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Visiting the Getty Center Art Museum Los Angeles

March 14, 2018 / California, Los Angeles, Travel, USA / 0 comment

Getty Center Art Museum Los Angeles

Perched atop a hill with a stunning view, the Getty Center art museum in Los Angeles is worth visiting to see it’s incredible architecture and gardens as well as their art collection.

To reach the Getty Center, park or take a cab/bus to the visitors’ parking garage at the bottom of the hill and take the funicular up to the top.

The Getty Center houses the Getty Museum’s collection of pre-20th-century European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, and decorative arts; and 19th- and 20th-century American, Asian, and European photographs. Keep your eyes peeled for the beautiful Vincent Van Gogh painting Irises.

We loved the Central Garden with its fountain flowing over rocks into a pool at the bottom, surrounded by a maze of azaleas and trees, and the outdoor sculptures on display throughout the terraces and gardens.

Visit the Family Room with kids to explore art with hands-on activities such as mask-making, playing with camera lenses, creating a tube sculpture and decorating a giant illuminated manuscript. .

Or, use the Art Detective Cards to engage kids in art around the galleries and garden. There is even a free multimedia GettyGuide® Family Tour with stories, music, and sounds inspired by art available at the GettyGuide Desk in the Museum Entrance Hall. Get more info on the Getty Center programs for families here.

Getty Center
1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles
getty.edu

Entry into the Getty Center is free!

30 Awesome Things To Do In Melbourne With Kids

March 7, 2018 / Australia, Melbourne, Travel, Victoria / 0 comment

Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria, is also the Australian capital city of all things art and culture. We can never get enough of it’s alleys and street art, lush gardens, delicious cafes and animal encounters. There are so many things to do in Melbourne with kids!

Things to do in Melbourne with kids

Old Melbourne Gaol

Old Melbourne Gaol was built in the mid-1800s, as a place for Melbourne to put its dangerous criminals, petty offenders, homeless and mentally ill.

It’s a stark and confronting place, especially when faced with the gallows that are still hanging inside – between 1842 and 1929, 133 people were hung inside these walls, including Australia’s infamous bushranger, Ned Kelly.

The gaol itself is quite small and tours are self-guided. We did a family activity while we were there that took us all around the goal, in and out of cells, to solve clues and “escape” the goal. The activity was an excellent way to engage kids in history and teach them a bit about what happened here – without freaking them out too much. The Old Melbourne Gaol is popular on lists of Melbourne attractions for a good reason – it’s a great little spot that’s rich in history and experiences.

Get more info on visiting Old Melbourne Goal here.

Old Melbourne Gaol
377 Russell St, Melbourne
oldmelbournegaol.com.au

National Gallery of Victoria

Australia’s oldest and largest art museum is a must-see in Melbourne. The National Gallery of Victoria, popularly known as the NGV, was founded in 1861. As well as an incredible selection of European, Australian and Asian art, it also has dedicated kids’ space and garden with sculptures, plants, shade, tables and small climbing structure.

Get more info on visiting the NGV here.

National Gallery of Victoria
180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne
ngv.vic.gov.au

Royal Botanic Botanic Gardens Melbourne and Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria are split between two sites, Melbourne CBD and Cranbourne. Both are well worth a visit. The Melbourne garden features an Aboriginal Heritage Walk, Ornamental Lake, a wide variety of plants such as succulents, roses, herbs, camellias and perennials.

You will also find the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden here. This beautiful garden gives kids plenty of nooks and crannies to explore in a natural setting. Plant tunnels to crawl through, rocks to climb and a bamboo forest for hiding. The gardens are a must for any list of things to do in Melbourne with kids.

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

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Birdwood Ave, South Yarra
rbg.vic.gov.au/visit-melbourne

Royal Botanic Botanic Gardens Victoria (Cranbourne)

The Cranbourne gardens are a 45 minute drive from Melbourne’s DBD. The focus is on Australia’s landscape, featuring more than 170,000 native plants. The water display area is particularly popular with kids, and there is a small children’s garden. Keep your eyes open for wildlife – we saw a bandicoot!

Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne
Enter via cnr Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive, Cranbourne
rbg.vic.gov.au/visit-cranbourne

Melbourne Museum and Carlton Gardens

The Melbourne Museum is located in the heritage-listed Carlton Gardens, along with the majestic Royal Exhibition Building and IMAX Cinema. The gardens also contain a beautiful fountain, flowers, lakes and plenty of wildlife.

As the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere, the Melbourne Museum is an absolute must for any itinerary of things to do in Melbourne with kids!

Inside the museum you’ll find plenty to keep everyone in the family entertained, from Australian history buffs to dinosaur fans, and even the junior set, who will be hard to drag out of the children’s’ gallery and garden. Melbourne Museum kids are especially spoiled with these brand new sections that are especially designed to engage kids aged 0-5.

The Melbourne Museum runs lots of activities year-round, so it’s a good idea to check them out when looking for ideas on what to in in Melbourne with kids.

