Itineraries Below are some of the itineraries we have undertaken. Click on the maps to explore them further. Sydney to Adelaide via Victoria Length of Trip: 3 weeks Although we covered this trip in 3 weeks, we did so at an exhausting pace. If time permits, we would recommend adding extra nights at Kangaroo Island, in Mount Gambier, and along the Great Ocean Road. ​ Major Stops: Wagga Wagga, Moama, Horsham, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Murray Bridge, Mount Gambier, Port Campbell, Geelong, Ballarat, Albury ​ Description: This itinerary starts in Sydney and heads South along the Hume, heading inland to Wagga Wagga and then onto the mighty Murray at the border towns of Echuca/Moama. From here, the route travels across Victoria's wheatbelt region, first passing through Bendigo. From Horsham, the route treks west, crossing the SA border and heading through Bordertown and Monarto to Adelaide. From Adelaide the trip heads to Kangaroo Island before taking the coastal route through The Coorong, back to Mount Gambier. Crossing back into Victoria, the next part of the adventure takes in the Great Ocean Road through to Geelong, before a side jaunt to Ballarat. The route returns to Sydney via Albury and Goulburn. Sydney to Sunshine Coast ​ Length of Trip: 2 weeks If extending the trip we recommended stretching out the return South by adding additional time in Ballina (or Byron Bay), Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie. ​ Major Stops: Tamworth, Grafton, Gold Coast, Caboulture, Brisbane, Ballina, Port Macquarie ​ Description: This route starts in Sydney and heads North, taking the inland route from Cessnock through to Tamworth. From the country music capital the trip travels through Urala and Ebor, before winding its way down the hills to Grafton. From Grafton, weave your way through the beautiful NSW North Coast before crossing the Queensland border and stopping at the Gold Coast. After the glitz and glamour of the Goldie, take it easy further north on the stunning Sunshine Coast before popping back to Brisbane. Heading south and back into NSW, the trip stops in peaceful Ballina and Port Macquarie before returning to Sydney. Bathurst and Surrounds ​ Length of Trip: 4 days This trip would be better undertaken over at least 5 days. This would allow adding Oberon and Jenolan Caves as a side trip from Bathurst. There were many possibilities that we didn't explore on this trip and these have been included in the map). It is also possible to turn this trip into a loop, returning to Sydney via Cowra, Yass and Goulburn. For those who haven't explored the Blue Mountains, adding a night in Katoomba may also be worthwhile. ​ Major Stops: Leura, Bathurst, Hill End, Sofala, Blayney, Oberon, Lithgow ​ Description: This route starts in Sydney and heads West through the Blue Mountains, exploring Leura, before continuing to the base of Bathurst. The itinerary then uses Bathurst as a base to explore the historic gold towns of Hill End and Sofala. A day trip south to Blayney is included and exploration of Bathurst. The return trip includes a visit to Oberon and Lithgow.

Wascoe Siding The "Need to Knows" ​ L ocation: 15 Grahame Street, Blaxland ​ When: First Sunday of the month February-December between 10am-3pm (weather permitting) ​ Cost: $5 per adult, $2.50 per child (4-16), 3&U Free (This is for entry into the park) plus $4 per train ride per person (3 and under ride free); Cashless payments only. ​ Website: Wascoe Siding Facebook ​ Nearby: Glenbrook Park, Jellybean pools, the Great River Walk, O'Donoghues Pub (Emu Plains) Wascoe Siding is a 5 inch guage miniature railway owned by the Blue Mountains Rail Society. The land was acquired in 1966 and the society now boast a double track miniature railway with some lovely features such as a tunnel, viaduct, bridges and waterfall. Adding to the atmosphere is the authentic train signs and station seats throughout the park. Wascoe Siding is open on the last Sunday of every month. You pay entry into the park area, which would be ideal for a picnic, and then pay for your train rides. The rides last for about 10 minutes, as the trains complete three full laps of the track. There is a kiosk serving basic refreshments and a series of undercover tables which can be hired for a fee and booked ahead of time. Our kids all love a miniature train ride (we have also recently been to the Bankstown miniature railway) and this was no exception. Little train man Cam was particularly happy and was constantly excited by the different miniature trains that were on display and ready for riding. It would be easy to make a full day out of a trip to Wascoe, as there is plenty to explore in the lower Blue Mountains or at the base of the mountains. Glenbrook Park has an amazing kids playground, including a small water play section, and the Jellybean pools are located down in the National Park at Glenbrook. Alternatively, a 10 minute drive back down to the bottom of the mountains will find you in Emu Plains, where O'Donoghues Irish Pub has decent food and a big (and fairly new) kids playground and free face painting on the day we were there. Another option is the Great River Walk at the Nepean River. Whatever you choose to do, this area makes for a nice day trip from Sydney.

