family travel

LAKE MOUNTAIN ALPINE RESORT – 6 MUST DO ACTIVITIES TO DO AT LAKE MOUNTAIN WITH KIDS

| Kidding Around Australia

Every winter Lake Mountain Alpine Resort transforms into a snow-covered wonderland and the kids LOVE it!

Lake Mountain Alpine Resort

Lake Mountain Alpine Resort in Victoria is about 2 hours drive from Melbourne through the Yarra Valley, Healesville and Marysville. It is an amazingly beautiful part of the world, that we are lucky to live so close to.

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As you all know by now, the Kidding Around Australia kids are nature loving daredevils so they loved experiencing all Lake Mountain Alpine Resort had to offer.

6 MUST DO THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS AT

LAKE MOUNTAIN ALPINE RESORT!

GO TOBOGGANING 

Lake Mountain Tobogganing

Hire a toboggan or bring a plastic one from home (no inflatables allowed) and race each other down the Village Toboggan Run or Koala Creek Run! Don’t worry if there isn’t much snow on the mountain, there is guaranteed cover of man-made snow throughout the entire snow season on the Toboggan Runs.

STRAP ON SOME SKIS AT THE FISCHER NORDIC FUN PARK

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The Fischer Nordic Fun Park is designed for kids aged 4 to 12 year old and is only for children participating in the group lessons. Each session runs for 30 minutes and is all about having fun whilst learning the basics of cross-country skiing.

Alegria and Isaac LOVED there lesson! Felix was their instructor and had them kangaroo hopping and delivering pizza in no time! They both can’t wait to try again next year.

Each 30 minute lesson costs $25 per child and includes ski equipment hire (skis & boots).

START SHREDDING AT THE BURTON RIGLET PARK

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Tim was just about to burst seeing Alegria and Isaac carry their little snowboards into Burton Riglet Park. Burton began this program to get families riding together, and it couldn’t be more fun! More information on their programs can be found here. 

The snowboarding lessons are for kids aged 3 – 6 years (they have to be able to fit into the little boots) and let’s just say that both Alegria and Isaac take after their Dad! We see many days ahead on snowy mountain tops.

Each 30 minute lesson costs $25 per child and includes ski equipment hire (snowboard, boots and helmet). Kids are welcome to have back-to-back lessons or come back later in the day.

GET ADVENTUROUS

Lake Mountain Tube Ride

Be brave and go whizzing down the 240-meter Dual Flying Fox (which is not open when it is windy – so don’t promise this to the kids), slide down the Tube Run or join in a game of Laser Skirmish (minimum numbers apply)!

Tickets are available at the information booth on mountain on the day and cost $20 for 2 Rides (per person) on the Flying Fox, $10 for 3 Rides on the Tube Run and $15 for 45 minute session for Laser Skirmish.

BUILD A SNOWMAN AND HAVE A SNOWBALL FIGHT

Lake Mountain Snowman

You cannot go to the snow without building a snowman and throwing a few snowballs! Don’t forget to bring your own carrot for a nose!

GET CLOSER TO NATURE ON A WINTER WALK

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There are two walks that are appropriate for kids at Lake Mountain Alpine Resort. The 600m return Leadbeaters Walk leaves from the SE corner of Gerraty’s car park. The 500m return Bjarne Dahl Memorial Walk is a wheelchair and pram accessible boardwalk at Snowy Hill car park. You can walk through the regenerating Alpine Ash forest and if there have been fresh snowfalls you can have heaps of fun playing in the snow!

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OUR TOP TIPS

  • Hire all your gear on the mountain (everything can be hired except for gloves – they can be purchased from the gift shop).
  • Aim to arrive by 10am – at the latest. During busy periods the carpark closes and admit no more visitors onto the mountain. Can you imagine how you (and the kids) would feel if you drove for two hours and were turned away. Ahh!
  • All food and drinks are available at the onsite cafe – however there are undercover picnic tables so bring your own lunch! Make sure you pack some snacks and a drink bottle for the kids to enjoy during the day.
  • Adults can enjoy the many cross-country skiing trails – just buy a ski pass at the information centre on the mountain. Lessons and guided snowshoe tours are available for adults and children.

HIGHLIGHTS

If this video doesn’t make you want to hit the slopes this weekend, then we don’t know what will!

MORE INFORMATION

Car entry prices begin at $56. Prices for larger vehicles, on-mountain gear rental and snow sports can be found here.

If you would like to follow in our snowy footsteps, then visit www.lakemountainresort.com.au

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

We would like to thank Lake Mountain Alpine Resort for hosting our visit. Alegria and Isaac had an amazing time and cannot wait to come back next winter!

Phillip Island – 3 Day Itinerary for Travelling Families

| Kidding Around Australia

We recently spent an amazing 3 days and 2 nights exploring Phillip Island (which is about 90 minutes from Melbourne and lies just off Australia’s southern coast), and it’s not hard to know why it’s such a popular holiday destination for nature loving families!

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To take the guess work out of your next holiday, here is our fun-filled 3 Day Phillip Island itinerary for travelling families.

DAY 1.

PANNY’S PHILLIP ISLAND CHOCOLATE FACTORY

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Once you have gone over the bridge from San Remo onto Phillip Island it won’t be long until you come across Panny’s Amazing World of Chocolate. It is a celebration of all things chocolate, with information about the chocolate making process, interactive machines to play with (and opportunities to win chocolates!), and the ability to make (and taste) your own chocolate creation.

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Once you’ve done all there is to do in this unique chocolate wonderland, you can explore Panny’s Chocolate Shop or head into Panny’s Chocolate Café for a chocolate inspired treat.

Alegría and Isaac are still talking about Panny’s and are dreaming of returning soon, and they are not the only ones! Panny’s chocolate is delicious!

MORE INFORMATION

Entry to Panny’s Cafe and Retail store is free of charge, however the Chocolate factory requires paid admission.

