WORDS: Carla Caruso
Shopping centres are my happy place. But I never realised exactly how much fun they could be until I went on an epic adventure at Westfield with my twins.
Westfield has just unveiled new Kids Passes, which let you unlock a whole world of entertainment at a discounted bundled rate. They make the perfect school holiday bundle and birthday gift.
Each Westfield – Marion, Tea Tree Plaza, and West Lakes – offers different specials with its passes. We headed to Tea Tree Plaza for our escapade and here’s what’s included there.
LET THE GAMES BEGIN
First, we stopped in at the Concierge Desk (located on level 2 near Harris Scarfe) to pick up the boys’ passes. They were pretty excited to have them in their hot, little hands and see just what was ahead of them that day.
Each Westfield TTP pass costs just $35, though is valued at over $64. Wowza.
SWEETS AND TREATS
You don’t need to trek to the city to enjoy Blackeby’s Old Sweet Shop. There’s one right at TTP. Alessio and Sebastian were in ‘Willy Wonka’ heaven, displaying their pass in exchange for an assorted lollies bag.
Blackebys is steeped in history. In 1883, William A. Blackeby was the first indentured apprentice to be registered in SA in any trade at just 14. His trade was confectionery.
Three generations of the Blackeby family have since worked at the company and many of its early lines are still produced, like coconut ice, rainbow jellies, toasted marshmallow, and rocky road. Also available are British sweets, American candies, and Dutch liquorice. Yum!
MUNCH TIME
After the sweet treat, we headed to Grill’d, in the dining precinct, for lunch. Bonus: ‘Healthy Burgers’ is in its name.
Grill’d prides itself on fresh, local ingredients, RSPCA-approved chicken, and Aussie grass-fed beef and lamb. As its site says, “No cages, no nasties, no added hormones, no exceptions.” Tick, tick.
Thanks to the Kids Passes, the boys got to tuck into a Dynamic Duo (a chicken or beef burger with chips). Their lips were dusted with flour from the burger buns!
They also enjoyed getting to pick a community group to give a token to. With every burger ordered, a Local Matters token is handed over for you to drop in the jar of your choice. At the month’s end, $500 is donated by the eatery, split between the groups ($300 for first and $100 for second and third). Nice.
ENTERTAINMENT
After Alessio and Seb had run around the covered playground, it was time to catch a flick. Each TTP Kids Pass includes a child’s movie voucher.
We’d been wanting to see Disney’s Cruella for a while. (Hello, Emma Stone.) So, off we went to HOYTS Cinemas a hop, skip and a jump away.
Our lolly bags from Blackeby’s came in handy, though you can also stock up on extras at its open-plan Treat City.
The movie was a visual feast, and better yet, we got to absorb it all from plush, reclining seats. HOYTS Tea Tree Plaza has powered recliners in every seat of every cinema! It also boasts big sound and vision with HOYTS Xtremescreen (waaaay better than our loungeroom).
JUST DESSERTS
The day wasn’t done yet! On a high from the movie, the boys got to cleanse their palates with double-scoop ice creams from Golden North. (I was a little full, so just went for a single scoop!)
What’s especially awesome is Golden North has been proudly South Australian made and owned for over 95 years. It’s been producing ice cream at the same factory in the tiny town of Laura since 1923. The premium ice cream’s made from the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients, and is free of palm oil, gluten, and nuts. Yay.
I’d highly recommend the sorbets – mango, raspberry, or lemon … take your pick! They totally hit the spot. Golden North is also known for its delish hot dogs, shakes, ice cream cakes, smoothies, and more.
For the final stop on our epic quest, we dropped by CupKates Desserts. For a take-home, after-dinner treat, the boys scored a four-pack of cupcakes, care of their Kids Passes.
Established in 2018, CupKates Desserts Bakehouse is all about making your old-school favourites from quality, local ingredients – importantly, by hand.
The namesake ‘Kate’ has been a qualified chef for over 12 years, with a background in French and Italian fine dining. She’s passionate about sharing how rewarding it can be making something from scratch.
Cupcake flavours range from Caramilk hokey-pokey to red velvet, funfetti, Biscoff, and Oreo. Drool. The store also does cheesecakes, chocolates, tarts, fudge, and even handcrafted doggy treats. (I’ll be returning to the store for a Louis Vuitton-themed cookie ASAP.)
What a day! And so close to home!
As you can see, for an abundance of dining, cinema, and quick-stop options, you can’t go past Westfield’s Kids Passes.
Limited quantities are available, so get in quick.
The lowdown on what you get at each Westfield
Tea Tree Plaza (until 30 September 2021)
Kids Pass: $35
Valued at over $64
- HOYTS: 1 x child movie voucher
- Grill’d: Dynamic Duo: Chicken or beef burger with chips
- Blackeby’s Old Sweet Shop: Assorted lolly bag including Candy watch, Vimto Chew Bar, Sweet World Fairy Floss, Wacky Bubblegum tape, and more
- Golden North: Double-scoop ice cream cone
- CupKates Desserts: 4-pack of cupcakes
West Lakes (until 31 July 2022)
Kids Pass: $30
Valued at $47
- Reading Cinema: Ticket with a small popcorn
- Cafe Brunelli: Kids’ meal
- Boost Juice: Kids’ sized Boost Juice including a kids’ cup
- San Churro: Churros for One
- Baker’s Delight: 1 x finger bun
- Charlesworth Nuts: Lotsa Lollies
Marion (until 24 September 2021)
Purchase the W+ Kids Pass for the same price, with an extra $22 in value, when you sign up to Westfield Plus.
Kids Pass: $30
Valued at $63
- Event Cinemas: 1 x children’s general movie ticket and small popcorn
- Intencity: 30 minutes’ free play
- Grill’d: 1 x Mini Me meal pack (choice of beef or grilled chicken mini-burger with small chips and drink)
- Funworks Lolly Shop 1x Kids’ Lollybag
W+ Kids Pass: $30
Valued at $85
- Event Cinemas: 1 x children’s general movie ticket and small popcorn
- Intencity: 30 minutes’ free play
- Grill’d: 1 x Mini Me meal pack (choice of beef or grilled chicken mini-burger with small chips and drink)
- San Churros: x 1 Churro for 1 with a milk chocolate dip cup
- Funworks Lolly Shop 1x Kids’ Lollybag
- PLUS, a Westfield Fidget Popper
For more information about the Westfield Kids Pass:
westfield.com.au/marion
westfield.com.au/teatreeplaza
westfield.com.au/westlakes