Leah Hudson is a fourth-generation Macleay Valley local who runs the Macleay Valley Hub, a directory she created to help promote and connect the many diverse small businesses in our neck of the woods. Leah is also a mum to three kids who love to burn energy in the outdoors, and three step-kids who regularly visit from the city.
Here are her tips for keeping energetic youngsters busy whilst on holidays in the Macleay:
1. Our kids love the holiday camps offered at the Lisa Crotty Riding Academy
Our kids love the holiday camps offered at the Lisa Crotty Riding Academy. Lisa is great at giving the kids responsibility – they don’t just ride the horses, they muck out the stables, shovel the poo and wash the horses. They also play games and experience lots of different types of riding, from cross country to equestrian. It’s fantastic.
2. My boys are obsessed with the new pump track in West Kempsey
My boys are obsessed with the new pump track in West Kempsey. It’s well set out, great for all ages (my three-year-old gets on there with her trike!) and has some fun, challenging jumps.
3. Last holidays, the kids participated in a Montum Bike Tours holiday camp at the Kalateenee Mountain Bike Tracks
Last holidays, the kids participated in a Montum Bike Tours holiday camp at the Kalateenee Mountain Bike Tracks near the Kempsey Golf Club. They had the opportunity to ride some challenging trails and learn how to do jumps. When I picked them up on their last day, one of my sons said, “Best time of my life!”
4. Lots of kids in Crescent Head are into surfing, & mine are no exception
Lots of kids in Crescent Head are into surfing, and mine are no exception. I’m about to sign them up for surf lessons with Steve Firkin at the Crescent Head Surf School, as people rave about him. He teaches the kids basic skills like how to duck dive and paddle onto waves properly, which helps them to pick it up faster.
5. If you happen to be at Crescent Head on Christmas Eve, the Santa Surf is a fun, wonderfully weird event
If you happen to be at Crescent Head on Christmas Eve, the Santa Surf is a fun, wonderfully weird event that kids absolutely adore. Where else in the world can you paddle out with a hundred people dressed up in Santa suits?!
6. Local skate parks are a top place to keep energetic kids busy
Local skate parks are a top place to keep energetic kids busy. My boys go back and forth between the skate parks in Crescent Head (which is smaller and good for beginners) and the more advanced park in Kempsey. Whether your kids are into bikes, skateboards or scooters, they’ll have fun at any of the skate parks around the Macleay.
7. The creeks in this region are another highlight for children
The creeks in this region are another highlight for children. When there’s no surf, we head to Killick Creek in Crescent Head or, for something different, Korogoro Creek at Hat Head or Back Creek at South West Rocks. If you’re on holidays, there are always plenty of local kids around who will give you great ideas for creek adventures. We like to surf the high tide waves as they surge in, bridge jump or just relax and float!
8. When we’re all beached out, our family packs a picnic & heads up-river to spend a day swimming in the Macleay River
When we’re all beached out, our family packs a picnic and heads up-river to spend a day swimming in the Macleay River at Toorooka Bridge. There are some fun little rapids that kids can safely ride on their boogie boards.
9. My dad takes the kids fishing at Stuarts Point & South West Rocks
My dad takes the kids fishing at Stuarts Point and South West Rocks, where there a plenty of good fishing holes. If you need tips on where to fish, pop into the dive and fishing shops in South West Rocks and they’ll let you know where to go.