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Tag: activities

My Tasmanian Backyard: Wing’s Wildlife Park review

THE first in the My Tasmanian Backyard series has to be a local haunt, which is why we’ve chosen Wing’s Wildlife Park at Gunns Plains in the state’s North West. With an animal-obsessed preschooler and bub who is mastering the lion’s roar, bear’s growl and cow’s moo, a park that displays the largest collection of Tasmanian wildlife is a huge attraction.

Wing’s boasts everything from American bison to camels, wombats, quolls, albino rainbow trout and a family of monkeys.

Oh, and Tasmanian Devils, of course.

Ah, wrong Tasmanian Devil.

And a goat.

But not all of the animals were to Princess Ella’s liking, when a roaming rooster started chasing her after she decided to “feed the birds’’.

The experience didn’t quite live up to the Mary Poppins moment.

Then there was the turkey, which could obviously smell that we’d just devoured one of its mates for lunch. Not a happy camper.

Speaking of which, the serene park has clean self-contained cabins (with ensuites), backpacker units, camping along the Leven River and well maintained powered sites. There’s even a Swap’n’Go gas bottle exchange and a café and souvenir shop. The family business, which has three generations working together, also encourages a spot of fishing in the river, barbecues, bird watching and bush walking.

The hundreds of animals in the indoor and outdoor exhibits are too many to mention, but are listed on the site.

Conclusion: This family-friendly tourist attraction is ideal for those wanting to escape the rat race and connect with nature and all its beauty. With its stunning scenery and visitors able to be in such close proximity to some unique and familiar wildlife, the park is ideal for everyone from small children learning to associate animal noises with the real thing to “big kids’’ with an interest in the rehabilitation and care of injured and orphaned wildlife. It’s a great opportunity for children to learn about the importance of looking after our fauna and flora. The only challenges may be the steep hill to access the monkeys and a degree of walking to view the larger animals.

Highlight: Earlier this year the girls witnessed a kangaroo with a joey in her pouch. Ella, quite loudly, informed everyone how: “it’s got a baby hanging out of its bum, hasn’t it Mum?’’. Ah, not quite, darling.

What does it cost: Accommodation options range from $5 to $120 a night. Admission to the wildlife park is $18 adult; $9 children (3-14) and under 3 years free. Farm-only admission (large animals and picnic grounds only) $6 adults; $5 children (3-14) and under 3 years free.

Photo credit.

Attractions nearby: Along with general country life with cattle, potato and poppy crops, there is the Gunns Plains Cave in the Gunns Plains State Reserve and the Leven Canyon (offers a spectacular view and is free).

How to get there: 137 Winduss Rd, Gunns Plains. From Devonport, head west to Ulverstone, turning off the highway at the second bridge and then left onto Gawler Rd. Continue until you reach Gunns Plains Rd, turn right and head down the bottom of the hill. Turn right onto the South Riana Rd and soon after turn right into Winduss Rd.

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LEARN MORE: Visit www.wingswildlifepark.com.au or join them on Facebook.

DISCLOSURE: Not necessary for this post.

October 25, 2011
Launching My Tasmanian Backyard series
I KNOW that it’s about time I started promoting Tasmania a little more and what to do with your kids while in this beautiful state. Sure, we have big things – the Big Penguin at… Penguin, the Big Apple at Spreyton, the Big Coffee Pot at Deloraine, the Big Platypus at Latrobe, the Big Spud at Sassafras (more interesting than it sounds) and the Big Tasmanian Devil at Mole Creek (well, we are Tasmanian). There are, however, no Big Two-Headed People. Sorry to disappoint you.

However, there’s much more to this State. I’ve had an idea for about six months to do a tourism-related series targeted at families with small children. So, I finally decided I’d do something about it this week. I know I want to:
- Provide more review-based information for families looking for things to do and places to stay with their kids, written by a fellow mum;
- Give Tasmanian parents some inspiration on what to do with their children each week;
- Create a place for tourists to find family-orientated activities, accommodation, events and attractions when they’re planning their trip;
- Introduce those unfamiliar with this beautiful State to what’s on offer (hopefully we may just lure you here for a holiday. Let me know when you arrive and we’ll have coffee. Your shout.);
- A reference of events for this time next year.
So with the trademark Three Li’l Princesses humour, we will each week show you a little of what we have in all corners of this State, but especially the North-West, West and North. There’s also a downloadable Tasmanian family focused events calendar in the pipeline.

If you have a specific question or place you want to know about, feel free to drop us a line in the comment section or contact us. Likewise if you have an event you’d like promoted in the calendar or an activity, accommodation place, event or attraction you would like considered for the series. The My Tasmanian Backyard page has been created where all the reviews and the calendar will be kept for easy access.

The first post will appear on Tuesday. If you’re like me and you won’t remember that, make sure you subscribe in the top right hand corner of the homepage or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

I know I love looking in other people’s backyards. What about you? Do you have a favourite place in Tasmania?

