Looking to visit Open House Melbourne with your kids?
Open House Melbourne Weekend is back on Saturday 27 July and Sunday 28 July 2024, with a packed program celebrating the best of architecture across the city.
To help you choose from huge program, we’ve hand-picked the best places and activities to discover at Open House Weekend with kids. These buildings are offering something unique for the weekend – they’re either not normally open to the public or are hosting extra fun.
Activities are mostly free, and the buildings listed here are all pram-accessible. Bookings are required for some locations.
Also read my tips on how to visit Open House Melbourne with kids.
What is Open House Melbourne?
All cities like to celebrate their beautiful architecture.
Open House is an international movement that invites people to deepen their understanding of design and urban planning in cities all around the world.
Since Open House Melbourne started in 2008, the event has grown bigger and bigger every year. The program now covers the whole city and you’ll get to experience Melbourne’s architectural diversity firsthand – from iconic skyscrapers and modern homes to historic landmarks and hidden gems.
As you explore, you’ll uncover the story of our city’s history and how it’s evolved.
So come along – you’ll get to see parts of Melbourne you’ve never seen before and gain a new perspective on the city you thought you knew!
Open House Melbourne – Melbourne CBD and Docklands
Play! in the City
Explore Melbourne’s most unique play spaces across the city!
This self-guided tour introduces visitors to some of the best play spaces across the City of Melbourne, including Rocks on Wheels on Southbank Boulevard, Royal Park Nature Play and Lincoln Square playground.
Over the Weekend (27 + 28 July), collect self-guided tour maps at the Open House Melbourne Info Hub outside Melbourne Town Hall to explore the beloved and award-winning play spaces.
Play! in the City, Collect from Open House Melbourne Info Hub outside Melbourne Town Hall, 90-120 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
AAMI Park
Guests will visit back-of-house areas not normally accessible to the public, including new corporate and media spaces, and take a walk on the pitch to experience the scale of the stadium and its new curved videoboards from the perspective of an athlete.
Tours will be conducted by members of the AAMI Park venue management team, so guests will also learn about the operations of the venue, and what it takes to deliver a year-round program of events.
AAMI Park, Olympic Blvd, Melbourne VIC 3004
Saturday 27 + Sunday 28 July
Tours run 10am, 11.30am + 1pm
Running for 60 minutes in groups of 20
No bookings required. Tour group capacity is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Collins Street Baptist Church
Members of the church community will be on hand to talk more about its history as the home of the oldest continuing Baptist congregation in Australia, and its continuing commitment to social justice.
Children have the option of taking a detective trail sheet and following the clues around the building accompanied by a carer. There is also a children’s corner with toys.
Collins Street Baptist Church, 174 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
narrm ngarrgu Library
Tour the library with Six Degrees Architects, who designed narrm ngarrgu as part of the Munro Development, one of Australia’s most sustainable mixed-use developments.
In the dedicated children’s library, kids can explore artworks by First Nations artist Maree Clarke, discovering the five clans of the Kulin Nations and the seven seasons.
OPEN Play is also happening at the library. OPEN Play is a Open House Melbourne’s educational program for young people and youth exploring the role good design plays in shaping our community and city. Kids 3-8 years are invited to find ways to create new and interesting solutions to design challenges provided by the facilitator- all materials are supplied.
narrm ngarrgu Library, 141 Therry St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Saturday 27 July
Open access 10am-4pm
Tours by Six Degrees run 11.30 am + 1pm
Running for 45-60 minutes in groups of 50
Sunday 28 July
Open access 12pm-4pm
No bookings required. Tour group capacity is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
OPEN Play
Sunday 28 July
Drop in session runs 1pm-3pm
Last entry 30 minutes before closing
Age: 3 to 8 years
No bookings required. Capacity is limited and operates on a one in one out basis.
Scots’ Church and Assembly Hall
Constructed between 1873 and 1874, the Gothic Revival style Scots’ Church was designed to be the most beautiful building in Australia.
Take yourself through the church and experience a demonstration of the magnificent Rieger Organ, or join for a traditional church service on Sunday morning, featuring the organ and the world-class Scots’ Church Choir.
