Fairyland Village: With Lisa in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia
There's a certain magical feel about the entrance to Fairyland Village just outside Lobethal, so I recommend adults leave their 'grown-up' cynicism outside. Fairyland Village is a collection of 18 small huts, each depicting life size displays of ageless fairytales like Snow White.
The village has been bringing fairytales to life for 36 years - opened in 1973 by a German family who wanted to re-create similar theme parks they'd enjoyed in Europe. Mike Thomas took over the park in 2002 and has been adding his own touch of magic ever since. And he's well qualified - having spent 20 years building sets for the film, television and theatre industry. After working on films like Bad Boy Bubby and the Rabbit Proof Fence, he's now creating illusions of a different kind - bringing wide eyes and lots of laughter to a whole new - much younger audience. And it's a job that at times can be all consuming.
Mike Thomas: "Whenever we go away on holidays you find something that you think that's just right (for the village). We were up at Burra and there was a pair of antique ice skates hanging up for sale and I thought they're just right for the Nut Cracker display so we'll get those and hang them on the bed frame and that's really the way it goes - you're always on the lookout for some little detail that belongs to the story."
And there's plenty to work with - from favourites like the age-old tale of Pinnochio, to classics like the Three Little Pigs. Just when you thought you couldn't possibly put Humpty Dumpty back together again there's another fairytale to capture the imagination. Through innocent eyes the magic inside each hut really does come alive.
Mike Thomas: "A lot of people don't know what to expect when they arrive here. Usually when they come out they are absolutely delighted - they say that was incredible, that was wonderful - the comments are pretty much always the same."
And just when you think you're all magiced out you end up in Fairy Heaven - the coffee shop and fairy shop - a cuppa for the adults and a whole new shopping experience for the youngsters.
Fairyland Village is open weekends, school holidays and public holidays from 10am - 5pm. Mike's also built a brand new party room, complete with fairy stage, which is available for that special event. It's all at 21 Adelaide Lobethal Road, Lobethal. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
Fairyland Village
21 Adelaide Lobethal Rd
Lobethal
Ph 8389 6200Published 25th October 2009
