6 Kid-Friendly Weekend Getaways in Victoria (2026 Edition)

Planning family getaways in Victoria sounds simple until you start working out what everyone actually wants to do. You need somewhere that feels different enough from home, but not so far away that the “Are we there yet?” questions start before you’ve left Melbourne.

Then there’s keeping everyone entertained. Younger children may be happy with a playground, while older kids might need something different depending on their interests. Throw unpredictable weather into the mix and suddenly a two-night break can feel like something you need a break from.

The good news is you don’t have to travel far to make it happen. These six family holiday destinations in Victoria make it easier to keep the kids busy, the adults happy, and the car ride manageable for everyone.

Your Quick Guide to the Best Kid-Friendly Getaways from Melbourne

1. Queenscliff & Point Lonsdale: Maritime Museums and Heritage Charm

Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale make a strong choice for the best holiday destinations in Victoria for families that need a bit of everything. The two towns sit around the entrance to Port Phillip, with Queenscliff bringing heritage streets and maritime history while Point Lonsdale offers beaches and a more relaxed seaside setting.

Best For: Families who like beaches, trains, maritime history, and activities that work across different ages.

How Far Is It From Melbourne? Approximately 1.5 hours by car

Kid-Approved Adventures:

Start at the Queenscliffe Maritime Museum, where the kids can learn about the town’s relationship with the sea through maritime artefacts and displays. Don't miss the pirate-themed escape room, Benito's Lost Pirate Treasure. Then take a ride on the Bellarine Railway for a scenic train trip between Queenscliff and Drysdale. Steam and diesel services run on most Sundays, public holidays, and additional days during the Victorian school holidays, with themed experiences including Day Out with Thomas, Steamlight Nights Trips, and The POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride held at different times.

For another outdoor activity, go to Queenscliff Bowling, Tennis and Croquet Club, where visitors can try their hand at tennis, pickleball, or lawn bowls. Guests are welcome to drop in for casual games, and the Rip View Bistro has a kids’ menu for a family lunch afterwards.

For curious explorers wanting to venture underwater, Sea All Dolphin Swims takes families onto Port Phillip to snorkel with dolphins, seals, and other marine life. Trips are suitable for all ages, although anyone under 15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and children under five must remain within arm’s reach of a parent in the water and on board.

Back in town, stop by the Queenscliff Sweet Shop to let the kids pick out a treat. When everyone is ready for dinner or a wander, Queenscliff Harbour has restaurants, cafés and shops to round out the day.

Family-Friendly Stays:

BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Beacon
Choose from villas, cabins, beach houses, and camping, with plenty to keep kids entertained, including an indoor adventure playground, a heated pool, a jumping pad, and kids’ activities.

Seaview House
Built in 1875, Seaview House is a boutique group accommodation in the heart of Queenscliff. Its spacious ensuited bedrooms are ideal for family celebrations, workshops, sporting groups, wellness retreats, and wedding guest accommodation.

Blue Beach House
Settle into this coastal retreat and enjoy a convenient base for visiting the beaches, attractions and seaside towns around Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale.

2. Geelong: Indoor Entertainment for All Ages

Geelong is a practical choice for a family weekend when you want to get out of Melbourne without spending half the trip in the car. Regular V/Line trains run between Melbourne and Geelong, so families can leave the car at home and still have the freedom to get around once they arrive.

And if the weather refuses to cooperate, Geelong is one of the best places to visit in Victoria with kids. It has a strong mix of indoor activities, so a rainy forecast doesn’t mean spending the day stuck in your accommodation. The variety is particularly useful for families with children of different ages and interests.

Best For: Younger families, rainy-day activities, energetic kids, and families without a car.

How Far Is It From Melbourne? Approximately an hour via car and public transport.

Kid-Approved Adventures:

If you’re travelling with younger children ages 1-7, MoPA: Museum of Play and Art is a good place to start. Housed in a historic building, the museum centres on hands-on play and creative activities, with a café on-site for a quick break before moving on.

For the older kids looking to burn off extra energy, Geelong has many indoor venues for that, too. BOUNCEinc Geelong has a freestyle playground of interconnected trampolines, tiered walls, and interactive wall targets that kids can use to practise their parkour skills.

For a bit of friendly competition, head to Laserquest Geelong, where laser tag is paired with arcade entertainment. If the family would rather take the game outdoors, Next Level Skirmish offers outdoor laser tag for children, teenagers and adults, making it an option the whole family can join in on.

If you’re travelling with older children who are interested in history, the National Crime & Justice Museum at Geelong Gaol offers another side of the city. The former prison opened in 1853 and closed in 1991. If you’re considering a night tour, anyone under 18 must attend with an adult. Some tours discuss murder and executions, so check the content before booking for younger visitors.