Get more info on visiting the Melbourne Museum here.

Melbourne Museum
11 Nicholson St, Carlton
museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/

State Library Victoria

Australia’s oldest public library, and one of the first free libraries in the world, the State Library of Victoria is a beautiful, quiet spot to visit in the hustle and bustle of the city.

Check out the chess boards and soaring domed ceiling in the La Trobe Reading Room, Ned Kelly’s armour and the dedicated kids’ reading and play areas. The library has just undergone a massive renovation.

State Library Victoria
328 Swanston St, Melbourne
slv.vic.gov.au

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

Take LEGO-lovers to Australia’s first LEGOLAND Discovery Centre. Billed as the “ultimate indoor LEGO playground”, it’s a great day of fun with 2 rides, 5 LEGO build and play zones plus a 4D cinema. If your kids love LEGO then this is an absolute must for things to do in Melbourne with kids.

Get more info on visiting the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre here.

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre
Chadstone Shopping Centre, 1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone
melbourne.legolanddiscoverycentre.com.au

Melbourne Zoo

Get up close to Australian wildlife such as koalas, kangaroos, wombats and emus at the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens, AKA Melbourne Zoo. The zoo is also home to tigers, monkeys, lemurs, Little Penguins and Australian Fur seals. The zoo often tops lists of kids attractions in Melbourne with its excellent facilities and well cared for animals.

Melbourne Zoo
Elliott Ave, Parkville
zoo.org.au/melbourne

Werribee Open Range Zoo

You’ll feel like you’re in Africa visiting Werribee Open Range Zoo, located in Werribee, about 32 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. This African-themed zoo houses gorillas, lions, monkeys, cheetahs, rhinos, giraffes, zebra and antelope on 225 hectares of wide, open savannah.

Werribee Open Range Zoo
K Rd, Werribee South VIC
zoo.org.au/werribee

Collingwood Children’s Farm

Milk cows, bottle feed lambs, feed farm animals and cuddle a guinea pig at the Collingwood Children’s Farm, a not-for-profit, inner city farm on the Yarra River in the Melbourne suburb of Abbotsford.

Collingwood Children’s Farm
18 St Heliers St, Abbotsford
farm.org.au

Healseville Animal Sanctuary

See Australian wildlife in their natural habitat at the Healesville Sanctuary, located in the Yarra Valley. Set across 70 acres of bushland, the sanctuary offers a unique opportunity to get up close to koalas, kangaroos, wombats, emus, dingoes, birds of prey and platypus. The interactive platypus show is not to be missed.

Healseville Animal Sanctuary
Badger Creek Rd, Healesville
zoo.org.au/healesville

Penguin Parade Phillip Island

A highlight of things to do in Melbourne with kids: taking the little ones to see the world’s smallest penguins as they return ashore at sunset after a day fishing. Each night the Little Penguins can be seen at the Phillip Island Penguin Parade, a two-hour drive from Melbourne.

Phillip Island
1019 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands
penguins.org.au

Federation Square

There’s always something happening at Federation Square, from art exhibitions to events and cultural attractions. Right in the centre of town, Federation Square is a great place to start when looking for kid-friendly Melbourne CBD attractions and activities. Check the website to see what’s on when you visit.

Federation Square
Swanston St & Flinders St, Melbourne
fedsquare.com

Australian Centre for Moving Image

Located in Federation Square, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) is the place to go if you’re into movies, TV and digital culture.

The ACMI has seasonal exhibitions, and permanent installations many of them extremely kid-friendly. The video game section, on the history of video games and arcade games, is a huge hit for kids.

Australian Centre for Moving Image
Federation Square, Flinders St, Melbourne
acmi.net.au

Eureka Skydeck 88

Peer down at the city from the 88th floor gold-plated observation deck of the highest viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere.

Eureka Skydeck 88
7 Riverside Quay, Southbank
eurekaskydeck.com.au

Fitzroy Gardens

Stroll through one of Melbourne’s most historic gardens, conveniently located in the CBD. Features in the garden include Captain Cook’s cottage, a dragon slide and giraffe swings, a dolphin fountain, fairy tree and miniature Tudor village.

Fitzroy Gardens
230-298 Wellington Parade
East Melbourne
fitzroygardens.com

Enchanted Adventure Garden at Arthurs Seat

Take a day trip from Melbourne to enjoy the Enchanted Adventure Garden at Arthurs Seat. Kids will love running through mazes, discovering art and themed gardens and hurtling down slides. Stop by the Amazing Lolly Shop for a giant lolly pop if you dare.

Enchanted Adventure Garden at Arthurs Seat
55 Purves Rd, Arthurs Seat
enchantedmaze.com.au

Puffing Billy Railway

This is one for the train-lovers! Hop on board an 100-year-old stream train and wind your way through the Dandenong Ranges National Park. The Puffing Billy Railway is located an hour east of Melbourne so plan on making a day trip out of it.

