Victoria | Kids Travel Blog

School holidays are fast approaching

November 17, 2011 By admin 2 Comments

Kids Welcome home page

At this time of year, parents all over Australia start to panic. In a few short weeks, their precious children will be in their full time care and the pressure of keeping them happy for up to two months can be daunting.

It’s not just about keeping them busy: Choosing holiday experiences that won’t break the bank can be a real challenge. Luckily, the Kids Welcome web directory has been launched just in time to come to the rescue.

This free resource includes over 2000 reviews of family-friendly activities, attractions, tours, places to eat, places to stay, events, beaches and even playgrounds. The reviews are written by parents, for parents and each is rated as suitable for three different age-groups: preschool, primary and teen.

Web directory creator Sarah Pye says this invaluable resource will take the hard work out of entertaining the kids.

“If you are planning to explore new parts of Australia together it helps you pick appropriate places to go, many of which are free and you wouldn’t find them in tourism brochures,” she says.

“Even if you don’t leave home, the Kids Welcome directory is just as useful for banishing ‘I’m bored’ because there are guaranteed to be ideas for your local area too.

“Grandparents, aunts and uncles need not fear if the kids are coming to visit over Christmas!”

What makes this online resource different from Kids Welcome printed guidebooks is the ability for users to engage directly. By joining the site, which is free, they can make comments on the reviews and even upload images of their own family enjoying the activities.

Not only is it fun to see yourself on the website,” Sarah says.

“It’s also good to know your comments will help other families create memorable holidays!”

The Kids Welcome web directory was launched on November 11 at UnderWater World on the Sunshine Coast. It was critically acclaimed by

Kids Welcome launch

Sunshine Coast Destination Limited and currently covers Queensland, NSW and the ACT. Sarah and her chief expert, Amber (11) intend to hitch their camper trailer and explore Victoria over the summer to add even more content.

To celebrate the launch, you could win a week in your very own camper trailer from Camp Ezy on the Gold Coast. Simply go to competitions on www.kidswelcome.com.au.

Filed Under: ACT, New South Wales, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Queensland, Reviews, School Holidays, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Victoria, Western Australia

Eco Family Holiday: Bimbi Park in The Otways National Park

August 10, 2011 By admin 1 Comment

: Bimbi Park in The Otways National Park

In the spirit of holidays and summer, we are excited to share with you a holiday destination that caters for all types ….. and we just spent a glorious week there!

Located just 3 hours drive from Melbourne (1/2 hr past Apollo Bay) in the heart of Cape Otway, Bimbi Park offers a camping/caravan holiday experience that reminded me of childhood holidays with my family. Nestled amongst strikingly beautiful MannaGums (home to some very entertaining koalas), Bimbi Park caters to all manner of “campers’. Accommodation ranges from unpowered camp sites, to cute onsite retro caravans, bunkrooms and cabins complete with heating and fans!

The modern camp kitchen is wonderfully equipped, and if you are there on the right night, Frank the owner will even whip up a pizza in the outdoor pizza oven.

: The onsite horse riding was great for the kids

Kids are kept entertained riding the dirt paths on their bikes, playing in the park, going on night glow worm tours, visiting the Lighthouse at sunset and watching movies (The Goonies took us back) under the stars at the outdoor amphitheatre (including a popcorn tent!). Walkers are spoilt for choice with the many walking tracks to secluded beaches and lookouts. The onsite horse riding provides entertainment for both children and adults, and other attractions close by include The Otway Fly, The 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.

Bimbi Park also places a great importance on leaving a light footprint. Campers are encouraged to place food scraps in designated bins for the chooks, tank water is in use, and recycled building products have been put to use in various parts of the park.

Owners Frank and Katrina Fotinas have been managing the site since early 2005, taking over from local Cyril Marriner (he still operates the horse rides) who started the park in 1980. They have all done a superb job in creating and maintaining an authentic camping experience – one which will be enjoyed by both locals and overseas visitors. Christmas and Easter are their busiest periods, so be sure to book ahead!

