Bass Coast

Bass Coast Family

From neighbourhood playspaces and nature-based holiday activities to youth wellbeing and disability support, families across Bass Coast can find practical ways to play, connect and get help. The options below include local providers as well as regional programs that explicitly serve Bass Coast families.

🌿 Play and school-holiday activities

Bass Coast Shire Council – Playspaces

For an easy outing close to home—or a play break while travelling around the Shire—Council maintains more than 40 public playspaces across Bass Coast. Families can use its leisure and recreation information to find suitable locations in different townships and plan low-key outdoor time together.

Phillip Island Nature Parks – School holiday activities

School-holiday programs on Phillip Island give families opportunities to participate in activities centred on nature and animals. Offerings can change between holiday periods, so check the current program for activity details, suitability and any booking requirements before setting out.

✨ Development and disability support

PlayTime OT for Kids

Based in Inverloch and serving the wider Bass Coast region, PlayTime OT for Kids provides clinic-based paediatric occupational therapy for children aged two to 12. Its family-centred, neurodiversity-affirming approach supports children and families to work towards participation and daily-life goals. Families can contact the practice to discuss whether the service suits their child’s needs.

Noah’s Ark – Strengthening Parent Support Program

Parents and carers of children and young people aged from birth to 18 with disability or developmental delay can access this free Victorian Government-funded program. Bass Coast is included in its Gippsland service area. The program is designed specifically to strengthen parent and carer support; check with Noah’s Ark for current participation and access arrangements.

Interchange Gippsland – HOP group activities

Children with disability aged five to 12 who live in Bass Coast can take part in this regional group activity program. HOP also serves children in other Gippsland local government areas. As activities and access arrangements may vary, contact Interchange Gippsland for the current program details and to discuss participation.

💬 Youth health and wellbeing

headspace Wonthaggi

Young people aged 12–25 can access free, voluntary support covering mental health, physical and sexual health, alcohol and other drug concerns, and work or study. No formal referral is required: a young person may self-refer, make contact directly or bring a support person. The Wonthaggi centre also books outreach appointments in Cowes, giving eligible young people another local access option.

❤ Pregnancy, newborn and family support

Olivia’s Place – Family Support Program

This regional Gippsland program supports families during pregnancy and the newborn period. Help can include regular family-support appointments, connections with maternal and child health services, playgroups and other networks, assistance navigating forms, and housing-support letters. Families may self-refer. Material aid is available only alongside participation in the Family Support Program, rather than as a standalone service.

📌 Before you visit or enquire

• Check ages and eligibility: several services have firm age ranges, disability or developmental criteria, or pregnancy and newborn-period requirements.
• Confirm bookings: school-holiday activities, outreach appointments and group programs may require advance arrangements.
• Ask about access: contact the provider if your child needs particular accessibility, communication, sensory or participation supports.
• Confirm current details: schedules, activity formats and availability can change, especially for holiday and regional programs.
• Clarify costs and funding: some listed supports are free, while other providers may have fees or individual access arrangements.

🌟 If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group that serves Bass Coast, you are warmly invited to add a listing or update your existing details so local families can find current, practical information.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on basscoast.vic.guide.