Boroondara

Boroondara Family

📌 Families in Boroondara can share stories at the library, practise riding skills in Kew, spend time at a youth space in Hawthorn or connect with practical parenting and wellbeing support. Some services are open to all local families, while others have age, residency, referral or booking requirements.

✨ Play, stories and shared activities

Boroondara Library Service — Children’s storytimes and activities

Local libraries offer early-literacy and learning activities for different ages and interests. Families can choose from Baby Time, Toddler Time, Storytime, Chinese Storytime, Wurundjeri Storytime, Rainbow Storytime and STEAM Club. Children under 12 must remain supervised by an adult or carer. Regular early-years sessions pause during school and public holidays, so check the current program before setting out.

Rainbow Storytime

Held monthly at Camberwell Library, this inclusive session welcomes LGBTQIA+ families, allies and other families for stories, songs and activities. The content is designed with children aged 2–7 in mind, although children from birth to 12 are welcome. The session is identified as accessible.

Kew Traffic School — private bookings

🚲 Families can privately book the miniature road environment in Kew for a party or function. Each child needs to bring a bicycle or scooter and a helmet, and parents or carers must stay and supervise. Reservations can be made up to six months ahead. Maximum child numbers and fees depend on the booking type and whether the organiser is a resident, making it important to review the options before booking.

🌟 Young people and their families

Boroondara Youth Hub

Young people aged 10–25 can visit this council space in Hawthorn for games, pool, table tennis, a mini library, music room, computer lab, free Wi-Fi and youth programs. Youth workers are available to provide support, and parents or carers may visit to discuss concerns about a young person. The Hub opens on weekdays and has extended daytime hours during school holidays. An Access Key and Social Story are available to help families prepare for a visit.

headspace Hawthorn

Young people aged 12–25 can seek mental health and wellbeing assistance, including counselling, youth-friendly GP appointments, drug and alcohol support, help with work or study, peer support and group programs. Family counselling is available, and family members, friends and carers can also receive support. An initial appointment can be requested by phone or through an online referral, with services potentially provided in person or by telehealth.

👶 Early parenting and family relationships

Boroondara Maternal and Child Health

This free council service supports families from birth until school age. Registered nurses provide health and development checks along with information about parenting, nutrition, development, health and safety, and links to other local help. Services include first-time parent groups, breastfeeding assistance and sleep and settling support. Centres operate by appointment, interpreters can be arranged, and eligibility conditions apply to selected early-parenting sessions.

Boroondara Family Network

Local families with children aged 0–6 can access free, confidential early-parenting support. After a self-referral or a referral from a Maternal and Child Health nurse or another organisation, a coordinator visits the family. Where appropriate, the family may then be matched with a volunteer who provides weekly practical and emotional support in the home.

Camcare Parenting Support

Mothers, fathers, co-parents and young people in Boroondara can access counselling, groups and programs when parenting or family pressures become difficult. A Boroondara Maternal and Child Health nurse may make a referral. For information about accessing the service, families can contact Camcare’s Parenting Support Outreach Worker on 03 9831 1900.

Relationships Australia Victoria — Child and parent counselling

At the Kew Centre, children and teenagers can attend counselling with a parent or carer. Play-based approaches may be used with younger children. No referral is required, and fees are based on income and discussed when families make contact. The centre is accepting a limited number of new bookings, and this counselling program is not a crisis service.

🛠 Disability, hardship and crisis support

Association for Children with Disability Support Line

This free, Victoria-wide telephone service supports parents and carers of children aged 0–18 with disability or developmental delay. Families in Boroondara can seek information and advocacy assistance for education, childcare and NDIS matters. Support may include preparing for meetings, understanding rights and planning practical advocacy steps. Interpreters can be arranged.

Camcare Emergency Relief

Individuals and families experiencing financial hardship can ask about emergency food and related assistance. Camcare’s Emergency Relief and Fresh Food program is for Boroondara residents, and proof of address is required. Enquiries can be made on 03 9831 1900.

Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre

Safe Steps provides confidential and inclusive family and domestic violence crisis support throughout Victoria, including for people with children or pets. Help is available 24 hours a day, every day, through the response line on 1800 015 188.

✅ A few checks before you go

• Confirm age suitability: program ranges vary, particularly across library, youth, counselling and disability services.
• Check access arrangements: some activities accept casual visitors, while others require an appointment, referral or advance booking.
• Ask about accessibility: review published access resources or contact the provider if anyone in your family needs adjustments, an interpreter or help preparing for a visit.
• Review costs and eligibility: confirm current fees, residency rules, funding conditions and any documents required before attending.
• Plan supervision: check whether an adult or carer must remain with children and what safety equipment families need to bring.

🌈 If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group serving Boroondara, you are warmly invited to add your details or update your listing so local families can find accurate, useful information.

⚠️ 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 boroondara.vic.guide.