Scots’ Church and Assembly Hall, 156 Collins Street, Melbourne
Saturday 27 July
Open access + organ demonstrations 10am-4pm
Organ demonstrations running for 20 minutes
Sunday 28 July
Open access + organ demonstrations 10am-4pm
Organ demonstrations running for 20 minutes
Sunday service 11am-12pm
No bookings required
Southbank Theatre
Go backstage at Southbank Theatre, the home of Melbourne Theatre Company, where some of Australia’s most beloved actors have graced the stage.
On Saturday, explore the public spaces of Southbank Theatre and view an exhibition of the building’s design and history and see aspects of the company’s performance operations, including a display of costumes and other staging elements of its productions.
On Sunday, see the exhibition or join a tour to see backstage and the set for the production of ‘English’ by Sanaz Toossi, before it opens on July 29. See the actors’ dressing rooms, technical operations and other spaces not usually open to the public.
Southbank Theatre, 140 Southbank Boulevard, Southbank
Saturday 27 July
Open access 10am-4pm
Sunday 28 July
Open access 10am-4pm
Tours running every half hour starting at 10am. Last tour departs at 3.30pm
Running for 30 minutes in groups of 15
No bookings required. Tour group capacity is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Wesley Church
Come design and build your own heritage building! Using materials and templates designed by a local artist, we encourage kids to get creative with a building of their own.
Plus there will be a musical performance on the organ, tours and talks about the windows at Wesley and the history and stories behind them, and tours of the heritage building.
Wesley Church, 136 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Port of Melbourne Boat Tours
Featuring a guided commentary from port staff, you’ll see Australia’s busiest port from a whole new angle. Normally Port Open Day boat tours run on Sundays during the warmer months but for Open House Melbourne the tours are free (with booking fee).
All tours are round-trips, leaving from Victoria Harbour in Docklands. There is a children’s activity zone onboard.
Port of Melbourne Boat Tours, Water Plaza, Victoria Harbour Docklands
Saturday 27 + Sunday 28 July
Tours run 10am + 1pm
Running for 120 minutes in groups of 220
Bookings required—$7 booking fee applies.
Open House Melbourne – North
Albanian Mosque
Informal tours will be taken through the mosque, multi-purpose room and social room and will include a glimpse of the renovations being done to the new ablution area and courtyard. Visitors will have the opportunity to see one of the five daily prayers performed by members of the congregation. Light refreshments will be provided.
There will be a children’s activity table set up.
Albanian Mosque, 765 Drummond St, Carlton North VIC 3054
Saturday 27 July
Open access 1pm-4pm
Sunday 28 July
Open access 11am-2pm
No bookings required
Montsalvat Arts Centre
There will also be self-guided tour pamphlets available outlining the 90-year-old history of Montsalvat, as well as a variety of art-centric activities for kids and adults alike. On the evening of Sunday 28 there will be an outdoor wine bar and Montsalvat’s monthly Jazz Night concert in the Barn Gallery, with tickets available at the door on the day.
For kids there will be a bingo activity sheet and an attended kids colouring station, as well as a variety of entertainment.
Montsalvat Arts Centre, 7 Hillcrest Ave, Eltham VIC 3095
Islamic Museum of Australia
The Islamic Museum of Australia will be open to the public for free, giving Melbournians an opportunity to see what lies behind the rusted Corten steel veil. There are five permanent galleries and two visiting gallery spaces.
Children will be given self-guided tour worksheets.
Islamic Museum of Australia, 15A Anderson Rd, Thornbury VIC 3071
Saturday 27 July 10am–4pm
Open House Melbourne – South
Mt Burnett Observatory
In small groups you will be shown around the observatory and visit the Monash Dome and the 18-inch telescope, the Celestron Dome, the Log Cabin, specialist astronomy displays and children’s activities.
Visitors on the evening tours will have the opportunity to view the night sky through the telescopes (weather permitting).