Lockhart, NSW The "Need To Knows" ​ Where: Lockhart is located in 40 minutes South West of Wagga Wagga in New South Wales' Riverina region Points of Interest: Pastoral Shadows of the Brookong, Sculpture and Heritage Trail, Water Tower Mural, The Big Emu and Big Kangaroo Cost: Free Kid Friendly: Plenty for the kids to see and explore with flat walking trails and easy access Website : Lockhart Shire Lockhart- or lovely Lockhart as I think of it- is a rural town in the Riverina region of South West NSW. Predominantly farming wheat and sheep, it is located approximately 45 minutes drive from Wagga Wagga and has a population of around 800. Lockhart is a town that is proud of its farming heritage and celebrates this, as can be seen throughout the town. Known as the 'verandah town' for its decorative verandahs that can be seen around the town, it is easy to take a stroll and immerse yourself in Lockhart's rich history. Stop to read the plaques affixed to the shops or inspect the 400+ etched pavers to discover more about how Lockhart, which started as a sheep station in the 1800's, has developed over time. Another feature of Lockhart is its impressive sculpture art. Every year in October, Lockhart holds the Spirit of the Land festival. This celebration started in 2006 during the worst drought on record and recognises the resilience of those who live and work on the land. Part of this celebration is a sculpture competition where the artistic entries need to be made from recycled materials and many of these sculptures can be seen throughout the town on the Lockhart Sculpture Trail . Start at the CWA park on Green street, where some of the winning entries can be viewed. While at the CWA park, check out the water tower mural. This mural depicts a waterfall and some fo the local fauna, including a stunning Rosella, flying Brolgas, a shy echidna and the laughing Kookaburra. The mural was created freehand using spray paint cans and is reflective of the importance of water in this region of NSW. Another artistic instalment in Lockhart can be found at the at the Pastoral Shadows of Brookong, just outside Lockhart on the road to Wagga. This short, circular (and flat) walk is a visual history of the area, which started its rural life in the 1800’s originally as a sheep station. A walk along the trail will see you encounter settlers, drovers, a swagman, flocks of sheep, a mob of Kangaroos and some elegant brolgas- all made out of scrap metal, rusted iron and other natural materials. This is a great little walk, with signange to explain the sculptures and their historical meaning. Further out on the road to Wagga you will find the Big Emu and Big Kangaroo sculptures. These are well worth a visit, both for their creativity and size. We actually stumbled upon these on our drive into Lockhart and pulled over to admire them. Check out the rusty ute usage in the Kangaroo! Other points of interest that we didn't visit, but may be worth considering include Galore Hill Scenic Reserve, the Doris Golder Wool Art Gallery (where the artworks are made with real wool) and the Greens Gunyah museum. Check out the Lockhart Shire website for more information. ​ ​ ​

Port Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary The "Need to Knows" Where: Port Adelaide, SA Access: Garden Island Boat Ramp Cost: Free (if spotting from the boardwalk or bringing your own vessel) If going with a tour company costs start at approximately $45. Other: Kayak tours and hire are available (minimum age is 8 years). The Ships Graveyard can be accessed from the Garden Island Boat ramp by heading right into North Arm. Kid friendly: Yes, the paddling is easy and waters fairly calm. Nearby: Port Adelaide Fisherman's Wharf markets (Sunday only) I stumbled across this place while stalking Adelaide in our trip planning stage. I found it hard to find quality information regarding access and safety but dragged our inflatable kayak across 3 states just in case…. Taking the kayak turned out to be the right choice, as Port Adelaide’s dolphin sanctuary turned out to be one of my all time favourite experiences. The sanctuary is located about 20 minutes outside of Adelaide city, and the easiest access point is from the boat ramp on Garden Island. There is also a beautiful boardwalk here where you can try to spot the dolphins from the land. There are about 30 permanent dolphins that live in the sanctuary and other dolphins that simply visit. Our experience started early in the morning when Larissa and I arrived at the boat ramp. We could already see a dolphin out in the river and as we paddled