Author: Anna Booysen

PAKMAG

Four Homemade Gifts For Father’s Day That Your Dad Will Love

by Anna Booysen

Here are four great homemade gifts that you can craft for your dad and make this Father’s Day extra special! They aren’t too difficult and don’t require many materials – perfect for loving yet manageable gifts. 

Egg Carton Portrait of Dad

What You Need

Egg Cartons

Scissors

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Paint (optional) and paintbrush

Method

Use the scissors, or a craft knife if you have supervision, to cut the shape of your dad’s head out of an egg carton. It can be round, rectangle, square, oval, whatever you decide is best! Try and use a picture of dad’s face to get the shape as close as possible to his real head.

Use the rest of the egg carton to cut out the eyes, nose, eyebrows and mouth for the face.

Then use the hot glue gun, or craft/PVA glue if you have it, to stick each part of the face onto the ‘head’.

If you want to, you can use paint to colour in the head and face. Or just paint the hair on and the eye colour. Your dad will love it!

Paper Shirt with Pasta Bow Tie

What You Need

Rectangular piece of coloured or patterned paper

Pasta bows (farfalle pasta)

Acrylic paint for the bow ties

Hot glue gun 

Method

Paint the piece or multiple pieces of bowtie pasta with a layer of paint. Once the base layer is dry, add a pattern on top such stripes or polka dots, in a different colour of paint.

Take the piece of paper and follow the directions below to create a mini shirt. With parental help, use the hot glue gun to stick the bowtie onto the shirt.

Pillow for Papa

What You Need

White pillow case

Fabric markers

Piece of cardboard roughly the same size as pillow case

Method

Practice drawing or writing your message on paper while working out exactly what you want it to be. Before using the fabric markers, use a pencil to sketch the message out on the pillow case, particularly if it includes a picture that’s harder to draw.

Slide the cardboard into the pillow case so that it provides a harder surface to work on and holds the case open, like it would be with a pillow inside. This also prevents the markers from leaking through to the other side.

Now you can create your masterpiece! You could also write a different message on the other side.

Once complete, remove the cardboard and replace it with the pillow.

Handprint Gardening Gloves

What You Need

Thin, small rubber gloves

Gardening gloves

Fabric paint

Black fabric marker

Method

Put a large blob of fabric paint onto a hard surface that can be washed or thrown out, like a painting palette.

Put on a rubber glove and stick your hand into the paint, making sure to cover all of your fingers and the palm. Now stick your hand onto the gardening glove, pressing it down for a few seconds. Lastly, write your name on the gardening glove too, especially if you only did one glove and a sibling did the other.

 

You can find more arts and crafts blogs here. 

 

 

 

THINGS TO DO

Events in Cairns August 2020 Plus Regular Monthly Markets

by Anna Booysen

Watpac Townsville 400

North Queensland’s largest annual motorsport event is returning to Townsville on 29th – 30th August! Rivalries will be fierce as competitors head back to the tracks for the only street circuit on the 2020 calendar. Watch a variety of supercars race and experience that thrill once again. You can enjoy grandstand or trackside views, or even get the Paddock Pass to go behind the scenes.

Kids 12 years and under receive free trackside admission with free access to the Paddock when with a paying adult.

 

Red Beret Hotel Cairns Cup Carnival

This year’s Red Beret Hotel Cairns Cup Festival will be over two days. Ladies Day will take place on Thursday 20th August and Cup Day will be on the following Friday 28th August. There will likely be limited capacity and Members will be given first preference in attending.

More info and tickets coming soon so make sure to stay up to date!

A Cannon Park Racecourse

P 4054 1203

E admin@cairnsjockeyclub.com.au

 

Pedal Queensland

Get ready to ride your local trails, roads or paths and earn rewards or even win amazing prizes! Throughout the entire month of August anyone can take part in this cycle challenge event for all Queenslanders, no matter where you are in the state. You can choose to cycle 100km, 300km or 500km to challenge yourself and see who can get the most KMs in your region. Cycle anywhere, anytime, and earn rewards the more you ride!