TICKET PRICES:

  • Adults $17.00
  • Children 4 -14 years $11.00
  • Children under 4 – Free
  • Family $50.00 (Family pricing is for 2 adults and 2 children)

Website: www.phillipislandchocolatefactory.com.au/

CHURCHILL ISLAND HERITAGE FARM

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After spending an hour or so at the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory, you should head to lunch at Churchill Island Heritage Farm. The food is varied and delicious – seriously good tasting food! Trust us! We really enjoyed sitting at the outside picnic table, watching the kids playing on the lawn and looking out over Western Port.

Churchill Island 7

The Churchill Island Heritage Farm allows you to become immersed in some of Victoria’s heritage, where you can enjoy a walking around the restored farmhouse and cottages, beautiful gardens, farm sheds and lawns.

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Each afternoon from 2 pm (and 1pm on weekends, school and public holidays – weather permitting) the Churchill Island Heritage Farm staff offer a variety of interactive farm activities for everyone to participate in. We had a ride behind the tractor, fed the cows, saw a sheep shearing demonstration, milked a cow, cracked a whip and watched a sheep dog work the herd. There is no need to worry about missing out on an activity – you just move from one to the other. We had such a fantastic time and cannot recommend this as a fun family activity highly enough.

Churchill Island 2

Before you leave, take a short coastline walk to the lookouts over Phillip Island and Western Port or alternatively, you could do this before you have your lunch and enter the farm.

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MORE INFORMATION

Entry onto Churchill Island is free of charge, however the Heritage Farm requires paid admission (and it’s cheap and really worth it!).

Daily farming activities:

1.00-1.45pm         wagon rides (weekends, school and public holidays only – weather permitting)
2.10pm                 cow milking
2.30pm                 sheep shearing
2.45pm                 whip cracking
3.05pm                 working dogs
3.20pm                 sheep shearing

TICKET PRICES

  • Adult (16 years+) – $12.80
  • Child (4-15 years) – $6.40
  • Family (2 adults and 2 children) – $32.00
  • Australian Pensioner (ID required) – $8.95

BUNDLE & SAVE – Check out the bundled ticket options to see some of Phillip Island Nature Parks other attractions, with guaranteed savings.

4 PARKS PASS – Churchill Island Heritage Farm, Antarctic Journey, Penguin Parade General Viewing, Koala Conservation Centre – prices start at just $58.00 per adult.

Website: www.penguins.org.au/attractions/churchill-island/

It’s now time to check into your accommodation before having some dinner! We stayed at the Phillip Island Apartments which we can highly recommend for your holiday. It is walking distance (a block) to the main street, supermarkets, delicious eateries and the Cowes foreshore. We will discuss your accommodation options at the end of this post!

DAY 2.

Koala Conservation Centre

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The Koala Conservation Centre opens at 10 am and is set on six hectares of Australian bush. To view the koalas, you can walk along two easily accessible tree top boardwalks to get up close and personal with the koalas. On the day we were there, there were 5 koalas close to the boardwalk so don’t go expecting heaps of koalas to be right there waiting for you! They are wild and free to move around as they wish!  

The Tree Top Koala Boardwalk is an easy 800m loop which takes about 20 minutes (you could walk through it in 5 minutes but you really want to stop and smell the eucalyptus!) and the Tree Top Woodland Boardwalk is an easy 600m loop that won’t take you longer than 20 minutes.

Phillip Island Koala

Whilst your kids will love spotting the koalas and being on the lookout for wallabies, echidnas and native birds, ours really loved learning about the lives of koalas and other native animals through the interactive displays in the visitor centre.

MORE INFORMATION

TICKET PRICES:

  • Adult (16 years+) – $12.80
  • Child (4-15 years) – $6.40
  • Family (2 adults and 2 children) – $32.00
  • Australian Pensioner (ID required) – $8.95

BUNDLE & SAVE – Check out the bundled ticket options to see some of Phillip Island Nature Parks other attractions, with guaranteed savings.

4 PARKS PASS – Churchill Island Heritage Farm, Antarctic Journey, Penguin Parade General Viewing, Koala Conservation Centre – prices start at just $58.00 per adult. (Save $11.30)

Website: www.penguins.org.au/attractions/koala-conservation-centre/

THE ECOBOAT ADVENTURE TOUR

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The EcoBoat Adventure Tour operates all year round, with up to three departures per day over summer, in addition to other seasonal tours and MUST be booked in advance.

We went on a day where the conditions, they say, couldn’t really get any worse. The swell was higher than the boat and we even received a text message prior to departure to remind us to bring motion sickness medication or to call to re-book. We were on a tight time schedule, so we joined the tour as planned. As it turned out, the following day the conditions were ideal – you win some, you lose some!

The crew really know how to show their guests a good time – 1 hand in the air for a question, 2 hands means we are having fun! We loved the high speed boat ride along Phillip Island’s spectacular coastline, seeing the Nobbies sea-cave (which is visible only from the water), learning about the Cat Bay National Surfing Reserve and how it got it’s name, seeing the aerial acrobatics of the short-tailed shearwater birds before they take-off for a 16,000 kilometre migration journey to islands off the coast of Alaska and being bounced around as our captain Michael put the EcoBoat through its paces over the waves and took us through the aptly named “washing machine” before stopping at “Seal Rocks” one of Australia’s largest fur seal colonies.

This is where things started to unravel for the Mumma, who has decided that Tim and the kids will enjoy these activities without her from now on! The kids loved seeing the seals ducking in and out of the water and coming up close to the boat. It was really interesting to learn about Phillip Island Nature Parks environmental work in the area and how they bought back the land, removed the houses and have reinstated the area as a nature reserve.

The 90 minute tour (ours departed at 3 pm) finished with plenty of time for us to head to the Penguin Parade for dinner and to find our spot for the sunset penguin viewing.

