Adventure, baby!

Christine Knight

Christine is the editor of Adventure, Baby!

Hillbilly Cider Shed & Pizza, Bilpin

Hillbilly Cider Bilpin

Hillbilly Cider Shed & Pizza, Bilpin

Enjoy crushed cider using Bilpin, Blue Mountains apples and woodfired pizza at Hillybilly Cider Shed. 

Hillbilly Cider Bilpin

Hillbilly Cider is the creation of Shane and Tessa McLaughlin, who moved to an orchard in Biulpin in 2007 and were inspired by their surrounds to brew this now local favourite Blue Mountains cider. 

Hillbilly Cider is the only cider in the world that uses the Julie™ apple, the first new commercial apple discovered in the Sydney/Blue Mountains area since the Granny Smith apple 100 years ago! The Julie™ was a chance seedling discovered by Bill and Julie Shields at their orchard located next door to the Hillbilly Cider shed.

Hillbilly Cider Bilpin

Drop by the Hillbilly Cider Shed to try their cider and also to enjoy some very fine woodfired pizza. 

There is plenty of outdoor seating and a large grassed area for kids to run around. Dogs are welcome!

Hillbilly Cider Bilpin

During winter, there is a log fire burning inside the shed to keep visitors cosy and warm. 

Bookings are always advised, but you can also drop by and grab whatever table you can find that’s free. 

The pizzas are Neapolitan-style pizzas. All bases and sauce are made at the Hillybilly Cider Shed. Gluten-free bases are available, as it a vegan pizza. 

Hillbilly Cider Bilpin

We highly enjoyed Margheritas (Neapolitan tomato sauce, Fior di latte, Grana Padano & fresh basil, $19) and a Pepperoni (Neapolitan tomato sauce, Fior di latte and beef pepperoni, $23).

Hillbilly Cider Bilpin

Hillbilly Cider
2230 Bells Line of Rd, Bilpin
Hours: Mon-Thur 10am-4pm, Fri-Sun 10am-6pm.
Wood fired pizzas available from 11.30am to eat in or take away.
https://hillbillycider.com.au/

Find more things to do on a Bilpin and Blue Mountains day trip.

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Explore the best Sydney gardens and parks.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney.

Chase waterfalls in Sydney.

More things to do on the Central Coast.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Things to do in the Southern Highlands.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Find the best ice cream and gelato in Sydney

Things to do in the Blue Mountains.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Visit the most beautiful Sydney gardens.

Explore Sydney’s best parks.

Find things to do in Wollongong.

Find the best high teas for kids in Sydney.

Breenhold Gardens Mount Wilson Sydney

Visiting Breenhold Gardens in Mount Wilson, Sydney

Breenhold Gardens Mt Wilson Sydney

Enjoy spring and autumn colours at the heritage-listed Breenhold Gardens in Mount Wilson, a two-hour drive from the Sydney CBD. The Garden Estate of Breenhold is one of the most extensive privately owned garden properties in Australia.

Breenhold Gardens Mt Wilson Sydney

Breenhold Gardens are only open during autumn and spring to the public, however are also available throughout the year for private hire for weddings, film shoots and special events. The Great Gatsby was filmed here!

Breenhold Gardens Mt Wilson Sydney

The garden estate is comprises of 45 hectares of gardens, parkland and native bushland. It was the creation of the late Thomas Breen (Snr) and his wife Charlotte, who commenced its planting and landscaping in 1965.

Breenhold Gardens Mt Wilson Sydney

Breenhold Garden has grown and developed over the years, and now includes thousands of exotic and indigenous trees and flowering shrubs from every continent.

Breenhold Gardens Mt Wilson Sydney

Set aside a good few hours to leisurely explore the six stone walled gardens, bush trails and forest walks. There are extensive lawns for playing and picnicking. 

Breenhold Gardens Mt Wilson Sydney

We visited during autumn, when the deciduous trees of Breenhold Gardens were in full colour. Japanese maple, beech, birch, oak and many varieties of pines and cedars have been planted alongside native tree ferns and eucalypts. 

Breenhold Gardens Mt Wilson Sydney

Spring is also a beautiful time to visit Breenhold Garden, when hundreds of flowering azaleas and rhododendrons, as well as Japanese cherry trees, magnolia and dogwood fill the estate with beautiful colour once again.

