The Victorian-era bathing boxes line a sheltered cove at Brighton Beach. Volunteer lifesavers patrol on summer weekends and holidays, and kids can walk out along the Middle Brighton Pier. Trains stop at Brighton Beach and Middle Brighton stations.

Entry to the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne is free, and it opens daily from 9am to 5pm, last entry 4.30pm. Collect free Seek and Find nature cards at the Visitor Centre, then search the gardens for things big and small. A nature playground and picnic area is a short walk from the carpark, and pets can't come in.

Ricketts Point in Beaumaris has shallow water, sandstone reefs and rock pools full of small sea creatures. Beaumaris Life Saving Club patrols the beach on weekends from November to Easter. Parks Victoria runs Junior Ranger rockpooling programs here.

Moonlit Sanctuary in Pearcedale keeps more than 70 Australian species in bushland. Buy a container of Roo Food at admissions to feed the kangaroos and wallabies, and allow about two hours. It opens 9.30am to 4pm daily, lantern-lit night tours take about 90 minutes, and prams aren't available to hire.

Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick grows more than 1,000 plant species and shelters turtles, frogs and lizards among 80 kinds of wildlife. The Hoo Hoo Tower lawn looks over Anniversary Lake, and a ball games area has room to kick a ball around. The cafe opens 7am to 3.30pm daily.

Rippon Lea Estate in Elsternwick has seven hectares of Victorian gardens with a large lake, a fernery and a heritage orchard. Garden entry for a family of four is $40, and Glen Eira and Port Phillip residents can apply for a free garden card. It opens at 10am, closing at 5pm from September to April.

Karkarook Park's 15-hectare lake in Heatherton takes canoes and kayaks but no powered boats. The Lake Trail circles the water. At the Dragonfly Picnic Area you'll find a playground, free electric barbecues and an observation tower over the lake.

Braeside Park's adventure playground has parts for younger kids, older kids and children with disability, beside free electric barbecues. Walk the 2km Phar Lap Track on the old racecourse, or the 30-minute Heathland Trail to listen for frogs. Use the Lower Dandenong Road entrance for the playground and toilets; the Governor Road gate shuts at 4pm.

Mordialloc Beach is wide and flat, with a surf life saving club, showers and toilets. Walk out along the 300-metre pier, then head to Peter Scullin Reserve behind the beach for its big playground and barbecues. The reserve's historic rotunda is home to the Mordialloc District Band.

Volunteers run this museum at Moorabbin Airport, home to one of Australia's most significant collections of aircraft and engines. Visitors can get close to a number of the aircraft on display. It opens 10am to 4pm on weekdays and to 5pm on weekends; a family ticket is $20 and under-5s are free.