The Parlour at Werribee Park is a garden cafe about 35 kilometres and a 30 to 40 minute drive from Melbourne CBD. It’s a stunning relaxed setting with simple options for kids and plenty of space outside to let them stretch their legs. If you’re weighing this up against a full mansion day trip, here’s what parents need to know before you go.
What to Expect
The Parlour is set in the mansion’s west wing, with tables under the old eaves and more scattered across the lawns outside. On a nice day, most families end up alfresco, with the mansion as a backdrop and the gardens right there for kids to wander into between mouthfuls.
It’s open Thursday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm. In winter (June, July and August) service moves indoors, which is worth knowing if you’re planning around outdoor seating.
The Garden Terrace menu covers finger sandwiches, paninis, salads, a Cornish pasty and a club triple-decker, plus a picnic plate to share and a cake counter with scones, GF options and daily specials. There’s also a children’s menu, and gelato and sorbet for after.
It’s a sit-down cafe experience rather than a quick bites stop, so allow time to enjoy it rather than grabbing a fast lunch.
Highlights for Kids
- Grilled cheese on sourdough and crumbed chicken strips with fries are both on offer, and both go down well with younger kids.
- Gelato and sorbet. Single or double cup, plus artisan popsicles, available all day. This is the part our kids look forward to most.
- Room to run around. The lawns and gardens surrounding the cafe give kids somewhere to burn off energy between courses.
- The historic mansion itself. We recommend touring the mansion while you’re there. It’s more hands-on than you’d expect from a heritage property, with interactive rooms for kids. We’ve covered it in a full review here.
- The Victoria State Rose Garden next door. Free to enter, and a nice wander for kids who like colour and smell before or after eating.
- Picnic hampers. If your family doesn’t sit still for a sit-down cafe meal, a hamper to eat on the lawn is a good alternative.
What Parents Need to Know
Toilets: Available on-site at the mansion precinct, with baby change facilities.
Pram access: The gardens and lawns are pram-friendly, though the cafe’s heritage setting means indoor spaces may be tighter.
Food options: Sandwiches, scones, paninis, cheese plates and grazing boxes, plus a cake counter with gluten-free choices. High tea and picnic hampers can be booked in advance.
Parking: Free parking is available within the Werribee Park precinct, though car park gates close in the evening (5.30pm on weekdays, 6.30pm on weekends and public holidays), so don’t leave it too late if you’re staying for a full day.
Costs: The cafe itself is pay-as-you-go for food and drink. If you also want to tour the mansion, that’s a separate ticket — general admission was around $12 for adults and $9 for children aged 4 to 15 at last check, with a family rate available and children under 4 free. Entry to the gardens and rose garden is free.
Booking requirements: Walk-ins are fine for a casual cafe visit, but high tea and hampers need to be booked ahead, especially on weekends.
Is It Worth Visiting?
Best age groups: This suits families with a mix of ages better than toddlers alone. Older kids who can sit through a cafe meal, or families happy to let little ones wander the lawns, will get the most out of it.
Time required: Allow an hour for a straightforward cafe visit, longer if you’re combining it with the gardens or a mansion tour. Most families turn it into a half-day out once you add in the grounds.
Value for money: The cafe itself is reasonably priced for what it is. The bigger cost, if you want it, is the optional mansion ticket.
Who’d enjoy it most: Families after a relaxed outing rather than a hands-on kids’ activity. If your children need constant entertainment, the gardens next door do more of that heavy lifting than the cafe does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Parlour at Werribee Park good for kids?
It’s family-friendly rather than kid-focused. There are simple options on the menu and plenty of outdoor space, but it’s more suited to a relaxed family meal than an activity-packed outing.
What are the opening hours?
Thursday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm, with indoor seating during winter (June to August).
Do I need to book?
Casual visits don’t need a booking, but high tea and picnic hampers should be booked in advance.
Is parking free?
Yes, parking within the Werribee Park precinct is free, though gates close in the evening.
Can I combine this with other things to do at Werribee Park?
Yes. The Victoria State Rose Garden and the formal gardens are both free to enter and sit right next to the mansion, and Werribee Open Range Zoo is also nearby if you want to make a full day of it.
The Tot Team were hosted by Visit Werribee and Surrounds. All opinions are the writers’ own.
