When Melbourne Bachie, Sam Wood and his Perth love, Snezana Markoski Wood brought their first home in Melbourne’s Elsternwick back in 2016, it was the start of them building a beautiful life together in Victoria’s incredible capital city.
Snez and daughter Eve, now 13, relocated from Perth to join Sam and form their own family which now includes a sweet one-year-old named Willow, and they just love getting out and about finding things to do in Melbourne.
Often spotted at Melbourne’s incredible beaches, galleries, dog parks and cafes, this foursome really know how to make the most of everything that Melbourne has to offer.
Sam Wood spoke with Mother & Baby to share his family’s favourite child-friendly things to do with Snez, Eve and Willow. You can see them in the gallery below.
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Sam Wood’s fave child-friendly things to do in Melbourne
Melbourne Aquarium
Melbourne Aquarium: Sam and Snez love a bit of aqua action with the kids. “Both Eve and Willow share a love for animals. Eve’s favourites are the sharks –and Willow is totally obsessed with the penguins!” says Sam. (Image: Getty Images.)
Mordialloc beach/Aspendale beach
Mordialloc Beach/Aspendale Beach: Melbourne is famed for it’s clear, shallow beaches, and for Sam and co. Mordialloc is a go-to swim-spot. “This is Willow’s new favourite, and with Eve and Snezana being Perth girls it really makes for the perfect afternoon,” say Sam. (Image: Getty Images.)
Melbourne dog parks
Trips to the park with Hendrix: “This is our morning ritual,” says Sam. “We give Snezana a little sleep in while Hendrix, Willow and I all go for a walk to the park bright and early.” Some great dog and kid-friendly parks in Melbourne are: Albert Park – Albert Park, Point Gellibrand Heritage Park – Williamstown, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne – Melbourne, Royal Park, Parkville. (Image: Supplied.)
Collingwood children’s farm
Collingwood Children’s Farm: Just 5km from the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, Collingwood Children’s Farm is a super sweet way to spend the day while introducing your kids to land, animals, and farm life, and it’s one of Sam and Snez’s favourite ways to spend a day with Eve and Willow. “It’s safe to say we’re all a bit animal obsessed!” laughs Sam. (Image: Facebook/CollingwoodChildrensFarm.)
Little Ox in Brighton
Little Ox in Brighton: If you’re after family-friendly feeding in Melbourne, Sam recommends you try Little Ox. “This is our favourite brunch spot,” says Sam. “A great menu and they are very tolerant of Willow destroying the place!” (Image: Facebook/LittleOx.)
Melbourne zoo
The Melbourne Zoo: “e love getting to the zoo whenever we can,” say Sam. “Every time we go, Willow understands it a little bit more and copies the noises of the animals. Eve and Snezana had a tradition of visiting the Perth Zoo frequently, so it’s great to carry this on in Melbourne as a family.” (Image: Getty Images.)
Melbourne Trains
Trips (to nowhere) on the train with Willow: How’s this for thinking outside the box? Child-friendly public transport as a way to entertain the kids! “Willow has always been obsessed with trains ever since the first time she saw one go past,” explains Sam. “So, about once a week we jump on the train and go two stops one way, and two stops home – world’s cheapest entertainment!” (Image: Getty Images.)
