School Holiday
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The Spring School Holiday Hit List The best local activities to keep the kids roaming free WORDS MIA KYRIKOS
It's no secret, 2020 is not the year we asked for. Whilst we might feel a little like we are stuck on a never-ending rollercoaster, there is no reason we can't make the most of these upcoming school holidays. Much like chickens, free-range kids are happier, healthier and are usually all tuckered-out at the end of the day – just in time to pour yourself that glass of wine. But, how do we promote the free-range lifestyle in this crazy pandemic era? Below we have rounded up the best local school holiday hits that will keep busy while maintaining that 1.5-metre distance. Newcastle Museum Take the kids and enter a whole new world! From 25 September, Colour is coming to the Newcastle Museum. Direct from Questacon; this special exhibition explores the science of colour and perception. Better yet, there are plenty of COVIDSafe interactives for the whole family to enjoy. Book tickets today from $5 for children to $25 for a family of 4. The Museum is open from Monday to Sunday each week during NSW public and school holidays. Online bookings are essential – visit www.newcastlemuseum.com.au Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie Over at MAC at Lake Macquarie, there is plenty in store to keep creative minds active. With a range of incredible workshops and exhibitions, your little one is sure to be a Van Gogh in the making. Learn how to draw bees, use soft pastels or even sketch the human head! Head across to www.mac.lakemac.com.au to discover what is on these school holidays. ►
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THE BISCUIT MAKER BY LIZ ANELLI
THE LION KING AT CIVIC CINEMA
widescreen. Settle into seats for these special school holiday screenings. Visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au for more information and ticket details. Maitland Gaol For those youngsters that live life on the wild side, 'Snitch's Gaol Exploration' is a great way to let imaginations soar. Enjoy this kid-friendly self-guided tour of Maitland Gaol. Open seven days a week with enhanced COVID-19 safety measures; the Gaol is the perfect family-friendly outing to keep the kids entertained. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.maitlandgaol.com.au
(Continued) Newcastle Libraries Need to get out of the house, but hoping not to stray too far from home? Head to the library and celebrate the launch of The Biscuit Maker with local illustrator, Liz Anelli. Written by Sue Lawson, this charming story demonstrates how simple acts of friendship can bring a community together. If your little one is more interested in the weird and wonderful, be sure to visit and view original works, sculptures and illustrations by Paul Jennings. For those looking to stay at home, did you know that Newcastle Libraries have recently opened a new Digital Library? Featuring a 'grab and go' collection of popular adult and kids titles, interactive digital story wall, magical story box, and so much more! The library is always open and available via your fingertips on the Newcastle Libraries app. Visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au Library to find out more. Newcastle Art Gallery Unleash the inner Monet these school holidays, by signing up to get crafty from home with local exhibiting artist Bree Rooney. With workshops delivered over Zoom on Monday 28, Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 September, the kids can learn how to create their own texta prints. In Week 2, kids will have the opportunity to virtually meet local artist Michael Bell (and his pet dog Larry!) to create their own pet portrait. Get your furry friends involved for one of the sessions on Tuesday 6, Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 October. Be sure to register for these workshops prior. Newcastle Art Gallery is also open with two daily sessions Tuesdays to Sundays. To avoid disappointment, book your free Gallery session via the Art Gallery website.
50% OFF FOR INTOUCH S READER
'SNITCH'S GAOL EXPLORATION' AT MAITLAND GAOL
Maitland City Library Have a little author in your midst? Maitland City Library branches have a range of exciting activities available. These school holidays pizza boxes become solar ovens and airport runways, old bottles turn into Pokemon planters, and mugs get a new lease of life as tiny gardens. There are also free workshops with Sami Bayly, author of The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals. Visit www.maitlandlibrary.com. au for more information or drop into any branch throughout the holidays to collect an activity pack. Maitland Regional Art Gallery Keep your sanity when you see, make & do at Maitland Regional Art Gallery! Explore five new exhibitions, crack a code breaker art trail, and more. Free, self-directed art activities are available with no bookings required. For more information, visit www.mrag.org.au.
Experience Fort Scratchley Boasting one of the best panoramic views of Newcastle and with space to roam, Fort Scratchley is top of the school holiday bucket list. Open Saturdays and Sundays only during the school holidays, with a gun firing at 1pm daily (weather permitting), eagle-eyed youngsters might even be lucky enough to spot a whale heading down to the Antarctic Ocean. For more details, visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/fortscratchley/home. The Civic Theatre The iconic 'picture palace' returns with Civic Cinema, with the good old days of seeing a movie at the Civic Theatre once again possible with the installation of a new digital projection
We are back In Person and Online!
