Early Start Discovery Space (Building 21) — Attraction in Wollongong City Council

On a Saturday afternoon, my friend and I decided to bring our young families to this place without any particular expectations. Our kids range from 4 months to 2.5 and 5 years old. To our pleasant surprise, we discovered an incredible venue that catered to everyone's interests and needs. From a designated area for crawling infants to dress-up corners and interactive activities, there was something for everyone to enjoy. Even as an adult, I couldn't help but feel excited by the whole experience.

The venue itself is impressively designed, with thoughtful attention given to every detail. The staff members were not only ultra-friendly but also took the time to engage with visitors and have meaningful conversations. It was evident that they genuinely cared about creating a positive atmosphere. What made this place even more remarkable was the strong educational component woven into the various activities. It was a brilliant blend of fun and learning, providing a well-rounded experience for all ages.

If only I lived closer, I would love to frequent this venue more often. It left a lasting impression on us, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a place that combines entertainment and education in such a...

This is a great place to hang out with young children. They have many open-ended toys and activities that are quite immersive to do. Many people bring their babies here as they have a dedicated area for those aged 0-2 years old. There are places to play music indoors and outdoors. There are also storytelling and dancing activities for children at certain times of the day. There are places to wind down, get calm and comfortable like in the sanctuary and the reading nooks. You can create art with your little one(s) indoors and also doodle with water outdoors. People can enjoy other water activities as there is a water pump outdoors. People can also move indoors or outdoors for variety. You can also choose to eat just outside the Discovery Space or inside while looking after your family. I believe they have special activities on Fridays now, so please get more information by checking out their website or talking to staff. I was able to get this information...

Visited with my wife and kids yesterday for an activity out of the rain. It’s been almost a year since we last visited and it’s great to see how the kids’ interests change as they develop.

Some of the activities have evolved since we last visited but some are looking a little worse for wear like the exit of the digestion exhibit that has gone from red to almost black over time.

My main gripe is that parents and carers are charged (handsomely) for entry even though none of the exhibits are designed for adults. It’s a large space so it helps to have one parent per kid following them around, but the costs sure add up. If we were to take them to (say) Tabatinga, parents would enter for free.

We also encountered some unsupervised kids hanging off the trees and repeatedly throwing rocks at birds in the outdoor area, even after we told them to stop. I can’t help thinking that if parents weren’t taxed so heavily for entry they may have had a bit more...