Just 30 minutes from Melbourne CBD youโll find Werribee and Surrounds, a lovely place that’s bursting with fun and exciting things families can do together.
In addition to the ever popular family attractions like Werribee Open Range Zoo, Werribee Park & Mansion, Mansion Hotel and Shadowfax Wines, Iโve hand-picked additional suggestions so you can โchoose your own family adventureโ on your next visit to Werribee and Surrounds with kids.
Things to do in Werribee with kids
1. First you feast
The Simpson family has owned and operated the well-loved Werribee plant nursery The Garden Feast since 1972. Because of their years of experience in the area, they know all of the best things needed for gardens in the Werribee region to blossom into its true beauty. That includes the soil and the weather – and of course most importantly, the plants!
When visiting this beautiful garden nursery, make sure to stop by their on-site cafe The Feasting Shed and try out the local, seasonal produce on its menu.
The fresh menu might even make you want to start your own plant nursery at home! If you do, you can easily do it as often produce usually used by their kitchen is also available for purchase in the nursery.
The Garden Feast, 63 Railway Avenue Werribee Vic 3030 (03) 9741 3100 nursery@gardenfeast.com.au
2. Spend hours at an epic playground
There are over 300 playgrounds to choose from in Werribee and surrounds! Here are my top choices for awe-inspiring playgrounds in the region:
- Wyndham Park is an incredible open community space featuring not just one but two large playgrounds;
- Presidents Park a popular family drawcard in Wyndham Vale with sprawling wooden structures;
- For water play itโs an even heat between Crocodile Park in Point Cook and Riverwalk Water Park in Werribee;
- gather your pirate crew at Bayview Park in Point Cook;
- become a zookeeper for the day at Safari Park in Werribee;
- train a budding pilot at Aeroplane Park in Tarneit or command the airspace inside the aircraft control tower at Ashcroft Park in Williams Landing; and
- be a palaeontologist at Dinosaur Park in Truganina.
3. Eat the World in Werribee’s Restaurants & Cafes
Watton Street, right near Werribee station, is Werribee City Centreโs eat street.
Take a stroll down the leafy avenue and youโll surely find a tasty meal that will satisfy the troops, from a quick coffee, a pub meal, or multicultural dishes.
Child friendly restaurants and cafes include:
- Wolf on Watton. An all-day cafe/restaurant/bar venue that offers dine in or take away of specialty roasted coffee and seasonally inspired food, like their popular picnic box curated from their โgrazing cabinetโ of cured meats and boutique cheeses.
- Mama Lor, a family-owned Filipino restaurant offering a variety of traditional dishes, as well as selling Filipino-style bread and cakes. Kids will love the brightly hued, toddler-palm sized ube pandesal (sweet purple yam bread rolls).
- Notorious Espresso. Fuel your dayโs adventures with coffee brewed using beans from Veneziano Coffee Roasters and artistically presented food thatโs truly the definition of โeating with your eyesโ.
- Fusion Ceylon, is a unique restaurant that combines Sri Lankan food with Western gastronomy. For instance, their daily โhouse bakeโ counter offers flaky Cornish-style pies and sausage rolls that the kids will appreciate, while their weekend banana leaf specials will have the adults salivating over crab goan curry or spicy prawn devilled rice.
- Bridge Hotel Werribee. This long-standing Werribee pub reopened in 2020 after an extensive refurbishment. On the menu youโll find pub favourites, beer on tap and a range of their signature cocktails.
- Terry Bakery. An authentic Lebanese bakery presenting inviting views of Werribee Riverโs leafy banks. Snack on their cult favourite zaโatar pizzas for an unbelievable $2.50, while nothing on the menu is over $15.
- Lux Afghan Kebab for platters of spiced meats cooked over charcoal. Kids will relish tearing into the wheels of Afghani flatbread too!
- Truck Stop Deluxe is a truck stop inspired diner serving up some of Melbourneโs best burgers. Their best selling item is the Saint Side burger, a balancing act of two patties, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and homemade burger sauce bookended by a toasted brioche bun.
- Black Seed Cafe. Cakes, shakes, and other good mood food are the highlights of this favourite Werribee cafe.