MORE INFORMATION AND THINGS TO NOTE

  • Free WiFi on board
  • All participants must be at least 4 years of age.
  • All participants must be at least 100cm tall.
  • Passengers with back, neck, shoulder or heart conditions, those who are pregnant or who have injuries/conditions that may cause a risk to their health are advised to not do these tours, or do so at their own risk
  • Open waters and unpredictable sea conditions could cause physical injury, psychological stress or motion sickness.
  • Eligibility of passengers to participate in the tour is at the discretion of the Captain who has the right to refuse passage

TICKET PRICES:

  • Adult (16 years+) – $85.00
  • Child (4-15 years) – $65.00
  • Family (2 adults and 2 children) – $235.00
  • Australian Pensioner (ID required) – $85.00

To book, visit the Buy Tickets page or phone +61 3 5951 2800.

Website: www.penguins.org.au/attractions/ecoboat-tours

PENGUIN PARADE

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You can’t visit Phillip Island and not go and see the penguins! Tim and I both have vivid memories of visiting the area as kids and seeing the little penguins return to their burrows after a day out fishing!

At the Penguin Parade, there are interactive displays, documentaries being shown, an onsite cafe (where we had dinner) and a souvenir shop.

The penguins arrive at sunset and their approximate arrival time can be found on the www.penguins.org.au website or on the arrival calendar. They suggest that if you have general viewing, you should take your seat 1 hour prior to penguin arrival time and if you have underground viewing then you should find your spot 30 minutes prior to their arrival. This can be a long wait in the cold for kids so perhaps take it in turns to sit with the bags whilst taking the kids along the boardwalks as you will probably spot penguins just walking along!

We had underground viewing tickets, so we were sheltered from the weather and the number of people is restricted. If you are sitting in the grandstands on the beach MAKE SURE you pack warm, weatherproof jackets, gloves, beanies and take a blanket. It can be freezing. The souvenir shop sells them if you find yourself being cold!

In the underground viewing area, there was an interactive box that had all sorts of shells, bones, shark eggs, coral, seaweed etc that had descriptions and information on it. Alegría spent the time waiting for the penguins soaking in all the information and sharing it with other kids. The head ranger told me that every night there is always a child like Alegría that fully embraces the hands-on activity.

Before long, the penguins arrived and waddled their way up the beach and into the sand dunes. They are surprising fast considering they have such little legs and we loved seeing them! As we walked back up the boardwalk to go home, we passed many of them but you CANNOT take photos. Which, as hard as it was, we respected as it is a rule to protect the little penguins – you can download photos for your album HERE.

MORE INFORMATION: 

There are many ticket options – for more information please click HERE

General viewing prices:

  • Adult (16 years+) – $25.70
  • Child (4-15 years) – $12.80
  • Family (2 adults and 2 children) – $64.20
  • Australian Pensioner (ID required) – $17.95

BUNDLE & SAVE – Check out the bundled ticket options to see some of Phillip Island Nature Parks other attractions, with guaranteed savings.

4 PARKS PASS – Churchill Island Heritage Farm, Antarctic Journey, Penguin Parade General Viewing, Koala Conservation Centre – prices start at just $58.00 per adult. (Save $11.30)

Website: www.penguins.org.au/attractions/penguin-parade/

DAY 3.

ANTARCTIC JOURNEY

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The new ‘Antarctic Journey’ attraction at the Nobbies Centre is a fun, virtual journey to Antarctica – somewhere that has long been on our list of places to visit.

The kids loved the hands-on and interactive experiences – we got to feel the cold in the Antarctic Chill Zone and then compared a penguin’s thermal image to ours to see where we lose the most body heat. As we visited in the school holidays there were extra science activities to keep the kids entertained, learning and having fun!

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We all enjoyed walking through the exhibition, filled with floor to ceiling screens showcasing the stunning Antarctic landscape and wildlife. We then played with the state of the art augmented reality experience which allows you to “stand” on an iceberg and touch the penguins, seals and whales.

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MORE INFORMATION

TICKET PRICES:

  • Adult (16 years+) – $18.00
  • Child (4-15 years) – $9.00
  • Family (2 adults and 2 children) – $45.00
  • Australian Pensioner (ID required) – $12.60

Website: www.penguins.org.au/attractions/recreational-areas/the-nobbies

THE NOBBIES CENTRE

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Overlooking Bass Strait, the Nobbies Centre is home to Antarctic Journey as well as amazing clifftop boardwalks and views of the Nobbies and Seal Rocks. Apart from the Antarctic Journey, everything else at the Nobbies Centre is free to experience so you must definitely come and spend some time here!

We had lunch at the onsite cafe which was really delicious! Don’t worry about hungry tummies when you visit – you will find plenty to keep everyone happy and there is a gift shop and interpretive display on penguin conservation on Phillip Island there to pass the time whilst your meal is cooked.

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The area is a photographers paradise, with many vantage points from the boardwalks and lookout points. We enjoyed the views along Phillip Island’s south coast and seeing the blowhole, Nobbies and Seal Rocks but the highlight was seeing the Little Penguins (who are often seen here) resting near the boardwalk!

MORE INFORMATION

The Nobbies Centre closes approximately one hour before sunset each day to protect the native wildlife.

Summer: 10am – approx. 8pm (Opening at 2.00pm Christmas Day)
Autumn: 10am – approx. 5pm
Winter: 10am – approx. 4pm
Spring: 10am – approx. 6pm

* The Antarctic Journey attraction closes approximately 1 hour before the Nobbies Centre closing times and the Nobbies Cafe closes approximately 30 minutes before the above closing times, while the Gift Shop will remain open until the centre closes.

Website: www.visitphillipisland.com/listing/the-nobbies

CAPE WOOLAMAI

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Before we began our journey home, we stopped by Cape Woolamai for a play in the sand! This golden beach is a popular Phillip Island surfing spot, which is patrolled by Surf Life Savers during the summer. If you are feeling more adventurous, there are a variety of walking tracks across Cape Woolamai where you can experience the coastal scenery from Phillip Island’s highest point. For us, we had a great time playing in the shallows and building sandcastles. Just a word from the wise, they only have cold outdoor showers so getting sand off little bodies was hard and not overly successful.