Breenhold Gardens Mt Wilson Sydney

Breenhold Gardens are dog-friendly! Well behaved dogs are permitted to enter but must stay on a leash at all times. 

Breenhold Gardens Mt Wilson Sydney Breenhold Gardens Mt Wilson Sydney Breenhold Gardens Mt Wilson Sydney Breenhold Gardens Mt Wilson Sydney Breenhold Gardens Mt Wilson Sydney Breenhold Gardens Mt Wilson Sydney Breenhold Gardens Mt Wilson Sydney Breenhold Gardens Mt Wilson Sydney Breenhold Gardens Mt Wilson Sydney Breenhold Gardens Mt Wilson Sydney Breenhold Gardens Mt Wilson Sydney

There are very basic bathroom facilities available at Breenhold Gardens, but no cafe / shop to purchase food or drinks. I highly suggest bringing your own picnic from home and a blanket to spread out on, or stopping by the Grumpy Baker in Bilpin on the way past to pick up some of the most delicious pastries you’ll find in Sydney. 

Grumpy Baker Bilpin

You can also do what we did and drop by Hillbilly Cider for pizza afterwards. It’s also super dog-friendly!

Hillbilly Cider Bilpin Hillbilly Cider Bilpin

Breenhold Gardens
Price: Entry fee

29 The Avenue, Mount Wilson
breenhold.com.au

Find more things to do on a Blue Mountains day trip.

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Explore the best Sydney gardens and parks.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney.

Chase waterfalls in Sydney.

More things to do on the Central Coast.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Things to do in the Southern Highlands.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Find the best ice cream and gelato in Sydney

Things to do in the Blue Mountains.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Visit the most beautiful Sydney gardens.

Explore Sydney’s best parks.

Find things to do in Wollongong.

Find the best high teas for kids in Sydney.

acre Artarmon: Bar, Cafe & Bakery

acre Artarmon

Enjoy farm-inspired food grown on-site at acre Artarmon. This open-air urban oasis features indoor and outdoor seating, picnic style areas, kids’ play area and chicken coop.

Acre Artarmon

We are frequent visitors to acre at Camperdown Commons, so were extremely keen to check out the new acre in the family, located at the HomeHQ Artarmon. 

acre Artarmon is a cafe, restaurant, bar and bakery set within sprawling indoor and outdoor gardens that produce the food that goes straight into kitchen to produce the meals. 

Acre Artarmon

Featuring local and exotic fruit trees, a kitchen garden, vertical plantings & hydroponic growing systems and planted pergolas, acre Artarmon is a fascinating place to dine and discover, where you can browse the gardens where your food was grown. You know your meal is going to be made with super fresh produce when you can see it growing on the vines!

Acre Artarmon

There are several dining options at acre Artarmon. There is a cafe bakery with freshly baked items that can be quickly consumed or taken to go, such as pies, sandwiches, quiche and delicious croissants. 

Acre Artarmon Acre Artarmon

The restaurant extends inside and out onto the terrace, with a breakfast menu offered until 11:30am and a dedicated lunch menu. The breakfast menu features traditional brekkie staples like eggs as well as dishes that hero the fresh plants such as tomatoes and avocado.

The lunch menu offers delicious homemade pizzas and an eclectic menu with burgers, salads and pasta. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes on both menus and the kids’ menu has the usual favourites, served up in a generous portion. Adults might want to try a garden-inspired cocktail.

Acre Artarmon Acre Artarmon

We ordered the Kids Margarita Pizza ($10) and Smoked Beetroot, Roasted Pumpkin Salad with Ricotta ($22). Kids also get a cute colouring in sheet if they like.

Acre Artarmon

Outside, there are picnic style seating areas, a kids’ playground and chicken coop.

Acre Artarmon Acre Artarmon Acre Artarmon Acre Artarmon Acre Artarmon Acre Artarmon Acre Artarmon

If you’re driving there, park in the HomeHQ where the first three hours are free. acre Artarmon is also located 1km from Artarmon or St Leonards station on the North Shore line.

