Top Spots for Nature-loving Kids
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Spring is just around the corner and I am struck by the urge to plan some outdoor adventures for my family to enjoy over the coming months. Weekends in winter can be restrictive when you have active children; the kids might not mind playing in the rain but it's not so much fun for the spectators. Spring is the perfect season for all kinds of nature-based experiences for curious young kids. Mine always surprise me with the amount of time they are willing to spend on simple pleasures like beachcombing, hiking and building dams across streams. Here are some of our favourite spots for outdoor exploration:
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Blairgowrie Back Beach We stumbled upon this gem a couple of summers ago. After a short walk through dunes and down some steep steps, you find yourself on a small, windswept beach dotted with assorted treasures. There are piles of seaweed and shells with which to adorn sandcastles and a multitude of rockpools teeming with marine life. Rock scrambling opportunities abound including one spectacular rock formation which provides a perfect window through to the ocean. The surf can be rough so this isn't the best beach for swimming. For information on how to find Blairgowrie back beach follow this link
link .
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Sherbrooke Falls There is a family-friendly hike from Sherbrooke Picnic Ground to the waterfall which is just over a kilometre in length. If you visit after heavy rain the ground will be muddy and there will be lots of opportunities for puddle jumping (plus the falls will have a bit more wow-factor). This walk will take you past ferns and mountain ash with opportunities to spot fungi, birds and other flora and fauna. Kids will enjoy getting dirty as they scramble along fallen logs and check out the bug life in the undergrowth. Click
here for more details.
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Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden Located in the Botanic Gardens in South Yarra the Children's Garden is an inspiring place to while away a few hours with tots. There are inviting opportunities for water play so pack spare clothes, as well as different environments to explore such as the bamboo forest and the wetland habitat. Children can run, climb, crawl and splash in this lovely garden while mum and dad relax on the lawn. For opening hours click
here .
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The Briars This property covers 230 hectares of the Mornington Peninsula. It has a multitude of walking trails to explore (wetland, woodland and garden) as well as an Eco Living Display Centre where kids can begin to understand ways in which to make their homes more sustainable. There are nature-based family events on throughout the year as well as children's parties which are offered at Angus and Rose. This is a creative space within The Briars which hosts parties based around environmental themes such as bugs, butterflies or gardening. Follow this link to the National Trust
website for more information.
Hopefully, by now you too are feeling inspired to reconnect with the great outdoors and dig out everybody's gumboots. Where are your favourite places for environmental exploration?
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219609 - 2023-06-16 07:53:26