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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!

Umpherston Sinkhole
Umpherston Sinkhole

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

Umpherston Sinkhole a popular attraction

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

Cave gardens sinkhole
Cave Gardens

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.

The viewing platform over Cave Gardens

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

Engelbrecht cave a popular attraction in Mount Gambier with kids
The underground lake

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.

Cave shaft

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

Blue Lake in Mount Gambier
Blue Lake views

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 

Little Blue Lake
Sunbathe area and pontoon

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

Beach at 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.

Millicent Swimming Lake
Millicent Swimming Lake and playground

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.

Domain Playground in Millicent

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

Play Area at the South Eastern Bistro

Other popular dining options in Mount Gambier:

Accommodation in Mount Gambier

Blue Lake Holiday Park Pool

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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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.

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!

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 if you want to walk across the skybridge and see the flower display at the Floral Fantasy or entry to the Cloud Forest & Flower Dome, you can book tickets for those with Expedia HERE below!

Book Entry Tickets to Gardens by the Bay on Expedia HERE

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

singapore botanical gardens
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.

National Orchid Garden
National Orchid Garden

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 entry to the Canopy Park and Hedge Maze on Expedia HERE below!

Book Entry tickets to the Canopy Park at the Jewel 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.

Hawker centre
Chinatown Complex Hawker Centre

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 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 1840s.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
The golden interior of the Tooth Relic Temple

Located also in the heart of Chinatown is the beautiful, golden interiors of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. A must-see FREE attraction 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

Best Budget Option – Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen

Recently renovated, and in a central location only 15 minute commute to Orchard Road, and a 10-minute walk to the closest MRT of Burgis or Bras Basah this hotel can cater for families up to 4 in one room making it very cost-efficient.

Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen – Click HERE to Check Prices on Expedia

Ibis Bencoolen Twin Room – Image courtesy of Expedia

Looking for more Luxury? Shangri-La Singapore

Set on a vast 15 acres of manicured gardens, Shangri-La Singapore is the ultimate luxury stay in Singapore for families. With 2 swimming pools, dedicated children places for play and splashing by the pool, this hotel is a firm family favourite just a short walk from all the main attractions in Singapore.

Shangri-La Singapore – Click HERE to Check Prices on Expedia

Shangri-La Singapore Pool – Image courtesy of Expedia

Sentosa Island Accommodation – Village Sentosa

Located on Sentosa Island, very close to Universal Studios and all the other main attractions on the island, this large resort offers interconnecting rooms for families, 3 amazing pools with kids area (including a lazy river!) and large restaurant for family-friendly dining. During the holiday periods children activities are also organised in the hotel such as arts and crafts and family movie nights by the pool. You can read my full review HERE!

Village Hotel Sentosa – Click HERE to Check Prices on Expedia

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 on Singapore 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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Travel Tips

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.

Alcohol is very expensive in Singapore

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

Visiting Universal Studios Singapore with toddlers

Located in the heart of the fun island of Sentosa in Singapore, Universal Studios is a must-see attraction when visiting Sentosa for anyone with kids! But with toddlers? All your questions will be answered in this post about visiting Universal Studios with toddlers and young children.

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!

The dome upon entry at Universal Studios Singapore

Universal Studios Singapore

Universal Studios Singapore is an attraction that you DO NOT want to miss if travelling to Singapore! Filled with loads of areas to explore, rides, shows and of course plenty of places to shop and eat. There are things to do here that the whole family will enjoy, no matter what age!

Must Do Experiences at Universal Studios Singapore

Sesame Street favourites are a highlight for toddlers visiting Universal Studios Singapore
Sesame Street in ‘New York’ at Universal Studios
  • The little ones will love having adventures in the Sesame Street Spaghetti Chase and meeting their favourites characters from Sesame Street!
  • The Jungle Rapids ride will have you thinking that you are right in Jurassic Park escaping a flood surrounded by dinosaurs!
  • Stroll around the park and rub shoulders with all your favourites like the Transformers and the Minions at the Character Meet and Greet for each themed zone of the park.
  • Check the times and don’t miss the Live Stunt Show based on the movie by the same name WaterWorld. Incredible stunts and the stage will blow our mind (spoiler…get ready for a plane to crash land!) and the performers are amazing. Get ready to get really soaked if you sit in the ‘Splash Zone’. One that the whole family will enjoy!
  • The grown ups will LOVE the 3 thrilling rollercoasters of the park: Battlestar Galactica Human & Cylon and Revenge of the Mummy.
  • NEW!!! Minion Land Due to Open at Universal Studios Singapore on 14 February 2025!!

Purchase Universal Studios Singapore tickets online with Expedia HERE

Stage at WaterWorld stunt show at Universal Studios Singapore
The incredible stage for the stunt show WaterWold

Getting to Universal Studios Singapore

Universal Studios Singapore is located within the Resorts World Sentosa Complex, on Sentosa Island. Here, as well as Universal Studios, you can find a numbers of attractions such as the S.E.A Aquarium, Adventure Cove Waterpark as well as hotels, restaurants and a Casino.

To reach Universal Studios from mainland Singapore, you can easily hop on the Sentosa Express from HarbourFront MRT (Metro station at VivoCity Shopping Centre) and alight at Resort World Station, that is just outside the Resorts World complex.

You can read more on this on my other post coming soon about Getting Around in Sentosa.

resorts world sentosa complex
Resorts World Sentosa

Entry Tickets to Universal Studios Singapore

Entry Tickets for Kids at Universal Studios can be purchased directly at the gates, or for ease you can also purchase them online from Klook. You can also buy here online the Express Pass in Advance to save time and skipping the queues on the rides!

Purchase Universal Studios Singapore tickets online with Expedia HERE

Adult tickets are charged at prices starting from $82 SGD for Adults and $61 SGD for Children Aged 4 to 12 years old.

FAQ: Is a toddler free for Entry at Universal Studios Singapore?

We travelled when our toddler was just under 3 and his entry was FREE. So despite not being able to go on many rides because of the minimum height requirement, as a toddler he still got to do quite a bit at the park and his entry did not cost us anything!

Zones of the Park

The park made up of 7 different ‘zones’ that are each themed differently:

When you enter the park at the big Universal Studios dome, you go straight into HOLLYWOOD. If you then continue walking anticlockwise you will get to NEW YORK (Sesame Street Characters), onto SCI-FI CITY (Transformers), then moving onto ANCIENT EGYPT (The Mummy), to the LOST WORLD (Jurassic Park themed) and finally into FAR FAR AWAY (Shrek). Each zone has also its own themed walkway, souvenir shops and eateries.

You can view the full park map HERE.

The minions are coming to universal studios singapore
The Minions are coming at Universal Studios Singapore

NEW Minion Land – OPENING 14 February 2025

Stay tuned.. there is one more epic theme coming to Universal Studios in Singapore! Minion Land is due to open at the park on 14 February 2025! At the time of our visit (late 2023) a section of the park was closed off, it was the former Madagascar Zone, and that is where Minion Land Universal Studios Singapore is due to open.

The new section of the park will be made up of 3 new areas: Minion Marketplace, Gru’s Neighbourhood and Super Silly Fun Land. The new area will include 3 new rides and Minion Themed Food and Merchandise stores.

Universal Studios Singapore for toddlers and young children

Height requirements

There is a variety of rides and shows that the whole family can enjoy at Universal Studios Singapore, but as a general note most of the rides have a minimum height requirement of 92 cm. The bigger rides and rollercoasters usually have a minimum height requirement of 122-125 cm.

Note that for all the rides, children under 122 cm need to be with an accompanying adult. For some rides, hand held infants are also not allowed for safety reasons.

