Top 4 Visits in Melbourne – Fun Times With the Family

A sure favourite with the kids, Melbourne Zoo is home to a whole host of exotic foreign animals as well as familiar local wildlife, ranging from elephants and orang-utans to kangaroos and koalas. The zoo boasts over 320 animal species and always has an array of fun events and activities for visitors to take part in while enjoying observing and or interacting with the wildlife. Examples include high teas with monkeys, living the life of a vet or zoo keeper for a day, and hippo gazing while enjoying a swim. There are also events that specially cater to young children and toddlers, so all members of the family can enjoy themselves at Melbourne Zoo.

Visit the good Captain's house or, rather, his parents' during your sojourn in Melbourne; Captain Cook's Cottage has been a popular tourist attraction since 1934! Captain James Cook was a well-known English navigator and explorer who is credited with having been among the first Europeans to sail to Australia's eastern coast. He is also credited with being the first to sail all the way around the islands of New Zealand, and was also a captain in the Royal Navy. In the 1930s, Australian businessman Russell Grimwade purchased the cottage and had it shipped to Melbourne in order to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the city. In order to achieve this feat, the house was taken apart one piece at a time, transported in several containers, and then put back together at its final destination in Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens. This attraction can be found less than a ten-minute drive away from Melbourne family accommodation options such as Oaks On Market and similarly located others.

If you are just looking to have a good time while out and about, walk down to Queen Victoria Market, one of the city's most iconic landmarks. This is a market with quite a bit of history, having been in operation since the 1970s. It is well-known for all the fresh vegetables and fruits that can be sourced here but is also home to a large range of shops and stalls selling all and sundry, from souvenirs to art and clothing. It is also a popular venue for night markets and events such as music concerts. Currently, on the weekends, families are invited to play Australian football, also known as 'footy', at the Free Footy Family Zone at the market.

The Royal Botanic Gardens are a great place to visit if you want an educational break from the urban landscape that dominates most of Melbourne today. Established near the mid-1800's, the Gardens have over fifty thousand plants and more than one and a half million visitors each year. If you are in Melbourne in summer, you are in for a real treat; part of the Gardens transform into a live, outdoor theatre, and there are movies screened in the night under the sky, as well. There are also tours arranged by the Royal Botanic Gardens that visitors can opt for such as the Aboriginal Heritage Walk. This tour helps visitors gain insight into the natural heritage of the Aboriginal people who are native to the land.