What’s On in Wyndham: A list of cheap or free family-friendly activities during late summer
From ukulele jams to pop-up outdoor cinemas and multicultural feasts, there are many ways to fill your days in the west. Here’s a list of late-summer family friendly activities that won’t bust your budget.
Wyndham Leader
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Feeling the pinch after the festive season but don’t want to be stuck loafing around the house for the rest of the summer?
From ukulele jam sessions and pop-up outdoor cinemas to roller skating and multicultural feasts, we’ve come up with a list of free or cheap ways to get out and about in Wyndham this month, without stretching your wallet.
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Each Tuesday until February 19, crowds of ukulele players take over Werribee’s pop-up park for a free two-hour jam session.
Head along to see some live music from 12pm to 2pm, kicking off with kids’ tunes and ending with a performance by a different headline act each week.
There is also a chance for budding uke players to show off their skills as part of the open stage session at 12.30pm.
Where: Station Place, Werribee
When: Tuesdays until February 19
Time: 12pm-2pm
Cost: Free
Forget jet lag, here’s your chance to taste your way around the world while staying close to home.
Each Sunday in February you can enjoy a different cuisine and experience the culture of another country, including Greece, Ireland and Vietnam, at a free event in Werribee.
This is your chance to bite into a bao, savour a souvlaki or chow down on a Cornish pastry while being treated to live music and traditional dancing.
Where: Station Place, Werribee
When: Sundays in February
Time: 12pm-5pm
Cost: Free entry and entertainment, food available to buy
Celebrate the Year of the Pig with family and friends in the heart of Point Cook. The third annual Lunar New Year Festival will showcase cultural diversity in the Wyndham community through music, performances, food and various other activities. The free event — attended by more than 20,000 people last year — is gearing up to be the best yet, with something on offer for people of all ages, including rides and face painting, street food stalls, Chinese art and calligraphy demonstrations, a traditional dragon dance and a fabulous fireworks finale.
Where: Stockland Point Cook
When: Saturday, February 16
Time: 12pm-9.30pm
Cost: Free
Spending a day at the Laverton Skate Centre is like stepping back in time to the ‘80s.
An institution among Westies, this roller rink has hosted countless parties over the years and is as popular today as it was when it opened in 1983.
It’s good, wholesome fun for the whole family. The centre also runs learn-to-skate sessions and roller derby training. Extreme weather can affect operating hours so call ahead to avoid disappointment.
Where: 2 Oakdene Grove, Laverton
Cost: $15 per skater (includes skate hire)
Make the most of Saturday summer nights at the free outdoor cinema in Werribee.
Screenings kick off at the very child-friendly time of 5pm, making this a fun night out for the whole family.
Bring a picnic blanket or bean bag and pack a picnic to make the most of your free visit to the flicks. Strictly no alcohol allowed. A full list of movies can be found on the Facebook page.
Where: Station Place, Werribee
When: Saturdays at 5pm
Cost: Free
You can see missiles, a jet fighter, helicopter and a boat plane as well as a range of other flying machines at the museum, which is located at RAAF Base Williams in Point Cook, the oldest continually operating military airfield in the world.
There are flying demonstrations — sometimes acrobatic! — on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays (weather permitting), giving visitors the chance to see heritage planes in action and chat to the pilots.
Where: RAAF Base Williams, Point Cook Rd
Cost: Free (but donations are appreciated)
JUMP AND BOUNCE TRAMPOLINE PARK
You’re never too old to have this kind of fun. Run, jump, tumble and roll at Hoppers Crossing’s Jump and Bounce Trampoline Park.
If you’re looking for a unique way to get fit or need the kids to burn off some of that excess energy, look no further than this indoor trampoline centre. You can play dodge ball, get some major airtime while slam dunking a basketball or just bounce your cares away on the many trampolines. The centre is also available to hire to private functions and birthday parties.
Where: 347-349 Old Geelong Rd, Hoppers Crossing
Cost: $10 per person for one hour
SALTWATER COAST CROCODILE PARK
This water park is a child’s paradise, with soft white sand and flowing water, rope bridges, slides, wading pools and a water-spurting crocodile. Bring a towel, pack a lunch and head to this water play haven for hours of fun splashing around in the sun. After the kidlets have worked up a nice sweat on the climbing ropes or slides, they’ll love cooling off among the water jets. Expect tantrums when it’s time to leave and don’t forget to slip, slop, slap.
Where: Cnr of City Bay Rd and Saltwater Promenade, Point Cook
Cost: Free
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