: Skipping through the waves at The 12 Apostles on New Years Day 2011

Contact details – Bimbi Park – Camping Under Koalas
90 Manna Gum Drive, The Otways
Ph: 03 5237 9246

The above post is courtesy of Jenny Tranter from State of Green.

State of Green is a blog about sustainable living and lifestyle. They share news of great sustainable design products, interview inspiring designers and let you know about fun eco events happening around Australia.

Filed Under: Featured, Reviews, Victoria

Lorne, VIC as a family holiday destination

April 14, 2011 By admin 2 Comments

Coming into Lorne

As a destination, Lorne really has something for all the family. From the natural beauty and walking trails in Angahook State Park to the stunning, patrolled surf beach for safe swimming (4 Dec 2010- 26 April 2011); art galleries, festivals, spas, designer shops and all the essential services are within easy reach.

With sporting events, quality restaurants, children’s playgrounds, foreshore activities and even whale watching, Lorne offers visitors the opportunity to connect with nature, de-stress, indulge passions and most importantly, enjoy family life.

For unwinding in the great outdoors, stay at Lorne Bush House Cottages and enjoy the friendly native birds and wildlife or Lemonade Creek Cottages, where owner Ray can advise intrepid families on the best local bushwalks. If self-catering, visit Foodworks for all your barbeque essentials.

Pack a picnic of fresh bread rolls and seasonal fresh before a stroll down to t he beach, where Dad can take surfing lessons with the kids at Club Lorne. Mum can enjoy the stunning views from the beach or visit the Lorne Country Club on the hill for a spot of tennis….or just to enjoy the view.

At beautiful Erskine Falls in Angahook State Park you can walk and take in the scenery, or take a group kayaking lesson on the Erskine River. The littlies will love feeding the ducks off the foot bridge and the bigger kids can race each other, or Mum and Dad, in the paddle boats – there are so many ways to spend the day with the whole family together.

If you fancy a bit of time away from the water for a change, catch a movie at the historic Lorne Theatre or browse books by the sea at Lorne Beach Books.

Along the main street there are plenty of boutiques and lovely bars and restaurants, like the laid back ba ba lu Bar; the perfect spot to while away a relaxing afternoon. Treat the kids to a freshly baked crust later at Pizza Pizza or an ice cream from Lick and Sip if they’ve been on best behaviour!

Keep in touch with what’s happening all year round in Lorne by visiting the Love Lorne website and signing up for the e-newsletter at www.lovelorne.com, join Lorne on Facebook at www.facebook.com/We Love Lorne or follow Lorne on Twitter at twitter.com/welovelorne

Filed Under: Reviews, Victoria

Whittlesea – Melbourne’s Slice of Country perfect for families

April 13, 2011 By admin 1 Comment

Alpine Toboggan Slide at Funfields

The City of Whittlesea has so many unique places just waiting for the whole family to explore.

Take a scenic drive, a leisurely bush walk, a picture perfect picnic in the park, stop for a bite to eat, or simply enjoy family time at a fun park.

Here are a few suggestions to get you started;

1. Check out the Blackout Water Slide and Blackbeards Fury- the hairiest, scariest attractions to hit Funfields, Whittlesea

2. Enjoy a milkshake and wood-fired pizza at Donnybrook Farmhouse Cheese. Mum and Dad will love the delicious cheese platter

Donnybrook Cheese Farmhouse

3. Enjoy some of Australia’s best performing arts and theatre shows at the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre, South Morang

4. Have a family picnic at Yan Yean Reservoir Park, where a number of walking tracks link to wetlands and surrounding bushland

5. Drive in the fast lane at Top Kart, Epping

6. Grab a gourmet pie or delicious cake at the Bakery Café, Mernda

7. Hop on board a horse ride at Uncle Nev’s Horseriding, Upper Plenty

8. Taste the fully flavoured fresh juice and produce at Just Picked Berries and Fruit, Yan Yean

Bumper Boats at Funfields

9. Enjoy the grand parade, wood chopping, livestock pavilion, animal nursery, rides, show bags, entertainment and gourmet food expo at the Whittlesea Agricultural Show in November

10. Children and adults can enjoy a fun game of laser tag at NRG Force, Thomastown

11. Test and delight the whole family with a round of golf at one of our two great scenic courses.

12. Step in to the Whittlesea Courthouse Visitor Information Centre and discover one of the oldest functional buildings in the district.

