
Melbourne is the cultural capital of Australia: the sporting capital, the fashion capital, the arts and culture capital, not to mention the food capital.
With so much on our doorstep, it’s no wonder staycations are increasing in popularity, especially with kids in tow. It’s a holiday that requires little travel, no aeroplanes, but maximum time on the ground, being tourists in our own town.
Melbourne is a wonderful city to explore at any time of year, and our jam-packed, year-round calendar of events, festivals, theatre shows and more means there’s always something to see and do.
While it’s hard to whittle down so many amazing sights, sounds and smells into one guide, if you’ve got a weekend coming up, the options below make for a wonderful time collecting moments and memories with your kids.

STAY: Citadines on Bourke
Citadines on Bourke is centrally located (you actually couldn’t get anymore central) to all of Melbourne’s best attractions. With a tram stop right outside the hotel, it’s the perfect base for exploring the city on foot, or via tram, for when little one’s legs need a rest.
We stayed in a cleverly designed two bedroom executive apartment that had everything we needed for the weekend – spacious kitchenette, large bathroom, a couch, desk and supremely comfy beds. The room was decked out for kids, complete with games like Uno, dominoes and Connect 4 to entertain little ones between adventures.
And then there were the views – floor to ceiling windows with epic views of Melbourne – from angles I’ve not normally seen. Falling asleep to the glistening lights of the city was magical and, I’m not quite sure how, but the hotel has managed to completely block out the noisy hustle and bustle of the city to ensure a completely quiet sleep.
Citadines on Bourke is a real home away from home, and perfectly set up for kids.
For more info or to book a room, visit their website.

EAT: Gingerboy
Dining with kids doesn’t just have to be chicken strips and fries. A dinner (or lunch) at Gingerboy is like strolling through South-East Asia trying the best Asian street food…except you don’t have to stroll a busy market place or street. From crispy pork belly buns to steamed prawn dumplings and yellow seafood curry there is something for all; even fussy kids. The staff are super accommodating to children’s tastebuds and happily tailor means to suit their palettes.
For more info or to book, click here.

PLAY: Melbourne Museum
We checked out the incredible ‘Revolutions: Records and Rebels’ exhibition at Melbourne Museum, developed by the team behind the global smash hit David Bowie Is.‘Revolutions: Records and Rebels’ brings together more than 600 incredible objects from London’s V&A Museum and Museums Victoria’s collection to tell the story of 1966-70 as five years that shook the world.
After exploring the exhibit, my son loved checking out the dinosaur area, insects and exploring the varied exhibition spaces. It’s magnificent for children of all ages, with a prime-positioned cafe inside for pitstops.
For more info, click here.

EXPLORE: Eureka Skydeck
For the ultimate tourist in your own city experience, you cannot go past Eureka Skydeck and The Edge Experience.
The sweeping, 360-degree views of Melbourne are mesmerising, but for an experience to get the heart pumping, I’d recommend The Edge; there’s no experience like it in any other building in the world and it’s the perfect indoor activity for both kids and adults alike.

Home to a world first, The Edge extends from Eureka Tower’s 88th floor and suspends you nearly 300 meters over Melbourne in a glass cube – glass walls, ceiling and floor – you can see through it all! After the first few jittery minutes subside, you’re free to explore Melbourne from a truly unique vantage point.
For more info or to book tickets, click here.