Christine Knight, Author at Adventure, baby!

Christine Knight

Christine is the editor of Adventure, Baby!

Teddy Bear Takeover at Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park

October 5, 2024 / High Tea, Sydney / 0 comment

This Spring, enjoy the very special Teddy Bear Takeover at Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park in collaboration with Build-A-Bear and Bear Cottage.

Three delicious tea options are on offer: a Teddy Bear High Tea Buffet, Teddy Bear High Tea on The Park and a Teddy Bears’ Picnic.

Teddy Bear High Tea Buffet

This beary-cute buffet features teddy bear-themed delights, and includes a special Sheraton Build-A-Bear gift for guests to take home. Additionally, guests will have the opportunity to participate in the beloved Build-A-Bear “Heart Ceremony,” adding a special and heartfelt touch to the day’s celebrations.

Enjoy sweet teddy bear themed treats including triple chocolate teddy bear cake, teddy bear tartlets and cupcakes and teddy bear Sheraton Honey Crème Brulee.

Cold and hot savoury options include sandwiches, salads, quiche and sausage rolls, and traditional scones with jam and cream to finish off the feast.

Save room to dip delectable delights into the iconic Sheraton chocolate fountain before you roll yourself home!

Huge compliments to the chef, the food at this high tea is outstanding. Fresh, flavourful, and a huge variety of savoury food as well as sweet. The egg sandwiches were a strong favourite, and the mini eclairs and ice cream station).

Highly, highly, highly recommend this high tea buffet!

Bottomless sparkling wine is available as an add on to accompany tea and coffee.

Gluten free and vegan options are also available.

Every Saturday at 11am and 1.30pm (two sittings)
$99 per adult
$55 per child (aged 4-12)
Price includes one Build-A-Bear bear between two

Teddy Bear High Tea on The Park

Enjoy The Gallery’s quintessential high tea experience with a beary-special twist. A three-tiered high tea is on offer, including traditional favourites like egg mayonnaise finger sandwich on white bread, wild mushroom & spinach quiche and scones, paired with special teddy bear-themed sweet treats including teddy bear honey almond cake and teddy bear cake pops. Take home your very own exclusive Sheraton Build-A-Bear as a momento of your day.

Included in the tea is their choice of coffee and a selection of The Tea Centre premium loose-leaf teas. Guests can also upgrade to a glass of Prosecco or Champagne.

Available weekdays and Sundays from 11:00am – 3:00pm.
$89 per adult
$55 per child (aged 4-12)
Price includes one Build-A-Bear bear between two.
Bookings must be made with 24hr notice.

Teddy Bears’ Picnic

Collect your exclusive Sheraton Build-A-Bear and picnic hamper with bear inspired treats to take on a journey across the road to Hyde Park and enjoy your very own Teddy Bear’s picnic with your new furry friend.

Each hamper includes fresh salads, crusty baguettes and sandwiches, charcuterie and artisan cheese. Sweet treats include traditional scones, red velvet cake and teddy bear themed honey almond cake, teddy bear cake pops and teddy bear cookies.

$99 per adult
$55 per child (aged 4-12)
Bookings must be made with 24hr notice.
Price includes one bear between two. Hampers, blankets and picnic equipment are to be returned post picnic. A fee of $120 will be charged if not returned.

Teddy Bear High Tea Buffet and Build-A-Bear Workshop

Build-A-Bear are known for their bear workshops where guests can pick a furry friend and bring it to life with a Heart Ceremony. Build-A-Bear will be recreating this special ceremony at Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park on the first Saturday of the month up until December.

Build-A-Bear will be onsite for two sessions; 11:30am and 2pm. Each guest will receive a Sheraton Build-A-Bear to keep.

Following the completion of the workshop, guests can indulge in the Teddy Bear High Tea Buffet.

$99 per adult
$55 per child (aged 4-12)
Price includes one bear per child.

Two sessions 11:30am (book 11am high tea) or 2pm (book 1:30pm high tea).
● Saturday 31 August
● Saturday 7 September
● Saturday 5 October
● Saturday 2 November
● Saturday 7 December

As part of this partnership, Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park is working with Bear Cottage, the only children’s hospice in NSW. Guests will have the opportunity to donate to Bear Cottage to support children with life-limiting conditions and respite care and their extended families and support network.

Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park,
161 Elizabeth St, Sydney NSW 2000
https://www.galleryonthepark.com.au/high-tea

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.

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.

6 reasons why you should take your tweens and teens to see HAMILTON

September 13, 2024 / Sydney Life, Theatre / 0 comment

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you will have heard about the groundbreaking and multi-award winning musical HAMILTON. Created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, HAMILTON is a sung-and-rapped biographical musical that tells a revolutionary story of passion, unstoppable ambition, and the birth of the nation the United States of America.

HAMILTON follows the rise of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton as he fights for honour, love, and his legacy, directing the shape of the new nation in the process. Based on RonChernow’s acclaimed biography and set to a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway, HAMILTON features book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire.

In addition to being highly entertaining, HAMILTON has won 11 Tony Awards, a Grammy®, Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and aspecial citation from the Kennedy Center Honors.

Why you should take your tweens and teens to see HAMILTON

The characters are relatable!

While the thought of the Founding Fathers of the United States brings up images of stodgy old white men, HAMILTON is so innovative in its casting, with non-white actors taking these roles. Not only is this one of the most racially diverse casts you’ll ever see on a stage, they’re also young and passionate, making mistakes, making amends, emotional, angry, in love – all of the whirlwind of emotions that tweens and teens are exploring themselves.

