TRIPPIN’ WITH KIDS
While travel might not be on the cards for everyone right now, and a trip to the supermarket is possibly the only epic adventure you’re getting these days, it doesn’t mean we can’t still dream or plan our next holiday, does it? Funny man Peter Helliar and his gorgeous wife Bridget have spent years travelling around Australia (and the world) with their three boys, and now they want to teach us how to have fun on family holidays - just like you did before you had kids - with their new book ‘Trippin’ with Kids’. Firstly, quickly tell us a bit about your family. BRIJ: Our pride and joys Liam 17, Aidan 15 and Oscar 11. They are keen travellers who don’t complain about visiting museums with us and have learnt over the years that we eat when we eat whether it’s snails in Villefranche-sur-Mer or Ramen in Kyoto.
The book was initially Bridget’s idea. Tell us how it came about? PETE: Brij pitched the idea to me when we first went to France with the kids in 2010. I just didn’t see it to be honest. More recently after lots of family holidays and more experiences with our kids at different ages, and in a variety of destinations, it began to make a lot more sense to me. I could see it and we also noted that there was no other book quite like it. So, yes it took me a decade to realise my wife is a genius!
Travel like you did before kids… sounds like a dream. What can we expect from the book? BRIJ: It’s definitely not a play gym tour of the world. We want to encourage parents of young kids to not wait until the kids are older so there is a heap of practical advice, destination suggestions, funny anecdotes from our experiences. We want to inspire parents to create holidays that work for both parents and kids. 8
What are your top three travel destinations in Australia with kids? BRIJ: Port Douglas and surrounds offers a rich cultural learning experience, snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef and the most perfect weather to lay poolside enjoying time away from the busy life back home. The Victorian and New South Wales Alps are a great place to visit in winter for kids. Even if you aren’t a skier a few days at the snow are enough to tire even the most energetic of kids. Most resorts have ski school, the kids can get a chance at either skiing or snowboarding, ride a lift and ski the big mountain. Kangaroo Island, along with many Australian regional towns, has been affected by the summer bushfires. The island has incredible wildlife and is a beautiful scenic place to explore. Picnic on the beach, visit Seal Bay Conservation Park and sand board down the sand dunes.
Funniest travel mishap to happen to your family? Surely you of all people have a hilarious story! BRIJ: Driving 4 ½ hours in the wrong direction on day one of our first big family adventure in France probably tops the list. We didn’t get the sat-nav as planned with the hire car so when
