Phillip Island

September school holidays rolled around and we took off Phillip Island for a week. Fun times had by all, though many of them rudely interrupted by whining and temper tantrums, such is the way of family holidays with small children. 

We stopped on our journey to Phillip Island at the wonderful Australian Garden at Cranbourne and we were greeted on the walk from the car park by a hungry bandicoot.

Thumper loved seeing the bandicoot, BallFiend was more interested in the irrigation pipes that ran along the other side the footpath. We spent several hours wandering around the garden - even Thumper walked the entire way. Then, at BallFiend's insistence we climbed up the look-out tower before going back to the car (by this stage, Thumper was worn out so I got to build up my muscles carrying her for about a kilometre back to the car). 

Once settled in at our holiday accommodation, we began our Island adventuring. First stop: the Chocolate Factory...

Our chocolate-swizzle creations, travelling along the conveyor belt
until they popped off the end and into our mouths.

Mandatory gimmicky-tourist photo.

The weather was very ordinary, with every day being overcast and often rainy... except for one. So we took the kids for a walk on the beach.

The walk over the dunes to the beach.

We arrived on the beach fully-clothed and although the day was sunny, it was only 20 degrees and very windy. But this did not dampen the enthusiasm of BallFiend to go paddling. And, as one might predict, it wasn't long until fell flat on his face in the calf-deep water and was soaking-wet. After a few tears, he was right back into it. This time much more sensibly dressed...

And of course it wasn't long until Thumper decided she was joining in.

"Raaahh! I'm a dinosaur!" 

BallFiend leading the way. Thumper not so sure about actually getting her feet wet.

Important work: Thumper collecting sand to throw into the sea.

DeepSpice showing off his stone-skimming skills to BallFiend.

Dressed for the walk back to the car in my top. BallFiend was embarassed about wearing a 'dress' until we told him it looked like the tunic of a Roman soldier. 

We also went walking on the beach on the cloudy, rainy days. Whilst there was no paddling, there were lots of interesting things to look at:

A dead puffer-fish... endlessly fascinating to BallFiend.

Local childcare facility.

BallFiend found 'a really good stick' which he used to apply a definite article.

We did lots of other stuff including a cruise out to Seal Rocks to get a very up-close look at the seals that hang out there. There are no photos of the seals because the water was so rough, I had to choose between holding onto the camera or holding onto Thumper. Given there were so many witnesses around, I thought it best that I prioritise Thumper. (Likewise DeepSpice had to hang on to BallFiend, so he couldn't take photos either!) But trust me, seeing the seals that close up in their natural environment was totally amazing! 

BallFiend being a Junior Captain on the journey back from Seal Rocks.

 Another day was spent at the maze/mini-golf attraction, which the kids (both big and small) loved!

DeepSpice, sent to the naughty corner.

Anyone for a serve of roasted Thumper?

And some roasted BallFiend?

After going through the puzzles section and then the outdoor maze, Thumper was tired but BallFiend was keen to go on to the mini-golf course. So BallFiend and I hit the golf course and DeepSpice took Thumper for play in the playground, followed by a restorative ice-cream... 

DeepSpice: "What flavour do you want?" Thumper: "Chocolate!" Of course. 

As soon as we finished the 18th hole, BallFiend wanted to play again. So DeepSpice took BallFiend for another round of mini-golf and I took over as Chief Ice-cream Assistant to Thumper. And quite frankly, I drew the short straw. DeepSpice had set Thumper up at an outside table, with a tail-wind blowing her hair into the ice-cream. He had also made the unforgivable mistake of buying the ice-cream in a cone, rather than a cup. Just seconds after DeepSpice left with BallFiend, the bottom fell out of the cone. I ran back into the ice-cream shop and asked for a cup and 1,000 napkins (to dry Thumper's 1,000 tears), but was not quick enough and half the ice-cream ended up all over the chair, table and floor as well as Thumper's lap.

The aftermath: icecream successfully transferred
to all surfaces within  a one-metre radius.

Other days during our week away consisted of more paddling on the beach in the freezing cold, visiting the local library, wandering about at The Nobbies (unfortunately half the boardwalks were closed because the birds were trying to have sex and didn't want to be interrupted) and a visit to Churchill Island Heritage Farm, which despite the pouring rain, was a real highlight! However if you ever go to there, take a packed lunch as the cafe prices are exorbitant, for example: $12.00 for a cheese and ham toasted sandwich!

Me, milking a cow at the Churchill Island farm! 

BallFiend wanted a photo that included the cannon and more importantly, the cannon-balls. He is holding his 'souvenir' (a horseshoe) which we finally gave in and bought for him after putting up with him nagging us to buy him a souvenir for the past 5 days. At least this is a genuine souvenir, because during the blacksmithing demonstration, they stamped BallFiend's initials into it... it's not just some crappy plastic 'Made in China' toy from a gift shop. Thumper has her blankie, because she is tired and just wants to go to sleep. 

We also spent a day at the Wonthaggi Coal Mine. There was some football thing on that day, so we thought it would be nice and quiet at all the tourist attractions. But it turns out everyone else was trying to avoid the football too, so when we arrived the first tour of the day was already booked out. Luckily the tour guides were very happy to put on a second tour, so after a quick lunch we were able to take the kids down a real (but no longer operational) coal mine. BallFiend even got a lump of coal to bring home.  

Wonthaggi Coal Mine: sending the kids off to earn their keep.

Wonthaggi Coal Mine: BallFiend enthusiastic about going down the mine...
Thumper perhaps starting to realise that she's about to become a child labourer. 

We stayed at a resort which was quite comfortable and had the advantage of having a big grassy area right in front of our apartment. The resort also had (much to BallFiend's delight!) a games room with a billard table and air hockey; they also had plenty of sports equipment to borrow... BallFiend loved being able to borrow a soccer ball, then a netball, then a volleyball, then a football, then a basketball and so on. Thumper's highlight was flying the kite. 

"I want to hold it by myself!"

We ate dinner at the local pub on several nights,
partly because they had great food but mainly because they had free wifi.

On our last day, we stopped off for one last game of mini golf on our way home and because we were there anyway, had a look around the nature park too. I was expecting the nature park to be a gimmicking tourist thing that would much interest any of us... we've all seen native Australian fauna before. But it was actually a really fun experience and great for little kids - especially Thumper who actually likes animals, unlike her big brother who is more interested in how their shelters are constructed. But even he got into it for a while...

Patting the "wobble-ees" as Thumper describes them.

BallFiend was in heaven when he found out that the mini golf was unlimited. DeepSpice and I less so. After lunch, DeepSpice drew the short straw and got to take BallFiend around the mini golf course again and again, whilst I took Thumper back into the nature park to pat cute little baby animals.

Thumper and a baby (9-month old) wallaby. Though apparently it is actually nearly fully-grown and is just about capable of reproducing. We were lucky to get this photo though - the nature park usually charges $20 to have an 'up close experience' like this - but there was no one else around and Thumper charmed the keeper with her sweetest smile.

Overall we had a good time at Phillip Island, the kids especially. It is definitely a great place to take kids. Just be prepared to empty out your wallet at every turn!


Postscript:
Upon arriving home, I opened up the dishwasher and discovered that we'd left a few dirty dishes in it. This is what grows on a spatula that is left in a warm, dark and slightly damp well-sealed cabinet for a week:

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