Christine Knight, Author at Adventure, baby!

Christine Knight

Christine is the editor of Adventure, Baby!

Muddy’s Playground on Cairns Esplanade

October 29, 2019 / Australia, Cairns, Queensland, Travel, Tropical North Queensland / 0 comment

Muddy’s Playground Cairns Esplanade

This fantastic playground has fenced areas, a splash playground, flying fox, sound chimes, track ride, rope bridge, slides, mouse wheels, play houses, story telling areas, see-saw, trick track and puzzle games. Muddy’s Playground is one of the top Cairns attractions for families and it’s easy to see why!

Muddy’s Playground is the prefect example of what modern playgrounds should aim for. IIt incorporates active, passive, interactive and educational facilities alongside play equipment.

The theme of Muddy’s Playground “Life in Trinity Bay”, which is reflected in the water play and other elements.

There are several water play elements spread throughout the park, which lets kids of all ages enjoy the water fun. There is a quiet stream, small jets and larger jets.

Muddy’s was exceptionally well designed to cater to kids of all ages, with equipment and activities that suit toddlers, preschool and junior school age, to tweens.

Bigger kids will love the large climbing frame and slides, plus tunnels to run inside, and the large net climbing structure.

The toddler area is completely fenced in, which prevents little kids mingling with older kids as well as making it easier to keep track of where whearabouts.

The toddler are features sand play and some great little houses to play in.

Muddy’s also features play equipment for preschool and lower-primary school-aged kids with smaller climbing structures, musical elements and balance elements, plus a giant fish that is endless fun to run in and out of, and reflects the Cairns aquatic theme.

There is a disabled-use Liberty Swing which uses the MLAK national keying system. Ask at Muddy’s Cafe for access.

There are two toilet facilities (one at the north end of Muddy’s near the cafe, and one at the southern end of Muddy’s) barbecues and picnic tables and a cafe.

Muddy’s Cafe, located in the heart of the playground, is open daily, 6am-8pm. They offer a breakfast and lunch/dinner menu for kids.

Muddy’s Playground is open every day of the year from 9.00am and 7.00pm (including public holidays and weekends). Sections of Muddy’s are closed for maintenance on Tuesday and/or Thursday mornings until noon.

Inside the LEGO Certified Store at Broadway Sydney

October 12, 2019 / CBD, Sydney, Ultimo / 0 comment

Inside the LEGO Certified Store at Broadway Sydney

Take your little builders to the brand new LEGO certified store at Broadway Sydney. Located on Level 2, near JB Hi-Fi, the store is smaller than the Bondi Junction store, but is still packed with things to do (and buy!).

There are several large LEGO statues around the store, some life-sized and perfect for photos, and plenty that are the huge, expensive LEGO packs that are also available for sale.

The store is divided into themed sections – there are plenty of new Frozen 2 sets, plus Star Wars, Harry Potter, Friends, City, Disney LEGO and much, much more.

The Pick a Brick wall is a popular spot – fill a container with pieces to take home. Note: the bricks are sold by the container not weight, so fill the container to the brim to get the best value.

We loved the build your own Minifigure station where you can custom build your own LEGO Minifigure, including heads, torsos, legs, hair and accessory.

There is a large LEGO play table for kids to sit at and play with LEGO for as long as they like.

For LEGO buffs, there are plenty of hard-to-find LEGO sets, as well as lots of little items that are only available directly from LEGO store, such as the cute LEGO keyrings.

Broadway Sydney
1 Bay St, Ultimo
Online

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.

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

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

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.

30 of the best playgrounds in Sydney

September 23, 2019 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

30 Of The Best Playgrounds in Sydney

Swing, slide and climb the weekend away at one of these excellent playgrounds in Sydney. There are all-abilities playgrounds, spaces for teens, tweens, toddlers and everyone in between in this list of playgrounds in Sydney.

Oatley Park Inclusive Adventure Playground

The Oatley Park Inclusive Adventure Playground is an adventure playground designed to blend into its bush setting, incorporating nature-based play elements and built with predominantly natural materials.

The park features seperate play zones with a toddler play area, a flying fox with river views, an active play zone, giant tube slides and a teen zone. This has to be one of the best natural playgrounds in Sydney.

Read more about visiting Oatley Park Inclusive Adventure Playground.

Jubilee Park Adventure Playground, Mortdale, Sydney

The Jubilee Park Adventure Playground in Mortdale, Sydney, features a large climbing frame with nets and slides, a children’s bike track, junior swings, flying foxes and multi-purpose sports courts.

The excellent new multi-million dollar Jubilee Park Adventure Playground is a great addition to the community. Built behind the existing Mortdale Community Centre, the playground has revitalised the park and given the community a great spot to picnic, play and get fit.

Read more about Jubilee Park Adventure Playground.

Strathfield Park

Strathfield Park, the oldest public park in Strathfield, is home to a huge playground with three play spaces, spanning 1.5 acres.

The park was renovated in 2017, with the resulting play spaces uniquely designed to compliment each other, taking into account the various ages and abilities of children who might enjoy the play equipment.

Read more about visiting Strathfield Park.

Darling Quarter Playground

The most centrally-located Sydney playground features a 21-metre flying fox, water play area with pumps and buckets and plenty of slides, climbing structures and swings. It’s a must for kids visiting the city. The Darling Quarter Playground is without a doubt, one of the best playgrounds in Sydney.

Get more info on the Darling Quarter Playground.