High rollercoasters at Universal Studios
View of the huge rollercoasters

At the time of our trip our toddler (almost 3 yrs) was around 90-92 cm and could only go on a handful of rides. These listed below are the popular ones for small kids with relevant height restrictions, plus noted some favourites:

FAQ: What rides can toddlers go on at Universal Studios Singapore?

Sesame Street Spaghetti Chase, a favourite ride for toddlers visiting universal studios singapore
New York Zone and the Sesame Street Spaghetti Chase ride
  • Sesame Street Spaghetti Chase (New York Zone) – Min 92 cm but we were allowed on. This one moves quite slow compared to most other rides but was still great fun for the little ones seeing their favourite Sesame Street Characters ***Highly Recommend***
  • Lights, Camera, Action! (New York Zone) – No min height
  • Accellerator Ride (Sci-Fi City Zone) – No min height
  • Treasure Hunters (Ancient Egypt Zone) – No min height. This ride was heaps of fun. The kids can pretend to drive a jeep into the desert uncovering hidden treasures! ***Highly Recommend***
  • Dino-Soarin’ (The Lost World Zone) – No min height
  • Shrek 4D Adventure (Far Far Away Zone) – No min height
Far Away land in Universal studios
The Enchanted Castle at Far Far Away

So if you are visiting with a toddler below the min 92 cm height you will likely be doing some of the same rides over and over. There are other things to do, such as the Character Meet and Greet that happen all day at the park and lots of exploring.

Popular Rides for Young Kids

For older kids higher than the minimum 92 cm, my older child (5 yrs) was around 110cm, he was able to go on these:

Jungle rapids, one of the family favourite rides at Universal studios Singapore
Image by Fonthip Ward from Pixabay
  • Transformers the Ride – the Ultimate 3D Battle (Sci-Fi City Zone) – Min 102 cm. Walk through a Sci-Fi lab and be submersed in a 3D experience with the Transformers escaping from the evil guys ***Highly Recommend***
  • Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure (The Lost World Zone) – Min 107 cm ***Highly Recommend***
  • Canopy Flyer (The Lost World Zone) – Min 92 cm. Rollercoaster.
  • Puss in Boots (Far Far Away Zone) – Min 100 cm. Rollercoaster. ***Highly Recommend***
  • Enchanted Airways (Far Far Away Zone) – Min 92 cm. Rollercoaster.
Transformers the ride, a popular ride for young kids visiting universal studios singapore
Transformers Ride

Handy Tips for Visiting Universal Studios Singapore with toddlers

Get there early – plan to spend a full day there

The park is usually open from 10 am to 6 pm, but on some days it opens a bit later at 11 am. Check the website for the most up-to-date information.

Allow to spend a full day there as there is so much to see. With kids you will need to take lots of snack/drinks/ice cream breaks if it’s a hot day, and most days are.

If you only have half a day to visit the park – I would opt to go in the afternoon from 2 pm onwards. We went midweek and a lot of the bigger crowds had left by mid afternoon and the morning was a lot busier as the crowds entered when the park just opened.

Ancient Egypt where there was some great rides at Universal Studios Singapore
Ancient Egypt

Go midweek and outside holidays if you can

The park gets very busy – we went on a weekday and still some rides had some very long lines of 1+ hours wait. If you can, visit midweek and outside of popular holidays!

There is also the option to pay extra for an Express Pass to skip the queue once per ride (Universal Express Pass starting at SG50 pp) or as many time as you like (Universal Express Pass Unlimited starting at SG80 pp). Note the cost in additional to the Entry ticket.

Purchase Universal Studios Singapore tickets online with Expedia HERE

A walkway in Universal Studios Singapore
Walkway to the Sci-Fi Zone

I can see that it would be totally worth it to purchase the Express Pass if you are visiting during busy periods like a weekend or school holidays, as waiting in the long lines in the heat with young kids is defenitely not fun!

Leave the most popular rides for early afternoon or just before closing time

We noticed that as we got in as the park opened, the most popular rides had long queues almost immediately, some with waits of 45 min to over 1 hour.

But in the afternoon at around 2 pm a lot of the queues had gone and we managed to do quite a few rides. That was the same at around 5 – 5.30 pm just before closing time, a lot of people had left already and we could go on several rides one after the other with no queue.

Puss in Boots Ride, a popular rollercoaster for young children visiting universal studios
Puss in Boots Rollercoaster

The other tip for parents is to make use of the Single Rider lanes if you are tag teaming to watch the kids. These lines are usually shorter and there were no queues on these towards the end of the day!

Bring a pram

There is lots of walking and it’s hot, so the little ones get tired very easily! Prams can also be hired from Universal Studios Singapore at the entry.

Venture outside the park if you need to stock up on drinks or snacks

Universal Studios has heaps of places to stop and refuel for drinks or snacks but it is very expensive! Get a pass out and venture just outside the park to the 7/Eleven around the corner to stock up on cold drinks and Ice cream for a third of the price of what you would find inside the park.

Where to Eat and Stay when visiting Universal Studios Singapore

Eating in Universal Studios Singapore

There are several eateries within the park as well as several snack and food stands to grab drinks. Some popular eateries include Goldilocks, KT’s Grill & Loui NY Pizza Parlor for some classics like pizza, burgers & fried chicken and Shrek-themed waffles.

But note that, for the convenience and experience of eating inside Universal Studios Singapore, you will be paying a premium for it!

If you want to venture outside the park for lunch for some more choice on what to eat, you can also get U/V light pass-outs (yes very cool…as we thought!) and check out the eateries just outside the park within Resorts World Sentosa.

Malaysian Food Street just outside Universal Studios
Malaysian Food Street at Resorts World Sentosa

The popular ones are Malaysian Food Street, which has a lot of different Hawker street style classic dishes (around 10-12 SGD per meal). For a fancier feed, also across from Universal Studios, check out Gourmet Park, for some seriously gourmet food trucks.

Around the corner there is also a 7-Eleven convenience store, if you need to stock up on cold drinks and ice creams to cool off with prices from $1-2 SGD, a fraction of what the same would cost inside the park.

Best family hotels near Universal Studios Singapore

Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa

The ultimate family resort in Sentosa is the well-known Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa. Located at Siloso beach facing the sea, the resort is complete with it’s own water play area with slides and water sprays, as well as a state-of-the-art Kids Club. This family resort is perfect for families travelling with young children.

Check prices and availability for Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa

Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa – Image courtesy of Expedia Inc

Village Hotel Sentosa

This recently opened hotel is a stunning complex with over 600 rooms, most of them interconnecting so perfect for families. The Pool deck on level 3 is the highlight of the resort with 4 themed pools, including it’s own lazy river and many shallow kid-friendly pools! You can read my full review of Village Hotel Sentosa HERE

Check prices and availability for Village Hotel Sentosa

Village hotel Sentosa located near Universal Studios
Village Hotel Sentosa

Sofitel Singapore Sentosa

This large, expansive complex is located on the south of the island, in the cliff above the trendy Tanjong Beach. For families, there are a variety of accommodation options that include rooms as well as villas. The Kids club and glamping options for the rooms are particularly popular at this luxurious resort!

Check prices and availability for Sofitel Singapore Sentosa

Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa – Image courtesy of Expedia Inc

Want to read more about Singapore?

I hope you enjoyed this Guide on Visiting Universal Studios Singapore with toddlers!

Looking for FREE things to do in Singapore? There are plenty of attractions that are FREE for the whole family to enjoy. Check out my post on FREE things to do in Singapore with Kids HERE.

