Many years ago when I was a young teenager my parents took my sisters and I out to The Maze for a family picnic. I remember the park being quite dry and almost desolate apart from the mazes.
But last year when we drove out for a day trip to New Norcia, we went past The Maze and saw the fantastic looking Outback Splash water park that had been built in 2013 by its new owners who bought the park in 2006. Now I was keen to revisit this park with my family.
So would I find that adding a splash park can turn this tourist park around?
I have been waiting for the perfect weather to take this day trip out to The Maze and finally it is here. A Sunday with a forecast of 32ºC; not too hot to explore the park but warm enough to enjoy the splash park.
I prepare one of my easy picnic meal ideas and we drive out 40 mins from the Perth CBD to The Maze.
Just before 12 noon we pull into the huge car park that is about 2/3 full. We gather out items and walk down the dirt/limestone/gravel path – I’m not quite sure what it is doing to the wheels on my picnic hamper?
We pay the all-inclusive entrance fee of $29.50/adult and $24/child and make our way in. The first thing we see is the water splash park.
Walking past those that had obviously arrived when the park opened at 10am to claim a sun lounge, we continue to the back grass area to lay out our picnic. Whilst this grassed area is massive there is limited shade at 12 o’clock.
We find a tiny patch of shade and enjoy our fresh bread rolls, mortadella, ham, pancetta, cheeses and salad. The park does allow you to bring your own alcohol but we have chosen not to drink (we get too sleepy in the afternoon and wouldn’t be able to enjoy the park 😉 ). If we hadn’t brought our lunch there are a couple of cafe’s to grab a bite.
After lunch Lewis is eager to get exploring. We find “The Maze” straight away – a timber fence structure. Apart from finding our way back out there is also the additional goals of finding four colour posts, a tower and then the exit.
We let Lewis lead and he has a ball taking us through and finding each goal.
As we exit we find beautiful green grassed picnic grounds. There are tables scattered under the gum trees, barbecues and different sized cabanas/huts for hire.
There is a small play ground that the kids are climbing.
However most are enjoying the large multicoloured jumping pillow – Steve even gets on a little later in the afternoon 🙂
We have well and truly warmed up now and are ready to cool off. Walking back to the splash park we see giant games of hookey, chess and connect four, we have a drink from one of the water fountains, see the koalas lazing on tree trunks and various brightly coloured parrots in large aviaries.
I pop into the change rooms to put on my swimming clothes and join Steve and Lewis who are already having fun slipping down the twisting, turning water slides and dashing about under the spray jets.
Though we have the most fun sliding down the smaller family slide as all three of us can slide together.
There are height restrictions for all the slides, the larger tube slides have a minimum height of 120cm – they even have a measuring stick at the top for the slide attendant to check. Then there are the littlies slides and you have to be under 100cm to use them. The splash park appears to be very safety conscious with an attendant at each slide advising when you can go down. Plus there is no need to worry about whether or not you can swim as the slides splash into shallow chute not a deep pool.
Once we have cooled down we are back to do some more exploring. Lewis is now wanting to have a round of mini golf. Golf sticks, balls and score cards with pencil are provided.
We have fun making our way around the 9 hole course – Steve and Lewis are way better than me – they slaughter me with their scores and enjoy ribbing me.
Then we are off to the “Hedge Maze” aptly named as it is made of hedges. There are emergency exits in this maze and I can see why as we are lost for ages in here. We feel a bit of relief when we make it to the half way mark, but then there are still a lot more wrong turns to be taken.
As we go into each dead-end tunnel we find a sign giving us some fun facts about Australia like:
- the first Australian police force was made up of the best behaved convicts and
- if you were to visit a different beach in Australia every day it would take you 27 years to see them all.
Did you know that?
Next up we try the Tractor Tyre Maze, I have to say I didn’t succeed with this one. As I start I hear others stating, I keep going around in circles. And you know what? That is what is happening to me too! I am a bit peeved I didn’t crack it – best I just go and cool off.
We enjoy one last lot of slipping down the slides and getting splashed by the tipping bucket.
All three of us are laughing so much we have had such a wonderful day and we walk out the park with big smiles on our faces exclaiming what an a-maze-ing time we have had at the home of Outback Splash.
Yep it’s certainly improved since I was a kid!
Do you think you would have an amazing time?
Or have you visited somewhere similar?
Please tell me about it in the comments.
Linking Up With:
- Essentially Jess #IBOT
- Bumble Bee Mum #TravelTuesday
- Mummy Travels #CityTripping
This place looks fantastic for and even better that the price also seems very reasonable. Anytime kids can be outdoors having fun, is s winner in my books. #teamIBOT
I thought the price was really reasonable as well Natalie.
This is SO COOL!! I can’t believe how near it is to central Perth. I really need to convince the husband to make the Western Australia trip.. Somehow. We were THAT close to booking it last year and even traded our Krisflyer miles for Scoot vouchers. Then the husband changed his mind and our Scoot vouchers expired. SAD…
When it comes to the men Lin we just have to keep giving them little nudges until they think it was their idea. 🙂
Looks like lots of fun for the kids – and a few adults too! 🙂
That’s it Lyndall – fun for all!!!
this looks great! just what you need in the heat #citytripping
Perfect for a warm day Rebecca
This place looks amazing! My boys would love it:) Very reasonably priced too #CityTripping
I thought it was really well priced too Lisa
Sounds like such a fun day out – and lots of slides and splash zones would be perfect in 32C! But lovely to see all the other things to do if you want a break from the water. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
The range of activities was what I really like about this theme park Cathy.
This look super fun!! My daughter would have an absolute ball here… so much to do too. I love the little facts about Australia… I didn’t know either of those facts! Thanks for linking to #citytripping
I didn’t know any of those facts either, so we all found it quite entertaining.
It looks like a great place to visit, especially on that kind of heat. I haven’t been to a water park in a long time. There are several around here since Southern California is mega parks land. I should check one of those. My friends go every year (some of them do not have kids) and their feedback is positive.
With kids or without kids Ruth – how can you just not have fun at a water park. Put it on your must do list for this coming summer 🙂
What an excellent place! I love the fact that the splace bit isn’t actually in a pool, just wet. Very clever. But the whole place looks entertaining. How funny it is to me that the koalas are not the main attraction!
Oh that is funny about the koalas, as an Australian I was happy to look at them and think how cute.
This sounds like so much fun. Isn’t it great when you are able to take your children to places that you went in your own childhood.
Yes it is Lyn. In a couple of weeks we are off to the South West for a getaway and I am looking forward to taking him to the caves like my parents took me.
What a wonderfully wet day out for the family!
Perfect for all ages Corinne
Thanks for sharing this fantastic story with #TheWeeklyPostcard. Outback Splash looks like so much fun, I would totally do that! I’m such a fan of mazes, especially the ones big enough for people. This seems to be an ideal way to get exercise – love that jumping pillow! Are adults allowed to jump as well?
Yes they are allowed on the jumping pillow Linda, my husband even got on – such a laugh!!!
Sounds like you had an amazing time 🙂 We love water parks, especially when they have the big bucket tipping water down. We have been to the Maize on the Sunshine Coast {Queensland Australia} and had a great time, it also has a tyre maize which we did manage {after heaps of goes!!} to crack.
We are becoming a bit of a fan of maze parks Lisa, the one on the Sunshine coast sounds cool.
Don’t know about the Splash, but the outback is stunning! 🙂 Sadly I only did an overnight trip from Sydney. Wish I had allotted more time.
Next time Bea 🙂