Day Trips - Science Works

Science Works is a great place to take the kids for a day out. If you haven't already been, the centre has plenty of activities for the kids to get involved in and they will be amazed at the illusions like the hologram pictured here.

Visit the giant house with an oversized washing machine & pipe. See what happens in our drains, how a toilet works and the process of food ageing. Listen and watch as you are shown how weather develops.


Upstairs there is a great interactive building area where the kids get to use a pulley to lift the bricks up and build a wall. There is also a great Lego display of Melbourne city to see, a boat to climb in and lots of other activities to get involved in.

If it is a nice day take a BBQ and have a picnic outside while the kids play in one of two great playgrounds. There is also a large oval where the kids can play ball sports. For those that want to buy food, there is a cafe that sells healthy foods as well as the standard chips, hot dog and pies.

From time to time the centre has special displays at an additional cost.This year you can enter the world of Dinosaurs, search for fossils, disappear in camouflage and build a wind pipe the shape of a Dinosaurs to see what noise you can make.

Other activities at Science Works include a lightning demonstration and Planetarium. If you have young kids make sure you check out there website as there are some age restrictions due to the noise levels in the lightning room.

Science Works isn't expensive. It cost us $27 dollars for 2 adults and 4 kids which include standard entry as well as entry to the Dinosaur exhibition.

Day Trips - 4x4 Enfield State Forest

Four Wheel Driving is a great way to experience nature at its best and can easily be achieved with a young family. We have two boys, 3 & 1 who absolutely love four wheel driving, or as my son says, "up and down hills". Because the kids will be in the saddle all day, our secret is matchbox cars, snacks, drinks and making the most of the breaks you have along the way.

Our latest trip was to Enfield State Forest in Victoria, shown on the map below.

  Enfield

This trip was taken with our local club, City West 4x4, who offer day trips around Melbourne and interstate throughout the year. Although we do go out four wheel driving with friends, clubs are a great option for families who want to take kids along. Because my kids are so young I leave the hard and extreme tracks to my husband while my kids and I watch along and take photos with other club members.

 

This was the clubs first time to Enfield so we weren't sure what we were going to find, but we found some great tracks. The weather the week before we went had been really wet which made very long and deep bog hills and slippery tracks. It was great to see that some drivers were unable to accomplish some of the tracks, requiring a winch to pull them out. This is what four wheel driving is all about, pushing your car to its extremes, while being safe, and seeing what you can and can't do.

We entered the forest from Victoria Road and soon found some great tracks. I highly recommend exploring the area. You can see from the photo's attached some of the great fun we experienced along the way.

Day Trips - Werribee Open Range Zoo

Werribee Zoo it a great place for both local & international travellers to visit. Having travelled to many other Zoos all over the world I would have to say that this would be one of  my favourite Zoos.

The point of difference for this Zoo is the fact that the animals are in very large enlosures and to get close to some of the animals you get to go on a great bus tour around parts of the parks that you can't get to on foot. Another great feature is while on the bus you get to touch horns and fur and get some great facts from your tour guide. For a full list of animals please click here

The Zoo has a great restuarant and BBQ facilities but there is a hire fee involved so make sure you have made a booking if you want to have a BBQ next time you go.

For the kids there are some great attractions. They can climb through a ropes course, pretend to drive a safari boat or jeep, search for fossils, play the drums, and climb over statues of Elephants, Hippos and Wombats.

If you need a rest from all the walking there is also a great playground where the kids can play while you have a chance to relax. For prices and tickets - click here

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What's On - Docklands

Sculpture at Docklands

SANTA FUN RUN
Date: 27th November
Time:7am Registration 9am Race Start
Option: Go watch hundreds of Santa's run

WONDERLAND FUN PARK - CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR
Date: 8th to 24th December
Fun Pass: 3 hour pass from $25 early bird or $35
What you get: unlimited rides, Santa, gift from Santa, photo with Santa,
Flyer: click here

Every Sunday
Place: Waterfront City Market, Docklands
Time: 10am
Activities: Face Painting, Find that Treasure
Selling: Food, crafts, fashion, toys, reclaimed furniture
Competition: $500 hamper with every purchase made


SANTA VISITS 
Dates: 4th, 11th and 18th December
Time: From 11am
Gifts: Hand made lollipops