Looking to sample Australia’s freshest produce? Melbourne teems with farmers’ markets that are perfect places for the whole family to visit. 

The Boroondara Farmers’ Market, held on the third and fifth Saturdays of the month, features fresh produce, eggs, bread and pastries, and even local wine and honey. Pets and kids are welcome to sample its delectable fare at this Victorian Farmers Market Association-accredited event.

On every second Saturday of the month, the Regional Farmers Market at the beautiful grounds of Abbotsford Convent invites families to enjoy a day of fresh produce and fruits, baked goods, along with exciting activities for the little ones.

Carlton Farmers' Market happens every Saturday at Carlton Primary School is a bustling hub where families can pick the freshest meat, fruits, and vegetables. The lovely compound provides an ideal setting for a family picnic and the school playground is perfect for letting your kids expend their boundless energy. Remember to bring your own eco-friendly bags, as plastic bags are not provided.

A list of Melbourne’s farmers’ markets is available for those keen to visit more markets. You can also visit the Victorian Farmers' Markets Association website for a longer list of markets in the wider Victoria area.

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Get directions to the Carlton Farmers’ Market

Ready for a family road trip? Kick off your adventure with a scenic drive along the Great Ocean Road, renowned as one of the world’s best coastal routes.

A must-see along the way is Port Campbell National Park, home to the stunning Twelve Apostles rock formations and the Loch Ard Gorge, a 19th-century shipwreck site. Kids who are able to climb stairs independently will enjoy the Gibson Steps, which lead down to a picturesque beach where they can run free and explore the sandy shores. For those seeking spectacular vistas, the London Bridge viewing areas offer unforgettable views along the Great Ocean Road.

Stop by the Port Campbell Visitor Information Centre for traveller tips once you've arrived. The park’s Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre Kiosk is open 9:30am to 5:00pm daily with basic refreshments on sale.

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Touted as the biggest museum in the Southern Hemisphere, the Melbourne Museum is housed in a stunning modern monolith that doubles up as an architectural icon.

Younger visitors, from tiny tots to five-year-olds, will find endless excitement in the Melbourne Museum’s Children’s Gallery. Your kids can have fun digging for dinosaurs, discovering fun facts at the discovery garden, or dancing in a camouflage disco. With its hands-on, play-based learning environments, the Children’s Gallery is renowned for being child- and adult-friendly.

For families with older kids, the museum's Forest Secrets walk, Bugs Alive! insect exhibit, and the Dinosaur Walk featuring prehistoric skeletons will keep them entertained for hours. Pop into the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre where your family can learn about living cultural traditions in Australia, or explore the Te Pasifika Gallery to uncover the treasures of Pacific Island. Begin or end your visit with a breathtaking IMAX theatre experience.

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Step into the wild at the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens, better known as the Melbourne Zoo. Kids can dive into the world of zookeeping at Keeper Kids, where they get to role play as a zookeeper and veterinarian. Through this immersive experience, they will learn how to create zoo exhibits and deal with daily situations that zookeepers face at the zoo, such as animal diet care, conservation projects, and even gardening. 

The zoo offers highlights for visitors of all ages including the zoo’s Australian Fur Seals, which are threatened by hunting, pollution, and human activity in the wild. Don’t miss the enchanting Butterfly House, kept at an ideal 27 degrees Celsius throughout the year, where hundreds of colourful native Australian butterflies live in lush greenery.

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Get ready for some fun at ArtVo, an interactive illusionary "trick art" gallery inspired by South Korea's visual illusion museums. Your kids can take photos with over 100 three-dimensional artworks, lovingly hand painted by 14 artists.

Immerse yourself in fantastic galleries that include Australian and world culture-inspired exhibits, aquatic adventure, jungle safari, and more. Photo points marked out on the ground indicate the perfect spot to stand for the best optical illusion results. Your friends will be left wondering how you discovered such incredible photo opportunities!

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Looking for more places to explore in Melbourne? Dive into our Destination Insights for recommendations. When visiting Melbourne, consider staying at Pan Pacific Melbourne for a premium waterfront experience, PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport for the ultimate convenience of staying just steps away from your flight, or PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne for easy access to the city's business and academic hubs. Each offers a unique experience tailored to your needs.