Acre Artarmon
1 Frederick Street, Artarmon
Hours:
Cafe Bakery: Mon – Sat 7am – 5pm | Sun 7am – 3pm
Restaurant: Thursday 4.30pm – 10.30pm | Fri 12pm – 11pm | Sat 12pm – 11pm | Sun 12pm – 4pm
acre-artarmon.com.au

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Explore the best Sydney gardens and parks.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney.

Chase waterfalls in Sydney.

More things to do on the Central Coast.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Things to do in the Southern Highlands.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Find the best ice cream and gelato in Sydney

Things to do in the Blue Mountains.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Visit the most beautiful Sydney gardens.

Explore Sydney’s best parks.

Find things to do in Wollongong.

Find the best high teas for kids in Sydney.

Sirius Cove Reserve and Beach Mosman

Sirius Cove

Sirius Cove Reserve and Beach Mosman

Sirius Cove Reserve in Mosman, on Sydney’s lower north shore, is a dog and kid-friendly oasis with a calm beach, shady playground and grassy picnic space.

Sirius Cove Beach Mosman

Sirius Cove Reserve is a dog-friendly hideaway in the suburb of Mosman in Sydney’s lower north shore. Often referred to as Little Sirius Cove, this charming natural treasure boasts a quiet beach, a playground and a large picnic area.

Sirius Cove Beach Mosman

This peaceful paradise is an oasis for families and even for well behaved doggos. Sirius Cove is the perfect spot for both kids and dogs to enjoy a splash in the ocean. 

Sirius Cove Beach Mosman

Named after HMS Sirius, the flagship of the First Fleet that arrived in New South Wales at the end of the 18th century, the reserve is located just west of Taronga Zoo. With a huge, grassy area including picnic tables, shady trees, a fenced and shaded children’s playground, drinking fountain and a toilet/shower block, Sirius Cove is a popular spot for locals to spend their weekends.

Sirius Cove Beach Mosman

Sirius Cove beach is 250m wide and surrounded by a sandstone wall. It faces south into a deep bay that flows into Sydney Harbour. As a result of its sheltered location, the water is very calm. There is a large sandbar that extends right out from the shore, making it shallow enough for kids and dogs to walk out onto.

Sirius Cove Beach Mosman

Unleashed dogs are permitted in the park, on the beach and in the water all day from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays this is restricted to non-peak hours before 9am and after 4pm. Dogs are permitted on-leash the rest of the time.

While these rules are in place, when we visited on a weekend at around 10am, ours was the only pooch in the park on a leash.

Sirius Cove Beach Mosman

Sirius Cove is also a great starting point for walking trails that head to Taronga Zoo Wharf, Bradleys Head and Chowder Bay, or to Cremorne Point. 

Sirius Cove Beach Mosman

It’s also a great starting point for the walking trail going east to Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head and Chowder Bay, or going west to Cremorne Point.

Sirius Cove Beach Mosman

If you take the Taronga Zoo Wharf trail, it will take you past the “Curlew Camp Artist’s Walk”. Curlew Camp was a famous gathering spot for artists, writers and musicians in the late 19th century.

Sirius Cove Beach Mosman

The camp was located just around the corner of Sirius Cove, at Little Sirius Cove. The camp was ultimately abandoned in 1912 when the area was chosen to build the new Taronga Zoo.

Sirius Cove Beach Mosman

Sirius Cove has a designated parking area, however this often reaches full capacity especially on weekends. parking then overflows into the free street parking nearby.

You can also catch the ferry to South Mosman and Mosman Bay wharves west of Sirius Cove, and Taronga Zoo wharf east of Sirius Cove and take the 20min hike to arrive at the Cove.

Buses also service the area. Check the bus timetable on the NSW Transport Info website.

Sirius Cove Beach Mosman Sirius Cove Beach Mosman Sirius Cove Beach Mosman Sirius Cove Beach Mosman Sirius Cove Beach Mosman

Sirius Cove
Sirius Cove Road, Mosman

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Explore the best Sydney gardens and parks.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney.

Chase waterfalls in Sydney.

More things to do on the Central Coast.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Things to do in the Southern Highlands.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Find the best ice cream and gelato in Sydney

Things to do in the Blue Mountains.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Visit the most beautiful Sydney gardens.

Explore Sydney’s best parks.

Find things to do in Wollongong.

Find the best high teas for kids in Sydney.