Get more info on Puffing Billy Railway here. Pic courtesy of Explorewitherin.com.

Puffing Billy Railway
1 Old Monbulk Rd, Belgrave
puffingbilly.com.au

Scienceworks

If your kids are into science (like mine!) then a trip out to Scienceworks is for you. This world-renowned science museum is a bit of a drive out of the centre of Melbourne, so you’ll need to drive or get a taxi (which is pretty expensive).

Scienceworks is designed to challenge young minds with hands-on exhibits and machines. There’s also the Melbourne Planetarium that can be visited there, and a great playground outside.

Get more info on visiting Scienceworks here.

Scienceworks
2 Booker St, Spotswood
museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks

St Kilda Beach & Luna Park

Kill two birds with one stone on a trip to St Kilda. Easily accessible by tram, bus or train, St Kilda is home to a family-friendly beach and also the historic Luna Park.

Luna Park opened in 1912 and is still the place to go for a day of family fun. From jaw-dropping thrill rides to the carnival atmosphere of Coney island, a day at Luna Park is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser. A day trip to St Kilda is a top choice when looking at things to do in Melbourne for kids.

Luna Park
8 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda
lunapark.com.au

Rain Room

The Rain Room is a 100-square metre field of continuous rainfall housed inside a purpose-built pavilion in St Kilda. The Rain Room Melbourne is a responsive environment, meaning as you walk through the room, the rain response to your movement, and ceases to fall.

Read more about visiting the Rain Room Melbourne.

Rain Room Melbourne at the Jackalope Pavillion
Corner Jackson and, Acland St, St Kilda VIC
https://www.jackalopehotels.com/art/rainroom
https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=RAINROOM19

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

Meet over 10,000 animals at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium. The aquarium is located in central Melbourne, Australia, on the banks of the Yarra River.

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is home to some of the the world’s most incredible animals. Visitors can get up close to penguins, sharks, sawfish, stingrays, seahorses, tropical fish and more!

Read more about visiting SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium.

SEALIFE Melbourne Aquarium
King St, Melbourne VIC
1800 026 576
https://www.melbourneaquarium.com.au/

Queen Victoria Market

The Queen Victoria Market is the largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s also the largest and most intact surviving 19th century market in the city., making it a fun place to visit and experience the huge variety of goods for sale.

From fruits and vege to baked goods, clothes, jewellery and bric-a-brac, you’ll find something here for everyone.

Kids will love the hot donuts and Flagstaff Gardens Playground across the road.

Queen Victoria Market
Queen St, Melbourne
qvm.com.au

Street Art

Melbourne has some of the most incredible street art around. While you can find a huge variety just by wandering the streets, if you want to avoid the distinct odour of Hosier Lane and still see some beautiful street art, I suggest a more strategic approach.

High Tea at the Langham, Melbourne

The Langham, Melbourne does such a lovely high tea for adults and kids alike. During school holidays the Langham, Melbourne, usually offers a themed children’s high tea (such as the Peppa Pig one we experienced recently). Kids are always welcome and if there isn’t a specific kids’ high tea on offer, they will love the chocolate bar high tea with its free-flowing chocolate fountain.

Read more about the Langham High Tea Melbourne.

The Langham, Melbourne
1 Southgate Ave, Melbourne
The Langham, Melbourne

Harry Potter at Myer

Harry Potter madness has taken over the basement level of Myer. Here you will find a huge range of toys, gifts, stationery, costumes, homewares and apparel, plus some great photo ops.

Put on a Harry Potter dress up and post with the Platform 9 3/4 wall!

Harry Potter at Myer
314-336 Bourke St, Melbourne
myer.com.au

ArtPlay

ArtPlay is a place where children – from babies to 12 year-olds – can explore their creativity and share unique artistic experiences with professional artists. Located behind Federation Square, on the Yarra River, ArtPlay is also home to the only playground in the Melbourne CBD.

There are slides, sandpits, swinging hammocks, activity panels, rock and rope climbing features and balance beams. Check the calendar to see what days workshops are available.

Art Play
Birrarung Marr, Russell St Ext, Melbourne
facebook.com/ArtPlayKids

Heide Museum of Modern Art

The Heide Museum of Modern Art is an art museum in Bulleen, around 30 minutes drive from the Melbourne CBD, Victoria, Australia. The museum was established in 1981, and is home to a collection of houses modern and contemporary art in three exhibition buildings. Set within sixteen acres of heritage-listed gardens and a sculpture park, the Heide is the perfect Melbourne day trip offering an experience that includes art, architecture and nature.

Read more about visiting the Heide Museum of Modern Art.

Heide Museum of Modern Art
7 Templestowe Rd, Bulleen
heide.com.au

Polly Woodside

The Polly Woodside is a tall ship, built in 1885 in Belfast, that has been docked in Melbourne and is welcoming visitors aboard. After travelling 1.7 million kilometres and circumnavigating the world 17 times, the Polly Woodside now offers a range of activities including a gallery with the story and history of the ship, children’s Crew Calls, Pirate Days and a wharf with picnic facilities.

