Winter time is awesome

There are times in our lives that we just need a little break, days, weeks or months roll on and we get more and more burnt out. Let’s face it life is hectic. Being a mum of 3, and many animals too, I am constantly on the go, as I know many parents out there can relate. There is school runs, homework, dance class, art class, tennis lessons, music lessons, football, swimming, and meals to prepare, endless loads of washing blah, blah, blah, I could go on and on. Kids or no kids, life is just busy! But we can’t forget to take care of ourselves, and just like us, our partners and children get burnt out too, sometimes we could all use some down time!

When it comes to Winter we can all feel our mood slipping, days are shorter and colder, we tend to stay in doors more and get on each others nerves. But that doesn’t have to be the case, Winter can be AWESOME! Really? Yes really! I love Winter and you can too, sometimes it’s just a matter of thinking outside the box. Winter can be a real wonderland, and there are plenty of great ideas and places to go over the colder months.

We have been lucky enough to be offered a Winter stay at Bellarine Big 4 Holiday Park, and we are super excited to share our weekend with you.

Click to Tweet: Winter can be a real wonderland, and there are plenty of great ideas and places to go over the colder months. #Bellarine Big 4 Holiday Park 

Hubby and I love taking the kids to the beach over Winter, it is a whole different experience than it is in the Summertime, and yes it is too cold to dive into the waves, unless you have a really great wetsuit, but the beach is magical in Winter. The wild waves are breathtaking and I love that the kids can run around with miles of space, because let’s face it there are less people crowding the beach. There is a feeling of freedom and such raw beauty that the beach has in Winter that I just don’t feel in the hotter months.

Another great advantage to a Winter getaway is the great accommodation deals! Check out some of these deals at the bottom of my post. Going away over Summer can be expensive and everything and everywhere is crowded, but in Winter not only can you get beautiful accommodation for a lower rate, but you get facilities that are less crowded. I also love that we can visit our favourite beach side cafes and get a car park and a table with ease. There is nothing better than a hot coffee by the beach in Winter, and the kids love their baby-chinos or a hot chocolate with marshmallows. OK and a slice of delicious cake goes down well too!

One of my favourite destinations is the fabulous Bellarine Big 4 Holiday Park.

They invited my family and I down for a weekend getaway. They staff are so lovely and I love the way they make the kids feel so welcomed. They also made us grown-ups feel super welcomed too with a bottle of wine waiting for us on our arrival from their next door neighbours, who just happen to be a winery!

The units there are perfect for us grown-ups

and for our children!

It’s located on the Bellarine Highway in Victoria, which is perfect because it is close to all the action of Geelong and the gorgeous beaches along the Bellarine coast line, like Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale, Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads.

Geelong

And my favourite thing about Bellarine Big 4 is that if it is raining there is still plenty to enjoy and ways to amuse the kids. There is an indoor pool which even has a water play area and a water slide, we went for a swim after dinner and another one the next morning. I couldn’t get the kids out! There is a indoor toy room, kids movies, DVD’s and board games. They even have there own cafe to grab a hot chocolate, or coffee.

Just because it’s Winter doesn’t mean you can’t get out and about and explore the local areas and beaches. We had great fun at Queenscliff beach.

And checked out the local lolly shop of course.

Lunch was amazing at the Courtyard cafe and nursery, a little hidden gem on the main strip. They have lovely food, and a gorgeous nursery. One of the locals recommended it and the staff were super friendly. We also enjoyed ice-cream from the Scandinavian ice-creamery.

If however you just want to relax and the park there is so much to amuse the family, you don’t ever need to leave the park. Not only is there the fabulous pool, you can get active and warm up by playing football, basketball, soccer,

jumping on the giant jumping pillows,

walking on the 1.2 kilometre walking track, hiring go-carts

or playing on the amazing playground.

It really is endless fun. And I have to say when the kids are amused, we are happy. Adam wanted to move in permanently. One of the biggest hits with my kids was the flying fox!

We visited the Banks Road Winery (conveniently next door to the park), for a lovely tasting of wine, and came home with a few bottles, Aspen fell in love with the dogs there!

We also visited Ocean Grove, which is only 5 minutes away!

Barwon Heads is beautiful too, the beach is lovely and you can take a lovely walk up to the cliff, or across the bridge. They have an amazing collection of shops and eateries too. If you’re a bit of a foodie I highly recommend stopping there for lunch or coffee and cake.

My advice, head away this Winter and have a ball! I totally recommend popping Bellarine Big 4 on your to do list, the staff, the facilities and all the local attractions make it a great destination. 

Thanks for joining me, love Mackenzie xx

Our accommodation was given to us by the lovely Bellarine Big 4 family, but this has in no way influenced what I have written in my blog post. All opinions are my own. 

Need a Holiday over Winter? Here are some great deals for Bellarine Big 4.

Call 03 5251 5744. 

Strange names, great deals.

BIBBIDI BOBBIDI Package $390 save up to $167: 2 nights accommodation in a 3 bedroom unit. 1 X Selfie Stick (we had so much fun with this), and 2 X Hot chocolate or Latte vouchers. (We had their coffees and they were delicious).

PLINKITY PLONK Package $340 save up to $117: 2 nights accommodation in a 2 bedroom unit. 1 X kids tennis racquet and 1 X packet of tennis balls. (Yes they even have a tennis court there too)!

YIPPITY YAHOO $90 save up to $100: 2 nights accommodation on a powered site (their camp sites are huge and you should see the awesome camp facilities, they would have to be the nicest camp bathrooms I’ve ever seen), plus you even get a kids camping chair and a packet of UNO cards. (Adam was obsessed with playing Uno, it was great family fun).

MIDWEEKER. (I think this is an awesome package). 3 nights for only $360 save so much it’s ridiculous! 3 nights in a unit (2 or 3 bedroom) Valid midweek (sun to Thurs). www.big4bellarine.com.au 1801 Bellarine Hwy, Marcus Hill Victoria.

Thanks for an awesome weekend away Bellarine Big 4, love the Glanvilles xx