tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30613780395010120492011-10-23T16:34:26.934+11:00Getting out and about with the kids in Australia and beyond ...Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.comBlogger421100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-60267751714542847622010-05-08T20:49:00.003+10:002010-05-08T20:51:37.376+10:00

Head over to Adventures with Kids if you want to check out travel tips for all Australian capitals.

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-70543783515393228012010-03-22T09:38:00.000+11:002010-03-22T09:40:46.529+11:00

We've been thinking about driving across the big red land to Perth in winter ... which makes Adventures with Kids and Childhood 101 compulsory reading ...http://adventureskids.blogspot.com/2010/03/australia-with-kids-perth.html

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-60086580346794318542010-03-17T18:55:00.003+11:002010-03-17T19:08:14.430+11:00

I can understand the desire to avoid large numbers of children careering through the house. I can understand the desire to avoid having to prepare party food. I don't share these feelings, but I understand them. That said, I've not been impressed by the McDonalds or indoor play centre alternatives - it seems expensive for not very much.This weekend will be second birthday party we've attended

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-23546175023249661682010-03-14T10:27:00.001+11:002010-03-14T10:28:38.064+11:00

I knew I'd leave something out! Tania will be at Government House today for the Open Day. A great opportunity to hear her read Riley herself!

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-31228876483412587462010-03-06T22:07:00.004+11:002010-03-08T20:55:40.898+11:00

As the hamster in Bolt said "It begins ..." (Am I the only adult who finds these characters amusing ... the hamster ties with the Penguins of Madagascar for me ...)Back on subject: Happy Birthday Canberra!As a Canberra Girl Born and Bred I have to promote the Canberra Festival, but it's not hard to do ... next week and weekend holds more than I could get my head around. For the kids and I, the

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-31144948012283466382010-03-02T22:08:00.006+11:002010-03-02T22:28:41.847+11:00

Ah, The Show.It took some prior preparation.Wallets had to be located. Money was handed out. The lecture was given about how the money was finite and once it was gone, it was gone. Separate advice was provided that each child could have one - repeat one - showbag, in addition to the money provided for rides. Another lecture was delivered about how unfortunate the meltdown in the Showbag Pavilion

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-13272265510485524032010-02-23T21:48:00.008+11:002010-03-02T22:06:38.456+11:00

Photo by sridgway.I was surprised by the kids' reaction when we ended up at the Botanic Gardens by default a couple of weekends ago. I really didn't expect them to be too enthused. We had kitted up for a day on the little kids' water slide at Club Blue. It never occurred to us to check that the slide was open and it wasn't. Canberrans will understand when I say that we are Southside people and

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-46142803379985689892010-02-14T08:31:00.013+11:002010-02-15T22:35:12.882+11:00

Dee at Travel and Travails has dobbed us in to expose our three best kept travel secrets. This fantastic idea came from Tripbase.So here we go, grab the kids, are you ready?1. Waikite Valley Thermal Pools, Rotorua, New ZealandWaikite Valley Thermal Pools is a "must do" if you're travelling with the kids between Taupo and Rotorua (10 minutes off the main road and well sign posted). Using the

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-3897077201224292992010-01-29T20:58:00.006+11:002010-02-14T08:40:49.424+11:00

Tania's getting around - she's covered a lot of the South Coast with kids in January ...

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-32077068533252531032010-01-17T18:56:00.008+11:002010-01-17T19:33:47.611+11:00

Photo courtesy of kookr.If you're like me, your anxiety has been growing since Christmas about the prevalence of indoor entertainment and how you must do something about getting the kids outside.We've made a resolution: an active outing every weekend. Note the emphasis on the active. And we started with Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. The kids have always enjoyed the fantastic playground there,

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-90878252130425137212010-01-13T22:04:00.004+11:002010-01-17T18:55:52.190+11:00

Every time we head South, we go through the Namadgi National Park, and we ALWAYS stop at Brayshaw's Hut, at the kids' insistence. Something about the historic alpine huts really fires the imagination - the fireplace, the verandah, the story board about Stephen Brayshaw living there into his seventies (and a macabre interest in the fact that he fell from a horse while visiting his brother and

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-39091333352737099582010-01-04T12:46:00.002+11:002010-01-04T12:48:22.972+11:00

Hot and not a lot for kids to do here. The ferry provided four minutes' entertainment ... and I can see how a dip in the river, a boat trip ... and the odd ice cream would be amusing, but this would not be my destination of choice with children under ten.