During school holidays the Polly Woodside offers fun and interactive tours of the ship where children with loud voices, energy to scrub decks and pull scary faces are encouraged to attend!

Polly Woodside
21 S Wharf Promenade, South Wharf
nationaltrust.org.au

Met Art World

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

Read more about visiting Met Art World here.

Met Art World
155 Boundary St, Port Melbourne
metartworld.com.au

Getting around

We usually stay in the CBD and use the tram to get around, or walk by foot. On the odd occasion the trams don’t go to where we’re going, you can catch a taxi or the river ferry.

Trams are free in the city loop – check here where the loop goes. If you travel outside it you will need a MYKI transport card.

Where to stay

We like to stay central in the CBD when we visit Melbourne as it means many things are then in walking distance. We have previously stayed at the Novotel Melbourne on Collins Street and found it to be an excellent location.

Read my review of the Novotel Melbourne on Collins here.

Get the best deals on Melbourne Hotels here.

More ideas for Melbourne and surrounds

Looking for sweet treats in Melbourne? Check out the best sweet spots right here.

Looking for more kids activities Melbourne? Find out what’s on in Melbourne for kids by clicking here.

Get a list of current family activities Melbourne by clicking here.

Rainy day in Melbourne? Find plenty of indoor activities here.

Want to see more of Victoria? Take a drive on the Great Ocean Road!

Get your perfect 7-day Melbourne itinerary here.

This post contains affiliate links. That means, if you buy or book using the link, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Adventure, baby!

Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive: Best Places To Stop

February 20, 2018 / Australia, NSW, Travel, Victoria / 0 comment

The scenic Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive stretches around 1280 kilometres past stunning beaches, quaint seaside towns and through lush valleys. If you drove directly it would take you around 10 – 11 hours or so, but why would you want to do that when there are so many beautiful places to stop and enjoy along the way?

For us, the joy of a road trip is in discovering the small things between point A and point B, such as a gorgeous beach to splash at or a delicious brekkie at a country cafe. The best bit about driving vs flying is that the journey can be just as enjoyable as the end destination.

Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive: The Best Places To Stop

Kiama

We’ve been visiting Kiama since we were kids to see the largest blowhole in the world. Sadly the hole wasn’t blowing on the day we visited, so the photos below are from a visit when I was about the same age that Cheese is now. Thankfully there are now fences installed for safety! Note: The hole might not be “blowing” when you visit as there’s been erosion inside the mouth of the blow hole in more recent years, meaning it now only “blows” in high tides, stormy weather type of days.

The famous Kiama Blowhole has attracted visitors for over 100 years. The nearby lighthouse was built in 1887 and is worth a visit as well. If you have time walk down to Surf Beach, the main beach in town with calm water for a dip. Near the beach you’ll also find parkland with a playground and plenty of shops and cafes.

Spend a few days in Kiama and explore a points of interest including the Little Blowhole, Cathedral Rocks, whale watching, Kiama Fish Market, the Kiama Coastal Walk and the Pilot’s Cottage Museum for some local maritime history.

Berry

The rural town of Berry is known for its beautiful gardens, boutique stores, arts and crafts. I highly recommend stopping by for a stroll up through this pretty town, and a piping hot donut from the Famous Berry Donut Van. Cinnamon donuts are made freshly to order and handed out so hot they burn the fingers.

Jervis Bay

You could easily spend a week just in this beautiful spot on the NSW South Coast. There are plenty of picturesque seaside towns to explore, such as Calalla Bay, Huskisson, Vincentia and Hyams Beach. In the sparkling water of the Jervis Bay Marine Park live bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, sea dragons and migrating whales.

We enjoyed Hyams Beach, a small beach in a residential suburb that has surged in popularity after being awarded the title of “whitest sand in the world” by the Guinness Book of World Records. It’s well worth a visit as the beach is just stunning, but be warned – parking is tricky.

Bateman’s Bay

We stopped overnight in Bateman’s Bay, a seaside town located at the entrance of the Clyde River. Captain Jams Cook gave the town its name in 1770 on his first voyage. The water at Bateman’s Bay is very clear, making it a great place for snorkelling. Visit Clyde River National Park for bushwalking, kayaking and fishing, or Birdland Animal Park and get hands on with native Australian animals. Bateman’s Bay is also an area for simple pleasures. Cheese really enjoyed climbing rocks under the bridge and playing in the riverside playground.

Bodalla

Of course we had to take our daughter Cheese to taste cheese! Stopping at the Bodalla Dairy Cheese Factory was a spur of the moment decision that we were very grateful that we did. Inside the factory you can try a range of delicious locally made cheese and milkshakes (they have other food too).

The farmyard out the back is a gorgeous spot where kids can pat the animals and bottle-feed calves daily at 10am and 4pm.

