Entries about central tasmania hobart swtasma

A nice frosty morning to leave our accommodation in Launceston for Hobart. We'd stayed at the Village Family Motor Inn and enjoyed our brief stop there. Breakfast included, Playground which Sonia didn't want to leave, Games room for older kids, Heated pool which we didn't get time to test out, and about the only downside for us was the lack of a bath for Kaden. The room did have a big handbasin though which worked perfectly fine for the job.

The drive from Launceston to Hobart along the number one or Midlands Highway, otherwise known as the Heritage Highway, travels though large tracts of pasture and farmland with many historical towns to visit. The ones we visited were Campbell Town, Ross, and Oatlands. Everyone's colds were still going strong, so it was both good and bad that every time we started driving again, the kids would almost immediately fall asleep. Good, in that it made for a peaceful drive and they needed the sleep. Bad, as the stops at towns were relatively frequent and woke them up.

It also seemed to be the day for stuff to fall off vehicles! Between Launceston and Hobart, we saw one truck lose a strap off the machinery he was carrying, one truck lose a right angle plastic guard thing that prevents the fraying of straps going over his load of 1000L water/chemical tank containers, and dodged two small square hay bales before passing the driver of a ute re-tying his load of hay beside the highway.

• Campbell Town

We stopped to look at the 'Red Bridge' that convicts built in 1838. Sonia and Kaden enjoyed the swings and chasing the ducks, while I managed a closer look at the amazing tree stump woodcarvings near the bridge.

Campbell Town Ducks

Red Bridge, Campbell Town

Tree Stump Wood Carving, Campbell Town

• Ross

The town of Ross had numerous old buildings to look at, but we mainly stopped to look at the 'Ross Bridge' that convicts had completed in 1836 over the Macquarie River. Well worth the stop to look at. We passed a film in the making on the way through town to get to the information centre and Tasmanian Wool Centre which we all had a quick look through. Rather interesting information and history on things pertaining to that area and Tasmania, and wool in general. I enjoyed it a bit more than what Clancy or the kids did though as I'm more interested in that sort of thing, having grown up and enjoyed working with merino sheep.

I would have liked to have been able to walk out to look at the Female Factory Site, but Clancy and the kids reckoned it was time to keep moving after a detour to have a play on the playground coming back from looking at the bridge.

View from hill in Ross

Old Church in Ross

Ross Bridge Sign

Ross Bridge

Ross Bridge

Macquarie River, Ross

• Oatlands

There was no way we could go past Oatlands without stopping in to look at the Callington Mill. We all enjoyed a tasty lunch there, and I stayed in the warmth of the cafe to breastfeed Kaden while Clancy and Sonia went to play on the awesome playground behind the mill. We then had enough time to walk down to look at Lake Dulverton where we saw a pair of Swans and numerous other birds on the lake, but didn't have time to do any of the walks available. So it was back up to the mill, where Sonia and I went on a tour of the mill while Clancy and Kaden wandered around town, seeing what could be found.

Callington Mill

Sonia and Wombat, Oatlands

Playground near Callington Mill

Lake Dulverton, Oatlands

Sonia and I really enjoyed the Callington Mill tour. Me with all the information, history, and seeing how it all worked (I'd grown up grinding our own wheat with a home made electric stone grinder), and Sonia with all the climbing up and down steps to get to each floor. She also enjoyed having her own special hard hat to wear! No camera's were allowed inside the mill though, just in case they accidentally fell in, and there was no touching of the grain allowed either. I purposely had to remember this one, as I knew that both Sonia and I would each want to grab a handful when we saw it! (I'm so used to doing this to look at the grain and eat/chew some when at my parents farm!).

Sonia's Hard Hat!

We finished the tour and Sonia amused herself jumping in and out of triangle shadows made by a wooden gate, while I looked at some more information on the entrance sign. It was then a round about route following Sonia's lead (which she thoroughly enjoyed being able to freely do) through the mill gardens to find Clancy and Kaden.

