Go for gold

way to get a glimpse of the gentle giants is to get out on the water on an organised tour.

Admire the stunning coastline on the Great Ocean Walk, get up close to native creatures at Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve or make like a bird and take to the trees on Otway Fly Treetop Adventures’ Zipline Eco-Tour through the canopy of the rainforest.

And if you want to take a dip in that gloriously beckoning ocean, the Great Ocean Road is home to some of Victoria’s best beaches with kids’ surf lessons readily available at some of the smaller, safer breaks near Torquay, Lorne and Warrnambool. And if you have a mini Kelly Slater-in-training, be sure to stop by the Surfworld Museum in Torquay. At the heart of Victoria’s historic Goldfields, Ballarat and its surrounding villages offer stunning scenery, history and loads of kid-friendly activities, just one-and-a-half hour’s drive from Melbourne.

Challenge the kids to a round of mini- golf or find your way through The Tangled Maze and mystery trail at Springmount. Go panning for gold at Slaty Creek or enjoy close encounters with the free-roaming native animals at Ballarat Wildlife Park.

Take in the pretty scenery and abundant birdlife at Lake Wendouree as vintage trams rattle along nearby streets. There’s also a fantastic adventure playground at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and, on weekends and school holidays, a historic horse- drawn tram ride around the lake.

Ballarat’s biggest attraction for families is, of course, Sovereign Hill, a historic village that offers a glimpse of what life was like during Victoria’s gold rush era. During the day, visitors can explore the underground mine, watch historic re- enactments, take a horse- drawn coach tour or get gold panning tips at the river. At night Sovereign Hill transforms with a spectacular sound and light show that tells the story of the 1854 Eureka Stockade.

If your little knights and damsels want to step further back in time, head to the awesome Kryal Castle, Australia’s only medieval