Family holiday guide to Victoria
Choosing Victoria as a destination to spend your family holiday is always a top choice. From Melbourne’s culture and amazing beaches to bliss in the high country, you can visit Victoria many times over and have a different but equally fantastic family holiday experience each time.
How? Well, Victoria’s landscape includes a whole lot of coastline, a whole lot of mountains and everything in between. Not to mention the mighty Murray River! Dreaming of the snow? Beach holiday? Off-road adventure? City break? Something new and interesting? You can do all of these things on a family holiday to Victoria. The hardest part is choosing where to go.
Keep reading to discover more about taking a family holiday to Victoria including great places to visit, where to stay and inspiration for fun activities with the kids.
Inspiration for your family holiday to Victoria
Regions to visit on your family holiday to Victoria
Victoria is pretty big. Not as big as some of Australia’s other monster-sized states, but to put it in perspective, it’s pretty close in size to the UK. As a result, you’re probably not going to experience all of Victoria in one family holiday unless you’ve got a few months up your sleeve. It’s often easier to choose a region and make the most of your time in the area. Here’s a bunch of great regions to base yourself for your family holiday to Victoria.
Melbourne City
Thinking about a city break for your family holiday to Victoria? The state’s capital and Australia’s second-largest city, Melbourne is a lot of things but boring is not one of them. The city boasts beaches, culture, shopping, events and a whole lot of attractions.
Gippsland
Gippsland is a regional area covering much of southeast Victoria. From the stunning Wilsons Promontory to Gippsland Lakes to snow and 4WD adventures in the High Country, this is one great region to base yourself for a family holiday in Victoria.
Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is one heck of a scenic drive. See the 12 Apostles, swim at stunning beaches, surf iconic breaks, hike rainforests into waterfalls and get close with the native wildlife. Tick this bucket-list family holiday road trip off in Victoria.
Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges
If a scenic hot air balloon ride is on your bucket list, head to the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. Indulge in farmgate meals, go on a hike, encounter platypus, explore artist studios and jump on board Australia’s oldest steam train on this family holiday in Victoria.
Phillip Island
It may be small compared to the other regions but oh boy does Phillip Island pack one hell of a memorable family holiday punch in Victoria. Experience white beaches, exciting motorsports, sleepy koalas and of course, the gorgeous little penguins that Phillip Island is famous for.
The Murray
The Murray in Victoria provides endless entertainment and a good dose of family holiday relaxation for all ages. Cruise on a historic paddle steamer, captain your own houseboat, splash around on river beaches and enjoy the fresh produce of the region.
Daylesford & the Macedon Ranges
Head to Daylesford & the Macedon Ranges for a lesser-visited but still fantastic family holiday destination in Victoria. Explore the rail trail, hike through the forest, mountain bike the tracks, check out historic villages and art galleries, and don’t miss your opportunity to soak in a mineral spa.
Mornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula has a relaxed alfresco lifestyle where you can indulge at cafes, swim at the beach or adventure to the hinterlands for a fix of food and wine. Don’t miss Arthurs Seat Eagle for the epic views.
Goldfields
The Goldfields offers a fascinating look into Victoria’s gold rush but it’s also a top spot to get outdoors on your family holiday to Victoria in national parks and nature reserves. The towns are charming and the restaurant and wine choices are a winner.
Grampians
The landscape of the Grampians is striking and as a result, it’s a great spot to get your steps up. Hike into waterfalls and amazing lookouts on your family holiday to Victoria here. The Grampians is made for road trips, but don’t miss Halls Gap Zoo.
High Country
The High Country in Victoria is where to head in winter to hit the slopes on a family ski holiday. However, it’s also just as amazing in the green season. Head here for outdoor adventures and off-road driving.
Where to stay during a family holiday to Victoria
- You can’t go past the Langham Hotel in Melbourne City. It’s upmarket, in a great location with great restaurants, and has an old-school sophistication that’s hard to beat.
- If you’re after a luxury escape with your pooch in the city, check out the Melbourne Marriott.
- In West Gippsland, Erica Caravan Park is a top holiday spot with both cabins and camping.
- East Gippsland travellers should head to the Dargo River Inn in the high country for cabins and camping. The Big4 Waters Edge is great for families at Lakes Entrance.
- In South Gippsland, Yanakie Caravan Park (it has cabins as well) has the best views over the ocean at sunset and is located just 5 minutes from the entrance to Wilsons Promontory.
Victoria family holiday YouTube inspiration
Looking for more awesome family holiday inspiration?
Browse our Victoria page for more information on visiting Victoria with kids, or head on back to the home page for inspiration on destinations worldwide.
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Resources for booking a getaway to Victoria with kids
Flights and getting around
- Get a great deal on flights to Melbourne on Trip.com.
- Compare car hire across major brands with Discover Cars.
Accommodation
- You can’t go past the Langham Hotel in Melbourne City. It’s upmarket, in a great location with great restaurants, and has an old-school sophistication that’s hard to beat.
- In West Gippsland, Erica Caravan Park is a top holiday spot with both cabins and camping.
- East Gippsland travellers should head to the Dargo River Inn in the high country for cabins and camping. The Big4 Waters Edge is great for families at Lakes Entrance.
- In South Gippsland, Yanakie Caravan Park (it has cabins as well) has the best views over the ocean at sunset and is located just 5 minutes from the entrance to Wilsons Promontory.
Activities and tours
- Legoland Discovery Centre – Get your tickets here.
- Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium – Get your tickets here.
- Arthurs Seat Eagle Gondola Ride – Get your tickets here.
- Puffing Billy Steam Train – Get your tickets here.
