10 things to do before turning 10 in Melbourne

From joyrides on the trams to striking street art and creature comforts, there’s a lot for little ones to explore in this cosmopolitan capital.

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1. Flit around the Butterfly House at Melbourne Zoo

Mingle with more than 600 winged residents flitting around the Butterfly House at Melbourne Zoo, where you can learn the life cycle of a butterfly, from caterpillar to chrysalis to nectar-feeding insect. The house is home to species such as the Cairns birdwing, orange lacewing and Ulysses butterflies; don’t be alarmed if a monarch lands on your nose; while some say it is a sign of good luck, it is more likely they are attracted to your sweat. Children under 16 receive free entry to Melbourne Zoo on weekends, Victorian public holidays and school holidays, but all visitors must pre-book online (Adult: $38).

Flit around the Butterfly House at Melbourne Zoo.

2. See Ned Kelly’s Armour at the State Library of Victoria

See where the bullets ricocheted off Ned Kelly’s steel and leather suit of armour in a brand-new dedicated gallery space in the South Rotunda at the State Library Victoria. The armour is on display alongside a collection of historical artefacts such as Ned Kelly’s boot, rifle and a life-scale reproduction of the famed Jerilderie letter. Then lighten the mood at the Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter, a free purpose-built space for children aged 12 and under, which features a two-storey children’s castle, reading nooks and crannies, a play space and browsing collection of more than 4000 children’s books.

See Ned Kelly’s Armour at the State Library of Victoria.

3. Explore art and colour at The NGV

Enjoy a diversion to The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square to gawp at exceptional works by Victorian students at the Top Arts 2021 exhibition (until 11 July). Then cross the river to the NGV International where you should definitely spend a few minutes admiring the beautiful cut-glass ceiling that arches over the Great Hall as it is the inspiration for Spectrum: An Exploration of Colour, which runs until 21 August. While you’re here, don’t miss Plans for the Planet, an immersive exhibition by Olaf Breuning, which opens 18 June and plays to little people’s love of adventure.

Spectrum: An Exploration of Colour is on now at NGV International. (Image: Sean Fennessy)

4. Explore Docklands

Dedicate an entire day to exploring Docklands, starting at The District, an open-air shopping, dining and entertainment precinct. Children will be kept happy here with options such as ice skating at O’Brien Icehouse, glow-in-the-dark golf at Glowgolf Docklands and a spin on the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel. Check out the old-school arcade games at Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, the vast collection of comics, cartoons and animation at the Australian Cartoon Museum and wade through the fantasy-themed exhibit at Artvo, an immersive trick-art gallery (Adult: $28; Child 5–15: $18). Then pick up an Aqua Donut Boat from Docklands and do a few loops along the Yarra River ($180 for up to five people).

Explore the Docklands, starting at The District.

5. Safari at Werribee Open Range Zoo

Spot lions, hippos, cheetahs, giraffes and zebras on safari at Werribee Open Range Zoo, just 30 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD. Climb aboard the Safari Bus (included in the entry fee) to rumble through the savanna grasslands and be transported overseas to learn about endangered species and conservation. Early birds will enjoy the Early Morning Savannah Experience, which involves following the zookeepers around to help with food prep and watch a training session ($150 per person). Kids under 16 receive free general admission to the zoo on weekends, and Victorian public and school holidays (Adult: $38).

Safari at Werribee Open Range Zoo.

6. Ride an iconic tram

Join smartly dressed Melburnians on a city tram as it clangs its way around the Victorian capital. Melbourne trams are your ticket to seeing the city’s top attractions stress-free as you don’t need to worry about parking and you can interchange with trains, trams and buses. The city’s Free Tram Zone extends from Queen Victoria Market to the Docklands, Spring Street, Flinders Street Station and Federation Square. Travel on the City Circle route aboard a heritage W-class tram, painted maroon or green and yellow, is also free. To travel further afield buy a myki Explorer pass (Adult: $16; Child: $8).

Ride an iconic tram.

7. See the St Kilda penguins

St Kilda Breakwater is home to a 1400-strong colony of little penguins, who can be seen huddled together near the white sands of St Kilda every night of the year. Head to the viewing platform at St Kilda Pier where you can see the colony waddling ashore from the promenade or join a free Parks Victoria and Earthcare St Kilda-led viewing experience. The tours are free but bookings are essential. The best time to see the flightless fluff balls is on a weeknight right before sunset.

St Kilda Breakwater is home to a 1400-strong colony of little penguins. (Image: Parks Victoria)

Book a free tour to see the St Kilda penguins.

8. Walk in the footsteps of sporting legends at the MCG

The Australian Sports Museum celebrates the role sport plays in Australian society. The home of Australia’s largest collection of sporting memorabilia also focuses on everything from the evolution of sporting equipment to inspiring stories about Australian sporting legends. The museum was designed to educate and entertain and you can even be part of the action by attempting to nail various sporting challenges such as surfing. The museum is located at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (Cost: Adult: $30; Child 5-15: $15).

Walk in the footsteps of sporting legends at the MCG.

9. See Melbourne’s street art

Some of Melbourne’s most striking street art adorns the walls of Caledonian Lane between Lonsdale And Little Bourke streets. The artworks are mostly inspired by video games, as the laneway is home to Fortress Melbourne, a social video gaming and e-sports venue in the centre of the CBD’s Emporium Melbourne. Melbourne’s street artists have used the brick walls as a canvas to depict characters from games such as World of Warcraft and Fallout. The dinky little lane is also the birthplace of St Jerome’s Laneway Festival. Take a self-guided walking tour to check out the art at Hosier Lane, Ac/Dc Lane, Meyers Place and Duckboard Place.

Take a self-guided walking tour to check out Melbourne’s street art.

10. Feed the sheep at Collingwood Children’s Farm

Chickens, sheep, pigs, horses and goats can be found at Collingwood Children’s Farm, a seven-hectare swathe of farmland that curls around a bend of the Yarra River in Abbotsford, just four kilometres from the CBD. Don some overalls to roam around the property, which is a patchwork of fertile farmland with a farmhouse, rustic barn, kitchen gardens, orchards and trees. Guests at the working family-run farm are invited to cuddle a guinea pig and pat the resident goats while observing its daily activities (Cost: Adult: $12; Child: $5).

Feed the sheep at Collingwood Children’s Farm. (Image: Steve Costello)

Read more family travel tips on the Ultimate parents’ guide to our amazing Aussie cities.