A Queensland, Australia

P 3844 1144

E events@bq.org.au

 

Art Exhibitions and Classes

Cairns Art Gallery have a number of classes and exhibitions that are coming up soon or running right now. There is something for everybody so make sure to check their website out for more information!

A Cnr Abbott St and Shields St, Cairns City

P 4046 4800

E promotions@cairnsartgallery.com.au

 

Special at Cairns Wake Park

Cairns Wake Park is offering a unique watersport experience to both the young and old. Beginners to advanced can have fun and get that awesome sense of achievement through a well-designed and safe activity. All beginner equipment is provided. The Wake Park is suitable for ages 10 and above, though Grom Sessions for 7 – 12 year olds run on Saturday mornings.

Cost: $29.00 for a two-hour pass at Cairns Wake Park.

A Skyrail Drive, Lot 5, Captain Cook Highway

P 4038 1304

E info@cairnswakepark.com.au

 

Yoga in the Gallery

Conducted in the peaceful setting of Cairns Art Gallery, participants will be guided through various yoga techniques, including learning postures, meditation and breathing techniques to improve core strength, mind and body. Qualified and experienced yoga instructor Jeany Schall will guide the class, offering the highest and latest standards of modern yoga practice.

Classes run weekly on Monday evening, except for public holidays, from 5.30pm – 6.30pm. Visit the website for future dates.

Cost for a five-class pass: $60.00 ($75.00 non-members). For one-off classes $15.00.

A Cnr Abbott and Shields St, Cairns City

P 4046 4800

 

Cairns Aquarium

The aquatic adventure begins at Cairns Aquarium. The only aquarium in the world exclusively dedicated to the habitats and species of Tropical North Queensland, it’s a great way to keep kids learning. Once you’re done you can eat at Dundee’s restaurant with a special view of huge glass tanks and the fish swimming by – an experience not to be missed!

Hours from 10am – 3pm with last admission at 2pm. Locals Special – 25% discount on General Admission tickets available at the door!

A 5 Florence St, Cairns

P 4044 7300

 

Cazalys Kids Fun

The Cazalys Kids Room is an air-conditioned indoor Kids Play Centre. A great environment for the kids to engage in fun and social activities in a specially created environment that’s just for kids. The bigger kids can keep entertained on the 6 PlayStation terminals loaded with all the latest games.

All kid’s meals are $8.50* (Parental supervision required)

A 344 Mulgrave Rd, Westcourt

P 4054 1464

E events@cazalys.com.au

 

Lake Tinaroo

Come visit Lake Tinaroo get cosy in a cabin, glamp in a camper trailer, motorhome or caravan, or go full outback in a Tent. Your days can be spent exploring Lake Tinaroo by boat, on skis or in a kayak, canoe or on a stand-up paddle board. At the park there are beautiful nature walks, a jumping pillow, swimming pool. You’ll get convenient access to the picturesque Tinaroo Foreshore with its playgrounds, barbecues and picnic areas. The family will never get bored.

Cost: From $29.00 (unpowered camping).

A 4-28 Tinaroo Falls Dam Road, Tinaroo

P 4095 8232

E bookings@lthp.com.au

 

King Reef Resort

If you’re looking to revitalise in paradise, gather the family and head to the gorgeous King Reef Resort at Kurrimine Beach.

Explore all day, swim in the tranquil ocean or pool, build sandcastles on the beach and return to relax with a gorgeous sunset view from your beachfront shack. You can also hire a family pedal bike, go fishing, and more – the possibilities are endless.

A 75 Jacobs Rd, Kurrimine Beach

P 4065 6144 

 

Inflatable Kingdom

Visit the largest indoor inflatable playground in North Queensland for the most fun you can have in two hours. There is something for everyone with two separate zones for different ages – Tiny Tots aged 5 years and under and the ‘All Ages Zone’. Get your socks on and get ready to bounce, run, jump and play in this action-packed environment!

Cost: $10.00 for children aged 5 and under. $17.00 for all ages over 6 years. Book online to save 10% off entry price.

