My sister and cousin (and her children) joined myself and my children on a little adventure yesterday morning. I present Fairyland Village in Lobethal, Adelaide Hills, South Australia. I came here for my 7th birthday and remember the day clearly. I felt very special because my Mum had organised this lovely day out for my friends and I. I never knew such a place existed. In fact a lot of people even in the Hills don't know that it is here. The village is older than I am, it opened in 1973. Apparently the family that opened it based it on theme parks they had visited in Europe. Each hut has a fairy tale theme and with the push of a button you are told the story of what is behind the glass and the characters come to life with movement. Visiting as an adult, the thing I noticed is that it is not commercialised or polished - and I love that about it. The play ground is straight out of my childhood, not like the safety first play grounds these days. I'm not saying this one isn't safe but it actually has see saws (teeter-totters), which you never see anymore. I got a pleasant surprise when I realised that the cottages are filled with antiques and collectibles. The children took a quick look in each cottage window and then ran to the next one (17 of them), but I wanted to take in all the vintage goodness at a slower pace. Gorgeous antique furniture, lead light, china and even the mannequins (characters) are vintage. Sigh...
Can you tell that the original owners were from Germany?
Pinocchio's cottage.
Some of the playground...
I must admit that the adults had a bit of a play as well. Not too long on the spinners though as the kids had tougher stomachs for that. The ride below is one of the smaller ones but they do have a another that was bigger that seats four and looks a little like a merry-go-round which was pretty cool (carousel).
This horse fits two adults and two kids quite easily (we tried and have photographic evidence - lol). Just watch out if you are a child sitting behind an older child as you may face plant into their back, and squash your nose. Ouch!
From the front.
And from the back - love the bright colours.
Lots of little details that make the village special.
Old Mother Hubbard.
Sleeping Beauty.
Cinderella.
A girl who has an uncanny resemblance to one of my gorgeous cousins, so much that I forgot to check who she actually is.
Three of The Seven Dwarfs. Love the pressed tin in the back ground.
The paths are rough and the glass is wild, not manicured so it feels like you are in a magical forest...but I would be careful of snakes in summer - eek.
Little Red Riding Hood.
Goldilocks, (I think).
Three little pigs brick house (?).
Another little treasure.
Snow White in her crystal coffin gave us the chills.
Lots of helpful gnomes to guide the way.
Some of the cards from Alice in Wonderland.
Almost there!
I had to take a pic of this cute family who are lucky last!
Worth taking a look if you are passing by!
Sherry :)