Out and About We consider ourselves pretty lucky in Newcastle to have remarkable parklands and natural areas surrounding our city suburbs. These school holidays are the perfect time to roam free and discover your local playground! Brickworks Park in Wallsend is now open and includes a new all-abilities carousel, boulder climb, nest swing and more. The Carrington Street Reserve playground has been upgraded with a new plank walk, suspension bridge, double slide, tube net and other activities. At Port Stephens, there is plenty of fun to be had outdoors. While the Port Stephens Council won't be hosting any official school holiday activities this year, you can keep the family fun alive by visiting our beaches, going on a bush walks, or by heading to the BMX/skate parks. Don't forget your helmet! For families who are looking for Vacation Care, the local OOSH facilities also have a wide range of activities planned. Visit www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au â–
Your child is unique and our highly trained and experienced teachers customise playful activities to optimise brain development, confidence and creativity! Wed 30 September 10.30am Join our all Singing and Dancing Dinosaur Roar Music Party! Ages 0-5 years. Get ready for a wild ride with musical dirt bikes, long necks and spikes. Numbers strictly limited so Book Now with 50% off PromoCode: intouch Term 4 starts Monday 12th October! Charlestown | Hamilton | New Lambton | Maitland
GROWING KIDS THROUGH MUSIC SINCE 2002 34 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
Ph 0425 227 582 or 0414 848 741
Visit www.julieloganmusic.com.au
RYAN MCNAUGHT
Immerse the Kids in
LEGO® These Holidays! WORDS MARK CURNOW – The Brickman Team
Calling all Hunter region LEGO® fans! Prepare to be awed, because Ryan ‘The Brickman’ McNaught is bringing his latest exhibition, Brickman Awesome, to Newcastle this September school holidays! Newcastle Entertainment Centre (NEC) will host Brickman Awesome, Ryan’s third exhibition made entirely from LEGO® bricks, featuring 36 models, none of which have been seen in Newcastle before, and which took a mammoth 5,000 hours to build from just under one million LEGO. One of the most ‘awesome’ models in the exhibition is the world’s first life-size LEGO® Harley-Davidson, which will be showcased alongside several record-breaking models, including an enormous 3-metre tall Orca whale and the largest ever LEGO® Caterpillar 797 dump truck. Visitors will be forgiven for thinking they have stepped inside a zoo, as they find themselves surrounded by a LEGO® kangaroo, koala, penguins and even a full-sized LEGO® Australian saltwater crocodile weighing over 60kgs and built using more than 40,000 LEGO® bricks. Ryan McNaught got his first LEGO® at 3 years old and played with it up until he was 13 or 14.
“I loved LEGO® as a kid. It’s all I used to ask for at Christmas time; we didn’t have a lot, so the catalogue was always well worn out with my flicking through the pages! I was lucky enough to be able to visit LEGOland once, and it was amazing. So between LEGO® and the Commodore 64 Computer that sums up my childhood!” Ryan got back into LEGO® when he had children of his own. His twin boys (now 12) were also the impetus for Ryan to go professional with his hobby, a move he made ten years ago. Ryan doesn’t bring work home, and the LEGO® he has at home belongs to the kids, who love building the sets more than he does! “The kids tend to build their own model, and then once they get mashed into the pile, I build something else with them,” says Ryan. When asked about the best bits of his job, Ryan says “I get to play with LEGO®; it’s my job to inspire children so
watching people’s reaction when they see the things we have built is always a huge moment. Often these things take months to build where we are locked away, so to see the fruits of the work is always great.” Ryan’s favourite LEGO® Star Wars set is The UCS Sand crawler 75059, which is enormous and has so many advanced techniques. It’s been a busy time for Ryan ‘The Brickman’ McNaught, who starred alongside Hamish Blake in LEGO® ‘MASTERS’, Channel Nine’s show that pits eight pairs of LEGO®-loving Aussies against each other in a series of building challenges. “I’m excited to be finally bringing Brickman Awesome to Newcastle. It’s an amazing city, and our previous exhibitions were incredibly well received. Novocastrians really do have such huge enthusiasm for LEGO®! “My team and I have had a great time building all these record-breaking models, so I can’t wait to share them with fans and families in Newcastle. This year’s theme is quite broad. The models in the exhibition are pretty diverse, so whether you’re an animal lover, a movie fanatic, or you have a love of travel, there really is something for everyone – young and old!” ICEBREAKER
Brickman Awesome – Newcastle Entertainment Centre, 25 Sept–18 Oct. Visit www.ticketek.com.au
Luxury with a wild view
o
ffering 5-star luxury accommodation in the heart of Canberra’s National Zoo & Aquarium, Jamala Wildlife Lodge presents guests with a truly remarkable overnight experience. Designed to provide up close and personal interactions with some of the zoo’s most revered residents, with the option to have giraffe, lions, tigers, cheetah, sun bears, meerkats or monkeys outside your window. An unforgettable experience. Please note that while the animals generally join guests as shown, no guarantees can be given as they are free to roam their entire area at all times.
