Anita, Author at Salty Sweet Journeys

Australia March 7, 2024

Top 10 Sinkholes and Volcano Craters to see in Mount Gambier

If you love sinkholes, Mount Gambier is the place to go! A one-of-a-kind destination filled with all sort of natural wonders. Think caves, dormant volcanoes and sinkholes that formed over 5000 years ago!

A popular area for cave divers and snorkellers, this part of the Limestone Coast of South Australia is a great stopover when travelling to Adelaide or Melbourne. Check out the Top 10 Sinkholes and Volcano Craters to see in Mount Gambier.

Sinkholes and Volcano Craters to see in Mount Gambier

Little Blue Lake

Only 15 minutes from Mount Gambier in Mount Schank, is the Little Blue Lake. If you want to experience swimming freely in a sinkhole in Mount Gambier, this is the place!

It’s almost a perfectly round sinkhole with a steep staircase descent to reach the clear, cool water. A floating pontoon has been set up over the water for climbing into the sinkhole and from there you can take a refreshing swim. But you will need to work for it! It’s deep (47 metres) and because it’s freshwater, it’s not easy to float, so taking inflatables is a great idea.

There is a large carpark and a small sunbathing area on the rocks to leave your things while you swim. It’s free to visit and always open so on a hot day it is a very popular spot to cool off at.

Mount Schank Crater

If you are heading for lobster in nearby Port MacDonnell, around the corner from the Little Blue Lake, it’s hard to miss Mount Schank. The 5000-year-old extinct volcano can be hiked over the crater, it’s a 2.7 km round walk and about a 20-minute hike to the lookout point to see some great views over the volcano.

Umpherston Sinkhole

One of the most photographed sinkholes in Mount Gambier is Umpherston Sinkhole. This huge 50-metre wide sinkhole has been looked after over the years and transformed into the most gorgeous plush garden.

The viewing platforms are great to take in the sheer size of this huge sinkhole! You can see the exposed limestone rock on one side of it, whether one wall is completely covered in bright green ivy.

Free and always open, it’s a popular spot for evening summer walks. The locals, also include families of possums, that at night come out in the sinkhole and can be fed too (fresh fruit only).

Engelbrecht Cave

A must-see attraction to see in Mount Gambier is Engelbrecht Cave. This large sinkhole and the caves beneath it can be explored by guided tour only. The tour is made of two parts, first, you visit an underground lake, then access a separate section of the cave called the Western cave. The underground lake is very impressive as the water is so clear – that you can barely see it!

A cool 16 degrees inside, the cave is classified as being a dry limestone cave – so you won’t see stalactites or stalagmites.

The fully guided tour takes around 1 hour. The knowledgeable guides take you through the very interesting history of the cave, which was for many years used as a rubbish tip.

The cave has now been fully restored and cleaned for the public to enjoy. It’s immaculately maintained and so well presented! The operators of the cave also run a café and a small shop selling locally made Molony’s Sodas (which were flying off the shelves when we were there).

Mount Gambier caves — Diver prop inside the popular diving cave

The cave also allows certified cave divers to dive (for a fee) and is a popular diving spot. The Engelbrecht cave system runs all under Mount Gambier and is one of the longest caves along the Limestone coast!

If travelling with children, this attraction is great for kids! You can read more about it in my other post on Visiting Mount Gambier with Kids.

More info at: www.engelbrechtcave.com Cost: AUD 15 per Adult, AUD 9 per Child, Free under 4 yrs

Blue Lake

Dormant for almost 5000 years, the impressive Blue Lake is set inside a huge volcano crater. Depending on the temperature, the shades of blue change throughout the year from a deep turquoise, to a lighter blue. Although you cannot actually swim in this lake (it’s the water supply for Mount Gambier), you can do some amazing hikes along the rim of the lake (3.5 km round trip).

Cave Garden

Located right in the centre of town in Mount Gambier is Cave Gardens. 30 metres deep, this sinkhole also has gardens and manicured rose bushes all around and is worth checking out!

Hells Hole

A 20 minutes drive from the centre of Mount Gambier as you drive in the endless pine forest at Lower Glenegl National Park, Hells Hole is well worth a visit.

Follow the sandy path from the car park up a slope to reach the sinkhole (5-10 minutes walk) – and catch a breath before you walk across the overhanging platform that looks right down this 30 metre deep sinkhole. Very impressive!

TIP: Just a short drive away from Hells Hole (10 minutes) there is also Caroline Sinkhole. It’s not easy to find as there are no signs as you drive from Hells Hole through the pine forest. The sinkhole is located within the Penambol Conservation Park and you can access it via Carba Road by car, before a short walk to reach the sinkhole and overhanging platform.

Snorkelling in Sinkholes in Mount Gambier

snorkelling in mount gambier — Image by Leopictures from Pixabay

Most of the sinkholes in Mount Gambier are popular diving spots for certified cave divers only. There are some that allow for snorkelling too, where you do not need a diving certificate.

These sites below allow for recreational snorkelling provided you book in (for a fee). In some cases, you MUST bring your own wetsuit and gear.

Kilsby Sinkhole

A privately owned sinkhole and an attraction to see in its own right, the Kilsby Sinkhole is one of the most beautiful sinkholes to see and explore and a Top 10 in this list. With depths of up to 60 metre and crystal clear waters, this place is a popular diving sport. Diving and snorkelling private tours (starting from 99 AUD pp) are available.

Cave tours are also available to have a look at the sinkhole and last for 1 hour (20 AUD per person). Recently they also started a Gin Distillery onsite called Sinkhole Gin, made using the clearest waters from the sinkhole.

Ewens Ponds

Ewens Ponds is a complex of 3 spring-fed limestone ponds that are all connected by shallow channels with stunning underwater gardens to explore.

Snorkellers and divers keep coming back to these flooded sinkholes for the amazing visibility you get underwater.

Snorkelling sessions must be booked ahead from the Parks SA website and start from 16.50 AUD per hour, per person. You must bring all your own gear that includes a full wetsuit, maximum 2 hour sessions and you must snorkel with at least 1 other person.

Piccaninnie Ponds

Another popular snorkelling and diving spot with fantastic underground visibility up to 40 metres is the Piccaninnie Ponds. The site is made up of 3 main areas that include the First Pond, the Chasm – a sinkhole that’s over 100 metres deep, and the Cathedral, which is made of limestone formations and 35 metres deep.

Note: The site is currently closed for all water activities including diving and snorkelling until further notice due to algae growth. You can keep an eye on for updates on the Parks SA website.

Getting Around in Mount Gambier

The best way to access all of these sights in Mount Gambier is to self-drive! The main sites listed in the article are within 15-30 minutes of each other. 2-3 days of sightseeing can cover most of them!

Want to read more about Mount Gambier?

Travelling with kids to Mount Gambier? Check out my other post about Visiting Mount Gambier with Kids.

What to explore other areas on the along the Limestone Coast? Check out my other post on Port MacDonnell: The Rock Lobster Capital of Australia.

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Australia February 24, 2024

Visiting Mount Gambier with kids

Mount Gambier is jam-packed with natural attractions that the whole family will enjoy! Wander through limestone caves or marvel in the hidden gardens inside sinkholes or head for the white pristine sands and rugged coastline along the Limestone Coast. These are the top attractions to see in Mount Gambier with kids.

Umpherston Sinkhole a popular attraction in Mount Gambier with kids — The gardens in Umpherston Sinkhole

Why Choose Mount Gambier for a family holiday?

These are my top reasons of why Mount Gambier is a great place to take the kids:

Lots of impressive Natural Wonders like sinkholes & caves all over town. The kids will love venturing inside the sunken gardens and exploring the limestone caves!
Beautiful beaches close by at Port MacDonnell and further north along the Limestone Coast. You can read about Port MacDonnell on my other post HERE.
Family-friendly: Many accommodation options are suitable for families. These include farm stays, motels, apartments and caravan parks to suit all budgets, as well as updated, accessible playgrounds and family-friendly pubs

beaches in Port Macdonnell — White limestone sand at Port MacDonnell

Where is Mount Gambier

Mount Gambier is in the state of South Australia, and the 3rd largest city of the state. It’s a 4.5 hour drive from Melbourne if coming from Victoria and roughly the same distance from Adelaide. Mount Gambier is a popular stopover destination on the way to and from Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road.

How long to stay in Mount Gambier

People generally stop in Mount Gambier for 1-2 nights. But if you want to see more of the sights even outside Mount Gambier, 3-4 days is perfect!

Top Attractions to see in Mount Gambier with kids

Mount Gambier is the 3rd biggest town in South Australia and with so many things to see, these are my top picks when visiting with kids, and if you want to read more about Mount Gambier you can also check out my other post with a comprehensive list on the Most Popular Sinkholes and Volcano craters to see and snorkelling spots too!

Umpherston Sinkhole

An absolute must-see when visiting Mount Gambier with kids. Travel down the steep stairs that go 20 mt below the road to these beautiful manicured gardens & tall palm trees.

In the evening, the kids will enjoy seeing the local wildlife come into the sinkhole. Lots of local possums come out at night in the sinkholes and you can feed them too (fresh fruit only)!

More info at: southaustralia.com Cost: FREE

Cave Garden Sinkhole

Another smaller sinkhole located right in the middle of Mount Gambier is Cave Gardens.

Cave Gardens is a bit smaller than Umpherstom Sinkhole with a depth of around 30 mt. It has gardens around it, and stairs to travel down the sinkhole and a viewing platform over the lowest point.

Opposite Cave Gardens is the main library, which is very well equipped for children and has a cave-inspired area for kids too!