Linking up Shae from Yay for Home’s Things I Know.
October 21, 2011
WIN: Aussie Giveaway Linkup #20
THE Bloke in The Shed will today be tackling his first Skilled Burnie Ten – an event dubbed Australia’s premier 10km road race. Yes, it’s no easy feat. He wants we three princesses to be there in case something happens. I assume the “something’’ refers to needing an ambulance. We’ll also likely be doing some huffing and puffing from the sidelines to help create a bit of a tail wind for him. Whatever works.

The race (or walk, in his case) starts at 11.15am if you happen to be in Tasmania’s North West and are looking for something to do. There are also activities throughout Burnie, which I’m hoping will occupy the girls while they endure the long wait for their Dad to cross the finish line. In all seriousness, we do wish him all the best.

The race will also be a chance for him to work off yesterday’s birthday cake. Holly’s postponed birthday party finally happened after all the sickness we’ve endured. After running out of eggs on Friday, I had to bake the three cakes late Friday night and then spend yesterday madly assembling and decorating them to create a Princess Castle cake. Here’s the end result:

It's fair to say she was pretty impressed!

Especially when she got to eat it!

The full details of how on earth I created this (with a little help from hubby and his rolling pin) will come tomorrow.

By the way, if you’re wondering whether or not to start clicking on the links below in a bid to win something, here’s what I won from Crash Test Mummy last week and used at the party yesterday.

How cute are they? OK then, off you go. Start clicking.

If you’re a blogger or business wanting to take part in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup:
1. Only link directly to the giveaway post/s and include the prize and end date in the linky tool below. Link each giveaway separately.
2. Giveaways must be open to Australian residents.
3. Grab the NEW button to add to your post.
4. A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly.
5. Start entering the giveaways!
What’s been your favourite birthday cake creation thus far as a mum?

Hosted by Three Lil Princesses

<center><a href="https://threelilprincesses.com/" target="_blank"><img decoding="async" src="https://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i363/Tina_Gray/giveawaylinky.png" border="0" alt="Aussie Giveaway Linky"></a><BR>Hosted by <a href="https://threelilprincesses.com">Three Lil Princesses</a> </center>
October 16, 2011
CBeebies favourite characters coming to a phone near you – for free (app review)

AFTER a hectic day riding her bike, picnicking and seeing how many ways she could throw herself down a slide (oh, it can be tough being a preschooler), Princess Ella needed something to settle her before dinner. Actually, she just needed something to settle her full stop.

It seemed the perfect opportunity to download the free CBeebies On The Go app via The Bloke in The Shed’s iPhone.

The look on his face was akin to a dog whose bone was taken away from it, never to be seen of again. He had every reason to worry.

I’d barely finished explaining to Ella what to do and she was confidently flicking and tapping the screen like a pro. Perfectly pitched to the (nearly) four-year-old princess, it features games and short video clips from its popular shows, including one of her favourites, Charlie and Lola. Among the games are Teletubbies matching pairs picture game and Kerwhizz jigsaw game.

Ella’s favourite was the 3^rd & Bird tap-the-fruit challenge, mainly because it inspired so much excitement as she tried to tap the fruit before it passed across the screen. The puzzles were quite challenging for her to begin with, until we realised the idea was to click on the two images you wanted to swap, instead of sliding them. Once she got a handle on this, the puzzles became much easier.

Her favourite video was by far Big Cook Little Cook – who can refuse decorating a chocolate train cake? She watched this five times!

I was particularly drawn to the Get Squiggling program. I love the idea of drawings coming alive, further fueling their imaginations when it comes to creating their own Van Goghs. As far as the games, Number Jacks was an opportunity for her to start recognising the difference between a 6 and a 9 by listening for the number and then matching it with one on the screen. I’ve already seen an improvement thanks to this game.

It’s this mix of being hugely entertaining, while still learning vital information for her age that makes this so appealing. There’s great variety, so little chance of becoming bored easily. It would have been particularly handy during our recent trip to Hobart, where a lot of patience on Ella’s part was required. And mine, I might add.

My only concern is the short videos could wear thin if on repeat. However, in all, this brightly coloured, easy-to-navigate app from BBC Worldwide is a wonderfully entertaining and educational app from a trusted brand.

The CBeebies On The Go app is now live at ITunes and FREE to download on an iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The CBeebies channel for kids is on Foxtel and Austar.

What’s your child’s favourite CBeebies program? Have they tried the CBeebies On The Go app? What other apps would you recommend for preschoolers?

Disclaimer: I am being paid by Kidspot to write this post in order to review the CBeebies On The Go app. However, all opinions are my own.

October 3, 2011
WIN: Aussie Giveaway Linkup #18
THE last few weeks I’ve shared some fan-tab-ulous wins in my life with you all. Well, today it’s all about the times when you DON’T win.

