family day trip ideas for fun in the south

8 Mar

The South and Southeast are full of amazing family-friendly destinations!

Keep this page handy for your next family road trip or day trip adventure – whether you’re looking for a quick 1-hour drive or a fun 4-hour journey, Mamma’s got the best family activities and attractions covered. There’s even a few options for accommodation incase you’re having too much fun to leave!

Start planning your next family adventure today!

THE BEST FAMILY EXPERIENCES

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best friend holiday retreat, tarra valley

Best Friend Holiday Retreat in Tarra Valley is pure heaven for dogs, and it’s pretty spectacular for humans, too!

boneo discovery park, fingal

This place has all the magic ingredients for a perfect family day out!

ashcombe maze and lavender gardens, shoreham

Everywhere you look the view here is breathtaking, with a playground and an onsite cafe - it’s the perfect way to spend the day!

raymond island, gippsland lakes

Did you know that in the beautiful lakeside Gippsland town of Paynesville, you can catch a free ferry to a tiny island full of koalas, kangaroos and wombats?

national vietnam veterans museum, phillip island

If you haven’t been before, you really should add it to your list - and bring the family! This interactive war museum is home to incredible war memorabilia from all around the world, and is just brimming with Australian history.

south gippsland tank adventures, wonyip

Perched high up on a hill in the Strzelecki Ranges, amidst a beautiful tree rainforest and the most spectacular views, you will find South Gippsland Tank Adventures.

maru koala & animal park, grantville

You may have driven past the giant koala sign or seen the big pirate ship on your way to Phillip Island, but Maru Koala & Animal Park in Grantville is a destination in itself!

point nepean discovery tents @ quarantine station precinct, portsea

Going in a camping trip with the family is one of the great Aussie traditions. It gets us out and into the outdoors, allowing us to explore nature and spend time making great memories with family. You can do all of this in the stunning Point Nepean National Park at the historic Quarantine Station.

westernport ferries - stony point to cowes, phillip island

You never need to worry about traffic getting onto the Island again!

deluxe safari tent @ park lane holiday park, phillip island

Now THIS is the only way this Mamma will go camping ever again! Luxury Glamping at its finest!

the funky farm, hastings

All Mamma can say is - wow! What an experience the wonderful Funky Farm is. Where else can you cuddle a wombat? Walk with emus? Wander amongst the wallabies and wonder at the prehistoric likeness of the saltwater crocodiles?

gumbuya world, tynong

A theme park that is SUPER fun for the whole family. It’s an animal park, has rollercoasters and thrill rides, and Mamma’s favourite place to cool off at the GIANT water park. You'll find this theme park on the way to Gippsland and is a summer hit!

adventure fun park, lucknow

Here’s the perfect spot for a road trip family adventure!

phillip island chocolate factory, newhaven

Sweet Mamma chocolate dreams! Panny’s Chocolate Factory that rests beside the road as you head through the island is a coco-lover’s haven and the kids will be impressed too.

macca's farm, glen forbes

Old Macdonald had a farm, and on that farm he had STRAWBERRIES! Lots and lots of large, juicy strawberries!

phillip island circuit go karts, ventnor

Take a hot lap around the Phillip Island Circuit track, and take in those incredible views!

verandah retreat, cowes

Life cant get much better than a night at this luxurious family home by the beach!

phillip island wildlife park, cowes

All the Aussie animals you can think of, behind the one gate.
We are talking, kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, emus, echidnas, wombats, bats, tassie devils, dingos, snakes, eagles, cockatoos, lizards, kookaburras, pelicans and more!

antarctic journey @ nobbies discovery centre, summerlands

Take a journey to the Antarctic and learn all about the amazing wildlife and their habitat.

amaze n things, cowes

There are doors and entrance ways that lead to different themed rooms, each one more spectacular and kooky than the next.

pelican feeding, san remo

When 12pm approaches, these guys slowly gather around the foreshore and wait patiently for their lunch to arrive.

big 4 phillip island caravan park, newhaven

Packed with fun for the family and completely affordable, with different options for all budgets.

grumpys crazy golf, cowes

This 18 round course offers some whacky obstacles like giant spinning tops and tyres, and has an assortment of crazy decorations scattered around.

island break cottages, cowes

Spoil yourself with an island escape!

