Travelling with Kids – Adventure isn't just about the plane trips!
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 …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Way back in 1986, my family settled in Woodend, Victoria after living in Darwin and Tasmania. I started a new primary school and for the very first time visited Melbourne zoo. It was the perfect year for an introduction to the site with the Butterfly House, the first every built in the Southern Hemisphere and …
History exhibits are often presented in a way that is largely inaccessible to kids. The focus is on artefacts that they can’t touch, wordy descriptions with a plethora of dates and lots of “no flash photography” signage. I’m passionate about history and seek out opportunities that will engage my kids in the narrative of those before …
There are moments each day where I catch a glimpse of a still image in a magazine, on the net or even on the back of a bus, and wanderlust overwhelms me. I start to daydream about a spontaneous trip to that very destination….. Recently T suggested that I should create a “Places We Could Go” list …
Riding a bike is a skill, once learned, that is rarely lost. Learning how to ride is the difficult part. When I was a kid I had neither a balance bike nor training wheels. I pushed my new bike out onto our lawn and went from there. The beauty of living in the country, right? …
Located in the Northern Territory, Darwin offers a plethora of places and curiosities to explore. In fact, there are so many things to do in Darwin with kids to keep you busy for a few days or a few weeks (or more!). A trip here will have you exploring some of the best things the …
When the week rolls over and the weekend arrives there can be a certain satisfaction discovering your calendar is empty. Perhaps you take the opportunity to relax in your garden, read a new book or catch up on housework. Faced with a weekend without plans, my kids spent Saturday playing in the backyard with the neighbours. …
When I first arrived in Sydney I went straight to Bondi Beach. I think most tourists do. I wanted to see the great Aussie wonder for myself and feel the sand between my toes. It was truly delightful. Fast forward a decade and a half, and I’m raising my kids in this very city, providing the …