Things to do on Australia Day in Melbourne with Kids

Australia Day is the perfect opportunity for families and friends to come together and celebrate what they love most about the country – and luckily for Melbourne, VIC families, there’s no shortage of activities to choose from. Ranging from pristine beaches and natural playgrounds to regular celebrations in the heart of the city, there’s an experience on offer to suit every member of the family.

On the hunt for some entertaining Australia Day activities to do with the kids to round out your school holiday activities this summer? Here’s a list of attractions and events in Melbourne worth checking out.

At a glance:

Beach Bonanza: Soak up the summer sun at St Kilda Beach. Build sandcastles, take a dip in the bay, and watch the iconic Brighton Beach bathing boxes shimmer in the Aussie light. Don’t forget to bring a snag (or two) for a sizzling beachside barbie!

Federation Square Flair: Get your dose of Aussie spirit at the heart of the city. Federation Square comes alive with live music, family activities, and Indigenous cultural performances. Learn to throw a boomerang, paint your face with ochre, and tuck into a delicious Damper pie.

Yarra River Revelry: Take a scenic cruise down the Yarra River and soak in the city skyline, all decked out in Aussie flags. Sip on sparkling wine, nibble on gourmet bites, and watch the day’s festivities unfold from a unique perspective.

Laneway Hopping: Melbourne’s hidden laneways are the perfect place to discover hidden gems and celebrate Australia Day in true Melbourne style. Sample delicious street food from around the world, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere.

Royal Botanic Gardens Rhapsody: Escape the city buzz and find serenity in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Pack a picnic basket filled with Aussie treats, spread out a blanket under the gum trees, and enjoy the live music and entertainment on offer. It’s the perfect way to celebrate nature’s beauty on Australia Day.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, remember to slip, slop, slap, and stay safe in the Aussie sun.

Dandendong National Park

Located only 1 hour from the city, Dandendong National Park is a worthy option for families eager to celebrate Australia Day with a natural escape. Families can gather and enjoy a picnic in one of the many parklands available, including the Borthwick Park Playground, Birdsland Reserve, Botanic Garden, Emerald Lake Park, or Elizabeth Bridge Playground. Otherwise, families can embark on the Eastern Sherbrooke Forest Walk, starting in the Grants Picnic Ground. For more information or to plan your visit, head over to the Dandenong Ranges website.

Address: Sassafras VIC 3787

Website: Dandendong National Park

Dendy Street Beach

Eager for an oceanside Australia Day celebration? Dendy Street Beach is worth considering. The beach is most well-known for its colourful bathing boxes, lining the coast and providing endless photo opportunities. Families can pack a picnic, lounge on the sand, play some beach cricket, and admire the spectacular views.

Address: The Bay Trail, Brighton VIC 3186

Melbourne Zoo

Melbourne Zoo is home to an impressive collection of creatures for families to admire on Australia Day. This assortment includes lions, elephants, gorillas, koalas, Tasmanian devils, emus, kangaroos, wombats, kookaburras, and heaps more. Plus, with up-close encounters with animals such as lemurs, giraffes, kangaroos, tortoises, meerkats, and more, the experience becomes all the memorable. Adult tickets start from $42 and children enter free this Australia Day. For more information or to plan your visit, head to the Melbourne Zoo website.

Address: Elliott Ave, Parkville VIC 3052

Website: Melbourne Zoo

Carlton Gardens

The Carlton Gardens is a vibrant, heritage-listed site surrounding the Melbourne Museum, home to a beautiful fountain, small lakes, and towering trees for visitors to admire. It’s due to this beauty that the Carlton Gardens is a great picnic and BBQ spot for families. Gather some family members, roll out the picnic rug, and effortlessly enjoy the peacefulness of this area.

Address: 1-111 Carlton St, Carlton VIC 3053

Australia Day Docklands Harbour

What’s Australia Day without a dazzling fireworks display? Set to return for another year is the Docklands Harbour fireworks show, kicking off at 9 pm. Parents and kids are also sure to enjoy various forms of entertainment, markets, and artists. There’s a little something for everyone to enjoy.

Address: Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, Melbourne, Victoria

Elwood Beach

Another beautiful seaside spot to celebrate Australia Day is Elwood beach – offering pristine sand and clear, calm waters to enjoy. Assemble the family, roll out the picnic rug, and enjoy a few games of beach cricket to pass the day. Otherwise, simply lounge on the sand and admire the views of Melbourne’s towering cityscape.

Address: Elwood Beach, Melbourne, Victoria

Melbourne Central Shopping Centre

The Melbourne Central Shopping Centre is overflowing with big brands and delicious eateries for families to enjoy on Australia Day. The centre has it all, including fashion, technology, homewares, cafes, gaming, beauty, cinema, and heaps more. Plus, there are exhibitions and other events held year-round to keep the kids entertained. For more information or to plan your visit, head over to the Melbourne Central Shopping Centre website.

Address: Cnr La Trobe St &, Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Website: Melbourne Central Shopping Centre

Alpine National Park

For those looking to swap the city for a natural escape, the Alpine National Park is a great option, located about 5 hours from the city. Many visitors are often drawn to the area for its quality skiing conditions, though the parkland also has plenty of activities to enjoy in the summer-time. This including fishing, walking, horse riding, camping, and more. For more information or to plan your visit to Alpine National Park, head to the Parks Victoria website.

Address: Cobungra VIC 3898

Website: Alpine National Park

Government House

Every year, the Government House offers an Open Day on Australia Day for guests to explore free of charge. Not only can parents and children wander through the structure and extensive gardens, but there are typically plenty of attractions on offer, including kid’s activities, entertainers, and more. Families are welcome to bring a picnic. For possible announcements or updates regarding a 2024 Open Day at the Government House, head over to the Governor Of Victoria website.