Inspirational messages are abundant

Hamilton himself is such an incredible figure – a man who came from nothing and achieved great things through passion and perseverance. This strong, positive message is just what teens and tweens need to hear at this stage of their lives where they are realizing that not everyone has been born equally and with the same privileges. This story tells them that anyone can do great things, regardless of their circumstances of birth, that with drive and passion they, too, can achieve great things.

The modern, catchy music

This is not an old school musical, even if the subject matter is a few hundred years old. The music is a mix of rap and spoken word with pop and soul – its modern and fresh and super catchy. You’ll have difficulty STOPPING your kids from singing these songs after they hear them once.

The dancing alone will blow them away

The dance choreography in HAMILTON is an incredible blend of hip-hop and street dance with traditional musical theatre style, making the show visually spectacular to watch, as well as encouraging the younger audience members to try some dance moves themselves when they get home.

HAMILTON makes history fun

HAMILTON can be applauded for many groundbreaking achievements, but I think one that parents celebrate the most is that it makes history fun and accessible for kids. Nothing truly sounds duller than the story of America’s Founding Fathers, however this exceptional musical brings historical figures to life in a way that makes them engaging, fun and interesting to the younger audience members. Getting a history lesson and not even realizing it – what a bonus!

Conversation starter between generations

After the show, the magic of Hamilton continues to work itself on the audience. There will be many questions about the characters and the moments in history that are mentioned in the musical, making it a great way to have a conversation with your kids and it be both meaningful and enjoyable.

HAMILTON contains some strong language and is appropriate for ages 8+.
Running time is approx. 2 hours and 50 minutes, including intermission.

Hamilton is now playing at the Lyric Theatre in Sydney for a limited season. Book your tickets here: hamiltonmusical.com.au

Hong Kong Disneyland Trip Planning Guide

June 13, 2024 / Asia, Disney Travel, Disneyland, Hong Kong, Theme Parks, Travel / 0 comment

Hong Kong Disneyland Trip Planning Guide

Hong Kong Disneyland was the second Disneyland in Asia, opening in 2005 on Lantau Island, Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Disneyland is owned and managed by Hong Kong International Theme Parks.When building the resort, Disney attempted to avoid problems of cultural backlash by incorporating Chinese culture, customs, and traditions, including adherence to the rules of feng shui. Notably, a bend was put in a walkway near the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort entrance so good qi energy would not flow into the South China Sea.

The park consists of eight themed areas: Main Street, U.S.A., Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point, Toy Story Land, World of Frozen and Stark Expo.

There are single tickets and annual passes, called Magic Access, that are available for tourists who visit Hong Kong Disneyland. The theme park’s cast members speak Cantonese, English, and Mandarin.

Make the most out of your trip with this Hong Kong Disneyland guide.

Transport to the park

The park is easy to reach via train (MTR service) on the purpose-built Disneyland Resort line, a themed shuttle train service between the Disneyland Resort station adjacent to the park, and Sunny Bay station, where passengers can transfer to the Tung Chung line for access to Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, or Tung Chung.

Tips for visiting Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

Stay onsite in a Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Hotel

While the park is easy to access via public transport, we highly recommend staying at one of the Disneyland hotels onsite for the full Disney experience. There are three hotels: Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Explorer’s Lodge and Disney’s Hollywood Hotel. We stayed at Disney’s Explorer’s Lodge (read the review here) and thought it was the most immaculate of all of the Disney hotels we have stayed thus far.

While guests of the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort hotels do not receive any special perks regarding park access, they do have access to the free shuttle bus that runs between the hotels and the parks each day, plus the bonus of being able to use the facilities at any of the three hotels.

Each hotel has a range of beautiful facilities such as pools, shops and restaurants that extend the Disney experience beyond the parks.

Try the Disney Dim Sum

The Disney-themed dim sum is only available at Hong Kong Disneyland! Anyone can book a table at the Crystal Lotus restaurant inside the Disneyland Hotel to enjoy the special Disney-themed dim sum. We were even able to order special vegetarian dim sum in advance by emailing the restaurant.

The dim sum are so cute and shaped like Disney characters – an absolute must in our opinion!

Read more about the Disney Friends Dim Sum here.

Book a table to experience the dim sum here.

Book an Early Park Entry Pass

Anyone can book an Early Park Entry Pass, which lets guests enter the park an hour before the offical park opening time. Most visitors to the park tend to come later in the day, which means if you arrive early you will be able to get on rides without any queues as well as score some great park photos with no one else in them.

With early park entry, we found it possible to ride all of the rides we wanted to without any queues – so no need for the additional Premier Access paid passes.

Find out more about the Early Park Entry Pass here.

Premier Access Passes

If you’re not an early bird and don’t want to queue for rides, considering purchasing a Premiere Access Pass. The passes can be purchased for 3 or 8 rides, or individual rides (this is the most expensive option) and works like a fast pass, giving an alternative entry point to rides to skip the majority of the queue.

Find out more about Premiere Access Passes here.

Meet the characters

Character meet and greets are possibly even more popular at Hong Kong Disneyland than the rides, and attract massive queues. There are generally always characters in the entry plaza area, so if this is important to you, I would recommend meeting characters early in the day before the queues get too long and then having the option of purchasing Premiere Access Passes for popular rides afterwards if the park is busy.

We made it a priority to meet LinaBell, one of the Duffy and Friends characters that is exclusive to the Asian parks. The Duffy and Friends characters are hugely popular and have a designated area to line up and meet them. I highly lining up for this as soon as possible if it’s a priority, or purchasing an access pass to meet one character, which is what we did to meet LinaBell.