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Asia

Village Hotel Sentosa Review

On a recent family trip to Singapore we stayed on Sentosa island at the Village Hotel Sentosa, a stunning family friendly resort complex, located right next to Resorts World Sentosa and all it’s attractions. Worth the long flight? Absolutely! This is my Village Hotel Sentosa 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 Village Hotel Sentosa

  • The amazing 4 pools and gardens at the pool deck. Heaps of space and a real relaxed vibe.
  • Perfect for families with young children. Clever room design with interconnecting rooms and shallow pools.
  • In a great location in Sentosa. Close to the beach, as well as to Resorts World attractions and a short monorail ride into Singapore to connect with the Metro (MRT) .

To check out prices and availability of Village Hotel Sentosa, check HERE.

pool at village sentosa
Adventure Pool at Village Sentosa

Where is Village Hotel Sentosa

Village Hotel Sentosa is located on the island of Sentosa, a man made island just off the coast of the south of Singapore. Within a short walk from the hotel you can reach the beach, as well as the many attractions within Resorts World Sentosa like Universal Studios & S.E.A Aquarium.

universal studios, located in nearby resort world sentosa
Universal Studios in Singapore is located just a short walk away

The closest monorail station is 5 minutes away, Imbiah station, which can take you directly into VivoCity shopping centre in Singapore. From there you can take the Metro (MRT – HarbourFront) into anywhere you need to get to in Singapore!

Getting to Village Hotel Sentosa from Singapore Changi Airport

Taxi / Grab

The easiest and quickest way to reach Sentosa is with a taxi from Changi Airport. The trip is around 20 minutes and it costs around 25-35 SGD depending on the time of day. Taxis are available at the airport, and if travelling with children, they can travel on the parents lap on the back seat.

Changi airport
Changi Airport

Ridesharing company Grab (think Uber for South East Asia) also widely operates in Singapore and can be more cost efficient than taxis.

If travelling with young children, you must book a Grab Family. Grab Family generally has car seats and boosters installed for young children.

Entry charge when arriving in Sentosa

Image by JOONGKEUN LEE from Pixabay

If arriving by taxi and visiting Sentosa for the day, an Entry Fee to the island is added to the taxi fare.

If you are staying on Sentosa, you will just need to show your accommodation confirmation letter or QR code provided by the accommodation to enter Sentosa and you/the taxi driver won’t be required to pay the Entry Fee.

The fee is between $2-$6 SGD to enter the island, depending on time of day that you enter.

You can read more on this on my other post coming soon about Getting Around in Sentosa.

Facilities & Rooms at Village Hotel Sentosa

children's pool at village sentosa at dusk
Pool at dusk

Village Hotel Sentosa is a large resort complex with onsite restaurant, a stunning pool deck on the 3rd floor with 4 pools, including it’s own lazy river, swim up bar and gym.

Dining

Dining Options – within the hotel

Native Kitchen, Ground Floor, open 7am-11am, 12pm-3pm, 6pm-10pm

This is where breakfast for Village Hotel Sentosa is served. We did not have breakfast included in our room price so I cannot comment on the food.

It is although a buffet style breakfast serving Western and Asian dishes. It’s also open for lunch and dinner with an extensive a-la-carte menu.

native kitchen, the main restaurant at village sentosa
Native Kitchen, on the ground floor
Supply Depot, Ground Floor, open 8am to 6pm

Located at reception and is available for snacks and light refreshments.

supply depot to stock up on snacks at the lobby
Supply Depot opposite reception
Poor Bar, Pool Deck, Level 3, Open 12pm to 5pm

Located by the Pamukkale pool on the Pool Deck, you can get drinks, cocktails, Pizzas and light snacks.

pool bar
Pool Bar at Pamukkale Pool

Dining Options – At Mess Hall complex, located directly across from the Hotel

The gorgeous white colonial building was once a Military outpost, now hosts stylish restaurants and a convenience store. It’s located right across Village Hotel Sentosa, as well as being very easily accessible from nearby Hotels The Barracks & the Outpost Hotel.

mess hall, across the road from native kitchen
Mess Hall, located across the road from Village Sentosa, opposite Native Kitchen
  • 7/11 Convenience Store: Proved to be extremely convenient to pick up some snacks for the room and ice creams when it got too hot. Located just outside reception on the ground floor.
  • Le Faubourg: French Dining
  • MIYOSHI by Fat Cow: Japanese Fine Dining
  • Royal Taj: Indian Dining

Want to explore other dining options in Sentosa? Check out my other post coming soon on Where to Eat in Sentosa.

Swimming Pools

The Pool Deck on level 3 is the jewel in the crown of this resort. Lush greenery and coy ponds surround the pool deck and there is plenty of space to have a lounge or curl up on the many round pods to read a book. All the pools are located on Level 3 via lift or escalator from reception. From Level 3 you can get a great view over the sea.

area to relax on level 3 near the pool deck
Relaxing pods in the Pool Deck Area on level 3
  • Adventure Pool: the largest pool in the centre of the resort with a shallow end and terraced higher end.
Adventure pool at village sentosa
Adventure Pool
  • Pamukkale Pool: A stunning infinity pool that looks over the sea, with terraced shallow pools to resemble Pamukkale in Turkey. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the views over the water (and the monorail depot, the highlight for the kids!)
the terraced Pamukkale Pool at village sentosa
Pamukkale Pool
  • Children Play Pool: shallow and with 2 small water slides and water sprays, this pool is a real hit with the little ones.
Children Play Pool
Children Play Pool
  • Lazy River: so refreshing and surrounded by lush greenery and mangroves. You can grab one of the bright yellow pool floats from the resort and be carried along the river for a float.
Lazy River Pool
Lazy River Pool

To check out prices and availability of Village Hotel Sentosa, check HERE.

Other Facilities

  • Gym: located on level 3 on the pool deck. Well equipped with modern equipment such as treadmills, stationary bikes, bench press and weights. Open 8am to 10pm.
  • Complementary Resort shuttle to Beach Station & VivoCity running every half hour from 8am to 21.30pm
  • Tour desk
  • 24 hour reception
Reception at Village Sentosa
24 hour reception at Village Sentosa

Rooms at Village Sentosa

This hotel is a large complex with 606 guestrooms. The resort is largely catered to families with lots of rooms set up as interconnecting family rooms.

Rooms corridor
Room Corridor

Room types

There are just 3 room types at the resort. Deluxe Rooms (for 2 people), Family Rooms and Deluxe Family Rooms (both family room types are 2 rooms interconnecting). Deluxe family rooms are slightly larger than the family rooms and have a bathtub in one of the rooms. We stayed in a standard Family room.

Family Rooms

Family Room

Many of the rooms at Village Hotel Sentosa are Family Rooms. The Family Rooms are essentially 2 rooms interconnecting with 2 doors, which you can keep open or closed for privacy.

Family room at village sentosa
Family room with open interconnecting doors

Each room has it’s own 49 inch TV, bathroom, shower and storage. There is also a safe to store valuables. The bed configuration can be set up as 2 doubles or one double and 2 singles.

We opted for 2 doubles and had a bedrail on one side of the kids bed (3 and 5 yrs old).

Room amenities

Family room

The rooms are compact, of minimalistic design and with neutral colours. There are large windows facing either the pool, island or sea. The windows have curtains and some great blackout blinds which made it easy for the kids to get to sleep.

Luggage Storage, tiny robes for the kids and amenities in the rooms

The rooms are very well designed with smart use of space, but keep in mind, they are very compact. There is no wardrobe, just a shelf to store a suitcase and a few drawers and hangers to store belongings.

A kettle, mugs, glasses and a jug for ice/water in the room as well an a small fridge (provided empty).

Luggage storage in the rooms
Luggage storage and small fridge upon room entry

No tea or coffee is provided in the room. Instead, on each floor, there is a vending machine for snacks and drinks, as well as a communal Tea / Coffee station.

tea/cofee station and vending machine area
Vending Machine and Ice Machine at each lift

Here, you can take what you need for your room and there is also a water / ice machine, which proved to be extremely handy to fill up water bottles with ice on our way out for the day or in the evening to have a cold drink.

