January 2021 - Adventure, baby!

Month: January 2021

Visit Camp Cove Beach at Watsons Bay, Sydney

January 29, 2021 / Beaches, Outdoor Play, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Camp Cove Beach

Take a dip at Camp Cove, a short stroll from Watsons Bay ferry wharf. Millionaire views and calm water make for a delightful beach outing.

Camp Cove is a wheelchair-accessible beach located on the harbour side of South Head. Its calm waters attract families, while adults love the stunning city views and underwater aquatic life – octopus, cuttlefish, frogfish and the occasional seahorse can be found in the water for divers, while there is good snorkelling round the rocks.

Parking is extremely limited and in summer this tiny beach is very popular, so if you’re intending to head here, arrive very, very early to secure street parking.

There is very little shade on Camp Cove Beach, so as well as packing your picnic blanket and towels, I recommend a beach umbrella or tent. We have a small tent that folds up in the boot of our car and is the size of a large beach frisbee.

As the water is so calm, it’s a great spot to bring a boogie board or kayak for a paddle.

There is a small kiosk at the entrance to Camp Cove Beach selling snacks and drinks. It’s a longer walk to a proper cafe however, so BYO food.

There are shower facilities, and toilets are located at Green Point Reserve at the southern end.

Dogs are prohibited at all times.

If you have time, take the South Head Heritage trail, starts at the northern end of the beach. The walk has stunning scenery and also lets visitors take in the unique history of the area.

Camp Cove Beach was a place where the local Aboriginal community found fish and shellfish. There are rock engravings in the area depicting a range of marine creatures including whales and fish, and a a rock shelter at the northern end of the Camp Cove Beach that shows evidence of habitation by the local Aboriginal people.

European history at Camp Cove Beach begins in 1788, when Governor Phillip and the First Fleet rested here for a night before landing at Sydney Cove. A fishery was set up nearby in 1792 to help feed the new settlement at Sydney Cove.

Camp Cove Beach
23B Victoria Street, Watsons Bay

Get more information about Camp Cove Beach.

Find the best Sydney beaches for kids.

Find more things to do in Watson’s Bay.

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.

Visit Red Hands Cave in the Blue Mountains National Park

January 28, 2021 / Australia, Blue Mountains, Glenbrook, NSW / 0 comment

Visit Red Hands Cave in the Blue Mountains National Park

Red Hands Cave in Blue Mountains National Park is one of the best examples of Aboriginal rock art in this part of Sydney.

Located in the Glenbrook area of the Blue Mountains National Park, Red Hands Cave can be reached via the 8km Red Hands Cave loop walking track which starts at the causeway near the park entrance.

The cave can also be accessed by driving around 13km past the park entrance (it takes around 30-40 minutes), along the unsealed Oaks trail and Red Hands trail, to Red Hands Cave carpark, for a 1km return walk.

Red Hands Cave features thousands of layered hand prints and stencils, thought to have been painted between 500 and 1600 years ago. The vibrant colours of red, yellow and white are still highly visible, creating a stunning collage inside the cave.

Indigenous artists would have created these stencils though several techniques including chewing a mixture of ochre and water, and then blowing it over a hand resting on the wall, forming a stencil.

Aboriginal axe grinding grooves can also be spotted in the rocks beside Camp Fire Creek, in the walk to the cave.

Red Hands Cave has a protective grate in front of it, however the art is still easily visible through the holes. Photos are allowed, however please don’t use a flash as that can damage the art work.

The walk to the cave is an easy 500m walk. Oh a hot day, however, you will need a hat, sunscreen and water.

There are basic restroom facilities available at the car park.

Read more about visiting Red Hands Cave.

A trip to the nearby Jellybean Pool makes for a great day trip in the Blue Mountains National Park.

Read more about Blue Mountains road trip ideas.

Red Hands Cave

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.

Take A Dip In The Jellybean Pool in the Blue Mountains National Park

January 28, 2021 / Australia, Beaches, Blue Mountains, Bush, Glenbrook, NSW, Outdoor Play, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Jellybean Pool Blue Mountains

Enjoy a refreshing dip in the Jellybean Pool, a short stroll down the Jellybean Track in Glenbrook, at the base of the Blue Mountains. The pool makes for a perfect Blue Mountains day trip with kids, who will love swimming in the calm waters.

Located inside the Blue Mountains National Park, the Jellybean Pool is a relaxing spot to swim, watch birds or picnic on the shore. There is a large parking lot which fills quickly on hot days, and an overflow car park which has a steep walk down to the start of the trail.

