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, Dandenong Ranges & Surrounds 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.
• Dinos at the Zoo - make sure you visit before it finishes on 4 Oct
• 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.

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 The Chocolateries Yarra Valley 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 a range of hands-on experiences to enjoy.

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 CherryHill 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 and Spring at Apteds in Arthurs Creek.

Back for the spring school holidays, the Blue Hills orchard transforms into a sea of soft pink blooms – the perfect backdrop for a day of family fun, fairy-tale adventures, and beautiful photos.

At Apted's Orchard,visitors can wander the Spring Discovery Trail, take on the Little Growers Orchard Quest, enjoy orchard play and photo stops, then settle in for a picnic among the trees.

Check Out Montsalvat's Spring Gathering

Towards the end of September, head to Montsalvat in Eltham and join in for a joyful day of connection, creativity, and community as Montsalvat bursts into bloom.

Wisteria at Montsalvat will see their Poolside Terrace transformed by a breathtaking cascade of purple wisteria. This year, guests can pre-book exclusive access to the area directly beneath the canopy. It's a rare chance to immerse yourself in the blooms and capture the perfect photograph.

Visit the Animals at Edendale Community Farm

Open daily Edendale Community Environment Farm near Diamond Creek in Eltham gives you 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 find out 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!

Walk or Ride Through the Spring Air

The Dandenong Ranges are home to lush forests, scenic public gardens, and unique villages full of boutique stores, artesian offerings and creative communities to discover, and now you can discover artworks, sculptures and interpretive signage along the trails of ngurrak barring.

Connecting the vibrant villages of the Dandenong Ranges, ngurrak barring (meaning mountain paths in Wurundjeri woi wurrung) is an arts and culture trail winding through forests of towering Mountain Ash and lush fern gullies.

The trails can be explored from multiple access points allowing for a visit to just one particular artwork, a day's walk discovering a themed section of the connected trails, or a multi-day stay immersed in the entire experience.

Get on your bike at the Warburton Bike Park, which is gearing up to be one of Australia's best mountain bike destinations. It boasts over 70 kilometres of trails which are now open, with 650 metres of vertical descent. Once complete, the network will extend over 125 kilometres.

Winding through the beautiful, forested mountains surrounding Warburton, there are riding experiences to cater to every level and style of rider - with so much more to come. On the edge of the stunning Yarra Valley, there's plenty to do off the trails as well.

Spring school holiday special at Warburton Bike Park: Students ride a FULL day for a half-day price weekdays these school holidays, just $50 for a full day of unlimited shuttles.

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!

A little further East in Pakenham, you'll find the Cardinia Cultural Centre. The Centre hosts a diverse range of professional and community performances, including touring shows and exhibitions, as well as arts made locally. Overlooking a picturesque lake, you can enjoy a meal from the contemporary café, open Tuesdays to Sundays as well as before shows.

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