Touch down at Melbourne Airport at 07:10 and breeze through immigration and baggage; collect your pre-booked rental car and enjoy an easy 25-35 minute drive into the inner-north suburb of Brunswick. On arrival, check into your Brunswick Airbnb (108-124 Union Street) if early check-in is available or drop luggage and stretch your legs with a family-friendly breakfast at nearby Baker D. Chirico or the popular Lona Misa café on Sydney Road. Take a short stroll around the leafy streets to acclimatise, pick up any groceries or beach supplies for the road trip, and let the kids burn off energy at Brunswick’s Princes Park playground.
After lunch, complete any check-in formalities and prepare for the Great Ocean Road drive the next day by confirming car hire paperwork and mapping your route; pop into Smith Street or the Brunswick Street Market for picnic supplies and local treats. If time and jetlag allow, explore the vibrant Brunswick Street café and street-art scene or visit CERES Community Environment Park for a relaxed family walk and farmyard visit that’s perfect for children. Return to the Airbnb to rest, recharge devices, and pack a small day-bag for tomorrow’s coastal adventure.
Enjoy a relaxed dinner at one of Brunswick’s family-friendly restaurants—try the wood-fired pizzas at Tipo 00 or the eclectic menu at Little Mule—to sample Melbourne’s lively food culture without venturing far. After dinner, take a gentle evening stroll along Union Street or around the neighbourhood to soak in the local atmosphere, then settle in early so everyone gets a good night’s sleep before the scenic drive along the Great Ocean Road tomorrow.
Set off after an early breakfast in Brunswick (try Lona Misa or a takeaway coffee from Baker D. Chirico) and head southwest on the M1 toward Geelong, enjoying the children-friendly playlist on the drive. Stop at Torquay to stretch legs and explore Bells Beach lookout—let the kids watch surfers and hunt for seashells at the foreshore before continuing onto the iconic coastal stretch of the Great Ocean Road through Anglesea and Aireys Inlet to see the Split Point Lighthouse.
After a picnic lunch (pick up supplies in Anglesea or Lorne), take the dramatic coastal route past Lorne; pause at the Teddy’s Lookout for sweeping views and Memorial Arch to snap family photos marking the start of the Great Ocean Road. Arrive in Apollo Bay mid-afternoon, check into Seafarers Gateway, then enjoy a relaxed walk along the Apollo Bay foreshore or the Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary—kids will love rock-pooling at low tide and spotting boats in the bay.
For dinner, sample fresh local seafood at La Bimba or Fish Rock 47 and then return to your accommodation for a calm evening; stroll along the pier at sunset to watch the light on the water. Unpack for the next day, set out a small day-bag for the drive toward Phillip Island tomorrow, and let the family wind down early after a big day of coastal scenery.
Wake up in Apollo Bay and enjoy a relaxed breakfast at Apollo Bay General Store or The Harbour Cafe before a family-friendly stroll along the Apollo Bay foreshore and jetty; if the tide is low, let the kids hunt for rock pools around Marengo and watch local fishers bring in their catch. For a short nature interlude, take the quick Creek to Beach walk through native bush to spot birdlife and end with panoramic views from the Marriners Lookout before packing up.
Check out and begin the drive east toward Phillip Island, detouring inland through Colac to shorten the journey and break for a picnic lunch at Lake Colac Reserve or at the kids' playground in Colac Botanic Gardens. Continue via the Bass Highway, arriving on Phillip Island mid-afternoon — check into Ramada Resort Cowes and then head to the Nobbies Centre to explore the boardwalks and seal colony viewpoints, where kids can watch seals and learn about coastal ecosystems.
After a quick rest at the resort, enjoy an early dinner in Cowes at Fisho's or The Deli on Thompson before heading out to experience the island’s highlight: arrive at Summerland Beach/Phillip Island Nature Parks in time for the Penguin Parade briefing and watch the little penguins waddle ashore at sunset — a magical, family-friendly finale to the day. Return to your room to unwind and prepare for a full day of island wildlife and beaches tomorrow.
Start the day with a hearty breakfast at your Ramada Resort or a local favourite like The Pond Cafe in Cowes, then drive a short distance to the Phillip Island Wildlife Park to hand-feed kangaroos and meet koalas—an up-close, child-friendly encounter that continues the family's wildlife experiences from the Penguin Parade. Afterwards, head to Smiths Beach or Cape Woolamai for a brisk walk along the sand and coastal bluff, where kids can explore rock pools and parents can enjoy sweeping bay views before checking out.
Check out by late morning and take a relaxed coastal route westward toward Melbourne, stopping at the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory for a fun, sweet break and an interactive display the kids will love, then continue via the Bass Highway with a picnic lunch at Rhyll Inlet or the Phillip Island Heritage Centre picnic area. Aim to reach Docklands mid-to-late afternoon, drop off luggage at Melbourne Private Apartments Collins Wharf Waterfront, and take a short walk along the waterfront to stretch legs and familiarise the family with your Docklands base.
