From mini golf to epic waterfalls: The best cheap family activities in West Victoria
Because making memories shouldn't empty your wallet.
David Allegretti
May 05, 2025
Between Warrnambool's rugged coastline, Ararat's hidden gems, and Hamilton's natural wonders lies a treasure trove of family adventures that won't have you resorting to eating baked beans on toast for the rest of the month.
We've rounded up the best wallet-friendly outings across the west that'll keep both kids and parents satisfied. No flashy tourist traps — just solid entertainment without the financial hangover.
Table of Contents
Cheap family activities in Warrnambool
Warrnambool Art Gallery
The perfect activity no matter the weather, the WAG offers cultural exploration without denting the family budget. With over 5000 works — from historical paintings to contemporary pieces — there's plenty to spark conversation across generations.
The gallery regularly hosts family-friendly activities and workshops that build on their impressive collection built over 135 years. A genuinely engaging outing that costs nothing but might inspire everything from budding artists to curious questions on the drive home.
Price: Free (some special exhibitions may require tickets)
Where: 26 Liebig Street, Warrnambool
Open: Monday–Friday 10am–5pm, Weekends 10am–3pm
Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground
Eight hectares of kid heaven without the wallet pain. Lake Pertobe has been Warrnambool's eternal family magnet for good reason — it packs in everything from giant slides and flying foxes to a proper maze and boat rides on the lake. The surrounding parkland offers peaceful walking trails that loop around the water, perfect for when the kids need to burn off steam or parents need a moment of sanity.
Pack a picnic to make full use of the free electric BBQs and sprawling grassy areas, or bring a ball for impromptu cricket matches. The playground sits within a larger recreational zone with tennis courts, mini golf, and a nearby skate park for older kids who've outgrown the swings.
Price: Free (boat rides $20 for 15 minutes or $30 for 30 minutes)
Where: Pertobe Road, Warrnambool
Open: All the time
Mini Golf by the Sea
A classic family contest waiting to happen at this 18-hole course beside Warrnambool's foreshore. Perfect for mixing outdoor play with good old-fashioned competition — and the promise of that coveted Hole in One certificate keeps everyone locked in. Located conveniently next to Lake Pertobe, it's easy to combine with playground time for a full day out.
Price: Adults $16, Students under 18 $13, Kids under 12 $9
Where: 47 Pertobe Road (beside Lawn Tennis), Warrnambool
Open: Every day 10am–5pm
Warrnambool Botanic Gardens
History and nature merge beautifully in these gardens designed by William Guilfoyle — the same guy behind Melbourne's Botanic Gardens. Since 1877, the sweeping lawns and curving pathways have invited visitors to wander without hurry. Kids gravitate to the nature-based play space with its clambering logs and rock formations, while parents will appreciate the peaceful ambience. The pond draws everyone with its fish and resident ducks, crossed by a stone bridge worth a photo or two.
Multiple entry points make it accessible from all sides of town, and the well-maintained paths work for strollers and little legs alike. Pack a picnic blanket and make an afternoon of it.
Price: Free
Where: Cockman Street, Warrnambool
Open: Daily, sunrise to sunset
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village
Shipwrecks and survival tales come alive at this recreated 1870s port village built around Warrnambool's heritage-listed lighthouse. Rather than dusty displays, expect interactive digital installations that keep kids engaged with stories of the treacherous Shipwreck Coast.
The star attraction is the $4 million Loch Ard Peacock — a remarkably preserved relic from the famous 1878 wreck. For families with older children, the evening "Tales of the Shipwreck Coast" show delivers drama with exciting projections, sound effects, and light displays that transform history into a fun light show.
Price: Adults $19.50, Children $9.30 (under 5s free), Family pass $50. Evening show: Adults $32, Children $17.60, Family pass $81.80
Where: 89 Merri Street, Warrnambool
Open: Daily, 10am–5pm (evening shows at scheduled times)
Cheap family activities in Port Fairy
Griffiths Island Walk & Lighthouse
A real local gem combining history, wildlife, and scenic coastal views in one easy 5.3km loop. The trail winds from Port Fairy's Visitor Centre along the wharf to Griffiths Island, home to a bluestone lighthouse built in 1859. The island hosts a thriving mutton bird colony — time your visit for September through April to witness thousands returning at sunset. Keep an eye out for resident wallabies grazing near the paths and maybe even an echidna if you're lucky.
