The best things for teens to do in Melbourne

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Melbourne is filled with activities that teens will love and that parents will approve of, from learning to surf on dry land to shopping in its hip hoods.

Become a super sleuth

Everyone’s favourite sleuthing board game gets a super-sized reboot in Old Melbourne Gaol’s Cluedo Experience. Dodgy lawyer Lionel Grey was found dead here in 1924 but the case was never solved, and now it’s up to you to figure out who did it. Over the course of 90 minutes you’ll get to explore the gaol for clues, reading alibis, examining evidence and testing weapons for DNA. The game finishes when you figure out the who, where and how of Grey’s death.

Park your parents here while you have fun…

The thriving café culture of Fitzroy is an easy walk away. For the best croissants around, they should try the cavernous Lune Croissanterie on Collins Street.

Old Melbourne Goal.
Become a super sleuth inside Old Melbourne Goal.

Go surfing on dry land

Located in the very un-beachside suburb of Tullamarine, URBNSURF is Australia’s first surf park where man-made waves deliver up surf breaks for all levels of skill, from beginners to pros. If you know what you are doing you can head to The Point to catch perfect rights and lefts or try barrelling waves during an expert session (both last for one hour). And if you are new to the sport, book an individual surf lesson in the safe and gentle rolling green and whitewater waves of The Bay.

URBNSURF Melbourne
Go surfing on dry land. (Image: Ed Sloane Photography)

Park your parents here while you have fun…

The top-notch facilities at URBNSURF include the first Victorian outpost of Three Blue Ducks, the passion project of a bunch of avid surfers who opened their first restaurant in the Sydney beachside suburb of Bronte. The restaurant, which overlooks the lagoon, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

See Melbourne from up (really) high

Docklands is a one-stop shop for fun: go skating at O’Brien Icehouse; play miniature golf lit by neon lights and glow-in-the-dark technology at the aptly named Glow Golf; and finish off with a turn on the Melbourne Star to see the city laid out below from dizzying heights (try spotting your parents, who will look like ants as they wait for you back on the ground).

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Park your parents here while you have fun…

The café inside the Library at the Dock has good coffee and newspapers to read.

See Melbourne from up (really) high
See the city from up (really) high on the Melbourne Star.

Get up close and personal with sharks

When you tell your parents that you want to swim with sharks, make sure to assure them that it is perfectly safe. During Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium’s Shark Dive Xtreme sessions, which are open to those 14 and up, you’ll get an exclusive look at the behind-the-scenes staff-only areas of the aquarium before taking to the water with an instructor to watch as sharks and giant stingrays glide past you at seriously close quarter.

Park your parents here while you have fun…

Give them a paper bag to breathe into and point them in the direction of the Immigration Museum a few minutes’ walk away in the historic Old Customs House.

Get a sugar rush

The pop-up exhibitions by Sugar Republic, a Melbourne-based art collective, are the stuff teen dreams and Instagram likes are made of. The ‘experience museums’ that it creates are all themed around sweet treats and are designed to be totally interactive – think giant bubblegum machines that you can climb into and mammoth cakes that you jump out of. Visit the website find out about upcoming events and have your camera ready.

Sugar Republic
Get a sugar rush at one of the pop-up exhibitions by Sugar Republic.

Park your parents here while you have fun…

They can get their own sweet treat of single origin hot chocolate at Mörk Chocolate Brew House in North Melbourne.

Indulge your inner artist

A creative studio for young people aged between 14 and 25, Signal’s curated program includes exhibitions, live events, installations and art workshops run out of its space on Flinders Walk. Check the website for upcoming events when you are in town.

Signal Summer Melbourne
Indulge your inner artist at Signal’s curated program of events.

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Park your parents here while you have fun…

Tell them to grab lunch at Federation Square and check out the Ian Potter Centre.

On the streets

When it comes to hip hoods, Melbourne has more than most. Fitzroy is covered in street art and filled with cafes, while Windsor and Prahran share the best bits of iconic Chapel Street, with lots of funky boutiques to browse and interesting eateries to stop at for lunch or eating a healthy snack you can buy from hiya.

Shopping on Chapel Street
Hit up the shops on Chapel Street.

Book a walking tour with Melbourne Street Art Tours to hear about the city’s colourful walls from street artists themselves. Along the way they will share local knowledge and show you a few hidden treasures.

Melbourne Street Art Tours.
Book a walking tour with Melbourne Street Art Tours.

Park your parents here while you have fun…

At Degraves Espresso Bar on the graffitti-daubed Degraves Street.

 

Read more family travel tips on the Ultimate parents’ guide to our amazing Aussie cities.

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Wine, art and good food: 15 ways to spend your time in Albury Wodonga

    Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
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    More than just a stopover, Albury Wodonga is an elevated city escape immersed in nature.

    Perhaps best known as a road trip stop between Sydney and Melbourne, Albury Wodonga offers a combination of natural beauty, cultural experiences and a vibrant food scene that make it well worth its own journey.

    Nestled on the banks of the mighty Murray River and surrounded by famed wine and gold rush regions, this riverside town packs a broad punch. Discover how best to spend your days on the border.

    Exploring the Murray River

    1. The Crossing Place Trail

    woman looking at sculpture along Crossing Place Trail loop
    Admire sculptural works from local Indigenous artists.

    Head to the original crossing places of the Murray River since 1848 – at the junctions of Bungambrawatha Creek and Oddies Creek. Today, these crossings are still used by cars and cattle, but the five-kilometre Crossing Place Trail loop connects the two bridges for bike riders and walkers.