How to get there:
Location: 40 minute drive north of Melbourne’s CBD
Telephone: (03) 9716 1866
More Information: Visit the Whittlesea Courthouse Visitor Information Centre, corner Beech and Church Streets, Whittlesea
Website: www.whittleseatourism.com.au

Filed Under: Reviews, School Holidays, Victoria

Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort – Little Mountain, Big Family Value

April 12, 2011 By admin 1 Comment

Husky Rides

Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort – the season starts 11 June

From 11 to 13 June, get the family up the mountain for the first weekend of the snow season. It will be jam packed with activities including tobogganing, snow shoeing, marshmallow toasting, hot chocolate, kids giant games and our very own Baw Baw’s Got Talent.

Don’t forget to get your photo taken with Frosti the Frog, Baw Baw’s evergreen mascot!!

Mt Baw Baw, is known for having the cheapest Lift Tickets in Victoria – a family of four being able to drive right up to the slopes and ski for under $200 midweek! Visiting the snow does not have to break the family budget with Value Packages offered to help with purse strings.

Only 2 ½ hours from Melbourne it’s the best family destination this winter! This quaint Alpine Village offers loads of snow fun –it offers sightseeing, tobogganing, ski and snowboarding, Husky Dog Sled Rides, Snowshoeing, Kids Club Activities and some of the best Family Value Accommodation available at the snow. Mt Baw Baw is most certainly a Little Mountain, jammed packed with Big Value this 2011 Snow Season.

Visit Mt Baw Baw, anytime and discover the hills are alive, all year round!

Mt Baw Baw big air bag and Freestyle Boarder

Mt Baw Baw provides families hours of active entertainment that will ensure a fulfilled day! In addition to the ski slopes there are 10km of cross country skiing tracks and lots of different terrain parks to practice Freestyle Skiing including The Big Air Bag (a 15m air cushion), for older kids to practice their freestyle and aerial jumps!

Get Mushing with Husky Rides all winter season whisking families around the spectacular scenery of Mt Baw Baw by their own team of huskies.

Free Burton Learn to Ride Clinic on Wednesday 13 July where you get expert tuition and try Snowboarding for free. Includes free equipment hire and is ideal for beginners aged 6 years and over.

For those after a relaxing end to the day, or simply wishing to pamper themselves while the rest of the family get active, there is the Wellbeing centre with its outdoor Rock Spa Pool, Sauna, gym and Massage. Lie back in the Rock Spa Pool and watch the world go by as you sip a glass of Champagne. Follow that with fine dining at the a la carte Village Central Restaurant, which is the perfect place to sit and enjoy the Mt Baw Baw Mountain to Sea vista.

Baw Baw Mountain

There are lots of things to do at Mount Baw Baw – it’s not every day you get the chance to leaving the CBD after breakfast and be doing snowboarding tricks, in a huskie driven sleigh or just taking in the breathtaking views from Mt Baw Baw before lunch.

For all Information on what Mt Baw Baw can offer you, call our Guest Services team on 03 5165 1136 or visit www.mountbawbaw.com.au.

Mt Baw Baw strongly advise you call ahead to book a Massage and check operating times of all activities. All outdoor activities are always subject to the elements. Ski rates include Lift Ticket & Gate Entry and do not include Ski Hire or Lessons.

Filed Under: Featured, Reviews, School Holidays, Victoria

Kid friendly activities in the Melbourne ArtPlay program

March 28, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Melbourne has some fantastic kid friendly activities featuring in the autumn ArtPlay program. ArtPlay is an innovative cultural program run by the City of Melbourne with the aim of celebrating the imagination and creative spirit of all children. ArtPlay presents children from 2 to 13 years and their families with the unique opportunity to participate in an imaginative world of interactive arts and hands-on creative workshops.

