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Today I took my two kids to the ice rink for an afternoon. O’Brien Icehouse is at 105 Pearl River Road, in The District Docklands, near the Melbourne Star wheel. Online tickets are $33.50 for adults and $19 for kids under 8, and skate hire is included.
It’s really cold inside, so bring a jacket. A puffer jacket is fine, you’ll probably be sweating after a couple of laps anyway. I forgot mine and felt so cold.
The Rink
The space is huge. Even in the school holidays with lots of people, it didn’t feel crowded. They clean the ice about every 1 to 1.5 hours, which is a good time to take the kids for a rest and a drink of water, then go again.
There are nice lights above the rink and a big screen playing music, so the atmosphere is great.
Next to the public rink there’s an ice hockey practice rink. After we finished skating we watched the hockey for a while, and saw a really cool and pretty girl player.
Skating With Little Kids
This is best for families like us who bring kids skating for the first time. Kids can hire a super cute “seal” aid, hold on to it and skate slowly, safe and reassuring, and it’s easy for parents to skate along. There are staff on the ice who teach for free, which is great for a first-time adult like me.
Honestly there aren’t many places in Melbourne where kids have a good time and parents don’t get too tired. O’Brien Icehouse is one of those places where you want to go again after you’ve been.
For a 2-year-old’s first time on the ice, the parent needs some skating basics to go on the ice with them.
What to Bring
- Winter clothes
- Gloves
- Protective gear for the kids
- Two pairs of socks, if you’re a bit of a clean freak
Getting In
When you arrive, go to the front desk and give the name on the booking to get your wristband. Then you can go in.
Go and get your skates first. Tell the staff what size you wear. Next to where you get the skates is where you get helmets, but most people don’t wear one. Helmets are free with your ticket, and you must wear one when using a seal. After you get your gear, you can go on the ice.
A locker is $5, but it’s also totally fine to leave your things on the seats beside the rink. Lots of people didn’t hire a locker, they just put their shoes next to the changing bench.
The downside is the skates are hard and hurt your feet. After skating for a while the arch of your foot starts to ache. I suggest wearing two pairs of thick socks.
Tickets and Prices
Booking online is cheaper than buying at the door, and skate hire is included. Prices from the venue’s pricing page:
| Ticket | Online | At the door |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $33.50 | $38.00 |
| Concession / student | $29.50 | $32.50 |
| Child (under 8) | $19.00 | $21.00 |
| Family (2 adults + 2 children under 12) | $94.00 | $104.00 |
| Single family (1 adult + 2 children under 12) | $75.00 | $83.00 |
| Watching only, no skating | $3.00 | $3.00 |
A seal is $8 for one hour, for kids under 8 only. Card only, no cash in the venue.
- Tight Tuesday: Every Tuesday there’s a discount. Online it’s $19.50 for adults and concession, and $18 for kids under 8. It doesn’t apply in school holidays, public holidays or pupil-free days.
- Wristband: After you buy online you need to collect your wristband at the front desk. It’s your entry and your skate hire proof. The time you pick on the website is only a guide. You can skate as long as you like during opening hours.
Check the latest on the official pricing page before you go.
Opening Hours
- Monday: 9:00am to 3:45pm, 6:15pm to 10:00pm
- Tuesday: 9:00am to 10:00pm
- Wednesday: 9:00am to 3:45pm
- Thursday: 9:00am to 3:30pm, 7:00pm to 10:00pm
- Friday and Saturday: 9:00am to 11:00pm
- Sunday: 9:00am to 9:30pm
The venue’s open hours page has the latest times.
Food and Shop
There’s a restaurant inside where you can buy light meals like sandwiches and burgers to get your energy back. There’s also a shop selling skating gear, if you want to have a look.
More Things to Do
Planning a visit in the school holidays? Check the Victorian school holidays and term dates 2026 and the Victorian public holidays 2026 first, since Tight Tuesday doesn’t apply on those days.
For more places to burn off the kids’ energy, browse the indoor play centres in our directory, or read our Pixieland M-City Clayton review, Le Mans Mushroom Raceway review and Chesterfield Farm Scoresby review.
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