More info at: southaustralia.com Cost: FREE

Mount Gambier library apposite Cave Gardens in the city centre

Engelbrecht Cave

A must-see attraction to see in Mount Gambier with kids is Engelbrecht Cave. This large sinkhole and the caves beneath it can be explored by guided tour only. The tour takes you through to visit an impressive crystal clear underground lake, as well as the western cave located alongside it.

The fully guided tour takes around 1 hour. The knowledgeable guides take you through the very interesting history of the cave, and lots of fun facts kids will enjoy.

There are some steps down to access the caves and not too much walking so it’s suitable for young children also. The temperature in the cave is at around 16 degrees. It’s a great thing to visit Mount Gambier with kids on a hot or rainy day! Just be mindful of the rules when entering the cave, they are quite strict about them.

More info at: www.engelbrechtcave.com Cost: AUD 15 per Adult, AUD 9 per Child, Free under 4 yrs

Blue Lake

This dormant volcano crater has the most beautiful shades of blue, unfortunately, the day we visited we did not have the best visibility but on a clear day the lake is a bright blue colour.

Even thought you cannot swim in there (it’s Mount Gambier’s water supply) you can hike/walk all along the crater. The popular Blue Lake Circuit walk is around 3.5 km long, and is pram friendly too!

If you just want to take a look and not hike, there are lots of viewpoints. The Blue Lake lookout has a small carpark and has a convenient viewing spot accessible via a tunnel below the road for photos or you can also go up a set of steep stairs to see the lake from higher up.

More info at: southaustralia.com Cost: FREE

Echo farm

A popular attraction for families. Echo Farm is a historic 1920′ farmhouse where you can see farm displays and see and feed lots of different animals like ducks, chickens, alpacas, sheep, guinea pigs and rabbits.

More info at: echofarm.com.au Cost: AUD 21 per Adult, AUD 18 per Child, Free under 2 yrs

Little Blue Lake

Very popular with families and teenagers, this sinkhole that you can swim in is called Little Blue Lake. Located about 15 minutes from Mount Gambier, in nearby Mount Schank. The Little Blue Hole is stunning, and worth a visit even if you don’t plan to swim in it.

Little Blue Lake in Mount Gambier is a popular swimming spot

Heads up, it’s as deep as a 15th storey building (47 metres) so the water is quite cool and it’s not easy to float as it’s freshwater. Lots of people had inflatables for easier floating.

Note: Although the Little Blue Hole is a very popular attraction for families and teenagers, due to the steep stairs, depth and access to the sinkhole, in my opinion this place is NOT suitable for swimming for toddlers and very young children (under 6).

More info at: southaustralia.com Cost: FREE

Other things to see with kids near Mount Gambier

Hop in the car and a short drive from Mount Gambier there are many other great towns to explore with kids along the Limestone Coast.

Port MacDonnell

Port MacDonnell and its stunning white Limestone beaches is just 30 minutes away! Also the known as the Rock Lobster Capital of South Australia, it’s a great half day trip from Mount Gambier. You can read about Visiting Port MacDonnell on my other post HERE.

Millicent

Just 40 minutes drive north from Mount Gambier is Millicent. Famous for its local museum that displays historical farm machinery and artefacts, it also has a fantastic, toddler friendly swimming lake, Millicent Swimming Lake.

This large, half moon shaped man-made lake has a sandy ‘beach’ and lots of shaded areas. There is also a small playground facing the lake as well as a cafe/takeaway shop on side also. For picnics, a large grass area is very well maintained. The shallow end with the sand make it ideal for toddlers and young children, and the maximum depth of the lake is 1.8 metres. Note: entry to the lake is free and open only during swim season, no lifeguard on duty

Sandy, shallow shore at Millicent Swimming lake

Closer to town, the Millicent Domain Playground and Skate Park and Nature Playground are also great for children. One part of the park is a bit older, but extremely well maintained and completely fenced. Some of the facilities include tunnel slides, tractor bouncy rides, a flying fox, a liberty swing & gym equipment.

Just outside the fenced park, a new nature playground has recently been added with a tall tunnel slide as well as tunnels underneath that the kids loved. A skate park is also just outside the playground with a spacious shaded grass areas, BBQs and toilet.

Nature Playground just outside Domain Playground

Naracoorte caves

Another popular cave that the children will enjoy is Naracoorte Caves – located 1.5 hours drive from Mount Gambier. This dry/wet cave is most famous for its fossils and is South Australia’s only World Heritage Site. More information on Naracoorte caves can be found HERE.

Family Friendly Dining in Mount Gambier

These are some popular dining spots in Mount Gambier:

South Eastern Hotel: Fantastic bistro serving Australian food, very family friendly with a large indoor playground. Kids meals are offered at AUD 15 per child, and Adult meals range from AUD 25-45 and include with each main a salad buffet, which has hot and cold salads, sides as well as fruit and bread rolls. More info at www.southeasternhotel.com.au

Other popular dining options in Mount Gambier:

Natural Born Grillers – Burgers
Fact – Fish and Chips takeaway
Wild Ginger Thai – Thai Food
Bahn Kubo – Asian food (popular for roast meats)
Federal Hotel – Australian Pub with kids meal and small playground on site

Accommodation in Mount Gambier

High End: The Barn Accommodation. Click HERE to check prices!
Mid Range: Aloha Central luxury Apartments. Click HERE to check prices!
Budget: Blue Lake Holiday Park. Click HERE to check prices!

Stop points from Melbourne

Travelling from Melbourne? Here are some great stops in Regional Victoria to stretch your legs with kids:

Lismore in Regional Victoria is a good quick stopover point to recharge — Lismore Train display

Lismore – Playground located next to the local outdoor pool. It has a large old steam train on display at the front and historical farm machinery.
Mortlake – Roadhouse with a display room of die cast models of HUNDREDS of trucks for the little truck lovers!
Heywood – Heywood Bakery – Cozy country bakery with freshly baked goods & Vietnamese coffee.
Portland – Portland All Abilities PlaySpace playground is wonderful and in a great location in town facing the sea.

Mortlake Roadhouse Truck display — Die cast trucks display at Mortlake Roadhouse

Want to read more about Mount Gambier?

You can read more about Mount Gambier in my other post on the Most Popular Sinkholes and Volcano Craters to visit in Mount Gambier and Visiting Port MacDonnell on the Limestone coast.

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Hotel Reviews February 8, 2024

Melbourne Marriott Docklands Review

Whether it’s for a couples weekend or a family staycation, the 5-star Melbourne Marriott Docklands is a sleek city abode located in the heart of the shopping district of Docklands, only a short tram ride from the heart of the city. With a stunning rooftop infinity pool, modern dining and 2 great bars, this is my Melbourne Marriott Docklands Review.

_{This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking, I make a small commission. This is at absolutely NO additional cost to you and helps me keep the site running!}

What you are going to love about Melbourne Marriott Docklands

The heated resort-inspired infinity rooftop pool with striking city views
Spacious and immaculate rooms with competitive packaged rates that can include parking, breakfast at 1pm checkout!
The great location in Docklands with lots of entertainment, restaurants and shopping at your doorstep

To Check out prices and availability of the Melbourne Marriott Docklands, click HERE

Melbourne marriott docklands exterior — Exterior of Melbourne Marriott Docklands

Melbourne Marriott Docklands Review: Rooms and Amenities Summary

The Hotels has the following:

189 rooms, including M-Club Rooms
A heated rooftop swimming pool and Hot tub
Sauna & state of the art Gym with live coach equipment
Onsite high end Modern-Australian restaurant
2 stylish bars, one in the lobby and one beside the rooftop pool
An exclusive M Club Executive Lounge with it’s own bar, restaurant, meeting spaces & private terrace

Dining & Breakfast at Melbourne Marriott Docklands

Dining – Archer’s Restaurant

The restaurant at the Melbourne Marriott Docklands is Archer’s restaurant. A Modern-Australian restaurant where the vaulted ceilings have been designed to resemble the bridges and train stations of Melbourne.

Open for dinner Tue to Sat 6 pm to 10 pm. Breakfast is served here also, see below for full description.

Archer's Restaurant in Melbourne Marriott Docklands — Archer’s Restaurant

Rooftop Bar – Sunset House

Located next to the rooftop pool on level 15, Sunset House is a trendy bar that gets amazing sunset views over the city and the bay to enjoy a cold drink or a cocktail. If you prefer to stay by the pool, you can order from the comfort of your lounge chair by the infinity pool – and the drinks are delivered directly to you!

Open Fri – Sat 3 pm to 10 pm

Poolside drinks by the pool — Drinks by the Rooftop Pool

Lobby Bar – Ada’s

Contemporary lobby bar located at the entrance of the hotel, serving cocktails and drinks.

Open daily 10.30 am to 9.00 pm

Ada's Lobby bar at Melbourne Marriott Docklands — Ada’s Lobby Bar

Members Lounge – M Club Executive Lounge

Located on level 8, this is one of Marriott’s first M Club lounge in Australia. The lounge can be accessed ONLY if you have booked a M Club room or are a Bonvoy Marriott Member of Tier Platinum or higher. Anyone with access is welcome, this space is also geared towards corporate guests as a place to work, relax and recharge. Think of it as a luxurious airline lounge!

If you have access to the lounge (which sadly, I did not) – you get the VIP treatment. Private VIP check in and checkout, concierge service and there is daily breakfast, evening canapes and drinks included. There are also meeting spaces that can be reserved free of charge for up to 2 hours, as well as access to a private terrace and library.