Visit the Castle of Dreams

Castle of Magical Dreams is the centrepiece castle of Hong Kong Disneyland. The castle replaced the park’s previous Sleeping Beauty Castle as part of the park’s 15th anniversary celebration, with a brand new design that pays tribute to the 12 Disney Princesses and 2 Frozen queens: Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana, Rapunzel, Merida, Anna, Elsa, and Moana.

Walk through the castle to the special princess meet and great area.

Enter the Magic World of Frozen

The Frozen-themed land in the world opened in 2023 in Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. The land includes two rides, Frozen Ever After, a boat ride through animatronic scenes from Frozen, and Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs, which is a short rollercoaster ride. Frozen Ever After is the longer and more popular ride, so we suggest doing this ride first.

The other entertainment option in the World of Frozen is the Playhouse in the Woods, which is a live show playing constantly all day where visitors can be part of the Frozen story with Anna and Elsa.

Shop the unique merchandise

A high priority for us was shopping the unique Duffy and Friends merchandise, which is specific to Asia. There are so many shops throughout the park featuring Asia-specific merchandise, especially the Duffy and Friends characters.

Eat all the snacks

Hong Kong Disneyland has some incredible snacks! Cakes, donuts, churros, ice cream, popcorn, and they’re all so cute!

Watch the fireworks

The fireworks occur every night over the Castle. The show when we visited was “Momentous”, an evening spectacular that included projection mapping, lasers, and searchlights, as well as pyrotechnics and water fountains. Spectacular! We purchased tickets to watch the fireworks from the prime location at the front of the castle, which meant we were able to enjoy the park and rides until closer to the fireworks began and then take our spot.

Find out more about visiting Hong Kong Disneyland.

Disney Explorers Lodge Hong Kong Disneyland Review

June 13, 2024 / Asia, Hong Kong, Travel / 0 comment

Disney Explorers Lodge Hong Kong Disneyland Review

Immerse yourself in the Disney magic with a stay at the Disney Explorers Lodge at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.

The Disney Explorers Lodge was the 3rd hotel to open at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, on 30th April, 2017.

The hotel has an “adventure” theme with rooms themed to the four unique tropical climates of Asia, Oceania, South America and Africa, and serving international cuisines from the five continents. The Disney Explorers Lodge has the motto “ad explorare et somniare” (“to explore and dream”).

The three hotels in Hong Kong Disneyland Resort are all in a row, making transport between the three and the park extremely easy. Guests are able to use the free resort shuttle bus to enjoy the facilities at all three hotels.

While the parks contain more than enough entertainment, if guests wish to extend their stay for some additional relaxation time, the hotels each provide Disney-themed recreational activities such as handicraft classes, poolside activities, ball games, and indoor exploration activities.

Examples of activities run at the hotel include tai chi, yoga, board game rental, badminton, mini golf, movie screenings and crafts.

Rooms

The rooms at the Disney Explorers Lodge are extremely spacious and well equipped with amenities including international power adaptors and toiletries.

In-Resort Transportation

Complimentary shuttle service is available between the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Hollywood Hotel, Disney Explorers Lodge and the Hong Kong Disneyland Park. Departing every 10 to 20 minutes depending on the time of day, the shuttle can be picked up in front of the hotel to the right of the main lobby. Between the hours of 1am and 7am, shuttle service can be arranged by contacting the Bell Desk in the main lobby.

Raindrop Pool

At the edge of the Pool Garden is the Raindrop Pool, a large swimming pool surrounded by stone walls and paving. The Raindrop Pool is open 8am-10pm.

Resort Gardens

The Disney Exploers Lodge has four uniquely themed gardens: Kevin Garden, the South American garden; Little Squirt Garden, the Oceania garden; Hathi Jr. Garden the Asian garden and the Rafiki Garden, the African Savannah garden. Explorers will find elements of the different animations that are associated with the names of the characters that these gardens are named after.

Dining Options

Dragon Wind
A taste of ancient Chinese wisdom where guests can dine on rural and authentic Cantonese and provincial delicacies seasoned with classic herbs and spices in a harmony of the five elements.

World of Color Restaurant
World of Color Restaurant brings together the food cultures from across the seas, islands and continents along the old spice trails for a symphony of textures and flavors that is fresh and light.

We dined at the World of Color Restaurant and loved the food.

Chart Room Cafe
Chart Room Cafe is a quick service cafe with snacks and casual dining options. Food can be eaten in the seating area near by or taken back to your hotel room.

In-Room Dining
Choose from a variety of American and Asian favorites, as well as specialty items unique to the Disney Explorers Lodge. An 10% service charge will apply to all delivery orders.

Get more info on the Disney Explorers Lodge Hong Kong Disneyland here.

Disney Friends Dim Sum at Crystal Lotus Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel

Hong Kong Disneyland Trip Planning Guide

Disney Friends Dim Sum at Crystal Lotus Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel

June 3, 2024 / Asia, Hong Kong, Travel / 0 comment

Disney Friends Dim Sum at Crystal Lotus Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel

Enjoy Disney Friends dim sum shaped like adorable Disney and Pixar characters, exclusive to the Crystal Lotus restaurant inside the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.

An absolute must when visiting Hong Kong Disneyland is sampling the special Disney-themed dim sum! These cute treats are not available at any other Disney park in the world.

