Our first camping trip – Big4 Bellarine

First time campers! 
Way back (pre-covid) days, we thought that the kids were at a great age to appreciate the fun and mess that camping brings. We had been visiting camping stores, and looking at family tents for ages. Then before I knew it, we had bought one, and officially become a camping family! We decided on an Instant Up Coleman Dark room tent. Built with 3 rooms, and an awning allowing for all the ‘stuff’ that comes with family camping. 
We thought that the best way to dip our toes in, would be a few nights close to home. So we booked a powered site at the Big4 Bellarine Holiday Park, which is located down on the Bellarine Peninsula, about an hour away from home. 
Who knew, that camping with kids requires an insane amount of equipment for a few nights away. Hubby’s stationwagon was filled to the brim. Hence we upgraded and decided that a trailer would be a beneficial addition for future (and longer) camping trips.

We were booked onto powered site 103 which was simply amazing for Jack. We were near a corner and that corner happened to face the playground, jumping pillow, basketball courts and large grassed area. He could go over all by himself, and come back when he was ready. He thought it was the best thing ever! The grassed powered sites are huge. Plenty of room for the car, the tent and grassy area to stretch out. 

We arrived Friday evening, and set up the tent while the kids ate the pizza that we picked up on the way down. We needed the quiet time to make sure that our second attempt at setting the tent up didn’t end in divorce! For the record, it was easier than the first time and we were all good. 
The fog had rolled in on Friday night and it bathed the jumping pillow under the lights, making it look eerie. 

We slept as well as we thought we would, and the kids woke at a normal time for them, thankful for the dark technology in the tent! By midday, Hubby and I were both looking for a nana nap. Jack had truely exhausted us. He had us playing cricket and football, and we had ridden around on our scooters checking out the remainder of the park. We had discovered the play room, set up with tv’s, ride on cars, dinosaurs, blocks- you name it! This was also located close to the gym. Oh, and for those that need the additional help of caffeine, there is a coffee shop inside the reception. I was in heaven!

After lunch and Lexi’s naps, Jack and James headed out to investigate further. Jack’s smile was huge as he came back on one of the peddle go karts. The kids adore riding around in those. We also ticked off basketball, tennis, soccer and when Lexi woke up, a play at the pool The indoor heated pool is amazing. There are water fountains for the toddlers to play with and the big kids love the water slide. It wasn’t long before Jack was going up and down the slide. 
There was also additional playgrounds to explore, with more jumping pillows and a flying fox. 

We kept things simple for meals – cereals, yoghurt, toast, eggs and bacon one morning for breakfast. Lunch we had pre-made some sandwiches and we also headed into Queenscliff for some pies and sausage rolls on Sunday. Dinners, well, you have to have a BBQ, sausages and burgers, of course! The bathroom facilities and the camp kitchens were amazingly clean. The kitchen was a social gathering place for so many families, and it was never too long of a wait for the hotplates. 

Hubby’s packed car
Setting up the tent
Pizza picnic
The fog rolled in
Lots of empty spaces to kick a ball or play cricket
Hot coffee on site!
Jumping pillow
Play room
Play room
Outside the playroom
Go karts for hire
Gigantic grassed powered sites
Swings and playgrounds!
Safari tents for those who like to pack a little less
Soccer goals

Brightly Boulevard Playground, Albright, Truganina

Located:

With our expanded freedom, it is great to explore playgrounds that are now outside our original 5km radius. Jack, Lexi and I headed for a drive out to the Albright Estate in Truganina. This playground can be found on the corner of Brightly Boulevard and Playfield Drive. Not having been out this way for awhile, has left me needing to do some research on all the other new housing estates (and new playgrounds in the area). From what I could see, there must be huge interconnecting bike paths through these new estates, that then go past some of the wetlands and warehouses. There was even a bike pump incorporated into the playground for quick tyre pressure fixes! Jack and Lexi simply loved the huge slides. They were extremely content going up and down, many times. The playground structure was well covered at the different levels, so I had no qualms letting Lexi go up and down by herself. Jack even rated this park a 10/10! 