Triangle Shadows

Callington Mill

This town was also full of old buildings and interesting shops that I would've happily spent more time wandering amongst like Clancy had been able to do. But it was time to move on and enjoy the numerous different topiary along the main street, and silhouette signs beside the highway heading south. Sonia enjoyed looking out for the different silhouette pictures, before once again falling asleep.

Old Woolpress, Oatlands

We eventually got to Hobart, where our first stop was to the neighbours of one of my school friends who lived there. My friend and her family had flown out for a trip back to WA to see family the same time that we'd left for Tasmania. They'd left a bundle of winter gear for us and the kids, plus other things (toys, books, crayons, paper etc.), with their neighbours for us to pick up if we wanted it. We enjoyed a nice quick visit with them, then on towards the centre of Hobart to find our accommodation for the next seven nights.

• Woolmers Inn, Sandy Bay

Two bedroom apartment which we'd picked up on a special deal through Ezy Flights.
Were able to save money and cook our own meals in the apartment kitchen.
Shopping centre 2 blocks away, and numerous other shops and restaurants very close.
Relatively close for walking to Hobarts central sights/highlights.
Good heating.

One thing you learn very quickly when dealing with young children, (especially near toddler age!), is that no matter what you're trying to do, it'll take double, or triple... or even quadruple the amount of time it normally would! Apply this to travel, and you've either got to accept it and alter your traveling style to accommodate, or be constantly fighting it, yet trying to remain calm at the same time. Unfortunately, I think I find myself in the latter category way too often! To try and reduce the frequency of this occurring, I thought it'd be a good idea to try and alternate 'busier' days with 'slower' ones.

Considering I'm now writing this in hindsight after returning home... Yes, it was an excellent idea, but wasn't always achieved for various reasons. Same goes for this blog! I'd been hoping to not get any further than about a week behind with our experiences. Let's just say I was lucky to only be a day or two behind with notes in my journal! Very thankful I persevered and can now use them to help complete these blog entries. I have great respect for those who are trying to study, or do anything involving sitting down with pen and paper or at a computer for any length of time, with two or more toddlers also requiring their constant attention!

And yes, Tuesday the 9th of July 2013 had been planned to hopefully be one of those 'slower' days. But did we succeed?... With a trip to the Cadbury Chocolate Factory, a trip to a local GP for Clancy, some grocery shopping and lunch back at our hotel/apartment, and finally a fun afternoon trip up Mount Wellington to see some snow... I'm glad to say I think we did! (Relatively so!)

Sonia enjoying the Cadbury delivery truck!

• As Clancy says, not actually being able to go on a factory tour 'feels like a let down'.
• We still enjoyed the talk and video provided on how they operated and made their chocolate though.
• Cheap/discounted chocolate available in their shop was good. Couldn't help picking up a few things.
• The only thing Sonia really enjoyed was the Cadbury
• Clancy 'meant to ask how many Oompa Loompa's they have working at the factory. Because I (he) hadn't seen any at that stage.' - If anyone else has ever seen any, or asked this question... we'd love to know!!

View from the springs carpark lookout on Mt Wellington

The Springs, Mount Wellington

• The Pinnacle Road was closed at The Springs car park which was at the second gate.
• There's a great sign at the bottom of the road before you get up too far, letting you know at which gate the road is closed from.
• There were large patches of snow which by now was mostly ice, which Sonia thoroughly enjoyed playing with. She mainly just wanted to hold it between her hands!
• Clancy found some snow soft enough to make two snowballs. One of which had to get thrown at me and Kaden! The other being given to Sonia and Kaden to enjoy... which promptly got eaten!
• I went and asked one of the council workers who was there directing traffic, and he recommended we check out the Hobart City Council website for updated information on the mountain and road if we were thinking about going up again another day.