They have the same set up at every lift and floor and everything was always well stocked.

filtered water tap
Communal Coffee and Tea Station

Rooms are serviced daily and we found it to be very good with the rooms thoroughly cleaned each day.

In Room Dining is available across day and night and the menu can be seen on the hotel TV.

Bathroom

Bedroom with sliding door to the bathroom / luggage storage area

A clever feature in these rooms is that instead of plastic water bottles, each room is fittet with a Hyflux filtered water tap so it was great to refill our own water bottles. The water in Singapore is perfectly safe to drink anyway but this was a nice extra touch!

Filtered water tap next to the tap in each room
Hyflux Filtered Water Tap

The wash basin is located at the hallway, next to the luggage storage as you enter the room. The rain shower & Japanese Toto Washlet are in a separate cubicle.

Rain Shower and Toilet

Family Friendly facilities at Village Resort Sentosa

Despite being a hotel that is very geared around families – there is no kids club at this resort. That said, the hotel is very comfortable for families travelling. These are some of the family friendly facilities at Village Hotel Sentosa:

Shallow end of the Adventure Pool, at 0.50 cm
  • Convenient interconnecting room layouts, which was hard to find for a similar price point in Sentosa. While researching we found that most of the other larger resorts in Sentosa offered family rooms with all the beds in the one room, one bathroom and one tv, rather than in interconnecting but separate rooms.
  • Blackout blinds in the rooms
  • Bed rails and cots available upon request for smaller babies and infants (up to 9 kg only)
  • We found that the Swimming Pools were fantastic for kids, especially young ones. The Children’s Play Pool and part of the Adventure Pool are very shallow, between 30-50 cm.
  • The restaurant Native Kitchen has plenty of high-chairs, as well as a kids menu
Family Movie Nights at Village Hotel Sentosa
  • Family Movie Nights on Friday and Saturday nights by the Adventure Pool was a highlight and a great family activity organized by the hotel. They set up bean bags and provide you with mosquito patches and overall had a really great atmosphere.

At our time of stay there were no other kids activities running so it would be best to contact the hotel ahead of time as some activities may only run seasonally during the holidays.

What is nearby Village Hotel Sentosa

Attractions nearby Village Hotel Sentosa

Resort World Sentosa

Village Resort Sentosa is conveniently located a short walk away from Resort World Sentosa (10 minute walk or 1 stop on the Sentosa Express Monorail). At Resorts World Sentosa you can find Universal Studios, S.E.A Aquarium as well as many eateries, shopping outlets and the Casino.

You can read more on my posts about Visiting Universal Studios Singapore with Toddlers HERE!

cable car over adventure cove waterpark
Cable Car over Adventure Cove Waterpark

There is so much more to the above though and so many attractions to suit all ages. Some popular ones include Adventure Cove Waterpark, Madame Tussauds as well as go karting at Hyperdrive, Indoor Skydiving at Ifly, ziplining at Mega Adventure Park and the night show at Wings of Time.

For a lazy day by the beach, walk at the back of the hotel to reach Palawan beach and stroll along to cross over the Big Bridge. There are many beach clubs along the beach to relax and have something to eat too. This is one of the most popular FREE things to do in Sentosa!

Check out more FREE attractions in Singapore to enjoy with Kids in my other post HERE.

Palawan beach
Palawan Beach and the Big Bridge, only a few minutes walk away

Catching the Singapore Cable Car across Sentosa and at the top of Mt Faber across to Singapore is also a must do attractions and a great way to see the island from a high viewpoint.

cable car
Singapore to Sentosa Cable Car – Image by Cedric Yong from Pixabay

VivoCity Shopping Mall is a huge shopping centre (the largest is Singapore) only 2 stops away on the monorail. From there you can catch the MRT (metro) into anywhere in Singapore.

Hotels nearby Village Hotel Sentosa

Sharing the same complex and pool as Village Hotel Sentosa (and part of the same hotel chain) is the Outpost Hotel. This hotel is more geared for couples / friends and has its own stunning Adults only Sky Pool and Bar with cool beats playing throughout the evening, called 1- Altitude Coast.

You can check out prices for the Outpost Hotel HERE.

The Outpost Hotel Sentosa – Image courtesy of Expedia Inc

The Barracks Hotel Sentosa: Luxury, heritage rooms located next door and can be seen from Mess hall across the road.

You can check out prices for the Barracks Hotel HERE.

The Barracks Hotel – Image courtesy of Expedia Inc

Village Hotel Sentosa Review – Final thoughts

All in all, we really enjoyed our stay at Village Resort Sentosa! Would I come again to Village Hotel Sentosa? Absolutely YES! Would I recommend it for families? YES.

I highlighted the things that I loved about the Hotel and some things that I didn’t love so much about our stay below.

To check out prices and availability of Village Hotel Sentosa, check HERE.

What I loved about Village Resort Sentosa

  • The standout feature for this resort is without a doubt the Pool Area. It is the most impressive pool set up that I have ever seen in a hotel. I loved that there were so many areas that you can go to, always sunbeds, you can move across to the 4 pools and they are all so different.
  • The design with immaculate gardens, coy ponds to the side and greenery that is on top over the roofs of the pool too, make this the highlight of the stay.
the green roof above the pool deck at village sentosa
The greenery overtaking the roof of the Pool Deck on Level 3
  • Location we found to be really great. It was so easy to get around in Sentosa or into Singapore with the the Sentosa Express Monorail directly into Vivocity Shopping Centre and from there hop on the MRT.

What I didn’t like so much about Village Resort Sentosa

  • The main thing that we found a bit challenging during the stay was the size of the rooms. The rooms are quite compact and as we stayed just over a week – we had quite a bit of luggage and the lack of storage just meant we had things lying around everywhere.
  • We also had quite a bit of laundry to do (always the case with young kids) and there was little or no space to dry it. There was a laundry service at the hotel but it was quite pricey (charged per item) so we did not use it and arranged our own washing.

I think perhaps the room set up for this hotel is more geared towards guests staying for a short stay, rather than longer stays hence the smaller rooms.

Want to read Read More on How to Save Money when Travelling to Singapore? Article coming soon.

View of the Pamukkale Pool from Level 5

BOOK Village Hotel Sentosa

To check out prices and availability of Village Hotel Sentosa, check HERE.

Want to read more about Singapore?

Check out my other articles about Singapore like Free things to Do in Singapore with Kids & Popular and Unique Dishes to Try at Hawker Centres.

Note: This post is NOT sponsored and is my honest and personal opinion only.

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Destinations

Top 5 Places to Visit in Warrnambool with Kids

Warrnambool is one of those destinations that at first you might think of just being a place to stop by on your way to or from the Great Ocean Road. Scratch a bit below the surface and this little town is steeped in history and surrounded by nature and a magnificent coastline. With so many things to do for the whole family, come on a trip with me to find out the Top 5 Places to visit in Warrnambool with Kids!

Flagstaff Hill

Where is Warrnambool

Warrnambool, is 3 hour (approx. 260 km) drive south-west of Melbourne, in the state of Victoria. It’s the largest town on the Great Ocean Road, and the popular 12 Apostles is just an hour away. The South Australian border is about 2 hours away by car and Adelaide can be reached in about 6 hours drive from Warrnambool.

Lake Pertobe

Why choose Warrnambool for a holiday

There are many fantastic options for holidaying along the Great Ocean Road. There’s Torquay, Lorne, Apollo Bay and there are lots of other little towns in between. So what makes Warrnambool a great place for a holiday in?

