Memorable "Pinch Me" Moments for Families in Queensland

by Jessica Palmer

As we slowly start to emerge from lockdown, we begin looking for ways to escape. Escape the worry, escape the crowds and escape the mundane. So while we may not be able to do all of these activities just yet, think of this list of ‘‘Pinch Me’’ moments as your ‘‘nearly off the couch’’ armchair reading.

Rent Your Very Own Private Island

Aerial View of Pumpkin Island

Nathan White Images / Pumpkin Island

Grab some friends and family and rent out Pumpkin Island exclusively for a chill getaway involving sunshine, sand, hammocks, ocean fun, and beachside campfires. Located in the southern section of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Reserve, just off the Yeppoon coast, Pumpkin Island is a humble yet beautiful little island totaling just 6.1 hectares.

The island is privately owned and offers seven eco-friendly self-catering accommodation choices to visitors. Electricity is supplied by solar and wind and drinking water is supplied from the heavens above.

Pebble Point is the most luxurious and secluded cottage, with a private deck pool that overlooks the rocks and ocean. Coral Cove located on the main beach facing west is a favourite and there something incredibly appealing about the bungalows on the north-western beach side.

A maximum of 34 guests are allowed at any one time and one of the most appealing features of Pumpkin Island is the ability to rent the whole island exclusively should you wish. So when its safe to socialise again, grab your friends and family and spend a few days (or a week) on your own private island.

www.pumpkinisland.com.au

Watch Baby Turtles Emerge and Dash to the Ocean

A baby turtle making the dash to the ocean

Lauren Bath/Tourism & Events QLD

Witness a miracle as turtle hatchlings emerge from nests on the beach at Mon Repos and make the perilous dash to the ocean. Mon Repos is located near Bundaberg (Yes, the same Bundaberg where your favourite rum is produced) and is a truly memorable experience for both kids and adults.

This wonderful stretch of coast supports the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the Eastern Australian mainland and has the most significant loggerhead turtle nesting population in the South Pacific region. Learn about these amazing animals, the conservation programs that are protecting them and of course, head out with a ranger after dark for an amazing turtle encounter.

To protect nesting and hatching turtles, only Turtle Encounter participants are allowed on Mon Repos beach after 6pm to witness this incredible natural journey. Turtle season is from November to late March, with turtles nesting from November to January and hatchlings emerging from January to March.

www.bundabergregion.org/turtles/mon-repos-turtle-encounter

Splash Around in Lake McKenzie

Lake McKenzie

Fraser Coast Tourism & Events

Located on World Heritage Listed Fraser Island, the white silica sand and aquamarine waters of Lake McKenzie need to be seen to be believed. Not only is Lake McKenzie incredibly beautiful, it’s perfect for families with young kids due to the safe, calm waters and lack of fish life. The lake contains only rainwater that sits on a layer of organic build-up that forms at the bottom.

Accessible by 4WD only, families can opt to stay at Kingfisher Bay Resort and grab an island taxi, or embark on their own 4WD camping adventure to explore all that Fraser Island has to offer.

Charter a Yacht and Sail the Whitsundays

Sailing the Whitsundays

Tourism & Events QLD

Did you know that you can charter a yacht without a licence in the Whitsundays? Yep ... don that captain hat and take your family on a sailing adventure around the 74 islands of the Whitsundays.

Lacking experience? No worries! Hire a skipper to guide you around. Alll your family will need to do is kick back, spread out and relax on the deck. This is an excellent opportunity to ‘’learn the ropes’’ for next time, giving you a chance to get behind the helm and learn the basics of sailing.

Great islands to visit on your first adventures include Langford Island, Hook Island, Hamilton Island, Long Island and of course, Whitehaven Beach.

www.queensland.com/explore-queensland/thewhitsundays/things-to-see-and-do/sailing

Camp Under The Stars in Queensland’s Largest National Park

The Simpson Desert / Munga-Thirri National Park

Tourism & Events QLD

Munga-Thirri National Park (formerly known as the Simpson Desert) is perfect for adventurous families who love to camp and 4WD. This is big dune country, featuring red sand, ironstone pebbles, grey-green spinifex and clear blue skies.

The national park is located in the South-West and spans a whopping 10,012,000 hectares of arid outback with parallel wind-blown sand dunes dominating the landscape. Some of the dunes reach 90 metres in height and span 200 kilometres. WOW, right?

Your ‘’pinch me’’ moment will be experienced when you leave the tent packed up tightly and simply roll out your swags beneath the starry skies around a campfire. Family members of all ages will be mesmerised by the red-hued, wind-swept sand dunes and expansive outback night sky of the Simpson Desert.

This park is extremely remote and can only be reached by high-clearance 4WD. Preparation is the key for this adventure with the cooler months of April - September being ideal. The park is closed from December to mid-March due to extreme heat.

www.outbackqueensland.com.au/attractions/munga-thirri-national-park-simpson-desert

Share Sunrise With Kangaroos and Wallabies at Cape Hillsborough

Cape Hillsborough

Tourism & Events QLD

Just 52km north of Mackey, Cape Hillsborough National Park meets the East Coast at Casuarina Beach. Every morning on this pretty beach, dozens of wallabies hang out by the water’s edge in time for sunrise. Wallabies and Roos don’t usually hang out on the beach, but Casuarina Beach is located right next to the forest, essentially bringing their natural habitat directly to the beach.