Before leaving for Tasmania, we decided we'd splurge on one big tour while we were there. After some research into different tours available all over the state, we decided on Bruny Island Cruises. One of two Pennicott Wilderness Journeys available to do in Tasmania, and well worth the expense.

There were three different options we could choose from;
1. Drive to Bruny Island ourselves and start the 3hr wilderness cruise from their Bruny Island Cruise office in Adventure Bay.
2. Drive to Kettering and catch their 9am daily tour bus which would then take us to their Adventure Bay office for the 3hr cruise.
3. Do the full day tour from Hobart. Leaving Hobart at 8am and returning around 5:30pm which would include all the above plus morning tea and lunch.

We couldn't figure out which option would best suit us, so decided to go with what they'd recommended to us considering we had two toddlers tagging along, and drove to their office in Adventure Bay to start the tour from there. Glad we did, as we were able to take extra things with us, and could do things before and after the cruise at our own pace. Ie, toileting Sonia, eating lunch, enjoying the Neck lookout point and chocolate factory. For anyone else who has two or more young children and would like to do the cruise, I'd definitely recommend doing the same, and to take some extra warm clothing.

Kettering Panorama

Kaden and Clancy on the ferry to Bruny Island

I'll point out here for those who're thinking of taking a hire car to Bruny Island... check you're allowed to do so before booking. Or be willing to undertake the risks involved. I'd seen and/or heard that many of the hire car companies wouldn't allow their vehicles to go to Bruny Island when I was doing my research. We ended up hiring our car through Avis, and they allowed us to take the car over to Bruny Island, so long as we signed an 'Avis Bruny Island Authorisation' document prior to, or at pick up.

Ginger tablets were provided for those who wanted them once on the boat, and all the staff were really great! They really knew their stuff, and made it feel like as if it was a total pleasure to them to be able to share these special places with us all. They were extremely helpful, and very accommodating and tolerant of screaming, unhappy kids! Both Sonia and Kaden seemed to be in a generally grumpy mood all day unfortunately with nothing seeming to ever happen the way they wanted it to! We'd had to wake them up earlier than usual to ensure we made it down to the ferry at Kettering in time (45minutes from Hobart to Kettering, Ferry departed at 9:30am, Recommended we arrive 20-30minutes early), neither child had wanted to eat a proper breakfast, and they both really disliked the wind with a passion! Particularly when the boat was moving forward, increasing the wind level.

It wasn't too bad though, as it wasn't long before they fell asleep. Most probably from the motion and vibrations, similar to driving in a car. We were very thankful for the recommendation to sit at the back of the boat. It might not have had the best vantage point, but it was much calmer and less windy. They were really considerate though, and turned the boat around at each major sight so those at the back, or on the opposite side of the boat could see as well. Sonia was also able to lay down and sleep, all rugged up while Clancy stood for a bit. I initially had Kaden in the Ergo baby carrier on my front under my big jacket, with the massive raincoat they provided over the both of us. He didn't much like this, preferring to just be held in my arms, with me holding jackets around him. Less cramped and more free, allowing him to move and suck his thumb easier.

Well wrapped!

Sonia trying to get out of the wind

All the things we saw were amazing!! Rocks, cliffs, islands, seaweed, albatross, seals (Their smell nearly tipped Clancy over the edge of his control on his sea sickness!), friendly prions zipping around just above the surfaces of the waves, and we even got to see a whale spouting! One of the crew spotted it's first spout, and with a bit of patience, the rest of us got to see it's second surfacing spout. Shooting through between the rock columns, and going part way into a sea cave was also a lot of fun!

The crew were also keeping a helpful eye out for those who might have been struggling with sea-sickness. Encouraging them to come stand near the back with them, and to watch the horizon. The barbecue shapes and timtams passed around on the return trip were greatly appreciated, and got us thinking about the hot food Clancy had ordered prior to our departure, that would be ready for us on our return.

