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. 

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

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