'Became teary': This is what Bluey's World is like... for real life!

Every time I tell someone I took the kids to Bluey's World they ask the same question: "Ohh what's it like?" 

But what they really want to know is whether anything built "for real life" can possibly live up to the magic of the adorable, inexhaustible blue heeler and her family, who have captivated millennial parents and their children across Australia and the world.

My boys are 3 and 4.5. They've grown up with Bluey and I've grown into parenthood aspiring to be as loving, playful and present as Bandit and Chilli.

READ MORE: Top five things only cruisers know (and get excited about)

It's no wonder Bluey is the ABC's most successful series ever and the most-watched children's show in the US. It's relatable, inspirational, and funny. It's nostalgic and warm and healing.

And if you're a Queenslander like me, it's ours.

"It's a children's show but it's not," Bluey's World producer Andrew Kay told me, when I asked him to sum up the challenge he faced in bringing Bluey to life.

READ MORE: The cheapest days to fly in December for Christmas, experts reveal

View gallery

Australia's 'must-visit' Instagram hotspots, according to new study

"It's about real life, it's about family life, it's about people who are brave enough to be human and fraught at times, to be loving.

"You can't muck around with that, you have to deliver, be true to the brand and exceed people's expectations."

And yes, I can say it absolutely exceeds expectations.

So, what's Bluey's World like?

The Bluey's World Immersive Experience has been created in a 4000sqm custom-built pavilion. Once inside, we find ourselves at the Heeler's life-size front porch. 

This is the first indication of the extraordinary level of detail in the sets.

The front door, the stained glass windows, the plants and even the wheelie bins are identical to the animation.

The boys were instantly convinced - this was actually Bluey's house.

We were greeted by fairies who guided us into the house and introduced us to more characters.

We learned we were on a mission to find Bluey and Bingo who had been somehow "frozen" by a garden gnome who's come to life.

As we travelled through Bluey's home, we found nods to all our favourite episodes and characters, including the magic xylophone, chattermax, unicorse and keepy uppy.

There's even a few hidden longdogs.

We especially loved the girls' bedroom and the kitchen (where there's a duck cake in the oven and a pavlova to decorate) overlooking the backyard with its stunning poinciana tree.

The experience is well-paced, with sets full of lights, sounds and games melting into quieter moments, like when you leave the Heelers' backyard to explore The Creek.

It's so much more than a recreation of the Heeler house, you've stepped into the narrative and you're on a journey.

I became teary at one point, when Chilli appeared to encourage our gnome, who had become disheartened in his quest, with her iconic checklist.

"I have a little cry. Check. Then I pick myself up. Check. Dust myself off. Check. And I keep going. The show must go on."

For parents of young children, like myself, who brought babies into the world during a global pandemic, and are now parenting in a cost-of-living crisis against a backdrop of climate change, artificial intelligence, and insidious advertising to children, Bluey's World is utopia.

I know I'm not the only parent who's recently had reason to have a little cry before picking themselves back up and dusting themselves off because the show must go on.

I won't spoil the ending for you, except to say yes, there is a gift shop.

After the hour-long experience, you find yourself in the Neighbourhood, where there's a big fenced playground as well as a cafe serving themed food and ice cream and plenty of chairs and tables where parents can sit and have a coffee, let the kids play and process the experience.

The hardest part is convincing the kids it's time to leave, and I am sure I could go back a dozen times and still not find all the hidden Easter eggs.

As Chilli likes to remind us, "the world's a magical place". 

My kids already knew that, and Bluey's World helped me remember.

Where is Bluey's World and how do I get there?

Bluey's World is located at Northshore Hamilton, 281 MacArthur Avenue (dock D).

It is accessible by bus, car, foot, bike and, my personal recommendation, ferry.

We arrived on a Bluey-themed "CityDog"  (a play on the name of Brisbane's ferries, CityCats) which meant getting there and getting home was all part of the fun.

What age is best suited for Bluey's World?

Bluey's World is suitable for the whole family but kids aged around six or seven will likely have the most fun.

My two are preschool age and they were captivated and engaged the whole time, pulling me in all directions to "look at this mum!", but by the time we were heading home they were fairly tired.

There's no prams allowed inside and pram parking is limited and unattended so bring a carrier for very young children and babies.

How much does it cost to go to Bluey's World?

Off-peak (weekday) tickets are $49.90 per ticket, weekends and other peak times are $64.90.

Everyone attending must hold a ticket, except babies under two.

Children must be accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.

Is there food at Bluey's World?

Yes, you can dine at 'Pizza Girls' pizza or the Golden Crown Takeaway within the Neighbourhood cafe but it is a bit pricey, similar to theme parks and other family-friendly attractions.

There's no outside food or drink allowed so consider eating beforehand if you're concerned about the cost or dietary requirements.

The venue is cashless.

The writer was a guest of Tourism and Events Queensland.