Victoria Theme Parks and Attractions

Journey through a world of wildlife in the heart of Melbourne. Over 320 species from around the world can be found in a natural setting just five minutes from the city centre. Stroll through lush Asian and African rainforests, Australian bushland and even underwater. Walk where tigers roam and monkeys swing from tree to tree. See eye-to-eye with Orang-utans in their special elevated exhibit, explore the Trail of Elephants, then head down the bush track to see unique Australian wildlife including koalas, kangaroos, wombats and emus. Submerge yourself in their underwater world to see Victoria's iconic Little Penguins and Australian Fur Seals. Zoo keeper talks and feeding times are a great opportunity for visitors to find out more about the fascinating world of wildlife and the conservation programs Melbourne Zoo supports.

The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia's most famous road-touring routes. It takes travellers past world-class surfing breaks, through pockets of rainforest, serene seaside towns and under koala-filled tree canopies. It shows off sheer limestone cliffs, dairy farms and heathlands, and gets you up close and personal with the crashing waves of the Southern Ocean. You will find isolated beaches and lighthouses in between the towns, and the thick eucalypt forests in the Otway hinterlands to really escape the crowds.

Witness the rugged splendour of the famous 12 Apostles, magnificent rock stacks that rise up majestically from the Southern Ocean on Victoria's dramatic coastline. Created by constant erosion of the limestone cliffs of the mainland beginning 10-20 million years ago, the stormy Southern Ocean and blasting winds gradually eroded the softer limestone, forming caves in the cliffs. The caves eventually became arches and when they collapsed rock stacks up to 45 metres high were left isolated from the shore. View the 12 Apostles at sunrise and sunset as they change colour from dark and foreboding in shadow to brilliant sandy yellow under a full sun. The 12 Apostles are located 275 kilometres west of Melbourne, approximately a four-hour drive along the Great Ocean Road.

Luna Park Melbourne is Melbourne's ultimate family destination for fun. Ideally located next to St Kilda beach, Melbourne's Luna Park is always a great day out for the young and the young at heart. There's a galaxy of amusements and sensations. From the jaw dropping, eye ball popping super thrill rides like the Pharaoh's Curse and the Enterprise, to the exhilarating rides like the Scenic Railway Roller Coaster, Twin Dragon and the Coney Island Top Drop, you're bound to have an awesome time. Soak up the spectacular carnival atmosphere while having loads of fun and enjoy delicious food and drinks or test your skills and luck on the carnival games.

The Melbourne Star experience is your unique introduction to the colour, history, and culture of our city - and beyond. Whether you know and love Melbourne, or are a first time visitor to our cultural capital, it's a spectacular way to get your bearings. Taking flight with the Melbourne Star gives you a totally new outlook, where the unique attractions of inner Melbourne and the Bay unroll before you: lush gardens, award-winning architecture, sports stadiums, and cultural precincts, all waiting to be discovered. Melbourne Star's 40-storey high structure provides uninterrupted 360-degree views of Victoria. Outstanding outlooks across all four points of the compass, from the Dandenongs to the You Yangs, to Mount Macedon and nearby Port Phillip Bay, invite curiosity and exploration.

Why travel thousands of kilometres when a taste of African adventure is available just 30 minutes from Melbourne's city centre, at Werribee Open Range Zoo? You will find an amazing array of animals living on 225 hectares of wide, open savannah. On the Pula Reserve Walking Trail, come face-to-face with amazing gorillas, a pride of lions, see monkeys and cheetahs at play and feel the sand between your toes at the new Hippo Beach. No trip to the Zoo is complete without heading out on safari across grassy plains where you will find rhinoceros, giraffes, zebras and antelopes grazing together on the picturesque savannah. Feed a giraffe, stroke a serval, see amazing animals on the savannah from an open vehicle, and, in the new Gorilla Behind the Scenes encounter, get up close and personal with three gorilla bachelors.

