It was rather rainy when we first arrived in Sydney, so when the weather cleared up, we were excited to explore the great outdoors. Hey, we were in Australia after all!
We ended up going to Calmsley Hill City Farm at the recommendation of my father-in-law. A farm-based attraction about 45 mins drive from Sydney's City Centre, Calmsley Hill City Farm offers visitors the opportunity to get up close to a range of farm animals (and some native animals too) and to learn more about what goes on at a farm. This is not a working farm -- farming is not its main business. Instead, it exists for the purpose being a demonstration farm. So there is a Cow Milking Show, Stock Whip Show, Working Dog Show and a Sheep Shearing Show daily, all purely to allow visitors to experience the workings of a farm.
It was all very intriguing, so much so that I decided it was worth checking out.
Since we were visiting a farm, I decided we should try to dress the part. Really, I was just super stoked to have the just the right opportunity to put Meips in a pair of overalls! The overalls-look really isn't something I usually go for but for the farm, it was perfect.
Little Farmer Meips looking the part.
We arrived nice and early, and immediately plunged into the activities, with Noey having a hand at milking a cow. Meips on the other hand refused to even get out of her stroller to go near the cow. And she continued to be a bit freaked throughout the day when we had any animal encounters. I've concluded that she really doesn't like animals. One of the few ways in which she's like her Mama, I guess!
Noey milking a cow, and succeeding with some help.
Petting some of the other breeds of cows in the pens nearby.
We'd bought a bag of feed with our entry, so we headed for the animal nursery first where visitors can feed and pat some goats and sheep. It turned out to be a rather large pen where you were free to interact with the animals as you choose. Noey had a blast chasing after the goats and sheep to pat them! Meips would generally have none of it and clung tightly to Ah Kong when he brought her in. I got a bit of a shock though when the goats got over enthusiastic about trying to reach the bag of feed in my hands and literally put their front hooves on me in their attempts to reach up. Whoa. After that I made sure I was the one holding the bag as they would have knocked Noey over if they did that to him.
Poor little goat walking by is ambushed by Noey.
With the sweetest little lambs! They were so fluffy!
After some time, he got brave enough to hand feed them.
Meips on the other had really didn't want to touch the ground at all, or the animals! It took her a long while to even consider patting the little animals.
We spent quite a bit of time in the nursery before we had to leave because it was time for our tractor ride. We had to pay an extra $3 for it, but I got the tickets cos I figured the kids would love it. I was right. Check out our monster tractor!
Huge tractor, loading up.
Kiddies all excited to roll!
Our tractor ride took us on a large loop around the grounds where we got to see some cows and sheep, and just enjoy that sense of SPACE under brilliant blue skies. I think the kids' favourite part was just the novelty of the ride. They wanted to go again immediately after we got back.
Cows grazing under the blue, blue sky. I love Australian skies, don't you?
Sheep and goats a-grazing.
My wide-eyed and interested little baby.
We took a break thereafter for lunch, choosing to eat at the cafe on site. There weren't a lot of options, so it was burgers for everyone. They have a lovely picnic area, with a playground nearby, and roaming ducks and peacocks who come by, to the excitement of the kids. They provide free BBQ rental, and I can imagine it'd be really nice to bring your own food and have a BBQ right there, especially in summer!
"Oo, what's that? Could they be fries?"
Picnic area.
After lunch we caught a couple of shows. First up, the working dog show. It was cool seeing the dogs round up the sheep and direct them where they needed to go. But otherwise the show was a bit wordy, and we couldn't hear very well as we found seats at the side and not in front. After a while the kids lost interest.
The sheep being herded by the watchful dog. There were three dogs, and they were really well-trained!
The sheep shearing show was more interesting. It was exactly what it's name suggests -- a demonstration of how a sheep is sheared. "Just like me getting a haircut!" said Noey.
Here's how you hold and grip the sheep between your legs before you start shearing. This is one of the useful things I learnt from this show. I have found this grip highly effective for, erm, holding my kids in place when they're trying to get away.
Shearing in progress. The harness that the shearer is using is to provide support and protect his back since he is required to bend over a lot.
All done! and looking like a different sheep altogether.
The kids with their prized possessions -- handfuls of (dirty) wool that they distributed to the kids at the end.
We rounded off the afternoon visiting the native animals on the grounds. There was quite a selection but the kids' favourites were the kangaroos and wallabies, and of course the koalas.
Ah Kong and Noey approaching some wary kangaroos and wallabies. With Meips firmly in her stroller. She refused to come out!
Two curious cautious creatures approach each other.
Noey getting braver. The wallaby, after determining that he didn't have any food, quickly lost interest in him. He ended up chasing it all over the area, which he actually found quite fun.
Feeding goats leaves which we picked off nearby plants.
A camel! One of the more unusual animals we came across.
Hello koala! Meips loved the koala and eventually agreed to stretch out a hand to rub the koala's feet.
How cute is that? Apparently a mother and daughter. Aww.
Altogether a good experience that gave the kids maybe a taste of what goes on in a farm. I would dearly love to do a farm stay with them soon! But this was a good precursor to that, and definitely a fun day out.
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