Spring is sneaking in, and it’s trying to tempt you outdoors!

Flowers to spot, trails to explore, and little adventures waiting around every corner — here are 7 ways to get the family moving, exploring and smiling this Spring.

Let the adventures begin! (Five Minute Read)

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1. Pick your own fruit!

Flowers to spot, trails to explore, and little adventures waiting around every corner — here are 7 ways to get the family moving, exploring and smiling this Spring.

Here are some family-friendly farms that open up for U-Pick in Spring (always check ahead for what’s ripe and current hours):

• Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm (Mornington Peninsula) — Fresh strawberries from late October, a classic family favourite with a great café.
• Jay Berries (Yarra Valley) — Six days a week (closed Saturdays), a huge variety of berries, and easy to spend a morning wandering the rows.
• CherryHill Orchards (Wandin East & Coldstream) — Famous for its Cherry Blossom Festival in late September and cherry-picking from late November.
• Payne’s Orchards (Bacchus Marsh) — A lovely option for cherries in November/December, plus stone fruits as the season goes on.
• Naturipe Fruits (Bacchus Marsh) — Multiple fruits through spring and summer, great for a mix-and-match picking day.
• Tuckerberry Hill (Bellarine Peninsula) - yummy blueberries and strawberries around Christmas.
  
  

2. Go animal spotting

Spring is when native wildlife gets busy — birds migrate, little animals and baby chicks appear (pictured), and everything feels more alive.

It’s a great time to head to places like Serendip Sanctuary, Jells Park, or Braeside Park, where birds and marsupials are easy to see. Early mornings or late afternoons are best if you’re hoping for kangaroos, wallabies, or echidnas.

For more places to see animals in the wild check out our blogs:

• 14 animal encounters in Victoria's wild
• Bird watching with kids - the places, the basics
  
  

3. Sit back on a mini railway

Sometimes you just have to see our parks from a different angle! Whoosh under bridges, duck below hanging trees, and wave at the passing mini-trains. If your kids are into mini railways, you could have your Sundays sorted for months. (Most cost about $4 per ride and enclosed shoes are required.)

• Diamond Valley Railway (Eltham) — Real tunnels, bridges, and a bushy setting. Open every Sunday, 11 am–5 pm.
• Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway (Mont Albert North) — A local favourite. Open 3rd Sunday of the month, 11 am–4 pm.
• Altona Miniature Railway (Altona North/Newport) — Close to the bay. Open 3rd Sunday of the month, 10 am–3 pm.
• Bulla Hill Railway (near Tullamarine) — Views of Mt Macedon (and dinosaurs along the track!). Open 3rd Sunday, 12 pm–4 pm.
• Mooroolbark Miniature Railway (Kiloran Park) — Small and friendly. Open 4th Sunday, 11 am–1 pm and 2 pm–4 pm.

Further afield, mini trains also run in Portarlington and Kilmore — perfect if you’re heading out for a day trip.

4. Wildflower and Canola walks

Flowers start popping up everywhere in Spring and some places change colour completely. If you’re near Melbourne, the sensory gardens at Heide Museum of Modern Art will be bursting with blooms soon. 

Around Heathcote you can buy tickets and visit the Cornella Canola Walk and safely wander through bright yellow fields. Open in August and September only.

Further afield, the Waterfalls of Gar walk in the Grampians is one of our best wildflower trails — in September and October it’s absolutely breathtaking.

Other wildflower destinations in September to November around Victoria.

• Grampians National Park – Orchids, bluebells & canola backdrops
• Beechworth Historic Park – Gorge and drive trails awash with blooms.
• Wildflower Drive, Bendigo region – Wattle and wildflower heaven.
• Anglesea Heath, Otways – Diverse native flowers and orchids.
• Lake Mountain (Alpine) – Alpine-specific blooms with walking trail fun.

5. Get active on a mini hike

Shake off the final winter blues and head out on a Spring walk! Go early to see animals, or after rain to squeeze in a waterfall.

One of our favourites is the Sassafras Creek Track in the Dandenong Ranges — gentle paths, lots of ferns, little bridges, and plenty of places to stop, snack, and play.

If you’re closer to the city, Werribee Gorge, Lysterfield Lake, or Plenty Gorge all offer good shorter tracks with big views and kid-friendly challenges.

See 25 family friendly bushwalks near Melbourne that we love!

6. Chase waterfalls after Spring rain

Spring rains mean spectacular waterfalls! After a wet winter, many of Victoria’s falls are at their best — roaring with energy and perfect for a family adventure.

Some favourites include:

• Silverband Falls and Fish Falls (pictured) in the Grampians,
• Woolshed Falls near Beechworth,
• Triplet Falls in the Otways,
• Trentham Falls, Mason Falls (Kinglake National Park)
• or even Dights Falls along the Yarra. 

Kids will love the sound and movement, and water spray on these walks!

7. Go on a Gumnut Trails Adventure!

From beautiful hidden beaches, rockpool discoveries, untouched bushlands, bike ride adventures, hidden islands, gold prospecting tails and quirky gardens - there's so many amazing places to explore. 

Our Outdoor Adventure Guides will give you the places to go, and the adventures on the trails, to make it fun for the whole family.