Website: www.penguins.org.au/attractions/recreational-areas/cape-woolamai

OTHER ATTRACTIONS WORTH CONSIDERING

PHILLIP ISLAND GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT

Fancy a hot lap, driving the go karts, behind-the-scenes tour or checking out the history of motorsport? The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit has many options for you – age and height restrictions apply.

Website: http://www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au

A MAZE’N THINGS

A Maze’N Things is a whole world of optical illusions, mazes, thrilling rides, mini golf and puzzles that will entertain, intrigue and amuse adults and children for hours.

They also have a large and colourful café, specialty retail shop and outdoor facilities such as playgrounds, BBQ’s and picnic areas.

Website: www.amazenthings.com.au

WHERE TO STAY?

There are heaps of options … but this might help you out!

PHILLIP ISLAND APARTMENTS

Phillip Island Apartments

Our home away from home for two nights was the 4 star, self-rated Phillip Island Apartments which is located in the vibrant seaside town of Cowes. As I mentioned, it is just a short stroll from local shops, restaurants, beautiful beaches and within easy travelling distance of Phillip Island’s many attractions.

We stayed in a two bedroom apartment that included a full kitchen and laundry facilities, large living and dining area with a balcony overlooking the pool and BBQ area. The spa is heated (even during the colder months) and is big enough that it was a mini-pool for the kids to play in. They LOVED this and Isaac still asks to go back!

Phillip Island Apartments 2

The staff were friendly (a special shout out to Marguerite) and offered great advice on where to go and what to see.  I had a sneak peak in the 3 bedroom apartment and can say that it was equally as clean, spacious and well appointed.

Phillip Island Apartments feature:

Complimentary Wi-Fi
Complimentary Foxtel in all apartments
A complimentary off-street car park per apartment
Complimentary BBQ facility on site

Website: www.phillipislandapartments.net.au

Alternatively, you could check out:

BIG4 Phillip Island Caravan Park

Website: www.big4.com.au/caravan-parks/vic/phillip-island/philip-island-caravan-park

Ramada Resort Phillip Island

Website: www.wyndhamap.com/wps/wcm/connect/Wyndham/home/Resorts/Australia/VIC/phillipisland/Accommodation

Cowes Caravan Park – Family Parks

Website: www.familyparks.com.au/travel/cowes-caravan-park

Silverwater Resort, San Remo

Website: www.silverwaterresort.com.au

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We would like to thank Phillip Island Nature Parks and Nicoleta for making it possible for us to have such an amazing experience. We cannot wait to come back again!

For more information or to book your amazing family holiday visit: www.penguins.org.au

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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.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES ON THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA WEBSITE ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA AUTHORS. ALL IMAGES ARE SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT AND CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA.

Dreamworld – Top Tips for Under Six!

| Kidding Around Australia

KIDDING AROUND … DREAMWORLD

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If you are heading to the Gold Coast with your family, then visiting one of the theme parks will definitely be on your list of things to do! On our recent trip to Queensland, we had one free day so we had to choose wisely! We decided that Dreamworld was the best fit for a family with kids aged 6 and under but in all honesty, two days at Dreamworld would have been so much better! We just didn’t get to do everything and we really wanted to spend some time at WhiteWater World (which is now part of Dreamworld and included in the entry price)!

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Dreamworld is Australia’s largest theme park with over 40 rides and attractions that are categorised into different themed lands – each land has unique rides, food outlets, merchandise shops and some even have animal exhibits as part of the Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation (DWF).

6 TOP ATTRACTIONS FOR KIDS AGED 6 AND UNDER

MAIN STREET AND THE LEGO® STORE AT DREAMWORLDdreamworld main street.jpg

The Main Street is home to the imposing Dreamworld globe (complete with massive Dreamworld logo, countries and mountain ranges) which is perfect for your latest holiday momento! Staff are on hand to take a professional photo, but are more than happy to take one on your camera as well! The Main Street also features the Dreamworld Ice Cream Palour, Dreamworld Cinema, a central station for the Dreamworld Express (train) as well as food, beverage and retail outlets.

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The LEGO® Store at Dreamworld is located near the top of Main Street and open daily from 9am – 6pm (you can also access it without paying Dreamworld entrance fees from outside the park) and employs 20 ‘Brick Specialists’, has 10 life-size LEGO®models including Stormtroopers, a seven-foot-tall Incredible Hulk and several ‘Dreamworld-inspired’ models including a tiger, koala and didgeridoo. It features everything you have come to expect from a LEGO® Store such as the World-famous LEGO® ‘Pick a Brick’ wall, 2×3 metre LEGO® mosaic, LEGO® brick engraving and Make-Your-Own MinifigureTM stations.

CORROBOREECorroboree Dreamworld.jpg

Corroboree is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, culture, wildlife and stories. We caught the Dreamworld Express and the kids absolutely loved visiting some of the 800 native and barnyard animals that are located in Corroboree (and also within the Dreamworld grounds). A top tip is to go here last as the kids just didn’t want to leave! The area is also home to a set of Ford Model T vintage cars which can be driven around a small circuit.

WIGGLES WORLDwiggles world dreamworld.jpg

Wiggles World is home to the Wiggle House and other Wiggles inspired rides. It is aimed at toddlers and young children and features gentle rides and attractions such as the Big Red Car Ride, Dorothy’s Rosy Tea Cup Ride and the Big Red Boat Ride. If you have a Wiggles Fan then go to the Big Red Car Ride first thing in the morning – the line can be excruciating and whilst there is Wiggles videos and songs playing on a loop and little games to distract the kids anything with wait times over an hour tends to test everyone’s patience.

ABC KIDS WORLDABC dreamworld.jpg

ABC Kids World is a children’s area that features children’s Australian TV series’ such as Giggle and Hoot, Play School, and Bananas in Pyjamas. The kids loved the Hop and Hoot ride where they went cloud bouncing up in the sky, giving the Banana’s a high 5 and getting lost in the Fun Maze. There is also a special soft play area for little, little kids where they can get out of the pram and crawl around for a while.

