The Five-Step Process to Having Conversations with God

Neale Donald Walsch, author of Conversations with God, shares with Wellspring editor, Kate Durack, how we can access our own divine guidance and gain answers and inspiration from God. He discusses Life Purpose, coincidences, soulmates and parallel universes. Neale also shares what he believes is the biggest problem in the world today.

FIND NEALE HERE
Website: https://www.nealedonaldwalsch.com/
Twitter: @realNDWalsch
YouTube: nealedonaldwalsch

To read Offspring’s article about Neale’s work, click here.

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WELLSPRING'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Sheleana Aiyana on Trauma, Abandonment Wounds and Conscious Relationships

By OFFSPRING September 22, 2021

Sheleana Aiyana on Trauma, Abandonment Wounds and Conscious Relationships

Sheleana Aiyana, founder of Rising Woman, shares with Wellspring editor, Kate Durack, how she has learnt to develop conscious, healthy relationships despite early childhood trauma, abuse, addiction and abandonment wounds.

FIND SHELEANA HERE
Website: https://risingwoman.com/author/sheleana-aiyana
YouTube: Rising Woman
Instagram: @sheleanaaiyana

To read Offspring’s article about Sheleana’s work, click here.

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WELLSPRING'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Helen Jacobs on Noticing Signs and Connecting with Your Spirit Guides

By OFFSPRING September 22, 2021

Helen Jacobs on Noticing Signs and Connecting with Your Spirit Guides

Helen Jacobs, psychic medium and author of You Already Know, chats with Offspring Magazine and Wellspring editor, Kate Durack, about Life Purpose and ways we can develop our intuition and psychic abilities.

FIND HELEN HERE
Website: https://helenjacobs.co/
Instagram: @helenjacobs.co

To read Offspring’s article about Helen’s work, click here.

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TRAVEL

Sensational Singapore! Your next family holiday destination!

By OFFSPRING April 16, 2020

Far from a boring, predictable place to visit, Singapore is now a very appealing travel destination for Australian families.

Many years ago I did a stopover in Singapore en-route to Europe. I found it be ‘nice’, but, to be honest a bit dull. So when my husband suggested a family holiday to Singapore, I wasn’t overly enthused. When the time came to go, it was with some trepidation that I boarded our flight; however, I am happy to say it was completely WORTH IT. I can honestly say that it was one of the best family holidays we’ve ever had!

Highlights include

English is widely spoken
Clean and safe
Good, cheap public transport
Good shopping
Not much time difference

Top Tip
When planning your holiday, don’t book a transfer from the airport. These are ridiculously overpriced and taxis are cheap and readily available.

Sentosa Island

Where do I start?? This place just teems with fun and adventure. We did a ‘Swim with the Dolphins’ package and it was truly magical.

Dolphin Island
Adventure Cove Waterpark
S.E.A. Aquarium
Universal Studios
Underwater World
Singapore Cable Car

For more information visit

www.sentosa.com.sg

Singapore Zoo

This is a great zoo to visit. You can stroll around at your leisure or hop on and off the trams.

Jungle Breakfast with the Wildlife
Animal Shows
Animal Rides
Follow the ‘Feeding Trails’
Rainforest Kidzworld (bring your bathers!)
The Night Safari (one of the most popular tourist activities in Singapore)

For more information visit

www.zoo.com.sg

Explore the neighbourhoods

Did someone say shopping?

Chinatown
Little India (not that great for prams but good for cheap shoes!)

For more information visit

www.chinatown.sg

www.littleindia.com.sg

Gardens by the Bay

These are massive gardens spanning over 100 hectares.

Some of the gardens are free and some you pay to visit.

There is something for everyone here.

Cloud Forest (amazing)
Children’s Garden (Bring your bathers!)
OCBC Skyway
Supertree Grove

For more information visit

www.gardensbythebay.com.sg

Clarke Quay

This spot has a great vibe to it. It’s a terrific place to have dinner and relax.

