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Peninsula Kids
Home»Local Activities»Day Tripping – Itinerary five
Local Activities

Day Tripping – Itinerary five

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Moonlit Sanctuary – Wildgrain – Seawinds Arthurs Seat – Dromana

By Julia Swift

Autumn colours are starting to appear on the trees, weather can start to cool, but sunny days are still plentiful and it’s a perfect time to get out and about on the Peninsula with the family.

Here is a great way to spend the day.

We started our day at 10am – opening time at Moonlit Sanctuary Pearcedale.

Moonlit Sanctuary is a hidden Australian gem on our doorstep. I haven’t been here since I was a kid, and had to take a step back this morning and have a bit of a proud moment that we do have such an amazing place to showcase our beautiful Australian animals here in our backyard.

The sanctuary plans the day out well for you. They offer animal presentations very much in line with the order you’d walk around the grounds; this saves time and backtracking and allows plenty of time to slow down and take everything in. Perfect for animal watching.

When you first arrive and purchase your tickets, make sure you also grab a tub of animal food per child for only $3. Also take time to check out the many encounters they offer from koala petting, holding a python to walking a dingo! It is recommended that you arrange all of these at the gate on arrival or when purchasing your tickets online to avoid having to head back to the ticket booth during your visit.

The presentations and encounters are at set times (and days), so be sure to check online to make sure you don’t miss something that you are super keen to see.

First up we got nice and close to a super cute wombat who was doing his thing: just strolling his enclosure. Wandering further up the track we went through native bushland, past different species of birds, reptiles, koalas and emus. At 11.30 be sure to check out the animal training session which shows how the park works to train their animals, which comes in handy not only for the afternoon show, but for completing medical checks on some of the larger animals.

Here we met Humphrey a tiny squirrel glider and Percy an inquisitive quoll.  Both equally cute and hand raised since birth.

Next we walked among the roos and wallabies and my daughter, Char, got a chance to hand feed these shy yet friendly native animals. This was a great experience that she just loved.

We then headed up to check out the Tassie devils and dingos. Char seemed to tire at this stage, but I was glad we’d got around the whole grounds.

At this point you have two options, grab lunch at the onsite café, dispensing a range of burgers, salads and sandwiches, and stick around for more of the presentations and afternoon action show if your kids are willing. Or make tracks for lunch in Mornington. We spent about 2.15 hours at Moonlit Sanctuary.

At about 12.30 we arrived at Wildgrain in Mornington for a spot of lunch. Wildgrain is the’ new kid’ on the block; opening only this January.

A charming and welcoming dining room awaited, decked out with lush green plants and a calming and beautiful colour scheme.

Not a huge menu, but hubby was more than happy with his burger option, I with my salad option and Char with the kids meals on offer.

Paired with a glass of wine or their signature cocktails, it makes for a great stop to chill and chat with the kids about the morning.

Next up we headed down the road along the scenic Nepean Hwy to Seawinds gardens in Arthurs Seat where splashes of autumn colours in the many trees will meet your eyes.

This is a perfect place to take a ball and let the kids run around to burn all energy acquired from lunch. Or even try your hand at some amateur photography of the family/kids.  The autumn leaves just make the most perfect backdrop for this.

From here head back into the main township of Dromana and find a little café or ice cream shop for an afternoon treat before heading home.

A perfect way to spend an autumn day on the Peninsula.


Julia is a flight attendant and local Mornington Peninsula mum of two young kids.

Travelling is her passion, and now with the kids it’s just a fine balancing act of travelling on age appropriate trips, the whole family can enjoy. Follow Julia’s travel adventures, tips and local findings at www.mumsgottatravel.com or on instagram @mumsgottatravel

