ashcombe maze and lavender gardens, shoreham
Everywhere you look the view here is breathtaking, with a playground and an onsite cafe - it’s the perfect way to spend the day!
Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens in Shoreham, is absolutely stunning!
Everywhere you look the view is breathtaking in any season. Autumn is a great time to visit with the gorgeous multi-coloured leaves scattered all over the ground. Perfect for making leaf-angels!
There’s a brand new playground showcasing wooden cubby houses, climbing walls, tunnels, slides and even a sandpit! Alongside jumbo garden games and a gorgeous little fairy garden (made by Steph the Fairy Maker).
There are 3 different mazes to challenge yourself with; hedge, rose, and lavender. Not to mention the amazing gardens with features like; lily ponds, water fountains, a lake and the most amazing trees.
There’s also a fairy garden to explore with some wooden cuts out - inviting the perfect selfie opportunity.
The best bit - upon entry, grab your clipboard with names of 9 fairies and 9 gnomes that are hidden amongst the gardens and set out on a challenge to find them all! Not an easy feat, as they are very well hidden! Once complete, take your entry back to reception to claim a prize!
There’s a cafe onsite - or bring your own picnic - it is a perfect way to spend the day!
the nitty gritty
15 Red Hill -Shoreham Rd, Shoreham
OPEN
9am - 5pm
7 days
Picnics allowed
wanna know more?
click here
Mamma's special mention:
Treat yourself and head down the road to the delicious Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie, or checkout the stunning Flinders Blowhole.
street art walking tour, frankston
Did you know that the lane ways throughout Frankston are covered in some AMAZING art work from world renowned street artists?
Did you know that the lane ways throughout Frankston are covered in some AMAZING art work from world renowned street artists?
You can go on a guided street art tour, which takes approximately 90 minutes, and uncover some fascinating history and meaning behind these incredible artworks. Thanks to The Big Picture Fest (14-20 March 2022) you will see 13 of the city’s newest murals and augmented reality which has recently taken the city centre collection to over 50 artworks. If you would like to conduct a self-guided tour, feel free to download the walking map here.
These tours have win GOLD in the Australian Street Art Awards for Best Street Art Tour. That’s pretty impressive!
Mamma took her crew on a tour recently, and both kids - aged 7 and 9 enjoyed seeing the amazing paintings and asked lots of questions and even survived the 90 minute walk (with only minimal complaining of sore legs!).
It’s a great way to introduce kids to Art, and this tour explained a lot of the meaning behind the paintings, with lots of the work influenced by Covid and isolation, which Mamma’s crew found very interesting.
It’s a great way to take in Frankston and learn more of its history.
Mamma's special mention
There’s lots of great places to eat in Frankston - but General Public can keep the fun alive with food - bowling and arcade games!
the nitty gritty
OPEN
Tours are $15 per person and includes a hot (or cold) drink, running weekly on weekends led by a knowledgeable local guide.
Bookings are essential
Tours depart from outside Frankston Library
60 Playne Street, Frankston
red hill trail co, arthurs seat
Looking for adventure? Well, get your motor running and experience the Red Hill Trail on an e-bike!
Looking for adventure? Well, get your motor running!
Or your e-bike riding, actually!
What is an e-bike you may ask? It is just like your regular mountain bike, except it is electric and makes going uphill (almost) seamless. You will still need to pedal, but it takes most of the effort out of the pedalling - basically, it is like you are riding a flat path, even when going up a super steep hill. So it is the perfect way to explore the rugged trails and the stunningly spectacular views of Arthurs Seat and the Red Hill area.
With the super lovely and helpful Father/Son team of Chris and Finn, you are in great hands to help guide you along this 2-3 hour track. They will explain how the e-bike works, and make sure you are in the right gears throughout the different terrain you will encounter.
The track will take you from the top of Arthurs Seat, down through Red Hill and culminate at Merricks, with lots of stops to take in the beauty - and coffee! - along the way.
Now Mamma was totally out of her comfort zone here, having not ridden a bike for over 20 years! So, it may have been a little ambitious! However, thanks to guidance of the lovely operators and encouragement of the crew - made it all the way.
