Events Family Fun
Saturday 29 June – Sunday 14 July
Spend winter school holidays in Geelong and The Bellarine. Whether you want to build a snowman, experience the magic of The Polar Express or attend a workshop with Australia Ballet – there’s fun for everyone!
Australian Ballet School Holiday Residency at Geelong Arts Centre
9 July – 13 July 2024
Explore the world of dance through warm-ups, dance exercises and choreographic games.
There are two workshops, one for ages 6-8 and one for 9-12, spanning over four days (booking your child into a creative residency means they will participate all four days). On the final day (Friday), students will get the opportunity to perform to friends and family, along-side a performance by the Australian Ballet Education and Outreach team.
The residency is designed to assist in: Supporting confidence, resilience, and teamwork skills, Supporting individual needs and skill levels, Accessible to all children regardless of learning styles or physical abilities.
No previous ballet experience is required. Children are encouraged to participate in workshops independently from their parents and guardians, to allow connection to their peers and foster a sense of self within the group.
For more info and to book head here.
Adventure Park’s Winter Glow
22 June – 21 July 2024
Discover a glowing winter wonderland at Adventure Park during the June-July school holidays!
With snow, rides, epic light installations and amazing fire twirling and ice sculpting displays! Build a snowman in their Snow Play Zone with realistic snow made from frozen water. Roast marshmallows over the roaring open fire and warm up with yummy flavoured hot chocolates, spiced cider and mulled wine. See live ice-sculpting and fire-twirling displays plus millions of dazzling lights and hundreds of glittering installations all over the park. Ride eight awesome action rides, play mini-golf plus lots more activities for the kids.
Find out more
Dinos at the Zoo
29 March – 14 July 2024
Get up close to large dinosaurs in a setting like no other
Let your imagination run wild as you explore a new trail of 14 animatronic dinosaurs coming to life before your eyes for a limited time only.
There’s plenty to keep both big and little dino-lovers entertained.
– Become a palaeontologist at the Dino Dig and brush away sand and uncover hidden treasures – dinosaur bones!
– Navigate around the volcanoes and lava stream
– Delight your taste buds with our exclusive menu featuring dino-themed kid’s lunch pack and Ben & Jerry’s dino-themed ice cream
– Visit the Zoo Shop for a prehistoric souvenir
– Plus, check out all the play spaces located around the zoo for extra play time
Please note that Werribee Open Range Zoo will have a quiet hour from 9am to 10am daily for a low sensory experience with no dinosaurs moving or making noises.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride – Queenscliff
29 June – 7 July 2024
Get ready to embark on a magical journey as THE POLAR EXPRESS™ stops at Queenscliff this winter in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the film THE POLAR EXPRESS™.
The Bellarine Railway is thrilled to bring back this wonderful family event over eight days during the school holidays. Everyone, regardless of age, will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the magical world of Chris Van Allsburg’s beloved children’s book in an entirely new and captivating way.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ passengers will be captivated by an immersive theatrical experience that brings iconic characters to life. From the Conductor’s memorable question to the lively ‘Hot Chocolate’ dance, a mysterious encounter with the Hobo, carolling onboard the train, and a magical visit from Santa, each moment captures the essence of the movie.
Find out more
Marine and Freshwater Discover Centre
8 July – 12 July 2024
Let the kids indulge their curiosity these school holidays and discover some of the world’s most wonderful aquatic creatures at the Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre in Queenscliff.
The Centre offers a unique place to visit, with an aquarium displaying both saltwater and freshwater Victorian species, as well as a rockpool where you can get up close to the animals (and even touch some!).
Find out more and book here
Our Earth at MoPA Geelong
3 June – 18 August 2024
Understanding ‘our place in this world’ is a lifelong journey for most. But so many of the most important lessons are learned early in your lives, at home.
To help facilitate the important conversations to have with children about your earth, MoPA’s educators have developed a brand new series called “Our Earth” with a range of activities on offer throughout Winter:
Art and craft
What better way to create impactful conversations than provide opportunities to make things to take home? You simply must check out their new “Happy Earth” slider-art activity!
Literature
They’ve curated some of the most wonderful new children’s books that will make your heart sing. Learn about the land, the sea, the sky, your bodies, your planet and your place in it.
Mindfulness
They’ll introduce some basic (and very cute) concepts of mindfulness, taking some time to pause and reflect on the miracles of mother nature. You do not want to miss “Mindfulness Yoga”!
Find out more and book here
National Wool Museum
Pop up Museum at your local library
2 & 9 July
Geelong Regional Libraries are throwing open their doors to welcome the National Wool Museum’s Pop-up Museum. Join us for an interactive story time, making old time yarn dolls and colour spinning wheels plus lots of opportunities to handle artefacts from the museum’s Handling Collection exploring toys, costumes and tools from yesteryear.
Story time will be at 10.30am-11am at each venue followed by the Pop-up Museum
activities.
Bush craft with Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative
4 July
Celebrate NAIDOC week with the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative and create a Bunjil artwork with materials from nature. Led by First Nations artist and designer Jasmine-Skye Marinos and the team at
Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative. Play with feathers, bark, leaves and materials from nature to
create a beautiful piece of artwork to take home.
Bunjil in Wadawurrung language means Wedge-Tailed Eagle and is the creator of this land.
Our backyard
11 July
Local artist and biologist Dr. Mary Jane Walker takes you on a journey through our latest exhibition Anatomy Lessons. Learn more about these amazing life size sculptures and what endangered species
we have in our own Backyard. Finish the session by creating your own sculpture or artwork.
Leave with new skills and a unique artwork together with an understanding of the nature around us and
the role we can play in conserving its biodiversity.
Find out more from the National Wool Museum
Need somewhere to stay? Check out these top caravan spots in the region!
Enjoy your road trip this weekend – stay safe and pause often. Take a break at one of the TAC Visitor Information Centres, grab a coffee or a pie.
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