What to do and see in Victoria, Australia: The Best Things to do Good for Kids

A land and seascape sculpted by the elements over millennia. Arches, islands and rock stacks are dotted along a wild coastline of beach coves and spectacular lookouts. The wild Southern Ocean has carved a stunning collection of rock stacks and sheltered bays with clifftop walks, scenic lookouts and small beach coves near Peterborough along the Great Ocean Road. Perhaps overshadowed by the Port Campbell and the Twelve Apostles down the road, the Bay of Islands Coastal Park offers just equally spectacular experience without the crowds. Dogs are welcome on a lead at Sandy Cove near Murnanes Bay.

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is the oldest and most visited gallery in Australia. Situated over two magnificent buildings – NGV International and NGV Australia – the Gallery presents over 40 exhibitions a year including major international blockbusters and a wide range of exhibitions, programs and events, from contemporary art to fashion and design, and major historical exhibitions that are internationally exclusive to Melbourne.

Heritage-listed for its animal and plant life, Aboriginal heritage and stunning natural beauty, the Grampians National Park is one of Australia's most recognisable places. Explore the natural beauty of the Grampians from its world-famous hiking trails or by taking a scenic drive. Discover majestic waterfalls, dazzling spring wildflower displays and awe-inspiring mountain panoramas. Cross paths with kangaroos, wallabies, emus and native birds. Traditionally known as Gariwerd, this region is home to the largest number of significant and ancient Aboriginal rock art paintings and shelters in southern Australia. A visit to Brambuk – The National Park & Cultural Centre will help you get the most of your trip to these rock shelters.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is Australia's largest, oldest and most popular sporting venue. The MCG has hosted plenty of international cricket, including the first-ever Test and the 1992 World Cup final, countless VFL/AFL Grand Finals, the 1956 Olympic Games and 2006 Commonwealth Games. It also hosted the final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Other sporting spectacles include FIFA World Cup soccer qualifiers, rugby league home and away matches and State of Origin and international rugby union clashes. Apart from its sporting events, the MCG has also witnessed many blockbuster music concerts, and even Pope John Paul II held a mass there when he visited Melbourne in 1986. The MCG has a total capacity of 100,024 people, comprising 95,024 seats and 5000 standing room spaces. The stadium also houses the National Sports Museum, which includes some of the most priceless pieces of memorabilia in Australian sporting history.

Visit Melbourne's inner-city oasis. Over 10,000 plant species from around the world are presented in a kaleidoscope of colour and texture. Sweeping lawns, tranquil lakes and majestic trees are home to an amazing range of wildlife.

Healesville Sanctuary, in the heart of the Yarra Valley, is world-renowned as the best place to see Australian wildlife in their natural habitat. Set in a beautiful natural environment, the Sanctuary offers a place for people and animals to reconnect with nature from creek to canopy, and plays a critical role in saving some of the world's most endangered animals. Explore the 70 acre bushland haven to experience close-up encounters with some of Australia's unique and endearing wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, wombats, emus, dingoes, birds of prey and platypus. Visitors are also free to explore the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, a working vetinary hospital treating over 1500 orphaned, ill or injured wildlife every year. The expert team shares the journey of animal rescue, rehabilitation and release with the Sanctuary's visitors. Don't miss: Spirits of the Sky: A free flight presentation featuring Australian raptors such as the Wedge Tailed Eagle, and colourful parrot species. Tales from Platypus Creek: Come face-to-face with Healesville Sanctuary's most iconic species in a world-first interactive Platypus show. Observe Platypus as they interact with keepers, play in the water and even enjoy having their tummies tickled! Wade with the Platypus: In this world-first, hands-on experience it will be your turn to be the Platypus keeper. You will have the opportunity to step into the shallow water of the 'Platypus play pool' where it's normally the keeper's job to play, frolic, tickle and feed our little furry friends.

At Sovereign Hill, the story of an important time and place in Australian History, and the people who lived it, lives on. An internationally acclaimed tourist attraction, Sovereign Hill prides itself on its close attention to detail found in every aspect of this living, outdoor museum. Sovereign Hill is a glimpse of the vigour and excitement of life on Australia’s 1850s goldfields. Visitors can find real gold in the creek – gold pans are provided and it’s ‘finders keepers’, see $150,000 worth of molten gold poured into a gleaming bar, and take in the rich program of activities, shows and demonstrations. On Main Street there are working shops, hotels and a theatre – all based on original Ballarat businesses. Visitors are able to watch goldfields tradespeople in action and take a ride around the township in a horse-drawn coach. For the brave hearted, journey underground on a gold mine tour.

At Flagstaff Hill you don’t just learn about history – you experience it in Flagstaff Hill’s Living Museum and Spectacular Sound and Light Show Flagstaff Hill celebrates the Shipwreck Coast’s maritime history with the: - Maritime Museum which displays scores of shipwreck artefacts including the famous Loch Ard Peacock valued at over $4 million and was an unlikely survivor of the famous tragedy. - Recreated Maritime Village featuring 40 buildings containing rare original objects all with a story to tell and enriched with volunteers in character, plus NEW interactive digital upgrades. - Nightly Sound and Light Show Experience telling tales of the Shipwreck Coast’s history with a guided tour through the village, state-of-the-art sound and light effects and the impressive nine-metre high water wall. In 2014 the Victorian State Government pledged $2.95 million to upgrade of Flagstaff Hill to make it more accessible, efficient and appealing to visitors. The Village closed to the public for major redevelopments on May the 1st 2017 and is set to reopen Friday the 16th of June. NEW UPGRADES visitors can expect to enjoy in the Flagstaff Hill Living Museum for the first time: - A state-of-the-art orientation theatre to welcome visitors - A facade upgrade which includes an improved entrance ramp - More welcoming arrival with the consolidation of the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum reception, gift shop and the Warrnambool Visitor Information Centre - Improved accessibility for elderly and disable visitors - Interactive digital installations including a virtual blacksmith, interactive clock in the Instrument Shop and interactive panel in the Examiner newspaper office. - A new projection screen in the Wharf Theatre - The Shipwrecked Sound and Light Show Experience which tells the story of the Loch Ard shipwreck has been upgraded. With engaging story telling, fresh new imagery, dazzling lighting and sound effects through out the village - it’s sure to impress. - The introduction of Harpooned the brand new Sound and Light Show Experience telling the tale of Warrnambool’s whaling history. - A more activated village with costumed characters bringing to life a coastal village of the 1870s

Mornington Peninsula National Park is a favourite of Melburnians looking to escape the nearby city. Experienced surfers flock to Gunamatta Beach, while rockpools at Sorrento Ocean Beach, close to town, are perfect for families. Dip into the excellent surf beaches of the Mornington Peninsula National Park. Tackle the waves of Gunnamatta, Flinders, Portsea and Rye ocean beaches. Step out on The Coastal Walk for spectacular coastal views. The two-day walk meanders along high clifftops, through coastal vegetation and past stunning ocean beaches. A haven for native wildlife such as kangaroos, Greens Bush is the largest fragment of native bushland remaining on the Mornington Peninsula.