Pirrama Park Playground Pyrmont

This beautiful playground in Pyrmont has shiny, well-designed equipment, a water play area, sand pit with shade cloth, new, well-maintained bathrooms (including baby change facilities) and a cafe with shaded seating. Street parking is available. Pirrama Park features grasslands, wide avenues for scooting and entry into the harbour for swimming.

Get more info on Pirrama Park Playground here.

Victoria Park, CBD

A 9 hectare green space connecting to Sydney University, Victoria Park features a beautiful lake, playground for kids of all ages and plenty of shady trees, right in the middle of the city.

Get more info on Victoria Park here.

Enmore Park, Marrickville

Kids can play astronauts at this excellent park which features two space rockets, a large grassy area with plenty of trees, swings, slides, a climbing net and see-saw. The park has partial shade so bring a hat and sunscreen.

The Annette Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre is located in the park so bring swimmers if it’s hot. There are plenty of kid-friendly cafes nearby, including Petty Cash, which is just across the road from the playground. Enmore Park, without a doubt, has the best playground in Sydney for wannabe astronauts!

Tramsheds and Harold Park

One of our fave places to eat and play in Sydney! The Tramsheds is home to a full-size restored tram that kids can climb inside, plus a wide range of family-friendly restaurants.

Outside the Tramsheds lies Harold Park, an expansive park featuring a custom-built playground.

Fairfield Adventure Park Playground

Especially designed to provide a play space for kids of a variety of ages, the Fairfield Adventure Playground brings the “wow” factor in spades. The park opened in 2015 after a $1.4 million council investment. With the star attractions designed specifically for teens, this is a unique playground that provides a much-needed recreational space for older kids. Fairfield Playground is absolutely one of the best playgrounds in Sydney, particularly for older kids.

Get more info on visiting the Fairfield Adventure Park Playground here.

Bigge Park, Liverpool

Bigge Park in Liverpool, a south-west suburb of Sydney, received a $5 million upgrade a few years back. The upgrade included a fantastic free water play area. Bigge Park also includes an accessible playground, a regular playground and climbing equipment.

Get more info on visiting Bigge Park.

Ollie Webb Reserve Parramatta

Parramatta’s first all-inclusive playground opened in early 2019. It features climbing structures, water play with a splash play area and water pumps, an elevated sandpit, an accessible carousel, swings, BBQ facilities and excellent bathrooms.

Read the full review of Ollie Webb Reserve playground here.

Variety Livvi’s Place, Bankstown

The Canterbury-Bankstown area’s first all-abilities playground opened in late 2018, a joint project between Variety, the Children’s Charity, and the Touched by Olivia foundation. The fully-fenced playground features picnic and bbq facilities, bathrooms, Variety Livvi’s Place includes a sensory zone, flying fox with accessible seats, a climbing net, trampoline, swings with accessible seats, water play area, a climbing tower with ground level play features, two nest swings, roller table, accessible carousel, slides, a nature trail, sand play and a lizard log carved from wood.

Get more info on visiting Variety Livvi’s Place here.

Livvi’s Place Playground Five Dock

Livvi’s Place in Five Dock, Sydney, is a playground designed for children of all abilities. The equipment and unique design of the playground ensures that all kids, including those with special needs, are able to enjoy playing side-by-side.

Read more about visiting Livvi’s Place Five Dock.

Casula Parklands Adventure Playground

The brand new Casula Parklands has something for everyone, from toddlers to adults. Located near the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, the park features play equipment and fitness training for all ages.

The $4 million park includes a ninja warrior training course for teens and adults, toddler climbing equipment, older kid / tween climbing equipment, flying foxes, swings, on and off-leash dog parks and a fitness area.

Get more info on visiting Casula Parklands Adventure Playground.

Blaxland Riverside Park

A gorgeous spot for families with one of the biggest playgrounds in Sydney set among three hectares of rolling hills and big open spaces. The playground caters for kids of all ages and abilities with a fantastic water play area (the largest outdoor water play facility in NSW), moving play elements, high and steep landforms and hidden and confined spaces. There’s a double flying fox, mega-swing, tunnel slides, scramble wall, spinning play disk, Viking swing and a multi-level tree house to be discovered and enjoyed.

Get more info on Blaxland Riverside Park.

Parramatta CBD Foreshore Playground

Built into the slope of the hill on the river’s foreshore, the Parramatta CBD Foreshore Playground has got some really cool features like a 4 metre slide and rock climbing. In summer, water features are turned on near the sand play area.

Be aware that the playground is not fenced, not does it have any shade cover or bathrooms.

Get more info on visiting the Parramatta CBD Foreshore Playground.

James Ruse Reserve Playground

The James Ruse Reserve Playground is almost brand-spanking new (it was built in 2014), and has a fantastic water play area, which is under cover.

The playground has no shade cover so is best visited on cooler days. It features an excellent net climbing area.

Get more info on visiting the James Ruse Reserve Playground.

Domain Creek Playground Parramatta Park

The largest and most modern playground in Parramatta Park, the Domain Creek Playground is nature-based and features mazes made from branches and wires, water pumps and sand diggers, a flying fox and sunken trampolines.

Get more info on visiting Domain Creek Playground.

Newmarket Dining & Playground, Randwick

Sydney’s newest precinct, Newmarket Dining is a place to eat at cosy cafes and restaurants, picnic in the park and play at a state-of-the-art playground. The playground has the most incredible slide built into the centre of what used to be a horse sale yard.

Read more about Randwick Dining & Playground.