From the parking lot the Jellybean Track is a 500m walk downhill to the Jellybean Pool. The walk is graded a 3 as it is steep and slippery in places with sand.

An $8 park entry fees applies – you will be charged as you drive into the Blue Mountains National Park. You can also leave your car at the Glenbrook Information Centre at the Starting at the Glenbrook entrance to Blue Mountains National Park and walk from there for a more challenging walk.

The Blue Mountains National Park is open from the first Sunday in October to first Sunday in April 8.30am to 7pm, and the rest of the year 8.30am to 6pm.

When visiting the Jellybean Pool pack sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, towels and any food and water you might need. Floatation devices are fun as the water is so flat. You will see boogie boards, pool floats and even paddle boards down there. Remember it’s a walk through the bush to get to the pool and pack appropriate footwear.

The Jellybean Track winds through the Glenbrook Gorge, past pretty mountain spotted gums, down to the river. There is a lot of birdlife in the area so keep eyes peeled for kestrels and other birds of prey, rainbow lorikeets and even blue kingfishers.

The water is shallow and perfect for littlies to paddle in safely. Up river the water gets deeper.

There are no bathrooms at the Jellybean Pool, or rubbish bins, so prepare accordingly and take your rubbish with you.

The pool gets extremely popular in summer so go early. We arrived at around 10am and it was a little busy but still plenty of parking available.

Keep a close eye on small children. Remember there are no life guards present and keep a close eye on kids in the water.

After a swim, we highly recommend the 30min drive to Red Hands Cave to see amazing Aboriginal hand prints and stencils.

Get more information on the Jellybean Track and Jellybean Pool.

Find more things to do in the Blue Mountains.

Jellybean Pool
Hours: 8.30am–7pm during daylight savings; 8.30am–6pm the rest of the year.

Distance: From the Jellybean Pool car park it’s about a 200m walk downhill including steel stairs (about a 10-minute walk).

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.

Bells Road Social Native High Tea

January 22, 2021 / High Tea, Sydney / 0 comment

Bells Road Social Native High Tea

Enjoy the flavours of Australia with a Native High Tea at the Bells Road Social cafe in Oatlands, Sydney.

Bells Road Social is a beautiful little cafe in Oatlands, Sydney. They have developed a beautiful Native High Tea that showcases ingredients that been used by the Indigenous communities for thousands of years. Bookings are essential. There is no kids’ serve of the tea, however they do run a seperate kids’ high tea during school holidays.

The tea includes savoury and sweet options plus hot tea and a cool mocktail, all featuring native ingredients. We had a special vegetarian version of the high tea.

The Native Australian High Tea is open from Tuesday to Saturday between 11 am to 2 pm. Booking is essential (min 2 people).

Price $49 pp.

We really enjoyed our high tea as it was very different from the others we have experienced. It was lovely to introduce my 9-year-old to native Australian ingredients that she had never heard of before.

We highly enjoyed our Native High Tea experience. Every item of food was delicious, and the service was excellent. I also really appreciated that we were given our own vegetarian menu.

Across the road is a lovely little park with lots of shade and play equipment for kids to run around before or after dining at the Bells Road Social. Free street parking is available directly outside of the cafe.

Bells Road Social
1 Bells Rd, Oatlands NSW
Phone: (02) 9684 6221
thebellsroadsocial.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.

Visiting Greenwich Baths, Sydney

January 22, 2021 / Beaches, Outdoor Play, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Visiting Greenwich Baths, Sydney

Enjoy an ocean dip at Greenwich Baths. With calm water, stunning views and an onsite cafe, the Baths are the perfect spot for swimmers of all ages.

Greenwich Baths is located on the tip of Greenwich Point. Surrounded by a shark-proof net and a child-proof gate, the Baths are the perfect spot for families to relax as well as adults to swim laps in the gentle ocean water.

The Baths are ideally located in a protected inlet, so the water is calm and flat, but the surrounding views of Sydney CBDm Cockatoo Island and Iron Cove are spectacular.

Bathers pay a small fee to enter and use the facilities inside, which include a cafe, toys for sand play, sun-loungers and picnic tables. The cafe serves coffee and solid meals including fish and chips, toasted sandwiches and calamari, as well as snacks, milkshakes and gelato.

Change rooms and shower facilities are also included in the entry fee. Kids under 3 are free.

There is free parking on the surrounding streets however it is limited and there is a bit of a walk to get down to the Baths from the street. Wollstonecraft station is a short walk. Another option is the 265 bus or by taking the Sydney Ferries Woolwich/Balmain ferry route to Greenwich Point which docks metres away from the Baths.

