Northern Territory Dining with Kids

Two words to describe the Northern Territory are remote and beautiful. Apart from Alice Springs, Uluru and Darwin there’s not much else. Having said that they don’t have the funky cafes and restaurants on every street corner like the big smoke. And why on earth would they anyway – it’s the desert!

Our little family did manage to find a few good eating places, listen they weren’t the best places l’ve ever dined in but you don’t track miles over the Australia desert for fine dining. You go there to immerse yourself in nature’s wonders. And they are truly wonderful. If you haven’t been to the Red Centre yet – put it on your bucket list and get up there!

Here is a snap shot of where we ate and what family friendly features they had for the kids. All the places we dined in were only too happy to accommodate the kids with small activities, menus, changing facilities and highchairs. Make Uluru your next family holiday.


Alice Springs

Hanuman Thai

Hanuman is a Thai and Indian restaurant rolled into one with good tasting meals at high to moderate prices (remember everything has to get flown in – they don’t have an Asian grocer on every street corner) **Bookings MOST Essential – a very popular spot with locals and visitors**

For the Kids: Highchairs – Changing Facilities – Kids Menu had mini chicken stir-fry, mini fish stir-fry and very mild beef Masaman curry all served with rice and vegies for $12.


Juicy Rump Bistro Bar

The Juicy Rump (what a name!!) is a basic bistro style restaurant. They have tellies on the wall and a full bar with very basic pub style food. They’re not trying to reinvent the wheel here, so don’t expect too much. Choices include steak sandwich, Caesar Salad and of course the good old Aussie burger.

For the Kids: Highchairs – Changing Facilities – Kids Menu which had your bistro favourites like juicy chicken fillets, tempura fish fillets and a mini minute steak all served with chips and salad. Kid’s drinks start from $3 and of course the ice-cream is FREE.


Uluru – Ayers Rock

Tali Bar at Sails

Tali Bar is a basic bar cum small bistro with a relaxed friendly atmosphere serving quick and easy meals such as burgers, salads and pastas. Great little spot to dine at if the kids are a bit tired and grumpy. There is a front lawn which they can run around on while you wait for your food. We ate twice there because our two were just about at the end of their tether by day's end. It is a touch on the pricey side – but you are out in the desert!

For the kids - Highchair – Kids Menu – Activity Sheets with crayons – Change Table – front lawn to play on

Winkiku Restaurant

Winkiku serves a buffet breakfast in a brasserie-style setting. For dinner (seasonal), enjoy a tantalising seafood buffet, delicious array of salads, hot dishes and a carvery. We had breakfast here one morning and there was a variety of goodies such as fresh fruit, cereals and gourmet toppings for yogurts right down to pastries, muffins, eggs, bacon and other warm breakfast treats. Mr 2 always gets Coco Pops when we are on holidays and Mr 8 months enjoyed the fresh fruit and yogurts. Reservations essential

For the kids - Highchair – Kids Menu – Activity Sheets with crayons – Change Table

Arnguli Grill

Located at the Voyages Desert Gardens Hotel, Arnguli Grill features a table d'hôte menu of two and three set menu options, in relaxed surrounds. All tables come with white table cloths, water and wine glasses and service is swift and efficient. We were super organised this night and had Mr 8 months asleep when we arrived for dinner and the staff were also very helpful organising Mr 2's meal and ice-cream and timed it perfectly so we could enjoy our meals to. *Always get a child ice-cream served with your main meals – just takes the edge off and they are totally captivated with their dessert they won’t even bug you until every last drop is gone! Food good – although l should never have gone the vegetarian option – it was a BIG fail. Better luck next time.

For the kids - Highchair – Kids Menu – Activity Sheets with crayons – Change Table – before we went to dinner there is a lookout near by the Arnguli Grill and we watched the sun go down over the rock, kids love running around in the red dirt and looking at the animals tracks in the sand. Well my Mr 2 did anyway!

