Out & About with Kids Summer #64, 2020/21

SUMMER 2020/21

with kids

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BEST FAMILY TRAVEL EXPERIENCES IN AUSTRALIA FOR 2021

WIN ONE OF TEN $200 CHOICE HOTELS GIFT VOUCHERS! WHY YOU SHOULD TRAVEL WITH KIDS Issue 64 • RRP $7.95 64 9 771832 331006 >

BRISBANE • BLUE MOUNTAINS • DURRAS LAKE NORTH GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND • SYDNEY • QUEENSTOWN • SINGAPORE

ADVERTISING FEATURE

THE HOLIDAY PARK THAT HAS IT ALL

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with kids

with kids

Looking for a family holidaydestination? Look no further than BIG4 Easts Beach at Kiama on the NSW South Coast, where there really is something for the whole family.

1. SUNNY’S AQUAVENTURE PARK

Our water park features multi-level platforms with three water slides and a giant tipping bucket, an ocean-themed splash pad with interactive features, plus a shaded water journey for babies and toddlers. There is also a partially-shaded sunlounge area for parents to relax while children enjoy the time of their lives.

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2. KRAZY KIDZ CLUB

A range of super fun activities are available at the Krazy Kidz Club on weekends and during the NSW school holidays. They include cooking classes to learn to make such things as Mars Bar balls, Crunchie slice and Malteser fudge plus cupcake decorating, as well as craft activities such as slime making, sand art, foil art and scratch art.

3. THE BEACH

Whether you enjoy swimming, diving, fishing, body-boarding or just splashing about, you can do it all at Easts Beach, where the sapphireblue ocean waves lap onto golden sands.

This 400m-long beach offers a chance to relax, unwind and bask in the sun while your children build sandcastles. Easts Beach offers the complete package, from dancing waves at sunrise to a moonlit evening stroll.

4. JUMPING PILLOW

There's no better way for the kids to have hours of uncomplicated fun and burn off energy than bouncing and jumping on our Jumping Pillow. It has a shade structure, is surrounded by soft white sand, and is fully fenced so everyone can safely enjoy themselves. It's loads of fun for the young and young-at-heart, so mum and dad are encouraged to join in the fun too!

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5. POOL COMPLEX

The pool complex has two pool areas: a heated lounge pool with children’s play area and plunge pool, plus a large main pool with two lap lanes and a disability ramp.

MORE INFORMATION: eastsbeach.com.au 3

Image: Ezra Patchett-Tourism and Events Queensland

contents

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Dinosaur fossils at Eromanga Natural History Museum in Queensland

UPFRONT 6 Reader Instagram photos

Our readers share their travel adventures

7 Editor’s letter 8 Moments

AUSTRALIA 19 Why you should travel with kids

24 Meet Australia’s own Willy Wonka

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

11 What’s new

The latest accommodation, experiences and sustainable travel developments

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Experts reveal the benefits of taking children on holiday

Dr Jerry Schwartz has brought trains, waterparks and ice-skating rinks to his family-friendly Australian hotels

26 Free things to do with kids

KIANA SPROTT from parenting website Stay at Home Mum shares some ideas for activities that won’t cost a cent

28 COVER STORY: 101 Best Family Travel Experiences in Australia for 2021

Great ideas for your next getaway in every state and territory

82 Durras Days

ANGELA SAURINE does her bit to help a bushfire recovery area by booking a holiday park stay with her toddler and some friends

86 Great Escape

Travelling family 4 BOYS AND A CARAVAN share why they fell in love with Queensland’s Capricorn Coast

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What’s new: Families can now sleep in a converted shipping container on the NSW Central Coast

WORLD 90 Quintessential Queenstown Eats

Local chef COREY HUME highlights some of the New Zealand town’s most family-friendly restaurants

94 Things to do in Singapore with Kids

MARIANNE ROGERSON reveals 30 fun family experiences in the island city-state

EXTRAS 100 Celebrity Q&A

Olympian GIAAN ROONEY’S favourite family holidays

102 Reviews

The OAWK team reviews Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains, Wildlife Retreat at Taronga and Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane

108 How to Survive a Road Trips with Kids

Top tips for getting through your next long car journey

112 Must haves

The latest products travelling families need to know about

114 Insider interview

JUAN WALKER from Walkabout Cultural Adventures in Queensland believes cultural experiences are crucial

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Kayaking on Great Keppel Island

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READER INSTAGRAM PICS Our readers have shared some awesome photos of their adventures on social media.

Tag your family holiday snaps #oawk for the chance to see them republished here.

1. @thetradieandhisladies Greenly Beach, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia 2. @TheNeagles14 Alton Downs, Queensland 3. @theotherpup Hill End, NSW 4. @the_wondering_classroom The Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, Victoria 5. @bonnie_lass_pics Numinbah, Queensland

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Image: Louise Goldsbury

Angela and her son Oliver on Sydney’s northern beaches over Christmas

EDITOR’S LETTER Well, a new year is upon us, and I am sure we are all hoping that it will be better than the last! Who would have thought, this time last year, just how bad things were going to get with the COVID-19 pandemic around the world? But with the Pfizer vaccine now approved in Australia, and others being rolled out overseas, we can only hope things will start to improve soon. We know the risk of new outbreaks from hotel quarantine, and uncertainty over border closures, has made it hard to plan trips in the past few months. We were among the many who had their Christmas holiday plans postponed thanks to the sudden lockdown on Sydney’s northern beaches, but we got there in the end, and those days of monitoring every news bulletin for a sign of when we would be released were quickly forgotten.

Domestic tourism is still the safest option this year and, in our cover story about the 101 best family travel experiences in Australia for 2021, we have given you a tonne of ideas for your next local getaway. They range from super kid-friendly holiday parks and resorts to theme parks and attractions, tropical islands, road trips, eco-adventures, national parks, museums, festivals and authentic Indigenous tours. We hope you are as blown away as we were by how many wonderful things there are to do in this great land of ours, and we think it will be a great resource, especially for those planning gap years.

We had also been talking for some time about doing a story on the benefits of travelling with children (like we need a reason!), and thought the first issue of a new year was the perfect time to consult the experts.

With a background in social work, this is a particular passion and driving force for our publisher, Elisa Elwin. Make sure you give it a read, then head online to share it with your friends via social media!

Speculation continues over which countries will be the first international borders to re-open to Australians. With New Zealand and Singapore among the most likely contenders, we’ve also decided to feature stories about family-friendly places to eat in Queenstown (one of our favourite places on the planet!) and fun things to do with kids in the Asian city-state.

Also in this issue, Olympian Giaan Rooney shares memories of her favourite family travel experiences in our Celebrity Q&A, as does Juan Walker from Walkabout Cultural Adventures in our Insider Interview. I was fortunate to do one of Juan’s Indigenous tours in Queensland’s Port Douglas-Daintree region a few years ago, and it remains up there as one of my favourite Aussie travel experiences of all time.

We are also extremely excited to give you the chance to win one of ten $200 Choice Hotels gift vouchers, staying in one of the company’s awesome properties Down Under. See page ten for details and information on how to enter.

Till next time, stay safe and healthy, and keep on dreaming and planning!

Angela Saurine, editor

Out & About with Kids Print & Digital outandaboutwithkids. com.au Publisher Elisa Elwin elisa@oawk.com.au +61 413 770 550 Editor Angela Saurine angela.saurine@ oawk.com.au Advertising Enquiries: advertising@oawk. com.au

Art Director Jon Wolfgang MIller Print Spotpress +61 430 060 700 Published by Elwin Media Pty Ltd ABN: 22 159 093 606 PO Box 4148, Balgowlah Heights, NSW 2093 Cover image Children snorkelling on Fitzroy Island, off the coast of Cairns.

Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

Copyright © Out & About with Kids 2021 Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission isstrictly prohibited. All reasonable efforts have been made to contact copyright holders. Out & About with Kids cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If such items are sent to the magazine they will be returned.

Disclaimer The opinions expressed in the editorials are those of the writers and do not necessarily refl ect the views of the Publisher and Out & About with Kids. Information provided was believed to be correct at the time of publication.

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Moments

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Image: Destination NSW

SEA LIFE SYDNEY AQUARIUM Is it a shark? Is it a ray? No, it’s a shark ray! One of the

most mesmerising animals in the Day and Night on the Reef exhibit at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Bowie the rescued shark ray’s impressive flat round snout captures guests as it sweeps past. Although sharing a resemblance with, and often mistaken for, a shark, Bowie distinguishes herself from her Selachimorpha cousins by wearing her gills on the underside of her body (sharks have them on their necks), blinking through googly eyes, and proudly showing off large horns on the bony ridges of her head.

She’s one of 500 marine creatures in the aquarium’s newest and largest zone, a 1.7 million litre display which uses state-of-the-art technology to capture the smells, sights and sounds of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. The display is also home to an eye-catching large tooth sawfish, 1.6m-long Queensland groper, and the more discreet cleaner wrasse.

Rescued loggerhead and green sea turtles Dave, Chong, Myrtle and Plugga are among the most admired creatures within the exhibit thanks to their impressive size, while the three leopard sharks Kiah, Zimba and Johann command attention with their striking stripes and spots designed to confuse predators. visitsealife.com/sydney 9

WIN

A CHOICE HOTELS™ GIFT VOUCHER!

Out & About with Kids and Choice Hotels™ are giving away ten $200 gift vouchers, which can be used to book a stay at any of its properties in Australia or New Zealand. From Melbourne to Mackay, and Albany to Auckland, you’ll be sure to enjoy a friendly, affordable, comfortable night’s stay with Choice Hotels Asia-Pac™. Not only are they part of one of the largest international hotel chains in the world, but they have also built a reputation on developing high-quality, high-value accommodation options in the upscale, midscale and economy segments, including full-service hotels.

To enter go to outandaboutwithkids.com.au For more information about Choice Hotels™ visit choicehotels.com

Terms and conditions Choice Hotels™’ gift vouchers are issued by Choice Hotels Asia Pac™ Pty Ltd ABN 41 081 959 891 (Choice Hotels™) and remain the property of Choice Hotels™. By purchasing, redeeming or attempting to redeem a voucher, you accept and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. This voucher may be used for payment of accommodation, food and beverage and other facilities and services at any of Choice Hotels™’ Econo Lodge, Comfort, Quality, Clarion or Ascend Hotel Collection properties in Australia and New Zealand. An up-to-date list of Choice Hotels™’ is available at ChoiceHotels.com. The voucher’s total value will be calculated in local currency on the day of transaction when presented in Australia or New Zealand. Gift vouchers cannot be used to obtain cash advances, refunded, on-sold, or redeemed or exchanged for cash. Choice Hotels Limited™ accepts no responsibility for lost or stolen vouchers. This gift voucher is valid for three (3) years from date of issue and is void if altered. Maximum value of a single gift voucher is $200. Additional vouchers may be purchased for gifts in excess of $200. To be valid, gift vouchers must be dated and signed by an authorised agent of Choice Hotels Asia-Pac™.

EXPERIENCES

WHAT’S New 4WD TOURS IN VICTORIA’S HIGH COUNTRY

Oz Buggy Tours has launched 4WD tours at the foot of the Tallarook Ranges in Victoria.

Located on the outskirts of Tallarook State Forest, just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne, the two-hour guided tour covers 11km of private off-road tracks, traversing craggy terrain, passing through river crossings and tackling obstacles such as the ‘Whoops’, the Death Valley Gorge, a pupil-dilating Half Pipe and a Kamikaze downhill fly. Any licensed driver over the age of 16 can get behind the wheel, with options to drive alone, nominate two drivers, carry up to four passengers over the age of ten, or take the whole family out in the six-person buggy. Those not wishing to drive can opt to hire a driver or enjoy a chauffeured action-packed tour. Oz Buggy Tours is a new subsidiary of event-buggy hire company 1800 Buggies, which was forced to pivot during COVID-19. The Tallarook location is the third site for Oz Buggy Tours. It also has a 200km track in Landcruiser Mountain Park in Queensland and in Scenic Rim National Park, just one hour from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. ozbuggy.tours

THE ZOO THAT COMES TO YOU

Holidaymakers on the NSW Sapphire Coast can book a new “zoo on wheels” experience, in which qualified zoo keepers provide up close and personal encounters with pythons, lizards, frogs, birds and more. Dedicated to the conservation of Australian animals, Tiny Zoo staff members have created the experience to connect people to nature in a personal, educational and impactful way. You can book a Tiny Zoo experience at Tathra, Merimbula or Eden, or they can visit you and your group at your holiday accommodation. tinyzoo.com.au 11

Image: MONA-Jesse Hunniford

EXPERIENCES

MONA FOR KIDS

The Museum of Old and New Art in Tasmania — commonly known as MONA — has a new children’s playground. Kids can climb on the giant bronze sculpture, called Girls Rule, which was designed by American artist Tom Otterness and features two figures with slides for limbs. Families will also love the new House of Mirrors art installation, which is composed of a labyrinth of seemingly endless mirrors. Created by Australian artists Christian Wagstaff and Keith Courtney, it is the world’s largest travelling mirror maze. The Hobart attraction is open from Fridays to Mondays. All visitors must have a pre-booked ticket. mona.net.au

CLUB MED RESORT IN THE FRENCH ALPS Club Med has opened a new familyfriendly ski-in/ski-out resort in San Bernardo in France, near the Italian border. Accessible from the international airports of Geneva and Lyon, or from the Bourg-SaintMaurice TGV high-speed train station, Club Med La Rosière has 395 Superior and Deluxe rooms. It offers childcare for kids aged from four months to 17 years old, and also has a family lounge.

Beginner skiers will have access to two exclusive spaces: a children’s ski park, and an adult’s area by the exit of the ski room. After a day hitting the 152km of slopes linking Savoie to the Aosta Valley, via the legendary Petit Saint-Bernard pass, guests can admire the peaks of Vanoise and Beaufortain through the floor-to-ceiling windows by the heated indoor pool. The hammam and kids’ paddling pool will also add to the fun.

The resort’s interior design is inspired by Savoyard tradition, with various cultural and geographical touches specific to the Montvalezan region. A fresco at reception tells the story of the region and the resort,

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illustrating Hannibal's journey through the Alps with his elephants, the legendary Petit Saint-Bernard pass on the Franco-Italian border between Montvalezan and La Thuile, the Chanousia botanical gardens, and the old airfield on which the resort is built.

The resort’s main restaurant, Le Mont Valaisan, has five rooms with different décor inspired by mountain life. The resort also has the Cinq Mondes Spa by Club Med, and a yoga studio.

Club Med General Manager, Pacific, Rachael Harding, said after a long period of hibernation, Australians will be eager to travel internationally once again. “We have seen increasing demand for international snow holidays for the 2021/2022 ski season and have brought forward our Winter 2022 Early Bird sales much earlier than in previous years,” she said. “So many Australians who missed their domestic or international ski trip this year are yearning to hit the slopes, and Club Med La Rosière will not disappoint.” clubmed.com.au

HOTELS, RESORTS & HOLIDAY PARKS

CHOO CHOOSE PARADISE RESORT Paradise Resort Gold Coast has been elevated to a new platform, with the new Dusty's Safari Train Ride. The trackless, battery-operated Wattman Mini Express train is the latest addition to the resort's extensive collection of family-friendly activities. The train operates throughout the day, taking guests on a journey through the lush gardens of the resort.

Mini trains are a passion of the resort’s owner, Dr Jerry Schwartz, and this is the third of his resorts to introduce a trackless mini train, and the first resort on the Gold Coast to offer guests such an attraction.

The train, which carries 16 passengers and costs $5 per ride, was built with environmentally-friendly materials that are easy to recycle. All Wattman trains are powered with a silent electric motor and provide a smooth experience. Other new activities at the Queensland resort include candle making, pizza making and cookie decorating. Rooms are also undergoing a refurbishment in the largest-ever upgrade of the resort, which was voted Australia's Best Family Resort for the third year in a row by Out & About with Kids readers in 2020. Its newly renovated Deluxe rooms, which are suitable for up to four guests, have two queen size beds, an ensuite bathroom with a shower and double vanity, a kitchenette with a microwave, toaster, crockery and cutlery, as well as little extras such as USB charging points, a Smart TV and Wi-Fi. Suitable for families of up to six (plus a baby), the newly renovated Deluxe Family Rooms have a queen size bed in the main room plus two sets of stylish bunks in the second room. paradiseresort.com.au 13

HOTELS, RESORTS & HOLIDAY PARKS

ALFRESCO FOR ALL

BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park has opened a new alfresco dining area, Nibbles Terrace. Located between Nibbles Café, the pool and water park, the area is surrounded by a bar top bench, and landscaped gardens. With QR Codes on every table, you can order and pay for your meals and have them delivered straight to you. Two ping pong tables have also been added to the outdoor games area at the back of the park, which offers foot pool – a game played with soccer balls but with the rules of snooker – frisbee golf, which involves hooking a frisbee over poles on an 18-pole course, and two lanes of bocce.

For motor enthusiasts, big and small, a 16m off-road remote control car track puts your skills to the test as you manoeuvre around the course, over a jump and through a tunnel. The park has a heated pool and spa, wading pool for kids, and a huge jumping pillow.

Located at Helensvale, the holiday park is the closest to the Gold Coast’s famous theme parks, just across the road from Movie World, Wet'n'Wild, Outback Spectacular and Topgolf, and only two minutes’ drive to Dreamworld and Whitewater World. It offers a range of accommodation to suit families of all sizes, from caravan and camping sites to stylish twobedroom villas and three-bedroom retreats. Dogfriendly sites and accommodation are also available. goldcoastholidaypark.com.au

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HOTELS, RESORTS & HOLIDAY PARKS

CONTAIN YOUR EXCITEMENT

Families can now stay in new converted shipping container accommodation at NRMA Ocean Beach at Umina on the NSW Central Coast. The seven-metrelong extendable ‘glamtainers’ have two bed spaces, a kitchen, living area, full-size bathroom and luxury bedding and finishes.

Made popular in Europe, glamtainers are perfect for families seeking the luxury of hotels with the ‘back to nature’ experience of camping without the blow-up mattress.

They even have a queen size ‘King Coil’ mattress for a good night’s sleep. Wake up to the sounds of the ocean, meet the wallabies who drop by, and take advantage of the resort’s pool, café, playground and jumping pillow. nrmaparksandresorts.com.au/oceanbeach/accommodation-and-sites/ glamping/

Theme park

New Alfresco Dining Area

Packages available

MAGIC IN EVERY STAY

32 Acres full of fun for the whole family.

With a range of outdoor activities everyone can enjoy, we are also located next door to all major theme parks.

P: (07) 5514 4400 | E: stay@gcpark.com.au | W: goldcoastholidaypark.com.au

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HOTELS, RESORTS & HOLIDAY PARKS

POWERING INTO TAMWORTH Powerhouse Tamworth by Rydges has undergone a multi-milliondollar redevelopment, becoming the only five-star accommodation in the NSW New England region.

It includes 20 new serviced apartments, a mix of one andtwo-bedroom options and a three-bedroom villa, which is ideal for families or groups travelling together. They complement the property’s 61 refurbished rooms and suites, all with included highspeed Wi-Fi, large 4K smart TVs on an acoustic wave wall, wireless mobile chargers and multiple USB ports. The refurbishment was designed and implemented by award-winning Australian design team, Paul Kelly Design, for regional hotelier, Greg Maguire.

