Maranoa gardens is the most peaceful maze of walking tracks and display of Australian fauna this Mamma has seen. Think royal botanical gardens, with the tags and labels on everything but without the trip into the city and right next to Beckett Park in Balwyn. It’s super chilled all throughout this space and the hidden waterfall is pretty special (lucky there are toilets here!).

The gardens have set opening times and you are not permitted to play ball games on the lawn - as tempting as it may be. This is simply heaven and great place to explore the different temperate zones - you might even get to run through the mist in the rainforest.

Mamma's special mention: Beckett Park is just next door and is a highly recommended playspace and plenty of room to kick a ball!