E-artkids
Shine in the glory of your fifteen minutes of fame and become the next big thing in the arts and culture blog-o-sphere with E-artkids.In this exciting series of workshops, a young ArtPlayer with her very own blog will share her knowledge and experience, along with reviewers from Express Media.

Age: 8 to 13 years and their parent or guardian
Date: 20 March and 9 April
Time: 1pm to 3pm
Cost: FREE, bookings essential
Venue: ArtPlay
Contact: 03 9664 7900; www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay

Saltbush
An exquisite journey through the Australian landscape will magically come to life at ArtPlay. Told through song, dance, storytelling and music, Saltbush is performed on a touch-sensitive carpet that is triggered by traveller’s steps to help unfold the magical journey.

Age: 5 years and above
Date: 2 April
Time: 10.30am and 1pm (one hour duration)
Cost: $12 per person, booking essential
Venue: ArtPlay
Contact: 03 9664 7900; www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay

Visual Treasure Hunt: Autumn
Come-a-hunting and discover some overlooked treasures in our everyday lives. Maybe it’s a crack in a wall that looks like a vein or a flower that moves like a dancer – children will be inspired to look beyond the unusual. Then armed with a sketch-book, they can use their new powers of perception to create their own treasure hunt around the ArtPlay site.

Age: 5 to 10 years
Date: 3 April and 10 April
Time: 12.30om to 3.30pm
Cost: $15 per child
Venue: A rtPlay
Contact: 03 9664 7900; www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay

Animal Self Portraits
If you were an animal, what would it be? Release your inner animal with artists and animators, Dell Stewart and Kate Matthews. Using cut paper, drawing, traditional animation techniques and voice recordings you will bring your inner animal to life. All creations will be put together as a group animation that will be screened during the Melbourne International Animation Festival in June.

Age: 6 to 12 years
Date: 13 to 16 April
Time: 10am to 3pm
Cost: $11 per child, bookings essential
Venue: ArtPlay
Contact: 03 9664 7900; www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay

Lamp it Up

Lamp it Up
Let there be light! Recycling takes on a whole new life in this workshop to create lamps using unlikely combinations of coloured materials – all from second hand shops – and compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Age: 8 to 13 years
Date: 17 to 21 April
Time: 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Cost: $25 per adult and child pair, bookings essential
Venue: ArtPlay
Contact: 03 9664 7900; www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay

It’s a Wrap
Join the performers from Pocketfool and see what the world looks like all wrapped up. Have fun and make lots of mess as you swaddle, cover, roll up and wrap up absolutely anything – even yourself!

Age: 2 to 3 years and 4 to 5 years
Date: 26 April and 6 May
Time: 10.30am to 11.45 am (2 to 3 years) and 11.45am to 12.30pm (4 to 5 years)

It's a Wrap

Cost: $15 per child, booking essential
Venue: ArtPlay
Contact: 03 9664 7900; www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay

Go, go Bruno
Meet Bruno Munari. He created furniture, toys, posters, books, and machines that do ordinary things in ridiculous ways. Guided by designer Samuel Barnes, children can learn more about Bruno and create their very own machine using c ollage, drawing – and a touch of humour.
Age: 8 to 12 years
Date: 30 April and 1 May
Time: 1pm to 3pm
Cost: $12 per child, booking essential
Venue: ArtPlay
Contact: 03 9664 7900; www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay

Charmed Nature Figurines
Come and make a special friend – one that fits in your hand. Children will see nature and creativity take on a life of its own as they bind sticks, seeds and yarn together to make a natural sculptural figurine to call their own.

Age: 6 years and above
Date: 7 and 8 May
Time: 1pm to 3pm
Cost: $15 per child, booking essential
Venue: ArtPlay
Contact: 03 9664 7900; www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay

ArtPlay Open Studio
ArtPlay is creating the next generation of artists. Children can draw and paint their very own masterpiece in the ArtPlay studio. Try new materials, make a mess then fix it up – it’s all part of the c reative process!