out, the dolphin swam around us, diving under the kayak and popping back up on the other side. It was literally, at this point, just us and our new dolphin friend. It was truly amazing and magical. Soon the tour groups started paddling out and so we made our way around the boardwalk to take a look. It didn’t take long for us to make another sea friend who was happy to play hide and seek, jumping up and then disappearing, only to resurface somewhere completely different. We then paddled further out and found a pair of dolphins, possibly a mother and calf, who we watched for a while. Although we didn’t paddle further around, you can kayak to the “Ships Graveyard”. Located on the southern side of Gardwn Island, you need to paddle right into North Arm from the boat ramp. The graveyard contains wreckage from 26 marine vessels, some dating back to 1856. You can also see some of these from the bridge that takes you over to garden island, although ease of visibility is dependent on the tide. I had read conflicting information regarding whether you could access this in a private vessel, but there appeared to be no issues when we were there. The paddle is 6km. If you don’t have your own kayak, there are two local companies that conduct tours of the dolphin sanctuary and ships graveyard. Minimum age is 8 years and there is a shorter “family” tour. Overall, we highly recommend the sanctuary. It was the highlight of this particular trip for me, and Larissa often tells people about it.

Leura, NSW The "Need to Knows" Where: Leura is located 100km West of Sydney, in the upper Blue Mountains. ​ Points of Interest: Leura Cascades, Sublime Lookout, The Everglades Garden and House, Leuralla Toy and Rail Museum, Leura Mall ​ Kid friendly? Yes, but better suited for school age and above. Nearby: Katoomba, Lithgow, Lower Blue Moutains, Wascoe Siding ​ Website: Leura Leura is arguably the the prettiest (and most upmarket) town of the upper blue mountains. It has a distinct air of old time charm that transforms it into a a magical haven, drawing day trippers and tourists from Sydney. Our adventure in Leura included our beloved Aunty Toni, who lives in adjacent Katoomba, but let us drag her around like a tourist. We also scored a brilliantly sunny and warm autumn day, making our brief stop even more enjoyable. We included Leura as part of our roadtrip to Bathurst and Blayney- check out the itinerary here . We started our day with coffee in one of the quaint cafes that line the main street, Leura Mall. There are plenty of cosy stores to check out, including the well known Leura Toy Store and Josophan's Chocolates. After I had consumed my 'Mum fuel', we headed to Leuralla Heritage Toy and Train Museum. Housed in an early 20th Century mansion, set on 5 acres, the museum has a vast and varied collection of toys and rail memorabilia that span the eras. Popeye collections, Tin Tin and Madeline all brought back memories, and there was plenty to look at. Even the kids were happy to browse, spotting references to familiar stories and tales such as Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz and Harry Potter. ​ Outside in the gardens we were met with train memorabilia, as well as electric train displays, including the large Matterhorn (don’t forget your coins for these to work). The gardens were also lovely to walk through, and can be accessed without visiting the toy museum for a smaller cost, and the view from the front porch of Leuralla is also impressive. ​ Our next stop was the Everglades House and Garden. We ate lunch in the beautiful gardens before venturing down to check out the Grotto Pool- man made, but you would never guess. A wander through the gardens with some scenic view points reminded us of the natural beauty that is indeed the Blue Mountains. ​ A trip to Leura would not be complete without checking out at least one view point (or all of them). The best vantage points are Sublime point and Elysian Rock. Sublime Point overlooks the Jamison Valley and is easily accessible. Elysian Rock is found on Olympian Parade, opposite Leuralla, and although only a very short walk, it is both rocky and not overly safe for small children. The lookout does however offer a stunning outlook. Elyssian is also accessible via Gordon Falls Lookout. There are also plenty of walks in the area. Elysian Rock, Gordon Falls and Olympian Rock Lookout are all connected and also form part of the larger Prince Henry Cliff Walk which connects Sublime Point to Echo Point and Scenic World in Katoomba. If a short walk is more your fancy, and a child friendly one at