Get Lost 4WD Tours

Grafitti Grannies let loose

Trains seem to attract graffiti and now it’s happening right before my eyes – over carriages, engines, and platforms. And no one is doing a thing to stop it.

In fact the culprits, looking suspiciously like cheeky nannas, are being actively encouraged! They are yarn bombing and wool tagging all over the joint – and having serious fun while they’re at it.

Trainworks Museum in Thirlmere, about 90km southwest of Sydney, turns one on April 1^st 2012 and as part of the celebrations the local Picton Knitting & Crochet group have been let loose to brighten up exhibits with scarves for funnels, ‘eyes’ for buffers and spider webs for carriages. That a museum encourages such community involvement and interaction with its exhibits, speaks volumes about its philosophy of engaging the public and indulging in a bit of fun.

Trainworks underwent a $30 million dollar refurbishment in 2011 and the money has been well spent, breathing new life into dusty old trains. The museum is truly engaging for all ages – from Thomas the Tank Engine for little children to Australia’s largest collection of rolling stock for serious train buffs.

Exhibits include the massive 260 tonne 6040 Garrat, one of the world’s most powerful engines, and the elegant timber Governor-General’s carriages. A prison van comes to life with inmates’ stories and the rail pay bus looks like it comes straight from a cartoon.   

Birthday celebrations on April 1^st include vintage steam train rides, Circus Monoxide performers, Dixieland bands and a jumping castle. There’ll be a three tiered birthday cake, to be cut by a mystery guest, with slices for everybody.

Don’t forget to check out the work of the graffiti grannies, which is on display until April 25^th.

10 Barbour Road, Thirlmere NSW Trainworks is open 7 days a week. 10am-4pm Mon to Fri, 9am-5pm Saturday and Sunday. Ph 02 4681 8001 www.trainworks.com.au

Sensational Segway Adventure

For sensational family fun don’t get on your bike, get on a Segway and float above the ground.

OK, it’s not quite levitating, but the Segway personal transporter does feel like it hovers above the ground rather than rides over it, and that’s a thrilling sensation.

Looking a bit like a pogo stick with wheels the Segway uses dynamic stabilisation technology, including gyroscopic sensors, to make it self-balancing once you’re standing on it.

Like an extension of your body it senses your movements and the changing terrain then responds accordingly.  To move forward or backward, you just lean forward or backward; to stop you stand up straight and to turn you lean in the direction you want to go.

Basically, if you can stand up you can ride one, although their size dictates children need to be about nine years old and there are weight restrictions (between 30 and 120kg).

It definitely feels a bit weird initially, but it doesn’t take long to get the hang of riding one and then you fall in love with the sensation and want to take the Segway home.  

 Segway Tours in Sydney operates at Newington Armory in Sydney Olympic Park and offers 30-minute fun rides through to 90-minute all-terrain adventures. Unless you’ve got very young children who might tire, you should definitely go for the longest tour, which still isn’t enough!

All rides start with individual tuition, then a guide accompanies you around the park. As your confidence builds they’ll teach you new skills and soon you’ll be zooming off, spinning around and racing each other – with a permanent grin plastered on your face.

Our family has done it twice and can’t wait to do it again. Sure it’s not cheap, but it makes a memorable special occasion family outing you’ll be talking about for ages.

Have you done any great Segway tours you’d like to share?

Sydney: Segway Tours Ph 1300 85 99 83, www.segwaytours.com.au

Queensland: Segway Safaris are available at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. See www.segwayqueensland.com.au