Mt Burnett Observatory 420 Paternoster Rd, Mount Burnett VIC 3781
Saturday 27 July
Daytime tours run 10am, 11.30am + 2.30pm
Running for 60 minutes in groups of 45
Evening tours run 5.30pm + 7.30pm
Running for 90 minutes in groups of 45
Bookings required—$7 booking fee applies
Firestation Print Studio
Visitors will have open access to explore the gallery with its current exhibition; the main studio, where there will be demonstrations of printmaking techniques; and the backroom, where visitors will have the chance to participate in letterpress, gel plate printing and other hand printing techniques.
Resident artists’ studios will be also open and daily raffles with a wonderful array of prizes.
Children will be able to take part in simple printmaking techniques, such as gelli plate and letterpress printing, creating unique pieces of artwork to take home.
Firestation Print Studio, 2 Willis St, Armadale VIC 3143
Saturday 27 + Sunday 28 July
Open access 11am-4pm
No bookings required
Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron
Wander through the building at your leisure or be guided by a member of our historical and memorabilia group. There will be live music during the afternoons.
There will be sailing-related activities for the kids, including knot-tying and face painting.
Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron, 1 Pier Rd, St Kilda VIC 3182
Victorian Institute of Sport
There will be tours of the Victorian Institute of Sport, showcasing the wide-ranging facilities and fascinating architecture of the building.
There will be speed and power tests for kids (and adults!) to see how they compare to our elite Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
Victorian Institute of Sport, Lakeside Stadium, 33 Aughtie Dr, Albert Park VIC 3206
Gasworks Arts Park
Over the weekend visitors can visit the open studios of resident artists working in former workshops that still retain original features, and also see a display of historical photographs showing the evolution of Gasworks from the 1880s to now.
For kids there will be Clay in the Park, where soft clay tiles can be decorated by children using a range of tools and coloured slips. The tiles will be fired in our community kiln and can be collected during the Farmers Market on August 17. There will also be wildflower pressing activities on both days.
Gasworks Arts Park, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park
Saturday 27 + Sunday 28 July
Open access 11am-3pm
Clay in the Park children’s activity runs 1pm-2pm
No bookings required
Wildflower Pressing children’s activity runs 11am-3pm
No bookings required
Morris Moor
Experience the industrial feel that’s true to the roots of the property as the former Philip Morris manufacturing site. Take a tour through the award-winning grounds, or enjoy the amenities on site.
For families there is a playground, outdoor table tennis, face painting, colouring pages and more.
Morris Moor, 1 Cochranes Rd, Moorabbin VIC 3189
Melbourne Holocaust Museum
Encompassing the existing heritage building on the south-eastern corner, the new Melbourne Holocaust Museum is conceived in stark contrast to the bunker-like forms of many Holocaust museums around the world. There will be tours of this award-winning building to view and understand the structure.
Inside the museum there is a permanent exhibition for children aged 10 and above. Hidden: Seven Children Saved is an innovative exhibition designed to provide children aged 10 to 14 a safe and meaningful interaction with the Holocaust, by following the experiences of one of seven child survivors who were in hiding during the war. (This exhibition is an additional cost.)
Melbourne Holocaust Museum, Elsternwick
Sunday 28 July
Tours run 11.30am + 1.30pm
Running for 60 minutes in groups of 30
Bookings required—$7 booking fee applies
Brighton Town Hall
Come explore Brighton Town Hall, with access to the Bayside Gallery, the Brighton Historical Society, the Brighton Theatre Company, and the Brighton Art Society.
Bayside Gallery will have a number of hands-on activities for children linked to the exhibition Prehistoric Bayside, while the Brighton Historical Society will have a collection of toys and games on display for children to view.
Brighton Town Hall, Cnr Wilson and Carpenter St, Brighton VIC 3186
Saturday 27 July
Open access 1pm-5pm
Sunday 28 July
Open access 2pm-5pm
No bookings required
Open House Melbourne – East
Box Hill Community Arts Centre
There will be opportunities to meet working artists and to learn what it takes to run an arts facility which hosts weddings, parties and more in this changing city landscape.