TIGER ISLANDTiger Island.jpg

Tiger Island opened in 1995 as one of only two interactive tiger exhibits in the world. As part of Dreamworld’s conservation work with DWF, their tigers are ambassadors for their cousins in the wild and we loved seeing them up close and learning all about Dreamworld’s work towards protecting the species!

DREAMWORKS EXPERIENCEDreamworks at Dreamworld.jpg

DreamWorks Experience is a section of the park designed specifically for primary-aged children and tweens. The area is split up into three areas (Madagascar Madness, Shrek’s Faire Faire Away and Kung Fu Panda: Land Of Awesomeness) and includes the Escape from Madagascar suspended family roller coaster (Isaac was too short at 4 years old – many of the rides in this section require kids to be 110cm tall) and Mad Jungle Jam where there are hundreds of squidgy balls, air cannons, foam fountains, rope bridges and lookout towers to play on. The kids loved this area!

HONOURARY MENTION – WHITEWATER WORLDWhitewater world

I can’t talk about Dreamworld without mentioning WhiteWater World which is now part of Dreamworld and included in your entry (so make sure you pack a towel and some bathers). WhiteWater World offers something fun for every age group and the kids could easily spend all day in the Cave of Waves, slipping and sliding at Wiggle Bay or running amok at the Pipeline Plunge. If you can sneak away, adults can chill out in one of the luxury private cabanas, available to rent by booking online. With an iPod dock, fridge, deck chairs and couches, it’s heaven for anyone wanting to sit back and relax with all their creature comforts.

So that’s our 6 TOP ATTRACTIONS FOR KIDS AGED 6 AND UNDER at Dreamworld!

Of course, if you have older children there are the Dreamworld Big 9 Thrill Rides on offer – Tim enjoyed the the Mick Doohan Motocoaster which is the only motocoaster in the world!

We had so much fun at Dreamworld and will definitely return when we are next in Queensland. The kids still talk about all of their adventures and have asked to go to WhiteWater World for the day – so I guess that means we have to start planning!

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We would like to thank Dreamworld for hosting our visit and making it possible for us to have such an amazing day.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Dreamworld or to book your tickets, please visit: www.dreamworld.com.au

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.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES ON THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA WEBSITE ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA AUTHORS. ALL IMAGES ARE SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT AND CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA.

Shoalhaven – 3 Days to Surf Shoalhaven

| Kidding Around Australia

Surf Shoalhaven.jpg

We were recently invited to experience beautiful and unspoilt Shoalhaven on the New South Wales South Coast and it’s not hard to see why this region is one of Australia’s most-loved surfing and family travel destinations. We all have fond memories of holidays at the beach in summer, and the Shoalhaven is an ideal place to relive those special times and make some new memories with your children.

Instead of flying into Sydney or Canberra and hiring a car, we decided to take a road trip in a Holden Captiva that Holden were nice enough to let us take for an extended test drive. Travelling from Victoria we passed through Albury (where we stayed for the night), Holbrook (where we climbed on the Big Submarine), Gundagai (where we saw the Dog on the Tucker-box), Canberra (for another overnight stay where we visited Questacon and the National Dinosaur Museum), Goulburn (where we saw the Big Merino) and Sutton Forest (we want to go back and explore this picturesque village) on our way to Nowra and Culburra Beach (our home for the next two days).

The Shoalhaven is just two hours from Sydney and Canberra (so flying in makes it really accessible if you are from interstate and don’t want to drive) and boasts unspoilt beaches, fun activities and delicious eateries to satisfy even the fussiest of little eaters!

City of Shoalhaven.jpg

With our copy of Shoalhaven Tourism’s “Surfing Shoalhaven” guide in hand we researched all the best beaches and waves, road trips and activities on offer in the region so that we could plan the most amazing stay – a holiday that has left us wanting to return and explore some more!

DAY 1

Shoalhaven Zoo

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Shoalhaven Zoo is located in the town of Nowra about 2 hours drive south of Sydney. With more than 100 species of native and exotic birds, reptiles and mammals, the Shoalhaven Zoo is the largest zoo on the NSW south coast.

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Spread over 16 acres of natural bushland, on the banks of the Shoalhaven river, this zoo is surrounded by an amazing backdrop of water views, rainforests and impressive cliff faces.
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Shoalhaven Zoo allows for both paid and free interaction with select animals. We walked through the kangaroo and emu enclosure (you can buy a bag of food from the gift shop), played with rabbits and a cheeky goat in the animal farm and were able to pat a koala, crocodile, python and possum during a keeper talk. We also watched Marmoset monkey training session which was informative and funny (just don’t stand too close to the monkey cage as we narrowly avoided a well directed wee!). The kids also loved the giant slide and running through the wide open spaces.
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Georgina Says
If you want to make a day of it, there are picnic areas and gas BBQ’s so you can bring your own yummy lunch. If you are like us, and are not that organised, then there is a cafe with undercover seating that will help you fill your tummy! Don’t forget to save room for an ice-cream!

MORE INFORMATION

Website: www.shoalhavenzoo.com.au

Opening hours: 9am to 5pm every day except Christmas day. Animal shows start at 11am.
Address: 23 Rock Hill Road, North Nowra NSW 2541
Cost: Adults – $25.00 Aged 16+ Seniors & Pensioners – $20.00 Upon presentation of a valid seniors/pension card Students – $20.00 Upon presentation of a valid student card Children (Aged 3-15)  – $15.00 Family – $70.00 2x adults & 2x children

Culburra Beach

The Shoalhaven is home to more than 100 beaches so a visit to the beach is a MUST whilst in the region. We were lucky enough to be staying in the quiet beachside town of Culburra Beach (which is located 20 minutes from Nowra) and our holiday house was located two blocks back from the water.

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Alegría and Isaac LOVE the ocean and it didn’t take long for them to be playing in the shallows or with a local dog named Sam!

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The people were friendly and relaxed, whilst the coastline made a stunning backdrop for an impromptu photography session.

