Explore the best destinations for family getaways in Victoria

Victoria is home to a wide variety of unforgettable adventures. When you’re looking for new family activities in Victoria in an all-new place, you won’t have to look very far to find them. Sometimes it can be refreshing to get away from the hustle and bustle of Melbourne or to simply enjoy what Victoria has to offer if you’re from outside the state. Take a look at the best destinations for family getaways in Victoria and discover where you can book an unforgettable holiday experience that your family will enjoy no matter what their interests are.

1. Explore the coast around Cape Otway

When your family visits Cape Otway, you’ll find a lush rainforest settled up against a welcoming coast with shining waters. The plant life here is especially impressive, as you’ll find some ancient species among the hanging ferns and massive trees. Many of the local attractions tend to focus on the natural beauty of the area, with tree walks and kayaking opportunities available in excess. Don’t forget to visit the historic lighthouse as well, an impressive piece of history towering above the shoreline. It’s about 3 hours away from Melbourne by car, so it’s relatively easy to reach if you drive.

2. Relax in a seaside escape at Metung

Metung is known for its breathtaking, unspoilt landscapes among the Gippsland Lakes along the southern coast, where you’ll find a tiny village and charming tranquillity working in stark contrast with life in the big city. This is the ideal destination for your family if you’re looking to relax on your Victoria family holiday. If your kids are interested in fishing, you’ll find plenty of opportunities here whether you want to fish off a pier or take a boat out into the water. Of course, the delicious seafood in the area may be more to your liking than going through the trouble of catching the fish yourself. It takes about 4 hours to get to Metung from Melbourne.

3. Visit the springs at Daylesford

If you’re looking to relax in mineral springs, Daylesford is going to be your best bet in the state. The springs are just the beginning of what this destination has to offer, as you’ll also find bush and gardens here along with vibrant botanic gardens, each with incredible, well-maintained walking paths. Novelty hedge mazes are available as well, which are particularly appealing for kids. Mini-golf is quite popular in the area, and there’s also a skate park, so your kids can find plenty to do while you spend time relaxing at one of the local spas.

4. Test your surfing skills at Bells Beach

Bells Beach is one of the most iconic surfing spots anywhere in the world, and it can make for a stunning destination for your next Victoria family holiday. While some of the waves here can be pretty intense, that’s not always the case. In fact, this beach is the perfect spot if your little ones are learning to surf for the first time. Several surfing schools are set up here, and they’re more than happy to offer your kids their first lessons. Other activities are available as well, and they all tend to focus on more active experiences like paragliding, though you’ll still find golf courses and nature reserves to explore.

5. Explore the bizarre landscapes of Murray Sunset National Park

The first thing you’ll probably notice when visiting Murray Sunset National Park is the multicoloured lakes. They change colour throughout the day according to the cloud cover that’s common most of the time, and it can make the atmosphere here as eerie as it is fascinating. The natural features here are impressive as well, with native kangaroos and birds to spot along with pure salt available by the water spots. One of the most common things to do with kids in Victoria here is hiking Mount Crozier to see its breathtaking lookout that offers stunning sights for kilometres out.

6. Enjoy the outdoors at the Dandenong Ranges

The Dandenong Ranges is a lovely destination with a wide variety of family activities in Victoria, all focused on enjoying the breathtaking countryside. You’ll find a vibrant botanic garden here along with a colourful tulip farm and forest sanctuary. A rainbow trout farm can be found here as well, but your family may be more interested in the Healesville animal sanctuary for a greater variety of wildlife. Additionally, you can climb the SkyHigh lookout to get a glimpse of Melbourne’s skyline from the highest viewing point in all of Victoria. Given that Melbourne is still visible, this destination won’t require you to travel too far from the city.

7. Immerse yourself in history at Rutherglen

When you’re looking for kids’ activities in Victoria, consider Rutherglen as your destination. Located just 10 kilometres from the border of New South Wales, this town is packed full of fascinating history, as it was originally founded as a gold-rush town. You’ll find a heritage walk here that shows off the impressive Victorian architecture, but that’s just the beginning. This town is also home to several bike trails, fishing opportunities and an olive grove to peruse that offers serenity away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It takes about 3 hours to get to this town from Melbourne.

