mamma has tweens and teens!
Well, well, since Mamma has been doing this for 10 years it was bound to happen - our little ones have turned into BIGGER ones!
For those long time followers, your kids have grown up WITH ours so we are all in the same boat - just navigating life with these amazing young adults.
This new era inspires some NEW adventures for us, but we also still love some classic old ones that don’t involve play centres, playgrounds, or even a kids menu. We are loving more walks, longer adventures, and more fun experiences WITH them rather than just on the sidelines.
And as usual we do the hard work so that YOU don’t have to. So, here is our handy page for all the other tween/teen parents!
Adventures!
Introducing Kindred Souls Collective. Best described as a day spa for the soul founder and amazing vibe queen Kelly has created such a stunning space like no other. Spending time here, is a truly beautiful and effortless way to relax and rejuvenate, body, mind and soul.
Kids Go FREE these School Holidays! Port Phillip Ferries have been jetting people up and down the bay for many years now. A great way to avoid the traffic and head down to Portarlington and Geelong, and back up to Docklands.
In this exhibition she joins the stage with another incredible artist Lisa Gorman (of Gorman label fame). And centres around the 2016 and 2018 GORMAN X Mirka collaborations, showcasing some of the iconic garments.
No this is not just another play centre! There are so many fun things to do at SuperPark - and plenty of things Mamma has not seen before in indoor fun!
Mamma has been wanting to visit here for so long and it did not disappoint. Deep Blue Hot Springs is more than just some hot pools. It’s a sanctuary of health and well-being and you will come out of it feeling rested and rejuvenated. You CAN bring the whole family here like Mamma, and of course you can just come with your partner or mates.
Flip Out in Braybrook is not just trampolines! This is heaven for active kids. They can run free to bounce, jump, climb, spin, slide and explore.
Walking tours now open! This gorgeous farm sits on 200 hectares of land and is dedicated to rehabilitating all kinds of farm animals but particularly horses. Found neglected, discarded after racing or aged and unwell, Horse Shepherd takes them on, provides them vet care and allows them to happily live out their days with the rest of the menagerie at the farm.
What a perfect adventure – a beautiful and fun ferry ride across the bay with stunning city views, followed by a penguin-watching experience at the St Kilda Breakwater wall, where around 1400 Little Penguins make their way to shore at sunset, and the knowledgeable staff are great with kids and questions!
For all you Friends aficionados out there, get ready to immerse yourself in a true-to-scale experience where no detail has been spared.
Welcome to the FUN ZONE! Timezone and Zone Bowling is NOW OPEN at Central West Shopping Centre!
Saboteurs is an experience full of excitement and fun and chaos! This space themed game is based on the popular online game Among Us, but in real life! - now, if you don’t know what is, that’s ok- it’s likely your kids do though! Mamma says Saboteurs is a great family and friends adventure! Are you the imposter?
Experience the thrill of climbing at Cliffhanger Climbing, Australia's tallest gym in the West! Renovated and reopened, this facility offers a unique climbing experience. Test your skills on practice walls and enjoy amazing coffee breaks. Perfect for climbers of all levels at Cliffhanger Climbing, where adventure awaits!
These popular kayak tours on the Werribee River sell out fast so you have to be quick to get in when the bookings come up. Hosted by the Werribee River Association in conjunction with Paddle Victoria, this is a cruisey journey along the banks of the Werribee River with a guided discussion on the flora and fauna in the area.
There are HEAPS of walks all around the Werribee Gorge State Park for all different levels and experience so it is a good idea to do plenty of research on this place before setting off with the kids in tow.
It is impossible to find words for the amazing experience we had with the Sea All Dolphin Tours.
Hire a rebound machine, book a court, organise a party, play some beach volleyball - Altona’s indoor basketball joint 3 Street Basketball is an amazing venue!
