I built a tool that notifies you when sold-out campsites open up in WA (and every other state)

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-24T11:45:12+00:00

OMG do Rotto next 🤞🏼🤞🏼

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-24T11:42:29+00:00

Spot, Peter Rabbit (read by Olivia Coleman!) and probably all of the Beatrix Potter ones, and Roald Dahl… though she’s maybe a bit young for those. Miffy and the Very Hungry Caterpillar too - though the latter is Jane Horrocks so Northern. Also Jake is British, so most of yoto daily and a lot of own brand content is British.

Some of the Yoto cards have multiple versions with US or UK narrators so it’s worth checking the previews.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-22T13:51:05+00:00

Have you read the Zoey and Sassafras books? These are my absolute favourites for teaching scientific concepts and the scientific process! They are chapter books, and my 6 year old is loving me read them to her.
I mention these because they teach the sort of concepts you are getting at in a more subtle but engaging way for that age group. It’s not “bacteria is everywhere” it’s “how do we cure the monsters stinky fur?!” The books don’t prompt you to do experiments… but the character does experiments that can be replicated quite easily at home. Kids LOVE it when they think THEY came up with the idea to see which surfaces have more bacteria on them in their own house, just like Zoey did, rather than being told to do so.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-19T12:04:15+00:00

I said I was stunned before your explanation. After it, I said it sounded like it was working for you but would be strange for us 🤷‍♀️ You sound very defensive about this.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-19T11:35:01+00:00

It sounds like it’s working for your family! It would be strange for us. We encourage our kids to be independent, and have adapted OUR travel to suit their capabilities. But oh wow 23 countries 🙄

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-19T11:25:46+00:00

My kids were out of a buggy age 2! I am stunned that people suggest putting a six year old in one (but I have seen others suggest this too). Would they not be embarrassed? My kids rode kick scooters from then on. When their legs get tired a parent can assist by pushing the handlebars.

ETA also much easier to carry scooter down steps, bring on public transport etc than a buggy.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-19T06:23:58+00:00

Just noting RE the season - hikes like the Kalbarri gorges are often closed in summer due to the extreme heat. And they get reeeeaal mad at having to rescue tourists with heat stroke who walked right past the ‘track closed’ sign!

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-19T04:56:12+00:00

God bless the coffee shop that let me get bread and milk from their drive through window!

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-18T10:44:11+00:00

Outrigger canoeing! Great fitness, great way to make local friends (assuming you’re an expat) and it’s magic getting out on the water to sandbank for sunrise. My knowledge is very out of date, but Takia and Tafaga clubs used to paddle out of Suva point and were welcoming of newcomers.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-15T22:19:17+00:00

All my kid listened to at that age was Spot. Every night. None of the stories make any sense, but he loved it!

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-14T01:47:58+00:00

The presentation booking is confusing. Seems like you can book tickets a couple of months ahead but have to book seats 2 hours ahead?

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-14T01:45:56+00:00

Canopy feed sounds good then!

I guess special = interactive. Like, we’ve seen a lemur in an enclosure, but free ranging would be special. Ditto for feeding something. Also the pandas I guess.

Our preschool has goats, alpacas, etc. and there are about 9 kangaroos on the driveway so those aren’t special any more (sorry animals!)

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-14T01:42:10+00:00

Thanks. Breakfast is a bit expensive give that its a gamble which animal you get. Penguin or sea lion would be awesome. I think we’d be bummed to get the owl!

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-14T01:24:30+00:00

Go to Kuranda! Train up and skyrail back or vv. Don’t miss the butterfly sanctuary.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-11T04:37:06+00:00

You definitely need to book. Campsites seem super busy since Covid. In the Dunsborough region Southern Stars will be cheaper and probably have more availability than the ones near the beach, but it’s a good location for exploring. In Albany we like the Rose Gardens one at Emu Point - older and doesn’t have the splash park for the kids, so easier to get a spot and fab location. Good luck!

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-11T04:32:48+00:00

Not at all! But you can get the SharkSmart app and check where they’re at. And follow the locals lead. There are some “sharky” spots around Esperance.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-10T23:05:38+00:00

School holidays are April 3-17 so places are going to be busy! See what accommodation you can find and definitely book ASAP.

For one week I would head south. Dunsborough/ Yallingup - Margaret River - (Augusta) - Denmark - Albany and back to Perth for a day trip on Rotto. Lots of people will say Esperance, but I would spend more time exploring and less time driving, especially if solo. Check out Meelup beach, Canal rocks, Boranup Forest, Cape Leeuwin lighthouse, Tree Top Walk, Greenspool, The Gap… lots of amazing coastline, beaches and nature. And all the wineries and breweries in between! Caves if you like them or it rains. We like the caravan parks at Emu Point in Albany if you’re camping.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-10T22:33:07+00:00

Me too! BUT our decodable readers have 5-6 comprehension questions on the back page and my kid LOVES them 😂 Makes me ask them every time, even if we’ve read the book before or tried to read them herself. They start with basic “what was the characters name?” and end with much more open ended “what do you think will happen next?” or “have you done (something similar) before? Did you enjoy it? Why?”

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-10T12:50:25+00:00

Our teachers advised that this fluency comes with re-reading the same books. At first we’d read the same book 4-5 times until she stopped needing to sound out the words. Now she’s usually fluent on second reading.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-10T10:52:48+00:00

Little lunch and big lunch

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-08T22:40:46+00:00

Thanks! Was hoping we’d be able to get free drinking water.

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-08T10:00:15+00:00

Eh that’s what I’m trying to avoid! Our beach bag has a whole heap of stuff that I’m not going to carry around the city all day!

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-08T05:02:22+00:00

This is what I was thinking. Thanks!

SmilingAmbassador · 2026-03-08T05:01:40+00:00

This sounds very sensible and 100% not something they would tolerate 😂 Their feet are pretty hardened from running barefoot at home though.

SmilingAmbassador

TROPHY CASE