Age: 5 to 8 years
Date: 14 May
Time: 1pm to 3pm
Cost: $15 per child, booking essential
Venue: ArtPlay
Contact: 03 9664 7900; www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay

Everyone can dance…Tap!
Feel the rhythm and tap along to the beat in an energetic session by tap pioneer, Grant Swift. Explore the fun of making noise with your feet as you learn the basics of steps and rhythms to help you tap in time.

Age: All ages
Date: 15 May
Time: 10.30am to 12noon
Cost: $20 per adult and child pair, booking essential
Venue: ArtPlay
Contact: 03 9664 7900; www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay

Dance: from your toes to your nose
How can everyday things get a wiggle out of you? Children and adults will use ordinary objects to connect in playful ways, wiggling, hopping and dancing together in a creative dance experience to music from all around the world.

Ag e: 2 to 3 years and 4 to 5 years
Date: 13 and 20 May
Time: 10.30am to 11.15am (2 to 3 years) and 11.45am to 12.30pm (4 to 5 years)
Cost: $10 per child, booking essential
Venue: ArtPlay
Contact: 03 9664 7900; www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay

Hairbrush Rock Choir
Do you sing into your hairbrush? Or stage dive off your bed? Musician Grant J War will help children create their own performances with their favourite songs. Email the song (title and artist) you’d like to sing to artplay@melbourne.vic.gov.au by Sunday 1 May.

Age: 9 to 12 years
Date: 21 May
Time: 1pm to 3 pm
Cost: $10 per child, booking essential
Venue: ArtPlay
Contact: 03 9664 7900; www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay

Everyone can dance….Swing!
Get into the swing of things in a lively dance session the whole family will enjoy. Jitterbug and jive your way across the dance floor to the swinging 50s beats, then swing, jump and twirl as a dancing team.

Age: All ages
Date: 22 May
Time: 10.30am to 12 noon and 1pm to 2.30pm
Cost: $20 per adult and child pair, bookings essential
Venue: ArtPlay
Contact: 03 9664 7900; www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay

Cardboard Play

Cardboard Play Spaces

Putting a new spin on children’s playgrounds, the interactive Play with Cardboard is returning to ArtPlay. First year architecture students from Monash University have taken an ordinary material and designed extraordinary interactive play spaces made entirely from cardboard, one of which can travel outdoors!

Age: 4 years and above
Date: 28 May to July
Time: 10am to 2pm – Wednesday to Friday and noon to 4pm on weekends
Cost: FREE, no bookings required
Venue: ArtPlay
Contact: 03 9664 7900; www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay

Play with Cardboard
Monash University architect students have created play spaces with cardboard boxes. On 29 May, Monash University’s Ross Berwin will give you added insight into the architecture industry with this special workshop. Come and find out all about architecture and design and then explore the play spaces created by Monash University architecture students. This is a one off workshop with Ross but the cardboard interactive play spaces can be viewed throughout the autumn ArtPlay program.

Age: 8 to 12 years
Date: 29 May
Time: 1pm to 3pm
Cost: $10 per child, bookings essential
Venue: ArtPlay
Contact: 03 9664 7900; www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay

Filed Under: Reviews, School Holidays, Victoria, Victoria Tagged With: Melbourne ArtPlay

Kids are Bigger at Mt Buller – a great family holiday

March 20, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Barry Possum and friends

There are so many reasons why kids love winter at Mt Buller – and why their parents do too! If you’re thinking of going skiing with the kids this winter, then read on and see the great benefits Mt Buller has to offer kids and their parents! A great family holiday.

Great Value

Mt Buller is the only resort in Australia that extends kids’ pricing all the way through to Year 12 students, keeping kids on the snow, in lessons and rental gear at kid’s prices (that’s half the regular adult cost) for that bit longer. That’s why they say that “Kids are Bigger at Buller”.

Children under 5 years of age enjoy free lift passes and sightseer lift tickets too.

