Buninyong

Buninyong Family

🌿 Families in Buninyong can enjoy playgrounds, picnics and seasonal swimming close to home, alongside early learning, school-age care and maternal health support. Regional programs add creative activities for young people, children’s therapies and practical help for families experiencing difficult circumstances.

🌳 Play, picnics and swimming

Buninyong Botanic Gardens

Pack a picnic and make use of the playground equipment, electric barbecues, picnic areas and public toilets. The gardens are open 24 hours. Dogs must remain on leads, while bicycles and scooters are not permitted.

De Soza Park

Beside Union Jack Creek, this local park has walking tracks, a barbecue, picnic tables, public toilets and a playground near the Warrenheip Street entrance. It suits families looking to combine active play with an easy outdoor meal.

Buninyong Aquatic Centre

The seasonal outdoor venue includes a solar-heated 25-metre pool, shaded toddlers pool and barbecue and picnic facilities. Check current seasonal opening times and entry arrangements before setting out.

📚 Early learning and school-age care

Buninyong Childcare Centre

Children aged 0–6 can access long day care and kindergarten locally. The centre also lists before- and after-school care and school-holiday programs, and families may arrange a tour before enrolling.

Base 1270

Located at Buninyong Primary School, this Outside School Hours Care program offers art, STEM activities and indoor and outdoor games. Before-school care runs weekdays from 6.30 am to 8.45 am, after-school care from 3.30 pm to 6 pm, and vacation care from 8 am to 6 pm. Enrolment is required.

🎯 Activities for children and young people

Ballarat Libraries School Holiday Program

Ballarat Libraries run free regional school-holiday activities for children and families. Sessions for children under 12 are co-learning activities requiring parent or carer participation, and children under 12 cannot be left unattended. Check age guidance and booking requirements for each activity.

City of Ballarat Youth Services

Young people aged 12–25 can explore youth-led activities, events, volunteering, leadership and creative opportunities across Ballarat. Current programs and registration details are published by Youth Services.

🧩 Health, development and therapy

City of Ballarat Maternal and Child Health

Free support is available from birth until children start school, including at the Buninyong centre at 208 Learmonth Street. Appointments may cover health, growth and development, feeding, sleep, behaviour and parent wellbeing. First-time parent groups and sleep support are also available, with bookings made through the City of Ballarat.

Ookami Kids

This mobile paediatric therapy service covers Ballarat and surrounding areas. Occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech pathology can be delivered in everyday settings such as home, school, kindergarten or childcare, supporting areas including communication, movement, participation, equipment and AAC.

CHATS (Children’s Health and Therapy Services)

Based nearby in Ballarat East, CHATS offers occupational therapy for children and young people, a Wednesday Social Adventurers group and PREPARE for children aged 4–6 transitioning into mainstream Prep. Listed funding options include NDIS, private health and private payment.

❤ Family and safety support

Cafs

Across Victoria’s Central Highlands, Cafs provides family casework, parenting workshops, financial counselling, housing support, family safety services, foster care and youth care. Families can contact Cafs directly to discuss the support relevant to their circumstances.

WRISC Family Violence Support

WRISC provides free, confidential support, including rural outreach, for women and children affected by family violence across the Central Highlands. Available assistance can include advocacy, practical or material help, children’s counselling, art or play therapy, groups and connections with other services.

✅ Before you book or visit

• Confirm current opening times, session dates, costs and availability directly with the provider.
• Check age ranges, enrolment steps and whether advance booking is required.
• Ask about accessibility, communication needs and suitable participation supports.
• For therapy, discuss funding arrangements and whether appointments can occur in your preferred everyday setting.
• Review supervision rules before attending activities with younger children.

✨ If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group serving Buninyong and nearby families, you are welcome to add a new listing or submit updated details.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on buninyong.vic.guide.