Open 24/7

To Check out prices and availability of the Melbourne Marriott Docklands, click HERE

Breakfast at Melbourne Marriott Docklands

The breakfast at Marriott Docklands was amazing and is served at Archer’s Restaurant on the ground floor.

Breakfast is available till 11am on weekends (up to 10am midweek) which is a bonus too!

The breakfast included a very generous cold continental buffet, as well and the standard hot buffet items. More details below for this Melbourne Marriott Docklands Review:

Cold Continental Buffett Selection

Breakfast continental selection — Continental Buffett Selection

Assorted cheeses, green salad, cold meats, individual pots of chia pudding, chocolate mousse and bircher muesli.

Baked items included sliced bread, fresh loaves, mini danishes, croissants, muffins, and banana bread as well as hot waffles and pancakes. Fresh and syrup fruit, and an assortment of cereal and jams.

Hot Buffet Selection

Scrambled and sunny side-up eggs as well as bacon, sausages, sauteed mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, baked beans and hash browns.

To Check out prices and availability of the Melbourne Marriott Docklands, click HERE

Drinks Selection

A selection of juices and a Nespresso coffee machine with pods (various varieties) for self service included in the breakfast price, as well as the option to purchase St. Ali barista made coffees for an extra charge.

Pool and Fitness Facilities and Melbourne Marriott Docklands

Swimming Pool

The stunning curved rooftop pool is without a doubt the big drawcard for this hotel. It’s one of the best rooftop pools in Melbourne!

The 28-metre infinity pool on the 15th floor is heated to a comfortable 28 degrees. A hot tub is also to the left of the pool. Plenty of seating is available as well as sunken lounges in the water. Towels and sunscreen (provided in an automated sunscreen dispenser) are available for guests also.

If after some food or drinks, table service with convenient ordering via the QR code on the tables just makes it feel like a resort stay! The views are stunning over part of the city and of the bay, especially at sunset.

The pool is open every day from 6 am to 9 pm. During the week they open the pool to the public too (entry fee) and as it’s quite popular with families as well, they also have the pool reserved for adults only swimming from 7 to 9 pm.

Gym and Sauna

A large gym that is open 24/7 and on the same floor as the swimming pool. There is plenty of ultra-modern Technogym Excite Live machinery (with an inbuilt live coach) and as a bonus, amazing views over the city from the gym too.

The sauna is also on the same floor – the only thing that is worth noting though is that it is separated for males and females and located within the changing rooms.

Rooms at Melbourne Marriott Docklands

The Melbourne Marriott Docklands has a total of 189 rooms of the following categories:

Deluxe Rooms
Superior Rooms
Premium Rooms
M-Club Rooms

All the room types have the bedding option of 1 King or 2 Double Bed configurations.

We booked a Deluxe Room and received a complimentary upgrade to a Superior Room – pictured below.

Rooms at Marriott Docklands Melbourne — Superior King Room

The room felt very spacious (30 sqf), with a king bed and sitting area to the side of the bed.

Amenities included a bar fridge (unstocked), a Nespresso machine with pods and complementary water bottles. Ordering for room service can be done via the QR code (available 24 hours).

The 32 Inch smart TV on the rooms are super easy to use and fitted with HDMI and Chromecast for easy streaming. The full compendium of the hotel can be viewed on the TV also.

Large wardrobe in the room with a Safe, robe & slippers also provided.

The bathroom has the mirror that also doubles as a window and can be opened onto the bedroom.

Large rain shower and stocked with plenty of amenities like a grooming shave kit and dental kit.

Bathroom at Marriott Docklands Melbourne

Family Stays at Melbourne Marriott Docklands

This hotel caters not only for couples, friends and corporate guests – but also very much for families! The shallow end of the pool is popular with children and the spacious rooms allow for an additional rollaway or cot/crib. Many of the rooms have packages available to also include breakfast inclusions for 2 adults and children (under 12).

https://www.high-endrolex.com/5

With many family friendly attractions located within Docklands, this hotel is a great option for families looking for a comfortable city escape.

Melbourne Marriott Docklands Location

Melbourne Marriott Docklands is located in Docklands – a inner city suburb of Melbourne, located just 2 kilometres from the central business district of the city. You can easily reach Docklands from the city by car (10 minutes) or by tram (15 minutes). It’s also an easy 25-30 minutes walk from Southern Cross station if arriving by train.

A short ride by tram to reach the centre of the city in Melbourne — Short Tram Ride from the Centre of Melbourne

Getting to Melbourne Marriott Docklands from Melbourne Airport

By car/taxi from Melbourne airport you can reach Docklands in around 25 minutes or with the Skybus from the airport into Southern Cross station it’s around 40 minutes.

Attractions nearby Melbourne Marriott Docklands

Located just outside the hotel only a few minutes walk away at the District Docklands:

Shopping complex
ArtVo: 3D Gallery experience
Archie Brothers: Arcade Games and Bar
O’Brien Icehouse Ice Skating Ring
Marvel stadium for live concerts and sport events
Hoyts Cinemas

District Docklands Shopping Mall Located just outside the hotel

Popular restaurants nearby Melbourne Marriott Docklands

A variety of restaurants from fine dining to casual eateries. Some of my favourite in the area are:

Krabby’s Crab Boil (seafood)
Seoul Garden (Korean BBQ)
Berth (Mediterranean)

Melbourne Marriott Docklands Review – Final thoughts

Review of the Marriott Docklands Melbourne

What I loved about Melbourne Marriott Docklands

Without doubt the stunning pool on the rooftop. On a sunny day and at sunset you can get some amazing views and the table service made it feel like a resort rather than a city hotel and that was a great surprise.

The service and attentiveness of staff was top level. Special touches like having automated sunscreen dispensers across the floors and the staff arranging an upgrade and an anniversary gift in our room was just wonderful. Would recommend this hotel 100%.

Anniversary Gift Marriott Docklands — Anniversary Gift Provided in Room

What I didn’t like so much about Melbourne Marriott Docklands

It was hard to fault this place. The only thing that was a slight inconvenience was the parking not being located onsite (it’s in the shopping complex outside the hotel, District Docklands on level 3). There is although an area at the front of the hotel for temporary parking while you drop off luggage and check in/check out.

BOOK Melbourne Marriott Docklands

I hope you enjoyed reading my Melbourne Marriott Docklands Review!

To Check out prices and availability of the Melbourne Marriott Docklands, click HERE

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Pasta January 29, 2024

Bucatini with Sardines

This simple Bucatini with Sardines has strong Mediterranean roots and is made with a handful of ingredients. The thick spaghetti-like pasta is the perfect accompaniment for the sardines and its salty lemony sauce.

Origins of this dish

Pasta with Sardines has strong roots in the south of Italy, with the most popular version being the Sicilian version called Pasta con le Sarde, made using wild fennel, sultanas and pine nuts.

The dish was originally made to celebrate the patron Saint Joseph (San Giuseppe) on 19 March, which also coincides with Father’s Day in Italy.

In Sicily, this simple, yet filling pasta dish is usually served with a crispy topping of Muddica Atturrata – which is toasted breadcrumbs with garlic, salt and olive oil.

The version I make here is a simpler version of a similar regional dish from the north of Italy called Bigoli con le Sarde.

The dish is typical of the area surrounding Lake Garda, made with locally fished sardines which are abundant from the lake. Sometimes fresh tomatoes and chilli are also added to the dish for additional flavour.

Ingredients required for this Bucatini with Sardines dish

Bucatini Pasta

Thick Bucatini pasta is used for this Bucatini with Sardine. Why is it called bucatini? Because the thick spaghetti-like pasta has a ‘buco‘, which is a little hole.

In the north of Italy, this dish is traditionally made using Bigoli, which is thick spaghetti-like pasta that is rough in texture and is made using a special extruder called Torchio or Bigolaro.

Sardine Fillets

Fresh sardine fillets which have been already cleaned and removed from large bones (skin on is fine) are used for this dish. An alternative is also to use canned sardines, which will require less cooking time and a bit less salt.

Sardines are used for this pasta dish — Image by Marc Pascual from Pixabay

Other Ingredients required

Red Onion & Garlic Cloves: For the soffritto.
Anchovy fillets: For additional saltiness and flavour
Lemon Juice & Rind for freshness to lift the dish
Fresh Parsley: Finely chopped to finish to sauce. (On a separate note, my favourite tool to chop parsley at the moment is my Tramontina Mincing Knife, in italian called a Mezzaluna, what a game changer!)

Salt, Pepper and Extra Virgin Olive Oil

How to make these Bucatini with Sardines

Fry anchovies with Onion and Garlic

Start by heating the olive oil in a large non-stick fry pan. Add the onion, garlic and anchovy fillets and gently cook them down for 8-10 minutes till softened and slightly caramelized over low to medium heat.

In the meantime bring a large pot of water to the boil.

Add Sardines

Once the onion and garlic have softened, add the sardine fillets to the pan.

Cook them stirring gently for 7-8 minutes over medium heat. They will break apart as they cook and that is totally fine.

Note: If using cooked tinned sardines, all you need is 1-2 minutes for them to combine with the onion and garlic and heat through.

In the meantime, start cooking the bucatini till al dente in a large pot of salted water, as per packet directions (should be around 6 minutes).

Combine with Bucatini

Once the bucatini is cooked, reserve half a cup of pasta water and add the cooked bucatini to the large pan with the sardines and combine over medium heat.

Add the lemon juice, the lemon rind, and some more olive oil. Adjust seasoning and add a good pinch of salt and pepper. Add the reserved pasta water and gently combine.

