Newport Lakes

Today was another nice spring day sandwiched between chilly wet ones.

We took advantage of it this time to go for a picnic and walk at Newport Lakes, followed by ice creams in Williamstown. (Ice creams from The Ice Cream Shoppe are always and ever a holiday treat - they even have gluten free waffle cones, which makes me just so happy!)


There is much to do and see at Newport Lakes. For a place that was once a quarry and later a rubbish tip, Newport Lakes has developed into a spot of great beauty and tranquillity - a habitat for many species and a lovely place to spend time for the community.

After picnicking and kicking balls around for a an hour or so in the area near the playground, we went for a leisurely walk around the circuit of the lake, spotting animals and birds everywhere. The kids had bubble wands that added a bit of sparkle to the occasion.

They particularly enjoyed the antics of the many waterbirds, who clearly are a bit too used to having humans provide an illicit supplement to their diets and followed our progress along with great interest. Spotting insects, lizards and other birds was also fun.

The Lakes were not at all busy - I suspect because the day started off wavering with cloud, which might have given some people pause. In the end, though, it was a gorgeous sunny spring day, and we were fortunate to be able to enjoy it together in such a lovely place.

Some school holidays we do big things or go exciting faraway places. Other holidays, a bunch of days doing relaxing stuff close to, or even at, home, are what makes the holiday great. So far, this spring break is being one of the latter, and that is more than OK.