Paperbark Playground, Parramatta

Paperback Playground is the newest playground in the park and has some inclusive features. Located in the historic Gardens Precinct near the George Street Gatehouse, the playground is best suited to children and toddlers. Features include an accessible sandpit, swings and a carousel which kids with varied mobility, including wheelchair users, can use, as well as the ‘explorer dome’ centrepiece – a maze made of nets, ropes, ladders and tubes best suited to older children. The playground floor is covered with ‘Softfall’ pavements and there’s plenty of seats for parents and carers.

Thank you to Have Wheelchair Will Travel for the images.

Plough and Harrow, Abbotsford

This popular picnic spot is surrounded by bush and features a playground, cafe, high ropes course and wide open spaces for kids to run free. The playground’s hamster wheel is particularly popular!

Get more info on visiting Plough and Harrow.

Bungarribee Park, Abbotsford

Opened in 2017, Bungarribee is a 200-hectare recreational space that features walking and cycling tracks, 20 barbecues, 13 picnic shelters and a playground with a climbing tower, flying fox, plenty of slides, swings and a water play area.

Get more info on visiting Bungarribee Park.

Livvi’s Place Ryde

Livvi’s Place is a full-enclosed playground located in Yamble Reserve, Ryde. The reserve features formal gardens, deciduous trees, picnic shelters, large green grassed areas, barbecues and the excellent all-abilities playground, Livvi’s Place. Livvi’s Place playground includes a water pump play area, dual flying fox, nest swing, musical instruments, climbing frame and tunnels.

Putney Park: Playground and Water Park

A great spot to take kids in summer, Putney Park features climbing equipment for kids of all ages plus two shallow pools connected by a pebble creek and a large climbing web.

Sydney Park, St Peters

A 40 hectare green space near St Peter’s, Sydney Park was built in the space once occupied by Bedford Brickworks – the chimneys of which have been left and are a feature of the park that can be seen from some distance away. Features of the park include a large playground on its western side, the Sydney Park Cycling Centre on its northern side, winding pathways over hills for walking and cycling, wetlands, a kiosk and bathrooms.

Get more info on Sydney Park.

Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden, Centennial Park

The Ian Potter Children’s Wild Play Garden opened in Centennial Park in October 2017. The 6500sq m nature-based play area features a 7m-high climbing tower, wooden bridge, water play area and an open play area where kids are encouraged to use sticks and natural materials to make their own shelters, artworks and games.

Get more info on visiting the Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden here.

Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park

This park consists of 115 hectares of open spaces and playing fields, including the ES Marks Athletics Field, an 18-hole public golf course and golf driving range, tennis courts and netball courts.

The Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park has plenty for kids to do, from plaster painting, a Hoyts movie cinema, Monkey Mania play centre, Strike Bowling as well as two partially shaded playgrounds with excellent bathroom facilities.

Queen’s Park, Randwick

A 26-hectare urban park with panoramic views and natural sandstone cliffs. Queen’s Park has an excellent gated and partially shaded playground for kids next to a kid-friendly cafe, Queen’s Park Shed (read more here).

Waluba Park, Waterloo

A beautifully designed and landscaped park featuring a mega slide, three-story climbing tower, swings, picnic and BBQ area and bike paths.

Get more info on visiting Waluba Park here.

Lizard Log Park & Playground, Abbotsford

Lizard Log is a bushland park in the Western Sydney Parklands. This beautiful green space features a nature-themed playground, scenic walks, cycling tracks and a dam.

Read more about visiting Lizard Log Park & Playground.

More things to do in Sydney

Find things to do in the Blue Mountains.

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

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

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

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

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.

Twinkle Kids Cafe Burwood

September 23, 2019 / Burwood, Inner West, Sydney / 0 comment

Twinkle Kids Cafe

Kids and parents will adore Twinkle Kids Cafe, a light and bright cafe with an indoor playground located in Burwood Plaza, Sydney.

Designed for kids up to age 10, the cafe I think is best suited to slightly younger kids, although my eight-year-old was desperate to get in there and have a play.

Twinkle Kids Cafe features a large ball pit and soft play climbing area, plus dress up and role play activities such as a play kitchen.

It’s free for kids under 12 months of age to enter the play area.

Kids and adults need to wear socks at all times. If you forget to bring your own you can purchase a pair at the cafe

Parking is available in Burwood Plaza.

Twinkle Kids Cafe has been hosting some incredible birthday parties, so consider it for your next function for kids.

Twinkle Kids Cafe
Shop 48A, level 1/42 Railway Parade, Burwood NSW 2134
Phone: 02) 9715 1558
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat & Sun 9am-7pm
facebook.com/twinklekidscafeburwood

A Horizon Club stay at the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

September 20, 2019 / CBD, Sydney, The Rocks / 0 comment

A Horizon Club stay at the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

The Shangri-La, Sydney is nestled in the historic Rocks District, is a luxury hotel with panoramic views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

A stay at the Shangri-La, Sydney is always a special occasion, but for this special birthday we decided to splurge on a Horizon Club room, which comes with a whole host of special benefits.

The Shangri-La Sydney is a large hotel, with 565 rooms, three restaurants and one bar. The hotel is located between Circular Quay and Wynyard train stations. It’s a bit of a walk from both, including a steep uphill section.

Horizon Club Sydney Harbour Room

This stay we chose a Horizon Club Sydney Harbour Room with a king bed and rollaway bed. The room came with absolutely spectacular 180-degree views across Sydney Harbour, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour.

Our favourite feature of the room was the padded window seat that we could all fit on and the block out curtains that fell behind it. After sunset we sat on the seat and pulled the curtains behind us and looked out at the beautiful harbour and the sparkling lights. It was just heaven.

The Horizon Club Sydney Harbour Rooms are located on levels 31-35, guaranteeing a breathtaking view. The rooms all include access to the exclusive Horizon Club Lounge with its full range of privileges.