DAY 2

Jervis Bay Bike Hire – See the Bay in a Different Way!

Jervis Bay Bike Hire is a mobile business offering a variety of bikes, from BMX bikes for the kids to tandem bikes for the adults. As they are a mobile business there is no shop frontage so you need to order your bikes in advance by phone or email. Same day delivery is available providing the order is received before 11am and is subject to availability. They even deliver free of charge if you are staying close by or you can choose to pick up if you are staying outside of their delivery area.

We hired two ‘heist’ bikes (suitable for adults 168cm tall and above), as well as a ‘chariot’ and a ‘tag-a-long rider’ for the kids (helmets and locks are also provided with each bike). The ‘heist’ bikes were required for both the chariot and the tag-a-long rider to attach to, although if you have older kids (they even hire scooters!) or are going by yourself they had some great adult bikes to choose from.

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We enjoyed a fun morning exploring the sights of Jervis Bay and feeling the fresh air on our faces whilst we rode our bikes around the Bay.

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The bike track is very well maintained and we even stopped off at Nelsons Beach for a play in the super soft, white sand (there is a toilet block and playground here as well) before we headed back and said goodbye to our wheels. The kids loved both the chariot and the tag-a-long rider. Alegría and Isaac took turns having a go in each and even though Isaac couldn’t reach the pedals of the rider, that didn’t stop him from having a go!

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Georgina Says

Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes and pack some sunscreen, water and snacks.

Going for a bike ride is a great way to explore Jervis Bay, we thought it might be a “little” out of our fitness range but it was a highlight of our holiday. We all had such a great time!

MORE INFORMATION

Website: www.jervisbaybikehire.com

Cost: from $30 per day for children’s bikes and $40 per day for adults bikes (discounts available for multiple days). Accessories such as the chariot and tag-a-long rider are extra.

Whale Watching

Our whale watching tour was run by Dolphin Watch Cruises / Eco-Whale Cruise who are located in Huskisson, NSW.

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We were told that whale watching is an experience that is not to be missed when visiting the Shoalhaven between May and November. Unfortunately, we were visiting the area a week or two before the majority of the whales made their way back to Antarctic waters during the Southern migration, so whilst there had been successful whale watching trips in the days prior to our trip, on the day we didn’t see any whales.

What we can tell you though, is Sam and the crew from Dolphin Watch Cruises / Eco-Whale Cruise offer a friendly and well run tour business and we wouldn’t hesitate in recommending them.

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Georgina Says

Don’t forget to bring along some sunscreen, a hat, your camera and warm clothes / closed shoes. To say it gets chilly on the water is an understatement!! It is FREEZING! The crew gave out red ponchos and if it wasn’t for them then we would have been miserable! We were still cold, but it was nothing compared to how we were before we got the ponchos. Don’t be a hero (like Tim) and think you will be okay as Tim froze for 2 hours and was only warm when we turned around to head back to shore.

As their business name suggests, they run dolphin tours all year round. There are resident pods living in Jervis Bay, so if you want guaranteed animal sightings then a dolphin tour would be the way to go.

MORE INFORMATION

Website: www.dolphinwatch.com.au

Address: 50 Owen St Huskisson NSW 2540
Phone: (02) 4441 6311
Cost: Adults – $65.00 Aged 15+ Concession – $62.00 Children – $32.00 Aged 2-14 Family – $165.00 2x adults & 2x children

Greenfields Beach

As our holiday was very much a beach holiday, we couldn’t resist heading to Greenfields Beach in the Jervis Bay National Park. Greenfields Beach was listed by the Guardian UK as one of 12 best beaches in the world earlier this year– taking a coveted place alongside the world famous Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Starfish Beach in Panama and Source d’Argent in the Seychelles. The Guardian UK also named Greenfields Beach as one of its “50 best beaches in the world”, as chosen by its readers. The only Aussie beach to make both lists, Greenfields Beach is described as being “framed by a dense forest of gum trees and a small sandstone cliff” and we just had to see it for ourselves!

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Georgina Says

There are amenities such as outdoor showers and toilets, ample car parking, and a picnic area with amazing views all the way to Point Perpendicular. Greenfield Beach is the most wheelchair accessible beach in Jervis Bay National Park, with a flat and grassy picnic area and access to the beach via a short boardwalk.

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Greenfields Beach is nestled between the already famous Hyams Beach and the town of Vincentia. The kids loved running on the white, squeaky sand and playing in the shallows. It really is a beautiful beach and the perfect place to spend some time with your family!

DAY 3

Mollymook Beach Surf School

We couldn’t visit all of these beautiful beaches listed in our copy of Shoalhaven Tourism’s “Surfing Shoalhaven” guide without actually going Surfing IN the Shoalhaven! So, we packed up our car and said goodbye to our accommodation in Culburra Beach and travelled an hour south to Mollymook to meet our surfing coach Geoff Hansen from the Mollymook Beach Surf School.

The Mollymook Beach Surf School was first established in 2010 and is led by Geoff Hansen, the principal coach. Geoff has been delivering surf lessons in and around Mollymook since 2006. He has been a surfer for 36 years and is well-respected in the local surfing community.

We met Geoff and Katharine for our two-hour private surfing lesson in the pouring rain! As Geoff happily told us, surfing is one of the only outdoor activities you can do it the rain and it doesn’t matter! All our equipment, including a wetsuit and surf board, was provided and in no time at all we were all ready!

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The kids helped to wax our surfboards, and then we went down to the beach for some on-the-sand instruction before we hit the waves! Geoff and Katharine were fantastic instructors and made sure we had the required knowledge and assistance for us all to stand up on our boards!

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Isaac was a little jumping jack and popped up without a worry in the world, until one too many wipe-outs had him heading for the beach for a play. Alegría spent the entire 1.5 hours in the water and at 6 years old could have a future in surfing (if only we didn’t live 2 hours away from our nearest surf beach)! Tim and I LOVED the experience, we were a little nervous about the kids, but 5 minutes with Geoff and Katharine and our worries disappeared.

