Been camping lately? Do something different this weekend.
Tired of doing the same thing every weekend? Look around and you might be surprised to find a host of interesting, family-friendly experiences on your doorstep – from picking strawberries to whale watching. Here are a few of our picks...
NSW
Take a ride on the world’s steepest railway
The Scenic Railway, located in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, has the steepest incline of any railway in the world. The 415m descent takes visitors through a cliff side tunnel down into an ancient rainforest, where a bush track joins up with a cable car ride back to the top.
Camp out at the zoo
Set up camp in a purpose built tent overlooking Sydney Harbour, then enjoy a gourmet buffet dinner before hiking through Taronga Zoo on a one-and-a-half hour night zoo safari as part of the zoo’s ‘Roar and Snore’ program. As a Roar & Snore camper, you will rise to the warbles, rumbles, squeaks, growls and roars of the animals greeting the day!
Learn about Sydney harbour’s Aboriginal heritage
A not-for profit Indigenous group run Tribal Warrior cruises, a 1 hr 45 mins harbour cruise where you’ll hear some fascinating Koori yarns - stories of the deep fishing hole near the Southern Pylon of the Harbour Bridge, the casuarina, or guardian tree which is a safe place to avoid snakes (because of the pine needles) and Mrs Macquarie, a friend to many indigenous people in the early 1800s. A brief stop at Be-lang-le-wool aka Clarke Island includes a fun dance and didgeridoo performance.
VIC
Go strawberry picking on the Mornington Peninsula
November to April is strawberry-picking season at Sunny Ridge farm, the largest strawberry producer in Australia. Enjoy fresh, delicious berries straight from the field by picking your own punnet.
Step back in time at the Old Melbourne Gaol
Experience what life behind bars was like for some of our most notorious 19th Century villains by touring the restored Old Melbourne Gaol. Find out about bushrangers and walk the road to the gallows.
Go horseriding on the Great Ocean Road
Explore the coastline of the Great Ocean Road on horseback. Gaze upon wild, crashing waves, beautiful gold and green sand dunes and leaves pristine blue water and while the horses splash through the shallows on the shoreline. You may be able lucky to catch a glimpse of a wallaby or seal too. All ages and experience levels catered for.
SA
Do something on Saturday at the Adelaide Festival Centre
Adelaide Festival Centre now offers Something on Saturday - 18 weeks of fantastic entertainment for children aged 3-10 years and their families from 8 May to 4 September. Every week of the season there is a paid performance with a different show each week – including music, dance, ballet, puppetry, circus, musical theatre, kids cabaret and much more. Also on offer is a free Kids Corner Craft Workshop.
QLD
Go inside a glow worm cave
Cedar Creek estate, located on the Gold Coast hinterland, features a magical "glow-worm cave", filled with thousands of glowing glow-worms. The cave structure is entirely man made.
See a Platypus in the wild
Eungalla National Park near Mackay in Queensland i meant to be one of Australia’s best locations for spotting that most elusive monotreme, the Platypus. The best time to spot a platypus is immediately after dawn and at dusk in one of the parks rivers, surrounded by pristine sub tropical rainforest.
WA
Explore Australia’s maritime history at Fremantle
WA’s maritime museusm is located over three sites in the historic port city of Fremantle. The convict-built Shipwreck Galleries contain a replica of Australia's first ship, the Duyfken, as well as artifacts from shipwrecks long the treacherous coastline, including the Batavia.
ALL OVER AUSTRALIA
Go whale watching
Each winter, humpback whales glide north past Byron Bay and Hervey Bay.
From June to September, watch the slow, graceful southern right whales sail up the Western Australian coastline from Geographe Bay, Dunsborough and Albany. Or spot these endangered creatures - once hunted almost to extinction - from the Head of Bight whale sanctuary or Victor Harbor in South Australia. See them mate and calve in the nursery waters of Warrnambool or arrive from Antarctic waters with humpback whales in Tasmania’s picturesque Great Oyster Bay.
From late April, southern right whales journey to temperate breeding waters off Southern Australia and Victoria. Meanwhile the energetic humpback whales continue north to warmer waters along the west and east coasts.
