beaches, lakes, rivers and more

We are very fortunate to have some pretty awesome beaches at our doorstep, some beautiful rivers, lakes and heaps of outdoors nature spots for the whole family to enjoy. Mamma has a handful here to provide you with all the inspiration you need to get you out of the house they include a handy map, making it easier to uncover something new for you and the crew to enjoy.

“Browse though our collection or search below for your suburb or fave spot”

Featured

the cascades, metcalfe

he water rushes over these rocks and cascades down them into pools and further along the Coliban River. So you can literally touch and walk around the flowing water. The huge majestic moss covered rocks are great to explore and climb on, and in the summer you will find people taking a dip in the pools.

gardens of tieve tara @ mount macedon

Incredible....wow....amazing. Mamma found herself saying these words over and over again while discovering this piece of heaven in Mount Macedon. It feels like you have stepped into a real life Monet painting.

st georges lake, creswick

What a beauty! This amazing lake is not only peaceful and picturesque, but an adventure for all seasons.

geelong botanical gardens. geelong

Yes, here is yet another botanical garden to add to the picnic list!

kororoit creek shared trail and sculpture walk, altona north

Smooth pathways and wondrous sculptures - it is a fantastic outdoor adventure for the family.

truganina explosives reserve, truganina

Fear not, the Truganina Explosives Reserve does NOT have explosives on it anymore. In fact it has been unused since 1962 when they ceased the handling and the shipping of the explosives from the site.

sandy point nature reserve, williamstown

It is an excellent place for exploring and adventures!

botanical gardens in the west

Mamma loves exploring these botanical gems in the West and beyond....

jawbone bay and marine sanctuary, williamstown

With its little bays of sand, clear and cool water - Jawbone Bay and Marine Sanctuary is stunning little paradise.

avalon beach, avalon

There are lots of shell treasures to collect, cute benches to watch the passing ships, and a picnic table - just made to eat fish and chips on.

horseshoe bend farm, keilor

Mamma can't believe this place. Put simply it was once operating farm that is no longer in use - and anyone is welcome to come and enjoy this country style oasis in the middle of the suburbs.

californian redwood forest, beech forest

If you've ever dreamed of exploring a magical forest, well then Mamma has some great news. Deep in the Otway ranges is the Californian Redwood Forest - and let me tell you, it's magical, it's awe inspiring and spectacularly beautiful.

castlemaine botanical gardens and playground, castlemaine

This spectacular park has all you need to spend a day in the beautiful outdoors.

wombat hill botanical gardens, daylesford

geocaching - mamma knows west

A giant, grown up game of hide and seek with a cross between orienteering and puzzle solving. Mamma loves it!

eastern beach, geelong

Geelong’s Eastern Beach is a wonderful sunny day destination – midweek it can be a quiet place for you to relax and unwind with your pre-schooler and weekends you’ll find it teeming with kids of all ages diving and swimming in the protected waterfront

ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat

Mamma loves a good garden and this is one of our families favourite spots to picnic, play and chill out. It has everything you could imagine that a botanical garden has - shady trees, lush green grass, gorgeous plants, ponds, fountains, gazebo's statues the prime minister avenue , fernery and more

campbells cove, werribee south

As the weather warms up and the beaches in the West fill up - it’s good to have some other spots to go to. It was our first visit to Campbells Cove since the mandatory clothing rule was put into place on September 1......and we found it to be quite a treasure.

truganina swamp (truganina coastal parklands), truganina

You'd be forgiven for having lived in Altona for years and not really seen this place. Its hidden away next to the Golf Course, and usually the term 'swamp' doesn't conjure up pictures of freshness and beauty, but this place is just that.

werribee south beach, werribee south

It's quiet, pretty and has so much to explore!

point cook coastal park beach and picnic area, point cook

Hidden away down Point Cook Road is an oasis of play, sand and picnic heaven! Mamma thinks The Point Cook Coastal Park is a great spot to spend a Summers day with the family. Plenty of picnic tables, some BBQ's and THREE play areas all nestled between lovely beachy brush and the bay.

altona coastal park bike trail, altona

Mamma loves to get outdoors and get the legs pumping with a good bike ride. Altona Coastal Park is one of the best rides around. You can still see a lone date palm and the ruins of the grandstand of the old Williamstown Racecourse which saw Phar Lap race and win the Underwood Stakes in 1931. Giddy up!

jawbone flora and fauna reserve, williamstown

What was once a degraded rifle range is now an important conservation area and a great place to explore. Mamma and the crew love getting up close and personal with our nature spots and Jawbone Flora and Fauna Reserve is one of the best places in the West to appreciate our native coastal critters.

maribyrnong river trail, footscray

We in the West are blessed with Melbourne's most beautiful river right on our doorstep (you can't blame Mamma for being biased) and The Maribyrnong River Trail provides endless opportunities to choose your own outdoor adventure to enjoy it via foot, bike or trike.

williamstown botanical gardens, williamstown

Mamma LOVES these magical gardens!

williamstown beach, williamstown

Willy Beach has everything you could possibly need for a day by the sea and it's only a hop skip and jump from your front door. This is the ideal place to introduce little ones to the ocean where they can splash and explore to their hearts content.

pipemakers park, maribyrnong

This Sunday May 24 all are welcome to join in on the community planting day from 10am - 12pm. Come along and help this process by planting indigenous trees, shrubs and ground covers to improve habitat values and increase biodiversity. FREE BBQ provided. FREE!

altona beach, altona

You won't believe Mamma until you check this one out yourself. Your family and friends will love the sand, sea, and grassy strips. Meander along the long pier any time of the year.

the strand, williamstown

Mamma's got one word for this place. WOW! Whether your movement of choice is walking, running or cycling. This is the perfect spot to soak up some awesome icons of the West and the views of our beautiful city.

newport lakes, newport

Newport Lakes is a beautiful bushland oasis with its two big lakes, lots of native birds and grassy spots for picnics, it's a wonderful place to bring the family for a day of wildlife watching and native plant spotting.