Spring school holidays 2026: best things to do in Melbourne and regional Victoria

Best spring school holiday activities in Melbourne

Explore ancient Rome at Melbourne Museum

Melbourne Museum is running special spring school holiday activities, with hands-on experiences inspired by ancient Rome. Mosaic Monuments gets kids colouring their own mosaic tile to add to an onsite artwork, while Creative Lab: Rise of the Gladiators has children create their own gladiator identity.

There are also Family Museum Sleepovers on 18, 19, 25 and 26 September, which give families exclusive after-hours access to Melbourne Museum and IMAX. Alternatively, on Tuesdays, the Tiny Tours program gets kids and their adults digging into some of nature's most fascinating stories from rainforest to reef. Wednesdays offer Dino Days: a dinosaur-themed day out for little ones.

Children 16 years and under can also attend Melbourne Museum's permanent exhibitions for free.

RACV Members save on tickets to Melbourne Museum.

Laugh and shriek at Luna Park

If you're looking for a day of fun and adventure, there's nothing better than experiencing the thrill of rides and attractions at Melbourne's iconic Luna Park, open every day of the spring school holidays.

Located in St Kilda, Luna Park lets you take a dip on the Great Scenic Railway, bump into your friends on the dodgems, grab some fairy floss, and cruise around the carousel at Australia’s oldest and most endearing theme park.

RACV Members get discounted tickets to Luna Park.

Find Nemo at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium 

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, located in the heart of Melbourne's CBD, features thousands of sea creatures from around the world. Since it's an indoor attraction, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium makes for a great rainy-day activity.

Get up close and personal with Gentoo penguins, Finding Nemo stars Nemo and Dory, Coowonga the saltwater crocodile, and many more underwater friends. There are also Mini Marine Mornings on offer on the first Monday of the month, which include guided activities, sea stories, a special artefact table, and even a complimentary coffee and babycino.

RACV Members save on SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium tickets.

Build and play at the LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Melbourne

Rainy day? Time to head to the LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre at Chadstone, where families can marvel at incredible professional LEGO® builds, watch films in the 4D cinema and, of course, play and create with all the LEGO® bricks on hand.

RACV Members save on LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre tickets.

Cosy up at the latest blockbuster movie

There’s nothing like a great movie to keep the whole family entertained during the school holidays. Some of the great new movies coming out for families include The Last Whale Singer and Shaun the Sheep; The Beast of Mossy Bottom; Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie, and Coyote vs. Acme.

RACV Members save up to 40 per cent on movie tickets.

See wildlife at Melbourne Zoo

Zoos Victoria offers free admission for children under 16 to Melbourne Zoo (plus Werribee Open Range Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, and Kyabram Fauna Park) on government school holidays.

Families can see everything from lions and giraffes to elephants, gorillas and native Australian wildlife, while keeper talks provide an opportunity to learn more about the animals. Pack a picnic and you can easily turn a zoo visit into a full-day school holiday outing. There are even life-sized animatronic dinosaurs hidden throughout the zoo for your child to discover until the end of the spring school holidays.

Go sky-high at Melbourne Skydeck

This spring, see Melbourne from a different angle from atop the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest observation deck: Melbourne Skydeck, open every day of the school holidays.

Daring kids will love The Edge, a moving glass cube that transports passengers three metres outside Melbourne Skydeck, leaving you suspended terrifyingly high above the streets below. Don't miss the Voyager Theatre: a 6D cinematic voyage through iconic Melbourne moments.

RACV Members save on tickets to Melbourne Skydeck.

Catch the Melbourne Royal Show

The iconic Melbourne Royal Show runs from 24 September to 4 October 2026, making it a perfect big day out for the family these spring school holidays. Load up on showbags, enjoy carnival rides, meet farm animals, watch fascinating competitions like the woodchop or dog agility shows, and end the day with a fireworks show.

This year, the Royal Show will feature PAW Patrol Playland, with interactive play zones and the opportunity to meet and greet the pups for family photo moments. There will also be daily live shows starring PAW Patrol, Gabby's Dollhouse, Care Bears, and the Madagascar Penguins and King Julien.

Download the RACV App to find the cheapest fuel and nearest Chargefox EV charging stations along your route.

Best spring school holiday activities in regional Victoria

Catch the historic Puffing Billy steam train 

Spring is the perfect time to hop aboard the historic Puffing Billy steam train for a ride through the stunning Dandenong Ranges. Dangle your legs over the side, take in the leafy surrounds of Lakeside and Gembrook, and take in the scenic views of lush rainforest, country towns, meandering lakes and tranquil mountain ranges.

RACV Members save on Puffing Billy tickets. Make sure to book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Have a day of adventure and thrills at Gumbuya World

Gumbuya World is Victoria's largest theme park – and it's less than an hour out of Melbourne. Feel the adrenaline rush on the Mining Race Coaster, spin in classic teacups, bump your way around the Desert Derby dodgem cars, or book a close-up animal encounter with a koala or python.

