Melbourne, located in the south of Australia, is the second-largest city in the country. The art and the culture are a huge reason why so many people visit it, with beautiful architecture like the Eureka Tower, the Royal Exhibition Building and the street art on Croft Alley.
Melbourne’s size and cultural offering mean you’ll never feel alone and always find lots to do, even if you’re visiting the city with a family that includes teenagers. In this guide, we take you through twelve of the best things to do in Melbourne with young adults, sharing our top recommendations that will keep even the surliest of teens entertained.
For sporty teenagers or those with an interest in sports, the Australian Sports Museum is a great way to explore the Melbourne Cricket Ground which is situated within. The ‘G’ is known as one of Melbourne’s most iconic tourist attractions as it offers fascinating exhibitions for sports such as cricket, tennis, rugby, soccer, basketball, boxing and netball.
From touchscreen games to sports challenges and climbable objects, there is so much to do here. Open seven days a week from 10-5, you’ll always have the opportunity to visit this fun attraction with your teenagers whilst visiting Melbourne. Be sure to get your tickets in advance to avoid long queues and jump right into the fun.
Another activity to do with teenagers whilst in Melbourne is also within the National Sports Museum. As the museum is closed on game days, why don’t you buy your family tickets to the best sporting events in Australia?
The Melbourne Cricket Club has a great atmosphere on game days and was given the world record for the largest stadium in the southern hemisphere.
The Australian Football League is another popular sporting event that takes place at the ‘G’. AFL is similar to typical English rugby, AFL in simple terms is like rugby, with an oval ball and a touchdown-style scoring system.
The O’Brien Icehouse offers opportunities to learn how to skate, be taught by professionals, watch ice hockey or try out ice skating for fun. Located in the Docklands, this ice skating rink is suitable for all ages and abilities.
Skating sessions are available where young adults won’t be interrupted by the little ones and can feel independent learning to skate. You can either drive here or take Melbourne’s trams, making a day of it and exploring the nearby Docklands where the Marvel Stadium and Queen Victoria Market are located.
If you’re looking for an exciting activity to keep everyone entertained on holiday, why not take the family on a wild buggy ride? There are two options for the wild buggy experience; the opportunity to drive solo with a driver’s licence, or to drive in a dual buggy with your trained instructor.
This adrenaline-filled attraction gives young adults the freedom to roam free on muddy tracks with obstacles in the way. The minimum age is 7, so it’s perfect for your teenagers.
If you’re looking for an indoor activity, why don’t you take the adrenaline-seeking teenagers to IFly, where they can learn to sky-dive safely with a trained instructor? Parents can watch from a viewing point as their teenagers enter a wind tunnel that keeps them floating in the air and are guided into place by a supervisor.
This attraction is accessible by car and tram, so make a day of it! Or if this doesn’t float your boat, check out Bounce; a nearby trampoline park with more trampolines than you can count where your teenagers can feel like kids again.
A great place to visit in Melbourne with teenagers is the Old Melbourne Gaol. This ex-prison has now been converted into a museum where you can embark on guided tours explaining what life was like when criminals were kept here.
This famous historical attraction will fascinate any teenager with an interest in the darker side of history, as it held and executed notorious criminals like Ned Kelly and Bailey Deeming. At the Gaol, they run several experiences including ‘The Hangman’s Night Tour’ which involves actors playing a famous hangman whilst exploring the historical building with you. Or there’s the ‘Daily Watchhouse Experience’ where the visitors are treated as though they are the prisoners.
These spine-chilling experiences will definitely keep your teenagers entertained!
For young adults with an interest in shopping whilst on holiday, this market is a great place to visit. From stalls hosted by delis, bakeries, bars and organic food shops to technology, beauty and clothes, there is something here for everyone.
You will find the market open between 9 am-3 pm, Tuesday – Friday or 9 am-4 pm on weekends. For food lovers, the Queen Victoria’s Market offers a foodie tour where you’d walk through the market tasting different foods, learning tips for cooking and baking and learning the history of the famous market.
Surfing is considered the most famous activity to do whilst in Australia, so an absolute must-do whilst in Melbourne is taking on the waves. The best time to visit for those who wish to spend their days surfing in Melbourne is in the Autumn, typically between March and May when the water and wind are just right.
New to surfing? No matter, there are a whole host of places offering lessons on how to surf, such as Urbnsurf and Torquay. Torquay is quite far from Melbourne, about an hour and twenty minutes drive, but is one of the best places to learn this sport.
Anyone can learn how to surf, so this activity is suited to kids, parents or even grandparents but especially teenagers who enjoy being active. With a bit of persistence, you and your teen could become professional surfers by the end of your travels!
We all know how popular moving images are nowadays, whether that’s on the TV, your phone or a tablet. The ACMI is a great place for kids and young adults alike to find out more and be engaged with animations.
Open daily between 10 am-5 pm, you can learn the story behind the moving image and how technology has developed over the decades to bring us photos and videos on our devices. There’s also a cinema where families can watch the latest movies, which is a great option on a day when the weather isn’t very warm or dry.
The Yarra River running through Melbourne has many activities on it, the most common being a thrilling boat tour. This is something that can be simple yet entertaining for teenagers, as they see the city from a different angle and perspective.
From cruises with picnics to tours where they explain the history of Melbourne, there’s something for everyone. There are roughly half a dozen companies which do cruises on the Yarra River – so make sure to do your research!
Another activity for teenagers to do in Melbourne, less common than surfing, is BMX racing. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, this is an exciting sport that teenagers will find particularly exciting, thanks to its recent addition to the Olympics.
Rampfest is an indoor BMX school open on Thursdays and Saturdays. You learn to ride at speed, how to go over bumps and potentially how to do tricks at the end. The BMX centre is located in Braybrook, Melbourne as it is only a 15-minute walk from the station.
The last activity to tick off your list whilst in Melbourne with teenagers and kids is Luna Park at St Kilda’s Beach. Whether you’re a daredevil seeking thrills or prefer a more leisurely pace, Luna Park offers a diverse range of attractions to suit all ages and preferences.
The theme park offers a wide range from gentle rides for the little ones like the carousel and miniature trains, to thrilling attractions for the teenagers and adults like the Enterprise and the Supernova rollercoasters. You can purchase your tickets in advance and gain unlimited access to dozens of awesome rides.
Melbourne is a fantastic place with a range of exciting activities for teenagers. You can catch waves surfing at iconic beaches, learn about the history behind the city and around sports and experience thrilling activities like BMX racing and visiting the amusement parks.
For teenagers wishing to relax the Royal Botanic Gardens also provide a serene escape for picnics and leisurely walks. Melbourne promises different adventures and experiences, where everyone will find something they love.
For more guides to destinations in Australia, check out our Asia and Oceania destination guides.
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