School holiday road trip- couch surfing our way around Vic

School Holidays

Tuesday 11th - Friday 21st April

After Easter the kids and I still had nearly 2 weeks before school resumed so we decided to do a road trip and catch up with friends and family.

We began our ‘couch surfing’ holiday at Nikki’s unit in Reservoir, where we spent a few fun filled days exploring Melbourne. The kids haven’t been to the city very often, so they relished the experience of catching trains and trams. Nikki and Michael took them out one night whilst I went out for dinner with my good friend Sharon. The kids were treated to dinner at the Pancake Parlour before an epic few hours at Time Zone- they had such an incredible time. Whilst in Melbourne we also went to the Monet and Friends experience at the LUME, explored the art at the National Gallery, met Kate and the kids at The Shrine, wandered along the Melbourne streets people watching and the kids had their first ever Slurpee!!

From Nikki’s we spent a fun night at Dave and Bec’s eating home made pizza and drinking red wine by the fire. The kids all slept in the same room and ended up infecting each other with a nasty virus- all the kids except Emilia got sick.

We skipped our planned visit with my good friend Sarah as we didn’t want to share our germs and headed straight down to Mum and Dad’s where we spent the next 6 nights. Unfortunately Jackson got quite sick so he made the most of Mum and Dad’s Netflix account! Whilst he was resting, Emilia and I did the George Bass walk along the coast, which was beautiful. When Jackson felt a bit better we spent a fun day hanging out with Mandy, Ruby, Mack and Willow- the kids loved catching up with their cousins whilst exploring the beach and inlet at Inverloch.

Emilia and I also visited Damo, Mel, Kyra and Koby and got a tour of the new home they’re building in Corinella, then they came around to Mum and Dad’s for dinner so at least Jackson got to say hello (from afar though, so he didn’t spread his germs).

After leaving Kilcunda we headed to Noojee where we met my high school friends Kylie and Fran and their kids. After a delicious lunch at the Noojee Hotel we went to the Toorongo Falls and did the loop walk. We stayed the night at Kylie’s and it was so good to sit and chat with her once the kids were in bed as we hadn’t seen each other for so long.

The next morning we met Sarah (who we were supposed to see the week before but Jackson got sick) for coffee. As he was still recovering Jackson ended up asleep in one of the couches in the café whilst Sarah and I chatted- it had been a big few weeks!

We arrived back at Bundalong about 5pm, exhausted but happy after seeing so many of our family and friends that we’d missed when we were travelling. It had been a wonderful road trip- now it was time to get ready for a bit of reality for the next 9 weeks: school and work.

Enjoying the food court at Northland-some much needed sustenance after lots of shopping!

On our way to the LUME at the Melbourne Convention Centre

Getting right into Monet's famous ' Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies' painting

Enjoying the light, sound and visual display at the LUME Monet & Friends experience

Whilst immersing our senses we learnt about many notable Impressionist painters.

Jackson is sitting right in the middle enjoying the full sensory experience.

The kids enjoying their first ever Slurpee!

At the National Gallery we got to meet Australian author and artist Samara Dixon and the kids enjoyed replicating some of her drawings of Australian animals.

As well as indulging on pancakes they also had iced chocolates at the Pancake Parlour with Nikki and Michael.

Spending their Time Zone vouchers was the perfect way to end their awesome night out.

We were lucky enough to get a turn in their Virtual Reality installation- it was quite incredible as we were made to feel that we had died on the operating table then we travelled through space and the galaxy- with the light music and the gentle movement of the table it definitely felt like you were floating through the air.

After using watercolours to paint a leaf emblem from one of Australia's allies, the kids added it to the school holiday wreath they were making at The Shrine.

After wandering through all the inside displays we climbed to the top of The Shrine to enjoy the view.

There was a whole wall of knitted poppies- it looked incredible.

Having fun with Madi and her make-up kit!

Shelley Beach at Kilcunda- on our first afternoon down at Mum and Dad's

On the George Bass Coastal walk- I'd promised Emilia it was only about 8kms but it ended up being about 12kms- it was a great walk though.

Emilia was lucky enough to get a ride on Ruby's horse when we visited them in Inverloch.

During our walk along the inlet at Inverloch we came to this amazing tree that the kids had a great time climbing.

At the Noojee Hotel with Kylie and Fran's kids.

Cuddles with two of my besties- it had been way too long since we saw each other in person.

Toorongo Falls near Noojee- we all needed the walk after our big lunch.

Asleep at the cafe when I was catching up with Sarah- the virus he got really knocked him out.