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2020

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If this is your first experience of winter with a baby you might be wondering what you need to do to protect them from the elements. Babywearing is a wonderful start as you each warm the other. You can top that up with hats, mittens and booties but go easy with coats and suits. Rather than thick single garments, add an extra layer or two. Avoid bulky hoods which can restrict free head movement. Keep in mind, as you rug them up, that your body is a wonderful heat bank for your child. Light layers plus protection for the head, hands and feet is the way to go. You can pop “baby legs” leg warmers on to keep exposed legs warmer. Read more here: https://peninsulakids.com.au/baby-its-cold-outside/ Or via link to mag in bio. #babyitscoldoutside @peninsulakidsmagazine #lovepeninsulakids
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👀😮 Ooooh..this looks gooooood. Has anyone read the book? Betrayal and revenge come knocking on The Family Next Door this August! The ABC, Screen Australia and VicScreen are pleased to announce the thrilling six-part suburban mystery drama series The Family Next Door will premiere on Sunday 10 August at 8pm on ABC TV, with all episodes available to stream on ABC iview. It’s peak holiday season in the popular seaside town of Osprey Point when an enigmatic stranger, Isabelle (Palmer) rents a family home in a quiet cul-de-sac. As Isabelle charms her way into her neighbours’ homes and lives, she quickly discovers that everyone at Pleasant Court has something to hide. How far will her obsessive drive to solve a mystery push her to expose the truth? Based on New York Times bestselling Australian author Sally Hepworth’s novel of the same name, this sophisticated and entertaining mystery blends drama and humour while exploring family dynamics through the unique lens of award-winning screenwriter Sarah Scheller (Strife, The Letdown) and Emma Freeman’s (The Newsreader, Interview with the Vampire) character-driven directorial skills. #abciview #sallyhepworth #thefamilynextdoor
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Bring the kids to experience live theatre at Frankston Arts Centre in August! An instant Australian classic, Beetle by Legs On The Wall tells the story of a child who finds a friend in her backyard; together they embark on an adventure to search for his family, the now elusive Christmas Beetle. The magic of the bush habitat is brought to life through Legs On The Wall’s trademark physical storytelling, and animation created from original artworks by beloved children’s author and illustrator Freya Blackwood. A tale of resilience and hope, Beetle reminds young audiences that there’s an important place in the world for all of us. Reminding us of the delicate balance of the natural world and that all things are connected. This charming, nostalgic and uniquely Australian show invites children and families to join the adventure, encountering larger than life beetles, stick insects, and other bush critters while finding out about the uncanny nature and delicate balance of the bush environment. See it on Friday 22 August at 11am or 6pm at Frankston Arts Centre. Tickets are available at thefac.com.au or by calling 03 9784 1060. #whatson #fac #kidstheatre #frankstonartscentre #beetlebylegsonthewall @the_fac
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Epson launches four new EcoTank printers as sales top 100 million and the company remains number one in large ink tank printer sales. EcoTank inkjet printers are world leaders in providing improved productivity for homes and small businesses for a number of reasons. Firstly, they come with up to two years’ worth of ink in the box, so you don’t need to worry about suddenly running out or constantly ordering replacements. This also means less user intervention due to fewer replaceable parts, giving you back time to invest in yourself and your business. There is zero warm-up time and a very fast first page out time with EcoTank printers and this, combined with their unique Heat-Free Technology, saves you time, energy, money and allows you greater flexibility for your home or small business. The new Epson EcoTank ET-4950, ET-3950, ET-3900 and ET-2950 printers come with a 24 month EcoTank Back to Base Warranty (12 month standard express warranty and an bonus additional 12 months upon registration) and are available now from https://www.epson.com.au/ecotank/, and all authorised Epson stockists. #epsonecotank #ad @epsonaust @Epson
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Elmo’s Circus Dream, a dazzling new live stage spectacular making its world premiere at Caulfield Racecourse these upcoming July School Holidays from June 27th to August 3rd, 2025. Tickets and information: https://www.sesamestreetcircus.com.au/ #sesamestreetcircus @sesamestreetcircus @cavanaghpr
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❄️ Winter is here! And along with it, a fresh edition on Peninsula Kids magazine. Enjoy flipping through the pages that celebrate the season’s highlights so that you can make the most of the frostier months with your loved ones. 🥰 🌬️ Link to read in bio ———————————————————————————— #peninsulakids #peninsulakidsmagazine #winter #lovepeninsulakids #mpgrown #local #pregnnacyandbaby #creative #education #health #spotlight #recipes
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