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We have not stopped talking about our surfing lesson and had the BEST time! Amazingly, even though it was “Death On A Stick” weather conditions, we saw whales playing in the distance which made for a perfect end to a fantastic experience.

Georgina Says

I CANNOT recommend a surfing lesson with Geoff (and Katharine) and Mollymook Beach Surf School highly enough. We have been RAVING about it!! If you think that it will be too cold, or the kids are too young, or the weather is terrible, or you aren’t fit enough or any other excuse you can come up with then STOP! Give it a go. I feel the cold, and Geoff gave me a thick wetsuit and I wasn’t cold at all. Isaac is 3 and can’t swim but still had an amazing time. Tim and I are not the fittest people you will meet but we had a fantastic time. Alegria still talks about how to spot a rip, go under the waves and where to stand on the board. Honestly, learning to surf was a sensational family holiday experience.

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If you want to surf in the Shoalhaven area, then the “Surfing Shoalhaven” guide makes interesting reading. It’s available to download from www.shoalhaven.com.au/surf, and provides surfing etiquette tips, surfing conditions and maps, local suppliers, stories of the champions and so much more!

Aussie surfer Tyler Wright is the 2016 WSL Women’s World Champion and grew up in Culburra Beach whilst learning to surf in the Shoalhaven.

“Some of my fondest memories I have are of daily surfing sessions with my brothers and sister. At the time, we couldn’t comprehend that we’d all end up where we are now. We were just over the moon to be out there with everyone at our local beach.” – Tyler Wright, Australian Professional Surfer, No. 1 in the world.

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Tyler Wright, Australian Professional Surfer, No. 1 in the world

MORE INFORMATION

Website: www.mollymookbeachsurfschool.com

Phone: 0411 392221
Cost: Adults – $90.00 Aged 17+ Children – $75.00 Aged up to 16 

WHERE TO EAT

There are so many fantastic places to eat all over the Shoalhaven. You will be spoilt for choice! We have picked our favourite breakfast, lunch and dinner venues so that it one last thing you will need to worry about!

BREAKFAST: – Seasalt Café, Culburra

When you have adventurous day ahead of you, a beautiful, wholesome breakfast is exactly what you need! Seasalt Café is a small business located in the heart of the seaside village of Culburra. Seasalt Café opened in December 2012, and has successfully grown into a busy kitchen feeding locals and holiday makers. The menu includes a variety of meals suitable for all tastes and they have a toybox to keep the kids entertained whilst you wait for your meal!

Website: www.seasaltculburra.wixsite.com
Address: 151 Prince Edward Avenue, Culburra Beach NSW 2540
Phone: (02) 4447 4650

LUNCH: Pilgrims Café, Huskisson

Following your morning exploring Jervis Bay, it’s time to refuel before your afternoon’s itinerary. Pilgrims Café Huskisson is a popular café with the locals. The menus include delicious meals for all tastes, from pancakes and granola to burgers, pies and wraps. Perfect to take with you or sit back and admire their postcard perfect views!

Website: www.pilgrimsmenu.com
Address: Shop 4, 57 Owen Street, Huskisson NSW 2540
Phone: (02) 4441 6118.

DINNER: Bannisters Rooftop Bar & Grill, Mollymook

Treat yourself to an exceptional meal from the famous Rooftop Bar & Grill at Bannisters Pavilion. The Rooftop’s menu is inspired by Mediterranean, Southern Californian and Mexican cuisines, complemented by seasonal cocktails, craft beers and an amazing wine list. You HAVE to try the eggplant chips with burnt onion aioli! There’s also a special children’s menu that includes dessert and a drink! The staff are friendly and are happy to bring colouring pages and crayons out for the kids so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the view!

Website: www.bannisters.com.au
Address: 87 Tallwood Avenue, Mollymook NSW 2539
Phone: (02) 4455 3044

WHERE TO STAY

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We stayed at the “The Batch”, which is a lovely self-contained holiday house located just 500m from Culburra Beach and 700m from Warrain Beach so it is perfect for a family beach holiday.

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It is comfortable home away from home where we all felt relaxed with everything that we needed as a travelling family. The Batch is located in a quiet street where the only sounds you will hear are the waves crashing and the birds singing.

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There is a cosy wood fire for those chilly winter evenings (we didn’t use it as we were concerned about the kids as it is right in the middle of the room, but the heater worked wonderfully so we were not cold at all!).

The yard is fully enclosed so the children could play freely – it would be perfect if you were travelling with your dog as well.

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This property is proudly managed by The Holiday Rental Specialists – Beach and Bay Holidays and they made our stay so welcoming. Prior to arrival, they had put on the heater and switched on the porch light leaving us with a welcome note and a little something to enjoy after the kids went to sleep!

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We would highly recommend The Batch as your base whilst exploring the Shoalhaven region. We loved it and the kids keep asking to go back to “our holiday house” so I guess we better start planning!

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MORE INFORMATION

The Holiday Rental Specialists – Beach and Bay Holidays

https://www.stayz.com.au/accommodation/nsw/south-coast/culburra-beach/163931

Acknowledgments:

We were guests of Shoalhaven Tourism for this family holiday. All opinions are own and correct at the time of publication. Please visit the Shoalhaven website prior to your holiday for additional information on what to do in the region.

You can also follow the team at Shoalhaven Tourism here:

Web | http://shoalhaven.com.au/surf

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/visitshoalhaven

Twitter | https://twitter.com/visitshoalhaven

Instagram | visitshoalhaven

Hashtags | #surfshoalhaven #unspoilt

Have you been to Shoalhaven?

Thanks for reading! Have you been to Shoalhaven? We’d love to hear your stories and tips. Please share them with us in the comments!

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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.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES ON THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA WEBSITE ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA AUTHORS (UNLESS CREDITED OTHERWISE). ALL IMAGES ARE SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT AND CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA (OR ORIGINAL SOURCE AS CREDITED).