We took our time enjoying lunch with Sonia and Kaden, so didn't have time to get down to see the Cape Bruny Lighthouse, or many of the other things we had listed for our day on Bruny Island. The view from the Neck lookout was worth the number of steps needed to climb to the top. Sonia wasn't such a fan of them either until Clancy and I brought up the '1... 2... 3... Jump!' game. Holding a hand each and helping her to jump a step or two. Only after she'd walked up three steps by herself each time mind you! The Ergo baby carrier came in handy once again here for Kaden, and once she'd gotten to the top, Sonia couldn't help but exploit her momentary freedom to explore further. Quickly being brought back by Clancy.

The final stop before getting back onto the ferry and heading for home, was the Bruny Island Providore, or Chocolate Factory as it's otherwise known. Sonia and Kaden had fun playing with the penguin sign, while Clancy decided which flavours of fudge he wanted. Keeping in mind he'd have to share it with the rest us!

Freedom! Lets go!

Oh no you don't!

Our 2 little penguins!

To really enjoy all that Bruny Island and the southwest of Tasmania has to offer, I'd definitely recommend either staying over a night on the island, or atleast staying somewhere a lot closer than Hobart, and doing other things in the area at the same time. It was good to have Hobart as a base, but it would've made seeing everything south west of Hobart a lot easier time wise, to have stayed a night or two down there somewhere.

Mt Wellington

Panoramic view from the top of Mt Wellington view

• We checked the Hobart City Council website to see that the road up to the top of Mt Wellington was open, and off we went.
• It was raining in Hobart when we left, so we didn't know what we would find when we got to the top. Turned out to be overcast but fine which was good.
• There was still plenty of snow around to enjoy, with some older kids having fun sliding down a small slope not too far from the main carpark.
• I enjoyed climbing up to the trig point marker with Sonia to enjoy the awesome 360 degree views.
• The slightly circular information building was just as cold inside as out, and looked like it had previously had a fair bit of snow blown into it! Interesting history and stories to read about in there.
• Once again, Sonia and Kaden did not like the cold wind that was constantly blowing.
• They did enjoy eating and throwing snow at Dad though!
• I would've liked more time to be able to explore, do some walks, and play some more in the snow with the kids, but it was time to go find Tassie Devils.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

There it is!

What's over here?

• There were plenty of different Australian animals to look at, including numerous Tasmanian Devils.
• Both Kaden and Sonia enjoyed all the animals.
• Sonia didn't listen to Mum and Dad frequently telling her to keep her fingers away, which allowed a pink and grey galah to get a good hold on one of her fingers! No broken skin though, and no problems keeping fingers away after that!
• She also wasn't too sure about the big kangaroos coming chasing her for food. She still wanted to, and enjoyed feeding them though, so long as they weren't right close beside her. Preferring to give the feed pellets out of her bag of pellets to us, to feed to the roo's.
• There was a great perspex full length viewing wall for one Tassie Devil enclosure, which was great for Sonia and Kaden. Meaning we didn't have to lift them up to see over the walls.
• We caught the beginning of a tour after looking at all the animals, but had to leave early because the kids were starting to really complain, and really needing food by then. It was very interesting and engaging though, so well worth going on if you get the chance.
• There were quite a number of picnic areas available, and we'd definitely recommend taking your own food if you're there over lunchtime, as meals are not available to be purchased there.
• We ended up getting lunch at the bakery in Brighton, just down the hill from the sanctuary.

The Shot Tower

• We got there just as the staff were finishing up counting the cash in the till ready to close. They were really great, allowing me to quickly go through the museum and up all the steps to the top of the tower while Clancy stayed with the kids who were asleep in the car.
• The small museum had a short video giving a brief summary of the tower, and plenty of other posters and pictures to help further explain its history. I found it rather interesting learning about how it all worked.
• Climbing up the internal wooden spiral stairway totally reminded me of all the towers and castles we'd previously explored throughout Europe.
• The views from the top were spectacular, and you're able to walk all the way around the top of the tower.

