One of the best caravan parks I've ever been in. The office staff are friendly and very helpful (balls stuck in tree), there are large and well grassed tent sites or, if you prefer a cute cabin to hire.

There is a nice children's playground and a pool. There is also a bird aviary which is interesting and different. The gate works on a special number and no annoying keys to the toilets.

There are plenty of shady trees and it's a quiet location but not far out of town.

The camp kitchen is awesome with cooking facilities and also fridge and microwave. Dogs are allowed, but not actually in the cabins, and must be kept tied up.

A great base to go exploring from and a comfortable place to come back to for the night.

Approximate cost: $Cabins $95 Tents $27 and then extra charges for more people

A superb attraction in this attractive railway town, the chocolate and liquorice factory is a fabulous day out which will be enjoyed by every member of the family.

It's a historic and interesting building, an informative video and tour is given, you can view the actual making of all the yummy treats and you get free samples. You can also participate in a special game of uphill bowling with an edible ball! Their ingredients are all premium, grown close by and certified organic.

The kids kept expecting the Oompa Loompas from Willy Wonka to pop out at any moment. Of course there's a shop where you can buy this wonderful organic and very healthy product. And upstairs there's a gift/treasure trove floor of antiques and homewares, jewellery and unique items to take home as a memento of your trip.

We had lunch in their restaurant as well under the creeper laden historic wooden pagola. This was a little pricey but very good.

Opening Hours

Gates open from 9:30am til 4:30pm.
The café opens at 9:30am and closes at 4pm.
You are welcome to browse and shop until 4:30pm.
Tours are conducted every hour on the hour from 10am with the last tour at 3pm.
Open every day except Christmas Day.

Unique and delicious.

Approximate cost: $4 adults, $2.50 children. Boxes of chocolate coated treats various prices.

Although not strictly speaking a business, being a National Trust property, Labassa House is a wonderful venue which can be hired for weddings and receptions, parties, special events such as theatre performances and as a backdrop for advertising.

Or, it's just a truly lovely day out. Unlike Como and Rippon Lea, the charm of this gracious home, saved from the brink of demolition, is that it's a work in progress. You can see the restoration as it occurs - wallpapers being discovered under overpainting, original ceilings underneath false new ones, and leaf through the photo books to discover the history and see the work which has been done.

At a family ticket of $20 it's an entertaining day out and there's a tea room as well. History trails to follow for children and very helpful and informative volunteers abound. You can photograph the outside, but not the interior. That's why you pay $10 for a beautifully illustrated guide book. It's worth it.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and that we were contributing in a small way to the revival of its grandeur.

Approximate cost: $10 adult, $8 concession $4 child $20 family Illustrated book $10

A very pleasant place for a Sunday afternoon snack. There were plenty of pies and sausage rolls etc still available and my mushroom pie did indeed have mushrooms in it.

The rolls were made freshly with ham, salad, tuna and corn. They have a wide variety of sweets as well for dessert with such favourites as vanilla slice, neenish tart etc and also their own handmade baklava and Greek shortbread.

Prices were reasonable - around $4 for a pie, the delicious cookies were $1.70.

There are some tables and chairs on the footpath and it's a pleasant street to sit out in and watch the world go by.

Most pleasing was the friendly and helpful staff, willing to spend a few minutes chatting to the children and apologising for the tiniest froth over of the cappuccino into the saucer.

There are many different establishments along Bay St, but this is one of the best without being so trendy you feel underdressed.

Approximate cost: $Just over $30 family of 4

This is a really great place. Despite the boring name. But I suppose it's better than "Working Man's Club" which is what it used to be called . LOL You don't have to be sport mad to enjoy the meals and atmosphere here. But all that aspect of it is there if you want.

It's a bit tricky to find, you turn left away from Altona and look like you're heading into no-man's land. It's actually in Seaholme. Parking is ample and there's always a welcome for you as you go in the door.

The dining room is down the back of the building, large but not so large that it spoils the nice feel of the place. To the left of the dining room is a bar and stage where there was karaoke the night we were there.

The service was excellent and friendly. Meals were delicious and enjoyed by all ages. Bay View Bistro on Sunday Night All You Can Eat Buffet $18. per head. Dinner Tuesday – Thursday 6pm to 8pm. Friday & Saturday 6pm to 9pm Sunday 5.30pm to 8.30pm. Great value - chicken schnitzel and chips and salad around $16. Lots to choose from.

There are other bars and lounges and LOTS of entertainment.

The best of these clubs that I've been to in this area. And all this right by the lovely ocean.

Approximate cost: $20 av.