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-37626422106382383632009-12-23T13:56:00.008+11:002010-01-18T21:21:58.918+11:00

One doesn't need to be the original earth mother to feel like one's made an effort for Christmas. A few gestures have set the tone for me, and made me satisfied that I am putting the spirit back into the occasion:Make simple things like rum balls and cheese biscuits with the kids.Let the kids decorate the Christmas tree, and only fiddle with it after they've gone to bed.Hand make the gift tags (

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-40761207412191713002009-12-16T21:45:00.001+11:002009-12-16T21:46:49.262+11:00

http://the-riotact.com/?p=16918Eye Like Carrots has drawn my attention to Wee Jasper ...

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-24139443548862256402009-12-01T22:12:00.024+11:002009-12-05T21:56:11.638+11:00

OK so it might involve driving a bit further along the coast from Bateman's Bay, but my summation is that it is worth it. It was late November, just before the surprise cold snap, and we were staggered to find ourselves the only people on the beach at 10 o'clock in the morning. Narooma seemed to me to satisfy all tastes:Children: interesting board walk, "Australia" rock, spotting a seal lolling

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-48121930009820519792009-11-09T20:58:00.008+11:002009-11-09T21:14:02.950+11:00

And it doesn't have to be very sophisticated - a shed, a woodstove, a couple of gas burners, a gas lamp and a couple of old beds and we find ourselves in the envious position of having a holiday home.The Upper Murray - beautiful one day, perfect the next. We meandered through Cooma and Adaminaby (yes, home of the Big Trout, very good bacon and egg rolls and smoked trout pate) and landed in

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-81714963013155410912009-10-13T20:03:00.003+11:002009-10-13T20:13:26.235+11:00

Our lovely neighbours have just returned from a week on the Gold Coast. Cliched or proven? Here are the pros and cons from their perspective:Sea World Resort - worth staying there, but insist on a toaster in your room before arriving ... or there's no way to cook your toast ... (whoever heard of a kitchenette without a toaster???)Be prepared to spend a lot of money. You may be staying at the

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-23086702291462408122009-10-11T21:14:00.005+11:002010-02-07T20:39:25.793+11:00

1. A day on the farm and horse riding at Poplar Corner - even if it was snowing!2. Up!3. Zoocation - especially feeding the lions with tongs!4. The man with the snake, lizards, but best of all CROCODILE at Jenny Wren Child Care.5. Cockington GreenYes, it's true, they were spoilt these holidays. I'm normally a big believer in kids needing to spend a lot of time bored and learning to entertain

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-57265933144565193002009-10-09T21:58:00.006+11:002009-10-09T22:40:03.174+11:00

We are planning our first real family camping trip and we know where we're going: Deua National Park but specifically the Berlang campground. If memory serves me correctly, and it's been 13 years since I've been there, the campground is pleasant - two skips from a creek worth paddling in, and an easy walk away from "The Big Hole" where one might see a lyrebird at play. I've not visited Marble

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-42946317002530945082009-10-09T21:25:00.012+11:002009-10-09T22:10:35.870+11:00

Floriade is a more a fixture than an event in Canberra now and it is a thoroughly enjoyable kid-friendly outing but I did regret the absence this year of the sandcastle sculptures featured last year.(The flowers are lovely but I have a secret confession: the shops are great too. )Next year I am definitely going to check out the night markets. Too small children (for staying up late) and husband's

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-35450272851535319362009-10-07T22:21:00.001+11:002009-10-07T22:22:34.640+11:00

Tania's again got it covered - this time Sydney with a special focus on lollies.

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-4266655371066348242009-10-02T21:33:00.003+10:002009-10-02T21:35:15.228+10:00

The Planning Queen has very helpfully summarised all that's good with kids in Melbourne this October. And there's more than a few things to learn from her about marshalling a decent family life too!

