My father raised me with a love for the outdoors. We used to take weekly walks in the rainforests of Singapore, beside the lapping waters of reservoirs. We would feed the terrapins while spotting monkeys and komodo dragons.

Once, when I was nine, he brought my friends and me on a walk together, and pointed out the seeds of the rubber tree to us. Sometimes I collected a little memento of the walk, like an empty seed pod that made for a good toy boat, or a seed that was just like a small marble. Looking back, it was probably not ecologically friendly, but it ignited an appreciation for the intricacies of nature.

Since I became a parent myself, I have kept an eye out for similar opportunities to introduce my children to the wondrous world around us. As we live in an urban area, it takes some planning and effort to facilitate encounters with animals and experiences of plant life.

Around the Neighbourhood

We have been to petting zoos, one at the nearby pub on Australia Day, and the other at a suburban mall for Easter. These close-up animal encounters are fantastic tactile experiences for young’uns.

The Botanical Gardens provide a serene green space for exploration, though our afternoon stroll proved not so serene when the toddler flung his stuffed flamingo and then his hat into the lake. Dad decided to wade in after his Thomas the Tank Engine hat.

Fruit Farms

Australia is known for its agriculture, and introducing your children to farms is a great way to teach them where their food comes from. Through Facebook ads, I have come across a variety of fascinating farms.

Strawberry farms are a classic experience – a dragonfruit farm is far more exotic. Early this year, we journeyed to the Forest Dragon Fruit Farm in Forestdale, Queensland. I never knew there were so many more varieties of dragonfruit than the two we usually find in supermarkets.

We harvested our own dragonfruit with the secateurs provided, and fed the animals, too!

In May, we snagged a discount for Tropical Fruit World in Tweed Heads, northern New South Wales. As our son loves tractors, we figured he would enjoy the tractor train ride. He sure did!

The experience came with fruit tasting, which was a treat for the senses. There was a great variety of fruit and associated products for sale.

For $2, we fed farm animals (a donkey, sheep, goats, Shetland ponies) and kangaroos with a cup of fresh grass, while chickens and Muscovy ducks flocked around us. Then we glided in a boat down a river to an island, where the children gambolled in a playground and sandpit before the tractor train returned to pick us up. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day out.

Aquatic Escapade

We were also able to take advantage of the Mother’s Day deal at SEA LIFE Aquarium on the Sunshine Coast (mums enter for free with a paying adult or child). It was a magical experience observing the sea creatures. The starfish tank provided a tactile opportunity.

After three hours exploring the entire aquarium (including a couple of stops at the indoor play area), we enjoyed hot chips from the café while watching the seal show, and then had another bite to eat at a café just outside, among the many eateries and shops at the marina. This was The Booking Box café, which offers a variety of local tours as well. Our son was quite taken by the canal cruise boat and attempted to abscond on it.

Following that, we ventured to a nearby beach and had fun building sandcastles. All in all, a delightful and memorable way to mark Mother’s Day.

Next up on the agenda is Wildlife HQ Zoo at the Sunshine Coast (there are currently Weekday and Family Pass Specials), plus White Ridge Farm in Elimbah. For our son’s birthday, his godmother gifted us a visit to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

What nature-themed adventures have you found in your area? Feel free to share some tips in the comments section for other readers!

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Image courtesy of Anastasia Shuraeva.