The room itself is elegant and understated. Luxe furnishings that are bright and beautiful.

We loved the large marble bathroom containing a separate bath and shower.

Other amenities include plush Shangri-La bathrobes (which we wore to the pool), a pillow menu (we ordered different pillows and they were divine), premium Shangri-La toiletries, Wi-Fi Access, LCD flatscreen television, DVD entertainment system, In-house movie channels, a full-size executive writing desk, electronic safe, coffee / tea-making facilities and a mini-bar.

Horizon Club Benefits

The added benefits of the Horizon Club definitely made the cost of the room worthwhile. While on the website a 4pm late check-out also listed as a benefit of this package, it is subject to availability and we were not able to get this benefit when we stayed.

We visited the Horizon Club Lounge for afternoon tea, canapés and breakfast the next morning. The ability to use the lounge during these times meant we didn’t need to buy any extra meals during our stay, as the offerings were so hearty!

Horizon Club Lounge afternoon tea

Shangri-La, Sydney

The afternoon tea is served between 2pm-5pm and includes scones with jam and cream, a selection of sandwiches (all meat) and pastries. The Shangri-La, Sydney is able to provide food for dietary requirements with enough notice given.

Shangri-La, Sydney

The view from the room is just breathtaking – try to get a seat by the window if you can.

Shangri-La, Sydney

Horizon Club Lounge canapés

Evening canapés includes alcoholic drinks which the staff refill constantly throughout the evening. The canapé time from 6pm-8pm is the perfect time for dinner with kids! Our fussy eater didn’t see enough that she liked on the buffet tables, so we ordered a kids meal from room service and had it delivered to the lounge. Easy peasy, it arrived on our table about 20 minutes later.

The buffet had an excellent selection of savoury food, hot and cold, salads, cheese and crackers and desserts. It was quite meat heavy, however the Shangri-La, Sydney is able to provide food for dietary requirements with enough notice given (next time I will remember this and let them know in advance that we are vegetarian!) There was still plenty of food that was edible, however, and we were absolutely stuffed by the end.

Shangri-La, Sydney

Lots of people can be found in the lounge during all times of the day, particularly the evening canapés. Some people are with a group and socialising, some reading books and relaxing. While there is a dress code for using the lounge, we saw many guests in extremely casual attire, so I wouldn’t take the dress code too seriously. We dressed up for the occasion for a fun thing to do, but it certainly isn’t required.

Horizon Club Lounge breakfast

Shangri-La, Sydney

Breakfast is also available in the Horizon Club Lounge from 6:30am-10:30am daily and until 11am on weekends. The breakfast is advertised as a “light buffet” – however, we thought it was a fantastic feast!

Shangri-La, Sydney

We particularly loved the egg station where we had custom omelettes made for us. A variety of hot and cold food is available, fruit, pastries, cereals, tea, coffee and juices.

Shangri-La, Sydney

Shangri-La, Sydney pool

Shangri-La, Sydney

We love a good hotel pool, particularly when it’s indoors and heated in winter! The Shangri-La, Sydney pool is a large pool with a separate spa with bubble jets, located in the health club.

Shangri-La, Sydney

High Tea at the Shangri-La, Sydney

Shangri La Hotel Afternoon Tea via christineknight.me

We have dined in the Lobby Lounge many times enjoying the Shangri-La, Sydney’s high tea offerings! You can read about high tea at the Shangri-La, Sydney here.

Blu Bar High Tea Buffet

For an absolute treat, I highly recommend the high tea buffet that is offered in the Blu Bar on level 36. It is just delicious and such a treat! It’s also very pricey and no discount for kids, so I would suggest making this an adult-only treat.

Read about the Blu Bar High Tea Buffet.

Getting to the Shangri-La, Sydney

If you drive to the Shangri-La, Sydney, valet parking is available: $58 for in-house hotel guests, $44 for restaurant patrons, $40 for guests with functions at the hotel, and $22 for guests who have appointments at our spa. There is a cheaper parking station at Wilson parking – Quay West at 111 Harrington St, The Rocks if you don’t mind a bit of a walk.

Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney
176 Cumberland St, Sydney
shangri-la.com/sydney

More things to do in Sydney

Find more things to do in the Blue Mountains.

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

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

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

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

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.

A Guide To The Botanical Gardens Blue Mountains in Mount Tomah

September 19, 2019 / Australia, Blue Mountains, NSW, Travel / 0 comment

A Guide To The Botanical Gardens Blue Mountains Mount Tomah

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden is the only botanic garden in the world located in a World Heritage area. Home to 21,000 plants of 900 species, the 69-acre garden is located 100km west of Sydney at Mount Tomah, in the Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia.

Established in 1972, the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden is heritage-listed and focusses on the conservation of cool climate plants that do not grow in the warmer climate of Sydney.

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden is approximately a two-hour drive from Sydney’s CBD, on the boundary of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Greater Blue Mountains area.

As well as the cool climate plants, the garden is home to a diverse range of local fauna, including over 150 species of birds, marsupials, lizards and colourful insects. Brush-tailed and ring-tailed possums, sugar gliders and greater gliders might be spotted in the garden, as well as fairy wrens, lyrebirds and cockatoos. During our visit we saw kookaburras and skinks.

The garden is set out into distinct areas that highlight various plant species. Pick up a free map from the Visitor’s Centre and take a self guided tour around the gardens at your own pace.

Guided walking and shuttle tours are also available daily. Walking tours are free but the 20-minute shuttle tours attracts a fee of $8.50pp (disability Pension card holders, Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Garden members and children under 5 are free.). Check departure times and purchase tickets for tours at the Visitor Centre.