Kelly drew on inspiration from around the world, particularly travels to Tokyo, which inspired him to introduce high-tech, yet subtle lighting touches in each of the guest rooms, the bar and dining spaces. All the timber details in rooms were hewn by 16

local craftsmen, and carpets and tiles were designed specifically for the project. “The brief was to create a contemporary hotel where our guests could sit in their hotel rooms, surrounded by a timeless design that could be found in London, San Francisco or Cape Town – anywhere around the world,” Mr Maguire said. “We’ve taken the beauty and history of our New England region and the nostalgia of the roadside motel and elevated it to a new level.” The restaurant, The Workshop Kitchen, has an open kitchen, wood-fired grill and an 800 wine bottle entrance wall, and sits alongside the Coal Bunker Bar. Other facilities include 24-hour reception and room service, a gym, outdoor pool, spa, barbecue area, sauna and guest laundry. The hotel also offers two Tesla Destination Charging stations and limousine transfer services. rydges.com/powerhousehotels

HAHNDORF A GREAT CHOICE

Choice Hotels Asia Pacific has welcomed The Manna by Haus, Ascend Hotel Collection to its network. Located in the heart of the heritagelisted town of Hahndorf, the hotel features all the facilities of a modern CBD hotel in the relaxed, regional setting of the Adelaide Hills. It has more than 50 recently refurbished rooms, including Superior, Executive Rooms and Indulgence Spa Suites, and is close to attractions including Hans Heysen's The Cedars, Beerenberg Farm and Hahndorf Farm Barn. choicehotels.com

HOTELS, RESORTS & HOLIDAY PARKS

TOP FAMILY HOLIDAY HOMES Accommodation booking website Stayz has revealed its most family-friendly houses in its annual Holiday Homes of the Year Awards. They include Cubby House at Sunshine Beach in Queensland, which has a tri-level cubby house in the backyard.

Sleeping up to 10 guests, the house is made up of two buildings joined by a timber bridge. The rooftop terrace has beach and hinterland views, and it has a kids’ retreat, pool, spa and a gym.

Another house, in Victoria, even has its own fireman’s pole. The property, at 55 Falls Road in Marysville, is set among bushland and has an inground trampoline, climbing wall and direct access to the

Steavenson River, where families will discover a riverside picnic area with a large table, bench seats and a fire pit. Cape Cabin on Phillip Island in Victoria is an original mud brick and timber A Frame home that sleeps up to 12 guests and has a loft playroom and bunk beds, as well as toys and books belonging to the owners’ children. In NSW, Hunter Valley Lodge and Retreat has 11 bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a large pool, hot tub, games room, billiard table, table tennis, cinema, bocce court, outdoor chess, croquet, a cubby house and views to the Broken Back Range. stayz.com.au

HUNTER VALLEY KIDS COTTAGE

Families can now book to stay in the new Kids Cottage at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley in NSW. Located in the centre of the resort on the activities lawn, a short walk from the Water Dragon Kids Club, it has a separate kids’ bedroom with a bunk bed, family movie posters on the wall and a door leading out to a fenced area for them to play. The cottage also has a kitchenette, a small lounge area, and an outdoor setting on the terrace. The Lovedale resort also offers a miniature train and a carousel (operating on weekends and during school holidays), a games room, teen lounge, pool and a new water park is opening soon. crowneplazahuntervalley.com.au 17

Image: Nikki To

SUSTAINABILITY

PINETREES GOES CARBON NEUTRAL TripAdvisor's No.1 Hotel in Australia for 2020, Pinetrees Lodge on Lord Howe Island, has gone carbon neutral. The owners spent more than $5 million on renovations to help reduce the lodge’s carbon footprint, including refurbishing all guest rooms following solar passive design principles, a 95 per cent conversion to LED lights and installing water saving taps and toilets. They also changed the restaurant and laundry operations to reduce water and power consumption, invested in new cars, reduced waste, installed worm farms and compost bins, and built a large organic market garden to limit food miles. Altogether, Pinetrees Lodge has managed to reduce power consumption by 30 per cent and water consumption by 35 per cent. After the renovation was finished, they analysed all sources of carbon emissions from the business, including electricity, freight, food and beverage, transport and more, and calculated an annual total of 1073 tonnes. These emissions were offset by investment in the Rimba Raya Biodiversity Project (a habitat protection project in Central Kalimantan with strong community-based initiatives), and the Protection of Tasmanian Native Forest Project (an initiative to expand our national conservation estate on private land). Both projects have a strong focus on conservation and forest restoration.

Pinetrees is also running the Sallywood Swamp Forest Restoration Project in its back paddock. Sallywood Swamp Forests is a Critically Endangered Ecological Community in NSW. Over 95 per cent of the original forest coverage was destroyed by grazing, and only a few patches remain. In 2018, Pinetrees partnered with the Lord Howe Island Board to seek funding to restore a 2ha patch of forest and, in 2019, it received $100,000 from the NSW 18

Government through the NSW Environmental Trust. During 2020, Pinetrees and the LHI Board staff planted around 3000 trees and palms, and in 2021 it will build its own nursery and plant another 3000 trees and palms to the north of the current project site.

By 2030, they aim to have doubled the amount of Sallywood Swamp Forest on Lord Howe Island (and on the planet). This forest restoration is not included in its formal carbon offset calculations.

“Our carbon neutral certification is a big step for Pinetrees and Lord Howe Island,” Pinetrees co-owner Luke Hanson said. “We wanted to demonstrate that small businesses like ours can lead on environmental and social issues, and still be profitable. In our view, it now makes perfect business sense to offer holidays at a carbon neutral hotel. Consumers have plenty of choice about where they travel and how they engage with their destination, and our carbon neutral certification will provide another reason for guests to feel good about their stay (and hopefully return). As well as additional business, carbon neutrality is engaging our staff in some bigger picture ideas and helping us build genuine business to business relationships with new carbon neutral suppliers, such as Five Founders Australian Beef, Ross Hill Wines, Qantas and BioPack. After years of watching governments treat climate change like a political hot potato, we finally feel like we're doing something useful. The effort and cost associated with carbon neutral certification hasn't affected our service or reputation. Pinetrees was TripAdvisor's No.1 Hotel in Australia in 2017, 2018 and 2020, and was also TripAdvisor's No.1 Hotel in the South Pacific in 2020, ahead of all hotels in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa and Tahiti.” pinetrees.com.au/pinetrees/sustainability/

UPFRONT

WHY YOU SHOULD TRAVEL WITH KIDS ANGELA SAURINE reveals the positive short and longterm impacts taking children on holidays can have families reconnect, believes it’s extremely important to go away with kids, and to take them to both comfortable places and challenging places. He recommends having a restful, relaxing getaway at least once a year and a challenging holiday every year or two. “When you plan out your year the first thing you should do is put your holidays in your calendar and then book everything else around that,” he says. Including kids in the planning process can also help them feel more engaged.

Dr Badami makes a point of having oneon-one holidays with each of his two 

A family on an Indigenous tour at Monkey Mia, Western Australia 19

Image: Tourism Western Australia

For those of us who love to travel, the COVID-19 pandemic has been tough.

It has also made us appreciate travel and its benefits more than ever before.

And those benefits are many, especially when it comes to broadening young minds. As well as sparking their curiosity, taking children on holidays can help them become more resilient, flexible, independent, confident, tolerant and understanding. It can also strengthen family bonds and individual relationships.

Anthropologist Dr Monty Badami, who is founder and CEO of Habitus, which offers immersive experiences to help

UPFRONT

children, whether it’s a weekend away or an overseas adventure. “There’s amazing benefits for the kids, but also for the parents,” he says. “Kids crave that one-onone attention, and you get to know each other in a different environment. We get so caught in a rut and in the mundane habits of relating to each other in everyday life. Going to a different place really helps to learn different aspects of our personalities and gives our kids the chance to see different sides of us, and for parents to see different sides of them because of all the challenges.

You see things that are really different, and you are problem solving around that.

I get to see them in another light and see their strengths. I think that’s why people go camping, for example.”

Dr Badami was born and raised in Australia but did his PhD with an Indigenous community in India, where his family originate, and travelled back and forth frequently for three years. “I have taken both my children to India, just my son and I and my daughter and I,” he says. “It was incredible. We travelled to one of those regions where my daughter was the only white person. They didn’t have showers and they didn’t have a sink in the kitchen; they just made do.” The experience, he says, helped them learn what they really needed and what is really important in life. “In India, they were seeing dirty things and they were seeing poverty,” he says. “I wanted them to have an awareness of their privilege, but the biggest thing the kids took away from it was that connection to family. I was trying to give them this social and political awareness; I learned not to try to fit them into your expectations. It wouldn’t be right to try to control what they were looking at.” Dr Badami says one of the best things we can do when we go away with our kids is to let them take away from it what they need at that time. “It doesn’t just extend to overseas travel,” he says. “The fact is we have poverty, inequality and cultural diversity in Australia, and we can really explore that in our own backyard as well. We can respectfully engage with that.”

While it’s difficult to measure at what age children remember things, talking about 20

family holidays and taking photos helps experiences linger longer. “My daughter doesn’t remember going to India when she was one-year-old, but we tell her stories of when we were driving through the jungle and she was yelling out ‘bubby monkeys!’,” Dr Badami says. “When I took my kids to India when they were older, I got them to do a reflection at the end of every day. What new thing did we do, what did we try, who did we meet, what was challenging? But they don’t remember that. When I ask them what they remember they remember emotional experiences. Their memories will change as they change. But the longevity, poignance and potency of those moments is enhanced by things that happen after the experience.

Going on holidays with your family is not just about memories of that place, but the ongoing memories we create. Those stories keep resurfacing over the years as you reminisce looking through photos, or when you pick up a souvenir. The things that we

Camping at Lane Poole Reserve in Dwellingup, Western Autralia

Going to a different place gives our kids the chance to see a different side of us learn about ourselves and each other are sustained and deepened and made more relevant to us. As they grow and mature the more and more nuanced that experience will be.”

Different destinations also draw out different parts of our personality, Dr Badami says. “It’s not just First World or Third World, it’s about taking our kids out of their comfort zones,” he says. “I think any challenge helps us with resilience.

The question is how do we model that?

As parents, we can go to a challenging part of the world and whine, moan and pity, or (even worse) vilify. We can go to a developing country and talk about how crappy it is, but that doesn’t teach resilience; it reinforces privilege. This is where we, as

Dr Monty Badami with his daughter Aurora, wife Lara and son Baxter on Hayman Island in Queensland

UPFRONT

Image: Tourism Western Australia

Dr Monty Badami and his daughter Aurora in India

parents, have a responsibility. When we travel, we make mistakes all the time and say: ‘That’s not the way that we should have done that’. It’s OK to make mistakes and have a bit of humility. We need to adapt and change. What really matters is not that we have the creature comforts, but that we are together.”

Holidays are also important as they give us the chance to stop, pause and take a rest so we can keep going. While it’s important to have family time, it’s also OK to factor in adult time for parents to have a break. It’s all about balance, according to Dr Badami.

“When we were in Fiji, my children got a lot out of the kids’ club, but if they’re not enjoying it you really need to recognise that,” he says. “We probably wouldn’t take kids to somewhere like Paris when they’re little, we’d go on our own. There are no rules, but you have to be open and realistic about it. Kids are pretty resilient — you’re not going to ruin a kid by sticking them in kids’ club.”

If you are feeling stressed out by work and the pressures of daily life before a vacation, Dr Badami recommends taking time to decompress at the beginning of the  21

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The kids’ club at Fiji Marriott Momi Bay, Flip Byrnes pushing the snow pram at Allgauer Berghof in Germany, Flip’s daughter Lotte snorkelling with her dad in the Greek Islands, A lion cub at Sabi Sabi in South Africa 22

trip. “Maybe allow for that in the itinerary,” he says. “I know it takes me three or four days to decompress.”

Child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg is another strong advocate for travelling with children. His father was a British diplomat, so he spent his childhood in different countries.

“There’s no question that it was really beneficial,” he says. “It opened my mind and gave me an understanding of different cultures. I learned that there are lots of ways of doing things, attitudes, values and beliefs that are equally valid.”

Dr Carr-Gregg grew up in Africa for two consecutive postings, where he was surrounded by animals. “It gave me a deep appreciation for wildlife conservation,” he says. “My parents also had a view that you had to take responsibility for yourself when you were travelling, so every time we moved there was an expectation that you take care of your own stuff, and I think that gave me a new sense of responsibility. I also think that we became quite independent and flexible.

We just made do with what we had. A lot of places we went to didn’t have proper facilities, so we just managed. We learned to tolerate a little bit of discomfort. A friend said to me that he wouldn’t sleep under the stars unless there were five of them. For us, sleeping under the stars and having tents and cooking for ourselves — the simple stuff — was a major part of growing up.”

When he returned to the classroom, Dr Carr-Gregg says his knowledge about the world was greater than his contemporaries, and travelling gave him a sense of curiosity.

“I also think it made me incredibly confident,” he said. “It made accepting challenges something that we knew we had to do, and just did. A lot of parents avoid discomfort for their children. Travel creates opportunities to be really very courageous and just to have a go. It also presents us with the opportunity to meet other people. My mother had an obsession with us learning languages. She sent me to Paris for a year and when I came back at age 10 I was almost

unable to speak English because I was completely immersed in a French family who had been instructed not to talk any English to me. There’s no better way to learn about the culture and the people of the world than travel. I have met the most amazing people, had the most incredible experiences, and it has absolutely shaped me.”

Award-winning family travel writer Flip Byrnes, known as @theadventuremamma on Instagram, says when kids are young and you are not beholden to school holiday dates, it is the prime time to explore. “My current area of specialty is travelling with kids under six, and the first thing to know is that no holiday with kids is fully relaxing, you’re still a parent,” she says. “Having said that, where would you prefer to parent? While scouting out parks in Paris or changing nappies on an alpine slope with views of the Matterhorn, or battling your local peak hour traffic? Home life is so distracting and the juggle of being a working parent will resonate with many, so being away is the precious time when our family carves out time to be present and slow down to zero. Everyone fills their cup.”

Thanks to their parents’ love of the outdoors, Flip’s daughters were in the pool

Image: Flip Byrnes

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Being away is the precious time when our family carves out time to be present and slow down to zero at six months and started skiing at age two. They are also keen snorkellers, “notalways-keen” hikers, and will talk to anyone, anywhere. “Maybe that is their temperament but new situations, with the safety of us close by, must have confidence benefits,” Flip says. “There have been some touch and go moments, like when then four-year-old Lotte walked up to a traditionally dressed Middle Eastern man in Dubai International Airport and asked: “Are you Jesus?” (we had been reading Christmas books). Luckily, he

had a sense of humour. In Marrakesh, where I took Lotte alone when she was three for our first mother-daughter trip, her favourite things were the pool, the cats and chips — basically things you can get anywhere.

So, what was the point? Will she even remember? It doesn’t matter. I tell her about it, and it becomes family folklore. We were also invited into a local day care on that trip.

I’ve been a travel writer now for 20 years,” she says, “but the best adventures have been since my children became my wing-people.”

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MEET AUSTRALIA’S OWN WILLY WONKA

Jerry Schwartz with his wife Debbie and children Dane, Amber and Lara at the opening of Paradise Resort Gold Coast in 2020

ANGELA SAURINE interviews the man behind some of Australia’s most family-friendly resorts, Dr Jerry Schwartz He’s one of the biggest private hotel owners in Australia, but Dr Jerry Schwartz hardly fits the stereotype of a billionaire businessman. The long-haired larrikin rarely wears a suit, can often be seen driving miniature trains around his resorts, and has a penchant for jumping into the pool at launch events.

It’s little wonder he’s become known in the industry as Australia’s own Willy Wonka, a reference to the eccentric character from the Roald Dahl classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

His youthful demeanour can partly be attributed to the fact that he came into

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fatherhood later in life, inspiring him to buy family-oriented properties his children could enjoy, including Paradise Resort Gold Coast, and introduce kidfriendly features at others, such as the Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley and Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour. As his children,

Dane, 10, and eight-year-old twins Lara and Amber, have grown up, offerings have evolved from playgrounds, jungle gyms, merry-go-rounds and waterparks to video arcade games and ice-skating rinks.

“I have to keep adding facilities for older kids as well,” he says. “And my wife is into horses, so we also introduced pony rides

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CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Dr Jerry Schwartz with former Tourism Minister Kate Jones at the opening of Paradise Resort Gold Coast in early 2020, A girl riding the merry go round at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, Kids riding the miniature train at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley

at the Fairmont and Crowne Plaza.”

Dr Schwartz took over the Schwartz Family Company (SFC) from his parents, Dr Bela and Eve Schwartz, who built up their property portfolio after emigrating from Hungary following World War II. His father was a trained dentist and his mother a dental assistant. Dr Schwartz followed in their medical footsteps, graduating as a doctor, and still works as a cosmetic surgeon at The Aesthetic Surgery Centre in Sydney’s Matraville a couple of days a week. Today, SFC is the largest privately owned hotel group in the country, with 15 properties spread throughout Queensland, NSW and Victoria.

Charity work is also close to Dr Schwartz’s heart, and he has performed oculoplastic surgery in Mongolia and India, established clinics in the countryside of East Timor and acted as the ‘ride doctor’ on charity cycling trips. After his father’s death, he and his mother co-founded The Schwartz Foundation as a memorial to his community and professional work, supporting not-forprofit organisations and selected projects

both in Australia and overseas. They include the Room for Hope program, in which SFC hotels adds a $1 donation to the bill of each guest. He also invites charities to fill the rooms of new hotels on the first night, with the Starlight Children’s Foundation, Camp Quality and Variety the Children’s Charity among those who benefited at the relaunch party for Paradise Resort last year.

“It’s a really great way to put karma into a new hotel,” Dr Schwartz says. In the lead-up to the Dalai Lama’s Australia tour in 2015, he also commissioned a special suite to be designed and built for him for his stay at the Fairmont, organised through his contacts at the Friends of Dalai Lama Australia, with no TV and a Buddhist monument (a TV has since been added). “That was also great karma for the Fairmont, to allocate the whole hotel to his teachings,” he says.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has been

challenging, dealing with postponements and cancellations as borders were jammed shut in the wake of new outbreaks, Dr Schwartz has taken the opportunity to introduce even more family offerings. His “COVID projects” include a new waterpark at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, and an iceskating rink at the Fairmont. A new adult pool is also being built at Paradise Resort, which he is hoping will be open mid-year, with plans to add dodgem cars and a penguin habitat. The original plan was to introduce koalas, rescued following the 201920 summer bushfires, but as a threatened species it was not possible.

While juggling so many different projects at once keeps him on his toes, Dr Schwartz clearly loves working in the hospitality industry. “It encompasses so many facets, from buying a hotel and dealing with banks and real estate agents to running the hotel, sales, marketing, revenue management and IT,” he says. But, as you would expect, maintaining a good work-life balance is also a high priority. “With three young kids myself, that obviously takes up a lot of time,” he says. “I like to take the fact that I’m older and richer to spend more time with my kids. I just don’t watch TV.” 25

MAIN: Children at Pebbly Beach on the NSW South Coast BELOW: A family walking underneath the Forgotten Songs artwork in Angel Place, Sydney

35 FREE THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS

Image: Destination NSW

Image: Tourism Australia-Myka Photography

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Budget a bit tight? KIANA SPROTT from parenting website Stay at Home Mum shares some ideas for activities that won’t cost a cent

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1. Explore a different park 2 Set up a tent and camp in the backyard 3 Visit your local library to see what’s on for kids 4. Go to a museum – many offer free entry, especially during school holidays 5. Have a movie day – perfect in rainy weather 6. Bake cookies or brownies 7. Organise a day sightseeing in the city 8. Go to the beach. Collect shells, ride the waves or just build sandcastles.

