Stuck Indoors? Activities to Enjoy Inside

Even lovers of the great outdoors sometimes need to stay inside.

Whether it's raining, too hot, too cold or too spring hayfevery, there is always something to do indoors to keep the kids entertained and you sane.

Try these great indoor destinations next time the elements are on your radar.

Enter a world of wonder at the Chocolaterie

Take a class or workshop, taste chocolate and enjoy amazing tastes in the café, which features chocolate-inspired sweets, ice cream and delicious savoury dishes. Do some chocolate tasting and stock up on chocolate everything in the shop at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Icecreamery.

Plan a little getaway.

Hotel living is a great way to beat the elements. Everything you need is under one roof, and you’ll feel like a VIP. Try Sage Hotel in Ringwood (pictured above) where you can grab a meal at onsite restaurant Partake, grown-ups can grab a drink at HIgh and Dry and you can also satisfy your shopping urges at the co-located Eastland Shopping Centre- it's packed with retail stores, entertainment options and more.

Get active in the great indoors.

The region is packed with recreational facilities to help keep you active. Why not try:

• Rollerskating in Lilydale and Eltham
• Indoor swimming pools (and often gymnasiums and basketball courts) at Yarra Junction, Aquarena in Templestowe, Eltham Leisure Centre
• Indoor playgrounds – there are inflatable worlds in Ringwood, rascally fun in Ferntree Gully, and endless playdays in Doncaster East

Hang out at your library

At Lilydale Library there is a cafe and indoor play space for toddlers. Diamond Valley Library also has plenty of other things to do. Keep an eye out for interesting classes and workshops, or chance across a book discussion group or story time.

See a movie.

Theatres are cool, quiet, out of the elements and highly entertaining. There are several cinemas in the region with both children’s and adult programming including Healesville, Warburton, Belgrave and Chirnside Park.

In particular, Cameo Cinemas is one of Victoria's oldest and most beloved cinema destinations. Located among the Dandenong ranges in Belgrave, it's been an icon since it opened in 1935. Today, the cinema retains beautiful period architecture, along with decorative flourishes from its post-1970s revival.

With a total of eight screens, Cameo Cinemas hosts an eclectic mix of new release titles, classic films, event screenings and live performances. The main auditorium boasts 309 seats in a classic 1930's cinema. The site also features a sophisticated food menu.

In summer, Cameo's also boasts a beloved Outdoor Cinema. Featuring a 14mm screen, the latest technology headphones, a deckchair and a bean-bag seating area blessed with the natural beauty of the Dandenong region, the experience is simply incomparable.

Arts for everyone.

The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are packed with galleries, exhibitions, museums and more, all with an active program of events.

Our What's on Calendar is a great way to stay up to date with any activities all year long.

The Warburton Arts Centre frequently presents a busy program of exhibitions, digital cinema, concerts, plays and dance performances by professional touring groups and community
theatre groups as well as a fantastic range of classes and workshops.

The Yarra Ranges Regional Museum has a café onsite, a gift shop and two levels featuring permanent (local history buffs enjoy!) and visiting exhibitions to keep you occupied.

Bunjil Place brings together creativity, entertainment and community through an unprecedented mix of facilities including an outdoor plaza, theatre, multipurpose studio, function centre, library and gallery. There's always something to explore here.

The name and striking architectural design of the facility were inspired by stories of Bunjil (also known as ‘Bundjil’) the ‘creator’, from our First Nation’s People. The iconic roof structure is designed to resemble the soaring eagles’ wings with the intricate timber gridshell in the foyer acting as the legs.

Wander away some hours exploring the exhibitions at any one of our exciting art galleries including TarraWarra Museum of Art, Heide Museum of Modern Art, Montsalvat Arts Centre, Warburton Waterwheel Gallery and many more.