What’s On: Spring School Holidays In Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges

With school holidays here again, there’s no reason to feel stuck for ideas on entertaining the kids. The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges have something for children, tweens and teens alike.

You'll always find a range of exciting events via our What's On section, but if you're looking specifically for kid-approved ideas, keep scrolling.

Get Curious at Healesville Sanctuary

Over the school holidays, kids visiting Healesville Sanctuary have a range of activities on offer. Some of our favourite things to do include:

• Wandering the tranquil tracks and seeing iconic Australian animals including koalas, kangaroos, platypus, dingoes, wombats, emus and more.
• Meeting iconic Australian animals in a close-up experience including koala, kangaroo, dingo and echidnas!
  
• Discovering majestic birds of prey and magnificent parrots in the spectacular Spirits of The Sky bird presentation.
• Learning about wildlife and enjoying keeper talks.
• Visiting the Australian Wildlife Health Centre to meet the vets and nurses as they care for sick, injured or orphaned wildlife in need of care.
• Exploring Future Vets, a fun vet-themed play space that the littlest visitors love.
• Discovering the amazing indoor and outdoor play spaces - in the warmer weather, their new creek play areas are a hit!
• Enjoying the delicious food and drink options on offer and of course, grabbing a souvenir on the way out!

There's so much to discover, you might need to go twice or grab a Zoos Victoria membership and enjoy it all year long.

BONUS: Children under 16 years of age receive free entry every weekend, during Victorian Government school holidays and on Victorian public holidays.

Ride the Rails With Puffing Billy

A must-do activity for all ages, Puffing Billy Railway is an icon of the Dandenong Ranges and provides a great day out for the whole family. Feel the fresh Dandenong Ranges mountain air whilst you enjoy a picturesque steam train journey. Parents can also relive their own childhood memories whilst introducing the next generation to this unforgettable part of Victorian history.

This school holidays, take a picnic to enjoy in Emerald Lake Park or grab a bite from the cafe inside the Lakeside Visitor Centre. For a dose of history, check out the Museum of Steam Artefacts.

Make sure to pre-book your spot on board!

Take the Family on a Sweet Escape to the Chocolaterie

Set on 16 hectares, surrounded by picturesque Yarra Valley vistas, an orchard, wetlands, farm animals and sweeping lawns, the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery is a wonderful experience that the whole family can enjoy.

Watch their Chocolatiers create your favourite treats through production windows, then let your little chocolate lover join in the fun with hands-on experiences like the Junior Chocolatier Masterclass, Junior Chocolatier Class, or Junior Pastry Chef Class. Bookings are essential.

Grown-ups can get creative too with workshops like Taste & Create, Dubai Making, or Choux Pastry. Bookings are essential.

Stretch your legs and wander through the beautiful grounds—explore acres of blossoming orchards and say hello to their friendly farm animals (yes, you can feed them!). Keep an eye out for Maddie the goat, who likes to roam, or Lamington the sun-loving pig.

At the Café, abundance is served daily. Indulge in decadent desserts, sundaes, and famous hot chocolates and brownies—or savour hearty woodfired pizzas, burgers, and parmas.

The Chocolaterie is the perfect destination for every chocolate lover.

Discover Gumbuya World

Kids (and adults!) are going to love spending the day at Gumbuya World Theme Park!

Gumbuya World is the only theme park in Victoria boasting water slides, roller coasters, rides, live shows and wildlife all in one location. So you're all set for the day!

Feel the rush as you brave exhilarating thrill rides, or cool off in expansive water attractions. Then, immerse yourself in the wonders of nature as you encounter wildlife, from cuddly koalas to majestic kangaroos.

One minute you'll be handfeeding penguins, then reach speeds of 70 kilometres per hour on a roller coaster, before rounding the day off with a plunge down one of the epic water slides.

Phew!

