westernport ferries - stony point to cowes, phillip island
You never need to worry about traffic getting onto the Island again!
Did you know that you can catch a ferry into Phillip Island?! You never need to worry about traffic getting onto the Island again! This is a perfect option when you are just wanting to head off on a bit of a day trip and spend the day in Cowes.
The ferry departs from Stony Point Jetty and takes about 45 minutes to get to Cowes, with a brief mid-point stop at French Island (another great place to explore!). It’s a smallish Ferry with room for 90 people, with some seats outdoors up the top, or undercover inside below.
You can take your bike and even your doggo and spend the day exploring the beautiful seaside in Cowes.
Swim at Chicken Beach, enjoy a picnic and play at Erehwon Point Playground, have a round of mini golf or grab a meal at one of the dozens of delicious cafes or bars; and then hop back on the ferry!
It’s a great adventure that the whole family can enjoy!
the nitty gritty
Stony Point Jetty,
1 Stony Point Rd, Crib Point 3919
Ferry Departs
From Stony Point - Cowes (including a stop off at French Island)
Wanna know more? For pricing and timetable
Click HERE
Mamma's special mention: Keep the adventure going with some mini golf at Grumpy’s Crazy Golf
shaun the sheep @ ripponlea gardens and estate, elsternwick
For an EPIC garden adventure you can to go past this interactive Shaun the Sheep Trail!
If you go into the gardens today - you’re in for a big surprise!
You may just find Shaun the Sheep!
This great interactive trail winds its way through spectacular gardens and scenery, and works in conjunction with an augmented reality app.
Once you arrive, collect your guide and clue booklet, download the app and you are off! Look out for clues and then hold the app against the markers to activate Shaun! You’ll get a stamp for each Shaun pose you find… can you find all of them?! You’ll be able to take photos within the app, to capture you along side him.
The kids will love exploring the trail and looking at all the different varieties of plants and flowers. Look out for eels in the lake and have a play in the children’s garden, too.
Mamma's special mention: Want more garden adventures? Head to St Kilda Botanical Gardens just a hop skip and jump away!
the nitty gritty
Trail is included in Entry Price
Gardens Open Daily
10am – 4pm (Last entry 3.30pm)
Wanna know more? Click HERE for more info and pricing
phillip island circuit go karts, ventnor
Take a hot lap around the Phillip Island Circuit track, and take in those incredible views!
Become a race-car driver for the day and zoom around a miniature replica of Phillip Island’s Grand Prix track!
These go-karts are seriously good fun AND WOW can they get some speed up!
Mamma’s crew averaged a whopping 35kmh and recorded speeds of up to 60km in one lap; pretty fast for a tandem go-kart! That’s the best bit. Kids get to experience this fun, too. Ages 5 to 12 can travel in a tandem go kart (which includes two active steering wheels so they can have a go!)
The track is 750m long with smooth curves and a fast straight. You can choose to spend 10 minutes (averaging around 10 laps) 20 or 30 minutes. Mamma thinks 10 minutes is plenty of time for little ones but Mamma likes the longer rides….
The views are absolutely amazing, which just adds to the thrill of the experience.
Mamma says this is a highly recommended adventure to checkout for any little (or big) speed demons out there!
Mamma's special mention:
For more family fun around Phillip Island - click here.
the nitty gritty
10/20/30 minute sessions.
Ages 5 - 12 can ride tandem
12+ can ride independently
Wanna know more? Click HERE for more info and pricing
verandah retreat, cowes
Life cant get much better than a night at this luxurious family home by the beach!
Wow. Mamma and crew were speechless when we pulled up to this magnificent family holiday home!
The sunlight was pouring into the spacious bright house, but all eyes were drawn to that amazing open outdoor entertainment area!
With a huge dining table, sun-lounges, BBQ and swing seat - the kids immediately wanted a picnic. It is incredibly inviting and gives off such a homely feel. In fact - the whole house exudes this vibe.
Inside is just as stunning. It feels incredibly luxurious - yet comfortable at the same time. There are 4 bedrooms; one with an en-suite and one with bunks, two separate living areas - one upstairs and one down, a full kitchen, bath and a gorgeous cast iron wooden fireplace. There’s also a table tennis table and a cupboard packed with games and pencils to entertain the kids. You can bring your pet here, too!
Located only 200 meters from the beach and around the corner from the main strip in Cowes - it is absolute perfection.
Of course, you don’t have to bring your kids - or even your husband! Grab the girls and have a mums weekend away!
Mamma's special mention:
Hungry? Take the kids to lunch at the wonderfully kid-friendly Nordic Kantine around the corner. Entertain them with Grumpy’s Crazy golf down the road. For more family fun around the Island - click here.
the nitty gritty
Children and pet friendly - located close to beach/shops - with 4 rooms, sleeps up to 6 adults + kids
Wanna know more? Click HERE for more info and pricing
ripponlea gardens and estate, ripponlea
For an EPIC garden adventure you can to go past these famous gardens.
For an EPIC garden adventure you can't go past these famous gardens. Hidden away in the little suburb of Ripponlea and behind a barrier of fences and high trees - you have no idea the treat you are in for as you walk up the drive. The magnificent house stands 'guard' and overlooks the lush green lawn which is a popular place for festivals and events.
Take a walk through the huge fernery where you are dwarfed by these HUGE plants an be sure to check out the pool area and dream of an era when some pretty cool 'Great Gatsby' type parties that would have been held here!
Mamma LOVES the lake area complete with pretty bridges, boat shed, a look out and waterfall (with hidden grotto behind it!). Keep an eye out for some eels gliding through the water too! Pack a picnic and spread out over the lawn for the afternoon or grab a bite at the cafe/gift shop! Oh and tours are available for the mansion and the gardens too!
Mamma's special mention: Want more garden adventures? Head to St Kilda Botanical Gardens just a hop skip and jump away!
the nitty gritty
Hours
Open Daily
September to April
10am – 5pm (Last entry 4.30pm)
May to September
10am – 4pm (Last entry 3.30pm)
Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day
Cost: $10 Adult
$7 Concession
$4 Children (4-15 years)
$20 Family (2 adults + 2 children)
Wanna know more? Click HERE for more info and for tour information
192 Hotham Street
Elsternwick
the red hill peony estate, red hill
Take some time out to stop and smell the.. peonies!
Ahhhh peonies - arguably the worlds most favourite flower.
These beauties only stick around for a few months from November, so are coveted and admired by many.
The Red Hill Peony Estate opened its lovely Turkish doors this year to the public, so we all get to experience this amazing place.
The property has been handed down to each generation since the 1880's and you can feel the love and passion the current sisters who run the place (and also live on the grounds) have.
Mamma came on the opening weekend when only a few blooms had decided to show their faces, so the ideal time to visit is late November.
But there are still plenty of gorgeous gardens to see and explore on the estate and the bubble man kept the kids entertained for ages. There was also a playground at the property but it was closed on the day Mamma went.
Don't forget to say hi to the chooks!
the nitty gritty
$12 entry for adults - no toilets - 800m walk to the peonies - pram friendly for the most part - purchase peonies at the cool store for $25 a bunch
wanna know more?
click here
Mamma's special mention:
Don the gumboots and come back in the winter for the truffle hunt!