Playsauraus Place

T-rex and Triceratops will start your adventure, as they welcome you to ENERGEX Playasaurus Place. Step back in time to discover how dinosaurs lived and moved and find out what these huge dinosaurs ate to get energy for their bodies.T-rex’s teeth will give you a clue!

From the past to the present, put yourself in the energy picture. Choose food for energy and explore how simple home appliances are energy hungry. Make choices to balance your home energy and challenge your friends on the energy bikes.

Under the hungry eyes of T-rex, think about the future and commit at the Energy Action Wall to make choices to live more sustainably.

Discover the all new ENERGEX Playasaurus Place.

Things to see and do

• Turn on appliances in the home and find out how much energy you are using. Are you in the green zone for low energy use or are you an extreme energy user?
• Challenge your friends as you ride the energy bike. Can you pedal fast enough to make energy to turn on a TV? Which appliances need more energy to make them work?
• How did you travel to the Museum? Turn the wheels to find out which type of transport is the most energy efficient.
• Choose food for energy. Select foods that will give you the right amount of energy to play sports or visit the museum.
• Imagine and support a sustainable future, by making choices at the Energy Action Wall.
• Explore our prehistoric environment, including life-sized dinosaurs, dinosaur eggs and hatchlings, dinosaur footprints, rocks and fossils, and some of the plants and animals that helped form coal.
• Be photographed with the T-rex or Triceratops.
• Watch closely as our dinosaur eggs begin to hatch and compare dino eggs to other animal eggs.
• See how science can uncover new information about our prehistoric past and the animals that lived during that time.
• Meet our cartoon dinosaur Rex as he pops up all around the exhibition, inviting you to play, do, think and learn. Rex might be 65 million years old but he still loves to have fun!
• Burn off some energy with the Dancing Dino Shadow Show! 

Cnr Grey St, Melbourne St South Brisbane

Black Swamp Wetlands

Next	SHORE ST WEST AND QUEEN STREET CLEVELAND TEL: 1300 667 386 E: W: www.more2redlands.com.au/explore
Redlands charming island and coastal features, thriving urban centres and vast tracts of regionally significant bushland provide a great range of places for you to enjoy - whether you're walking or riding. The Black Swamp Wetlands is a fascinating ecosystem of birds, animals and vegetation in the heart of Cleveland.

Superbee Honey World

Superbee Honey World, located in both the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, is a working honey factory exporting the most delicious honey products to over 25 different countries all over the world.

Both attractions offer you a range of things to do and see including live bee shows, tasting the worlds widest range of pure honeys and shopping in the Superbee Honey World factory outlet stores.

Admission and honey tasting is completely free and you are welcome to celebrate your next birthday at Superbee Honey World.

SUPERBEE HONEYWORLD

CURRUMBIN GOLD COAST, QLD 4223:

35 Tomewin Street (opp Currumbin Sanctuary) Currumbin,

Ph: 07 5598 4548 Fax: 07 5598 4549

Email:honeyworld@superbee.com.au

Colmslie Beach Reserve

Free Entry - Entry Information

Phone:

07 3403 8888

Email:

enquiries@brisbanemarketing.com.au 

Web:

www.brisbane.qld.gov.au 

Description

On the banks of the Brisbane River, the Colmslie Beach Reserve is a great children's playground with the Octopus Garden, barbecues, shelter picnic area and sandy beach.

Located off Colmslie Road next to the Gateway Bridge, it is located nine kilometres and 13 minutes east of Brisbane City. Public transport is available to and from Colmslie Beach via Lytton Road.

Property Details

Facilities

• Access With Assistance for the Disabled
• BBQ Facilities
• Car park
• Public toilet
• Shaded Area
• Sheltered Area

Other Information

Children: 
Children are welcome.

Disabled: 
Disabled access is available.

Further Details: 
Located off Colmslie Road adjoining the Brisbane River. It is located nine kilometres and 13 minutes east of Brisbane City. For public transport information visit Transinfo.

Senses Trail: Downfall Creek Bushland Centre

Listen, Smell, See, Touch - sign for the Senses Trail

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Listen, Smell, See, Touch is the theme of this special needs inclusive trail located only twelve kilometres north of Brisbane's city centre. Part of Raven Street Reserve, which is part of The Mountains to Mangroves Corridor, Downfall Creek Bushland Centre's Senses Trail is a 250 metre self guided walk with full wheel chair access and clearly numbered (braille and raised) signs (1-12) and a continuous hand rail. 

