My family recently spent a weekend in Canberra. We were fortunate to enjoy fine weather, as we headed to Gold Creek Village, a fabulous suburb in Nicholls, north Canberra with miniature gardens, a dinosaur museum, reptile zoo and aviary. There is a 65-room motel for those who would like to travel specifically to the area.

As our first stop was Cockington Green Gardens, we bought the Big Little Ticket, which grants entry to the gardens as well as the National Dinosaur Museum. Later at the Museum, we realised we should have opted for the Gold Creek Adventure Ticket, which gives great discounts on both the above attractions as well as the Canberra Reptile Zoo and Canberra Walk-in Aviary. There are also online discounts and memberships for the various attractions.

Miniature World

Cockington Green Gardens has fascinating miniature buildings spanning two sections: Great Britain, and the International Display. Threaded through these are railway tracks with little model trains, which delighted our train-mad toddlers. The gardens were founded by Doug and Brenda Sarah in 1979 and have been in their family for four generations.

Upon entry, we were given a 10% off discount voucher to use at the Souvenir Shop, Rose Room Gift Shop, and the Coffee Kiosk.

After exploring the British miniatures, we enjoyed a scrumptious lunch of pies followed by delectable scones at the Rose Room Coffee Kiosk, which is conveniently situated near the miniature train ride that brings visitors on two loops around the gardens.

Within the Rose Room, there is a massive ornate 34-room dollhouse with elaborate details, the Waverley, which can keep children enthralled while you finish your meal in a leisurely fashion.

Our children exclaimed with delight as they spotted a pair of dinosaurs, then a bunch of familiar Disney and Looney Tunes characters as we chugged around in the little steam train. There was also a miniature hedge maze labyrinth with a viewing platform, near the tiny Stonehenge with druids and a stray miniature tourist.

Scattered through the displays are various humorous touches or pop culture references, such as a Star Wars scene, a Where’s Wally/Waldo figure, and a Despicable Me minion. There is a competition to find a list of figurines and note down their locations, which puts you in the draw to win a family pass to the gardens.

For toddlers, there is a play area with three houses sporting little fireplaces, toy kitchens, tables and chairs. This is near the picnic area with free gas BBQs. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available for hire, and there are bathroom facilities for the disabled as well.

Prehistoric Creatures

A short walk away from Cockington Green Gardens, we entered the National Dinosaur Museum, a three-storey edifice with two outdoor garden sections chock-full of dinosaur statues. There is a well-stocked gift shop where you can purchase a snack to savour on the verandah.

The site states: “The National Dinosaur Museum is Australia’s largest permanent display of prehistoric specimens. The Museum houses over 150 dinosaur models, 23 complete skeletons, and over 300 displays of individual fossils in its multi-level indoor gallery, as well as a garden space featuring a 20-metre animatronic T. rex. The storytelling within its collection is linked to Australia, its history, and its preservation.

The Museum’s fossil, crystal, and mineral gift shop contains the largest range of prehistoric gifts in Canberra and is a mini museum in its own right. There is no admission fee for visitors who would only like to explore the gift shop and will not be entering the museum galleries.

Included in admission prices is entry to the Dinosaur Garden, the Museum’s upper gallery, and the Interactive Area on the bottom level.

To the left of the entrance, we discovered a room filled with dinosaur-themed activities for little ones, including toys, books and a microscope to examine fossils in amber.

Upstairs is the impressive gallery for dinosaur aficionados to learn about everything from sabre-toothed tigers to ancient sharks. It is quite dim, so our three-year-old who is afraid of the dark was unnerved and huddled into Daddy for safety.

Reptiles and Birds

After learning about extinct reptiles, we proceeded to meet their modern-day relatives at the Canberra Reptile Zoo, located behind a couple of cafés, near a McDonald’s and KFC. We witnessed a snake shedding its skin and could even stroke the skinks near the entrance. There were some birds in the outdoor area as well, including an owl feasting on a dead rodent.

Our toddler daughter was fast asleep in the pram for most of this part of our day, but her brother had great fun uncovering the “fossil” in the playground’s sandpit, climbing the various massive creatures in the outdoor play area, and examining reptile-themed items in the gift shop.

Across the way was the other half of Federation Square, home to a lolly shop, Canberra’s sole Christmas shop, mini golf, two playgrounds, four more cafés and the Canberra Walk-in Aviary. We made it in the nick of time to hand-feed the rainbow lorikeets and fluffy chickens at the end of the day! Mealworms and apple slices are included in the ticket price.

Bonus Stop

The following day, we visited the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre in the National Museum of Australia, an immersive toddler play zone with a nautical section including a mini ship’s deck, a sheep-shearing-themed maze and a dress-up area.

Our children recall their sojourn in the capital with much happiness and say they would like to return someday. Perhaps we shall venture to Questacon next time. In the meantime, their website suggests activities we can try at home.