“Bounce from star to star.”

Foster your child’s inner scientist with these entertaining family holiday ideas…you might even learn something too! If your child keeps gazing out the window or is glued to the junior telescope set you bought, chances are they’re looking toward a starry future. Observation centres, planetariums, galaxy museums. . . prepare yourself for a
high-tech, Scitech adventure. Here’s a teaser:

Bounce from star to star
Sir Richard Branson is feverishly working on granting the wish of 7-year-old Aoife from Ashbury by getting Virgin Galactic up and running (true story). In the meantime, your stargazing kids will have to be content with top-notch science and tech displays at galleries and on big screens around the country.
Turn to page 104 for more info on by far the best science/mystery attraction in WA, the Gravity Discovery Centre – with the recent downgrading of Pluto from a planet to a “dwarf planet”, they’re holding a Funeral for Pluto to kick off the summer of stargazing at the Southern Cross Cosmos Centre. Good luck explaining to your kids that the solar system now has only eight planets!
Other great adventures into science, the mind and outer space include The Investigator Science Centre in Regency Park, Adelaide ([08] 8348 2400, www.investigator.org.au) for hands-on science exhibits and sessions in a cyberspace lab or their Stardome for learning more about the night sky.
Then there’s Scienceworks and the Melbourne Planetarium ([03] 9392 4800, www. scienceworks.museum.vic.gov.au), the many, many CSIRO Science Centres around the country (1300 363 400, www.csiro.au), or the incredibly fun, educational and popular Questacon National Science and Technology Centre in Canberra ([02] 6270 2800, www.questacon.edu.au), which also does sleep-overs!

For the brainiacs
For sheer mental confusion – objects defying gravity, people shrinking, rooms flooding without getting wet – Amaze’n Things in Cowes on Victoria’s Phillip Island is a total mind-blower. Gigantic mazes, an interactive puzzle island, endless illusions . . . it’s like being trapped inside a video game with no discernable way out. This one is a guaranteed winner with kids of any age.
phone: (03) 59522283 website: www.amazethings.com.au

WANT FIVE MORE?
Don’t forget these other great ideas for kids:
1. Discovery Science and Tech Centre, Bendigo Vic (03) 5444 4400, www.discovery.asn.au
2. Wollongong Science Centre and Planetarium, NSW (02) 4286 5000, www.sciencecentre.uow.edu.au
3. Launceston Planetarium, Tas (03) 6323 3777, www.vision.net.au
4. Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, Qld (07) 3403 2578, www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
5. The Canberra Space Dome & Observatory (02) 6249 7817, www.ctuc.asn.au/planetarium