Anunforgettable adventure at Tuki Trout Farm—a genuine Pond to Plate Experience! Mamma says: it's not just a great outing; it's an incredibly memorable journey for the kids.
The Elements Coastal Activity Park is a one stop spot little coffee shop and sandwich bar, picnic lawn and you guessed it - mini golf!
Mamma loves a good hidden adventure discovery, and the Fyansford Paper Mills was one of those. This is an art, food, culture and beverage precinct in amongst what remains of the old paper mill.
Who knew smashing up #^%$ was so much fun! This is the place to come to have a smashing good time, and turns out it’s a little therapeutic too! Welcome to The Smash Room.
Discover Roraima Nursery in Lara, home to exotic plants, stunning sculptures, and even dinosaurs! Our top-pick attraction is a must-visit for plant enthusiasts and nature lovers. Don't miss out – plan your visit today and experience the crowd-pleasing beauty of Roraima Nursery.
There’s nothing quite like sending the kids off to school with a packed lunch and a smoochy kiss, then heading off to save the world from killer robots or flesh eating zombies.
Welcome to the Jumpside! The wests latest indoor fun adventure! This is a trampoline and ninja centre that will keep a range of ages on their toes and entertained.
The Funderdome is 4 huge fun filled spaces with arcade games, crazy golf, food and a bar! The Funderdome is a great option for bigger kids!
Maits Rest Rainforest Walk is a wonderful way to experience the magic of an ancient rainforest while stretching those legs, especially for families with little kids as the walk is only a 30 minute loop.
Only 5km outside of Apollo Bay an extraordinary family friendly adventure awaits. Join a 75 minute wildlife guided tour in some pristine Otways landscape. Spot wallabies, koalas, cockatoos, emus and more as you learn about conservation, native flora and fauna and how to spot a koala (hint, smell their poo)!
The Range @ Curlewis is a family friendly fun way to enjoy golf without actually playing proper golf! The Range is next to the famous Curlewis Golf Club and has mini golf, a driving range, golf simulators and a fantastic bistro, so the perfect way to introduce the kiddos - and adults - to golf.
Rockpools are amazing things. Magical little holes filled with ocean treasures. Some are tiny with little ecosystems of their own, others are like warm baths or little pools to splash around in.
Just past Lorne on the way down the iconic Great Ocean Road you will see a small unassuming sign indicating that the Sheoak Falls lay just off the bend in the road. What you will find is a stunning, picturesque waterfall amongst gorgeous bushland.
Disc Golf is a thing and we have a great FREE Disc Golf course right here in Yarraville. It is great fun and anyone can play!
Hiding out the back of Geelong is Buckley Falls - a little surprise package of fun, adventure and beauty! These falls are a great way to spend a few hours exploring.
Discover the hidden gem of Malmsbury's botanical gardens - a surprise package waiting to be explored! Mamma's favourite spot boasts a stunning lake at its heart, complete with an island accessible via a charming bridge. Pack a picnic now and experience the beauty and serenity of Malmsbury's botanical gardens.
Mamma is making it her mission to find lots of fab kid-friendly walks in nature and this is one of the best ones we have come across. The Brisbane Ranges is great. Often the weather, the snacks we take, tired levels of mamma and kids - all have lots to do with the ‘ease’ and enjoyment factor too but this bushwalk is relatively flat, scenic and a quick easy 2 hour loop.
Mamma loves a hidden adventure! Jebb’s Pool is a stunning oasis behind the Cumberland River Caravan Park. It’s a part of the Erskine River and over time the river has created these lovely pools and smooth rocks - including a mini waterfall or as some say - a nature waterslide!
What a beauty! This amazing lake is not only peaceful and picturesque, but an adventure for all seasons.
With its little bays of sand, clear and cool water - Jawbone Bay and Marine Sanctuary is stunning little paradise.
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 - Mamma says it's magical, it's awe inspiring and spectacularly beautiful.
A giant, grown up game of hide and seek with a cross between orienteering and puzzle solving. Mamma loves it!