For dinner, choose a family-friendly waterfront restaurant in Docklands such as Cargo or Ponyfish Island for relaxed dining and views across the harbour, then enjoy a gentle post-meal stroll along Collins Wharf to see yachts and the city lights coming alive. Return to your apartment to unpack for the next few nights, launder any sandy clothes, and settle in early so everyone is refreshed for Melbourne exploration tomorrow.
Start the day with breakfast at your Docklands apartment or walk to Lacasa Coffee on Collins Wharf for pastries and ocean views, then catch the free City Circle tram or walk across to Federation Square. Spend a relaxed morning at the interactive ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) in Federation Square where kids can enjoy hands-on exhibits and short family-friendly screenings, and pop next door to the Ian Potter Centre for a quick introduction to Australian art if time allows.
After a casual lunch at the Degraves Street laneway cafés or at Southbank’s riverside eateries, take the family on the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel back in Docklands or stroll the Yarra River promenade to the Royal Botanic Gardens; let the kids run in the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden and enjoy a punt or a picnic on the lawns. If younger kids still have energy, visit the nearby SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium for underwater tunnels and interactive touch pools, keeping the day varied and child-focused.
Return to Docklands for an early waterfront dinner at Cargo or Ponyfish Island where kids can watch boats bobbing in the harbour, then take a gentle twilight walk along Collins Wharf to the Docklands Park playground so the children can play while parents enjoy the skyline views. Finish the evening back at your apartment to unpack any purchases, pack a day-bag for tomorrow’s museum-and-park adventures, and let everyone rest after a big day exploring Melbourne highlights.
After breakfast in Docklands, take the free City Circle tram or a short walk to the Melbourne Museum and IMAX (Carlton Gardens) for a hands-on morning — the kids will love the Science and Life galleries and the Dinosaur Walk, while parents can enjoy the Aboriginal cultural displays. Follow with a play and picnic on the wide lawns of Carlton Gardens, letting the children run around the ornamental pond and explore the heritage rotunda.
Head back toward the Yarra for lunch at Fed Square or Southbank, then visit the Eureka Skydeck for panoramic city views and the Edge experience if your family is adventurous; alternatively stroll across to the Royal Botanic Gardens to explore the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden and take a relaxing punt on the Ornamental Lake. If time allows, pop into the nearby Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks (or, for a shorter trip, return to ACMI for a special family exhibit) to round out a curiosity-filled afternoon.
Return to Docklands for dinner at a family-friendly waterfront spot such as Cargo or Ponyfish Island, then let the kids burn off any last energy at Docklands Park playground while you enjoy the harbour lights. Finish the evening back at your apartment to pack a small bag for tomorrow’s leisure day or optional excursions and to review plans for the rest of your Melbourne stay.
Sleep in a little and enjoy a relaxed breakfast at Lacasa Coffee on Collins Wharf or brew at your apartment before choosing today’s pace—either a local shopping spree at Harbour Town for bargains or a short city tram ride to Bourke Street Mall and the Queen Victoria Market for souvenirs and fresh snacks. If the family prefers fresh air, take a morning bike ride along the Waterfront Promenade toward Southbank, stopping for photos at the Bolte Bridge and a playground break at Docklands Park.
After lunch at Southbank’s riverside eateries or a picnic on the Collins Wharf lawns, pick an afternoon activity to suit the kids: visit the Eureka Skydeck for sweeping views and a Skydeck café treat, or head to Williamstown for a 30-40 minute drive/water taxi to explore the maritime village, its calm beaches and the Polly Woodside tall ship. Alternatively, keep it low-key with a return to ACMI for a special family exhibit or a movie screening, letting the children engage with interactive displays while adults relax nearby.
For your final full evening in Melbourne, choose a celebratory waterfront dinner at Ponyfish Island or Cargo to enjoy harbour views and kid-friendly menus, then stroll the lit-up boardwalk toward Docklands Park for a last play on the playground and skyline photos. Head back to your apartment to pack some items for tomorrow’s departure, launder any remaining clothes if needed, and enjoy a calm family wind-down with a favourite movie or game before bed.
Wake to a relaxed breakfast in your Collins Wharf apartment or pop across to Lacasa Coffee for takeaway pastries while finishing last-minute packing and tidying; double-check passports, boarding passes and any souvenirs packed from Queen Victoria Market. Aim to leave Docklands by 11:00-11:15 to allow time to refuel, return the rental car at Melbourne Airport and complete the short shuttle or drive-through drop-off process without stress.
After handing back the car and transferring into the terminal, enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the airport cafés — try Grill’d in Tullamarine for a quick family meal — then browse duty-free for any final gifts and let the kids stretch in the family seating areas near the departure gates. Plan to be at the gate by 14:30 for check-in security and a calm boarding process ahead of your 15:30 flight, giving everyone a final chance to use the restrooms and settle in.
Once airborne, settle the family with downloaded movies or storytime and a light snack while reflecting on your week of beaches, wildlife and city highlights from Brunswick to Docklands. If you arrive home in the evening, aim for a simple dinner and an early night so everyone can recover from travel and cherish memories from your Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island adventure.