Out & About with Kids - Issue 43 Summer 2015 by Out & About with kids

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FA M I LY | T R AV E L | H O L I D AY | L E I S U R E | E N T E R TA I N M E N T

OUT&ABOUT

SUMMER 2015

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KIDS

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No.

Aloha Aulani A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawai‘i

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

Our tips for what’s hot in 2015

SPECIAL

12-Page “Insider Guide” to the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebrations!

WIN

a Family Holiday!

Yumi Stynes Discover Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa • Washington DC for kids Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road • Queensland’s Fraser Coast Sailing in the Whitsundays • Kakadu • Okinawa • Bali

Duncan Robertson

the whole family will love Duncan’s yummy Thai recipe!

, What s on your bucket list?

9 MONTHS INTEREST FREE ^

Valid on holidays over $ 999. Apply online or in store now!

1300 559 864

escapetravel.com.au

Vietnam Discover the best of Vietnam on this 10-day escorted tour. Including 7 nights hotel accommodation, 1 night sleeper train and 1 night on board a junk boat. • Includes some meals • All transport between destinations • Halong Bay boat cruise with seafood lunch and dinner

999* 999*

$ $ adult from child from

Egyptian Explorer

Disneyland Resort, California

Enjoy an 8-day tour, staying 6 nights in hotels & 1 overnight train with the services of a qualified Egyptian tour guide. Visit Cairo, Giza, Aswan and Luxor.

Kids under 17 years stay FREE^ 4 nights at the Disneyland Hotel in a Standard View Room, airport transfers and a 3-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Pass.

• Includes breakfast daily • Airport transfers • BONUS camel ride by the pyramids in Giza • Boating on the Nile and visit to a Nubian Island in Aswan

• Includes high speed Internet • Self parking • Entry into the Disney theme parks up to one hour earlier than non-hotel guests child from

1249* 1579*

$ $ adult from child from

395* 1699* $

$ adult from

Wild West, Cowboys & Buffalos 9 days This Wild West family adventure takes in the frontier town of Jackson, the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. Including some meals, tours and transport throughout. • Includes the services of a professional travel director plus local specialists • Departing from Salt Lake City

2150* 2440*

$ $ adult from child from

Tanzania Family Safari On this 10-day escorted safari journey you will experience the best of Tanzania. Including 8 nights in a permanent tented camp, 1 night in a hotel, many meals, transport throughout.

Western Caribbean Family Cruise 5 nights cruising on board Brilliance of the Seas with all main meals and entertainment on board. Visit Tampa, George Town and Cozumel. • Includes port charges and government fees • Shipboard gratuities

• Includes services of an Intrepid tour leader • Activities include 4x4 Game Drives, boat safari, local school visit and more.

3120* 3555*

$ $ adult from child from

329* 529*

$ $ adult from child from

^Approved applicants only on a Lombard 55 Visa Card. Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply including a $99 Annual Fee charged on the account open date and annually on the anniversary of the account open date. Minimum monthly repayments are required of 3% of the closing balance, or $30.00, whichever is the greater. Paying only the minimum repayment will not finalise your loan within the interest free period. Interest, currently at 25.9% p.a., is payable on any balance outstanding after the interest free period. Ask in store for details. Credit provided by Lombard Finance Pty Limited ABN 31 099 651 877 Australian Credit Licence 247415. *Travel restrictions & conditions apply. Prices & taxes are correct as at 6 Dec 14 & subject to change without notice. Updates & corrections to advertised products including pricing at www.escapetravel.com.au/ads. All prices quoted are on sale until 31 Jan 15 unless otherwise stated/sold out prior. Prices are pp & subject to availability. Accommodation based on twin share unless otherwise stated, single supplement applies for tours. Additional fees may apply. Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge. Prices shown are for cash payments. Advertised price includes savings. self-rated. West Caribbean Family Cruise: Price based on a family share bases of two adults and two children (up to 11 years) sharing a cabin. Valid for travel departure 14 Dec 15. Flight Centre Travel Group Limited (ABN 25 003 377 188) trading as Escape Travel. ATAS Accreditation No. A10412. ETMARK63299

Out & About with Kids Print & Digital outandaboutwithkids.com.au Publisher Elisa Elwin elisa@oawk.com.au 0413 770 550 Editor Christine Kane christine@oawk.com.au Assistant Editor Lisa Monk lisamonk@oawk.com.au Associate Publisher Richard Bunting rbunting@oawk.com.au 0424 138 806 Contributors Richard Bunting Elisa Elwin Frances Escamilla Jenny Gifford Rob McFarland Deborah McMurtrie Duncan Robertson Yumi Stynes ‘Davo’ Williams

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2015 - and to our 50 Great Holiday Ideas which will whet your appetite for more travel, adventure and family fun in the coming year.