Different parts of the garden bloom throughout the year so no matter when you visit, the garden is beautiful. We visited in spring to see the daffodil display.

Kids can pick up a Children’s Adventure Quest from the Visitor’s Centre for $7.50. It includes everything in the photo below.

There is a discovery centre underneath the Visitor’s Centre that has lots of information about the plants and some hands-on elements for kids.

Eating at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden

Visitors are more than welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the gardens. If you would like to purchase takeaway coffee, snacks or light meals, the Ugly Mug Kiosk, located near the car park, is open Monday and Tuesday from 9am to 4.30pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9.30am to 5.00pm.

The Potager, Mount Tomah

During our visit we dined at The Potager for Father’s Day, an upmarket restaurant with a botanic theme. While the balcony offers incredible views over the garden, it also offers little shade, so we chose to dine instead as we visited on a hot day.

The Potager has a decent kids’ menu and various options for different diets. I had a vegan option, the Veggie Patch (with local kale, roasted cauliflower and sautéed mushrooms on a bed pumpkin hummus, avocado cream, sun flower seeds, fresh local herbs, $22.90).

Our group also ordered the kids’ Avo & Cheese Sandwich (with chips, $9.50), the Pan Fried Salmon, (with roasted fennel, pumpkin, tomato, spinach, hummus, topped with shaved shallot, $32) and the Botanic Burger (180g Beef patty, bacon, American cheese, pickled onions, house relish, served on toasted milk bun with chips, $26.90).

The food and service were both excellent and I would highly recommend dining here for a bit of a special occasion.

Getting to the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden can be accessed via the Bells Line of Road.

Driving from Sydney: From the CBD, cross the harbour heading north and follow the M2 motorway onto the M7 motorway. Take the Richmond Road exit towards Richmond. Follow the signs to Blue Mountains and follow Bells Line of Road from Richmond to the Garden.

Driving from Lithgow: Drive along Chifley Road from Lithgow to Bell. Continue on Bells Line of Road from Bell to the Garden. The Garden is about a 40-minute drive from Lithgow.

The Garden is not accessible by public transport.

Blue Mountains Botanic Garden
Bells Line of Road, Mount Tomah
Hours: Daily, weekdays 9am to 5.30pm, weekends and public holidays: 9.30am to 5.30pm
Prices: Entry to the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden is FREE.

Get more info on The Potager and the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden.

More things to do in Sydney and the Blue Mountains

Find more things to do in the Blue Mountains.

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

Find things to do in Sydney for free.

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

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.

Find the best high teas in Sydney.

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.

Oatley Park Inclusive Adventure Playground

September 19, 2019 / Oatley, Southern Sydney, Sydney / 0 comment

Oatley Park Inclusive Adventure Playground

The Oatley Park Inclusive Adventure Playground is an adventure playground designed to blend into its bush setting, incorporating nature-based play elements and built with predominantly natural materials.

The new playground is located in Oatley Park, a 112 acres reserve on the Georges River in the southern Sydney suburb of Oatley. The park is bounded by the Georges River, Lime Kiln Bay, and Jew Fish Bay.

The Oatley Park Adventure playground design incorporates community feedback and ideas and follows the NSW Government’s ‘Everyone Can Play’ inclusive play space guidelines to create accessible play elements for children of all abilities in over 80 per cent of the playground. (Note: whether this level of accessibility has been achieved or not remains to be seen.)

We visited the playground on a warm winter morning, and were thrilled with the many nature-themed play activities it offered.

The park features seperate play zones with a toddler play area, a flying fox with river views, an active play zone, giant tube slides and a teen zone.

There is a smaller slide and climbing net area for younger or less confident kids.

The flying fox has a regular seat and a bucket seat.

The nest swing is a great inclusive addition. There are also regular and toddler swings.

New picnic and barbecue facilities have also been built. The toilets are a 200m walk from the main play area, up the path through the bush, towards the oval. They are currently the portaloos while new toilets are built.

The paths in Oatley Park are shared by pedestrians, cyclists and cars, and the maximum speed limit is 20km/hour. Navigating the parking areas involves reversing across shared paths, so please check twice before reversing.

When visiting Oatley Park playground, please be kind to the new shrubs that have been planted and stay out of the garden beds to enable these plants to grow.

There are rubbish bins in the park but no recycling bins, so be prepared to take your rubbish with you. There has been lots of rubbish left in the park already, so please be responsible with your rubbish!

Oatley Park is home to many beautiful creatures: wallabies, echidnas, tawny frog mouths and king parrots to name a few. You might see a few on a quiet day.

Oatley Park is also home to various bushwalking tracks. Many of these tracks criss cross over the shared path. Oatley Flora and Fauna Conservation Society has developed bushwalking maps and flora and bird guides to Oatley Park.

Try the Headland track, which has water and bush views that just sparkle on a sunny day. It starts or ends at the Baths.

The Myra Wall Garden has a wheelchair accessible bushwalking path.

The original steamroller that has been park of the park for decades remains in the new design. It is an excellent place for kids to let their imagination run wild.

The park features lots of nature play areas for kids to get imaginative and close to nature.

Getting to Oatley Park Adventure Inclusive Playspace Playground

There are no direct public transport links to the park. It is a 1.7km walk from Oatley Station. The 954 bus service from Oatley Station drops you 700 metres from the entry to Oatley Park.

Entry to the park via Oatley Park Avenue is narrow and means that often, only one car at a time can pass through. AVOID entry and exit to the park during school drop off and pick up. You can also drive in via Douglas Haig St.

