It was on a trip to Manly, NSW that Sunshine discovered a hidden painted rock for the very first time. She now knows to regularly be on the hunt and has found handfuls of painted rocks around Australia. Getting our kids out in nature is always a good thing, and hidden rocks provide an incentive for kids to use their natural curiosity to discover the unexpected.  Painted Rocks : Find Hidden Rocks Near You Hidden rocks or hidden painted rocks are a little like magic with growing communities all across Australia delighting in creating these little artworks and hiding them in nature for chil ..read more

Drive from Sydney to Melbourne is an easy road trip that will either take you along the incredible coastline of NSW and Victoria or through the countryside between Australia’s two largest cities.  Whether you are looking for the most picturesque or the fastest route, we answer all your questions and provide suggestions to help you plan your trip, just do it backwards if you’re travelling from Melbourne to Sydney.  Little known fact: I attended boarding school in Bowral during my last years of school and would head back to Victoria each school holiday. This has provided me with some ..read more

Beechworth is a stunning township in North-Eastern Victoria, perhaps the best preserved historic gold-mining town in Australia. There are a plethora of things to do in Beechworth Victoria with kids (or without) making it the perfect weekend destination from Melbourne or the spot for a longer stay.   My first visit to Beechworth was on Grade 5 camp when my class bused in from Woodend for a few days of exploration. I have vivid memories of fossicking for crystals in the nearby rivers and learning all about Ned Kelly and the infamous Kelly Gang.  It made its way onto our kid bucket ..read more

Sitting on the north-west foothills of the Snowy Mountains, Tumut NSW is a lazy rural township in the Riverina area perfect for a long weekend or even an extended stay.  There are so many things to do in Tumut with kids, or without. From swimming to canoeing, fishing to hiking and biking, there are so many things to enjoy. Make sure you check out the thermal pool! Things to do in Tumut with Kids Tumut Region Visitor Centre The Tumut Region Visitor Centre is a great first stop as it provides the most current information and resources on the Tumut Region including the Kosciuszko National ..read more

If you like the adrenaline shock of a good fright or enjoy delving into the paranormal, then a trip to the most haunted house in Australia, the Monte Cristo Homestead in Junee might be one for your bucket list. Most Haunted Places in Australia – Monte Cristo Homestead Touted to be Australia’s most haunted house, Monte Cristo Homestead in Junee has quite the reputation for turning even the biggest sceptics into quivering messes. Want to visit? The History of the Monte Cristo Homestead in Junee Established in 1885 by Christopher William Crawley the Monte Cristo Homestead has endured quite a hor ..read more

If you are on the hunt for the best Gold Coast resorts for families to help you plan your trip, then this list of options is for you!  We’ve pulled together our top picks of family-friendly resorts on the Gold Coast to help you organise your trip! The Gold Coast is a wonderful family holiday destination all year round with perfect weather almost every day of the year, great attractions, and family accommodation to suit all family types. The family accommodation on the Gold Coast options we’ve selected pulls together the very best kid-friendly resorts Gold Coast from the 5-star to the budg ..read more

We love Japan and we love the food. Teppanyaki has become one of our favourite family meal experiences for both its menu and the entertainment that goes along with it. Lucky for us, the best teppanyaki in Sydney is available across a number of suburbs.  Japanese Teppanyaki for the Whole Family What is Japanese Teppanyaki? When it comes to Japanese food, teppanyaki is the new kid on the block. Invented just after World War II by a Japanese food chain for foreign tourists who wanted familiar food and entertainment.  The word teppanyaki is derived from teppan (鉄板), meaning iron plate, a ..read more

Whenever we head to a new city one of our first tasks is locating all the bookshops. Well, at least ONE good bookshop to be honest. As regular visitors to Victoria, knowing where the best bookshops in Melbourne are is important for our travels, so of course, this means I’ve created a list. Did you know that Melbourne is a UNESCO City of Literature? Our family has a bookshop rule: entry equals purchase. This is especially important in Melbourne.  We create book lists so we can hunt for particular books, however there is always magic in discovering a new author. Gosh, we really love books ..read more

Ever since white Europeans arrived in Sydney there has been a constant fear that other white people will arrive on boats and claim the land for themselves.  With the threat of the Spanish, the French, the Russians, and then the Japanese sailing into Sydney Harbour, a number of forts were constructed around the headlands to defend our city.  Whilst now decommissioned, self and guided tours of these historic spaces provide a glimpse into Australia’s military past, the scandals and the hidden secrets. The city is brimming with abandoned military forts to discover.  Scattered across ..read more

Finding activities for the kids to do with YOU as they move into the tween and teen age bracket can be a little tricky unless it includes screens, their friends or … screens. However, art has an uncanny tendency to pull people together so the idea of splatter art at Kaboo Studio was something I was keen to try with Sunshine so jumped at their invitation to give it a try.  Fun at Kaboo Studios in Bondi Junction Kaboo Studios in Bondi Junction offers you and the kids an opportunity to “splash, splatter, spray, flick, drip and throw paint onto a stretched canvas to create your own unique pai ..read more