I had honestly forgotten about Wollongong Botanic Garden. I have been there a few times during school excursions when I was younger but now, living on the north coast of Wollongong, I haven't been exposed to it. Until one day, when I was driving around Wollongong while the kids napped in the car – although on a side note, with petrol being so expensive, this probably isn't the best thing to do for a few extra minutes of peace. I drove past the gates, saw the grounds and decided to stop to spend the afternoon. And what better time to do so than in spring?

The playground is gated. Maybe enough said? It also has everything the kids love – a climbing jungle, slides, swings, maze, a giant tower to run up and down. The kids ran around there for a good hour, only checking in with me when they wanted a snack.

From here we went over to the duck pond. The ducks were a little aggressive, so keep that in mind if you or the kids have any food in your hands. The kiddies found the rotunda to be such a novelty and tired themselves out by running back and forth between the feeding area and the pond.

The rose garden was our next stop and so beautiful. We sat in the gazebo and ate more snacks. It did feel a little too perfect for little kids and it was rather difficult to keep them off the grass.

Regardless of my protests, the kids won and we went back to the park to play again. However, we will definitely be back again as there is much more to see.

I know the gardens have the new 'Go Slow for a 'Mo' nature wellness trail and a self-guided koala walk during September. The Discovery Centre is worth a visit too for an interactive learning opportunity with the kids.

For more information about the gardens and for up-in-coming events over the school holidays and beyond, visit the site here