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House Down Under
Australia's favourite upside-down house experience. Walk on ceilings, take impossibly fun photos, and explore six gravity-defying rooms at The District Docklands. Kids absolutely love it.
Updated: May 2026
Read time: 8 Mins
Best for: Families, Toddlers, School-age Kids
Location: Sydney, NSW
The Ultimate Guide to Things to Do with Kids in Sydney
From iconic harbour adventures to free museums and incredible beaches, here's every family activity worth doing in Sydney right now.
Sydney is one of Australia's most spectacular cities for families. Between the world-famous Opera House, the Powerhouse Museum, Taronga Zoo, Darling Harbour, and countless beaches stretching from Bondi to Manly, there's always something on. But if you've ticked off the obvious tourist spots and want something genuinely different, this guide is for you. We've pulled together the best things to do with kids in Sydney right now, whether you're planning a school holiday itinerary, a weekend day out, or you've just got a free afternoon and need something that doesn't involve a screen.
Featured Experience
House Down Under: Sydney's Most Unique Kids' Experience
When it comes to fun things to do in Melbourne with kids, most places follow a formula. A show here, a museum wing there. House Down Under throws the formula out completely. Quite literally, upside down.
Australia's favourite inverted house photo experience has turned Docklands upside down. Walk through a fully furnished home that's been completely flipped on its head. The couches hang above you. The beds are on the ceiling. The kitchen bench is level with your shoulders. Kids absolutely lose it, and honestly, so do the adults.
Must-Do Sydney Attraction
House Down Under, The District Docklands
Walk through six themed upside-down rooms including a kids' play area with monkey bars, a bedroom, lounge, kitchen, and bathroom. No time limit. Unlimited photos. Kids under 4 are free. Right under the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel at Docklands, it's one of the most talked-about family experiences in the city.
The Melbourne venue sits inside The District Docklands shopping centre at 101 Waterfront Way, right beneath the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel. The upside-down experience spans approximately 85 square metres across two open-plan levels. Downstairs you'll find a dedicated kids' play area with monkey bars, a study nook, and an upside-down bathroom that even toddlers will find hilarious. Head up a level and you'll discover the bedroom, lounge room, and kitchen, all styled like a traditional European home, just inverted.
What makes this one of the best kids' activities in Melbourne isn't just the novelty. There's no time limit on your visit. Most families spend 15 to 20 minutes, but some stick around for over an hour working out the best angles and the funniest poses. Creativity is encouraged. Silliness is basically the entry requirement.
free
Kids Under 4
$19
Per Person (Group of 3+)
6
Themed Rooms to Explore
No
Time Limit
Ticket Pricing at a Glance
- Single tickets (kids aged 4 and over): $21 per person
- Groups of 3 or more: $19 per person
- Kids under 4: Free
- Companion Card holders: Support person enters free
Pro tip
Book ahead online, especially on weekends and during Victorian school holidays. Walk-ins are welcome where capacity allows, but pre-booked guests always get priority access. Wait times can be significant on busy weekends, so booking takes two minutes and saves a lot of standing around with restless kids.
Find Us
- Opening hours: Weekdays 12pm to 6pm. Weekends 10am to 6pm. Extended hours during Victorian school holidays.
- Location: The District Docklands, 101 Waterfront Way, Docklands VIC 3008. Right under the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel.
Indoor Activities
Best Indoor Activities for Kids in Sydney
Sydney is full of world-class indoor family attractions. Free museums with kids' entry, the harbour aquarium, hands-on science, and rainy-day staples that consistently work for families of every age. Here are the top picks.
2
Melbourne Museum
Free for children under 16. Dinosaurs, the Children's Gallery for babies to five-year-olds, the Forest Gallery, the Gandel Gondwana Garden for older kids, and Bugs Alive. One of the best free family days in Australia.
3
Scienceworks
Hands-on science exhibitions, the Planetarium, and the Lightning Room show. A consistent favourite for primary school-aged kids who love to push buttons, pull levers, and generally cause controlled chaos. Located in Spotswood.
4
ACMI at Federation Square
Australia's museum of screen culture. Free permanent exhibitions exploring film, TV, games, and digital art. Interactive, immersive, and genuinely interesting for older kids and teens. Brilliant on a rainy day.
5
LEGO Discovery Centre
The ultimate indoor playground for kids aged 3 to 10. LEGO building zones, rides, a 4D cinema, and a MINILAND replica of Melbourne. Located in Chadstone Shopping Centre. Book ahead during school holidays.
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SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
Sharks, rays, penguins, and an underwater glass tunnel walk in the CBD. A classic Melbourne family attraction right on the Yarra at King Street with consistently popular exhibits.
Outdoor Adventures
Outdoor Family Fun Around Sydney
When Sydney delivers a clear day, it really delivers. These are the outdoor spots that consistently work for families with kids of all ages, from toddlers who need space to run to older kids ready for a full adventure.