Print Design Magnesium Media Print Art Director Louise Summerton Published by Elwin Media Pty Ltd ABN: 22 159 093 606

PO Box 4148, Balgowlah Heights NSW 2093 0413 770 550

Our Best of Family Travel 2015 nominations are now open - and you could WIN a dream family holiday thanks to Escape Travel and Daydream Island Resort & Spa. (see p 14 for details!) Out & About with Kids is also delighted to bring you our ultimate ‘insider’ Guide to the upcoming “Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration”, so you can start imagining - and planning - your dream Disneyland Resort family holiday! ... and in our first FAMILY TRAVELLER for the new year, we travel from Okinawa to Washington and from the Top End to Victoria’s scenic Great Ocean Road. Enjoy! Elisa Elwin

Cover image: Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii © Disney Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the editorials are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Publisher and Out & About with Kids. Information provided was believed to be correct at the time of publication. Copyright © Out & About with Kids 2015 Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly 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 to be sent to the magazine they will be returned.

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lots to love Parents and children alike will love discovering Lake Macquarie, the largest permanent salt water lake in the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy an aquatic playground with 110 square kilometres of water, pristine beaches, 30 public boat ramps and majestic mountain ranges. Lake Macquarie offers accommodation from absolute indulgence to budget friendly.

Go to visitlakemac.com.au or free call 1800 802 044 for more information, special offers and a copy of your FREE visitor guides.

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For the best family travel deals, latest news, tips, blogs and competitions visit Out & About with Kids website or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Visit outandaboutwithkids.com.au and sign up for our monthly newsletter

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Let’s get social

Do you choose a resort because of the kids club? If so why? If not why not?

“

I choose a resort based on the quality of the rooms, service provided and distance from attractions. With two kids 6 and 8, it might actually surprise people to hear that I’ve never considered a kids club nor plan to and we travel a lot. I like the idea of adventures together.

“

Just booked Fiji Resort holiday - only considered hotels with kids club.

Agnes Nielsen-Connolly

”

“

I choose a resort if it has a kids club, as it gives kids more to do ... than tag around with us and get bored. We don’t put them in every day but it’s there if the kids want to go

I don’t factor kids club in my accommodation choice at all. I figure that my kids spend enough time away from me at school or day care so when I’m on holidays with them we do everything together. I do however look for child friendly hotels that offer great kids facilities like amazing pools, playgrounds, jumping pillows etc.

Anita Delamotte

Amanda Tighe

”

Leah Smileski

“

”

> Newsagents nationally

> Selected Accor Hotels

> Airport Newslink Newsagents nationally

> Hotels including Fairmont Resort, Blue Mountains NSW and Rendezvous Reef Resort, Port Douglas QLD

> Escape Travel retail stores nationally > NSW & VIC Baby & Toddler Show > Trop Jr. as part of Tropfest > In-room at Sea World Gold Coast > In-room at Zagame’s Paradise Resort Gold Coast > Selected BIG4 Holiday Parks

www.facebook.com/ OAWkids www.instagram.com/ outandaboutwithkids www.twitter.com/ OAWK2

Where can you find us?

> QANTAS Lounges nationally

> Attractions including Questacon, Sydney SEA LIFE Aquarium and Sea World Gold Coast > Air New Zealand Kora Lounge Sydney > Waiting rooms, medical centres, doctors’ surgeries and hair salons nationally > Newsagents and bookstores in Singapore

Visit our website and subscribe to our newsletters for all the latest family holiday, leisure and entertainment news delivered to your inbox - and for the chance to win fantastic family prize!

