Castlemaine

Who would have thought that it will still be so hot in March over the Labour Day long weekend!  But hot it was and this time we were not heading to the beach but inland to Castlemaine.

It is a historic goldrush town about an hour and a half hours away from Melbourne.  We stayed at the Big 4 which was right next to the Castlemaine Botanical Garden and walking distance into town.

Burning off energy in the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens

 

Walking into town we saw some very nice old homes one of which was a B&B that mummy and daddy had stayed at on a pre kids visit.   Eloise asked why we were not staying at the nice old mansion with all the old antiques?!?! 

In town, we cooled off with iced coffees and ice-creams before hitting one of the many antique shops in town.   We went to Restorer's Barn and the kids really surprised us with how much they liked looking at the 'olden day' things and Eloise even wanted to go back the next day! There was just so many interesting things for them to look at and touch and we were just glad that at the end of the visit there was no breakage to any of the wares

Abbey checking to see who was home in the bird house

So many knick knacks at the Restorer's Barn, the girls did not know where to start 

Don't drop it Eloise !

Checking to see if there were any thiefs hiding in the 'Ali Baba' jars

Eloise thought it was hard work playing the piano in the olden days

"How does this lock work?"

"Who is behind the door?? 

Abbey loved turning the switches on and off

Our home away from home was thankfully under some nice shady trees as it was such a hot weekend and fortunately we were also next door to the Castlemaine pool which was we headed in the afternoons to cool off. 

Our home away from home

The girls enjoying their al fresco lunch outside our camper trailer





As usual, Eloise had no problems with making friends and by the end of the weekend had a little posse of friends to hang out with and Abbey did her best to tag along !