This turned out to be one of those days where looking back over it, you think 'There's sooo much more I could have got done'. But then, considering the things that popped up... you actually didn't do too badly!

As mentioned in a previous blog post, Clancy had needed to visit a doctor earlier in the week, where he had been diagnosed with an inguinal hernia and told to visit the hospital emergency department if things worsened. Well things had slightly degenerated since then, so it was decided a trip to emergency was warranted before we left Hobart, to confirm that things were still ok. And clarify what level of physical activity would be recommended or not. Considering we'd planned to do a lot of walks involving carrying both children, this could drastically alter our travel plans. If not destroy them altogether.

We figured going in and being able to act on whatever results were given during regular business hours would be the best thing to do, just in case a total new set of plans were needed to be made. Having experienced numerous emergency room wait times elsewhere, we were pleasantly surprised and got seen rather quickly! The staff member who assessed Clancy was great, and explained things very well. The verdict on how much he was able to do was also rather reassuring. Stating that easy to moderate walks should be fine so long as Clancy took it easy, and didn't try carrying Sonia for any of them! Worked fine for him! I didn't mind too much either, as it meant we wouldn't have to totally change our previous plans. Alter them yes, but not start again from scratch and miss out on many of the things we really wanted to see.

So having gained this knowledge, it was time to get back to exploring Tasmania! And for today... it was the Arve Road and Tahune Airwalk.

Geeveston

• We got to Geeveston in time for us to once again enjoy a local bakery's hot food.
• Clancy then took Sonia to find the towns local playground, while I visited the library to quickly print off some documents and feed Kaden.
• Looked like there was a nice area of parkland with a creek/river running through it to explore if we'd had the time for a walk as well.
• There were also many wonderful woodcarvings of local people who'd had an impact on the community.
• The Forest and Heritage Centre then became our meeting point, where we all enjoyed the museum, tasting different types of honey, and picked up information on Arve Road, and tickets for the airwalk.
• Sonia really enjoyed the playground and interactive items in the museum

Arve Road

• This's the road out to the Tahune Airwalk from Geeveston.
• There were numerous well signed things we could look at or do along the way.

Keogh's Creek Walk

• A nice short loop walk, with boardwalk running beside and crossing over Keogh's Creek.
• Sonia enjoyed being able to run free and explore (until she got reigned in by us telling her she had to be able to see us!), and climbing up into the base of a big tree.
• I carried Kaden in the Ergo carrier, but could have easily used the pram.

West Creek Lookout

• This was a nice lookout to see the tops of trees and bushes covering the slopes of a deep steep valley right beside the road.
• The sign about bushfires, and how some firefighters saved themselves in the fire of 1967 really caught my interest having experienced a few smaller fires myself in farmland.

Arve Picnic Area

• This area looked really nice beside the Arve River as we drove past

Big Tree Lookout

• We actually stopped in to look at this one on the way back out from the Tahune Airwalk.
• The lookout platform was under repair, however we were still able to see the tree and read the information signs.

Tahune Airwalk

• This was a great walk and well worth the cost to go on it.
• I carried Kaden in the Ergo baby carrier as we weren't sure how many steps were likely to be involved.
• Following the main walking tracks from the river up to the start of the airwalk platform there were quite a few steps. But the platform itself would've been fine for a pram, and it looked like they catered for wheelchair access as well with a labeled parking area beside the start of the actual airwalk platform entrance.
• Looking out through, and then over the trees was awesome. Gave you a totally different perspective. Enabling you to appreciate the bush on a whole new level.
• The view from the cantilever lookout was awesome!
• Sonia once again loved being able to run free. She also liked the perspex at the end of the cantilever lookout. Totally scaring Clancy as she leant against it to look out!
• Sonia didn't really want to keep walking after we got off the airwalk platform. Continually asking to be carried. We managed to encourage her to keep walking, counting the number of steps in each block of steps with her, and making Clancy tally them all up together! (Got up to about 67 steps. Started counting part way through though). Plus keeping an eye out for fungi.
• There were some nice picnic areas beside the river.
• I would've liked to have been able to do more of the walks available, but once again, kids and time did not allow.