Rose Bay Dog Beach: The Best of Sydney with Dogs

Rose Bay Dog Beach

Enjoy 24 hour off-leash play with your doggos at Rose Bay Dog Beach, in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. 

Rosy Bay Dog Beach

The Rose Bay dog beach is a happy off-leash zone, where city pups can stretch their legs in the sand and calm ocean water.

The beach is very shallow and calm, making it a great place for dogs to run through the water. Low tide is the best time to visit. The beach can get crowded with dogs at peak weekend times. 

Rosy Bay Dog Beach

Dumaresq Reserve, on the north side, has off-leash play times are before 8.30am and after 4.30pm.

Rosy Bay Dog Beach

Walk along the shoreline to Lyne Park, an off leash dog park 3.30pm-10.30am and on-leash at all other times. There is a children’s playground and public toilets available here.

There are no public bathrooms at the Rose Bay foreshore.

A short walk from the Rose Bay Dog Beach lies the Rose Bay shops and cafe strip. There are plenty of dog-friendly cafes here to pull up a table at. We enjoyed the Rose Bakehouse and happily met other friendly pooches while we dined.

Rose Bay Bakehouse

Rose Bay Beach
New South Head Road,
Rose Bay
Get Directions.

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Explore the best Sydney gardens and parks.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney.

Chase waterfalls in Sydney.

More things to do on the Central Coast.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Things to do in the Southern Highlands.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Find the best ice cream and gelato in Sydney

Things to do in the Blue Mountains.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Visit the most beautiful Sydney gardens.

Explore Sydney’s best parks.

Find things to do in Wollongong.

Find the best high teas for kids in Sydney.

Canberra National Zoo & Aquarium

Canberra National Zoo & Aquarium

Canberra National Zoo & Aquarium

Visit Australia’s only combined zoo and aquarium and get up close to Aussie icons and endangered species at Canberra National Zoo & Aquarium.

Canberra National Zoo

Canberra National Zoo & Aquarium is spread over 47 picturesque acres. The animals have large enclosures and keepers who are dedicated to their care and enrichment. Animals living at the Canberra National Zoo & Aquarium have either been rescued and unable to be returned back to the wild or were bred as part of a regional breeding program.

National Canberra Zoo

The National Zoo & Aquarium contributes heavily in a large number of breeding programs designed to help save a number of animals from extinction. They also raise money through their National Zoo & Aquarium Conservation Trust (NZACT) to donate to a number of local and overseas conservation initiatives and charities.

National Canberra Zoo

NZACT (the National Zoo & Aquarium Conservation Team) is a volunteer organisation that works with the National Zoo & Aquarium to save some of the worlds most endangered species from extinction through breeding programs and educating zoo visitors as well as fundraising and donating to a number of local and overseas organisations, including Free the Bears, The Snow Leopard Trust, the RSPCA, 21st Century Tiger and Traffic.

 

National Canberra ZooThe National Zoo & Aquarium is larger than it looks, so set aside the better part of a day to explore it all. 

National Canberra Zoo

Be sure to check out daily keeper activities to learn more about the animals as they receive a feed or enrichment. On weekends and during school holidays, additional keeper talks are added to the schedule. Visitors also have the chance to meet or feed some of our the animals.

National Canberra Zoo

We did a tour of the National Zoo & Aquarium and really enjoyed learning from one of the experts about the animals who lived there.

National Canberra Zoo

Our keeper called every animal by name, down to the geese, and described their personality and individual circumstances such as how they came to be living there, as well as giving us further information about the species in the wild. It’s clear that these animals are very loved and cared for by their keepers.

National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo

The National Zoo & Aquarium has a large, excellent playground that will occupy kids for hours, so be sure to visit at the end of the day when you’ve seen everything else that you’ve got on your agenda.

National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra ZooNational Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo National Canberra Zoo

Canberra National Zoo & Aquarium
Scrivener Dam, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2611
Hours: Daily, Open 9:30am–5:00pm every day of the year, except Christmas Day.
https://nationalzoo.com.au

Find more things to do in Canberra with kids.

Lennox Gardens & Nara Peace Park Canberra

Lennox Gardens Canberra

Lennox Gardens & Nara Peace Park Canberra

Stroll through the serene Lennox Gardens on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra. Lennox Gardens is the perfect spot for a relaxing family picnic or bbq with plenty of green space, shady trees, and the landscaped Beijing Garden and Canberra Nara Peace Park to explore.

