Anita, Author at Salty Sweet Journeys

Hotel Reviews June 22, 2024

Dorsett Melbourne Review

This newly opened cozy boutique hotel in Melbourne is the perfect place for a staycation in the city to be enjoyed by everyone. Kids will enjoy the FREE arcade games room and amazing pool, and couples will love the cool interior, trendy rooms and bar! This is my Dorsett Melbourne 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!}

Dorsett Car — At the Entrance of the Hotel

Things to love about Dorsett Melbourne

State of the art fitness facilities like a swimming pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room
Central city location in Melbourne, only an easy walk to restaurants and the main shopping district
FREE Arcade Games in the lobby! Try your luck at winning the Dorsett Teddies on the claw skill tester or have a game of old school pinball

To check out Prices and Availability For Dorsett Melbourne, click HERE

Dorsett Melbourne Entry — Hotel Entrance

Rooms – Dorsett Melbourne Review

Room types at the Dorsett Melbourne

Rooms at the Dorsett Melbourne cater for everyone! There are 316 rooms and they range from Standard Dorsett rooms up to Suites. Rooms with Balcony, Accessible rooms and Pet Friendly Rooms are also available.

Lift Lobby Dorsett Melbourne — Lift Lobby

Dorsett King or Twin Room (27 sqm)
Deluxe King or Twin Room (30 sqm)
Deluxe Room with Balcony (35 sqm)
Accessible Room (42 sqm) – fully accessible with roll in shower
Dog Friendly Room with Balcony (35 sqm) – 1 king bed and up to 1 pet (up to 20 kg)
Executive Rooms (from 29 sqm) and Suites – with access to the Club Lounge

Deluxe Twin room

We stayed in a Deluxe Twin Room, which is set up with 2 double beds.

The room felt pretty spacious, the beds were plush and comfortable! The room is modern with Melbourne artwork. A small table with one chair are in the room too.

Storage wise there is just some hanging space and a small luggage compartment, not much cupboard space, making this hotel more suitable for shorter stays (1-2 nights).

High speed wi-fi and a 50 inch TV with Chromecast is super handy to stream all your favourite shows!

A pod espresso machine is also provided in the room with capsules. A small safe is located under one of the bedside tables and a small bar fridge (empty) is in the room too.

The stylish bathroom is compact, but is fitted with a large walk in rain shower. There is no bathtub in the room, this is only available in some of the larger suites.

Bathroom and shower Dorsett Melbourne — Bathroom & shower

Celebrating special occasions at Dorsett Melbourne

The Hotel was so accommodating when we mentioned that we were staying to celebrate a birthday. When we arrived, the room had an amazing set up with helium balloons, a card signed by all the front desk staff, treats and a hotel teddy. It was a wonderful surprise!

To check out Prices and Availability For Dorsett Melbourne, click HERE

Birthday set up Dorsett Melbourne — Birthday set up

Environmentally conscious initiatives at Dorsett Melbourne

Environmentally conscious with reduced use of paper with a QR compendium — Keycard and QR compendium

The hotel the Compendium is accessible via QR code. There are NO plastic water bottles provided in the room, and no toiletries bottles, only soap dispensers.

Hotel Facilities – Dorsett Melbourne Review

Pool & Fitness centre

One of the highlights of the hotel is the amazing indoor pool and spa. Plenty of pool towels, loungers and chairs are available to chill. During peak times (mid morning or afternoon) it can although get quite busy.

A unisex Steam Room and Sauna are also next to the pool.

On the upper level above the pool there is also a large gymnasium.

FREE Arcade Games Room

A drawcard for us coming to the hotel was the games room. Although not that big, it really was more than enough to keep the kids busy for ages!

Free Arcade Games at Dorsett Melbourne — Games Arcade

Located in the lobby next to the reception desks, the arcade room included a PacMan machine, 2 Pinball machines and a claw game to win the fluffy hotel teddies.

Teddys to be won at the claw skill tester at Dorsett Melbourne — Dorsett Teddies

Parking at Dorsett Melbourne

The hotel has only limited parking so they offer a Valet Service where they will park the car for you overnight at 65 AUD per night. It’s a fantastic service and it was so easy to have the car ready for checkout the next morning!

Reception

Friendly and helpful staff was also a standout at the hotel! Self checkout kiosks are also available for speedy checkout.

Bar & Dining

Jin Bar is the Dorsett Melbourne Bar, located on the ground floor as you enter the hotel to the left. The bar is gorgeous, with velvet interiors and comfy chairs. The hotel serves up cocktails, mocktails as well as food that can be enjoyed there too. Happy Hour also runs with discounted drinks 5-7pm from Sunday to Thursdays.

In Room Dining is also available and can be ordered from the QR code in your room.

View from Dining room balcony — Balcony at Port Bistro

Breakfast Buffet at Dorsett Melbourne

Entry to dining area — Entrance to the Port Bistro

Who does not love a good buffet breakfast?? It was indeed worth having as part of the room for our stay!

Breakfast at the Dorsett Melbourne is served at the Port Bistro on level 2. The dining room is spacious, airy and has a beautiful wrap around balcony that looks over the surrounding buildings.

continental buffett — Continental Buffet

The cold buffet included mixed Danishes, croissants, toast and bread assortment. A variety of yogurts, fruit and condiments, honey, jam and toppings.

The hot buffet included sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns, mushrooms, baked beans, as well as mini dim sum, and congee with lots of toppings.

What I loved about the breakfast also is that at the table there is a QR code to scan where you can order via to choose a serve of eggs your way (included in the breakfast price). That included poached, scrambled, sunny side or made-to-order Omelettes with added options like ham, onion, mushrooms etc.

Drinks and Coffee station — Breakfast Drinks and Coffee Machine

For drinks, there is a section with Juice dispensers (3) as well as a modern coffee machine for coffee. Barista made coffee can be ordered from the coffee counter at an at additional charge.