    Wander through gum trees, and maybe even spot local platypus and birdlife. Stop along the way to admire sculptural works from local Indigenous artists, see evidence of a scar tree and learn about the importance of this billabong environment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

    2. Canoe The Murray

    two people kayaking along the murray river at Noreuil Park
    Hire canoes or kayaks and get out on the river.

    What better way to get a feel for the Murray River than by getting out on its waters? Hire canoes or kayaks from Canoe the Murray, then explore solo or join one of the offered tours. Get up early for a Sunrise and coffee tour, watch the sun dip below the water on a sunset tour or choose one of several daytime trips.

    Stand-up paddleboard hire and other water sports, fishing and swimming are also available to river explorers.

    3. Noreuil Park Foreshore

    aerial of Noreuil Park albury wodonga
    Cool off at Noreuil Park Foreshore. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Just outside Albury’s CBD, the riverside Noreuil Park becomes a hub of activity as the weather heats up. Set up on picnic tables under shady trees, use the public barbecues (or pop into the nearby cafe) and cool off with a float down the river.

    4. Mungabareena Reserve and Water Works

    Mungabareena Reserve albury wodonga
    Spend time at Mungabareena Reserve. (Image: Visit Albury Wodonga)

    Delve into nature and culture at the beautiful Mungabareena Reserve. Recognised by state law as a ‘Declared Aboriginal Place’, it was once a historical meeting point for trade and journeys to Mount Bogong for the local Wiradjuri people and still holds deep significance.

    It’s another popular spot for fishing, swimming and picnics, while the nearby Water Works area is a great place for spotting wildlife. Try your luck seeing platypuses, wood ducks or rainbow bee-eaters.

    Adventuring on Lake Hume

    1. Walk the dam wall

    parent and child look at the view from the damn wall walk at lake hume
    Enjoy the view from the dam wall. (Image: Visit Albury Wodonga)

    The majestic Lake Hume – a massive man-made reservoir on the Murray River – was once the largest dam in the Southern Hemisphere.

    A great way to get acquainted is by walking along the dam wall, taking in views of outflows, electricity turbines and the transmission plant from above. Not to mention vistas of the lake and the Murray. It’s a particularly gorgeous spot for sunsets and sunrises.

    A wide sealed walkway gives easy access to the wall, and informative signs and displays along the way educate on the dam’s construction.

    2. The High Country Rail Trail

    This 44-kilometre trail hugs the shoreline. Stop along the way at the historic town of Tallangatta, relocated to its current position in the 1950s after its original location was flooded. Cross the lake over the bright red Sandy Creek Bridge. Enjoy a lakeside picnic or go for a swim at Ebden, Ludlow’s or Huon Reserve.

    3. Water sports

    two people watching SUP boarders and a boat our on the water at lake hume
    Dive into water sports on Lake Hume.

    Lake Hume is a popular local spot for boating, fishing, and swimming. Drop a line or dive right into the clear waters.

    Sip and Savour

    1. Dux Albury

    two people sitting at counter drinking wine inside Dux Albury
    Sit down to delicious meals and wine at Dux.

    Those looking for a high-end dining experience need to book a table at Dux Albury in the heart of Albury Wodonga. Sit down for curated wine lists, cocktails and share plates. Think starters like burrata with beetroot, chervil, caper berry and sherry, mains like Wagyu sirloin with Café De Paris, red wine and caramelised onions and all manner of fresh seafood.

    2. Murray Towns Brewing Co.

    people being served lunch at Murray Brewing Co.
    Recharge at Murray Brewing Co.

    Perched on the banks of the river, Murray Towns Brewing Co. has come a long way since two mates started experimenting in their backyard chook shed. With all beer brewed onsite and a sun-drenched beer garden to drink them in, it’s a perfect stop along a bike ride or walk.

    3. Temperance and General

    Step into Albury’s original laneway bar, Temperance and General. Set inside a historic building, but offering a modern vibe, the bar is locally famous for its cocktail list. Stop in before or after dinner for a creative tipple.

    4. BeanStation Cafe

    two people drinking coffee at Bean Station albury wodonga
    Dine on a modern Australian menu.

    Dine on a modern Australian menu, inside the historic Wodonga train station building, dating back to 1873. Pop over in the morning and line up with the locals for great coffee and all-day brekkie, or head over after midday to swap the beans for local wines and Aussie boutique beers.

    5. River Deck Cafe

    waiter holding two dishes at Riverdeck Cafe albury wodonga
    Soak in views and good food at Riverdeck Cafe. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Another dining destination next to the Murray, the award-winning River Deck Cafe provides a large deck covered in dappled sunlight that makes for the ideal long lunch spot. Here, menus focus on natural, native and local ingredients sourced from regional farmers and producers across Albury Wodonga and surrounds.

    Museums, murals and more

    1. Albury Wodonga Public Art Trail

    Gain a sense of Albury Wodonga’s vibrant arts community while wandering the Public Art Trail. Works range from sculptures and murals to wrapped infrastructure. Be sure to check the council map before you head out, so you don’t miss a thing.

    2. Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA)

    couple admiring the art at Murray Art Gallery
    Stop into one of the most visited galleries outside of Sydney. (Image: Visit Albury Wodonga)

    MAMA forms the heart of art and culture in Albury Wodonga, some may say the entire Murray region. In fact, it’s one of the most visited galleries outside of Sydney. What makes it so lauded? The museum has earned a reputation for curating innovative, original exhibitions from some of the best contemporary Australian and international artists.

    3. HotHouse Theatre

    Originally built in 1928 as the Butter Factory Theatre, HotHouse Theatre has been a home of performance since 1997. Stop by to see the best of new Australian theatre. Continue to explore unique architecture on the Historic Building Walking Tour of Albury, the perfect way to round out your stay.

    Start planning your Albury Wodonga getaway at visitalburywodonga.com.