Enjoy the Outdoors in Spring

Post

Subscribe

Before you know it will be spring - it really will be. It's the perfect time of the year to get out and about. So here's some ideas for some family events that involve enjoying everything the local community has to offer.

Walk or Ride
It's absolutely the best time of year to take a stroll or pump up the bike tyres and go for an adventure. The following are some of my recommendations:


Tracks in the City of Whittlesea
In an attempt to promote healthy recreational experiences, the City of Whittlesea has provided maps and tracks for the suburbs of: Bundoora, Epping/Lalor, South Morang, Thomastown, Mernda Villages and Mill Park. These tracks have been designed for people of all ages and abilities.

Thomastown ( Westgarth )
Venture to Thomastown and Lalor to find several historic buildings representing German and Wendish immigration and settlement from the19th century. There are seven stops on the historic walk which features farmhouses church and cemetery. Some are open to the public others you are privately owned and can only be viewed from the road. The historic walk is 2.9 kilometres and takes about 90 minutes.


Whittlesea
Drop in at the historic society that is the former courthouse and police lock-up and also the tourist information centre. They can provide you with a map and information about the historic places to visit. The Royal Mail Hotel, old post office, Masonic Temple, Memorial Arch, old school house and the soldier's monument are amongst the historic sites to see.

Westerfolds
Close to the Eastern Freeway, off Fitzsimmons Lane, 120 acres of natural parkland is partially hidden in the middle Templestowe. Westerfolds Park is well suited for a range of recreational activities such as picnicking, cycling, playing, walking, dog walking and canoeing. For those of you who like a faster pace, a fun run is held every second Saturday.

Beware, the snakes come out to sun themselves on the track when it gets warm.


Mt Buller sculpture walk
This is an all year walk for art lovers. Mt Buller is scattered with high quality sculptures to admire. This walk can be repeated throughout the year, as the views are always different depending on the season.


Parks and Gardens
Why not pack a picnic and venture to a park or garden and be inspired to dig out the gardening gloves?

Woodlands Reserve Essendon
On Woodlands Road in Essendon, a large multi purpose outdoor area is almost lost within this inner city suburbia. It's a perfect inner city sanctuary for walking, riding, walking the dog or playing with the children. Admire the ducks but do not feed them or be tempted to wade in the pond. BBQ facilities are available.


Fitzroy Gardens
You can't go past this 150-year historic public garden. Apart from Cook's Cottage, the Italian Romanesque style gardener's cottage, beautiful sculptures and children's playground equipment, there are many other reasons for exploring the gardens.

Three unique structures are worth finding. One is the Fairies Tree carving on 300-year-old Red Gum tree stumps and the other is the Tudor Village, which represents a typical English Kentish village built during the Tudor period. Captain James Cook's cottage is also within the heritage-listed Fitzroy Gardens.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne
This is an extensive garden area of over 300 hectares including heathlands, wetlands and woodlands. They have a unique red sand garden. Animals, birds, rare and endangered species can be observed. The Royal Botanic gardens run special events such as a night time nocturnal walk and all abilities walk.


Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Children's Garden
The children's interactive educational garden is more like a playground. This includes a water feature, wetland area, bamboo forest, plant tunnel and kitchen garden. The Garden's offer special programs, workshops and various informative walks including a moving Indigenous program, which starts with a smoking ceremony and includes weaving and ocher painting

Open gardens
Although there are many such gardens that are open all year, this is the time of year when the open gardens are the best.
Click here for more information.

#family_attractions
#gardens
#nature
#outdoor
#parks
#walks
#lists
%wnmelbourne