WINNER - Best Deluxe Accommodation in Australia 2017 Australian Hotels Association Awards for Excellence
Canberra 02 6287 8444 | www.jamala.com.au info@jamalawildlifelodge.com.au *Conditions apply - check our website
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Register Now! 20/21 Season Commencing 17TH OCT
Junior & Senior, Male & Female, 4yrs-80+, Social or competitive! Played every Saturday – Stevenson Park, Mayfield Training at Lumsden Park, Belmont. Sponsored by Jewells Tavern
For more info Ph 0411 281 154 or email softballbelmont@gmail.com www.belmontsoftballclub.weebly.com
Art House Studios
Does your child love art? Treat your child to an amazing full day of art in our gorgeous, fully equipped studio. Plenty of space to stretch out, create and grow their artistic self. Packed full of engaging learning activities, our fun workshops will develop your child’s ability to draw and paint, whether from observation or imagination. A whole day to create gorgeous artworks with new friends.
FINITE GALLERY
7yrs+ Spring Flowers, Fairy Gardens 9yrs+ Pet Portraits, Drawing monsters For tweens and teens Intuitive painting, #InspireMe workshop For more details please visit our website. We accept the $100 Creative Kids Voucher. For details and booking details please see our website. DETAILS Level 1, 268 Turton Road, New Lambton. PH 0478 116313. Visit www.arthousestudios.com.au E priyajoy@arthousestudios.com.au
Junior Art Prize
18 Sept–11 Oct 2020
Come and vote for your favourite artwork and go into the draw for a $100 workshop gift voucher. Sponsored by FINITE GALLERY and HELENE RUMA GALLERY & ART SUPPLIES
Join us for some fun School Holiday Art workshops! Visit www.finitegallery.com to find out whats on.
60 Caves Beach Road, Caves Beach PH 0419 471 660 E info@finitegallery.com
OPEN SAT & SUN THROUGHOUT SCHOOL HOLS
We’re Open
Richmond Vale Railway Museum ALL AGES A weekend of family fun awaits you on 26 and 27 September. Model trains, Thomas themed displays, sales and U-Drive, a massed display of teddy bears, vintage farm machines and more to fascinate young and old. Unlimited steam train rides are also on offer over both days. 36 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
at Fort Scratchley The Mining Museum will be open showing artefacts from the early days of coal mining in the area. An audio-visual program will be running both days with film clips relating to mining and rail transport. The Canteen provides hot and cold drinks, food and snacks or you can bring your own picnic to enjoy in the bushland setting. Richmond Vale Railway Museum is also open October 4, 11 and 18. Gates open at 9.30am. DETAILS 262 Leggetts Drive, Kurri Kurri. PH 4018 7230 www.richmondvalerailwaymuseum.org
SATURDAY’S AND SUNDAYS!
FREE ENTRY! Visit us at 1–3 Nobbys Road, Newcastle East Fort Scratchley Historical Society Inc. Open Saturdays and Sundays throughout October, 10am to 4pm. The Fort Museum, 1880’s Laboratory, exhibi�ons, buildings and kiosk are all open to the public. Currently no Tunnel Tours.
Ph 4929 3066 | www.fortscratchley.org.au
SAVE THE DATE NEWCASTLE SUMMER DANCE INTENSIVE
2021
of 5 days nce le da incredib and training phy. gra choreo
16-20 JANUA RY 2021
On sale 1st October. Early bird offers available at Trybooking. www.trybooking.com/BLOBG
SCHOOL PROGRAMS National College of Dance are re-launching their popular INTENSIVE TRAINING SCHOOL SPORTS PROGRAM (Yrs 7-10) and CERTIFICATE 3 IN DANCE – SKILL SET PROGRAM (Yrs 9-10). These programs are for passionate dance students who wish to be trained by our professional full-time dance teachers, exploring multiple genres such as contemporary, neo-classical, jazz, musical theatre and more.
INTENSIVE TRAINING SPORTS PROGRAM (ITSP) For dance students in years 7-10 for the remainder of 2020 and for 2021.
