Melbourne CBD and Southbank have more free family-friendly things to do and places to go than most people expect.
Think free museums, free galleries, a free tram tour, libraries with spaces built for kids, and enough playgrounds and parks to fill a day without going near your wallet.
This list covers everything across the CBD and Southbank, plus a few spots just south of the river that are just a short tram ride.
Free museums and galleries
1. ACMI — The Story of the Moving Image
The permanent exhibition at ACMI is one of the best free family outings in Melbourne. Kids can try a Foley sound studio, play retro arcade games, make animations, and pick up The Lens — a free handheld device that tracks everything they engage with in the exhibition and builds a personalised collection to explore at home. It works across a wide age range, though probably best for kids from about 6 upwards. Free entry, open 364 days a year.
ACMI, Federation Square, Flinders Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, +61 3 8663 2200
2. The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
NGV Australia at Federation Square houses the national Australian art collection — from First Nations works through to contemporary design. Free entry to the standing collection. Temporary exhibitions are sometimes ticketed separately. The family activity sheets rotate regularly, so check the NGV website before you go.
The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Federation Square, Flinders Street and Russell Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, +61 3 8620 2222
3. NGV International
The larger of the two NGV locations houses the international collection with European, Asian, Oceanic, and American art. Two things kids tend to remember: the water wall at the entrance and the stained glass ceiling in the Great Hall. Free entry to the standing collection. Special exhibitions are ticketed. Check the website for current family programming and what’s in the rotating Children’s Gallery.
NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Southbank VIC 3006, +61 3 8620 2222
4. Immigration Museum
Housed in the restored Old Customs House on Flinders Street, the Immigration Museum tells the stories of people who have migrated to Victoria. Children always get in free. Adults pay standard entry unless they hold a Museums Victoria membership, in which case they get in free too. The exhibitions are best for upper primary school-aged kids and up. Keep an eye out for a photo of Joyce inside one of the exhibitions!
Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, +61 3 9927 2700
5. Koorie Heritage Trust
The Koorie Heritage Trust at Federation Square is a First Peoples arts and cultural centre with a free gallery and cultural programs. It’s one of the most accessible introductions to First Nations culture in Melbourne — a natural stop alongside ACMI and NGV Australia, all of which sit around Federation Square. We highly recommend the (paid) guided walking tours with older kids.
Koorie Heritage Trust, Birrarung Building, Federation Square, Flinders and Swanston Streets, Melbourne VIC 3000, +61 3 8662 6300
6. Old Treasury Building
One of Melbourne’s finest gold rush buildings and easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there. The restored basement gold vaults are the highlight for kids — they can explore the vaults and earn a gold licence — and the permanent exhibitions cover Melbourne’s history from the gold rush through to the 20th century. Free entry for children. Check the website for current opening days before visiting.
Old Treasury Building, Spring Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, +61 3 9651 2233
7. Melbourne Central Shot Tower
Inside Melbourne Central shopping centre, the 19th-century Coops Shot Tower sits under a soaring glass cone designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. The tower was built in 1889 to manufacture lead shot and was Melbourne’s tallest building until the mid-1940s. What most people don’t know is that you can go inside: a small museum on the first floor covers the history of the tower and early Melbourne, and from there you can climb roughly 300 stairs to the top for views across the CBD. Access via Level 2 through the RM Williams store.
Melbourne Central, 211 La Trobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, +61 3 9922 1100
8. Victoria Police Museum
The museum has more than 300 objects including Australia’s largest collection of Kelly Gang armour, forensic exhibits, bomb disposal robots, police uniforms across the decades, and displays on Melbourne’s most notorious crimes. It’s open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only, 10am–2pm. Note: some content covers serious crime and violence — content warnings are displayed throughout and the museum handles it thoughtfully, but worth knowing before you go with younger children.
