Planning a family getaway with young children? The Mornington Peninsula is not only a great holiday destination for couples and adults, but there’s also plenty to do for kids even under the age of five! Here are five of our picks for family-friendly activities.
Rain, Hayne & Shine Farmyard, Balnarring
The whole family can enjoy Rain Hayne & Shine’s hands-on farm and petting zoo experience. You can walk through the paddocks to pat alpacas, emus, calves, pigs and more. You can even reach over fences to say hello to ponies, donkeys, dingoes, and a mule – feed is available too!
Beyond animal interactions, you can enthral your kids with a pony ride ($5), horse ride ($10) or a free tractor-drawn hay bail ride. The farmyard also offers bookings for playgroup sessions and birthdays.
Parks and Playgrounds
Foreshore playgrounds are a pride of the Peninsula. Parks along the bay are typically across the road from the main street, making it easy to grab yourself a coffee to sip while you watch the kids explore. You’ll find playgrounds dotted along the coastline in Dromana, McCrae, Rosebud, Rye, Sorrento and more.
Our personal favourites are:
Sorrento Park on Pt Nepean – an impressive wooden wonderland with plenty of room to run around and a view of the bay and ferry.
Rye Community Playground – built by local volunteers and donations, the Rye foreshore playground has pops of bright colours and lots of play equipment, including a fireman pole, swings, wobble bridge, slides and more.
Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens
Bring the kids to the fantasy land that is the Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens and discover Australia’s oldest (but immaculately manicured) hedge maze, a circular rose maze and the lavender labyrinth.
With 25 acres to explore, the gardens have so many treats for the eye – plus a cafe with unique menu options, including the beloved lavender scones! There’s also a great gnome hunt activity for the little ones, with gnomes hidden about the garden that kids can tick off on a checklist once found.
Enchanted Adventure Garden, Arthurs Seat
Tree Surfing at the Enchanted Adventure Maze has levels for all ages, so you can harness up yourself or watch on as your little one climbs, jumps and swings while safely connected to a continuous belay system.
The Nippers course is open to four and five years old, with a one-on-one assisting adult guiding them through the course. The park also boasts several mazes, tube slides, formal gardens, a cafe and lots of space to run and play.
Horse riding at The Ranch, Cape Schanck
For kids aged 18 months to nine years, The Ranch offers pony rides and an animal nursery experience. From seven years and up, the family can enjoy horse riding lessons from fundamentals up to an introductory level ride on the ocean-view trail.
Fun for all and all for fun
No matter the age, the Mornington Peninsula has activities for everyone. There are plenty of walks, lookouts, museums, scenic drives, dining experiences and wineries to suit older visitors, plus beaches, shopping, dolphin swims and more for young adults.
Check out even more family-friendly activities to include younger kids on our family fun activities page.
Book your next holiday home and Go Coastal to enjoy quality family time and new experiences!