There's so much to do and see around Australia during school holidays. Each week we choose 3 of the top activities and events around the country - this week focussing on pirates, dinosaurs and a kids film festival.
1. Now until January 25th –Caribbean Pirates at the Polly Woodside, Melbourne
Join the swashbuckling adventure with the most crazy and colourful pirates of the Caribbean as they regale their life stories on the high seas, battling for booty from passing merchant ships and living the pirate life to the full. Learn the pirate talk, do the pirate walk, sing the pirate songs – and go on a treasure hunt on the ship to find the lost
Meet Captain Cutthroat, Major Key, Larry (who should be Sally) and the mysterious and magical Gypsy Pirate.
Whose crew will you join? It’s a fight to the death so choose carefully! Will we ever find the treasure map? Will the magical Gypsy Pirate reap her revenge on Captain Cutthroat and have him keel hauled? Will Larry save Major Key? It’s up to you because you’re in the story!
This exciting hour-long interactive theatre production by the Australian Shakespeare company starts at 9am each day. It’s performed on shore and on the decks of the Polly Woodside itself with lots of swordfights and songs and plenty of hearty pirate action.
Cost: $25 or $90 for a group of 4
Further information: http://shakespeareaustralia.com.au/book-tickets/
2. Now until January 27th
If you can’t make it to Coolum to visit Clive Palmer MP’s Dinosaur Park, then get along to the National Dinosaur Museum in Canberra. Everyday at 11am and 2pm, there is a guided tour of the museum’s extensive prehistoric collection where you can ask everything you ever wanted to know about dinosaurs but didn’t get around to it.
As well as the entertaining and educational guided tour, there are other fun holiday activities and kids may even earn a ‘Dinosaur Hunting License’.
Suitable for all ages.
Cost: There is no extra cost for the guided tour at 11am or 2pm. Entry fees are:
Under 4 – free; child - $9.50; adult - $14; concession - $10.50; family - $40
Further information: http://www.nationaldinosaurmuseum.com.au/
3. Friday January 10th – January 23rd – Little Darlings Night Owls Kids Film Fest, Sydney
Grab a picnic blanket, prep the popcorn and gather your loved ones, because one the third annual Little Darlings film festival is back.
From the freshest new kids flicks to classic cinema moments, the festival offers not only a cracking outing for the little ones, but also a dazzling trip down memory lane for the adults. Set in Sydney’s buzzing cultural precinct, Darling Quarter (1-25 Harbour Street, Sydney), everyone is welcome to enjoy an array of special evenings under the stars for free!
There are 14 special sessions to choose from, with festivities starting at 5.30pm each afternoon, live entertainment for the kids from 6.45pm followed by a showcase of short films from Australia’s major children’s short film festival Little Big Shots. Classic films for adults will be splashed across the big screen every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night during special after-hours screenings from 8.30pm onwards.
Cost: free
Further information: www.darlingquarter.com and www.facebook.com/darlingquarter