Fun Winter Activities for Families in South-East Melbourne

Winter in South-East Melbourne brings a cozy chill to the air, perfect for fun family adventures. Whether you love staying warm indoors or enjoying an outdoor activity, there’s something exciting for everyone.

Here are our top recommendations for winter activities that will keep your family smiling and create wonderful memories.

Puffing Billy’s Train of Lights

Get ready for an enchanting journey as Puffing Billy’s Train of Lights returns to the tracks, captivating passengers with a magical winter experience through the Dandenong Ranges. As the train chugs along, you'll be treated to a display of sparkles, rainbows, and hypnotic patterns that light up the trees, tracks, and passing towns.

Your journey will take you along the historic narrow-gauge track to Gembrook Station, where you’ll enjoy a 55-minute stopover. Warm up by the crackling open fire pits with hot chocolate and live acoustic music, and savor a sausage sizzle provided by the Rotary Club of Emerald and District. Don’t miss your chance to see the rolling hills of Gembrook in a whole new light on this unforgettable winter adventure!

Le Petit Chef & Friends

For something truly unique this winter, treat the family to an unforgettable night out with Le Petit Chef & Friends, an immersive dining adventure hosted exclusively at our hotel. This world-famous 3D projection mapping experience brings the tiniest chefs to life—right on your dinner plate!

Perfect for kids and adults alike, the show features a four-course dinner served alongside animated storytelling projected directly onto the table. Watch in awe as Le Petit Chef and his global culinary friends whisk, flip, and sizzle their way through each course. It’s an entertaining and delicious escape from the winter cold, blending food, fun, and a touch of theatrical magic.

Make your night even more special with our exclusive accommodation rate for Le Petit Chef guests—perfect for families looking to turn dinner into a winter staycation.

Kids Themed Rooms - Fairy Castle Room & Little Racers Room

Looking to turn a winter day out into a full family getaway? Make it a magical mini-holiday with our new kids-themed rooms, designed especially for little adventurers! From fairy tale wonderlands to race car dreams, each room is full of playful details to spark young imaginations. It’s the perfect way to warm up after a day of exploring local attractions.

Make the most of your winter break with our special accommodation packages—and don’t forget, kids stay free these winter school holidays!

Springvale Snow Fest

Come experience an enchanting snowy paradise on Sunday, 27 July as Springvale transforms once more for Snow Fest. Now in its 13th year, this beloved event returns in 2025 with even more fun, excitement, and family-friendly entertainment for all ages.

Dive into the frosty fun with a play area full of snow turning Buckingham Avenue into a winter wonderland. Enjoy a day packed with family rides, mouth-watering food trucks, and vibrant market stalls. Live entertainment throughout the day will keep the good times rolling, alongside free children’s activities to keep the little ones engaged.

Celebrate winter in Springvale with a day full of wonder, discovery, and memorable moments.

Frosted - A Winter Spectacular! To Celebrate Christmas in July

Embark on a magical winter journey at FROSTED – A Winter Spectacular, celebrating Christmas in July! During the months of June and July, the big field in Narre Warren opposite Westfield Fountain Gate will be transformed into a whimsical sanctuary where all can revel in the magic of a traditional winter Christmas in July under the Big Top.

Lose yourself in the breathtaking beauty of an immersive winter wonderland featuring a Snow Land, Elf’s Village, Polar Bear Ball Pit and more. Bring your loved ones to this festival and enjoy the beauty of a Christmas in July.

Legoland Discovery Centre Chadstone

If your kids love LEGO, then LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Melbourne is the perfect indoor playground for a fun-filled day. There are plenty of activities for younger children, such as the DUPLO Farm and soft play, and for the older ones there is the LEGO Racers, the underwater world, the creative workshops and more.

Located at Chadstone Shopping Centre, LEGOLAND offers the ultimate LEGO adventure for children and families to enjoy together.

Honeyccino Kids Cafe

Looking for a cosy winter activity to do with the kids? Honeyccino Kids Cafe is the perfect spot! This charming new play cafe caters to young children and their parents, offering a warm and inviting place to relax with a hot coffee.

Kids can explore multiple play spaces spread over two levels, featuring an epic ball pit, slides, trampolines, and even a ride-on train that departs every 30 minutes! Meanwhile, parents can enjoy ample cafe seating with clear views of the play areas, delicious coffee, and their famous family recipe sausage rolls. Honeyccino Kids Cafe is the ideal winter retreat for families seeking fun and comfort.

Caribbean Rollerama

Caribbean Rollerama, Melbourne’s favourite skating rink, is the perfect destination for a fun winter activity to do with the kids. Their spacious, purpose-built rink offers casual skate sessions, classes, events, and parties suitable for all ages.

With a DJ booth, disco ball, arcade games, a kiosk, party room, skate hire desk, and shop, we have everything you need for an exciting family outing.

Bunjil Place Library

This brilliantly designed library caters to young readers with three dedicated Kid Zones that take up almost the entire ground floor. Curved shelves create inviting reading pods, and there are specific areas for picture storybooks, junior fiction, and levelled reading boxes for guided practice.

Your little ones can choose a book and snuggle into a cozy cubby hole to explore the pictures. In the farthest corner, you'll find levelled seating where Mr. Ted hangs out, along with dress-ups, puzzles, and board books for even the youngest readers. The Library at Bunjil Place offers a warm and engaging environment for a delightful winter outing with your kids.

With many of these places conveniently located 5 to 30 minutes away from our place, offering a mix of cozy indoor activities and exciting outdoor experiences, there’s no shortage of ways to keep your family entertained and have a memorable staycation at our place. Make it the ultimate family getaway with our Kids Stay Free Package including free parking and access to family-friendly amenities. So, bundle up, explore, and make the most of the winter season together!