Bringing my 7 yr old down for the weekend next, for 3 days. Staying central city and planning lots of tram rides, St Kilda adventure playground and the Botanic Gardens childrens playground, the science museum, the museum in the Exhibition gardens and the transparent viewing platform thing in the city.

What else to do within Fri. Sat, Sun? and what should we wear please? (we are only bringing hand luggage)

Also another thing: Should I buy 2 travel passes for the 3 days for the trams? Which would be best?
TIA

Wear layers. That way you can travel light but still be warm enough (you could wear the same jumper over different t shirts), and a single pair of jeans. Depends how messy your son is though! You'll need an umbrella. There's also a great playground in Birrarung Marr (behind Federation Square) as well as one behind the Exhibition Gardens Museum. To get to Scienceworks there is a water taxi from near Fed Square, it's a bit pricey but you get to see the river, docklands etc. Take him to Brunettis off Lygon St for breakfast one day (maybe before the museum which is walking distance). You could go past the Shrine which is near the Botanic Gardens. And the Zoo.

Wear something warm! It's so cold right now. I have been wearing a coat when out almost every day lately (though I do feel the cold more than some people). All the stuff you have planned will be fun for a 7yo. I suggest you do Scienceworks on the Friday if possible, as it is pretty busy on weekends.

I'm not sure what is easiest now re: trams - would have to check the metro website.

ETA: Brunetti's is a great suggestion! Also, Threshermans Bakehouse which is nearby (also on Faraday st). As for the park at Birrarung Marr, my MIL took my 7yo there recently and he was bored - he thought it was for 'babies'. He did like the ACMI, most of which is free. It's at Fed Square.

I think everything you have planned sounds great! Bring layers, as it is quite chilly down in Melbourne at the moment!

Is it raining alot? Is it on and off or constant? If we can't go to outside playgrounds, what else is good and close to the city?

It is not raining a lot. Yesterday was basically fine and today is too. Other things to do are the Aqaurium (bit $$ though), IMAX (next to the Museum). But you could spend a full day at the Museum and another whole day at Scienceworks if you wanted.

It's not raining a lot THIS WEEK, but there is the occasional shower or too! Nothing that would keep you indoors. But you never know with Melbourne! The weather can change like THAT!

With the tram ticket you may need to get a myki. I am not sure if you can still buy met cards. Go to your nearest 7/11. You would probably need 3 separate day passes.


I have just checked and you can still buy daily and two hourly met cards. You can get them at a 7/11 too. Check out the metlink website or the myki website to decide.

is this you GF son? If so I could suggest a few places to eat.

Thanks, just checked the forecast and it's rain all the time we are there! Ah well, I suppose we can bring cheap clothes and replace them when they are wet, as we can't carry much!
Pity about the playgrounds, I really wanted to take him to the St Kilda one as it looks amazing.

Anyone know of any great shows for children at the moment, like theatre/pantomome?

Wall of dodo, no it's not this one who is coeliac! Just fruit and veg allergic (in his head!!)

I'm a Melbournite and I still haven't gotten a Myki yet... I'm still purchasing metcards... I am going to be sad when they stop selling them!

You could go to

Docklands
Vic Market
Fed Square

I looked at the BOM - it's all "a shower or two" - nothing to worry about! That's not proper rain!

Rug up it's freaking cold here. Because Melbourne is so unpredicatable I would have a back up. If it rains and you cant get down to the parks head to Galactic circus in Crown. lots of games and will keep you dry and warm they also have laser tag down there all kinds of fun. Science works & museam are fun.

Bring/ buy a couple of rain jackets, as it's likely to be at least showery and they work better than/ with an umbrella, especially as it's often windy when it rains.

Also gloves and hat! Warm socks. You'll be so much more comfortable outside this way.

Don't get a MYKI they're an expensve PITA for tourists. Get some day tickets instead, you'll need to go to one of the city centre train stations to get these. You should only need zone 1. You may not need one everyday and there is a free city circle tram too.

ETA: the gold book has various attraction discounts - it's good for an idea of touristy things. What about an MCG tour or the sports museam at Federation Square if he's a sports fan? http://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/about/...elbourne#travel

Rock climbing could be a fun indoor activity in the city.

This is a great website, not just for rainy day ideas.

http://www.littlemelbourne.com.au/to-do/ra...-melbourne.html

My son's favourite things (he is 6) are the Polly Woodside, and the free exhibition at ACMI. The Melbourne Museum is also super popular with him.

http://www.pollywoodside.com.au/

http://www.acmi.net.au/screen_worlds.aspx

There's science works, think you can catch a ferry there and ice skating at docklands too.

What about a show. Annie is playing at regent theatre. Saw it last weekend, lots of kids there boys and girls. Was fab!!
Might be able to pick up a matinee show.

In town activities:
For free:
-Wander down to the National Gallery on St Kilda Rd, stop for a rest in the great hall inside and admire the crazy leadlight ceiling (great for a rest if you don't mind sitting or lying on the carpet!) - it is on the ground floor just past the kids gallery, which has activities good for 7 year olds.
- the children's garden in the Botanic Gardens might not be open in June - worth checking
- ACMI at federation square! If you wander through to the back left there is a few really cool interactive things - you can make a matrix style video of yourself and email it to yourself and other cool stuff too!

For money
- check out the Pollywoodside - a gorgeously restored tall ship docked on Southbank, complete with a submerged skeleton in a body cage off the starboard bow (urk), captains quarters below deck and some other pirate shenanigans. Might only be open to the general public at certain times tho.
- the Melbourne aquarium is pretty awesome

Dress: warm thick coats!

The bad news: it really is freaking cold this week. The good news: so far, it's not too wet. We also just had an earthquake...