Kids have great fun while they learn

Buller Kids’ Centre in the Ski & Snowboard School is the place for fun at Mt Buller. Kids love learning to ski while

Blake the Buller Flake teaches the kids how its done.

making new friends in this specially tailored environment that keeps them safe, learning at their own pace, making friends and in good hands so Mum and Dad can relax and enjoy their holiday too.

• Bunyips – 3-5 years
Little Buller Bunyips can join a full or half day program which includes lessons from a qualified international team of instructors, lift pass, snacks, hot lunch and supervised activities. Kids build their confidence in the safety of the Magic Forest away from the bustle of the main slopes.

• Buller Kids – 6-14years
Also offered in full or half day formats, Buller Kids love learning together with their own instructor. Activities, lift pass, lunch and snacks are included in the sessions and weekly races complete with medal presentations are a highlight.

• Crèche

The Mt Buller Kids' Centre is full of fun.

The tiniest snow bunnies from 3 months to 3 years old are in safe hands with the qualified childcare team in the Buller Kids’ Crèche. Overlooking the fun in the Magic Forest the littlies play, colour, listen to stories and even have the odd surprise visit from Buller’s popular mascot Barry the Pygmy Possum.

The hills are alive… with the sound of music in our FREE kids’ shows twice weekly. Children of all ages (and parents too) love singing along with the lively show and learning all about the native animals that call Mt Buller home. Barry the Pygmy Possum and his friend Blake the Buller Flake lead the fun with Woz on the guitar.

A whole week for Kids

Kids’ Week (11-15 July) is an action-packed affair at Mt Buller with dedicated activities every single day to keep little people entertained. Fireworks, free shows, family friendly movies in the cinema and more make this a perfect week for families to hit the slopes.

Kids Ski & Stay Free

Spring is a fantastic time to visit Mt Buller, when you can make the most of awesome snow, gorgeous weather and sensational events, all at a great price!

Book your spring ski holiday at participating properties and receive FREE accommodation and lift tickets for up to two children. It doesn’t get much better than that! http://www.mtbuller.com.au/Winter/Accommodation/Kids-Ski-Stay-Free-in-spring

Head first

All kids participating in Ski & Snowboard School programs at Mt Buller (and their instructors) are required to wear a helmet. Helmets are a smart idea and we are taking the lead at Mt Buller to encourage their use this winter. All rental packages for kids at Buller Sports include a helmet.

Rock climbing in the Mt Buller Sports Hall

Climb the walls!

Mt Buller boasts a well-equipped sports hall with loads of fun activities for kids to try if they are looking for something different off the snow. Scaling the climbing wall, bouncing on the trampolines, taking aim with indoor archery, or challenging friends to a game of basketball or badminton are great ways for the kids to burn up any left over energy! Group bookings available. Call 03 5777 6000 for information.

Big screen action

Mt Buller is home to Australia’s highest cinema and regularly screens recent release movies all season long. Extra matinee screenings are popular on days when the weather closes in and there is always a good selection of kids’ movies on offer. And popcorn from the candy bar of course.

Roam for gnomes

Mt Buller has a population of little gnomes that can be found hiding all around the Village. Grab a Gnome Roam map and see how many of Mt Buller’s favourite residents you can find. Kids of all ages love searching out these cheery little fellows. It’s fun and it’s free.

Tobogganing

It just wouldn’t be a trip to the snow without a slide on a toboggan. Mt Buller has two dedicated toboggan parks for

A young boy enjoying a tobogan run at the designated Village tobogan area.

snowplayers to slip and slide on their very own slopes. No charge applies for access to the parks and the Village toboggan park even has its own snowmaking to top up the natural snowfall and make a little extra snow for those snowball fights.

Snowtubing

There are lots of fun ways to slip and slide down a slope and snowtubing is one of them! No experience needed, simply jump on a snowtube in the special slope at Spurs and enjoy. Access to the snowtubing park is included FREE with a sightseer ticket at Mt Buller.

Beginner slopes and Discover lessons

20 percent of the terrain at Mt Buller is ideal for beginner skiers and snowboarders to make their first turns. Gentle green runs at Bourke Street and Burnt Hut is where it all starts and with Mt Buller’s unique FREE two hour Discover lesson helps beginners build confidence in no time at all.