  • Accommodation to suit all budgets. With a population of 35000, it’s the largest town along the Great Ocean Road – you can call it a country ‘city’. This means many great options for accommodation to stay in to suit all budgets from cabins in well-equipped Holiday Parks, to private Airbnb, Motels, Luxury Hotels, and Serviced Apartments.
Logans beach Whale nursery
Logans Beach Whale Nursery – where the whales come to calve during the winter months of June to September
  • A proper town centre with lots of food options, tourist attractions and all the amenities you need. A thriving dining scene with restaurants, family friendly pubs and great coffee shops. More on this below on the Where to Eat in Warrnambool Section.
  • Beautiful spacious pristine beaches. Some of them are also very shallow in low tide as protected by the nearby islands.
  • Explore Nature at your doorstep. Lots of well-maintained boardwalks to explore the iconic coastline. Head nearby to Tower Hill Reserve, just 14 km outside of Warrnambool, and venture into this large nature reserve inside an extinct volcano crater. The reserve is now a thriving habitat of native flora and animals. The Winter Whales are also a popular attractions during the winter months (June to September). Logan’s beach in Warrnambool has a great setup to see the whales during calving season!

And of course some great kid-friendly attractions! Read on to find out more on the Top 5 Things to do in Warrnambool with Kids.

These are the Top 5 Things to do in Warrnambool with Kids

Stingray Bay

When to visit: Everyday

Stretching along side Lady Bay, this fabulous beach is just too good to miss. It has a few little islands in front of it, making the beach itself protected from the waves.

In low tide you can be walking for ages on the sands with barely an inch on water! All you can see is your reflection on the glistening sand!

The Merri River also joins up on this beach so you can take a refreshing dip on the river stream.

Tip: There is road parking right along the beach and public toilets are available.

Head to Pavilion Cafe & Bar just a few minutes walk away for a great breakfast or lunch with a view over the water.

Stingray Bay is one of the Top 5 places to see in Warrnambool
Stingray Bay

Lake Pertobe & Playground

When to visit: Everyday. Motor boats for hire only available Sat & Sun

If it’s up to the kids, you will probably end up spending a LOT of time here.

This park and lake is huge and absolutely gorgeous, not just for kids, but really for anyone. You can kayak and hire motor boats to go on the lake, and do lots of walks across the bridges that connect the islands in the lake.

Lake Pertobe playground and it's huge maze is one of the top attractions to see in Warrnambool with kids

It’s beautifully landscaped and has lots of play areas, the newest part of the park is towards the huge maze. The maze has also a higher viewing platform in the middle so parents can keep an eye on the kids.

tunnel slides at lake pertobe playground
Tunnel Slide

There is a play area for younger kids with a huge sandpit, a splash area set up with spraying ‘whales’, a huge tunnel slide and a giant flying fox (for kids AND adults). Lots of sitting areas and BBQs. Truly one of the best parks I have ever seen to suit all ages!

Tip: Pack bathers for the splash park and a picnic. There is lots of lawns and picnic tables to have some lunch!

Lake Pertobe adventure playground
Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground – this is only one small part of the park!

Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters

When to visit: Contact directly to find out when tours are running

This was a standout and such a rare treat if you love native animals and really want to get up close to them.

It’s located about 20 minutes drive from Warrnambool and it’s a wildlife park, but they only run scheduled small group tours. You MUST book ahead online and everyone gets a chance to pat and feed animals.

We all really enjoyed this and we got to see some amazing animals up close like koalas, kangaroos, wombats, dingos and so many more!

You can read my full review on Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters HERE.

Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters is one of the Top things to see in Warrnambool
Cuddling the baby animals at Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters

Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village

When to visit: Open 10 am to 5 pm Everyday

This place was a real surprise, it reminded me a bit of the replica town of Sovereign Hill (in Ballarat, also in Victoria) and also has a replica maritime village that you can go and explore.

You start off by visiting the museum where you can learn about what life was like in the 19th century and the history of the Shipwreck Coast. You can see lots of artefacts from the shipwrecks, including the famous Loch Ard Peacock – which is valued at a whopping 4 million AUD (2.5 Million US)!

The most expensive peacock you will ever see!

The kids will enjoy exploring the little seaside village visiting all the little shops and walking along the cobblestone streets.

There is an old school lolly store where you can buy $2 bags of lollies and also a tea room where you can stop for scones and a cup of tea.

It was a bargain of a family activity, as we were only charged for our 2 adults tickets and the kids were free (both under 5).

Upon entry, the kids were given a small bag of duck feed each so they could feed the ducks. That was definitely the highlight of the outing for them!

The day ticket price also includes a 40 minute guided tour, from a fully dressed up guide in a period costume. A night Light and Sound Show is also available that recreates the tale of Loch Ard.   

Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village
Flagstaff Hill Village

Minigolf by the Sea

When to visit: Open 10 am to 4 pm on Weekends. 12 pm to 4 pm midweek (Mon to Fri)

A great morning or afternoon activity that everyone can enjoy. It’s an all ages, all abilities 18 hole mini golf course right next to Lake Pertobe playground. Great set up and the grounds very well maintained.

It also has an adjoining jumping pillow that you can add entry on with minigolf for an additional $3. This was another very affordable activity for $35 for our family of 4. It was free for my younger toddler but they still kindly gave him a golf ball and clubs so he really enjoyed being part of the fun!

Minigolf by the sea in Warrnambool
Minigolf by the Sea

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.

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.

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

There are also many other options that include Holiday Parks, Motels and AirBnbs.

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

Where to eat in Warrnambool

There are also lots of fabulous places to eat in Warrnambool, ranging from fine dining to family-friendly pubs. There is a great coffee scene with some fantastic cafes where you can your coffee fix like Bohemia, Piccolo, or the Beach Kiosk.

If you want to read more about where we ate some great meals, check out my post on Where to Eat in Warrnambool with the Family.

Want to read more about Warrnambool?

Hope you enjoyed this post on the Top Things to do in Warrnambool with Kids

Want to discover more about Warrnambool, in Australia?

Check out my other post on the Where to eat in Warrnambool with the family and Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters.

If you are looking at other beach destinations in Victoria, check out my other post on Portarlington with Kids HERE!

This post was first written in February 2023 and updated in October 2023 - I always  recommend that you go on the direct websites to check prices & opening times for the most up to date information.
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Australia

Where to Eat in Warrnambool with the family

Warrnambool has a great variety of places to eat, it’s the largest town along the Great Ocean Road so you won’t be running out of places to dine out or take in! With so many family-friendly options like pubs and bowls clubs, as well as nice cafes’ and upmarket seafood restaurants, these are some of the best meals we had during our family stay in Warrnambool.

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!

Where is Warrnambool

Located 3 hours (approx. 260 km) drive south-west of Melbourne, Warrnambool is the largest town on the Great Ocean Road. With a population of around 35,000 people, it has the feel of a proper regional city. It has town centre, tourist attractions, amazing beaches and all the amenities you need.

Liebig Street in the heart of the centre, has a great variety of shops, restaurants and coffee shops too.

one of the many viewpoints to see the cliffs in Warrnambool
Pickering Point just outside Warrnambool

Top attractions in Warrnambool

Hop in the car and just a short drive away from town you can easily explore nature nearby as well as the Great Ocean Road, with the 12 Apostles only 1 hour away.

Warrnambool is steeped in a rich history that dates back to the 1800, it has a whole village replica at Flagstaff Hill that showcases life how it was in a traditional maritime village.

warrnambool flagstaff maritime village
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village

For nature lovers, just 14 km west of Warrnambool, you can venture inside a now extinct volcano crater at Tower Hill Reserve. The reserve is now a thriving habitat of native flora and animals.