Downfall Creek Senses Trail

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Taking this trail is an educational experience. Huge silver tubes have been set up to help you spot kookaburra nests or possum boxes. 

Inter-active Activity Station

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"Widen your nostrils, can you smell the soil or the onset of rain?" encourages one sign, near the interactive activity station. 
"Tic, tac toe - give it a go", and the kids have to match up a row of arthropods or a picture of a Native Giant Woodmoth. You can smell different native bush leaves, such as Lemon Scented Gum or Peppermint. Even the Water Cycle and Carbon Cycle are clearly explained using diagrams.

Ferns along the Senses Trail

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Another sign shows different animal footprints and their droppings all cast in bronze so you can have a good feel without getting too smelly. I had no idea what a koala dropping looked like until now.

Brushtail Possum's footprint and dropping cast in bronze

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Downfall Creek Bushland Centre and Playground (with picnic tables and BBQs) is also located next to the Senses Trail and they are both worth visiting. This place is perfect for fostering kids' appreciation of our local environment, but I love that it is so inclusive of many special needs groups.  Downfall Creek Bushland Centre
815 Rode Road McDowall 

Silver Tube directed towards a kookaburra nest

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Mountview Alpaca Farm

With a cafe, shop and small herd of alpacas, it's a fun stop for everyone. The farm is about a 1 hour 45 minutes drive from Brisbane, along the scenic Lamington National Park Road, not far from Canungra.

Have fun feeding alpacas

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For $3 you can buy a large bag of food from the shop and have fun feeding the friendly alpacas.

Friendly alpacas at Mountview Farm

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The scenery is absolutely stunning and tables at the cafe have an incredible view stretching across to Tamborine Mountain and the Gold Coast. There are various light lunch options, such as toasted sandwiches on the menu as well as homemade scones with jam and cream ($6.50).

Enjoy stunning views

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The gift shop and gallery stocks a great selection of products, including goods made from local producers as well as imported items from South America. The range includes handmade beanies made from their own alpaca fleece and alpaca fur bears.

The farm is open every day of the week and the cafe opens on weekends and during school holidays.

LuLu's diner

Elvis has landed in Brisbane and you can join him for lunch. From the black and white checkered floor to the converted gasoline pump, this quirky roadhouse will definitely take you back in time. The walls are covered in unusual Route 66 paraphernalia and you can choose your own music on the Wurlitzer Jukebox.

Elvis overlooks diners at Roadhouse 98 Lulu's

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Marilyn Monroe watches over diners from one corner and a waitress on roller skates presides over some other tables. This real American style diner serves typical roadhouse fare - milkshakes, coffee, hamburgers, fries, sandwiches, cakes, cookies, etc.

Interesting Route 66 paraphernalia

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The best part for us was sitting on super comfy refashioned car seats. These shiny red Chevy seats provided heaps of fun while we ate our burgers and sipped milkshakes. While only very tiny and off the beaten track, Roadhouse 98 Lulu's has been lovingly decorated and has a real authentic Route 66 feel. All in all, a great place to "get your kicks" right here in Brisbane.

2 Railway Pde, Geebung 

Sit back in an old Chevy seat

Parkland explorer

Parkland Explorer - too cute

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Kids cannot resist a ride on this cute little train painted green, red and blue, but parents will be pleasantly surprised by the informative audio presentation accompanying the journey.

Watch out train about

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As you sit back, sigh and enjoy the trackless train ride, the loud speaker commentary is actually quite educational. Beginning at Roma Street Parkland's own "Queensland Station", where you buy your tickets from a machine, the bell rings and off you "chug" past the wall of "Queensland Greats." The commentary explains how the gardens were established from the old railway yards and how the landfill was excavated to create all the serenity today. 

"Concentric Intersection

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I was surprised to learn that the man made lake is full of rare lungfish, unique to the South East Queensland, and about the 2008 storm which destroyed 30 odd trees in the gardens. It is possible to hop on and off the Parkland Explorer, and a wander through Spectacle Garden is a must. A water feature here represents nearby Spring Hill and cleverly connects the Upper and Lower Parklands. It is worth the walk just to see all the seasonal flowers and sculptures on display.