The Disney Friends dim sum are not just cute, they’re extremely tasty, too. At the time of our visit, the options included:

Duffy & ShellieMay Steamed Sweet Bun
Winnie The Pooh Milk Custard Bun
Eeyore Red Bean Puree Bun
Piglet Seafood and Chicken Bun
Tigger Pork and Vegetable Bun
Mickey’s Double-Layer Turnip and Taro Pudding

Disney Friends Dim Sum is available daily for lunch and must be ordered at least 24 hours prior to your visit.

Book your Disney Friends Dim Sum visit here.

Read our Hong Kong Disneyland Trip Planning Guide here.

Discover Tassie: Five Day Tasmania Itinerary

February 20, 2024 / Australia, Travel / 0 comment

Five Day Tasmania Itinerary

Tasmania is an island state of Australia, located approximately 240 km off the coast of the mainland. Home to an abundance of unique wildlife, spectacular scenery and incredible locally-made produce, Tasmania is a tiny island that packs a lot in.

While we recommend spending at least a week or two driving around the island, if you’re short on time and want to see a few highlights, here is the perfect five day Tasmania itinerary for you.

Day 1 – Launceston

Bridestowe Lavender Farm

Start your morning with a drive to Bridestowe Lavender Estate. The fields of lavender run over 260 acres and is the world’s largest privately-owned lavender farm. With an estimated 650,000 plants, the lavender rows stretch for about 200 kilometres in total. The lavender is in peak bloom December to January so plan your visit accordingly if you want to capture photos with endless fields of purple.

Try lavender scones, tea or ice cream in the cafe and browse the gift shop for lavender products made from harvested farm lavender before you leave.

bridestowelavender.com.au

Platypus House – Monotreme Magic

Take the 45 minute tour at Platypus House to see live Tasmanian Platypuses and Echidnas up close. The monotremes are rescued, rehabilitated and released back into the wild where possible at this unique educational facility in the Tamar Valley.

The educational tour is suitable for all ages. Guests can watch the platypus and echidna actively feeding and playing. Book your tour well in advance especially in peak seasons.

platypushouse.com.au

Seahorse World

Seahorse World is located on the same pier as the Platypus House, and it’s easy to book tours at both attractions back-to-back. Seahorse World is a working seahorse farm that breeds these unique marine animals and ships them to aquariums around the world.

A 30 minute educational tour of the farm takes guests on a journey of seahorse life from the very beginning, with baby seahorses only a few hours old, through their first few months of life until they are sent to their new homes.

The tour ends with the opportunity to hold a seahorse in your hand.

seahorseworld.com.au

Low Head Penguin Tour

Self drive or book a tour that includes transfer to Low Head, approximately 50 minutes drive from Launceston, to see the world’s smallest penguins, the Fairy or Little Penguins, return after sunset to their burrows within the Low Head Coastal Reserve.

This reserve has the largest penguin rookery in Tasmania, with penguins returning every night throughout the year. The fully guided tour takes guests down to the beach to watch the penguins swim ashore and preen themselves, before waddling up the beach.

The penguin viewing is fully guided and takes approximately 1 hour. Including transfers to/from Launceston, allow around 3.5 hours. Cameras are welcome (turn flashes off). It gets old at night even in summer, so wear warm clothes.

penguintourstasmania.com.au

Stay: Change Hotel

We stayed at the Change Hotel in Launceston, which was centrally located and had a fantastic two bedroom, two bathroom unit with a full kitchen and dining area. Perfect for a family.

changeovernight.co

Day 2 – Launceston to Cradle Mountain

Stroll Launceston

Wake up earl and take a stroll around Launceston, It’s a beautiful, walkable city on the mouth of the Tamar river, and has beautiful historic buildings and gardens to wander through.

Queen Victoria Museum

The Queen Victorias Museum (QVMAG) includes two sites in Launceston: the Museum at Inveresk and Art Gallery at Royal Park.

The Museum at Inveresk contains a great (albeit somewhat depressing) section on the extinct Thylacine (Tasmania Tiger) and a planetarium.

qvmag.tas.gov.au

Drive to Cradle Mountain

The drive to Cradle Mountain takes about 2 hours.

Devils @ Cradle

Devils @ Cradle is a wildlife conservation facility only a hundred metres or so from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, right in the heart of Cradle Mountain.

Whilst Devils @ Cradle concentrates primarily on the Tasmanian devil, the sanctuary is also home to the closely related Spotted-tail and Eastern quolls – Tasmania’s three largest carnivorous marsupials, which are all now threatened in the wild.

Visitors can wander through the sanctuary at leisure, or join a personalised guided tour which ensures a close up encounter with the animals.

devilsatcradle.com

Cradle Mountain National Park

Cradle Mountain, in the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, is a spectacular place to visit in any season. There is abundant wildlife to spot, including Tasmanian devils, quolls, platypus, echidna, wombats and black currawongs.

Cradle Mountain offers walking tracks to suit all visitors, from the non-hikers to the serious walkers. There are a wide variety of walks on offer, from easy boardwalk strolls to the legendary Overland Track.

Start your journey at the Visitors Centre for information and a shuttle bus ticket (no cars allowed in the park during shuttle bus hours). Take the shuttle bus loop from the Visitors Centre to each of the drop off points to discover the various sites inside the park and set off on the designated walks.

parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/cradle-mountain

Stay: Cradle Mountain Lodge

We stayed at Cradle Mountain Lodge, the closest hotel to the Cradle Mountain National Park. Accommodation at Cradle Mountain Lodge consists of cosy cabins spread out around the central hotel building, which has cosy living room and dining areas, perfect for relaxing after a hike in the park.

cradlemountainlodge.com.au

Day 3 – Launceston to Hobart

Drive to Hobart

After a morning walk around Cradle Mountain, drive on to Hobart, which will take approximately 4.5 hours.