Address: Government House Dr, Melbourne VIC 3004

Website: Government House

St Kilda Beach

Families eager to celebrate Australia Day at the beach can take the short trip out to St Kilda Beach. Assemble the whole family, bring along a picnic, take a refreshing dip, and enjoy a few games of beach cricket. Otherwise, make your way over to the surrounding cafes and restaurants for a delicious meal. If you’re eager to see some wildlife, stroll to the St Kilda Pier just after sunset to view the local penguin colony.

Address: St Kilda Beach, Melbourne, Victoria

Westfield Doncaster Shopping Centre

Another popular shopping option for Melbourne families is the Westfield Doncaster Shopping Centre, located along Doncaster Road. The centre has it all, including fashion, homewares, technology, sports, delicious food, and heaps more. For more information or to plan your visit to the Westfield Doncaster Shopping Centre, head over to the website.

Address: 619 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster VIC 3108

Website: Westfield Doncaster Shopping Centre

Sea Life Melbourne

A visit to Sea Life Melbourne can be an entertaining venture for the entire family, with an impressive collection of animals to admire. This includes sharks, penguins, rays, crocodiles, tropical fish, and more. The up-close experiences on offer make the trip all the more memorable, as parents and children can look forward to encounters with sharks, penguins, and more. Entry prices start from $47 for adults and $32 for kids. Head over to the Sea Life Melbourne website for more information or to plan your visit.

Address: King St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Website: Sea Life Melbourne

Australia Day Parade

Every year, thousands of people gather to watch the Australia Day Parade along Swanston Street, kicking off from 11 am and finishing at 12 pm. Keep an eye out for possible announcements or updates regarding the 2024 Australia Day parade on Swanston Street.

Address: Swanston Street, Melbourne, Victoria

Royal Botanic Gardens

Stretching across 36 hectares, the Royal Botanic Gardens is a great spot for families to gather and enjoy a picnic among a colourful backdrop. Parents and children can stroll among the gardens and admire the impressive collection of plant life, or attend one of the park’s many events. For more information, head to the Royal Botanic Gardens website.

Address: Birdwood Ave, South Yarra VIC 3141

Website: Royal Botanic Gardens

Queen Victoria Gardens

The Queen Victoria Gardens are located within the Domain Parklands, offering families the chance to enjoy their picnic among the vibrant setting. The parkland includes ponds, monuments, sculptures flower beds, and more. It’s a peaceful escape in the heart of the city.

Address: St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria

Host A BBQ

What’s better than a classic Aussie Day BBQ at home? Gather some friends and family members, fire up the grill, lounge by the pool, play some backyard cricket, and relax. It’s a simple activity that the whole family can easily appreciate.

French Island National Park

French Island National Park is the perfect camping option for families eager to get away on Australia Day. Parents and children can enjoy a stroll or bike ride through the lush bushland and pristine beaches, typically starting from the Takerton Foreshore Reserve. Camping sites are available within the Fairhaven Campsite. For more information or to plan your visit, head over to the Parks Victoria website.

Address: French Island, Victoria

Website: French Island National Park

Kinglake National Park

For those eager to escape the city and enjoy a family picnic in a natural setting, the Kinglake National Park has plenty of outdoor areas to choose from. This includes the Masons Falls Picnic Area, Jehosaphat Gully, and the Island Creek Picnic Area. Otherwise, those looking for more adventure can head up Mt Sugarloaf to admire the stunning views of Melbourne. Camping sites are available at the Gums Camping Area for those eager to extend their stay. For more information or to plan your visit to Kinglake National Park, head over to the Parks Victoria website.

Address: Kinglake West VIC 3757

Website: Kinglake National Park

Werribee Open Range Zoo

The Werribee Open Range Zoo has plenty of creatures for families to admire on Australia Day. This includes Aussie animals such as emus, koalas, and kangaroos. There’s also plenty of worldly creatures to admire, including gorillas, lions, hippos, cheetahs, monkeys, meerkats, and more. Adult tickets start from $42. On weekends and holidays, children can enter for free. For more information or to plan your visit, head over to the Werribee Open Range Zoo website.

Address: K Rd, Werribee South VIC 3030

Website: Werribee Open Range Zoo

Bunyip State Park

The Bunyip State Park is a great camping option for families over Australia Day, with plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained. There are 4 campgrounds to choose between, including the Nash Creek Campground, Bunyip Wier Camping Area, Forest Road Camping Area, and Mortimer Camping Area. As for activities, families can enjoy walking trails, 4-wheel driving, horse riding, picnic grounds, and more. Head over to the Parks Victoria website for more information or to plan your visit to Bunyip State Park.

Address: Gembrook VIC 3783

Website: Bunyip State Park

Yarra Ranges National Park

The Yarra Ranges National Park is located nearly 3 hours from Melbourne, holding within it an extensive list of things for families to enjoy on Australia Day. Parents and children can look forward to plenty of walking trails or they can bring along a picnic and settle in at one of the many picnic areas. For more information or to plan your visit to the Yarra Ranges National Park, head to the Parks Victoria website.

Address: Lockwood Rd, Reefton VIC 3799

Website: Yarra Ranges National Park

Healesville Sanctuary

Located about 1 hour from Melbourne is the Healesville Sanctuary, home to plenty of animals for families to admire on Australia Day. There are heaps of Aussie animals to see, including kangaroos, koalas, emus, cassowaries, dingoes, and more. There are also many events held over school holidays to keep the kids entertained. Ticket prices start from $42 for adults. On weekends and holidays, children can enter the Healesville Sanctuary free of charge. For more information or to plan your visit, head to the website.

Address: Glen Eadie Ave, Healesville VIC 3777

Website: Healesville Sanctuary