| Blue Gum Hills Regional Park |
| Written by Jodie McEwen |
| Friday, 11 December 2009 13:41 |
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Sometimes, simply being a local isn’t enough to keep you informed of all the best things our region has to offer. Luckily, Sunny Days is there to help parents find the good stuff for their little people. And the newest, most recently discovered place we’ve found is Blue Gum Hills Regional Park.
Despite having lived here all my life, I didn’t even know where Blue Gum Hills was, and maybe you don’t either. So I’ll share the location of our best-kept secret. Drive past Maryland and Fletcher, and just before you get to Minmi, check the left hand side of the road for the gate into Blue Gum Hills Regional Park. Follow the road to find a beautiful setting that made me think of picnics in my Anne of Green Gables books. The park is a regional park, and comes under the umbrella of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. There are big shady pavilions with picnic tables and benches. Smooth winding paths (ideal for prams or wheel-chairs) connect the pavilions to a totally eco-friendly amenities block and terrific play area. Rain-water is collected in tanks for use in the toilets, and they are kept incredibly clean by a dedicated caretaker who visits twice a day. The soft-fall play surface isn’t topped by the usual brightly coloured plastic play equipment. Instead, the history of the area has been incorporated into the facilities. A timber cubby with a corrugated iron roof and deck has plenty of space to play on its shaded veranda. A long tunnel has been planted over with native shrubs and grasses and gladly plays its role as a ‘Mine’. We spent lots of time turning the handle of the child-sized conveyor belt, transferring rocks from one end to the other, as real miners would have long ago. The local school has been instrumental in planning the play area, and suggested a maze. The timber maze is great fun to explore, and as the trees above grow older and more shady, adventurers may decide never to come out. Plenty of parking and free gas barbecues make this a great spot to bring the family for your next gathering. There is a large flat area ideal for cricket or a game of soccer, nestled at the bottom of the surrounding tree-covered hills. You could bring a kite here on a windy day or just enjoy the freedom of having room to run. The feeling of space and serenity is one you wish you could bottle and take home. Bring the bikes, bring a picnic, bring the dog if you like. Enjoy some easy walks through the bush or walk around the old cemetery. Go and have a climb at Tree Top Adventure Park which has just opened, a little further up the track. Be as active or as relaxed as you choose. Rest assured that after a day out here, your little ones will sleep well. And now that I’ve just told you all about it, I’ll probably see you there.
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