that, the Pool of Siloam can be accessed from Olympian Parade. There is also a walk to Leura Cascades that begins at the Cascades Picnic Area. Car access to this area is limited, due to a previous landslide, so you may need to walk in from either Katoomba or Leura. Whatever you choose, you will be met with stunning outlooks and gorgeous scenery. Leura is easily accessed from the Great Western Highway and also has a train station at the top of Leura Mall. The wester edge of the suburb shares a border with the heart of the Blue Mountains, Katoomba, making it easy to combine sightseeing in Leura with the larger attractions of Scenic World, the Three Sisters and Echo Point. ​ ​ Leuralla Heritage Toy and Train Museum Location: 36 Olympian Parade, Leura Cost: A: $15, C: $5; No concessions Contact: Leuralla Everglades House and Gardens Location: 37 Everglades Rd, Leura Cost: A: $15, C:$10, Family Pass: $35 Contact: Everglades House and Gardens

Australia's Big Things What would an Australian roadtrip be without a few 'big things' to see along the way? ​ Who knows where this obsession began- or who decides whether something is to be classified as a "big thing"- but there is no doubt that there are plenty of big things to meet on your journeys. ​ From crocodiles and bunyips, to a giant hills hoist and lawn mower, many of these 'big things' also have some big stories to go with them. Take the Big Cockroach, in Lowe Light, SA, for example; It was originally built as a protest. Or the Big Prawn in Ballina, NSW, which residents rallied to save. Mr Prawn now stands in the car park of the local Bunnings after the store spent $400 000 giving it a makeover in 2013. Another great story is the Big Shell in Tewantin, QLD. Once a shop entrance, it now stands as the entry way to a residential house. ​ To explore the 'Big Things' Australia has to offer, open the Google Map on this page. It contains location information for hundreds of big things around the country. Where possible I have provided a description of where to find the 'big thing' and I have attempted to cross reference as many of them as possible to ensure that they are still viewable/accessible. ​ Are we missing any? Do you know of any statues or sculptures that should be included on the list? Have any of our list met their timely end? Let us know! To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Mount Wilson, NSW The "Need to Knows" Where: Hill End is located an hour North of Bathurst, an hour South of Mudgee, or approximately 3.5hours West of Sydney. It is considered part of the Bathurst district. ​ Points of Interest: Hill End Historical Site, History Hill, Tambaroora Fossicking Area, Golden Gully, Bald Hill Mine and Walk, Jhob's Gold Panning Tours ​ Kid friendly? Definitely. The kids loved gold panning and delving into history, as well as climbing out of a mine. ​ Website: Hill End It was a beautiful sunny autumn day as we drove into the main street of Hill End. Majestic trees, their leaves turning orange and red, lined either side of the road, framing our entry. A portal to another world, where adrenaline and luck were once all you needed. It was magical. Hill End first captivated me 30 years ago when I visited on school camp. It still does today, as my imagination runs wild, piecing together what this now quaint town would have been like during the height of the gold rush. Today, the majority of the town is cared for by NSW National Parks and Wildlife and is known as the Hill End Historical Site. The site was added to heritage listings in 1999, and there are buildings that still existing as they did in the late 1800's. Although Hill End has a current population of around 80, it was once home to 8000 people when miners travelled here to try their luck at finding gold. At the height of the gold rush the town was serviced by 2 newspapers, 5 banks, 8 churches and a mind-blowing 28 pubs. Now there is just one, serving lunch from 12pm. The Hill End Walking Trail takes in the main sites of the town, with the best starting place at the Heritage Centre on Beyers Rd. The Heritage Centre is home to a range of artefacts and allows self guided exploration to learn about the area and its rich history. From here, walk the streets of Hill End, discovering the history of the remaining buildings and also read the signposted information detailing what used to stand in the now vacant lots. There is a map outside the heritage centre and you can also download one through the NSWPWS app (although admittedly I always find NSWPWS info confusing to say the least). ​ If you are after a bite to eat, or a