Lennox Gardens Canberra

Tucked away in a quiet spot on the foreshore, Lennox Gardens are a little gem of a spot. With a stunning backdrop including Black Mountain, the Brindabella Ranges and the city centre, Lennox Gardens are also where hot air balloons launch, so if you’re up early you might see them taking off and flying over the lake.

Lennox Gardens Canberra

Lennox Gardens is home to two landscaped gifts from Japan and China; each celebrating the sister city links between Canberra, Beijing and Japan’s ancient capital, Nara.

Lennox Gardens Canberra

The Beijing Garden is designed in the imperial Chinese garden style of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). It features a traditional Chinese welcome gate, Chinese stone sculptures and a Chinese pavilion.

Lennox Gardens Canberra

Canberra Nara Peace Park features a small Japanese themed garden, traditional wooden gate and gazebo, and cherry blossom trees.

Lennox Gardens Canberra Lennox Gardens Canberra Lennox Gardens Canberra

Find more things to do in Canberra with kids.

Lennox Gardens
Flynn Dr, Yarralumla ACT

 

Tips for Visiting Oakvale Wildlife Park, Port Stephens

Oakvale Wildlife Farm, Port Stephens Australia

Tips for Visiting Oakvale Wildlife Park, Port Stephens

Meet native Australian and exotic animals at Oakvale Wildlife Park. Hand-feed roaming animals and enjoy the water park or a bbq lunch.

Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens

Oakvale Wildlife Park is 100% Australian owned and operated, and has remained a family business since opening in 1979 as a farm by the Samson family. 

Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens

Set across 25 acres of bushland, Oakvale Wildlife Park strives to help teach visitors about native wildlife and how we can protect it. Over time, the family acquired various Australian wildlife species and decided to dedicate the park to wildlife conservation.

Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens

Oakvale has established multiple endangered species breeding programs where they release threatened and endangered species back into the wild for future generations to enjoy.

Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens

The park is quite large and entails a fair bit of walking to get around to see all of the animals and exhibits. The animals living at Oakvale Wildlife Park range from Australian native, domestic farm and exotic animals such as koalas, kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, goats, sheep, rabbits, alligators and ostriches.

Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens

Oakvale has put a lot of thought into the activities available for guests, ensuring that a visit is a whole-day activity. There are free roaming animals to be hand fed, keeper talks, feeding shows, two fenced, shaded playgrounds, free BBQ facilities as well as an onsite cafe, plus the excellent Splash Bay Water Park which is open year-round.

Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens

Pick up a schedule when you enter the park in the morning to ensure you don’t miss any of the activities. 

FEEDING STADIUM

Daily at 11.00am & 2.00pm. Bottle feed baby farm animals and an opportunity to milk a cow. 

Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens

TRACTOR-TRAILER RIDE
Departing at 11.15am & 2.15pm daily – free. 

Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens

SHOW TIMES
Due to the health and safety of our guests, staff and animals and adhering to strict guidelines we will not be holding keeper talks during the NSW School Holidays.

ENCOUNTERS
There is the chance to engage in more intimate and personal animal experiences by purchasing individual Wildlife Animal Encounters.

Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens

There is plenty of free parking available, and the park has pathways to provide easy access for prams, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walkers. The Tractor Trailer Rides provide great assistance for less mobile guests. Disabled toilets and showers are located on-site and there is a JennSwing in the playground (a full support swing seat for children with physical disabilities or special needs).

Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens

The Oakvale Cafe is located inside the main entrance and serves a selection of freshly made sandwiches and wraps, burgers and wedges, plus other hot and cold options from 10.30am – 3.00pm.

Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens

Oakvale Wildlife Park is Ecotourism certified and ZAA members.

Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens

Oakvale Wildlife Park
3 Oakvale Dr, Salt Ash NSW
oakvalewildlife.com.au

Find more things to do in Port Stephens.
Find more places to stop on a Sydney to Brisbane road trip.