The Winter Whales is one of the big attractions that bring tourism into Warrnambool over the winter months. Between June to September, many different types of whales migrate to the coast of Warrnambool at Logans beach during calving season. Along with the beautiful beaches of Lady Bay, Main Beach and Stingray Bay, Warrnambool has attractions suited for everyone!

You can read more about the Top Things to do in Warrnambool with Kids in my other post. Read on to find out more about Where to eat in Warrnambool with the family!

Where to Eat in Warrnambool with the family

Raffetys Tavern

When to visit: Open 10 am to 1 am, Monday to Sunday

Great for: Huge indoor Playground for the kids and tasty smoked meats!

A bit about Raffetys Tavern

The pub is located just a few minute’s drive outside of the center so you will need to drive there – but I did see that they have a free courtesy bus that can pick you up or drop you off on request.

This pub was a really pleasant surprise and real hit with the kids. The pub is spacious, very clean and the service was great.

They have specials on most nights, we visited on a Tuesday and the kids eat free with each main meal you purchase. The kid’s meals were pretty basic and not too big but were enough for my little ones.

The biggest drawcard for families visiting is indeed the biggest play area I’ve ever seen inside a pub. They have a full-size bouncy castle, and stairs that take them up to a mezzanine floor with a tunnel slide to the lower floor playground.

play area at raffetys tavern in warrnambool
The huge bouncy castle inside Raffety’s Tavern

There are also cameras and TVs so you can see the play areas from most the dining room which is a plus. Yu can also be seated right next to the play area to keep an eye on the little ones. This place is an ideal place to eat in Warrnambool with the family!

The Food

They have a large menu with a lot of the pub classics like Parmas, Pizza and Seafood, as well as a great variety of plant based options too. We opted to go for the smokehouse specials that they were running at the time of our visit and they did not disappoint, both meals were very tasty and of good portion size.

The 12 hour smoked brisket was a highlight: melt in the mouth meat and it came with sides of buttery charred corn, creamy potato salad and a delicious home made BBQ sauce. The smoked pork ribs were also delicious and came with crispy beer battered onion and a crunchy apple slaw.

The Dart and Marlin

When to visit: Open 4 pm to 11 pm, Wednesday to Saturday

Great for: Tasty stone baked thin crust pizza and cocktails for the grown ups

A bit about the Dart and Marlin

Located right in the center of Warrnambool, this trendy pub serves up some delicious pizzas and the grown-ups can enjoy some Live music and great cocktails too! We tried this place for some pizzas to take home and they were a standout.

The Food

Crispy stone-baked thin base and tasty quality toppings made these pizzas delicious. On the extensive pizza menu, we tried the Potato and Leek Pizza which was topped with some beautifully caramelized onion and 3 cheeses.

The Smokey Pig had toppings of smoked tomato and just the right amount of crispy pancetta, pepperoni & pork sausage. We got the large pizzas and there were no leftovers – Priced at a reasonable $24 – $25 per pizza, they were just too good!

pizza at dart and marlin in warnambool

Cheese World

When to visit: Open 10 am to 3 pm, Monday to Friday

Great for: Brunch, Cheese toasties & creamy milkshakes

A bit about Cheese World

Oh the humble cheese toastie.. do I even need to say more? I’d go back just for that. What a great brunch/lunch spot this is if you are out and about exploring around Warrnambool.

Cheese World is located in Allansford, 10 minutes drive from Warrnambool. It’s also very close to Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters which is most definitely worth a visit too! Cheese World was the perfect stop to refuel after a morning of sightseeing.

cheese world in warrnambool

The Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory (now known as Saputo Dairy) is across the road and showcases their dairy products that are produced on site.

Alongside the Cheese World Shop and café, there is also a free museum! In the museum you can have a look at farm and household items from the 19th century. To have a closer look at them you just scan a QR code to learn more about the items.

museum at cheese world
The Cheese World Museum

In the shop they have a good variety of cheeses available to purchase, mainly cheddar style, seasoned with different things such as smoked or with peppers etc.. They also offer free tastings before you buy.

Cheese shop
The cheese selection at Cheese World

Lots of different chutneys and fruit paste are also available for purchase to accompany the cheese. Some interesting combinations of the chutneys included Spiced Pear paste and Green Tomato pickles.

The Food

The café is spacious and has a simple menu but you can get some really tasty toasties that can rival the ones in fancy café in the city. It’s a great place to have a nice brunch or light lunch with the family while visiting Warrnambool!

They use Zeally Bay Sourdough which makes a gorgeous sourdough bread in Torquay, and fill it with lots of cheeses. The Three Cheese toastie has a wonderful mix of King Island Brie, Heidi Farm Raclette and a local Vintage Cheddar and was delicious.

The Ham and cheese toastie was also very nice and reminded me a bit of a croque monsieur because of the tangy Dijon mustard in it.

For the kids they have cheese toasties that are only $6 and they are huge! It was definitely enough for my kids (2 under 5) to share with some chips ($3 extra as a side).

To wash it all down, don’t miss on trying the thick-shakes and milkshakes with local Sungold Fresh Milk!

Where to stay in Warrnambool

Warrnambool has some great options and a lot of variety of accommodation types to suit all budgets. 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 and Lady Bay Resort with apartment style accommodation.

Stingray Bay in Warrnambool

Quest Warrnambool and Warrnambool Gallery apartments are two of my favourites located right in the heart of the city centre. There are also many other options that includes Holiday Parks, Motels and AirBnbs.

To find some great accommodation deals in Warrnambool check out Expedia.

Want to read more about Warrnambool?

Hope you enjoyed this post on Where to eat in Warrnambool with the family.

Want to discover more about Warrnambool, in Australia?

Check out my other post on the Things to do in Warrnambool with kids and Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters.

This post was first written in February and updated in October 2023- I always        recommend that you go on the direct websites to check prices & opening times for the most up to date information.
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Family Holidays

Top 3 Tips for Visiting Fiji with a Baby

Tropical Fiji. The ads don’t lie. Sunny days, palm lined beaches and one of the most family friendly holiday destinations. If you were like me and are planning your first Fiji Holidays with your brand new baby, Here are my Top 3 Tips for Visiting Fiji.

Baby relaxing by the pool in Fiji

Top 3 Tips for Visiting Fiji with a baby

Where to stay: Things to consider

When deciding on a location to stay – we opted to stay on Denarau Island. Denarau is really close to the Fiji’s main international airport, Nadi (20 minutes by car), and is like its own gated development. The area is mainly made up of large resorts (9), a port, some private residences and a golf course. The great thing is that you can walk across to all the resorts, either via a walkway along the beach or use the shuttle, called the Bula Bus. It was wonderful to be able to walk across all the resorts in the evening and try different places for dinner!

Palm lined walkways in Fiji in Denarau. Choosing the location on where to stay is one of the Top 3 tips for visiting Fiji with a baby
Tree lined walkway that connects all the resorts in Denarau

The other option we considered that is a bit further from the airport is the Coral Coast. It has a really appealing coastline with pristine beaches as the main pull for travellers. Denarau instead, actually only has a man-made beach so you would generally just laze by the pool. The trade off was a bit more of a remote location (1 hour and 20 minute drive from the airport) and less restaurants at walking distance. So for first timers, Denarau was the perfect choice! We opted to stay at the Hilton Fiji in Denarau, you can read more about it in my review HERE.

Man made beach in Denarau, choosing the location if important when travelling to Fiji that I share in my 3 top tips
Man-made beach in Denarau

What to pack and bring from home

When packing your suitcase, I recommend you take everything you need for your baby from home, enough to last you the whole trip. So that is nappies, wipes, formula, creams, baby food and whatever else your baby needs. Yes, it might mean that you will have a suitcase filled with baby stuff – but it will defenitely save you a lot of money. While you can most definitely find these items for purchase there, the convenience stores in the resorts have a huge markup on these items for holidaymakers. If you are after a specific type or brand of item, they might also not have it.

