I can't help but feel that lately we've struggled to find the time to get out into green spaces. I realise my work schedule is playing a major part in all of this. For those reading this blog because you know me - you know what's up. For everyone who doesn't: let's just say work has been a total mad-house as of late. I still appreciate it, I'd rather be too busy at work than too quiet. This has forced a little more creative effort to find places and opportunities to get out. One such destination was our recent trip to Newport Lakes. It's effectively a wetland reserve a stone-throw from Melbourne CBD.

My daughter was super excited by this and quickly packed her bird watching gear.

Yep, you heard that right.

Let me rewind back to Christmas 2022. One of the key items my daughter had on her Christmas wish-list was a pair of binoculars and a book on identifying Australian birds. I guess this whole "hike with kids" experiment has truly raised a nature baby - can't complain about that.

Over the course of the day we saw countless birds, fish, even turtles.

Luckily mobile phone zoom lenses have really helped to capture many of these creatures al though my reaction time let me down for most of the day,

The reserve itself is a beautiful place to visit, made better by the range of animals that call it home. It's high on my recommendation list for easy day-trip locations easily accessible from Melbourne CBD.

As for my daughter's experience - the "hike with kids" aspect of this story. The binoculars were an absolute hit! This was her first chance to use them seriously and really left her with the feeling of getting closer to the animals. My perspective as a parent, is it's yet another tool that makes the outdoors more interesting, more accessible and hopefully continues to encourage my daughter's love for the outdoors.