Price: Free
Where: Start at Port Fairy Visitor Information Centre, Bank Street, Port Fairy
Open: All the time
Rockpool Ramble at Pea Soup Beach
What a name.
Pea Soup Beach is called so because of the occasional thick fog that engulfs it, but when the sun’s out and the weather’s nice, it provides a natural aquarium where kids can discover without diving deep. The protected rock pools create perfect shallow exploration zones filled with little marine treasures. The reefs lying offshore shelter the entire beach, making it calm and safe for family adventures. Pack a bucket and prepare for screams of delight with each tiny crab or starfish discovery.
Price: Free
Where: Ocean Drive, Port Fairy (multiple car parks provide access)
Open: Daily, best visited at low tide when pools are exposed
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
A volcanic playground where wildlife spotting comes easy. This ancient crater houses emus, koalas, and kangaroos roaming freely among cone-shaped hills formed 30,000 years ago. The walking tracks cater to all fitness levels — from gentle boardwalks across wetlands to more challenging crater climbs.
Price: Free
Where: 105 Lake View Road, Tower Hill (10 minutes east of Port Fairy)
Open: Reserve accessible 24/7, Visitor Centre open daily 10am–4pm
Cycle the Port Fairy Rail Trail
A 37.5km pedal adventure connecting Port Fairy, Koroit, and Warrnambool through ever-changing landscapes. This picturesque trail cuts through farmland, skirts the Tower Hill volcano, and crosses wetlands before reaching the coast. The gradient's forgiving — mostly uphill from Port Fairy to Koroit, then downhill to Warrnambool. No fancy bike required, just basic wheels and a sense of adventure. Forgot your bike? No drama — rentals are available at both end points.
Price: Free (bike hire extra if needed)
Where: Access points at Regent Street (Port Fairy), Koroit Railway Station, and Warrnambool Breakwater
Open: 24/7 (daylight recommended)
Cheap family activities in Ararat
J Ward Museum
A haunting slice of history where Victoria's most dangerous criminals were locked away after the gold rush ended. This former jail-turned-asylum offers guided tours through cells that once housed murderers and the criminally insane. The passionate volunteer guides bring the dark history to life with stories that fascinate older children and adults alike. Not for the squeamish or very young, but a genuinely fascinating (and educational) experience.
Price: Adults $15-17, Children $5 (under 5s free)
Where: Girdlestone Street, Ararat
Open: Tours at 10am and 1pm daily (additional 11am and 2pm tours on weekends and holidays)
Ararat Gallery TAMA (Textile Art Museum Australia)
A true local treasure housing Australia's most impressive textile collection. Since the early 1970s, TAMA has built a national reputation for fibre art that puts Ararat firmly on the cultural map. The gallery occupies a prime position on Vincent Street, making it an easy weekend activity when the kids need indoor entertainment. Worth regular visits as exhibitions rotate, showcasing everything from traditional weaving techniques to boundary-pushing contemporary fibre installations.
Price: Free
Where: 82 Vincent Street, Ararat
Open: Daily, 10am–4pm
Alexandra Gardens
A stunning natural sanctuary with multiple layers to explore. Winding paths, a hidden cave, and rainforest vibe that makes you forget you're in West Vic.
The ornamental lake forms the centrepiece, complete with Japanese-themed islands and connecting bridges perfect for a leisurely circuit. Kids will love the playground's unique equipment, while parents will appreciate the free electric BBQs and undercover picnic areas. An ideal weekend destination when cabin fever hits.
Price: Free
Where: Vincent Street, Ararat
Open: 24/7
Langi Ghiran State Park
Granite peaks and woodland slopes create a dramatic backdrop for walkers and campers just 15 minutes east of Ararat. Known as "Lar-ne-jeering" (Home of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos) in Djab Wurrung language, the park preserves both natural beauty and Indigenous heritage sites.
Three main walking tracks include the Reservoir Walk featuring historic stonework from 1880. The one-way scenic drive provides a perfect introduction for those short on time. Expect to see plenty of kangaroos (hell yeah).
Price: Free
Where: Between Ararat and Beaufort off Western Highway (A8), approximately 15km from Ararat
Open: 24/7 (closed on Code Red fire danger days)
Cheap family activities in Portland
Portland Foreshore and Playground
A waterfront playground with unbeatable ocean views and plenty to occupy the whole fam.
