What to do Winter school holidays Brisbane

Queensland Museum Brisbane Insectarium
Enter a world of discovery filled with colour and pattern
Gold coin donation entry
28 June-9 July

Kids Big Day Out
Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Cootha
Sunday 4th July 1oam-2pm
Free event
Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander games
Stilt walkers
Bat care Brisbane
Puppet show
Wildlife presentations
Story telling and much more

Wizards and Witches Express
The Workshops railway museum Ipswich
Until July 18th
www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au

Spooky Science Day
Workshops Railway Museum Ipswich
July 8th

School Holiday Fun at Roma Street Parklands
28th June-2 July 10am-2pm
Free activities if you show your Translink ticket or gocard
or Gold Coin Donation
Facepainting
Jumping castle
Barnyard Babes
Workshops
www.romastreetparkland.com

Northside Hamilton

http://www.northshorehamilton.com.au/lifestyle/Space.aspx

The 2.5 hectare Northshore Hamilton Riverside Park is a natural gathering place for local residents and visitors, with a children’s play area, ripple lawn, barbecue and picnic area, and a great open space just perfect for informal cricket or football games. There is also be a performance space, Northshore Riverside Cafe, and a History Walk – commemorating the social, cultural and land use history of the area, from pre-European settlement to the present day.

Sunshine express Rail Tours

Sunshine Express Rail Tours
Po box 1119 Toowong 4066
Phone 0732521759

Rhyme Time

From babes in arms to children ready to dance, Rhyme time is a special time for you and your little one to share rhymes, special songs and stories in a relaxed, fun filled environment.

Every second Tuesday 9.30am

Near Donut King at Centro Albany Creek rd Albany Creek

Free No Booking required!

Brisbane Forest Park & Walkabout Creek Wildlife centre

Things to do:
Choose from a short bushwalk or a 5km walk aorund the Enogerra Water Reservoir.
See the Platypus in a special dark room at Walkabout Creek Wildlife Centre ,open 9am–4.30pm every day (closed on 25 and 26 December and 1 January)
There are also wallabies,turtles,fish,frogs,snakes,lizards,birds,a wombat,pademelons,sugar gliders and possums.

Getting There:
From Brisbane catch a 385 The Gap Buzz bus from Roma st Busway Roma St station.

Don't Forget:
Water if you plan on bushwalking as there are no picnic facilities. Hats.
Entry to Wildlife centre entry costs

• Adults: $5.70
• Children: $2.80
• Concession: $3.95
• Family pass: $14.20

Check Out:
The Huge Hoop Pine trees and the sign showing a massive Gumtree uprooted during the November 16th 2008 storm.

Warning:
There are no picnic facilities at this site. Please take all your rubbish with you.

Other Options:
There is a cafe on site.

More Info:
http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/park/index.cgi?parkid=2
http://www.360tours.com.au/Brisbane_Forest_Park/

Things to do on school holidays

Visit Child Friendly Cafes
http://www.ecomum.com.au/child-friendly-brisbane.php

Apply to paint a Traffic light box
http://svc189.bne146v.server-web.com/artforce/painting.asp

Enjoy the Circus activities at the State Library
http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/whats-on/events/children/circus

Take a Trip To St Helena Island
http://www.sthelenaisland.com.au/

Visit Rocks Riverside Park
The water might be turned off but the park is still a lovely place to visit
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:BASE::pc=PC_1871

More Ideas here
http://www.brisbaneinsummer.com.au/Events/Default.aspx
and here
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/whats-on/school-holidays-feature

The Brisbane Eye

The Brisbane Eye opens this week at Southbank.


"World Tourist Attractions Australia is proud to announce the arrival in 2008 of a new 60m wheel, in partnership with the South Bank Corporation. The wheel is located at the South Bank in the heart of Brisbane's cultural, lifestyle and entertainment district.

After a brief introduction to the facilities available, passengers enter one of the 42 fully enclosed, climate controlled capsules and are gently lifted to a height of 60 meters for a spectacular view of the city. Lasting approximately 13 minutes, the wheel experience also features a commentary pointing out local landmarks.