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contents

YUMI STYNES Yumi leaves a post-birth babymoon in the NSW Hunter Valley with a brand new fantasy …

DID YOU KNOW… TOP TECH? Top 5 Tips from Google to help your kids stay safe online and why Disney Infinity is a winner in student learning program!

One & Only Hayman Island

WITH

OUT&ABOUT

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2015 BEST OF

FAMILY TRAVEL AWARDS

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14 WIN!

It’s that time of year again when we invite you to tell us your ‘BEST of family travel’ in our READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS – and enter our SANDCASTLES competition - and you could WIN a fantastic family holiday thanks to ESCAPE TRAVEL and DAYDREAM ISLAND RESORT & SPA – valued at over $6,000!

Cotton Tree Holiday Park © Caravan Industry Association of Australia

Special: 50 Great Holiday Ideas 2015

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SPECIAL FEATURE: 50 GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS 2015 Cool capital cities, awesome attractions and the ‘hot’ destinations for family holidays and adventures in 2015.

DISNEYLAND RESORT DIAMOND CELEBRATION Our 12-page Insider Guide to Disneyland Resort, California and the spectacular Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration, takes you inside this magical, dream destination … with HOT TIPS, extra special events, maps, accommodation and special website links to fun Disneyland virtual tours. Out & About with Kids is delighted to bring you this very special Guide to “The Happiest Place on Earth” to help you start planning your once-in-a-lifetime family holiday!

Kakadu

Bali

99 Everything Disney on a Hawaiian holiday! It’s the best of both worlds for families at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in beautiful Honolulu. Duncan Robertson, chef and host of ‘Duncan’s Thai Kitchen’ tells us about his love for Thailand and her people, and shares a yummy Thai recipe the kids will love preparing with you – and eating! Is Washington DC a family-friendly city? Sure is, says Rob McFarland, who maps out the best of the US capital for kids. Follow families on their Australian travels as they discover the delights of Queensland’s Fraser Coast and the Whitsundays, Kakadu and Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road. Contrast different and amazing island experiences on family holidays in Bali and Okinawa in Japan.

Aulani

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YUMI STYNES I left a post-birth babymoon, in the NSW Hunter Valley, with a brand new fantasy… do you want to hear it?

Okay, the fantasy is:

You go to the Hunter Valley with a bunch of friends and family. The little kids go to Kids’ Club at your hotel, the bigger kids go to the Teen Club where they can read books and play video games, and all the adults spend the morning ‘foraging’. ‘Foraging’ is the fun part. You basically comb the valley seeking treasures and oddities at the local wineries, cheese factories, olive specialty stores and chocolate shops. Some split off and go to lovely little obscure breweries no one’s ever heard of, others go on a group tour to large-scale wineries they’ve known for years - but for the first time, they get to walk around the vines! They get to see the very grapes that get pummelled and squeezed into their favourite shiraz! Everyone has to bring home one bottle to share and one cheese. At the end of the day, you all get together and open up the treasures in a feast of tasting! Wine and cheese abound! If you have friends with terrific wine knowledge, they get to share it. Those who don’t know anything about wine will learn heaps. A brilliant fantasy! My husband and I didn’t try out my Hunter Valley fantasy when we visited - partly because I

hadn’t invented it yet, and partly because we’d only brought along our new baby daughter. No friends with passions for cheeses.

Sad face.

I felt a pang - I kind of missed my Mum! She would’ve LOVED the Hunter Valley so hard. For an Oriental lady, she can sure put away the highdensity dairy. And loses it for a chardy! But, in the absence of friends and family, we treated the trip as a kind of a post-birth babymoon.

Happy face.