Bega

Driving through Bega was one of the prettiest spots on the road trip. The lush, undulating valley where Bega sits is so picturesque that you can imagine some very happy cows live here, munching on grass all day long, while their milk is being turned into sensational cheese. Visit the Bega Cheese Heritage Centre and sample some local cheese.

There are a few varieties that are only available here – we particularly loved the Heritage Reserve cheese. Honestly, you can’t take the Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive and NOT try some cheese at Bodalla or Bega.

Merimbula

This little seaside town on the Sapphire Coast is a popular holiday spot for families. Merimbula, derived from the Aboriginal word for “two lakes”, is a great place for water sports, whale watching, relaxing and eating! We had an amazing brunch at the Waterfront Cafe while stopping in Merimbula. Great food, and located next to a fenced playground.

With its calm waters, sailing, kayaking and stand-up paddle-boarding are fun sports to try when visiting the area. There are plenty of beaches in the area too, including the Merimbula Main Beach, Short Point, Bar Beach (where you’ll find good snorkelling) and Spencer Park Beach, which is a good spot for families as well a having a playground.

We also ventured to nearby Tura Beach and enjoyed it. Merimbula is a pretty little spot and it’s easy to see why many people break their journey on the Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive here for a few days.

Milton

We were lured to Milton by excellent reviews I read for its vegetarian cafe, Pilgrims. The food was incredible, but the town is a really lovely historic spot, and worth a visit in its own right. Milton was founded in 1860, and is located near Mollymook and Ulladulla. I would highly recommend a stop in Milton for a look at its art galleries, antique stores, fashion boutiques and delicious cafes. If you have more time, take the detour to Mollymook for a walk on the beach.

Pebbly Beach

A photograph of a kangaroo in the low surf at Pebbly Beach has given rise to stories of “surfing kangaroos”. Sadly there are no surfing kangaroos, but there are a lot of resident roos at the beach, many of whom are friendly and apparently like a pat. I wouldn’t risk this myself, as wild animals are just that, but we did get very close to them with no issues on our visit to Pebbly Beach.

Located in the Murramarang National Park, Pebbly Beach is also a popular camping area. It rained when we visited so we didn’t see the beach in all its glory, but it was still gorgeous despite the weather.

Lake’s Entrance

Another popular spot for young families to vaycay, Lake’s Entrance boasts the largest inland network of waterways in Australia. Located on the edge of Ninety Mile Beach, where the Gippsland Lakes meets the Southern Ocean, Lake’s Entrance is a fab spot to stay the night, like we did, or even a day longer. Water sports are a popular past time here, with kayaks, boat cruises and paddleboats all easily accessible.

If you’re headed to Sydney after your drive, here’s a list of things to do in Sydney with kids, things to do for free in Sydney, the best beaches in Sydney, and best ocean pools in Sydney.

Sydney To Melbourne Inland Drive: The best places to stop on a Hume Highway road trip

February 19, 2018 / Australia, NSW, Travel, Victoria / 0 comment

The Sydney to Melbourne inland drive is a staple road trip that many Aussies have been making since childhood – myself included. We drove down as a family of three with Cheese for the first time this summer to experience the iconic drive for ourselves.

Driving between Sydney and Melbourne will take approximately eight to nine hours to cover the 877.6 km stretch via the Hume Highway. While it can be done in one day, I advise breaking the trip an evening stopover so there’s time to pull into these gems along the way.

Sydney To Melbourne Inland Drive: The Best Places To Stop On A Hume Highway Road Trip

Goulburn

Australia’s first inland city, as proclaimed by letters by Queen Victoria in 1863 is a must, even if it’s just to snap a pic with Rambo, the Big Merino. It’s just not an Aussie road trip without photographing one of the weird “big” icons that Australia loves to set up by the roadside.

The Big Merino stands 15.2m tall just off Goulburn’s southern exit. It was built in 1985 to celebrate the city and district’s fine wool industry. An exhibition on 200 years of wool history in Australia can be seen inside Rambo (open daily, 8.30am-5.30pm).

In the actual town of Goulburn, we loved Belmore Park. It’s a gorgeous spot with a rotunda, flowering gardens, fountain, shady trees, glass house conservatory, war memorials and a playground. There are also public toilets (including a wheelchair accessible toilet). The park is a fantastic stop to let kids run around, cartwheel and stretch those legs.

Across the road from Belmore park you’ll find The Roses Cafe, a delicious spot to stop for refuelling the humans. Their extensive menu features the most amazing homemade cakes, quiches, muffins, salads, frittatas, pies, cookies and more. Every single item is made from scratch onsite, each day.

Gundegai

This classic Australian country town is worth a detour to see. Walk up quaint main street, check out the Old Gungdegai Goal that was built in 1859, the Gundagai Historical Museum and Gundagai Railway station, built in 1885. A must is a stop at the famous Dog on the Tuckerbox, 8km north of Gundagai, just off the Hume Highway. We stopped at this exact spot so many times on our family Sydney to Melbourne inland drive road trips when I was a kid, and I had a ball recreating the photo from an image my parents had saved of me standing in the same spot when I was three.

