Father’s Day Day Trip from Melbourne: Things to Do for a Memorable Day Out

Father’s Day is a chance to step away from the usual routine and spend quality time together. If you’re planning a Father’s Day excursion trip from Melbourne, Victoria offers plenty of ways to make the day special – from a relaxed country lunch and scenic nature walks to horse riding, wildlife encounters and fun indoor activities.

This guide brings together five Father’s Day experiences for 2026, making it easier to plan a memorable day out from Melbourne based on what the Dads enjoys most.

Celebrate over the Father’s Day Long Lunch at Flowerdale Estate 

• Location: 2285 Broadford-Flowerdale Rd, Strath Creek VIC 3658, Australia
• D-day: Sunday 6 September | From 12:00pm
• Activities: Country-style long lunch, family photo station, lawn games and garden walks
• Ticket price:  Adults – $85, children (3-12 years) – $35, children under 3 – Free
• How far from Melbourne: 100 km (1h42’ drive from Melbourne)

Just over an hour from Melbourne, Flowerdale Estate offers a refreshing change of pace. Surrounded by rolling hills, heritage buildings and beautiful gardens, it’s a place where conversations last a little longer, children have space to play, and families can enjoy a day together without feeling rushed.

Our annual Father’s Day Long Lunch is all about celebrating those moments. Enjoy a hearty country-style menu filled with slow-cooked meats and seasonal favourites, then spend the afternoon exploring the gardens, playing lawn games or simply relaxing with the people who matter most. It’s an easy, memorable way to celebrate Dad in the heart of the countryside.

Booking is essential. Reserve your table today

Spend the day at Puttz Mini Golf

• Location: 68 Kingswood Dr, Chirnside Park VIC 3116, Australia
• Opening hours:
  • Friday and Saturday: 9 AM – 6:45 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM – 6:45 PM
• Activities: Lawn bowls, mini golf, yard games, tennis.
• How far from Melbourne: 100km (1h42’ drive from Melbourne)

If your family enjoys a little friendly competition, What The Putt is a fun stop before or after Father’s Day celebrations. Challenge each other across imaginative indoor mini golf courses, then keep the fun going with arcade games, pool tables and board games, all while enjoying food, cocktails or a casual drink in the lively clubhouse atmosphere. It’s an easy choice for families with older children or adults looking for something beyond a traditional meal.

Ride through valley with Uncle Nev’s Trail Rides

• Location: 1115 Wallan-Whittlesea Rd, Upper Plenty VIC 3756, Australia
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday, 9 AM-4:30 PM and closed on Tuesday
• Activities: Guided horse trail rides through Plenty Valley and Mt Disappointment State Forest for all riding levels
• How far from Melbourne: 66km (1h19’ drive from Melbourne)

For dads who enjoy the outdoors, Uncle Nev’s Trail Rides offers a chance to explore the beautiful Plenty Valley and Mt Disappointment State Forest on horseback. Guided rides cater to all experience levels, including the one-hour Kick Back Ride, a gentle trail designed for first-time riders and young children. Along the way, you may even spot kangaroos and other native wildlife, making it a memorable family-friendly Father’s Day activity.

Explore Yea Wetlands Discovery Centre

• Location: 12 Hood St, Yea VIC 3717, Australia
• Opening hours: Daily, 10 AM-4 PM
• Activities: Wetlands walks, birdwatching, interactive environmental exhibits, self-guided trails and Visitor Information Centre services.
• How far from Melbourne: 111km (1h55’ drive from Melbourne)

The Yea Wetlands Discovery Centre is one of the most peaceful things to do in Yea, offering an easy introduction to the area’s natural environment. Begin with the interactive displays to learn about local water resources and wetland ecology before following the boardwalks, suspension bridge and self-guided trails through the wetlands. Keep an eye out for platypuses, rakali and a variety of native birdlife, then unwind in the picnic area or explore the Indigenous Badji Baanang garden to discover the cultural significance of the local landscape.

Explore more: 10+ Best Things To Do In Strath Creek, Victoria

Discover Australian wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary

• Location: Glen Eadie Ave, Healesville VIC 3777, Australia
• Opening hours: Daily, 9 AM-5 PM
• Activities: Meet iconic Australian wildlife, watch live keeper presentations and explore native bushland habitats.
• How far from Melbourne: 65km (1h27’ drive from Melbourne)

Healesville Sanctuary is one of the best places in Victoria to discover Australia’s iconic wildlife in a natural bushland setting. Along the walking trails, you’ll encounter koalas, kangaroos, platypuses, wombats, dingoes, emus and native birds, while daily keeper talks and the spectacular Spirits of the Sky free-flight bird show make the visit even more memorable. For an extra-special experience, visitors can also book close-up encounters with koalas, kangaroos, echidnas or platypuses.

Tips for planning a father’s day out near Melbourne 

Father’s Day falls on Sunday, 6 September 2026, so popular restaurants and bookable experiences are likely to require some advance planning. For scheduled activities such as trail rides, wildlife experiences or the Flowerdale Long Lunch, secure your place before finalising the rest of the day’s itinerary.

Choose the day around what Dad actually enjoys. A few hours of mini golf may suit someone who likes competition, while a wetland walk or horse ride works better for an outdoors-focused celebration. If good food and uninterrupted time together are the priority, making one long lunch the main event can keep the day much more relaxed.

For regional outings, check the latest opening hours and booking conditions directly with each venue before leaving Melbourne, particularly for attractions where operating times or scheduled experiences can change.

Make Father’s Day lunch the main event at Flowerdale Estate

If your ideal Father’s Day is less about filling the schedule and more about sitting down together over a good meal, Flowerdale Estate’s Father’s Day Long Lunch brings the celebration into one relaxed country setting.

Arrive from midday for a generous country-style feast, then spend the afternoon enjoying lawn games, wandering through the gardens or taking a family photo before heading home. With the food and activities already planned, there is less need to organise several separate stops and more time to simply enjoy the occasion together.

The Father’s Day Long Lunch takes place on Sunday, 6 September 2026, with adult tickets at $85, children aged 3-12 at $35 and children under three attending free.

BOOK YOUR TABLE HERE ↓