When you’re a new mum, there is nothing better than a big, clean hotel room. So spacious. So sane. So much ... air! The lack of clutter is breathtaking. You roll across your giant bed with the crisp white bedding and at no point do you groan to yourself, “I’ll have to wash these sheets later.” There are no stepping-on-Lego injuries. And best of all, you don’t even have to cook. Breakfast was included at our digs at the Crowne Plaza. There were a couple of things I loved about it: the breakfast bar had a DIY juice station. So - all the fun of juicing WITHOUT HAVING TO CLEAN UP. Also impressive: soy milk was available and plentiful, and as part of the service there was an in-house barista making really good coffee. One night we ate at the in-house restaurant, Red Salt. I had lamb, the hubby had a rib eye and we ate ‘til we hurt. The waitresses, who

(Just as an aside – my husband is a coffee nut. He googled where the best coffee in the Hunter Valley can be found and a few results named the same little cafe in Kurri Kurri. I said, “Do we really have to drive 20 minutes to get ‘the best’ cup of coffee in the Hunter Valley? Can’t we just have a coffee here?” But his enthusiasm was infectious, so off we went. Turns out that ‘the best coffee in the Hunter Valley’ was from a little cafe facing a CARPARK and the BACK OF A SUPERMARKET in the industrial part of town. We got to drink our (actually rather good) coffee, while watching locals arrive IN THEIR PYJAMAS, UGG BOOTS and TRACKIE DAKS.)

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Traveller’s Notes Hunter Valley is approximately 2.5 hr drive from Sydney. Yumi and her family stayed as guests of the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley. crowneplazahuntervalley. com.au

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were local and extremely cute with our baby, knew all about the area and were happy to make recommendations. I must be spending too much time in the city: I am not used to waiters being lovely. In the end, I nearly embarrassed everyone by trying to hug them on the way out. One of the recommendations that a few locals made was to lunch at Bistro Molines. Set on the rolling hills of Tallavera Grove, this is a SMH onehatted restaurant, radiant with natural beauty. It was like eating on a movie set. Everything was ridiculously beautiful. Including the food. Right next-door is another cellar door, just in case there’s any room left in your car for another bottle of wine. There is MUCH to be unearthed and treasured in the Hunter Valley. One of my first discoveries was at the Cockfighter’s Ghost cellar door. Tastings were run by an extremely talented woman called Donna, who for decades was a writer for the Newcastle Herald. She fell into wine by (delicious) accident and was able to talk me through the tastings in a way that taught me more about wine in ten minutes, than I have learned in the last five years. I also walked away with a six-bottle case of delicious rosè for $90. (Yes, you can pick up bargains at the cellar door.) I was worried when we arrived that the people running the tastings would spot me as an impostor and refuse to let me taste their wines. I mean,

think about it: For FREE they give you a fresh wine glass, pour you a nip of their lovely wine, explain where it came from, how it was grown and how best to drink it. They patiently wait while you empty your glass, freshen your palate with a few sips of water, and then do it all again with a different drop. All this while you’re standing in a tasting room overlooking spectacular scenery. It’s a thrilling way to experience wine. At the end of it, if you don’t wish to purchase anything - no harm done. They do not mind at all. If, on the other hand, you wish to buy a whole case or in fact several cases, they are completely across how to have them couriered to your place for very minimal cost. THIS SYSTEM RULES. Before we left the Hunter, I wanted to pick out a few cheeses to take home. The Hunter Valley Cheese Factory is a must-see. I love cheese so much that my heart actually started racing. There’s a window for tourists where you can look in at crates of little cheeses ripening in a cool room. They were so cute! It’s like a maternity ward full of little baby cheeses! All so loaded with potential! A sign on the wall inside explains how you can get a wedding cake made out of, get this, WHEELS OF CHEESE. Instead of that nasty fruitcake! Genius ... almost worth getting married again! And if I did get married again, I know where I’d go for my honeymoon. The Hunter Valley. fantasy destination.

Absolute seclusion, fabulous diving, mouth watering food, ocean breezes and the friendliest people in Vanuatu all on your own private tropical island - that’s what Hideaway Island is all about.

Come see for yourself….

HIDEAWAY ISLAND RESORT & MARINE SANCTUARY Tel: 678 22963 Fax: 678 23867 www.hideaway.com.vu info@hideaway.com.vu

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AHU407/1-OAWK

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per room per night for 2 or a family of 4

Be free at Malolo! The new Malolo is about a bure near the beach, surrounded by the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friendliest people with a living and authentic culture. Perfect for families and couples alike, you can fill your day with a myriad of activities or simply unwind and do nothing at all. Between November and March, stay 5 nights and receive the 6th and 7th nights free*! Or year round choose from F$200 resort credits, Kids eat FREE with 5 night stays.