9. Go fishing 10 Start a vegetable garden 11. Do a scavenger hunt 12. Go bushwalking at a national park 13. Visit a local market and see what treasures you can find 14. Organise a sleepover with friends 15. Go treasure hunting with geocaching 16. Check out free online courses for kids 17. Visit the nearest botanical gardens and have a picnic 18. Make salt dough or play dough 19. Make a fort out of cardboard boxes and sheets 20. Grab some chalk and decorate a path outside your home 21. Check out your local shopping centre for free activities 22. Have a board game day 23. Start a rock collection 24. Have paper plane making contest and see who can make the one that flies the longest and highest 25. Create a movie on your phone 26. Have a short story writing contest 27. Learn magic tricks and perform a magic show 28. Do a jigsaw puzzle 29. Do a crossword puzzle 30. Try origami – there are some fantastic YouTube videos on how to start 31. Do science experiments 32. Play dress ups 33. Make a time capsule for different times during the day 34. Make natural crowns out of flowers and plants 35. Make an obstacle course at home

Images, clockwise from above: Tourism Australia, Tourism Australia, Tourism Australia-Time Out, Destination NSW

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CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: A child fishing at 1770 in Queensland, A family having a picnic at South Bank in Brisbane, The Botanical Gardens in Melbourne, A family at Red Cliff Beach off Yuraygir National Park in NSW

This story was originally published on stayathomemum.com.au 27

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Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

BEST FAMILY TRAVEL EXPERIENCES IN AUSTRALIA FOR 2021

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QUEENSLAND

With Australia still the safest place to book a holiday this year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, ANGELA SAURINE shares some ideas for your next getaway with the kids

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SAILING THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

Explore the beautiful coral cays and reefs of the Great Barrier Reef on a day trip from Port Douglas with Sailaway. The eco-tourism operator offers a range of experiences, travelling on its luxury catamaran to Mackay and Undine Coral Cays on the Outer Reef, and the idyllic coral cay island known as Low Isles. On the latter, you can relax on the white sand beach, embark on a heritage walk to learn about the island’s nature and history, go on a glassbottom boat tour, snorkel over coral gardens in the blue lagoon alongside a marine biologist, and swim with turtles in their natural habitat. sailawayportdouglas.com

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Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

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FITZROY ISLAND, GREAT BARRIER REEF

Just a 45-minute boat ride from Cairns, this affordable, family-friendly resort is the place where locals go for weekend camping trips, or to take visitors when they’re in town.

Swimming with turtles just off the beach in front of the island’s only resort is not only possible, it’s a common activity. There’s plenty to keep kids entertained, with a movie theatre, games room, table tennis and a playroom. You can also hire kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, hike to lookouts, take glass-bottom boat tours, cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, and enjoy scenic and sunset sailing trips. The main restaurant, Zephyr, serves modern Australian dishes with an international flavour, while the beachfront Foxy’s Bar & Grill is a more casual option, ideal for families, with bingo nights, trivia and live music throughout the week. Don’t miss a visit to the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre or the Instagram-worthy Nudey Beach, around 20 minutes’ walk from the resort. fitzroyisland.com

YOU CAN ALSO HIRE KAYAKS AND STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDS 30

Image: Vanessa Gillen

QUEENSLAND

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RAINFORESTATION NATURE PARK, KURANDA RAINFOREST

Watch a traditional dance performance, learn how to throw a boomerang and hear the didgeridoo played with the award-winning Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience at Rainforestation Nature Park, near Cairns. Set amidst the Kuranda rainforest, you can also do a tour of the rainforest on an authentic World War II Army Duck and meet Tasmanian devils, crocodiles and the endangered cassowary at the Koala & Wildlife Park, where you can hand-feed wallabies and kangaroos. rainforest.com.au

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COOKTOWN & CAPE YORK EXPO

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FRASER ISLAND, FRASER COAST

Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

After the event was postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Cooktown and Cape York Expo will mark the 250th anniversary of Captain James Cook’s voyage along the east coast of Australia. The British explorer’s ship, The Endeavour, and its crew spent seven weeks in Waymburr, now known as Cooktown, after running aground on the Great Barrier Reef in 1770.

The ten-day regional expo will continue the 2020 theme, built around the first recorded act of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in 1770, highlighting the region’s history, culture, visual art, performing arts and agriculture. cooktownexpo.com.au

The world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island has lush rainforests, spectacular sand dunes, long stretches of beautiful beaches ideal for 4WDing, and crystal clear freshwater lakes including the famous Lake McKenzie. Known as K’gari (meaning paradise) by its Traditional Owners, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed island is a 40-minute boat ride from Hervey Bay. You can camp, stay in a cabin or book into Kingfisher Bay Resort, which runs an excellent Junior Eco Rangers program during school holidays, with interactive wildlife experiences led by experienced rangers. visitfrasercoast.com/fraser-island 31

Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

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LADY ELLIOT ISLAND ECO RESORT, GREAT BARRIER REEF

There’s no kids’ club and just one restaurant, but mini environmental crusaders will delight in a stay at this eco-resort, located on a coral cay at the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef, just north of Fraser Island. Swim with turtles and manta rays and explore an unspoilt coral reef from your base at the family-run resort, which has introduced many sustainable initiatives since it began operating in 2005.

The resort is just a light plane flight away from Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Brisbane or the Gold Coast and accommodation options include a unit, a glamping-style tent or in a cabin. Day trips are also available. ladyelliot.com.au

Get on board!

JOIN US AT THE

MARY VALLEY RATTLER FOR A HERITAGE RAIL EXPERIENCE, QUALITY COFFEE & A DELICIOUS MEAL AT THE RUSTY RAILS CAFE! 07 5482 2750 @maryvalleyrattler Historic Gympie Station 10 Tozer Street, Gympie, QLD.

WWW.MARYVALLEYRATTLER.COM.AU 32

QUEENSLAND

PARADISE RESORT GOLD COAST

With a jungle gym welcoming young guests in the lobby, epic water parks and activities and entertainment ranging from slime making and cupcake decorating workshops to magic shows, fancy dress parades and movie nights, Paradise Resort Gold Coast is a dream destination for families. Children will love the resort’s kids’ club, which offers separate play spaces ensuring age appropriate-care and activities for kids aged up to 12, while the new Teen Club caters for ages 13 to 17. The resort also has an adventure playground, rockclimbing wall and the only ice-skating rink in Surfers Paradise, Planet Chill.

The resort is in the middle of a major makeover, with a new adults-only pool and bar area opening mid-year. Cocktail-making classes, wine and cheese tastings, cooking demonstrations and karaoke provide parents with the opportunity to relax and unwind, child-free, while the kids are being looked after.

Families can also dine at the recently renovated eateries, including Jerry’s Burgers, Deb’s Pizza Shack and Penguins restaurant. If you can find the time to leave, it’s all walking distance from the bright lights, shops, restaurants and golden beaches of Surfers Paradise. paradiseresort.com.au

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The late Steve Irwin made Australia Zoo famous worldwide, and his family is continuing his legacy with the conservation-focused attraction at Beerwah on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Watch a massive saltie launch a strike from the water’s edge at the Wildlife Warriors Show, and see ring-tailed lemurs and an incredible three-storey tree house. Venture behind-the-scenes at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital on Bindi's Island, where a team of vets provides lifesaving treatment to sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife. You can also visit the Tiger Temple to see Sumatran and Bengal tigers hanging out by the pool or interacting with their keepers. The zoo’s conservation projects are helping to protect species, from tigers in Sumatra and cheetahs in Africa, to saltwater crocodiles and koalas in Australia. australiazoo.com.au

9 Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

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AUSTRALIA ZOO, SUNSHINE COAST

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The Aqua Racer at Wet’n’Wild on the Gold Coast

MARY VALLEY RATTLER, GYMPIE

Hop on board a restored steam train at the historic Gympie Station, between the Sunshine Coast and Fraser Coast, and take in the scenery of the region on a fun-filled ride on the Mary Valley Rattler. Run by a not-for-profit organisation, the journey takes you through the picturesque town of Dagun to the historic village of Amamoor, where you can jump out and explore. The train then turns around on a turntable and heads back to Gympie Station, which is housed in an old Queenslander railway building. Learn about the stories of the old Mary Valley Railway Line at the historical display, and grab a bite at The Rusty Rails Café before perusing the train-themed treasures and local specialty products at the gift shop. The three-hour experience is wheelchair accessible and you can even bring your furry friend along with the recently introduced Pets on Board service (bookings required). maryvalleyrattler.com.au

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AUSTRALIAN DINOSAUR TRAIL, OUTBACK QUEENSLAND

See the dinosaur footprints which inspired the stampede in the Hollywood blockbuster, Jurassic Park, on a road trip in Outback Queensland. As well as visiting Lark Quarry in Winton, the Australian Dinosaur Trail touring route encompasses the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum, which boasts the world's largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils, and Kronosaurus Korner in Richmond, which is home to Australia's best preserved dinosaur skeleton. Meet Hughie, a skeletal Muttaburrasaurus, at The Flinders Discovery Centre in Hughenden before travelling north to Porcupine Gorge National Park to see 500 million years of layers of rock formations in this deep gorge system, known as Australia's 'Little Grand Canyon'. outbackqueensland.com.au/drive/australian-dinosaur-trail

GOLD COAST THEME PARKS

For a holiday the kids are guaranteed to be talking about for years to come, you can’t beat a visit to the Gold Coast’s famous theme parks. From the rides and rollercoasters of Dreamworld to the epic waterslides at Whitewater World, it’s easy to spend a few fun-filled days here. Families can also meet their favourite stars and superheroes at Warner Bros. Movie World, see the marine life at Sea World, and witness a magnificent show at Australian Outback Spectacular. Spend a day on the farm at Paradise Country and hit micro-chipped golf balls into giant targets from your own bay at Australia’s first Topgolf. themeparks.com.au dreamworld.com.au 35

QUEENSLAND

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BIG4 ADVENTURE WHITSUNDAY RESORT Boasting the largest resort waterslide park in Australia with 13 slides, a lagoon-style pool (heated in winter), two giant jumping pillows, a mini-golf course, outdoor cinema and a non-stop games and activities program, this holiday park is kiddie heaven! There is an activity guide for every week of the year, a full-time activities co-ordinator, and a kids’ club offering everything from scavenger hunts to arts and crafts. The waterpark slides come off a 2m-high platform and are linked by bridges and stairways.

A massive tipping bucket sits at one end of the pool and there are fun smaller frog and octopus features for toddlers. The resort has 67 designerdecorated, self-contained cabins and 180 caravan and camping sites set amidst tropical gardens, plus there are pedal karts, a full-size flood-lit tennis court, an adventure playground, basketball, volleyball, badminton and bocce.

BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort even has its own animal park, where children can get up close and personal with Bambi the calf and her furry and feathered friends, including goats and chickens. Parents can also enjoy massages by the pool and wine and cheese afternoons. adventurewhitsunday.com.au

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REEFSUITES, THE WHITSUNDAYS

Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

Stay overnight in Australia’s first underwater accommodation and have a front row seat to the world of the Great Barrier Reef.

Moored 40 nautical miles from Airlie Beach, the Reefworld pontoon hosts day trippers, on-deck Reefsleep guests, and the lucky few who’ll head below deck for a private, all-inclusive Reefsuite experience. The journey begins with a cruise through the Whitsunday Islands to Hardy Reef.

After lunch, you can snorkel, dive, swim or take a scenic helicopter flight to see famous Heart Reef. Day trippers depart mid-afternoon and then overnight guests have the Reef all to themselves. After watching the sunset and enjoying a starlit long-table dinner on the pontoon’s upper deck, guests can retreat to their undersea accommodation and watch as the reef comes to life through the floor-toceiling windows. cruisewhitsundays.com/experiences reefsuites

With its calm, protected waters providing the perfect conditions for humpbacks to teach their newborn calves survival skills before continuing on their long journey back to Antarctica, Hervey Bay is known as the whale watching capital of Australia. Each year from July to November thousands of the mammals hang out in the bay for up to two weeks at a time. The whales here tend to be quite curious, with more prolonged encounters than you may expect in other parts of the country. If you get really lucky, you could see playful newborns coming right up to your boat to get a closer look at their first humans. The town also hosts an annual whale festival in late July that includes a blessing of the fleet ceremony to mark the start of the season, a whale parade and paddle-out for whales. visitfrasercoast.com/hervey-bay

Image: Tourism and Events Queensland - Vince Valitutti

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WHALE WATCHING IN HERVEY BAY

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GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND, GREAT BARRIER REEF Just a 30-minute ferry ride from the mainland seaside town of Yeppoon, Great Keppel Island is a nature lover’s paradise in the heart of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, with 17 white sandy beaches and subtropical waters that are safe for swimming year-round without the need for stinger suits. Don a snorkel and mask or book a Freedom Fast Cats glass-bottom boat tour to discover stunning coral and marine life, including giant clams, sea turtles and tropical fish.

The calm bays are also ideal for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, while families with older kids can try scuba diving or explore secret beaches and sea caves on a tour with Keppel Explorer. Whales are often spotted on island cruises between July and September, when humpbacks pass by en masse during their annual migration. The island also has a network of walking trails, ranging from a 15-minute beach stroll to a challenging 15km hike to the lighthouse at

the island’s tip. Along the way keep an eye out for wildlife such as echidnas, and listen for the calls of more than 100 species of birds that call the island home, including kookaburras, rainbow lorikeets and seabirds.

You can either visit on a day trip or book a longer stay, with accommodation ranging from glamping tents and cabins to holiday houses. Favourite places to stay include Great Keppel Island Holiday Village and Great Keppel Island Hideaway. The latter has a beachfront bar and bistro, where you can dine at outdoor tables shaded by trees or in a large wooden hut.

Regular ferry services depart from Keppel Bay Marina and Rosslyn Bay Harbour in Yeppoon, just north of Rockhampton on Central Queensland’s Capricorn Coast.

Or put the money you’ve saved not going overseas to good use and splash out on a scenic helicopter flight with Rockhampton Helicopters. visitcapricorn.com.au

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NEW SOUTH WALES

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Image: TThredbo

CLIMB MT KOSCIUSZKO

Challenge your family with a trek to Australia’s highest peak, Mt Kosciuszko, in the NSW Snowy Mountains. There are two ways to do it, with one beginning in Thredbo and the other in Charlotte Pass. In Thredbo, you can take a scenic ride aboard the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift to the start of the Kosciuszko Walk, which is 13km return and takes four to five hours. The track winds above Lake Cootapatamba, Australia’s highest lake. Or if you have older, more adventurous kids start from Charlotte Pass, which is 18.6km return and takes six to eight hours. The best time to do it is after the snow melts, from December to March, when the alpine wildflowers are blooming. nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/kosciuszkowalk-thredbo-to-mount-kosciuszko 40

NEW SOUTH WALES

Number One Beach at Seal Rocks

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PACIFIC PALMS, BARRINGTON COAST

18. HUNTER VALLEY

As well as its many family-friendly wineries, there are plenty of other ways to keep kids entertained in the Hunter Valley. Hunter Valley Gardens has ten internationally themed gardens to explore, including the magical Storybook Garden. There are also five rides open during school holidays and event periods, including a carousel, swing chair, giant ferris wheel, super slide and tea cup ride. At Tulloch Wines, little ones can have a special Junior Tasting Experience of five snacks, paired with non-alcoholic drinks, while there’s a dedicated kids’ zone at Misty Glen Wines, indoor and outdoor games at Scarborough Wine Co., a cubby house at Whispering Brook, and play equipment at Gemelli Estate. You can also hire bikes and ride around the wineries, go horse riding, and visit Hunter Valley Zoo. winecountry.com.au

19. TOMAREE COASTAL ADVENTURES, PORT STEPHENS

Climbing trees, rolling down sandhills and scrambling over rocks are some of the joys that kids can experience with Tomaree Coastal Adventures at Port Stephens, just north of Newcastle. Outdoor educator, walking guide and mum, Amy Robinson, launched the business to share her love of Tomaree National Park and its beaches, coastal forests, wetlands and ancient volcanic peaks. She creates structures and nature art and gives kids of all ages the opportunity to explore their surroundings. Options include two-hour nature play sessions on weekdays for children aged one to six, and WILD family adventures during school holidays that may include bushwalking, nature craft, bug hunts, exploring rock pools, and survival skills like starting fires and building shelters. tomareecoastaladventures.com.au

20. SCENIC WORLD, BLUE MOUNTAINS

Take a thrilling ride on the world’s steepest passenger railway, and glide between clifftops on the Scenic Skyway taking in views of the famous Three Sisters rock formation, on a trip to Scenic World in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. You can also descend more than 500m into the Jamison Valley and walk along an elevated boardwalk under the canopy of a temperate rainforest with plants dating back to the Jurassic era between the cableway and railway stations. The original railway was built in the late 19th century to serve the Katoomba coal mine and was bought by entrepreneur Harry Hammon after its closure in 1945. It is still owned and operated by the same family. scenicworld.com.au 41

Images: Destination NSW

Image: Mark Fitz Photography

With its beautiful white sand beaches, lakes, national parks and subtropical rainforests, Pacific Palms is a real hidden gem. Named after the majestic cabbage tree palms that are abundant throughout the region, Pacific Palms is located on the Barrington Coast, just south of Forster and three hours’ drive north of Sydney. Encompassing the coastal hamlets of Blueys Beach, Boomerang Beach, Elizabeth Beach, Smiths Lake and Seal Rocks, you can while away your days surfing, swimming or fishing at the beach, go water skiing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding or boating on Wallis Lake, Smiths Lake or Myall Lake, or embark on a hike through the rainforest. Shop for local, handmade treasures at community markets, boutiques and galleries, and dine al fresco at one of the area’s cafés, clubs or restaurants. barringtoncoast.com.au

NEW SOUTH WALES

21 Playing mini golf at a Reflections Holiday Parks North Haven

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STAY AT REFLECTIONS HOLIDAY PARKS

When it comes to family holidays, nothing beats a relaxing stay at a holiday park, whether it’s by the beach or in the bush. It doesn’t matter if you want to camp, glamp, bring your caravan, or stay in a tiny house, deluxe cabin or a villa, there’s an accommodation option for everyone. Reflections Holiday Parks has 37 locations to choose from throughout NSW, each filled with familyfriendly features, from playgrounds to mini golf. They include Jimmys Beach Holiday Park in the tranquil mid-north coast town of Hawks Nest, where you can swim in calm blue waters and spot dolphins passing by, and North Haven Holiday Park, half an hour south of Port Macquarie, where you can go fishing or kayaking in the nearby river, explore the neighbouring Dooragan National Park and trek up North Brother Mountain. For a country experience, head to Copeton Waters Holiday Park, set beside Copeton Dam near Inverell, where you can spend your days fishing, boating, kayaking and bushwalking. Make your 2021 stay even sweeter and save $25 on your first stay over $100 when you join the free Reflections Rewards Club. Plus, if you spend over $1000 throughout the year, you’ll receive a $100 credit for another holiday. reflectionsholidayparks.com.au

NEW SOUTH WALES

22 Image: Destination NSW

THE BIG BANANA FUN PARK, COFFS HARBOUR

The biggest theme park between Sydney and the Gold Coast, The Big Banana Fun Park has the largest giant slide in the country, a toboggan ride, state-of-the-art laser tag arena, 36-hole mini golf course, a 4D ride simulator and an ice-skating rink, plus a waterpark operating from September to April, with four rides and a kids’ aqua play area. You can also take a tour of the plantation and visit Steve McEwan’s Reptile World. Make sure you get the obligatory happy snap in front of the big fibreglass banana, which has been a Pacific Hwy landmark since the 1960s. bigbanana.com

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NEW SOUTH WALES

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PORT MACQUARIE KOALA HOSPITAL

Take a tour of Port Macquarie Koala Hospital on the NSW mid-north coast to see sick and injured koalas being treated.

Run by not-for-profit organisation Koala Conservation Australia Incorporated, the hospital has a treatment room, eight intensive care units, six outdoor intensive care units and 33 rehabilitation yards, many of which have trees for koalas to learn to climb as part of the rehabilitation process.