Breakfast can be added prior to check in for 25 AUD per person instead of 39 AUD per person! Free breakfast for kids under 5 years old and at a reduced rate 5 to 12 yrs (15 AUD).

Family Friendly Facilities at Dorsett Melbourne

This hotel ticks all the boxes in term of being a relaxed, family friendly environment. Free arcade games, pool, buffet breakfast and a kid friendly bar are always a winner with families!

During Australian school Holiday Periods, a variety of family friendly activities are run like kids treats buffet, free choc tops and movie screenings. Check with the hotel directly for all the details!

Location of Dorsett Melbourne

Melbourne Southbank Area — Melbourne – Southbank

Located on Little Lonsdale Street, it’s only a 5 min walk from Southern Cross train station and a 15 minutes walk from Melbourne Central and the main shopping district in Melbourne.

BOOK Dorsett Melbourne

Hope you enjoyed reading this Dorsett Melbourne Review.

To check out Prices and Availability For Dorsett Melbourne, click HERE

Still looking for Melbourne Hotels?

Still looking for a hotel? Check out all the hotels in Melbourne on Expedia HERE.

You can also read Check out my other reviews on the Novotel Melbourne on Collins HERE & Melbourne Marriott Docklands HERE.

View Post

Australia June 12, 2024

7 of the Best things to do in and around Merimbula

Nestled halfway between Melbourne and Sydney – the town of Merimbula is perfect for a week’s escape along the NSW coast. Breath-taking scenic hikes, fishing and sampling the freshest oysters are some of the best things you can do in this fabulous town. These are my Top 7 Best Things to do in and around Merimbula.

_{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!}

Reasons why to love Merimbula

Beautiful, unspoilt expansive beaches and shallow boardwalks along the lake to explore.
A great dining scene with lots of choice of restaurants and eateries specialising in fresh seafood and of course, OYSTERS!
A proper town centre well equipped with everything you need and with things to do for the whole family.

These are 7 Best Things to do in and around Merimbula

Merimbula Boardwalk

Located alongside Merimbula lake, walking the Boardwalk is a must do activity. The walk runs along the water from Market Street, all along a wooden boardwalk through oyster farms, mangroves and gum tree forests. The boardwalk is shallow and great to explore and see what is in the water too! Signs along the way explain how the oysters are farmed too.

The walk is about 3.4 km return so allow 1.5 hours. At the end of the boardwalk, Sunny’s Kiosk is perched over the lake and a great place to stop for breakfast / lunch.

This is also an easy walk to do with strollers or kids and they can spot the oysters on the open/shallow boardwalk. You can read more about the Best Things to do with kids in Merimbula in my other post HERE.

Try the local Oysters

If there is something you have to try in Merimbula – it’s the seafood! This town is especially well known for producing plenty of Sydney Rock Oysters. These are a MUST TRY when visiting Merimbula and readily available to purchase from local fishmongers and a staple menu item across restaurants and cafés in town.

Oyster farms along the Boardwalk at Merimbula lake — Oyster Farms along the Boardwalk in Merimbula

Look around the water in Merimbula and you will notice the Oyster farms are everywhere. Millions of Oysters are harvested here each year, with the peak producing months from October to June. You can read more about Merimbula Oysters and where to get the BEST ONES in my post HERE!

Go Fishing

No matter if you are a beginner or a pro, this is the place to give a go at fishing! Merimbula is a renowned fishing destination – recreational fishing as well as game fishing are a popular thing to do in the area. Several fishing charters organize fishing trips starting from AUD 100 per person for a half day of fishing.

Tathra wharf, an ideal spot for fishing in Merimbula — Tathra Wharf

Some popular catches include flatheads (from Merimbula Lake) as well as salmon, whiting, bream, trevally, tailor and kingfish. Mitchies Jetty & Merimbula Wharf are where most people fish from. The nearby town of Tathra is also a popular fishing location on the historic, heritage listed wooden pier, the Tathra Wharf. Fabulous views to look at too!

Whale Watching

Another drawcard for the area is seeing the whales during migration season. Huge Humpback Whales make their way down from the Barrier Reef to Antarctica with their baby whales and they can be seen splashing around the water! Taking a charter will give you an even closer look at the whales as well as other animals like dolphins. Prices from AUD 75 per person for 2 hours of whale watching.

Eden lookout to spot some Whales — Eden Lookout

The best time to view these beautiful animals is September to November and can be seen during other times also, but not as frequently and can be harder to spot. The nearby town of Eden also has a long running history with whales and runs a yearly Whale Watching Festival.

The best spots to view the whales during migration season are Short Point Beach in Merimbula, Eden lookout and Tathra Wharf.

The Pinnacles Loop

An incredible, and easy scenic walk nearby Merimbula that is an absolute standout is the Pinnacles Loop. Tucked away off the main road in the Beowa National Park the scenery when you get to the Pinnacle lookout, with its incredible rock face in bright red and orange colours, is amazing to see.

The Pinnacles, one of the best things to do in Merimbula — The Pinnacles

The easy walk is just 1.1 km and takes around 30 minutes. It’s a loop walk from the carpark through pine and gum forest to reach the Pinnacle viewpoint and you can also venture down to the stunning unspoilt Pinnacle beach. A must-see and only 25 minutes drive from Merimbula.

Take a day trip to Eden

A short 20-minute car ride away from Merimbula and you can reach Eden, and this little town has a mighty history of whales and whale hunting. For many years in the 1800′ local whalers had a working relationship with killer whales (Orcas) to hunt other whales for their blubber to use as oil and for some ‘interesting’ experimental medical treatments, such as curing arthritis when standing inside a whale carcass. Yes, you read correctly!

Skeleton of Old Tom, one of the most famous killer whales in Eden — Old Tom – One of the most famous Killer Whales in Eden

The Eden Killer Whale Museum in Eden is definitely worth a visit to learn about the whaling history of the town. It has been operating for over 80 years and showcases many artefacts as well as full-scale skeletons of some of the killer whales. A great way to spend the morning / afternoon while in Eden.