Hobart Waterfront & Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery

After arriving in Hobart, take a walk along the historic waterfront and step inside the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery (TMAG), which is open daily 10am-4pm and has free entry.

The TMAG is the second oldest museum in Australia and has its origins in the collections of the country’s oldest scientific society, the Royal Society of Tasmania, which was established in 1843.

tmag.tas.gov.au

Stay: Movenpick Hotel

We stayed at the Movenpick Hotel, which is extremely centrally located and has large, comfortable, modern rooms.

The hotel also features daily “chocolate hour” with free chocolate pastries available in the lobby for guests to enjoy.

Movenpick Hotel Hobart

Day 4 – Hobart

Bruny Island

The perfect day trip from Hobart, Bruny Island is a 30 min drive (33km) to the ferry terminal in Kettering. followed by a 20 min ride on the car ferry. You will need your own car to drive around Bruny Island. If you do not have a car, you can take join a tour group departing Hobart.

Bruny Island is known for its natural produce, with local businesses specialising in oysters, cheese, honey, whisky and chocolate.

The businesses are well marked on the map, and we recommend driving to the southernmost point and working your way back and stopping off at each to sample the produce.

We tried and loved Bruny Island Raspberry Farm, Bruny Island Honey, Bruny Island Cheese Co. and Bruny Island Chocolate.

Bruny Island also has spectacular landscapes (take the short but steep walk up The Neck for the most famous view) and wildlife such as the white wallaby.

brunyisland.org.au

Day 5 – Hobart

MONA

The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is a remarkable art museum carved into a headland at Berriedale, 13km north of Hobart’s CBD. MONA opened in 2011 and has divided critics with its fresh, whimsical and at times confronting approach to art.

The MONA is, at heart, a place to immerse yourself in ideas and challenge your notion of what art can and should be. IMONA is fun, shocking, silly, irreverent and a truly great day out for the whole family.

Bring a picnic and enjoy the beautiful view from the grassed rooftop.

The best way to visit MONA is by ferry. Catch the MONA Roma ferry from Brooke Street Pier.

mona.net.au

Salamanca Place

Salamanca Place is the historic docks area of Hobart, lined with a long row of 1830s Georgian sandstone warehouses.

Salamanca is also home to a majority of the best restaurants, bars and nightclubs in Tasmania, and Salamanca’s Weekly Market (Saturdays).

salamanca.com.au

Battery Point

From Salamanca Place, climb the colonial era Kelly’s steps and wander up up through the quaint streets of historic Battery Point

Stroll down Hampden Road, the main strip of Battery Point, which houses cafes, art and gift shops and an artisan bakery.

Additional Hobart Ideas

Maria Island

It’s a bit of a hike to get there, with a 1.5 hour drive from Hobart plus ferry, however Maria Island is home to some of the most visible and plentiful wildlife in Australia. Wombats, Forester kangaroos, Cape Barren geese and one of the healthiest populations of Tasmanian devils all call Maria Island home.

Walking and cycling are the only ways to get about on car-free Maria Island.

discovertasmania.com.au/regions/east-coast/maria-island-national-park/

Cascades Female Factory

The World Heritage-listed Cascades Female Factory Historic Site is the most significant site associated with female convicts in Australia. The Factory tells the story of the displacement, mistreatment and forced migration of convict women and girls, and their contribution to colonisation throughout the history of colonial Australia to the present day.

femalefactory.org.au

Cascades Brewery

home to the oldest operating brewery in Australia, Cascade Brewing Co. Book a table at the bar or a tour and tasting at the Mill.

cascadebrewerybar.com.au

Find more things to add to a five day Tasmania itinerary here. discovertasmania.com.au

Visiting the Wildlife Learning Center in Los Angeles, California

November 8, 2023 / California, Travel, USA / 0 comment

Visiting the Wildlife Learning Center in Los Angeles, California

Wildlife Learning and Conservation Center (WLCC) is located in Sylmar, California and is home to over 100 displaced, rescued, and zoo-born wild animals.

WLCC was founded in 2007 to give a home and care to animals in need and to provide public education in the life sciences, conservation, and the environment.

The animals who call WLCC their home are either rescues or part of the SSP breeding program mentioned below. You can read the stories of the animals as you walk around the center on a self-guided tour, or hear about them from their keepers on a guided tour. You can read a bit about their stories here, as well. There are some extremely sad stories from some of the animals regarding their previous lives. They are certainly leading a much happier, enriching life at the WLCC.

WLCC participates in species conservation efforts called Species Survival Plans (SSP), which are managed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). SSP programs cooperatively manage threatened and endangered species within AZA-accredited Zoos and Aquariums, Certified Related Facilities, and Sustainability Partners.

SSP’s preserve species from extinction by maintaining sustainable and genetically diverse populations of species. As part of their conservation mission, Wildlife Learning Center is an active participant in the SSP programs for the two-toed sloth (Cholopous didactylus), 3-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes matacus), and North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum).

WLCC is open to the public for general admission, private tours, and special events. WLCC offers life science outreach programs to schools, libraries, scout groups, and private events.

Wildlife Learning Center
16027 Yarnell St, Sylmar, CA 91342, United States
wildlifelearningcenter.org

Find more things to do in Los Angeles with kids here.

Met Art World – Metal Art Gallery In Melbourne Australia

November 8, 2023 / Melbourne, Travel, Victoria / 0 comment

Met Art World – Metal Art Gallery In Melbourne Australia

Met Art World is the biggest metal art gallery in Australia showcasing unique artworks, interactive installations and creative workshops for all ages.