searoad ferries - foot passenger, sorrento - queenscliff

Here's a great way to spend a day - sail across the bay! You may be lucky and have dolphins swim beside you!

rain hayne and shine animal farm, balnarring

This wonderful farm has so many adorable animals to feed and cuddle. But you simply cannot go past the piglets.

peninsula hot springs, fingal

Yep, that's right - it is possible to have a peaceful soak whilst in the company of your kids

penguin parade, summerlands beach

The Penguin Parade is a MUST DO for any trip down to the Island.

koala conservation centre, rhyll

The Koala Conservation Centre on Phillip Island is quality eco-education - Koalas in their natural habitat with boardwalks allowing visitors to get a closer view.

churchill island, phillip island

An island off an island! Churchill Island is a must do if you have a family and kids learning all the different animal noises.

THE BEST OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

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cape schanck lighthouse reserve, cape schanck

Feeling like some outdoor adventure with the kiddos? Well, Cape Schanck Lighthouse Reserve is the perfect place for you!

flinders blowhole, flinders

With black sand and cliffs, this is truly such an amazing spot.

agnes falls, hazel park

This unsuspecting waterfall is the perfect family friendly destination, as the walk to the viewing point is only 200m from the carpark! Perfect for those little legs!

quarantine station @ point nepean national park, portsea

With heritage buildings, most still in their original condition, the vast openness sprinkled with the most majestic old trees, and surrounded by the bay - it is pure tranquility.

fort nepean @ point nepean national park, portsea

No words or pictures can fully explain the sheer beauty of this spot. The scenery in every direction and the rich Australian history you’re walking amongst, is pretty spectacular. Fort Nepean on Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula is the site of the first shot of the British Empire in WWII - as well as the last know location of Prime Minster Harold Holt before he disappeared!

seawinds gardens, arthurs seat

If you’re looking for the perfect spot for a weekend picnic with INCREDIBLE views, you simply cannot go past the STUNNING Seawinds Gardens in Arthurs Seat.

baldry's circuit walking trail, main ridge

Here’s the perfect outdoor adventure for all ages, with absolutely stunning scenery surrounding you in every direction.

bridgewater bay, blairgowrie

Wow - this spot will take your breath away!

red rock beach @ cowes, phillip island

Here’s a great, quiet family beach! Perfect for swimming, fishing and rock pooling!

chicken beach @ cowes, phillip island

Here is the perfect location for your next family beach road trip!

woolamai surf beach, phillip island

Mamma is going to call it - THIS is the most stunning stretch of beach in the South!

mushroom reef marine sanctuary, flinders

Mushroom Reef Sanctuary is the perfect spot to discover some fossils, collect pretty shells and just take in the sheer magnificence of the Mornington Peninsula.

kings falls, arthurs seat

Did you know that we have a WATERFALL right here in the South?!

swan lake trail, phillip island

This is the perfect family walk! It will only take you 20 minutes to follow the trail - there and back - so it’s perfect for those little legs. It’s also pram friendly, too!

forrest caves, newhaven

There really is something so magical here. It’s a mixture of the white sand, the red caves and those huge cliffs - accompanied by the sound of the crashing waves - pure HEAVEN.

point leo foreshore reserve, point leo

The perfect place for a road trip!

pyramid rock, phillip island

Get set for truly breathtaking scenery!

the nobbies, phillip island

The Nobbies sit at the southern tip of the fabulous Phillip Island but you feel like you could be at the edge of the earth.

sorrento back beach rock pools, sorrento

Mamma says when the tide is out on a hot summer's day you can't beat these pristine rock pools for a delicious refreshing swim.

THE BEST PLACES TO EAT

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miller’s bread kitchen, dromana

Holy moly folks, Miller’s Bread Kitchen in Dromana is so delicious, Mamma thinks you need to add it to your ‘must visit’ list!

the heritage balnarring, balnarring

This place is pure heaven!
This restaurant/bar is set on a sprawling 2 acre property, including an absolutely stunning heritage home, complete with an open fireplace, HUGE beer garden and multiple dining areas.