Victoria Police Museum, 313 Spencer Street, Docklands VIC 3008, +61 3 9247 5354
9. Australian Music Vault
The Australian Music Vault inside Arts Centre Melbourne is a free permanent exhibition celebrating Australian contemporary music. Pick up a Mixtape card as you enter, tap it on objects throughout the exhibition, and a personalised Spotify playlist of your visit gets emailed to you when you leave. Exhibits include costumes, instruments, and personal items from artists including AC/DC, Kylie Minogue, Missy Higgins, Baker Boy, and Archie Roach. Best for kids aged 8 and up — particularly good for music-loving tweens. Sensory note: the exhibition includes flashing lights and intermittent loud audio.
Australian Music Vault, Level 6, Arts Centre Melbourne Theatres Building, 100 St Kilda Road, Southbank VIC 3004, +61 1300 182 183
Free libraries and learning spaces
10. State Library Victoria — Children’s Quarter
The Children’s Quarter is a two-level space for kids inside the State Library with reading nooks and free Storytime sessions that run weekly. Older kids can explore the Ian Potter Queen’s Hall, one of Melbourne’s most photographed rooms, and Ned Kelly’s armour in the collections. The whole library is free to enter and some of the library tours are free too.
State Library Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, +61 3 8664 7000
11. narrm ngarrgu Library
This public library is next to Queen Victoria Market and there’s a whole floor dedicated to a children’s library. You’ll find thousands of books, a storytime program and rainbow-coloured return shelf the kids will want to use immediately (note the outdoor terrace is closed). There’s also a family services centre with maternal and child health and a quiet room for families. Easy to combine with a market visit on the same morning.
narrm ngarrgu Library, 141 Therry Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, +61 1800 695 427
12. City Library
On Flinders Lane near Degraves Street, City Library is Melbourne’s busiest public lending library. The children’s section is small but the central location makes it easy to duck into between other stops. You can also grab a snack at Journal Cafe at the entrance or there are plenty of eateries within walking distance.
City Library, 253 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000, +61 1800 695 427
13. Southbank Library at Boyd
Southbank Library is inside the heritage-listed Boyd Community Hub on City Road, a short walk from the NGV and Southbank Boulevard. They run a weekly storytimes program but the collection is relatively small. Next to the hub is Boyd Park, a small neighbourhood park with a playground, open lawns, picnic tables, a barbecue, and a drinking fountain. There’s also a cafe in the hub itself. Note: a new expanded Southbank Library is due to open nearby before the end of 2026 — check the City of Melbourne website for the current address before visiting.
Southbank Library at Boyd, 207 City Road, Southbank VIC 3006, +61 1800 695 427
Free playgrounds and outdoor spaces
14. Artplay Playground, Birrarung Marr
The largest all-abilities playground in the City of Melbourne sits next to Artplay on the Yarra, behind Fed Square. There are four slides suitable for toddlers, a large sandpit, baby swings, a wheelchair-accessible swing, and a hammock. It’s best for kids aged 5 and up, though the sandpit and swings work well for younger ones. Avoid weekday lunchtimes as school groups tend to descend. Note: the playground is currently closed for upgrades and expected to reopen mid-2026. Check the City of Melbourne website before visiting.
Artplay Playground, Birrarung Marr, Batman Avenue, Melbourne VIC 3000
15. Southbank Boulevard Play Space — Rocks on Wheels
This is not your average playground. Designed by artist Mike Hewson and inspired by a Diane Arbus photograph of the same name, the play space on Southbank Boulevard puts huge boulders on fixed trolleys alongside wooden beams, steel ladders, ropes, and slacklines. It’s challenging risky play and more suitable for older kids. There’s a sandpit, swings, slides, and monkey bars for younger children too. No toilets on site and limited shade, so pack sunscreen on hot days.