Sonia and her starry pink gumboots!

I grabbed one of Sonia's shoes to take as a size sample (she was fast asleep), and went to see if they had anything... nope... smaller, and much bigger... but none anywhere really near Sonia's size. Back to the car, where Sonia'd woken up and I realised the Mitre10 we'd parked in front of was also still open for another minute or two. So in we rushed to find plenty of kids gumboots in army camouflage colouring, or sparkly pink with silver stars. You can guess which one's Sonia wanted! Sorry, Kaden... pink it's going to be when you get older unless Sonia totally wears them out first! Finding the right size was then not as easy as we'd thought it'd be with all the different sizes available. I narrowed it down to 7's and 8's, with 7's looking like they fit really well right then, but 8's looking like they may have been a bit too big, but had better growth room available. Decided on the 8's, and off we went, just as they started shutting up for the night.

The next morning however, when Sonia was having fun running around with her new boots... I soon realised that we probably should've grabbed the 7's. When she'd put her feet into them and stood still, allowing me to squash the toes to see how much room there was, she'd pushed her feet as far forward as they'd go, leaving half an inch or so between her heel and the back of the boot! So yes, that's why the 7's would've felt too small for her toes to grow, and why they would've looked a better fit when she walked. Oh well, she didn't seem to have any issues walking in the 8's (or running and jumping for that matter!), so we kept them, and didn't need to struggle at any time to get them on or off whenever we got in/out of the car or campervan when we had that.

But in summary of the Arve Road and Tahune Airwalk day... we really did manage to see and do a fair bit. Especially considering the late start we'd had to the day. What with the much shorter number of daylight hours, and experiencing a day at Bruny Island, a day to do the Tahune Airwalk, and a future day to do the Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs, it was really confirming that being able to stay more local to see and do what was available in an area, would've dramatically improved a lot of things in general.

For a slower day where you're able to do a variety of things close together, the Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs are well worth it. The way the whole area has been set up accentuates all the natural sights really well, creating a totally relaxing atmosphere. Nice walks, interesting information signs, pool, outdoor and undercover picnic areas with big fireplaces, hot showers in the change rooms... They also cater for wheelchairs (excluding cave entry unfortunately). We all totally enjoyed our day exploring this area, and also managed to return in time to get all our accumulated clothes washing done!

Roads

• Clancy enjoyed the C636 road heading to Southport, saying that he'd like to do it on his motorbike.
• We found the dirt road off the C636 that takes you into the caves and thermal springs to be very corrugated and rather slippery, considering all the rain it had recently had, and continued to get while we were there.

Newdegate Cave

• You need to book your ticket at the information centre (this's well signposted) before continuing onto the cave parking area.
• We parked beside an old tree stump with a rather old looking can on top of it at the cave parking area, which rather fascinated me!
• It was then a further five minute walk along a boardwalk and up some steps to the cave entrance, where we had to wait for the tour guide to enter the cave.
• The cave had a lot of interesting formations, and the tour was very informative.
• According to the brochure we'd picked up, there were approximately 245 steps each way inside the cave.
• Sonia enjoyed the steps, but also wanted 'up' for a fair number of times too. It was definitely easier for her to walk up the steps than down.
• Kaden didn't really want to be in the Ergo baby carrier on Clancy's back though!

Thermal Springs

Me feel water dad!

