The Melbourne area is one of Australia’s most family-friendly destinations.

Travellers, both local and international, head here with their loved ones to experience the joys of being in a gorgeous city that’s never short on fun things to do. If you’d like to get some exercise done alongside your family during your stay, here are eight excellent activities that the entire family is bound to love:

1. Swimming

Like most of coastal Australia, Melbourne too is a veritable paradise for swimming aficionados. There are world-famous beaches aplenty here, including Brighton Beach with its colourful bathing boxes, or Half Moon Bay, where calm waters suited for swimming newbies are the norm. Aside from the ocean, the Melbourne area also has excellent swimming amenities at Lysterfield Lake and Pound Bend in the Warrandyte National Park, as well as several worthy pools peppered throughout town, like the famed St. Kilda Sea Baths.

2. Tennis

Whether it’s the cardio workout offered by field tennis or the more intense reflex-testing challenges of table tennis, hitting a small ball has rarely felt so satisfying. And Melbourne has several venues where you can work towards becoming the second coming of Roger Federer alongside your loved ones. For outdoor tennis, the Royal Park Tennis Club in Parkvale is an excellent choice, while table tennis is more widely practiced at the Docklands.

3. Paintball

Extremely popular all over the world, paintball is one of the most fun group activities you will ever take part in. Le Mans Paintball Melbourne has a full-sized arena just 30 kilometres away from the City Centre, where you can engage in a safe recreation of the timeless cops and robbers game with your kids. Be sure to also try out Glow Ball, a particularly enticing version of this popular sport that lets you play around in the dark.

4. Running

If organized sports are not in the cards, then why not simply put on some running shoes and go jogging through Melbourne? The city’s parks are particularly suited for this activity, with the likes of Flagstaff Gardens and Royal Park being excellent venues for both quick sprints and longer jogs. If you want to experience the joy of running alongside other people, the Nike+ Run Club organises weekly runs every Wednesday departing from Federation Square.

5. Cycling

Similar to jogging, cycling also nets you a valuable cardio workout if you do it on a regular basis. As befits an outdoors-y city like Melbourne, there are numerous bike rental shops scattered throughout the city. After practicing for a bit, why not try biking the Capital City Trail, which will take you through picturesque places like the Collingwood Children’s Farm and Dights Falls, while also allowing you to take in healthy amounts of fresh air along the way.

6. Tai Chi

If your children are mature enough to handle their first Chinese martial arts lesson, get them started with a free Tai Chi session. Held every Tuesday morning at Federation Square by expert masters from Tai Chi Australia, these lessons will teach you and your family to be more in tune with your bodies through the practice of a fluid motion routine that both energises and calms the mind.

7. Yoga

Another practice that’s as spiritually-fulfilling as it is health for the body, Yoga can be practiced by people of all ages and abilities. Free classes are once again held at Federation Square, this time on Tuesday afternoons, and are a great way to re-focus your family after a busy morning. Be sure to bring along a yoga mat for every family member that intends to participate.

8. Karting

A form of racing that is sure to delight both young and old, karting is a great way to experience some serious speeds without needing a driver’s license. Whether you choose to go karting indoors or outdoors, you’ll get to live out all the thrills and chills that miniature racing entails. Not for the faint of heart.

That concludes our quick guide to the top family-friendly sports activities you can engage in during your stay in Melbourne. Be sure to always follow safety protocols wherever you go, and remember that teaching your kids the value of a healthy lifestyle can only be a positive down the line.

What do you like to do in Melbourne? Share with us in the comments.