Archive for Alison’s Blog
NEW Covid Guildelines for Back-to-School 2021
Posted by: | CommentsNSW public schools have been provided with updated guidelines to help them manage the 2021 return to school in a COVID-safe way.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the main update to the guidelines is that parents and carers of children in Kindergarten, and Years 1, 2 and 7 will be able to enter school grounds on the first day to drop off their children in a COVID-safe way.
“The first day of school is an incredibly important day, especially for those children starting Kindergarten. I am so thrilled that despite the challenges of the pandemic, parents and carers will be able to take part in this milestone event in their child’s life in a COVID-safe way,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The NSW Government has worked hard to get the balance right for day one of school to ensure we provide a sense of normalcy whilst keeping people safe.
“Parents and carers attending on day one and beyond are urged to follow COVID-safe practices, which include physical distancing, hygiene practices and not to mingle in or outside the school.”
Schools will provide relevant information to families about the processes for their school prior to the first day.
Parents, staff and students are not required to wear face masks at school but in line with Public Health Orders, masks must be worn by those aged 12 years and over on any public transport.
Similarly, students aged 12 and over must comply with the Public Health Orders around masks at all other relevant locations within the community, and also during external school activities.
Parents are asked to avoid coming onto school grounds unless the visit complies with the current school guidelines, such as volunteering at the school canteen or visiting the uniform shop.
Schools can still plan for sporting carnivals, excursions and overnight camps, and special events such as concerts, with a COVID Safety Plan in place.
Materials and support for planning are available to schools. https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families
Christmas in Coffs 2020
Posted by: | CommentsWell sadly Covid is having an effect on the way we celebrate Christmas this year.
To my knowledge all carols have been cancelled for 2020.
There are various places where you can get Santa photos (socially distanced) with your kids or furbaby, but you MUST book online (check out Park Beach Plaza or Coffs Central).
HOWEVER, there’s still lots going on to help us all celebrate Christmas. I am keeping a close on eye on events and happenings and regularly adding them to the EVENTS tab on our Facebook page.
You can find it here, and this is a small section of some of the events on offer:
Here is another page to check out if you want to see the Christmas lights of Coffs Harbour – this is one activity you can do with your family that IS Covid Safe!
Click the image to request to join the group:
Park Beach Plaza have just launched a game “Search for Santa and Win.”
Download the FREE CreativiTek App on your smartphone or tablet to see who you can find with the interactive Augmented Reality Quest.
I’ve heard Coffs City Centre are putting together something special for the kids in the city square- follow their FACEBOOK Page for news!
Another huge push this Christmas season is to BUY LOCAL.
Local businesses have really suffered the past 12 months, so we are all being encouraged to really think about where we spend our Christmas gift money.
Of course, Sawtell, Bellingen, Nambucca, the Orara Valley, Dorrigo and lots of other little towns have fabulous local shops – but Coffs Harbour and Woolgoolga both have campaigns running this year.
SANTA UNDER THE BIG TOP AT MOONEE TAVERN – NOT TO BE MISSED!
Please send me a message if there are any Christmas events that I’ve missed!
Ten Walks on the Coffs Coast for Little Legs
Posted by: | CommentsWe all know there are some AMAZING walks and hikes on the Coffs Coast, but which ones are good for little legs?
Here are 10 walks in and around the Coffs Coast that are between 50 metres and 5 kms.
There are HEAPS more walks, check out this fantastic little website – coffstrails.com – for a range of walks, for all ages and abilities.
Woolgoolga Falls Walk
Length: 3.6km return
Pram friendly: no
Follow the road past Woolworths at Woolgoolga and you’ll come across Sherwood Nature Reserve.
Beautiful walk through the rainforest ending at the waterfalls. Size of falls depends on how much recent rain we’ve had.
More information: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/falls-walking-track
Botanic Gardens
Length – any
Pram friendly – Yes
From huge trees to pretty flowers to red bridges to ponds… there’s so much to see at the Botanic Gardens in Coffs. Choose the length of your walk!
More information: www.coffsbotanicgarden.com.au
Pick a headland!
Length – depends
Pram friendly – probably not!
We are certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to headlands in Coffs! Our favourites are Look-at-me-Now, Moonee and Boambee.
More information: click here to check out a basic map. More information also click here: www.coffscoast.com.au/play/category/headlands-and-lookouts
Buster the Shipwreck Beach Walk
Length – 200m one-way
Pram friendly – no
How much you can see of Buster the Shipwreck depends on tides and sand buildup. But it’s worth a wander. From the park at the top of Woolgoolga Beach head north around 200m and you’ll come across it.
Please note: last year Buster was damaged by a 4wd hitting it. This photo was taken before that so sadly, there are now parts missing to the shipwreck.
