Geocaching
If you aren’t in the know about geocaching, www.geocaching.com.au will tell you everything you need to know. Load your location and start the treasure hunt, and make sure you download the app for on-the-go access. Add some trinkets to your picnic basket to leave in caches along the way, to make the treasure trail all the more interesting.
Hit the hinterland
We’re blessed with a number of national parks in our region, all ready to be explored. Apple Tree Park at Springbrook is a great spot for a tree change and fresh air, while also offering plenty to do. Pack swimmers for a dip in the creek, enjoy a barbecue, bird watch or go bush walking. It’s the perfect recipe for a great day out.
Bikes, BMX and skateboarding
For every national park here in South-East Queensland, we have about 10 skate parks – there are so many to choose from! Kids big and small will love rolling around, taking on the ramps and rails. Don’t forget that an early-morning adventure to the skate park pretty much assures you will have the place to yourself and you’ll be out of the sun’s harshest lunchtime rays. While the kids are busy playing, maybe you can take a brisk walk or even a run around the park’s perimeter to get your own heart rate up and some valuable exercise in.
Explore a farm
You don’t need to live in the country to get a taste of the farm life – there are a number of farms you can visit, all just an hour or two from Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Farm & Co. at Kingscliff offers a field full of sunflowers and towering trees to picnic under, while The Farm Byron Bay has chickens, pigs and highland cows to say hello to.
Head to the beach
This is one of the most obvious weekend adventure choices but sometimes, when you’re based in the city or suburbia, you forget just how easy (and special!) a trip to the beach can be. And you simply cannot overlook the amazing beaches in South-East Queensland and Northern NSW – we’re seriously spoiled for choice! At a very basic level, grab some swimmers, towels, sunscreen, water bottles and hats and you’re away. If you want to take your beach trip next level, throw some beach toys, the cricket bat and ball, sandcastle-making equipment, a picnic basket, shade structure and even the dog in the car. Ensure you take the kids to a patrolled beach and swim between the flags. And always remember to Slip, Slop, Slap!
