It can be tricky entertaining kids when you’ve also got the threat of covid to worry about. Particularly at the height of Tasmania’s tourism season when many locations are buzzing with visitors.
But there are ways to avoid the crowds – check out some of our favourite covid-safe outings for 2022.
This great great 19-hole course, with three difficulty levels on each hole, set in beautifully manicured gardens is a hidden gem at Barilla Holiday Park at Cambridge. Pick up your ball and golf club at reception and then immerse yourself in the fun of the lush, leafy course which offers plenty of challenges for mini golfers of all ages and abilities.
We visited on a weekday morning and had the place largely to ourselves (we only spotted one other family, teeing off on the first hole as we approached the end of the course), making it a great option for parents looking for outdoor, covid-safe school holiday activities.
$10 for children, $14 for adults, $40 per family. We’ll definitely be visiting again soon! ⛳️
Kids will love the Art Farm Birchs Bay sculpture trail, a 2km bush track through an alfresco gallery of large-scale, contemporary artworks. There are 24 new (temporary) sculptures, in addition to about 25 permanent sculptures. The trail is open year-round from 9am-5pm daily, however the 2021-22 trail officially ends on February 6. Entry is $2 per person, $5 family. Dogs on leads are welcome.
Is your child dreaming of becoming the next JackJumper? Swisherr Hoops Academy is a great place for kids to burn some energy. This basketball centre breathes new life to the former K&D building in Hobart’s CBD, giving visitors the chance to work up a sweat and aspire to be as good as their sporting heroes – whether that’s Michael Jordan, LeBron James or Tasmania JackJumpers favourites like Sam McDaniel, Josh Adams and Josh Magette.
Yes, it’s indoors, which may deter some people in the current covid climate BUT it’s also spacious. Choose your time wisely (the centre opens from 10am-9pm weekdays and 10am-6pm on weekends) and you may end up having the place largely to yourself.
We first visited on a weekday at 10am – there were only about a dozen other people dotted throughout the centre, well spaced on different courts.
Hoops can easily be adjusted, making this a great hangout for younger children who struggle with a standard height basketball hoop. Casual visits start from $5 for kids and $10 for adults.
HIT THE PARK
The major city parks – like Legacy Park on Hobart’s Queens Domain or West Hobart’s Caldew Park – are still buzzing with families but it is possible to find parks which are largely uninhabited.
Go for a drive and check out some of the state’s regional parks – there are great offerings in towns including Orford, Oatlands, New Norfolk, Richmond, Sorell, Dunalley, Huonville and Geeveston – just to name a few.
We recently spent some time at one of our favourite regional parks – in Dunalley – where there’s lots of fun to be had by visitors of all ages. Highlights include twin slides, various swings, a climbing net, water play and a dinghy. Fully-fenced with toilets and parking plus water views and picnic tables to enjoy a packed lunch. You can also enjoy a takeaway coffee from The Cannery or fish and chips from Dunalley Fish Market 🐠🐟
GO HUNTING FOR WATERFALLS
There’s something fabulous about hiking to a cascading waterfall on a hot summer’s day.
Silver Falls at Fern Tree is an easy walk for kids – with the added bonus of a playground and toilets at the start of the trail.
Snug Falls is another of our favourites – it’s a 2km (1hr return) walk which is downhill on the way in…which of course means it’s uphill on the way back! It’s clearly marked, the track is nice and wide and great for kids and dogs. It does tend to get pretty muddy after a lot of rain though. Follow the signs from the Main Rd in Snug.
Of course Russell Falls also deserves a mention – Mt Field is a great spot to visit with kids… fresh air is always good for the soul.
For more inspiration check out the Waterfalls of Tasmania Facebook page.
HIT THE BEACH
We’re so lucky in Tasmania to have so many wonderful beaches at close reach.
Stroll along the sandy shores of Long Beach, Seven Mile Beach, Park Beach, Howrah Beach, Clifton Beach or Coningham. If you’re looking for something further afield consider Opossum Bay, White Beach or Orford’s Spring Beach. Build a sandcastle, collect shells and play in the rockpools. Walk or ride along the scenic path from Bellerive to Tranmere, check out the coastal walk from Seven Mile Beach to Lauderdale, or hike to Crescent Bay on the Tasman Peninsula (find more beach walking inspiration at greaterhobarttrails.com.au or Parks and Wildlife’s 60 Great Short Walks).
ROYAL TASMANIAN BOTANICAL GARDENS
No matter how many times we visit, my boys always love it here. Whether they’re checking out the veggie patch, the conservatory or the floral clock, hunting for ducks, braving the sub-antarctic plant house or the Japanese gardens, there’s always something new to capture their imaginations. And we always finish our visit with an ice cream from the cafe. The gardens are spread over 14ha so it’s easy to socially distance yourself from other visitors.
My boys DESPERATELY wanted to go to the pool but I was reluctant to be indoors among the crowds at Hobart Aquatic Centre. So we opted for Glenorchy instead, as it’s outdoors – and it was great. We went early, before it got too hot or crowded, and mostly had the children’s pools to ourselves. Even the main pool wasn’t particularly busy. It cost just over $10 for three of us (kids 5 and under are free). 
Picking a big tub of fresh strawberries is great fun for kids and adults. Littlewood is perfect as you can sit down at various outdoor tables and enjoy one of the delicious berry ice creams on offer. Or throw down a picnic blanket and enjoy a packed lunch which you can wash down with a drink from the coffee van or a liqueur or gin tasting. There’s a big grassy area for kids to run around. And it’s only a few minutes outside of the Richmond township, where we like to walk under the bridge, feed the ducks some rolled oats, get some lunch at the bakery, plus a treat from the lolly shop and expend some energy in the playground.