Greenwich Baths
Albert Street, Greenwich NSW
Cost: Casual entry adults $4.40, children under 16/students $3.40
Phone: 02 9438 5922
Hours: October 7am- 6pm, November 7am- 7pm, December & January 7am- 8pm, February 7am- 7pm, March 7am- 6pm, April 7am- 5pm
greenwichbaths.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.

KOI Dessert Kitchen & Frozen High Tea

January 21, 2021 / High Tea, Sydney / 0 comment

Enjoy spectacular desserts beyond your wildest imagination at KOI Dessert Kitchen in Chippendale and Ryde.

KOI, which stands for ‘Kids of Ike’, is a dessert “kitchen” operated by brothers Ronald, Arnold and Reynold Poernomo. Reynold came to national attention through his appearances on Masterchef – and indeed, a walk into KOI reveals a showcase of the most amazing looking cakes that our eyes have seen.

The desserts are single serve or cake-sized which are perfect for parties.

The three brothers aim to deliver KOI diners an experience that arouses and excites the senses. The kitchen is really more like a cafe serving just desserts. They do put on high teas, and we attended their “In Summer” high tea, inspired by Frozen the Musical.

The High Tea is available Saturdays and Sundays only from 9th January – 31st January at KOI Chippendale and KOI Ryde.

The high tea comes in adult and child servings. We opted for two adult servings for the three of us to share as hubby isn’t a dessert person and the kid doesn’t like the savouries. The kid version has two less dessert items.

“In Summer” High Tea includes a selection of savoury bites, “In Summer” inspired desserts and free-flowing tea or coffee.

“IN SUMMMER” HIGH TEA MENU
Eternal Winter (raspberry, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry)
Jade (chocolate, raspberry)
In summer Jar (passionfruit, coconut, pineapple)
Cherry Jazz (cherry, raspberry, jasmine, blood orange, almond)
Salted Caramel Macaron
Chamomile and Honey Scone
Brik Pastry, Tomato Cream, Lump Fish Roe
Chicken and Leek Pie
Tomato on Toast with Feta

$70/person
(Including free flow of tea and coffee)

We had a vegetarian version which had a mushroom pie and tomato cream roll without the fish roe.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
High Tea time allocation is 1.5 hour per seating.
Booking time is between 11am to 4pm (last seating).
Minimum 2 people per high tea set.
Please provide 48-hour notice for all dietary requirements. Bookings are highly recommended and must be fully prepaid in advance.
Cancellation policy: 72 hours notification required, in the case booking is canceled less than 72 hours $70/person cancellation fee applies.

koidessertbar.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.

Tee off at Pixar Putt in Sydney

January 21, 2021 / Outdoor Play, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Tee off with Woody and friends at the pop-up mini golf experience, Pixar Putt at Bankwest Stadium, Sydney.

After making its successful worldwide debut in Melbourne in January 2019, with over 25,000 enjoying a round of Pixar Putt, then Sydney in May, 2019, our fave putting experience is back for a limited time ay Bankwest Stadium in Parramatta.

Tickets are now on sale for the attraction. Due to Pixar Putt’s popularity, it’s highly advisable to book a session in advance.

Pixar Putt was inspired by beloved stories, characters and icons from some of Disney-Pixar’s most iconic films including Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Wall-E, Inside Out and Coco.

It is located right next to the new Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta, where guests can choose between playing 9-holes or the full 18-hole course. We chose 18 holes and it took us almost 2 hours to complete the course on a busy day. Bring a hat, sunscreen and water as the weather has been all over the shop.

We loved Pixar Putt when it first came to Sydney in 2019 and loved it just as much again for our second go. There are two new holes to represent the new films Onward and Soul, plus some extra photo ops.

Bankwest Stadium is located right next to Parramatta Park, so I highly suggest making a day of it in the park with a picnic lunch or with a cafe and trying the two playgrounds in Parramatta Park.

Find things to do nearby in Parramatta and Western Sydney.

There is a parking lot right next to the putt putt course for easy access.

There are also adults only “After Dark” sessions on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 7pm-10pm.

Pixar Putt
Dates: Currently through to January 31.
Bankwest Stadium, 11-13 O’Connell St, Parramatta.
Hours: Sun-Thurs 10am-8pm, Fri & Sat 10am-10pm (Adults Only from 7pm-10pm)
Prices: 18 holes $39.90 Adult, $29.90 Child, $119.60 Family (2A/2C or 1A/3C), 9 holes $24.90 Adult, $19.90 Child, $79.50 Family (2A/2C or 1A/3C)
pixarputt.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.