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-24348996107033455162009-10-02T21:11:00.004+10:002009-10-02T21:17:52.594+10:00

Worth checking out the travel with kids section of author Tania McCartney's blog. Her Tasmania Adventure series is a great read with lots of pictures for those of us wanting plenty of ideas, but she also covers Sydney, the Great Ocean Road, beautiful Bungendore, Japan and China and profiles things to do with the kids to get the most out of the experience (her blog/s on Memory Books).

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-36430432260181877462009-09-25T22:14:00.007+10:002009-10-11T21:40:44.202+11:00

We go to visit Granny, and mobility issues mean we don't get out much ... and there's plenty of crocheting ... but we would note two particular points of interest to people going there with kids:Terrigal beach and the fish and chip shop opposite, but also the Haven down below, and the Australian Reptile Park, especially at alligator feeding time.What great places for kids do you know about in and

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-85904670744474377732009-09-23T20:38:00.007+10:002009-09-29T21:46:46.182+10:00

A family holiday to New Caledonia could be a great option if you're looking for a combination of French and Melanesian experiences in a warmer climate ... but be warned the cost of living is extreme, and exorbitant medical costs make travel insurance a must.That out of the way, what are the highlights of a visit to New Caledonia with kids? Well, in no particular order ...More playgrounds per head

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-33820619055587297502009-09-23T20:00:00.003+10:002009-09-23T20:37:47.201+10:00

My Mum reminded me tonight what a great place the Salvation Army's Collaroy Centre is to stay - very comfortable accommodation, great food (including cooked breakfasts), a hop skip and a jump from Collaroy Beach ... may be worth checking out if you wanted a reasonably priced but nice place to stay on the Northern Beaches 35 minutes from Sydney CBD ...

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-91502793231687630142009-09-22T20:10:00.003+10:002009-09-23T20:38:13.637+10:00

Reading thishttp://www.holidayswithkids.com.au/reviews/murramarangabout Murramarang reminded me of a weekend we spent there with the kids when they were aged, respectively six and eighteen months ... I was determined we would enjoy a long weekend at the coast. It's another classic lesson in not rushing into "experiences" when the kids are very very little.The "resort" is actually a cabin and

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-73223772896130748922009-09-21T20:35:00.003+10:002009-09-21T20:40:50.906+10:00

A Kidaddle friend has shared this interesting blog item about travelling in India with kids ...http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entries/extraordinary_india

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-64225735192763189832009-09-20T17:36:00.005+10:002009-10-02T21:36:49.758+10:00

Well the pups won out. Dogs' Day Out is apparently a twice yearly event - once every spring and autumn - and boy did the pups have spring in their step. Lake Gininderra foreshore was the venue and the gundogs made the most of the water. We enjoyed flyball, sled dogs, races and a competition for the best trick.We took a picnic and gave the six year old the opportunity to pat as many dogs as she

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-24894542467371580142009-09-18T22:25:00.007+10:002009-09-18T23:09:41.883+10:00

Hard to choose ...Floriade: Marcia Hines and a picnic?Tidbinbilla: best playground in the Canberra region and perfect venue for a weekend cooked breakfast followed up by the Deep Space Communications Complex.Dogs' Day OutQuestacon (yes, again!)What do you think?

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-48845046926001020422009-09-09T22:00:00.014+10:002009-10-02T21:36:11.050+10:00

Do you remember your first visit to the snow? I do. I had the cutest little pair of yellow gumboots. We drove up to Smiggin Holes in the EH Holden and Dad lifted me out of car and put me on a mound of the stuff on the side of the road ... whereupon I promptly sank up to my knees and the slush rose up and into my boots. I recall little else beyond the cold and a lot of crying.Last weekend I

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-52250184305892193572009-08-17T19:53:00.005+10:002010-02-07T20:38:44.276+11:00

We enjoyed the best coast holiday we've had as a family at Mollymook last March.http://www.stayz.com.au/21417We stayed in the quintessential beach house - which was worth every penny as it was perfectly suited to a family and child friendly (would not be so good for toddlers but was perfect for kids aged 5, 6, 7 ...).We hit Mollymook in Autumn, but when it was still warm enough (just) to swim but

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-59549559777136142742009-06-30T21:26:00.006+10:002009-09-18T23:11:25.860+10:00