Between 200 and 250 koalas are admitted through the hospital each year to be treated for chlamydia and injuries caused mostly by car accidents and dog attacks. koalahospital.org.au

BRIDGECLIMB SYDNEY

Families with kids aged eight and over can embark on the ultimate Sydney experience – climbing the world-famous Sydney Harbour Bridge! The 3.5-hour Summit Climb ascends on the upper arch of the bridge and suits those who are confident scaling ladders to reach the top, while the 2.5-hour Summit Express Climb follows the bridge’s lower arch to reach the top and suits those who are curious about the bridge’s architecture and want to feel they are in the belly of the steel structure. Standing atop the bridge and taking in the views is an incredible moment. bridgeclimb.com

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

Make 2021 the year you introduce your kids to the theatre with a show at the Sydney Opera House.

While Bluey’s Big Play the Stage Show is booked out, there are plenty of other family offerings throughout the year. In April, you can join ARIA award-winning children’s band the Teeny Tiny Stevies as they perform songs from their latest album, along with hits such as Boss of My Own Body and I Ate a Rainbow. More school holiday shows will be announced soon. sydneyoperahouse.com

Image: Destination NSW

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26. BROKEN HILL

Get a taste of Outback life with a visit to the former mining town of Broken Hill, which lies more than 1,000km west of Sydney near the South Australian border.

Surrounded by rugged, moonscape terrain, it has provided the backdrop for many films including The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Mad Max II and Mission Impossible II. Take a tour of the working Royal Flying Doctor Service base and airport to view aircraft in the hangar, and see what school life is like for children in remote outback locations with a visit to the School of the Air. Don’t miss the 1950s-style Bells Milk Bar, where you can try a range of oldstyle milkshakes and banana splits and peruse the museum and retro gift shop. destinationbrokenhill.com.au 45

NEW SOUTH WALES

Wategos Beach at Byron Bay

27 BYRON BAY

It’s become one of the hottest destinations in the state since the COVID-19 pandemic, but Byron Bay is definitely worth the hype. Popular with hippies and surfers since the 1970s, the town is attracting more and more families enticed by its beautiful beaches, lush hinterland and great eateries. Learn to surf, book a dolphin kayaking tour, walk to Cape Byron Lighthouse to take in the views from Australia’s most easterly point, and swim in the natural pool at the bottom of Minyon Falls. You can also visit nearby family-friendly attractions, such as Crystal Castle and Macadamia Castle. visitbyronbay.com

28. HILL END

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Images: Destination NSW

Wandering the streets of this well-preserved 1850s gold rush town, less than four hours’ drive west of Sydney, is like stepping back in time.

The largest single mass of gold ever discovered, weighing 285kg, was found here, and occasional gems are still found in the Cudgegong River.

Try your hand at gold panning, fossicking and visit an underground mine. The self-guided village walking track takes you on a tour of the town's colonial treasures, including History Hill Museum, where you can see rare artefacts. nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/ parks/hill-end-historic-site

LORD HOWE ISLAND

Spend your days riding bikes to crowd-free beaches for barbecues or picnics, snorkelling the world’s southernmost coral reef, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding on the lagoon, and soaking in the scenery from one of Lord Howe Island’s many amazing hikes. At any one time, only 400 visitors are allowed on the 11km-long, crescent-shaped island, which is around a two-hour flight from Sydney, Port Macquarie or Brisbane. Stay at a beach house, self-contained apartment or the family-friendly Pinetrees Lodge, which is consistently rated one of Australia’s best hotels on TripAdvisor. lordhoweisland.info

NEW SOUTH WALES/VICTORIA

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BIG4 EASTS BEACH KIAMA, SOUTH COAST

We all know happy kids mean happy parents, so a stay at BIG4 Easts Beach Kiama on the NSW South Coast is sure to satisfy the whole family. Set on a 400m-long beach, it has a waterpark with three waterslides and a giant tipping bucket, an ocean-themed splash pad with interactive features, plus a shaded water journey for babies and toddlers. There is also a partially shaded sunlounge area for parents to relax. A range of super fun activities are available at the Krazy Kidz Club on weekends and during the NSW school holidays, including cooking classes to learn to make such things as Mars Bar balls, Crunchie slice and Malteser fudge, as well as craft activities such as slime making, sand art, foil art and scratch art.

There's also a fully fenced jumping pillow surrounded by sand with a shade structure. It's loads of fun for the young and young-at-heart, so mum and dad are encouraged to join in the fun too! eastsbeach.com.au

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SNOW TRIP

Make the most of winter in Australia and book a snow holiday for a fun few days of family snowball fights, building snowmen, tobogganing and learning to ski or snowboard. There are many resorts to choose from, each with their own kid-friendly offerings, including Perisher, Thredbo and Charlotte Pass in NSW and Falls Creek, Hotham and Mt Buller in Victoria. snowymountains.com.au victoriashighcountry.com.au

Children having fun in the snow at Thredbo

For a holiday with a difference, why not book a stay in a tiny house? In2theWild Tiny Holidays has more than 20 houses to choose from, in secluded locations, within three hours’ drive of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. They range from farms and wineries to remote bush locations, where you can partake in activities such as horse riding, hiking, fruit picking and farm tours, as well as swimming at nearby swimming holes and waterholes and visiting local pubs and bakeries. in2thewild.co 47

Image:Ed Sloane

Image: Destination NSW

32. STAY IN A TINY HOUSE

VICTORIA

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Image: George Papas

PHILLIP ISLAND NATURE PARKS

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Watch Little Penguins waddle home from the ocean after a day’s fishing during the nightly Penguin Parade on Phillip Island, 1.5 hours’ drive south of Melbourne. The island is home to the largest Little Penguin colony in the world, with families able to view the spectacle at sunset each evening from tiered viewing platforms overlooking Summerland Beach.

You can also wander treetop boardwalks to view koalas up close in their natural habitat and see wallabies, echidnas, bats and various birdlife at the Koala Conservation Reserve.

Antarctic Journey is another great place to learn stories of conservation and climate resilience. A joint venture between the Nature Parks and WWF-Australia, it is located at the Nobbies Centre, just five minutes’ from the Penguin Parade. Take a virtual journey through the Southern Ocean to Antarctica with interactive and immersive experiences.

‘Feel the freeze’ as you enter the Antarctic Chill Zone before viewing your thermal image and comparing it to that of an Emperor penguin. Check out sustainable seafood options and learn about the creatures that live in the deep blue. The Sound Lab and Research Station offers an insight into the sights and sounds of Antarctic wildlife with animal calls, microscopes and fascinating specimens.

With the remarkable Antarctic landscape as

the backdrop, the unique wildlife, ongoing research activities, and the critically important conservation values of this remote continent will come alive before your eyes, via cutting-edge augmented reality technology that puts you right in the heart of the action.

You can also explore the range of coastal, wetland, mangrove and woodland habitats on Phillip Island by walking or cycling to visit nature reserves. From the Nobbies boardwalk, just outside the centre, you can see Seal Rocks off the coast, which is home to around 30,000 Australian fur seals.

Sometimes, you can even spot Little Penguins popping their heads out of their burrows beside the boardwalk.

Churchill Island, which is connected to Phillip Island by a bridge, also has a range of walking and cycling trails, as well as daily farming activities around the Heritage Farm, such as milking cows, sheep shearing and seeing working dogs in action. The island, also known as Moonar’mia, has a thriving population of nocturnal Eastern Barred Bandicoots, which are classified as extinct on the mainland.

Best of all, every visit supports conservation efforts to help protect nature and wildlife on the island. penguins.org.au

VICTORIA

34

INTERAXCITY CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, MELBOURNE

Image: Visit Victoria

Kids can take on any role they like at this children’s museum in the inner Melbourne suburb of Malvern, from a chef in the restaurant to a construction worker on a building site or a doctor at the medical centre. There are also always openings at the local florist, cars to be repaired at the mechanic shop, and even the opportunity to be a pilot. They can interact with the hands-on exhibits or complete tasks based on their developmental abilities, which have been designed in conjunction with early childhood educators, to encourage them to learn through play, imagination and discovery. interaxcity.com.au

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GREAT OCEAN ROAD

See the towering 12 Apostles rock formations on a road trip along Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road, which stretches for more than 240km along the south-eastern coast of Australia between Torquay and Allansford, near Warrnambool. Built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932, and dedicated to soldiers killed during World War I, the road is the world's largest war memorial. It travels via Anglesea, Lorne, Apollo Bay, and Port Campbell, and meanders along the coast near Geelong. Feast on magnificent views and local produce along the way, go bushwalking, surfing or mountain biking, or take the cultural route and visit museums, galleries and heritage attractions. visitgreatoceanroad.org.au

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Image: Visit Victoria

VICTORIA

36 50

SOVEREIGN HILL, BALLARAT

This open-air museum in Ballarat depicts the first ten years after the discovery of gold there in 1851, with more than 60 historically recreated buildings and costumed staff and volunteers eager to answer questions and pose for photos.

Main Street is a loose reconstruction of Main Street, Ballarat East, which was once the settlement's central thoroughfare. You’ll also find machinery, carriages and antiques from the era on display. sovereignhill.com.au

VICTORIA

With Australia's largest inland network of waterways, Lakes Entrance has long been a popular Gippsland holiday spot, especially for young families. Located on the edge of Ninety Mile Beach, where the Gippsland Lakes meet the Southern Ocean, you can explore the lakes in a kayak, join a boat cruise or hire a paddleboat. Choose from a wide range of camping spots that surround the calm waterways and line the beach. Lakes Entrance is also known for its seafood, thanks to the large number of fishing trawlers operating in the area. Catch your own fish or savour the offerings from shops around town. lakesentrance.com

Image: Visit Victoria

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LAKES ENTRANCE, GIPPSLAND

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VICTORIA

40. MELBOURNE STAR OBSERVATION WHEEL

38. OTWAY FLY TREETOP ADVENTURES

Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Otway Ranges from a 25m-high elevated walkway, or fly from tree to tree on a zipline tour, at Otway Fly Treetop Adventures. Around 20 minutes’ drive from the Great Ocean Road, near Triplet Falls, you can also discover a whimsical neighbourhood of fairy homes and their inhabitants, snuggled within a nook in the Otway Fly Treetop Adventures trail, or follow the dragon’s footsteps to find the prehistoric creature guarding her treasure and precious eggs in her nest. otwayfly.com.au

Images: Visit Victoria

39. SCIENCEWORKS, MELBOURNE

This Spotswood science museum is bursting with things to challenge curious minds of all ages. You can stroll among the gigantic machines that once kept the city running, enjoy electrifying theatre in the Lightning Room, let your little ones roam safely in enclosed spaces, wander through immersive exhibitions and drop into deep space in the Melbourne Planetarium. museumsvictoria.com.au/ scienceworks 52

Climb aboard the Southern Hemisphere’s only giant observation wheel in Melbourne’s waterfront precinct, Docklands, and witness the constantly changing scene of the busy port, bustling streets and bright lights of the city below. There are 21 fully enclosed cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows, giving you an unparalleled, 360-degree view of the city to Port Phillip, Mount Macedon and the Dandenong Ranges. Audio commentary provides a brief introduction to the history and significance of the landmarks below, with a spectacular LED display transforming the wheel into a giant, glittering kaleidoscope of colour, with more than five million different combinations that can be synchronised with music. melbournestar.com

VICTORIA/SOUTH AUSTRALIA

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HOUSEBOATING ON THE MURRAY RIVER

Imagine a relaxing holiday spent floating along the Murray River, with kids swinging on rope swings, jumping off jetties and swimming in the famous waterway. It’s a great option for a getaway with a group of friends or extended family, with a range of sizes and styles to choose from to suit any group or budget. murrayriverhouseboats.com.au southaustralia.com/plan-your-trip/places-to-stay/houseboats

Image: South Australian Tourism Commission - Adam Bruzzone

IT’S A GREAT OPTION FOR A GETAWAY WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDS OR EXTENDED FAMILY

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SOUTH AUSTRALIA

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BEERENBERG FAMILY FARM, ADELAIDE HILLS

Pick strawberries grown in the nutrient-rich soil of the Adelaide Hills at Beerenberg Family Farm, which has been in the same family for six generations. The name Beerenberg means ‘Berry Hill’ in German, a nod to the family’s heritage, its produce and the property’s hillside location. Jam, chutneys, sauces and dressings are also manufactured on the farm. Check their website to make sure they’re open before you visit, because sometimes (particularly on weekends), they are so busy they get "picked out", and have to close the patch for a few days. beerenberg.com.au

Images: South Australian Tourism Commission

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SOUTH AUSTRALIA

45 Image: Ben Goode

KANGAROO ISLAND

Kangaroo Island is bouncing back (excuse the pun) after last summer’s devastating bushfires, and now is a great time to book a visit to help support its recovery. Australia’s third largest island, a 45-minute ferry ride from the mainland, offers pristine beaches and wonderful wildlife experiences. It’s like being on an Australian safari, with the chance to spot kangaroos, koalas and echidnas on a daily basis, as well as sea lions at Seal Bay. You can even hand feed kangaroos and wallabies and interact with koalas, penguins and wombats up-close during talks at Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park. Make time to visit Remarkable Rocks, explore Flinders Chase National Park and go sand boarding down the dunes at Little Sahara. tourkangarooisland.com.au

VICTOR HARBOR

Hop aboard the horse-drawn Victor Harbor Tramway, which operates from the mainland across the Causeway and around the northwest side of Granite Island at Victor Harbor, around 80km south of Adelaide. The trams operate every day of the year, and you can choose a return trip, or ride across one way and walk the other. Granite Island is also home to a penguin colony, and southern right whales can be spotted in the waters surrounding Encounter Bay from June to September. horsedrawntram.com.au

From playgrounds to kids’ cheese and cordial, wildlife parks and outdoor games, there are plenty of family-friendly wineries to visit in South Australia, giving parents the chance to enjoy a guilt-free glass. They include Kimbolton Wines and Woodstock Wines on the Fleurieu Peninsula, Z Wines and Jacob’s Creek Wines in the Barossa Valley and False Cape Wines on Kangaroo Island. southaustralia.com/travel-blog/family-friendlywineries

Image: South Australian Tourism Commission

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FAMILY-FRIENDLY SOUTH AUSTRALIA WINERIES

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Image: Simon Wilson

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

46

ADELAIDE ZOO

Images (l-r): South Australian Tourism Commission, Adam Bruzzone, South Australian Tourism Commission

See Australasia’s only breeding pair of giant pandas, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, at Adelaide Zoo. Born at Woolong Giant Panda Research Centre in China, the pair moved to Adelaide together in 2009 as part of a research, conservation and breeding program designed to preserve the vulnerable species. Families with kids aged six and over can book the Panda and Friends experience to tour the Bamboo Forest before the zoo opens and join red pandas for breakfast before seeing the giant pandas bring in the new day exploring their exhibit. Finish the morning with a guided tour through the zoo. adelaidezoo.com.au

47. COOBER PEDY

Stay in an underground motel and explore underground homes, churches and art galleries in the opal mining town of Coober Pedy, which lies around 800km from Adelaide along the Stuart Hwy. The Old Timers Mine, which was dug by hand in 1916, features a self-guided tour through display galleries, two underground houses and precious seams of opal, while the Umoona Mine & Museum has an underground house, Aboriginal interpretive centre, panoramic theatre, historic displays, opal shop and Aboriginal arts and crafts. Ask at the visitor centre how to ‘noodle’ through permitted mine areas to search for your own gemstones. cooberpedy.com 56

48. HAHNDORF FARM BARN

Kids can try their hand at milking a cow, riding a pony, bottle-feeding baby lambs and hand-feeding camels and donkeys at the Hahndorf Farm Barn in the Adelaide Hills. Part farm and part wildlife park, the attraction offers a wonderful educational experience, just 30 minutes’ drive from Adelaide. There’s also an undercover picnic and barbecue area, playground and sandpit to keep the littlies content. farmbarn.com.au

49. FLINDERS RANGES

Drive along dusty red roads and walk amongst towering ancient cliffs and craters in the Flinders Ranges, around five hours’ drive north of Adelaide. You can also visit Aboriginal rock art sites and weave your way through settlers’ ruins. Wilpena Pound — a large amphitheatre created through erosion over millions of years — is a must visit, as is William Creek Hotel, located in a small town that is surrounded by the world’s largest cattle station. southaustralia.com/places-to-go/ flinders-ranges-and-outback

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

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BAIRD BAY, EYRE PENINSULA

Image: David Edgar

Swim with sea lions and dolphins in their natural habitat at Baird Bay, 700km west of Adelaide on the Eyre Peninsula.

Nicknamed ‘the puppies of the sea’, sea lions are particularly playful to watch.

Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience takes you on a small boat out to Jones Island, where you can swim in natural rock pools surrounding their island home. bairdbay.com

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TASMANIA

THE ST HELENS MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

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MOUNTAIN BIKING IN ST HELENS, TASMANIA

Image: J. Da Seymour Photomedia

Ride the epic mountain biking trails in St Helens, considered some of the most scenic in the world. There is a series of stacked loops just south of the town, as well as a 42km wilderness trail that starts at the top of the Blue Tier and winds all the way down to Swimcart Beach in the beautiful Bay of Fires.

Whether you like to shred some serious downhill, enjoy cross-country flow or just want a fun day on the trails with the family, the St Helens Mountain Bike Trails have something for everyone. sthelensmtbtrails.com.au 58

TASMANIA

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THREE CAPES TRACK, SOUTH-EAST TASMANIA

Image: Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service

Hiking through pristine wilderness is one of Tasmania’s biggest drawcards, and a great opportunity for family bonding. One of the best treks is the fourday, three-night Three Capes Track, which begins and ends at Port Arthur. The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service track covers 48km of the state’s south-east, taking in eucalypt forests, coastal heaths and Australia’s highest sea cliffs. Overnight stays are in environmentally sensitive cabins equipped with shared dining facilities. threecapestrack.com.au

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53. GRINDEWALD SWISS VILLAGE, TAMAR VALLEY RESORT

TAHUNE ADVENTURES, GEEVESTON

Go kayaking or rafting on the Picton River, walk 30m above the rainforest floor on the Tahune Airwalk and float through the air on a hang glider over the Huon River at Tahune Adventures, a 90-minute drive from Hobart in Tasmania’s south. You can also walk across the Picton Swing Bridge to view the ruins of the house occupied by Police Constable Francis McPartlan, a former Irish convict whose duty it was to walk the trail to the remote Arthur Range to check timber licences. tahuneadventures.com.au

Image: Tourism Tasmania

Who needs to go all the way to Switzerland?

Tasmania has its very own Swiss-style village in the grounds of Tamar Valley Resort, which is set on a 60ha property. Take a paddleboat on Lake Serene, play mini golf, jump on the bouncing pillow and ride pedal karts before having lunch at the Alpenrose Lakeside Bistro & Bar, followed by an ice-cream from the Chocolate Café. There is also an electronic games arcade with skill testers, racing simulators and video arcade games. tamarvalleyresort.com.au 59

TASMANIA

WEST COAST WILDERNESS RAILWAY, STRAHAN

56 Image: Tourism Tasmania - Rob Burnett

Image: Tourism Tasmania -Nick Osborne

Toot toot! Hop aboard for a train journey through the ancient rainforest as guides share stories of the hardships of the railway’s construction and the men, women and children who called the surrounding wilderness home. The train stops at historic stations along the route, which offer activities such as a rainforest walk, gold panning, viewing the train being turned on a manual turntable, and tastings of wild honey. wcwr.com.au/tours

Image: Alastair Bett

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Image: Laura Helle

TASMANIA

VISIT PORT ARTHUR HISTORIC SITE, TASMAN PENINSULA

Explore the well-preserved penal colony buildings of the Port Arthur Historic Site, which was built in 1830 to house and punish more than a thousand of Tasmania's most notorious convicts. Just a one-hour drive south-east of Hobart, the site is full of powerful stories of hardship and loss, with its dark history contrasting with the beauty of the area. You can find more early-Australian convict history at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Coal Mines Historic Site, 20km from Port Arthur, which reveals the lives of repeat offender convicts who worked underground extracting coal. portarthur.org.au

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TASMAZIA AND THE VILLAGE OF LOWER CRACKPOT, NORTHWEST TASMANIA

In the wonderfully named town of Promised Land, en route to Cradle Mountain in Tasmania’s north- west, this attraction is home to a colourful model village and eight mazes.