RACV Members save on Gumbuya World tickets.

Go back in time at Sovereign Hill

Panning for gold, making rainbow candles, singing along with a pantomime, and dressing up as 1800s royalty? Experience all this and more at Ballarat's historic village attraction, Sovereign Hill. This interactive living museum teaches kids about Victoria’s famed gold-rush era. Eureka!

RACV Members receive discounted tickets to Sovereign Hill and save on stays at the nearby RACV Goldfields Resort.

See jousting knights of the round table at Kryal Castle

Just down the road from Sovereign Hill on a trip to Ballarat is the medieval-themed Kryal Castle. Designed as a medieval village with labyrinths, mazes, jousting performances, axe throwing, archery, roaming knights and spell-casting wizards, this sprawling castle attraction lets visitors of all ages spend a day going back in time.

RACV Members save on tickets to Kryal Castle.

See the Tesselaar Tulip Festival

Nothing says spring quite like a field filled with colourful flowers. The Tesselaar Tulip Festival runs in the Yarra Valley from 12 September to 11 October 2026, placing the entire school holiday period within festival dates. More than a million spring flowers provide a spectacular backdrop, alongside live entertainment, food and family activities.

Kids’ Week activities run from 21 to 24 September and 28 September to 2 October, making the festival particularly well suited to a family day trip during the school holidays.

Get up close with the fairy penguins at Phillip Island

Phillip Island is so full of activities, you'll be wondering where to start! You can't miss a viewing of the 40,000-strong colony of Little Penguins that parade across the Phillip Island sandbar each night. Book early to avoid disappointment, as this activity is often booked out.

You could also explore the other Phillip Island Nature Parks or head out on a family hike to Cape Woolamai, among many more activities.

Fly sky-high at Arthurs Seat

On your next visit to Victoria's stunning Mornington Peninsula, get ready to soar on the Arthurs Seat Eagle. Board a gondola and fly over the state forest to the summit of Arthurs Seat, with sweeping views across Port Phillip Bay to Melbourne’s city skyline. At the summit, explore several walking trails or stop at the cafe before returning.

RACV Members save on Arthurs Seat Eagle tickets.

Talk to the animals at Ballarat Wildlife Park

Meet some of Victoria's cutest residents at Ballarat Wildlife Park and see kangaroos, koalas, wombats, birds, meerkats, snakes, crocodiles and even a giant tortoise. Admission includes access to all the animals, as well as informative keeper talks. If you want up-close animal experience, you can book your very own animal encounter.

RACV Members save on entry to Ballarat Wildlife Park.

Explore the desert at Cactus Country

Spring is the perfect time to explore the great outdoors. Bring the dog along for a family-friendly visit to Cactus Country, near the RACV Cobram Resort. Located near the famed Murray River, Cactus Country features eight walking trails with more than 1,000 varieties of cacti and succulents at Australia’s largest cactus farm.

RACV Members save on entry to Cactus Country Garden.

The best family-friendly holiday and resort stays in Victoria these school holidays

The best kind of holiday stays have something for everyone, from great meals, spacious rooms, and fun activities to nearby experiences and attractions that are budget-friendly and keep everyone happy. 

At RACV Resorts in Cape Schanck, Healesville, Torquay and Inverloch, kids will have a wild time exploring the activities on offer, from the outdoor playgrounds and tennis courts, to splashing about in the indoor pools and competing for glory at the onsite games rooms.

RACV Cobram Resort is a fabulous destination for parents and children, with a giant playground, pools, BMX tracks, and the chance to play a family game of basketball or tennis on the resort courts.

RACV Goldfields Resort is also family-friendly, and caters for art lovers as well, with its ArtHouse – a dedicated onsite building showcasing specially curated art.

Free things to do these spring school holidays

Having fun with the family these spring school holidays does not need to break the bank.

Melbourne is full of great free activities and easy day trips in spring, from browsing markets and discovering Melbourne’s unique street art to admiring beautiful cherry blossoms. Head to Fed Square for free outdoor cinema, stand-up comedy, and more.

You can even cook up some sweet treats with easy recipes from RACV Club chefs, including salted caramel chocolate chip cookies, a one-bowl sponge cake and the ultimate flourless chocolate cake.

Regional Victoria also offers plenty of free family fun. Mornington Peninsula has plenty of beautiful beaches and coastal walks, while the Yarra Valley has wonderful bike trails and the scenic Black Spur drive. Head to Geelong for free cultural activities like the Narana Exhibition Centre and Geelong Gallery. Out in the Goldfields region, Ballarat has great picnic areas and swimmable lakes, while Bendigo is full of splendid architecture and the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion – a giant Buddhist temple and garden area that welcomes all visitors. There's also Gippsland, High Country and Macedon Ranges for family fun close to Melbourne.