A short drive from the museum in Eden is also the incredible Aslings Beach and Rockpool. The natural landscape and rock formations change from golden to pink depending on the time of day, are a photographer’s dream. Park near Bass Street, head down to the beach and walk about 200 metres to reach the rockpool. You will need to climb over a few rocks to reach it but It’s incredible with amazing views over the coast.

Aslings Rockpool, one of the best natural attraction to see not far from Merimbula — Aslings Rockpool in Eden

Visit the Bega Heritage Centre

With a long history of dairy making dating back to the 1850’s, Bega is the home of course, of popular Bega Cheese, a staple dairy and cheese readily available in all Australian supermarkets. Only 30 minutes drive from Merimbula and you are transported from sandy beaches to a scenery of rolling green pastures that never seem to end.

Bega Lookout over the hills — Bega Valley Lookout

Head to the Bega Valley Lookout for great views, then head to the Bega Heritage Centre, onsite where the Bega Factory is to see the wonderfully recreated farmhouse and machinery, eat some Bega cheese toasties at the in-house buzzing café or stock up on local goodies and cheese for a picnic.

Where is Merimbula

Merimbula is located in NSW, 75 km from the Victorian Border, and approximately 7 hours drive from Melbourne. From Merimbula, you can reach Sydney in 6 hours drive, and Canberra in a 3 hours drive.

Merimbula is also served by Merimbula Airport that has local and charter flights operating across regional cities as well as Melbourne and Sydney (just one 1 hour flight time).

Where to stay in Merimbula

Accommodation is plentiful in Merimbula and with lots of different types of places to stay to suit different budgets.

Luxury

Coast Resort Merimbula is a great accommodation option for couples & families. The resort offers luxury townhouses and apartments with its own private parking, as well as 2 swimming pools and a tennis court. The resort is also in an enviable location right next to the main beach in Merimbula and a short stroll from the centre of town. You can read my full review HERE.

Check out prices and availability for Coast Resort Merimbula HERE

Midrange

Pelican Motor Inn offers quality motel style accommodation located right in the centre of town. The rooms are comfortable, clean and within walking distance to the shops and dining in the centre of Merimbula.

Budget

Chapman Holiday Units offers basic apartment style accommodation in the Fishpen area, a short walk from Merimbula main beach.

Want to read more about Merimbula?

Hope you enjoyed this post on 5 of the best things to do in and around Merimbula!

Travelling with kids? Check my other post on the Top 8 things to do in Merimbula with Kids

View Post

Hotel Reviews June 3, 2024

Coast Resort Merimbula Review

Located in a wonderful family-friendly destination on the NSW coast, just over the Victorian border, Coast Resort Merimbula has all that resort-style feel, with the advantage of being right near the ample Merimbula beach, and just a short walk away from the centre of town. This is my Coast Resort Merimbula 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 Coast Resort Merimbula

Spacious, modern and luxurious apartments and townhouses, the larger ones with 2 bathrooms perfect for families and big groups travelling together

Fantastic quiet location that backs onto Merimbula main beach (and a great playground). Merimbula town centre is just a 15 minutes walk away too!

Great guest facilities to enjoy that include 2 pristine swimming pools, a tennis court and BBQ facilities

To Check out prices and availability for Coast Resort Merimbula, click HERE

Coast Resort Merimbula Review: Facilities and Accommodation Summary

The Resort complex is made up of a combination of holiday apartments / townhouses and privately owned residences. The resort has the following facilities available for guests:

2 Swimming pools: Both outdoor. One family friendly with shallow end, and one lap pool
Tennis court
BBQ facilities
Secure undercover parking for most of the apartments/townhouses
DVD rental

Coast Resort Merimbula - resort pool — Pool view from townhouse

Pools and Tennis Facilities

Coast Resort Merimbula has 2 swimming pools that guests can use:

The Main Pool: with shallow end and ideal for younger children
Lap Pool

Both Pools are Solar Heated throughout the year. During the colder months they are also gas boosted (to 24 degrees) from September to May and during winter school holidays periods. The Pools are open throughout the day and close at dusk.

Lap Pool at Coast Resort Merimbula — Lap Pool

A Tennis Court is also available for guests – free to book a slot via reception. We brought our own from home but you can hire these from reception for 10 AUD per hour.

To Check out prices and availability for Coast Resort Merimbula, click HERE

Accommodation options

Coast Resort Merimbula has many types of self catering apartments and townhouses available and suitable for couples or larger families too.

The following categories available for booking, most of these vary slightly in style and face different parts of the resort complex such as the concourse (middle of the resort), pool, beach or lake. The views are specified as you book your chosen accommodation.

1, 2, 3 Bedroom Apartments facing the concourse or the pool
2, 3 Bedroom Townhouse
3 Bedroom Sub-Penthouse Apartment

We booked a 3 Bedroom Poolside Townhouse – pictured below. All the apartments vary slightly in style and furniture as they are individually owned.

Bedroom at Coast Resort Merimbula — King Bedroom in Townhouse

The Townhouse was set across two floors – ground floor with 1 master bedroom with ensuite with bath and shower, 1 king room with walk in robe, 1 twin room and one main bathroom with shower and laundry.

On the first floor, a large lounge room / dining area, balcony, kitchen with view over the pool and powder room / toilet.

Lounge room in 2 storey townhouse Coast Resort Merimbula — Lounge Room and Balcony

Some great facilities available in the townhouse included:

Generously stocked kitchen with high quality cookware & serving dishes
Dishwasher, microwave and full sized fridge
Heaps of storage in the wardrobes
Fully fitted laundry with washer and dryer

Kitchen, upper level — Kitchen in Pool View Townhouse from the First Floor

Room servicing Information

All the accommodation is fully self contained and there is no room servicing. A basic pack of cleaning products in included as you check in but it not replenished throughout the stay and guests must replenish their own. For stays longer than 8 nights a linen pack is provided. No room servicing provided.