1
Melbourne Zoo
Australia's most-loved zoo with 320 species across 22 hectares of pathways and gardens. The walk-through gorilla rainforest and Trail of the Elephants are crowd favourites. Located in Parkville, easy on public transport.
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Royal Botanic Gardens
A dedicated children's garden with water play, bamboo tunnels, a kitchen garden, and discovery spaces. Free entry, easy for prams, and one of the best toddler-friendly outdoor spots in the city.
3
Luna Park Melbourne
Melbourne's iconic heritage amusement park right on St Kilda foreshore. Rollercoasters, a Ferris wheel, and carnival rides within walking distance of the beach. The original Mr Moon entrance is a Melbourne rite of passage.
4
Puffing Billy Railway
A heritage steam train through the Dandenong Ranges. Kids dangle their legs out the window as the train winds through towering mountain ash forests. One of Melbourne's most enduring family experiences. Book ahead during holidays.
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Werribee Open Range Zoo
A wildlife safari on Melbourne's doorstep. Rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes, and zebras roaming open grasslands. The safari tour is unforgettable for kids. About 35 minutes from the CBD with free parking on site.
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St Kilda Beach and Foreshore
The little penguin colony at the breakwater, heritage foreshore, Luna Park, and the Esplanade market on Sundays. St Kilda is one of those Melbourne spots where you can fill an entire family day without really planning it.
Weekend Ideas
What to Do This Weekend with Kids in Sydney
The question that comes up every Friday afternoon. If you're looking for a Sydney family day that doesn't require a two-hour commute, here are three formulas that consistently deliver.
The Docklands Day Out
Start at House Down Under for the upside-down photo experience, then spend the rest of the morning exploring The District Docklands. Grab lunch at the waterfront and let the kids loose on the foreshore. If the weather holds, walk along the harbour promenade. If it doesn't, Timezone is right there. A full family day without leaving the precinct.
The CBD and Southbank Loop
Hit Melbourne Museum first thing before the crowds build. Grab lunch near Carlton Gardens and tram down to Federation Square for ACMI in the afternoon. Finish with a gelato on Southbank and a walk along the Yarra. The whole circuit works for ages 3 to 12 without anyone melting down.
The St Kilda Saturday
Esplanade market in the morning, beach and foreshore through the middle of the day, Luna Park in the afternoon. Add the penguin colony at the breakwater at dusk if you have older kids with patience. Fish and chips on Acland Street to finish. One of Melbourne's great family days with just one paid attraction.
Free Activities
Free Things to Do in Sydney with Kids
Sydney is genuinely one of the best cities in Australia for free family activities. Between world-class museums with free kids' entry, public gardens, foreshore walks, and council holiday programs, you can fill every day of school holidays without spending much at all.
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Melbourne Museum
Free for children under 16. Dinosaurs, the Children's Gallery, the Forest Gallery, Bugs Alive, and the Gandel Gondwana Garden. One of the best free days in the country. Book a timed entry online to avoid queues during school holidays.
2
Melbourne Zoo (weekends and school holidays)
Free entry for kids aged 4 to 15 on weekends and Victorian public holidays. Over 300 animal species, the brand-new Dino Trail, and the Butterfly House. Book ahead as free-entry days get very busy.
3
Ian Potter Children's Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens
A dedicated play and discovery garden for young children. Bamboo forest, water play, a kitchen garden, and sensory spaces. Free entry. Easy for prams. One of Melbourne's best-kept family secrets.
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State Library Victoria – Children's Quarter
A spectacular two-storey children's castle inside the State Library, free and open to all. Regular story time, art-making programs, and holiday workshops. Central CBD location on Swanston Street.
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Federation Square and ACMI
Free outdoor cinema during school holidays, live performances on the main stage, and ACMI's free permanent exhibitions. Fed Square consistently runs free family programming throughout the year.
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Melbourne's Laneways and Street Art
Hosier Lane, AC/DC Lane, Centre Place. Melbourne's laneway art is world-famous, changes constantly, and costs nothing. Older kids in particular love discovering the rotating murals and hidden art installations. Start at Flinders Lane and go exploring.
Rainy Day
Rainy Day Activities for Families in Sydney
Sydney weather is what it is. The good news is that the city has more world-class indoor family activities than almost any other city in Australia. Here are the ones worth bookmarking before the forecast turns grey.
1
House Down Under
Fully enclosed, air-conditioned, and completely immune to Melbourne weather. The upside-down experience is actually calmer and better on a quieter weekday when you have more room to play with the angles.
2
Melbourne Museum
Free for under-16s. A full day of exhibits without a single dull moment. Start with the dinosaurs, work through the Children's Gallery, and finish with the Bugs Alive insects. Bring lunch and settle in.
