I love Melbourne. I have called it my home twice in my lifetime and it still has a very soft place in my heart. At the heart of Melbourne lies the love of food and culture. Quite rightly so it crowns itself as the food Capital of Australia and having visiting many of the other capitals I tend to agree – although that may be my bias talking.
Melbourne is also a great city if you are planning to visit this school holidays with your family. With many things to do and see, you and your family will be kept entertained for hours.
Here is a little snippet of suggestions about exploring Melbourne with kids from a family that loves this city!
Stay close to town
If you are visiting, choose a location that you can easily access the city and surrounds. We love to stay in Carlton which is close to the CBD, but also offers great parks, open spaces and restaurants and cafes close by. Other great locations are Richmond, Fitzroy, North Melbourne, East Melbourne or smack bang in the middle of the city. Docklands and South Melbourne are also fabulously central.
Visit the Queen
I mean, visit her market. The Queen Victoria Market or “Vicky Market” if you are a Melbournian is a right of passage. Entering the food court and your senses will be on overdrive as the continental pastries, coffee, and sweets, captivate you visually as well as with their amazing aroma. The building itself is worth coming to look at, with small little boutiques lined up with ornate and deco inspired features. It’s a photographers hot spot.
Tip – Try a Lebanese borek (pastry with cheese and spinach) and head to Market Coffee for the ultimate caffeine fix.
City life
If you are venturing to melbourne you need to visit our CBD. Bourke Street is pedestrian only and a great place to start and you can make your way down Swanston Street to Federation Square and over the Yarra to Southbank. Catch the brown City Circle Tram which does a loop of the city square and it’s free.
Tip – if you are avid book lover check out the State Library. My all time favourite place to hang out. There is an exhibition upstairs and a viewing gallery to give you the ultimate perspective of the grand reading room.
Get physical
Love sports? So does Melbourne. If you kids are into it too then they will love the MCG Sports Musuem. It’s interactive and you can add on a tour of the MCG as well which takes you on a walking journey of the history of this famous sporting ground. It’s Grand Final Weekend in Melbourne so check if the tours are still running.
Tip – speaking of grand final weekend. There is the Festival of Footy on the grounds outside the MCG. Loads of activities, food stalls (and I’m not talking a pie and sauce – I’m talking fancy street food) and you can watch the game on the big screen whilst still hearing the roar from the crowd. Just don’t drive in – catch public transport, walk or hovercraft your way in.
Get creative
Melbourne’s love for the creative arts is infections. We love being close to the Melbourne Museum located at the Carlton Gardens as there is always something to see and enjoy. Need more? Try ArtVo at Docklands or check out NGV for their school holiday line up. I’m hoping to combine a cultural day out with my kids that included a sneaky visit to the Dior Exhibition.
Food
I can’t write a post about Melbourne and not include food. There is just so much to cover it would be too hard to do it justice. But here are some favourite places we eat. For more information about Melbourne Food head to Broadsheet Melbourne or Smudge Eats.
Italian – University Cafe Lygon Street, Carlton
Vietnamese – Han o Han – High Street, Windsor or Mama Boi’s near the GPO in the city.
Japanese – Sake, Southbank
English – Papa Goose, Flinders Lane CBD
Gelato – Pidapippos – Lygon Street, Carlton
Whatever you get up with in Melbourne in your family, have fun!