Family Stays at Coast Resort Merimbula

I’ve summarized some of the amenities that makes this resort a great choice for families:

Family Pool with shallow end perfect for children
Children cutlery available in the kitchens
Single beds provided in the larger apartments, cots also available (additional fee per day)
Ford Park playground is a great play space located just behind the resort
The resort backs onto Merimbula Main Beach, right next to Ford Park

Ford Park, a popular family playground in Merimbula — Ford Park Playground, directly behind the resort and full fenced

Coast Resort Merimbula Location

Merimbula is located 75 km from the Victorian Border, and approximately 7 hours drive from Melbourne. From Merimbula, you can reach Sydney in 6 hours drive, and Canberra in 3 hours drive.

The resort is located in the stretch of land between Merimbula Lake and Merimbula beach, on 2 hectares of land. Coast Resort Merimbula is about 15 minutes walk from the centre of Merimbula (1 km).

Merimbula is also served by Merimbula Airport that has local and charter flights operating across regional cities as well as Melbourne and Sydney (just one 1 hour flight time).

Popular Tourist Attractions nearby

Whether it’s fishing, swimming, hiking or seeking thrills at the local theme park Magic Mountain, Merimbula has lots of things to do for everyone. You can read more about 7 of the Best Places to See in and around Merimbula HERE as well as the Top attractions for Kids COMING SOON.

Popular Dining nearby

Local Oysters, Merimbula — Fresh Merimbula Oysters

The most popular thing to eat around Merimbula is of course seafood – particularly, Oysters! You can ready more on my other post HERE to learn more about Merimbula Oysters and where to eat them from!

Some popular dining spots in Merimbula include

Club Sapphire: Huge entertainment complex with bars, restaurants, and Barefoot bowls also available onsite. Kids playground alongside bowls club also. The restaurants include the Pacific Bistro, and Kitty’s Restaurant (asian fusion).
Merimbula Aquarium and Wharf Restaurant: Perched over the water and specialized in fresh seafood, with an aquarium onsite too! (Paid entry, Fish feedings 11.30am Wed & Fri)
Dulcies Cottage: Beautiful original weatherboard cottage serving burgers, oysters and craft beers

Club Sapphire Barefoot Bowls and Playground — Club Sapphire Barefoot bowls and playground

Coast Resort Merimbula – Final Thoughts

It was hard to fault! I could have stayed longer and recommend it to anyone looking at a stay in Merimbula. The townhouse was so comfortable and the facilities were kept immaculate. The only thing that would have been a good addition is a service/clean of the apartments if staying longer than 7 days.

BOOK Coast Resort Merimbula

I hope you found this review on the Coast Resort Merimbula useful!

To Check out prices and availability for Coast Resort Merimbula, click HERE

Want to read more about Merimbula?

You can read more about Merimbula in my other post HERE on the Top 7 Attractions in Merimbula and Things to do with Kids around Merimbula COMING SOON. You can read more about Merimbula Oysters HERE.

View Post

Australia May 27, 2024

Merimbula Oysters

The town of Merimbula, on the NSW Sapphire coast, is most famous for one thing. OYSTERS! Find out more about them and where to eat the best oysters around Merimbula.

Where is Merimbula?

Merimbula is located in New South Wales on The Sapphire Coast. It covers around 90 km of the NSW coastline and stretches from Bermagui to Eden.

Merimbula is 75 km from the Victorian Border and approximately 7 hours drive from Melbourne. From Merimbula, you can reach Sydney in 6 hours drive, and Canberra in 3 hours drive.

The small Merimbula Airport has local and charter flights operating across regional cities as well as Melbourne and Sydney (just one 1 hour flight time).

A Merimbula local specialty

If fresh oysters are your thing, Merimbula, is one of the best places to get the freshest Sydney Rock Oysters in New South Wales. Take a walk along the famous Merimbula Boardwalk, and all along the water on Merimbula Lake you can see kilometres of oyster farms!

Oysters is serious business here. The Sapphire Coast is in fact an area that produces some of the best oysters in Australia! 5 major estuaries are dotted along the coast, including Merimbula Lake, and they produce millions of oysters annually.

Sydney Rock Oysters vs Pacific Oysters

The variety that is most popular in the region is the Sydney Rock Oysters, which can be found across all of the eastern coastline.

They vary slightly from the equally as popular Pacific Oysters, which are found in cooler waters like in Tasmania. The main thing that is noticeable is the size, the Sydney Rock Oysters are a little smaller.

Flavour wise, Sydney Rock Oysters are slightly saltier, whether Pacific oysters have more of a creamier texture. One thing for sure though, equally as delicious when you can get them so fresh!

Pricing of Oysters in the Merimbula area

In Merimbula and surrounding towns like Pambula, you will see several places selling oysters. Oysters are seasonal, with the peak supply is usually from October to June. A heads up – as there is lots of competition selling oysters you could be fooled by some of the cheap prices you see at the door. If you are in the market for, https://www.fakewatch.is/product-category/hublot/king-power/ our platform is your best choice! The largest shopping mall!

Here is one thing to look out for. The cheapest ones usually mean the oysters are very small (cocktail size). The oysters are generally priced according to size (small/cocktail, medium or large/premium) or for being unshucked or opened.

Expect to pay at least 20 AUD per dozen for opened medium-sized oysters. Premium, larger size oysters are usually sold at 30 AUD + per dozen.

Merimbula Oysters: Where to buy

All of the Sapphire coast has a number of farms dotted along it, you can even do a self guided tour of the most popular ones if you travel along the Oyster Trail.

