Kids and Family in Melbourne

Expat children moving to Melbourne will scarcely have time to miss their friends back home and relocation to this fun-filled Australian city will certainly be an adventure to be reckoned with. 

The communities which make up the city's melting pot culture place a high value on family life and are known to be child-friendly. The majority of families live in houses, not apartments, with easy access to outdoor space. With at least six months a year of warm, dry weather kids can take advantage of countless fun-filled activities outside the house.

Education and schools in Melbourne

With both public and private education on offer and an extensive range of subjects to choose from, expat children don’t often take long in adjusting to their new school. Some schools provide a bus service, but for parents who are stuck with the school run and need to get across Melbourne’s sprawling suburbia, a car is essential.

Although children are encouraged to walk or cycle, many parents perceive this to be a riskier option – although not because of any danger other than traffic on the roads.

Out and about with kids in Melbourne

Melbourne caters for all types of familes– from the adventurous to the artistic, no matter their personal preferences, there's plenty to see and do in the city.

For children who love animals, there are three zoos within an hour’s drive filled with weird and wonderful marsupials, the like of which exist nowhere else but Australia. A little further out of the city families can head to Philip Island to see the penguins. Collingwood Children’s Farm is also close to the city and conveniently located on a train line.

The beach is the place to be in summer, and Melbourne's array of beaches promise hours of fun in the sun.

Arts and entertainment for kids in Melbourne

During school holidays older children can enjoy an outing to the local IMAX Theatre. For the more creative spirits, there are options to get hands-on with the interactive technology exhibits at Scienceworks or splash paint about at a painting class.

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image and The National Gallery of Victoria both run a lively kids holiday programme where children can interact with demonstrations and artworks.