Top 10 Things to do Good for Kids in Aust-Agder, Southern Norway

On the southern part of the island of Tromoy, only 10 minutes from Arendal town by car, bus or boat, there is a beautiful area called Hove. This recreation area is part of a protected moraine that lies along the southern coast. The whole area has been adapted for walks with resting places along the shore. There is a beach and kiosk at Hove camping during the summer season, and several kilometres of smooth rocks. Sundays between September and May, there is a lunch buffet at Hovestua in Hove camp from 12 to 18.  The paths are many and stretches from Hove to Alve, along Spornes beach, consisting of boulders and rocks, and sand when the sea permits. The area is used for hiking both summer and winter, and is suitable for everyone, children and adults. The trip from Hove camping to Alve and back is about 12 kms, and the network of paths allows both short and long trails. Maps for sale at Arendal tourist office, Hove camp, and Bjellandstrand Gard. Parking for instance at Hove camping and Hove camp. Bus no 3 to Tromoy ost leaves Arendal every hour during the day, Monday-Saturday.

What is a smooth rocky shore? Cliffs and sandy beaches are very common, but the polished rocky shores are unique to Norway – almost. They do exist in other places, but not many. Stretches of such rock formations can be found from the Swedish west coast and up to Stockholm’s archipelago, and also in Greenland, Scotland, Alaska and possibly New Zealand. The rest of the world, however, does not have anything resembling these beautiful shores we associate with Southern Norway and the Oslo Fjord. The reason is that not many areas fulfil the two conditions required for such polished, smooth rocks to be formed. High-grade metamorphic rock such as gneiss or granite is required, and this coarse-grained formation must have been scoured and rubbed smooth by a thick layer of ice. As old as time itself! The Norwegian rocky shores originated long before the ice arrived - maybe as much as a billion years. Formation started 1.8 billion years ago and ended 1200 million years later. The time-span is almost incomprehensible! When the ice retreated for the last time, the rocky shores were given a last finish and took their current shape. This is only 10 000 years ago. Since then, the land has risen as much as 200 metres in some areas. Hence, the rocky shorescurrently lining the water’s edge were far below sea level and a thousand metres or more under the ice when they were formed. As the ice moved, masses of sand, gravel and stone were pushed in front and below. These deposits were pressed down and rubbed against the bedrock with immense force. This was how Norway’s rocky shores were formed. Soft elements were scoured away, and the hard rock was left polished, smooth and rounded. In several areas, characteristic scour lines are still evident, and some cracks in the actual bedrock can also be seen.

Naes Ironworks Museum is located in Tvedestrand, Southern Norway. This is the only one of the old ironworks in Norway where most of the production buildings and equipment are preserved. The most important part of the museum is the blast furnace and the forge. The mechanical workshop has historical exhibitions. The operations at Naes date back to 1665. The ironworks gives a unique opportunity to see how an ironworks was organized, how people lived and worked at there, and how iron and steel were produced. Then visitors get a guided tour inside the production facilities, where the guide tell about how the work was done and demonstrate the rebuilt bellows. In addition to regular tours, the ironworks has many events and activities during the season. Nes Verk is a special national attraction, and a walk along the river Storelva, in the park and on the golf course gives a good picture of this historical area. Guided tours every hour from 11-16 in the summer season.

A lovely and modern cafe boutique selling locally produced food, soaps, cosmetics and household items that are plastic-free! Local craftsman items of high quality. Beautiful and stylish products that are sustainable, goods for you and good for the environment! Southern Norway’s first zero-waste shop. It is possible to grind your own flour, buy healthy snacks, or fill up on an array of different spices! Lots to see!

The summer of 95 the Minister for the Environment, Thorbjorn Berntsen, opened the Kassen canal in Hovag. A beautiful canal providing a new gateway to a pleasant little trip just beside Blindleia. The passage is 200 metres. The canal, which was previously an old sea route, has opened the way for boat traffic in to Kirkekilen from Blindleia by the Kvanneid fjord.

A fun and educational experience for the whole family! In addition to our exhibition area, we also have fun science-activities. Se our website for the daily program. You find the Science Center at the quay in the center of Arendal, and our mini-Science Center in Kristiansand, in the main street. Welcome!

Welcome to Elgtun! Close encounters of the third kind! Norway`s first park with tame moose. There is a big difference between an moose you can see in zoos and moose who have lived close to people and been hand fed since they were born. The difference lies primarily in the fact that our moose are safe for us. Just wait until you meet them yourself- It is pure magic!

Downhill at the ski resort with a professional instructor. Take the ski lift to the top and try our two organized downhill trails with different degrees of difficulty.

In June 2019 the day to day management of the cafe, wedding and event venues at Bjellandstrand Gard was overtaken by the Smag & Behag, a populær and highly recommended restaurant and caterer from the neighbouring town Grimstad. The new hosts Kenneth Haugeland and Francisca Witsø with their comprehensive experience have many exiting plans for the further development of the beautiful place at Tromøy. The farm is located in beautiful surroundings, close to the sea in the new Raet National Park and with a beautiful rose garden and galleri on the premises. You can sense, experience, and fantasize. A taste of summer all year long. The farm Bjellandstrand gard (farm) and the area around has a long and exciting history, dating back to the very first years when people inhabited Tromøy