School Holiday Events & Activities

20 Dec 2025 ‐

27 Jan 2026

12:00 am ‐ 11:59 pm

National Trust Members receive FREE or discount Entry.

Make every day of the school holidays a journey of discovery and excitement for the whole family.

These school holidays, ignite curiosity and creativity with unforgettable family adventures. From hands-on activities to immersive experiences, there’s something to inspire and entertain kids of all ages. Explore our stunning properties and create cherished memories as you spark imaginations and enjoy fun-filled days together.

Play with Purpose!

Become a National Trust Member today to enjoy FREE or discounted access to year-round events for the whole family, and to help conserve and protect Victoria’s heritage for future generations to enjoy.

If you’re planning to visit a number of National Trust properties, here or overseas, becoming a Member is the best value.

What's On

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Life in the Watch House

Old Melbourne Gaol

Daily during School Holidays

Find out exactly what it feels like to ‘have the book thrown at you’. With a Charge Sergeant as your guide, you’ll be ‘arrested’, processed, and locked inside the Old City Watch House. Encounter the stories of Melbourne’s crims and crooks in this family experience. 

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PrisonBreak Explorers II

Pentridge Prison, Coburg

Select days during School Holidays

More escapes. More clues. More adventure. PrisonBreak Explorers II builds on the thrill of the original with new stories and fresh challenges set inside Pentridge Prison’s H Division. Discover daring escapes and larger-than-life characters in an immersive sequel designed for curious young investigators.

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Playtime with Elm & Willow – Adventure Trail

Rippon Lea Estate

Daily during School Holidays

Join Rippon Lea’s beloved bears, Elm and Willow, on a playful discovery trail through the estate’s enchanting gardens. Wander past the working windmill, explore the orchid, meet the ducks by the lake, and let imaginations run free as families follow the bears’ adventure together.

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Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies

Rippon Lea Estate, Elsternwick

From 1 January 2026

Step into a world of song, sparkle, and fairy mischief. Tinkerbell joins the Dream Fairies from A Midsummer Night’s Dream for a magical outdoor theatre experience presented by the Australian Shakespeare Company, performed in the beautiful gardens of Rippon Lea Estate.

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Pirate Day at Polly Woodside

Polly Woodside, Southwharf CBD

Sunday 18 January

Ahoy there! Pirate Day invites young adventurers to dress up, parade in Fashions on the Plank, collect their washable pirate tattoo, and earn their very own pirate name. Scrub the decks, swing the ropes, and set off on a treasure hunt aboard Melbourne’s favourite tall ship.

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Gulf Station Heritage Farm

Gulf Station, Yarra Glen

Open 28 December, 1 January, 25 January.

Step back in time at Gulf Station and experience what life was like for a nineteenth‑century farming family. Explore heritage buildings and machinery, meet the Clydesdales and sheep, and imagine daily life on a working farm from long ago.

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Ned Kelly’s Last Stand – The Tour

Old Melbourne Gaol, CBD

Select Days during School Holidays

Step behind the walls of Old Melbourne Gaol and follow the gripping final chapter of Ned Kelly’s story. Retrace his path from the moment he arrived wounded after Glenrowan to the day he faced the gallows. A vivid tour that brings Australia’s most iconic outlaw to life.

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Guided Gaol Tours

Old Melbourne Gaol

Open Daily. Tours run Monday to Friday.

Step inside the bluestone walls and uncover the Gaol’s dark history with our expert guides. Learn how the prison operated, hear the stories of those once held within, and explore the dark side of Melbourne’s past, from petty criminals to the infamous Ned Kelly.

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Visit La Trobe’s Cottage

La Trobe's Cottage, Domain

Open Fridays 10am – 12pm, and Sundays 1pm to 4pm

Discover one of Melbourne’s oldest surviving buildings, once home to Victoria’s first Lieutenant‑Governor, Charles Joseph La Trobe. Families can explore the cottage, learn about early Melbourne, and enjoy children’s activities running throughout January.

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