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.
enchanted adventure, arthurs seat
This is one jam-packed adventure garden! The fun just keeps on coming.
This is one jam-packed adventure garden! The fun just keeps on coming.
Mamma’s crew can't decide which thrilling adventure was the highlight! Torn between the epic tube slide, the tree surfing and the Sky Scramble - a giant ball pit suspended in a net in the treetops - it was all AMAZING!
You can opt to include the Grand Tree Surfing/Nippers Tree Surfing or simply get a general admission ticket. The tree-climbing is available for kids as young as 4 if they dare - with a separate ‘Nippers” area.
Both of these experiences are high amongst the trees, where they can test their strength and skills climbing up nets, through tunnels, along bridges and zip-lining down to the ground.
One of the newest additions is the Sky Scramble - an awesome aerial playground - set high up in the sky you can walk on wobbly bridges, climb through tunnels, bounce in the giant ball pit and disembark down huge slides! This is for kids under 135cm only. But older kids can still enjoy walking in the Treetop canopy along a wobbly bridge!
There’s also a Pirate ship kids can jump onboard - go under the deck and pretend to steer!
Then, of course, there's the awesomely fast and twisty tube-slides. There are 6 straight slides, 1 twisty slide and the kids slide. Watch out, when they say fast - they mean it! So. Much. Fun.
There are 5 different mazes spread throughout the gardens. All challenging and great fun.
You can refresh in the cafe with a cool drink - or a delicious hot chocolate and hot chips for those cooler days. Yum.
There is SO much to do here, be prepared to stay and play the day away!
the nitty gritty
Opening hours are 9am to 5pm every day of the year except closed Christmas Day.
wanna know more?
click here
Mamma's Special Mention
Keep the good times rolling and check out the spectacular view at The Eagle Skylift
rocky creek strawberry farm, main ridge
From November to April you can visit this beautiful strawberry farm and fill your punnet to the brim.
There is nothing more tasty than a huge, ripe, sweet strawberry - and nothing compares to picking your own!
From November to April you can visit this beautiful strawberry farm in Main Ridge and fill your punnet to the brim. It can get a bit muddy, but never fear - they supply some gorgeous blue bootie covers to protect your shoes!
You can take your time strolling through dozens of rows in the strawberry patch, in search of the biggest and best ones!
Then, once you have as many as you can fit in your container - you can head to the cafe and enjoy some strawberry ice cream, scones with fresh jam and cream - OR indulge in Mamma’s favourite - the Strawberry fondue, combining delicious melted Belgian chocolate and big juicy strawberries. This also comes in a kids size - yum! You can also purchase other delights like freeze-dried berries, honey, strawberry wine - and more, from the shop.
Depending how the season goes, you can also pick blueberries and blackberries as well.
With the little kids easily able to pick their own - this is an experience the whole family will love!
the nitty gritty
Strawberry picking season is from mid November - April
Open every day 9am - 5pm (last picking is at 4.30pm)
Cafe and shop open May - October
Fri - Sun 11am - 4pm
wanna know more?
click here
Mamma’s special mention
All that picking is sure to build up thirst! Why not check out the incredibly family friendly Green Olive Winery not too far away?!
red hill lavender farm, red hill
Rows amongst rows of gorgeous lavender, set amongst the hills of beautiful Main Ridge, it’s simply the most picturesque spot,
Here is your perfect photo opportunity!
Rows amongst rows of gorgeous lavender, set amongst the hills of beautiful Main Ridge, it’s simply the most picturesque spot, heightened by the sweet scent of lavender.
This gorgeous farm is only open from late December through to the end of January - so make sure you add it your reminder list if you miss out this year.
You can purchase freshly harvested lavender bunches, luxurious lavender products, heat bags, teddy bears and even lavender honey from the marquee set up in the field.
Bring a rug and pack a picnic and set up camp under the shade of a tree and really enjoy the serenity here. Dogs on a leash are more than welcome, too!
the nitty gritty
284 Main Creek Rd, Main Ridge, 3928
OPEN
29th December
Then every Thursday to Sunday in January
10am - 4pm
Free entry
wanna know more? click here
ripe n ready cherry farm, red hill
Fill up your bucket with delicious ripe cherries!
How good are cherries!
Do you love the dark red juicy ones, or the pink, sour ones? Mamma loves them all and they are DELICIOUS at this lovely farm!
You can opt to just enter and pick your own to eat whilst there - or you can grab a bucket and take them home to eat later.
There are heaps of trees and plenty of cherries to pick when you go during peak season. The trees are a good height so even the little ones can reach.
Lots to do here, and such a picturesque place to spend the day. Oh, keep and eye out for some gorgeous cows grazing in the fields, too!
the nitty gritty
Entry fee
Cherries collected are charged per kg
Pick your own cherries open from early November - mid January
wanna know more?
click here
Mamma's special mention
There’s so much to explore in Red Hill!
If you’re hungry, head to Red Gum BBQ. Want some Strawberries, head to Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm
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!
arthurs seat eagle, arthurs seat
Come aboard for the most peaceful ride to the peak of Arthurs Seat.
There is something incredibly peaceful and tranquil about the Arthurs Seat Skylift. It could be the reason it is called the eagle. You soar, slowly, up the hill without a sound. Mamma is tempted to whisper to the family as not to disturb the peace. The sound you are mostly to hear apart from the birds chirping, will the the gasp you will make at the view. It is stunning. From the Dandenong Ranges in the east, the mouth of the bay in the west and the entire front beaches of the Peninsula, you won't get a better view of the place we call home.
The gondolas are roomy with ability to take eight passengers and a small pram would fit nicely too.
Mamma's special mention: Once you take the 15 minute journey uphill it goes without saying - you have to have a sit on Arthur Seat, explore the lookout, check out the walking tracks and grab a snack from the cafe.
the nitty gritty
OPEN
7 days
Base Station - Arthurs Seat Rd, Arthurs Seat
