A Dream Day Out
We definitely don’t feel relaxed being in an endless loop of setting up activities, making a mess, hearing ‘I’m bored,’ and cleaning up day in and day out.
So, the alternative? To set off and find a new adventure! With affordable leisure options more in focus as the cost of living increases, local holidays and min-breaks are becoming far more popular than jetting off to discover overseas cultures.
This is where our Dream Day Out comes in.
One late summer weekend, we took a little mini-break to visit family on the Gold Coast. Lunch was planned, but we had a little spare time before, so we decided to do something with the children.
Rather than getting ourselves completely wrecked at the beach, we opted for an activity. And let me tell you, we were absolutely delighted with what we chose. We’d been talking about making more time for learning about Australia’s ancient culture. Our children have had First Nations’ culture and heritage embedded into their learning, with our youngest confidently presenting an acknowledgment to country as learned within their daycare program.
However, we as parents have very little knowledge.So what did we do? We discovered Jellurgal – Dreaming Mountain, presented by the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Burleigh Heads.
Offering a magical blend of indoor and outdoor exploration perfect for primary-aged children, this hidden gem is found within reach of several of the Gold Coast’s most loved beaches.
On this occasion, we booked the Walkabout Tour, which involved a 30-minute introduction in the center followed by a 90-minute walk through Burleigh Head National Park.
This was such a family-friendly outing as it involved the flexibility to participate where we could and allowed the children to play and explore the natural environment.
Our tour guide, Cameron, was not only an exceptional storyteller but also extremely knowledgeable about native wildlife and beautifully patient with our children. He is one of a small team of guides, each with their own unique connection to the Yugambeh people, language, and stories, either through their people, the wildlife, or the art.
The tour had all the elements of a storybook brought to life, with a key focus on seeing and feeling the abundance and rich history of Jellurgal.
From learning about the six seasons and the flowering of plants to totems and land guardianship, the story of Gowanda the dolphin painted alongside the beach, and the Dreamtime giant, Jabreen, and his club, there were generous opportunities for learning and understanding the rich culture.
This gentle walk had us slowing down, connecting with the world around us as we weaved around the mountain from the pathway to Tallebudgera Creek, and into the shade of the hibiscus trees. We had time for discussions, questions, and discoveries of native raspberries, bearded dragons, and when to fish for yellow whiting!
For younger children, the Little Explorers tour is a more playful and shorter option that operates during school holidays. It is uniquely tailored to children who will learn about the methods of Aboriginal painting, the symbols, and their meanings, with the opportunity to create their own masterpiece to take home.
What an incredible opportunity this presents to discover our own unique culture right here in the middle of Australia’s largest playground – the Gold Coast. A tip to keep in mind is that in October and November, you’ll often see swarms of fireflies around Jellurgal one hour before sunset.
You can learn more or book your own dream day out on a Jellurgal tour here.
Yes, home time and letting the kids be “bored” is important, but so is a parent’s sanity. So next time you’re looking to get out of the house and find a place where you can all be at ease, head to SPARK POP to find inspiration from our ever-growing collection of experiences.