When it’s low tide, the beach is transformed into a buffet of mangrove seed pods that the wallabies and roos seem to enjoy. You can expect to see Agile Wallabies and the Eastern Grey Kangaroos here with the best time to visit being an hour before and after sunrise.

www.parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/cape-hillsborough/

Catch a Wave For The First Time in Noosa

Learning to Surf

Tourism & Events QLD

Catching a wave for the first time is truly a memorable experience and what better place to do it than in Noosa. They don’t call it the sunshine coast for nothing! Noosa is one of the world’s greatest places to learn to surf. There are options for everyone from preschoolers on big foamies through to those with (ahem) more wrinkles on their well worn mini-mals. Noosa offers year round, soft gentle waves, perfect for beginners.

Spot a Platypus in The Wild

Platypus

Tourism & Events QLD

Platypus are really tough to spot but Eungella National Park, around 80km west of Mackay, makes it much easier. Recognised as the world’s best place to spot these shy creatures in the wild, your best chances are at sunrise or sunset.

Remind the kids to stay very quiet and follow the trail of bubbles which indicates where the Platypus is about to surface.

The viewing decks at Broken River provide opportunities to spot this shy creature in its natural habitat, as well as turtles and other wildlife in the Eungella National Park.

www.parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/eungella

Spot the World’s Only Pink Manta Ray

Pink Manta Ray

Kristian Laine

In the past 12 months, guests and staff at Lady Elliot Island have had numerous encounters with the world’s only known Pink Manta Ray.

First spotted in 2015, the jury isn’t out yet as to why this particular ray is so colorful. Asia Armstrong, a research assistant for the Australian research group Project Manta, says the leading theory is that the manta has a genetic mutation in its expressions of melanin, or pigment.

Lady Elliot Island is coral cay located 80km NE of Bundaberg. Access is via light aircraft from the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg.

www.ladyelliot.com.au

Drift Through The World’s Oldest Rainforest

Back Country Bliss River Drift Snorkelling

Tourism Tropical North Queensland

Float through the world’s oldest rainforest as you drift down the Mossman River in the Cairns and Great Barrier Reef regions. This family friendly activity is an excellent introduction to snorkelling before you head out onto the reef. Small children (and adults) can journey down the river on large river sleds.

Guide Jason Heffernan has worked at aquariums around the world and loves sharing the natural aquarium that is found in the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics rainforest.

Experience Luxury in The Outback

Mt Mulligan Lodge

Jason Jerace Photographer

Heading to the outback doesn’t mean you have to rough it. Experience the luxurious Mt Mulligan Lodge, an all-inclusive luxury outback lodge that welcomes children of all ages. Situated in North Queensland on a secluded, entirely private 28,000 hectare heritage site in the shadow of Mount Mulligan, this is a truly boutique accommodation that will linger in your memory long after you leave.

From the lodge, families can head out to the Tyrconnell gold fields, go on an ATV adventure, try a gourmet picnic hamper or go stargazing, hiking, barramundi fishing or take a scenic helicopter flight.

www.mountmulligan.com

Dig up a Sapphire in QLD’s Gemfields

The final gems after they had been cut

Jessica Palmer

Finding a gemstone for the first time is a truly memorable experience … and it’s surprisingly easy!

Head to the QLD outback towns of Rubyvale and Sapphire, where you can join a tag-a-long tour with SapphireTalk and learn the ropes. This tour is great for families and it’s a great skill to have for the next time you find yourself near a creek or in gemstone country.

We spent 2 - 3 hours before calling it quits, but not before finding 11 gemstones, 8 of which were suitable for cutting. Not bad for three hours of fossicking which also included a scone and tea break!

www.sapphiretalk.com/dig-your-own-sapphires

Swim With Whales in The World’s First Whale Heritage Site

Whales in Hervey Bay

Tourism & Events QLD

Swim with the whales in Hervey Bay, the world’s first whale heritage site. Located just under 300km north of Brisbane, Hervey Bay is family friendly with a long coastline of calm water and plenty of things to do.

Hervey Bay Dive Centre operates the region’s only dedicated humpback swim experience when the whales visit between July and October. People that have swam with whales often describe the experience as ‘’life changing’’ and this is a very special opportunity for a memorable ‘’pinch me’’ moment.

The swim experience is via a 20m mermaid line connected to the stern of the vessel and for the whales comfort, only snorkelling is allowed as they’re not keen on bubbles.

Children from 4 years of age are allowed on the boat to watch the whales but children will need to be a minimum of 8 years to swim.

www.diveherveybay.com.au

Experience an Ancient Rainforest From a Bird’s Eye View

Tree Top Walk at O'Reilly's

Tourism & Events QLD

Located in the Gold Coast hinterlands, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat has welcomed visitors for over 94 years. Relax in retreat or villa accommodation and experience a bird’s eye view of the rainforest canopy when you head out to experience the famed tree top walk.

O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk will see your family stroll along a series of suspension bridges 16 metres above the ground. O’Reilly’s is an excellent base to explore World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park.

Once you experience your first ‘’pinch me’’ moment, there is plenty more to do. Opt for a two-wheeled Segway tour through creek crossings, guided bird walks, or order a picnic and set off to one of 500 world-class waterfalls accessible via 160km of nature trails.

www.oreillys.com.au