Surf World, Surfing MuseumBeach Road, Torquay(03) 5261 4606Adults - $5.50; Child - $3.50;Family (2 Adults + 3 children) - $1610am to 4pmThis is a museum that most families will enjoy, where parents don't have to worry about their children breaking something. The museum features a large number of interactive activities for children and adults alike. There are displays that will interest those that are not surfers, as well as surf fanatics. For surfing enthusiasts, the museum offers tips on some of the best surf locations in Victoria.

Australian Toy Museum174-180 Smith StreetCollingwoodTram 86Daily 10-5 Children under 18 months free.Historic building houses toys from the 1880's to the present. A special feature is a permanent display of dolls and doll houses. There is also a garden with a miniature steam train and the Magic Pudding Café which caters to the tastes of children.

Classic Cinema 9 Gordon Street ElsternwickSandringham Line from Flinders Station to Eksternwick StationSat. and Sun. and daily during school holidays.Admission: $7Weekend "kids pics" present new releases and old favorites.

Fun Factory257 Toorak RoadSouth Yarra03-9826-8276Daily 10-1No admission charge.One of the largest indoor amusement centers in Melbourne, Fun Factory is equipped with Daytona racing machines, pinball, shooting and skill test games, pool tables, a rollerblade rink and "dodge-em" cars.

Melbourne Sports and Aquatic CentreAughtie Drive, Albert Park03-9926-1555Tram # 96This combination sporting facility and playground has a wave and toddlers' pool, a water slide, pool garden, and a diving complex. Childcare is available Mon.-Fri. 9-Noon. A school holiday program and one on Saturday mornings for children ages 5-12 are low in cost, and high in educational and entertainment value.

Red Bear's Playhouse134 York StreetSouth MelbourneTram #1 or #1203-9645-0788Mon.- Thurs. 9:30-6:30; Friday: 9:30-8 Sat. & Sun.: 8:30-8.Australia's largest indoor play center has piles of plastic tubing formed into tunnels, ladders, and just piles of tubing which appeal to all ages of children. Cappuccino, television and free newspapers and magazines are provided for the entertainment of the adults.

ScienceworksBooker Street SpotswoodWilliamstown and Werribee Lines from Flinders Street station to Spotswood StationDaily 10-4:30 Admission charged.A series of interactive exhibits teach participants about science and technology. The subjects range from sports, to insects, to the human mind and body. There is also a digital planetarium.

Kryal Castle8 kilometres East of Ballarat on the Western Highway(03) 5334 7388Fax: (03) 5334 7422Weekdays/WeekendsAdults $12.50 /$14.00Children $7.00 /$8.00Family *$37.00 /$42.00; Children under 5 are free10am - 5pm 7 days a weekVisit a medieval castle just a short trip from Melbourne. Hidden on the hills of Warrenheip, just out of Ballarat Kryal Castle lurks, waiting to amuse the whole family with medieval re-enactments, fun games and shows. A truly magnificent day for the whole family

Collingwood Children's FarmSt. Heliers StreetAbbottsford03-9205-5469Epping Line from Flinders St. station to Victoria Park station.Daily 9-5Small admission charge.Children can pet and feed a variety of farm animals (call for exact feeding times). They are also shown how to do simple farm chores and can milk a cow, etc. Farm tours instruct at a child's level about plants and animals along the way. The first day of each month is Family Day. Horse rides and a home made farm lunch are part of the fun on these special days.

Ashcomb MazeAdults: $6.00; Children: $4.0010 - 5 everyday except Christmas Day, Good Friday & during August.Red Hill - Shoreham Road, Shoreham 3916(03) 9989-8387This traditional hedge maze offers a great afternoon of fun for the whole family, with the main maze and other activities. My Recommendations: A fun afternoon, It could be on the way to Phillip Island if you took a detour (wink wink). The maze is just out of the lovely little seaside town of Shoreham on Western Port bay.