Before you go spending tons on fancy costumes or if you just want some more clothes, go here first. They have a HUGE range of men's, women's' and children's clothing. I recently put together a fantastic Robin Hood outfit from a green T shirt, tights, and a cut down dressing gown - total cost $12. That's a fraction of the cost of a costume at around $60 to hire.

But they have a great range of clothes you'd wear anytime too - skirts, pants, evening wear, suits,children's play clothes or uniforms etc. They also have sheets/towels etc and shoes, books, bags, china and crockery, ornaments and glassware.

The toy section used to be good but now it's usually rubbish. Don't bother. The furniture up the back is a bit hit and miss. Sometimes there's a useful piece, but a lot of it's junk. Keep popping in to see what comes in all the time.

Parking is across the road in the high rise car park or in one of the small side streets but watch out for the meters - you need a ticket or you will get booked for sure.

It's become very popular and I think the prices are higher than they used to be, but still good value and things you won't find anywhere else.

An Op-shop experience taken to the super store level. Check it out.

Approximate cost: $Huge range of prices, but very cheap compared to retail.

This place is a lot of fun. But not if it's crowded. Then the waiting time before you can have a turn is really annoying.

It seems reasonably priced but after a few times the cost can mount up, especially if you've got 3 kids or so. A "rookie" cart for 10 mins is $17, for 30 mins it's $33. The older kids are called "Modified" and they cost b/w $27 and $55 and the older, over 16 years Super cart is $33 - $55.

Adults can also drive, that's even more and there's a tandem cart for two.

You get a video explaining all the safety driving rules and there's guys out on the track making sure you're going safely and within the rules.

My young son was a bit slow and there were older people lapping him and once, pushed him off the road a bit which was a little scary.

You can have birthday parties here (some outside tables and chairs) and get a membership card which you pay for as well on your first trip. But don't go to the snack bar unless you can possibly avoid it - the service is dead slow and prices expensive.

For a special day out it's great, but I wouldn't take my lot all the time - too costly and you have to sit there all day or half a one anyway, just watching them.

Approximate cost: $Up to $50 for half an hour. Different prices for diff. ages.

I've been going here for many years. This business has been here for a long time, but I think it's changed hands once or twice.

They have some beautiful gold and silver earrings, bracelets and a wide range of charms. There are ornaments, watches and clocks of unusual styles and often that "something extra" you won't see at other places. You get what you pay for.

Everything here looks and even smells like the highest quality product. Displays are elegant and attractive and they are always more than happy to show you anything from the window or the display cases.

Watch repairs, battery exchanges, jewellery alterations have all been carried out with skill and care. Leave your item and he'll tell you to come back in a few minutes or a day or so, depending on what you need. I had an overseas purchased watch with an unusual back plate, but he managed to get it open with no problem.

Unique, beautiful and value for money.

Approximate cost: $So much to choose from, depend what you want to spend.

When you're shopping for shoes for kids who grow out of them every three months, it's no use buying expensive ones. But on the other hand really cheap no name brands are no good either.

I've found that the footwear at Spendless falls somewhere in the middle. They have some good quality shoes for men, women and children in price ranges to suit most people.

Shopping this week for some new runners, there were basic synthetic upper type things for around $20 and then better leather styles for $30 or more. My daughter ended up getting some with the elastic woven things instead of laces. They had a range of styles and these fit her narrow foot perfectly.

It's a pretty much serve yourself place with rows of shoes in size ranges. Just try on the ones you like and take the whole box to the counter. The serving lady asked us once if we needed help. Seemed to be the only staff member in the shop, but we didn't really need her anyway.

So we ended up with a very nice pair of middle quality shoes which are going to last a good length of time for around $30. You can pay more for this type of thing in other places.

Right now they have all their "back to school" specials on.

So, not a bad shop if you don't want to be fussed over. Good everyday product at a reasonable price.

Approximate cost: $20 - 30

This is an interesting place. Went here for a late afternoon munch with a few friends and it's certainly got some good features.

I loved the way all the crockery was different, but all retro style - each plate, cup etc was a different patterned china which goes with the whole retro feel of the place - black and white tiles on the floor, laminex tubular leg tables, advertising on the walls etc.

The food/snacks were good and tasty - quiches, little pies and appetizers, slices etc. But the portions were small and a bit overpriced. Coffee was good but the service a little slow.

Their other claim to fame is the "child friendly" aspect and while it's nice to have this place where children can run around in a backyard while parents have a coffee and chat, one wonders if there's actually a limit which should be set.

Worth a pop in to check it out, but I won't be a regular.

Approximate cost: $Pie and salad, toasted focaccia etc not much under $10