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Tag: Travel

What to do in Melbourne with young kids

Melbourne has become a bit like our second home. We visit so often we nearly need to buy a house – if only they weren’t so bloomin’ expensive. Seriously, I could buy three houses in Tasmania for the price of one in Melbourne.

Our regular visits also mean we have done, what feels like, most things in Melbourne. This time however, we did get outside the usual Melbourne zoo and aquarium – both of which we love, by the way – to have some new experiences.

Here is what we did:

Build a Bear

Build a Bear was part of our first day in Melbourne. We headed to Chadstone Shopping Centre and Ella got to make Rabbi (a hugely original name for a rabbit). She chose the bear, gave him a heart, selected a sound (she chose the song Under the Sea), watched him being stuffed, cleaned him and then picked out an outfit. The whole bear cost us $60. It might sound a lot for a teddy bear, but it really was worth the experience. Plus, she gained a bear at the end that holds sentimental value because she created him herself. And it was with less pain than I went through to bring her into the world.

Scienceworks

Julian and I went to Scienceworks years ago – pre-kids – and thoroughly enjoyed it. We knew the girls would love it because it’s so hands on. When we got there we were blown away. It was just fabulous, with a Wallace and Gromit display (ending this month). The highlight was certainly Nitty Gritty Super City.

Collingwood Children’s Farm

We arrived on a day when the Collingwood Children’s Farm was free and a Channel Nine film crew were there, so it was extremely busy. Ella unfortunately didn’t make an appearance on TV, but she didn’t care – she “got to milk a cow, Mum’’. Her summation was that it was “very wrinkly’’. She also rode a pony, lining up for about an hour for that five-minute ride. I’ve never seen her so patient. Holly, absolutely petrified of animals, was excited by the whole show. Just as Ella dismounted, Holly piped up with: “my turn’’. Maybe next time. By the end of the day, Holly was feeling much more comfortable being around animals.

Royal Botanical Gardens

We’d had a picnic dinner in the Royal Botanical Gardens before, but had never had the chance to look in the children’s garden. Super sweet, it gave Ella the chance to learn about The Magic Pudding. She also found a ladybird she was thoroughly fascinated with. The girls were excited to see all the veggies and herbs growing and asking which we were going to plant this year. We also sat by the lake at the other end of the gardens and watched the ducks, geese and a few eels. Eww.

There were plenty of other smaller things, but that sums up the main attractions.

What are your favourite things to do in Melbourne?

November 9, 2012
My Tasmanian Backyard: Horizon Deluxe Apartments Stanley

We set off from home last Saturday – without our two motor mouths. “It just doesn’t feel right without them,’’ The Bloke in the Shed said as we hit the highway for Stanley, in Tasmania’s far North West. That’s what happens when you spend three looooong years without having a night away together. After the constant sickness in our household over the past two months, we were well and truly ready for a break though.

We stayed at the Stanley Seaview Inn in June with the girls and got a chance to take in Highfield House, Stanley Seaquarium and climbing The Nut. This time, we were treated at the sublime Horizon Deluxe Apartments and didn’t go anywhere. Seriously why would you?

It’s hard to describe how incredible this place is.

The view:

The accommodation

That spa – in all its glorious forms

While you may have acknowledged the spa needs to be full before turning on the jets, it doesn’t then pay to start playing around with the buttons (“ooh, look, it has a radio in the spa’’) and accidentally push the “jets’’ button, sending water flying throughout the entire apartment. He then had the cheek to ask if he could listen to the footy on the radio while we were soaking and sipping our champagne. Seriously!

We ordered dinner from its sister restaurant The Nut View Restaurant, which was sublime. And then had another spa.

We slipped into the fluffy dressing gowns and watched Spud the movie (review to come) with surround sound and sunk into the gloriously comfy lounge. We’d brought our own movie, not realising there was a selection already there, along with CDs.
In the morning, when everything was quiet, city slicker Julian heard a noise. He jumped. “What’s that?’’. Me: “Ah, it’s called a cow’’.

It was enough to prompt him to get out of bed and cook me a full breakfast, with the kitchen bountiful with eggs, bacon, sausages, breads, cereals, orange juice and there was even a Nespresso machine. Although, we didn’t attempt that.

While I headed for the rain shower to freshen up before our trip home,

Julian spent his time basking in the sun on the front patio, taking in that glorious view – after packing the dishwasher.

The apartment, with all its five-star mod cons and perfectly styled decor, was pure luxury. The service was real country style, with nothing too much trouble. It’s hard to fault, to be honest. We would recommend it to anyone who needs to escape and be pampered for a little while. It would be ideal for a honeymoon, anniversary or just a reward for being a good parent. And we all need those.

To learn more about Horizon Deluxe Apartments at Stanley in Tasmania, visit the site.

When was the last time you went away with your partner? What about even a date night?

DISCLOSRE: We received a complimentary night at Horizon Deluxe Apartments. We were not paid for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

August 20, 2012
Aussie Giveaway Linkup #62: The away edition

The Bloke in The Shed and I spent last night at Horizon Deluxe Apartments at Stanley in Tasmania’s far north west – our first night away in three years.

