Admittedly we are ‘Melbournian’s’ – we LOVE our city and can never keep up with buzz of activity that’s on offer right here on our own doorstep. There is the standard type of family activities that Kidsetters never seem to tire of; Melbourne Zoo, Sea Life Aquarium, Polly Woodside, National Galley Victoria or the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.
Then there are mini to large festivals every other weekend;
• San Antone Smokehouse Festival
• Chinese New Year
• Melbourne Arts Festival
• Melbourne Magic Festival
• Melbourne Food & Wine Festival
• Johnston Street Fiesta
• Melbourne International Jazz Festival
• Royal Melbourne Show
• Bastille Day Festival
• White Night Melbourne
Weaving a maze through the city grid, Melbourne’s laneways have been revitalised with street art, bustling cafes and atmospheric bars. Along with these vibrant laneways there are some beautifully adorned Arcades. The Royal Arcade has provided an undercover shopping link between Melbourne’s Bourke Street Mall, Little Collins Street and Elizabeth Street since 1869. With mosaic-tile flooring, a glass canopy and carved stone, the Block Arcade is one of the finest examples of a 19th-century shopping arcade on the planet.
A fun Melbourne activity with your Kidsetters is to indulge in a High Tea at the infamous Hopetoun Tea Rooms. In 1892 the Hopetoun Tea Rooms emerged amongst the tranquil beauty and refined elegance of the Block Arcade. The crowning feature of the Hopetoun Tea Rooms is undoubtedly the decorative mirror adorning the walls. Manufactured in 1891, it remains the largest etched mirror in the Southern Hemisphere, adding grandeur and depth to the Tea Rooms. Highly recommend the High Tea. Make sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment especially on weekends.
If you and your Kidsetter are sporting fans, there is always plenty of action in this space as well. Just to list a few sporting events that Melbourne hosts;
• Australian Open Tennis
• F1 Grand Prix
• Australian Football League (AFL)
• Spring Racing Carnival
If you feel like venturing out of the CBD with your Kidsetters these are some family friendly options;
• Puffing Billy
• Yarra Valley Wineries
• Zoos; Healesville, Werribee,
• Beaches
• Sovereign Hill
Hot Tip: If you have heard of Melbourne, then invariably you have heard that we have 4 seasons in one day. So always have a back-up plan for those unexpected (but expected because it is Melbourne) wet and wintery snaps.
Stylish, arty Melbourne is both dynamic and cosmopolitan, and it’s proud of its place as Australia’s sporting and cultural capital.