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
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!
Werribee Park and Mansion grounds is a magical place to visit with such glorious gardens you definitely need to put aside a good couple of hours to explore the ponds, fountains, green house, sculpture walks, cafes and more.
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.
Mamma LOVES the Williamstown Botanical Gardens. It is such an oasis for the family and perfect for picnics and play.
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.
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.
Mamma was told to expect the best views in Melbourne and was not disappointed. The top of the 100 Steps to Federation in Altona Meadows - provides uninterrupted 360 degree views of the You Yangs, Melbourne and the Bay. It is downright breathtaking and energising climbing to the top.
You could be forgiven for thinking you drove to Werribee but somehow landed in New York when you arrive at this awesome skate park - fit for little tykes and adults because it uniquely caters for beginners and pros.
This park is a fav for both big and little kids with a smaller bowl skate/scooter section.
Food!
Mamma was so impressed by the quality of the food at this new Braybrook cafe. Incredibly simple yet oh-so-delicious toasties and pastries are on offer, as well as great coffee and other beverages.
These guys specialise in not only burgers - they do awesome fries, shakes, and wings too. What more could you ask for!
Ask any Vietnamese person in Melbourne, and they probably know about Tan Thanh Loi - although they might not know it by it’s name, but by its dish: com tam/broken rice. These are the best pork chops you’ll ever have!
Looking for an amazing place to dine with the family? We've found the perfect spot. Williamstown’s Royal Yacht Club of Victoria is both picturesque and has delicious food. Full of charm, the brick building is set back from the street and decked out with boating paraphernalia, giving it a gorgeous old-school vibe.
There are so many tempting options on the menu that one visit will not suffice - Mamma threw down a whole pho, bahn mi AND some spring rolls and only just scratched the surface.
Hurrah! Ollie from Motte Bakery has found a gorgeous permanent home in Newport and that means we can get his delicious bakery treats ALL THE TIME!
Who is Mama Le? Let Mamma tell you!
Behind an unassuming street frontage lies a multi level, pretty restaurant of Vietnamese deliciousness! Mamma Le is Leanne, and with her daughter Lisa opened Mama Le to give us the gift of her amazing asian fusion cooking!
Mamma absolutely loves the indoor playground - and her little one loves it too! Make sure you book a table in the playground area for maximum enjoyment - you can eat your delicious meals while watching the kids play!
When you think of French dining you don’t think you will find one at a golf club - but Curlewis is different. Claribeaux is the restaurant here at the club, and everyone is welcome -including the kiddos. It’s a relaxed but high quality restaurant with views of the bright green fairway and beyond.
The food at Off the Planet Burgers is outta this world - it’s got Mamma’s tick of approval!
This galactic themed restaurant is super cool - everything is on theme from the minute you walk in. The Lego Star Wars models will catch your eye - Mamma will guarantee your kiddies will be begging you to come back!
Manoushi is Werribee's newest bakery, and Mamma gives it her stamp of approval! Mamma can guarantee that the moment you step into Manoushi, your mouth will start to water.
Hailed as one of the food critic’s go-tos when eating at in the West, Xuan Banh Cuon serves delicious Northern style Vietnamese dishes. This is Mamma’s destination for a quick and cheap eat you know is going to be filled with flavour!
Well this is fun! And YUM! Seoul Garden is an all you can eat buffet, PLUS Korean BBQ. Basically this means that there is so much food you will want to eat here, that you will never fit it all in!
WOW, WOW, WOW! Mamma just checked out Tom’s Confectionary at Highpoint and it was AMAZING!
Where do we start?! Mamma seriously thought she was in the Willy Wonka movie when she walked into Tom’s Confectionary. With over 30,000 different types of confectionary, you could seriously walk around the isles of this store for HOURS!
Situated right in the heart of Ballarat Street, just opposite Grill’d, Biancolatte is the perfect place for a pit stop after dinner.