That’s not me, by the way. Those photos are to come…

This post has been written prior to us going away, because I wasn’t allowed to take a laptop or iPad with me. So I’m just assuming we had a long, hot bath, snuggled up to watch the sun set and dined on dishes featuring local produce from the exquisite restaurant down the road.

While we were ooing and ahhing over the website photos the other night, Julian piped up with: “On Sunday, I’ll cook you breakfast in bed and we’ll take our time packing everything up to leave.’’

Sounded heavenly.

Then:

“Oh, and I forgot to tell you, I’ve signed us up to a big community walk on the way home that I’m meant to be part of.’’
Ahhh….. right!

Blisters on my feet was not how I anticipated ending our relaxing weekend away.

What do you think of Horizon Deluxe Apartments? Who could use a night away right about now?

Please, before linking up, if you could note the new rules. Due to the name of the linky being Aussie Giveaway Linkup, it’s important that the links are BY Aussie blogs and the giveaways for Australians.

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August 12, 2012
{My Tasmanian Backyard}: Stanley Seaview Inn accommodation review
One week ago today MasterChef brought one of Tasmanian’s most quaint little towns into the spotlight – Stanley. Not to make you jealous or anything – *ahem* – but the area boasts some of the finest food, including grass fed beef, Rock Lobster Crayfish, Green Lip Abalone and dairy produce. I’m not sure that it’s known for its onion rings though. Nice try, MasterChef.

The first thing you notice when you drive into Stanley is this thing:

It’s the Stanley Nut, which I spoke about yesterday. It was what we awoke to each morning looking out the window from the Stanley Seaview Inn accommodation.

The accommodation was neat, tidy and certainly suited our needs

– until Julian spilt an entire glass of red wine all over the white doona. Seriously. Can’t take him anywhere. When Ella blew four light globes in one hit, the service was prompt and friendly. That’s all most of us want really. (And yes, Julian and Ella really do take after one another).

Here is a peek inside:

There are varying rooms on offer, from family rooms, self-contained apartments and spa suites. Thankfully, for a change, there were no arguments about Ella wanting the biggest bed. Instead, it was all about whether she could sleep on the top bunk – but I was not prepared for a trip to the hospital.

The highlights of the Seaview Inn are:
- That view. I just can’t rave about it enough.
- There is also a webcam at the front office, where friends can visit the site and view live images of you waving back at them with The Nut in the background.
- There is free wifi, which is always a bonus when Facebook is in need of some attention. Because obviously there’s not enough people already posting on it. You can even rent a laptop.
- It has a small children’s playground. Which came with its own ready-made children, courtesy of the owners.
- The service. So many places we’ve stayed at have been let down by the odd Fawlty Towers-style moment. Here, expect that country-style service where you feel like more than just another customer. I think the Basil character was played by my husband.
There’s one thing I want to rave about though – it’s The Nut View Restaurant (check out the seafood platter. Wow!). Easily THE best part of our stay – and it was all pretty good to be honest. The menu features an array of Tasmanian produce and the quality of the food was sublime.

We were given a window seat overlooking the Nut and right next to the crackling fire – which was needed, I tell you. Julian’s grass fed beef and my Atlantic salmon were cooked to perfection. Cravat-wearing Matt Preston would have given it a 10/10 for sure. It was restaurant quality food at pub sizes. The girls were equally impressed with their chicken strips and pasta – along with the toys, colouring-in books and pencils that kept them from screaming the place down.

For us, we would probably go a two-bedroom apartment next time we stay, just for the space and the opportunity to have a kitchen. That’s not to say the one-bedroom was small by any measure. It was only an additional $25 too. The prices of the accommodation were certainly one thing we were impressed with.

If you are heading to Tasmania’s North West and you’re looking for somewhere to stay that is child-friendly, then I’d recommend staying with Clint and his staff. With a young family of his own, he certainly knew how to cater for all our needs.

What’s the best meal you’ve had?

To view more photos, visit my Stanley page on Facebook. This post is part of the My Tasmanian Backyard series.

DISCLOSURE: Our trip to Stanley was organised by Cradle Coast Tourism. We were given acommodation and tickets to the Sequarium and Highfield House. We were not paid to write this post. All opinions expressed are our own.
June 14, 2012
{My Tasmanian Backyard}: What to do in Stanley

It goes without saying that when you go to Stanley you have to experience the Stanley Nut in some way. Whether it’s climbing it, taking photos of it or experiencing the chairlift. Unfortunately the chairlift wasn’t operating while we were there over the long weekend, so we opted to take lots of photos.

And climb it.

Just before we were about to climb it, Ella let us know she was:

“going to eat some of the nuts as we go up the big hill.’’

Which was followed by a conversation about the fact it’s not actually made of nuts.

When we got to the top, the view was incredible.

I’d say it took our breathe away, but that could also be from the fact we had to carry one child and drag another up the incredibly steep incline.

After watching Julian skid all the way back down (I highly recommend you wear good grip sneakers), we celebrated what was pretty hard going by having the most decadent chocolate brownie and scones and cream at the Touchwood Cafe. Sublime.

