Melbourne-themed gifts for little city lovers.
A gift with a sense of place can be a book, an afternoon together or both. Here are five ideas that give a child something to open—and something to remember.
A Melbourne picture book and a matching walk
Choose a book that gives you a reason to look around: Hello, Melbourne! by Megan McKean ↗ invites picture spotting, while Found in Melbourne by Joanne O'Callaghan and Kori Song ↗ makes counting part of the journey. Add a handwritten card promising a trip to notice one thing from the book.
A first city word book
For little hands that like turning sturdy pages, Melbourne Word By Word by Michael McMahon ↗ is a board book about the city's sights and sounds. Pair it with a simple “find a tram, a bridge, a bird” game of your own.
A story afternoon at the State Library
Make a small invitation card for a visit to the Pauline Gandel Children's Quarter ↗. Its children's browsing collection includes board books, picture books and Australian stories. Let the child choose what you read together; the outing is the gift.
A little tram-and-story day
Draw a tiny “adventure ticket” and plan a short tram ride together. Ask the child to choose three sounds or sights to put in a bedtime story later. Public Transport Victoria explains the Free Tram Zone and City Circle Tram ↗; check where your journey starts and ends before assuming travel is free.
A make-together Melbourne story kit
Wrap a blank notebook, coloured pencils and a note that says, “Tell me about our next adventure.” After an outing, invite the child to draw the first page and dictate a sentence. It doesn't have to become a polished book—the gift is noticing their version of the city.
Not a gift you can order yet.
We're exploring personalised Melbourne storybooks, but they're still in development. You can read our fictional sample and join the interest list if you'd like to hear when a real book is ready.