Garnish and serve

Finally, add the chopped parsley, combine and take off the heat. Serve immediately! Enjoy!

Serving Size

The servings for this dish have been marked for 2 people but it’s a very generous serve (250 gr of pasta and 250 gr of sardine). This would be sufficient for 4 small entrée serves or 3 larger serves.

Print Pin

Bucatini with Sardines

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Servings 4 servings

Thick bucatini pasta stirred through a simple sardine, lemon and parsley sauce

Ingredients

6 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Red Onion (Finely Chopped)
3 Garlic Cloves (Finely Chopped)
6 Anchovy Fillets
250 gr Fresh Sardine Fillets (cleaned and descaled, cut in 10 cm pieces)
250 gr Bucatini Pasta
1 Lemon (Juice and Rind)
1 bunch Fresh Parsley (Finely Chopped)
Salt
Ground Pepper

Instructions

Start off by heating 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large non-stick fry pan.
Add the onion, garlic and anchovy fillets and gently cook them down for 8-10 minutes till softened and slightly caramelized over low to medium heat.
In the meantime bring a large pot of water to the boil.
To the pan add the sardine fillets and cook them stirring gently for 7-8 minutes over medium heat.
In the meantime, start cooking the bucatini till al dente in a large pot of salted water, as per packet directions (should be around 6 minutes).
Once the bucatini are cooked, reserve half a cup of pasta water and add the cooked bucatini to the large pan with the sardines and combine with the sauce over medium heat.
Add the lemon juice, the lemon rind and a few tablespoons of olive oil. Adjust seasoning and add a good pinch of salt and pepper. Add the reserved pasta water and gently combine.
Add the chopped parsley, combine and take off the heat. Serve immediately! Enjoy!

Notes

Serving Size

The servings for this dish have been marked for 2 people but it’s a very generous serve (250 gr of pasta and 250 gr of sardine). This would be sufficient for 4 small entrée serves or 3 larger serves.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean

Keyword: bigoli con le sarde, bucatini with sardine, pasta con le sarde

Want more?

I hope you loved this recipe of Bucatini with Sardines! If you want to check out more of my easy pasta recipes take a look at these Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccolini or Squid Ink Pasta with Prawns and Chilli.

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Asia January 20, 2024

Top 5 Free Attractions in Singapore with Kids

Singapore may be expensive but there are also so many FREE things that are guaranteed to keep the kids entertained, and cool! Check out 5 of the most popular and FREE attractions to see in Singapore with kids.

Top 5 Free Attractions in Singapore with Kids

Marvel through Gardens By the Bay & Marina Bay Sands

Alongside Marina Bay, you can stroll for hours in Gardens By the Bay where you can walk under the incredible supertrees.

gardens by the bay one of the popular free attractions to see in Singapore with kids — Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay – Image by Scott Bentley from Pixabay

There is a fantastic playground and waterplay area for kids at Far East Organization Children’s Garden open Wednesday to Sundays till 6.30 pm. Pack your swimmers parents – you will get absolutely soaked!

waterpark at gardens by the bay — Waterplay at Gardens By the Bay

It’s just paid entry is if you want to walk across the skybridge or enter the domes, you can book tickets for those with tour provider Klook Singapore HERE.

NEW!: Currently on display FREE at Gardens by the Bay till the end of May 2024 – a beautiful art display of 62 bronze live-sized animal sculptures called ‘Love the Last March’ which is a real hit with little ones!

love the last march , free art attraction in singapore — ‘The Last March’ Art Sculpture display at Gardens by the Bay

There are also free lightshows every evening that are fun to enjoy with the whole family!

Click HERE to find out more about Spectra at Marina Bay Sands – 15 minutes every evening from 8 pm.
Click HERE to find out more about Garden Rapsody at Gardens By the Bay – 15 minutes every evening from 7.45 pm and 8.45.

light show of the supertrees — Gardens by the Bay by night – Image by Suyash Dixit from Pixabay

How to get there

Nearest MRT Stations to Gardens by the Bay: Bayfront (Downtown, Circle Line) & Gardens by the Bay (Thomson-East Coast Line)

Visit the Unesco World Heritage Singapore Botanical Gardens

A Unesco World Heritage site – the Singapore Botanical Gardens is one of the must-see FREE attractions to see in Singapore with kids!

This British tropical colonial-style garden was established over 160 years ago. It’s meticulously landscaped making it one of the best botanical gardens to see in the world!

Beautiful historical buildings are dotted throughout the grounds of the gardens to explore.

ponds at the Singapore Botanical Gardens — Ponds at Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden is the area of the park dedicated to young children and the largest children’s garden in Asia!

Complete with lots of separate sections to explore, it includes a forest, ponds, an orchard, and a farm, with of course lots of adventure play and a flying fox. Suited for children up to 14 years old.

Although entry to the most of grounds of the Botanical Gardens of Singapore is free – the only paid section is the National Orchid Garden (SGD 15 pp). This section of the garden boasts an impressive collection of 2000 types of orchids.

How to get there

Botanic Gardens MRT (Downtown, Circle Line)

See the world largest indoor waterfall at Jewel in Changi Airport

Labelled as one of the best airports in the world, Changi is not only an airport, It’s a destination in itself!

Jewel at Changi (located in Terminal 2) is a shopping and entertainment precinct and the key attraction is the HSBC Rain Vortex – which is the largest indoor waterfall in the world!

You can see this amazing attraction for FREE as well as the Light and Sound light show that is on every evening from 7.30 pm.

Rain Vortex, the largest indoor waterfall in the world and a free attraction to see in singapore with kids — Indoor waterfall at Changi – Image by VacacionesPagodasBlog from Pixabay

Within Jewel there are also playgrounds, dining options and promotions for children that are posted frequently on the Jewel website.

There are also several paid attractions within Jewel. Canopy Park includes a Mirror Maze, a Hedge Maze, a sky bridge over the waterfall, a bouncing net and more!

You can book attractions at Jewel through Klook Singapore HERE.

Canopy bridge — Canopy Bridge at Changi – Image by Time from Pixabay

Located just outside Changi Airport is also the new bike path that is called Jurassic Mile. This is also a FREE attraction to see in Singapore with kids and features 20 full-size dinosaurs over a mile of the cycle/jogging path that connects Changi to popular East Coast Park.

All you need is to hire a bike – Changi Airport sometimes will have some deals HERE too with Bike Hire company GoCycling.

How to get there

Changi MRT Station or 15 minutes in a Taxi from the city centre of Singapore

Visit the palm lined Sentosa Beaches

Over in Sentosa, one of the most popular FREE attractions to see with kids is to visit its fabulous palm-lined beaches.

Palawan Beach is one of them and it also has a footbridge to cross to tiny Palawan island for some great sea views.

Palawan beach in Singapore, The beaches in Singapore are a popular free attraction to see in Singapore — Palawan Beach in Sentosa

A 7-Eleven is located right on the beach for an ice cream or cold drink, or you can head to many of the popular beach clubs (Paid entry) all along the beaches of Sentosa.

Other popular beaches for families visiting Sentosa include Siloso and Tanjong Beach that are located on either side of the island.

Big Bridge crossing to palawan island — The Big Bridge across from Palawan Beach to Palawan Island

How to get there

Sentosa Express from VivoCity Mall in Singapore to Beach Station

Stroll along Chinatown and Visit the Tooth Relic Temple

One of the largest historical districts of Singapore, visiting Chinatown is a must-see FREE attraction to see. Start by checking out the largest Hawker Centre in Singapore. The Chinatown Complex Hawker Centre is one of the best in Singapore and has over 200 food stalls.

In this popular hawker centre you can try all sorts of Unique hawker dishes as well as some of the Classic hawker dishes.

On the basement of this complex there is also one of the largest wet markets in Singapore. Here you you can see a traditional working market with lots of live animals like seafood and frogs too!

Shophouses in Chinatown — The colourful Chinatown Shophouses

Venture outside and take a walk along the lined streets of souvenir shops. Look up to see the colourful shophouses that still retain a lot of charm as some date back as far as the the 1840s.

Located also in the heart of Chinatown is the beautiful golden interiors of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. A must see FREE attractions to see in Singapore with kids to learn more about the culture of Buddhism and a popular place of worship.

Proper attire is required to enter the temple (covered shoulders and legs) and coverings are provided upon entry as needed.

How to get there

Chinatown MRT (Downtown, North East line)

Looking for Discounted tickets to popular attractions in Singapore?

Planning to head to other attractions in Singapore like Universal Studios Singapore or the S.E.A. Aquarium? Choose in advance the key paid attractions you want to visit, read reviews to see if an attraction is suitable for your family and shop around for discounted entries!

Universal Studios Singapore, a popular paid attraction in Singapore — Universal Studios Singapore – one of the most popular paid attractions on the island of Sentosa

Entry tickets can sometimes be purchased on discounted rates on a site like Klook in Singapore. If you are wanting to visit several attractions, a Klook Multi Attraction Pass is worth it to save some money rather than buying individual tickets.

Best Family – Friendly Accommodation in Singapore

Singapore

Shangri-La Singapore – Click HERE to Check Prices

Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay – Click HERE to Check Prices

Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen – Click HERE to Check Prices

Sentosa Island

Village Hotel Sentosa – Click HERE to Check Prices

Shangri – La Rasa Sentosa – Click HERE to Check Prices

Hard Rock Hotel Sentosa – Click HERE to Check Prices

Village Hotel Sentosa Pool — Family Movie Nights by the pool at Village Hotel Sentosa

Want to Read More?