Well not so big ... but a fantastic road trip to kick off our renewed commitment to seeing more of Australia. We started off in Millewa, staying at Lindenwarrah ... not the best with a seven and six year old ... not because they weren't welcome, or the food wasn't good, but rather because there was little to do that they would enjoy and the rooms were over priced and devoid of comfortable

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-60457555227437443672008-02-24T15:32:00.003+11:002009-09-18T23:06:57.887+10:00

Cape Foulwind was not at all like it's name - the pub was the most welcoming in New Zealand (thanks to Derek) and we had two great nights there ... enjoying the fact that kids were welcome, catered for and the landlord saw his role being one of conversation starter. The second night I chickened out with the kids at what I thought was a late hour ... Father kicked on until 2am playing pool and got

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-62898671931752847972007-04-16T20:51:00.003+10:002009-09-18T23:07:53.801+10:00

Leaving the Nelson area reluctantly, we drove through simply magical countryside into the Abel Tasman National Park. It suddenly all fell into place: when our next door neighbour in New Caledonia had talked about "a park in the top corner of the South Island" that the "gosses" would "lurve", he had been talking about the Abel Tasman. It was the stuff driving holidays were made of - view after

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-44314515431491300862007-04-11T19:51:00.003+10:002009-09-18T23:08:16.733+10:00

My last long ferry ride was, I think, a hovercraft across the Channel ... when I vomited like a maniac for the crossing. Or was it the boat down the canal in China when I understood how lots of people die in ferry disasters because they simply can't escape the boat, and had to lie on top of my coat so that I could cope with sleeping on dead insects. (It was this trip when I went to the squat

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-47743418056470193802007-03-29T20:16:00.003+10:002009-09-18T23:08:41.570+10:00

We really really liked Wellington - and were very taken with the hills and winding streets. It has a great harbour-front that makes for a very pleasant walk (or in our case, silly four-man bike ride). For the kids, the stand out attraction was the Te Papa museum. We never made it past the first gallery.

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-40090005955403087262007-03-25T19:45:00.003+10:002009-09-18T23:09:17.300+10:00

The Forgotten World Highway is a spectacular drive. Particularly in stormy weather with rock falls all along its winding length. It is a heritage trail taking in many historic sites including Maori fortified villages, waterfalls and abandoned coal mines. But it's also a long drive - and we had decided to head on to Wellington, so we didn't stop and look around. Twelve clicks are unsealed ... and

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-3836600676376330432007-03-22T23:09:00.004+11:002009-10-02T21:35:49.095+10:00

We found Napier to be an unexpected delight. Despite having read about the Art Deco architecture, we really had no concept of how prevalent the theme was until we arrived and took our first drive through town open-mouthed. We managed to incur a speeding ticket in Napier, but I really don't understand how when we seemed to crawl around the place gawping at building after beautiful building!I think

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-52531775061324149952007-03-10T12:13:00.003+11:002009-09-18T23:16:29.292+10:00

So here's the view from the breakfast table at Te Ana (http://www.teanafarmstay.co.nz/)- not bad eh?The night we arrived, our host had other arrangements and couldn't feed us. But she did direct us 20 minutes through the countryside to the Waikite Valley Thermal Pools. I had managed to forget to pack a swimsuit, but New Zealanders think of everything and it was possible to hire one. The hot

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-56087774405646577382007-03-09T20:25:00.003+11:002009-09-18T23:17:08.275+10:00

I really can't explain it - but there was a collective sigh of relief when we got back in the car and headed out of Auckland. I hope the family that drives together stays together because we like to hit the road together.Our timing wasn't great - we ended up in morning peak hour moving from Devonport towards the centre of Auckland - but there was amusement to be had. We had our windows down and

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3061378039501012049.post-76543525754804787212007-03-08T22:53:00.004+11:002009-10-02T21:37:08.597+10:00

We decided on a month in New Zealand because we needed a real break and we wanted a driving holiday. Everything we'd read suggested a month would be reasonable to cover both the North and South islands. We also expected to enjoy a driving holiday as, even by four and three years old, our small children were used to their father hauling them long distances.New Zealanders are not big on

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01449672473544193872noreply@blogger.com3