Oakvale Wildlife Park Oakvale Wildlife Farm, Port Stephens Australia Oakvale Wildlife Farm Port Stephens, NSW, Australia

Visiting Berry Reserve at Narrabeen Lake

Berry Reserve Narrabeen

Berry Reserve at Narrabeen Lake

Berry Reserve at Narrabeen Lake is the perfect family outing, featuring a brand new playground, basketball court, lagoon bike track and a fab cafe that has its own vintage tram. 

Narrabeen Lagoon, Sydney

Berry Reserve is a public open space along the Narrabeen Lagoon foreshore. The lakeside area is perfect for picnics, with plenty of shady trees.

Narrabeen Lagoon, Sydney

Ducks are in abundance (please don’t feed them).

Narrabeen Lagoon, Sydney

There is a multi-use track that runs around the lagoon, through Berry Reserve. The track at Berry Reserve is an entry point to the 8.4km Narrabeen Lagoon Trail that can be walked, biked or scooted. 1.2km along the track, you’ll come to to Bilarong Reserve, which has an excellent playground with play equipment and mythical beast sculptures.

Narrabeen Lagoon, Sydney

The new playground at Berry Reserve is excellent. It’s completely fenced and offers equipment for kids of all ages, with several accessible features. 

Berry Reserve Narrabeen

The castle in the middle is a lovely addition, with access from the top to the slide. 

Berry Reserve Narrabeen

Dotted around the playground are some fantastic pretend play elements such as shops and a tram stop.

Berry Reserve Narrabeen Berry Reserve Narrabeen

The in-ground trampolines are also fun.

Berry Reserve Narrabeen

There are several Australian animal statues also sprinkled around the playground.

Berry Reserve Narrabeen Berry Reserve Narrabeen Berry Reserve Narrabeen

There is also a basketball court and fitness equipment.

Narrabeen Lagoon, Sydney Narrabeen Lagoon, Sydney

Enter the car park from Pittwater Road. There is 3-hour parking Monday-Friday and 2-hour Saturdays plus some all day commuter parking.

Tramsheds Narrabeen

Next to the playground is the Tramshed Cafe, which has a fantastic vintage 1930s tram out the front.

Read more about visiting the Tramshed Cafe.

Berry Reserve
1417 Pittwater Rd
Narrabeen NSW 2101
northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

Tee off at Dural Putt Putt

Dural Putt Putt

Tee off at Dural Putt Putt

Putt your way through two 18-hole themed mini golf courses at Dural Putt Putt. The perfect activity for the whole family to enjoy.

Dural Putt Putt has two themed 18-hole mini golf courses to complete, Camelot & Space Trek. Each course winds its way through picturesque landscaped gardens and are equally challenging. 

Dural Putt Putt

Choose to play one or both courses. The Camelot course has really fun statues built into the course including a medieval castle, Rapunzel, the Sword in the Stone and the Lochness Monster.

Dural Putt Putt

The Space trek course features robots, rockets and some friendly aliens.

The course involves stepping through each each “hole” which has small steps and at times no space for a stroller or wheelchair to pass.

At the completion of the course, grab a snack from the cafe and relax in the fully shaded and paved seating area. No outside food is allowed.

Dural Putt Putt

If you go on a hot day, make sure you have hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. 

Dural Putt Putt

There is a large car park at the entrance. 

Dural Putt Putt

Afterwards, I recommend visiting nearby Glenorie Bakery for lunch.

Dural Putt Putt
Corner of Cranstons & Old Northern Roads
(Entrance via Cranstons Road)
Middle Dural NSW 2158
‭Phone: 02 9651 1334‬
Hours: Daily, 9am-6pm during school holidays. All other times, Fri-Sun 9am-6pm.
duralputtputt.com.au

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids.

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

Explore the best Sydney gardens and parks.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney.

Chase waterfalls in Sydney.

More things to do on the Central Coast.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

Things to do in the Southern Highlands.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney.

Cool down at one of these free water parks in Sydney.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Get a list of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Find the best ice cream and gelato in Sydney

Things to do in the Blue Mountains.

Plan amazing NSW road trips.

Pick your own fruit: fruit picking Sydney.

The best things to do in Western Sydney and Parramatta with kids.

Visit the most beautiful Sydney gardens.

Explore Sydney’s best parks.

Find things to do in Wollongong.

Find the best high teas for kids in Sydney.