By the end of the day, you can return to Geelong’s waterfront for a walk or a meal, with attractions like The Carousel, Eastern Beach Train Tours, Giant Sky Wheel and Aero Bounce Bungy Trampolines if younger children are keen on one more activity.

Family-Friendly Stays:

Tasman Holiday Parks
Make the most of the great outdoors at Tasman Holiday Parks - Geelong, with a swimming pool, playground, games room, camp kitchen, and free barbecues all on site.

Discovery Parks - Geelong
Set alongside the Barwon River, Discovery Parks - Geelong is just five minutes from the centre of Geelong and a short drive from the Great Ocean Road and Surf Coast. After a day out, families can return to the holiday park, with a swimming pool, playground, games room, camp kitchen, and barbecue areas on site.

Holiday Inn Geelong
A central option for families who prefer the comforts of a hotel. GMHBA Stadium at Kardinia Park and Geelong Arts Centre are nearby, so it’s a perfect base when you have a show or a game to catch.

3. Drysdale & Clifton Springs: Hands-On Fun and Coastal Days

Drysdale and Clifton Springs are good spots to spend a weekend with the kids. There are plenty of ways to fill a couple of days, including hands-on activities, local parks, and time by the water. You’re also close to other towns and attractions across The Bellarine if you want to venture a little further.

Best For: Families who want a quieter base with hands-on activities, local arts, and slow time outdoors.

How Far Is It From Melbourne? Around 1.5 hours by car, depending on your starting point and traffic.

Kid-Approved Adventures:

At Hazy Tales Studio, children can get hands-on with clay through kids' holiday sessions and birthday activities. The Drysdale studio runs creative workshops, with pottery and other craft activities in its programme, giving younger visitors something they can make with their own hands rather than simply look at. Check the current events calendar before visiting, as children's sessions operate at particular times.

For families who prefer watching a show together, the Potato Shed - Bellarine Arts Centre has a changing programme of theatre, music, dance and community events. Its programme changes throughout the year, so check what’s scheduled for your dates before booking accommodation.

If workshops or shows aren’t on the cards, Clifton Springs can be a welcome change of pace for kids who want to get outside. See the beautiful Port Phillip from a different perspective with Clifton Springs Boat Hire, or try casting a line for whiting, flathead, snapper, or squid. Back on dry land, The Dell Picnic Area is where you can spread out a picnic, let the kids run around, or simply take a breather as you enjoy some time outdoors together. With creative activities, live entertainment, and coastal activities, it’s an easy combination to work into family weekend getaways in Victoria when the kids need a few different things to keep them interested.

For kids who love adventures on two wheels, Drysdale is a great place to start on the Bellarine Rail Trail. While the full trail is 35 kilometres from South Geelong to Queenscliff, the off-road trail can be done in sections with plenty of great spots to stop for a picnic.

4. Moorabool Valley & The You Yangs: Rugged Granite Peaks and Wildlife Havens

Moorabool Valley and the You Yangs are easily accessible from both Melbourne and Geelong, yet the contrast is striking once you arrive. Instead of high-rises and busy streets, you’ll find rolling vineyards, lush bushlands, and rugged granite peaks. It’s one of the best family holiday destinations in Victoria when you want a country setting without the city comforts too far behind you.

Best For: Active families, wildlife lovers, and children who are happiest outdoors.

How Far Is It From Melbourne? About a 1-1.5-hour drive by car, with the You Yangs and Lara area further west.

Kid-Approved Adventures:

Make You Yangs Regional Park your first stop, where open farmland gives way to bushland and granite peaks. Choose from several walking tracks, including the 3.2-kilometre Flinders Peak Walk, which climbs to the highest point of the You Yangs. But for those who’d rather cruise along a dirt track, the You Yangs also has a network of dedicated mountain-bike trails, although conditions and temporary closures can change, so check the latest announcements before visiting.

For another outdoor stop, head to Serendip Sanctuary, where families can look for native birdlife as they walk around the grounds. Younger children can also spend time in the Sensory Garden, with different textures, sights, and sounds to engage their senses. It’s a good option if you want to mix a bushwalk with a gentler activity for little ones.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, go to Moorabool Valley Chocolate (opens Wednesdays and Saturdays) for a sweet treat after your outdoor adventures.

Family-Friendly Stays:

Barbie May's Accommodation Inverleigh
With space for up to eight people, this house makes a comfortable base for a group stay. There’s a large kitchen, breakfast provisions, modern facilities, a wood heater and a back deck for settling in after a day out.

Vintners Lodge
Right at Clyde Park Vineyard, Vintners Lodge has three bedrooms and sleeps six guests, with capacity for up to eight. The outdoor bath adds a fun extra, especially when parents can enjoy a glass of wine while taking in the setting.

