Joanna James
Often considered Melbourne's second CBD, Box Fill is a vibrant urban oasis perfect for a day out with the family. From exploring the area's best dining hotspots and public parks to exploring Box Hill's finest activity hubs, here are 6 exciting activities to include in your family outing itinerary.
Families based at Avani Melbourne Box Hill Residences and other city hotels will find that shopping and dining are among the top things to do in Box Hill Central. Often described as the beating heart of this particular precinct, the retail encounters accessible in this area are decidedly Asian in terms of cultural affiliation. Home to some of Melbourne's finest Asian restaurants, supermarkets and shops, it is the perfect place to grab a plate of dumplings and stock up on Asian sweets or enjoy a conventional Chinese breakfast from a street stall or Asian food court.
As a veritable institution in Box Hill, a sightseeing excursion in this part of the city would not be complete without stopping by Tien Dat for a scrumptious Vietnamese lunch spread. Having been a fixture in Box Hill since the 1980s, the Northern Vietnamese dishes served at this recently renovated restaurant are still top-notch. Located on trendy Carrington Road, this beloved Asian eatery is a stone's throw away from Box Hill Station.
Families with an appreciation for street art, graffiti and creative expression can't afford to miss the Whitehorse Art Trail on a trip to Box Hill. Exploring the region's vibrant artistic legacy, the tour kicks off at Box Hill Town Hall with its Artspace gallery and continues on to the Whitehorse City Council Artists' Trail which begins in earnest on Main Streets and leads visitors through to Blackburn Lake. Families that sign up for the guided tour can also learn about the real-life inspirations behind prized artworks and the locations these pieces have been based on as well as other valuable biographical information on local artists.
Surrounded by tall tree-lined avenues and boasting two playgrounds, Box Hill Gardens is the perfect stopover for a family picnic. Offering visitors barbeque facilities in a tranquil parkland with its own jogging and walking tracks, the idyllic pond at the heart of the garden and the ducks occupying its confines only add to the charm of this quaint sanctuary.
Fans of cricket and football can also check the Box Hill City Oval event calendar to see if a tournament is taking place during the time of their holiday in the area as it is a stadium that's best experienced from the stands.
Families can also spend a few hours engaging in the many indoor sports activities accessible at Action Indoor Sports Complex which is renowned for its dodgeball and Bubble Soccer facilities. The sports compound is also a well-known kid's party venue as there's much to do for children of all ages at this impressive sporting facility.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
