best place to takes kids for one night way-close to melbourne

[Olive]

we're thinking of taking the girls away next weekend for the night.. within 2 hours of melbourne, where is the best place to go this time of year?
was thinking ballarat etc..

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Really depends on what your looking at doing hun, you could go:

Ballarat
Phillip Island
Great Ocean Rd

There was a really nice looking BIG4 park in Bellarine on one of those shows lately, great kids pool, huge park etc

Hope you find something interesting to do

[Traveller]

slightly further than 2 hours but we just took the kids to Paradise Beach (near Sale) and it was fab. Log fire, close to the beach for winter sandcastle fun, and lots of fun exploring, etc. We roasted marshmallows over the campfire too which was brilliant fun (not to mention delicious). You can see my photos on facebook

Ballarat is also great fun, especially if you go to Sovereign Hill. Halls Gap is also lovely for a bit of a tree change

[~Trish~]

Being a beach lover, my vote is Phillip Island . Only an hour and a half from Melbourne. I guess it depends on the weather, but there is so much to do there. They have an awesome wildlife park, the Nobbies, a chocolate factory, lots of shops and cafes and of course some gorgeous beaches to walk along.

There are heaps of places listed on Wotif in Cowes.

[~Trish~]

Grrr, double post!

[Olive]

mmm bit too far for me i think mel, DD2 is a bad traveller!
but i like ballarat because of sovereign hill (as long as it doenst rain)
Zara ive actually looked into that one too!

[~*Niadalla*~]

Ooo Ballarat will be FREEZING!!! It was freezing when we went in March. lol
How about Bendigo? 1.5hrs from the Melb CBD, a bit warmer than Ballarat and plenty for families to see and do

[Lenny]

How long does it take to drive to Tullamarine? I could think of a lot of glorious places that are 2 hours from Tullamarine.

Sorry, that wasn't helpful...

What about Portsea and Sorrento? I love it down there, and it's so beautiful. Cafes galore and pretty shops etc. And then you could ferry over to the 'other side'. Dolphins love playing by the ferry, which kids love too. I still love the beach in winter.

[Olive]

dont tempt me lenny! i had considered flying to sydney for the night though i doubt we'd get home with end of holidays

[LionsandBears]

Go see the penguins. They're so cute. It will be completely freezing though but you can warm up after

Mt buller?

Sovereign hill is fun. They have night shows as well

[feeb]

Philip island (awesome lots to do churchill island, nobbies, penguins, choc factory, maze)
Lake mountain (snow play)
Lorne (pretty and nice to wander, trampoline play ground)
Bendigo (gold mine, chinese dragon museaum and gardens, look out tower,)
Ballarrat (brrrrrrr cold but nice)
Geelong
Belgrave and go on puffing billy

[Olive]

also thinking of going into the city for the night...

[LionsandBears]

also thinking of going into the city for the night...

You could try getting beaten up at Crown or perhaps a knife fight in Kings St but might not be kid friendly.

*kidding*

[Olive]

lol we'd be tucked up safetly in bed come nighttime!

[Boo Boo]

Mornington Peninsula, lots of fun, kid things to do down here!

[Beach Mama]

We are going to the island this weekend - fingers crossed for no rain! What about Daylesford/Hepburn Springs??! Only about 1 1/2 hours?

[LionsandBears]

lol we'd be tucked up safetly in bed come nighttime!

in which case there's the Aquarium. Warmer than a beach in the middle of Winter and they have penguins. The kids are probably too small for the old melbourne gaol. It creeps me out but I'm a sook. There's the childrens garden at botanic gardens or Scienceworks. Or the childrens farm at Abbotsford convent. Or boating at Studley park.

[diva det]

we did a farm stay down at phillip island when the twins were 3 years old and it was awesome. it was in winter as well. the farm owners were great and let the kids collect and use the eggs for breaky, and showed them around the farm. we had our own cottage as well so it was great for a family. whilst down there we did the penguins etc a really good quick get away.
we have also done a weekend down queenscliff- not much around but a nice place and we did one down at warnabool as well
have a look on take a break to see what is around for a last minute deal
definately recommend a farmstay if you get the chance!!!