caffeine injection, the general store- 24 Carrot Cafe- has coffee, snacks, lunch and food supplies, as well as petrol. The service was friendly and cheerful. ​ After exploring the main town, we headed out to Tambaroora fossicking area where we joined Jhob’s panning tours, panning the creek for alluvial gold deposits. Jhob provided a great explanation of how to pan and was an enjoyable, happy character, excited by everyones' finds. The kids loved this- the little ones loved playing in the creek and the mud, exploring the large pieces of rock and quartz, while Miss 7 was totally enthralled with finding gold (and she was quite good at it!). ​ ​ Gold Panning- Tambaroora Fossicking Area Gold panning with Jhob's Gold Panning Tours Gold Panning- Tambaroora Fossicking Area Gold panning with Jhob's Gold Panning Tours 1/15 We attempted a stop at Golden Gully to complete the short, kid friendly walking track that takes in some old mind shafts and 'The Arch', a geological formation created from mining and erosion. Unfortunately, the track was closed due to instabilities in the area. Rangers were working there as we passed, so hopefully whatever the issue is, it will be resolved sooner rather than later. ​ We then headed to History Hill, located on Hill End rd heading back to Bathurst. This is a privately owned museum and the home of the The Son of Hope mine. Above ground there is an extensive museum, housing all sorts of artefacts from the golden area of the goldfields. The collection is well laid out, with signs explaining the significance and use of many of the items. If it hadn’t of been for the kids, I could have spent hours upon hours here. After exiting the museum, the path leads down to the mine, where you can walk the 175m length. There are some displays along the way and you get a true sense of what being underground would have been like. At the end of the tunnel you can either turn around and walk back out (and back up the hill) or you can climb the 18m straight up to the surface, with the aid of 8 ladders. We took the short cut- even the twins. There was only one scared participant and that was me- but I made it to the light and live to tell the tale… and it was better than having to drag little people back up the hill! History Hill Museum Location: 3458 Hill End Rd, Hill End Cost: A: $10, C: $7 Contact: www.historyhill.com.au/ Hill End Heritage Centre and Walking Tour Location: Start at the Heritage Centre, 1 Beyers Ave, Hille End Cost: Free Contact: NSWPWS Jhob's Gold Panning Location: 4140 Hill End Rd, Hill End Cost: $10pp, minimum $40 (weekdays outside of NSW school holidays is double) Contact: Jhob's Gold Panning Tours We loved our day out at Hill End, although there were still plenty of places and walks that we didn't get to do. These include: * Bald Hill Mine (we didn't go here as I had read that the exit was not suitable for your children) * Bald Hill walking track * Beaufoy Merlin Lookout * Valentines Mine and the Cornish roasting pits (both part of the historic site but outside of town) ​ For more info, check out the links below or contact us via Facebook. ​

Echuca, Victoria The "Need to Knows" Where: Moama(NSW) Echuca (Vic) are twin towns on the Murray River, 2.5 hours west of Albury and an hour north-east of Bendigo. ​ Points of Interest: The Murray River, The Port of Echuca Discovery Centre, Paddlesteamers, watersports and swimming in the river, The Great Aussie Beer Shed, The Olde Penny Arcade, Billabong Carriages ​ Kid friendly? Definitely. There were plenty of activities for the kids to do and even more recreational spaces for them to run free in ​ Website: Echuca Moama Echuca Moama is possibly the heart of the Murray River. Situated on the Victorian/New South Wales border, the twin towns straddle the Mighty Murray, with Moama in the North and Echuca in the South. A trip to Echuca transports you back to life in the late 1800’s, where paddlesteamers travelled the river and the port bustled with life. The town has a quaint charm, similar to Ballarat or Bendigo, and there are plenty of things to see and do. Echuca became a prominent Australian location in the 1870’s when the Port of Echuca was Australia’s largest inland port (and third largest port behind Sydney and Melbourne). Echuca was a major player in the transport of goods to Melbourne, as paddlesteamers would bring wool, wheat, grains and livestock, among other commodities, to the redgum wharf before they were shipped to Melbourne by rail. However, by the 1890’s the expansion of the railway system and the improvement in Victoria’s roads saw Echuca begin to