We welcome visitors with disabilities to The Wheel of Brisbane. Wheelchair users please note that the door width is 74cm, however standard wheelchairs are available on site, subject to availability.

Tickets can be purchased in person from the ticket office located at the wheel, advanced booking, at discounted rates, is also available via our online system

The Wheel of Brisbane at South Bank is owned and operated by World Tourist Attractions Australia Pty Ltd."

Pricing:

Online:

Adult : $13.50
Child (3-12 years) : $9.00
Child (1-3 years) : $1.80
Infant : FREE
Private Gondola : $85.50

Onsite:

Adult : $15.00
Child (3-12 years) : $10.00
Child (1-3 years) : $2.00
Infant : FREE
Private Gondola : $95.00

60m high, the same height as the Eye that was at Seaworld for 2006/2007.
Higher then the Eye that was at the Ekka which was 45m (and the old Ekka ferris wheel is 35m)
http://www.worldtouristattractions.co.uk/wta_wheel_brisbane.php

Strathpine Park

Things to do: Bring your bikes, watch the ducks on the ponds,bring a ball to kick around, visit the site of the Normanby distillery, a great playground for the kids,climb the lookout, room to run!

Getting There: Catch a train to Strathpine Station and cross the road at the lights.

Don't Forget: Hats, suncreen

Check Out: The paths keep going along past Westfield shopping centre

Other Options: Visit Westfield Foodcourt for lunch.
Visit Lei Park at Lawnton

More Info:
Bike path maps
http://www.prsc.qld.gov.au/c/prsc?a=da&did=1132528&pid=1095923458&sid=
http://www.petercampbellrealty.com/NowandThen/NormanbyDistillery.htm
http://www.maxlink.com.au/pinerivers/PARK/pineriv.htm

Mayne Inheritance Tours

Tours for 2008 are over, but contact Livingheritage to be informed of tours in 2009.

Tour of sites associated with the Mayne family and the bizarre murder mystery.
Cost $40

More Info:
http://www.brisbanelivingheritage.com/02_cal/details.asp?ID=951&varPeriod=1

More Info on the Mayne Family
http://www.brisbites.com/mayneSelect.asp
http://www.abc.net.au/dimensions/dimensions_in_time/Transcripts/s527155.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mayne_Inheritance
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/lifestyle/literary-brisbane

Maleny Dairy Farm

THIS ONE YOU WILL NEED TRANSPORT FOR, but I am including it as it is an interesting day out.

Things to Do: Dairy Farm tour and free tasting.

Getting There: Maleny is 30km south west of Caloundra

Don't Forget: closed in shoes, hat and sunscreen

Check Out: The Lunch Menu available and fresh milk at great prices.

Other Options: Nearby Mary Cairncross Park.

More Info:
http://www.malenydairies.com/tours.html
http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/sunshine-coast/places-to-visit/maleny/
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/see-and-do/places-to-see/maleny-montville-mapleton

RiverLife Brisbane River

A Different view of the River.
Minimum 8 years.

Things To D0:
Hire a kickbike, a regular bike or rollerblades
Guided Kayaking sessions
RockClimbing/Abseiling
Pumpabiking
Night Kayaking sessions with Wine and Canapes or Hahn and Prawns

Getting There:
Catch a ferry from Eagle Street to Thornton Street
Walk over the Goodwill Bridge

Don't Forget:
Hat,sunscreen and water

Check Out:
The Sand Tobogganing run through their sister company at Tangalooma.
The view from the top of the cliffs

Other Options:
After 2 guided Kayaking sessions you can hire a canoe on your own.

More Information:
http://www.riverlife.com.au/

Rocky Horror Picture Show With Live Floor show

Something different, 18+ event

Cards for Sorrow are a Brisbane group who host showings of RHPS with a live floorshow, at The Globe in the Valley, the same cinema RHPS screened at during the 70's.
Tickets are $15 and bookings are recommended 0733975847

Audience participation is encouraged (but no mess), sometimes prizes are given out for the best costume too.



