While the school holidays are a special time to spend with friends and family, sometimes we need a little extra inspiration to keep the kids entertained. So, before your little monkeys start making you feel like you’re already at the zoo – here’s our top 10 picks to keep the small people satisfied this holiday season!
1. Billabong Zoo: Koala & Wildlife Park
Get up-close and personal with Australian and international animals at Port Macquarie’s very own, multi award-winning zoo. Caring for over 200 animals across their 10-acre park, there’s plenty to see, hear, touch and learn – you might even spot a snow leopard!
2. Surf School
Surf’s up man, and there’s no better place to catch your first wave than in beautiful Port! Fun for the whole family and any level of experience, Port offers multiple surf schools and packages to suit any budget. So grab your rashie because the perfect wave, and a lifelong skill, could be just around the corner.
www.portmacquariesurfschool.com.au
3. Bellrowan Valley Horse Riding
We’ve found the ultimate horse-riding experience for you these holidays. Take trail rides through rainforest, hinterland, creeks, bushland, sprawling fields and mountain tops, and even stay for a night or a weekend with Bellrowan Valley Horse Riding. Located just 30 minutes from Port Macquarie, this is a truly special experience fit for the whole family!
4. Stoney Aqua Park
If you think slides, blast bags, trampolines, swings, challenge tracks, balance beams and wobble pads all floating on a fresh water aqua park sound fun – then you’re going to have to visit Stoney Aqua Park these holidays! Complete with BBQ areas and amenities, this is sure to be one epic day out for the kids (and you won’t have any trouble getting them to sleep that night either).
5. Sea Acres Rainforest Centre
Explore the great outdoors in our beautiful Port Macquarie surrounds and begin your fascinating journey through Sea Acres National Park at the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre. Learn about the rich local Aboriginal culture and surrounding rainforest environment, take a walk along the boardwalk, relax at the Rainforest Café, and even sign up for a Bush Tucker and Discover Tour!
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/visitor-centres/sea-acres-rainforest-centre
6. Timbertown Heritage Theme Park
Take a step back in time to an Australian pioneer village, and experience what it was like to live as an early settler in the Port Macquarie region over 100 years ago. Complete with authentic township, including a blacksmith and steam train, there’s a wealth of fascinating attractions to see, hear and do. This is certainly one to be enjoyed by the whole family.
7. Bago Vineyards and Maze
We can’t think of much better than relaxing with a wine while the kids take an adventure through NSW’s biggest hedge maze at the picturesque Bago Vineyards. And once they’ve worked up an appetite, grab a platter of local cheese and meats and roll out the picnic blanket for a lovely lunch on the sprawling lawns overlooking the estate. Now will that be Verdelho or Viognier?
8. Centre of Gravity Indoor Adventure Centre
This is the perfect option for a rainy summer day. For a fun-filled outing (in air-conditioned comfort), Port’s Centre of Gravity Indoor Adventure Centre offers indoor rock-climbing and the always exhilarating Dark Zone Laser Tag! Plus, if you’ve got a little dare devil at home, they might like to try the Leap of Faith to a 7m high swinging trapeze! (We’ll leave that one for the kids).
9. Ricardoes Tomato and U-Pick Strawberry Farm
Nutritious, delicious and most of all fun! The kids will love the strawberry picking experience at Ricardoes Tomato and U-Pick Strawberry Farm. Plus, they can learn about the state of the art hydroponic technology used to grow the succulent tomatoes and strawberries, as well as the different varieties that grow at Ricardoes. Located just 10 minutes north of Port, the kids will have a ball (and you won’t have to buy them afternoon tea).
10. Indoor Go-Karting Port Macquarie
Move over Mario Kart, we want the real deal! Always bound to be a fun (and predictably competitive) day out, race the kids around Port Mac Indoor Go Karting’s scientifically engineered track, capable of speeds over 70kph! But don’t worry, safety is their number one concern and the track has a carefully engineered barrier system to ensure the safest racing environment for you and the fam! Vroom-vroom!