Mt Buller’s Discover tickets cost no more than a regular lift pass ($57 for kids, $104 for adults) and include a free two hour beginner lesson to help first timers start to master the basics.

Kids’ Discover classes meet daily at 11am at Ski & Snowboard School.

For more information visit – http://www.mtbuller.com.au

Filed Under: Featured, Reviews, School Holidays, Victoria, Victoria

Lego Workshops and Lego Birthday Partys for kids

August 31, 2010 By admin 2 Comments

Lego Education Centre

Last school holidays my eldest son did a Lego Workshop at the Lego Education Centre in South Brisbane (they are also in VIC) and it was great. He got to build huge lego masterpieces and challenge his lego building abilities!

I have just discovered that the Lego Education Centre does not only run school holiday programs but also has great things happening all year around.

Sunday Funday – Each Sunday the Centre runs a Sunday Funday where they encourage a child to bring a buddy, dad, or nanna/grandad for some serious building fun. Each Sunday they have a different theme, for example lego community, mad machines, space odyssey, fantasy fun.

Each session is 45 minutes long, they run at 11am, 12 noon and 1pm and are $5.00 per person. Suitable for kids 4+. Note at least 1 adult must be present per 3 children for these workshops.

Lego Birthday Party – The Centre also has a Lego Birthday Party Program where your child and their friends spend 1 hour creating lego masterpieces around a theme. Birthday Party themes include Wacky Wheels, Medieval Madness, Lego Grand Prix, Mad Raging Robots, and many more and parties can be catered for age groups – age 4-6, 7-9 and 10+.

The Birthday child also receives a free gift and all party guests receive a lego brick name badge to keep. The Centre creates a great party atmosphere with birthday candles on a lego brick! A minimum of 10 children is required at $12 per child.

Note the Lego Education Centres are not like the Legolands around the world that have more of a theme park feel. They are an educational centre that give children the opportunity to build some fantastic lego structures in a guided environment.

Currently there are two Lego Educations Centres, one on Merivale Street, South Brisbane, QLD and one on Hall Street, Moonee Ponds, VIC, visit the Lego Education Website for further information and bookings.

Filed Under: Queensland, Queensland, Reviews, School Holidays, Victoria Tagged With: lego workshops

Warrnambool, VIC with kids – review

August 18, 2010 By admin 2 Comments

Hopkins falls

: Logans beach at Warrnambool

Warrnambool offers a relaxing break out of Melbourne with all the advantages of a large country town combined with the attractions of the beach. We drove the 3.5 hour trip along the A1 with Michael, 11, for an inexpensive and refreshing five night trip during the July school holidays.

Where To Stay

Warrnambool has a wide range of accommodation available, from luxury townhouses to backpackers hostels. We stayed at Figtree Holiday Village which offers accommodation ranging from powered campsites to motel-style brick apartments. Figtree is clean, quiet and family-oriented.

The self-contained cabins and apartments have cooking facilities so you can prepare home cooked meals for picky eaters. Staff are friendly and helpful, and can recommend local activities. In poor weather, kids are easily entertained with the heated indoor pool and spa or games room, and better weather encourages use of their tennis courts and children’s playground.

What To Do

Hopkins Falls - Hopkins Falls is a half hour out of Warrnambool and it too seems like a world away, a quiet spot where you can watch the waterfalls or walk along the river looking for platypus.

Whale Watching – In winter, Southern Right Whales calve at Logans Beach whale nursery. Binoculars and warm clothing are a must because you could find yourself standing in the wind at the lookout for quite a while. Even if the whales are not visible, it is a striking location with views along the southern coast and stairs down to the beach from the lookout offer children a chance to play on the sand.

Trail Riding at Rundells

Trail Riding at Rundells – Ideal for beginners, Rundells offers trail rides on Dennington beach. Hard hats and boots are provided and a 1.5 hour trail ride takes you through flat pastures to sand dunes and then onto the beach. Michael had never ridden before, but ponies are perfectly chosen to suit the skill of the rider.

