16 Sep Spring school holidays in Victoria 2026: What’s on and things to do with kids
Looking for things to do with the kids these Spring school holidays? From tulips and cherry blossoms to the Melbourne Royal Show, outdoor adventures and rainy-day favourites, here are some of the best family activities across Victoria.
Victoria’s Spring school holidays run from Saturday 19 September to Sunday 4 October 2026, making this a good time to get outdoors before the weather heats up. There are also plenty of indoor choices if Spring turns wet.
A bonus for families travelling around Victoria this year is cheaper public transport. Fares are half price across Victoria until 1 January 2027, while children and young people under 18 can travel free with a Youth myki.
Spring festivals and special events
Melbourne Royal Show
Melbourne Showgrounds | 24 September–4 October
For many Victorian families, the Melbourne Royal Show is still one of the big Spring holiday outings. Along with rides and showbags, there are animals, agricultural displays, horse events, woodchopping, dogs, food and the traditional competitions in art, craft and cookery.
It runs for most of the school holidays, so check the daily program before choosing your day.
Melbourne Royal Show information and tickets
BOOK AHEAD | PAID
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Tesselaar Tulip Festival
Silvan | 12 September–11 October
The Tesselaar Tulip Festival is a colourful Spring day out in the Dandenong Ranges, with gardens, entertainment, food and family activities.
The two Children’s Weeks, running 21–24 September and 28 September–2 October, include live shows, wildlife presentations, storytelling, games and other activities. Children aged 16 and under are free.
There is one important difference in 2026: unusually warm and wet growing conditions have affected part of the tulip crop, so the flower display is smaller than usual. Ticket prices have been reduced by 30 per cent to reflect this.
BOOK AHEAD | PAID | KIDS 16 AND UNDER FREE
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CherryHill Blossom Festival
Wandin East | 18 September–4 October
Swap tulips for cherry blossoms at CherryHill Orchards in the Yarra Valley. Families can picnic among the white blossom, explore the orchard and visit the Kids Hub, which offers activities including crafts, scavenger hunts, lawn games and face painting.
A Yarra Valley Floral Day Pass is also available on selected weekdays, combining admission to CherryHill and the Tesselaar Tulip Festival. The two are only about 10 minutes apart by car.
BOOK AHEAD | PAID
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See Bendigo bloom after dark
Bendigo | 18 September–3 October
If you are looking for a regional day trip or short break, Bendigo’s Spring flower displays offer something different.
The city’s annual tulips appear through central Bendigo from around mid-September, while Bloom After Dark lights the gardens and tulip beds each evening from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. The free event includes glowing flowers and illuminated displays around Pall Mall and the Conservatory Gardens.
Bloom After Dark and Bendigo Spring program
FREE | REGIONAL
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Get outdoors for Spring
Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne
Spring is a particularly good time to visit the Australian Garden, but children do not need to be keen gardeners to enjoy it.
There are walking trails, picnic and barbecue areas and the nature-based Woodland Picnic Area Playground, with climbing ropes, swings, sand play and cubby-building elements. Families can also collect free Seek and Find Nature Cards from the Visitor Centre.
During the holidays, children receive half-price tickets on the Explorer open-air bus. Garden entry itself is free.
Plan a family visit to Cranbourne Gardens
FREE ENTRY | PLAYGROUND | PICNIC
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Spot wildlife at Serendip Sanctuary
Lara, near Geelong
For a low-cost nature day, Serendip Sanctuary is a good option for children who enjoy wildlife.
Short interconnecting walking trails take families through grassland and wetland habitats where you may spot kangaroos, wallabies, emus and birdlife. More than 150 bird species have been recorded at the sanctuary, and a new accessible sensory garden opened in 2026.
There are also picnic tables, shelters and free electric barbecues. Entry is free.
Serendip Sanctuary visitor information
FREE | WILDLIFE | REGIONAL
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Play at Brimbank Park Keilor East
Brimbank Park is an easy option when you simply need somewhere the kids can run, climb and explore.