Travel on this century-old steam train through the forests and fern gullies of the Dandenong Ranges, only one hour east of Melbourne, Victoria! Dangle your legs over the side of the open-sided carriages of the Excursion Trains, or join us for one of the many Events and Dining options available

Located in Carlton Gardens, opposite the World Heritage Listed Royal Exhibition Building, the award-winning Melbourne Museum houses a permanent collection in eight galleries, including one just for children. Major features of Melbourne Museum include celebrating Victoria's local Koorie culture in Bunjilaka, Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Explore Melbourne's rich history in the Melbourne Story exhibition; be immersed in evocative stories and discover the icons and personalities that have shaped Melbourne since the early 1800s. See Phar Lap, Australia's legendary racehorse, in the flesh. Walk amongst skeletons of amazing animals from the past; from dinosaurs, flying reptiles and megafauna. Take a close look at bugs, from stick insects to red-back and funnel-web spiders in Bugs Alive. Wander through a living forest with resident wildlife inside the Forest Gallery. Journey into the mind and explore a world of emotions, thoughts, memories and dreams in The Mind exhibition. Melbourne Museum is also home to the world's (3rd) largest screen - IMAX Melbourne Museum.

The Grampians National Park is a must-visit destination for all travellers, backpackers and day-trippers in Victoria. The spectacular setting of the mountainous landscape boasts a wide array of attractions and activities for visitors to the region. There are a myriad of outdoor activities to enjoy throughout the Grampians National Park including hiking, mountain bike riding and rock climbing. There are also plenty of scenic trails this area with many leading up to the peaks where you can view unobstructed views of the beautiful mountain ranges.In addition to the wide array of native flora, the park is a habitat for native wild animals and birds.

Staying at Mt Hotham is a unique alpine experience due to the fact the the entire village is on top of a mountain. At an elevation of 1,750m, Hotham is the highest resort in Victoria, This means that you get to not only ski but stay, dine and party way above the snowline 24/7. Characterised by its fantastic snow reliability, unsurpassed terrain, an awesome range of apre ski activities and accommodation options to suit a wide range of budgets. Hotham is a first class resort that caters to group both small and large.

The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne are internationally renowned botanical gardens located near the centre of Melbourne, on the south bank of the Yarra River. They are 38 hectares (94 acres) of landscaped gardens consisting of a mix of native and exotic vegetation including over 10,000 individual species.

The Royal Botanic Gardens have a second division in the outer Melbourne suburb of Cranbourne, some 45 km south-east of the city. The 363 hectare (897 acres) Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne have a focus solely on Australian native plants, and feature an award-winning special section called the Australian Garden.

Home to over 10,000 animals, including one of the world's largest Saltwater Crocodiles in the state-of-the-art Croc Lair exhibit, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium takes you on an interactive adventure from the depths of the ocean to the icy waters of Antarctica. With interactive animal encounters, iconic state-of-the-art displays and animal feeds SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is an excellent, educational and completely engaging experience.

Victoria's biggest theme park, Adventure Park, located just 1 hour from Melbourne boasts 20 exciting rides and attractions, perfect for the whole family! Get onto the exhilarating Aqua Racer for a thrill ride or watch the little ones discover adventure at the Tiny Tots Splashzone. Bonito's Bay Waterplay is also a fun spot where big kids and little kids can have some fun climbing and splashing. Children should also check out the Kids Train, an exciting way to sample the park's delights across the 2.5 kilometere railway track. Other attractions at the amazing theme park include the Wave Swinger, Archery, Go-karting, Mini Golf, Lazy River, Gold Rush Rapids, Giant Jumping Pillow, the Grand Carousel and a huge Ferris Wheel.

Funfields - Melbourne's Most FUN Water Park / Theme Park! With 20 Awesome Rides & Waterslides, our Aqua fun park includes Kraken 4 lane waterslide racer, world's longest Typhoon cannonbowl, splash & play Aqua Shak, Go Karts, Alpine Toboggan slide, Mini Golf and more.