Southbank Boulevard Play Space (Rocks on Wheels), corner Southbank Boulevard and Kavanagh Street, Southbank VIC 3006
16. Flagstaff Gardens Playground
Flagstaff Gardens is Melbourne’s oldest public park and the playground at the northern end of the CBD is a good one — modern climbing frames, a large rope structure, a hammock swing, open lawns, elm trees, picnic spots, public toilets, a bowling green, and free public tennis courts. It’s directly opposite Queen Victoria Market. A morning at the market followed by the playground is one of the better free half-days in the city.
Flagstaff Gardens Playground, Flagstaff Gardens, King Street, West Melbourne VIC 3003
17. Alexandra Gardens and Riverslide Skate Park
Riverslide Skate Park is within the gardens and has features for different ability levels — good to know if you have older kids or teens who skate or scoot. MPavilion runs seasonally in adjacent Queen Victoria Gardens across Alexandra Avenue — check their website for the current program and dates.
Cross Princes Bridge from Federation Square and you’re in Alexandra Gardens. It has open lawns, historic rowing boathouses along the Yarra, electric barbecues, and a riverfront path that connects through to Southbank and on to the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Riverslide Skate Park is within the gardens and has features for different ability levels — good to know if you have older kids or teens who skate or scoot.
MPavilion runs seasonally in adjacent Queen Victoria Gardens across Alexandra Avenue — check their website for the current program and dates.
The Yarra riverfront path from Princes Bridge through to Birrarung Marr is a lovely free walk that’s flat, easy, city skyline on one side, river on the other.
Alexandra Gardens, Alexandra Avenue, Melbourne VIC 3004
18. Sky Park at Melbourne Quarter
An elevated public park above Collins Street near Southern Cross Station with gardens, seating, and views across the western end of the CBD. Free to access but only open Monday to Friday during business hours.
Sky Park, Melbourne Quarter, Collins Street, Docklands VIC 3008
Free markets
19. Queen Victoria Market
Wandering the sheds of Queen Victoria Market costs nothing. It’s been operating since 1878 and our favourite parts are the food hall that smells like every good thing at once, and the American Doughnut Kitchen van that has occupied the same spot since the 1950s. Saturday mornings are the busiest times: produce and specialty shopping run together, there’s usually entertainment in the sheds, and narrm ngarrgu library is a two-minute walk away if you need somewhere to decompress afterwards. Grab a Kids Passport program where kids can collect stamps from traders and claim a prize at the Information Hub. The market is closed Mondays and Wednesdays, except for the Summer Night Markets and Winter Night Markets which are open Wednesday evenings.
Queen Victoria Market, 513 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, +61 3 9320 5822
20. The Sunday Market at Southgate
Every Sunday the Southgate promenade fills with stalls from local Melbourne makers and artists — jewellery, artwork, handmade homewares, fashion, and gifts. Stalls run along the Yarra riverfront and the ground level of Southgate. It’s a relaxed, pram-friendly browse with good river views and the Southgate cafes and restaurants right there if you need a break. Free entry, 10am to 4pm every Sunday.
The Sunday Market at Southgate, 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank VIC 3006
Free creative and cultural programs
21. Artplay
Artplay is the City of Melbourne’s children’s arts studio, running free drop-in events and exhibitions alongside paid workshops year-round for kids aged 0–12. The venue only opens when events are on, so check the website before you go. The program changes monthly.
Artplay, Birrarung Marr, behind Federation Square, Melbourne VIC 3000, +61 3 9658 7880
22. Federation Square events
Fed Square runs free public events year-round — film screenings, cultural festivals, live music and community programming on the main plaza. The giant screen broadcasts major sporting events. Check the Federation Square website before any CBD visit to see what’s on.
Federation Square, Flinders Street and Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, +61 3 9655 1900
23. Melbourne Town Hall free guided tours
Free guided tours run Monday to Friday at 11am and 1pm, excluding public holidays. Book at least 24 hours ahead by phone. The tour takes in the Grand Council Chamber, the Portico where the Beatles waved to fans in 1964, and the Grand Organ — more than 10,000 pipes, the largest romantic pipe organ in the southern hemisphere. The Town Hall Commons has contemporary works by First Nations artists. Best for kids aged 8 and up.
