Hedgend Maze Healesville
Here’s a non-travel related children’s movie tip. For those of you that enjoy movie nights with your kids – hire the 1986 classic Labyrinth. This Jim Henson, pre-CGI spectacular features all manner of Jim Henson puppets and an outrageously camp, spandex clad David Bowie as the film’s villain. Set within a fantasy hedge maze the movie’s heroine, played by youthful beauty Jennifer Connelly has to traverse the maze to find her baby brother who has been kidnapped by Bowie’s Goblin King. Along the way she meets Henson’s brilliant creations that alternatively help and hinder her in her quest. It is my five year old son’s favourite film.
Twenty eight years on and we undertook our own quest recently with my young film buff – to find David Bowie within the hedge maze at Hedgend in the Yarra Valley. Alas we found neither David Bowie nor Jim Henson puppets. We did however find a most charming afternoon out with the family (our first with new baby Little Lady Bub), a short forty minute drive from Melbourne.
Hedgend incorporates a range of activites over 20 scenic acres of lush country-side in the town of Healesville Victoria. Making our way through the large hedge maze was a real test of discipline “If you let go of Mum’s hand you might get lost in here by yourself.” As a directionally challenged individual I was happy to work up to the larger maze by cutting our teeth on a smaller maze constructed from native Australian plants.
Eleven day old Little Lady Bub accompanied us on this outing, and I admit to keeping her in the air-conditioned cafe for much of the time while us parents took turns with our rambunctious boys outside. While they were a little young to get the hang of the frisbee gold course on site, they enjoyed throwing the frisbees. They LOVED the mini-golf course. Three year old Bub 3 could have spent the entire afternoon undertaking a fossil dig, or for that matter, exploring the edible garden (if only he would actually eat vegetables).
What struck me about Hedgend Maze was the diversity in age ranges enjoying the attraction. It is great for families like us with young kids, but there were a number of couples on day dates, and groups of oldies as well. Adults wanting to exercise their grey matter (my husband included, I am too sleep deprived for that at the moment) can spend a large portion of their time engaging in onsite brain-teasers.
A fossil dig at Hedgend Maze
Little Lady Bub in the edible garden at Hedgend Maze
Mini golf
I really recommend this one folks. A delightful, affordable outing for families visiting Melbourne or the Yarra Valley.
Entry to Hedgend Maze is all inclusive. It is free for children under 4, $16 for adults and somewhere in between for children, seniors and those with disabilities. It is open Monday, Thursday and Friday 10am-4.30pm and Saturday Sunday 10am-5.30pm. Hedgend is located at 165 Albert Road Healesville. There is a nice little cafe onsite but picnic lunches are another great option at Hedgend.
