Family Fun at Boneo Discovery Park

Tucked away on the Mornington Peninsula, just five minutes from Rosebud, Boneo Discovery Park is a bit of a hidden gem for families. With wetlands, mini-golf, mazes, climbing walls, dinosaurs, and a giant jumping castle all in one place, it’s the kind of spot where the kids can run wild—and you might actually get to sit down for a coffee. Maybe.

Here’s everything you need to know to plan a great day out at Boneo Discovery Park with your crew.

Boneo Discovery Park: Nature Meets Adventure

Boneo Discovery Park is set on 27 acres of wetlands and bushland. It’s peaceful and picturesque, but don’t be fooled—there’s heaps for kids to do.

Start with the wetlands boardwalk. It’s a gentle 1.5 km loop that winds past lily pads, paperbark trees, and frogs croaking in the reeds. There are info signs along the way, and it’s completely pram-friendly, so even little legs (and tired toddlers) can manage it.

Back near the main lawn, you’ll find:

Mini-golf (18 holes, lots of fun, not too tricky)
Two mazes: one hedge, one wooden
A lookout tower with great views over the park
Giant games like chess, Connect-4 and Jenga
Jumping castle, carousel, and outdoor playground
Adventure zone: this one’s for older kids with rock climbing, pedal boats, bungee trampolines and a treetop ropes course (the “tadpole” course is fab for 5–8 year olds)

There’s also the Sand Sculpting Australia exhibition, which changes themes but always impresses. Previous installations have included enormous dinosaurs and animatronic creatures. Even if your kids aren’t normally into art, they’ll love this.

Practical Tips for Visiting with Kids

Opening hours: Open daily from 10am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day and in severe weather). Arrive early if you’re visiting during school holidays—it does get busy.
Tickets: General admission includes access to the mazes, mini-golf, boardwalks, giant games, carousel and jumping castle. Adventure activities like ropes courses and pedal boats are an extra charge. You can book online or buy at the gate.
Little kids: There’s plenty for toddlers and preschoolers, especially if they love to explore. The Little Discoverers activity bag (scavenger hunt, craft and colouring) is a sweet add-on for younger kids.
What to bring:
- Comfy shoes for everyone (you’ll be walking and climbing)
- Hats, sunscreen, water bottles
- Snacks or a picnic blanket if you want to self-cater
- Change of clothes if your child is likely to end up in the lake (it happens)

Food: The on-site café overlooks the lake and serves hot food, coffee, ice cream and kids’ meals. There are also picnic spots throughout the park if you prefer to bring your own.
Facilities: Toilets and baby change facilities are available and clean. The main areas are mostly pram and wheelchair accessible, including the boardwalk.

Pro tip: If you’re planning to do the high ropes course or rock wall, book your activity time slot on arrival so you don’t miss out—especially during busy periods.

How Long to Stay?

You’ll want at least 2–3 hours to explore, but it’s easy to fill a whole day, especially if you do a mix of adventure activities and take your time with lunch and the wetlands walk.

Events and Seasonal Extras

Keep an eye out for school holiday programs, which often include craft stations, roving performers or themed events like Autumn Fest and WinterGlow. These events add even more value, and make the park feel like a mini festival.

What We Love at Boneo Discovery Park

The peaceful setting—even when it’s busy, the wide-open spaces mean it never feels crowded.
The mix of activities for different ages—perfect for siblings.
The wetlands walk—a great circuit for little explorers who love bugs, birds, and the occasional frog splash.
Easygoing atmosphere—it’s unpretentious, friendly and very family-focused.

What’s Nearby?

If you’re making a full day or weekend of it on the Mornington Peninsula, there are some great spots just a short drive away:

Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park (20 min away)

Pat kangaroos, watch koalas snooze, and check out daily wildlife presentations at Moonlit Sanctuary. A great follow-up for animal-loving kids.

Rye Foreshore Playground + Beach (10 min drive)

If the kids still have energy to burn, head to the Rye foreshore for a play by the beach. There’s a shaded playground, shallow water, and nearby fish and chips for an early dinner.

Peninsula Hot Springs (Family Bathing Area) (2 min away)

Yes, really! The Family Bathing area at Peninsula Hot Springs has a baby-friendly geothermal pool, a cave pool and shaded picnic areas. Bookings essential.

The Cups Estate or St Andrews Beach Brewery (both within 10 mins)

These are great options for a more grown-up family lunch or afternoon snack—both are kid-welcoming, with outdoor seating and space to roam.

Frequently Asked Questions about Boneo Discovery Park (Fingal)

1. Where is Boneo Discovery Park located?

Boneo Discovery Park is located at 695 Limestone Road, Fingal, on the Mornington Peninsula—just a 5-minute drive from Rosebud and about 90 minutes from Melbourne CBD.

2. What age group is Boneo Discovery Park best for?

There’s something for everyone!

Toddlers and preschoolers will love the jumping castle, wetlands boardwalk, carousel, and sand sculptures.
Primary-aged kids will enjoy the mini-golf, mazes, and adventure games.
Tweens and teens can tackle the ropes course, rock climbing wall, and pedal boats.

3. What’s included in general admission?

General admission typically includes access to:

Wetlands boardwalks
Mini-golf (18 holes)
Mazes (hedge and wooden)
Giant outdoor games
Carousel and jumping castle
Seasonal art displays and discovery trails

Note: Adventure activities (like ropes courses and pedal boats) are an additional cost and can be booked onsite or in advance.

4. Is Boneo Discovery Park pram and wheelchair accessible?

Yes! The main walkways, boardwalks, and activity areas are pram- and wheelchair-friendly. Paths are wide and mostly flat, with ramps in key spots. Accessible toilets are also available.

5. Is there food available at the park?

Yes. The on-site café serves family-friendly meals, snacks, coffee, ice cream, and drinks. There’s also plenty of space for a picnic if you prefer to bring your own food.

6. How much time should we allow for our visit?

Plan for at least 2–3 hours, but you could easily spend the whole day if you take your time with lunch, do a couple of paid activities, and stroll through the wetlands.

7. Do you need to book in advance?

It’s recommended—especially during weekends and school holidays. You can book tickets online via the Boneo Discovery Park website. Some activities (like the ropes course) are first-come, first-served on the day.

8. What should we bring?

Comfy walking shoes
Hat and sunscreen
Water bottles
Snacks or picnic gear (optional)
Spare clothes for little ones (especially if you’re doing pedal boats!)
Camera or phone—there are plenty of photo-worthy moments!

9. Are pets allowed?

No, pets aren’t allowed inside the park to protect the native wildlife and wetland environment. Assistance animals are welcome.

10. Are there toilets and baby change facilities?

Yes. There are clean toilets and baby change facilities onsite, close to the café and main activity areas.

11. Is the park open year-round?

Yes, Boneo Discovery Park is open daily from 10am to 5pm, except for Christmas Day and during severe weather events. Always check their website or social media for any changes or event updates.

12. Are there special events during school holidays?

Definitely! Boneo Discovery Park often hosts seasonal festivals, school holiday programs, and themed events (like “Dino In Sand” or WinterGlow). Check the events calendar before your visit to see what’s on.

Final Thoughts

Boneo Discovery Park is one of those places where you can let the kids lead the way.

It’s not a flashy theme park—and that’s the charm. It’s earthy, imaginative, and just the right amount of wild. Perfect for a day out that ticks the boxes for both kids and grown-ups.

A Day at Boneo Discovery Park: Nature, Play and Family Fun in Fingal