CERTIFICATE 3 IN DANCE – SKILL SET PROGRAM 1.5 DAYS 2020/2021 For dance students in years 9-10 for the remainder of 2020 and for 2021.
More information can be found on our website. nationalcollegeofdance.com/programs | P 02 4952 9294 www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 37
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14
HECTA RE GARDE S OF NS
! A R E TA K IN G O V ER
JOIN THE FUN THESE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS! Come and see amazing creatures, including our new Woolly Mammoth and giant Brachiosaurus. Plus, discover all your favourites like T-Rex, Triceratops and Dragons using our discovery app! Book your tickets today to avoid disappointment by visiting hvg.com.au 2 Sessions per day. Limited tickets per session.
DA ILY ACTI VITI ES IN CLUD ED IN GA RD EN EN TRY
02 4998 4000 - Broke Rd Pokolbin - hvg.com.au Guest numbers are strictly limited and session times apply. Morning session runs from 8am – 12:30pm and afternoon session 1:30pm - 6pm. Entry to all sessions closes one hour before completion. Carousel and Tea Cup ride single use only and are user pay. Swing Chair, Ferris Wheel, Superslide and Inflatables will not be operating for this event. Program subject to change.
Toboggan Hill Park ALL WEATHER FAMILY FUN! Open every day through the school holidays from 9:30am, with plenty of action for kids big and small. Outdoor activities include the 1km toboggan ride, 19 hole mini golf, tractor train ride, giant maze and splashdown water balloon game.
Indoor activities include jumping castles, kiddy karz, merry-go-round, happy caterpillar ride, plaster model painting and NEW roller skating rink. Bring your own roller skates or hire quad skates here. There are also a number of remote controlled and arcade style amusements. There is a kiosk providing refreshments, coffee and hot food, outdoor picnic areas and a BBQ available for hire. Please call for large group bookings, parties or special events. Visit website or contact for more information. DETAILS 16 Aquatic Close, Nelson Bay. PH 4984 1022 E toboggan@tobogganhillpark.com www.tobogganhillpark.com
Hunter Region Botanic Gardens NATURE IS FUN! (5–12yr olds) Come and see what lives in our garden – explore the bush, collect specimens and enjoy craft! 30th Sept + 7th Oct, 10.30am–12.30pm. $5 per child. Limited spaces, bookings essential – payment when booking required. Garden entry is $3pp, young children must be supervised. There is lots to see and do at the Gardens anytime! You can also visit the Kookaburra Café for refreshments, open 9am–2.30pm.
Check out our website and Facebook for details of activities at the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens. www.huntergardens.org.au
LOCATED 2100 Pacific Hwy, Heatherbrae PH 4987 1655 E events@huntergardens.org.au
Advertise Your School Holiday Activity Here! Advertising opportunities for the next School Holidays are open now. Phone 4998 0888 or email advertise@intouchmagazine.com.au 38 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au
Hunter Valley
Horseriding & Adventures
ALL AGES Get away from city living and go horseriding! It’s the perfect day trip – just 30 minutes up the Hunter Expressway. Hunter Valley Horse Riding & Adventures offers trail rides for both beginners and experienced riders – even the tiny tots can ride beautiful ponies with qualified guides leading the way. We also offer full day horse riding camps for the
teens (12-16 yrs old) where they will get to groom and feed horses, learn about looking after horses, saddlery, and of course ride! Other activities on offer include tractor hay rides to feed the animals, pedal go karts, farm animals, BBQ facilities and mountain bike trails (byo bike). If you feel like staying a little longer, we offer great guest house and semi self contained villa accommodation, where kids stay free during school holidays! (Villas only). Be quick to book, as we have limited spots available. DETAILS Open 7 days, 288 Talga Road, Lovedale. Bookings are required. PH Margaret on 4930 7111 or 0417 233 008, or visit www.huntervalleyhorseriding.com.au www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 38
BOOK A SPRING STAY BETWEEN
12/10/20 - 20/12/20 TO RECEIVE UP TO 25% OFF
BOOK NOW (02) 4988 0990 beachsideholidays.com.au
*Minimum 2 night stay. Stay 2 nights to receive 10% off. Stay 3 nights to receive 15% off. Stay 4 or more nights to receive 25% off. Subject to availability. Not valid during public or school holidays. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Valid from 12/10/20 - 20/12/20. Any existing and/or current bookings between 12/10/20 - 20/12/20 are exempt – existing guests cannot cancel their booking then rebook under these Promotional rates as Cancellation Fees will apply.