Beyond Your Postcode: Fun Family Excursion Ideas

As a young curious girl, I was always interested in new places to visit and explore. My family went on numerous drives around Sydney and the Blue Mountains area. We were continuously discovering new parks, waterfalls and villages. Personally, I loved the antique stores where you could see and touch olden days stuff, like cameras, irons and rocking chairs.
Here is a list of adventures that will get you out exploring beyond your postcode.
Antique centres and museums can really expand your kid’s imagination. Kids can learn about how we used items before modern technology and see some old marvels and engines. Check out Leuralla – Toy & Railway Museum, in Leura, filled with a unique collection of toys and trains and interactive displays, the Gosford Classic Car Museum, for the junior car fanatic, or even the Blacktown Markets and Caringbah Markets which have loads of preloved and vintage items. (Check their websites for dates.)
Go for a drive out of Sydney. For some excitement and real fresh air, head to the Australian Reptile Park at Somersby on the Central Coast, located in a natural bush setting. Or to discover more of the geography, history and culture of the Blue Mountains, visit the stunning Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, the world’s only botanic garden within a World Heritage area, at Mount Tomah, and also stop by the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, near Katoomba Library. There is also Pick your Own fruit when in season, all over the NSW, check the harvest calendar.
Libraries are awesome to places to visit and meet the locals. Take a train to Gosford or Penrith and enjoy the trip, browsing the books and any activities on offer.
Fancy a boat ride? Hop on a ferry across the harbour to Balmoral or Manly. Linger by the water with some yummy fish and chips.
Pack your picnic basket and head to one of these great picnic spots to the city’s north, south, east or west:

• North: Nelson Bay, Umina Beach or Mooney Mooney Creek (under the bridge)
• South: Stuart Park, North Wollongong, or Bulli Park, Bulli
• East: Rushcutters Bay, Nielsen Park or Parsley Bay
• West: Prospect Reservoir picnic area, along the Nepean River, or Colo Riverside Park

What’s on this weekend?
Hawkesbury Show is on 20–22 April at Hawkesbury Showground
Fire Station Open Day is Saturday 19 May from 10 am–2 pm. This is a great opportunity for your aspiring little heroes to see and learn about your local fire station and take a seat into a real fire truck. Please check details with your local station.
You might also like:
Shopping Centres with Play Areas
The Top 10 Inner West Cafes
Preschool Art Classes at Paper Rock Scissors Art Studio
Alphabetical Sydney: Creative Lab, Museum of Sydney
Out and About: Catmosphere Cat Cafe, Sydney
Out and About: The Little Plaster Shop, Concord
Wonderful Wild Play: Centennial Park’s New Nature Play Space
The New Strathfield Park Playground: Seriously Good!
The Inner West’s Best … Dog Parks
The Inner West’s Best … Fenced Playgrounds
The Inner West’s Best … Parks with Cafes Nearby
The Inner West’s Favourite Family-Friendly Pubs
The Inner West Mums’ Favourite Kids’ Party Venues
The Inner West Mums’ Favourite Romantic and Special Occasion Getaways
The Inner West and City’s Best … Day Spas
Sydney’s Best … Family-Friendly Beaches
Sydney’s Best … High Tea

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Katerina Bolton

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