The Warm Heart Of Fiji.

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For reservations and information visit www.maloloisland.com

*Conditions apply. Approx rates only â&#x20AC;&#x201C; check daily FOREX rates.

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D I D Y O U K NO W...?

Top tech Google – keeping kids safe online Our 21st Century children are so switched on to technology it can be hard for parents to keep up with them and, while we marvel at their formidable and fearless skills, it’s important to remember that not everything in cyberspace is appropriate for children, nor is it always free! Lucinda Barlow, Marketing Manager for Google Australia and New Zealand says even her own tech-savvy kids are increasingly becoming the family’s at-home personal tech support, however, while she acknowledges that the web can be an incredible resource for kids, she reminds all

parents to ensure that children use it in a smart and safe way. Here are Lucinda’s TOP 5 TIPS for keeping kids safe online. • Safe Search in Google Search. Hide explicit images, search results, and videos by turning on SafeSearch, a filter that keeps many adult results from popping up in Google Search results. • Filter out YouTube videos with mature content so they will not show up in your kids’ video search, related videos, playlists, shows or films. Just scroll down to the bottom of

I said “Clive, we need a break”

So I found Mowbray Park Farm near Picton, Loaded the pups we’re there in no time. Day Visits, Birthday Parties, Weekends away All day activities, horse rides, ponies…. Just 1 hour from Sydney If you are under 3 you visit for free

Mowbray Park Farm Holidays

745 Barkers Lodge Road, Picton NSW • www.farmstayholidays.com.au Email: mowbray@farmstayholidays.com.au • 02 46809243

any YouTube page and click on the button that says “Safety”. • On every single video on YouTube, there is a flag that you can use to report a video if you don’t think it is appropriate and violates YouTube’s Community guidelines. • Google+ safety settings and notifications for teens. Google+ is built to share selectively and when a teen joins Google+ they have different default settings to help keep them safe and remind them to be responsible.

• Check out Google’s Good to Know site – with more advice for keeping kids safe and secure online. Visit Google’s Family Safety Centre at google.com. au/safetycenter/ and check out Kids Place at Google Play - an app launcher with parental controls that protects your personal data, prevents children from downloading new apps, making phone calls, texting or performing other actions that can cost you money.

Disney Infinity game platform a winner in student learning program! Some lucky Victorian middle school students have taken part in the pilot of a game-based learning program developed by play and learning design company Project Synthesis. Infinity Learning uses game consoles such as PlayStation and Xbox, along with the Disney Infinity game platform, to build students’ skills and knowledge in key areas such as literacy and numeracy, but also across 21st century skills like collaboration, creativity and logic. Father of four, Daniel Donahoo, and Director of Project Synthesis, reports that the Disney Infinity platform has been a rich and engaging tool for this type of program with students – for building their own 3D first-person adventure game and for providing a familiar Disney environment

with pop culture characters that engage otherwise disengaged students. “Disney Infinity offers a playful “point and click” approach to logic programming, This allows student to experiment and fail fast, to learn quickly and in a short time build detailed and intricate game environments,” he said. “The environment they tell stories in is the ‘Toy Box’ … a digital play space, like combining LEGO with electronics kits that allows students to build and program… and in the latest version of Disney Infinity 2.0 they have given it even more functionality.” > infinitylearning.net > infinity.disney.com/en-au/ SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

DaydreamSIsland U M MResort E R &2Spa 015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

WIN

a family holiday including airfares

t’s that time of year again – our READERS CHOICE AWARDS nominations are open and we’d like you to have your say on the BEST family travel experiences for the chance to WIN A DREAM FAMILY HOLIDAY for two adults and two children, including airfares, to sensational DAYDREAM ISLAND RESORT & SPA in Queensland’s glorious Whitsundays Islands group! TO ENTER, we’re inviting you to upload your kids’ SANDCASTLE photos, nominate your BEST family travel experiences and tell us in 25 words or less why your family would love to win this dream family holiday valued at over $6,000! It’s that simple! Visit outandaboutwithkids.com.au and facebook.com/OAWkids for details!