decline and the paddlesteamer fleets dwindle. Today Echuca is a relatively small town, however it bustles with life during Summer as a popular holiday destination for Victorians. Enjoying The Murray River There are so many ways to enjoy The Murray River while visiting Echuca, whether you take a private craft out on the water or enjoy a ride on a Paddlesteamer. We experienced the river in a few ways while we were staying in Moama (and crossing the border multiple times a day going between the twin towns). Our first trip out onto the river was via a hired motorboat from Echuca Boat and Canoe Hire. For $50 we cruised up and down the river, past the Echuca wharf and the majestic paddleteamers, waving to the paddleboarders and kayakers who were out enjoying a stunning summer’s day. The same business also hires out canoes, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, BBQ boats, pontoons and fishing boats and can be found at the Victoria Park Boat Ramp, a little bit downstream from the Echuca wharf. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Our next river experience was a swim. We entered from Moama Beach, where there was parking, shade and a nice picnic area. We floated along with the current and cooled off after a VERY hot day while we checked out the houseboats that were a prominent feature in the river. Moama Beach also provided a nice view of the rail/road bridge that connects the two towns, allowing us to contemplate the Victoria/ New South Wales divide that is so essentially us (Troy was born and raised in Melbourne, while I am a Sydney girl through and throughs much of a Sydney girl as you can get). Our third experience of the river was onboard the P.S Canberra, a paddlesteamer built in 1913. While at one point P.S Canberra had been converted to diesel, it has since been reverted back to its original steam power and is the oldest of the current paddlesteamer fleet operating in Echuca. We took a one hour cruise onboard, with the kids fascinated by being able to watch the inner workings of the paddleteamer and enjoying the views from the top level. They also have a fully licensed bar and the kids can have a go at steering the paddlesteamer- fun for everyone! While we went with Murray River Paddlesteamers, cruises are also available through Echuca Paddlesteamers. Book ahead during Summer, or other busy times of the year, if you are after a particular time of day or are wanting to board a particular paddlesteamer. The Port Of Echuca and The Port of Echuca Discovery Centre The Port of Echuca is a series of shops and displays that run adjacent to the existing wharf along Murray Esplanade.There is plenty to look at and you get a feel for the history that is essentially Echuca. Inside the Port of Echuca Discovery CEntre you are able to view and explore the displays which help to paint a clear picture of life in Echuca, circa 1870. Within this area you are able to view the original section of wharf, a steam display which shows exactly how steam power works, and the Evan’s sawmill. The cargo shed is an interactive section for children, with a focus on Echuca’s history. Entry into the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre is free, although paid guided tours are available. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The Old Penny Arcade The Old Penny Arcade and Sharps Movie House is located along the Murray Esplanade and is not necessarily obvious. Once inside, the penny arcade is actually in a small section of the shop, partitioned off with a curtain. I must admit that as I paid for our entry, I was sceptical. However, this turned out to be SO much fun. Each person was given a set amount of pennies to use on the machines and a lovely young worker showed us how to use the old arcade machines. Much to my delight there was even the same fortune telling machine that appears in the Tom Hanks movie ‘Big’ that I remember watching as a kid! (Apparently everyone of my vintage or older tells the poor kid the same story- he had never seen the movie!) After being shown how to use the machines, which are all originals, we were left to use our pennies as we wished. From love machines, strength testers and an old fashioned crank manoeuvred claw machine, we had a blast playing them. Larissa even managed to score a bag of popcorn from the claw machine, which is probably more successful than using today’s electronic versions! This was a nice foray into history and some good, old fashioned fun. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ For the Sweet Tooth If you have a sweet tooth, then Echuca has plenty to offer! Check out the fudge at The Olde Penny Arcade or shop for sweets at either the Echuca Heritage Sweet Co. or the Echuca Chocolate Company. If ice cream is more your thing, then we recommend that you head to Echuca Ice Creamery on High Street for a massive choice of delicious flavours. ​ Billabong Carriages Billabong Ranch is located outside of the main town of Echuca, but they do operate horse drawn carriage rides around the town centre. They can be found along Murray Esplanade- just look for the signs on the poles, or follow the carriages that you will see around town. We enjoyed our ride, as did the kids, and we were able to sit up at the very top of the carriage. For a fantastic view. ​ The Great Aussie Beer Shed The Great Aussie Beer Shed was……different. It is located about 10 minutes out of town and is home to the Big Beer Pot, amongst a collection of other interesting bits and pieces. The Beer Shed has very welcoming hosts who are more than willing to spin you a yarn and have a chat about what has been collected over many, many years. There are vintage cars, carriages, beer kegs, old toys, old appliances, as well as other unusual and sometimes rare artefacts. Adults could spend ages visiting The Beer Shed, wandering around exploring the collections, however, it is harder to keep the little ones attention. The collections are not necessarily in any particular order, nor are there any information signs to explain what items are if you don’t readily recognise them. This place is worth a visit if you are a history buff and the best thing is that the entry price included a beverage (alcoholic or otherwise) and a stubby holder. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Other sites and attractions in Echuca that we didn’t get to experience but may be worth a visit: TwistED science centre National Holden Museum Billabong Ranch ​ Overall, our family enjoyed our adventures in Echuca Moama. There was plenty to do, lots of beautiful places to explore and the mighty Murray to cool off in! Echuca Boat and Canoe Hire Location: Victoria Park Boat Ramp Cost: Motorboats from $50, Canoes, Kayaks, SUP's from $20 Contact: echucaboatcanoehire.com Murray River Paddlesteamers ​ Location: Echuca Wharf Cost: From $30 (Adult), $12 (Child) and $80 per family (2A, 2C) Contact: murrayriverpaddlesteamers The Olde Penny Arcade ​ Location: 43 Murray Esplanade, Echuca Contact: Sharp's Movie House and Penny Arcade Port of Echuca Discovery Centre ​ Location: 74 Murray Esplanade, Echuca Cost: Free Contact: portofechuca.org.au The Great Aussie Beer Shed ​ Location: 377 Mary Ann Road, Echuca Cost: $15 (adult), $5 (child), $35 family Contact: The Great Aussie Beer Shed

Meet The Nutty Nuskes Mum AKA Michelle Growing up I was lucky enough to holiday regularly with my parents and grandparents. My Pa always encouraged me to travel when I was older and on the completion of my degree (Primary Teaching) I took off on my first overseas adventure. It was on that very trip that I met Troy, a boy from Melbourne, and the rest the say is history.... B.C. (Before Children) Troy and I travelled abroad at pretty much every opportunity. We have been lucky enough to explore Western Europe, East Africa, Egypt, Vanuatu, New Zealand and I threw in a bit of Eastern Europe as well. My favourite international destination is Rome- I truly feel at home wandering the streets there and it holds a special place in my heart. PC#1 (Post Child #1) we started dragging Larissa off to destinations such as Queensland and Victoria, where we are lucky enough to have friends and relatives. We took off to Singapore in 2017 and then decided to add one more child to our family.... But destiny had other things in store, and along came #2 and #3, our twinsies...and COVID...and so started our Nuske Adventures within our own wonderful country. When I'm not travelling I am usually planning the next trip. On a day to day basis I am a casual Primary teacher and predominantly a SAHM, which most of the time I love. I look forward to hopefully sharing an amazing resource for families who want to get out and explore and have fun both in Sydney and Australia. ​ Favourite Australian destination: Kangaroo Island, Sunshine Coast (QLD) Dad AKA Troy Troy began his travelling adventures with a trip to London and Paris and a backpacking adventure through Scotland, England and Wales. It was the best decision he ever made, as it led to a long distance romance and a move from Melbourne to Sydney! On a day to day basis Troy is a Mathematics teacher, golf player, cricket lover and overall sports