Explore Melbourne Through Play – Join a Pre-Conference Tour!

Discover Melbourne’s Most Inspiring Playscapes

Kick off your IPA Asia Pacific Play Conference experience with one of our specially curated pre-conference tours on Tuesday 24 June!

These tours are the perfect way to connect with fellow delegates, explore Melbourne’s dynamic approach to play, and spark conversations that will set the tone for the days ahead.

Choose from two exciting options:

Activating Play in the Community

This tour will provide an opportunity of participants to see a range of initiatives supporting and promoting play in different contexts.

We will start the day with visits to the Royal Children’s Hospital and a Toy Library.

Further along the highway we will be meet with representatives from Maribyrnong Council and attend a pop-up play event where we will explore the concept of loose parts play and how pop-up spaces can benefit community as well as hear about local initiatives being undertaken to drive engagement in outdoor parks and play spaces in the area.

On the way back we will stop briefly to pay homage to the oldest public playground in Melbourne,

Lincoln Square in Carlton,

and the catalyst for the formation of what is now Play Australia 113 years ago! Then it is to the Melbourne Museum for lunch and a special presentation of some historical exhibits on play and to meet curators to hear about how they are activating play in the museum.

After lunch we will head to

The Venny Adventure Playground

for a tour before attending the launch of a National Position Statement on Risky Play. As we head back to Southbank, there will be an opportunity to stop at the famous “Rocks on Wheels” playground to get your extra fix of risky play.

Participants can walk back to their hotels from that location or hop on the tour bus for the 5-minute journey and be back at the convention centre by 3.45pm.

Playground Tour

Led by Mary Jeavons, we will start our day exploring the oldest public playground in Melbourne and the catalyst for the formation of what is now Play Australia 113 years ago!

We will then head to 2 more play spaces including a new style playground for adults featuring Parkour, before enjoying lunch in the

Royal Park nature playground in Parkville.

After lunch we will head to The Venny Adventure Playground for a tour before attending the launch of a National Position Statement on Risky Play.

As we head back to Southbank, there will be an opportunity to stop at the famous

“Rocks on Wheels”

playground to get your extra fix of risky play.

Participants can walk back to their hotels from that location or hop on the tour bus for the 5-minute journey and be back at the convention centre by 3.45pm.

Each tour is guided by experts and includes time for reflection, discussion, and of course play!

Spots are limited, so secure yours now and don’t miss your chance to see Melbourne’s play environments in action.

Book Your Tour Now

We can’t wait to explore with you!