Wolf on Watton, 90A Watton Street, Werribee, 03 9742 6777, hello@wolfonwatton.com.au
Mama Lor, 187 Watton St, Werribee, 02 8809 7778
Notorious Espresso, 81 Watton Street, 0481 979 940, hello@notoriousesp.com
Fusion Ceylon, 27 Watton Street, Werribee, 0433 696 726, info@fusionceylon.com.au
Bridge Hotel Werribee 197 Watton Street, (03) 9742 2895, hello@bridgehotelwerribee.com.au
Terry Bakery, 2/70 Watton Street, Werribee, +61 3 9386 0440 or +61387144598
Lux Afghan Kebab Shop 3/49 Cherry Street, Werribee 387146019, shah@shalux.com.au
Truck Stop Deluxe, 98 Watton Street, Werribee, 03 9741 4000, bookings@truckstopdeluxe.com.au
Black Seed Cafe, 2/133 Watton Street Werribee, +61 435 191 922
4. Go on an art walk
After eating to your heart’s content, take a stroll along Watton Street and discover the stories behind Werribee’s street art murals.
The Werribee Public Art Walking Trail which is a 60 minute self-guided trail and free audio tour of six artworks along a 1km route.
Each stop contains a QR code and website link that will lead you to an audio recording of featured artists like Ash Keating, Ghostpatrol, Tom Gerrard, Megan Bonnici, Liz Hooker, Mike Makatron and Minna Leunig to hear them talk about the their story and their art.
Werribee Public Art Walking Trail, Wyndham Cultural Centre to Kelly Park, Werribee
5. Explore nature on your doorstep
For a break from Werribee and surrounds‘ urban attractions, explore some of the area’s pristine waterways, beaches and marine sanctuaries.
Stretching through the west bank of the Werribee River, running south of the Princes Freeway (Maltby Bypass) through to Port Phillip Bay is the Werribee River Park. Take a stroll or bike ride in this area that’s rich in flora and fauna.
If you’re keen birdwatchers, make sure to stop by Point Cook Coastal Park as it offers extensive bird spotting opportunities!
Afterwards, take a short stroll along the sandy foreshore close to Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary where you can hunt for shells and spot the abundant birdlife and marine life.
If you like beaches then head to Werribee South Beach. The area offers a quiet, shallow beach that is particularly breathtaking at sunset. During the peak swimming season (from mid-December to late January), the Werribee South Beach is fully patrolled, making this beach a perfect destination for kids to enjoy a safe paddle. There’s also an awesome foreshore playground!
Werribee River Park, Watton St, Werribee
Point Cook Coastal Park, Point Cook Homestead Rd, Point Cook
Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary, Point Cook Rd, Point Cook
Werribee South Beach Beach Road, Werribee South
6. More of Werribee’s best restaurants for families
You could also opt for some delicious pizza while soaking in the scenic view of Werribee at Teddy Picker. It is situated on the banks of the Werribee River and boasts Werribeeโs largest outdoor dining area.
Order their crusty woodfired pizza, something off the kids menu for your children and maybe a signature cocktail to toast over a day well spent with the family!
Teddy Picker, Shop 5 116 Watton Street, Werribee, 3030 03 8714 4464, info@teddypickerwerribee.com
7. Where to find Werribee accommodation with kids in tow
To prepare yourself for another day of adventure, unwind and rest up at the Holiday Inn Werribee, the newest hotel in the area. They offer accommodations perfect for families; and kids under 12 years old can stay and eat at the hotel for free!
While youโre there donโt forget to head up eight floors and check out the onsite bistro called Rosana which is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner service. With floor to ceiling windows, you can bask in the beautiful scenery overlooking Watton Street, the Werribee River and all the way to Wyndham Harbour.
The view should be enough to inspire you for another day of family adventure in Werribee and Surrounds!
Holiday Inn Werribee, 22 Synnot Street, Werribee Victoria 3030 +61 3 8731 3030
Visit Shadowfax Wines for a child friendly winery
Enjoy all that Werribee Zoo has to offer, including Keeper Kids, Village Kids and Hippo Beach
This article was produced in partnership with Visit Werribee and Surrounds. Images by Joyce Watts or as supplied.