A 164 Mayers St, Manunda

P 4032 2844

 

CaPTA Group

Want unlimited fun and unforgettable experiences? CaPTA Group offers great tours and attractions in both Cairns and Port Douglas. Enjoy the beautiful Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome, Rainforestation Nature Park and the Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas. And, to sweeten the deal… if you’re a local, you can get some awesome discounts too!

The Group Annual Pass allows you to have unlimited admission to all four of the parks mentioned above, so you can enjoy an abundance of adorable Aussie animals, indigenous culture and much more. Locals’ get 20% off, and as a family this means 12 months of free entry to any or all of the parks (yes – you can go as many times as you like!) for a great price.

Visit website for terms and conditions.

CaPTA Head Office:

P 4035 3555

E res@capta.com.au

 

Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures

Enjoy a day at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures with a variety of amazing wildlife experiences. Explore the 2500 metres of pathways and boardwalks at your leisure, check out the wildlife exhibits or watch an amazing show – including the Crocodile Attack Show and Crocodile Farm tour!

A Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures – Captain Cook Hwy, Wangetti

P 4055 3576

E reservations@crocodileadventures.com

 

FNQ Dance Academy

Learn ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, acrobatics, and singing, all at the academy! You can join in whether two years of age or 70. FNQ also have great classes for beginners, including Playdance for 2 – 3 year olds, Babies Ballets for 3 – 4 year olds, and a junior class for budding male dancers.

Cost: Prices range from $11.00 – $15.50 per class. Weekly payment plans are available.

Family discounts are available: 50% off third child, 4th child free.

A The City – 168 Draper St, Cairns

P 4051 4888

 

Painting Party

Keen for a few hours of connecting, painting, music and maybe a drink or two? Have a private painting pARTy! An instructor will take your group through painting from start to finish at your house, office, and more, so you can relax, have fun, and create.

P 0448 930 223

 

Regular Markets in August  

Herberton Markets

Date: 3rd Sunday of the month Time: From 7.30am – 12 noon Location: Wondecla Showgrounds

Night Markets

Date: Partially Opening on 10th July Time: 4.30pm – 11.00pm Location: 71 – 75 The Esplanade

Port Douglas Markets

Date: Every Sunday Time: From 8.00am – 2.00pm Location: Market Park

Palm Cove Markets

Date: 1st Sunday of the month April to December Time: 8.00am – 2.00pm Location: Williams Esplanade

Malanda Markets

Date: 3rd Saturday of the month Time: From 7.00am – 12.30pm Location: Malanda Showgrounds

Mossman Community Markets

Date: Every Saturday Time: 7.00am – 1.00pm Location: 3 – 5 Foxton Ave, Mossman

Holloways Beach Markets

Date: 2nd Sunday of the month Time: From 8.00am – 1.00pm Location: Holloways Beachfront

Mount Sheridan Plaza Markets

Date: 2nd Sunday of the month, excluding Aug and Nov. Time: From 9.00am – 3.00pm Location: Mount Sheridan Plaza

Ravenshoe Markets

Date: 2nd Sunday of the month Time: 7.00am – 12 noon Location: Archers Creek Rest Area, Kennedy Highway

Rusty’s Markets

Date: Every Friday and Saturday Time: 5.00am – 6.00pm

Date: Every Sunday Time: 5.00am – 3.00pmLocation: 57 – 89 Grafton St, City

Atherton Lions Club Indoor Markets

Date: Every 2nd Sunday of the Month Time: From 7.00am – 12 noon Location: Merriland Hall (Robert St)

Tanks Art Centre Markets

Date: Last Sunday of the month (Apr to Nov excluding Aug) Time: From 9.00am – 2.00pm Location: Tanks Art Centre, Collins Avenue, Edge Hill

Tolga Markets

Date: 1st Sunday of the month Time: 7.30am – 12 noon Location: Morrow Park Racecourse

Yungaburra Markets

Date: 4th Saturday of the month (3rd Sunday in Dec) Time: From 7.30am – 12.30pm Location: Bruce Jones Park

Gordonvale Cottage Markets

Date: 1st Saturday of the month Time: 7.00am – 12 noon Location: Norman Park, Gordonvale

Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets

Date: Open Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays Time: 9.30am – 3.00pm Location: 13 Therwine St

Kuranda Heritage Markets

Date: Open Thursday to Sunday Time: 10.00am – 3.00pm Location: 2 Rob Veivers Dr

 

You can find more fun things to do here. 