2 waters cafe, longwarry

2 Waters Cafe in Longwarry welcomes families, not only with their indoor play area - but also with a trolley full of games and colouring; plastic plates, cups and utensils; room for prams and a change table.

st andrews beach brewery, fingal

Wow folks, St. Andrew’s Beach Brewery is the perfect location for your next family get together - good food, drinks and a great atmosphere, what more could you ask for!

flinders sourdough bakery, flinders

Hidden away down a little dusty court, you will find Flinders Sourdough Bakery, home to the yummiest sourdough bread, melt-in-your-mouth cookies and pastries.

red hill brewery, red hill south

Perched on top of Red Hill, nestled under the hop vines; this rustic, charming barn in the middle of the bush is where delicious craft beer is produced and great BBQ food is served!

red hill lavender farm cafe, main ridge

In the middle of the pine tree lined street, a top of the lavender fields in Main Ridge, you will find the sweetest little Red Hill Lavender Farm Cafe.

nordie cafe, red hill

This cafe has an amazing view and THE MOST perfect space for kids to roam!

nyc bagels, rosebud

Here you can get rainbow AND choc chip bagels AND fill them with NUTELLA!

farmhouse kitchen @ churchill island, phillip island

If you are looking for the perfect spot for a family Sunday brunch - or any day really - then you have found it here!

devilbend farm beer brewery, tuerong

Devilbend Farm Beer Brewery is a great family friendly spot that place that the whole family will love!

panda, blairgowrie

How could you not love a restaurant that has a cute little kids corner with cubby and kids corner, has impeccable service by the most friendly staff, stunning location, AMAZING food and is doggo friendly too?!

the store, ventnor - phillip island

Make sure you add the family and dog-friendly The Store in Ventnor Phillip to your list next time you visit Phillip Island!

old jetty cafe, tooradin

The Old Jetty Cafe nestled beside the Tooradin Jetty, is just the most divine little rustic cafe that’s just perfect for a laid back family meal!

the pig and whistle tavern, main ridge

In the front courtyard area there are sprawling gardens bursting with colourful flowers, gigantic trees full of all sorts of birdlife, and a kids playground!

the wooli tavern, cape woolamai phillip island

With an open fire place, live music, pool table and extensive cocktail list - it has everyone covered.

red gum bbq, red hill

Red Gum BBQ in the spectacularly stunning Red Hill, is the perfect family restaurant

wombat cafe, dromana

Located directly opposite a bushy reserve, offering views of beautiful trees and a sound track of kookaburras laughter, it’s the perfect accompaniment to fresh, colourful and delicious vegan food and smoothies.

penni ave distillery, rye

Did you know that there’s a VODKA DISTILLERY in the South? This Mamma did NOT, and WOW, this place is amazing!

merricks general wine store, merricks

Nestled underneath shady trees, just opposite the walking trail and across the road from views of the stunning Merricks Beach, lies Merricks General store.

boatshed cheese, dromana

Hidden away in an industrial street, you will find this little unassuming cheese factory that packs a huge punch!

benton rise farm, tuerong

Wow - Mamma has stumbled across a gem here! Feed some farm animals, have a coffee AND grab fresh produce onboard a 1910 red rattler train carriage!

deoro by the bay, hastings

This may just be one of your new favourite spots to eat on the Peninsula!

jimmy rum distillery, dromana

It’s laid back, has an amazing vibe, uses fresh, locally produced products and the staff are friendly, attentive and extremely accommodating. Oh, and they make KILLER cocktails!

wild food farm, rhyll

The cafe is on a homestead surrounded by beautiful bush scenery, even offering small bushwalk trails. The rainforest room is phenomenal!

pelikan societe, hastings

If you like your meal with a view - you are going to LOVE this absolutely magical spot.

tooradin ice cream shop, tooradin

Mamma’s giving you a heads up - with over 30 flavours of scrumptious ice-cream to choose from here, you may have a hard time making a decision!

jetty road brewery, dromana

Looking for a cool spot to chill out with an ice-cold beer, to warm yourself over the open fire, and where the kids are welcome? You’ve found it!

phillip island winery, ventnor

Mamma loves a winery lunch outing with the family. Gorgeous open spaces, great food and a drop or two of wine. The Phillip Island Winery is definitely one of Mamma’s favourites. Grab a seat in the cozy indoor spaces with sheepskin adorning the chairs, or the outside tables where the kids can run around on the grass.