Restaurants
Great cocktails!
Stroll along the waterfront
Catch a boat tour along the river
Watch and play in the fountain that shoots out water from the ground.

For more information visit

www.clarkequay.com.sq

Handy Hint
Singapore doesn’t follow the same school timetable as us. If you can avoid their school holidays it can sometimes be cheaper and less crowded.

Where to stay

There are several places that spring to mind, from bustling Orchard Rd to Clarke Quay and Sentosa.

Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort (higher end hotel)
Novotel Clarke Quay (good mid-range hotel)
York Hotel Orchard Rd (good mid-range hotel)

Top Tip

If you want to save some money, go for something slightly further out.

Getting there

Direct flights take just over 8.5 hours and there are several to choose from.

For more information visit

Vibrant, simple and delicious summer food

By OFFSPRING April 12, 2020

One of the bests parts about summer is the food. Whether it’s the fresh fruits, vegetables, meats or cheeses, Summer’s all about stress-free entertaining.

These dishes are light, tasty and delicious and are sure to excite your tastebuds and there’s something for your breakfast lunch, dinner and dessert. Stay cool with an acai bowl for breakfast and keep things light with a delicious and easy Spinach, Walnut, Mint, Strawberry and Feta Salad. Let the flavours burst with the Seared Salmon with Asparagus, Pomegranate and Basil Oil for dinner and tantalise those tastebuds with a passionfruit semifreddo for dessert.

Cool down this summer with an Acai bowl. This popular super food smoothie bowl is packed with nutrients and will hit the spot this summer. The best thing is that you can add in the berries of your choice and change the toppings to your liking. These smoothie bowls are quick, easy and satisfying for breakfast or lunch. Delicious!

Ingredients (Serves 1)

1 banana, frozen
100g pack acai puree, frozen
60 ml cold water

For garnish:

mint leaves
goji berries
chia seeds
shredded coconut
toasted muesli

Method

1 If you use a frozen pack of acai puree make sure you break it in a couple of places before you put it into a blender.

2 Add the frozen banana, acai puree and cold water into the blender and blend until smooth.

3 Pour out the smoothie mixture out into a bowl and garnish with mint, goji berries, chia seeds, shredded coconut and toasted muesli.

This vibrant summer salad is the perfect no cooking required meal. It can be an addition to your backyard barbeque grill party or simply served at home. This healthy salad is great for you to enjoy in the hot Australian summer.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the vinaigrette:

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 tsp honey
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

For the salad:

6 cups baby spinach
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
Small handful of mint, taken off stem
2 cups of strawberries
1/3 cup Greek Feta cheese

Method

1 To prepare the vinaigrette, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, honey and Dijon mustard in a jar and shake. Set aside.

2 For the salad, cut the strawberries into quarters and roughly chop the walnuts.

3 To assemble the salad put the spinach leaves, walnuts, mint and strawberries into a large bowl and then crumble over the feta cheese. Dress the salad with the vinaigrette just before you serve.

Impress your dinner guests this summer with this simple yet elegant meal, any night of the week. With the crispy skin of the salmon, the snap of the asparagus and pumping pomegranate this dish is sure to please. Quick and delicious.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

1/2 red onion
1 green onion
1 pomegranate
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
6 asparagus spears
2 salmon fillets

For basil oil:

1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves, stemmed and washed
1 tablespoon water
2 cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Method

1 To make the basil oil, place the basil, water, garlic, salt and red pepper flakes in a food processor and pulse a few times. Then add the olive oil and blend until smooth. Set aside.

2 Slice the red onion and the green onion thinly and set aside.

3 Cut the pomegranate in half. Hold each half over a bowl, seeds facing down and tap the skin with a wooden spoon, squeezing a little to release the seeds.

4 Heat a large pan with a tbsp of olive oil, add asparagus and cook for 5 minutes or until tender.

5 Using paper towel pat dry the salmon fillets then season with salt on both sides. Heat a pan over medium to high heat with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and put the salmon skin side down. Cook for about 2-3 minutes per side.