 

 

 

PAKMAG

What is Gravity and Who Discovered it? – STEAM

by Anna Booysen

Have your ever wondered what pulls you back to the ground when you jump, or why a ball always lands on the ground after you throw it? Well, the great scientist Sir Isaac Newton wondered about this too. Newton is famous for several incredible things however he is most well-known for creating the theory of universal gravity.

Around 1666, legend has it that after watching an apple fall from the tree, he realised that there had to be something pulling that apple to the ground and he wanted to understand what it was. Other scientists had thought about this before of course and had also made some great discoveries.

Galileo discovered that dropping two objects from the same height would result in them hitting the ground at the same time, no matter their difference in weight. However, there can’t really be any air resistance.

If you drop a feather and a bowling ball at the same time, the bowling ball will always hit the ground first unless all the air is taken out of the room! This experiment shows that the force pulling the two objects to the ground is the same. To see this yourself, drop a half-filled water bottle and one empty water, both the same size, from the same height. They will land on the ground at the same time.

Newton’s curiosity alongside his intelligence meant that after years of thinking about gravity, he developed some amazing new theories of his own. He even used maths to complete calculations on gravity that supported these theories. This math showed how invisible gravity worked and also provided a possible explanation as to the whole shape of our universe.

Newton’s Theories

Newton wrote that gravity was the force pulling two masses together and that it applied to objects of all sizes. The larger an object was, the more it attracted other objects. Up until this point, nobody could really explain how the orbits of the planets and moon worked…although they definitely tried and came up with some interesting ideas! Thanks to Newton, people began to understand that gravitational pull (or attraction) is the reason why planets orbit the Sun and don’t simply fly off into space. Even the Earth’s moon orbits Earth perfectly without being sling shotted into the galaxy! This, along with many other reasons, makes gravity extremely important to us and helps our world function the way it does.

Fun Fact

The moon’s surface gravity is weaker because it is not as massive as Earth and is only about 60% as dense. That’s why astronauts appear to bounce when they’re on the moon and why people weigh less on it. If you weigh 60 kilograms on Earth, you would weigh about 10 kilograms on the moon!

Understanding the Effects of Gravity

Gravity is a force that we feel and experience every single day of our lives. Although we cannot see gravity, we can see the effect it has. For example, it is what makes round objects roll down a hill and it is what makes a glass shatter when you drop it. Engino’s Inertia, Momentum, Kinetic and Potential Energy kit makes understanding gravity as well as the basics of physics and mechanics easy. You can construct different objects and witness yourself how gravity affects them, plus so much more.

Resources: 

You can find more fun gravity experiments here. 

Read more STEAM blogs here. 

Learn about Isaac Newton’s life and scientific discoveries with this awesome book. 

Engino’s Inertia, Momentum, Kinetic and Potential Energy – Get 15% OFF WITH CODE PakMag15

 

 

FOOD

Comforting Camp Stew – Next-Level Campfire Cooking

by Anna Booysen

Camping is a favourite family tradition in North Queensland. No matter the season up here, it’s perfect weather to gather up the tent or clean the caravan, relocate all the camping gear and prepare for days of relaxation and fun in the great outdoors. Sometimes, what can make or break a camping trip is the food! We know how hard it can be to prepare and cook good meals when camping (we’ve been there), and as much as we love the old favourites, we also love variety. So, to help us all ‘mix it up’ and ‘up our campfire cooking game,’ try out this minimal but tasty recipe for comforting camp stew. 

Comforting Camp Stew

This delicious, warming and hearty meal can be made in an oven or pot over coals or fire. You will need several ingredients, but you definitely won’t regret making it! You can also choose between different vegetable options to personalise the recipe to your taste.

Ingredients: 

2 carrots

1 brown onion, thinly sliced

2 potatoes

1 Tbsp oil

750g beef stew meat

2 Tbsp tomato paste

400ml beef stock

1 tsp oregano

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 – 3 Tbsp plain flour for thickening sauce

Salt and pepper

Other optional vegetables: peas, corn, green beans, root vegetables such as parsnip, mushrooms

Method:

Heat the oil in a pot over medium high heat. Cook the beef until brown.