Thanks to ESCAPE TRAVEL & DAYDREAM ISLAND RESORT & SPA, this fantastic prize includes: • 5 nights Accommodation at Daydream Island Resort in an Ocean Balcony Room • Scrumptious full buffet breakfast daily • FREE shell necklace and mocktail on arrival • FREE Wi-Fi in the Atrium 24 hours a day • FREE holiday portrait during your stay • Over 20 FREE activities including kayaks, catamarans, stand-up paddle boards, stingray & shark feeding show, open-air cinema and more!

plus

• Return Transfers from Hamilton Island • Full Day Great Barrier Reef Adventure • 1/2 Day Whitehaven Cruise all courtesy of Cruise Whitsundays

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OUT&ABOUT

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2015 BEST OF

FAMILY TRAVEL AWARDS

*Please note TERMS & CONDITONS apply

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50 2015 GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER – 50 Great Holiday Ideas 2015 begins in Australia, before travelling to international locales … and our finely-tuned collective radar has detected key family holiday trends for the coming year! From city stays to emerging destinations; from some of the world’s biggest theme parks to amazing attractions right here on our doorstep and, in a nod to the boom in caravan/camper/ cabin outdoor holidays, we’ve included some of the best of Australia’s fantastic holiday parks in our 50! New hotels and resorts have opened their doors, special 2015 milestone celebrations are in store for some of our 50, and the new year welcomes refurbishment, expansion and exciting innovations for many family favourites.

hat makes a fantastic and memorable holiday for your family? Is it the right choice of destination and accommodation? Close to home or across the globe? Is it the familiarity of returning to a favourite holiday spot or the excitement of discovering somewhere new? Perhaps it’s the choice of a diverse range of activities, entertainment, attractions, beaches, fishing spots, mountains, national parks, restaurants and shops that keeps every family member happy? Is it a barefoot island escape? Maybe it’s Kids Clubs, swimming pools with waterslides and games rooms or museums, aquariums, zoos and a giant flat screen/games console-compatible tv and free in-room wi-fi? Each year Out & About with Kids compiles our list of 50 Great Holiday Ideas and, as we welcome a new year, we’ve spread the net far and wide to bring you our hot tips and some perennial favourites for 2015 family holidays and outings.

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CAN YOU AFFORD A VIEW LIKE THIS EVERY HOLIDAY? ! N A C U O Y S E Y At Redseason we make luxury holiday affordable for everyone. When you think of timeshare you probably think of high costs, high pressure sales, limited flexibility and old resorts.

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Greg Snell South Australia’s Wildlife Caretaker ©Tourism Australia

Josie Withers ©SATC

Moseley Square Glenelg

Adelaide Central Market

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

1. Adelaide, SA Adelaide is a perfect destination for families. With rolling hills to the east and beaches to the west - and some of Australia’s best vineyards an easy drive away - the South Australian capital boasts lush parklands, wonderful galleries and museums. Oh, and the only giant pandas in Australia and lots of fantastic places to eat and shop! When Colonel Light founded the ‘City of Churches’ in 1836, he planned Adelaide with a one square mile city centre and lots of open space. He laid out the wide streets in a grid, surrounded by a ring of parklands and created an urban landscape that remains easy and pleasurable to walk around. Adelaide may be a city, but unlike the constant hubbub of central Sydney and Melbourne, the pace is unhurried, laid-back and ideal for families to enjoy everything on offer. Take a stroll through the city oasis of River Torrens Linear Park on a trail that runs right through the city, passing the Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide Convention Centre and Adelaide Zoo. It’s also a city of beaches – most are less than 30 minutes from the city – and a great family day out has to include a tram ride to historic Glenelg, Adelaide’s major tourist beach. At The Beachhouse you’ll discover a world of dodgems, waterslides, bumper boats, a ferris wheel, carousel and more attraction delights, plus a café with gourmet treats and old favourites including fairy floss, donuts and gelati. > southaustralia.com Put a visit to the fabulous Adelaide Zoo high on your holiday must-see list! Meet giant pandas Wang-Wang and Funi, and get close to over 120 animals in the Children’s Zoo, including kangaroos and wallabies, ferrets and rabbits, guinea pigs and goats, deer, sheep and quokkas. > zoossa.com.au Kids will also love a trip to the Adelaide Central Market, the food centre found between Gouger and Grote Streets. Among other great activities for children, on Friday nights kids are treated to balloon animals and there is face painting on Saturday mornings. Enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere of the market while you take in the sights, smells, colours and yummy tastes. > adelaidecentralmarket.com.au Head just an hour out of the city to the spectacular wine country of McLaren Vale. It’s well worth a visit and Wine Diva Tours will tailor a tour to suit you and organise a private vehicle and driver to get you there. Experience private tastings direct from the barrel, meet the winemaker and winegrower and enjoy a delicious lunch in the vineyards. > winedivatours.com.au Try Accor’s ibis Adelaide, a $70 million new hotel that’s centrally located in Grenfell Street, making it the perfect base from which to explore Adelaide and its surrounds with your family. The largest ibis hotel in Australia, the ibis Adelaide has funky and contemporary finishes and facilities, including cool artwork by graffiti artist Ghostpatrol. The Samsung technology across all 311 guest rooms lets you beam your photos, videos and games onto the big screen using compatible Samsung smartphones! > accorhotels.com.au/hotel/ibis-adelaide SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

