Sydney Santa Spectacular at Rosehill Gardens is back again from 7th to 27th December 2018. Your ticket includes unlimited rides, unlimited ice skating, free parking plus  NEW polar bear snow ball challenge,    NEW Turbo Taboggan slide,   NEW Spectacular Ice shows,    walk through the Enchanted Christmas Village,      Ride a reindeer in North Pole Training Stables,    Santa's largest inflatable world spectacular slide,    Santa's Sleigh,  Cookie VIllage and decorate your own take home cookie!,    Meet and Greet Santa & Friends character appearances!
Tickets are now available at   www.sydneysantaspectacular.com

Merlin Annual Pass is a great way to save money on your days out.  The 12 months unlimited entry to some of the best attractions in Australia and New Zealand including:

• SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
• WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
• Sydney Tower Eye
• Kelly Tarlton's SEA LIFE (Auckland, NZ) Aquarium
• WILD LIFE Hamilton Island
• Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventure
• Otway Fly Treetop Adventure
• Underwater World Mooloolaba
• Melbourne Aquarium
• Madame Tussauds
• LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

Passholders also receive 10% off retail purchases,  $2 coffee,  20% off food and beverage purchases  and you    can save 25% off entry when you bring your family and friends

More information on the annual pass and attractions https://www.merlinannualpass.com.au/

VTech Secret Safe Diary Colour will protect all of your secrets . There is a  voice unlock system that only responds to your voice and will keep everyone out. It also has 20 different activities, including three virtual pets for you to look after, lots of great games. A QWERTY keyboard, voice memo, alarm clock, address book and more. The Secret Safe Diary Colour is suitable for children 6-11 years, and available from November from Kmart. RRP $59.95

 The Kidizoom® Action Cam 180° is a light and multi-functional action camera for kids. Play through three fantastic games, or create fun stop motion, slow motion or fast motion videos with a great selection of background music to choose from. Use the time-lapse photo recording function to capture great and creative actions shots. Includes a waterproof case which allows you to take underwater photos or great shots in the rain, and mounts that allow you to attach the camera to a bicycle and more. The camera is suitable for children 5+ years, and available now from Kogan and good toy stores. RRP $89.95.

Family Fun For Free  -   take advantage of the warmer weather  ​and get out and about! 
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Sydney Harbour National Park - Gap Bluff Watson’s Bay.   There is not a lot of signage for this walk, we got lost a few times just trying to find the walk but isn’t that all part of the adventure! Don't let the gorgeous  scenery  at The Gap confuse you as the walk is in the other direction!  

Head along Cliff st, this is where you will find the start of the walk at Camp Cove, from there you will pass Lady Bay beach (close your eyes it’s a nudist beach) then further along is the Hornby Lighthouse then loop around to head back. 
Along the walk you can see  views of the city, harbour, beach and also learn about Sydney history. ​

One of  our favourite   things to do, is  to find family friendly adventurous walking tracks with great views!
We have  travelled in every direction  of Sydney to find  a walking track with a view.

Listed below are  a few of our favourite walking tracks  that we have checked out during the year.

The  walks  are perfect to do on the weekend or school holidays and you don't need to travel   hours from Sydney to get to them.

The best part they  don't  cost a fortune and  are a great way to get everyone outdoors. 

With Sydney weather we are able to enjoy these walks all year round.

Cape Baily Coast Walk - Kamay Botany Bay National Park Kurnell NSW 

​Located at Kurnell NSW you will find Kamay National Park which is home to around six walking tracks.
One of the most popular tracks Cape Baily Coast Walk starts at Cape Solander Lookout. If visiting in the winter months you may also be able to  spot some whales.

The Cape Baily Coast Walk    is 8km return and will take around 2.5hours to complete. 
The walk takes you close to the cliff tops (watch the kids) there are no fences, around sand dunes,  swamps and past the lighthouse.

On our visit the cliffs were very windy, but definitely worth the view.
There are no toilet facilities at this walk, best to call in at the visitor center before heading on the walk.
 
On the weekends especially in winter  there are lots of people with very limited parking.

All vehicles are required to pay $8 for parking and gates are locked at 7.30pm August- May and 5.30pm June- July.

 Boora Point Walking Track - Malabar Headland National Park NSW

This was an amazing walk I would highly recommend, best with kids that do enjoy a walk or have completed previous walking tracks.

I must admit I did start the track with some concerns as it’s a grade 4 track with previous bushwalking advisable as it’s challenging and steep!
BUT, Please don’t let that stop you! The views are absolutely gorgeous. Yes you do get close to cliffs and you must keep your eye on the kids at all times but there are lots of places to stop for a rest or in our case a bite to eat.

The track has great signage, with some of it pathed, the remaining is soft sand or a little rocky.  We saw many families walking the track and we even learn’t about local history in World War 2.

It is just over a 7km return track. It took us 2 hours to reach Boora Point & then 40mins to return with no stopping & the kids still had energy to play at Maroubra Beach.

Best part, no parking cost (we parked at Maroubra Beach  Arthur Byrne Reserve) at the start of the walking track. Please note this walking track is next to the rifle range and   for your safety the walking track is closed when the rifle range is in use. 

