DOCKLANDS IN MELBOURNE WITH KIDS
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Saying you like Docklands is not very a very trendy opinion in Melbourne. It’s a relatively new complex area with lots of new apartments. I really like it though – it’s right next to the city (on the backside of Marvel Stadium) and it’s so convenient. So much so that I recommend staying here with children if you are a Melbourne visitor. Docklands is safe, clean, a big shopping and movie complex (the Hoyts here is, in my opinion, the best in Melbourne – big comfy chairs and gigantic cinema rooms ) – always easy to get a park. The hotel’s are quite new and most of them have rooftop pools. It’s on short tram ride into the middle of town too.
WHERE TO EAT WITH KIDS IN THE DOCKLANDS?
The restaurants here are all really family friendly and have high chairs etc. There is also a fake green grassy area on the ground floor with picnic tables so if your kids aren’t great at sitting still during meals you can get take-away and dine there instead.
The Urban Alley BrewPub is also super family-friendly (they have highchairs too.)
It’s very basic B of me but I also really like the Coffee Club at Docklands.
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The top floor of the Docklands has a kids cafe and playcentre called Chipmunks. Kids up til 11 years old are welcome to play here (must be supervised at all times.)
A SUMMER IN MELBOURNE WITH KIDS IDEA
Did you know that Vibe Docklands (hotel) have day passes for their pool during the summer time – for those who aren’t staying guests at their hotel. Buy a day pass to use the pool at Vibe Dockands here. $25 for Adults and $15 for kids. And you can order food straight to your sun bed.
The Hoyts here at Docklands is really nice – really really big cinemas.
See here for my favourite places to eat while at Docklands with kids.
You can also go ice-skating at Docklands too at O’Brien Ice-House.
WHERE TO STAY AT DOCKLANDS WITH KIDS?
Marriot Docklands
This is not technically in the CBD but it is in Docklands. I love staying here for a special staycation with my children in Melbourne.
This hotel is within the Docklands Complex – which means that you have a supermarket, cinema, restaurants, games arcade and ice-skating rink just outside of the hotel door.
The rooms here are more spacious than many city centre hotels. We also love the rooftop pool and jacuzzi here.
These guys also do an adorable welcome mini-pack for kids.
Vibe Hotel Docklands
This is also part of the Docklands. I really like this area for shopping and easy access to the city – without being in the city centre (which can often be busy in the mornings and evenings and I find, since covid, the amount of weirdos/scary people in the city is on the up and the clean, family-friendly spots and restaurants going down.)
As with the Marriott Docklands, Hoyts Cinema, the shopping mall, the restaurants etc are right on the hotel door step – as is the tram to the city. There is also the Docklands iceskating rink “O’Brien Icehouse” just a few 100 metres away.
The restaurants in this area all close around 8-9pm so don’t plan on eating late.
The Vibe Hotel has a decent 24 hour room service menu. The room tvs also have local tv but also a Google Chromecast option to connect your own streaming apps to the telly.
This hotel has a gym, steam room, pool, spa and bar.
Room types are for 2,3 or 4 people . For larger families, you can also ask about connecting rooms.
Many airlines use this hotel for their cabin crew while in Melbourne.
Did you know that even when you’re not a guest at this hotel you can still use the pool during Summer ? Buy a day pass to use the pool at Vibe Dockands here. $25 for Adults and $15 for kids. And you can order food straight to your sun bed.
As well as District Docklands across the road, there is also a convenience store Xpress (that also specializes in American Candy) Open 10am-10:30pm.
Just across the road from Vibe Hotel is my favourite shop to buy Melbourne souvenirs. It’s called Souvenirs Direct, Docklands. They sell puzzles, toys, boardgames, aussie made honey etc.
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
