mamma loves knox
/ Mamma Erin
Mamma is on a mission. To find all the wonderful things to be found in the beautiful east - including Knox. Already we have found plenty of parks, playgrounds, outdoor and indoor spots and all of them ready for the family to enjoy!
parks and playgrounds
Marie Wallace Playground in Bayswater is a game-changer of a park. Mamma can hardly believe how many magical spaces there are for little ones. It’s the type of park you can stay at for hours on end!
Wally Tew Reserve is still a firm favourite with local families, and it’s easy to see why.
The flying fox continues to steal the show, with kids racing back up the hill for “just one more go” (and then five more after that). The slides are fast and fun, perfect for slightly older adventurers who love to climb high and zip down fast.
We have another upgraded pocket park and this one is lots of fun. The playground encourages lots of imaginary play with the cafe set up, as well as tic tac toe and a driving game.
This pocket park is set in the middle of a court and is a great quiet little spot perfect for a play.
Mamma just loves a cute little pocket park and this one is a goodie. Just perfect for a stop and quick play on the way home from the shops, or to kill some time in between picks up and drop offs.
Calling all little spidey climbers- this playspace is for you. Climb the spiders web, the cubed climbing frame, the monkey bars and the rock climbing wall.
Here is one for the kids who love to CLIMB. The playground at the Miller Park footy oval in Boronia is perfect for the kids that love to be off the ground and play floor is lava all over the lounge room.
Where is the smallest playground in all of the east? Quite possibly Alchester Village. You might call this a parklet or a pocket park, but either way - Mamma calls this one super handy when she wants to consume her latte while still hot or are looking for a little space for the kids to play before hopping back in the car.
Somewhere....hidden between Boronia and Ferntree Gully .... lies a Dragon themed playground that is fully fenced and now includes water play! Check out Tim Neville Arboretum.
If you’re after a new adventure, then the Stamford Park Adventure Playground is for you. It features a pirate ship for little mateys to set sail on, a lookout tower perfect for spying on parents and heaps more!
Where do you head after a visit to the library to let restless legs run around? The park of course! There is a climbing frame with a number of challenges - a spiral step ladder, a rock climbing wall, rope net and tower of floating pod climb, all leading to the top of the slide.
You have got to love a quality playground that is perfect for watching big brothers and sisters on the sporting field! Right beside the Tormore Reserve footy field, is a great playground for your less competitive pre schoolers AND it has the best climbing frame, with a perfect view of the on-field action and the beautiful Dandenong Ranges beyond.
Not every playground has to have a big slide or climbing frame. Some are simple spaces with room to catch up with friends, just like this pocket playground in Boronia.
A classic mix of equipment will keep the kids moving like the slides, birds nest swing, spinners and crawling net. But it is the little touches will make a Mamma smile. From the wood carvings on the logs, the door-knob handles for eyes on the rocks, the tea party for 5 set up closer to the oval and the nature play that will develop over time, there is lots to like at this little play space.
The wait is over - the fully fenced, Stud Park Playground has opened. This farm themed playground is designed to be an all abilities play space, catering for children in a range of different ways.
Westfield Knox is currently under renovations and part one of the upgrades includes this nature inspired outdoor playground
Mamma has spotted another new playground and it's an absolute beauty! Featuring a HUGE 9m high play tower including, not one, not two BUT three separate slides all at different heights.
Batterham Reserve Playground in The Basin is tucked safely away behind 2 ovals so there is never any fear of the kids running onto the road.
On Monday he ate through one strawberry. On Tuesday he ate through two pears and on Wednesday Mamma went for a drive and found this INCREDIBLE playspace.
A park at the shops - a blessing and occasionally a curse. This one is a pretty fun one to slide down!
The Basin Triangle playground is a magnificent space with plenty to entertain, including its own stage!
R. D. Egan Lee Reserve had some major renos over lockdown and a beautiful playground has emerged.
The playground that runs along the boundary of the footy oval has a single climbing structure with monkey-bar rings, a slide and, as always, the tan-bark cafe underneath. However, the highlights for this little guy are a tie between the sandpit - complete with building table and tools - and the spinning double swing.
Occasionally it isn’t the playground that Mamma is drawn to when we head outdoors for an adventure. In the case of Talaskia Reserve, it is the multi sports area that we LOVE.
eats
The Hatter and the Hare is a dessert dream right from the pages of Alice and Wonderland. The most colourful cafe in the eastern suburbs is located in Bayswater and it just like a fairytale.
Grab it while it’s HOT! The El Chivi food truck and Dos Amigos have created this amazing new home, at the rear of Cuztom Kraft bike factory in Bayswater.
Crest Cafe is still serving up the goods and it comes in the form of happy tummies and entertained toddlers! This local gem, once the Crestdale Milkbar, has kept some of that old school charm while dishing out top-notch brekkies and brunches.
New cafe on the block Cafe Bits & Bites is the perfect fit within the Ferntree Gully Village.
Now let me quickly google ‘delicious’ in Italian because you will be wanting to know how to compliment the chefs while dining at Sketti at Knox Ozone… Delizioso!
It’s Milki as in milk bar. It is Miller as in John James Miller - the first Knox shire president. And together is it a funky cafe found at the Alchester shops in Boronia.
The Stamford Park Homestead used to be the ‘country home’ of the Row family back in the 1880s and now, after years of tender loving care, it is back to its best and open for all of us to enjoy.
We all LOVE a good bakery, one that has hot and cold, sweet and savoury and a great choice of bread and rolls to take home.
YOMG Rowville, at Stud Park, is what we like to think of as a quick win. Somewhere Mamma KNOWS the kids will find something on the menu to satisfy a hunger, there is heaps of room to relax while we wait for the meal AND if they play all their cards right, there is dessert waiting around the corner.
