Family-friendly attractions often have good deals for toddlers before they turn three, or five. Aussie World at the Sunshine Coast admits children for free up to two years old, so we whisked our infants off to the amusement park for Tiny Tots Thursday.

At $20 per adult, the tickets give you three hours of fabulous fun on four different rides, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as a live lunchtime show with singing entertainers (the mini golf and water play areas are available in warmer weather). As toddlers enjoy repetition, this was quite a diverting experience for our twain. At one stage, they kept going on the same ride repeatedly, as everyone else had cleared out for lunch or naptime!

Marvellous Memories

There was a small train ride that circles the track twice; a carousel; a teacup ride; and a mini carousel with various vehicles, including space rockets. Our daughter usually gets alarmed and hops off when those little vehicle rides in shopping malls start moving. Thus, we were delighted when she actually enjoyed going round in the spaceship.

Food and drinks (besides water) have to be purchased on the premises. Happily, there is a good selection of hot food, plus delicious ice-cream served in generous scoops. Tiny Tots Snack Packs are also available, containing popcorn, watermelon, a sandwich and water or juice. We enjoyed a toastie and a hot dog with chips.

Tiny Tot Child tickets come with a free Sideshow Alley game voucher. My husband accidentally purchased a child ticket (we had it converted into credit for food), so we headed over to the carnival games. Our son had a go at scooping bobbing ducks for a small prize. The attendant was kind enough to give our daughter a little toy as well, so she did not feel left out.

This was our first visit to Aussie World, and our children’s first experience of a theme park (though our son went on some funfair rides at the Ekka last year). It was a delightful day to add to our album of happy memories.

Also, right next to Aussie World is the Banana Bender Pub at Downunder Drive, an eye-popping destination in itself – a colourful edifice full of stained-glass windows and Australiana décor. Our son was fascinated by the giant redback spider perched on a pillar.

What was your first memory of a theme park? Does your family have a favourite one?

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Image courtesy of Adobe.