fanatic. He is also a pretty decent photographer who seeks out some gorgeous shots while we are travelling. You can view some of his work through this page or through his website: Nooskah Photography Favourite Australian destinations: Far North Queensland, the Sunshine Coast (QLD) and Uluru (Clearly making a choice is not his strong point!) Larissa Cameron Cameron Larissa is the eldest of of the Nutty Nuske kids. At 7 years of age, she is currently in Year 3 at school and is obsessed with dancing and her friends. She will give anything a go at least once and has very little fear! She loves all kinds of sports including swimming, cricket, gymnastics and golf. ​ Favourite Destination : Kangaroo Island and Home Cameron is our amazing middle child and eldest twin....by one whole minute. He is cheeky and a little thrill seeker, loving a good "pipground" (playground), big slide or waterpark. Currently he is 2.5 years old and is obsessed with monster trucks, Paw Patrol and trains. ​ Favourite destination: Nana and Pa's House Larissa Teigan Teigan Teigan is a force to be reckoned with. Don't let the cute face and dimples fool you, this girl knows her mind. As the youngest Nuske, she is one determined little person who marches to the beat of her own drum...while making everyone laugh. She shows a love of music and dance (probably thanks to her big sister) and is a fan of Bluey and Dora. ​ Favourite Destination: Nana and Pa's House or anywhere there may be "caaake"

Minyip, Victoria The "Need to Knows" Location: 320 km north west of Melbourne, in the Wimmera region. Horsham is the closest main town, 50km to the South. See and do: Lots of historic building to see as Minyip has changed little in its 150 year history Child friendly: Not particularly, as the town is very tiny. Minyip makes a great (but brief) historic visit if you are travelling through Victoria’s wheatbelt or following the silo art trail. Website: www.minyip.com.au or Minyip 150 Years Celebration Facebook page Minyip is a small town in the heart of Victoria’s wheatbelt region, 320km north west of Melbourne. It will turn 150 in 2022 and little has changed in the town over its history. For this reason, there are plenty of well kept historic buildings, however, pick your day to visit or you may feel more like you are the only person in this tiny town. We visited Minyip on our travels as Troy’s family is tied to the area. His ancestors, after arriving from Germany, established themselves as farmers in the area and his father was born in Minyip. A number of relatives reside in the Minyip Cemetary, and we ventured out to Boolite to visit the well named Nuske Road. In short, we wanted to see the town for ourselves- and it was much smaller, and more remote than we had imagined. With a population of around 500 people, most who live on farms in the area, the townwas practically deserted when we visited I think we saw one person walking down the street and two other tourists who briefly stopped before driving off again after realising the pub was shut. As we wandered the street we read the historic notes that explained the history of the shops and buildings and admired the range of art that existed, both as murals and the wheat farming sculpture that featured prominently in the roundabout. Some of the notable buildings in the town include several old bank building, the Minyip Memorial Hall, the railway station, the Commercial hotel which was build in 1908 and the Club Hotel, build in 1906. The former Minyip Post Office is said to be the first post office build in Western Victorian after federation and is in excellent condition. Possibly, Minyip’s most significant building is St John’s Lutheran Church. Many German Lutherans settled in the area around Minyip, and a weatherboard church was built in Kirchheim in 1875. The church was 6km south-west of Minyip and in 1889 it was destroyed by a storm, resulting in the community building the current timber church in the same year. Years later, in 1935, it was decided that the Church would be moved to Minyip. Weighing an estimated 50 tonnes, it took three days to move the Gothic designed Church to its current location on the corner of Church and Carrol streets. More recently, Minyip was used as a filming location for the Flying Doctors TV series. Minyip provided the location for the fictional setting of Coopers Crossing and a number of its buildings featured in the show. Of significance are the Senior Citizens Centre (which was used as the base for the Flying Doctors), the garage and The Club Hotel, which was subsequently used for filming The Dry.