Explore the town of Lower Crackpot, where each building has a Tasmanian story, or find the embassy of your forebears in Embassy Gardens, where more than 40 countries are represented. There’s also a lavender farm, a gift shop selling Tasmanian honey and souvenirs, and a café known for its delectable pancakes. tasmazia.com.au

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DEVILS @ CRADLE WILDLIFE PARK, CRADLE MOUNTAIN

Meet three of Tasmania's unique threatened marsupials — the Tasmanian devil, the Spotted-tailed Quoll and Eastern Quoll — at this wildlife sanctuary and conservation centre on the edge of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain National Park. Day keeper tours are conducted at 10.30am and 3pm and a day feeding tour at 1pm. After dark feeding tours are also held at 5.30pm and 8.30pm (during daylight savings). devilsatcradle.com 61

Image: Tourism Tasmania - Andrew McIntosh Ocean Photography

TASMANIA

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BRUNY ISLAND

Book a half-day boat cruise to explore the coast of Bruny Island, or jump on the vehicle ferry at Kettering, just over half an hour’s drive south of Hobart, to discover it at your own pace. The island is about 50km long but is more like two islands joined by a narrow strip of land called The Neck. It is known for its beautiful beaches and hiking through places such as South Bruny National Park, as well as local produce including oysters, cheese and chocolate.

Accommodation ranges from campsites to luxury retreats. brunyisland.org.au

QUEEN VICTORIA MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, LAUNCESTON

See dinosaur skeletons, colonial and bushranger artefacts and objects recovered from the wreck of Australia's oldest merchant shipwreck, The Sydney Cove, at this museum in the heart of Launceston. Kids will also love the bikes, buggies and planes on display. During the school holidays a number of activities are offered, such as creating critters out of Pom Poms, making musical instruments and learning how to create felted nests and eggs. qvmag.tas.gov.au/home

61 PENNY ROYAL ADVENTURES, LAUNCESTON

Image: Tourism Tasmania - Rob Burnett

Go rock climbing, ziplining or experience the thrill of the cliff walk as you make your way across a dozen rope bridges at this action-packed adventure park. Located beside Cataract Gorge, Penny Royal Adventures aims to re-create 19th century Van Diemen's Land, with a history-themed boat ride and activities such as gold panning and fossicking for gemstones. You can also jump aboard a barge to immerse yourself in the daring escapades of bushranger Matthew Brady on The Dark Ride, take a ghost tour, and fire cannons and steer the ship on the Brig Tamar Cruise. pennyroyallaunceston.com.au/adventures

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AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

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EAST HOTEL, CANBERRA

With free lollies in the lobby, Xboxes in rooms and kids’ mini bars, East Hotel is THE place for families to stay in Australia’s capital. It’s rare to find accommodation with designated kids’ rooms outside a tropical island resort, but East’s twobedroom apartments have cubbies with bunk beds, Xbox One consoles, games, reading nooks and dressup clothes. The 140-room family-owned and operated hotel, located between the vibrant shopping and restaurant hubs of Kingston and Manuka, also offers free bikes of all sizes to explore the area. Its Italian restaurant, Agostinis, has a kids’ menu including pizza or pasta, gelato and a soft drink for $20. easthotel.com.au 63

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

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NATIONAL DINOSAUR MUSEUM, CANBERRA

64 Image: VisitCanberra

Image: VisitCanberra

Wander among life-like T-Rex replicas at this fun museum at Gold Creek Village, which is home to the largest permanent display of dinosaur and prehistoric fossil material in Australia. Visitors can marvel at dinosaur models, full skeletons, skulls and robotic dinosaurs, and learn about the fascinating creatures before perusing the gift shop, which sells a range of natural history books, dinosaur models, apparel, and toys. nationaldinosaurmuseum.com.au

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Image: VisitCanberra

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

QUESTACON – THE NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, PARKES

Travel from the heart of a beehive all the way to outer space at this super fun science museum. Located in Canberra's Parliamentary Triangle, Questacon has eight themed galleries with many interactive exhibits. You can experience a simulated earthquake, freefall six metres down a vertical slide, watch live science demonstrations and take time out to gaze up at the 7m replica moon. The attraction is open for two-hour timed sessions. Tickets must be pre-booked online, including those for babies and children. questacon.edu.au

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POD PLAYGROUND AT THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM, MOLONGLO VALLEY

Designed for children of all ages, the award-winning POD Playground is based on the idea of seeds as the beginning of life in the forest. With giant acorn cubbies, nest swings, banksia pods and music-making instruments, it encourages children to climb, explore, learn and have fun. It’s located at the National Arboretum, which was established by the ACT government after the devastating 2003 bushfires which burnt a significant portion of the territory, including residential areas and pine plantations. nationalarboretum.act.gov.au

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YARRALUMLA PLAY STATION, YARRALUMLA

Play mini golf, pat farm animals and ride a miniature train around the grounds at this attraction in Weston Park. The mini farm has dozens of animals, including a miniature cow, alpacas, ponies, sheep, pigs, goats, turkeys, chickens and ducks, while the 36-hole Canberrathemed Lake Walter Mini Golf course is sure to delight. After riding the miniature train, Bluebell, through the original tunnel, stop and have a bite to eat at the Station Stop Café, perhaps followed by an ice-cream. yarraps.com.au 65

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

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Image: Hcreations Photography-VisitCanberra

Culture and creativity will shine bright at this year’s Enlighten Festival, which encompasses five events beginning on February 26. It kicks off with Enlighten Illuminations, which sees large-scale projections on iconic buildings including the National Portrait Gallery, National Library of Australia and Australian Parliament House. Wake up to the view of hot air balloons floating across the city during the Canberra Balloon Spectacular from March 6 to 14, and celebrate the city’s birthday with great food and tunes at Commonwealth Park on Canberra Day, which falls on March 8. Entry to events is free, but attendees must book in advance. enlightencanberra.com.au

68. COCKINGTON GREEN GARDENS, NICHOLLS

Images: VisitCanberra

ENLIGHTEN FESTIVAL, CANBERRA

Ride a miniature steam train among the beautifully landscaped gardens of this model village at Nicholls, which showcases meticulously handcrafted miniature buildings from around the world. You can also view the 34-room dolls house ‘Waverley’, have a barbecue or picnic near the playground or enjoy homemade scones in the Garden Cafe. cockingtongreen.com.au 66

69. NATIONAL ZOO & AQUARIUM

The only combined zoo and aquarium in Australia is located on around 18ha of land at Yarralumla, just five minutes’ drive from the centre of Canberra. It has a wide variety of native and exotic animals and an open range section plus the AdventureLand playground, which features fibreglass animal sculptures for children to play on. It is also home to Jamala Wildlife Lodge, suitable for children six and over on standard nights. Children four and older can also stay on family nights, held once a month. nationalzoo.com.au

70. PLAYUP AT THE MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRACY, PARKES

Kids can explore the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC) in a fun and playful way at this creative family play space at Old Parliament House. It offers everything from listening pods and a roleplay Kindness Café to a fuzzy felt wall and craft activities. Bookings are essential. moadoph.gov.au/exhibitions/playup

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

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CORIN FOREST

Billed as the most accessible and affordable alpine resort in Australia, and the closest to both Sydney and Canberra, Corin Forest offers a variety of activities to keep families entertained year-round. Through the wonders of technology, the resort aims to provide a cheap and fun first snow experience in winter with everything from snowball fights, building a snowman and tobogganing in the purpose-built snowplay area, to learning to ski on the Ski Slope, which has an easy-to-use magic carpet lift and gentle terrain. In summer, ride the Alpine Slide as it descends 1.2km through the mountain ash trees. corin.com.au

73. TIDBINBILLA NATURE RESERVE, PADDYS RIVER

Discover the stories of the men and women who have served — and continue to serve — our nation in conflict, peacekeeping and humanitarian operations around the world at this museum, shrine and research centre. The attraction shares experiences of military personnel through exhibitions, artworks, large technology objects and personal records, such as letters and diaries. Timed tickets to view galleries and special exhibitions, and to attend the daily Last Post Ceremony, must be booked in advance. Tickets may also be available at the Memorial entry, subject to capacity. awm.gov.au

Images: VisitCanberra

72. AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL

Spot wildlife including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, emus and perhaps even an elusive platypus at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, just 45 minutes’ drive from the Canberra CBD. There are 22 marked trails, ranging from a 15-minute walk to full-day hikes. Just grab a map from the visitor’s centre, or download it online.

Kids can play on the Nature Discovery Playground before enjoying a picnic or barbecue. Regular guided activities cover topics such as Australian plants, animals and habitats, wetlands and waterbirds. You can also learn about Indigenous culture and heritage at The Sanctuary. School holidays are a great time to visit, with lots of activities to keep the little ones busy. tidbinbilla.act.gov.au

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NORTHERN TERRITORY

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LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK

Image: Tourism NT-Lynton Crabb

Swim in beautiful waterfalls and waterholes including Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole in this accessible national park, just 90 minutes’ drive south of Darwin. You can also explore The Lost City, a series of sandstone rocks that evoke the remains of an ancient civilisation, and marvel at the Magnetic Termite mounds, which stand up to two metres high and are thought to be at least 100-years-old. northernterritory.com/darwinand-surrounds/destinations/ litchfield-national-park

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FLORENCE FALLS IS A BEAUTIFUL SPOT FOR SWIMMING

NORTHERN TERRITORY

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ARNHEM LAND, TOP END

Image: Tourism NT-Shaana McNaught

Image:Tourism NT-James Fisher

Discover Indigenous art and culture in Arnhem Land, a remote 90,000sq km reserve east of Darwin, which is one of the least inhabited regions of the world.

Wildlife is prolific throughout the region, and includes saltwater crocodiles, dugongs, nesting turtles and hundreds of bird species, such as jacana, azure kingfishers, magpie geese, brolga and jabiru. Book a tour with Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris to explore lily-covered billabongs and wetlands, stay in a safari hut, fish for barramundi in the lodge’s private billabong and see some of Australia’s best Indigenous rock art, with 50 000-yearold paintings of spirits and animals including snakes, dugong and turtles. northernterritory.com/arnhem-land/ see-and-do

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KAKADU NATIONAL PARK

Take the kids on a spectacular jumping croc cruise on Adelaide River, where you’ll be able to see the famous creatures up-close, and learn about the floodplain systems, in Kakadu National Park. Covering nearly 20,000sq km, the park also provides wonderful opportunities to swim in places such as the pool at the base of Jim Jim Falls and Maguk Gorge and see Indigenous rock art sites, including paintings of the extinct Thylacine at Ubirr. parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu 69

Image: Tourism NT-Shaana McNaught

NORTHERN TERRITORY

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NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK, KATHERINE

Hike, paddle a canoe or cruise through the awe-inspiring Nitmiluk Gorge, around 300km south of Darwin. Despite its name, the gorge actually consists of 13 impressive gorges carved from the ancient sandstone, stretching over 16km and separated by natural rock barriers and rapids during the dry season. Cool off in the tranquil waters of Leliyn (Edith) Falls, on the park’s western boundary. Be sure to pop into the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre to learn about the cultural and spiritual significance of the gorge for its Traditional Owners, the Jawoyn and Dagomen people. nitmiluktours.com.au

Images: Tourism NT

78. TOP DIDJ CULTURAL EXPERIENCE & ART GALLERY, KATHERINE

Indigenous artist, Manuel Pamkal, gives a rare personal insight into his culture during this hands-on, family-friendly experience near Katherine. After playing a traditional welcoming tune on the didgeridoo, he shares stories about growing up in the bush, living off the land, tribal life and his family tree. He also teaches the technique of Rarrk painting (cross hatch) with a reed brush, how to throw a spear at a fake kangaroo target and lighting a fire by rubbing two sticks together. topdidj.com 70

79. PARRTJIMA – A FESTIVAL IN LIGHT, ALICE SPRINGS

See the walls of the ancient MacDonnell Ranges illuminated during this Indigenous light festival, which returns to Alice Springs from April 9 to 18. The free, family-friendly event promises a sensory experience like no other, with large-scale sculptural installations, live music, talks and workshops.

This year’s theme, Future Kultcha, is based on the timeless oral way of learning among generations of Aboriginal people. parrtjimaaustralia.com.au

80. DARWIN’S HERITAGE TRAIL

Take a scenic walk and learn more about the city’s war history on Darwin’s Heritage Trail. At Stokes Hill Wharf, the Royal Flying Doctor Service Darwin Tourist Facility uses virtual reality and holographic technology to transport you to the WW2 bombing scene of 1942, complete with films, storytelling ‘ghosts’ and simulated cockpit experiences.

Darwin Military Museum and Defence of Darwin Experience host an amazing collection of artefacts, from uniforms to artillery, and play wartime footage and interviews with veterans. northernterritory.com/darwin-andsurrounds/see-and-do/darwin-heritage-trail

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Walk or cycle around the base of this famous landmark, passing waterholes, caves and rock art. The best way to immerse yourself in the experience is to book a tour with an Indigenous guide to hear Tjukurpa (creation stories). Be sure to catch the wonder’s incredible changing colours at sunset and sunrise from one of the five public viewing platforms. You can also explore the desert in style with a Segway tour, partake in a camel ride, and experience a dot painting workshop. Stay at the nearby Ayers Rock Resort, which offers everything from camping to apartments to the five-star Sails in the Desert hotel. parksaustralia.gov.au/uluru

Image: Tourism NT-Shaana McNaught

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ULURU, RED CENTRE

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NORTHERN TERRITORY

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MATT WRIGHT’S EXPLORE THE WILD TOURS

Embark on a thrilling outback adventure created by the star of National Geographic’s hit TV show Outback Wrangler. Matt Wright’s Explore the Wild tour series includes an adrenaline-pumping ride on an airboat, while the all-inclusive and family-friendly Top End Safari Camp package includes an exciting crocodile encounter, glamping and stargazing around a fire pit. You can also book custom tours with the man himself. mattwright.com.au/tours

Image: Tourism NT

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Image: Tourism NT-Shaana McNaught

NORTHERN TERRITORY

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EARTH SANCTUARY, ALICE SPRINGS

CROCOSAURUS COVE, DARWIN

Pet a baby crocodile or feed a juvenile croc from the Fishing for Crocs platform at this Darwin attraction, which has the world’s largest display of Australian reptiles. There are nine interactive shows daily. Brave parents and teens aged from 15 can try the Cage of Death, where you spend 15 minutes in a glass cage and come face to face with an adult crocodile in its pen. crocosauruscove.com

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Australia’s Outback is known for having some of the world’s clearest night skies, making it an ideal location for stargazing.

For a truly magical experience, book a stay at Earth Sanctuary, which offers Australia’s only space camp. Sleep in one of six intergalactic-style domes, available in glamping or swag style, and take advantage of the observatory’s astronomy tours. earth-sanctuary.com.au

MINDIL BEACH SUNSET MARKET, DARWIN

Image: Tourism NT-Matt Glastonbury

This vibrant and multicultural market at Mindil Beach is a must on any visit to Darwin.

Held from late April to late October, there’s plenty to keep the family entertained with arts and craft vendors, buskers and food stalls offering everything from local delicacies, such as crocodile, to international cuisine.

Pack a picnic blanket and sit back and relax as you watch the sunset over the Arafura Sea. mindil.com.au

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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ROTTNEST ISLAND, PERTH

Image: Rottnest Island Authority

Follow in the footsteps of Chris Hemsworth, Matt Damon and Hugh Jackman and get a selfie with a quokka on Rottnest Island, off the coast of Perth, before exploring its beautiful beaches and bays. The island has excellent trails for walking and bike riding, and you can also book boat and Segway tours and learn about the island’s military history and the important role it played in Australia’s World War II defence system as you explore underground tunnels, the lighthouse, Oliver Hill, and Bickley Battery. There’s also a hop on/hop off bus service that regularly runs around the island, stopping at some of the more secluded beaches and surf breaks. Ferries depart regularly from Perth’s Barrack Street Jetty, Fremantle and Hillarys Boat Harbour. rottnestisland.com

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THE ISLAND HAS EXCELLENT TRAILS FOR WALKING AND BIKE RIDING

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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WAVE ROCK, HYDEN

Surf the amazing wave-shaped rock near the wheatbelt town of Hyden, 340km south-east of Perth. More than 2,700 million years in the making, Wave Rock is made of multicoloured granite and is 15m high and over 100m long. Follow the Pathways to the Rock self-drive trail, or book a day tour from Perth. There are walking trails and Indigenous tours to other rock formations, including Hippo's Yawn, The Humps and Mulka’s Cave, as well as Lake Magic and the striking Salt Pond.

Hyden also has a wildlife park and is known for pretty wildflowers in spring. waverock.com.au

89. SWIM WITH DOLPHINS AT ROCKINGHAM

Images: Tourism Western Australia

88. GWALIA GHOST TOWN

Discover Western Australia’s rich mining history in the ghost town of Gwalia, a settlement that grew up around the Sons of Gwalia Mine in the late 1890s and operated until the final whistle blew in 1963. The abandoned homes and businesses create a tangible snapshot of a vanished era and way of life. Step inside houses built of corrugated iron, timber and whitewashed hessian, peer through the windows of Mazza’s Store, where shoppers could buy everything from two pounds of flour to a length of fabric to make a frock for a dance at the State Hotel, and wander through Patroni’s Guest Home next door. The old mine administration buildings now house the Gwalia Museum’s large collection of objects, documents and photographs which show the history of the mine. You can stay in a luxury B&B which was once the home of the mine manager Herbert Hoover, who later became the 31st president of the United States (yes, really). gwalia.org.au

Experience the delight of swimming with wild dolphins at Rockingham, just south of Fremantle. More than 200 bottlenose dolphins live amongst the sheltered waters of Rockingham’s bays and islands that the guides from Perth Wildlife Encounters have come to know over the years. Small groups of up to seven people enter the water at a time, led by a guide using an aqua scooter to take you right amongst the playful creatures. rockingham wildencounters.com.au

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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LUCKY BAY, CAPE LE GRAND NATIONAL PARK The white beach and turquoise waters of this wide, sheltered bay are ideal for swimming, snorkelling, fishing, surfing and launching small boats. The bay was named by explorer Mathew Flinders in 1802, when he took shelter there from a summer storm, and you can walk along the beach to a lookout where a plaque commemorates this historic event. parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/site/lucky-bay

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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NARLIJIA EXPERIENCES, BROOME

Try bush tucker, learn about the traditional lives of the Yawuru and see 130 million-year-old dinosaur footprints on a tour with Bart Pigram from Narlijia Experiences Broome. Drawing on knowledge gained from living a saltwater lifestyle, the born entertainer shares fascinating stories of life around the turquoise waters of Roebuck Bay, Dampier Creek, the mangrove forests and mudflats. toursbroome.com.au

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KALBARRI SKYWALK, AUSTRALIA’S CORAL COAST

Venture beyond the edge of a 100m drop over Murchison Gorge for spectacular views over Kalbarri National Park from this attraction, which opened in 2020. Learn about the area’s Indigenous history and culture through interpretive signage and artwork, and discover fossils and geolocation information about the 400-millionyear-old sandstone that makes these gorges. Pathways to the Skywalk, toilets and shelters are flat and level, providing easy access for people with prams and wheelchairs. There is also undercover seating and a kiosk. parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/site/kalbarri-skywalk

94. FREMANTLE PRISON

Built by convicts in the 1850s, Fremantle Prison was used as a jail for more than a century until 1991. Visitors can now ‘step inside and do time’ on a range of tours exploring prison life, daring escapes and colourful characters, in tales laced with prison humour.

