Mamma’s BIG OUTDOOR page

Mamma understands that sometimes we all need to get OUTDOORS, take a big breath, explore, stretch the legs and LIVE!

Here is Mamma’s collection of adventures that are stunning and have lots of open space!

Featured
old point cook homestead and stables site, point cook
old point cook homestead and stables site, point cook

So back in the olden days the Point Cook Homestead was a part of the Chirnside family (of Werribee Mansion fame) property portfolio. It was built around 1857 and includes the main homestead and some stables and out buildings. Since the Chinsides, it has been passed down to a few owners but now is managed by Parks Victoria.

point cook coastal park beach and picnic area, point cook
point cook coastal park beach and picnic area, point cook

Hidden away down the end of Point Cook Road is a quiet spot for picnic and play!
The Point Cook Coastal Park has had some new additions recently of BBQ’s and shelters, plus a small playground and toilets!

truganina swamp (truganina coastal parklands), truganina
truganina swamp (truganina coastal parklands), truganina

Usually the term 'swamp' doesn't conjure up pictures of freshness and beauty, but this place is just that. With the wetlands being more ‘lake’ or ‘river’ rather than ‘swamp’ and teeming with bird life and flora it is peaceful and untouched, and it has a good trail toward and along Skeleton Creek

ballarat botanic gardens, ballarat
ballarat botanic 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, gazebos, statues, fernery and more!

point lonsdale front beach @ the bellarine
point lonsdale front beach @ the bellarine

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.

FREE disc golf course, stony creek - yarraville
FREE disc golf course, stony creek - yarraville

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!

buckley falls, highton
buckley falls, highton

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.

burndap park, maribyrnong
burndap park, maribyrnong

This is a wonderful little track that curls around and in between the Edgewater Marina and Maribyrnong River. The track is smooth and flat, perfect for prams, bikes, scooters and wheelchairs.

erskine falls, lorne
erskine falls, lorne

You are 234 steps away from the gorgeous Erskine falls in Lorne

triplet falls and little aire falls, wyelangta
triplet falls and little aire falls, wyelangta

The Otways national park is just stunning and these two bush treks are located in the midst of some stunning rain forest scenery.

brisbane ranges - anakie gorge walk, staughton vale
brisbane ranges - anakie gorge walk, staughton vale

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.

jebb's pool, cumberland river
jebb's pool, cumberland river

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!

stanley park waterfall, mount macedon
stanley park waterfall, mount macedon

This is the perfect little waterfall to visit with the little ones! Stanley Park Waterfall is located in lovely bushland just off the main road up Mount Macedon.

newell's paddock conservation reserve, footscray
newell's paddock conservation reserve, footscray

Haven to some beautiful birdlife - you will spot swans, cranes and ducks.

hobsons bay wetlands, altona
hobsons bay wetlands, altona

We are so lucky to have so many stunning nature trails in the west, and one Mamma loves to explore is our amazing wetlands!

the cascades, metcalfe
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.

st georges lake, creswick
st georges lake, creswick

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

kororoit creek shared trail and sculpture walk, altona north
kororoit creek shared trail and sculpture walk, altona north

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

sandy point nature reserve, williamstown
sandy point nature reserve, williamstown

It is an excellent place for exploring and adventures!

jawbone bay and marine sanctuary, williamstown
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
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.

californian redwood forest, beech forest
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 - Mamma says it's magical, it's awe inspiring and spectacularly beautiful.

wombat hill bakehouse and botanic gardens, daylesford
wombat hill bakehouse and botanic gardens, daylesford

Mamma adores garden adventures and this is a magical wonderland on top of Wombat Hill, an ancient volcano, which is perfection. With rolling green hills made for a play and tumble - and natural cubby houses made by the draping lush greenery. Climb to the top and be rewarded with colourful begonias and breathtaking views of Dayelsford.

geocaching - mamma knows west
geocaching - mamma knows west

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

werribee south beach, werribee south
werribee south beach, werribee south

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

altona coastal park bike trail, altona
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
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. 

williamstown botanical gardens, williamstown
williamstown botanical gardens, williamstown

Mamma LOVES the Williamstown Botanical Gardens. It is such an oasis for the family and perfect for picnics and play.

newport lakes, newport
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.

100 steps to federation - truganina park, altona meadows
100 steps to federation - truganina park, altona meadows

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.

Featured
the nook, sunbury
the nook, sunbury

The Nook will make you feel as if you’ve stopped to rest at a quaint country town. A 20 minute walk from the centre of Sunbury, it features Jacksons Creek waterhole and a beautiful, natural open space.

you yangs regional park, little river
you yangs regional park, little river

For outdoor adventure lovers, The you Yangs has it all. The beauty of this area is stunning with those huge rocks, breathtaking views and lovely bushland.

hopetoun falls, beech forest
hopetoun falls, beech forest

We love Hopetoun Fall as a family adventure! Imagine large lush ferns and gorgeous forest greenery on the way, and you can stop and do some rock hopping near the river too - if you are lucky you may even see a platypus!. This is a truly lovely place, make sure you take a trip to Hopetoun Falls when you are heading this way!

cheetham wetlands viewing tower, point cook
cheetham wetlands viewing tower, point cook

The tower was opened about 20 years ago and was actually an arts project, and is dubbed a monument for ‘Migration and Aspirations’- Mamma has to say - it’s a lovely tower! You can see all around the wetlands from this vantage point and have a great view of the city as well.

k road cliffs, werribee
k road cliffs, werribee

This one is for the adventurers...

grahams dam walk @ lerderderg state park, bacchus marsh
grahams dam walk @ lerderderg state park, bacchus marsh

Spend an hour here, or the whole day -  you can tailor your fun and do as much or as little as your family can manage.

splitpoint lighthouse, aireys inlet
splitpoint lighthouse, aireys inlet

An icon of the West, immortalised in the old TV show Round the Twist and more recently Masterchef. Dubbed 'the white queen', she sure is majestic.

organ pipes national park, keilor north
organ pipes national park, keilor north

The Organ Pipes themselves are beautiful huge rock columns formed by the cooling and cracking of molten lava from over a million years ago and are the feature of the park.