Click here for more information from official National Parks website.

Barrenjoey Headland - Northern Beaches NSW

Around an hours drive from Sydney is Barrenjoey Head Lighthouse located at Palm Beach.
It’s approximately a 30minute 2.5km walk to the lighthouse. To  access the walk you do need to walk about 200 metres on the sand from the carpark.

Once at the walk there are 2 pathways to get you to the top, some areas are very steep but both are well marked. You have the choice to walk the steep stairs or take the winding pavement both have amazing views of Palm Beach and surrounding areas.

It’s best to park at Governor Phillip Park, Palm Beach then access the walk via the beach. It is all ticketed parking and it’s not cheap maximum charge $40 per day.
There are no toilet, water or cafe facilities at the top of the walk but the view is absolutely amazing. There is however toilet and cafe at the Governor Phillip park.

On Sundays the lighthouse runs tours for just a couple of $. If your lucky you may even see whales passing.

If your still looking for more family walking tracks, please  check out our other blog on Fun Easy Family Walking Tracks. 

Mum's Big Opinion   -  This zoo was so much better than I thought it would be. The zoo was clean and had lots of different animals to see. 
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The best part is the majority of the enclosures you are able  to get up close to the animals in their environment.  Love the idea that the kids can feed the giraffes and get so close to them!

Key information
-   Located at 222 Tomakin Road Mogo NSW
-  The Zoo is open from 9am - 5pm  7 days a week (except Xmas Day)
-  Adults cost $32, Children $17  (3-15 years) or family  $92 ( 2 adults &  2 Kids)
-   Up close animal personal encounters are available    to book online.
- Daily keeper talks conducted by the zoo
- Cafe on site with indoor and outdoor seating.
​-   For more information visit their official    website ​

Currently on now at Scenic World Katoomba is Sculpture at Scenic World exhibition . The exhibition runs from  13th April until 13th May 2018.

There   are  a total of 38  sculptures set amongst  the rainforest on the Lillipilli Link trail.  The track  will take you and the family  approximately   30 minutes to complete.  At each sculpture there is a description of the sculpture and a brief story on what inspired the artist to design it.

​This is the seventh year the exhibition has been on and they ensure that all artworks are installed and removed by professional arborists and art handlers. The exhibition ensures no vegetation is cleared or removed.

Hot tips from Little Opinions
-  The parking station fills up quickly, get there early to grab a spot.
-   To try an  avoid the crowds and tourist buses get there early . We rode the Scenic railway at  930am which was a 10 minute wait , we then again  decided to ride it again at 1230pm and it took 40 minutes.
- Make sure to grab your free Kids Trail Guide for the kids to  follow the sculpture trail.
-   Take the time to read about the sculptures and discuss with the kids what it means to them.
- Book online to save the time from lining up!
​- Be sure to visit the  Little Ninjas  workshop  for the kids to get creative.
- Make sure you use the toliet facilities before heading down into the rainforest as there are no toilets in the valley.  

Ellie's Little Opinion  (aged 11 years) -  My favourite  sculpture was  the blue  &  purple  shiny ant display. It caught my eye with the two colours together. My second favourite sculpture was definitely the Lego climbing up the tree. I liked how they used different colours in different places. I really liked how the sculptures were eco friendly and that they didn't chop or move anything in  nature.
Overall I really liked  all the quirky and creative ideas for sculptures. 

Alyssa's Little Opinion (aged 8 years) -    I   liked  looking and taking photos of the Sculptures. My favourite  sculpture was the chandelier. The funniest  Sculpture was the one with washing machines, tyres and  rubbish everywhere. I also enjoyed   making my Ninja Mask  at the kids workshop area at the end of the day.

Key Information 
- Sculpture at Scenic World is located  corner Voilet street & Cliff Street
-   Scenic World is open from 9am - 5pm.
​-   Parking at Scenic World car park is free
-   There is no additional cost to see the Sculpture exhibition.
- Scenic World unlimited Day pass family  (2 adults & 5 Children) starts from $99
- Cafe on site to grab lunch or snacks. 
- Pre book your tickets online at www.sculptureatscenicworld.com.au  

Alyssa's Little Opinion - I liked looking at the different  plants and seeing plants and flowers I've never seen before. I liked how there were  lots of different  tracks to follow. It was very lovely and also very quiet. I would like to go back there again for a picnic.

Ellie's Little Opinion - There were lots of different plants and trees to see. It was fun siting down at the different areas, it was very peaceful.  The view of the city was amazing at top of the garden you could see the Harbour Bridge.  

Mum's Big Opinion - At the garden there are many different tracks to follow and explore. There are lots of little spots along the way to stop for a snack, picnic or a reading break. 
Even the kids enjoyed the adventure and looking at the different plants & exploring the garden.
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We took advantage of it being so close to the city and jumped on a ferry to enjoy lunch at the quay. ​

Key Information
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- The garden is open all day every day

- There is no charge to enter the garden
 
- There are no toilet    facilities at the gardens

- There is no cafe onsite, best to bring your  own food 
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- The garden is kept by volunteer staff

- For more information visit   https://www.wendyssecretgarden.org.au/

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