3
Scienceworks
Hands-on science you can touch, break, and experiment with. The Lightning Room show runs throughout the day and is genuinely spectacular for kids of all ages. A Spotswood institution.
4
ACMI at Federation Square
Free permanent collection covering screen culture, interactive digital art, and game design. A genuine cultural destination for older kids and teens that doesn't feel like being dragged to a museum.
5
LEGO Discovery Centre
Hours of creative building and rides in a fully enclosed environment at Chadstone. Kids could easily spend half a day here. Book ahead during school holidays as sessions sell out.
6
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
The underwater glass tunnel, penguin exhibit, and shark display are all fully enclosed. One of Melbourne's most reliable wet-weather family options, right in the CBD on the Yarra.
Family Tips
Tips for a Stress-Free Family Day Out in Sydney
Sydney is an easy city to navigate with kids if you plan around a few things. Here's what actually makes the difference between a great day and a stressful one.
1
Book ahead for the popular spots
House Down Under, Scienceworks, LEGO Discovery Centre, and Puffing Billy all sell out on school holiday weekends. Pre-booking takes two minutes and removes a lot of stress on the day.
2
Use the free tram zone
Melbourne's CBD tram zone is free for everyone. Trams run to Docklands, the zoo, Melbourne Museum, and Federation Square at no cost. Load a Myki if you're heading further out, but for a CBD family day you won't need to pay for transport at all.
3
Hit the big free venues early
Melbourne Museum and the zoo on free-entry days get very busy by mid-morning. Arriving at opening makes a real difference, especially during school holidays when everyone has the same idea.
4
Build your day around The District Docklands
House Down Under, waterfront dining, playgrounds, and easy parking. The precinct is purpose-built for families and runs well even when it's busy. A reliable base for a full day out.
5
Pack layers
Melbourne weather shifts fast. A jacket in the bag is standard operating procedure for any family day out in the city, any time of year.
6
Check Victorian school holiday dates
Most Melbourne attractions extend hours and run special programming during school holidays. House Down Under opens extended hours during Victorian school holidays. Always check the website before you visit.
Quick Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do with kids in Melbourne?
Top picks include House Down Under at The District Docklands, Melbourne Museum (free for under-16s), Melbourne Zoo (free kids entry on weekends), Scienceworks, Luna Park at St Kilda, and the Royal Botanic Gardens Ian Potter Children's Garden. For something genuinely unlike anything else in the city, House Down Under lets kids walk on ceilings and explore a gravity-defying home with no time limit.
What are some free things to do with kids in Melbourne?
Melbourne Museum, Federation Square, ACMI, the Royal Botanic Gardens' Ian Potter Children's Garden, the State Library Victoria Children's Quarter, and Melbourne's CBD laneways are all completely free. Melbourne Zoo also offers free entry for kids 4–15 on weekends and Victorian public holidays.
What can you do with kids in Melbourne on a rainy day?
House Down Under is fully enclosed and weather-proof. Other reliable options include Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks, ACMI, LEGO Discovery Centre at Chadstone, and SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium. All have indoor exhibits that hold up for a full day.
Is House Down Under Melbourne suitable for toddlers and young kids?
Yes. Kids under 4 enter free and don't need a ticket. The experience is designed for all ages, though young kids should be supervised on the spiral staircase and slanted floors. Take your time — there's no time limit inside.
Where is House Down Under Melbourne located?
House Down Under Melbourne is at The District Docklands. Free parking is available at the precinct and Melbourne's free tram zone runs nearby — making it one of the easiest family attractions to reach in the city.
What are the best things to do in Melbourne during school holidays with kids?
House Down Under runs extended hours during Victorian school holidays. Melbourne Museum, ACMI, and Federation Square also run dedicated school-holiday programs. Book ahead — the popular venues fill quickly on holiday weekends.
Ready to Turn Sydney Upside Down?
Book your visit to House Down Under at The District Docklands.
No time limit, kids under 4 free, and photos you'll actually want to keep.
Weekdays 12pm to 6pm | Weekends 10am to 6pm | Extended hours during Victorian school holidays.
Gift Cards
Give the Gift of Upside-Down Fun!
The perfect unique gift for birthdays, holidays, or special surprises. Our digital vouchers are delivered instantly via email and can be used at any House Down Under location across Australia.
Which amount should I choose?
You can choose any value, but to help you decide, here is what our standard amounts cover. Kids Under 4 are Free.
- $19 1 Ticket Ages 4+
- $38 2 Tickets
- $57 3 Tickets Group Discount
- $76 4 Tickets Group Discount
- $95 5 Tickets Group Discount
- $114 6 Tickets Group Discount
Good to know
Gift cards retain their balance, so if you don't use it all at once, the credit stays for next time! To redeem, simply enter the code at checkout when booking online.
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Plan Your Visit
Ready to flip your day upside down?
Bring the family, bring your camera, and get ready for an experience that’s as fun as it is unforgettable.