You can even descend 20m below the prison to explore a labyrinth of tunnels by foot and boat, do an evening torchlight tour, and stay in a private room at the on-site YHA. fremantleprison.com.au yha.com.au/hostels/wa/ perth-surrounds/fremantlebackpackers-hostel/

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Images: Tourism Western Australia

Embark on an Outback odyssey on one of Australia’s most unique 4WD tracks, stopping to hike, swim in ancient gorges and visit cattle stations along the way. Built in the 1960s to transport livestock from outlying stations to the ports of Derby and Wyndham, the 660km trail is a true adventure experience. Highlights include Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Lennard Gorge, Bell Gorge, Galvans Gorge, Manning Gorge, Emma Gorge, Drysdale River Station, Home Valley Station and El Questro Wilderness Park. australiasnorthwest.com/explore/ kimberley/gibb-river-road

Image: @niccasella

ROAD TRIP ALONG THE GIBB RIVER ROAD, THE KIMBERLEY

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

97. KOOLJAMAN AT CAPE LEVEQUE, THE KIMBERLEY

Book a stay at this remote wilderness camp, which is 100 per cent Indigenous owned, at Cape Leveque in the Kimberley. A range of tours are available, including the Southern Cross at Lullumb Coastal Walk in which Bardi-Jawi man, Bolo Angus, takes you on a fascinating journey through his traditional country. Learn how the Bardi Jawi people live off the land as you walk through mangroves, mudflats, and creeks.

Discover how to find fresh water, how to build a shelter, how to survive in the bush and how they perpetuate their traditions through the reconstitution of an old settlement and ancient fish trap.

Accommodation ranges from campsites to safari tents and cabins. kooljaman.com.au/tours/ southern-cross-lullumbcoastal-walk

95. NINGALOO REEF, AUSTRALIA’S CORAL COAST

Images: Frances Andrijich

Swim with whale sharks, humpback whales and manta rays on a tour to Ningaloo Reef from Exmouth or Coral Bay on Australia’s Coral Coast. The world's largest fringing reef stretches for 300km, with hundreds of whale sharks congregating there from midMarch until the end of July. Several operators offer full-day tours to swim with the gentle giants, picking you up in the morning and dropping you back at your accommodation at the end of the day. It’s an experience you’ll never forget! australiascoralcoast.com/region/ ningaloo

96. JESTERS FLAT EQUESTRIAN AND VINEYARD, MARGARET RIVER

Toast marshmallows around a campfire during a stay at Jesters Flat, a working equestrian farm and vineyard in Rosa Brook, near Margaret River. Named after the centre’s first stock horse, it offers horse riding tours for all abilities, from one-hour rides for beginners to multi-day camps staying in bell tents. jestersflat.com 78

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Learn to play the didgeridoo around the campfire during a tour with Wula Gura Nyinda at Shark Bay on Australia’s Coral Coast. Guests on the Didgeridoo Dreaming Night Tour will learn about Indigenous culture and history as they help cook bush tucker or seafood over the campfire. It also offers a kayak and wildlife adventure, 4WD and stand-up paddleboard tours, as well as a three-day trip to Dirk Hartog Island (Wirruwana). wulagura.com.au

Images: Tourism Western Australia

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WULU GURA NYINDA ECO ADVENTURES, SHARK BAY

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OTHER AUSTRALIAN TERRITORIES

Image: Christmas Island Tourism Association

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CHRISTMAS ISLAND

Described by beloved naturalist Sir David Attenborough as “one of the ten greatest natural wonders on earth”, the annual red crab migration on Christmas Island is a fantastic phenomenon for families looking for something different this year. But getting the timing right can be tricky, as it starts with the first rainfall of the wet season, usually in October or November, but is ultimately determined by the moon. Red crabs leave their homes throughout the island at the same time, and start marching towards the ocean to mate and spawn. The island, which lies 2,600km northwest of Perth, is a beautiful destination in its own right. Swim at deserted beaches named after the female relatives of the first settlers, go snorkelling in crystal clear water to see glowing coral gardens, hike through rainforest, and go fishing and bird watching. The newish luxury eco-retreat, Swell Lodge, is a great accommodation option, and welcomes guests with kids. christmas.net.au

100 NORFOLK ISLAND

A holiday on Norfolk Island offers families the chance to combine activities such as swimming and snorkelling in the calm lagoon at Emily Bay with learning about history whilst wandering around the ruins of the convict settlement and fascinating graveyard at Kingston. An easy 2.5 hour flight from Sydney or Brisbane, you can also learn how goat’s cheese is made at Hilli’s Farm, marvel at the rock formations on a guided sea kayaking tour and join a guided trek to the outer island, Phillip Island. norfolkisland.com.au

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OTHER AUSTRALIAN TERRITORIES

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COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS

If you’re itching to travel overseas, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands are about as far as you can get from the mainland of Australia without leaving the country. Located 2,750km northwest of Perth and 900km from Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean, the Australian territory is also as close to paradise as you are likely to find. The atoll consists of 26 coral islands, two of which are inhabited, forming a horseshoe shape around the lagoon. It’s a popular destination for kiteboarding, windsurfing, snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and motorised outrigger canoe tours.

Most accommodation is on West Island, which makes a great base for island hopping. You can also catch the ferry to Home Island to stay at the historic Clunies-Ross residence, and discover the culture and traditions of the Cocos Malay people who reside there. cocoskeelingislands.com.au

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BABY AND TODDLER TRAVEL

DURRAS DAYS

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Angela and Oliver among the charred trees at Durras, Angela posing in the sign welcoming guests to Durras Lake North Holiday Park, Oliver sitting on a frog near reception, Kangaroos grazing at Pebbly Beach in Murramarang National Park, A parrot on the verandah of a cottage

ANGELA SAURINE does her bit to help bushfire-affected businesses by booking a stay at a holiday park on the NSW South Coast with her toddler “Where the heck am I going?” – I distinctly remember that was my prevailing thought the first time I drove through the towering gum trees to North Durras. It was three years ago, when I was heavily pregnant with my first child. After visiting friends at Batemans Bay, around 20 minutes’ drive south, I’d called in on my way home to see another friend who was staying with relatives in a holiday park. I find that’s often how you discover the best, offthe-beaten-track places. On that day, we’d floated on inflatables along the small, shallow estuary in the strong current. I fell in love with the quiet, family-friendly vibe, and vowed to return one day with my yet-to-be-born son.

After seeing the horrifying images of bushfires devastating the area on the news last summer, my resolve was only strengthened. I was keen to support local businesses, and with the need for something to look forward to during COVID-19 lockdown in Sydney, I booked a trip there with some friends for my birthday weekend.

Then there I was, driving the same road with my toddler giggling in the back seat as I tried to entertain him with funny noises at the end of a four-hour drive. It felt somewhat surreal.

THERE ARE AROUND A DOZEN ROOS FORAGING ON THE GRASS NEAR OUR COTTAGE Upon arrival at Durras Lake North Holiday Park we are greeted by a large, colourful, kitsch sign — the kind you can poke your head through to take a photo — with a picture of a fisherman, surfboards and various animals, including leaping dolphins, possums and kangaroos. I love it.

I’d read on the park’s website that there was a kangaroo guarantee, and I ask the manager about it when I check in. “Is that good enough for you?” he asks a few minutes later as he points in the direction of around a dozen roos foraging on the grass near our cottage. Then he grabs me by the hand and leads me closer to see the joeys, and tells me when they were born, before inviting my friend’s kids (who are staying in the cottage next to ours) into the office to get some birdseed for the parrots that have descended on the railing of the verandah. They happily oblige, and get a huge thrill out of hand feeding them. I can see how the colourful old school beach shacks — including Rosella 82

Cottage, Lorikeet Cottage and Kookaburra Cottage — got their names.

Surrounded by Murramarang National Park, it’s no wonder wildlife here is so abundant. But there are only around half as many kangaroos as there were before the bushfires, which came within metres of the property. As the park is located on Crown land, it was evacuated for a week in December 2019, while the owners of neighbouring homes stayed and kept an eye on it. It was saved by fire retardant, and a last minute wind change. Regulars returned at the end of the month, but they were evacuated again in early January 2020, when fires came back from the other direction. After being closed for another two months during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been a rough period for them, and many other businesses in the region.

We sit around the campfire toasting marshmallows at night, and the next morning I am surprised when two-year-old Oliver gives me a card and bottlebrush flowers freshly picked from the trees outside (with the help of my thoughtful friend) for my birthday; a truly special moment.

By mid-morning we have set off on a hike north along Durras Beach, with Oliver on my back in a hiking carrier. At first he cries and protests, and I contemplate giving up and turning back. But with the encouragement of my friends, I push on. We take turns to carry him and by the end of the day he is happily counting imaginary whales on the horizon.

We climb the steep track to Point Upright lookout, passing trees still blackened by the fires, down to the beautiful Depot Beach, where we stop for a picnic lunch on the grass. Returning along the rocky coastline, which can only be tackled at low tide, we pass Grasshopper Island and towering cliffs. We scramble over boulders and stop to admire starfish and sea urchins in the rock pools. “Imagine if someone was under that rock when it fell!” nine-year-old Archie exclaims, and we quicken our pace slightly.

After passing the aptly named Calm Corner, a serene swimming spot at the northern end of Durras Beach, we come across a small cave. The older boys and their grandfather crawl through it into a tunnel, which turns into a larger chasm, emerging a few metres away.

We pass kids playing in the crevasses of moss-covered rocks, and I make a mental note to return again when Oliver is a bit older. For now, he is content running along the top of the sand dune and sliding down on what can only be described as nature’s slippery dip. 

Image: Destination NSW

BABY AND TODDLER TRAVEL

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Image: Eurobodalla Coast Tourism

Image: Destination NSW

BABY AND TODDLER TRAVEL

LEFT: A giraffe at Mogo Wildlife Park ABOVE: Mogo Fudge and Ice Cream

On our final day we drive to Mogo Wildlife Park, around half an hour’s drive south, another place I’d been eager to support after seeing footage on the news of the keepers’ valiant efforts to save the animals during the bushfires. While other locals were fleeing the flames towards the beach, staff raced towards the zoo instead, making headlines around the world. One even temporarily housed red pandas in his kitchen. The park is home to over 200 exotic animals, many of them endangered species, including white lions, gorillas, Sumatran tigers, cheetahs, snow leopards, meerkats, giraffes and zebras. Ticket sales fund the endangered species’ breeding programs, and it is nice to know you are helping them get back on their feet. We also stroll the small gold rush town of Mogo, known for its arts and crafts and heritage buildings, some of which were destroyed in the fires.

Oliver loves playing among the gargoyles and statues of frogs in the nursery, while I stock up on items from a homewares store.

We return to the cottage for a nap, whiling away our time sitting on the verandah watching the kangaroos hop around a few metres away. It feels like the kind of simple, carefree holiday from my own childhood. We were only there for a few days, but it’s the kind of place that if you stayed a week you’d feel so relaxed you’d be comatose.

The writer paid her own way.

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GETTING THERE

Durras North is around four hours’ drive south of Sydney and two hours’ east of Canberra.

STAYING THERE

Durras Lake North Holiday Park has a range of campsites, cabins and cottages to choose from. Lightweight doonas and pillows are provided in cottages and cabins, but you have to BYO towels and linen, or hire them for $2 and $10 respectively. You can also hire kayaks, softsided surfboards and a limited range of DVDs, which are ideal for rainy days. Free Wi-Fi is available in the vicinity of the shop/ office, and there is also a book exchange. durrasnorthpark.com.au

MORE INFORMATION eurobodalla.com.au

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CAPRICORN ENTERPRISE

G R E A T E S C A P E 86

When full-time travelling family 4 BOYS AND A CARAVAN visited Queensland’s Capricorn Coast, they fell in love with the natural beauty and minimalist aura of the destination’s hero, Great Keppel Island. With its stunning beaches, calm, crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life, TOM and AIMEE URECH-WRIGHT and their boys balanced their time between adventurous activities and essential relaxation

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CAPRICORN ENTERPRISE

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The boys enjoying paradise, Marine life is abundant

rom the moment we set foot on the beach on Great Keppel Island, we felt at ease. We quickly clocked into ‘island time’ — no stress, no worries; just good vibes, relaxation, and adventure. With activities for all ages, our days were filled with plenty of smiles and excitement as we enjoyed quality time as a family and made incredible memories.

There are two main accommodation offerings on the island — Great Keppel Island Hideaway and Great Keppel Island Holiday Village. Both offer excellent options to suit every budget, from glamping tents and comfortable cabins to roomy holiday houses. The island is mainly self-catering, but there is a restaurant and bar at Great Keppel Island Hideaway, which serves excellent meals.

There is so much to do on this island, including snorkelling, diving, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and bushwalking.

Any equipment you need can be hired from Great Keppel Island Watersports & Activities.

The waters here are the bluest of blue, edged with remarkable beaches. Being in the Southern Great Barrier Reef, you can find the most amazing fringing coral reefs dotted around the island, providing easy access for all ages. The coral here is healthy, and is home to sea turtles, manta rays, reef sharks and stingrays. If you are lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the local dugong family.

There are plenty of spots to snorkel within walking distance of the main accommodation. Shelving Beach was  87

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CAPRICORN ENTERPRISE

ABOVE: The boys loved exploring the island LEFT: Snorkelling around Great Keppel Island

GETTING THERE: Great Keppel Island is one of 18 islands in the Keppel group, a 30-minute ferry ride from Yeppoon on Queensland’s Capricorn Coast.

MORE INFORMATION:

visitcapricorn.com.au

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a favourite for our boys, who are keen snorkellers, as the exquisite reef is so easy to access. We found ourselves returning time and again. Another popular site for our crew was Monkey Beach, on the island’s south-west, which was an exciting 45-minute walk from where we stayed. The walk can be difficult, with a couple of steep sections, but if you head there at low tide you can follow the water’s edge all the way, making it much easier. As there are a few oyster shells, be sure to take some water shoes, suitable for walking on rocks, with you.

If you are looking for even more adventure, consider doing a beach drop with Keppel Dive. They can take you to a secluded beach, which you will have all to yourselves, where you can have a picnic, snorkel or relax in tranquillity. This really is the ultimate island experience!

The whole Capricorn Coast is a region that offers something for everyone, from bush camping and 4WD exploring to beautiful waterfalls, gem fossicking and adventure caving in magnificent gorges.

You could spend weeks here and see something different every day. The town of Yeppoon is known as the heart of the region, and it’s easy to see why. It is buzzing with family-friendly activities such as free waterparks, skate parks, playgrounds and the resort-style lagoon in the foreshore precinct. If you have any questions about what to do in the region, head to the Capricorn Coast Visitor Information Centre in town. The proud staff are experts on the region and can suggest the perfect activities for your family.

The writers travelled as a guest of Capricorn Enterprise.

TOP 5 ‘MUST DO’

Yeppoon

EXPERIENCES BY 4 BOYS AND A CARAVAN

YEPPOON is located on the pristine Central Queensland coastline and is quite possibly the epitome of the ultimate low-fuss family holiday. It boasts an ultra chic beach vibe, whilst offering so many low (or no cost) activities for families. Here are 5 of our favourites, but for more ideas visit...

www.VisitCapricorn.com.au

CAPRICORN COAST & ROCKHAMPTON

Byfield Yeppoon

Pumpkin Island Great Keppel Island Emu Park

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GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND

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YEPPOON LAGOON

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CAPRICORN CAVES

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CAPRICORN COAST STREET ART

There’s no excuses not to visit this island! A mere 30 min by ferry from Yeppoon and you’ll be snorkeling the reef right off the beach!

If you enjoy gorgeous swimming holes then Upper Stony Creek should be on your list!

Only 30 min drive north of Yeppoon.

This is an infinity pool to rival all others. It’s not only FREE but also in the best location on the esplanade to lookout over the Keppel Islands.

An awe inspiring ancient landscape just waiting to be explored. Easy walking cave tours or family adventure tours available.

A hip cultural scene certainly wasn’t what we’d expected to find in Yeppoon, but the street art is amazing, quirky and oh so insta-worthy.

8 NEW ZEALAND

QUINTESSENTIAL QUEENSTOWN EATS

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In anticipation of a Trans-Tasman bubble with New Zealand, Queenstown-based chef COREY HUME reveals the best places for families to dine in the area With its beautiful scenery, adventure activities and great restaurants it’s no wonder Queenstown is such a popular destination for Australians. The Rees Hotel chef, Corey Hume, has the lowdown on the top eateries for families.

1. FERGBURGER

This iconic takeaway burger joint in downtown Queenstown has built a reputation for serving the best burgers, well, just about anywhere. It’s a local legend in every season, evidenced by lines outside which can mean waits of up to 45 minutes or longer, thanks to a creative menu of burger choices that will keep every member of the family happy.

Massive and messy, these burgers can become addictive, and faves are fiercely defended. From the ‘Cockadoodle Oink’ with chicken and bacon, to the ‘Codfather’ with beer-battered blue cod or the ‘Fergburger’ classic with prime NZ beef, they guarantee it will be worth the wait. fergburger.com

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2. FORK N TAP

A short drive from Queenstown, nestled in Arrowtown’s old heritage precinct on Buckingham St, Fork n Tap is a charming, historic, family-friendly restaurant with a traditional pub atmosphere. It offers pizza, salads and mains, Central Otago wines and 19 New Zealand craft beers/ciders on tap. It also has a kids’ menu with burgers, fish and chips, chicken tenders, pizza, and ice-cream sundaes. Parents can savour drinks in the sunny beer garden, teenagers can play pool and foosball, and kids will love the play area’s play hut and sand pit. Fork n Tap has a fun family vibe with live music on Sundays (4-7pm) in the summer and traditional Irish music every Wednesday night year-round. theforkandtap.co.nz

3. JOE’S GARAGE

The original Joe’s Garage opened in 2000 in the old post office sorting room in downtown Queenstown. Now found in various New Zealand locations, the Queenstown restaurant in Searle Lane still has its original laidback, unpretentious feel. It remains a top place for families to enjoy fantastic food and coffee while listening to upbeat music in a friendly environment. This 100 per cent New Zealand-owned restaurant is the ideal place for breakfast or lunch. There is a huge range of sweet and savoury options on the kids’ menu, including porridge, pikelets, bacon and eggs, chips and gravy, burgers and desserts. joes.co.nz/restaurants/queenstown/

4. WINNIES GOURMET PIZZA BAR

Located in ‘The Mall’ on Ballarat St, Winnies Gourmet Pizza Bar is a rustic, American-style restaurant known for its generous serves, and extensive range of meat lovers’, gluten free, and vegetarian pizzas. Kids will love the excitement of seeing the roof open up to a view of the stars.

Winnies’ casual, fun atmosphere and quick service make it the perfect place for a relaxed family meal.

Children will enjoy the kids’ menu, which features favourites such as pizza, fish and chips, pasta, hot dogs and chips, and ice-cream sundaes. Go early to get a table. winnies.co.nz

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5. THE COW

Hidden away in Cow Lane, The Cow is a renowned pizza and spaghetti house that has been a family favourite for over 40 years. Queenstown’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, it was established by a couple of locals who had a vision to restore the rundown stable where cows were milked and convert it into an eatery. Its menu has remained unchanged since it opened in 1977 and features a range of fresh handrolled pizzas, spaghetti dishes, soup and homemade bread and salads.