Lake Pertobe – Lake Pertobe is a 20 acre site just outside the town centre. The lake has paddle boats, trikes and motorised boats for hire, there are barbecues and picnic tables, a playground and maze, and the popular flying fox. It is a wonderful place to pass a sunny afternoon with children.

Cafes and Shopping

Pancakes at Figsellers

Figsellers Cafe in Liebig Street quickly became our favourite brunch spot because of its friendly staff, quick service and outstanding thickshakes, pancakes, risotto and omelettes. The Heritage Sweet shop is a treat, and a stop in the Rivers outlet can yield some great clothing bargains.

Tips

Street parking in Warrnambool is mostly metered or ticketed, so keep some change handy.

The above post is courtesy of Frances Gaffney. With a wealth of life experience and a fix-it mentality, Frances is a big picture person. She is an expert at turning problems on their head and shaking loose possible solutions, juggling business and functional needs for the optimum outcome. Having grown up with good grammar, rounded vowels and correct phrasing drummed into her, she is also a stickler for proper language and great communication.

Working in the Commonwealth Public Service gave Frances great experience at rewriting corporate and personal material to suit their various purposes, and she has since become passionate about the power and accessibility of information in the digital age. Seeing the enormous amount of information available online that masquerades as expert advice but is ridiculous, unethical, illegal or just plain stupid, Frances believes strongly that while one person may not change the web, you can take personal responsibility for whatever you publish for yourself and your clients and ensure that the information you provide is backed up by proper research and effort.

Copywriting and article writing provide an opportunity to indulge Frances’ insatiable curiosity on a wide range of topics, and to help people and businesses communicate their message in ways their customers will understand and be inspired by.

Frances loathes text-speak and lazy spellers, but ironically loves Lolcats – the premium meme of both forms of linguistic atrocity.

Please visit the Haggus and Stookles E-store. We sell Kids Suitcase and other high quality products for traveling with your children.

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Filed Under: Reviews, Victoria

Kids and Campervan Hire – Port Stephens Review

August 3, 2010 By admin 5 Comments

Whale watching at Nelson Bay

Are you one of those couples that used to camp before the kids came along, but now it seems too hard? It seems like you would need to take everything but the kitchen sink and take a day to pack. That’s not really the perfect holiday is it?

A solution that is being discovered more and more by young families is campervan hire or motorhome hire. Being able to take the kids into the outdoors and teaching them about the wildlife is something we’ve always wanted to do for our children.

Recently we explored the coast north of Sydney in a campervan for a couple of weeks. Hiring a 4 berth motorhome gave us plenty of space, and having the onboard toilet and shower made life so easy. (editor : easier still might be to take a Travel Potty if you are toilet training)

Pelicans at Port Stephens

The kids loved the places we explored. We based ourselves at Port Stephens, about 2.5 hours north of Sydney. We spent the days exploring the area. Nearby, Nelson Bay is a large sheltered bay with safe, calm beaches perfect for small children. The days just disappeared as we checked out the surf beaches, taught the kids how to fish, did family walks and even some whale watching.

Whale watching begins in mid May as the humpback whales migrate north over about a 6-8 week period. From September to October, the southern migration begins. At this time there is also a large number of seabirds that migrate from the northern hemisphere to nest there. If you can time your visit to experience the migration of the whales, you and the kids will not be disappointed.

Dolphins at Port Stephens

Port Stephens also is home to groups of bottlenose dolphins, which we were lucky enough to spot. It was the first time the kids had seen dolphins in the wild, so saying they

were excited, was an understatement. Nearby Tomaree National Park is the perfect headland to spot the whales, dolphins and other marine life.On our way back to Sydney, we spent a night in the Hunter Valley which is not that far from Port Stephens. We enjoyed a couple of wine tastings and the scenery was spectacular.

We even found a few venues, like Potters Brewery which had playgrounds for the children and allowed us to relax over lunch.

All in all, a campervan holiday is perfect for a family holiday. It is a great way to introduce the children into the marvels of nature without roughing it.