Monday we started our Ballarat/Melbourne trip. We flew to Melbourne and then hired a car to allow us to drive to Ballarat and then explore the surrounds.
We were surprised that the airport at Sydney was not jammed packed with school holiday travellers. Maybe many were going to a warmer climate compared to visiting a cold Ballarat in Winter. Today was freezing and the wind did not help!
Our trip started of with us planning to be on a beach, somewhere warm and not cold like home is. However this was not to be. I looked at many options as we had already paid for the accommodation component and had certain areas within Australia, New Zealand and Fiji that we could visit. As mentioned all dates for our trip were full in any warm area. Some places were great for us but the kids would be bored out of their brains.
I decided on Ballarat due to the proximity to Melbourne, and the fact that there is a lot to do for families in Ballarat and surrounds.
Pop Up Ice Skating Rink
Our first full day in Ballarat was Tuesday. I had organised tickets to the Pop Up Ice Skating Rink in the main part of Ballarat town centre. The kids were so excited to go skating but that did not last long. I joined them but was concerned about falling over. Julia had a bit of a fall but was all good, however she was upset and in need of cuddles. Both kids then decided that they did not want to skate anymore and would like to try the tobogganing. This was a huge hit and we all had a go.
The Tangled Maze
After our time at Winterlude we decided to go to the Tangled Maze. We all had lunch before we tackled the maze and that was a good move. There were many things to find to answer the questions in the maze and we were there for a while.
The kids racing around The Tangled Maze.
One side of the maze. It was all created out of hedges and flowers. It would have taken ages, it also looked very pretty.
The maze really tired out the twins. They had fun, found the answers to the questions that we were given and managed to get out of the maze without having to be saved.
The kids having a fab time running around the Tangled Maze
Kyral Castle
I had no idea that there was a castle in Ballarat! But there is. Kyral Castle has a draw bridge, a moat and of course a dragon.
The kids and I outside Kyral Castle
“In 1972, Keith Ryall began building the castle, which formally opened 2 years later primarily as a tourist attraction but also as an educational, conference and function facility with ‘royal’ accommodation and a wedding chapel.”
The fire performer at Kryal Castle.
There were so many things to do for kids at Kryal Castle.
Here are some of the events from the Kryal website:
The daily program consists of:
10:15 – Roving performers
11:30 – Mounted Skill at Arms
12:00 – The Storyteller – Grab a seat and join The Kryal Storyteller by the fire in the rotunda.
12:30 – Roving performers
1:30 – The Joust of the Flame – In the land of Kryal there is an ancient tradition. In the darkest depths of winter, when the snows fall, the moat turns to ice and people hide away indoors against the fearsome winds from the west, they are visited by a dark and powerful force.
We did do the maze at Kryal Castle but the kids needed to be rescued. They were fine and all worked out well. So if you do the maze with the kids make sure they stay with you.
The dragon at Kryal Castle
If you are ever in Ballarat make sure you visit Kryal Castle. You will have a great family day out.
Stay tuned for more of our holiday adventures.
Hope you are all having a great time these school holidays. What have you been up to so far? Let us know.