We LOVE this! The cutest little cupcake pitstop is in Caroline Springs Square - Cake Creations by Katie is a cup cake VENDING machine!
Dayum! Do you know what a Chevapi is? It’s basically a pork and beef skinless sausage. Which means without much extra thought, you already know a Chevapi SANDWICH here is going to be incredible and YEP, you’d be RIGHT!
We just love the relaxed dining, amazing food, floor seating and huge outdoor space to play at the NEW Tinkune Momo & Sekuwar House in Sunshine!
Cà Rem is Vietnamese gelato! Flavours include avocado, Kopiko, lychee and mint, Yakult and melon and pink dragon fruit! How bananas! (Oh yes, there is also Vietnamese banana!) This is seriously good gelato… Mamma struggled to decide on a flavour, but the coconut and pandan went down so well.
Craving some comfort food? Well, there’s a new cafe in Moonee Ponds and it’s serving everything fried. Loaded fries, sandos and wings! Yum!
Mamma has found yet ANOTHER new local favourite!
You can’t help but feel excited when you walk into Nan’s Bakehouse. The aroma hits you immediately - that perfect mixture of coffee and treats will instantly divert your eyes to see what’s available on the counter.
Kensington got its own bakery sensation - Double Dutch Bakery is now officially on the map and will be on Mamma’s regular rotation of yummy places to go!
Candied is officially an icon of the west - here is where you will find some of the best pastries, cakes and breads you will EVER taste.
Roti Road is back after several months with a FRESH new reno!
The space is fresh, open and bright - but don’t worry there is still the viewing window where you can watch the busy kitchen and roti making!
Yet another fantastic Bellarine Winery - with water views, stunning vineyards, great food in a stunning and open space.
This is a stunning fit out, clean and pretty and the FroYo is amazing. It is made in store as well as most of the toppings including the free branded wafer. The freshly made yogurt flavours are top tier - think New York Cheesecake, Salted Caramel and of course faves like strawberry and chocolate. The topping selection is VAST and you can dabble in healthy goodness or go straight to the sweetest lollies.
Mamma loves seeing sandwiches having their day in the sun. And it seems they just keep getting better! Tuckers in Werribee opened a few months ago and boy, do they have mouthwatering options to try.
A relaxed food hall with a range of eateries, arcade games, beer garden and indoor tables. Think of wandering down a little Japanese laneway - soba noodle bar on the right, lanterns hanging outside a private dining space to the left, comic book graphics on the walls and retro arcade games in the corner. It’s fun for kids and adults alike!
We love Bennetts on Bellarine Winery! It’s more rustic than the other wineries in this area, but it is relaxed and fun and delicious.
The little pub on the corner in Seddon has reopened, and what a neighbourhood treasure it is! It first opened in 1874 so it’s great to see it still standing and looking spectacular. Have a meal with friends in the courtyard; watch some sport and grab a cheeky wine in the bar; enjoy a sit down meal in the dining room. Enjoy pub classics like bangers and mash, chicken parmas and steak sandwiches.
A gastro pub that’s family friendly, with some super style in the heart of Werribee! This has been one of Mamma's fave westie pubs for a while now - always GREAT food and a great relaxed atmosphere - now with new winter menu!!
This iconic and much-loved pub in Williamstown has awesome new owners, it’s had a refresh and has re-opened. Hooray!
Mamma says never judge a book by it's cover, but in this case, go right ahead! This amazing art deco building hides some treasure in Newport.
Down the alley and up the staircase from uber cool Slice Girls lies a wonderful world of happiness. It's comforting, and warm (sometimes with toasty fire) , and rustic-ly gorgeous and.... just really cool.
Mamma says visiting this park on Chery Lake is a must for any true blue Westie. Gaze over the water and take a little time to unwind while your little (and big!) ones explore and the Lions Market is on here on the first Sunday of the month!