Top 10 Things To Do In Victoria While On Holidays!!
So you have bought caravan - congratulations!! You've looked at how to load your van, how to hitch your van and you've made sure all the external lights are working. Bags have been carefully packed, bikes are on the rack and the kids are strapped in sitting behind you ready to go!! We love those moments - the excitement and anticipation of being away on holidays!!
But now that you're on holidays what happens next? The good news is we're still here to help! We've compiled a list of some of our favourite activities, perfect for the whole family, to do while on holidays in Victoria - with options for every budget.
Nestled along the Princes Hwy in Tynong North, only 50 minutes from the CBD, is the magnificent Gumbuya World. Originally a pheasant farm, the owners transformed this magical piece of land into a wildlife sanctuary in 1978.
In 2016 the park was sold to a group of investors who saw a renewed vision for the site and so immediately began renovations to bring it into the 21st century.
The park has since been divided into four different 'worlds', all of which are jam packed full of activities, rides and things to discover - making it the perfect place for every family.
Already home to a number of amazing carnival rides AND their world famous Wildlife Trail, housing koala's, kangaroo's, dingoes, a petting zoo and a reptile show; Gumbuya World is about to get bigger again!!
Set to open in time for Summer is Oasis Springs - bringing rock pools, water slides, a wave pool for the surfers and cabana lounges for mum and dad.
With tickets starting at $43 Gumbuya World is a must see for any family travelling to or through our beautiful state!
Located in the Carlton Gardens next to the Royal Exhibition Centre is the Melbourne Museum, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, and the worlds biggest IMAX cinema experience.
This museum is actually incredible, even winning 'Best Tourist Attraction' at the Australian Tourism Awards in 2011. They have an ever revolving door of changing exhibitions so check out their website for the most up to date information. Year round, though, you can expect to see their famous dinosaur displays, enjoy lectures and tours as well as experiencing their free discovery centre.
Entry to the museum is free for members, children, concession or pension card holders or is $15 for general admission adults. Some featured exhibitions charge a small amount extra but that information can also be found directly from their website.
If your travelling throughout the Victorian countryside then maybe the Silo Art Trail is your thing. Stretching over 200km the trail is already Australia's largest outdoor art gallery providing insight into the spirit of the Wimmera Mallee region. The idea of the Silo Art Trail first came to light in 2016 in the small regional town of Brim. It started as a conversation between different community groups and artist, Guido van Helten was commissioned for the first job.
Due to the incredible media attention and the increase in tourists to see this first silo the community responded by commissioning more artwork. The project expanded to include a team of renowned local and international artists all who undertook the mission of trying to tell each towns unique story.
The Silo trail now links Brim with Lascelles, Patchewollock, Rosebery, Rupanyup and Sheep Hills - giving tourists a chance, not just to see the artwork, but to experience the communities that inspired them. Entry is free - allowing you to spend any allocated budget buying local wines, local produce or dining in some of the incredible local restaurants.
One of our famous attractions is the beautiful Phillip Island, only 2 hours from Melbourne's CBD. The island itself is free to travel to and is PACKED full of great free things to do. There are a tonne of free beaches, with something to suit everyone, from sheltered coves to brilliant surf beaches.
If you're a fisherman you're also in luck - with everything from crayfish to Mako Shark being caught off the coast. There are also plenty of places to eat, on any budget, with Cowes Main Street complete with a vast array of restaurant options.
Home to a koala reserve, A-Maze n' Things Amusement Park, Seal Rock, the National Vietnam Veterans Museum and the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. Perhaps, though, the most famous attraction is the Penguin Parade - just a 10 minute drive from the centre of Cowes. The Penguin Parade, running since the 1920's, isn't just a chance to get up and close to the wildlife; it's also a great educational experience.
Family tickets can bought for around $66 but you can bundle activities and buy a pass into more of the islands attractions to save money.
If thrills are your thing then you can't go past Geelong's Adventure Park. Housing carnival rides, games and activities for the whole family! But it's most famous for its action packed water park and water play zones; perfect for your summer vacation.
Located an easy 90 minute drive from Melbourne around Port Phillip Bay; Geelong is Victoria's second largest city. The region is famous for it's beautiful drives, scenic beaches and is the gateway to both the Otway Forest Park and The Great Ocean Road.
The park itself has everything a family needs for a day out - including restaurants and private cabana's that can be booked for your group. For the younger kids they have mini-golf, water play parks and carnival rides. For the older, more adventurous of us, Adventure Park has some of the most adrenaline filled water slides in the country including the Tsunami, the Tornado and the Aqua Racer.
