When it comes to gifting for kids my default present is typically an experience due to my very strong belief in collecting memories before things. Often we plan a trip away, or we organise a day out, or even just a nice dinner out. For friends and family in Melbourne, I usually look at Melbourne Annual Passes as they provide more than just one day of outings.
If you are in Victoria or visiting soon, you may like to look at one of the many Melbourne annual passes for your kids next birthday (or for Christmas).
Enjoy our ultimate guide to Melbourne with kids.
The Best Melbourne Annual Passes for Families
Table of Contents
Melbourne Local Libraries
When it comes to annual membership and annual passes, the very first place you need to start is at your local library. For me personally, my library card was my Golden Ticket as a kid, leading me on many adventures to faraway places. It provided me with the very means to explore the world through literature and was one of the very best escapism. Please gift your child with their own library card.
You can join most local libraries online and get immediate access to a whole range of digital resources. eBooks, eMagazines, eComics, eAudio, streaming films and heaps more.
Membership Fee: FREE membership
Image is from my favourite children’s book shop, Squishy Minnie in Kyneton, Victoria.
Museums Victoria
The luxury of a Museums Victoria annual pass is that it extends to THREE of the city’s museums: Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks and Immigration Museum and provides unlimited free general entry as many times as you wish!
I absolutely adored visiting the Melbourne Museum as a kid, particularly for the large collection of insects. Back then, it was situated in the same building as the State Library. These days, you will need to head to the old Exhibition buildings, which have been converted to showcase the amazing exhibits that need more than a day to really appreciate.
Membership Fee: 2 adults and 6 children up to 16 years. $99.00
Head across to Museums Victoria’s annual passes to grab your membership.
Zoos Victoria
Zoos Victoria has three great zoos in Victoria: Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo. Whilst children are free to visit, adults do need to pay. An annual pass means you can visit all three zoos as many times as you wish all year. What’s more, as non-profit zoos, you know that your money is going back into the conservation of the animals.
Membership Fee: Adults $149.00 per year or $12.42 a month | Children FREE.
Head across to Zoos Victoria’s annual membership page for more details.
National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)
The National Gallery of Victoria is such a spectacular space to visit in Melbourne with the kids and the curators always work really hard to include areas where kids can get up and close with selected works. It is always fun and a place we head back to again and again.
Suitable for families with children aged 18 years and under, NGV Family Membership offers benefits for the whole family.
Membership Fee: Family $175.00 per year
Click here to learn more about the NGV Family membership program.
Heide Museum of Modern Art
The Heide Museum of Modern Art (also known as the Heide) is just 20 minutes from Melbourne and is both a rich fusion of art, architecture, social history and landscape. Along with the spectacular contemporary art exhibits, you will have the opportunity to explore sixteen acres of heritage-listed gardens. It is incredible
Membership Fee: Whilst there is no family pass, there is a joint adult membership for $150.00 and youth membership for $30.00. Teachers also receive a discount, with membership $55.00.
Click here to learn more about the Heide Museum of Modern Art annual pass.
Luna Park Melbourne
As a kid, I loved heading to Luna Park in St Kilda and riding the rickety wooden roller coaster. Well, that’s a lie….it scared me a whole lot but I didn’t want anyone else to know! You can now experience a year of Lunie fun with the Luna Park Annual Pass!
Membership Fee: $129.00 per year per person
Click across for Luna Park Annual Membership information.
National Trust
Our whole family are history buffs and adore exploring historic houses and places across Australia. As a National Trust member you receive free or discounted admission to over 180 properties around Australia and over 800 around the world. Best of all, you enable us to conserve more of our heritage.
Membership Fee: Household membership. Covers up to two adults and four children or grandchildren (under 18 years of age). The adults can include any family or friendship grouping. $120.00 (plus an initial $40.00 joining fee)
Click here to learn about the National Trust annual pass.
Merlin Annual Pass
If you are keen to explore the LEGO Discovery centre, the Melbourne Aquarium and the Otway Fly Treetop Adventures, then a Merlin Pass is probably the cheapest way to do so PLUS it unlocks entry to 10 magical attractions in Australia and New Zealand with the Merlin Annual Pass
Membership Fee: from $95.00 per person
Click here to learn about the Merlin Annual Pass
State Library Victoria
Membership to the Victorian State Library is free, and gives you access to over five million books, photos, artworks, maps, manuscripts and more.
Victorian members can also have free access from home to the Library’s eresources, including ebooks, enewspapers, ejournals and streaming services. Access to e-resources is provided for users’ private research or study purposes only and not for users’ business, commercial or work related purposes.
Membership Fee: whilst you can sign up for FREE membership it is limited. Family annual membership is $96.00 and includes a family pass to attend paid school holiday events, Behind-the-scenes talks and tours, Member-only events and more!
Head across to learn about the State Library Victoria membership.
Toy Libraries Australia
At a toy library, you can borrow from a vast array of well-made toys that have been designed to support your child’s skill development and imagination. Toy libraries aim to support families and encourage togetherness with quality time spent playing with children.
Membership Fee: Varies depending on the individual toy library. City of Melbourne Libraries offers a free toy library whilst others have a fee.
Click here to find a Toy Library near you.
Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI)
Perfect for gamers, film lovers and curious minds, an ACMI Membership offers great value for anyone keen to explore screen culture. Members enjoy discounted tickets, exclusive previews and events, plus savings in the ACMI Shop, with the option to add unlimited exhibition access for a full year at a reduced rate.
Membership Fee: $30.00 per person (free for Teachers, Health Care Card and Pensioner Concession Card Holders).
Head over to the ACMI Membership page for full details.
Funfields Theme Park
Located in Whittlesea, Victoria, around 40 kilometres north of Melbourne, Funfields Theme Park offers a choice of both wet and dry rides that the whole family will love.
Membership Fee: Season Pass for Family of 4 – currently sold out
Click here to learn about Funfields annual pass.
Adventure Park
Season Passes are an unbeatable value. You get unlimited visits to Adventure Park for the price of two visits. Ride the new TSUNAMI, Victoria’s first triple-funnel waterslide, plus all our epic rides and attractions that keep you coming back for more, plus you get a whole bunch of awesome benefits for being a Season Pass holder! See all the benefits below.
Membership Fee: Season Pass sold out for 2026
Click here to learn about Geelong’s Adventure Park.
Gumbuya World
A year full of fun awaits you at Victoria’s only water, wildlife and theme park. Unlimited access to all four worlds: Water, Wildlife, Rides and Adventure. You can read all about our visit here.
Membership Fee: General (120cm+) $215.00 Junior (90 – 120cm) $165.00
Click here to learn about the annual Gumbuya World membership.
Collingwood Children’s Farm
Established in 1979 the Collingwood Children’s Farm is a not-for-profit community resource providing country experiences for city people.
Membership Fee: Family Pass (2 adults + 4 children) $205.00
Click here to learn about Collingwood Children’s Farm annual pass.
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Other spots to visit in Victoria:
Take a trip to Phillip Island. Make sure to book your Penguin Parade visit in advance (don’t miss our Guide to the Phillip Island Penguin Parade).
Visit the Great Ocean Road with kids and spot some of the most incredible natural wonders along the shipwreck coast.
Head to the Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs with the kids – this was one of our TOP experiences on our Victorian road trip. Check out the farm gates on the way and enjoy a little strawberry picking.
Find out what activities are heading to Melbourne for the school holidays.
Visit the Pioneer Settlement in Swan Hill or explore the Gold Rush at Sovereign Hill.
Find things to do in Mildura. Or take a paddle steamer adventure at Echuca.