If you ever need to stand way up high and drink in some fantastic, uplifting views… can I recommend West Head Lookout in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park? This is one… Just posted on the Skyscanner website is an article I’ve written about great kids clubs at resorts in Bali. It’s been torture to write it, […]

  Faulkland Crescent Reserve Faulkland Crescent, Kings Park By Melanie Cross Faulkland Crescent Reserve is around 16 hectares in total, with two playground areas, picnic facilities, woodland areas and an… Who’s been to Parramatta River Foreshore Playground?? Quick, pack the kids and the car and get over there! How much fun did my kids have […]

Built in 1858 and perfectly positioned on top of Observatory Hill overlooking the harbour, Sydney Observatory is the oldest observatory in Australia. Its iconic sandstone building is one of the… School holidays are upon us! I’m cheering as I love the change of pace. Mind you, after a couple of weeks I’ll be booing, desperate for […]

Here’s where you will find all the top tips you need to plan a family holiday. Click here to find our holiday planning posts for the following places:   Sri…   This is a local hero to the families who live around it, especially in summer when a play at the park and a swim […]

G’day and welcome to one of my family’s very favourite local beaches here in Sydney, the delightful Freshwater Beach on the Northern Beaches. We have twin friends who live near… Blacksmiths Beach – or Blackies as the locals call it – is located at the southern end of Nine Mile Beach in the Lake Macquarie […]

Camping With Kids is a brand new book, written by a very experienced camper, dad and camping magazine editor, Simon McGrath. It is not a guide book about where to camp, it’s all about how to camp The book is packed full of over 300 ideas for things to do, games, adventures, recipes for campfire treats and […]

G’day and welcome to one of my family’s very favourite local beaches here in Sydney, the delightful Freshwater Beach on the Northern Beaches. We have twin friends who live near… Here’s a cafe and takeaway kiosk with marvellous views up the lovely Northern Beaches coastline. Gusto On The Beach is in the SLSC building at […]

I love lemon curd but had never attempted it before I found this Thermomix lemon curd recipe online. Now, it’s a staple of the household. This is a Thermomix recipe, originally called Tenina’s Lemon Curd and featured in one of her books, although I found it in a forum. This lemon curd Thermomix recipe makes […]

These chocolate and coconut Thermomix protein balls are just outrageously delicious. They are easy to make and very healthy. Win, and win again. The secret ingrediant is coconut butter and I’ve… My life often feels like one long search for a healthy afternoon snack for the kids. These Thermomix fruit, nut and chocolate balls fit the […]

What books do you read when life is harsh? Do you have any books that you always return to when life gets difficult? I know I do. Some of these books have been by my side for decades. These are the books that I will have when I am an old lady too. These books […]

We loved a good berry in this house. Mind you the strawberries and raspberries we can buy here in Sydney are nothing like as good as the ones you can get in Scotland. But Scotland’s a long way to go for a decent smoothie. Anyway, yes, berries… so good for you, and so delicious.  I […]

  Five went mad at the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre! I hadn’t taken all the children there before and was interested to see what the older boys would think. I…   Pirrama Park is an inner city harbourside park that has plenty to see and do for visitors. It might be refereed to as Pyrmont […]

Here’s a quite outrageous and totally delicious mascarpone and marmalade ice cream. Not at all healthy – sorry! If you’re going to enjoy a treat, make it a bloody good… Take a bow, the easy cashew and mushroom layered roast! This is the Christmas lunch made for the Intn’l Man of Mystery for the past 22 years. […]

Now that’s an appealing pizza Here’s a first for Australia if not the world, a kids’ party venue offering sugar free food at kids’ birthday parties. Take a bow Sky Zone Australia, you are ahead of the curve. Sugar Free Kids’ Parties are available at all the Sky Zone Venues.  Here in Sydney that means […]