The reserve strikes the perfect balance between play and picnic space, with BBQ facilities and shaded seating areas for family lunches with a sea breeze. Watch the historic cable tram rumble past as you relax, or for bigger adventures, the All Abilities Playground and Skate Park sit just a short walk along the foreshore.
Price: Free
Where: Portland Foreshore, near the Yacht Club
Open: Daily, all hours
Fawthrop Lagoon
A 5-kilometre paved circuit winding around a thriving wetland ecosystem. The track offers glimpses of roughly 150 bird species including black swans, pelicans, and royal spoonbills (let us know if you see any brolgas!!), with koalas frequently spotted in surrounding trees. Though mostly flat, the northern section includes a wooden footbridge with some steeper sections. Free undercover barbecues make post-walk picnics a breeze.
Price: Free
Where: Hood Street, Portland (parking available behind the soccer field)
Open: 24/7
Portland Maritime Discovery Centre
This free museum's centrepiece is Portland's 1858 lifeboat — one of the oldest intact wooden vessels left in Australia and famed for its role in the 1859 Admella rescue. Equally impressive is the 14-metre sperm whale skeleton you can walk right up to.
Displays cover everything from Portland's early fishing industry to shipwrecks along the treacherous coast.
Price: Free
Where: Lee Breakwater Road, Portland
Open: Daily, 9am–4:30pm
Cape Bridgewater Seal Walk
A magnificent coastal trek with Australia's largest mainland seal colony as the prize. The 6km return journey climbs along dramatic clifftops that tower 130 metres above the ocean, offering breathtaking views across Discovery Bay. The viewing platform reveals up to 2000 Australian and Long-nosed Fur Seals lounging, fighting and playing on the rocks below — their rowdy barking audible even from this height. The path winds through shady sections where wallabies often appear in late afternoon.
Steep in places, but conveniently placed seats allow for rest stops with scenery worth every bit of effort.
Price: Free
Where: Bridgewater Road, Cape Bridgewater (starts 100m past the café)
Open: 24/7 (best viewing January-March)
Cheap family activities in Hamilton
The Hamilton Bandicoot Wildlife Walk
A rare chance to glimpse one of Victoria's most endangered marsupials in their protected habitat. This predator-proof sanctuary houses the Eastern Barred Bandicoot — now considered extinct in Victoria's wild outside these few secure breeding grounds.
The 30-minute circuit around the old Hamilton reservoir winds through native bushland with educational signs featuring stunning artwork of local flora and fauna. The adjacent Hamilton Institute of Rural Learning offers additional gardens and an iconic bandicoot mural.
Price: Free
Where: 333 North Boundary Road, Hamilton
Open: Daily, all hours (no dogs allowed in bandicoot enclosure)
Lake Hamilton and Lakes Edge Adventure Playground
A 25-hectare recreational paradise with something for the whole fam. The Lakes Edge Adventure Playground features over 90 different play experiences — rope pyramids, climbing walls, slides, spinners, and a massive interactive sandpit with water features for warmer days. Surrounding the man-made lake, a well-maintained 4.2km walking/cycling track offers the perfect circuit for stretching legs or burning energy. Water enthusiasts can fish, waterski, sail, row, or canoe on the lake, while four-legged family members enjoy the dedicated dog park nearby.
Price: Free
Where: Rippon Road/Mill Road, Hamilton
Open: 24/7
Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum
Aviation history housed in an original Ansett hangar. Over 1000 artefacts trace Reg Ansett's journey from a single Studebaker car service in 1931 to an international airline empire. Highlights include a vintage Studebaker identical to Ansett's first vehicle and memorabilia from the airline's golden era.
Price: Adults $10, Concession/Children $8, Family $20
Where: Ballarat Road and Riley Street, Hamilton
Open: Daily, 10am–4pm
Nigretta Falls
A scenic waterfall 20km from Hamilton offering a free family day out regardless of budget. Nigretta provides two viewing options — the easy access observation deck or stairs leading to the river base. The well-maintained grounds include free electric barbecues, picnic tables, toilets and ample parking (including for caravans). Fishing spots along the river add another activity option, making this a practical destination where families can easily spend half a day without spending a cent.
Price: Free
Where: Nigretta Falls Access Road, Bochara (20km from Hamilton)
Open: 24/7
Thumbnail: Instagram / @visitmelbourne & @parksvic