Puffing BillyCost: Adult: $17.50 Children (14-16 years): $9.00Family (2 adults + 3 children): $49Old Monbulk Road, Belgrave 3160(03) 9754-6800A terrific day trip for a family is Puffing Billy, Victoria's best known steam train. Puffing Billy travels through the beautiful bush land on the Dandenong ranges. Catch Puffing Billy to Emerald, have a picnic lunch then travel back to Belgrave. A great day for all people from 2 to 102.

Healesville SanctuaryAdults (16 years and over) $15.95Children (4 - 15 years, children under 4 free) $7.95Adult students $11.90(2 adults & up to 4 children) $43.25Over 65 (including health care card holders) $11.909am to 5pm Daily (including Christmas day and public holidays)Badger Creek Road, Healesville. (follow signs)(03) 1902 240 592For overseas visitors and Australian visitors alike Healesville sanctuary offers a complete relaxing day out. Explore the Sanctuary, set in the lush bush land of Healesville on the Badger creek, home to one of Australia's most loved, and most secretive animals, the platypus. See a wide variety of Australian Fauna and flora. See emus, kangaroos, echidna's, koala's, possums and many other Australian natives, in natural and peaceful settings. More info

Royal Melbourne ZooElliot Avenue Parkville03-9285-9300Tram 55,56,or 68Melbourne Zoo is open every day of the year (including Christmas Day and all public holidays) 9.00am - 5.00pmAdults (16 years and over) - $15.95Children (4 to 15 years, children under 4 years free) - $7.95Adult Students -$11.90Family Pass (2 Adults & up to 4 Children) - $43.25You can not visit Melbourne without visiting the Royal Melbourne Zoo! The Royal Melbourne Zoo offers a large range of exotic animals, beautiful gardens and an educational experience to all its visitors young and old. Popular Meet the Keeper sessions (wombats, seals, pelicans, penguins) teach children aboout the animals in a most engaging manne. There are also twilight tours for better views of nocturnal animals. A whole day is needed to explore and enjoy the Zoo to its full extent. More info

Victoria's Open Range Zoo At WerribeeK Road, Werribee 3030Werribee Line from Flinders Station to Werribee station.(03) 9742-7933Adults: $15.95;Children (3 - 14) $7.95Daily: 10- 5A great day out like the Melbourne zoo except for one thing... the people are in the enclosure. You travel around the zoo which has only African animals in a bus, in order to have a better idea of how animals interact with each other in the wild. In addition there is a 30 minute Volcanic Plains walking Trail. More info

Sovereign HillSovereign Hill, Ballarat(03) 5331-1944Adults: $22.00 ;Pensioners Students: $16.00;Children: $10.50;Family: $59.00Daily 10am - 5pm (except Christmas day)A whole day is needed for sovereign hill, it is like an educational theme park and is suitable for people of all ages and all interests, the air even feels old!Sovereign Hill is a great place to visit for a day, the gold rush themed theme park is a great day of fun for old and young. The attraction offers many old styled shops selling lollies, hot bread and scones to metal goods will please any shop-a-holic. Children have great fun panning for gold in the creek, many usually finding some real gold dust! Visitors can go through a tour of a gold mine, and see a lot of real gold! More info

Geelong Naval & Maritime Museum Located near the stables at the rear of Osborn HouseSwinburne Street, North Geelong(03) 5277-2260Adults: $2; Children: 50˘;Family: $4Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10am - 4pmThe museum is set in the first Australian Naval College (from 1913-1919). The museum has a wealth of information and a large and interesting range of exhibits. The museum includes model ships and submarines, and the museum is said to be haunted by a ghost! an interesting day for all those interested in history and ships. you will need about 1 - 2 hours to visit the museum.