Topiary Kangaroo in Spectacle Garden

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Back on the train, you get a panoramic view across to the CBD as it crosses into Fern Gully, with its own cool, shady micro-climate.

The train is driven by volunteers, so as you loop back around to the end point, be sure to say a huge thank you.

Views across to Brisbane CBD

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Finish the adventure with coffee and cake at Melange Cafe, housed in an old railway shed. They have a kids menu and ice cream cones for if they've been especially good.

Dine in an old railway shed @ Melange Cafe

Marine Reptiles - QLD Museum

Queensland is home to six of the world’s seven marine turtle species, 20 of the world’s 54 sea snake species and the saltwater crocodile.

Take a journey under the sea and explore life with our marine reptiles.

Things to see and do include:

• Discover and feel how different sand temperature determines the gender of turtles
• See a crocodile skull up close
• Follow the life cycle of turtles including the green, loggerhead and leatherback turtles
• Learn what we can all do to help secure the future of our marine reptiles

Date:

2 Mar 2012 - 31 Dec 2012

Location:

Queensland Museum South Bank, Corner of Grey and Melbourne Street, Brisbane, Qld Map it

Ages:

All Ages / Family

Cost:

Free

Event Info:

Learn something special in this hands-on workshop. Visit Website

Everton Park Hotel Playground

With an award winning Brisbane playground, The Everton Park Hotel is the only Brisbane Hotel to receive WOW playground status. It has a massive fenced play area including slides, climbing nets, a train play area and swings. It also has a working Merry Go Round that your Brisbane Kids can access through a small fee and for the older Brisbane kids there are playstations and a movie room to use at their leisure.

Kids eat free Tuesday Nights.Obviously there is also the convenience of availability to food, drink and toilets. Fenced. The Everton Park Hotel is located on Flockton Street Everton Park. More pictures on the Brisbane Kids Facebook Page

Toowoomba Japanese Gardens

Looking to show your Brisbane kids the wonders of another culture in our own back yard? Look no further than the picturesque Toowoomba Japanese Gardens.

Ju Raku En as they have been named (this roughly translates into “long life in a public garden”) was established by the local council and university. This team effort has resulted in creating the largest Japanese garden in Australia! Located on West Street, which is the North side of the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba this beauty of West Brisbane is worth the drive.

The Toowoomba Japanese Gardens are stroller accessible which is just as well as your Brisbane kids little legs may be wary after having 3km of walking tracks to explore. Watch your littlies marvel at the 230 different species of plants, a waterfall, a mountain stream and a large lake as the centre piece of this truly unique, traditional garden. Make sure you take advantage of the various viewing platforms located around the gardens.

This tranquil park is also home to fish and a variety of birds. Take a loaf of bread with you and enjoy feeding the swans, ducks and geese that call Ju Raku En home. Why not feed yourselves while you’re at it? With picnic areas throughout, you couldn’t have a more idealistic setting to enjoy a relaxing bite to eat with your family. You could take this chance to explain the story behind the garden. The grounds were carefully designed around a Buddhist legend.  The rock island in the middle of the lake is symbolic of the centre of the Buddhist universe, 2 other islands around the lake (which represents the celestial sea) are meant to show the homes of those who live forever. The lakes rim is that of the material world and the bridge symbolises the chance to make a trip to paradise. It really does provide a unique opportunity to extend your children’s vocabularies and teach them about unique and wonderful concepts.

Gold Coast Glowworms

SPRINGBROOK NATURAL BRIDGE GLOW WORMS

One of the two places you can see Gold Coast Glow Worms

The Gold Coast is not only the home of sun, surf and sand and a buzzing nightlife, they also happen to boast Springbrook National Park. Springbrook is rainforest which is heritage listed due to the variety of rare plants that call Springbrook home. Living in these beautiful plants you can find over 100 species of birds! Wompoo Fruit doves and Paradise rifle birds are just a couple of species you will hear as they swoop and sing through their vast abode. The magic of this rainforest is rare, especially when you take into consideration the fact that Australia has lost three-quarters of the rainforests that once inhabited the nation. Even more exciting is what dwells in the natural bridge section of Springbrook National Park. Glow worms! Why not show our Brisbane kids the Gold Coast glow worms they so often read about in their story books?

