5 Days in Melbourne with Kids: Family Time, Markets & Melbourne Favourites

Melbourne has become one of our favourite Australian cities to visit with kids. This trip was a little different though – the main reason we hopped across the Tasman wasn’t to sightsee, but to spend quality time with Brett’s brother and his family.

Having local family to stay with made it such an easy and affordable holiday, while still giving us plenty of opportunities to explore some of Melbourne’s best family-friendly attractions.

If you’re planning a Melbourne trip with kids, here’s exactly how we spent five fun-filled days.

Where We Stayed

We were lucky enough to stay with Brett’s brother and his family in Melbourne, which made the trip extra special. The kids loved spending time with their big cousin, and it gave us a chance to slow down and enjoy family life rather than rushing from attraction to attraction.

Getting Around Melbourne with Kids

For this trip, we hired a car, which made it easy to get around with the kids and spend time with family across different parts of Melbourne.

We brought our own child car seats from New Zealand and used them in our rental car. Before travelling, we checked that our seats met Australian requirements and were suitable for use during our trip. If you’re planning to do the same, it’s worth checking the latest regulations and requirements before you travel, as Australia has specific child restraint rules.

Having a car gave us the flexibility to visit places like MOPA, Melbourne Zoo and Preston Market at our own pace, without worrying about nap times or carrying all the extra gear that comes with travelling with young children.

That said, when heading into Melbourne’s CBD, we found public transport was by far the easiest option. Parking can be expensive and traffic can be busy, so we left the car behind and used Melbourne’s trains and trams instead. The kids loved riding the trams, and it made getting around the city centre stress-free.

Using a combination of a rental car for the suburbs and public transport for the city worked perfectly for our family and is something we’d definitely do again.

Day 1: Brunswick Exploring & Project281 Coffee Roasters

We started our Melbourne adventure close to home in Brunswick.

Brunswick has such a cool local vibe with plenty of cafés, playgrounds and independent shops to wander through. One of our favourite stops was Project281 Coffee Roasters – an industrial style cafe, serving up great coffee and delicious food.

We spent the afternoon wandering the neighbourhood, grabbing coffee and settling into Melbourne life before enjoying a relaxed family dinner together.

Bianca crossing a busy street in Brunswick, Melbourne, while exploring the city's vibrant inner-city neighbourhood.
Delicious food and coffee served at Project281 Coffee Roasters in Brunswick, Melbourne.
Arcade games and family fun at Moon Dog Brewery in Preston.
Family-friendly visit to Moon Dog Brewery in Preston with relaxed atmosphere and space for all ages.

Day 2: Melbourne Museum & City Shopping

The Melbourne Museum was a huge hit with the kids. There’s plenty of hands-on exhibits, interactive displays and spaces designed specifically for little explorers. We easily spent several hours here without anyone getting bored.

Afterwards, we headed into Melbourne’s CBD for a wander and some shopping. The city centre is incredibly walkable, and there are plenty of laneways, arcades and shops to explore.

We grabbed lunch in the city before heading back to spend the evening with family.

Day 3: MOPA (Museum of Play and Art)

If you’re visiting Melbourne with younger children, put MOPA at the top of your list. The Museum of Play and Art is one giant interactive space where kids are encouraged to touch, climb, create and imagine. Florence absolutely loved it and could have stayed all day.

It was one of those attractions that’s equally enjoyable for parents because you get to watch your kids fully immerse themselves in creative play.

Children enjoying interactive play spaces at MOPA (Museum of Play and Art).
Bianca and George enjoying interactive play and art activities at MOPA (Museum of Play and Art) in Melbourne.
Florence enjoying hands-on play and art activities at MOPA (Museum of Play and Art).
George enjoying interactive play and creative exhibits at MOPA (Museum of Play and Art) in Melbourne.
Family enjoying interactive play and creative exhibits at MOPA (Museum of Play and Art).
Children playing with car race tracks at MOPA (Museum of Play and Art).

Day 4: Melbourne Zoo & Preston Market

The Melbourne Zoo was another standout.

The zoo is beautifully laid out, making it easy to navigate with little ones. We spent the morning spotting elephants, lions, monkeys and giraffes before heading across to Preston Market.

One of our favourite parts of Melbourne is the fresh produce. We loaded up on seasonal fruit from the market and couldn’t believe how affordable it was. The kids happily snacked on berries, mandarins and stone fruit while we wandered around.

If you’re travelling with children, grabbing fresh fruit from the local markets is such an easy way to keep everyone happy without spending a fortune.

For dinner we headed to Moon Dog World, which was surprisingly family-friendly. The huge indoor space, fun atmosphere and relaxed vibe made it a great spot for an easy meal with the kids.

Viewing the giraffes at Melbourne Zoo during a family day out in Melbourne.
Florence visiting the butterfly enclosure at Melbourne Zoo, watching colourful butterflies up close.
Elephants at Melbourne Zoo walking together in their enclosure during a family zoo visit.

Day 5: Slow Morning & More Family Time

Our final day was intentionally relaxed.

After a busy few days exploring Melbourne, we spent most of the day enjoying family time with Brett’s brother and his family before preparing for our flight home.

Sometimes the best travel memories aren’t the big attractions but simply spending time together, sharing meals and watching the kids play with their cousins.

Spotting wildlife at Wilsons Promontory National Park during a nature walk.

Tips for Visiting Melbourne with Kids

  • Visit MOPA early in the day to make the most of your session.
  • Bring a stroller for younger kids if you’re planning a big day at the zoo or museum.
  • Stock up on seasonal fruit at Preston Market for affordable snacks.
  • Brunswick makes a fantastic base thanks to its local neighbourhood feel.
  • Leave time for family, playgrounds and spontaneous adventures – not every moment needs to be scheduled.

Final Thoughts

Melbourne is one of those cities that works brilliantly for families. Between the incredible playgrounds, interactive museums, family-friendly attractions and amazing food scene, there’s always something to do.

But for us, this trip was really about family. Spending five days with Brett’s brother and his family made the whole experience even more memorable, and we left with full hearts, tired kids and plenty of reasons to plan another Melbourne visit soon.

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