I feel we are becoming quite the West Australian maze experts. We visited our first maze back in 2013 during a family holiday to Busselton when we tried to lose the kids at Yallingup Maze. We had a lovely day out but still had the kids 😉 Then earlier this year for Valentines Day 2016 we discovered how a-maze-ing is Outback Splash with its water park, mini golf and selection of mazes.
So during our recent family getaway to the Margaret River Region we just had to include another maze for a family day trip. This time we chose to discover the amazing gardens, mazes and mini golf at the Amaze’n Margaret River.
Did it amaze us?
A Review of Amaze’n Margaret River
We (my partner Steve, our son Lewis and I) set off from our accommodation at the Big 4 Beachlands Holiday Park with a packed picnic of one of my easy picnic meals – sausages to BBQ and a salad. It is a 48 km drive of How much longer? and What time is it now? to the Amaze’n Margaret River just past the township of Margaret River (where we stop for fresh bread).
We pay the Amaze’n Margaret River entrance cost of $50 for 2 adults and 1 child (a family of 2A+2C is $58). The friendly staff provides wrist bands, a map and explain which way to go straight to the giant hedge maze.
We enter through the wooden gate,
follow the winding gravel path, past the still pond and manicured native West Australian shrubs.
The hedge maze stands looming 3 meters high above us. We enter with slight trepidation as the 2000 Leighton Green Cypress hedging trees begin to take us on a 1.5km trail.
We twist, turn and backtrack finally making it to the middle of the 20-year-old maze and climb the tower. From the top of the tower we can see across the entire half hectare of area that the giant hedge maze covers.
Frustration begins to build as we and others struggle to find our way out. Then out of nowhere we are shouting hoops of joy as we have found the exit.
And more of the pretty botanical gardens inlaid with some puzzles made out of brick pavers.
We have built up quite an appetite so locate some picnic tables under shelter and close to the free BBQ’s.
Whilst Steve cooks lunch Lewis and I go off to explore. We find there are so many more things to do at Amaze’n Margaret River. We play naught and crosses in the grass, find hopscotch plus see tables with checker boards and mazes to solve. To the far side of the picnic grounds smaller children are slipping down the yellow slide of the playground. Then we discover the games accessory table which has chess and draught sets, we take a set of quoits, badminton rackets, and a frisbee (not all at once 🙂 ).
Please click on the gallery to see the images in a larger format.
After lunch Lewis is eager to have a round of the 18 hole mini golf. We pay the extra $8 each and are each given an appropriate size putting stick, golf ball plus a score card. We have an enjoyable hour making our way through each of the challenging course holes. Lewis even get’s a hole in one, while I dismally take 15 putts on hole 15 🙁
Before we leave we have a local Simmos ice-cream from the cafe` and then finish our fun-filled day trip at the Amaze’n Margaret River with a few rounds of Bocce.
As we drive back to Busselton we comment on how impressed we are with the range of activities and things to do at the Amaze’n Margaret River ensuring we had full fun day out.
So what do you think? Would you or your family enjoy a day trip to the Amaze’n Margaret River?
Please tell me about it in the comments.
You may be interested to know that whilst we visited as a family (at our own cost), there were many couples and adult groups at Amaze’n Margaret River as well.
Linking Up With:
- Essentially Jess #IBOT
- Families Go #WkendTravelInspiration
- As We Saw It #TheWeeklyPostcard
What fun! I wonder if it was there when we were in SWA back in 2001? If so then I’m sorry we missed it – our kids (4 & 7 at the time) would have loved it. We’ve done one maze that I can remember – at Kryal Castle in Ballarat, also as part of that 2001 round Australia trip.
Visiting from #teamIBOT x
I hate to disappoint you Janet but the hedge maze has apparently been there for 20 years, but don’t feel too bad I live in WA and didn’t know it existed until this year.
Darn it! Actually that was on the last leg of our trip so we probably would have been out of money by then anyways!!!
Always best to look on the bright side Janet 😉 In the meantime why not look out for a maze park near you, they are great fun whatever your age and can make a great picnic spot for a family function.
That looks awesome. I would love to take the kids to a maze one day. It would be great fun I think.
Keep your eye out Jess I am sure they must a have a maze park somewhere in SA. All your kids no matter their ages will have fun and so will you and hubby.
seems fun! I do like maze!:) #the weekly postcard
We did have fun Tanja, mazes are just fun for any age.
I have not done a maze in a long time (and I do not think we have one close to where I live). I think the ones in here pop up with the seasons (usually fall). Glad to know you had the opportunity to visit a great one.
Thanks Ruth. All the mazes we have come across here are permanent structures interesting to note the ones near you are pop ups.
We have a trip to WA planned in September with a couple of nights in the Margaret River area. I might look this up.
You will love the Margaret River Region Lyn, if you have any questions about visiting WA or would like to know what to add to your itinerary please do not hesitate to ask.
Pingback: 17 Unbelievable Hidden Gems for Family Travel in 2020 • Our Globetrotters