what is there to do in Melbourne for 18mth old?

[blizz]

We have decided to go for a holiday in March to Melbourne for about a week and a half, possibly bringing our car and selves over on the Spirit of Tasmania (so we can bring DD stuff easily and have mobility while in Melbourne), so far we have decided to go to the Aquarium and the Zoo and apparently there is a child's sensory garden at the botanical gardens that I want to check out, can any body suggest other activities that we could do as a family to suit an active and inquisitive toddler in or around Melbourne?
probably looking at early March so we can be back home for AF at the end of the month (can't handle missing another month without trying for a transfer LOL

[blizz]

yay, what a turn up my aunty is going away for a week and is letting us stay in her Port Melbourne apartment it might mean we can extend our trip to two weeks and they have a swimming pool hope the warm weather holds until March mind you were fairly thick skinned when it comes to cold weather (kind of used to it in Tassie)

[maddysmummy]

melbourne is nice for weather in march!!

they have some nice stuff at the museum!!

[mickyndan]

I think it's a great idea that you are driving. We went for a holiday in March last year (beautiful weather by the way) and we flew from Brisbane. My DS was fabulous but just trying to lug everything around was a nightmare. Our DS was 18 months old then too and he was very very full on. We took him to the zoo and aquarium but he got quite bored quite quickly, he loved the trams and just running around... Good luck to you.. xxoo

[sangie]

If you come in March then Moomba will be on!
Hope you have a great time

[Pandora]

The Melbourne Museum is excellent for kids, there is a childrens museum section specifically targeted at kids, with an outdoor undercover plau area as well.
a lot of the exhibits also have activites for children, and there are tables to sit and and do drawings etc.

[Jac]

You should try the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre in Albert Park. It has great facilities for toddlers and families, a wave pool, slides ect. If your daughter likes water activities it's a must. You could also walk around Albert Park lake and feed the ducks, nice walk.

If you want to go shopping, Southland (Cheltenham, about half hour or less from Port Melbourne) has a good play centre in the top level, ideal for young climbers and it only caters for up to 5 years so good for littlies.

Obviously there is the beach, there's a nice playground right on the beach in Brighton/Elwood at the end of North Rd, also a cafe there as well which you might enjoy.

You could go to Puffing Billy (train ride) - check it out on the internet, again I think a must for a visitor to the area with kids. There is a bit of a drive to get there (around an hour) but the scenery is lovely. They even have a special Thomas train but it only goes on certain days so look it up on internet. There are also lovely nick-knack shops around the Dandenongs which are great to wonder through.

Will let you know if I think of anything else.