Things to do with the little ones????

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Things to do with the little ones????
Topic Started: 4 Apr 2005, 05:59 AM (1,129 Views)
Robinson Family	4 Apr 2005, 05:59 AM Post #1
Member Posts: 67 Group: Members Member #41 Joined: 10 September 2004	Hi Everyone, Can you help??? We are in Melbourne in August on a reccie and validating our visa. We want to have a look around the different areas etc but, we also need to keep the little ones happy with a few touristy things. They will be 5 & 7. Any ideas?? I know August can be quite wet and cold. We are staying at the Tudor box in Box hill. Any ideas gratefully appreciated. Andrea



kirsty&al	4 Apr 2005, 01:10 PM Post #2
Elite Member Posts: 864 Group: Members Member #88 Joined: 24 September 2004	Hi Andrea The Puffing Billy steam train is a must. It leaves from next to Belgrave commuter train station, or you can drive out and park there. It is around a 40 minute trip to Lakeside (you can go further) through lovely scenery. Compared to similar UK attractions it is cheap (about $50 dollars for a family ticket). If the weather is really poor there are lots of good Melbourne museums, the Melbourne museum itself, Scienceworks, and the Immigration museum has just won an award. Generally adults have to pay admission charges to museums here. If you have a car you could head out to Mt Donna Buang for a bit of toboganning, it's the nearest mountain with snow, but no skiing I believe. There are tons of animal related activities, Healsville Sanctuary is great, and if you really like animals you can get a combined pass to visit Healsville, Weribee safari park and the Melbourne Zoo for the price of visiting only two. I haven't been yet, and although it is quite touristy, the Penguin parade at Phillip Island is supposed to be good. There must be a Victorian Tourism site which would also give you lots of ideas. Have a good visit. Kirsty



avroncotton	5 Apr 2005, 10:51 AM Post #3
Addicted Member Posts: 137 Group: Members Member #202 Joined: 18 February 2005	Yep Puffing Billy is fantastic, but be warned: Wrap up warm, it's cold in the mountains in winter! Go on a clear day and you can see as far as Philip Island! Tony



Jaykay	5 Apr 2005, 11:47 AM Post #4
Addicted Member Posts: 163 Group: Members Member #32 Joined: 10 September 2004	You could also try any of the many indoor play centres. If you stay on Whitehorse Road, there's one in Croydon North called Ace Space. There's also the big Adventure Park opposite the indoor play area. They've got mini golf and a whole range of things for kids to do. There's also the local indoor swimming pool at Ringwood http://www.maroondahleisure.com.au/rac.php Maybe take the kids to a game of AFL football. http://www.afl.com.au/ Or there's the Atrium at Crown on Southbank. The Aquarium is just on the other side of the bank too. Regards Jaykay



Robinson Family	6 Apr 2005, 05:42 AM Post #5
Member Posts: 67 Group: Members Member #41 Joined: 10 September 2004	Thanks Everyone, I will have a look through the websites and do some searches on places mentioned.It is always really nice to hear your personal views :rolleyes: We are looking forward to our trip. Bye :wave: Andrea



Taff n Mand	6 Apr 2005, 06:31 AM Post #6
Member Posts: 43 Group: Members Member #153 Joined: 4 January 2005	Dont know if its open but try Sovereign Hill at Ballerat. The kids can pan for Gold. (yes really) They drop so much gold dust into the stream for the kids to find. Dont know what the weather is like either. But its a mock up of a gold rush town. Best of luck Taff and Mand



gogdownunder	6 Apr 2005, 08:32 PM Post #7
Member Posts: 27 Group: Members Member #184 Joined: 4 February 2005	Taff n Mand Apr 6 2005, 06:31 AM Dont know if its open but try Sovereign Hill at Ballerat. The kids can pan for Gold. (yes really) They drop so much gold dust into the stream for the kids to find. Dont know what the weather is like either. But its a mock up of a gold rush town. Best of luck Taff and Mand Ballarat is the coldest town in Victoria.....but its nice for a visit



mezza586	7 Apr 2005, 09:07 AM Post #8
Moderator Posts: 273 Group: Members Member #27 Joined: 10 September 2004	Taff n Mand Apr 6 2005, 06:31 AM Dont know if its open but try Sovereign Hill at Ballerat. The kids can pan for Gold. (yes really) They drop so much gold dust into the stream for the kids to find. Dont know what the weather is like either. But its a mock up of a gold rush town. Best of luck Taff and Mand Sovereign Hill is open year round. I have stayed overnight as well. Kids, andd some adults, live it. ;) http://www.sovereignhill.com.au/flash.shtml Meryl



leh	12 Apr 2005, 02:28 AM Post #9
Addicted Member Posts: 186 Group: Members Member #17 Joined: 9 September 2004	Hi, will you have a car? Ask car hire co. for a Melways and you can find all the places I'm mentioning:-) I was in Box Hill this January, I'm trying to remember where we went with my friends children around Box Hill, Wattle park was good for a run round. Forrest Hills complex Cinema and shops. If you are "Neighbours" the road they use for outside the houses is 10 mins drive away in Vermount south - it's Pin Oak Court. A train ride into the city from Box Hill Central 30 mins, (a tip re parking - go down into Box Hill central and at the bottom of ramp go almost straight on instead of following the shoppers left, this will take you into the bottom car park for comuters that is free! It gets full quickly during the week but is easy at the weekend!) Across the road and down a side street is a long stay car park $3 a day so still good value. If you want some specific advice re Box Hill I can ask my friends for you. Oh yes I found a mini bus company in yellow pages that collects you from home and goes to the airport much cheaper than a taxi.It only collected 2 other people after me. I'll find the details for you if you're interested. Helen



Jodes	12 Apr 2005, 06:05 PM Post #10
Addicted Member Posts: 137 Group: Members Member #5 Joined: 9 September 2004	sorry leh i didn't read your post and submitted one similar. if a nice day in the dandenongs, feeding the wild parrots at grant's reserve is good, the birds will take food out of your hand and there's a few different varieties around, mainly cockatoos, rosellas, corella's and sometimes kokaburras, and king parrots.



Robinson Family	13 Apr 2005, 06:06 AM Post #11
Member Posts: 67 Group: Members Member #41 Joined: 10 September 2004	Many Thanks again :D I have printed all the information off. We have a car booked while we are there so we will be able to get around. Thanks for the tips on parking. :fingerscrossed: the weather is good and we can spend some of the time outside letting the kids run off some steam. Andrea



Bordy	13 Apr 2005, 06:07 AM Post #12
Administrator Posts: 4,603 Group: Admin Member #3 Joined: 8 September 2004 Migration Status Citizen My Location Ferntree Gully	Yeah as long as you don't turn up 5 mins after a bus load of Japanese have fed the birds like we did. Birds were stuffed & not interested in coming near you for more food.



Robinson Family	13 Apr 2005, 06:27 AM Post #13
Member Posts: 67 Group: Members Member #41 Joined: 10 September 2004	Will bare that in mind!!!! My 5 year old in very good at making sure he is always first :P Andrea


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