6 To serve, place three asparagus spears on a plate. Top with a piece of salmon skin side up and garnish with the red onion, green onion and pomegranate. Finish with a drizzle of the basil oil.

This frozen dessert is a fast and easy go-to summer dessert. With the texture of frozen mouse it is similar to an ice cream cake but without the fuss and preparation time. Just take it out from the freezer, slice and serve. Simple!

Ingredients (Serves 10)

1 egg
3 egg yolks
150 gm caster sugar
400ml thickened cream
juice of 1 lime
pulp of 3 passionfruit, plus extra to serve
300ml whipping cream, whipped to serve

Method

1 Grease and line the base and sides of an 8cm x 22cm rectangular cake tin with plastic wrap.

2 Using an electric mixer, whisk the egg, egg yolks and sugar in a medium heatproof bowl until thick and creamy. While continually whisking, place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and whisk for 5 minutes or until mixture doubles in size. Remove from heat and set aside, allowing the mixture to cool.

3 Whisk the cream with an electric mixer in a bowl until soft peaks form. Add half the cream to the egg mixture and gently fold it in until just combined. Add the remaining cream, passionfruit pulp and lime juice and fold until just combined. Pour into the prepared pan and place in the freezer overnight until firm.

4 Turn the semifreddo out onto a serving platter. Drizzle with the fresh passionfruit pulp, cut into thick slices and serve immediately with a dollop of whipped cream.

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TRAVEL

Combine adventure with rejuvenation on a holiday to Phuket

By OFFSPRING April 12, 2020

The perfect blend of adventure and rejuvenation, Phuket is home to some of the best sun-kissed beaches, therapeutic spa centres, amusement parks, safaris and cable rides, making it a highly sought-after family-friendly destination.

From blue lagoons, pink sunset hues and pristine white sands to orange-robed monks and revered temples, Phuket is adorned with majestic sites to behold. The northern part of this island city is known for its tranquil environs with attractions like Koh Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay and Patong Beach, while plenty of sun-kissed beaches welcome you down south. Yet that is not all – Phuket’s terrain also encompasses verdant jungles and panoramic mountains and cliffs with mesmerising vistas.

The city’s tropical climate is usually suitable for year-round travel as it never gets too cold here. November to February is the best time to visit this bustling city when it remains cool and dry, with temperatures increasing until May. Monsoons are quite wet – so if you can brave the rains, the months from May to October also offer good choices.

Travelling with kids? Take the time to indulge in some fun-filled water play.

Explore Phuket’s best water parks

Located close to the international airport, the Splash Jungle Water Park lies within a private resort property on the pristine sands of Mai Khao Beach.

Home to various exhilarating water slides, kids’ aquarium and other attractions, this water marvel is a must-visit place for kids and adults alike.

One of Phuket’s largest children’s clubs, Rawai Park Kids Club is a perfect blend of wet and dry play areas. From pools and water slides to ball pits and carousel, the park is a complete family-friendly extravaganza.

And if families are accompanied with older kids, Surf House Phuket is the place to hang out. Every surfer’s dream, this attraction lies on the most-popular Kata beach. With several bars and restaurants nearby, this place is surely a hotspot.

Pumping up the water sports scene in Phuket, Anthem Wake Park boasts of a minimum of three-cable water skiing options. Nestled amidst verdurous vegetation on a 50,000sqm lake, this beautiful park is another great joint for folks travelling with older kids.

If your kids are still unsatisfied with a day-long splashing activity, Phuket will surprise them with another range of thrilling attractions to immerse in.

Get ready for an adrenaline rush

Patong Go-Kart Speedway is a dream destination for all motor racing enthusiasts. Situated at the doorstep of Patong hill, the attraction boasts of a 750 m-long race track with adventurous curves and extended finish lines. Housing trendy bars and restaurants, this place is also a great hangout zone for non-riders. Perfect for kids and grown-ups, the speedway has a variety of kart options with altered speed options.