3. Oceans Mooloolaba, QLD

How much does your family deserve its own LUXURY beach pad? Oceans Mooloolaba Resort has 46 self-contained oceanfront apartments where you can relax in gorgeous 5-star surrounds - and every room includes a Nespresso coffee machine! Step out onto the magnificent pool deck where the sunlounges are inviting and the children’s wading pool is surrounded by soothing water sculptures. Feeling adventurous? Everything in the seaside village of Mooloolaba is within walking distance of your accommodation or you can explore the nearby Sunshine Coast attractions including Australia Zoo and the Eumundi Markets (every Wednesday and Saturday), or head to the cinema, shops and food outlets of Sunshine Plaza, an easy 10 minute drive away. > oceansmooloolaba.com.au

Dolphin feeding at dusk

Right on Brisbane’s doorstep, Tangalooma Island Resort is the perfect holiday destination for families seeking a unique adventure, educational or nature-based experience, and in a mere 75-minute catamaran cruise from the Queensland capital, you’ll feel like you’re a world away! Protected and treasured, this is nature’s theme park where amazing natural encounters are just part of the everyday experience – the star attraction is the unique opportunity to handfeed a pod of wild bottlenose dolphins! With heaps of tours and activities on offer, Tangalooma is the Jewel of Moreton Bay and Island’s region and offers plenty of diverse tours and activities for all ages including ATV Quad Bike Tours, Marine Discovery Cruise and sand tobogganing on the Desert Safari! Accommodation options, all only 50 metres from the beachfront, include air-conditioned Hotel rooms, Resort units and suites, villas, Deep Blue luxury apartments and holiday homes. > tangalooma.com

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2. Tangalooma Island Resort, QLD

COME AN

D MEET THE CREW!

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includes: • 5 nights in a luxurious Garden Balcony room • Children stay & eat breakfast FREE of charge* • FREE shell necklace and mocktail on arrival • Over 20 FREE guest activities

For bookings free call reservations 1800

• Scrumptious full buffet breakfast daily • FREE WI-FI in atrium 24 hours a day • FREE holiday portrait during your stay

075 040

contact your local travel agent or visit www.daydreamisland.com/5for4

*Conditions apply, subject to availability. On sale until 31/03/15. For travel until 31/03/15. Block out period 13/12/14 - 26/01/15. Children aged 0 - 14 years inclusive stay and eat breakfast free of charge when sharing a room with parents/adults and utilising existing bedding. Extra charge applies for adult’s and children’s transfers . Cots can be provided free of charge. Bonus offer only applicable for bookings confirmed on the Stay 5 pay 4 package. Extra nights available upon request. All prices are quoted in Australian dollars.

Central Coast Holiday Parks offer a unique holiday experience for the whole family. Located at Budgewoi, Canton Beach, Norah Head & Toowoon Bay, the Parks' prime locations offer the best of the lakeside and beachside haven that is the beautiful Central Coast. Keeping the kids entertained won't be a problem with facilities that include:   

Scan here!