8. Hit the slopes at Mount Buller

While Mount Buller is best known for its ski-oriented family resorts in Victoria, you’ll find fun here no matter what time of year you visit. It’s important to know, however, that the exact details of your experience will vary by season. Skiing, tobogganing and snowshoeing are popular activities during the winter. When you visit during the summer, you can embark on hiking trips, mountain biking trails and horseback riding excursions through the mountain trails. Tennis and spas are also common here if that piques your interest.

9. Enjoy the island life at Phillip Island

Located just an hour and a half away from Melbourne, Phillip Island is an ideal Victoria family holiday destination, thanks to the resident penguins. No matter what you decide to do here, these penguins will always be the stars of the show with their nightly Penguin Parades that have them returning to dry land in droves. If that’s not enough wildlife for you, you can also visit the Koala Conservation Centre here or embark on one of several eco-boat tours. Additionally, this island features a chocolate factory that’s open for tours, which is a popular favourite for families with young children.

10. See natural splendour of the Grampians

The Grampians mountain range offers some of the most breathtaking and iconic natural features in the entire state of Victoria. Attracting more than a million people from all over the world each year, it’s easy to see why the sights here cause so many to travel across the globe to see it in person. You’ll find deep valleys and gorges that are massive in scope along with plenty of paths that get you to the best views. Outdoor activities are also common here, with kayaking, cycling, and rock climbing being especially popular. Your kids may also enjoy checking out the Aboriginal rock art shelters that are remarkably well-preserved.

11. Browse art of all kinds in Ballarat

When your family visits Ballarat, you’ll find an extensive collection of artwork to explore. The local art gallery is one of the largest and oldest regional galleries in the country, and you’ll find a wide variety of works on display. Of course, the inherent artistic value of architecture and town design can be found here as well, as this town is known for expertly preserving its historic rural charm. It was a gold-rush town, so many of its buildings date back to the 19th century. Additionally, you’ll find botanic gardens here, adding some extra aesthetic brilliance to your overall experience.

12. Explore the seaside town of Queenscliff

If you’re looking for a relaxing holiday by the sea, Queenscliff has exactly what you need. You’ll find it on the Bellarine Peninsula, which means you can drive there or take a ferry if you prefer. While the piers and beaches are certainly appealing, they represent only a portion of what this town has to offer. You’ll find several museums highlighting its maritime splendour, along with kids’ activities like a water park and even a unique Faulty Towers-themed dining experience that’s set up for both kids and adult fans of the old television show to enjoy.

13. Embark on endless outdoor adventure in Marysville

Some of the best things to do with kids in Victoria outdoors can be found in Marysville. This stunning nature area features an immense array of trails, parks and just about anything else you can imagine from an outdoor paradise. Mountain biking and hiking are popular here, but you may also want to check out the bushwalking trail. For a bit more adventure, you and your family can take a 4-wheel-drive tour of the area. Of course, more relaxing activities are available as well, including golfing at pristine courses and fishing at trout farms.

14. Relax outdoors in Bright

If your family is looking for outdoor splendour without adrenaline-pumping, active things to do, Bright may be your best bet. This alpine village offers absolutely breathtaking surroundings, especially if you visit during autumn when the trees and flora sport shades of blazing red and orange. Within this village, you’ll find several spots for relaxing and scenic picnics, along with swimming holes and waterslides to keep active children entertained. The bushwalks can be quite charming as well with several impressive lookouts too.

15. Enjoy the summer all year long at Mallacoota

The most popular feature of Mallacoota is its climate. Unlike most other areas of Victoria, you’ll find temperatures warm enough here to enjoy water sports in the dead of winter. The local lakes and the ocean shore here are packed full of opportunities, allowing your family to go boating, swimming and even snorkelling. The white, sandy beaches are also optimal for simple relaxation, letting you take it easy while your little ones splash around in the ocean. Keep in mind, however, that this spot is quite the journey from Melbourne, being about 6 hours away by car.