Packing all the essentials including nappies (pictured) is one the 3 Tips I share when travelling to Fiji with a baby
Source: Pixabay

There was of course a local supermarket at the port which had more affordable prices and more options. But to be honest, I was glad I had everything with me so the only thing I had to buy was water to make up the baby bottles! It also means that once you unpack your suitcase in the resort, you can relax! You already have everything you need and you won’t have to worry about going to look for things if you run out.

Vaccinations and Mosquitos in Fiji

Make sure your vaccinations for you and your baby are up to date before travelling to Fiji. Speak to your doctor for any concerns or specific health advice before travelling. We opted to travel once our baby was 6 months old and had just had his 6 months routine vaccinations.

Mosquitos in Fiji, one of the tips I share when travelling to Fiji
Source: Pixabay

Mosquitos can be an annoyance in Fiji, with December to April being the wet season and when most moquitos are around. There is Zika, Typhoid and Dengue cases throughout Fiji so ensure to take some kids and adult insect repellent to avoid getting bitten. You can also purchase a net to go over the cot if needed and if your baby is quite sensitive to mosquito bites.

You can check the most up to date travel information for Fiji from the Australian Smart Traveller website HERE.

Nanny and babysitting facilities at the resorts for babies

Lastly if you haven’t already read this in all the other posts about Fiji, they absolutely love babies and children there! The service is outstanding and everyone in the resorts is very accommodating. We would often sit by the pool and the attendants will come around and take our little one for a few minutes while we had our lunch and they are just the most gentle and nurturing people I have ever met! Most resorts in Denarau offer Kids Clubs and Babysitting / Nanny facilities.

Source: Pixabay

Hiring a nanny

We used the nanny at the resort we stayed at and it was well worth! Most resorts offer a nanny service for little ones under 3 years old. The nannies may be employed by the resort or from an outside company. Either way, they are extremely affordable (from 8-10 FJD per hour) and more than happy to provide you with references. Do note that the rates vary – for some you might have to book ahead and for an minimum amount of hours (generally 3) or for 2 or more consecutive days. The fees are usually higher for the evening. The nannies are extremely professional, well trained with children and they will take great care of your little ones.

Kids Clubs

Kids older than 3 years old can generally go to the Kids Club without an accompanying adult but do need to be toilet trained. Depending on the resort/package you booked, the Kids Club might have a fee per child to attend. In most cases, it will be included as part as your room rate if you are staying longer than a few days.

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Enjoying an afternoon cocktail

‘Vinaka’ (Thank You!) Fiji! We had a fabulous time and I can’t wait to go back and get some more of the Fijian hospitality!

To Check out my review of the Hilton Fiji, click HERE.

Have a look at some great Fiji Hotel deals, have a look at Expedia or Booking.com.

To check out the best airfares to Fiji, check out Skyscanner.

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Family Holidays

Hilton Fiji Review

On our first family holiday to Fiji, we opted to stay at the Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa in Denarau. A tropical paradise with expansive gardens and plenty of room for the whole family, it was the perfect choice! This is our Hilton Fiji 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 the Hilton Fiji

  • Large, spacious rooms with the option of apartment stays for more space
  • Great for families with young children, as well as couples looking for more quiet and relaxation as they have a separate adults-only pool and restaurant.
  • In a great location in Denarau which is close to the airport, and within walking distance of lots of other resorts to have more dinner options.

To check out prices and availability of Hilton Fiji, check HERE

Hilton Fiji – Location

The Hilton Fiji is located on Denarau Island, only 20 minutes by car from Nadi International Airport. Denarau is a man-made island, that you can get to via bus or taxi, just by crossing a small bridge that goes over a creek.

Once across to Denarau, you will mainly find large resorts (9 of them), some private residences, a golf course, a water park and a port with some local shops and restaurants.

Landing in Fiji to reach Hilton Fiji
Credit: Pixabay

The Hilton Fiji is located along the waterfront and is connected to all the other resorts via the beach or lined pathways that are all across Denarau.

The Bula Bus service operates daily and can give you a lift anywhere in Denarau, it costs 30 FJD for a 5-day pass per person or 10 FJD per day, and kids under 12 travel free with an accompanying paying adult.

Palm lined walkways connecting the resorts at the Hilton Fiji
Walking along the palm lined walkways in Denarau

The greatest drawcard for staying in Denarau is the proximity to the airport and the convenience of having lots of other resorts nearby so you can venture out to different places to grab dinner that were easy to get to by walk or with the Bula Bus.

The Beach at Hilton Fiji

The views over Denarau Beach are stunning to look at but to be honest I did not see many (if any) people swimming on the beach – people just chill by the pool! The beach is man-made and is mostly dark and grey sand (it used to be mangrove mudflats).

If you want a beautiful beach with clear waters to swim and do snorkelling in every day, then perhaps Denarau is not for you. You can head to other parts of Fiji like the Coral Coast or the islands which have much nicer beaches to swim in.

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Manmade beach at Denarau where the Hilton Fiji is located
The beach at Hilton Fiji in Denarau

Hilton Fiji Review: The Resort Complex

The Hilton Fiji resort is on a long stretch of beach (just over 2 km), surrounded by lots of manicured gardens.

Resort complex at the Hilton Fiji in my Review
Resort Complex

It’s a large complex with:

  • 271 rooms, including suites, studios, 1,2 & 3 bedroom, apartment-style residences
  • 7 swimming pools
  • 3 restaurants
  • Snack/take away deli for coffees and quick bites to eat
  • Day Spa
  • Gym
  • Kids Club
  • Dedicated separate adults-only area with bar, restaurant, swimming pool and lounges
The inviting pool at the Hilton Fiji
Main Pool Area at Hilton Fiji

To check out prices and availability of Hilton Fiji, check HERE

Hilton Fiji Review: Room Types

271 rooms, including suites, studios, 1,2 & 3 bedroom residences are available at the resort.

We booked a 1 bedroom residence and just loved the spacious apartment. The apartments are fitted with a kitchen, laundry facilities and BBQs on the deck/balcony.

Balcony at the Hilton Fiji in the garden view rooms
Balcony with BBQ facing the garden

We found that compared to most of the other resorts in Denarau it had many options for staying in apartment style accommodation which was a big plus!

We had access to more space, a separate bedroom and all the amenities we needed in the kitchen to make bottles/warm up food for our baby.

The bathrooms for the apartments were large and had a separate shower and a deep soaking tub.

Deep Soaking Tub at the Hilton Fiji
Open plan bathroom with freestanding tub

We booked initially a 1 bedroom garden view room. The garden view rooms look over onto the back of the gardens of the resorts and have a separate bedroom.

Bedroom at the Hilton Fiji
Sea facing bedroom in the 2 bedroom seaview apartment on the second floor

After the first few nights, the aircon in our apartment broke down – it’s very humid in Fiji and after one very muggy night and them trying to fix it, the following day we got moved and upgraded to a 2 Bedrooms Beachfront Sea Facing Apartment and given some credit to use in the resort.

View from the second floor seaview apartment at the Hilton Fiji
View from our upgraded 2 bedroom seaview apartment

Needless to say, that it made up for that initial inconvenience of moving rooms, and if I go again, that is the room I will be booking!

The beachfront apartment we had was on the second floor, was very spacious and we had a great view of the gardens and the sea.

Hilton Fiji Review: The Restaurants

Nuku Restaurant

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and serves International & some local dishes. Occasionally at the front of Nuku they also do entertainment by the pool deck with music and traditional fire dancing which was fantastic!

