Hi there Reader

It's Amy here (Tot's Content Manager), popping into your inbox while Joyce is off adventuring with her crew for the school holidays!

We’ve just come back from two amazing family holidays – one to Darwin and one to Bali (yep, we loved it so much we went back again!).

I know travelling with little ones isn’t always picture-perfect... here’s a snapshot: my 2-year-old mid-meltdown, lying flat-out on the floor of a 5-star resort foyer in Bali.

Not exactly the relaxing moment I had in mind, but hey – we made memories, and I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.

I love Melbourne in winter – the snug jumpers, hot chocolates and crisp air – but sometimes it’s nice to escape the cold for a bit too.

✈️ Plan your escape:

And for those of you sticking around, I've got plenty of local inspiration below...

Amy xx

P.S. WOW our upcoming Tot Reader Party on Ice is already booked out! Don't worry, you can still get on the ticket waitlist - see you on the ice ⛸

GET ON THE READER PARTY WAITLIST

Stay + Save

Finally, a hotel directory that gets families.

Planning a staycation in Melbourne with the kids shouldn't require a PhD in deal-hunting.

Whether you're after a hotel with space to breathe, a pool where the kids can burn off energy, or a location that won't add an hour to every outing, we've done the scrolling and comparison shopping to curate the best family-friendly hotel deals in Melbourne.

Animation of different hotels in Melbourne

From spontaneous weekend city breaks to school holiday escapes, these offers make quality family time achievable and affordable.

This isn't a one-and-done list either—we're constantly updating with the latest deals and family-perfect offers. Because good hotels at great prices shouldn't be hard to find!

UNLOCK MELBOURNE'S BEST FAMILY HOTEL DEALS

Top Picks

⭐ Featured Events

Crime Busters: Forensic Investigators (Saturday 5 Jul - Sunday 20 Jul) Turn your little detectives loose at Old Melbourne Gaol to solve mysteries involving Ned Kelly's skull and a daring 1880s escape. Melbourne CBD
Proudfoot and Friends (Saturday 5 Jul) Join Australia's most dynamic First Nations performer Lucas Proudfoot for an interactive comedy-musical featuring digital puppeteering and animated projections. Moonee Ponds
Playbound Festival (Saturday 5 Jul - Sunday 20 Jul) Dive into 16 days of family-friendly performances, workshops, and activities designed to spark curiosity and wonder for ages 0-12. Various locations in Melbourne
Kaleidoscope Kids (Tuesday 8 Jul - Thursday 10 Jul) Warm up creativity this winter with guided arts workshops covering everything from acting and music to visual arts and crafts for ages 5-13. Moorabbin
School Holiday Fun at Bunjil Place (Monday 7 Jul - Sunday 27 Jul) Theatre shows and free art workshops await kids of all ages at this creative winter wonderland. Narre Warren
Electric Wonderland (Friday 4 Jul - Sunday 20 Jul) Transform your winter nights at this spectacular light festival featuring interactive installations, laser tunnels, and giant illuminated flowers in Rosalind Park. Bendigo

Firelight Festival (Friday 4 Jul - Sunday 6 Jul) Warm up at Melbourne's free winter festival celebrating light, flames, and delicious food with spectacular waterfront installations and live entertainment. Docklands
Newport Folk Festival (Friday 4 Jul - Saturday 5 Jul) Join storyteller and musician Fred Smith for a heartwarming evening of music, laughter, and memorable tales the whole family will enjoy. Newport
Jurassic World Rebirth at Watergardens (Monday 7 Jul - Friday 18 Jul) Step back in time for an interactive dinosaur adventure featuring animatronic creatures, AR experiences, and fossil egg discoveries that'll thrill budding paleontologists. Watergardens
Southeast Winter Festival (Thursdays - Sundays until 20 Jul) Melbourne's biggest indoor family festival features epic rides, live shows, food trucks and magical glow nights all under one roof. Scoresby