With school out for the winter holidays, how are you going to keep the kids entertained? The Examiner's MANIKA DADSON has prepared a school holiday Survival Guide for some ideas to get you started.
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FOR THE ADVENTURER:
On a budget:
- Go on a bushwalk:
?Just outside Launceston are some great areas to take the kids for an outdoor adventure.
Liffey Falls is about 40 minutes drive from Launceston and a 20-minute walk will see you at the main waterfall.
Lilydale Falls is 20 minutes north-east of Launceston and there is also a children's park near the car park.
Hollybank is another great place to escape and you can take advantage of the fire barbecues for a nice family lunch.
With money to spend
- Get lost in a maze:
Two of the North's most iconic mazes are Westbury Maze and Tasmazia.
The Westbury Maze is open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm, with the last entry to the maze at 3.30pm. And while the kids get lost, parents can have a well-deserved break in the tearoom.
Tasmazia is a fun way to spend the day getting lost in the huge maze and also seeing the Village of Lower Crackpot.
The maze is in a town called Promised Land, in the heart of the Cradle Mountain and Lakes District.
Cost is $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, $12.50 for children (four-15 years), and free for those under three.
- Experience Frozen first hand:
What better way to celebrate the winter than asking your kids: ``Do you want to build a snowman?''
While the ski season isn't expected to start until mid-July, snow has already fallen on Ben Lomond and the mountain's snow-making machines are being used.
Visitors must have a parks pass, which can be bought from the Ben Lomond Creek Inn and the Parks and Wildlife Service website.
A daily car pass is $24.
- Visit the Mole Creek Caves:
There are three different cave tours to choose from at the Mole Creek Caves all lasting 45 minutes.
A cave tour costs $19 for adults; $9.50 for children (four-17 years), $15.50 for concession and $47.50 for a family pass (two adults, three children.) Children under four are free.
FOR THE ANIMAL LOVER:
On a budget:
- See the monkeys at City Park:
The Japanese macaques are a great attractions to Launceston's City Park and the best thing is, they are free to look at.
With money to spend:?
- Go to a zoo:
There are two zoos in the state's North; Tasmania Zoo and Trowunna Wildlife Park at Mole Creek.
Both are full of fun-loving animals, including wombats, kangaroos and Tasmanian devils.
They are both open from 9am until 5pm everyday.
Trowunna costs: adults $22; children (three-16 years) $10; concession $18; family (two adults, two children $55 ($5 per extra child).
Tasmania Zoo, on Ecclestone Road, Riverside, costs: $25 an adult, $12.50 child (two-15 years), free for children under two.
FOR THE SPORTY TYPE
With money to spend :?
Play Laser Tag or get bouncy at Airtime 360 - or try both:
Airtime 360 and Laserforce Launceston have come together for the school holidays to offer two hours of fun for $25.
The offer will be valid on July 7, 8 and 9 and after 2pm.
More details can be found on Airtime 360 or Laserforce Launceston's Facebook page.
Both facilities are under the same roof at Racecourse Crescent, near Elphin Sports Centre.
Another Laser Tag venue in Launceston, called Zone 3 Laser Games, in Waverley, is also offering a school holiday deal.
It will hold a super session throughout the holidays, where on Fridays you can play four hours of arcade games and laser tag for $25.
People are asked to book by calling Zone 3 Laser games on 6339 2585.
- Go bowling:
AMF Bowling in Kings Meadows is offering an online deal where you can get two games of bowling plus five arcade tokens for $17.90 a person.
Visit www.amfbowling.com.au for more.
- Visit Launceston Aquatic:
Even though it's cold outside, it's warm inside the aquatic centre in its heated pools.
Costs into the centre in High Street are: Adult $6.80; Child two-five years $3; Child six-15 years $5; family $18.50; concession $5; supervisor $2.60.
- Play putt-putt:
Putt-it at Grindelwald has triple pass vouchers available for the holidays for its Par 54 course.
The course is fitted out with water features, bridges and extensive landscaping, all beside the beautiful Swiss village.
For more information call putt-in on 6330 0481.
Kingsway Crazy Golf in Launceston's CBD is also open from 9am to 8pm during the holidays for families to play 18 holes of crazy putt-putt mini golf.
Admission also includes entry to the mirror maze and jumping castle.
Adults $12; children and concessions $10, family $40.
- Experience Kids Paradise:
Kids Paradise is open every day for $5 for children under five and $9 for a junior.
The Riverside facility is filled with different style playgrounds including a pirate ship, animal land, inflatables and crazy mirrors.
A cafe is also in the facility for parents to enjoy.
FOR THE HISTORY LOVERS:
On a budget:?
- Visit the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery:
With two locations, Inveresk and Royal Park, there is so much for the family to enjoy.
As well as its dinosaur, Tasmanian tiger and historic exhibits, Inveresk also features the Phenomena Factory - a free-entry interactive science centre providing hands-on education for kids of all ages - and The Blacksmith Shop.
The QVMAG Planetarium is also at Inveresk, but additional charges apply.
Royal Park is the Art Gallery side of the museum.
Admission to QVMAG is free, except the Planetarium costs $6 for adults; $4 for children and $15 for families.
The QVMAG Museum and Art Gallery are open from 10am to 4pm daily.
- Discover Franklin House:
Built by former convict and successful businessman Britton Jones, Franklin House has become one of the most visited historical sites for children, especially on school excursions.
The house was built in 1838 and was later a school for boys.
The house, its stables, gardens and the school room are available to visit.
Open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm.
Admission: adults $10; concession $8; National Trust members and children under 18 free.
With money to spend:?
- Meet Launceston's Ghosts:
Launceston City Ghost Tours can take you to a deep and dark convict past.
You experience ghosts and the paranormal energies they have left behind.
Three 90-minute walking tours are on offer: an adult tour, children's tour and educational tour.
Cost is Adults $25; concession $20; child 12-16 years $15; under 11 $5; family $55.
Contact 0421 819 373 for more details.
FOR A CHILLED-OUT DAY:
On a budget :?
- Enjoy a picnic:
There are many areas around the CBD to enjoy a picnic including the Cataract Gorge, the Brickfield, Royal Park and City Park. All these areas have a playground, making them perfect for kids.
- Go to the library:
The perfect way to chill out in the afternoon and make it educational at the same time.
Launceston LINC, in Civic Square, is open from Monday to Friday, opening at 9.30am most mornings.
With money to spend:
- Get your game on:
Guf Goodgames in York Street, Launceston, is an all-in-one game store.
It offers PC and console gaming, as well as catering for the avid card and board game players. Costs vary.
Open Monday to Sunday from 10am to 10pm.
- Watch a movie:
Enjoy one at home if you want to save money or head into Village Cinemas in Launceston's CBD.
Two of the top kids movies at the cinemas are How to Train Your Dragon 2 and Rio 2 .
The Tailrace Centre and YMCA are running school holiday programs for families who are unable to have time off work.