Met Art World, located in Port Melbourne, Victoria, is a unique art gallery with stunning metal art statues handmade from scrap metal and recycled materials. The statues are interactive (feel free to touch, hold, sit, drive them and take pictures!) and represent many favourite characters from themes including anime, movies, animals, the military, cars, motorcycles, and princesses.

The second floor is home to an incredible starry night exhibition that uses advanced technology throughout the 12 exhibitions which include a 360° immersive experience tunnel, and a bright 5D starry sky.

Met Art World also hosts over 30 artmaking courses including various handicrafts from button painting to paper 3D puzzles, plus drawing, painting, installation, collage, and sewing, all included with the price of entry

There are also over 60 DIY workshops for all ages for an additional fee including the Turkish mosaic series, whipped cream decoration series, plaster doll painting series, sculpture painting collection, fluid bear pouring DIY, miniature box theatre, jewellery beading, shell painting, embroidery, and etc.

Met Art World – Metal Art Gallery
155 Boundary St,
Port Melbourne VIC 3207
metartworld.com.au

Find more things to do in Melbourne with and without kids here.

What to Expect On A Disney Wonder Cruise Review

November 6, 2023 / Cruising, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Travel, Travel / 0 comment

What to Expect On A Disney Wonder Cruise Review

The Disney Wonder is part of the iconic Disney Cruise Line fleet that sail all over the world – including Australia and New Zealand! Signature Disney Cruise Line offerings include rotational dining, Broadway-style shows, themed dining, character encounters and fireworks at sea.

Each of the Disney Cruise Line ships have been designed with spaces catering to families, kids and adults, so guests will feel the wonder of a child (and magic of Disney!), no matter their age.

Disney Wonder Stats

The Disney Wonder is the smallest of the Disney Cruise Line Fleet. It is still jam-packed with incredible features, but is a smaller ship rather than the behemoth cities-on-sea that are currently launching on the cruise market.

Crew                           950
Passenger Decks      11
Capacity                     2,713 passengers
Staterooms                875

Family Areas
D Lounge – Deck 4
Wide World of Sports deck – Deck 10
Twist ‘n’ Spout water slide – Deck 9
AquaLab interactive play area – Deck 9
Goofy’s Pool family pool – Deck 9
Mickey’s Pool children’s pool – Deck 9
Dory’s Reef splash zone– Deck 9
Edge – Deck 9
Sea Treasures retail shop – Deck 3
White Caps, Mickey’s Mainsail retail shops – Deck 4

Youth Areas
It’s a Small World Nursery– Deck 5
Disney’s Oceaneer Club – Deck 5
Disney’s Oceaneer Lab – Deck 5
Vibe teen club – Deck 11
Edge tween club – Deck 2
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – Deck 10

Adult Areas
After Hours – Deck 3
Crown & Fin Pub
Azure
Cadillac Lounge
Senses Spa & Salon – Deck 9
Quiet Cove Pool – Deck 9
Cove Café – Deck 9
Signals – Deck 9
Promenade Lounge – Deck 3

Dining
Tiana’s Place main dining – Deck 3
Animator’s Palate main dining – Deck 4
Triton’s main dining – Deck 3
Palo adult-exclusive – Deck 10
Cabanas casual dining – Deck 9
Pete’s Boiler Bites, Pinocchio’s Pizzeria, Daisy De-Lites quick service – Deck 9

Plenty of Family Entertainment

Does anyone do family entertainment better than Disney?

Guests aboard the Disney Wonder can enjoy three Broadway-style stage shows in the Walt Disney Theatre.

“Frozen, A Musical Spectacular” follows the captivating adventure of royal sisters Anna and Elsa as they embark on a journey to discover the meaning of sisterhood, inner strength and true love.

“The Golden Mickeys” celebrates the musical heritage of Disney animated films, immersing guests in all the glamour and excitement of a Hollywood awards gala.

“Disney Dreams… An Enchanted Classic” is a signature Disney Cruise Line show that tells a bedtime story featuring popular Disney characters who together teach a young girl the power of her dreams.

There are also movies shown in the Walt Disney Theatre, as well as up on deck by the family pool and in the Buena Vista Theatre, a cinema that screens first-run movies and digital 3-D films.

On select itineraries, the “Pirates IN the Caribbean” celebration to enjoy, which includes an interactive show featuring Jack Sparrow and culminates in a fireworks spectacular choreographed to the dramatic musical score from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies.

Fun in the Sun on the Upper Decks

The Disney Wonder features separate outdoor spaces for children, families and adults.

AquaLab, an interactive water playground open to kids age 3 and older.
Dory’s Reef, a special splash-and-play area for little ones up to age 3.
Goofy’s Pool, a pool for families of all ages to enjoy including two whirlpool spas.
Twist ‘n’ Spout, a double-looping waterslide. You’ve got to be 38 inches or taller to ride.
Quite Cove Pool for adults only.
Wide World of Sports Deck, the perfect place for a pick-up game or ping-pong match.

Uniquely-Themed Rotational Dining

Guests aboard the Disney Wonder “rotate” through three family restaurants, accompanied each night by the same serving team.

Tiana’s Place, is a celebration of New Orleans-inspired dining and entertainment. The whole evening is just a fun party with a southern-style menu inspired by the flavors and ingredients of Louisiana. Expect live music, dancing, characters and beignets!

Tritons, named after the Little Mermaid’s father, is an upscale restaurant offering sophisticated family dining “under the sea”. Take in the small details in this stunning restaurant: chandeliers, stained glass, sea-inspired architectural flourishes and a sweeping mural of Ariel and her father. This regal restaurant also serves breakfast and lunch.