I hope you enjoyed this post on The Top 5 Free Attractions to Visit in Singapore with Kids. You can read more of my Singapore post in my posts here!

11 Unique Hawker Dishes to Try In Singapore

11 Best Known Hawker Dishes you have to try in Singapore

Village Hotel Sentosa Review

9 Tips on How to Save Money when Travelling to Singapore with kids

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Recipes January 15, 2024

Pressure Cooker Octopus in a Tomato and Olive Sauce

I love a seafood dish that is versatile. This Pressure Cooker Octopus is cooked in a rich tomato sauce which is perfect just on it’s own with some bread, but you can also have it in a rich seafood risotto, or alongside golden roast potatoes. And you won’t believe how tender it is with only 15 minutes of Pressure Cooking!

Pressure cooker octopus ready for serving with some fresh chopped parsley

Origins of this dish

The origins of this recipe have a strong Mediterranean influence. A typical recipe from near Naples in Italy is called Polpo alla Luciana. It originated from the village of Santa Lucia in the Campania region near Naples, a fishermen’s village. The octopus is gently stewed in terracotta pots with cherry tomatoes, capers, olives and a touch of chilli.

naples, where the recipe of Polpo alla Luciana originates from — Naples – Image by antonio speranza from Pixabay

A similar version of this dish is also a Maltese dish that is served with spaghetti – Spaghetti Biz-Zalza Tal-Qarnit, which has the addition of peas, and the sweet Maltese Kunserva.

Equipment Needed – A Pressure cooker!

Octopus is one of those things that is in all honestly, not easy to cook. Similar to squid – the worry of every cook making this is always the same. Will it end up chewy? This is mainly due to the fibers in the octopus which are made up of collagen – which needs a long time to break down.

Cooking in a Pressure Cooker for the most tender Octopus

Pressure cooking is a proven method of breaking down those fibers quickly due to the pressurized high heat giving you great results for tender octopus in JUST 15 MINUTES!

For this recipe I use my Phillips All-In-One Cooker in Pressure mode for 15 minutes. Notes and cooking instructions below and in recipe card.

Does Freezing Octopus Tenderise it?

Many say though that freezing the octopus first, does help with the tenderisation and breaking down the tough fibers of it. In most cases I have found that octopus is more easily accessible as frozen anyway.

If you have a local fishmongers where you can purchase it fresh, freeze it for a few days or till you are ready to cook it. Thaw in the fridge overnight before pressure cooking.

octopus on sale at a local fishmongers — Fresh Seafood at a local fish mongers

How long to cook Octopus over the stove?

If you do not have a pressure cooker, you can follow this same recipe and just cook the octopus over a stove in a deep pot. Keep the pot covered with the lid askew. The liquid/sauce should just gently simmer only – and continue cooking for 45-60 minutes. Check with a knife after 45 minutes on the thickest part of the octopus to check it’s tenderness.

Ingredients for this Pressure Cooker Octopus

Octopus

Fresh or Frozen baby Octopus is the hero ingredient for this Pressure Cooker Octopus dish. I found fresh baby octopus at my local fish mongers (when cleaned, each small octopus weighed roughly 300 gr each), which I froze then defrosted overnight prior to cooking.

You can also use smaller baby octopus – which can be found frozen and sold by the kg in good seafood or specialty stores.

Cleaning of the Octopus

Make sure that prior to cooking the octopus is thoroughly been cleaned if it’s internal organs. When purchasing fresh you can ask your fish mongers to do it for you as it can be quite messy (and smelly) business!

The beak (the hard mouth of the octopus) is not always removed so make sure you remove it – either before or after cooking. It’s extremely tough and cannot be eaten!

Tinned Tomatoes

chopped tomatoes used for this recipe of pressure cooker octopus in a tomato and olive sauce — Mutti Chopped and Peeled tomatos

I usually use chopped tomatoes of the brand Mutti which I love for the rich and tasty tomato flavour and used 1 400 gr can for this recipe.

Capers & Olives

I used sliced, brined black olives for this recipe

Other Ingredients

Garlic & Onion – for the soffritto to start the sauce
Stock Cube and Water
Worcestershire Sauce
Salt, Pepper & Oil
Fresh Parsley & Lemon wedges, to garnish

How to Make this Pressure Cooker Octopus in a Tomato and Olive Sauce

I have added the instructions below using the Phillips-All-In One Cooker, but any pressure cooker can be used. If the pressure cooker does not have a Sauté mode, replace the step by using a standard pot over the stove before placing the Octopus and sauce in the Pressure Cooker.

Please follow all manufacturers instructions carefully as cooking on different appliances varies

Sauté Onion & Garlic

Set Phillips All-In-One Cooker Mode to Sauté/Sear High Temp – Set Cooking time to 10 minutes – Lid OFF.

Start by heating the olive oil for a few minutes, when warm, add the onion and garlic and stir till they gently soften for 5 minutes.

Add Sauce ingredients and Octopus

To the pot, add the chopped tomatoes, and fill half the can with water to rinse and also add it to the pot. Add the stock cube, the capers, olives and combine. Add the cleaned octopus to the inner pot and mix well with the sauce.

Pressure Cook

Set Phillips All-In-One Cooker Mode to Pressure Cook Meat / Poultry Mode – Set cooking time to 15 minutes. Lid ON with Valve set to SEAL. Press START.

Set Pressure cooking time to 15 minutes. You will also need to allow for the pressure cooker to come to pressure prior to the 15 minutes starting too.

Release pressure valve & Remove Octopus

Once timer is up, Set Phillips All-In-One Cooker Valve to VENT.

Once the timer is up, release the pressure valve carefully till all the steam has escaped and the lid of the pot can safely be opened.

Remove the octopus and set aside in a separate dish. You can check its tenderness by piercing the thickest part of the octopus with a knife, which should easily go through it!

You can cut the octopus into large pieces as per your liking (or smaller pieces if using for a pasta sauce or risotto). Make sure the beak has been removed.

Reduce Tomato Sauce & Season

Set Phillips All-In-One Cooker Mode to Sauté/Sear High Temp – Set Cooking time to 5 minutes – Lid OFF.

Check the sauce and adjust seasoning. Add 1 tsp of salt and 1 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce. Continue cooking the sauce down for a further 5-10 minutes till slightly thickened.

Once the sauce has reduced, turn off the pressure cooker and pour the sauce over the octopus pieces in a serving dish.

Garnish & Serve

Top with fresh chopped parsley, ground pepper and lemon wedges to serve. Enjoy!

Serving Suggestions for this Pressure Cooker Octopus in a Tomato and Olive Sauce

This delicious Pressure Cooker Octopus can be served in a variety of different ways as a main meal with lots of options for sides. Here are some of my favourite pairings:

Simply with some sliced crusty sourdough bread
The octopus can be cut in smaller pieces and the sauce can be stirred through some spaghetti
The sauce and octopus cut in small pieces can be a great base for a seafood risotto
Served with boiled or roasted potatoes
Served with some creamy polenta
Served with stir fried greens and corn ribs

Loved this Pressure Cooker Octopus Recipe? Want more?

Love seafood dishes? Then check out my recipes of Prawn and Chorizo Paella and Squid Ink Pasta with Prawns and Chilli

Print Pin

Pressure Cooker Octopus in a Tomato and Olive Sauce

Cook Time 30

Time for pressure cooker to come to pressure 15

Servings 4 people

Tender octopus in a rich tomato, caper and black olive sauce

Equipment

1 Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

1 kg Baby Octopus (Cleaned and defrosted)
4 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 Garlic Cloves (finely chopped)
1 Brown Onion (finely chopped)
1 Can Tinned Chopped Tomatoes (400 gr)
3 Tbsp Sliced, Pitted Black Olives
3 Tbsp Capers
1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 Stock Cube (Vegetable Preferably)
1 cup Water
1 Tsp Salt
Ground Pepper
1 Small Bunch Parsley (finely chopped, to serve)
Lemon Wedges (to serve)

Instructions

Set Phillips All-In-One Cooker Mode to Sauté/Sear High Temp – Set Cooking time to 10 minutes – Lid OFF.
Start by heating the olive oil for a few minutes, when warm, add the onion and garlic and stir till they gently soften for 5 minutes.
To the pot, add the chopped tomatoes, and fill half the can with water to rinse and also add it to the pot. Add the stock cube, the capers, olives and combine. Add the cleaned octopus to the inner pot and mix well with the sauce.
Set Phillips All-In-One Cooker Mode to Pressure Cook Meat / Poultry Mode – Set cooking time to 15 minutes. Lid ON with Valve set to SEAL. Press START.
Set Pressure cooking time to 15 minutes. You will also need to allow for the pressure cooker to come to pressure prior to the 15 minutes starting too.
Once timer is up, Set Phillips All-In-One Cooker Valve to VENT.
Once the timer is up, release the pressure valve carefully till all the steam has escaped and the lid of the pot can safely be opened.
Remove the octopus and set aside in a separate dish. You can check its tenderness by piercing the thickest part of the octopus with a knife, which should easily go through it!
You can cut the octopus into large pieces as per your liking (or smaller pieces if using for a pasta sauce or risotto). Make sure the beak has been removed.
Set Phillips All-In-One Cooker Mode to Sauté/Sear High Temp – Set Cooking time to 5 minutes – Lid OFF.
Check the sauce and adjust seasoning. Add 1 tsp of salt and 1 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce. Continue cooking the sauce down for a further 5-10 minutes till slightly thickened.
Once the sauce has reduced, turn off the pressure cooker and pour the sauce over the octopus pieces in a serving dish.
Top with fresh chopped parsley, ground pepper and lemon wedges to serve. Enjoy!