The island offers another heart-pumping experience for globetrotters at Flying Hanuman Phuket, which is a great way to admire the wilderness of the surrounding environs here. Featuring platforms, sky bridges, spiral stairways, sky rail and a 20-minute nature walk, the attraction allows travellers to explore nature from close quarters.

Call it zorbing, hill rolling or globe riding, Rollerball is one such place to feel a rush of adrenaline inside you. Lying on a hilltop overlooking the Kalim Beach, the place enables visitors to roll down inside a big plastic ball.

And if that is not all for an exhilarating experience, a tour of Phuket ATV will surely seal the deal. Spread across 350 acres of rugged terrain with rubber trees, beaches, mangroves and jungles, the centre is a fun place where families can explore the picturesque region on a four-wheeled bike.

After several exhilarating sessions at these marvels, hunger will definitely drive you crazy. And when you are in a city like Phuket, authentic mouth-watering Thai food is available in literally every corner.

Relish scrumptious Thai cuisine

Thai cuisine is not just food for the locals here; it is a celebration in itself. And that love gets reflected in its popularity worldwide. A Thai meal is a combination of four major seasonings – salt, sweet, sour, and spice – giving it its beautiful aroma which the world craves for. Be it the beaches, high-end restaurants or streets, the city’s every nook and corner is a great place to savour Thai food.

A melting pot of various cultures including Buddhist, Indian, Chinese and Islamic, Thai cuisine is a blend of several aromatic flavours.

A relaxing sun lounger by the beach is the best place to unwind after a thrilling day. While the cool breeze serenades your face, children can have fun making sandcastles.

Beach Calling

Phuket travel is incomplete without its pristine, sun-kissed beaches. Phuket truly beaches have it all. Children can enjoy some surfing at various surfing centres at the happening Kata Beach, parents can bask in the sun at sun loungers lined up there.

Another great family-friendly seafront is Kamala Beach, which not only offers therapeutic spas but is the host ground for the most iconic Phuket FantaSea Show.

And lastly, families can have a fun-filled picnic session at Karon Beach with activities like parasailing, volleyball and many more.

Children are powerhouses of energy. A relaxing beach getaway is not their idea of a perfect vacation. Adventure and thrill is what attracts them. Parents, on the other hand, prefer a laid-back beach sojourn amidst serene environs.

Bringing together the best of both worlds, the otherwise quaint island of Phuket offers myriad thrilling attractions, making it the perfect family holiday destination.

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HEALTH

Preventable diseases kill: A case for vaccination

By OFFSPRING August 9, 2019

By Dr. Adam Coulson

Would you let a carpenter operate on your child? (and why you shouldn’t trust your child’s healthcare to celebrity chefs, footballers’ wives & other charlatans).

Chloe was a beautiful infant child. Loved by her doting parents and grandparents. Chloe took several agonising days to die of whooping cough in a modern Intensive Care Unit in one of Australia’s best children’s hospitals.

Whooping cough is vaccine-preventable, Chloe was not vaccinated.

The year was 2004. Her death rocked me. I still see her pretty face.

More than 150 people have recently succumbed to Measles in New York State. The US had eliminated measles in 2000. Measles is vaccine-preventable.

Measles is not benign.

If one of our favourite children’s authors, Roald Dahl, were alive today he could recount how his eldest daughter, Olivia, died tragically of measles encephalitis (infection and inflammation of the brain) aged just seven years old in 1962. He was a passionate advocate of vaccination. He had reason to be.

Recently, Oregon State recorded its first case of tetanus in more than 30 years. The six-year-old unvaccinated boy spent 47 days in Intensive Care. Tetanus is vaccine-preventable. I have cared for patients suffering tetanus – an extremely unpleasant and life-threatening illness.

Australia has seen a surge in self-proclaimed “experts and champions” of anti-vaccination. Many of them have celebrity status. They make false and unsubstantiated claims about vaccination.

Make no mistake, these self-proclaimed experts lack any formally recognised training or education in health sciences let alone medicine. They are charlatans and should be called out. Would you allow a well-meaning carpenter to operate on your child?
After all, they’re good with tools. Would you?

