48-hour itinerary: Family

Friday night

Take the littlest family members to soak up the sights and sounds of Chinatown. Impress their little fingers with dolphin-shaped dumplings and touchscreen ordering at Chinese eatery China Red. 

Saturday morning

Start out on Southbank where the kids can run around while you stroll with your hard-earned coffee.  Take them down to marvel at the aquatic wonders at the aquarium, keep with the marine theme and make like pirates at Polly Woodside, or give them a bird's-eye view of the city from the newly upgraded Melbourne Skydeck.

Feeling the competitive spirit? Squeeze in a late-morning tee-off at Holey Moley mini golf, the craziest round of golf you'll ever play.

Saturday afternoon

Pack a picnic and explore the Botanic Gardens. If outdoors isn't an option, check out the kids' events program at the Arts Centre, National Gallery of Victoria and State Library of Victoria or book in for a matinee session of one of the big shows in town.

For interactive play, see what's on at ArtPlay at Birrarung Marr, a great kids' space running workshops and activities in music, art, theatre – any kind of play – for babies and children.

Saturday night

If the little ones (and you) are still going, consider a visit to Melbourne Central where the family can choose from a range of eateries and flop in front of a movie.

Sunday morning

Throw all the animals in together and take the family to one of Melbourne's zoos. Let the kids run free at the Growing Wild exhibit at Melbourne Zoo or head out to Werribee Open Range Zoo for a safari adventure.

Sunday afternoon

Choose your own adventure.

Northside
Spook the kids with ghost stories or have them arrested by the charge sergeant at the Old Melbourne Gaol. Nearby, roam the Carlton Gardens then explore the many and magical exhibits at the Melbourne Museum. See bugs, dinosaurs, Phar Lap and more. Take the littlest ones to the children's gallery, designed just for the under-eights. If time allows, get wide-eyed at the adjoining IMAX cinema. For dinner, expect a warm welcome for the bambinos at family-friendly Italian eateries on Lygon Street, Carlton.

Eastside
Step into a world of creativity, colour and building fun at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Melbourne. Kids can watch their favourite LEGO characters come to life in the 4D Cinema or get hands-on with the thousands of LEGO bricks in themed build and play areas. Check out global and local landmarks made from over a million bricks in MINILAND, or hop on a LEGO-themed ride for a thrill.

Westside
Take the whole family to Scienceworks in Spotswood for an awesome interactive afternoon of super science. Kids little and big alike will love the Lightning Room, powered by a giant Tesla Coil capable of generating more than two million volts of electricity, and the planetarium. Keep up the adventure with a ferry to Williamstown, to check out the passing boats and of course, for fish and chips for dinner.

Southside
Spend the afternoon in St Kilda, exploring the beach and running riot at iconic amusement park Luna Park. Ride rollercoasters and dodgem cars till you can no more, and when the little bellies have settled, go on an ice cream mission to Acland Street. If there's room for dinner, consider Republica on the foreshore, where you can relax with a wine and distract the littlies with views of the beach and boats. Just after sunset, head down to the breakwater to see the locals' favourite families come home from a hard day's fishing: the St Kilda penguins.