Prices range from $29 to $46.50 with children under 90cm being admitted for free! Ferries across the bay are also available from the Mornington Peninsula.
https://www.adventurepark.com.au
https://www.searoad.com.au/Prices-Timetable/Ferry-Timetable
Science Works, Like the Melbourne Museum, is another attraction under the banner of Museum's Victoria. This is great news for families as it means you can bundle your tickets to multiple museums and save a tonne of cash.
Home to Science Works Museum, The Planetarium and the Lightning room the musuem has something for every curios kid to get excited about. It also features rotating exhibitions which are always updated online.
The lightning room is definitely a highlight of the Science Works experience. Founded in 2004 the room plays host to a giant Tesla Coil which is able to generate over 2,000,000 volts of electricity and can create lightning bolts as big as 3m long. The Planetarium features a 16 metre domed ceiling, reclining seats and 7.1 Dolby Surround Sound literally bringing the universe to you to learn and enjoy.
Prices are the same as the Melbourne Museum - with entry being free for members, kids, students, concession and pensioners. General Admission for everyone else is a very manageable $15.
https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/
Australia's oldest 'Tall Ship' has been undergoing rigorous restorations over the last few years so that the Alma Doepel can sail once more!! The ship is a delightful experience for the whole family to enjoy - but in 2019 they're hoping to reintroduce their Youth Sail Training Voyages.
Anyone is able to experience the history, the education and the beauty of this elegant vessel but only teens are able to experience the truest adventures this company has to offer.
Think of this as a summer camp of the sea - a training and personal development exercise that lasts 9 days and educates your teens about sailing, leadership, team work and about problem solving.
This is a real adventure and something your kids will remember and talk about for the rest of their lives. It's free to go and look at the ship which currently lives at the Exhibition Centre in Melbourne. Prices for their new Youth Training Voyages haven't been released yet however there is talk of them linking it with a national curriculum so stay tuned to their website to find out more!
https://almadoepel.com.au
Everyone loves a good ropes course or a fast zipline and Trees Adventure is as good as they come!! The company has several locations around Australia including NSW, WA, Tasmania and 2 in Victoria.
The easiest one to get to from Melbourne's CBD is Glen Harrow Park. Situated on 8 hectares of forest in Belgrave the park features some very rare and incredible trees including the only 2 known Japanese oaks in Victoria.
The park has 7 long courses, 2 short courses, 7 vertical challenges and over 100 unique challenges in total. There is also 23 flying foxes up to 120 metres long and some of the challenges will see you climb as high as 25 metres above the ground.
There are activities here for people of any fitness level - so if you're after a fun relaxing day with the kids or you want to really challenge your abilities - they have something for everyone!!
Sessions run for 2.5 hours each which include training. Prices start at $25 for kids aged 4-7, $38 for children aged 8 - 17, $43 for concession and $48 for adults. Spectators and kids under 4 are free.
https://treesadventure.com.au/
Long Tunnel Gold Mine, Walhalla
Who doesn't want the thrill of prospecting for gold in a mine? Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine is one of the best mine experiences in the country. Situated in beautiful Gippsland - the historic town of Walhalla, where the mine is located, is just as much a part of the experience as the mine itself.
Surrounded by incredible bush land, walking trails, and home to the Walhalla Goldfields Railway this beautiful little town is definitely worth visiting. Home, now, to only 20 permanent residents, at it's peak it was home to as many as 4,000 eager gold diggers.
The mine is accessible to anyone, which is one of the things that makes it so great. Wheelchairs, mobility scooters and children's prams have no problem negotiating the flat ground of the mine. The tour is well lit and ventilated providing a safe and comfortable education experience for anyone of any age.
Tickets start at only $15 and entry into the town is free and there is a campsite available for those wanting a cheap nights accommodation.
Victoria's coastline is home to some of the most incredible creatures on the planet. It's no secret there are a number of places along the coast to watch whales breaching and calves playing.
If you're familiar with the animals and know what you're looking for you can find dozens of FREE viewing spots along the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, Wilsons Promontory or even in our very own Port Phillip Bay. If you're after a tour to watch these incredible animals there are a number of private companies up and down the coast that offer these experiences.
Prices and experiences vary between companies - with some even offering dolphin tours and swimming with seals as an added bonus. Do your research and get in touch with the company that suits your needs and budgets best. Otherwise you can head over to the Adrenaline website to see what packages they have available.
www.visitmelbourne.com
https://www.adrenaline.com.au/whale-watching/
Did we miss anything? Maybe you've got a favourite attraction you think we should know about? Shoot us an email and let us know!!
Contact Us