Inspired by the 1850s poem “Bullocky Bill”, which celebrates the life of the loyal drover’s dog that guarded the man’s tuckerbox (where all his possessions were kept) until his death. The statue was immortalised in the song “Where the Dog Sits on the Tuckerbox (5 miles from Gundagai)”, as was the town in “The Road To Gundegai” both by Jack O’Hagan.

Holbrook

In the middle of rural NSW, almost exactly halfway between Sydney and Melbourne, is a submarine. A real one. The HMAS Otway Submarine is insanely out of place in the country town of Holbrook, but that’s really part of its charm.

Kids can climb up and run all over the submarine, while parents will enjoy visiting the Holbrook Submarine Museum and hearing the story of the daring Captain Holbrook, for whom the town was named. There is a cafe next to the submarine and a park adjacent with a playground and restrooms.

Albury

On the banks of the Murray River, at the border of New South Wales and Victoria, sits Albury. There is plenty to do in this town, making it an ideal place to spend the night. Noreuil Park is a great spot for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding and riding bikes, while more active families might enjoy the 6km Wagirra Trail along the Murray River that features the history of the local indigenous tribe, the Wiradjuri people, and sculptures.

We particularly enjoyed the 130-year-old Botanic Gardens with its winding paths, towering trees and fantastic Children’s Garden. A recent addition to the park, the Children’s Garden is the perfect place for little ones to explore and let their imaginations run wild. We found a dinosaur with speaking tubes in its head and tail, a fairy house, troll cave and story circle, plus lots of other amazing little details carved and sculpted into the garden.

For a great cafe stop, try Mr Benedict at 664 Dean St, where we had a delicious all-day breakfast.

As previously mentioned, Albury is a great spot to spend the night on the Sydney to Melbourne inland drive. If decide to break your journey here, try the newly renovated Atura hotel – the “hippest” accomodation on the Hume Highway.

Glenrowan

A must stop on the Sydney to Melbourne inland drive for history buffs! Glenrowan is best known for its link to the bushranger Ned Kelly and the infamous Kelly gang. It was in Glenrowan where Kelly dressed in a helmet and homemade armour laid siege against the Melbourne troopers in 1880. Pick up a town map from the Glenrowan Bakehouse and follow the self-guided walk around the Glenrowan Heritage Precinct, which includes the siege and capture sites.

It’s a fascinating walk back in time to stand in the exact spot where one of Australia’s most notorious events took place. There’s also no better way to interest kids in history than for them to experience it for themselves.

Another place to stop – although it’s a rather significant detour – is Canberra. Read our tips on Canberra here.

Places to visit in Melbourne: National Gallery of Victoria International

February 8, 2018 / Australia, Melbourne, Travel, Victoria / 0 comment

The National Gallery of Victoria, known as the NGV, is Australia’s oldest, largest and most visited art museum. It’s divided into two buildings, the NGV International and Ian Potter Centre.

The International building houses blockbuster exhibitions and international art, while the Ian Potter is home to the Australian collection, which includes Indigenous and non-Indigenous art from the colonial period to the present day. The galleries are a short walk from each other, and both are free to enter the permanent exhibitions.

We always visit the NGV International when we visit Melbourne. The temporary exhibitions are always extraordinary, even without mentioning the permanent collection of works. The NGV International houses over 70,000 art works from Europe, Asia, Oceana and the USA.

While we visit the NGV for the incredible art, we stay longer and enjoy it even more because of how welcoming the gallery is for families.

There is a permanent NGV Kids space that changes inline with the temporary exhibitions and is always free to enter. The NGV works with contemporary artists and designers to engage kids in the arts and culture from around the world.

The NGV also has a place on their website to check out what are the most family-friendly exhibitions currently on display, as well as tips for experiencing the gallery with young children (here).

Free NGV Kids activity sheets are available to collect from the Information desk on Ground level at NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.

The NGV International features a beautiful outdoor sculpture garden that is also free to enter. It features a “mist” installation, flower gardens, sculptures, shade clothes, tables and chairs and a climbing structure for kids to play on. It’s a gorgeous place to enjoy a picnic lunch.

While the NGV has several eateries on site, we found the food to be overpriced and not very nice (ie cold hard sandwiches). I would suggest bringing your own food.

National Gallery of Victoria International
180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne
ngv.vic.gov.au

Looking for more things to do in Melbourne? Check out this free walking tour.

Places To Visit In Melbourne: Melbourne Museum

February 7, 2018 / Australia, Melbourne, Travel, Victoria / 0 comment

When visiting Melbourne, one simply must see the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere, the Melbourne Museum.

Located in Carlton Gardens, the Melbourne Museum needs to be seen over a full day to do it justice.