Notes

Storage Suggestions:

Store any leftover Octopus in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 2 days.

Serving Suggestions:

This delicious dish can be served in a variety of different ways as a main meal with lots of options for sides. Here are some of my favourite pairings:

Simply with some sliced crusty sourdough bread
The octopus can be cut in smaller pieces and the sauce can be stirred through some spaghetti
The sauce and octopus cut in small pieces can be a great base for a seafood risotto
Served with boiled or roasted potatoes
Served with some creamy polenta
Served with stir-fried greens and corn ribs

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keyword: octopus, polpo alla luciana, pressure cooker octopus

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Travel Tips January 2, 2024

How to Save Money when travelling to Singapore with Kids

Heading to Singapore with the family and don’t want to break the bank? Check out these 9 Tips on How to Save Money when Travelling to Singapore with kids.

How to Save Money when travelling to Singapore with kids

Singapore is one of those places that has it all when it comes to family travel. A bustling city that is very safe, kid-friendly and easy to get around. A huge array of food options. Amazing kid-friendly resorts, world-class attractions to suit kids of all ages. Shopping in malls that never end.

Singapore is one of the most expensive cities to travel to — View over Marina Bay Sands and the Merlion

But, it is also costly, and saying yes to doing everything in this place also makes it for one very pricey holiday. Read on to learn more and on 9 Tips on How to Save When travelling to Singapore with kids.

Is Singapore expensive?

If you compare it to other cities in South East Asia, the answer is yes.

A taxi ride in Singapore will set you back more than double what a taxi will cost you in Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur.

resort world Sentosa, one of the priciest places in Singapore — Resorts World Sentosa

A burger in a decent family-friendly restaurant will cost you around SGD 25 per person. A small glass of wine will also cost as much as that burger. Yes, you read correctly.

Hop over to the glitzy island of Sentosa and an ice cream can set you back a whopping SGD 9 per scoop and paid entry to pretty much everything you see, including playgrounds.

But, a bit of research and planning can go a long way, and save you HUNDREDS, while still having an amazing holiday with the kids.

Lau Pas Sat, one of the popular Hawker centres in Singapore and a great place to check out for an inexpensive meal — Lau Pas Sat – The most popular Hawker Centre in Singapore

9 Tips on How to Save Money when Travelling to Singapore with Kids

Head to convenience stores for snacks, ice creams and drinks

If you are out for the day and need a cold drink, snacks, or ice creams, head to many of the local convenience stores like 7-Eleven that are all over Singapore to buy what you need with prices as little as SGD 2-3 per ice cream or drink. Most of these also sell light lunch options, and in some, some hot food to-go that you can heat up in-store.

Convenience stores like 7-Eleven are great places to refuel on drinks and snacks and one of the best ways to save money when travelling to Singapore with kids — 7-Eleven on the beach in Sentosa

Top Tip: There is No need to buy any water! Tap water is SAFE to drink in Singapore so take your water bottle and fill up at the hotel before you head out to do sightseeing.

Skip the Breakfast Buffet and check out the local malls & supermarkets

Unless the breakfast is already included in your room package – paying for the buffet for a whole family can be expensive. Most family resorts charge around SGD 35-40 per adult and SGD 15-20 per child which can add up to over SGD 100 for the average family of 4.

Croissants from a bakery — Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Instead, Stock up at a local supermarket or bakery for your breakfast foods. There are several FairPrice, Cold Storage, Giant & Market Place throughout all of Singapore that have a vast variety of baked goods and pre-cut fruit, snacks, and drinks.

Popular bakery chain BreadTalk also has stores around of Singapore selling a huge range of freshly made pastries for SDG 3-4 per piece.

Local supermaket in Singapore, a great place to check out and re-stock on essentials to save money while travelling to Singapore — One of the many FairPrice Supermarkets across Singapore

If staying in Sentosa, head over for anything you need to VivoCity – it’s the largest shopping mall in the whole of Singapore.

It’s just a short few stops away on the monorail (ViVoCity Station on the Sentosa Express or HarbourFront stop on the MRT) – it has over 100 food stalls, as well as supermarkets, and was our go-to to stock up on anything we needed as a fraction of the price of what you can buy from Sentosa.

Use Public transport

Local taxis and the now widely used ride-sharing service Grab are popular options to get around and still quite affordable compared to other countries – but if want to travel on a budget and avoid the traffic jams – use the MRT (Underground Metro of Singapore). It’s clean, fast, and a very efficient way to get around in Singapore.

Travelling with the MRT is Singapore is cheap and efficient — The efficient MRT in Singapore. Image by Jason Goh from Pixabay

All the stations have easy access to the platforms for strollers and children below a height of 0.9 m (or 7 years old), can travel with their parents for FREE on the MRT.

To access the MRT, just tap your credit card on and off at your last stop. Depending on how far your are travelling each trip costs between SGD 1.50-2.50 per person.

Cut back on alcohol

Alcohol is taxed heavily in Singapore so the cost of any alcoholic beverage is pricey compared to other countries. Beers and wine can be purchased for cheaper from the supermarkets. A good alternative is also to head over to a hawker centre, which usually has beers for sale at SGD 7-8 which is just over half the price of the average beer in restaurants and bars in the city.

Plan your visits and shop around for discounted entries to key attractions

There are of course some attractions that are must-see in Singapore with kids, like Universal Studios, and are indeed paid – but well worth the money. Do your research before your trip, read reviews, and see if it is indeed an attraction that is worth it and suitable for the ages of the children.

Universal studios Singapore, one of the key attractions to visit with kids — Universal Studios Singapore

Entry tickets can sometimes be purchased at discounted rates on a site like Klook in Singapore or if you want to visit several attractions on your visit, a Klook Multi-Attraction Pass is worth it to save some money rather than buying individual tickets!

Connect to many of the Free Internet Hotspots

Free Wifi is widely available all over Singapore and you can easily connect to public wifi (Wireless@SGx) at malls, MRT stations, museums and many more places. This can save you lots rather than spending money on expensive overseas roaming charges! You can find more information on how to stay connected in Singapore on the Visit Singapore Tourism Page.

Wifi Hotspots can be found for free all over Singapore — Image by LEEROY Agency from Pixabay

Use a Coin Laundry instead of the Hotel Laundry

Laundry Service the resorts/ hotels in Singapore can be extremely expensive – the items washed are usually charged per item, and when travelling with kids the reality is that the washing doesn’t stop.

Using coin laundries is a very good way to save money when travelling with singapore with kids — Image by マサコアーント from Pixabay

If you can manage to wash your own items in the room, or even better have a communal laundry you can use that’s great.

If not, a very affordable option is to find a coin laundry. The cost to wash and dry a large load of laundry is around SGD 10. Ideally, find a laundrette that is near your accommodation, a lunch stop or something to visit so you can easily drop off and collect the laundry when done. There is a handy guide HERE on the popular coin laundry stores in Singapore.

Eat at hawker centres

Hawker centers are absolutely fantastic places to try the amazing food that Singapore has to offer. Very popular with locals and tourists, you are bound to find dishes that everyone in the family will love as there are many stalls selling a variety of dishes all under one roof.

Hawker centres in Singapore are everywhere and a great place to get cheap authentic meals — Hawker Centre

At prices as little at 4 SGD per dish, the food is very affordable and extremely tasty. It’s defenitely a top tip on How to Save money when travelling to Singapore with kids.

You can check out my other posts on some of the most popular and unique dishes to try in Singapore, Here on Unique and Classic Dishes you have to try at hawker centers!

one of the many hawker dishes in Singapore, tasty, authentic and cheap — Hawker Food

Visit and cool off at some of the many free attractions in Singapore

Sightseeing and visiting some of the popular attractions in Singapore like Universal Studios or Singapore Zoo is not cheap – but there are several things that you can do that are completely free too!

Take advantage of the free attractions in Singapore like the waterpark at Gardens by the bay — Free Waterpark at Gardens by The Bay

Take a stroll around Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay and cool off at the huge splash park. Visit the pristine beaches at Sentosa or wander in the manicured Botanical Gardens. Admire the shophouses in China Town and wonder in the many souvenir shops. The Tooth Relic Temple around the corner is a must-see and also free.

Read more on the Top 5 Free Attractions to see in Singapore Coming Soon.

The Sentosa Beaches are free and can be explored by everyone when in Sentosa — Palawan Beach in Sentosa

Best Family – Friendly Accommodation Options in Singapore

Singapore

Shangri-La Singapore – Click HERE to Check Prices

Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay – Click HERE to Check Prices

Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen – Click HERE to Check Prices

Sentosa Island

Village Hotel Sentosa – Click HERE to Check Prices

Shangri – La Rasa Sentosa – Click HERE to Check Prices

Hard Rock Hotel Sentosa – Click HERE to Check Prices

Village Hotel Sentosa , a family friendly hotel on the island — Village Hotel Sentosa

Want to Read More?

I hope you enjoyed this post on How to Save Money when Travelling to Singapore with Kids. You can read more of my Singapore post in my posts here!

11 Unique Hawker Dishes to Try In Singapore

11 Best Known Hawker Dishes you have to try in Singapore

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Asia December 18, 2023

11 Popular Hawker Dishes to try in Singapore

A no-fuss simple guide on 11 Popular Hawker Dishes to try in Singapore for first time travellers.

hawker centre singapore — Chinatown Complex Hawker Centre in Singapore

If you are travelling for the first time to Singapore, you HAVE to go to a Hawker Centre to try some classic dishes enjoyed by many of the locals, expats and travellers alike!