Sunday will feature child-centred family workshops, including Make Your Own Arts-House, where kids will build fantastic cardboard box arts houses; California Dreaming, where children and families can learn about and then design their own Californian Bungalow; and Mosaic Magic, where families will be able to tour the Centre’s mosaics, followed by a paper-making mosaic masterpiece workshop. Numbers will be limited, so don’t forget to book!
Box Hill Community Arts Centre, 470 Station St, Box Hill VIC 3128
Saturday 27 July
Open access 10.30am – 4pm
Tours run 10.30am, 12pm + 2.30pm
Running for 45 minutes in groups of 16
No bookings required
Sunday 28 July
Open access 10am-2.30pm
Child-centred family tours running every hour starting at 10am. Last tour departs at 2pm
Running for 15 minutes in groups of 10
No bookings required
All workshops require bookings.
This program includes both open access and pre-booked components. Where bookings are required—a $7 booking fee waived
Schwerkolt Cottage and Museum
Come along for a special opportunity to explore inside Schwerkolt Cottage and learn about its construction and history. Tour the 19th-century stone cottage with a guide and walk around the barn, smithy, smokehouse, cellar and orcharding shed.
Explore the local history room with Whitehorse Historical Society and warm up with a Devonshire tea.
The Needlework Tapestry Guild of Victoria will be inside the museum giving demonstrations. See stunning examples of furniture and wood craft on display by the Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking.
Kids can see the Pepperwood Farm doll house inside the museum and get inspired to create their own fairy house or furniture at craft activity stations. The extensive grounds also include a barbecue area and family playground.
Schwerkolt Cottage and Museum, 2-10 Deep Creek Road, Mitcham VIC 3132
Sunday 28 July
Open access 12pm-4pm
Tours run 12.30pm, 1.30pm + 2.30pm
Running for 20 minutes in groups of 16
No bookings required. Tour group capacity is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hawthorn Arts Centre
Enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Town Hall Gallery, located within the historic Hawthorn Arts Centre. Gallery staff will guide you through the exhibition spaces, workroomand collections storeroom, offering insights into the space’s operations.
The Explore and Create space in the Hawthorn Arts Centre is designed to engage children and adults alike. This space is an opportunity to relax and to create, with fun activities available to connect with your inner artist. We regularly activate our Explore and Create space with interactive artworks to celebrate Town Hall Gallery exhibitions, highlight cultural events, or display community artwork.
Hawthorn Arts Centre 60 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
Saturday 27 July
Open access 11am-4pm
Venue tours run 11.30am + 2.30pm
Running for 60 minutes in groups of 20
No bookings required
‘The Long Way: Kevin Chin’ curator-led exhibition tour
Running for 60 minutes in a group of 30
No bookings required
Sunday 28 July
Open access 11am-4pm
Venue tours run 11.30am + 2pm
Running for 60 minutes in groups of 20
No bookings required. Tour group capacity is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Open House Melbourne – West
100 Story Building
Learn how this unique space was designed in collaboration with the Futuremakers, a team of young designers whose ideas have helped to create this dynamic space for creativity. Kids will love the hands-on self-guided scavenger hunt.
100 Story Building 206-208 Nicholson Street, Footscray VIC 3011
Sunday 28 July
Open access 12pm-4pm
Talks at 1pm + 3pm
Running for 30 minutes
No bookings required. Capacity is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Moonee Ponds Court House Museum
Visitors are invited to enjoy a self-guided tour and explore the architecture of the building, learn about cases from the Court and the history of the building and locality and see the effects of the 2016 fire.
Kids are challenged to explore the sports exhibition with their own scavenger hunt activity!
Moonee Ponds Court House Museum, 770 Mount Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039
Werribee Mansion
Enjoy free access to the interior of Werribee Mansion. Parks Victoria staff and volunteers will be on site to chat to visitors about the Mansion’s history, art, and architectural features.
There will be different forms of entertainment popping up sporadically throughout the Mansion, providing a lively atmosphere and surprising and delighting visitors. The café will be open, selling light food and beverages.
Werribee Mansion, 320 K Road, Werribee South
Saturday 27 July & Sunday 28 July 10am–4pm
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