Over two floors, it tells the story of nature and culture in an array of interactive and interesting exhibition spaces.

Some highlights for us included:

Bugs Alive – the amazing world of insects and spiders.

First Peoples – this exhibition tells the story of Victoria’s Aboriginal People.

Wild – over 600 taxidermied birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals from around the world.

Dinosaur Walk – plenty of dinosaurs here, plus a huge skeleton of a blue whale in the hallway.

Marine Life – up close with creatures under the ocean.

Dynamic Earth – immersive exhibition about our ever-changing Earth.

Phar Lap – Australia’s greatest race horse has been taxidermied here.

The newly renovated Children’s Gallery is a hit with littles, although it’s only meant to be for kids up to the age of five. The gallery features an indoor play space and outdoor garden with features like water play, rocks, fossil dig zone and chill out spaces.

I would say it’s suitable for kids aged up to about eight, with the older kids needing to be very aware of the younger ones, particularly in the indoor play space.

A cafe near the Children’s Gallery sells basic food (kids’ lunch box pictured), but you can bring your own and eat it either in the garden or outside the museum as a picnic in the park.

The museum features a wide variety of activities for families, particularly during school holidays. Check the website for details in advance of your visit.

Melbourne Museum puts on incredible exhibitions throughout the year – ones in the past have included Titanic and Jurassic Park – so it’s worth seeing what’s coming and planning a visit accordingly.

Melbourne Museum
11 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC
museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum

Places To Visit In Melbourne: Old Melbourne Gaol

February 7, 2018 / Melbourne, Victoria / 0 comment

Old Melbourne Gaol was built in the mid-1800s, as a place for Melbourne to put its dangerous criminals, petty offenders, homeless and mentally ill.

A walk through the goal is a step back in time, where a visitor can meet the goal’s inmates and read about life was like for the poor souls who ended up incarcerated in what would have been an absolute hellhole.

A warning for families with sensitive children – there are strong themes of death throughout the goal, with models of people hanging and wax death masks.

I found the stories of the inmates most fascinating, if not gruesome, particularly Ned Kelly’s. There is a lot of information on him to be found at the gaol, making it a site that brings in a lot people on the Kelly and bushranger pilgrimage.

Examining the various artefacts on display, such as old locks and restraints, led to a lot of questions from my daughter on what happened here, why people were here and what they had done to deserve it. It’s definitely a good conversation starter!

Entry to the Old Melbourne Gaol also includes admittance to the Old Magistrates’ Court down the road, where you can stand in the dock, sit in the judge’s chair, or dress up in costumes. Between 1911 and 1994, the Old Magistrate’s Court is the place where criminals stood for committal and bail hearings – including Squizzy Taylor, Julian Knight and Chopper Read.

Interestingly, the Old Magistrate’s Court sits on the site of the original Supreme Court of Victoria, where Ned Kelly was sentanced to death in 1880.

Also part of the gaol experience is the City Watch House. Built in 1909 and used until 1994, the City Watch House is where felons were brought to await trial for their crimes. Nowadays the City Watch House is home to a 40-minute experience where visitors are “arrested” and locked up in dark cells. The experience has timed entry, so take careful note of the times on the map you’re given at the entry to the gaol and walk down the block to the City Watch House about 10 minutes before the experience begins.

Note to parents: children might find this terrifying, so judge for yourself if it’s right for your kids or not.

Old Melbourne Gaol
377 Russell St, Melbourne
oldmelbournegaol.com.au

Making Dollars & Cents at the Royal Australian Mint, Canberra, Australia

February 5, 2018 / ACT, Australia, Travel / 0 comment

We’ve been talking a lot about money lately – how we earn it, how we need to be careful about spending it, and trying to instil the value of it with a 6-year-old. It only made sense then to visit the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra to continue the conversation in how money is made.

The Royal Australian Mint makes all of Australia’s circulating coins. It opened in 1965 and, since then, has produced over fourteen billion coins, with the capacity to produce two million coins per day. That’s a whole lotta cash!

It’s free to drop by the Mint, and, since it’s only a small building, it’s the perfect add-on to a day with other activities on the agenda.

On the ground floor, we enjoyed trying to count how many coins were in the giant coin feature at the entrance (Cheese guessed around 14 thousand, which they said was pretty close), and checking out all the limited edition and special release coins in the gift shop.

This is also where you can mint your own $1 coin (at a cost of $3) and take it home.

Tip: As soon as your skin touches the coin it is classed as being “circulated” and is only worth $1. If you carefully put it into the protective sleeve using, say, a your T shirt to protect it from your skin, then it’s classed as “uncirculated” and automatically worth $5.

Up the coin-filled stairs is the exhibition and factory viewing areas. We really enjoyed looking at some of Australia’s earliest currency, including the Holey Dollar and Dump, Australia’s first minted coins – made by a convicted forger.