This week I decided I’d set Princess Ella up with some water paints and paper so I could chat with the lovely Louisa from Brand Meets Blog about work-related “stuff’’. Just before the call came through I hear an “ahhhhhh’’, followed by “Mum, Mum, look what I’ve done?’’. She then started a stream of uncontrollable tears. I peer around the corner and there, on the CREAM curtain, is black paint… splattered everywhere.

Want a closer look?

Sorry, had to divert my eyes. I couldn’t bear to look at it again.

You’re probably all thinking: what silly idiot buys a house with cream curtains? Actually, add cream lounge suites, cream carpet, cream cupboards and cream walls. Can I defend myself by saying we bought it PRE-kids. The other question you’re probably asking is: what silly idiot puts a child’s craft table near cream curtains? Ahh… I have no defence for this one.

After this little incident, I questioned why I ever wanted one of these:

That's a grape in her mouth, incase you were wondering.

OK, so she is pretty cute. Might I add, this photo was taken minutes after she’d calmed down from the whole ordeal. Yep, there’s a lot of “sorry’’ in that face. Not.

Apparently, the curtain couldn’t be drycleaned or spot cleaned. We were told we should wash it in the washing machine instead, after spraying it with a little Wonder Soap. The end result: the backing on the curtains melted and the stains didn’t come out. We have seven LARGE windows curtained in this material.

So, what’s the point of this story? Well if, like me, you’re feeling like you need to change your luck, then how about clicking on some of the links below.

If you’re a blogger or business wanting to take part in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup:
1. Only link directly to the giveaway post/s and include the prize and end date in the linky tool below. Link each giveaway separately.
2. Giveaways must be open to Australian residents.
3. Grab the NEW button to add to your post.
4. A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly.
5. Start entering the giveaways!
Do you have a good “win” or “loss” story this week?

Hosted by Three Lil Princesses

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October 2, 2011
Floaties, whizzers and swimming pools

THE O’Briens decided to make the most of the beautiful spring weather yesterday and headed out for a picnic and bike ride. To be honest, when it rains nine months of the year and drips off the trees the other three, it doesn’t take much to convince Taswegians it’s shorts and t-shirt weather.

We headed off to the Bluff (a playground and sheltered family beach area). Princess Ella held my hand, while The Bloke in The Shed cuddled Baby Holly as we searched for a spot to throw down our fetching brown and yellow picnic rug. We’re relishing these moments, knowing in the future they’ll much prefer to walk five feet in front of us and wouldn’t dare sit on “that ugly thing’’.

Mmm, nice shot of me!

Once we’d all filled our tummies – that included the seagulls Ella decided to feed half her sandwich to – we set off for a bike ride to the lighthouse. Ella walked up to the door and knocked on it, in the hope someone might come and answer.

She was impressed to hear I’d climbed “100 stairs’’ to reach its top. OK, so I made it sound rather romantic, when in reality it was hot and claustrophobic up there. We then walked, hand in hand, around the base of the lighthouse so she could see how wide it was.

Walking around the lighthouse with Ella

No bike ride is complete without a little crash, which thankfully this time only required a bit of patting on the knee and a kiss. The rest of the trek was fairly uneventful, if you don’t count Ella making us stop at the soundshell so she could perform a concert. If it wasn’t for the hair, you would have sworn she was Dolly Parton. Well, sort of.

We ended the day with Holly’s first swim at a private pool. After seeing her earlier with that face – the one of full concentration – there was some trepidation about the swim on my part. I had fears the pool would end up featuring more than just the floaties that were attached to her arms.

Baby Holly and I swimming... ah, I mean, posing.

Snuggled up to her, we were barely five minutes into our swim when I lost my footing in the deep end and dunked her under, resulting in her drinking half the pool. At 150cms tall, it’s not hard for me to be in the deep end. She then held onto me with a vice-like grip – and me to her. Or maybe it was just the fact she missed out on her usual afternoon top up from the milk tankers. Although, there was no way she was getting a pre-swim drink. Apparently, regurgitated boobie juice is like confetti in a pool.

Half an hour later, she gained a little more confidence and was happy to go to The Bloke in The Shed for cuddles and a swim, while Ella showered me in kisses while inadvertently pulling me under. Holly’s scared shivers and little frown were replaced with laughter and splashing as they trailed along behind Ella and I who, I might add, kept leaving bright green patches for her sister to swim through.

A more confident Baby Holly and The Bloke in The Shed

After the usual cuddles and bedtime kisses after their big day, the day ended just as I was about to finish this post last night with Ella experiencing a night terror for the first time since that last episode. Thankfully, some soothing words, stroking of her hair and kiss on her forehead she was back in the land of nod.

What little acts of affection have you shown your cherubs today?

Linking up with Naomi from Seven Cherubs for the final in the Cherish Your Cherubs series.

September 26, 2011