Things to do with kids in Melbourne's Northern Suburbs
Bundoora Park Farm is open every day, with farm animals and an old village with a working printing press. In Brunswick East, CERES is a free urban farm with a nature playspace and hundreds of free-range chooks, and a market on Saturdays.
For a swim, Brunswick Baths has an indoor water play pool and an outdoor splash pad, and it is open all year. In Reservoir, the paths around Edwardes Lake suit scooters, and the playground has a nest swing that wheelchair users can use. Darebin Parklands in Alphington is natural bushland for walks and bikes, close to the city.
Further out, Plenty Gorge Park has new playgrounds at Hawkstowe and a platform looking over the turquoise Blue Lake; don't swim there. At Yan Yean Reservoir, families have been picnicking since the 1850s, and the playground sits beside the old bluestone valve house.
98 family outings, waterfalls and walks across the region, sorted by drive time from Coburg. Choose your suburb at the top to sort from where you are staying.
✓ Everything
Free · 36
Sensory-friendly · 4
Wheelchair access · 2
Top things to do in Melbourne's North
Visit the farm at Bundoora Park
Bundoora Park Farm opens every day from 10am to 4pm at 1069 Plenty Road, and only farm-supplied feed may go to the animals. Its Heritage Village has buildings from 1899 and a working printing press. Bird flu rules have closed the chicken and duck pens for now, and the farm is a 7 to 10 minute walk from the park entrance.
about 10 min
Wildlife park · Bundoora Park Farm
Photo: Bob Tan, CC BY 4.0
Explore the urban farm at CERES
CERES in Brunswick East is a 4.5-hectare public park and urban farm that is free to visit. Kids can try the Terra Wonder Playspace, and more than 200 chooks free-range in their own haven. Come on a Saturday for the market, and park free inside the grounds through the Stewart Street gate.
under 5 min
Farm · CERES Community Environment Park
Photo: Casliber, CC BY-SA 4.0
Look over Blue Lake in Plenty Gorge Park
Hawkstowe Picnic Area, once part of an 1850s farm, has new play spaces, barbecues and an accessible toilet. A walking track leads to a viewing platform over Blue Lake, which turns turquoise at times of year. Blue-green algae is in the lake, so swimming and fishing there are not advised.
about 25 min
Walk · Plenty Gorge Park
Photo: Bob T, CC BY-SA 4.0
Play by the Valve House at Yan Yean
Families have picnicked at Yan Yean Reservoir, 32km north of Melbourne, since it opened in 1857. Kids play on the playground beside the bluestone Valve House, and the barbecues are electric and free. Toilets at both ends have parenting rooms, and gates open 7am to 8pm in daylight saving.
about 35 min
Lake · Yan Yean Reservoir Park
Photo: Graeme Bartlett, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cool off at Brunswick Baths
Brunswick Baths has a 50m outdoor pool, a 20m indoor pool, an indoor water play pool and an outdoor kids' splash pad. It is open all year, from 7am to 8pm on weekends and 5.30am to 10pm on weekdays.
under 5 min
Pool · Brunswick Baths
Photo: Mattinbgn (talk · contribs), CC BY 3.0
Scoot around Edwardes Lake in Reservoir
Paths circle Edwardes Lake, and its playground has an accessible nest swing. Older kids can ride the skate park or shoot hoops on the court. There are toilets, barbecue tables and a drinking fountain, but fishing isn't allowed.
about 5 min
Lake · Edwardes Lake
Photo: Smartiejl, CC BY-SA 4.0
Discover Islamic art at the Islamic Museum
Five permanent galleries cover Islamic faith, art, architecture, contributions to civilisation and Australian Muslim history. The Thornbury museum opens Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, and has a cafe. A family ticket for two adults and two children is $45.
under 5 min
Museum · Islamic Museum of Australia
Photo: Resnjari, CC BY-SA 4.0
Walk the bushland at Darebin Parklands
Darebin Parklands in Alphington is natural bushland, rich in wildlife, for walking, running and cycling. Picnic shelters, toilets and a drinking fountain are at 2-36 Yarana Road. Snakes share the park, so keep dogs on lead outside the off-lead area.
about 10 min
Walk · Darebin Parklands
Photo: Takerlamar, CC BY-SA 3.0
See the W-class trams at Bylands
The Tramway Heritage Centre holds the largest preserved heritage tram collection in Victoria, including the only complete set of W-class trams in the world. It opens on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays of the month, plus selected days as advertised, at 330 Union Lane, Bylands.
about 50 min
Museum · Tramway Heritage Centre
Photo: Liamdavies, CC BY-SA 3.0
Entry tickets
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Melbourne Museum
Old Melbourne Gaol
Immigration Museum
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
Melbourne Skydeck
Luna Park Melbourne
Moonlit Sanctuary
Arthurs Seat Eagle
Enchanted Adventure Garden
Gumbuya World
Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Gardens
Peninsula Hot Springs
Everything on the map
Over the border
Nearest first, from Coburg
Animals
Waterfalls, lakes and swimming
Over 30 minutes
from Coburg
Walks and lookouts
Big playgrounds
Play
Over 30 minutes
from Coburg
Museums and history
Over 30 minutes
from Coburg
Libraries, cinemas and theatres
Over 30 minutes
from Coburg
Drive times are estimated from the distance, so treat them as a guide. Tap a card for the full page.
Region boundary: ABS Tourism Regions 2021 (Tourism Research Australia), CC BY 4.0. Outings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and venues' own listings; nature spots from OpenStreetMap and park services.