In winter there is a roaring open fire to keep you warm while you wait for your table. thecowpizza.co.nz

WHERE TO STAY IN QUEENSTOWN:

6. THE BOAT SHED CAFÉ & BISTRO

On the shores of Lake Wakatipu, The Boat Shed Café and Bistro is a favourite with locals, and one of the most scenic places to take your family for coffee, breakfast or lunch.

Occupying a former New Zealand Railways Shipping Office dating back to 1869-78, there is an original sign hanging in the café as a reminder of Frankton Marina’s heritage and history. This is a perfect place to stop for food and drinks if you are walking or cycling the lakeside Frankton Track with your children.

The seasonal menu features top local produce with beautifully arranged meals. boatshedqueenstown.co.nz 92

7. SLOW CUTS

Located in Arrowtown’s Buckingham St, Slow Cuts is renowned for its slow-cooked meats, welcoming service and family-friendly menu.

Relax in the comfy inside setting or outside courtyard while enjoying rotisserie chicken, burgers, salads and rotating cheese boards, which are all made from fresh local ingredients. There are various kids’ options including a cheeseburger, buttermilk fried chicken with potatoes and a pulled chicken quesadilla. slowcuts.co.nz

8. TRUE SOUTH DINING ROOM (OF COURSE!)

Located at The Rees Hotel Queenstown, True South Dining Room has magnificent views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkable Mountain Range. Both parents and children will love the restaurant’s creative, flavoursome dishes which are made with fresh local ingredients. It also offers the opportunity for parents to have a date night while children have fun with in-house babysitters in their Rees apartment. For the ultimate experience, indulge in a six-course menu with matching wines. therees.co.nz/food-wine/truesouth-dining-room

Situated on Lake Wakatipu, the chic five-star Rees Hotel Queenstown has spacious apartments and great facilities for families and children, in all seasons.

MORE INFORMATION: therees.co.nz/en-gb

Corey Hume is executive chef of The Rees Hotel Queenstown’s True South Dining Room.

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ASIA

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With Singapore likely to be one of the first countries Australians will be able to visit thanks to its success combating COVID-19, MARIANNE ROGERSON reveals 30 fun family experiences in the island city-state

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1. ARTSCIENCE MUSEUM

This museum-cum-art gallery at Marina Bay Sands hosts an impressive line-up of international touring exhibitions from art and science; media and technology; and design and architecture. The permanent exhibition, Future World, is always a hit with the kids but keep your eye on their visiting exhibition program too. Visit on a Friday, and up to 4 children under the age of 12 go free with every adult ticket purchased.

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Image: Paris Chia Photography

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2. SINGAPORE ZOO

A visit to Singapore with kids wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Singapore Zoo. Often regarded as one of the best zoos in the world, the Singapore Zoo is set in a natural rainforest setting with spacious landscaped enclosures. Don’t miss Breakfast with the Orangutans – the perfect start to your day.

3. JURONG BIRD PARK

Asia’s largest bird park houses over 3,500 birds from over 400 species and is set in a beautifully landscaped park. Visit the world’s largest walk-in aviary, feed the Loris, Ostriches and Pelicans and watch the fun shows, including Birds n Buddies Show and the Thunderstorm Experience.

4. SENTOSA BEACHES

Tanjong, Palawan and Siloso Beaches line the southern coast of Sentosa Island, and are where you need to head to when you’re in need of some beach action. Here you will find some cool beach bars, plenty of palm trees and lots of sand for building sandcastles.

5. UNIVERSAL STUDIOS SINGAPORE

Enter the world of movie magic at Southeast Asia’s only Universal Studios theme park at Resorts World Sentosa. Meet some of your favourite movie characters, while riding movie-themed rides and roller coasters. Fun!

6. NIGHT SAFARI

A visit to the ever-popular Night Safari, gives you the rare opportunity to get up close and personal with hundreds of exotic nocturnal animals in their natural habitat. Nestled in 40 hectares of lush secondary forest, subtle lighting facilitates the viewing of more than 1,000 nocturnal animals from 120 different species in the tropical jungle.

7. HAWKER CENTRE

Having a meal at a Hawker Centre – the city’s version of street food – is one of the culinary highlights of Singapore. There are Hawker Centres all over Singapore, but Lau Pa Sat in the heart of the CBD and Makansutra Gluttons Bay next to the Esplanade Theatre are two popular choices with visitors.

8. SEA AQUARIUM

There is an amazing variety of sea creatures to see at the SEA Aquarium in Resorts World Sentosa – over 800 species are represented across the 49 different habitats. With over 100,000 marine creatures in all, it is hard not to be impressed – especially when you reach the grand finale: the Open Ocean – a panoramic marine vista complete with manta rays, sharks, and goliath grouper.

9. ADVENTURE COVE WATERPARK

Adventure Cove Waterpark is where thrill seekers go to get wet and wild. Six waterslides include the Riptide Rocket, Southeast Asia’s first hydro-magnetic roller coaster (a slide that takes riders upwards), while a wave pool and the 620m-long Adventure River inner tube ride add to the fun.

10. SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS

Head to the Botanic Gardens to enjoy some peace and tranquility. There is a huge variety of lakes, fountains and sculpture gardens as well as plenty of well-manicured lawns to run around, paths to scoot on, and turtles to feed. Don’t miss the beautiful Orchid Garden, and also the dedicated Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden complete with tree house and water play areas.

11. GARDENS BY THE BAY

The super trees of Gardens by the Bay are one of Singapore’s most iconic attractions and the gardens are also home to over a quarter of a million rare plants. Two climate-controlled conservatories make for a welcome break from Singapore’s heat and humidity. The highlight for the kids is the fabulous water play area (closed on Mondays). Don’t miss the nightly light shows.

12. SINGAPORE CABLE CAR One of the most fun ways to get to Sentosa is by Cable Car. Start at Harbourfront to ride up to Mount Faber and take in the views at the top, before re-boarding the cable car to take the 12-minute journey across Keppel Harbour to Sentosa. The Sentosa Line then takes you onward towards all the attractions of Sentosa at Merlion Station, Imbiah Lookout and Siloso Point.

13. AFTERNOON TEA AT RAFFLES

It’s not cheap, but indulging in a Raffles Hotel afternoon tea is a real treat for the whole family. Tuck into scones, sandwiches and pastries in decadent surroundings and to the accompaniment of a live harpist. End the experience with a Singapore Sling in the famous Raffles Long Bar, where the kids will love the novelty of eating peanuts and tossing their shells on the floor.

14. PULAU UBIN

Just a 10-minute boat ride from Changi, Pulau Ubin lets you step back in time to a Singapore from fifty years ago. Hire bikes on arrival (children’s bikes and baby seats are available) and head to the Chek Jawa Wetlands – one of Singapore’s richest ecosystems, where you can explore the mangroves and coast via boardwalks, and climb the lookout tower. Getting there via bumboat is half the fun.

15. WET MARKETS

For an authentic shopping experience away from the organised calm of the airconditioned malls, head down to a local wet market to take in the sights and sounds of local Singapore. This is a great introduction to local fruits, vegetables and seafood for kids. The Tekka Market in Little India is a popular one, and don’t miss the live frogs and turtles in the wet market in the basement of the Chinatown Complex.

16. LITTLE INDIA

A wander through Little India will have you wondering whether you are in Delhi rather than Singapore. This most vibrant and colourful part of Singapore houses several spectacular temples and bustling shops selling everything from gold jewellery to Hindi music CDs, cheap clothing and souvenirs. The Tekka Centre houses one of the best wet markets in Singapore.

17. CHINESE GARDEN

Jump on the MRT and head west and you will find the beautifully presented Chinese Garden. Pack a picnic and enjoy the sprawling lawns, rainbow bridges, arch buildings, pagodas and koi ponds. Don’t miss the fabulous Bonsai garden.

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18. RIVER CRUISE

A boat ride along the Singapore River is one of the best ways to take in the sights of the Colonial District, Marina Bay and the Quays.

Board the boat in either Robertson Quay or Marina Bay (near Merlion Park) to ride the whole river and enjoy the views.

19. CHINATOWN

Chinatown is one of the most popular areas of Singapore with tourists, thanks to its beautifully preserved shophouses, souvenir stalls and abundance of places of worship to admire. It’s a great place to shop for souvenirs with street stalls along Pagoda and Trengannu streets. There are some great bargains to be had.

20. MACRITCHIE RESERVOIR

The primary rainforest of the MacRitchie Reservoir is home to more than 840 flowering plant and 500 animal species and there are several hiking trails and boardwalks to choose from. The highlight is the TreeTop Walk, a free-standing 250m long suspension bridge which gives you a bird’s eye view from its 25m high position. It’s an 11km round walk to get to though, so not for the really little ones!

21. SINGAPORE FLYER

The Singapore Flyer was the world’s tallest observation wheel until the High Roller opened in Las Vegas on 31 March 2014.

Regardless of its superlative status, the Singapore Flyer still stands at 165m tall – the height of a 42-storey building – and offers fabulous views across Singapore and the surrounding islands.

22. MEGAZIP ADVENTURE PARK

There is plenty to keep adrenaline junkies happy at MegaZip Adventure Park on Sentosa. The MegaZip flying fox whizzes you 450 metres over the jungle canopy before depositing you on Siloso beach, while Climbmax is an aerial obstacle course of wobbly bridges, cargo nets and tightropes set high amongst the trees. There’s also ParaJump, a free-fall parachute simulator, and MegaBounce – trampolining with secured elasticated ropes.

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23. BUDDHA TOOTH RELIC TEMPLE AND MUSEUM

The magnificent Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum is located in the heart of Chinatown. Try to visit when a daily ceremony is taking place in the 100 Dragons Hall on the ground floor to hear the monks chanting. The museum itself will be above the heads of most children, but the magnificence of the golden room surrounding the Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic Chamber should inspire some awe, and you can set them to work counting all of the Buddha statues in the Ten Thousand Buddhas Pavilion on the roof.

24. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

If you only have time to visit one museum in Singapore make it the fabulous National Museum of Singapore, to give you an overview of the history of the country.

Starting in the 14th century, the exhibitions take you through the arrival of Sir Stamford Raffles and his influence, the difficult times of World War II and the Japanese occupation, and on to the building of modern Singapore. There’s plenty of handson activity, flashing lights and attractive presentations to keep the kids happy.

25. CHINATOWN HERITAGE CENTRE

The Chinatown Heritage Centre celebrates the early Chinatown residents and depicts the difficulties they faced. Divided between the maze-like warrens of three restored shophouses, the exhibitions explore the harsh conditions that forced many Chinese migrants to flee their home country in search of a better life in Singapore.

26. FORT SILOSO

Head to Fort Siloso on Sentosa Island to experience life as a soldier in the 1880s and in World War II. The sole surviving coastal fort in Singapore is now a museum dedicated to the memory of soldiers who lost their lives trying to defend Singapore.

The museum is visited via self-guided tour, with waxwork models and audio recordings bringing the scenes to life. Kids will be wowed by the 6-inch gun crew in action.

27. HAW PAR VILLA

This strange and surreal statue garden in the West of Singapore is filled with hundreds of multi-coloured statues and tableaux depicting Chinese myths and legends. Photo opportunities abound for snap-happy mums and dads. The highlight is undoubtedly the 10 Courts of Hell, depicting scenes of bloodthirsty torture, which of course may not be suitable for younger children…

28. NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE

Set in the beautifully restored City Hall and Former Supreme Court buildings, the National Gallery houses 8,000 artworks – the largest public collection of modern art in Southeast Asia. Look out for the striped wall labels, which have been specially written for families and kids. Check their website for the regular family programmes, which include storytelling, workshops and activities.

29. RIVER SAFARI

Tucked in between the Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari, the River Safari offers a wildlife experience inspired by the world’s most iconic rivers. Housing over 6,000 animals, the River Safari is home to the world’s largest freshwater aquarium and also features beavers, crocodiles, tapirs, squirrel monkeys and more. The highlight for many is the Giant Panda Forest, home to Singapore’s two resident Giant Pandas, Jia Jia and Kai Kai.

30. CAPTAIN EXPLORER DUKW TOUR

Much more fun than a standard opentop bus tour, the Captain Explorer DUKW Tour takes you on an adventure aboard an authentic revamped Vietnam War-era vehicle. You begin the tour with a drive around some of the city’s landmarks in the colonial district – Padang, City Hall, Esplanade – before splashing down into Marina Bay for views of the Merlion and the Singapore Flyer.

This is an edited extract from Singapore with Kids: The Ultimate Travel Guide for Families by Marianne Rogerson, which is available in paperback and as an e-book on Amazon. amazon.com

Image: Darren Soh

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CELEBRITY Q&A

SWIMMINGLY GOOD TIMES

Olympic swimmer and TV presenter Giaan Rooney has been travelling from a young age, when swim meets often saw her jetting interstate. She loves enjoying holidays with her husband Sam Levett and their children Zander, 6, and Alexa, 3 WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE FAMILY HOLIDAYS IN AUSTRALIA? I love holidaying in Australia, and I can’t wait to explore even more! When I was a child, we did road trips all over the country, from Magnetic Island off Townsville to swim meets in Sydney. Now with kids of my own we have been fortunate enough to holiday in Noosa, Hamilton Island, all through the Northern Rivers of NSW, down to Wagga Wagga and even visiting friends and family in country Victoria. We really do live in the best country in the world. I love the diverse landscapes, the incredible fresh produce, and the wildlife.

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE FAMILY HOLIDAYS OVERSEAS AND WHY? My favourite holiday as a child was a big trip we did to the USA – we went to Disneyland, drove over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, had an earthquake scare in LA and visited friends in San Diego. I have been hooked on travel ever since! The only overseas holiday we have done with our kids has been to Bali, and we loved that thanks to the hotel kids’ club and a local nanny. We ALL had some downtime!

HAVE YOU DONE MUCH TRAVELLING SINCE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC? Living in Queensland means we have been fortunate to be able to travel within our state for most of the pandemic, but we have only been on the one mini-break, during the school holidays, to Noosa. The only difference we found was that restaurants were quiet and they shut early.

WHAT’S BEEN THE WORST THING THAT’S HAPPENED ON A FAMILY HOLIDAY? 100

eyes to other cultures, the way others live, and makes you realise your place as a very small fish in a very large pond. I think it is so important to expose my children to as much travel as possible so that they develop empathy and compassion for those not as fortunate as themselves, as well as a burning desire to look after our planet and all of its inhabitants.

WHAT’S YOUR BEST PACKING TIP? Write a list and put everything you would like to pack out at least a week early, then cull items until you think you have packed as efficiently as possible.

It didn’t actually happen on the holiday, but when we went to Bali in 2018, my daughter, Lexi, had a febrile seizure three days after we got home. She was 11 months old, was teething, didn’t sleep for 11 hours on the journey home and picked up a virus, so thankfully we were in Australia with an incredible medical system to support us during our most terrifying experience!

AND THE BEST? We have plenty of wonderful family memories from our holidays, but I think our favourites always include swimming in the ocean and playing in the sand.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT TRAVELLING WITH KIDS? The excitement and joy of the kids exploring somewhere new is the best!

WHY DO YOU THINK IT’S IMPORTANT? I have always loved travel as it opens your

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER FAMILIES WHEN IT COMES TO TRAVELLING? I always make sure I have any medications we might need with us just in case, and I keep as many parts of our routine in place as I can, such as taking our daily Life-Space Probiotic, and sticking to a familiar bedtime routine for the kids – healthy, well rested kids means we can all enjoy our holiday.

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO FOR YOUR NEXT FAMILY HOLIDAY? We have a holiday bucket list which includes places close to home like North Stradbroke Island, as well as Uluru in the Northern Territory and swimming with the whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia (where my husband and I went for our honeymoon), with the dream to do a full, extended family holiday overseas for a white Christmas.

Giaan Rooney is an ambassador for LifeSpace Probiotics. To find out more visit lifespaceprobiotics.com/en/ourambassadors/meet-giaan-rooney/

CELEBRITY Q&A

I LOVE HOLIDAYING IN AUSTRALIA, AND I CAN’T WAIT TO EXPLORE EVEN MORE!

Giaan Rooney and her family on Noosa Beach

Giaan and her kids in Wyaralong Dam in Queensland

Giaan and Alexa in the pool in Bali

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REVIEWS

FAIRMONT RESORT & SPA BLUE MOUNTAINS, MGALLERY BY SOFITEL This luxury resort in the NSW Blue Mountains is filled with kid-friendly features, ANGELA SAURINE writes THE LOWDOWN

“Look mummy!” my two-year-old son Oliver cries, as he runs towards the floor-to-ceiling fish tank in the lobby… and so begins our stay at the Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains. Luxury and familyfriendly are two things I don’t immediately associate, but this property has nailed it, with everything from miniature train rides around the grounds to a merry-go-round and indoor playrooms. The resort has the feel of a high-end ski lodge, with stone fireplaces, high vaulted ceilings and timber beams. Friendly and accommodating towards families, staff happily grant us late check-out so I can time the drive home around nap time, and speedily process meal orders to combat mischievous and impatient toddlers. Stopping on the way back to our room to press the button to see a model train, which is being restored, is another highlight of our stay.

LOCATION

The resort is 1.5 hours’ drive west of Sydney on the edge of the Jamison Valley, in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. It’s around 13 minutes’ drive to the Echo Point Lookout at Katoomba, which offers views of the famous Three Sisters rock formation.

ACCOMMODATION

There are 224 rooms and suites with views of either the bushland valley, or the grounds and gardens. They range from standard rooms, with a choice of either one king bed, two single beds or two queen beds, through to the Grand Luxury Suite, which was designed and built for the Dalai Lama

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in the lead-up to his Australian tour in 2015.

Other offerings include a Family Suite, with two interconnecting bedrooms; one a king bedroom with an ensuite bathroom and the other with two single beds. There’s even a pet-friendly room on the ground floor, which includes a fenced courtyard. If you have small kids, consider requesting a room close to the lifts to save them running (or in my case rolling!) down the long corridor.

ACTIVITIES

There are no shortage of activities to keep the littlies amused, with mini electric car rides, pony rides, a merry-goround and the popular Fairmont Express Train for children aged 3-12, operating on weekends and during school holidays. The under fours indoor playroom, Dane’s Room (named after the owner’s son), has a jungle gym and slippery dips, while Kids Magic Kingdom has a giant jungle gym for 5 to 13-year-olds. There’s also a mirror maze and arcade games, and a lounge for teens with table tennis and pinball machines. Then there’s the cinema, indoor and outdoor pool, two tennis courts, a basketball court, outdoor gym, and an adventure park for kids over 10-years-old and 1.4m tall to climb through the trees on wires, bridges and towers. Just walking around the grounds and stopping to have morning tea under the willow trees beside the pond spotting ducks, koi fish, dragonflies and butterflies is a delight. An indoor ice-skating rink is also being built, and is expected to open sometime in 2021. The Ubika Day Spa offers the chance for busy parents to relax and rejuvenate, with facials, spa and body rituals and massages, as well as morning yoga

classes on weekends and during school holidays. The 18-hole Fairmont Resort and Leura Golf Club, established in 1902, is the oldest course in the Blue Mountains and has beautiful views.

FOOD AND DRINK

There are several restaurants to choose from, all offering kids’ menus. Embers has light fittings made of antlers, and offers magnificent views from soaring floor-toceiling windows set around a stone fireplace, while Jamison’s has a terrace that is great for families. Eucalypt Grill offers a more sophisticated dining experience, and The Sublime Lounge serves light refreshments such as cakes, as well as coffee, wine, craft beer and cocktails. The bistro at the Leura Golf Club is also a great option for families, with a menu of clubhouse-style food such as burgers and chicken parmigiana, with views over the 18th green.

