Six of the Best Mazes for Kids in and Around Melbourne

By: Katie Oliveira da Silveira, ellaslist

Hedge Mazes are always a hit with kids; they combine the thrill of being lost, the frustration of dead ends, and the inevitable fist pumps that come with winding a way out. Best of all, they get kids away from their screens and into the fresh open air, enjoying nature and exercising bodies as well as their brains. Here are six of the best mazes in and around Melbourne.

1. Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Farm

When the kids are keen for an outdoor challenge, this is often one of the first places that springs to the minds of many parents. Ashcombe Maze has been a popular destination for Victorians for decades, and its location on the stunning Mornington Peninsula makes it a great spot for families to visit during holiday seasons.

Ashcombe’s hedge maze stands at over three metres high and two metres thick. With just the right amount of trickiness for kids, Ashsombe’s maze is one in which giggles abound.

Ashcombe is also home to a gorgeous lavender farm and café that serves up some irresistible fare – just try to leave without tasting that lavender shortbread!
Where: 15 Red Hill-Shoreham Rd, Shoreham
Cost: Adults $18.50, children from four years $10, under four years are FREE
More info: see the website

 

2. A Maze ‘N’ Games

A Maze ‘N’ Games is home to Australia’s largest timber maze. And when we say ‘largest,’ we mean MEGA. In fact, comprised of 15 linear kilometres of timber, this maze is said to be one of the trickiest in the country.

The aim of the game is to locate the four coloured flags within the castles, and then find your way out again. And if there’s someone in the family (not naming any names) who thinks their skills of direction are first rate, this could really put then to the test.

There is also mini golf, playgrounds as well as barbecue facilities available at A Maze ‘N’ Games.
Where: 1570 Bellarine Hwy, Wallington
Cost: Adult $12, children over three years $8.50
More info: see the website
 

3. Enchanted Adventure Gardens

Enchanted Adventure Gardens is not just home to manicured hedge mazes, it’s the place to go for a full day of action-packed fun for the whole family.

There are three hedge mazes at Enchanted Adventure Gardens, each of them unique. The ‘Traditional Maze’ features a beautiful Japanese garden at its centre; the ‘Turf Maze’ just might be hiding a terrifying water-monster at its core; and, for the littlies, there’s the ‘Children’s Maze’, custom-built for the BIG imaginations of little people.

With so much to do here, including Tree Surfing, plan to spend the entire morning or afternoon at this one.
Where: 55 Purves Road, Arthur’s Seat
Cost: Adults $29, Children $19
More info: see the website

 

4. Hedgend Maze

Hedgend Maze is located in the outer north-east of Melbourne, on 20 acres of land that is brimming with activities for families.

The renowned ‘Hedge Maze’ at Hedgend is 1200 metres in total length and it’s a designed to get the better of even those with the most astute sense of direction. There’s also the ‘Rainbow Maze’ and the ‘Native Maze’ to explore, both of them less difficult, but equally fun.

If mazes aren’t enough, skip over to the ‘Laser Sporting Area’, the ‘Giant Eye-Spy Mural’, or even ‘Frog Hollow Farm’ – and that’s just the beginning!
Where: 163 Albert Rd, Healesville
Cost: Adults $18, children over four years $15 (excluding public holidays and school holidays)
More info: see the website

 

5. The Tangled Maze

About 90 minutes north-west of Melbourne, you’ll find The Tangled Maze, a place wholly concerned with the art of getting lost.

The ‘Botanical Maze’ here features hedge walls of two metres in height, so good luck peeking over this one! There is a 1.4 kilometre pathway that keeps everyone guessing, with plenty of tricks and dead ends to stump maze-lovers of all ages.

You will also find a rope course here, and an ice rink that isn’t cold – go figure!
Where: 2301 Midland Highway, Springmount
Cost: Adults $11.25, children $9.45 for maze only
More info: see the website

 

6. Avenel Maze

Avenel Maze is found around an hour’s drive north of Melbourne’s CBD, and the beauty of this well-maintained hedge maze and activity park is that everything is themed around Victoria’s notorious bushranger, Ned Kelly – a figure who is perennially fascinating,

But it doesn’t end with a hedge maze inspired by Ned, there is also a rock labyrinth, mini golf and kids draughts to be enjoyed at Avenel Maze, so allow plenty of time at this one.
Cost: Adults $14, children $7
Where: 471 Upton Rd, Avenel
More info: see the website