Some popular spots to buy fresh Oysters to takeaway and eat in around Merimbula are:

Mckay Oysters (102 Arthur Kaine Dr, Pambula, Open 9am-5pm everyday), priced from 12 AUD per dozen for cocktail oysters, Take away.
Broadway Oysters – Pambula Lake, Shed 1/52 Landing Rd, Broadwater, Open 9 am – 4 pm Mon to Sat. Priced from 17 AUD per dozen for cocktail oysters. Also offer tours of the Oyster Farm Tours and small group as well as private dining experiences to learn more about the Oysters and how to shuck them. Eat in and take away.
Sunny’s Kiosk – 68 Lakewood Dr, Merimbula. Open 8 am – 2 pm Thu to Mon, changes seasonally. Located at the end of the iconic Merimbula Boardwalk and perched on a picturesque location on the lake. Eat in.
The Oyster Barn / Merimbula Gourmet Oysters – 49 Oyster Trak, Millingandi, is Open 10 am – 3 pm Wed to Sat. Priced from 20 AUD per dozen. Eat in and take away.

Sunny’s Kiosk, at the end of the Merimbula Boardwalk

Want to read more about Merimbula?

Learn more about Merimbula in my other informative posts on the Top Attractions in Merimbula and Things to do with Kids around Merimbula.

Need somewhere to stay in Merimbula? You can read my review of Coast Resort Merimbula HERE.

View Post

Recipes May 21, 2024

Halloumi Pearl Couscous Salad with Hummus Dressing

This Halloumi Pearl Couscous salad is so zingy and fresh and is perfect to accompany BBQ meats and seafood. The nutty pearl couscous pairs beautifully with the creamy hummus and crispy halloumi, making every mouthful a delight! This couscous is so easy to make and one of my favourite salad recipes!

Ingredients needed for this Halloumi Pearl Couscous Salad with Hummus Dressing

A super easy salad that comes together in just 30 minutes. The ingredients you will need:

Pearl Couscous: Normal or Wholemeal (also called Israeli couscous). I love the texture and nutty flavour of this type of couscous and find it holds the dressing better than normal couscous. I cook it in some stock or water as per packet directions and stir some olive oil through it at the end of cooking to stop it from sticking together.
Halloumi: A 200 gr piece (I love Dodoni), chopped in small pieces
Peas: Frozen peas that you cook along with the couscous in the last 2 minutes of cooking.
Capers
Parsley: Finely chopped
Artichokes: Not essential – but I like to add these to the salad. I used half of a 400 gr can of whole artichoke hearts, cut into quarters or a small jar of deli marinated artichokes.

For the Dressing:

Hummus: The best quality one you can find from your local supermarket or if you homemade it even better!
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plenty of it!
Lemon Juice
Salt & Pepper
A splash of water to thin out the dressing so it better coats the couscous salad

How to make this Halloumi Pearl Couscous Salad

Cook the Couscous

First off you start with cooking the couscous. It will need to cool so you can leave all the chopping of the rest of the ingredients for later! Follow packet directions as each brand might vary.

The process is similar for most pearl couscous where you start by heating a few tablespoons of olive oil in a medium pot (with lid).

Once the oil is warm add the cous cous and toast gently in the oil for a few minutes. The couscous will change to a slightly darker toasted colour. This adds to the nutty flavour and allows for the couscous to hold it’s shape better!

You then add double the amount of hot water (straight from your kettle), add salt (or stock powder if you prefer), stir, lower the heat and pop the lid back on for 8 minutes. Makes sure you keep an eye on the timer as the cous cous can overcook easily and become a gluggy mess!

Fry the Halloumi cheese

The crispy Halloumi is the star of this pearl couscous salad! Chop the halloumi into small pieces and fry it in a non stick pan with a tablespoon of oil till golden and crispy. Set aside.

Cook the peas

After 8 minutes that the cous cous is cooking add the frozen peas and cook for a further 2 minutes.

Turn off the heat, remove the lid, add a few tablespoons of olive oil and stir. Transfer to a large bowl and allow to cool for at least 15 minutes.

In the meanwhile, prepare the dressing and chop the parsley and the artichokes (if using).

Make the dressing

Make the dressing by combining the hummus with the lemon juice, a splash of water (a few tablespoons), olive oil, salt and pepper and combine well till you get a thin dressing.

Combine & Serve

To the cooled couscous and peas add the parsley, artichokes, capers, halloumi and half the hummus dressing and combine. Serve warm at the table with the dressing to the side and add more to your liking!

Enjoy!

salad ingredients combining with peark couscous

Serving suggestions

This Halloumi Pearl Couscous salad is delicious served warm, but can also be eaten cold. I like to reserve some of the dressing to add to later for extra creaminess especially if the salad has been stored in the fridge.

Perfect to bring to dinner parties, BBQ and goes well alongside grilled meats or seafood. Great on its own too for a simple lunch or dinner.

Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Loved this recipe? Want more?

Need any other side dishes or tasty salad recipe ideas? You will love this Black Rice Salad , Healthy Soba Noodle Salad or my Creamy Za’atar Broccolini Potato Salad!

Print Pin

Halloumi Pearl Couscous with Hummus dressing

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Servings 6 servings

Pearl Couscous Salad with crispy halloumi and a creamy dressing

Ingredients

2 cups Pearl couscous (uncooked)
1 cup Frozen Peas
1 block Halloumi cheese (200 gr approx, cubed in 1 cm pieces)
2 tbsp Capers
1 small bunch Parsley (finely chopped)
1/2 cups Canned or Marinated Artichoke hearts, quartered (optional)
4 tbsp Hummus (store brought or homemade)
10 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (approx)
half Lemon (Juice of)
1 tsp Salt
Ground Pepper (to taste)

Instructions

First off you start with cooking the cous cous. It will need to cool so you can leave all the chopping of the rest of the ingredients for later! Follow packet directions as each brand might vary.
The process is similar for most pearl cous cous where you start by heating a few tablespoons of olive oil in a medium pot (with lid).
Once the oil is warm add the cous cous and toast gently in the oil for a few minutes over medium heat.
Add double the amount of hot water (straight from your kettle), salt or stock powder if you prefer, stir, lower the heat and pop the lid back on for 8 minutes.
While the cous cous is cooking, prepare the haloumi.
Chop the halloumi into small 1 cm cubes and fry it in a non-stick pan with a tablespoon of oil till golden and crispy. Set aside.
After 8 minutes that the cous cous is cooking add the peas and cook for a further 2 minutes.
Turn off the heat, remove the lid, add a few tablespoons of olive oil and stir. Transfer to a large bowl and allow to cool for at least 15 minutes.
In the meanwhile, prepare the dressing and chop the parsley and the artichokes (if using).
Make the dressing by combining the hummus with the lemon juice, a splash of water, 6 tablespoons of olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper and combine well till you get a thin dressing. Set aside.
Once the couscous has cooled down, add the parsley, artichokes, capers, halloumi and half the hummus dressing and combine. Serve immediately warm at the table with the rest of the dressing to the side and add more to your liking.