Myra Wall Garden, Frog Hollows and the Oval are overflow carparks.

The park closes at sunset and the vehicle gates are locked. Make sure if you have driven in, to leave before the gates are locked as there is a fee to retrieve your car.

Oatley Park is a gorgeous place to visit – get info on the Oatley Park Baths, walking tracks and more.

Get Directions

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Ryde Park Scooter and Bike Track

September 17, 2019 / North-West Sydney, Ryde, Sydney / 0 comment

Ryde Park Scooter and Bike Track

Ryde Park is a popular Sydney park featuring a bike and scooter track, basketball court, playground and cafe.

A new scooter and bike track was added to Ryde Park in March 2018. It’s a great little area with stop signs and roundabouts, making it fun and educational at the same time.

There are three picnic tables with shade scattered around the track.

Trees have been planted but it will be a while before they will give any shade. A water fountain at the entrance of the park is handy if you visit on a hot day.

Ryde Park also features a great little kids playground next to the cafe, right in the centre of the park.

Sotto Cafe is a fab spot for dining with kids, overlooking the playground, with lots of outdoor seating.

The best things to do in Cairns (with or without kids)

September 5, 2019 / Australia, Cairns, Queensland, Travel, Tropical North Queensland / 0 comment

The best things to do in Cairns (with or without kids)

Cairns is the gateway city to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef in tropical Far North Queensland. The perfect base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree and attractions in Far North Queensland, there are plenty of reasonably-priced accommodation options, restaurants, grocery stores and Cairns attractions in this small city. We found plenty of things to do in Cairns and the surrounding regions to spend at least a few weeks exploring everything there is to do in tropical Far North Queensland.

Cairns attractions

Cairns Aquarium

See the marine species who inhabit tropical North Queensland while keeping your feet dry at the Cairns Aquarium. The aquarium is dedicated exclusively to the habitats, animals and plants found in Australia’s Wet Tropics – the region which borders The Daintree Rainforest and The Great Barrier Reef. Explore 10 North Queensland ecosystems and 71 exhibits showcasing how magnificent and unique the creatures in this part of the world are.

Spot the endangered Freshwater Sawfish, marvel at Grey Reef Sharks and watch the Humphead Maori Wrasse in awe. Daily animal feeding sessions and the hands-on touch tanks will keep the kids enthralled.

Read more about visiting Cairns Aquarium.

Frankland Islands day trip

The pristine Frankland Islands are located 10km offshore, 45km south-east of Cairns. Surrounded by healthy coral that is teeming with sea life, a day trip to the Frankland Islands is one of the best and easiest ways to explore the Great Barrier Reef.

The Frankland Islands day trip is a great option for families with younger kids in particular or people who want a day of varied activies on the reef rather spending most of the day on a boat or snorkelling on the reef, or who are prone to seasickness but still want to see the reef.

Read more about our experience visiting the Frankland Islands.

Fitzroy Island day trip or longer stay

Fitzroy Island is a tropical paradise with lush rainforest and unspoiled beaches, accessed by a 45 minute ferry ride from Cairns. Take a day trip to the island or stay for a few nights.

Read more about our experience visiting Fitzroy Island.

Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre

Located on Fitzroy Island, the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre (CTRC) is a volunteer-run, non-profit organisation dedicated to rehabilitating sick and injured turtles, brought in from the Great Barrier Reef and Cape York Peninsula. You can visit the CTRC when day tripping or staying on Fitzroy Island. Bookings are required to visit the CTRC which can only be made once you have arrived on the island.

Read more about our experience visiting the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.

Cairns Esplanade

The beachfront boardwalk leads to a variety of recreational facilities that are free to use.

Cairns Esplanade Lagoon

The city of Cairns has no beaches. Instead, it has the gorgeous Cairns Esplanade Swimming Lagoon which is right on the waterfront. The lagoon is a stunning spot for a swim, and with flat water and plenty of shallow areas is perfect for swimmers of all ages and abilities.

There are picnic tables and 12 barbecues nearby and plenty of grassy parkland and trees to sit under. The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is a top Cairns attraction for a very good reason – it’s perfect for swimming in year-round, needing no wetsuit in stinger season like the ocean.

Muddy’s Playground

Healing Garden Playground

The Healing Garden is opposite Cairns Hotel and includes features to assist with balance and harmony such as bamboo which is seen as a symbol of strength and healing colours throughout the play area – pale violet to sooth soothe emotional distress and bring calm and yellow to help strengthen the mind and to assist with nerve pain.

Fun Ship Playground

The Endeavour Fun Ship playground opened in 2006. The maritime-themed playground is located BBQ Sandpiper and picnic tables. It includes lots of climbing elements that lend themselves to nautical play.

Toilets are located a short distance to the north west of the Fun Ship Playground.

Skate Plaza

Boarders and bladers will love this skate park which includes a large bowl area.

Bouldering Park

Suitable for all ages, the bouldering area is a large rock surface with climbing grips on it.

Beach Volleyball

There are four international standard Beach Volleyball Courts.

Fitness Stations

There are several fitness stations located on the Esplanade.

Petanque Court

Pétanque is a boules sports, where players roll their boules/balls towards a target ball.

Multi-use court

Multi-use court is located within the Northern Esplanade Activity Precinct opposite Cairns Hospital.

Fig Tree Playground

Located on the south end of the Esplanade, near the Marina, the Fig Tree Playground is a beautiful, natural climbing structure wrapped around a fig tree. It’s shady, thanks to the tree, and encourages climbing, running and sliding.

