Growing Up Troppo - April
Reviews, tips and advice for travelling the world with kids.
By Libby Larsen
Does a weekend at a totally chilled, funky beachfront house, or perhaps a divine and award winning Troppo architect designed abode, sound enticing? Every family needs a chilled weekend getaway, right?
And with the school holidays upon us it’s nice to know that, within an easy cooee of Darwin, there are some great places to stay that perhaps aren't on your radar – the kind of places you really find out about via the local grapevine.
If staying at an award winning Troppo architect designed house with vistas over Lake Bennett sounds enticing – check out The Rozak House on Airbnb. This funky house is 100 per cent off-grid. Another option is Bush Verandah House. I've poured over coffee table books featuring this divine Troppo architect designed house for years. And now, you can rent it via Airbnb!
We also love the bungalows at Lake Bennett for a totally chilled weekend. You can go canoeing, fish, take a stroll or just hang out. Look for them on Airbnb, Facebook and Stayz.
Everything about the Butterfly Farm in Batchelor is eclectic and quirky – you just need to embrace it.
My kids love this place (pictures left). There are rambling paths to explore, a butterfly enclosure, some feisty goats and lots of cute bunnies of all sizes to pat and cuddle. You can choose from the wacky "Phoenix Family Room" or the pink "Flamingo & Cassowary Room", just for starters.
Another option is the Wagait Beach Bush Retreat – just a ferry ride away from Darwin. It’s a corrugated iron style house on a peaceful bush block with a pool.
Tumbling Waters is no secret – but you’d have to agree that it ticks so many boxes for families. The Holiday Park does outdoor movies, wildlife talks, freshwater croc feeding and more. Check their Facebook Page to find out what’s happening.
Makill House (pictured) at Dundee Beach oozes the tropical vibe I love. The water views are stunning and you have a front row seat for sunset every night.
We BYO soccer balls, Frisbees and bikes and there’s alsoa great plunge pool (but it doesn't have a fence, so be warned if you have little ones).
Last but not least there’s Mount Bundy Station, which has heaps to keep kids occupied. You'll find cute, free ranging miniature ponies, wandering peacocks, guinea fowl and more. In the mornings and early evenings wallabies graze, and being a working property there are cows, horses and a much-loved friendly bull called Nigel.
Enjoy your getaway.
Travel is, and has always been, Libby’s passion and she believes that this shouldn’t stop when you have kids. Libby knows that the best travel advice and tips come from other parents and so she started Growing up Troppo. It has loads of inspiration about hip places to stay, play and eat with kids that, importantly, parents love too.
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