Ice Arena

Bring back the tobogganing! Boo! This place hasn’t been the same since they took the Mountain out of Mount Thebarton. Sure it’s fun to wheel around in circles on tiny blades and try not to get yourself killed, but I much preferred the old whooshing down a mountain to the screams, falls, and complete terror on the beginners ice rink. The wooden chairs are very handy for kids and clumsy oafs like myself, but what happens when you can’t graduate to the big rink? You’re condemned to chomping soggy fries and going around and around with your chair like an old persons walker.
I must admit the kids do love it, and not many people are as unco as myself, so for most this place is still a win. My main complaint with the Ice Arena though is the staff. The kids on hand in the rinks seem much more pre-​occupied with flying around the rink and showing off their mad skills than actually keeping an eye on the little ones and helping them to learn.

I used to love Mt Thebarton, as it was previously called, but ever since they closed off the toboggan mountain I haven’t really had as much fun. It could be because I am getting older, but really I think the tobogganing was fun for everyone.
Ice skating is ok, going round and round in circles gets me smiling for a little while. Except the shoes hurt and never fit, silly inexperienced people cling to the walls or stop in their tracks and the price doesn’t match the fun I am experiencing.
There are 2 arenas here, 1 main one and 1 smaller one for learners. But the ice is quite chewed up most of the time on the learner one and it probably makes it harder.
On weekend nights they have a DJ and a few competitions, but you can hardly hear what he is saying and I never win :(
There is some food Ina small café for when you get bored and cold, and lockers for your stuff.
But I probably wouldn’t make too many visits as a young adult without a family, because it just isn’t that fun and I always find myself waiting for the session to end.

The ice Arena is cool (literally!) for something different to do. The cost is comparable to taking your kids to the movies and you can stay longer than a movie if you get there at the start of the session.
They are pretty packed in the holidays because they take in OSHC groups as well as people just looking for something to do. You still usually have plenty of room though.
If it gets too cold for you out on the ice there is a café area where you can buy drinks and food and sit down in a room a bit warmer than the arena itself.
Personally I would rather go to the smaller more local (for me it is) one at Noarlunga as it is usually quieter and less chance of your child getting knocked over. This one is of course the biggest in SA and offers a lot of other things than just ice skating but being the only one closer to the city and northern suburbs is usually quite busy. I’d advise you to make a booking before you go or leave early.

If you want to capture the biggest and most beautiful smile on your kid’s face, take them to the Ice Arena in Thebarton. We hit the place for a birthday party and it was awesome with a capital ‘A’.
Boasting a large party room to run simultaneous parties, there are two ice rinks here. The smaller rink was perfect for beginners and party guests. This is also where they host the snow play!
Plenty of sleighs, tubes, buckets and spades to keep the little ones amused. My son was on cloud nine, oogling over the snow and loved every bit of the sleigh rides.
At the larger rink, experienced skaters grooved to the funky and hip hop tunes in the background. I found myself moving to the beat… oh yeah!
If you’re after a disco ball affair, check out The Fridge, every Friday and Saturday at 7.30pm-11pm which promises great music, games and a DJ spinning your favourite tracks.
Before we left, I found myself pleading with my son, «Please, another 5 minutes or so!». I parked myself in a corner and boogied away to «Moves Like Jagger», mirroring John Travolta minus the bellbottoms and slick hair! Groovy mama indeed!
Although the interior offered a semi tired look, some fresh paints and coloured benches would add more charisma to this fun-​packed venue. Expect lots of laughs, big smiles and a blister or two!