State Library Victoria – A Visit to Australia’s Oldest Public Library

State Library Victoria - A Visit to Australia's Oldest Public Library

During my days at Melbourne University I spent countless hours researching at the State Library Victoria. Sometimes I just went for a little down time. It’s that type of place. When Master R became unwell on our recent Melbourne trip, Miss N and I took a stroll up to the library while he slept and …

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The Lion Guard – Return of the Roar : A Premiere Event

The Lion Guard - Return of the Roar : A Premiere Event

I was in high school when The Lion King was released in Australia. It was the second animated movie that I dragged my group of friends to watch at the movies. It quickly became my favourite. I needed so many tissues! When the musical debuted a good decade later, I headed off to see that too. By the …

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Ballarat Wildlife Park : Up Close With Australian Animals

One of the first things I taught my children when we started visiting my parent’s farm, which backs on to the Wombat State Forest, was to admire the native animals from a distance. I warned them not to walk up to the kangaroos that feed in the top paddock every afternoon. I said no to sticking their heads in the …

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Eureka Skydeck 88 : The Highest Public Vantage Point in the Southern Hemisphere

Eureka Skydeck 88 : The Highest Public Vantage Point in the Southern Hemisphere

Scaling the Seven Summits is on the Bucket List of adventurers worldwide. Our family has declined the challenge and skipped adding it the kid bucket list, preferring to focus on climbing (via elevator) the tallest buildings in the cities we visit. It involves less preparation and our fitness levels are rarely tested. On our recent trip to Melbourne, …

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Aussie Slang – Deciphering Australian English On Your Trip Down Under

Aussie Slang – Deciphering Australian English On Your Trip Downunder

The Australian language is a funny thing. Born from a concoction of mixed accents from our European migrants, often visitors have trouble deciphering what us Aussies are saying. We talk fast, often using words that contradict the actual meaning. Yeah could mean no. To make it easier for your trip to our great Southern land, I’ve …

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Disney Frozen Summer Garden Party : A Date with Elsa and Anna

Disney Frozen Summer Garden Party : A Date with Elsa and Anna

Frozen. This single word has infiltrated our everyday vernacular to mean much more than the simple act of freezing something. It has become a word that is powerful enough to quickly catch the attention of little girls (and boys!) and build excitement like no other. Frozen, of course, is the title of one of Disney’s most popular …

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DirtGirl’s Get Grubby Musical

DirtGirl's Get Grubby Musical

DirtGirl has been on our radar every since we heard about her big mud pie party at Centennial Park last year. We love her show and find her take on things quite refreshing. When I heard that DirtGirl and her friends were coming to the Sydney Opera House I purchased a bunch of family tickets …

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Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium : A Snap Shot of Victoria’s Waterlife

Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium : A Snap Shot of Victoria's Waterlife

With 71% of the Earth’s surface covered in water, it is no surprise that it contains a multitude of ecosystems where plant and animal life is flourishing. My children are water babies who would totally go Kevin Costner if they could and live in a Waterworld. Whenever we are travelling we try to visit a …

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The Sydney Opera House Day Pack : Behind The Scenes With Kids

The Sydney Opera House Day Pack : Behind The Scenes With Kids

Whenever I ask family and friends travelling to Sydney for the first time what they want to see, the Sydney Opera House never fails to be at the very top of the list. It is by far the most recognisable Australian building which also happens to sit right on the most beautiful harbour in the …

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The Swanston Hotel Melbourne Grand Mercure – As Central As It Gets

The Swanston Hotel Melbourne Grand Mercure - As Central As It Gets

I’m notorious for leaving things to the last minute although I am trying to reframe it as the more positive and endearing “spontaneous” quality.  So of course, when it came to booking a few days in Melbourne in the New Year, I left the booking until a handful of days before we were due to arrive. Using …

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Daylesford Lake : A Family Fun Weekend Adventure

Daylesford Lake : A Family Fun Weekend Adventure

At the foothills of the Great Dividing Range there lies the town of Daylesford which is famed for its naturally occurring mineral springs. It is a town with a rich Swiss-Italian heritage with many of the early gold miners who arrived in town coming from Ticino region in Switzerland. We visit annually with my parents farm a short …

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Werribee Open Range Zoo : An African Safari Adventure in Australia

Werribee Open Range Zoo : An African Safari Adventure in Australia

While a visit to the amazing African continent is just out of my family’s reach right now, introducing my children to the animals that roam the savannah is indeed possible thanks to the Werribee Open Range Zoo. Situated 35 kilometres west of Melbourne’s city centre, the zoo is a not-for-profit conservation organisation that focuses predominately on African species. It was …

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Places We Could Go : Greenland – The Great Arctic Wonder

Places We Could Go : Greenland - The Great Arctic Wonder

Back in November, National Geographic released their Best of the World List for 2016. Whilst not one Australian destination made it to the list, a number of sites that we have visited with the kids were mentioned as well as some spots that I would love to visit in the near future. At the top for …

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