More Information:
http://www.kristianfletcher.com/
http://www.myspace.com/rockyhorrorbrisbane

Woodford

Woodford is a lovely small country town to visit.

Things to Do:
Ride the Durundur Railway
Visit the Storeybrook Herb Cottage
In Dec-Jan the Woodford Folk Festival is on (free buses from Caboolture Train Station)

Getting There:
Brisbane Buslines runs a bus from Caboolture
http://www.brisbanebuslines.com.au/timetables/country/default.asp

Don't Forget:
Sunscreen and a hat

Check Out:
Elvis Parsley at Grapeland in the main street.
The Woodford Lions Country Markets are on the 3rd Sunday.

Warning:
The train line only operates on the 1st and 3rd Sundays

Other Options:
Storeybrook Cottage has a B&B.

More Information:
http://www.angrms.org.au/index.html
http://www.storeybrook.com.au/train.html
http://www.woodfordfolkfestival.com/

Ipswich

Ipswich has enough things to do to keep you busy for a few days or a few visits!

Things to Do:
Visit the Railway Workshops
Visit Queens Park and the Nature Centre
Visit Global Arts Centre at the Ipswich Art Gallery
Bushwalks at Denmark Hill Conservation Park
Follow the Ipswich Heritage Trail
Enjoy the new Riverwalk area and visit this area at night to see the creature light show

Getting There:
Catch a train to Ipswich

Don't Forget:
Sunscreen and Hats
Queens Park has a kiosk, BBQ facilities and a lookout

Check Out:
The old Railway Bridge remnants behind the shopping centre on the edge of the river.

Other Options:
Catch a train further on to Rosewood
Visit the grave of Dan Kelly in the Ipswich Cemetery

More Information:
http://www.ipswichartgallery.qld.gov.au/
http://www.ipswichcentral.com.au/river/
http://www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au/
http://www.heritagetrails.qld.gov.au/attractions/ipswich2.html
http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/about_ipswich/parks_reserves_precincts/parks_search/index.php?id=75
http://www.ironoutlaw.com/html/writings_hall.html

Toombul Kalinga Park

Another great playground, away from traffic with public toilets and lots of different playground equipment.

Things to Do:
Bring a picnic
Bring your bikes,scooters etc and use the bikepaths nearby

Getting There:
Catch a train to Toombul Station

Don't Forget:
Water, hats and sunscreen

Check Out:
The old Mine of the Northern side of the creek

Other Options:
Follow the pathways and cross over Shaw Rd to see the wildlife in the wetlands.

More Information:
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/activeandhealthy/families/kidsparks/

Brisbane CBD

There are many things you can do within the CBD of Brisbane.

Things to Do:
Visit the new Central Library which has a great children's section
Roma Street Parklands has lovely flowers and a great playground
Visit the Museum of Brisbane
Go up in the tower of the Town Hall
Visit Brisbane's oldest building The Windmill
Climb Jacob's Ladder
Look at the Plaques for the Brisbane Literary Trail in Albert st
CBD parks- Anzac Square,Post Office Square, Brisbane Square,King George Square,Victoria Square.

Getting There:
Catch a Train,bus or a citycat to the City

Don't Forget:
Hats and sunscreen

Check Out:
The Cathedrals of Brisbane are beautiful!
Brisbane Arcade off Queen st is an amazing old style arcade

Other Options:
Visit Southbank
The Brisbane Botanic Gardens
The Commissariat Museum

More Information:
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:BASE:961969855:pc=PC_1236
http://www.museumofbrisbane.com.au/
http://www.romastreetparkland.qld.gov.au/
http://pandora.nla.gov.au/nph-arch/O1999-Jan-8/http://brisbane-stories.powerup.com.au/lit_trail/lit_trail_core/lit_trail_frames.htm
http://www.queenslandhistory.org.au/

Toombul Bike Criterium

Toombul has a big bicycle criterium behind the shopping centre.