5. Ocean Grove: Family Fun by the Surfside

Ocean Grove is for the surfers and children who have decided that a holiday needs a beach. It is located on the southern side facing Bass Strait, so the coastline has a different feel to the calmer waters around the northern side of the peninsula. And with places to eat, local shops, and other family activities close by, you can build a weekend around the beach without having to spend every hour beside the water. That balance makes Ocean Grove one of the best kid-friendly weekend getaways in Victoria.

Best For: Beach-loving families, beginner surfers, and children who can’t get enough of sand and waves.

How Far Is It From Melbourne? Roughly 1.25 hours by car or almost 2 hours via public transport.

Kid-Approved Adventures:

Adventure Park is Victoria’s biggest water theme park, with 23 rides you can try and attractions that can easily fill a good part of the day. Just check opening dates before planning your weekend, as the park does not operate daily year-round.

You can also swap the rides for sand and sea at Ocean Grove Main Beach, or for native vegetation at Ocean Grove Nature Reserve. And if the older kids are keen to get on a board, Go Ride a Wave offers surfing lessons for beginners.

When you’re ready to get out of the water, Ocean Grove Bowling Club has a lively sports bar and bistro where you can grab something to eat and watch the action on the screens. If you’re into local art, The Hive Gallery Ocean Grove is another option, with an ever-changing collection of artwork to browse at your own pace.

A newly opened Ocean Grove Bike Park offers jumps and trails for a range of skill levels, with space for kids and families to hangout and onsite BBQs and playground.

Family-Friendly Stays:

Ocean Grove Holiday Park
There’s plenty to keep the family busy at Ocean Grove Holiday Park, with a solar-heated pool, games room, tennis court, playground, and barbecue areas on site. Choose from villas or powered sites, with the beach, Barwon River and local walking and bike trails close by.

Barwon Heads Caravan Park
For a beachside stay, Barwon Heads Caravan Park offers beach houses, one- to three-bedroom cabins and powered or unpowered campsites. The caravan park is close to the village of Barwon Heads, where you can stroll along the river foreshore or visit Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary for a walk, snorkel, or swim.

Ocean Breeze Family Getaway
This four-bedroom holiday home is a short drive from Ocean Grove Beach and Adventure Park, with wineries, Flying Brick Cider House and Ocean Grove Marketplace nearby.

6. Portarlington: A Beach Weekend with a Village Feel

Sitting on the calm, north-facing bay of The Bellarine, Portarlington has earned recognition as Victoria’s Top Small Tourism Town in 2026, and it’s easy to see why. The town brings together calm beaches, a relaxed village atmosphere, and a good variety of things to do with kids. It’s also known as Australia’s mussel capital, with mussel farming forming an important part of Portarlington’s character and local food culture. This makes Portarlington a strong option among the best family holiday destinations in Victoria, particularly for families who want a coastal break without a packed schedule.

Best For: Ferry travellers and families who like seafood, trains, beaches, and long days by the bay.

How Far Is It From Melbourne? Approximately 1.5 hours by car or 70 minutes from Docklands via Port Phillip Ferries.

Kid-Approved Adventures:

The Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway is a fun stop for kids (and kids at heart), with train rides through native parkland beside the foreshore. The railway has its own vintage railway station and signal box, plus picnic tables, undercover barbecues, and a children's adventure playground. It operates on the first and third Sundays of the month (except January when it runs every Sunday), as well as Wednesdays during the school holidays. Check the current timetable before visiting to see when trains are running.

From there, walk towards the waterfront and let the children spend some time at the Portarlington Foreshore Playground before heading down to Portarlington Beach.

Family-Friendly Stays:

Arlingtons Holiday Accommodation
Centrally located in Portarlington, Arlingtons Holiday Accommodation is a 10-minute walk from the town centre and beach, with the pier and ferry terminal also nearby. There’s a pool on site, while fishing, boating, golf, wineries, restaurants, and cafés are all close by.

Bellarine Bayside Holiday Parks
If being close to the water is the priority, Bellarine Bayside Holiday Parks has self-contained cabins, beach pods, and powered camping sites right by the beach. Days here can be as active as you like, with swimming, fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, and boating all on the doorstep.

Bellarine Holidays
With holiday homes across Portarlington, St Leonards, and Indented Head, Bellarine Holidays has options for family beach holidays, from beachfront properties to modern coastal retreats.

Your Next Weekend Adventure Awaits

For a family weekend away, you don’t always need to travel far. Geelong and The Bellarine are close enough to Melbourne to keep the drive manageable, but far enough to give the kids a real change of pace that you wouldn’t find in such a busy city. Geelong and The Bellarine bring together beaches, countryside, wildlife, wineries, charming seaside towns, and family-friendly attractions, with many of them within short distances from each other.

Pick a base, choose a few activities the kids will enjoy, and leave some room for whatever catches your attention along the way.

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