Hidden in the backstreets of Scoresby, what was once a milkbar, has now been transformed into a stylish cafe with both indoor and outdoor seating.
Everyone wants a local cafe like Eugene’s. One where the crew all know your name and you’re welcomed with open arms. Eugene’s is a classic hidden treasure. Tucked in the corner of the Wantirna Mall, this place is perfect for a weekend brunch, a takeaway coffee or an all-in family breakfast.
I have to say it…..This cafe is the Bees Knees! And Mamma’s, if you take your kids here then they will think you too are the Bees Knees.
Oh my oh my Mamma has found the most amazing bakery! Quarry Bakehouse in Upper Ferntree Gully is filled with breads, pastries, cakes and pies - all Mamma’s favourites.
Station Street Food Co. is a cute little grocer and cafe in Ferntree Gully. The shop part has an array of fine foods including fresh fruit and veg, breads, deli meats, antipasto, delicious cheeses, chocolates, ready meals as well as plants, pots, macrame and other homewares. We love it!
There is a cafe in The Basin called 1 in 20 and it’s opposite a park and playground and is kid friendly. Located in Basin Triangle with indoor and outdoor seating, as well as great food and super friendly vibes.
The Hub Play Cafe in Boronia is just perfect for Melbourne weather. There is an amazing outdoor play area that boasts a sandpit and a wooden fire truck that fits both Mamma’s little ones! If the weather turns bad, never fear Melburnian Mamma's, The Play Hub Cafe also has toys inside.
Mamma knows the place to go when hunger strikes - SCOOPDOGGZ! This homage to hip hop heroes is all about hot dogs and the most famous Dogg of them all - Snoop!
Mamma gets good vibes as soon as she enters this space. It’s light, it’s clean and fresh. The coffee is amazing and the food is next level.
Any opportunity to let the kids explore new flavours and tastes from around the world (without having to board a plane to do so) is what this Mamma is all about. Hochi Mini allows us to taste some of the famous flavours of Vietnam right here in Ferntree Gully.
places to go
Knox - this is an awesome indoor play and adventure venue, guaranteed to satisfy all of the daredevils in your family. Flip Out is the perfect balance of indoor climbing walls and soft play adventure and trampoline zones. Kids can move around freely to all areas or stick to their favourite, depending on the skills and interests of your kiddos.
May we introduce you to our new favourite family game - PICKLEBALL! This is a relatively new sport craze (it’s been around since the 60s but taken off since covid) that feels like a mixture of table tennis, regular old tennis and badminton. Hire a court here at Level Up Pickleball and have a BALL!
The Basin Playgroup is such an inclusive space, all Mamma’s here are super friendly, always up for a chat. There is no commitment to sign up per term and guess what? It is FREE!
Start your battery powered engines! The Boronia Radio Control Car Club is your next racing spot for your remote control collection. Located on the corner of Park Cresent and Dorset Road, it is likely you have driven past it many times before. This space is open to the public and is a safe, well contained space that you can test out all your RC moves, without being in anyones way or on the road.
You have to love a library and Boronia Library is a great one! They have a large, welcoming children’s section that has plenty of space to lounge out or snuggle on a couch with a good book or 12 (depending how many the kids decide to pull of the shelf!)
Kinder Gym Casual Play is just perfect for little ones who still require some parent support. Not only does it provide a fabulous space for the kiddies to move their bodies and burn some energy, there are so many different ways to move! There’s climbing, swinging, tumbling, rolling, jumping, balancing and more.
You and the crew are up for plenty of thrills at Rush HQ. This is an indoor trampoline with plenty of extras - just check out the mascots on the wall - and heaps to do all under the one roof.
What is one sure fire way to both thrill a pack of 9 year olds and give them an amazing run around at the one time - challenge them to a game of bubble soccer! The crew at Eastern Indoor Sports Centre offer Bubble Soccer with private court hire for an hour, with a dedicated umpire/crew member.
This roller skating rink is an institution! For four decades it has been the central location for thousands of skating lessons, millions of fast laps and countless roller discos.
We love just love Lollipop’s
This playland has everything you need in a playcentre. From themed party rooms, the classic mini pirate ship, the foam ball zones, a separate toddler section and stacks of things to swing, climb and slide down - the playcentre is a real treat for your little ones.
Little Rascals in Ferntree Gully is simply AMAZING for toddlers. The space has been designed with little ones in mind. The play structure has lots of colourful padding and a fast double side - ideal for your 18 month old to your 3 year olds.
Knox Leisureworks is awesome for the little ones. Add the water play features, bubbly water in the corner and sweetest frog slide - this spot is perfect for those scorching summer play days
Nothing beats fresh air and sunshine so what better way to start your day than a walk around the Liverpool Road Retarding Basin. With the Dandenong Ranges as a backdrop it is simply stunning.
Any Mamma’s in need of spending some time with the ultimate Mamma - Mother Nature? Head to Lakewood Nature Reserve for a little bit of bushland in the middle of the suburbs.
We have a beautiful sleepy museum that is a real find and a perfect place to explore with little kids. The National Steam Museum is all about the classic machinery, some old rusty diggers and big, heavy things.
Now this was an amazing surprise! Quarry Reserve in Ferntree Gully is quite simply …. beautiful.
The simple silhouette from artist Matt Cavert, always makes me think of the innocence of childhood and the countless wonderings our little ones have about the world. Mamma also was certain that one day, we would take the family and recreate his pose, gazing up into the never ending blue sky!
Chesterfield Farm is where it is at for family farmyard adventure. It is located on a MASSIVE property in Scoresby, right along Eastlink and have almost all of the farm animals you can imagine in one place.