Kidding Around With … Woodlands Historic Park and Woodlands Homestead

September 17, 2014September 19, 2014 | Kidding Around Australia

If you are looking for somewhere to let the kids run wild then Woodlands Historic Park, Greenvale, Victoria, is just the place! The property totals over 1730 acres (700 hectares), which includes a public park, historic homestead and Living Legends. On this occasion we visited the park and homestead and cannot wait to go back and visit all of the ex-racehorses at Living Legends.

There are many walking, horse riding and bicycle trails to explore, rocks to climb on and Australian native wildlife to watch and listen to. There are numerous Eastern Grey Kangaroos and if you are lucky you might spot evidence of Eastern Barred Bandicoots. They are nocturnal but it is still fun looking for their diggings, droppings, nests and grass tunnels. Woodlands Historic Park staff are doing great work nurturing these animals back from the brink of extinction. The Woodlands Historic Park also contains scarred trees and surface scatters, evidence of the Woiworung Aboriginal people, who lived in the area before Europeans arrived.

In an area this vast it’s easy to forget how close you are the to the Melbourne Airport. Located 6 minutes from the airport, Woodlands Historic Park is every airplane spotter’s dream! They even have a pick up and drop off service from the airport which can be booked by telephone. During the 2 hours we were visiting, not five minutes would go by without one or two little hands reaching skyward pointing out “a plane”!

After all that fresh country air and running around we went into Woodlands Homestead. The homestead was established in 1843 and is a fascinating example of what life was like over 170 years ago. The homestead is a large pre-constructed timber kit house brought to Australia from Britain and is listed with Heritage Victoria. Within the homestead there is an extensive art collection, various collections of historic artifacts along with horse racing memorabilia associated with Living Legends. Woodlands Historic Park also contains ruins of two other 19th century homesteads, Cumberland and Dundonald which we are looking forward to seeing on our next visit. They both looked very impressive in the paintings and photographs we saw – it’s such a shame they are no longer there.

Woodlands Historic Homestead — Woodlands Homestead

The staff at Woodlands Homestead serve refreshments or you are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the beautiful gardens. There are plenty of beautiful shade trees and picnic tables – a perfect place when the weather is fine. Unfortunately, you can see it was a overcast day when we visited, but we will definitely return with a picnic!

Georgina Says

The country girl in me LOVES Woodlands!! The homestead is my dream home (although I would like a few more creature comforts!) and the gardens are beautiful. The kids loved running around, there were few hazards and they could just be free! It was fantastic and best of all entry was free*!!

(*Living Legends is not free – there is a small charge to enter that section and there is also an option for a guided tour of the horse paddocks)

Alegría Says

I liked the horses. I liked patting the horse. I didn’t like it trying to bite me (funny story that!). Next time we have to go there first (to the horses) (we ran out of time and had to leave as they close the gates at 4pm!) and I liked the food (scones with jam and cream – yum!).

MORE INFORMATION

Time: 10am to 4pm (except Christmas Day)

Location:

207 Oaklands Road, Greenvale Victoria 3059, Australia

Melways: Map 177 Ref K8

Cost: Woodlands Historic Park and Homestead is Free

Living Legends costs:

Living Legends entry $15
Living Legends concession Entry $10
Public Guided Tour extra $10
Children under 12 free

Website: http://www.livinglegends.org.au

Information and pick up bookings: (03) 9307 1165

Please note all details quoted are correct at the time of publishing. All details are subject to change without notice and Kidding Around Australia takes no responsibility for information contained in this post. Please check the appropriate website to ensure that information is still correct and current.

Kidding Around With … Diamond Valley Railway

August 21, 2014September 19, 2014 | Kidding Around Australia

We had a great time riding on the miniature trains at the Diamond Valley Railway in Eltham.

The track is approximately 2 kilometres and the ride takes approximately 20 minutes – which was a little long for Isaac but Alegría enjoyed the entire ride. There is plenty of waving to do (which is fantastic for a future Princess!), tunnels to go through, bridges to cross and twists and turns to enjoy as you sit one in front of the other travelling along the track in either a steam, diesel or electric locomotive.

Located in Eltham Lower Park, the trains run (almost) every Sunday between 11am – 5pm and are obviously very popular as the line, and subsequent wait time, was quite long. There are two playgrounds in close proximity to the railway which are perfect for keeping little kids occupied whilst one parent / guardian waits in line.

Apart from the playground, which has BBQ facilities and picnic tables, you can hire out the Jack Tatum Picnic Reserve for private parties (please refer to their website for further information) which include exclusive use of a train. The trains themselves may be hired privately as well. What a wonderful idea for our “Choo, Choo – Isaac’s Two” Birthday Party next February!

The surrounds are perfect for a picnic although if you forget to pack a snack there were three street vendor’s selling coffee, ice-cream and hot chips when we visited.

At $3 per person , with under 2’s riding free, the Diamond Valley Railway is a budget friendly day out.

Isaac Says

Toot Toot!

Tim Says

A great way to enjoy some fresh air! Young and old will enjoy the experience riding on the miniature train and if you would like to join a community of like-minded hobbies and model engineers then the DVR welcome new members. The playground is a great way to burn off some energy but be sure to get there early if you want to use the BBQ’s and tables.

