I’ve found people working at the train stations/construction sites are always a bit bemused when we stop but then happy that someone’s taking an interest in what they’re doing. We once got a tour of the (Sydney) Bondi Junction Station signals box because I explained to one of the staff why we were there (my son Rohan is fascinated with stations that are at the ‘end of the line’ and how the train turns around).

I find train rides with Rohan really relaxing as he’s so happy the whole time. One of our main family outings in the last few years has been just catching the train into the city (about 15 minutes where we are – a good length of time for toddler attention spans), get a muffin in the park and then get back on the train. It’s not the destinantion that’s important – it’s the method of travel.

Sydney stations are appalling for wheelchair/stroller access (important if you’re taking extra younger kids), but if you can make it down the steps at your local station, three stations in town have lifts. The guards seem pretty helpful at getting heavily loaded strollers off the train, if you let them know in advance when you get on, and get in a carriage near them.

I could go on for ages about this highly specialised (and to those without train mad children, probably pretty tedious) topic. But just for Sydney people, watch out for the steam train run for kids in Children’s Book Week in September each year – called the ‘Storyental Express’. It’s often poorly advertised but it’s an hour’s ride and goes from Central Station and really worth it.

Toddlers also love to check out farm animals. Pull off the road beside a pasture and watch them drool at the cows!

How about a list of free stuff to do for little animal lovers?