Along with a picnic pack some torches for the family to take in one of the most unique scenes Australia has to offer.  Remember not to shine your light directly at the glow worms as this will stop them feeding! Not only will you see a beautiful waterfall inside the cave, but you will also be lucky enough to witness the largest concentration of glow worms in the nation! Throughout the 1km circuit the glow worms litter the cave roof for a truly spectacular light show in the evening. Visiting the park to see the Gold Coast Glow Words is free for all hours of the day.  There is a viewing platform and toilets.

What could be more appealing to our Brisbane kids than getting on some wet weather gear, grabbing a torch and exploring Springbrook National Parks Natural Bridge full of magical lights? So take an easy drive down the M1 and turning off at Nerang is how you will find the Natural Bridge section of the park and try something a little different. Make sure you lock your car and don’t leave any valuables in it. The path is not really suitable for prams so you will either need to have a mobile toddler, a strong parent or a carrier for your bub.

The Gold Coast Glowworms provide an awesome opportunity to head away from technology and distractions and be wowed by some of the more spectacular natural wonders of our state.

For more information head to the Queensland Holidays Website

Maleny Dairies Farm 

Maleny Dairies is a family owned business situated in the picturesque hills of Maleny. The process of milking our Guernsey girls and bottling their creamy goodness for your breakfast table is a fascinating one. On our tours you get to see where it all happens and learn a lot about the process and the different products that we are so famous for.

We have plenty of room for the children to run around so why not celebrate your child’s Birthday at the farm? Give us a call today and we can discuss your needs. We also have a kiosk on the farm where you are able to purchase Cappuccino’s, Milkshakes, and our famous soft-serve ice-cream which is a taste sensation! Of course if you want to bring your own picnic you are most welcome. There are also electric BBQ’s for you to utilise. We are wheelchair friendly too.

At Maleny Dairies we pride ourselves on having the friendliest staff that truly makes your experience with us a very happy one. So give us a call today to reserve your spot at Maleny Dairies.

Daisy Hill Koala Centre

Daisy Hill Koala Centre

Located on Daisy Hill Rd, Daisy Hill in the Southern Suburbs of Brisbane- it is open every day (except xmas, new years and good friday) 10-4pm. 435 ha of open eucalypt Forest- home to an estimated 2279 Koalas.

It has an education centre with 2 movies, a vewing tower and multiple walking tracks suitable for prams, wheelchairs and little kids. Admission is free. It has 3 resident koalas- for viewing (no handling).

It is a nature reserve, with plenty of lovely shaded spots, picnic tables and BBQ facilities. They are wood fires (wood provided by the centre)- but you will need to bring your own starters and matches. They always have holiday programs free and for booking- and they book out quickly- so get in early. This is perfect for a midweek jaunt with some toddlers, or a weekend lunch outing with the family. Phone 32991032

Fishing Spots for Brisbane Kids

Fishing for Brisbane Kids

Lets be honest, fishing is lots of fun, but not for kids when they dont catch any fish. This post is a work in progress and we encourage any hobby fisherman to contribute freely in comments so that we can set Brisbane Kids up for fishing success. Here are just a couple of places you let us know on facebook, of where the fish might just be biting- but no promises

1. Tallebudgera creek is good, but you have to get on the sandy side or you end up with snags, last time we went the kids all caught fish there! go on the outgoing tide.. that’s when we started getting bites.
2. Raby bay off the rock next to the beach or at any of the reserves in the area that are open to the canals. I live out here and daily I see lots of fish jumping, so they must be waiting to be caught
3. There is a place called Eco Park at Luscombe, near Beaudesert/Beenleigh where you can take the kids and are sure to catch a fish. they even have kids fishing club. Worth checking out
4. brisbanefishing.com.au my friend runs the site and is passionate about fishing spots in the local area
5. Coochi is always good
6. I have the best childhood memories from Bribie Island; bit of a drive, but worth it if you want to make a day of it, I always seem to catch something, and I’m the worst fisherwoman there is! LOL I’m about to introduce my little boys to the magic of the place, can’t wait!!
7. Shorncliffe pier (CLOSED TEMPORARILY_ NO ONE KNOWS WHY 30/3/2012) 
8. Brighton Beach, Just before the bridge over to redcliffe, keep walking up to the grassy bank
9. Woody Point Pier- but you need to be there at the right time
10. The Spit at the Gold Coast- a little hit and miss and snag city but also a great day out
11. Deepwater Bend at Bracken Ridge.. good for kids here too as lots of birdwatching opportunities and a muddy type bank if you dont mind them getting dirty

