Mini Mega Model Museum - Melbourne Museum

On this week’s Adventure Day my two eldest granddaughters joined me on my adventure. After our train trip into the city, first up was a short visit to the National Gallery of Victoria. 

We love the water wall at the entrance of the National Gallery

This was Mikayla’s first visit and she loved the water wall at the entrance. 

The Great Wall with it's amazing stained-glass ceiling

She was also very impressed with the Great Hall with its spectacular stained-glass ceiling. I agreed with Clare and Mikayla that this beautiful hall has a very calming feel. Next it was down to Southbank for our lunch then it was off to Walkers donuts, which is a regular place we visit seeing their surname is Walker. 

Clare and Mikayla are partial to a Walkers Donut

Next was onto a tram to Melbourne Museum to visit the “Mini Mega Model Museum”. This is a temporary exhibition that features a world of over 300 astounding models and miniatures from the museums own collection. The amazing pieces of work ranged from a giant mosquito, a Colosseum made out of cork, a very detailed miniature carousel and the most amazing dollhouse I could ever imagine seeing. 

It was unanimous that the dollhouse was all of our favourite. 

One very impressive doll house

Incredible detail

The carousel not only had incredible detail but was made with lots of recycled items. 

The dollhouse is named Pendle Hall, a Georgian Mansion: 1940’s - 1980’s. It was made by Felicity Clemens from Tasmania. 

“Felicity felt her daughters little dollhouse was to plain. 

So, she improved it. Hugely. For 40 years.”

Then it was time to head home on the train. Unfortunately, it was almost peak time and there were no seats available. But the girls loved that idea and spent the trip home giggling every time the train jerked and they wobbled around on their unstable feet. 

It was such a great Adventure Day. 

Our Week with O'Shea

Last week I was truly blessed to have my gorgeous grandson O'Shea staying with me for a week. He lives about eight hours from me so I don't get to spend a huge amount of time with him or his little brother Finn. So I thought now that he is six and at school, it was the perfect time for a holiday with Granny Dave. After meeting up in Marlo and get in a bit of fishing it was time for O'Shea and Granny Dave to head to Melbourne. 

Marlo,Victoria

Clohesy family having a bit of a fish - O'Shea 1 - Daddy 1

My daughters two girls Clare (6) and Mikayla (4) were also looking forward to having lots of adventures with O'Shea, so Rachel and I planned a few activities. As it turned out it was an extremely busy week. 

Monday was a day at Melbourne Museum in Carlton. I have been to the Museum with Clare and Mikayla before and we just knew O'Shea would love it, as he did. I knew the kids would love the indoor play area, but I was totally surprised just how much two six year olds could enjoy a Museum. On the way home they said how much they loved it, but their favourite was the big crystals. 

O'Shea and Clare were pretty impressed with these Pygmy Blue Whale Bones

While O'Shea smiled for the camera,
Clare was just checking out those ants couldn't get to her

The both loved the crystals. 

Tuesday was a quieter day until we headed off to the movies to see The Emoji Movie. After lots of popcorn, candies and a Mexican dinner it was off home for a good nights sleep. 

Movie and Popcorn time

A bit of craziness at dinner

We spent a fabulous day on Wednesday at Werribee Open Range Zoo. Opened in 1983, this zoo covers around 560 acres and has some major exhibits with Hippopotamus, Lion, Zebra, Giraffe, Meerkat, Ostrich, beautiful Silverback Gorillas, African wild dogs, numerous antelope, Rhinoceros, and Australian animals. 

Such a magnificent animal these Silverback Gorillas are. 

O'Shea's favorite were the snakes. 

At the end of the day it was time for icypoles. 

Thursday was a day to head down to Somerton to Dinosaur World. The three kids enjoyed looking at all the moving dinosaurs, so from a kids view it was fun but from an adults point of view it was not as exciting. 

Oh how I Love these smiles

After such a big week it was time for some quiet time watching Trolls on the telly

While waiting for his Mum, Dad and brother Finn to come down to collect him it was time for O'Shea to have one last play date with his cousins. 

Overall we had a fantastic week and next time little Finn will be old enough to come for his first holiday from home.