Best Outdoor Activities in Victoria

"From here it’s a 15 minute cab ride (or 30 minutes by tram) to St Kilda beach, where you can stroll along the esplanade and historic St Kilda Pier, and enjoy a cake at one of Acland Street's famous patisseries. AfternoonFrom St Kilda it's a half hour tram ride back to the city centre. Visit Australia's oldest gallery, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), which hosts a wide range of local and international artists, exhibitions and events. Or you may like to see Melbourne from a new perspective aboard a cruise along the Yarra River."

"Melbourne’s most famous beach is perfect for a quick afternoon trip to the beach, and you can conveniently combine it with a visit to Luna Park (for the kids) or a dine and wine along Carlisle Street. In fact, St Kilda in itself has a lot to offer that will put it in one of the top positions for families visiting Melbourne. The Botanical Gardens, Catani Gardens, the historic Palais Theatre and the Esplanade Markets on Sundays are perfect to keep the whole family entertained."

"Werribee Open Range Zoo offers families an African adventure close to home. Kids will love to check out the rhinos whose survival is under serious threat, you can come face-to-face with a pride of lions in a dramatic savannah landscape at Lions on the Edge, and you can even take a Family Off Road Safari- ride around in a protected car as you get super close to giraffes, hippos, zebras, and ostriches. For more information, visit their website."

"Visit SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, Melbourne Zoo or Werribee Open Range Zoo Once back down at ground level, head to SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium to discover the amazing range of creatures from a variety of seascapes including the depths of Antarctica, Rivers, Reefs and the weird and wonderful that live further down below the ocean's surface."

"Go on an African adventure with the kids and take them on a safari tour they will never forget. Gorillas, giraffes, zebras, lions, and hippos are all part of the animal family. But you must’ miss the kangaroos either!"

"The calm waters of Elwood Beach make it great for swimming, and sometimes there’s enough surf for some boogie boarding. There’s the Bayside Trail bike and running track if you fancy a walk or cycle, plus cafes a’plenty. Getting there: Elwood Beach is 9km from the city centre."

"A little bit further south, Elwood Beach comes with plenty of parking and is less crowded than its famous neighbour St Kilda. Elwood has a great beachside vibe with quaint little shops and cute cafes. The promenade is great for prams and scooters."

"Albert Park, a suburb located right in the south-central of Melbourne, is home to a lovely little beach featuring a sandy, narrow stretch of coastline with safe, sheltered waters that makes it a great choice of beach destination in Melbourne with kids, especially due to how easy it is to reach from most major accommodation spots in the city. Accessible via public transport within around 20 minutes from the Melbourne CBD and situated next to the tram terminal on Victoria Ave, Albert Park Beach eases gently into the shallow and calm waters of Port Phillip Bay, making for ideal swim conditions for kids. The beach is a popular location for all beach-going purposes; not only swimming but sunbathing, windsurfing, kite boarding and walks along the road pier are all viable options to pass the time on the beach, while there are also many walking and bicycle paths that are popular with those rollerblading or simply going for a stroll."

"52 Toorak Rd West, South Yarra, Victoria 3141 AustraliaEuropean, FrenchLunch, Dinner, DrinksSeating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Reservations, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service[email protected]+61 3 9867 5853http://www.bistrogitan.com.au/"

"Where: 2 Malthouse Lane The scene: Offering a calming sanctuary at the top end of town, The French Brasserie provides the ideal environment to relax while enjoying the very finest in modern French cuisine. Lofty ceilings and soaring glass windows create a bright, contemporary atmosphere which matches the simple, yet stylish plates crafted entirely in-house by the talented head chef. The evening a la carte menu features a selection of bite-size hors d’oeuvres, exquisite starters, generous main courses and classic side dishes, all of which pair perfectly with the distinctive Australian and French wines thoughtfully selected by the restaurant’s master sommelier."

"511 Malvern Rd, Toorak, Stonnington, Victoria 3142 AustraliaFrench, EuropeanLunch, Dinner, Late NightReservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service+61 3 9824 0888http://www.bistrothierry.com/"

"Fusing Malaysian and Chinese cuisine (and chucking in a hint of Japanese influence for good measure), The Potsticker displays a staggering selection of dim sum – over sixty at last count – for their daily Yum Cha offering. Dietary requirements be damned ‘neath the electronic cherry blossom tree that dominates, well the whole restaurant; the vast selection includes something for everyone, vegetarian and celiac alike. Address: 58 Hawthorn Rd, Caulfield North VIC 3161Phone: +61 3 9500 8819Hours: Tue 5:30pm-10:30pm, Wed-Sun 12pm-3pm & 5:30pm-10:30pm"