Notes

Recipe is for 6 Servings as a side dish.

Serving suggestions:

This salad is delicious served warm, but can also be eaten cold. I like to reserve some of the dressing to add to later for extra creaminess especially if the salad has been stored in the fridge.

Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Course: Salad

Keyword: couscous, couscous salad, easy dinner, haloumi

View Post

Australia May 14, 2024

Art of the Brick Melbourne Review

LEGO® brick lovers, this place is for you! A must-see if you (or your kids) are fans of the humble brick. This amazing CNN exhibit has toured all over the world and is unlike any other I have seen before. Colourful LED displays and immersive projections that make the larger than life sculptures come to life. This is my Art of the Brick Melbourne 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 is Art of the Brick Exhibition?

The Art of the Brick Exhibition is an immersive art exhibit of all sort of sculptures made solely of LEGO® pieces. The artist, Nathan Sawaya is an award winning artist (and ex- lawyer) that has displayed his realistic, and in most instances, life sized sculptures all over the world.

The Art of the Brick Exhibit is currently displayed in Melbourne (till June 2024), London, Paris, Miami & Philadelphia. The exhibit moves to different cities so keep an eye on their site to check the dates and locations. More than 100 sculptures are on display in Melbourne and over a million LEGO® pieces have been used. Mind-blowing when you see the scale of some of the sculptures.

This is the second time that Art of the Brick has come to Melbourne (in 2011) and this time the show is bigger and better!

***EXHIBIT IS ENDING ON 1 SEPTEMBER 2024***

Things to love about the Art of the Brick Exhibition

Immersive displays with projections, lights and sounds that make you feel like the room and sculptures come to life
Suitable for all ages of LEGO® brick lovers! Kids and adults alike will appreciate the work and imagination that has been put into this colourful display
Each display is individually explained with how many brick pieces have been used for the build as well as the meaning to the artist on why he created each sculpture

Art of the Brick Review

As you enter the exhibit there are 11 Sections to explore. At the ticket desk before you walk in – don’t forget to look closely at the yellow walls, which are filled with thousands of minifigure heads!

Sections 1 / 2 – Introduction of Exhibition

As you enter there is a LED self-portrait of the artist Nathan Sawaya. The portrait is the largest ever LEGO® built installation!

In the room to the side of the portrait, you watch a short 2-minute intro video where Nathan explains how he came about to become an artist by creating sculptures entirely made of LEGO® bricks, one of his favourite childhood toys.

Sections 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 – Brick Sculptures

Sections 3 to 6 are all galleries of brick sculptures. You start with the impressive Yellow (and many more smaller colourful versions of it). This huge sculpture of a man opening up his chest with LEGO® spilling out, represents how the artist opened up to the world with his work, and his true ‘inside’, Bricks!

You then move onto the Infinity Rainbow, where 7 figures are standing connected all in different colours. A bright floating umbrella and clouds make this room perfect for a photo (or many), insta-worthy shots.

Across to a smaller room you then see this huge bright fluro yellow replica of Lando Norris helmet (the F1 star driver). This impressive piece took over 80 hours to complete!

Humanity is the next section. All the sculptures represent emotions, and states of mind and are visual representations of being human. I love how Nathan can portray these so vividly with grey bricks for the outside of the sculptures but with coloured LEGO® for the inside.

Section 6, Masks, is a cool gallery with colourful 7 shimmering skull masks hanging on the walls.

Section 7 – Interactive display, Kinetic Skulls

This interactive gallery is called Kinetic Skulls. More than 250 floating LEGO® skulls are in a room of mirrors that move to sound and light. The mirrors give the illusion that the room is endless. Incredible display!

Section 8 – Immersive Display, Larger than life

The first of the 2 immersive galleries, Larger than life has floating sculptures and a giant ‘Big Swimmer’ made of only blue LEGO® pieces that is almost 10 metres long, and made with over 110,000 bricks.

It’s well and truly a labour of love, and no doubt, a lot of time. This huge gallery also has projections all over the walls of colourful bricks falling and floating!

Section 9 – Immersive Display, Perniciem

The second large immersive gallery is my favourite. Perniciem displays 19 rare and endangered animals across a huge room. In the middle, sheer curtains surround a display of water animals.

The projections all around the room go from a forest to an underwater wonderland, making the shimmering curtains shine like waves and almost trick your eyes making you think the sculptures come alive.

Bean bags are scattered around the room where you can relax and enjoy this amazing display.

Section 10 – Brick Sculptures

The final sculpture room focuses on the endangered white rhinos, which 4 representations of the animal in various stages.

Section 11 – Merchandise, Gift Shop and Children’s Play Area

This is the final room where kids can play with LEGO® and larger bricks and do some other LEGO®-themed activities (more details below in the FAQ section).

Don’t miss the full size Pac-Man arcade game, entirely made of LEGO® which totally looked like the real thing. The only thing that gave it away was the big DO NOT TOUCH sign at the top!

There is merchandise from the exhibit here as well as LEGO® sets to purchase in this area before you head for the exit.

FAQ

How long does it take to Visit the Art of the Brick?

It took us around 45 minutes to move through all the displays but you can stay as long as you want. We spent around d 15-20 mins in the last section where the kids could play.

