It is no surprise that the botanic gardens located in Cairns, a tropical city on the doorstep of the Wet Tropics Heritage site are particularly lovely. Comprising four distinct areas, the Cairns Botanic Gardens Precinct introduced our children to rare and lovely plants and a vast array of wildlife, particularly birdlife in the Centenary Lakes…
Travelling with my young boys we sometimes visit attractions because I think they will appeal to my children, with minimal interest myself. The Sydney Sea Life Aquarium was not that kind of attraction. The reason – I love aquariums and Sydney Sealife Aquarium is as good as it gets. Early in October we spent a…
I decided early into our break at Mowbray Park farmstay that it was time to put the wipes away. It was during our first activity – a tractor ride and damper making around a campsite. Initially, as fast as those black marks from bits of charcoal around the fire made their way onto little…
One of the famous photos in my family is of my mother, young and beautiful dining with her best friend, my grandmother, and a family friend in a revolving restaurant in the Sydney Tower. The photo was taken the day she graduated from medical school. Last week my mother joined us as we ascended in…
This photo was taken at the stunning Granite Gorge Nature Park 12 km west of the town of Mareeba on the Queensland Atherton Tablelands. The nature park, which features campsites and cabins is also open to day visitors for a nominal fee. Huge boulders festoon the landscape and, in this location are covered with…
When my husband suggested that we take our 1 and 4 year old boys on a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef I thought he was dreaming. Prior to having children both my husband and I were certified divers, and I couldn’t imagine how a trip to the reef with small children would work. …
I can’t think of anything as heavenly on a beautiful North Queensland day as to go fruit picking with my children. We visited Shaylee Strawberry Farm on the Atherton Tablelands this week. The farm is located on the Gillies Highway between Atherton and Yungaburra, about an hours drive from Cairns. The boys and…
Mossman Gorge is located within the southern Daintree National Park, 77km north of Cairns. We explored the Gorge recently with our two young sons (ages 1 and 4) as well as investigating the new Mossman Gorge Visitor Centre. The Visitor Centre is an ecotourism initiative of the local Kuku Yalangi people. We enjoyed a…
There is a new interactive wildlife experience in Cairns that our family is really excited about. Zoo to You Wildlife Discovery Centre is located at Pier Market Place on the Esplanade (adjacent to the Lagoon). Wildlife biologist and qualified teacher Jodie Creek has been conducting wildlife exposure experiences in Cairns daycares, kindergartens and schools for…
Jack Barnes Bicentennial Mangrove Boardwalk, Cairns[/caption] I admit it. My children get far too much screen time. The reason? My eldest son is particularly high drive, requiring stimulation round the clock as well as demonstrating a persistent resistance to independent play. If it were not for the TV I would not be left in…