These tours are family friendly, with kids over 8 able to join in! They are also a perfect day trip to have with your friends. There are also different tracks for the more adventurous.
Some little tips and advice:
- make sure you are a confident rider, you don’t need to be super fit, as the e-bike does help - but knowing how to balance and steer are a bonus!!
- E-bikes are a lot different to normal bikes- they are extremely heavy too - so make sure you listen properly to the instructions and get used to the gears before you take off. (You will have a few warm up laps at the carpark to get comfortable before you head off). And if you feel unsure about any part of the trail, just hop off and walk your bike through it.
- Make sure you stop heaps to take in the stunning views, as it really is an amazing ride! ENJOY
Mamma's special mention
There’s lots to see and do while you’re in this gorgeous area - if you want some lunch - check out Red Gum BBQ, if you want to keep the outdoor exercise up - go on the Endeavour Fern gully Rainforest track walk - or for more ideas check out our Mamma Loves Red Hill page.
the nitty gritty
OPEN
7 days
9am - 4pm
Bookings are essential
Enter code - MAMMAKNOWSSOUTH2022 for a 10% discount
peninsula water bikes, mornington peninsula
The newest attraction to Peninsula are these incredibly fun Waterbikes! Perfect family fun!
You may not be able to walk on water - but you can definitely RIDE!
The newest attraction to the Peninsula are these incredibly fun Waterbikes! They are perfect for a bit of family fun. A great way to take in some amazing scenery, get some exercise and breathe the fresh salt air!
Kids are able to ride on their own, provided that they are over 120cm tall. If not, they can sit back on the deck on their parents bike.
There are two types - an upright and recumbent. According to Mamma’s crew - the upright requires a little bit more effort whereas the recumbent is a bit more cruisey. Keep your eyes out for the tandem bike coming shortly.
You can hire these for 30 - 60 or 120 minutes. Soon there will also be tours you can join in.
They depart from Frankston Foreshore or Sorrento - or if you have a group wanting to go from somewhere else, just get in touch with them. Bookings are essential. Check them out - it’s a lot of fun!
Mamma's special mention
If you’re at Frankston beach - check out the Frankston Foreshore Playground - At Sorrento - Sorrento Park- Rosebud - Rosebud Jetty Playground
the nitty gritty
OPEN
30, 60 or 120 minute hire
By Appointment Weekdays 6am – 7pm Weekends
Bookings are essential
Located at beaches along the Mornington Peninsula
the big goose, moorooduc
You may think if you have seen one animal farm, then you have seen them all. Let mamma assure you, this is most definitely not the case.
You may think if you have seen one animal farm, then you have seen them all. Let mamma assure you, this is most definitely not the case. Yes, it is a farm. Yes, it does have animals. But it is so much more.
There are so many animals of every variety. Gaggles of geese, calves, baby goats and sheep - everywhere you turn there are more babies
Inside, the kids get to cuddle bunnies, guinea pigs and reptiles.
Stroll out to the farm and see geese waddling along freely, making quite a racket. Enter the wildlife area and see dingoes, wombats, wallabies, camels and deer. Pass by brightly coloured birds, llamas, donkeys, cows, and so many more animals.
Take a ride on the tractor. With the kids legs dangling off the side, take a 10 minute drive around the farm. From this prime position you can view the beauty of this place, as well us have up-close encounters with all of the animals.
PLUS if you visit on a day above 25 degrees, you can splash around in the awesome splash park!
Then there's the magnificent, multi-level playground. Fun for all ages, having a smaller sandpit area for the young ones, and more adventurous offerings for older kids. There’s even mini golf!
This really is such an amazing place, the whole family will love it. The staff are so kind and welcoming and really go out of their way to make it a special experience for everyone.
Mamma's special mention
Big Goose also run daily sheep dog shows, and reptile shows!
the nitty gritty
OPEN
Every day during School Holidays!
10am – 4pm
Term Times:
Summer: Wednesday – Sunday
Winter: Thursday – Sunday
wanna know more?
click here