• We enjoyed lunch at the information centre - Felt like forever waiting for the kids to finish so we could go see the thermal springs, but that's kids!
• Exchanged our national parks pass printout for the correct access pass while waiting for the kids to finish lunch. It came with a little passbook that you could stamp at each place you went to as well. Was really great for those places that still had the stamps. Many parks no longer had them unfortunately. Cradle Mountain National Park staff explained to us that their stamps for the passbook had been stolen!
• The thermal pool area was really nice. Could see why the brochure mentioned it being a local picnic spot. - Picnic and moss/grass areas, pool, barbecues, large sheltered area with numerous wood fireplaces, change rooms with nice hot showers, toddlers paddle pool.
• Sonia enjoyed the pools, but they were still too cold for me and Clancy. I'd probably enjoy them more in summer.
• The Platypus walk and Thermal Springs circuit walk were also really good. Going through various different types of bushland, allowing you to see and feel some of the thermal spring water at it's source, and also have a chance to look for platypus. We didn't get to see any.
• Sonia enjoyed running and looking at all the different things along the sides of the track while I carried Kaden. We could've used the pram, but didn't think the walks were really long enough to warrant a trip back out to the car to get it.

So far on our Tasmanian trip we'd been pretty lucky, with it only really raining whilst being in the car, or under cover doing other things like eating lunch or looking in information centres. Today was predicted to be rather different unfortunately. We'd planned to spend the morning looking around the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, and had previously booked Sonia and I to go on the afternoon's Louisa's Walk. A strolling theatre production that tells a convict women's story through drama as you walk from the Cascades Brewery to the Cascades Female Factory. All totally outside and subject to whatever the day decides to bring. And today... that was almost constant drizzle.

Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens

• A really nice garden to explore. Even in rain.
• We hadn't yet bought umbrellas, and we'd forgotten to pick up a raincover for the pram before leaving Perth. This was the exact situation where they would've come in really handy. So instead, it was raincoats for us, jacket for Sonia, and carry Kaden in the Ergo baby carrier with my jacket and a poncho over him.
• Sonia clomped along in her oversize gumboots, wanting to look at, and touch, and climb, absolutely everything! She didn't particularly appreciate us constantly telling her to keep moving, and to stay out of areas she wasn't meant to go through! Ie, climbing up and walking through a freshly dug garden bed ready for planting, to get to the French Memorial Fountain.
• There were quite a few interesting and different sculptures, or forms of art, scattered around the gardens. We didn't fully understand many of the artists explanations, but did enjoy them and the different aspect they gave to the gardens.

Louisa's Walk

• Need to book in advance as they can get booked out pretty quick, even in winter!
• A really nice walk through the Cascade gardens, from the Cascades Brewery to the Cascades Female Factory, and back again.
• Clancy stayed home for a sleep with Kaden, while Sonia and I rugged up to enjoy the walk.
• The story is based on real convicts experiences (names have been changed to protect the descendants' privacy), and the actors were very good. Utilising the natural surroundings exceedingly well to help your imagination conjure up a fully fledged image in your minds eye, with all the associated emotion and sensory details woven through.
• It was a generally sad story (what convict story isn't!), but did thankfully have a positive ending.
• I decided to try Sonia in the pram to help with the rain situation, and hopefully reduce the otherwise wanting to be carried whine. Worked out really well. She was happy to stay in the pram and watch till very close to the end of the nearly 2hr time frame. Me kneeling down beside her whenever we were stationary for a while, to explain the drama to her at her level of understanding probably helped too.
• There were some steps and a small section of rougher track, but others in the tour were very helpful and helped to carry the pram up and down.
• Even with the drizzly rain, it was well worth it.
• For those who would like to do it with toddlers or younger children, I would highly recommend getting down to their level to help explain the drama as it unfolds. This not only helps them to maintain interest and understand what's happening, allowing you to hopefully keep watching and listening too, instead of having to contend with uninterested kids... but it is also appreciated by the actors themselves. I was rather surprised, and really appreciated it when 'Louisa' came up to me at the end and thanked me for what I had done with Sonia.