More information: www.woolgoolga.org.au/shipwreck-the-buster
Forest Sky Pier & Sealy Lookout
Length – 20m
Pram friendly – yes
The easiest walk of all! The award-winning Forest Sky Pier has amazing views of Coffs Harbour and surrounds. You can also choose from the many walking tracks through the rainforest. At the lookout there are plenty of picnic tables, toilets and the Nyanggan Gapi cafe.
More information: www.coffstrails.com/trail/bruxner-park-flora-reserve-rainforest-walks
Red Rock River Walk
Length – 2.7km loop
Pram friendly – if you have an off-road pram.
Path along the river then through the bush. Keep an eye out for the gorgeous gnome garden! Such a lovely surprise!
More information: www.coffstrails.com/trail/red-rock-river-walk
Pipeclay Lake
Length – unsure
Pram Friendly – yes
Nice boardwalk to Pipeclay Lake’s entrance to the Pacific Ocean. Part of the Corindi Beach Reserve you can access track from the Racecourse (by the Community Hall) or opposite Yarrawarra Cultural Centre. Yarrawarra use the track as well for guided tours.
More information: www.yarrawarra.com.au
Coffs Creek Walk
Length: 8.5km loop (but can choose sections)
Pram friendly – mostly
There are various points you can join the Coffs Creek walk, which loops around the Coffs Creek. The entire loop is over 8kms or you can cross over at Hogbin Dr Bridge to make it about 5kms. A combination of road, boardwalk, dirt path and bike path – it is a shared walking/bike track so good for kids with bikes!
More information: www.coffscoast.com.au/play/coffs-creek-and-harbour-loop
Urunga Boardwalk
Length: 1km (one-way)
Pram friendly: yes
Known as one of the best boardwalks on the East Coast, this crosses over Urunga Lagoon, along the Kalang River and ends at the ocean. Lots to see, an easy walk with seating along the way.
More information: www.coffscoast.com.au/play/urunga-boardwalk
V-Wall Outdoor Gallery, Nambucca Heads
Length – 600m one-way
Pram friendly – yes
A different kind of walk with lots of artwork, messages and holiday memories along the way. Walk can be extended by heading down to the beach at the end.
More information: www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/coffs-harbour-area/nambucca-heads/attractions/v-wall-outdoor-gallery-nambucca-heads
Feel free to add a comment below of any other of your favourite walks suitable for kids!
Our Trip to the Cold – Part 3
Posted by: | CommentsOriginally we were going to stay 2 nights in Guyra then return home to Coffs. But it was unanimously decided we head to Glen Innes and stay one more night before returning home.
It’s only about 40 minutes between Guyra and Glen Innes, but we took a little detour and first headed South towards Black Mountain in search of Thunderbolts Cave (around 17 mins from Guyra). Probably a little more appreciated by older kids, we had a brief history lesson (thanks to Google) in the car on the way there about the bushranger, Captain Thunderbolt.
The cave was a hideout of Thunderbolts and the kids were very impressed. You bend over to get inside and it’s a pretty neat little cave! The walk there is pretty rocky and uneven surface (def NOT pram friendly) but it was a fun little way to start our day.
After that, back on the New England Highway heading North.
We had a few stops along the way and I made the kids look out the window as the scenery is quite interesting and very different to the coast.
We stopped at Stonehenge where we had a bit of a wander around the VERY strange rock formations. Then onto the Super Strawberry which is just outside Glen Innes. I let the kids have dessert for lunch which they thought was the best thing ever! And I had scones for lunch, which I thought was the best thing ever! The Super Strawberry is a cafe with sit-down eating but it also has a cool little shop with interesting nik naks, yummy food, clothing etc. I bought some chai tea in a tin and some local olives.
Glen Innes is a gorgeous little town, I LOVED the old buildings. So we had a little wander down the main street and came across a cute little second hand bookshop. Of course, it’s always a game for the kids to find the most expensive item in the shop! I sure would love this edition of “Through the Looking Glass”!
We also visited the Australian Standing Stones then went for a short drive out of town towards Invervell. My eldest wanted to have a look at the wind turbines (the photo below is one arm of a smaller one!)
The Glen Innes Tourist Information Centre is a great place to pop in and visit. The lady there was super friendly and helpful. Made me realise how badly we need one back here in Coffs!
The next morning we headed home via the Gwydir Highway, through the Gibrator Ranges. We stopped off and had a quick little bushwalk from Mulligan’s Hut. There’s a lot of different bushwalks you can do, so check out this website if you’re interested – www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/gibraltar-range-national-park.
Then onto Grafton where we stopped off at Hank’s for a yummy pie.
Glen Innes to Coffs via Grafton is just under 3 hours without stops, but it took us most of the day because we stopped so much!
So all in all our “Trip to the Cold” was such a lovely and fun little three night getaway. The kids are already begging to go back! Definitely a trip we will all remember.