EXPLORE

A range of bushwalks are accessible from the resort, including the easy Sublime Point Lookout walk, which takes about an hour, and the 45-minute Gladstone Lookout walk.

A visit to Scenic World at Katoomba to ride the world’s steepest train, the Scenic Railway, is a must. Walk between the clifftops on the Scenic Skyway, stroll under the canopy of a temperate rainforest on the Scenic Walkway, and glide past ancient sandstone cliffs on the Scenic Cableway. You can also enjoy a picnic in the Megalong Valley, around 30 minutes’ drive away, and take a dip in one of its inviting swimming holes.

The writer was a guest of Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel.

REVIEWS

An aerial view of the Fairmont Resort and Spa Blue Mountains

FAIRMONT RESORT & SPA BLUE MOUNTAINS, MGALLERY BY SOFITEL 1 Sublime Point Rd, Leura, NSW, 2780 fairmontresort.com.au | (02) 4785 0000

The Fairmont Express Train

The pool

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REVIEWS

WILDLIFE RETREAT AT TARONGA Taronga Zoo Sydney, Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman, NSW (02) 9978 4791 taronga.org.au/sydney-zoo/wildlife-retreat

An echidna in the Sanctuary at Wildlife Retreat at Taronga

WILDLIFE RETREAT AT TARONGA

ANGELA SAURINE is blown away by this exclusive retreat on the edge of Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, which is now welcoming families THE LOWDOWN

Extraordinary is not a word I use very often, but it feels the apt way to describe the Wildlife Retreat at Taronga — a luxurious architecturally-designed hotel set within the grounds of Sydney’s Taronga Zoo. Opened in late 2019, the retreat wasn’t originally targeted at families, but with international borders closed thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, a Family Escape Package has now been introduced. The package includes an overnight stay for two adults and two children in interconnecting rooms, a tour of the retreat’s private sanctuary, a night tour of the zoo plus two-day access, parking in the zoo’s main visitor car park and breakfast. The hotel was designed 104

by Australian firm, Cox Architecture, and is owned and operated by not-for-profit organisation, Taronga Conservation Society Australia. It features a circular entry pavilion with a lounge with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, five sustainably designed timber-clad lodges with vines hanging over the roofs, and a restaurant. It was awarded Best Sustainable Hotel in the Asia Pacific Hotel Awards 2020-2021 and was highly commended in the Small Luxury Hotel for Australia category.

LOCATION

Taronga Zoo has long been known as having one of the best views in Sydney (those lucky giraffes!) and the Wildlife

Retreat at Taronga capitalises on this. It’s located beside the function centre on the eastern edge of the zoo at Mosman, just 15 minutes’ drive from the city. You can walk straight out of the gate into the zoo grounds, near the Wild Ropes treetop adventure course.

ACCOMMODATION

The hotel’s 62 rooms are spread across five lodges — named after brolga, bandicoot, echidna, emu and bilby — which are linked by stairs and lifts. The Family Escape Package includes accommodation in either a Bushland View Room or Animal View Room, from which you can spot koalas in the gum trees outside or kangaroos grazing

REVIEWS

The restaurant offers views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

See kangaroos from your room

The reception area

below. From our room in Emu Lodge, 351, we can see glimpses of the harbour and Sydney Tower poking out above the gum trees through the floor-to-ceiling windows and louvres, and hear seals barking at night.

Other accommodation options include Harbour View Rooms and large Treetop Suites, which have an open-plan ensuite with a bath.

MSC-certified fish and chips, spaghetti meatballs or a cheeseburger, followed by ice-cream or chocolate mud cake. Families can book to dine from 5pm, when the venue has a fun, casual vibe, before heading off on the night tour, leaving the child-free couples to enjoy their dining experience in peace.

FOOD AND DRINK

The Family Escape Package includes an afternoon tour of the Sanctuary, which is set around small sandstone rocks, a waterfall and lilly pilly tree which has strong significance to the local Indigenous people.

It is the only part of the zoo which houses the extremely cute Rufous bettongs and Tammar wallabies, as well as koalas, echidnas and even eels. With the nocturnal house closed during COVID-19, it is also the only area where you can see potoroos. Our guide, Ryan, recounts fascinating facts about the animals, such as turtles that can absorb oxygen through their bottom and eels that can swim all the

The retreat’s Me-Gal restaurant, in a separate building adjoining the function centre that can be accessed via lift, also has incredible views over the harbour.

Executive chef Gursu Mertel, who is originally from Istanbul in Turkey and has lived in China and Azerbaijan, focuses on creating international dishes that change with the seasons, using fresh, local produce and ingredients. Mum and dad can try the signature dish, MSC-certified scallops, or offerings such as pistachio and bush tomato crusted lamb rack or wagyu beef with bone marrow. The kids’ menu includes

ACTIVITIES

way to New Caledonia, 2,000km away in the South Pacific.

EXPLORE

It’s also nice being able to explore the main zoo during the day without feeling like you have to battle the traffic to get home at the end of the day. After dinner, we set out on the night tour. This is a great time to spot the two platypus that reside in the pond at the retreat’s entrance. While most of the animals are asleep, it’s fun hearing frogs croaking as you roam around the zoo with other families, and feeling like you have it all to yourself after everyone else has gone home. On weekends, retreat guests also get to access the zoo from 9am — half an hour before day visitors can enter. This is the time the seal pup is at its most playful, and also the best time to see tigers as keepers offer enrichment, like perfume, spices or toys, that stimulates them and encourages natural behaviour.

The writer was a guest of Wildlife Retreat at Taronga.

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The pool

Image: Fiona Harper

A Premium room

ADINA APARTMENT HOTEL BRISBANE

FIONA HARPER checks out an inner-city apartment hotel with the elegant charm of yesteryear THE LOWDOWN

Housed in a grand heritage-listed former government administration building, Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane exudes art deco-era charm from the moment you step through the leadlight glass doors and into her elegant foyer. Bathed in light from towering windows and contemporary chandeliers suspended from an ornate ceiling, the vast lobby is a tantalising insight into the buildings’ heritage charms. Completed in 1922 after World War I delayed construction, the former government office building was once one of Brisbane’s tallest. Original features such as bank vaults and strong rooms have been carefully restored, along with the magnificent staircase with its ornate wrought iron balustrade and cedar handrail.

LOCATION

Adina Brisbane occupies a prominent position on the corner of George St and Elizabeth St in downtown Brisbane, just a short walk from Queen Street Mall, Queens 106

Wharf, City Botanic Gardens and the South Bank precinct. The Myer Centre and Event Cinemas are just across the road.

ACCOMODATION

There are 220 rooms, ranging from compact studios, some of which interconnect with larger one-bedroom apartments, through to three-bedroom apartments, including some with large balcony areas. Room 806 has a wraparound family-friendly outdoor area featuring exquisite sandstone walls and views over the Brisbane River. Befitting an inner-city apartment-style hotel, all rooms have kitchen facilities and washing machines as well as separate lounge/dining/ work areas.

ACTIVITIES

An enclosed indoor pool is suitable for lap swimmers, while the pool deck with its sun lounges is a perfect spot to keep an eye on the little ones. A small, air-conditioned gym overlooks the pool. The Brisbane River

The hotel lobby

REVIEWS

is a short walk away, with its vast network of walking trails that wind across the city and suburbs. There are themed trails to suit varied interests, including public art, heritage, laneways, gardens and historic cemetery walks.

FOOD AND DRINK

Below street level, the original thick concrete bank vault doors blend seamlessly with Boom Boom’s sultry vibe. A recent change in focus has seen this elegant space morph from a bar into Boom Boom Room Izakaya where Japanese-inspired street food, sake, wine and whisky meet jazzbar aesthetic in a beguiling multicultural mashup. Back at street level amid the vaulted elegance of Donna Chang, Sichuan flavours and Cantonese cuisine dominates the menu. If you’ve a hankering for lingering over roast duck with Davidson plum sauce or savouring steamed wontons, reserve a table at Donna Chang. Dim Sum selections are a good family-friendly option with small-sized yum cha morsels.

Alternatively, you could utilise the grocery delivery service and whip up dinner in your apartment.

EXPLORE

ADINA APARTMENT HOTEL BRISBANE 171 George St, Brisbane QLD 07 3155 1000 adinahotels.com/en/apartments/brisbane

Leave the city behind and soak in the eucalypt-tinged aromas of the Australian bush favoured by Australia’s favourite furry critters. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a refuge for threatened koalas where the whole family can learn about conservation.

Don’t miss the opportunity to cuddle a koala, get up close and personal with kangaroos, feed the wild lorikeets that swoop in regularly as well as see other Australian native animals like turtles, platypus, echidna, dingoes and crocodiles.

Families with older kids will enjoy Riverlife Adventure Centre at the base of Kangaroo Point cliffs where young adventurers can kayak, SUP or cycle the bike paths.

The writer was a guest of Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane.

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HOW TO SURVIVE A ROAD TRIP WITH KIDS With journeys by car booming in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, ANGELA SAURINE looks at ways to keep children content during long trips

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We all have memories of long road trips from our own childhood. In those days, they were often in station wagons with no air-conditioning — a killer on hot summer days — with families playing rudimentary games like I Spy for entertainment. With international borders closed thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the idea of germ-infested planes and airports and fears of sudden border closures putting many people off flying domestically, today’s generation of children is also (unexpectedly) getting to experience the joys of road trips, en masse. But while they are great for family bonding, getting through them is an art. “Road trips are a terrific way to spend some quality time with the family, explore your own backyard and create life-long memories,” Choice Hotels spokeswoman Kari Hunter says.

“They provide excellent adventures for the kids and are a cost-effective way to explore the country. They are great fun for kids, but to ensure they stay entertained in the car we recommend packing colouring books, pencils and paper and even downloading some travel apps that are packed with games.”

ABC Kids listen has some great podcasts for pre-school aged children, including Story Salad, Short & Curly, News Time and Imagine This. The Disney Magic of Storytelling is also a great podcast, and there’s even a Sesame Street podcast you can download before your trip. Switch between listening to podcasts and playing music. I have various playlists saved in my phone, and usually start with one of ‘adult’ songs that my two-year-old son also likes (and don’t contain any swearing). When that no longer works and he starts getting antsy, I turn to kids’ music, such as The Wiggles and silly songs, for the last hour or two.

I’m lucky (so far) in that my son is still having naps, so I always try to loosely time my trip around them, and not travel too far in one day. Four or five hours seems to be about the most we can handle, with at least one long stop to eat lunch and break up the drive. I think the ‘stop, revive, survive’ guide of taking breaks every two hours is a good one — it’s important for drivers to 

Toddler Tints window shades

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have a rest, but also good for kids to know there’s a stop coming up soon and for them to stretch their legs.

Make the trip about the journey as much as the destination. There are so many cute towns, beaches and picnic spots to explore en route, so don’t rush. Pack a picnic lunch in an esky, or do some research about what’s along the way and check out a cool café.

This way you are also helping regional businesses, at a time when they really need it.

Having new toys on hand, even if they are small, cheap ones like Matchbox cars, is a good way to entertain kids when they start getting bored. You can even consider putting birthday and Christmas presents aside and saving them for your next road trip. Spread them out throughout the journey.

Portable DVD players and iPads

are great for older kids – this isn’t the time to be concerned about screen time, it’s about survival!

But make sure you allow plenty of time for games first, including, yes, good old I Spy, as well as number plate games. It’s also a nice time to take the opportunity to talk about memories of road trips from your own childhood, for example.

When it comes to gadgets, consider buying a backseat organiser so kids can store their drink bottle, toys, books, pencils and anything else they might want. Sunshades that can slip over the window in the back seat can reduce heat and glare (and help them sleep!). There are a few funky ones with vibrant patterns available, such as Toddler Tints and Baby Got Shade. Kids neck pillows can also make sleeping in the care more comfortable.

WHERE TO NEXT? LISTEN TO THE EXPERTS Travel stories, reviews, news, deals & more

TELLMEWHERE2GO.COM

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THE FEEL GOOD FAMILY’S TOP ROAD TRIP TIPS Katie and Paul Guerin have been on the road, living in their caravan with their now four-yearold son Jasper, since late 2019. Known as The Feel Good Family, they have covered 35,000km of the country’s east coast for their YouTube series Family Travel Australia, and plan to head to South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia this year. “Being on a road trip with no end date means that adaptability, flexibility and choosing your battles are daily activities,” Katie says. “But with that comes the opportunity to all grow together and become more open minded and open hearted.”

Their main advice is to have plenty of healthy snacks and options for keeping the kids entertained and happy. “We find that on travel days, towing the van to a new destination, Jasper is a non-stop eating machine, probably because he is strapped in his car seat and not outside running around and playing,” Katie says. “Having your road trip food prepared and ready to go not only means you’ll keep the family satisfied and have plenty of options, you’ll also be reaching for a much healthier alternative to what you can pick up at a service station. It’s also a great idea to have forward planned your dinner meal and, at every opportunity, make sure to ask your kids ‘Do you need a wee?’ before buckling them in.”

The family’s road trip essentials include a mini diffuser and essential oils to keep them feeling calm and happy, and a minipresso so they can make a great morning coffee on the road. “For Jasper, we love the Disney electronic readers, and an absolute must is our Apple Music subscription,” Katie says. “I Spy has only just started on our road trips, but a game we love that Jasper created is called Name This Tune. He hums a song (normally something from The Wiggles or Frozen) and we take it in turns to guess what it is. A correct guess gives you the opportunity to hum your favourite tune (as long as it’s something from The Wiggles or Frozen!).”

Katie’s advice for any other family considering a lengthy road trip is to go for it.

“With international travel still so unknown there is no better time to get out and explore our incredible country,” she says. “These experiences not only provide a rich education for our children, they will also form some of their most treasured memories, whose value will truly be appreciated when they themselves are parents. Life is not a rehearsal! The best gift you can give to your children and yourself is spending time together making memories that will last a lifetime.”

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MUST HAVES

All the latest products travelling families need to know about 1. BLUEY X WAHU BODY BOARD

Little Bluey fans with big surf dreams can now get into the water with the Bluey X Wahu Body Board. Suitable for children aged six and over, it is made with high density foam for lightweight performance and has a PE (polyethylene) slick to ensure a smooth, controlled ride, plus a UV-treated board and ankle leash.

The Bluey X Wahu range also includes beach, pool and backyard toys, and is available at leading retailers around Australia.

RRP $39 bluey.tv/products/body-board 112

2. HOLIDAY DREAMING: THE EXPERT’S GUIDE TO LARGE FAMILY TRAVEL

When COVID-19 hit, Melbourne travel agent Rebecca Mason took the opportunity to write a book about large family travel, sharing stories from her 20 years' experience booking holidays for her family of eight and other big Australian families. Holiday Dreaming: The Expert’s Guide to Large Family Travel offers practical advice about how, when and where to travel, as well as a few laughs. It includes detailed packing lists for kids of all ages, the best budget travel meals, how to choose a suitable holiday

location, when to nab the best deals, how to navigate airports, road trip hacks, and which museums, parks and zoos are worth the queues.

RRP $29.95 travel.mrchocolate.com.au/book

3. GOPRO HERO9 BLACK

With a new sensor that delivers 5K video and 20 megapixel photos, and a larger rear display, the new GoPro HERO9 is a major improvement on its predecessor. It also has more battery life and a Max Lens Mod accessory that brings Max HyperSmooth video stabilisation and Max SuperView ultra wide-angle photo and video to

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HERO9 Black. GoPro has also eliminated plastic from HERO9 Black’s packaging and added value by packaging the camera in a high-quality travel case that fits additional mounts and accessories.

RRP $699.95 GoPro.com

4. BUSHMANS NATURALS INSECT REPELLANT

Protect yourself from mosquitoes, sandflies, midges and more with this aerosol-free, fine mist spray. Bushman Naturals offers up to nine-hour scientifically proven protection time (the highest natural protection available), time release technology, is sweat and water resistant, has a pleasant neutral scent and feels comfortable on your skin. It’s suitable for children aged from one-year-old.

RRP $15.85 bushman-repellent.com

5. PLANE PAL INFLATABLE PILLOW This custom-designed inflatable cushion fills the space between your child’s seat and the seat in front on planes, trains, buses and in cars. Made from high quality nylon, Plane Pal is lightweight and compact and comes with a pump for stress-free, easy inflation after take-off.

RRP $69.95 planepal.com.au/collections/onlineshop/products/plane-pal-pillow-only

6. KE DESIGN ECO TOWEL

Created and made in Melbourne by KE DESIGN, the ECO Towel is the first Australian towel to be created from RPET, a soft and absorbent recycled yarn made from plastic bottles and fabric cut-offs.

The soft, absorbent, compact, sand-free towels are available in more than 20 designs, many from local designers. They are printed with water-based inks and

compressed at a high temperature to trap and bond their microparticles together to help protect the ocean. The company also offers a trade-in scheme, giving $20 off a new ECO towel if you return your old one, which will be sent to textile recyclers to be turned into new fabric or carpet.

RRP $79 kedesign.com.au

7. MAY GIBBS PLATYPUS RASHIE

Mays Gibbs’s stories of gumnut babies and banksia men have been capturing our hearts and imaginations for more than a century. Now Walnut Melbourne is sharing the magic in clothing that showcases the author’s adorable Australian folklore, with its first range of baby swimwear, including the May Gibbs x Walnut Melbourne Cisco Long Rashie Platypus Navy, available in sizes 0 to 4. $44.95 maygibbs.org/shop 113

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Juan Walker with his children

Insider Interview

JUAN WALKER

WALKABOUT CULTURAL ADVENTURES Juan Walker founded Walkabout Cultural Adventures in Kuku Yalanji country in Queensland’s Port Douglas-Daintree region in 2008.

Guests on his tours explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree rainforest, learn the cultural connection his people have with the land, and enjoy experiences such as throwing spears and boomerangs and hunting for mud crabs and other seasonal bush tucker in the tidal flats and mangroves. When he’s not working, Juan loves sharing his passion for Indigenous history and traditions with his four children, Mili, 11, Juakene 9, Che, 6 and fouryear-old Teja.

MY IDEAL FAMILY HOLIDAY IS… anywhere that my family can be exposed to another culture.

We went to Japan last year and that’s a different culture altogether; different food, different language, different lifestyle. We ate sushi, ramen, sashimi, went skiing, stayed in a ryokan and went to a couple of onsens. I have a couple of tattoos and I had to cover them. Before that we went to Fiji and visited a village there. The kids were away from their technology and devices; there was no electricity and it was so good exposing our family to a different way of life. My daughter learned how to catch a chicken and sat with the local ladies and learned how to pluck them and cook them, and joined them in doing the washing by hand. My sons were young and basically found things in nature to play with as their toys.

It was a really good experience for them.

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MY FONDEST FAMILY HOLIDAY MEMORY IS… camping and being together. I loved being in the bush and running around with my cousins when I was a kid. We went to places like Snapper Island and Shipwreck Bay in North Queensland. There are too many people there now, so we go inland to places like Palmer River and teach the kids about stories around that way, and the Roaring Meg Falls, which is a creation place.

FAMILY TRAVELLERS MAY NOT BE AWARE… how many different Aboriginal groups there are in Australia and how diverse they are. Each place has a different language, customs and stories. Didgeridoos come from the Outback, for example. The rainforest mob didn’t really make them down on the coast. There are more than 30 different types and styles of boomerang. They are made from different timber, and are designed to catch different animals.

And they don’t all come back.

EVERY FAMILY SHOULD EXPERIENCE… Indigenous culture. The first peoples have so much to share. Sharing culture with my kids and others is so important.

It preserves our culture and passes it on to the next generations, and gives them an understanding of the land on which they live. I think it is paramount as it instils respect for the land, and this is key to sustainability.

MY TOP TIP FOR TRAVELLING WITH KIDS IS… planning ahead, and patience.

Juan on Cooya Beach