Sassy Mama Family Field trips: Lake Egret Nature Park, Tai Po Kau, New Territories

This week the intrepid field-trippers were: one mum with tot in tow… and the rest of her school! I’m pleased to report that I wasn’t single-handed and that there were plenty of other parents and teachers to cope with the marauding toddler mass!

If like me, you’ve never heard of Lake Egret Nature Park, it’s a peaceful green oasis, nestled in Tai Po Kau Village off the Tolo Highway, and in between Tai Po and University MTR stations. You may have even caught sight of the unusual, eye-catching low rise building on the train to Shenzhen. Aside from the nature park, there’s also a little museum, boating lake, restaurant, BBQ area and small area to feed goats.

Hits: If you’re craving an escape route from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong city life then this is for you with its lush green flora and tranquil, picturesque setting (aside, of course, from when you encounter a school-load of tiny tots on the rampage!). Goat-feeding was an enormous hit and costs $10 for 2 bunches of grass for the goats to munch. We didn’t take advantage of the boating as getting the whole school on the lake might have been a step too far for mankind, but this looked fun, and costs $50 for 30 minutes.

Misses: quite a journey from Central – this is going to be a half-day or more activity when you include travel time. Although we didn’t eat in the Little Egret Restaurant it gets very poor reviews online – so you may want to give that a miss! The museum of Ethnology is very small and pretty, but not the ideal place to take little people with fast hands, although using the ancient washing mangle and straddling the cowboy saddle on display were particular highlights for Gracie and probably should be marked down as hits. She also enjoyed bashing the drums – but that was where the museum staff drew the line so we had to make our exit! The lesser-spotted Egret… we only saw one!

Need to know before you go: Only open to the public on weekends and public holidays as group bookings of 30 or more are required on weekdays. The restaurant is open from 11am, and the boats (pedalos and rowing boats) and goats for feeding are available from 1pm to 5.30pm (weekends and public holidays).

Age: any age.

How to get there: click here for a map and directions.

Lake Egret Nature Park
 2 Hung Lam Drive, Tai Po Kau, New Territories, Hong Kong; 2657 6657
http://www.lakeegret.com