The location is beautiful too, right on the water. There are toilets nearby and the path that leads north up the Esplanade to the Lagoon and Muddy’s Playground.

Green Island

Take a day trip to stunning Green Island and snorkel with tropical fish and turtles. Day trips leave from Cairns Marina. Green Island is a 45 minute boat ride from Cairns, making it a good option for a day trip where most of the day is spent on the island enjoying a variety of activities. A day trip to Green Island is one of the most popular things to do in Cairns and is suitable for all ages.

Get more information about Green Island day trips.

Great Barrier Reef Pontoons

Another option for seeing the Great Barrier Reef is with a day trip to one of the reef pontoons. We decided against this option as it takes a lot longer to reach the pontoons than Fitzroy, Green and Frankland Islands and as we suffer from sea sickness and had a child with us who wouldn’t have enjoyed a long, rough boat trip.

If you are a strong snorkeller or diver, or want to see a large variety of sea life deep in the ocean, then a reef pontoon could be a good idea for you. Regardless of which option you choose, a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef has to be on your list of things to do in Cairns!

Things to do in Cairns and the surrounding region

Josephine Falls

Josephine Falls is a tiered cascade waterfall located in Wooroonan, Cairns, in Tropical North Queensland.

The falls are an hours drive south of Cairns, in the foothills of Queensland’s highest mountain range, Bartle Frere.

Read more about our experience at Josephine Falls.

Atherton Tablelands

The Atherton Tablelands is a lush, fertile region around 1.5 hours drive south-west of Cairns. Renowned for its tumbling waterfalls and abundant wildlife, the Atherton Tablelands makes for a great day trip or longer stay to explore everything that is on offer.

Highlights to the Atherton Tablelands include chasing waterfalls, visiting the Tolga Bat Hospital, seeing the 500-year-old Curtain Fig Tree, spotting the rare Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo at the Nerida Tea Plantation and a delicious trip to Gallo Dairyland.

Read more about our experience visiting the Atherton Tablelands.

Kuranda Village

Kuranda is a mountain village that has become a popular tourist attraction near Cairns. It’s a great place to take kids as there are several attractions all close to each other. Hold a koala, feed free-flying birds and dance with butterflies all in the same day in Kuranda.

Kuranda Village is accessible by car, however it is a popular destination to reach by taking the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Get more information on things to do in Kuranda Village.

Kuranda Scenic Railway

Winding its way through the World Heritage-listed Barron Gorge National Park, the Kuranda Scenic Railway is an unforgettable journey through hand carved tunnels and spectacular scenery. The Kuranda Scenic Railway runs between Cairns and Kuranda Village.

Get more information on taking the Kuranda Scenic Railway.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

The iconic Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is an immersive journey through and above Australia’s World Heritage-listed tropical rainforest. It runs between Smithfield Terminal, around 20 minutes out of Cairns, and Kuranda Village.

Get more information on taking the Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Mossman Gorge

Located in the southern part of the World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park in Far North Queensland, Mossman Gorge is part of the traditional homeland of the indigenous Kuku Yalanji people.

Our time at Mossman Gorge was the highlight of our entire trip. We loved is so much we visited twice.

Mossman Gorge is around 80km north of Cairns and 5km from the nearest town of Mossman. It’s also about a 20 min drive from Port Douglas. It is easily reachable by car or as part of an organised tour.

Read more about our experience at Mossman Gorge.

Daintree Rainforest

Visit the oldest rainforest in the world! The Daintree region begins at Mossman Gorge and continues over the Daintree River and north to Cooktown. A day trip the Daintree is doable from Cairns however it is a long day and you will see more if you stay in the Daintree itself like we did.

You can self-drive the Daintree in a regular car or take a tour.

Read about our experience in the Daintree Rainforest.

In the Daintree we stayed at the Daintree Ecolodge. Read about our experience at the Daintree Ecolodge.

Port Douglas

Beautiful Port Douglas is a gorgeous resort town close to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. Located only an hours drive north from Cairns, it’s a fab base for exploring the area, or just relaxing for a few days on the beach.

Read more about things to do in Port Douglas.

Paronella Park

Paronella Park is a heritage-listed tourist attraction. It is located 120km south of Cairns at Mena Creek, in Tropical North Queensland, Australia.

The park has a special story that has to be heard to be truly understood for the visinary project that it was, when its founder, José Paronella, embarked on his dream to build a castle in the 1930s.

Read more about visiting Paronella Park.

Undara Experience

Venture into Outback Australia with the Undara Experience, in Tropical North Queensland. Explore the oldest lava tubes on the planet, sleep in refurbished train carriages and enjoy bush walks surrounded by wildlife.

Located 260km south-west of Cairns (or a 3.5 hour drive), the Undara Experience is located in the Undara National Park, a private enterprise operated by the Collins family, the earliest white settlers in this locality whose cattle have grazed in the area since 1862.

The Undara Experience was created to showcase the lava tubes located on the Collins’ family property in 1987, protecting the formations for future generations by developing a sustainable visitor experience.

Cairns accommodation

We stayed in two hotels during our time in Cairns.

Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

The Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort is a newly renovated hotel in the heart of Cairns. The combination of a superb lagoon pool and recently refreshed rooms, combined with its excellent location close to the esplanade, marina, restaurants, supermarket and Cairns Aquarium make this an excellent choice of accommodation in Cairns, particularly for families.

Read more about our experience at the Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort.

Pullman Cairns International

The Pullman Cairns International is a grande dame of a hotel, with a majestic soaring lobby which makes for a very impressive entrance.

The breakfast buffet at the Pullman Cairns International was sensational and worth staying at again just for this added benefit.

