Brought to you by Monkey Baa Theatre Company Carrying an uplifting message of friendship is The Bockety World of Henry and Bucket, coming to Sydney in the September school holidays. The adorable and heart-warming silliness in this children's play will particularly appeal to 4-8 year olds. Negotiating a path through the social complexities of pre-school and school can … [Read more...]

Sitting in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, an hour north of the city on a ridge overlooking the Hawkesbury River is Pie in the Sky cafe in Cowan. Enormously popular with cyclists of both the human-powered and motor-powered persuasion, this unassuming cafe makes for an easy Sunday drive to get out of the city and in amongst some natural beauty. Take the scenic road to Pie … [Read more...]

Sponsored by Monkey Baa Theatre Company Thai-riffic! is a new Australian play adapted from the best-selling novel by children’s author Oliver Phommavanh. It is an hilarious and heartfelt story about acceptance of differences, especially cultural ones. Tweens that might feel they are different for whatever reason will particularly relate. And aren't we all in those shoes … [Read more...]

When you need an escape from the city hustle and bustle, head to the peace and quiet of Gerroa on the NSW South Coast. Gerroa with kids is the perfect family weekend away. As the main road meanders its way south from Kiama, through Berry and Nowra to beautiful Jervis Bay, Seven Mile Beach Gerroa is tucked well away from the passing weekend crowds. At just over two … [Read more...]

Sponsored by Monkey Baa Theatre Company With iPads threatening to melt down with overuse and mummy's patience wearing thin, we need a plan to survive the second half of the school holidays. The first thing I'm locking in is a day out at Darling Quarter. There's a new kids show called Swamp Juice starting at the Lendlease Darling Quarter Theatre, which looks radical enough … [Read more...]

The lush beauty of the Hunter Valley is unmistakable. Its rolling green landscape is vast and the endless rows of vines are like soldiers on parade. But sadly wine regions don't tend to hold the same fascination for kids as they do for adults. At about 2½ hours north of Sydney, the Hunter Valley is ideally located for a weekend away. But when visiting the Hunter Valley with … [Read more...]

Brought to you by Nuffnang and Dream Lover Even if you've never heard of Bobby Darin, his is a remarkably inspiring story. This US pop singer from the 1950s and 60s truly went from rags to riches. This young boy, told he wouldn't live past 16, was determined to defy the doctors and his humble beginnings to be a star. With multiple hit songs like Splish Splash, Mack the … [Read more...]

Billabong Camp is one of three accommodation options in the grounds of Taronga Western Plains Zoo (aka Dubbo Zoo), but it is not merely a spot to lay your head, it is an all-inclusive camping experience, chock-full of unique activities from late afternoon until morning. I am not a camper. My camping experience is limited to girl guide camps and a high school tour of Central … [Read more...]

As magnificent as Taronga Western Plains Zoo (aka Dubbo Zoo) is, planning a trip out here can be a daunting prospect, simply because it's so far away from anywhere. At approximately 5 hours from each of Sydney and Canberra, you definitely need to allow some time to get here. On our recent trip we headed off at lunchtime on the Friday before a long weekend, had two days at … [Read more...]