Mums of the Shire are an active bunch and one thing we know is that you love finding things to do with your kids that get you out of the house.
Playground reviews have proved to be a huge hit with you all, so we hope you’ll enjoy our new “A day out in…” series focusing on more places you can go with your children (including, but not limited to more playgrounds!)
This week we visited a few of our favourite spots in Kirrawee…
Tea Tree Place Reserve
Upgraded in 2019, Tea Tree Place Reserve in Kirrawee sits between the end of Kiewa Place and Tea Tea Place. This is my family’s local playground so we had walked around but you can always get on-street parking on either of the streets that sandwich the reserve.
If you can get past the fact that this is a bark-covered playground then you’ll have a great time here, especially if you’re kids are under seven. This is probably the best playground in Kirrawee for bigger kids but it isn’t fenced. The equipment is a fair way from the road but if you have kids prone to running or kids under three, you may prefer Acacia Road Reserve, which is only a couple of minutes away in Sutherland.
There are swings for both big kids and babies, including a large round netted swing and a mini spring-loaded see-saw for little ones.
The main event is an extra-large piece of playground equipment that has small and medium slides, a rock-climbing wall, rope bridge, tunnel, baby sensory walls and a mini shop-front for dramatic play.
We visited on a hot morning when the sun was in full force and the shade-cloth covering the equipment provided ample shade.
The scooter path around the equipment is big enough for little kids and the sandstone bench around it provides great seating. On both sides of the play equipment there’s plenty of grassed space for spreading out a picnic blanket or kicking a ball around and our kids enjoyed playing in the small bushes at the back and making pretend campfires.
There’s a bubbler but no toilets or bin on the grounds.
If you’re hungry and looking for something to take to the park, you can try Bourke St Bakery (7 minutes walk/4 minute drive), Acacia Road Takeaway (10 minutes walk/2 mins drive) or Loftus Pies (12 minute walk/4 minute drive.)
After our play, we had plans for a sit-down lunch at…
The Prince Hotel
We hadn’t been to The Prince since pre-COVID times and it’s unfortunate that the kids play area (which previously featured a basketball ring, ping pong table, large Jenga blocks and books) is currently closed. [UPDATE: Kids area has since re-opened!]
While you’re waiting for its return though, you can purchase an activity pack for the kids for $1.50 each.
We visited with another family and the four kids (all aged between 3 and 5) made good use of the activity packs- the younger ones placing all the stickers and colouring in and the older ones completing all the puzzles and activities.
Our 11:30am booking meant we were among the first there, which (especially if you plan to visit on a weekend) is something I strongly recommend so that you can park easily and avoid having to keep the kids busy for too long while waiting on your food.)
There are loads of choices on the Kid’s Menu, and while I was hoping my kids would opt for one of the healthier options like the Poke bowl, grilled chicken and veggies or linguine, my son opted for a cheeseburger and my daughter chose fish and chips. Their friends also chose fish and chips and pizza.
The meals were $9 each as I’m a FEROS club member (they’re $10 if you’re not) and if you want to upgrade them to include a drink and small tub of ice-cream then they cost $12.50 for members and $13.50 for guests.
All the kids’ meals were a good size (big enough for kids twice their age) and my son was especially pleased to not have to take off any tomato or lettuce that bistros sometimes sneak onto cheeseburgers.
Sure, we probably could’ve gone to Maccas a few doors down instead, but we were keen for a wine. Just kidding, it wasn’t even midday on a Monday and we both had soft drinks, but this would be a great excuse on a Friday afternoon. The Prince has a huge selection of craft beer, wine, cider, spirits and an ever-changing cocktail list.
In truth, I was there for the food.
The menu is expansive and includes heaps of healthy and less-healthy options. I was sad to see that the Duck Crepes had been removed from the menu but ordered the Vietnamese chicken coleslaw with carrot, coriander, chilli and peanuts instead, and my friend opted for the Grilled chicken tacos.
My bowl was big and delicious with plenty of juicy chicken morsels. With the exception of the sliced chillis (of which there were lots), I ate almost every bite. The tacos weren’t as well-liked. According to my friend, they were a little dry as the salsa wasn’t a sauce but rather a chopped tomato mix, and some cheese would’ve probably helped matters.
I can also highly recommend the wood-fired pizzas and the poke bowls, both of which I’ve tried on more than one occasion.
If you’re looking for another family-friendly venue to dine-out in Kirrawee, we can recommend Home Specialty Coffee or Black Olive. Both are open for breakfast or lunch. Or you can try Club Kirrawee for lunch or dinner.
McDonald’s Kirrawee
When it was clear that the youngest of our children were keen to get up and run about, we decided to stroll over to McDonald’s Kirrawee (which is about a 3-minute walk from car-park to car-park).
All the kids ran straight out to the enclosed playground, (which is great on not-so-nice weather days), so we got ourselves some chai lattes and sat where we could see (but not hear!) the kids playing through the glass.
After they had run themselves ragged they all came in for a soft-serve cone and then headed out to play again.
Still looking for more to do with kids in North Kirrawee? Why not take the kids for a walk around Bunnings (we’re hoping to see the return of their mini-trolleys and playground soon) or (if you have kids aged 4+) head to Climbfit Kirrawee for some indoor rock-climbing fun.
What are your favourite places in North Kirrawee? Let us know!
Stay tuned for our next day out.