Moonlit Sanctuary is only 50 minutes south-east of central Melbourne, at the top of the Mornington Peninsula, and on the way to the Penguins on Phillip Island. Melbourne's award winning wildlife park, Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park invites you to explore 10 hectares of bushland, meeting endangered species, feeding kangaroos and wallabies, petting koalas and enjoying encounters with colourful birds, reptiles, dingoes and many other animals. At night, Moonlit Sanctuary comes alive with world-famous lantern-lit tours. Night birds are active, tiny feathertail gliders and giant yellow-bellied gliders swoop around, and endangered quolls, pademelons and bettongs forage for food. Our Sanctuary is an ark for endangered creatures, and a showcase of their unique beauty. It is a living classroom which encourages children and adults alike to unlock the mystery of Australian mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, insects and amphibians in a natural bush setting.

Located only 90 minutes from Melbourne, Phillip Island boasts breathtaking natural beauty and plenty of attractions for nature-lovers and adventurers. The Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre, and Churchill Island Heritage Farm are just a few of the islands unique attractions. The Nobbies are Seal Rocks, home to Australia's largest Australian Fur Seal colony. Follow the Southern Gippsland Wine Trail and experience Phillip Island's excellent cool climate wines and fresh organic produce. With 100 kilometres of coastline, it's renowned for its great surf at Woolamai Beach and many sparkling clean beaches. The village of Rhyll Inlet is the place for indoor and outdoor fishing.

Named Australia's best Major Tourist Attraction three times, Sovereign Hill provides a unique Australian experience and a full day of entertainment. Australia's foremost outdoor museum, Sovereign Hill re-creates Ballarat's first ten years after the discovery of gold in 1851 when thousands of international adventurers rushed to the Australian goldfields in search of fortune. By day, Sovereign Hill is where Australia's history comes to life! It's just like stepping back in time - from the hustle and bustle of Main Street where costumed ladies and gents parade their new-found wealth, to the excitement of the Red Hill Gully Diggings where you can pan for real gold and it's yours to keep! At Sovereign Hill, you can see a spectacular $100,000 gold pour, venture underground on a fully-guided gold mine tour or catch a horse-drawn coach and tour the town. Go shopping 1850s-style and visit hotels, schools and a theatre with goldfields entertainers. See steam-driven machinery in action and chat with our wheelwrights, candlemakers and confectioners as they ply their trades. On our streets and in our theatre, you will be entertained by costumed goldfields characters who are happy to pose for a great photo. By night, Sovereign Hill presents its spectacular, multi-million dollar sound and light show, 'Blood on the Southern Cross', the dramatic story of the 1854 Eureka Uprising.

Queen Victoria Market is the heart and soul of Melbourne. Eat, shop, explore and discover your way through our iconic food halls and heritage Sheds where the banter is as fresh as the produce. Or simply soak up the atmosphere of the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. There's no place like our Market. It's an experience that engages all the senses.

Hanging Rock, or Mount Diogenes as it's also known, is a rare volcanic formation near the townships of Woodend and Mount Macedon. One of the best examples of a volcanic plug or mamelon in the world, it has been exposed to considerable weathering and erosion, resulting in a conglomeration of unusual rock formations. There is so much more to do at Hanging Rock than just walking up the Rock . Families can gather in the large shady picnic grounds and play games on the wide expanses of lawn or have coffee and a quality sit-down meal in the cafe. Walks can be taken on the trails and paths that weave through the reserve past local flora and fauna, or take a fishing rod and try your luck in the dam.

Experience breathtaking views of Melbourne's skyline like never before and visit the highest viewing platform at Eureka Skydeck 88. At this renowned observation desk, you'll experience awe-inspiring 360 degree panoramic views of the city. The deck is connected via express elevator system, which whips visitors up to the observatory on the 88th floor. At the Skydeck Observatory, you'll get to experience more than just stand arounding and looking outside. There is also "The Edge"! Here you'll walk into a glass cube that offers 360 degree views of Melbourne's skyline. The moment you slide out from this iconic tower, you will see the colourful and dazzling views of Melbourne's CBD. This iconic Edge Experience can't be found anywhere else in the world. After enjoying the unforgettable panoramic views, relax at the Skydeck restaurant and enjoy some delicious food.