Afterwards we took the girls off to the Stanley Seaquarium. Now this is certainly no Melbourne Aquarium and is tailored more to the kids than the adults. Manager Dianne gave us a great opportunity to touch the crabs, see the octopus being fed and learn about seahorses that you just don’t get anywhere else.

The girls just loved it. So if you have young children, it’s well worth the visit. (Check out the Tasmanian Giant Crabs in the gallery).

I even encouraged Ella to listen to the ocean inside the shell, but she kept giving me blank stares. What are you going on about, Mum?

The afternoon was then dedicated to roaming Highfield House, a home originally built in 1835 for Edward Curr, chief agent of the Van Diemens Land Company.

If you’re a history buff you will fall in love with the story and the way the European-influenced home is set up to be able to tour it yourself with the aid of a map is a credit to the managers of the home. It was a fantastic, and very hands-on, experience.

Julian sat down with the girls and played snakes and ladders, but was quickly “spun out” when he swears the spinner moved without anyone touching it. I think he’s been reading too many ghost stories.

Ella was captivated by the chapel and classrom, and the fact there was not a computer in site. How on earth were you meant to do Reading Eggs?

All Ella cared about was dressing up in period costume. She’d been itching to do it all week, even asking:

“When we dress up in old fashioned clothes, does that mean everything will be in black and white?’’

She got her wish. Here’s the O’Briens in the olden days.

The sneakers – and the big smiles – sort of give it away.

We finished the tour with the most gorgeous rainbow. Which was quickly followed by a conversation about wanting to go and find the gold. We settled for some ABC2 on iView at our Stanley Seaview Inn accommodation instead.

More on that here.

Speaking to the people of Stanley, the MasterChef episode filmed at Highfield House on Thursday night certainly helped draw quite a lot of interest to the place – and so it should. It has the finest food this state has to offer, incredible scenery and true country style service. Sure, it can get mighty cold. But it’s well worth a visit.

What did you get up to over the long weekend?

To view more photos, visit my Stanley page on Facebook. This post is part of the My Tasmanian Backyard series.

DISCLOSURE: Our trip to Stanley was organised by Cradle Coast Tourism. We were given acommodation and tickets to the Sequarium and Highfield House. We were not paid to write this post. All opinions expressed are our own.

June 12, 2012
{My Tasmanian Backyard}: The night we slept with a sheep (Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel review)

We have been on regular “mini breaks’’ lately which, apart from the packing, constant “are we there yet?’’ and High School Musical CD on high rotation, are great rejuvenators.

Princess Ella has got to the point where she walks into a hotel and immediately claims “her bed’’ – which is often the biggest one in the apartment. Thankfully our trip to The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel in Hobart last weekend had twin singles in one room. No amount of batting her eyelashes was going to convince The Bloke in The Shed to sleep in a single bed.

After walking through the complex and witnessing remnants of its wool and grain store history through the many artefacts that grace the corridors, we finally arrived at our room. It was here we were greeted by two sheep, offering fudge.

We are regulars to the Woolstore for so many reasons. And not just because it’s 2011 winner of the Qantas Australian Tourism Award for Deluxe Accommodation

Here are eight reasons we choose to stay there:
1. There is enough space to swing a sheep. Although we were unable to test this theory due to no woolly animals in the vicinity of the hotel.

2. There are REAL hairdryers. Seriously, this one is important after having used innumerable amount of dryers that have stunk out many bathrooms on our travels.

3. The apartments have full kitchen facilities, full laundry facilities, a shower, plus a bath without a shower over the top of it. There’s something comforting in knowing when your children sit their bottoms in the bath it’s not where dirty feet have previously trod.

4. The service is incredible. When we needed an in-room menu, it wasn’t a hassle to retrieve one for us. Although, deciding exactly what to have became a slight issue. Choices, choices.

5. It’s close to everything. It’s not far to walk into the CBD, down to the historic Sullivan’s Cove waterfront or to Salamanca Markets. Although, I will add, we drove everywhere this time.

6. The real highlight is the price. For the space you get and the service provided, it’s hard to compete with in Hobart.

7. The bar is called the Baa Bar. Enough said.

8. We had a full breakfast the next morning in the restaurant and the choice and quality was sublime. We have had meals in the restaurant as well on previous visits and haven’t been able to fault it. Especially because Tasmanian produce is a feature. Although, having a ram stare at your while you eat its cousin is a challenge.

The only downside we’ve always had with the Woolstore, and it’s pretty minor, is the parking. You need to get in early to be able to secure a parking spot. Although, I’ve noticed since expanding the car park a while back, this has become less of an issue now.

What: The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel – www.oldwoolstore.com.au and on Facebook
Where: 1 Macquarie St, Hobart, Tasmania
Phone: 1800 814 676
Rooms: Four star. Range from hotel rooms, to studio and one and two-bedroom self-contained apartments.

What’s important to you in a good hotel or apartment?

DISCLAIMER: We received a complementary night at the Woolstore in a two-bedroom apartment and breakfast. We were not offered nor accepted any payment. All opinions expressed are purely my own. But, as I stated above, this was not the first time we’d stayed there. We genuinely love the place.

June 5, 2012