View of Nuku and the pool
Nuku entrance beside main pool

Our room included breakfast, which was served here at Nuku. It was most definitely worth getting! The breakfast buffet with very comprehensive, with lots of Western, Asian and local options available so we fuelled up in the morning just needing a small snack at lunch.

We did dine for dinner on one occasion but we were not particularly impressed, and I preferred the food at Maravu (the other restaurant at the resort) more.

Breakfast at Nuku at the Hilton Fiji
Breakfast at Nuku

The Deli

Serves small snacks, sandwiches, coffee and takeaway items like pizza. We often got lunch from here just as takeaway to have by the pool.

Maravu Restaurant

Open for Dinner only and serves Thai/ Asian food. It has a beautiful beach view, outstanding service and the food was very tasty and of excellent quality. Highly recommend the whole fried fish! it was delicious and we went back for it a few times!

Drinks and Dinner at Maravu where a highlight at the Hilton Fiji
Dinner with a view from Maravu

Koro Restaurant

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and serves Mediterranean-style tapas as well as some larger International dishes.  This is located within the Adults only section of the resort.

The complex has its own bar, restaurant, pool and lounges that can only be accessed by adults. It has music playing and it has a very relaxed, kid-free vibe! We enjoyed the food (we opted for the tapas meals) and the cocktails here.

Hilton Fiji Review: Family Friendly Facilities

The resort is fantastic for kids. They have a kids pool with small slides and a few of the other pools are shallow, shaded for little kids to have a paddle.

view of the family Pool with slides
Kids pool area

Kids Club

They have a Kids Club – we didn’t use so I can’t personally comment on it. But it is complementary and available for kids aged 3 to 12. Toddlers need to be toilet trained to go to the kids club. Kids under 6 years old can also dine free from Noku, with the purchase of a main meal for the adult.

Nanny Service

They also have a nanny service which we used on a few occasions. The nanny was great and the service is very affordable (from 8 FJD per hour with minimum hours, rates differ for more than 1 child and evening babysitting). The nannies are very experienced and they can look after the younger children in the room while you head out for dinner or head over to Koro for a swim.

Lounging in a hammock at the Hilton Fiji

Overall, we really enjoyed our stay! I hope you found this Hilton Fiji Review helpful to plan your travels!

BOOK Hilton Fiji

To check out prices and availability of Hilton Fiji, check HERE.

Want to read more?

Travelling to Fiji with a baby? You can read more about my Top Tips for Travelling to Fiji with a baby HERE.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. It is NOT sponsored and is my honest and personal opinion only.

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Destinations

Top 3 Things to do in the Grampians with kids

We decided to go on a family holiday to the Grampians right in the middle of a cold July in Melbourne, to escape the city, get out into nature and have a cozy country getaway with the kids. Well indeed the Grampians delivered! These are my Top 3 Things to do in the Grampians with kids!

Walking through Halls Gap Zoo

Where we stayed

In the Grampians, we opted for a week stay in a cozy cottage in Halls Gap, the beautiful Algona Views. The cottage was perfect for our week stay with 2 kids under 4. I particularly liked this place as it was newly renovated, had a split system for heating (rather than a fireplace to keep my curious toddler safe), had a beautiful spacious deck & backyard to enjoy the views and the wildlife of the area.

Algona Views in the Grampians was a great base

You arrive and straight away native wildlife is all around you! There are many very friendly kangaroos roaming around and so many cockatoos! The birds, were indeed a real highlight of the holiday. Every morning after breakfast, we would sit on the deck out the back of the property while sipping our morning coffee, and we had so many birds coming to say hello! It was a real delight for the kids and they had so much fun feeding them some crackers and fruit. I must admit though, they do get greedy and keep coming back for more and are not afraid in tapping you on the shoulder to get their share of food.

Cockatoos are everywhere in Grampians

Halls Gap Town Centre

The cottage was located a few minutes by car outside of town, where most of the holiday cottages are located. We walked into town on a few occasions, it was about a 25 minute walk to get to the main street along this lovely walkway in the bush land adjacent to the main road.

Kangaroos in the Grampians are roaming around everywhere

Halls Gap itself is a small little town and the main strip of shops on Grampians Road has a few little essential stores, a few restaurants/take away shops, a bakery and general store where we could buy everything we needed for our week there.

These are the Top 3 Things to do in the Grampians with Kids

Halls Gap Zoo

Red Panda at Halls Gap Zoo, one of the Top 3 things to see in the Grampians

My Review:

We loved this country zoo and I must say it really exceeded my expectations, the place is huge! It took us over 3 hours to see it all. You really get a chance to see close up some incredible animals like the red panda and cheetahs, and upon entry you can also purchase feed for $2 for some of the animals and the kids had an absolutely ball feeding the deers, goats and wallabies.

There is also a big playground as you walk in where the kids can have a play.

Playground at Halls Gap Zoo

Handy Tip: Just make sure to bring your lunch and snacks as there is no coffee shop to get any food or hot drinks.

Grampians Adventure Golf

My Review:

This minigolf place was incredible and my 4 year old thoroughly enjoyed it! It’s an 18 hole course set on 2 acres of bushland, with all sorts of crazy ramps, tunnels and little bridges for the balls to go on! It also has a café where you can have brunch or lunch before or after your play. Kids under 4 are free and they happily give a club and balls to the smaller players to have a go at playing. You can easily spend a few hours here. There is also the MOCO Art Gallery connected to it where you can have a look at some beautiful artworks. They also run Canvas & Cocktail classes and painting workshops.

Grampians Adventure Golf is a must and a Top 3 when in the Grampians with kids

Handy Tip: I don’t recommend this for toddlers younger than 3 yrs old due to the steep stairs, little rivers and open bridges running through the course. My little one wanted to just go around and explore and I was on toddler watch the whole time!

Halls Botanical Gardens & Venus Baths Loop Walk

One of the installations at the Halls Gap Botanical Gardens and one of the Top 3 things to do in the Grampians

My Review:

This community run garden is stunning and so different from any garden we have ever been to! It’s immersed in bush land and focuses on showcasing native plants and some really cool art installations which the kids loved exploring. The Botanical Gardens is also the starting point for many walking tracks including the one that leads you to the Venus Baths.

Venus Baths

The ‘loop’ will take you around 1 hour there and back, and is just over 2 km. It’s a gorgeous scenic walk that takes you through bush land and rock formations. Once you arrive at the Venus Baths you will see these inviting pools or ‘baths’ of water where in summer it’s very popular for people to cool off (if there is enough water that is – as it can also dry up). Needless to say that being July I didn’t bother testing the water. It was freezing by the look of it, so I just admired the view!

Handy Tip: The track was very easily accessible but going with a pram was a bit of a challenge in a couple of sections of the track as there were some big rocks to go over.

Other great things to do in the Grampians

Boroka Lookout view point

if you have the time, these are also worth a visit!

  • Admire the Grampians view and catch the rainbows at Boroka Lookout
  • Learn about the local aboriginal culture and spot kangaroos & emus at Brambruk National Park & Cultural Centre
  • Have a scenic picnic in Lake Bellfield
Lake Bellfield

Where to eat in Halls Gap

We enjoy the occasional night off cooking while on holidays (I am sure you do too right 😊) and I highly recommend these two standout places in Halls Gap:

  • Flame Brothers: Melt in the mouth smoky meats are the speciality of this place that will literally make you want to go back for more, but for me it was actually the fried buffalo cauliflower that stole the show. How do you even make a vegetable taste so good!
  • Spirit of Punjab: The kids (and all the adults of course) loved this place – they have robot cat waiters that come to serve your food! The food was wonderful with authentic flavours and the standout for me was the tandoori chicken, not to spicy, smoked and tasted just perfect!

We absolutely loved our week in the Grampians and can’t wait to go back!

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