There is no joy like a day to yourself, knowing your kids are excited to be away from you—no parenting guilt, just some time for parents to re-group! If you are lucky enough to have grandparents then you probably know what this feels like. For grandparents though, caring for grandkids can be an exercise in coming up with new things to do. And, being grandparents in Brisbane, they’ll need to be sure there’s cool, refreshing ice-cream on hand (it’s the law for grandparents up here, apparently). Here’s our guide to someof our favourite grandparent friendly northbound daytrips from Brisbane with kids.
Short Daytrip for Grandparents and Grandkids: Caboolture to Bribie
First stop is Caboolture Historical Village. Around thirty minutes north of Brisbane, but a hundred years back in time, Caboolture Historical Village is a grandparent-friendly place to visit. Entry is $15 per adult and $5 per kid over 5 years, so it’s an affordable day out. View a collection of historical artefacts from around the Caboolture region—including historical cars, trucks and tractors—a massive hit with little boys and grandpas both!
Brisbane Kids Tip: Make sure you check out the gem sorting – this seems to be a favourite across all generations.
Next, head East along the Caboolture-Bribie road to the historical Abbey Museum of Art and Architecture. The Abbey has great activities for kids, such as educational archaeological digs (for fake jewels and bones they can take home!), junior curator programs, as well as lots of cool stuff like medieval swords and suits of armour. The Abbey is an affordable attraction and an easy, indoor walk. There are also some amazing stained glass windows on site.
Brisbane Kids Tip: In school holidays the Abbey Museum is well known for running llow-costactivities for kids focussed on discovery and skills of the past. What a great way for grandparents and grandchildren to connect!
Bribie Island
Bribie Island is a favourite for many families because it offers both the fun of a surf beach but also the safety of a calm side for smaller kids and their grandparents who may not feel as comfortable taking their kids to a full on wave beach. There are a variety of playgrounds on Bribie Island and plenty of green space for picnic. Read our detailed review of Bribie Island. The photo below is of Woorim Park which is on Bribie Island.
Brisbane Kids tip: Bribie Island Seaside Museum often has activities on for kids. Check them out on the Moreton Bay Regional Shire Website.
Aussie World
Believe it or not, Aussie World on the Sunshine Coast is a very grandparent friendly day trip—it’s probably the nanna-friendliest of all the big ride theme parks. Aussie World is reasonably priced for a ride park ($29 per person or $99 per family) and is quite compact, with plenty of shady places for grandparents to sit while kids go nuts on the rides. Outside of school holidays, it’s usually not too crowded, so there are no lines. There are picnic tables overlooking the water play area, but no actual pool—so bring the kids’ swimmers, but there will be no need for you to swim or even get wet! Aussie World’s rides are suited to younger kids too, with minimum height for most rides being just 100cms (around 4 years old). Of course, there’s ice-cream too!
Brisbane Kids tip: If you are heading to Aussie World during the winter to spring months make sure you check out Strawberry Fields, which is about a 2minute drive from Aussie World offering a pick your own strawberry experience as well as having a playground and cafe onsite.
The Ginger Factory
The Ginger Factory at Yandina is a cute way to spend a day. It’s not in Buderim—it’s another twenty minutes up the freeway, so keep that in mind! The Ginger Factory offers lovely gardens, factory tours, SuperBee honey, a very popular steam train ride, a boat ride in the style of Disneyland’s “Small World Musical Boat Ride” and places to eat and shop. It’s a pleasant, very affordable day out and while you’re there, you can pop across the road to the Nutworks Macadamia Factory for a tour of the kernel processing (April to November only) and chocolatiers at work (all year round). Of course, you’ll need some treats to take home!
Brisbane Kids tip: The Ginger Factory also has an ice-cream factory on site- no more explanation necessary!
Daytrips with grandparents are one of the biggest memory makers of childhood. Would your parents love Brisbane Kids? Feel free to share the site with them and introduce them to our Facebook page. We’re excited to welcome new readers to our blog and nobody loves Brisbane kids like their grandparents. Stay tuned for more grandparent friendly day trips from Brisbane and more info for Brisbane grandmas and grandpas!
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