Kidding Around … Flowerdale Estate

| Kidding Around Australia

Last Sunday, we jumped in the car and headed for a drive! Our destination was Flowerdale Estate and we were definitely impressed. Georgina swanned around the grounds like the Lady of the Manor she was born to be, Tim was interested in the facilities and the kids loved the wide open spaces and fresh country air.

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Built in 1838, Flowerdale Estate was originally a 10,000 acre sheep and cattle station. Through the years the Victorian and Edwardian Homestead has been lovingly and extensively refurbished and now operates as a conference centre, wedding venue and weekend getaway destination with 28 guest bedrooms.

As we wandered around the manicured lawns and gorgeous flower gardens we spoke with other day visitors and everyone was having a fantastic afternoon. Flowerdale Estate encourages everyone who comes for High Tea on Sundays to use the on-site facilities. They are very child friendly and will do everything they can to make everyone welcome!

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There is an undercover tennis court, rotunda, indoor solar heated swimming pool (it took all of our will power not to jump in, and we will definitely be bringing our bathers next time!) and plenty of seating under the shade of impressive oak trees.

Other activities include:

  • table tennis / billiards room
  • guest lounge w/open fire and library
  • lawn games
  • walking/jogging track
  • fishing
  • bike riding
  • platypus spotting by the creek
  • relaxation and healing massages (by appointment only)

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There is a large dam where you can go fishing, yabbying and use the kayaks for a leisurely paddle. Obviously, care needs to be taken when around water, there are no lifeguards and the use of the kayaks is at your own risk. There are two lifejackets which were slightly too big for our kids, so if you have any at home pop them in the boot. A word of warning – you will get a wet bum so keep that in mind if you don’t want to spend the rest of the day feeling like you have wet your pants!

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Gracies Restaurant offers seating for up to 50 people in the main dining room as well as seating on the veranda (perfect for us with children!). We each had a Devonshire Tea and the scones were delicious! Gracies Restaurant offers a seasonal menu and are open on Friday and Saturday evenings and for Breakfast and High Tea on Sunday.

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Flowerdale Estate are excited to have Russell Morris play in their last concert for the summer season on March 8th. Their accommodation is all booked our for the night and tickets are selling fast. The entry fee of $75 includes their famous barbeque! The gates open 5pm and Russell comes on at dusk. Bookings are via Flowerdale Estate 03 5784 9280. Keep an eye on their website for more concerts next summer.

We were so glad we visited Flowerdale Estate! We had such a fantastic afternoon and we are really looking forward to visiting again.

MORE INFORMATION

Days: Friday, Saturday evening and Sunday.

Location: 2285 Broadford-Flowerdale Road, Strath Creek, Victoria 3658

Cost: Traditional High Tea $40 per person. Royal High Tea $55 per person. Devonshire Tea available upon request $12.50 per person. For dinner and breakfast please refer to menu.

Website: http://www.flowerdaleestate.com.au

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.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES ON THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA WEBSITE ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA AUTHORS. ALL IMAGES ARE SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT AND CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA.

{Sponsored Post} Kidding Around with … Dyson Cool

| Kidding Around Australia

When Dyson approached us asking if we would be interested in reviewing their Dyson Cool Desk Fan we were excited to find out more! Before we agreed, we asked them “is it safe for our kids (and cat)?” and “is it portable?” As soon as they answered “yes” we agreed and became the proud owners of a Dyson Cool Desk Fan in black/nickel.

Photo Credit: Dyson
Photo Credit: Dyson

The fan comes in two pieces, which requires a simple ‘push and twist’ assembly and it’s ready to go! It is super easy to operate and the remote control is curved and has a magnet in it which attaches to the top of the fan.

Georgina Says

It is so light (you can literally pick it up with two fingers) which makes it great for moving between rooms and for going on road trips or camping holidays.

The Dyson Cool is perfect for camping trips! It's light weight and easy to transport.
The Dyson Cool is perfect for camping trips! It’s light weight and easy to transport.

The fan is whisper quiet and is perfect for children’s bedrooms – and because it is bladeless it is safe to put on the floor (no more worrying if someone will lose a finger). The fan tilts up and also oscillates from side to side.

Payno (Our Ring-In) Says

Dyson fans are the shizzle!

$74m was invested into developing the Dyson Cool™ fan range. Dyson spends $4.5 million every week on research and development and you can tell!

We love ours and would definitely recommend it!

Dyson Cool Features

Air Multiplier™ technology

Dyson fans use Air Multiplier™ technology to create a powerful stream of uninterrupted airflow. The air is accelerated through an annular aperture, creating a high-velocity jet of air. This passes over an airfoil-shaped ramp, channelling its direction and creating areas of low pressure behind and around the fan. The change in pressure forces surrounding air to be drawn into the airflow, resulting in a powerful stream of smooth cooling air.

Sound 75% quieter

Streamlined air channels for reduced airflow turbulence make AM06 75% quieter than AM01.

 40% less power consumed

Reducing turbulence makes the fans quieter, but it also means that less energy is required to move air through them. While the fans still produce powerful airflow, their motors are calibrated to run more slowly, drawing less energy.

Sleep timer

Fan can be programmed to turn off after pre-set intervals ranging from 15 minutes to 9 hours.

Remote control

With 10 precise airflow settings, sleep timer, on/off and oscillation control. Curved and magnetized to store neatly on the machine.

Oscillation control

Independent motor drives smooth oscillation.

Easy tilt

Pivots on its own centre of gravity.

Easy to clean

No awkward safety grilles or blades.

Safe

No fast-spinning blades.

AM06 Desk Fan 300mm Black/Nickel Specifications

Weight: 3.3kg

Cord Length: 1.8m

MORE INFORMATION

Website: http://www.dyson.com.au/fans-and-heaters/cooling-fans.aspx

Cost: $449 rrp

Disclaimer: We were given a Dyson Cool Desk Fan to review. Our opinions are honest and our own.

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.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES ON THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA WEBSITE ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA AUTHORS. ALL IMAGES ARE SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT AND CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA.