Chiltern and Yackandandah)
Mansfield Shire Region Guide (Mansfield, small outlying towns and Mount Buller)
Towong Shire Region Guide (Corryong, Bellbridge, Granya and Tallangatta)
Wangaratta Rural City Region Guide (Wangaratta, Glenrowan)
Wodonga City Council Region Guide (Wodonga and surrounding area)
South West
Ararat Rural City Region Guide ( Ararat, Lake Bolac, Willaura, Pomonal, Moyston)
Colac Otway Shire Region Guide (Apollo Bay, Colac, Beech Forest, Birregurra, Forrest and Wye River)
Corangamite Shire Region Guide (Camperdown, Cobden, Lismore, Port Campbell, Princetown, Simpson, Skipton, Terang and Timboon)
Glenelg Shire Region Guide (Portland, Casterton, Cape Bridgewater, Nelson and Heywood)
Moyne Shire Region Guide (Port Fairy, Koroit, Mortlake)
Pyrenees Shire Region Guide (Avoca, Beaufort)
Southern Grampians Shire Region Guide (Hamilton, Coleraine, Dunkeld and Glenthompson)
Warrnambool City Shire Region Guide (Warrnambool and immediate surrounding area)
Northern Country
Campaspe Shire Region Guide (Echuca / Moama, Kyabram, Rochester, Colbinabbin, Lockington, Stanhope, Tongala)
Greater Bendigo City Region Guide (Bendigo, Axedale, Heathcote, Elmore and Goornong)
Greater Shepparton City Region Guide (Shepparton, Mooroopna, Dookie, Tatura and Murchison)
Loddon Shire Region Guide (Boort, Inglewood, Mitiamo, Pyramid Hill, Wedderburn)
Moira Shire Region Guide (Barmah, Cobram / Barooga, Nathalia, Numurkah, Strathmerton, Tungamah, Yarrawonga / Mulwala)
Strathbogie Shire Region Guide (Euroa, Nagambie, Violet Town, Avenel, Longwood)
Wimmera
Hindmarsh Shire Region Guide (Dimboola, Jeparit, Nhill, Rainbow)
Horsham Rural City Region Guide (Horsham plus some smaller towns)
Northern Grampians Shire Region Guide (Halls Gap, St Arnaud, Stawell)
West Wimmera Shire Region Guide (Edenhope, Kaniva, Harrow, Goroke, Serviceton, Apsley)
Yarriambiack Shire Region Guide (Warracknabeal, Beulah, Hopetoun, Minyip, Murtoa, Patchewollock, Rupanyup)
Mallee
Buloke Shire Region Guide (Berriwillock, Birchip, Charlton, Donald, Sea Lake, Wycheproof)
Gannawarra Shire Region Guide (Cohuna, Kerang, Koondrook / Barham, Leitchville, Murrabit, Quambatook)
Mildura Rural City Region Guide (Mildura and its surrounding suburbs, Red Cliffs, Ouyen)
Swan Hill Rural City Region Guide (Swan Hill, Lake Boga, Manangatang, Robinvale)
East Gippsland
East Gippsland Shire Region Guide (Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance, Mallacoota, Marlo, Metung, Nowa Nowa, Omeo, Orbost, Paynesville, Swifts Creek)
If you are looking for the best playgrounds in regional Victoria, check out or guide The Best Playgrounds in Melbourne, Geelong and Country Victoria by Region
Some of our favourite regional destinations are:
Central
Ballarat Wildlife Park in Ballarat (Set in 32 acres of woodland with a collection of Australian native animals and reptiles)
Ballarat Gold Rush Mini Golf in Ballarat (two 18 hole courses, one indoors and one outdoors. Home of the 'Big Miner' statue)
Kryal Castle in Ballarat (Medieval themed attractions including jousting battles)
Sovereign Hill in Ballarat (a recreated goldfields township set over 25 hectares with a large range of activities)
Midlands Reserve Water Play Park in Ballarat (A free water splash park which features water cannons, fountains, high pressure jets, a 260 litre-per-minute waterfall, soaking buckets, water umbrella, a five metre high tower and a gentle play area for toddlers)
Fairy Park in Anakie (a magical place which is reasonably priced and a moderate distance from Melbourne. Attractions include Fairytale Land, Model Trains, Summit Views and Camelot Playground)
Wirrawilla Rainforest Walk in Toolangi (short walk through luxuriant rainforest beside the Sylvia Creek)
Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm in Shepherds Flat (wander around the gardens, lavender fields and 1850s stone buildings with a stop to have a game of bocce. There are plenty of grassy areas to rest with geese wandering about plus a cafe serving wholesome regional food, including their famous homemade lavender scones)
The three main theme parks, apart from the centrally located Luna Park are on the outskirts of Melbourne or Geelong.
Funfields in Whittlesea (large range of water slides, toboggans, go karts, bumper boats, mini golf and Kidzone with rides for younger kids).
Gumbuya World in Tynong (theme park with four zones - Oasis Springs water zone with two large water slides, lazy river and kids water play area, wildlife trail zone, Oz Adventure zone with dry rides and Outback Explorers zone with rides for younger kids)
Adventure Park Geelong in Wallington near Geelong (twenty rides and activities which is a combination of nine water rides, eight non-water family rides and three kids rides)
East Gippsland
Lakes Entrance is the capital of mini golf in Victoria and there are plenty of varied courses to test your skills. Choose from Blackball & Basket Mini Golf, Esplanade Mini Golf, Footbridge Mini Golf, Lolly Shop and Ice Cream Parlour or Lakes Entrance Mini Golf
Mallee
Woodsies Gem Shop in Mildura (a Garden Crazy Maze that is about an acre that is covered by over 200 types of flowering and ground creepers, a cave of glowing gems and crystals from around the world and a workshop where gems are cut and polished)
Mildura Waves Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Mildura (indoor heated 25m lap pool, indoor wave pool, toddler's Splash Pool, spa and sauna and a seasonal heated outdoor 50m lap pool and dive pool)
Swan Hill Outdoor Pool in Swan Hill (50 metre pool, 25 metre pool, toddlers' pool, dive pool with 1 and 3-metre diving boards and water slide)
North Central
Alexandra Timber Tramway (trains to ride on scheduled running days plus display rooms and numerous outdoor exhibits)
Avenel Maze (a number of different type mazes (rock, hedge, flower, rope), nine hole mini-golf course, games like giant draughts, mini frisbee, horseshoe with a Ned Kelly theme running through everything)
Victorian Goldfields Railway in Castlemaine (Steam train running through the goldfields of Central Victoria between Castlemaine and Maldon)
Black Hill Reserve in Kyneton (walks ranging in length from 1.7km to 3.9km with signed walking tracks, magnificent views, great rock formations, wild flowers, Australian wildlife plus natural and re-vegetated bushland)
Bruno's Art & Sculpture Garden in Marysville (large garden full of interesting and quirky sculptures)
Wetlands Walk and Y Discovery Centre in Yea (Take a leisurely 45 to 60 minute stroll through the Yea Wetlands and you will have the opportunity to see (if luck is on your side) platypus, rakali (native water rats), sacred king fishers, koalas and sugar gliders. The nearby Y Water Discovery Centre is a multi-purpose facility incorporating an accredited Visitor Information Centre and an Interpretive & Educational Centre.
North East
Brookfield Maze in Myrrhee (one of the largest hedge mazes in Australia. On the way to finding the centre where there is a viewing platform, hunt for hidden koalas and four number clues which add up to the number of trees used to plant the maze. The extensive landscaped gardens include an ancient labyrinth, bocce, pentanque piste, giant chess, checkers and a creek walk)
Northern Country
Discovery Science & Technology Centre in Bendigo (over 100 interactive exhibits to explore)
Central Deborah Gold Mine in Bendigo (underground mine tours)
Long Gully Water Splash Park in Bendigo (free water splash park with bubblers, tippy buckets, misters, water cannons and other novelty play equipment. There are 16 water sequences)
Bendigo Aquatic Centre (outdoor seasonal centre with heated 50m Olympic Pool, water slide, toddlers pool, intermediate pool, diving pool, BBQ and playground)
Eaglehawk Skatepark in Bendigo (great skate park which caters for all levels of skaters with has a street course and a very nice bowl)
Elmore Miniature Railway in Elmore (miniature railway which has about a kilometre of track and includes some small bridges)
South West
Great Ocean Road / Port Campbell National Park (this area is world famous for its extraordinary collection of wave-sculpted rock formations including the Twelve Apostles)
West & South Gippsland
Walhalla Goldfields Railway in Walhalla (ride through the spectacular Stringers Creek Gorge from the Walhalla historic township)
Coal Creek Village in Korumburra (park & museum created to preserve the hstory of coal, the development of the South Gippsland railway and the rural settlement which was accelerated by the dairy and timber industries. Free admission)
Mushroom Rocks and Mt Erica Walk in Rawson (A lovely 3km return walk to Mushroom Rocks which is a maze of giant granite tors. Alternatively continue onto to Mount Erica which is about 8km return)
George Bass Coastal Walk in San Remo (a lovely 7km (one-way) cliff top walk that stretches from the outskirts of San Remo to Kilcunda.
Wimmera
Halls Gap Zoo in Halls Gap (zoo comprises 120 species of native and exotic mammals, reptiles and birds)
Venus Baths Loop Walk in Halls Gap (A beautiful 2.4 km circuit walk which includes the Venus Baths rockpools. A gem during the warmer months when you can play in the pools)
Visit the silos which have been turned into large scale artworks at Brim, Rupanyup and Sheep Hills.