How much does entry Cost to Art of the Brick?

Prices starting from AUD 33.90 per Adult & AUD 23.90 per Child. Kids under 4 are FREE and do not require a ticket.

Where can I get tickets for Art of the Brick?

Tickets can be purchased online on the Art of the Brick website via Fever.

Where is the Art of the Brick exhibit?

Art of the Brick in Melbourne is currently on display at the Melbourne Showgrounds (Epsom Road, Ascot Vale). Enter via Gate 5, on Langs Road. Paid parking is available onsite.

When does Art of the Brick exhibit close?

Art of the Brick Melbourne is ending on September 1, 2024.

Who is Art of the Brick best suited for?

All LEGO® lovers, of any age will appreciate the incredible sculptures, as well as the exhibition’s immersive displays with lights and sounds.

Is Art of the Brick Suitable for young children?

Yes! This exhibit is suitable for all ages to enjoy. Entry is Free for children under 4. Please note that the displays in the galleries cannot be touched. There are although plenty of LEGO® bricks to play with in the final room.

Alongside the merchandise shop, there is a (small) play area with lots of LEGO® and larger bricks to play with. There is also a colouring area to scan to the wall and make the drawing appear in the ‘art gallery’ and LEGO®-themed videogames that you can play with.

Plenty of merchandise from the exhibit and LEGO® sets also for sale (although a bit pricey) here too.

Is Art of the Brick worth a visit?

My answer is a resounding YES! Having seen some of the LEGO® exhibits that have come to Melbourne in recent years (Jurassic World by Brickman, Bricktionary & Relics: A New World Rises) this is the most impressive because of the immersive galleries and the sheer size of some of the displays.

Relics: A New World Rises Exhibit in 2023

Want to read more?

Thank you for reading my Art of the Brick Melbourne Review! More review posts coming soon on things to do in Melbourne with kids!

Disclaimer: LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site

Check out some other Activities to do in Melbourne

View Post

Pasta March 26, 2024

Healthy Pizzoccheri (Buckwheat pasta) with Kale, Potatoes and Parmesan

This filling pasta dish is unlike your usual bowl of wheat or egg pasta. It packs a punch of nuttiness and a distinctive chewy consistency that comes from the buckwheat flour. If you are a pasta lover this Healthy Pizzoccheri Pasta is one to try!

What is Pizzoccheri?

Pizzoccheri is a type of pasta similar to wide tagliatelle, made from a combination of wheat and buckwheat flour. The traditional recipe is mainly made up of buckwheat flour, with the ratio usually 4 parts buckwheat flour to 1 part 00 flour, giving the pizzoccheri a really distinct texture and flavour.

You can read more below in the section about Making Pizzoccheri Pasta too.

Where does Pizzoccheri pasta originate from?

Its origins date as far as the 16th century and is a traditional dish from the Valtellina region of the north of Italy. Valtellina is in the Lombardy region, close to the Swiss border.

Valtellina in Lombardy – Image by 6557056 from Pixabay

How is Pizzoccheri traditionally served?

Pizzoccheri alla Valtellinese is a buckwheat pasta dish that is traditionally served with potatoes and savoy cabbage, which are boiled together with the pizzoccheri. The pizzoccheri are then dressed in garlic, butter, sage, Grana Padano (parmesan) and Valtellina Casera cheese.

Valtellina Casera Cheese is a DOP typical cheese made in the Valtellina region only so it can be hard to find. If not available is commonly replaced in recipes with Fontina, Gruyere or Gouda.

For my Healthy Pizzoccheri pasta dish, I reduced the cheese and butter amount compared to the traditional recipe. The recipe is of course though full of flavour and makes for a satisfying & delicious one plate meal!

Where can you buy Pizzoccheri?

Ready-made Italian dry Pizzoccheri pasta can be hard to find and is generally not available in supermarkets. Look for this in delicatessen stores or online italian importing specialists to get this type of pasta.

Alternatively, you can also buy a good quality buckwheat pasta from your supermarket. Look for one that has a high buckwheat content to be a similar version to Pizzoccheri.

Making Pizzoccheri Pasta

The other option to is to make Pizzoccheri pasta at home! There is a traditional recipe HERE on how to make Pizzoccheri.

NOTE: In the traditional recipe the ratio of buckwheat flour to wheat flour is 4 to 1 meaning the pasta is quite dense and nutty compared to your standard wheat pasta. If you prefer a milder, smoother pasta – the ratio of the buckwheat can be reduced to half buckwheat and half wheat.

To give you a comparison of texture, If you have eaten Soba noodles before, the shop brought varieties are usually 70% wheat and 30% buckwheat.

Ingredients needed to make this Healthy Pizzoccheri Pasta dish

For this Healthy Pizzoccheri Pasta dish you will need a handful of ingredients:

Pizzoccheri – or buckwheat pasta this recipe is using 250 gr of dried pizzoccheri, which will yield 2 very generous serves or 3 smaller serves of pizzoccheri.
Potatoes
Kale, Cavolo Nero or Savoy cabbage
Parmesan or Grana Padano
Garlic Cloves
Butter, Olive Oil, Salt & Pepper

How to make this Healthy Pizzoccheri Pasta

Cook the pizzoccheri together with the potatoes

Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil, add Pizzoccheri and chopped potato and cook for about 10 minutes.

Sautee garlic and kale in olive oil

In the meantime, in a large non-stick pan add 3 tablespoons of olive oil and over low to medium heat sautee the garlic for 1-2 minutes, add the kale and half a cup of the pizzoccheri cooking water and cook down till softened for 3-4 minutes

Combine pizzoccheri and add parmesan and butter

Once the pizzoccheri are cooked, add them to the large pan, along with the butter, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, the grated parmesan, a pinch of salt and pepper and gently combine over low heat for 1 minute.

NOTE: Don’t overmix as the pasta can easily break!