Explore Amazing Flowers

There’s something extra special about spring in the Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges. Nature awakens in vibrant hues and the air fills with the scent of flowers. Whether you’re visiting the gorgeous Cherry Blossom Festival at CherryHill Orchards or the spectacular Tesselaar Tulip Festival, spring is in the air here.

Both events feature colourful blooms, plenty of entertainment, food and drink and are fabulously family-friendly and dog-friendly. Don't forget your camera!

We also recommend checking out Blue Hills Cherry Blossom Show in Silvan. Back for the spring school holidays, the orchard transforms into a sea of soft pink blooms – the perfect backdrop for a day of family fun, fairy-tale adventures, and beautiful photos.

Check Out Montsalvat's Spring Gathering

On Sunday 28 September, head to Montsalvat in Eltham and join in for a joyful day of connection, creativity, and community as Montsalvat bursts into bloom.

The Spring Gathering is a free, family-friendly day celebrating art, nature, and the arrival of warmer days. Wander through gardens alive with colour, including their iconic wisteria in full flower, explore historic buildings, meet artists, and enjoy live music throughout the grounds.

Free admission all day, donations welcome to support the ongoing care of their heritage precinct

Visit the Animals at Edendale Community Farm

Open from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm daily, visitors to Edendale Community Environment Farm near Diamond Creek in Eltham have the opportunity to connect with nature and farm life in an interactive environment. It's a great day out for the whole family.

A real working farm, kids get the opportunity to interact with the farm animals, talk to the farmers, feed the chooks and more. A wide range of activities, workshops and programs are on offer during the school holiday season that is ever-changing to suit a wide range of ages and interests. Click here to read more.

While you're there, visit the cafe for a light lunch or coffee or bring along a picnic rug and find a piece of lawn to spread out and relax under the shade of a tree.

The Indigenous Plant Nursery is worth a visit with a great range of local plants for sale and knowledgeable staff!

Have an A-MAZE-ing Day at SkyHigh Mount Dandenong

SkyHigh Mt Dandenong is the place to be for great activities and fun for kids to make sure you never hear those two dreaded words: “I’m bored!”

Every weekday there’s so much happening; meet animals up close, take part in treasure hunts, enjoy a pony ride, some music or mini golf.

The fun activities and games change every weekday, so make sure you check the daily activities and times. All the activities are free of charge (excluding the SkyHigh Maze) and for children between 5 and 12 years old only. The parking fee still applies for all vehicles. No activities are scheduled over the weekends and public holidays.

You can even dine in at the SkyHigh bistro while your kids can enjoy the awesome fun on top of the mountain, or grab a bite to eat or coffee and cake at their kiosk.

Explore Art and Culture

In Lilydale, Yarra Ranges Regional Museum features exhibition spaces, programs for all ages and abilities, a resource library, museum shop and café. An ever changing array of exhibitions and programs bring art, belongings and fascinating stories to life.

The fully accessible building ensures everyone can enjoy celebrating the past, present and future of the Yarra Ranges area.

Open Wednesdays to Sundays between 10:00 am - 4:00 pm and free entry!

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At The Memo, Healesville, kids (and adults) will love FRITZ - a hilarious, high-energy magic show perfect for the school holidays!

Witness the unfolding of a 'one-rabbit show' as FRITZ earnestly strives to recreate the mesmerising magic tricks of their suddenly vanished Magician Master, Fronzo.

Join in the fun on Thursday 2 October but, hold onto your hats because this magic show includes mesmerising magic tricks, mayhem and a little bit of chaos!

Get Crafty & Learn a New Skill

Located in beautiful Olinda, Tall Trees Studio & Gallery has a number of exciting workshops on offer during the school holidays including:

• Junior Jewellery Workshop - suitable for ages 11+
• Wire Wrap Workshop - suitable for ages 8+
• Seed Bead Cuteness Workshop - suitable for ages 8+
• Preppy & Heishi Workshop - suitable for ages 8
  

Getting crafty and learning a new skill is a fantastic activity to keep the kids entertained these school holidays. Especially on rainy days!

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