Melbourne Town Hall tours, 90–130 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, +61 3 9658 9658
24. Parliament House free public tours
Victoria’s Parliament House on Spring Street has been operating since 1855 and the Legislative Chambers, Queen’s Hall, and the parliamentary library are all impressive spaces to walk through. Free guided tours run on non-sitting days, Monday to Friday, at 9:30am, 10:30am, 3pm, and 4pm. No bookings are needed for groups under six. When Parliament is sitting you can’t tour the building, but you can sit in the public galleries and watch the actual debate — which for the right kid may be more interesting than the tour. Best for kids aged 8 and up. Security checkpoint on entry and bags must be left at reception. Check the Parliament website for sitting dates before you visit.
Parliament House, Spring Street, East Melbourne VIC 3002, +61 3 9651 8911
Free transport experiences
25. City Circle Tram
The City Circle runs on the heritage W-class trams — the red-and-yellow double-ended Melbourne trams — looping the outer CBD with audio commentary as you go. A full loop takes about an hour. One thing to know: the W-class carriages have two large steps to board and aren’t pram-friendly or accessible for those with mobility needs.
City Circle Tram, departs from multiple stops on Flinders Street, Spring Street, La Trobe Street and Spencer Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
26. The Free Tram Zone
The whole CBD grid and most of Southbank is within the Free Tram Zone, so getting between Fed Square, the State Library, Queen Victoria Market, and the NGV costs nothing. Kids under 16 with a Youth Myki card travel free on all public transport across Victoria, not just in the zone.
Free heritage and architecture walks
27. Block Arcade and Royal Arcade
Block Arcade on Collins Street was built in 1892 and features intricate mosaic tile floors, glass barrel-vaulted roof. Royal Arcade on Bourke Street is Australia’s oldest surviving arcade, home to the giant statues of Gog and Magog that flank the Gaunt’s Clock. The clock chimes on the hour.
Block Arcade, 282 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Royal Arcade, 335 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
28. Melbourne’s laneways
Free, always changing, and better in the morning before the crowds arrive. Hosier Lane near Federation Square has floor-to-ceiling street art that gets repainted regularly . Centre Place and Degraves Street are the most atmospheric for a wander. AC/DC Lane off Flinders Street is a hit with older kids and music fans.
Start at Hosier Lane, Flinders Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Worth the short walk from Southbank
29. Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
The botanic gardens are 38 hectares along the south bank of the Yarra, about a 20-minute walk from Federation Square or a short tram ride from the CBD. It’s a great location for a picnic, a walk around the Ornamental Lake to spot black swans, or simply running around on the open lawns. The gardens also run free guided walks (check the website for current program) and there are paid guided tours of Melbourne Observatory within the gardens.
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra VIC 3141, +61 3 9252 2429
30. Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden
A fenced discovery space for kids inside the Royal Botanic Gardens. Bamboo forest, water play creek, wetland area, kitchen garden. Water play makes it particularly good on a warm day — pack a change of clothes. Free as part of the gardens. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays during school term, and closed for approximately eight weeks after the July school holidays, reopening Father’s Day. Check the website before visiting.
Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, corner Birdwood Avenue and Dallas Brooks Drive, Melbourne VIC 3004, +61 3 9252 2429
31. Shrine of Remembrance
The Galleries of Remembrance have over 800 artefacts, artworks, and interactive multimedia. It’s well designed for primary school-aged kids and up, not heavy-handed. The Shrine Kids Explorer Kit gives children a structured way to move through the building. The Balcony has some of the best views of the CBD and gardens in Melbourne. Free guided tours run regularly — check the website for current times and how to book. Donations are appreciated but not required.
Shrine of Remembrance, Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne VIC 3004, +61 3 9661 8100