Serve immediately

Serve immediately with additional olive oil, parmesan and pepper to taste, enjoy!

Want to read more?

If you love buckwheat pasta, you will love the recipe of Healthy Soba Noodle Salad!

Print Pin

Healthy Pizzoccheri (Buckwheat Pasta)

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Servings 2 people

Ingredients

250 gr Dried Pizzoccheri Pasta
1 Potato (250 gr approx, peeled and chopped into 2-3 cm cubes)
3 cups Kale (roughly chopped with stalk removed)
6 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Plus extra for serving)
2 Garlic Cloves (Finely Sliced)
5 tbsp Butter (50 gr approx)
50 gr Grated Parmesan (Plus extra for serving)
Salt & Pepper (to taste)

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil
Add Pizzoccheri and chopped potato and cook for about 10 minutes
In the meantime, in a large non-stick pan add 3 tablespoons of olive oil and over low to medium heat sautee the garlic for 1-2 minutes, add the kale and half a cup of the pizzoccheri cooking water and cook down till softened for 3-4 minutes
Once the pizzoccheri are cooked, add them to the large pan, along with the butter, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, the grated parmesan, a pinch of salt and pepper and gently combine over low heat for 1 minute. Don't overmix as the pasta can easily break!
Serve immediately with additional olive oil, parmesan and pepper to taste

Notes

This recipe is using 250 gr of dried pizzoccheri, which will yield 2 very generous serves or 3 smaller serves of pizzoccheri.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: buckwheat pasta, easy dinner, healthy pasta, healthy pizzoccheri, pizzoccheri

View Post

Australia March 11, 2024

Things to do in Port MacDonnell: Rock Lobster Capital of Australia

Just 30 minutes towards the coast outside of Mount Gambier, you get to Port MacDonnell. This little beachside town might seem unassuming as you arrive. It’s not just the stunning white limestone beaches that the locals love. It’s also one tasty thing this place is well known for. CRAY! Welcome to Port MacDonnell, the Southern Rock Lobster Capital of Australia.

Visiting Port MacDonnell

port macdonnell man holding lobster statue

Once you are done visiting all of the popular Sinkholes in Mount Gambier, on the most southern point of South Australia is Port MacDonnell.

Just a 30-minute drive south of Mount Gambier, the little town of Port MacDonnell is famous for being Australia’s Southern Rock Lobster Capital. The statue on the jetty makes it clear that this place is about one thing, (a common name also for lobster) CRAY!

What is the difference between regular Lobster and Southern Rock Lobster?

When it comes to lobsters, Port MacDonnell and the surrounding areas along the Limestone Coast are the places for it. Southern Rock Lobster is said to be the best tasting lobster you can find in Australia.

This type of lobster has a distinct dark red, almost purple shell, and no claws, just long legs, spines and antennae’s that are much larger than a regular lobster. The meat is sweet, rich in flavour and quite firm. There is plenty of meat in the tail and a 1 kg lobster is sufficient for 2 people.

Things to do in Port MacDonnell

Relatively a small town, as you get to the water near the jetty, there are lots of signages explaining the history of Port MacDonnell, which was the site of many shipwrecks.

The Maritime Museum is a popular attraction in town and has lots of historical artefacts and details the history of the many shipwrecks along the coast.

The most well-known one (and not for good reasons) was the shipwreck of the SS Admella, which claimed most of its passengers and crew in 1859, after crashing into a reef at nearby Carpenter Rocks.

beach that can be driven on in port macdonnell — Woolwash Beach

The beach in Port MacDonnell is a must see and a popular destinations during the warmer weather. A popular spot to swim is the Woolwash area, near the Port MacDonnell Foreshore Tourist Park.

The white, compact limestone sand is also great to drive on and Wollwash Beach has car access. This is just outside the main town centre of Port MacDonnell. To reach it, take Racecourse Bay in the direction of Eight Mile Creek Road) where you will pass The Penguins.

These penguin statues are made of local limestone, from there you can actually drive right onto the perfectly flat white beach and stop for a swim.

playground in Port macdonnell — Jetty Playground

For kids, Port MacDonnell also has a new Jetty playground, which is very well equipped with slides, swings, a climbing frame, trampolines and an accessible liberty swing. BBQ facilities and shaded picnic tables are also available to have lunch. There are some fish and chips stores just across the road too.

Sandy limestone beach with compact, white sand

Last but not least, Fishing is of course is a popular thing to do in the area and all along the Limestone Coast. Lots of people take boats out, and fishing can be done off the jetty and depending on the season, salmon, whiting, squid and garfish are popular catches.

Eating Lobster in Port MacDonnell

Because Cray/Lobster is so popular here, across town and on the main street you will see Rock Lobster for sale and advertised in the menus of most restaurants.

cray pizza from a local restaurant in Port MacDonnell

Local pizza restaurant Bay Pizzaria sells a delicious Cray Pizza for AUD 37. Salt and Tide Café are the other 2 popular spots for brunch & dining facing the sea.

You can also purchase Rock Lobster directly from the seafood stores. A popular one in Port MacDonnell is Five Star Seafoods. Here you will find cooked Lobster from AUD 75 per kilo during lobster season (October to May).

Attractions nearby Port Macdonnell

If you travel by car towards Frog Rock further up the coast, you will find Shelly Beach. Shelly Beach has a beautiful small beach with rock formations that you can walk across to to explore.

Continue on the coast to Cape Banks lighthouse for some great views of the Limestone Coast.

For other places to swim, the Little Blue Lake is just 15 minutes drive away in Mount Schank, on the way back to Mount Gambier.

Want to read more about the Limestone Coast?

You can read more about Mount Gambier in my other post! Most Popular Sinkholes and Volcano Craters to visit in Mount Gambier and Things to do in Mount Gambier with kids.

View Post

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.

View Post

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. This article offers free shipping on qualified products, https://www.fakewatch.is/product-category/richard-mille/ or buy online and pick up in store today at Medical Department.

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.

View Post