Let’s think about that for a moment.
If your child needed surgery would you entrust their care to a charismatic and charming carpenter who lacked any formal surgical training? Would you?

Footballers’ wives might be good for a bit of lighthearted TV
entertainment but would you really turn to them for healthcare
advice?

Isn’t it reassuring that Australia has a rigorous system of surgical training and registration that guarantees the expertise and competence of Surgeons?

So why do intelligent and well-meaning Australian parents
entrust their children’s healthcare to untrained professionals?

When childhood vaccination was launched in Australia during the last century parents had a lived world experience of the devastation that vaccine preventable diseases caused. From 1944 to 1954 polio was responsible for more than 1000 deaths in Australia. The reality of this disease was ever-present in communities. This devastating illness crippled and killed children. Its vaccine was welcomed. Many elderly Australians still live with
the devastating neuromuscular disability wrought by the polio virus.

Modern Australia, with its public health advances, has seen our communities thankfully grow healthier and safer. The lived world experience of the destructive power of vaccine-preventable diseases is no
longer in our consciousness.

Make no mistake, vaccine-preventable diseases kill
and are ready to strike the unvaccinated, and the “herd”, if vaccine
rates continue to decline.

Remember that the natural world isn’t all paleo and wholefoods. The natural world is life-threatening viruses and bacteria many of which are largely vaccine-preventable.

Would you want to be the parent that has to bury your child of an entirely vaccine-preventable disease?

Intelligent, caring and well-meaning Australian parents are right to question the healthcare their children are offered. So where should you turn for credible advice to answer your questions on vaccination?
I recommend that your “health home” should be your General Practitioner.

These highly trained doctors have undertaken years of postgraduate medical training to specialise in providing holistic healthcare advice for
the whole family.

Australia has an outstanding system of primary healthcare that
allows consumers to choose their own General Practitioner. Take
the time to find a GP that you like & trust. Recommendations from
friends & family can be a good first step.

Would you want to be the parent that has to apologise to your child for their lifelong disability as the result of a vaccine-preventable illness?

The Royal Australian College for General Practitioners also has an informative website that provides advice on finding a GP in your area: https://www.racgp.org.au/information-for-patients/

Many General Practices undergo rigorous accreditation as
evidence of their quality. A list of these can be found at: https://www.agpal.com.au/for-consumers/

If you have a number of questions you would like to ask your GP about vaccination, request a long appointment to allow you the time to explore
your issues. Complex questions might require several consultations.

If your child has complex healthcare needs impacting on vaccination decisions your GP can refer you to a paediatrician or paediatric immunologist for more specialized advice.

Child health nurses are highly skilled registered nurses with postgraduate training and expertise in child health. They can be an invaluable source of credible advice on the healthcare needs of your child.

Make sure you entrust the healthcare needs of your child to credible health professionals with the appropriate training & qualifications.

You wouldn’t let a carpenter operate on your child? Would you?

About the author: Dr. Adam Coulson is a Practising Specialist Emergency Physician. He is a father to six children all of whom are vaccinated. The views expressed in this article are those of the author. The names and details of any patients have been changed to protect patient confidentiality.

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TRAVEL

Victoria Getaway Guide

By OFFSPRING August 9, 2019

It’s time to dust off those winter woolies and put a spring in your step as the days grow longer, the sun warmer and evenings balmy to have some family fun in Victoria.

Magical Melbourne

What better place to start than the grand old lady herself?

Highlights include

The Galactic Circus
Melbourne Zoo
Fairy Park (perfect for little princes and princesses)
Science Works
Melbourne Aquarium
The Queen Victoria Markets
Cooks Cottage
Federation Square
Melbourne Trams

For more information visit

www.whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/placestogo/attractions/familyfun/pages/familyfun

If it’s something more laid back you’re after, then why not take a picnic to the gorgeous Royal Botanical Gardens. A good place to start is the Visitor Centre which is on Birdwood Avenue, where you can get maps and information on how to spend your time.

