Spring’s Out, School’s Out

The very wise and very rock n’ roll Henry Rollins once said “in winter, I plot and plan. In spring, I move”. He’s not half wrong. The Spring School Holidays are upon us, so it’s time to grab a pen, open up your diaries and start plotting and planning your Spring escapades. As always, Port Phillip Ferries is here to deliver you to your ‘free-curriculum’ activities on either side of the bay in absolute comfort and style – so let’s get moving.

Bellarine Bounty

Looking for something different to do with the kids these school holidays? Exploring the region with visiting friends and relatives and need to look in the know? Look no further. We’ve curated the best of the best of Spring School Holiday activities on the Bellarine.

Ahoy, me hearties! Portside Pirates at Bellarine Bayside
Wednesday 26th September to Sunday 7th October

The Pirates are coming to play at Bellarine Bayside this Spring school holidays. Join Bellarine Bayside’s swashbuckling team for a holiday accommodation special jam-packed with Kids Club activities. Think treasure hunts, movie nights, fishing games and nature rambles.

Image Credit: Bellarine Bayside

Feed the Farm Animals and Lunch for Kids @ Basils Farm
Thurs 27th Sept, Wed 3rd Oct, Thurs 4th Oct, and Fri 5th Oct

You asked, they listened. Basil Farm’s Feed the Farm Animals and Lunch for Kids is back by popular demand. Don your country best and meet and feed a plethora of farm animals, including Baby Doll Sheep, Llamas, Chickens and ducks. Top it all off with a delectable lunch of kids platter boxes or ham & cheese toasties.

Image Credit: Basils Farm

FootGolf @ Curlewis Golf Club
Every Sunday to Friday from 2:30pm

Is it Soccer? Is it Golf? It’s both! FootGolf combines two of the world’s most popular sports, where players compete to kick a soccer ball into a cup in as few shots as possible. Punters are invited to complete a round of 9 or 18 holes at Curlewis’ 35 par, nine-hole FootGolf course. It’s all about fun and is guaranteed to delight all members of your pack.

Image Credit: Curlewis Golf Club

Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway
Wed 26th Sept, Sun 20th Sept, Wed 3rd Oct & Sun 7th Oct 11am to 4pm

It’s Sail and Rail for juniors! The Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway is located on eight hectares of picturesque native parklands overlooking our darling Port Phillip Bay. Board at the station and be whirled away with magic and charm on a one-kilometre miniature rail journey, then follow it all up with a play on the Children’s adventure playground.

Image Credit: Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway

Hip Hop Dance Workshop @ The Boorai Centre, Ocean Grove
Tuesday 2nd October

Calling all B-Boys and Fly-Girls. Boost your street cred by learning the hippest and most happening dance moves at the Boorai Centre’s Hip Hop dance workshop. We also hear there will be hip hop dress-ups. Sold!

Hooked on Bellarine Seafood and Fishing Festival
@ Portarlington Safe Harbour
Sunday October 14 10:00am – 4:00pm

While not technically taking place during the school holidays, this one is guaranteed to sooth your post-holiday blues. Hooked on Bellarine is a Seafood and Fishing Festival in celebration of Gone Fishing Day, hosted by the Victorian Fisheries Authority. The day will be jam-packed full of food and activities. For the kids, expert anglers will be providing free instruction through several ‘come and try’ clinics on the day with everything provided.

Image Credit: Hooked on Bellarine

Movin’ in Melbourne

We all know the kids love a day out in the big smoke, and there’s plenty to see and do in the city this Spring School Holidays. Here are our top suggestions.

Artvo @ The District Docklands Open 7 Days, 10am – 5pm

ArtVo is an immersive ‘trick art’ gallery with over 100 reality-defying 3D artworks featuring YOU. The first of its kind in Australia, visitors are encouraged to touch and interact with the art, photograph themselves and become part of the artwork. Artvo has over 11 themed zones to explore – each featuring their own incredible, hand painted artworks which cascade directly from the walls to the floors. The possibilities for your imagination are endless. And just a tip. Clear some memory on your phone for plenty of photos. You’re going to need it!

Image Credit: Artvo

KidsCo @ The District Docklands Monday 24th September – Tuesday 25th September

The District Docklands is calling all mini Ninja Warriors. Do you have what it takes to take on the Ninja Warrior Course? Test your agility and strength as you crawl, balance, hang and jump your way through the awesomely adrenaline-pumping Ninja Warrior course. On top of all that ninja training, you will create your own ninja headband, design your own mini ninja to keep and learn the all-important art of mindfulness. C’mon ninjas, show us what you got!

Image Credit: The District Docklands

Royal Melbourne Show Saturday 22nd September – Tuesday 2nd October

We admit it. We’d go for the Bertie Beetle showbags alone. But showbags and carnival rides aside, there’s so much on offer at this year’s Royal Melbourne Show; animal shows, live entertainment (Jimmy Barnes, anyone?), hands-on activities, fireworks and good old ‘show traditions’ like woodchopping and jam making competitions. For the “big kids” (okay – adults) there are high end-food offerings, wine and cocktail bars and cooking demonstrations. Oh my! And if all the excitement is a bit much, you can always stop by the Country Woman’s Association pavilion for a cup of tea and a plate of scones.

Image Credit: Royal Melbourne Show

AFL Grand Final Footy Festival Wednesday 26th September – Saturday 29th September

This year the AFL is taking their Grand Final celebrations to the next level with a full-on Grand Final Footy Festival. Indulge your little footy fanatics with an epic day out at Melbourne’s hallowed grounds – the MCG. There will be giant inflatable obstacle courses, jumbo AFL grid games, an AFL playground, art play area and an immersive AFL kids dome. Kids who participate in the super fun footy clinics on offer will also have the chance to meet their favourite AFL players. Melbourne’s who’s who of food trucks will also be on site, so you can feed your face while the kids run riot.

Image Credit: afl.com.au

ACMI School Holiday Program
Saturday 22 September – Tuesday 2 October

Here’s one for those looking for creative and inspiring school holiday activities. ACMI @ Fed Square has curated an abundance of workshops for kids and families who love to get imaginative. Get your kids coding, animating and making films, or take the whole family in for a magical adventure into Wonderland before the exhibition wraps up. Visit the ACMI website for full details.

Image Credit: ACMI

Carnivale Under the Big Top at the O’Brien Group Arena
Saturday 22 September – Tuesday 2 October

If you’re feeling the need to run off and join the circus these school holidays, then look no further. The O’Brien Group Arena has transformed into Carnivale; where circus acts and skating fire jugglers will perform their amazing skills every day of the holidays. The kids can also learn to juggle, win daily prizes and participate in unlimited skating and free beginner skating lessons. Go on, get your skates on.

Image Credit: O’Brien Group Arena

‘Round ‘Round Get Around

And don’t forget – getting to and from the CBD from the Ferry terminal at Docklands is as easy as ABC. The free City Circle Tram service is right on our doorstep (look for Tram Numbers 35, 70 and 75) and Southern Cross Station is a 5 to 10-minute stroll away from the Ferry terminal. You can find more information on this on our visual map right over here.

Image Credit: Dennis Yuliadinata

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