Read more about our experience at the Pullman Cairns International.

Riley, a Crystalbrook Hotel

The Riley is a brand-spanking new hotel that features bright, light and stylish rooms, and a 1,000-square-metre lagoon-style pool. It has to be the most beautiful pool in Cairns.

The rooms are so quiet, comfortable and beautiful that you won’t want to leave – unless it’s to head to the pool!

Read more about our experience at Riley, a Crystalbrook Hotel.

Canopy Treehouses

Stay in a treehouse nestled in the rainforest and get up close to Australian wildlife at the Canopy Treehouses in the Cairns Highlands, Queensland, Australia.

The Canopy Treehouses offers six extremely private treehouses set in 100 acres of rainforest, teeming with wildlife. Located 90 minutes drive out of Cairns, the Canopy Treehouses is a great option to base yourself for a few days and explore the region.

Read more about our experience at the Canopy Treehouses.

Cairns weather

Far North Queensland is known for its hot and humid summers and mild, dry winters. We’ve visited in both and found January to be unbearably hot and humid but a pleasant swimming temperature, and July to be pleasant to explore the region, but a bit cold in the sea and pools. I would suggest considering what activities you want to do while you’re in the tropics before selecting a season to visit.

Summer (December – February)
Average temperatures range from 23.6 – 31.4°C (74.5 – 88.5°F). The wet season begins in December, with most of the area’s annual rainfall (around 2000mm / 78.7″) soaking the region in these months. When we visited in January, the skies opened daily around 4pm with a massive amount of rain. While the average daily temperature might not look too high, it is HUMID as anything!

Autumn (March – May)
I would suggest the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) as ideal for visiting Cairns if you want to swim in warmer water without the high humidity that summer brings. The average daily temperatures range between 21.5 – 29°C (70.7 – 84.2°F), with the rain starting to subside from April onwards. The area can be windy however until August.

Winter (June – August)
Winter is peak tourist season in Cairns, mainly due to the lower humidity, low rainfall and no stingers in the ocean. We found the temperatures perfect day to day, however swimming pools are not heated so we found them chilly, and the we needed wetsuits to swim in the ocean due to the cold temperature (for us!). Average temperature in winter range from 17.5 – 26°C (63.5 – 78.8°F).

Spring (September – November)
The end of the dry season has temperatures ranging from 20.5 – 29°C (68.9 – 84.2°F). Humidity starts to build with the start of the west season at the end of spring. November is an amazing time to visit the reef to see the annual coral spawning.

Daylight Savings Time
Queensland does not observe daylight savings time. The time zone in Queensland is Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), UTC +10.

Sea temperature
In summer, the average sea temperature at Cairns’ northern beaches ranges from 28.9 – 29.4°C (84 – 84.9°F). In winter the average sea temperature is 23.8- 24.5°C (74.8 – 76.1°F).

Stinger season

Stinger season (or jellyfish season) falls between November and May in Cairns and Port Douglas. It is advised to wear stinger suits in the water from November onwards (sometimes even October), as box jellyfish and Irukandji (the smallest of the box jellyfish family) can be deadly if you are stung.

The region’s beaches are lined with stinger nets and on the Great Barrier Reef, while the risk of marine stingers is low, stinger suits are recommended and are available for hire on tour boats.

Keeping sun safe

The sun in Queensland is intense, even in winter. The Ultraviolet (UV) Index can be high and cause extreme sunburn, so look in the local weather reports for the UV index, which describes the daily solar UV radiation intensity.

Wear SPF30+ sunscreen and reapply regularly, particularly after swimming. High quality sunscreen is available in supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies. Where possible choose reef-safe sunscreen.

Choose sun-safe clothing like light, loose shirts and dresses that cover the shoulders, chest and arms, and wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Sunburn up here is no joke and can land you in hospital.

When choosing swimwear, consider longsleeved swimsuits for girls, longsleeve rashies for boys and adults. Not long do they prevent sunburn, they also eliminate the need for excessive sunscreen which is good for neither the skin nor the reef.

Looking for more things to do in Cairns, or for more Cairns attractions? Check out the official Tropical North Queensland site.

Pullman Cairns International: Cairns Accommodation Reviews

September 5, 2019 / Australia, Cairns, Queensland, Travel, Tropical North Queensland / 0 comment

Pullman Cairns International

The Pullman Cairns International is a grande dame of a hotel with a soaring lobby and excellent location, right in the heart of Cairns, close to the Cairns Marina, shops, restaurants and supermarkets.

We had a basic room with two double beds. The size of the room was excellent, plenty of room for our luggage and for us to move around.

Our room had a private balcony with a city view, work desk and one chair and a massive bathroom.

Other room features include a mini bar, 24-hour in-room dining, bath robes, iron and ironing board, C.O Bigelow bath fragrances and amenities, coffee/tea making facilities, hairdryer, wireless and wired Internet, iIn room safe and blackout curtains. Cribs are available for use.

The Pullman Cairns International has a lovely rooftop pool and spa that is a beautiful spot to watch the sunset.

Pullman International Cairns Qld Australia

Breakfast each morning is served in the lobby area. It is well worth opting for breakfast in the package as the buffet is sensational – one of the best hotel breakfasts we have ever had.

Pullman International Cairns Qld Australia

Included in the breakfast buffet: egg station, juicing station, a variety of fresh juices and iced teas, savoury hot food, fresh fruit, pastries and more.

Pullman Cairns International
17 Abbott Street Cairns Qld
Phone: + 61 7 4031 1300

pullmancairnsinternational.com.au