With prices starting as little as 4 SGD per serve, Hawker stalls usually specialize in just one or two dishes. Your serve will be made to order so you will be guaranteed a tasty, authentic meal.

For first-time travellers trying Hawker centres, you can also have some peace of mind that the stalls are rigorously kept clean, making Singapore one of the safest countries to eat at. Win Win!

You can read more about Singapore Hawker Centres in my post coming soon.

11 Popular Hawker Dishes to try in Singapore

Char Kway Teow

Flat rice noodles stir-fried with fishcake, beans shoots, Chinese sausage, garlic, and chives. The dark colour comes from the combination of soy and sweet dark soy as well as chilli paste.

Top Rated Hawker to try this

Day Night Fried Kway Teow – Located in Bukit Merah Central Food Centre

Average Hawker Dish Price

SGD 4.50 per serve

Hokkien Mee

another hawker classic, hokkien me — Prawn Hokkien Mee

A delicious combination of yellow noodles and vermicelli, stir-fried in a pork and prawn stock as well as whole prawns. Served with sambal and lime for an extra kick.

Top Rated Hawker to try this

Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee – Located in Old Airport Road

Average Hawker Dish Price

SGD 5 per serve

Satays

Satays are one of the most popular hawker dishes to try in Singapore and you will see it across many food centres. The meat (commonly chicken, beef & mutton) is first marinated in soy, lemongrass and other spices and then skewered in small pieces and charred. Seafood skewers can also be found in satay options like prawns and squid.

A thick satay sauce accompanies the sticks for dipping as well as compressed rice (cut into cubes), cucumbers, and onion.

Top Rated Hawker to try this

Satay Street (evening) – Located at Lau Pas Sat Hawker Centre

Average Hawker Dish Price

SGD 0.70-0.80 C per satay stick

Laksa

This warming, coconut-based noodle soup made with shrimp and seafood is one of the classic Hawker dishes you will find in Singapore.

The traditional version of Laksa in Singapore is called Katong Laksa, originating in the precinct of Katong, in Singapore. The main difference between normal laksa and Katong Laksa is said to mainly be in the noodles. Katong Laksa will have the noodles already cut so there is no need for chopsticks.

Top Rated Hawker to try this

328 Katong Laksa – Several locations across Singapore

Average Hawker Dish Price

SGD 6.50 per small serve

Chilli Crab

Another dish that is one of the best-known dishes in Singapore is Singapore is Chilli Crab. The crabs usually used for this dish are mud crabs and they are stir-fried in a thick, spicy (but not as much as you may think from the name), savoury, and slightly sweet sauce. A popular alternative is also the Black Pepper Crab.

Crack open the shells and dig in. Fried Mantou (fried bread) are generally served with the Chilli Crab to help mop up the tasty sauce.

Top Rated Hawker to try this

Available at most Hawker Centres in stalls that specialize in seafood.

For a more refined Chilli Crab experience, head to Long Beach or Jumbo Seafood – several locations throughout Singapore, but expect to pay a lot more!

Average Hawker Dish Price

At Hawker Centres SGD 50-60 per crab and varies on size. Fried Mantou Buns 0.50c each

Chicken Rice

A classic hawker dish that is perhaps the most popular of Singaporean dishes has to be without a doubt Chicken Rice. The dish is simple, steamed chicken with rice. It’s comfort at its best.

If made properly, this tasty sliced chicken is super tender! The rice is also cooked in chicken stock which gives it loads of additional flavour. Generous sides of chilli and soy accompany the chicken and are perfect for dipping.

Top Rated Hawker to try this

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice – Located in Maxwell Food Centre and awarded Michelin Bib Gourmand

Average Hawker Dish Price

SGD 5 per serve

Oyster Omelette

One of the most underrated hawker dishes and a first favourite in Singapore is the Oyster Omelette. The name says it all. For this dish, small Pacific oysters are stir-fried with eggs and potato starch for extra crispiness. Chilli Sauce is served to the side for dipping.

Top Rated Hawker to try this

Song Kee Fried Oyster – Located at East Coast Lagoon Food Village

Average Hawker Dish Price

SGD 5 per small serve

Carrot Cake

An interesting dish that can be found all across Singapore is Carrot cake. Don’t be fooled by the name, it’s not a dessert and there is no carrot in this dish!

It’s steamed white radish, that’s cubed and stir-fried. You can have either a white version with fried egg or black when it’s stir-fried with dark soy.

Top Rated Hawker to try this

Carrot Cake @ Chomp Chomp – Located in Chomp Chomp Food Centre

Average Hawker Dish Price

SGD 5 per small serve

Rojak

It’s a salad, but a bizarre one! If you enjoy a combination of sweet and savoury flavours, Rojak is a mix of fruit, vegetables and fritters covered in a prawn paste, chilli and lime sauce, topped with peanuts.

Top Rated Hawker to try this

Lau Hong Ser Rojak – Located in Dunman Food Centre

Average Hawker Dish Price

SGD 4 per small serve

Dumplings

These tasty dumplings can be found in many hawker centres in Singapore. Some popular varieties include soup dumplings Xiao Long Bao, Fried Pork Buns & silky wontons with chilli oil.

Top Rated Hawker to try this

Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao – Located in Chinatown Complex Hawker Centre

Average Hawker Dish Price

SGD 5 per serve of each dumpling type

Ice Cream Sandwich

A refreshing treat that can be picked up on your way to shopping, street carts selling ice cream sandwiches are usually found all over Singapore in popular shopping precincts.

You can choose a wafer or a slice of soft, sweet rainbow bread and choose the flavour of ice cream. Popular flavours include taro, sweetcorn, coconut, and if you like the taste, durian.

Top Rated Hawker to try this

You can find street carts along Orchard Road and Chinatown selling these!

Average Hawker Dish Price

From SGD 1.50 per ice cream

Want to read more?

I hope you enjoyed reading this post on 11 Classic Hawker Dishes to try in Singapore. You can read about more about Hawker food in my post 11 Unique Hawker dishes to try in Singapore.

You can also read more about the Best Hawker Centres to try in Singapore coming soon HERE.

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Asia December 11, 2023

11 Unique Hawker Dishes to try in Singapore

The Hawker food scene is one of the main drivers for many people visiting Singapore, and for some good reasons. It’s authentic, cheap, and absolutely delicious! Read on to discover 11 Unique Hawker Dishes to try in Singapore, the culinary capital of Asia!

Singapore. A modern metropolis with state-of-the-art…well, everything. Aside from being one of the most vibrant cities in the world, one of the main reasons to visit Singapore is FOOD!

With a melting pot of so many different nationalities (predominantly Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Eurasian) in one small state, Hawker food is the best type of dining if you want to try a variety of authentic dishes all under one roof.

hawker centre in Singapore — Chinatown Complex Hawker Centre in Singapore

It’s not fine dining, but you will be guaranteed authentic flavours, rubbing elbows with the locals and a small price tag starting from as little as $4 SGD per dish.

There are lots of dishes like these 11 Popular Hawker dishes of Singapore that everyone wants to tick off their list when traveling to Singapore. Succulent Hainanese Chicken Rice, warming bowls of Laksa, and charred Satays. On my last trip to Singapore, I was on the hunt for more, and Singapore delivered.

Hungry yet? Read on to discover more and 11 Unique Hawker dishes to try in Singapore!

11 Unique Hawker dishes to try in Singapore

BBQ Stingray

This delicious, punchy dish of BBQ Stingray was one that I was so looking forward to tasting and it did not disappoint. The spicy sambal is layered over the top of the fillet and it was just a delight to eat. The meat is light and slightly stringy, with a consistency similar to chicken but lighter.

Where to try this dish

We tried this at Hen Hen BBQ at Newtown Food Centre. Prices start from SGD 18 for a medium serving of BBQ Stingray. A lot of other classic Singaporean seafood dishes are available at this stand also.

Char Koay Kak

For lovers of the ever-popular Char Koay Teow like me, this dish is a similar version and equally as delicious.

This Malaysian dish is usually eaten for breakfast or dinner and is made of cubed rice cakes, instead of noodles which gives this dish a different texture. The springy cubes are stir-fried with dark soy, bean sprouts, chives, and egg. Proteins like prawn and chilli are also sometimes added.

Thunder Tea Rice

If you are needing a lighter, filling lunch, Thunder Tea Rice is a great choice. High protein & low fat, these rice bowls are topped with beans, fried anchovies, nuts & shredded vegetables as well as proteins like chicken and eggs.

You can choose a base of white or brown rice, and add chilli as you like. The bowl is served with a side of ‘tea soup’ made from pounded tea leaves, herbs and grains, which you can either mix in with the rice or drink separately. Word of warning – The tea soup has an acquired taste and is quite strong!

Why is it called thunder tea? They say it comes from noise made from pounding the ingredients to make the soup.

Where to try this dish

We tried this at Thunder Tea Rice at Lau Pas Sat. Prices start from SGD 8 for vegetarian rice bowls. Additional protein options available are added like chicken, eggs, or fish.

Duck Fried Rice

A tasty alternative to Hainanese Chicken Rice, Duck Rice is sliced tender pieces of duck over the rice, which is also coated in the braising liquid.

Where to try this dish

We tried this this at Cai JI Boneless Duck at Seah Im Food Centre. Prices starting from SGD 8 for duck fried rice.

Fish Soup

If you are after a warming light soup and a popular hawker dish in Singapore is Fish Soup. The clear broth is made from fish and vegetables cooked over a long period and served with either sliced raw or fried fish pieces (or both), with fried shallots, Chinese cabbage and spring onions. Rice or noodles can be added also.

