Family Attractions in Melbourne

Families taking a trip to Melbourne will find a lively dynamic city with plenty to see, do and enjoy, from its brilliant festivals to local delicacies. It can be a long flight to Australia, but there are direct routes to Melbourne available and once there, there's so much to do. There are outdoor attractions that will wear the kids out and wildlife parks where they can make new friends with weird and strange animals. Australians love life in the sun and Melbourne is no different offering lots of great adventures for kids to try in the fresh air.

Wonderland Fun Park

The Wonderland Fun Park is an action packed day out with the kids in the heart of the Harbour Town district. The excitement includes dodgems, roller coaster rides, a carousel and the Jurassic Adventure and Crazy Wave rides. The Wonderland Park is a reasonably priced day out with heaps of things to do for all ages.

  

Artplay

Artplay in the centre of Melbourne provides a wonderful couple of hours entertainment for the budding artists in the family. This is a supportive venture where kids and parents together learn all about painting, performance and creativity in a completely interactive and playful environment.

Polly Woodside Tall Ship

The Polly Woodside in Southbank is an interactive marine exploration where kids can clamber over an old tall ship and meet the sailors that crew her. This ship that dates from 1885 provides the perfect place for enthusiastic and adventurous children to discover a new world of their own. Kids get to try out life below decks, working the ropes and experiencing the thrill of sailing in the motion room.

Galactic Circus

The Galactic Circus in the middle of town is Australia’s largest indoor entertainment centre and a great option on a rainy, damp day. Full of games and pastimes to keep little minds busy with old favourites like laser battles, bowling alleys, hi-tech machines, simulation rides and arcade game classics. 

Federation Square

The Feds Square in central Melbourne is a popular location, especially during the summer months for events and festivals. There are lots of tasty snack bars, diners and coffee shops where the family can grab a bite to eat. Here you will also find the Australian Centre for Moving Images, the Commercial Galleries Association and the Ian Potter Centre, which explores contemporary Australian artworks.

Families on flights to Melbourne needn’t worry about what to do, with its zoo and safari park, the aquarium and shark centre as well as the See and Beyond venues there are lots of creatures to discover. You can keep the kids in line with a tour of the Old Gaol or open their minds with a day at the Scienceworks exhibition with its hair raising and space exploration themes. There is a whole host of things for all on a trip to Melbourne.

Maternity Leave: Knowing Your Rights

Do you know your rights when it comes to maternity leave in the UK?

Having a child is a very special time in your life, and as a new mother you will want to take time off from work so that you can stay at home with your newborn and focus on taking care of their needs. Luckily, if you work in the UK you have maternity rights according to employment law which will allow you the ability to take time off from work with your new baby.

It’s important to know your maternity rights and understand how maternity leave works in your situation, so that you will be able to ensure that you are getting the time off that you are entitled to. Here is a bit more information about what you are eligible for:

Statutory Maternity Leave

As an employee in the UK, you will be eligible for the statutory maternity leave scheme. Your particular employer might have an independent maternity leave scheme which could be different than the standard government scheme, but it should only be more generous as no employer can offer you less than the standard UK scheme.

Under the Statutory Maternity Leave, you are eligible for twenty-six weeks of what is called “Ordinary Maternity Leave” as well as twenty-six weeks of what is known as “Additional Maternity Leave” which adds up to a total of fifty-two weeks (one year) in total.

What Your Employer Needs to Know

You are eligible for this no matter how long you have worked in job, how many hours you worked per week, or how much you were paid. You need to let your employer know that you intend to take your maternity leave at least 15 weeks before the week that your baby is due. Tell them that you are pregnant, inform them of the date when the baby is due, and let them know the date you want to start the maternity leave. Make sure that you submit this notice in writing, and keep a copy for yourself. You might also need to submit a copy of the certificate you received from your doctor which tells you when the baby is due.

When to Start Your Maternity Leave

You are allowed to start your maternity leave any time from 11 weeks before your baby is due. Some mothers like to work as far into the pregnancy as possible so that they will spend most of their maternity leave after their little one is born. However, if you miss work for reasons related to pregnancy within four weeks of the expected due date, your employer can make you start the maternity leave from that point.

Do you have to take all of your maternity leave?

No, if you don’t want to take your entire maternity leave, you don’t have to. The minimum amount of time off you are required to take is two weeks, or four weeks if you work in a factory.

Before having your baby, make sure that you understand your rights regarding maternity leave so that you can take the time off that you need to take care of your baby.

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