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Australian holiday news
VIC
NT
Double the fun with the new Ballarat Pass
Darwin’s Dry Season cinema under the stars
Ballarat Regional Tourism has launched the Ballarat Pass with discounted admission to both Sovereign Hill and the Ballarat Wildlife Park. The pass includes two days entry to Sovereign Hill, where you can experience the excitement of Australia’s 1850s gold rush. Sovereign Hill offers fun for the whole family; panning in the creek for real gold, underground mine tours and street theatre plus entry to the Gold Museum included with your Sovereign Hill ticket. Ballarat Wildlife Park offers the delightful experience of hand feeding free-roaming kangaroos, patting koalas, wombats and emus as well as seeing the park’s Tasmanian Devils and high-leaping saltwater crocodiles. Each pass is valid for one month from the date you collect and they can be purchased at the Ballarat Information Centre. www.visitballarat.com.au
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Journey back in time at the State Coal Mine Situated along the picturesque Bass Coast, the State Coal Mine is a lovingly restored, historic Gippsland attraction celebrating Victoria’s early 20th century mining heritage. An adventure escape with hands-on fun, the whole family can don a miner’s hard-hat and explore a network of above and underground tunnels with the State Coal Mines’ range of activities. These school holidays why not experience the recently launched Twilight Tours and Junior Rangers Program, and witness the glistening 130 million-yearold coal found within this Victorian treasure. The State Coal Mine is just two hours’ drive from Melbourne and 30 minutes’ drive from Phillip Island. www.statecoalmine.com.au Win a family pass to visit Gippsland’s State Coal Mine. Out & About With Kids and Parks Victoria are giving away 15 family passes to the State Coal Mine, each valued at $46. For your chance to win visit www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au
Experience the magic of this year’s dry season with free blockbuster movies under the stars at the Darwin Waterfront. All you need is a chair and blanket and then sit back and relax on the lawns to watch a free movie under the night sky. You can pack a picnic or purchase tantalising treats from the Waterfront retailers. Now in its fourth year, this free outdoor cinema experience has become a popular choice for Territory families and visitors to Darwin. This season’s first movie will be screened from 7pm on Saturday 18 May on the peninsula lawns. www.waterfront.nt.gov.au
Croc-tacular cruise Did you know crocodiles can jump? It’s certainly quite a sight to see huge saltwater crocodiles launching themselves vertically out of the Adelaide River to claim meat dangled for them over the edge of the Adelaide River Queen! On the Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise you’ll witness the crocs in action and learn all about these awesome creatures from an encounter or two that’s totally up close (and safe!) in the wild. Cruises run several times a day all year round. www.jumpingcrocodile.com.au
SA Kids come out for creative festival South Australia’s Come Out Festival began in 1974 as part of the Adelaide Festival of Arts and is the state’s preeminent arts festival for schools and families and the largest festival of its kind in the world. Over two million South Australian children have participated in it since it began with the aim to inspire children to develop lifelong confidence in sharing and investing in their unique creativity. Delivering an innovative, internationally celebrated multi-arts festival that intrigues, excites and inspires South Australian children, the Come Out Festival 2013 runs from 22 –31 May and includes performances, visual art exhibitions and workshops for kids and families. www.comeoutfestival.com.au
A U T U M N 2 0 1 3 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au
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