Animator’s Palate is a not-to-be-missed dining experience. The restaurant is decorated in classic black and white, from the animation-adorned walls to the giant paint brushes around the room and seats representing Mickey Mouse. The walls have large high-definition flat-screens hanging on them – you will want to take a seat with a good view of the screens to watch the animation magic that takes place throughout the night. This is an extremely special interactive dining experience that really sets the Disney Wonder apart from other cruise lines.

Palo is the final restaurant. It is an adult-only Italian restaurant open for brunch and dinner at an additional cost.

Spaces for Kids of All Ages

The Disney Wonder began the Disney Cruise Line tradition of specially designated spaces for kids of all ages. Adults can only visit these spaces during the ship “open house” events.

Disney’s Oceaneer Club transports kids ages 3 to 12 to the magical lands of Disney fairies, courageous Super Heroes and adventuresome toys.
Disney’s Oceaneer Lab is a nautical wonderland where children ages 3 to 12 embark on a journey of discovery with arts and crafts, gaming and counselor-led activities.

It’s a Small World Nursery is a whimsical world for infants and toddlers up to age 3 where they are safely cared for by trained Disney counselors.
Vibe (ages 14 to 17) and Edge (ages 11 to 14) are ultra-cool teen and tween hangouts with comfy couches, music, video games and other chill-out necessities.

At Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, aspiring young princess and knights become Disney royalty with the help of a fairy godmother-in-training. When the pirate deck party is on the evening schedule, the space transforms into The Pirate League, where young sailors can unleash their inner buccaneer with a piratical makeover.

Read about our previous experience at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on Disney Cruise Line here.

Chill Spa for Teens: Guests ages 13 to 17 can enjoy the Chill Spa, located inside Senses Spa & Salon on Deck 9. Chill Spa includes two treatment rooms with showers where teens can stress less and chill out with spa treatments designed just for them.

Adult-only Spaces

Adults needn’t fear that they will be trapped with kids the entire cruise. The Disney Wonder has dedicated spaces for adult guests to enjoy for a relaxing and rejuvenating cruise.

After Hours, an extraordinary adult-exclusive nighttime entertainment neighborhood that features trendy and sophisticated bars and lounges.

Crown & Fin Pub resembles a traditional British tavern, with dark woods, plush leather furniture and brass accents. Guests can duck in for a jolly time and a frosty pint while socializing at this inviting and nostalgic bar.

Cadillac Lounge delights guests with the glitz of classic Hollywood, featuring an intimate and upscale atmosphere, crafted mixed drinks and live piano music nightly.

Azure is a lounge featuring a bar and dance floor, inspired by the shapes, colors, sounds and movements of the sea.

Senses Spa & Salon is a luxe space for adults ages 18 and older to indulge spa treatments, massages, manicures, pedicures, and a rainforest-themed aromatherapy steam room and sauna. The fitness center is well-appointed with state-of-the-art equipment and offers personal training sessions and instructional classes in yoga, Pilates, aerobics and more.

Quick-and-Casual Family Dining

There are plenty of quick, convenient options for meals and snacks on the Disney Wonder, from casual walk-up dining options to room service (and all included!).

Cabanas
Cabanas is a casual dining experience offering food and beverage stations during daytime hours. This massive buffet is the prime spot for breakfast and lunch and gets super busy, so go early to avoid the crowds.

Daisy’s De-Lites
A healthy fast-food option offering salads, sandwiches, wraps and fruit.

Pinocchio’s Pizzeria
Enjoy a slice of pizza throughout the day at this outdoor eatery located next to Goofy’s Pool. Choices include pepperoni, vegetarian, Hawaiian or plain cheese. Gluten-free is also available.

Pete’s Boiler Bites
Classic American fare like burgers, hot dogs and tacos are on offer at Pete’s Boiler Bites, a great place to enjoy a quick meal for lunch, dinner or anytime in between.

Eye Scream Treats
Unlimited soft serve icecream is available near Goofy’s Pool on Deck 9 at Eye Scream Treats, inspired by the friendly, one-eyed monster Mike Wazowski from the Disney•Pixar animated feature “Monsters, Inc.”.

Free Room Service

Room service deserves its own category because it’s such a luxury to enjoy meals delivered to your door! Guests on the Disney Wonder can enjoy fresh, made-to-order Disney dining 24/7 in the comfort of their stateroom. Be sure to order one of the special off-menu items that aren’t listed: Mickey bars, Uncrustables and cake of the day. Room service is included in your overall cruise fees, however please remember to tip $1 USD per item ordered.

Character meet and greets

Mickey, Minnie and a wide range of their friends are available for character meet and greets throughout the cruise. Check your daily schedule in the app to find out where the characters are going to be and be early if you want to meet them.

Tip: Not every character appears every day. When you see someone you want to meet, be sure to go line up and don’t put it off.

Royal Gathering: This is a meet-and-greet with Disney princesses that you book in advance online or through your app. It’s the only bookable character experience on the cruise.

Royal Court Royal Tea

The Royal Court Royal Tea also deserves its own section as it’s a popular event that books out and is quite a special event for kids who love princesses. It’s a pricey event but it does include entertainment, meet-and-greets, gifts and a lovely high tea for kids up to age 12 and their accompanying adults.

Tip: The Royal Court Royal tea books out extremely fast so book it as soon as your activity window opens.

Read about our previous experience at the Royal Court Royal Tea here.

Get more information on the Royal Court Royal Tea experience.