MORE INFORMATION

Time: 11am to 5pm most Sundays

Location: Eltham Lower Park, Melways map 21 H10.

Cost: $3 per person (under 2 ride for free)

Website: http://www.dvr.com.au/home.htm

Kidding Around With … Ice Skating at Craigieburn Central

August 15, 2014September 19, 2014 | Kidding Around Australia

Alegría and Georgina had a wonderful afternoon ice skating at Craigieburn Central where they have set up a temporary Ice Rink in the outdoor area between the Big W and Target quadrants.

The rink is themed with Disney’s Frozen character cut-outs and music to skate and sing along to. There are penguin stabilisers that the children can hold onto and skate behind and friendly staff available to help out.

Alegria wore her own shoes with double blade clip-on skates and Georgina hired single blade boots. The hire cost was included in the low entry price.

ice 2 — Alegría enjoying the penguin stabilisers whilst she finds her balance!

The ice rink will be there until Sunday 14 September 2014 and if you like the Craigieburn Central Facebook page they are running competitions and giveaways!

We will definitely be going again!

Alegría Says

I love Frozen. I haven’t been ice skating before and it was fun! I held onto the penguin and Mumma’s hand and went around. It was cold and the ice was slippery. I want to go again!

Georgina Says

A fun, inexpensive activity! The rink is definitely more suited to pre-school and primary aged children as its small. I loved watching Alegría gain confidence and begin to ‘dance’ on the ice without the use of the penguin or my hand. I may or may not have been heard singing “Let it go” along with the Frozen soundtrack.

MORE INFORMATION

Dates: Saturday 9 August 2014 – Sunday 14 September 2014 DATES HAVE BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL 5 OCTOBER 2104

Time: 10am to 9pm daily (45 minute skate sessions start on the hour)

Location: Craigieburn Central, 340 Craigieburn Road, Craigieburn, Victoria 3064. Outdoors between the Big W and Target quadrants

Cost:

Kids 2 – 5: $5

Kids 6 to 14: $7

Adults: $10

(includes skate hire)

Website: http://www.craigieburncentral.com.au/Whats%20On/Events

Kidding Around With … Skydive Nagambie

August 14, 2014September 19, 2014 | Kidding Around Australia

Smiling like the Cheshire cat, Tim got a chance to tick an item off his bucket list when he went Skydiving at Skydive Nagambie. Actually, to say he was excited was an understatement. As a surprise for his 40^th Birthday, the family organised a gift certificate and we are still talking about what an awesome experience it was! Not just for Tim, but for all of us!

In terms of a customer service experience the team at Skydive Nagambie were faultless. From the initial phone contact to walking out the door after the jump the experience was everything we could have hoped for!

Skydive Nagambie is located in Victoria about an hour and half north of Melbourne. They specialise in taking people for their first skydiving experience and having resident skydivers means that the passionate atmosphere you experience is authentic and leaves you wanting more!

On arrival we were met by Steve, Tim’s tandem instructor, and were immediately made to feel at ease. After filling out some paperwork, Tim was introduced to Joey his photographer / videographer and Steve went through a pre-flight briefing and safety presentation and fitted Tim with his harness. Twenty minutes later, Tim, Steve and Joey along with about 10 other skydivers were in Skydive Nagambie’s XL 750 turbine aircraft heading up to 15,000 feet.

On board the plane, Tim talked with Steve about his skydiving adventures. For 20 minutes they travelled until they finally reached 15,000 feet and it was time to jump! With the cold wind in Tim’s face, Steve counted down ..3..2..1..Skydive! and they were out of the plane, freefalling for around a minute until Steve released the main parachute.

Tim Says

I will never forget the sound the air makes as you freefall after leaving the plane. It is intense and I guess you could liken it to putting your head out the window when the car is going 200km per hour! It is an awesome assault to your senses and then once the ripcord is pulled it is immediately silent. An awesome experience that I will never forget. I want to jump again – I would love to do the course so I jump solo!

On the ground, Georgina, Alegría and Isaac watched on as the plane became a speck in the sky and waited for about 25 minutes until parachutes started to become visible as they were headed to the Drop Zone. They were on the lookout for a blue and white parachute and after a false alarm they spotted Tim and Steve! Landing safely, Alegría waited for her Daddy to get out of the harness and ran lovingly into his arms excited to hear all about “flying in the sky!

Georgina Says

What struck me about the whole experience was just how friendly everyone was. Having the kids there was no trouble – there is a canteen where delicious home cooked snacks and meals are available and the toilets are well maintained and clean. Both children got special attention, whether it was a staff member asking Alegría how old she was and all about what sort of party she wanted (and could he come if he wore a tutu?) to the “hey, little dude” , “G’day mate” and high-five’s that came Isaac’s way.

We had such an awesome time at Nagambie Skydive and can’t wait to visit them again one day*!

MORE INFORMATION

Nagambie Skydive

Drop Zone Address Olivers Road, Bailieston VIC 3608 Australia

Phone Numbers Toll Free Victoria 1800 266 500 Telephone +61 3 5794 1466

Email Address jump@skydivenagambie.com

Website http://www.skydivenagambie.com

* We did visit them again when Georgina completed her first jump … but that’s another story! Tim is still dreaming of his next jump!