Observatory Cafe

Set on the south side of the gardens is the Observatory Cafe; it’s a wide open space with various seating options from large communal tables to an enclosed private dining section to alfresco style overlooking the gardens. The café is perfect for prams and we had no trouble at all navigating our way through the restaurant.

For the children the Observatory Cafe has a lunch menu, brightly coloured biscuits, cakes and of course babycinos and milkshakes. For little bottoms they have highchairs and changing facilities.

To read more of this review visit our website!

Road Test: Totseat by Billy Lids

l always say it but we are very lucky and privileged to be asked by companies to test out their products and share with our Hey Bambini community.

So when Billy Lids approached us to ‘road test’ one of their products from their extensive range we were thrilled.

Now in case you’re scratching you head and saying what on earth is a Totseat, let me enlighten you.

“The Totseat is for babies who lunch. It’s the washable squashable highchair – in a bag. It’s easy to use, easy to carry (very compact!), fits most chairs and is suitable for babies from 8 months to 30 months”

When we travel, which is a lot l like to pack light, but sensible. The Totseat was the perfect addition to our baby bag. It didn’t take up much room at all and the instructions are so easy to follow even Mr Man had it sorted in no time.

The lovely people over at Billy Lids sent us the Totseat to test out. You see they understand we are always café-hopping and thought the Totseat would be the perfect product to road test. How right they were as it couldn’t have come at a better time. We had just booked a mini break to Alice Springs and Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the Totseat was one of the first items l packed for our 8 month old son Elliot.

While we were away we dined in loads of cool eateries and cafes and most of them had highchairs which we used. But l found it most valuable when we were staying in our hotel room. Like most kids as soon as the sun rises they are up but unfortunately most cafes and restaurants aren't open. The Totseat was PERFECT for our hotel room as l could feed Elliot first thing in the morning without juggling him on my knee. He sat perfectly in the Totseat while l fed him yogurt and cereal. The other feature l love about this product is that it’s washable – hoorah! So when we had a few spills l just threw it in the washing machine without any fuss.

I would highly recommend the Totseat to anyone and l’m baffled on why l haven’t discovered this product earlier as Elliot is our second child. A big THANKS to Billy Lids for their generosity and the Totseat certainly made our mini family trip a lot less stressful. It now takes permanent residence in Elliot’s nappy bag at the ready to be used in any dining situation.

Vintage Cuteness

Are you having a fun Sunday?

We are.

Here is some vintage cuteness for your day.

Enjoy!

Play Dough Recipe

{Image: Art Nest}

With the cooler weather in the air indoor playtime is high on the list. My Mr 2 LOVES play dough. Here is a simple recipe to keep busy hands active and mum a few minutes peace a quiet.

1/2 cup Salt
1 cup Plain Flour
2 tablespoons Cream of Tartar
1 cup Water
1 tablespoon Oil
Food colouring

1. Mix all ingredients together in a medium size saucepan & stir over heat until the dough is pliable.

2. Allow to cool & seal in a snap lock plastic bag or container.

3. For extra razzle-dazzle add some glitter!

4. Play til your little heart is content.

Solid Rock

We've recently returned from Ayers Rock.

Have your visited Central Australia yet?

It's truly an amazing place.

Words really can't describe it.

Our family explored the desert tracks, admired
aboriginal art & of course dined in some family friendly
restaurants which we cant wait to share with you!

So now it's time to unpack the bags, do the washing
and start writing some new wonderful reviews.

Watch this space for more details to come soon.

Until then lovelies....

Miss Marie Cafe

Miss Marie boasts a great little menu with all
your breakfast and lunch time favourites and
they also bake most of their goodies on site.

From fresh muffins to cakes and
kids teacup biscuits, they have it all.

For the tiny bottoms Miss Marie has
highchairs, a change table, a few
children’s books and easy access for the pram.

To read more about Miss Marie click HERE