Getting There:
Take your bike on the train to Toombul

Don't Forget:
Helmet, water and sunscreen

Check Out:
The Historic Cemetery next to the Criterium

Warning:
If serious bike racers are using the track, please be careful!

Other Options:
If you follow the path past the Criterium, it joins the Kedron Brook "Jim Soorley" Bikeway which you can follow all the way to Nudgee.


More Info:
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/activeandhealthy/recreation/cycling/destinations/
http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/heritage/index.cgi?place=600271&back=1

Shorncliffe

Shorncliffe Foreshore has just had renovations done. There's a great park near the Jetty and rock pools to play in along the shore.

Things to Do:
Look at the boats in the Marina, play in the park, look for sealife in the rockpools.

Getting There:
Take a Shorncliffe train from Northgate.

Don't Forget:
Sunscreen and a Hat

Check Out:
The View from the top of the cliffs

Other Options: Keep walking along the foreshore to Sandgate where you can visit the lagoons.

More Info:
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/living/suburbs/shorncliffe/history/

Pioneer Park Landsborough

This park is the best playground I've ever seen, we spent over 7 hours here and still had to drag the kids out!
An All Abilities playground with something for everyone.

Things to Do:
This playground has everything, you won't need to go anywhere else! BBQ,toilets, fully fenced,water bubbler, access for wheelchairs, shade sails, gazebos, seats, sand play,flying fox, swings and much more.

Getting There:
It's a 10 minute walk from Landsborough train station, we walked it with 9 kids and even the 2 and 4 year olds walked it easily. From the station turn left into Caloundra street and the park is on the right about 700 metres up the road.
There are only a few trains on weekends to Landsborough. 8.51am and 10.41am from Caboolture on Saturdays.

Getting Back:
Trains leave Landsborough at 3.28pm and 6.13pm on Saturdays.

Don't forget:
Sunscreen,hats, and Insect repellant.

Check Out:
The Mad Hatters Tea room on the way to the park.

Warning:
The traffic is very busy on both roads on either side of the park and on the weekend of the 15th March there was one pool gate missing on the Western side of the park. Hopefully it will be replaced quickly.

Other Options:
Head back to the station a little early and there is another park on the western side of the station with a train to climb on, this park is small but fun and is also fenced.

More Information:
http://www.disability.qld.gov.au/community/all-abilities-playground/pioneer-park.html

Caboolture

There are many things to see and do in Caboolture, some great parks and lots of wildlife to see.

Things to Do:
Apex Park on Morayfield Rd has great picnic areas,2 playgrounds and duckponds.
The Arboretum (Norfolk Esplanade) has more duckponds, lots of walking paths and you may even see Turtles.

Platypus Playground (Grant rd/Julie Drive) has lots of different playground equipment, however there are no public toilets nearby.
Caboolture Historical Village (Beerburrum Rd) admission $10 adults Children 5+ $2

Getting There:
Catch a train to Caboolture

Don't Forget:
Hats,sunscreen

Cafes:
Cafe De Cruiz in King st is a great cafe owned by a local woman. (It's not open Sundays)

Check Out:
The Historic Railway Pumping Station Boiler (Wallace st)

Other Options:
Buses go from Caboolture Train Station to Bribie Island
On Show Day in August the Caboolture Shire Council hold a free family funday
In May The Caboolture UrbanCountry festival is on with lots of free events (free buses from the train station)
Farmfantastic in July is another event with lots to see ( free buses from the Train Station)
In March there is a Multicultural festival in the Town Square
In July the Medieval Festival is on at The Abbey Museum at St Michaels Church (free buses from the train station)

More Information:
http://www.historicalvillage.com.au/village.html
http://www.farmfantastic.com/
http://www.caboolture.qld.gov.au/attractions.aspx?display=locality&show=Caboolture
http://www.urbancountry.com.au/
http://www.abbeytournament.com/