3 Most Memorable Wildlife Encounters on the Gold Coast for Your Kids

This is a guest post from Theme Parks, your one-stop site for your Theme Park needs.


Australia’s unique birds and animals are splendidly showcased on the Gold Coast. Indeed, once you have had your fill of adrenaline at the Gold Coast theme parks, head off for a fix of nature’s extraordinarily wildlife. It’s great for kids to see these iconic creatures.

Children love these parks. See the stunning lorikeets at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, or the inspirational work at David Fleay Wildlife Park, or perhaps the cuddly koalas and farm animals at Paradise Country Aussie Farm Tour. The choice of wildlife is yours.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Formerly called Currumbin Bird Sanctuary, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary was founded in 1947. It is somewhat of a rite of passage for Australian families, and is captured in faded family photo albums the country over: the feeding of the lorikeets. Or rather, the photos capture faces filled with delight or tension, nearly hidden by hordes of bright-green lorikeets with their distinctive red, yellow and blue feathered highlights.

Founder Alex Griffiths began feeding the area’s wild lorikeets to stop them from eating his prized flowers. Originally a beekeeper and flower grower, his colourful feeding rituals drew curious locals, then developed into a tourist attraction, which grew alongside the Gold Coast’s burgeoning tourism industry.

Today, the park is a world leader in preserving Australia’s natural heritage. It has more than 1,000 birds and animals in natural habitat, as well as commando training, safaris and survival trips. To date, millions of visitors have passed through its gates.

David Fleay Wildlife Park

A must-see experience for kids is David Fleay Wildlife Park, founded back in 1952. David Fleay was a remarkable man: after leading an expedition in the early 1930s looking for thylacines (Tasmanian Tigers) in Tasmania and photographing and filming the last thylacine in the Hobart Zoo in 1933, he went on to successfully breed platypus in captivity. Yes, this is the only wildlife park on the Gold Coast with a platypus.
Nowadays the park is run by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services, with a focus on breeding programs and threatened species. It has three distinct wildlife habitats: wetland, rainforest and open eucalypt forest.
Explore the park on your own – there’s plenty of space for kids to run off some energy – or join one of the daily presentations on wildlife. There is a range of environmental educational programs for schools. Visitors can see eagles, brolgas and cassowary, crocodiles, koalas, kangaroos, snakes, gliders and butterflies.

Paradise Country Aussie Farm

A fabulous farm experience for the family: see sheep being sheared, cows being milked and, while you’re at it, organise a photogaph of yourself cuddling a koala. This is the ultimate farm fantasy for kids, adults, corporate groups or international tourists.

At the stockman and sheepdog show, watch these amazingly clever dogs herd sheep and see how to show a boomerang, milk a cow and crap a whip. Or take in the traditional Australian sheep shearing show, or catch the stock horse arena, where the actions of skilled horsemen will impress with whip-cracking and riding demonstrations.

From farm animals, to perhaps a glimpse of a platypus and the feeding of the fabled lorikeets, checking out wildlife provides a great family day. And don’t forget – it’s the photos you take with these iconic birds and animals that will stay in the kids’ memories forever.

Fun Weekend Activities for the Kids

This is a guest post from Alliance Pool Stores, a group of more than 100+ independent businesses all around Australia who aim to offer the best quality swimming pool and spa equipment and the best price.


Weekends can present us parents with a real challenge when it comes to keeping kids entertained. Rather than letting the computer, TV or games console take the helm, it’s great to be able to turn weekends into family bonding time, but you need fun activities at the ready to get kids involved and excited. Here are a few fun ideas to get you out of the house and engaging with your kids.

Beach Trip

Kids love the beach, and what better budget-friendly way to entertain them for the day and tucker them out by sunset? It’s an outdoor playground with a vast array of activities to enjoy. They can swim, build sandcastles, collect shells, chase seagulls, race up the shore, try skim boarding, fly a kite, play Frisbee, have a match of beach cricket, the list goes on. Just remember to slip, slop, slap and only ever take your child swimming between the flags, while you supervise. Finish the day with an icy pole and your kids will be in heaven.

Pool Party

If you’re feeling up to it, how about arranging a pool party for your kids and their friends? It’s a great way to cool off in the heat and there are lots of great pool games you can organise for the kids to play. You can even give prizes and encourage the kids in swimming races or other fun little competitions and games. You can make a non-alcoholic punch to keep them hydrated and serve some healthy but delicious snacks to keep them fuelled for the day of play. Visit http:// www.alliancepoolstores.com.au/ first to make sure your pool is in top condition before it’s taken over by the youngsters – you don’t want stinging eyes or murky water!

Fishing

Kids love the challenge of fishing; it’s so exciting to finally reel in a fish after so many nibbles. Plus it’s a lovely way to get the kids outdoors and into nature, and a good opportunity to teach them all sorts of things about the wildlife, the ocean, river systems, marine life etc. You can even get child-sized rods in funky colours. Don’t forget to bring your tape measure and throw in any fish that are under size.

Paddle Boarding

More and more kids are getting into paddle boarding. It’s a great way to explore the water and improve balance, plus it’s lots of fun. Getting outdoors and into the sunshine is an ideal way to spend a weekend and paddle-boarding offers a fun new challenge to master while they take in the natural world around them and enjoy the wildlife.

Galleries and Museums

A trip to an art gallery or museum is great for kids to excite the senses and learn new and fascinating things. Most museums and galleries have specific content and exhibits just for kids, which often include fun interactive activities to engage youngsters in the learning process and get their creative juices flowing. Dinosaurs are always a big hit, and science exhibits for kids are often eye-opening and intriguing.

If you find something your kids really love perhaps you’ll end up with a family hobby rather than just a once-off weekend activity. Finding something the whole family can enjoy together is a great joy and can bring families closer together, so this weekend start the search for your new family pastime and give one of these great ideas a go.