 

Equipment:

  • 1 large structure
    • 2 enclosed slides
    • 1 open slide
    • stairs
    • rock climbing wall
  • flying fox
  • spinning net structure
  • basketball court
  • covered seating area with BBQ facilities
  • swings – one with toddler harness

 

Rivington Road Playground, Upper Point Cook

Located: 

I didn’t know that this playground existed, until it was mentioned on a local mums facebook group! It’s tucked away between Rivington Road, Zucotti Crescent and Bruckner Drive, and backs onto the Princes Freeway, which you can see through the clear panels. We visited on a rainy Saturday morning between the showers, and the park remained quiet. The playground borders a large grassed area, with cycling/walking tracks around the edges. It has a good mix of rubber soft fall, perfect for those learning to find their balance, and tanbark. There are sheltered picnic benches, but no BBQ facilities.  The landscaping makes this a very pretty looking park! 

Equipment:

  • Swings x3 – one fixed baby harness, one with chain harness
  • slides x3 
  • spring rocker
  • spring see saw
  • see saw
  • nest swing
  • rope bridge
  • covered picnic benches

Armstrong Reserve, Newport

Located:

The park, affectionately known as The Octopus Park, is another recently upgraded Hobsons Bay park. The space is located alongside Wilkins Street, and this playground holds fond memories as I grew up and lived opposite this park for 18 years. It is nice to be able to bring my kids for a play here. 
The playspace has been upgraded, and there is an amazing shelter with tables, a giant octopus to crawl through and over and an epic net climbing structure. There is also an expression swing, and the kids simply couldn’t get away from the spinning carousel. 

 

Equipment:

  • swings
  • expression swing
  • spider web swing
  • octopus
  • fish rockers
  • spinning carousel
  • see saw
  • rope climbing structure
  • stand alone slide
  • Timber climbing structure (not suitable for toddlers)
    • slide, rope ladders

Geelong Play Space, Eastern Park Circuit, Geelong

Located:

We visited the Play Space in December 2019. 
The play area is fenced, with multiple winding paths and lots to investigate. The Play Space in located near Eastern Beach, and close to the Geelong Botanical Gardens. There are toilet facilties and plenty of parking available. 

 

Equipment:

  • both nature based play and structured play
    • winding paths, different textures, tunnels, stepping stones
  • Pirate ship
  • rockers
  • spinners
  • musical stomping on bridge
  • liberty swing
  • swing set with both baby harness and flat seat.
  • I do feel like there was water play at one point, however, it wasn’t working when we visited. 
  • We visited in summer, and while there were parts of the play area covered in shade, some elements of the playground did get hot underfoot (the matting near the pirate ship). 

GH Ransom Reserve, Altona

Located:

In 2018, Hobsons Bay Council upgraded this reserve, replacing the playground and toilets. There is designated parking along The Esplanade, and when the kids get sick of the playground equipment, you can head across the road to the beach, or walk/scoot/ride along the path into central Altona and their shopping strip. There is quite a unique piece of equipment that can be walked along, or with enough momentum, turns into a giant rope swing. 

These photos were taken in January 2020, right before Lexi’s 1st birthday :’-( 
We drive past this park frequently, and I saw a few weeks ago now (approx May 2021) that there were additional works being undertaken. 

 

Equipment:

  • giant rope swing
  • Multilple climbing options – rockclimbing, ropes, chain
  • rocker
  • smaller play structure with slides
  • neighbouring open space to kick a footy
  • bbq’s
  • toilet facilities
  • opposite Altona Beach
  • swings  – expression swing, normal swing, rope saucer swing 

Mossfiel Reserve, Hoppers Crossing

Located:
Back in the day, when we could actually go shopping at Pacific Werribee, on the drive home, I would always catch a playground out of the corner of my eye. I finally found a spare weekend, the weather was ok, so I thought I’d finally head out and investigate. Just checked the date on the photos – these are from January 2020!
I remember reading that Mossfiel Reserve had had an upgrade, so I’m not sure of what this looked like previously. The playground sits between the football fields and the netball courts.

 

 

Equipment:

  • Large climbing rope structure
  • spinning elements
  • in ground trampolines
  • 3 swings – infant seat and fully harnessed all abilities seat
  • large, elevated path, that leads to a slide and rocks. Tunnels built into the underside
  • slide
  • boarders several ovals, netball courts

 

 

Navigation Park, Newhaven Estate, Tarneit

Located:

I’ve heard how great this playground is and I was looking forward to taking the kids! This playground is located within Newhaven Estate, Tarneit. As you turn onto Journey Drive, and head past the display houses, the park beckons you! Parking was easy enough, and the playground looks pretty impressive at first glance. Basketball courts, and scooter/skate park features suit the older kids, water play with the elephant (who totally needs a name, by the way), cool climbing aspects, and lastly BBQ facilities and toilets! It has it all! 