Strawberry Fields

Strawberry Picking Brisbane

STRAWBERRY FIELDS

Raise your hand if you enjoy the outdoors, strawberries and quality time with your Brisbane kids?  If this sounds like your kind of day out you should get along to Strawberry Fields located in Stanthorpe and Palmview which is located on the fringe of the Sunshine Coast. Strawberry Fields is a large commercial Strawberry farm that offers you the chance to PYO (pick your own) during strawberry season.

This means they will be on offer at Stanthorpe from November to May and at Palmview from June – November 7 Days a week.

Palmview Strawberry fields is the older of the two farms and is fully equipped for kids, boasting a tractor playground and plenty of picnic tables amongst beautiful surroundings to enjoy their bounty or a packed picnic from home. While you are there you may wish to try some delicious homemade Strawberry ice cream from their scrummy cafe menu. We have heard this could be some of the best icecream in Brisbane.  It doesn’t stop there, if you have a real sweet tooth the pancakes with strawberries and cream may be to your liking.

Running since 1980 they have been delighting customers for years with groups visiting from as far as Hervey Bay and Tweed Heads. Because it is a commercial farm, your Brisbane kids will get to see the Strawberry Fields team in action as they tend to the requirements of the plants. On offer are also group tours with your choice of BBQ lunch or Devonshire tea and catered birthday parties (you can make appointments for these through their website).

Why not plan an outing for your mothers/parents group? Nothing like a bit of fresh air and a satisfied tummy to ensure your little farmers sleep soundly that night.

While you can buy strawberries all year round, picking strawberries is seasonal June until November. Their Stanthorpe farm supplies in the off season (and also has a pick your own facility). In the off season the Palmview farm is open Thursday until Sunday- in Season 7 days a week.

Head to the Strawberry Fields website for details on location and opening hours.

Abbey Art and Archeology Museum

Visiting the Abbey Art and Archeology Museum, in Caboolture, just 40 minutes from Brisbane, is like stepping back in time. The stuff inside, old and ancient, makes you think and wonder.  The significance of the artifacts produces a certain reverence, almost compelling you to hold your breath so to be very, very quiet, as though listening for the whispers of voices long past.  It’s nothing short of thrilling!

The Museum

The small museum is the most meticulous and comprehensively laid out museum I’ve visited. Surprisingly though, it’s REALLY child friendly too. What a delight!  The displays are behind clear glass-like displays and there is space to move and browse. Our kids were just as enthralled as we were!

As you walk through the uncluttered spaces, the history comes to life in historical order.  There is also a section dedicated to ancient Egypt, Israel, Greece and Persia, China, India, Japan and other ancient and classical places.

Look and Find Activity Book

The kids were given a look and find activity book to complete. It’s like a treasure hunt.

The Dig

Try and coordinate a visit to the museum when there is an archaeological dig on.  Beyond fabulous!  There’s nothing like getting hands on.  The kids were taught basic techniques and then the digging began.  My older girls (aged 8 and 10) especially loved this activity.

The Stained Glass

We had a peek inside the St Michael’s Orthodox Church, right next to the Abbey Museum.  A world of colour, rich history and storytelling is inside, displaying stained glass dating back to the 13th century.

Impact on the Kids

The Abbey Museum is an experience that stays with you a long time.  When my son (4) got home from the visit, he immediately looked for his knight toys to play with. It was gorgeous to see him linking items from home with the experience.  My daughter (8) was enthralled with the ancient Egypt display and drew this picture. Awesome.

It’s one of those museums I will never tire of and I look forward to visiting again.  There’s so much detail, history and wonder to absorb. It’s like time travel.

Open Times

10.00 am to 4.00 pm – Monday to Saturday

Phone:  07 5495 1652

Click for admission prices

Where

The Abbey Museum

1-63 The Abbey Place  Caboolture QLD 4510

Links

Abbey Museum Visitor Information

Sneak Peek: Have a look at some of the collection online