5 Sports to Keep Your Kids Active and in the Backyard These Summer Holidays

This is a Guest Post from Mick Simmons Sport, a place where you can find clothing and equipment from many different sports around the world.

© Photographer: Sandy Matzen | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Kids are getting overweight and in Australia the epidemic is more and more evident as time goes on. It’s not getting better and with the internet becoming more and more useful it’s hard to get the kids out into the backyard. Here are a few fun things you can suggest to get them out on the town.

Backyard Cricket

Over the fence is six runs and out! If you’re going to set out and play a game together cricket is a pretty worthwhile choice. Pick up some wickets and a couple of bats and it’s time to have some fun. It’s a game that has some structure, the ability to encourage teamwork and it’s not too athletically demanding or exhausting. Have fun, though you can pick up some pads at Mick Simmons Sport AUS or any other sports retailing website if safety is a concern.

Backyard Soccer

Keep in mind for this one that you’re going to need something to stand in for goals, preferably something you can afford to lose or break without any problems. Someone is going to run into it or slam the ball there and everyone has one story about when they broke something important. This is pretty similar to any other kind of soccer and it should be relaxed fun for everyone.

Croquet

This is a much more relaxed game that the entire family can get involved in. As it’s a game that requires only basic skills and not a lot of strength kids and old people can get involved without any handicaps. This is a great sport for taking the time to bond together and play the game without straining yourself too hard. Besides, it’ll make you feel classy, croquet is a game classy people play, and everyone knows this.

Football

From low to high energy, as Australians a love of football is almost built into our DNA. Some families live and breathe it and it’s easy to see why. Its recommended you go down to a park if you don’t have a big back yard and you want to play two hand touch to prevent injuries and allow everyone to play unless you’re certain there’s going to be problems. It’s a fun fast paced game that’s going to give everyone a bit of fun.

Lawn Bowls

A simple sport that gives coordination, depth perception, tests your arm and your aim and doesn't involve any risk of running yourself ragged or getting hurt in hot weather it’s good to play a sport that doesn't involve you catching sunstroke or stumbling and running into someone’s elbow. This can help your kids and entertain them all at once.

Summer days are a time for fun, for going outside, relaxing, having fun. Sitting in front of the screen feels like wasting a summer once you've really been outside. It’s time for kids to go back to basics, go outside, and play.

Three Fun Dad and Kids Activities

This is a guest post from John Hughes on fun activities Dads can do with their children.


I’m always aware of how fast my kids are growing, and I want spend as much time with them as I can before they become teenagers with a permanent attachment to their mobile phones and iPods. It isn’t hard to find an activity that kids will find fun…the challenge is finding something that both you and your children can enjoy together. Here are a few fun activities for you to do with the kids – no mums allowed!

Get active

We all know that Aussie kids on average tend to be a little soft around the edges (literally). As a dad, you want to make sure that your kids are healthy, so kill two birds with one stone and enjoy some quality time with the kids outdoors doing something active. Whether it’s throwing a Frisbee, kicking a ball around or climbing trees, just get the little critters on the move and work off a bit of that puppy fat. They’ll get fitter and enjoy a healthy dose of fresh air and vitamin D. As a dad, that’s your job. Resulting mud and grass stains… well, that’s Mum’s job.

Cook up a storm

Spending time getting your kids to achieve something is its own reward, but a delicious treat at the end is a nice little bonus! Kids love creating things, so why not teach them a useful skill while they’re at it? Download a recipe, dust out the aprons and get the kids making something simple and scrumptious. They’ll love to see their handiwork taking shape and then getting to eat it. As long as you clean up afterwards, I can see this one getting the tick of approval from Mum as well. They could make great little domestic sous-chefs in the future as a result of the work experience you’ve given them. Just be sure you supervise anything involving heat, fire and knives.

Bushwalking

Hit the great outdoors and take the kids out on a trail. See the animals and plants and immerse yourself in the wilderness for a while. The solitude will give you plenty of time to talk with the kids and build some character; plus, every dad wants to show off their Bear Grylls skills. Just as long as you don’t end up drinking your own urine and don’t have to confront too many life and death situations, it should be a fun experience for the kids.

Doing it for the kids

While I wouldn’t mind checking out places to buy used cars on the weekend, there can be plenty of time for that later. Your kids won’t be kids forever though, so savour every moment you can with them!

Plants vs Zombies - Last Minute Gift Idea for Dad or Kids

Struggling to find that last minute gift idea for Christmas (or for birthdays) for dad or the kids? Well, I've got a fantastic game that they'll fricken love.

Plants Vs Zombies

This game is the bees nees.  Fun for the whole family, from the occasional game player to the elite gamer (that's l33t for those playing at home).

It is a tower defence game and it's addictive like no other.  I've actually started playing it again after finishing it.

Its game play is smooth and also hilarious.  It is fantastic for all ages, as opposed to the bang-bang shoot-em ups.

When the second one comes out, it may well break the top purchased games of the year.  This is how highly regarded this game is amongst gamers.

Haven't heard of it?  Want to give it a shot?  You can grab it on many consoles.  The PC, your mobile phone or iPad. I even think there are Xbox versions.

Or, try an online trial version and play for free! You can purchase the game from this site if you like it, or you can also grab it via Steam, the iTunes store and Android Market as well.

Here's a video of it:

Now, if you purchase this game, no kick backs come to me.. This is not a paid ad or an affiliate link.  This is just one of the all time best games I've ever played. I love it so much I want you to love it too, hehehe!

And if you grab it for the kids or hubby (or even yourself), trust me, they'll love you for it!

Tell us what you think about it if you give it a test run :-)

- tork

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