 

Equipment:

  • metal elephant, complete with water play features, able to climb
  • water play with channels and troughs
  • large play structure
    • nets
    • ladders
    • enclosed slide
    • open slide
    • tunnels
  • swings
  • spinning ring element
  • trampolines
  • scooter/skate area
  • basketball court
  • toilets
  • bbq facilities

Jack liked:

the water play – he spent ages playing with the water flow by changing the gates. 
Lexi was happy with the trampolines, and the soft fall areas in the playground. We visited back in January and she was not walking at this stage. 

Davis Creek Playground, Tarneit

Located:

If you have a kid that loves to ride their scooter or bike, this is one to add to the list! The playground is found near the corner of Birregurra Drive and Hodgson Avenue, within the Habitat on Davis Creek estate, in Tarneit. I found some photos of their park launch on their website, and knew a certain little boy who would love to take his bike and have a ride here. There is a riding track that circumnavigates the playground, full of twists, turns and mini little hills. Mums and Dads can relax, as they can see the kids riding the track almost the whole way around. 

Equipment:

  • Mix of softfall, tanbark and sand surfaces.
  • Intricate wooden climbing playground, great to test all climbers.
  • Covered BBQ and seating area
  • sandpit with giant snake
  • expression swing, 1 toddler swing, 2 (no-harnessed)  kids swings
  • spring rocker
  • multiple slides

Jack liked:

being able to take his bike to the park! We met up with some friends here, and they happily raced around, and around, and around… Lexi was happy exploring the softfall areas, the expression swing and the spring rocker. 

Wyndham Park, Werribee

Located:

Wow, just wow. What an epic new park precinct! Jack has already placed dibs on coming back again real soon. 
The park precinct is best accessed from the Wedge St pedestrian bridge (opposite the Werribee library). There were cars parked at the back of the Adventure Playground, but I believe that this is a construction zone.
We crossed the pedestrian bridge and looked down at the beautiful grassed areas and could see the colourful playground structures beckoning us from a distance, Jack struggled to decide which way to go first. We ended up heading towards the’Nature Play’ area so that Lexi could also have an explore, then moved onto the ‘Adventure Playground.’ Being a long weekend, with perfect exploring weather, the place was packed! Great space to bring the kids bikes and scooters, a bat and ball, or even just to roll down the gentle sloping hills (which Jack loved doing!). 
This playground suits such a variety of ages and abilities. Lexi loved playing in the water, and I was glad to see the toddler friendly area existed in the Adventure Playground. The use of softfall also makes this mum happy, with little legs able to explore and crawl to her hearts content! 

 

Equipment:

There are 2 distinct play areas- the Nature Play and Adventure Playground areas. 

Nature Play

  • water play 
    • Pumps, wheels, rivers, blockages
    • sand play
    • wooden balance beams
  • sensory paths
  • wooden structure with ladders, ropes, sand play
  • softfall middle section with slide
  • musical xylophone
  • lots of elevated seats, plenty of shade

Adventure Playground

  • Huge structure, with rope climbing and swings, that lead to an enclosed twisting slide
  • Multi levels
    • top level has BBQ facilities, and toddler play area.
    • 2 smaller swings, small slide, spring rockers
  • large green net structure to climb over, and under
  • 2 large swings
  • 1 nest swing
  • 1 flying fox (there was meant to be 2, but it looked like one had broken when I had visited)
  • skate park
  • large metal slide
  • spinning carousel
  • A really cool spinning wheel (suitable for 120cm plus). Jack is not tall enough to have a go on this. 

Jack Liked:

He loved so much about this playground. His favourite thing, when asked, was the water play! The adventure playground slide structure looked overwhelming for me, but now that he is in prep, I think he managed to hold his own with the masses of kids climbing on top of one another! There is just so much to see and do, and there are still bits of the precinct to be completed. I will be back, and will probably bring his scooter to help us get from one end of the area to the other.