Where to try this dish

We tried this at Kwang Kee Teochew Fish Porridge at Newtown Food Centre. Prices starting fromstart SGD 6 for a sliced fish soup. Worth noting that this stall has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand Award in Singapore – an award given yearly to the best value-for-money establishments.

Chicken Wings

At first, I thought, what can be so special about chicken wings? But these wings, well, they are just PERFECTION. The succulent chicken wings are first marinated in usually dark soy, and oyster sauce and each stall has their secret additions of spices, then skewered and roasted over a grill. The shiny glazed wings are usually served with a chilli dipping sauce and some calamansi (which looks like a small round lime).

Where to try this dish

Ah Hwee BBQ Chicken Wings is one of the best places for BBQ chicken wings (priced at SGD 1.40 per wing) and it’s at the popular East Coast Lagoon Food Village, a hawker centre located on the beachfront, on the east coast of Singapore.

Cereal Prawns

In a nut-shell, you will be served crispy huge prawns buried under a mountain of cereal!

A popular accompaniment to a seafood feast of Chilli Crab and fried Mantou (fried bread). These tasty prawns are first fried, then stir-fried in lots of butter, a mixture of cereal (usually Nestum cereal), sugar, milk powder, and spices like curry leaves and chilli.

Where to try this dish

The popular East Coast Lagoon Food Village, is the go to for seafood dishes. Expect to pay around SGD 20 per serve of Cereal Prawns.

Popiah

I was intrigued by this unassumingly simple roll but it packs a lot of flavour and is a tasty lighter option for a light lunch or a snack.

These thin wheat pancakes of Chinese origin are usually filled with cooked turnipturnips, beansprouts, crunchy peanuts, tempura bits, lettuce, eggs and other vegetables. Shrimp and crab meat are also sometimes added. These spring rolls are usually made to order which makes them a delight to eat.

Where to try this dish

Ann Chin Popiah at Chinatown Complex Market and Food Centre is a popular Popiah stall with Prices starting from SGD 2.00 per popiah roll.

Braised Pork Belly

This Cantonese dish is sticky, and sweet and the slow braising makes the pork belly melt in your mouth. The pork belly is usually blanched first then braised in sugar then with soy, ginger, and Shaoxing wine. Usually served with noodles or rice over greens.

Where to try this dish

You can find this dish in popular Hawker Centre Lau Pas Sat.

Shaved Ice

The most loved Singapore dessert which is ideal to beat the humid midday heat, is without doubt shaved ice. This refreshing, light dessert is made with a mountain of shaved ice, usually topped with green-tinged jellies (from pandan leaves), coconut milk, palm sugar, and other toppings such as red beans. This definitely makes the list of one of the most unique hawker dishes to try in Singapore.

Where to try this dish

The ever-popular Old Amoy Chendol at Chinatown Complex Market and Food Centre is one of the best places to get shaved ice. Prices start from SGD 2.50.

Singaporean Pancakes

Min Jiang Kueh is a traditional pancake from Singapore that is usually filled with peanuts. The pancake is thick and is usually folded, filled, and sliced. You can find it with a variety of fillings and it’s delicious!

Where to try this dish

We came across Munchi Pancakes selling these pillowy pancakes at Lau Pas Sat. Common flavours for the fillings include Peanut Butter, Black Sesame, and Roasted Coconut. Munchi Pancakes also experiments often with new flavours like Biscoff & Green Tea. Prices start from 1.60 SGD per slice.

Want to read more?

I hope you enjoyed reading this post on 11 Unique Hawker dishes to try in Singapore.

First time to Singapore and want to try some classic Singaporean dishes? Check out my post on 11 Popular Hawker Dishes to try in Singapore.

You can read more about the Best Hawker Centres to try in Singapore in a new post coming soon!

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Destinations November 26, 2023

Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters Review

Get up close and personal with Australian native animals and learn about them at this incredible wildlife park. Find out some handy tips for this amazing place that is one of the top things to do in Warrnambool. This is my Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters Review.

What is Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters

First and foremost, Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters is not a zoo, it’s a real operating wildlife park! You get a chance to get up and close to some gorgeous native animals and most importantly learn more about them, and how you can look after them in the wild.

Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters is most defenitely one of the Top Things to do in Warrnambool if you are a animal lover or have children that love animals!

feeding Emus at Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters — Feeding the Emus

The park used to operate in the past, formerly known as Cudgee Wildlife Park.

It was closed for some time and recently reopened with the daughter of the original owners (Zara, she is absolutely amazing), running the small guided group tours.

The animals are extremely well looked after and many of them are rescued from the wild.

Visiting Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters

This is a fully guided experience and it runs for just under 2 hours. We opted for a 10am tour as it was a really hot day, but they did also have an option for a 12 o’ clock tour.

Depending on the time of year tours may run at different times and days. Check their website HERE for more details.

The tour is made up of 2 parts, first the close up encounters, then you get to visit the remainder of the park and feed some animals.

Close up Animals Encounters

Upon arrival you are greeted and stay in the main room at the entry, where everyone can settle in and sit down. There are a number of reptile enclosures in the main room that you can have a look at!

Zara (the wildlife park owner), will then bring out an animal at a time, tells you a bit out them, where they came from, if they are endangered, how the park acquired it and most importantly, how to best look after them which was highly informative.

Everyone gets then a chance to have a pat or hold it!

patting marsupial at Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters — Patting a baby Bettong

The animals that are shown vary are there are a range of reptiles and marsupials at the park, but these are some of the animals we got to pat and hold during our visit:

Python
Baby Kangaroo & Albino (white) Kangaroo
Baby Wallaby
Baby Bettong
Baby Wombat

Animal feeding and exploring the park

After about 30-45 minutes inside, each visitor is given a bucket of feed for the animals and you head outside, there are lots of free roaming animals, the main ones are deers (who are really not shy when it comes to taking the food), kangaroos, wallabies & emus.

feeling deers at Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters — Deers at Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters

There is also a separate enclosure with lots of free roaming chickens and Cape Barren geese.

The Koalas are in a separate section again and you can also pat those on the tree. You will have plenty of time to wonder around.

Zara also walked us through some other enclosures, to see the eagles and the final one was of the dingos. In small groups, we all got to enter the dingle enclosure a few at a time and got to admire the beautiful animals.

This concluded the visit and you are ushered to the exit before the next tour begins.

animal feeding — Feeding the free roaming chickens and albino kangaroos

Important Tips when visiting

Wear some sturdy, outdoor shoes. Not your fancy runners or sandals! You are inside some of the time but you also venture outside on the fields where lots of animals are grazing around freely.
They feed some of the animals nuts – we didn’t get given any personally as it was only the tour guide giving them to the animals. If you or children are severely allergic to nuts, this place won’t be for you!

FAQ

Where is Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters?

The park is located in Cudgee, about 20 minutes drive from Warrnambool. It’s located only 7 minutes drive to Allansford, where Cheese World is located, which is also well worth a visit.

cheese world in warrnambool — Cheese World

How much does it cost to visit Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters?

Adults over 16 yrs are $35 AUD ahead, and kids over 2 years old are charged $22 AUD ahead. Children under 2 years of age are Free.

Family Passes are also available at prices starting at $110 AUD for a family of 2 adults and 2 children.

child feeding kangaroo — Feeding the Kangaroos

Based on the experience we had, I though the cost was fair and totally worth it. We got to really make the most of the 2 hours there and the kids absolutely loved it. It was something totally different from any other animal experience we had and it made for an unforgettable day!

Do I need to book ahead to go to Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters?

Yes! You MUST book ahead online. This is not like a zoo where you can buy a ticket at the door and go in and wonder around at your own pace. It only runs small group guided tours at set times.

Check on their website On their website HERE you can see the availability of the tours running. Make sure you look online and book ahead as they do get booked up quickly!

We went midweek outside the school holidays in summer and I had to book 3 days prior to the tour – that was the first available.

What are the opening hours for Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters?

As they only run guided tours, the opening hours may vary depending on how many tours are running. During peak times (eg. during school holidays or during the summer months) they may run 2 or more tours a day. Check their website for more details HERE.

Where to stay in Warrnambool

Warrnambool town centre and surrounds has some great options and a lot of variety of accommodation types to suit all budgets.

lady bay view in warnambool from afar — Deep Blue Hotel & Spa and Lady Bay Resort

There are some large hotels in the Lady Bay area near the beaches, such as the Deep Blue Hotel & Resort with their own hot springs baths and Lady Bay Resort with apartment-style accommodation.

Click Here to Check Availability for Deep Blue Hotel & Spa in Warrnambool

Click Here to Check availability for Lady Bay Resort in Warrnambool

Quest Warrnambool and Warrnambool Gallery apartments are two of my favourites located right in the heart of the centre of Warrnambool. They are a short walk from Liebig Street, which has a great variety of shops, restaurants and coffee shops too.

Click Here to Check Availability for Quest Warrnambool

Click Here to Check Availability for Warrnambool Gallery Apartments

There are also many other options that include Holiday Parks, Motels and AirBnbs to suit all budgets.

To check out some great accommodation deals in Warrnambool check out Expedia and Booking.com!

Want to read more?

I hope you enjoyed reading this post on Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters Review. Check out my other posts about Warrnambool Top Eats and Top 5 Attractions in Warrnambool with Kids.

This post is NOT sponsored and is my own experience and opinion only. This post is current as of February 2023. I always recommend that you go on the direct website to check prices & opening times for the most up to date information.

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