Fun Things To Do Around Sydney By Area - Northern Sydney
Chatswood, Cnr of Orchard Street & Albert Avenue, just near the cricket oval. This park is fully enclosed, and offers two different slippery dips with easy climb stairs, a swingy bridge great for crawling or walking over, two swings (one each for littlies & bigger kids), spinning typre things on poles, a sandpit, and grassed, softplay and barked areas. Parking can be a little tricky - a little onstreet parking off Albert Avenue (when cricket is off during the week), otherwise go to Westfield for the 3 free hour parking (advantage in doing some shopping afterwards!) Reviewed by Hetaera1 16/4/2000
Kur-ring-gai National Park entrance thru Bobbin Head Road, Turramurra, or up near Asquith (check your street directory) - play & picnic area by the river at the bottom. The play area has swings, slippery dips, sand, and is suitable for all ages. There are BBQs, lots of picnic tables including a huge covered area for large groups, and a kiosk for great picnics, but there is also a teahouse. This is a vast picnic area. The covered picnic tables, large covered area and teahouse are beautiful buildings in themselves - have a close look. Cost of entry is $9 after 9am.
Softplay at Chatswood, top level of Westfield Chatswood, next to Hoyts (Level 6) - Phone 9410 2500. (Also have Softplay stores at Westfield Miranda and Macarthur Square Campbelltown). Catering for the usual different age groups. My son aged 3 cost $6 for 30 mins or $8 for one hour. There is a small cafe style seating area, with soft drinks, lollies, tea & coffee available (a pot of tea making 2 small cups cost $1.30). It's rather small and cramped, and pram access is not very good, although you can safely leave your pram outside the shop door near the counter. I personally thought it was rather small and a bit expensive, but since it's now the only one in Chatswood (and in fact on the North Shore area), there's not alot that we can do about that, at least it's there! They do cater for parties as well. Reviewed by Bettibeetle 31/5/2000
Child-friendly Restaurants & Cafes
Taronga Zoo at Mosman, Bradleys Head Road - Phone 9969 2777. Currently they have renovations to put in a skyline and some of the enclosures are also under renovation, but you can still see all the animals. Collect brochures from the information desk, next to the main entrance so you can see when it's best to see each animal and when the seal show is on. A recent addition is the Discovery Farm which has farm animals - the information desk can tell you when feeding and milking time is on, which is in the morning - this is great for the littlies. There are lots of little food stands, kiosks and eating areas with picnic tables throughout the zoo, but as this can be expensive I recommend taking a packed lunch with drinks. Birthday parties can also be organised at the zoo with catering and activities. Catch a ferry and it makes a great day out! Open Daily from 9am to 5pm, in summer they also have concerts and night viewing of the animals. Cost: Adult $16, Children (4-15) $8.50, Children under 4 are free, various family tickets available. If you go often, enquire about Zoo Freinds which gets you free admission & parking, magazine sent four times a year, discounts, invites to special events and more. Website: http://www.tarongazoo.citysearch.com.auReviewed by Bettibeetle 6/4/2000
Koala Park at West Pennant Hills, 84 Castle Hill Road - Phone 9484 3141. This place has been here for donkey's years! I remember going when I was a kid! The name pretty much says it all - you can see lots of koalas. Also other wildlife possums, cockatoos, kookaburras, womats & kangaroos. There is a viewing, patting & feeding time - phone for details. Kiosk and picnic area available. Parking plentiful. Open daily 9-5. Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children 4-14, children under 4 are free, family ticket (2 adults & 2 kids) $27. Great for the kids to see Australian animals up close. Website at: http://www.koalaparksanctuary.com.auReviewed by bettibeetle 7/4/2000