Healesville Sanctuary, in the heart of the Yarra Valley, is world-renowned as the best place to see Australian wildlife in their natural habitat. The Sanctuary is 30 hectares of 70 acres of bushland that offers a distinctly Australian setting for visitors to experience unique close-up encounters with some of Australia's unique and endearing wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, wombats, emus, dingoes, birds of prey and platypus. It is also an ideal place to enjoy the best food and wine the Yarra Valley has to offer. Healesville Sanctuary is an Australian wildlife experience that centres on local conservation and indigenous culture. Set in a beautiful natural environment, the Sanctuary offers a place for people and animals to reconnect with nature from creek to canopy. Healesville Sanctuary plays a critical role in saving some of the world's most endangered animals.

Visit Melbourne's oldest prison, where most of Australia's infamous characters, including bushranger Ned Kelly and gangster Squizzy Taylor, spent time. Enter the original gaol to see the execution area and Ned Kelly's death mask. Join the charge sergeant on a tour of the cells at the former city watch house or take part in the recreation of a famous trail in the Old Magistrate's Court. And if you're feeling really brave, come along after dark to take a night tour with the hangman or an evening ghost tour!

Discover the Victorian era in Australia with a visit to Werribee Mansion. Located 30 minutes west of Melbourne at Werribee Park, 'the mansion' is a living, breathing postcard of the 19th century and a must see attraction for visitors. Werribee Mansion was completed by wealthy pastoralists, the Chirnside family in 1877. Built in the Italianate architecture style, Werribee Mansion boasts 60 rooms in several wings. Following extensive restoration, many of the Chirnside family's items, including clothing, furniture remain on display.

Wilsons Promontory National Park, or 'The Prom', as it is affectionately known, is the southernmost point of mainland Australia and is a much-loved holiday destination. Stunning coastal scenery, pristine wilderness and an abundance of native wildlife make Wilsons Prom a wonderful place for a holiday. Over summer, campsites at 'The Prom' are so popular that they are allocated via a ballot system.

Otway Fly Treetop Adventures takes your rainforest experience to new heights in the lush surrounds of the magnificent Otway Ranges. Whether you're soaking up the breath-taking birds-eye view of the rainforest on the Treetop Walk or soaring through the leafy treetops on the awe-inspiring Zipline Tour, there's something for the whole family to enjoy.

Welcome to one of the world's greatest river systems - Australia's iconic and spectacular Murray River. There's something incredibly special about the Murray that just connects with you. This truly iconic Australian region has natural wonders and welcoming communities that will ensure your trip is both memorable and special. The Murray Mallee is blessed with diverse and contrasting Australian landscapes, wildlife and locals. You'll experience one of our greatest road journeys as this natural river road winds 2,520 kilometres through five contrasting landscapes of south-eastern Australia. The Murray River begins as a small stream in the Australian Alps. It meanders and carves steep river banks to the Mallee, where it touches the Australian desert and our great outback region. You'll discover unique Aboriginal culture that reveals the story of mankind and ancient fossilised limestone cliffs before it finally enters the Southern Ocean at Goolwa and the Coorong. If you truly love unique experiences or are looking to unwind, the Murray offers you every possible opportunity to explore, reconnect and simply relax. Here's your chance to immerse yourself in the soul, spirit and flavour of our greatest river, the Murray.

Located in the Grampians, the Mackenzie Falls are one of the largest waterfalls in Australia. There are many easy walks in the area, which are suitable for people of all ages and abilities, and allow tourists to get a great view of the beautiful falls. Beyond the Falls, the Grampians offer many incredible hiking opportunities, and are a much-loved favourite for outdoor loving adventurers!