Seal Rocks Sea Life CentreSeal Rocks, The Nobbys, Phillip Island. (follow signs)1300 367 325Adults: $11.00; Children: Free10 am - dusk (see Sea Life Centre web site for approximate dusk time during your visit)One of the most popular attractions at Phillip Island, along with the Penguin Parade and Koala Conservation Center is Seal Rocks, the sea life center offers educational and enjoyable insights into the life of the Australian Fur Seal. The Center displays views of Seal Rocks and the Nobbies, which is home to Australia's largest fur seal colony. There is also a sea gull rockery a few penguins. More info

Luna Park18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda03 9625 5033Admission to Luna Park is free.(Weather permitting):Friday:7p.m.-11p.m; Saturday: 1-11pm.; Sunday:1pm until dusk. Closed Christmas Day.School holidays and public holidays 11 - 5Ride ticket prices (coupons $1.00 each)Children under 4 years: 1 coupon per rideChildren 4 to 12 years: 2 coupons per rideAdults: 3 coupons per ride;16 coupons, $15;40 coupons, $35; 80 coupons, $60www.lunapark.com.au A day of family fun is Luna Park, offering a large selection of rides including a roller coaster, ferris wheel and ghost train.. Luna Park is Melbourne's own "mini theme park". More info

Ballarat Wildlife ParkFussell & York Sts. Ballarat(03) 5333 5933Fax: (03) 5333 4025A public tour runs between 11.00am and 12.00pm daily as required for groups 20 and over.Adults - $12.00 Over 65 / Students - $10.00 Children - $6.00 ;Family $30.00 (2 adults and 2 children) 9am - 5:30 pm everyday (except Christmas day)This superb wildlife park, just 4 minutes from Sovereign hill features many native Australian animals including Koalas, Wombats, Saltwater and Freshwater Crocodiles, Tasmanian Devils, Goannas, Giant Tortoises, Wedge-tailed Eagles, venomous and non venomous Snakes, Wallabies, free-range Kangaroos, Emus and many more. There are plenty of opportunities to have your picture taken with an animal.

Serendip Sanctuary100 Windermere Road, Lara(03) 13 19 63Adults: $5;Child / Concession: $2.50;Family (2 Adults & 6 Children): $12.5010am - 4pm dailyTake a walk with Australian wildlife and have a close encounter with Brolga, Kangaroos, Emus, and waterfowl. Delightful picnic areas are available with barbeques in this wetland setting. Discover the serenity of Serendip Sanctuary. A delightful visit for the whole family, particularly animal lovers. This is a relaxing day, and a whole day is needed to walk the entire park at a nice steady relaxing pace. It is well worth a visit, spring time (September - November) is the best time to visit, as there is a lot of cute baby birds.

Melbourne AquariumAdults: $19.00; Children: $9.00Daily 9am - 6pmCorner of Queenswharf Road & King Street, Melbourne(03) 9620-0994This is one of Melbourne's newest attractions, situated at Southbank, opposite the Crown Casino on the tranquil Yarra river. It has a large collection of fish and sharks enjoying life in its aquariums and oceanarium. The aquarium towers 2 stories high and goes one story underground, and is even under the Yarra itself! Some of the aquarium attractions include a coral atoll, oceanarium, and billabong display. More info

Penguin ParadeAdults: $12.50;Children: (4-16): $6.50;Family: 30.40Hours change depending on the time of year. the penguins come in just after sun set. Summerland Beach, Phillip Island Visitors to Phillip Island look forward to the Penguin Parade. The penguins put on an impromptu show just by performing their ordinary daily routines. You do need to wear something very warm in the evening as the cold sea breeze is part of the fun. More info

Royal Botanic GardensBirdwood Avenue, South Yarra, 3141(03) 9650~94247:30am - SunsetAdmission: FreeThe Royal Botanic Gardens are situated on the edge of Melbourne next to the Yarra River . Surrounding them is a beautiful lake with ducks, eels and swans. The gardens contain a variety of plants from all over the world. There are many beautiful spots for a picnic lunch by the lake on the lush green lawns. This is a country garden right in the heart of Melbourne! Remember to take a little extra bread as the children enjoy feeding the swans, ducks and eels. Visitors usually bring their own food as the kiosk is quite expensive.