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Gippsland's school holiday fun for families: Theme parks, scenic railways, wildlife tours, heritage sites, adventure parks, and berry picking

Gippsland offers exciting school holiday activities: theme parks, wildlife encounters, heritage sites, boat cruises, mini-golf, and berry picking for all ages. Explore thrills, nature, history, and fun with your family.

By news@gippsland - 9th January 2025 - Back to News

There is something for every kind of kid in Gippsland this school holidays. From thrill seekers and wildlife enthusiasts to budding railfans and sweet tooths, there are dozens of ways to create memories with your family.

Gippsland has something for every kid this school holiday, from thrill-seekers and wildlife lovers to railfans and sweet tooths - endless family fun awaits!

Gumbuya World

Located at Tynong North, 1 hour east of Melbourne. No need to head to Queensland for a world class theme park - Gumbuya World has everything a thrill-seeking child might dream of. At the Oasis Springs water park, there's the gravity-defying Boomerango, the relaxing Lazy River, heated rock pools and a wave pool that every wannabe surfer Dad can try.

Meanwhile in Oz Adventure, there are roller coasters galore - brave the G-force on Rebel and launch into the sky on Project Zero. If the kids aren't quite ready for such mayhem, then Outback Explorers is the perfect place, where they can ride a miniature train and zoom about in dodgem cars. After all the crazy fun, don't forget to visit the Wildlife Trail, where you can admire some Aussie animals and learn about endangered species. For more information, proceed to Visit Gippsland website.

Gumbuya World offers thrilling rides, waterpark fun, roller coasters, a miniature train, dodgem cars, and a Wildlife Trail for families

Walhalla Goldfields Railway

Located at Walhalla, 2:20 hours' drive north-east of Melbourne. For the little (and big!) railfans out there, the Walhalla Goldfields Railway is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Running daily during the school holidays between Walhalla and Thomson stations, this restful train journey takes you through the lush forest, alongside the cheerfully ambling Stringers Creek, and over trestle bridges and the impressive Thomson River Bridge.

The train station is every bit as delightful as you'd hope a station from the early 1900s might be, and this crimson beauty is pram and wheelchair accessible. All aboard! For more information, proceed to Visit Gippsland website.

Enjoy a scenic one-hour journey on Walhalla Goldfields Railway, soaking in stunning views of Stringers Gorge and historic Walhalla

Wilsons Prom Cruise

Located at Wilsons Prom, 3 hours' drive south east of Melbourne. For the budding David Attenboroughs, Wanderer Adventures have a slew of fun-filled cruises that will take you into the remote parts of the waters around Wilsons Promontory.

Departing directly off the sand at Tidal River, these small boats take you into parts of the park that can only be accessed by boat. See the gob-smacking Skull Rock, fur seal colonies, dolphin pods, immense geological formations and dazzling white sand beaches. The 2.5-hour Wilderness Cruise runs daily year-round, and the 1.5-hour Sunset Cruise runs across the school holidays. For more information, proceed to Visit Gippsland website.

Explore Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park's diverse wildlife, including fur seals, dolphins, whales, and unique birdlife like the White Bellied Sea Eagle

Old Gippstown Heritage Park

Located at Moe, 1:35 hours' drive east of Melbourne. Step back in time with a stroll through the historic streets of Old Gippstown in Moe. Stroll around their 8-acre site, admire National Trust classified buildings, classic vehicles and one of Australia's best collections of horse-drawn vehicles and farm equipment.

Be sure to stop into the on-site cafe to treat yourself to some lunch when you're done. For more information, proceed to Visit Gippsland website.

Old Gippstown in Moe is an open-air museum, showcasing Gippsland's history with 35 historic buildings, horse-drawn vehicles, and farm equipment

Maru and Koala animal park

Located at Grantville, 1:20 hours' drive south east of Melbourne. Enjoy a day of hand feeding and patting the koalas, kangaroos and wallabies, which includes rare albino animals. Maru Koala & Animal Park's new daily children's summer show "Forest Fairy & Friends" follows the story of Fern the Forest Fairy, who helps her friends Kaia Koala and Giddy the Growling Grass Frog - both of which are facing pressing threats.

Along with some magical helpers, Fern works to find Kaia and Giddy a home, whilst learning about the special role both play in their environment. The 15-minute show runs daily across the summer school holidays and is included in your entry ticket. When you're done, set sail into Pirate Pete's mini golf adventure and enjoy 18 holes of pirating fun. For more information, proceed to Visit Gippsland website.

At Maru Koala and Animal Park, feed and pet koalas, kangaroos, and wallabies, and enjoy keeper talks and wildlife shows

Lake Entrance aqua park

Located at Lakes Entrance, 4 hours' drive east of Melbourne. Lakes Entrance Aqua Park is about as much fun as you can have on the water. This giant inflatable obstacle course has features to climb over, balance along, slide down and jump off. The 50-minute sessions run every hour. Paddle bikes and paddle boats are also available for hire.

Lakes Entrance Aqua Park offers inflatable obstacle courses, paddle bikes, and boats for hire, with exciting 50-minute water sessions

Berry picking

Grab a basket and head for one of Gippsland's bountiful berry farms to pluck ripe strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries fresh from the bush.  The 'pick your own' strawberry field at Macca's Farm (Glen Forbes) has a whopping 1km of waist-high picking rows, ideal for young, old and wheelchair pickers, plus an on-site cafe.

You'll find an excellent supply of raspberries, blackberries, loganberries and red currants at Sunny Creek Organic (Trafalgar) where you can pick your own berries, and there's also frozen fruit and jam at the farm shop. A family owned and operated dairy and strawberry farm, Maffra's Berry Dairy is a family favourite for 'pick your own' strawberries, children's play area, petting zoo and licensed cafe. For more information, proceed to Visit Gippsland website.

Craving fresh berries this summer? Head to Gippsland's berry farms and pick ripe strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries directly from the bush

Pictures from Visit Gippsland website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com