Once there I recommend a visit to the Children’s Garden, a fantastic spot for children who love to get their hands dirty!

It has been designed specifically to help teach and excite children about the importance of conservation and caring for the environment.

Other highlights include

Guilfoyle’s Volcano
Lakes and Islands
Canna Bed Rain Garden
The Melbourne Observatory

For more information visit

www.rbg.vic.gov.au

Accommodation

Like all cities, Melbourne has a plenty of accommodation, and apartments tend to be the most popular for families.

For more information visit

www.questapartments.com.au

www.oakshotelsresorts.com

www.mantra.com.au

Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley

What a wonderful place to visit. So much to do! The Dandenongs and Yarra Valley are home to a multitude of fun activities that the whole family can enjoy.

Highlights include

Hedgend Maze Healesville
Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery Yarra Glen
Yarra Valley Dairy in Coldstream
William Ricketts Sanctuary Park
Binjarra Cultural Centre
Healesville Sanctuary
SkyHigh Mt Dandenong Restaurant and Attractions

For more information visit

www.skyhighmtdandenong.com.au

www.visitvictoria.com

Puffing Billy Steam Train

For all the little (and big!) train lovers out there Puffing Billy is a must. This well-loved steam train is over 100 years old and runs from Belgrave to Gembrook through the beautiful forests and gullies of the Dandenongs.

.For more information visit

www.puffingbilly.com.au

Trees Adventure Glen Harrow Park

Fancy an amazing adventure? Ever felt like walking through the treetops? Then this is for you! Anyone from the age of four and above can enjoy this. Bookings are essential.

For more information visit

www.treesadventure.com.au/glen-harrow-park

Top Tip

We all love a good playground, so see the link below for a great list of playgrounds and parks!

www.visitdandenongranges.com.au/things-to-do/picnics-playgrounds

Wineries

Where to start? You could spend months exploring them! Several places are family friendly and offer playgrounds and other activities.

Accommodation

Big4 Dandenong Tourist Park
Quest Dandenong

For more information on wineries and accommodation visit

www.visitvictoria.com/Regions/Yarra-Valley-and-Dandenong-Ranges

If you thought the snow fields were just for winter, you’d be wrong!

Mt Hotham

Horse Riding
Bushwalking
White Water Rafting on the Mitta Mitta River
Mountain Biking
Visit the Onsen Retreat and Spa at Dinner Plain

Accommodation

Davenport village in Hotham.
Dinner Plain, 10kms away, is a good alternative.

For more information visit

www.mthotham.com.au

Falls Creek

Canoe on Rocky Valley Lake
Horse Riding
Ride the Trails
Segway Tours
Golf
Wineries
Gliding

For more information visit

www.fallscreek.com.au

Mt Buller

An easy three hour drive from Melbourne, Mt Buller offers a perfect summer escape.

Highlights include

Mountain Biking
Bush Walking
Horse Riding
Chairlift Rides
Four-wheel Driving

Accommodation

Arlberg Hotel – Has a kids stay free offer and a kids area with a pool table and x-box. It also has a kids ‘chill zone’ with bean bags, meals and movies

For more information visit

www.mtbuller.com.au

Mt Baw Baw

Mountain Biking
Fishing
Hiking
Bush Walking

Accommodation

For something different, why not try ‘Glamping?’

For more information visit

www.mountbawbaw.com.au/glamping

The Great Ocean Road

This is one of the most stunning ocean drives I’ve ever been on. Some of the amazing things on offer include:

Bells Beach
Apollo Bay
Kennett River Koala Walk
Cape Otway
Port Campbell National Park
The Twelve Apostles
Tiger Moth World, Torquay (Lots of fun!)

If you feel like a swim then head to the famous Bells Beach or take a stroll along the Surf Coast walk.

For more information visit

www.visitgreatoceanrd.org.au

www.travelvictoria.com.au/regions/greatoceanroad/

Accommodation

There are plenty of choices on this route, from caravan/holiday parks, B&B’s, apartments and resorts.