The factory wasn’t in action when we visited on the weekend, so I would suggest visiting on a week day to see the coin-making in action. We did however still Titan, the Mint robot capable of lifting 1000 kilograms. He does a little wave and dance to keep himself active on days when he isn’t lifting coins.

I would highly suggest joining one of the free guided tours that are run seven days a week. They run for around 30 minutes – perfect for short attention spans. The guides have a lot of really interesting insights into the history of coins in Australia and detailed info on how they’re made at Mint.

On the tour you will hear some interesting stories about the history of coins in Australia and look out over the factory while you learn how coins are made.

If you’re after an extra activity there is a Mint Treasure Hunt in the My Visit to the Mint Activity Book available at the front desk or shop.

Royal Australian Mint
Denison St, Deakin ACT
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm, Sat & Sun 10am-4pm
Tours: Mon-Fri 10am & 2pm, Weekends and Public Holidays 11am, 1pm & 2 pm.
Entry: Free
ramint.gov.au

Up Close With Birds at the Canberra Walk-In Aviary, Australia

February 5, 2018 / ACT, Australia, Travel / 0 comment

On our recent trip to the ACT, we took out little bird-lover to the Canberra Walk-In Aviary. The Aviary is a 1000 square metre, planted, privately owned walk-in aviary where free flying birds can be watched, photographed and even fed. As they are very used to humans, the birds are happy to fly and walk around their huge aviary paying very little attention to the visitors – unless they are keen for a bit of a feed.

The aviary contains around 500 birds of over 60 different species from Australia and around the world. We spotted parrots, finches, doves and quails, plus plenty of others we didn’t recognise.

As part of the admission fee visitors are given a small plate of food (we were given apple slices) and tub of live mealworms. You can buy extra tubs of mealworms if you run out.

The birds typically will approach humans for the food, unless you visit on a stinking hot day like we did. If the weather is hot, the birds tend to stay in their trees and not come out – if it’s over 34 degrees Celsius, the aviary closes for the day.

We had a fantastic time, even though the birds were generally too hot to come out, and are planning to visit again in cooler weather.

Note: the aviary is in full sun so wear a hat and bring sunscreen. The path is wide and flat so I would think strollers and wheelchairs would be ok to get around. There is no cafe on the premises but there are cafes nearby. The birds like sparkly things so it’s advised that you leave jewellery at home (including earrings).

The Canberra Walk-in Aviary is located in O’Hanlon Place in the village of Gold Creek. Gold Creek Village is situated off the Barton Highway (road to Yass) in the Northern Canberra suburb of Nicholls. The drive will take approx 20 minutes from the City Centre.

Canberra Walk-in Aviary
18 O’Hanlon Pl, Nicholls
canberrawalkinaviary.com.au

National Dinosaur Museum Canberra, Australia

February 5, 2018 / ACT, Australia, Travel / 0 comment

I have to be honest, the National Dinosaur Museum wasn’t on our list of must-visits in Canberra, and we stumbled upon it completely by accident. We’ve seen a lot of dinosaur bones over the years and really thought we’d seen it all before.

I wandered into the museum while seeking shade on a blisteringly hot summer day and was amazed by the incredible dinosaur statues outside, plus the amazing mineral and crystals inside decorating the gift shop. That was it, our interest was piqued, and we all had to take a look at the rest of the museum.

We loved the museum and can’t believe it hadn’t been on our radar previously. The National Dinosaur Museum is home to the largest permanent display of dinosaur and prehistoric fossils in Australia. It’s a really small museum, with lots packed into it to see. The museum’s exhibition follows the evolution of life, with a particular focus on dinosaurs, so a visit gives a very comprehensive overview of the history of life on Earth, displayed in chronological order.

The museum has two floors. Downstairs is the gift shop and family activity room with books, an education video playing and various fossil and dinosaur crafts and toys for kids to play with. The gift shop is incredible – jam packed with not just cool things to buy, but also giant crystals and minerals and even a few huge fossils from the ice age.

Upstairs is the main exhibition area, with with fossils from 700 million-year-old marine fauna through to fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. The 12 animatronic dinosaurs dotted around the exhibits entertained the littlies while older kids could read the educational info panels.

There are two scavenger trails/kids hunts that visitors can complete, divided by age groups. The trails take you around the museum to answer questions. If you answer all the answers correctly you take home a certificate with a tiny fossil attached. A really neat idea that gives kids an extra way to engage in the exhibits and really pay attention to what they’re seeing.

Outside is a Dinosaur Garden featuring life-like fibreglass models. Kids are welcome to climb the dinosaurs if they like.

There is an undercover seating area but no cafe, so bring your own food.

We were surprised by how much we all enjoyed the National Dinosaur Museum, so highly recommend it, even if you and your dino-fans think you’ve seen it all before!

The National Dinosaur Museum is located in the village of Gold Creek. Gold Creek Village is situated off the Barton Highway (road to Yass) in the Northern Canberra suburb of Nicholls. The drive will take approx 20 minutes from the City Centre.