Its all-abilities playscape includes swings, an accessible sandpit, cubby-building areas, tactile paths and sculptures. There are also more than 10km of walking and shared trails through the park, picnic areas and barbecues.
The playscape includes Braille and Auslan signage, and Parks Victoria provides autism-friendly social-script resources to help families prepare for a visit.
FREE | ALL ABILITIES
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Make a Spring visit to the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
Olinda
Spring is peak flowering season at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden, with daffodils, camellias, magnolias, rhododendrons and azaleas appearing across the season.
The main paved garden circuit is about 3.5km, or families can bring a picnic and keep the outing much shorter.
It gets extremely busy during Spring weekends and school holidays, so Parks Victoria recommends visiting early or midweek if possible. At the time of writing, visitors should also check conditions before travelling because protected industrial action may occasionally affect access.
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
FREE | SPRING FLOWERS
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Something a little different
Become a pirate aboard Polly Woodside
South Wharf | 20 September
Melbourne’s historic tall ship Polly Woodside hosts a Pirate Day on the first Sunday of the school holidays.
Young pirates can explore the ship and join themed activities while learning a little about Melbourne’s maritime history along the way.
Polly Woodside Pirate Day details
ONE DAY ONLY | PAID
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Springtime is Screamtime at Luna Park
St Kilda | 19 September–4 October
For children who prefer rides to gardens, Luna Park is open throughout the school holidays with its Springtime is Screamtime program.
The refurbished Luna Palace is also open, including the Palace Dodgems and arcade, alongside the park’s regular rides and carnival games. Popular days can sell out, so pre-booking is recommended.
Luna Park Spring school holidays
BOOK AHEAD | PAID
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Rainy-day ideas
Try the Spring program at Scienceworks
Spotswood | 19 September–4 October
Scienceworks has built its Spring holiday program around colour, light and optical illusions.
Families can explore the interactive Colour: See the World in a New Light exhibition, join a school-holiday colour workshop, see live science demonstrations or add a Planetarium show.
General admission is free for children aged 16 and under, although some exhibitions and shows carry an extra charge.
Scienceworks Spring school holiday program
GOOD FOR RAIN | UNDER 16s FREE GENERAL ENTRY
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Go back to Ancient Rome at Melbourne Museum
Carlton | 19 September–4 October
Melbourne Museum is another useful wet-weather standby, but there are some holiday-only additions this Spring.
Children can make their own gladiator-inspired creations in Creative Lab: Rise of the Gladiators, add to the free Mosaic Monuments activity or explore the new Our Wondrous Planet exhibition. Dino Days also run on Wednesdays.
Children 16 and under receive free general museum entry, although some exhibitions and activities cost extra.
Melbourne Museum Spring school holidays
GOOD FOR RAIN | UNDER 16s FREE GENERAL ENTRY
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Quick picks for busy parents
- Best free outing: Serendip Sanctuary or Brimbank Park
- Best Spring day: Cherry Hill Blossom Festival or Tesselaar Tulip Festival
- Best regional option: Bendigo’s Spring tulips and Bloom After Dark
- Best for wet weather: Scienceworks or Melbourne Museum
- Best big-ticket holiday event: Melbourne Royal Show
- Best for accessibility: Brimbank Park Playscape or Cranbourne Gardens
Parent tip: Event dates, opening hours and weather conditions can change, particularly for outdoor activities, so check the individual activity website before setting out.
Main Image: Melbourne’s Risky Playground
A note about bird flu in Victoria
H5 bird flu is currently affecting wild birds in Victoria. The risk to people is considered low, and parks and public spaces generally remain open, but families should avoid touching sick or dead birds or other wildlife.
If you see sick or dead wildlife, keep children and pets away and follow any signs or temporary restrictions in the area. Wildlife parks and animal attractions may also introduce extra biosecurity measures, so check individual venue websites before visiting.
