Easter holiday in Melbourne

**Beautiful Disaster** · January 11th, 2013, 02:12 PM

as the title says the fam bam and I are heading to the land of Mexicans for the long weekend.

DS will be 2 by then so looking for toddler friendly things to stay and do.

firstly child friendly accommodation. thinking serviced apartments or something in CBD.

I was born in Melbourne but have no idea. the last time I went to the zoo was back in the 80's when the first gorilla was born there.

so hit me with your ideas. we will have a hire car so travel Is no issue.

**emmjayt** · January 11th, 2013, 03:56 PM

Maybe try serviced apartments in East Melbourne or along St Kilda Road so you are near some of the parks. The Botanical Gardens are good - check out the Children's Garden. Watch and feed the ducks. Haven't been to the zoo in a while but every small person I know loves it. Kids under 15 are free weekends, public holidays and school holidays. If you have a membership at your city zoo you might have reciprocal rights for free entry. Catch the tourist tram around the city - it's free. The Museum has some good kids stuff - check it online.

**emmjayt** · January 11th, 2013, 03:58 PM

Just saw the hire car bit - Werribee and Healesville Zoo and Sanctuary are good too. P

**Frangipani Lou** · January 11th, 2013, 04:11 PM

How about a free ride or two on the City Circle Tram? Great free fun for a 2 year old.

**Beautiful Disaster** · January 11th, 2013, 04:12 PM

I forgot about the trams.

**Beach Mama** · January 11th, 2013, 04:16 PM

Zoo is awesome!
Birrarung Marr has a great playground.
Museum is cheap and has a great kids section plus ours love the dinosaur and bug exhibit.
Aquarium is great but excy.
Kids garden at the Botanical Gardens is great for a play, particularly if warm as they can wade (take bathers and a towel) and a picnic.
St Kilda for beach strolls and 7 apples ice-cream!

**sangie** · January 11th, 2013, 06:24 PM

All of the above plus puffing billy if you don't mind the drive?

**Beautiful Disaster** · January 11th, 2013, 06:30 PM

How far is puffing billy

**luna moth** · January 11th, 2013, 06:40 PM

Bout an hour from the city

**wysiwyg** · January 11th, 2013, 07:24 PM

I actually prefer to get the train to puffing billy - seems quicker than driving and is easy from the city - Belgrave train station has its own access way to Puffing Billy station so is really easy (easier than parking I reckon) - as long as you work out your times is fine - we did it in December by train again (3 adults 2 kids don't fit in our car) and was really nice way to do it. The kids love the normal trains too (even though they go on them alot). If you go only go to Lakeside is my suggestion - that is an hour each way and there isn't really alot more to see by going all the way to Gembrook, plus there is more to do at Lakeside - big picnic area with walks, a little swimming pool, pedal boats on the lake, a little model railway exhibit, cafe etc - the first time we went on it went all the way to Gembrook but isn't worth the extra time or money IMO - spend the extra time at Lakeside instead.

**wysiwyg** · January 11th, 2013, 08:39 PM

My two both love a wander along South Bank - the NGV kids area is quite good for an hour (especially if wet) and the garden out the back is nice to have a look at. Round the front of Hamer Hall if you are walking from NGV to South Bank there are some excellent mirrors (part of the building) but kept my 3 year old entertained for ages. A trip on the boat along the Yarra is nice - we like the one to Williamstown

**feeb** · January 12th, 2013, 06:16 AM

Zoo
Werribee zoo
Aquarium
Science works
Museum
NGV kids space
Birung marr
Children's gardens at botanical gardens
Puffing billy
Collingwood children's farm
Bundoora park children's farm
Cruise on yarra
Crown light show
Play centres

**Beautiful Disaster** · January 12th, 2013, 06:39 AM

thanks ladies. the accommodation seems to be the problem now

I have no idea where I should be looking

**Tinks** · January 12th, 2013, 07:17 AM

Look at Punt Hill apartments, they have locations all over Melb and in some suburbs. Also, Nova Stargate is reasonable, it's pretty much next door to the Vic Market.

**~Gee_Whizzy~** · January 12th, 2013, 07:54 AM

squee!!! so glad you're coming lovely! i second tinks suggestion of Punt Hill Apartments. also check out wotif.com closer to the date as they have some good deals

**Beautiful Disaster** · January 12th, 2013, 07:57 AM

thank you beautifuls.

G we will arrange a meet up if you want. we there for 6 days

**~Gee_Whizzy~** · January 12th, 2013, 06:58 PM

sounds good!! i'll Pm you my mobile so we can organise it closer to the date

my DH has a 3days on 4days off roster so i can do Sundays Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays! ( tue and wed would have to be afternoon though as we have the girls swimming lessons in the mornings)