For more information visit

www.big4.com.au

www.topparks.com.au

www.greatoceanroadtrip.com

The Grampians

The Grampians have much to offer families, from camping, scenic walks, animals and more.

Highlights include

Little Desert National Park.
Grampians National Park
Mt Arapiles
McKenzie Falls.
The Stawell Gift at Easter

For more Information visit

www.grampianstourism.com.au

Halls Gap Zoo

Halls Gap Zoo is Victoria’s largest regional zoo. It has a, giraffe, water buffalo, meerkats, rainbow lorikeet and more. Why not consider ‘adopting’ one of their beautiful animals? How awesome would that be!

Accommodation

Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park. Here you can camp, stay in a cabin or rent a house!

For more information visit

www.hallsgapzoo.com.au

www.hallsgaplakeside.com

Phillip Island

What a gorgeous spot with lots of things to do. With everything close together you don’t have to spend ages in the car going from place to place.

Highlights include

Phillip Island Chocolate Factory. Yum yum!
A Maze’n’Things
Antarctic Journey
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Wildlife Coast Cruises
Caldermeade Farm and Café

Penguin Parade

Who doesn’t love a cute penguin? Every day at sunset the penguins arrive and strut their stuff while waddling over to their burrows. Truly awesome.

Top Tip

During peak times, pre-book tickets to avoid missing out.

Accommodation

A Maze’n’Things Holiday Park
The Waves Apartments

For more information visit

www.visitphillipisland.com

Mornington Peninsula

The Mornington Peninsula is renowned for being a popular holiday destination with lots to do.

Highlights include

Diving, fishing
Swimming with dolphins
The Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Park
Wineries
Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm
The Big Goose
Visit village markets
The Enchanted Maze
Cape Schanck Lighthouse and Museum

For more information visit

www.thebellarinerailway.com.au

www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org

Top Tip

Follow the link below for a comprehensive list of food and wineries in the Mornington Peninsula.

www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org/foodandwine

Accommodation

Ocean Blue Coastal Retreats (Some of these are even pet friendly)
Trumans Cottages (Mostly pet friendly)

For more information visit

www.familyfriendlyaccommodation.com.au/mornington_peninsula

Victorian Goldfields

Gold was discovered over 160 years ago…will you be the one to make the next big find??

Highlights include

Ballarat – See the Lal Lal Falls
Bendigo – Vintage ‘Talking’ Tram Tours
Castlemaine – Old Castlemaine Gaol
Heathcote – O’Keefe Rail Trail,
Maldon – The Maldon Lolly Shop. An old time shop filled with sweet treats galore!

For more information visit

www.visitvictoria.com/regions/Goldfields

Sovereign Hill

Pan for gold at Sovereign Hill! Sovereign Hill is a living museum with working exhibits. It’s home to shops, schools, gold digging, underground mines and more. It’s been named Australia’s best ‘Major Tourist Attraction’ three times.

For more information visit

www.sovereignhill.com.au

Accommodation

For something different why not stay at Kryal Castle? It’s located approximately 8km’s east of Ballarat. Kryal Castle is a replica medieval castle with plenty of shows and attractions.

For more information visit

www.kryalcastle.com.au

The Murray Region

The Murray River is Australia’s longest river and a great place to visit. It’s home to wonderful wineries and gourmet food as well as many other exciting things.

Highlights include

Fishing
Watersports
Paddle steamers
Houseboats
River Cruises
Port of Echuca Discovery Centre

Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement

Swan Hill is a town that carries a rich pioneer heritage. The Pioneer Settlement will really help you to embrace Australian history. You can chat to people from a bygone era while cruising the Murray on the PS Pyap. In the evening, enjoy a light and laser show.

For more information visit

www.pioneersettlement.com.au

House Boating

Hire a houseboat and be your own captain! Kids and captains alike will love an adventure like this. You might just have to stop at one of the many wineries though!

Accommodation

Lots to choice! Houseboats, tourist parks, resorts, camping and more.

For more information visit

www.murrayriverhouseboats.com.au

www.visitthemurray.com.au

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