Beautiful Staterooms

We love the rooms onboard the Disney Wonder. The understated elegance of the rooms with a touch of Disney is just the perfect decor for our tastes. We find the rooms to be a great size for our family of three (they actually fit four or five).

Tips on Cruising with Disney

Tipping the staff

This is an American company and tipping is an integral part of the business. Whether you agree with tipping or not, it makes up a substantial part of the cruise staffs’ wages so my opinion is that if you can afford to cruise, you can afford to tip and build that into the expected costs.

You can read about the recommended tipping for staff here. I choose to pay gratuities in advance when I pay for my cruises so I don’t think about any additional costs on board.

Merchandise

If you are a lover of the merch like I am, then you will want to get to the shops when they open on departure day – which is after the ship has entered international waters. The merchandise is extremely popular and items sell out on the first day.

Seasickness

If you suffer from seasickness like I do, choose a cabin that is mid ship and low level. You can bring as many meds on board as you like – you can also visit the Health Center and get medication there.

Preparing for crowds

On the Australian and New Zealand voyages in particular, prepare to have to queue for character meet and greets. I would suggest seeing characters as early as possible on your cruise if this is a priority for you, and arriving at the spots where characters are meeting well ahead of their scheduled time.

Shows are also packing out so arrive half an hour before show time to ensure you get a seat (front middle is the best place!)

Read more about our previous Disney Wonder cruise to Alaska here.

Get more information about booking a Disney Cruise here.

Read about our Caribbean Cruise on the Disney Fantasy here.

Top Tips for visiting Universal Orlando Resort

October 25, 2023 / Florida, Theme Parks, Travel, USA / 0 comment

Top Tips for visiting Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando Resort is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida, that features rides, attractions and live shows that are themed to movies and tv shows. The park, which opened in 1990, is owned and operated by NBCUniversal.

Know your parks

Universal Orlando Resort comprises of three parks: Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Studios Florida, plus Universal’s Volcano Bay, which is a water park. Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida are walking distance apart from the entrances, or a short train ride inside the parks.

While it is possible to do both Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida in one day, you’ll only see the highlights and miss the bulk of the attractions. Each park has different themed areas, with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ crossing over between them.

Read about the attractions at Universal Islands of Adventure here, and Universal Studios Florida here.

Plan your visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™

The biggest drawcard for Universal Orlando Resort is the incredible Wizarding World
of Harry Potter. While there is some overlap with the rides and attractions to other Universal Studios around the world, Universal Orlando Resort has two unique lands to explore: Universal Orlando Resort – Hogsmeade, located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida.

It also has Hogwarts Express: King’s Cross Station that links the two parks by train. This was a highlight of visiting the resort for us.

To ride the Hogwarts Express, enter King’s Cross Station and walk straight through a solid brick wall onto Platform 9 ¾ to board the train to Hogsmeade. Ride the train in both directions for the full experience (you’ll need a park-to-park ticket to board the train in either direction).

This is a great, thorough guide to the complete Wizarding World of Harry Potter™.

Universal Studios Orlando Resort

Skip the queues with Universal Express

Add Universal Express access to your theme park admission, you get to skip the regular lines at most of your favorite rides and attractions. Universal Express lets you skip the regular lines one time per participating ride. Or, upgrade to Universal Express Unlimited and skip the regular lines an unlimited number of times at participating rides.

Read more about Universal Express passes here.

Get ahead of the crowds with Early Park Admission

One of the biggest benefits of staying onsite at Universal Orlando Resort is Early Park Admission. Universal Orlando Hotel guests and other select groups can access to Universal’s Volcano Bay, Universal Studios Florida, and Universal’s Islands of Adventure up to one hour prior to park opening.

This is a huge advantage especially for rides that aren’t covered by Universal Express, or if you don’t want to pay extra for it. Tip: Not all parks are open early each day, so check online or with your hotel to find out which park offers early admission on the day of your visit.

Get more info on Early Park Admission here.

Stay in an onsite hotel

We loved our stay at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. The early park admission and easy (free!) transport to the park was worth it alone, and we found the hotel extremely well-priced as well as highly enjoyable with all of it’s amenities.

Hotel Review: Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Explore Universal CityWalk

Universal CityWalk is a 30-acre entertainment complex at Universal Orlando Resort filled with restaurants and shops. It lies between the entrances to Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, making it easy to visit after your trip to the parks.

Watch the live shows

While there are countless amazing rides at the parks, we love the live shows, too. For us, it’s where the magic of movies really come alive. On this trip, we loved the Animal Actors on Location live show.

There are also roaming live performers. We caught a fabulous performance by the “Blues Brothers” that was a lovely surprise.

Get a really thorough rundown of all the live shows here.

Try all the food

We love trying all the food when we visit theme parks. There are always unique snacks and food to try. On this visit we enjoyed trying Mel’s Drive In in the Hollywood area of Universal Studios Orlando, which is inspired by Mel’s Drive In, a retro restaurant in Hollywood, California. The fast-service restaurant has a fun 1950s vibe to it and serves burgers, fries and shakes.

Meet all the characters

We are huge character fans and love seeing the characters around the parks. Keep your eyes peeled for lots of favourites such as Beetlejuice and King Julien.

Take in all the details

What really makes Universal Orlando Resort special to us is the amazing theming around the parks. There is such an incredible level of detail in every area, and so many unique photo opportunities to be had. For a movie and TV show fan, Universal Orlando Resort is such a magical place, where you really can jump into the picture.

Universal Orlando Resort
Address: 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
universalorlando.com