Add chopped onion and garlic and cook for roughly five minutes. Then add the tomato paste.

Stir in the stock, then add the potatoes, carrots and oregano. Cook until vegetables are softened (20 – 45 minutes), adding the flour until sauce reaches desired thickness.

Add salt and pepper.

Read more of our camping blogs here. 

 

 

FOOD

No Oven Pizza – Next-Level Campfire Cooking

by Anna Booysen

Camping is a favourite family tradition in North Queensland. No matter the season up here, it’s perfect weather to gather up the tent or clean the caravan, relocate all the camping gear and prepare for days of relaxation and fun in the great outdoors. Sometimes, what can make or break a camping trip is the food! We know how hard it can be to prepare and cook good meals when camping (we’ve been there), and as much as we love the old favourites, we also love variety. So, why not try out this no oven pizza? It’s not difficult to make and is still soooo tasty! 

No Oven Pizza

Replace the oven for a pan with this awesome and easy recipe. Simply buy pizza bases, the toppings of your choice, then cook it in a pan over whatever stove or fire you have! It will be so tasty, plus pizza makes a great interactive meal for the family.

Ingredients:

Store-bought pizza bases, depending on how many pizzas you want to make

Tomato paste – make sure to buy enough to lightly cover the entirety of each pizza base that you use

Oil spray

Topping options:

Grated cheese

Chopped mushrooms

Pepperoni

Ham

Chicken

Tomatoes

Capsicum (any colour!)

Canned pineapple

Olives

Onion (brown, red, green)

Sausage

Bacon

When buying the toppings, take into account how much you will need for each pizza that you plan on making.

Method:

When making the pizzas, put on as many toppings as you would like and combine them in whatever ways you choose – there are no rules when it comes to making your own special, camp-made pizzas!

Spray a medium to large pan lightly with oil spray. You can place the pizza base on the pan before heating and then add the toppings while the pan heats up. Or, you can put the pizza, made with toppings, onto the hot pan.

Cook until the bottom is firm and browned, the cheese has melted and the rest of the toppings are cooked through.

Alternatively, pre cook the toppings that you choose so that they only need to be heated through once on top of the pizza. This can help avoid a burnt or overly crunchy pizza base.

Tip: pre-chop all your toppings at home before heading out camping.

 

Read more of our camping recipes here. 

 

 

FOOD

Smores – Next-Level Campfire Cooking

by Anna Booysen

Camping is a favourite family tradition in North Queensland. No matter the season up here, it’s perfect weather to gather up the tent or clean the caravan, relocate all the camping gear and prepare for days of relaxation and fun in the great outdoors. Sometimes, what can make or break a camping trip is the food! We know how hard it can be to prepare and cook good meals when camping (we’ve been there). Try out these traditional smores – trust us they’re delicious!

Smores

Smores are a traditional and delicious sweet treat to have while camping that the kids will love. You really only need a few basic ingredients – roasted marshmallows, pieces of chocolate, and biscuits. Plus, don’t forget the night time campfire to enjoy eating them around! It’s a must have.

Ingredients:

280g white and pink marshmallows

400g McVitie’s original digestive biscuits or similar

150g – 250g chocolate (try and find chocolate that is thin and in large squares – ‘Lindt’ is a good brand to try).

Alternatively, you could use Nutella spread to replace the chocolate pieces.

Method:

Melt the marshmallows slightly by using the heat of a campfire. You can buy poles suitable for melting marshmallows over a fire at camping stores or you could go old school and find ‘the perfect stick’ around your campsite.

Place the toasted marshmallow onto a cracker and add a square piece of chocolate on top, then complete the creation by adding another cracker on top of that.

If you want, wrap the smores in tin foil as you go. This can help to keep them warm and give the chocolate inside each one more time to melt. Otherwise, eat as you go!

Tip: You can also buy digestive biscuits that are coated in chocolate – this provides two ingredients in one!

 

Read more of our camping recipes here.