SCHOOL HOLIDAY GUIDE
BASIL FARM KIDS ANIMAL FEEDING AND LUNCH Kids get the chance to feed farm animals like lambs, ducks and even llamas. When: September 29, October 4 & 5. Where: Basil Farm, 43-53 Nye Rd, Swan Bay. Cost: $15 per child, including lunch. Bookings required. Details: basilsfarm.com.au/basilsfarmevents/
GEELONG BOTANICAL GARDENS Flowers are blooming as the sun returns to warm up the days. Take the kids for a visit to the Geelong Botanical Gardens for free. For mums with prams, there is a ramp at the Podbury Drive entrance. When: Open every day from 8am-5pm. Cost: Free. Details: geelongaustralia.com.au/gbg
INTERACTIVE STORIES AT NATIONAL WOOL MUSEUM Bring your kids along to hear favourites such as I Want my Hat Back (September 27) or Where is the Green Sheep? (October 4) at the National Wool Museum. Sessions lasting 45 minutes run throughout the day. Where: National Wool Museum, 26-32 Moorabool St, Geelong. Cost: $10 per child (2-5 years), $5 per adult. Bookings: geelongaustralia.com.au/ events/calendar/item/8d5f2e731ed78bf.aspx
ROLLERWAY, NEWTOWN Come skate away the holidays at Rollerway. When: Open 11am-4:30pm Monday to Saturday during the school holidays and 1.30-4.30pm Sundays. Where: Rollerway Skate Centre, 6-8 Lambert Ave, Newtown. Cost: $11 (adults and children) and $3 for skate/rollerblade hire. Details: 0411 335 544
A MAZE N GAMES Do your kids love a puzzle? Explore Australia’s largest timber maze. Or if not, there is always a mini-golf course to try. When: Monday to Sunday, 10am-6pm. Where: 1570 Bellarine Highway, Wallington. Cost: $9 for children aged 5-15, and $5 for children aged 3-4. Details: amazengames.com.au/prices.php
GET GRUBBY SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM For the bug lovers, explore the underground life of bugs at Geelong Botanical Gardens, and even get the chance to build your own bug hotel. When: September 24 and October 4 sessions still available. Where: Geelong Botanical Gardens. Cost: $9 per child. Bookings: geelongaustralia.com.au/ct/forms/form.aspx?form_id=329
SCHOOL HOLIDAY ORIGAMI KOALA WORKSHOP Do your children love origami? At this workshop they can make paper koalas to send to Higashiyama zoo in Japan. When: September 25. Where: Turn The Paper — Origami School, Hamlyn Heights. Cost: $8 per child. Bookings: geelongaustralia.com.au/events/calendar/item/8d60e8231d3e097 . aspx
DROPS OF IMAGINATION ART WORKSHOP Children can spend the morning dropping vibrant colours on paper, and drawing whatever their imagination dreams up. When: 10am-11.30am, September 24. Where: Soft Café, Herne Hill. Cost: $45 per child. Details: softcafe.com.au/ events/
WERRIBEE OPEN RANGE ZOO Treat your kids to face painting, braiding, music, dance and more when the Werribee Zoo’s African village comes to life. When: Thursdays, 10.30am-12.30pm. Where: Werribee Open Range Zoo. Cost: Children under-16 free. Details: zoo.org.au/werribee/whats-on/ toddler-thursdays/
THEATRE: ‘WHAT WAS THAT?’ Be enthralled by a night of drama at the
historic Werribee Park mansion. Be treated to some history, comedy, and a bit of a scare at this fun event that is recommended for children aged 11 and over. When: September 29, October 5 & 6. Where: Werribee Park historic mansion. Cost: Children $25, adults $40. Bookings: trybooking.com/book/event? eid=120784
KRAZY KOALA PUPPET SHOW Take your kids out to a free afternoon puppet show to the tune of the didgeridoo. When: September 27, October 3. Where: Little Malop Central. Cost: Free. Details: geelongaustralia.com.au/events/calendar/item/8d11c8d5bc740cd.aspx
ARCHIBALD PRIZE KIDS’ TOURS Explore the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ 2018 Archibald Prize exhibition in a before-hours session. When: October 1-3. Where: Geelong Gallery. Cost: Some events are free. Others cost $7 for children. Details: geelonggallery.org.au/creativekids/events
RETRO TOYS Show your kids the toys you grew up with, and create your own retro toy. Where: National Wool Museum, Moorabool St, Geelong. When: October 1-3, 10am-12 noon. Cost: Kids free with paying adult. Details: 5272 4701.
PRINCESS AND THE PEA AND THE YO YO Enjoy a fun family performance that follows a young prince who is set two challenges by his parents. Firstly to become a champion and the second to find a princess. When: Daily from October 2-5 at 10.30am and 1.30pm Where: Potato Shed, 41 Peninsula Drive, Drysdale Cost: $9 per person or $32 for a family of four. Details: 5251 1998.
FESTIVAL OF SPORT Do your kids have too much energy these holidays? Take them down to the Kardinia Park Precinct (GMHBA Stadium) for a weekend of sport. When: October 6-7. Cost: Free. Details: www.kardiniapark.vic.gov.au
JIRRAHLINGA KOALA & WILDLIFE SANCTUARY HOLIDAY PROGRAM Take the kids out to see some animals. Have the chance to get close to kangaroos, emus and sleeping koalas. When: Monday-Friday 9.30am-12.30pm during school holidays. Where: Jirrahlinga Koala & Wildlife Sanctuary, 170-200 Taits Rd, Barwon Heads. Bookings: 5254 2484
FAIRY PARK Experience all the fairy tales come to life as you wander through Camelot playground, or visit Alice in Wonderland at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Where: Fairy Park, 2388 Ballan Rd, Anakie. Cost: Children $10, under 3 years free entry. Details: fairypark.com/prices-info
SUPER HERO TRAINS Your kids can dress up as super heroes and join the Incredibles for a journey on the Bellarine railway. When: October 2 and 4, 11am. Where: Queenscliff station.
Cost: $36 for adults, $26 children aged 4-17 years, $6 for toddlers, or $95 for a family, for return fares running between Queenscliff and Drysdale. Normal train services run every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday throughout school holidays from both Queenscliff and Drysdale stations. Cost: Return fares $30 adult, $20 child (4 years and above). Details: bellarinerailway.com.au/ september-school-holidays-2018/
JUNIOR CHOCOLATIER CLASSES These school holidays take your kids to a 45-minute junior chocolatier class. When: September 26-27 and October 3-4. Where: Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, 1200 Great Ocean Rd, Bellbrae. Cost: $40 per child. Details: gorci.com.au/whats-on/