  

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

Resort style pools at Norah Head & Toowoon Bay Jumping pillows at all four parks Outdoor amphitheatres at Norah Head & Toowoon Bay where families can watch a blockbuster under the stars FREE wireless internet Foxtel in all cabins FREE school holiday activities

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GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

Daydream Island Resort & Spa

4. Escape Travel Holiday specialists make it their business to know everything there is to know about creating valuepacked, bonus-included, dollar-saving fantastic family holidays to the destination of your choice. While the web has made it easier to DIY, it’s the years of insider knowledge, 24/7 expert advice wherever you are in the world and access to exclusive deals and offers, that can’t be found with the click of a mouse! And family holidays are one of Escape Travel’s specialities. From school holidays and relaxing beach escapes to taking the kids on their first overseas adventure, Escape’s holiday experts can create a holiday package that’s just right for your family and delivers great value and smooth travels! Escape has beach holidays, cruise, school holidays, Europe and North America covered with these top family destinations - Bali, Fiji, Phuket, Hawaii, Gold Coast, Vanuatu, London, Paris, Rome,

Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York, Vancouver, New Zealand, Disneyland, Hamilton Island, Tropical North Queensland and the South Pacific. And with fantastic deals to many family friendly destinations, Escape can open the door to exclusive school holiday offers as well as bonuses you won’t find anywhere else. And you can take advantage of Escape’s ‘book now and pay later’ policy which affords families the luxury of managing the holiday budget, with six months interest free terms! PS: If you like surprises, a special Mystery Escape could take you on holiday anywhere in Australia! All you need to do is nominate the length of your stay and leave Escape to organise the rest- including flights and fantastic 4-star accommodation. (Don’t worry about what to pack, your mystery destination will be revealed a few days before your departure!) > escapetravel.com.au SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

U R SCHO OL HOL I DA O O T Y N E A DV EN T I R A M UR E SU B !

CAPTAIN

NEMO’S NAUTILUS LIVE THEATRE

Kids Exhibitions | Family Theatre | Film Screenings | Dress Ups | Kids Craft DARLING HARBOUR SYDNEY • anmm.gov.au/summer • #anmm EXHIBITION PRODUCERS

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au Going Places

Voyage to the Deep

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Beach retreat verandah

5. Easts Beach Holiday Park, NSW The NSW South Coast is a sparkling jewel that lures holidaying families south from Sydney and north from Canberra. In fact, families come from all over Australia to experience the magic of a holiday here and BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park is one of the region’s most popular destinations, sitting pretty as it does in a 14 ha park with a mountain backdrop and on absolute beachfront. If that’s not enough to get you in, BIG4 Easts Beach also boasts the renowned seaside town of Kiama (and its famous blowhole!) just a few kilometres away. Pitch your tent or drive in with your camper or motorhome and take your pick from powered and unpowered sites and Ensuite sites or choose from one of

the many and varied cabin accommodations that include Beach Retreats, Seashell Retreats, Seabreeze Villas, Ocean View Villas or Loft, Sunset Villas, Holiday Villas, Norfolk Cabins and Ensuite Cabins. If that’s not enough choice, there’s also The Bunkhouse Complex for larger groups with five separate bunkhouses, each with their own verandah, and a communal kitchen, dining and bbq facilities for exclusive use of your whole gang - a great idea for family reunions, birthdays and special get-togethers! Add in a café and mini-mart, resort pool, kids playground, jumping pillows, relaxing massage studio, tennis court, family movies and, of course, sensational Easts Beach, and take it easy! > eastsbeach.com.au SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

6. Sunshine Coast, QLD

Ballroom Blitz at Aussie World

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

Bulcock Beach

Great weather, over 100kms of beautiful beaches, fantastic choice of accommodation, yummy eats, exciting attractions and an endless list of outdoor adventures on tap – no wonder the Sunshine Coast heaves with happy families 365 days of the year! You know the names …., Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Caloundra, Coolum, Noosa, Rainbow Beach, Sunshine Beach, Alexandra Headlands … just a few of the go-to places on Queensland’s ‘Sunny Coast’. From picnics, playgrounds, pubs and prawns to SEA LIFE, swimming, surfing and strawberrypicking; from markets, movies and morning dips in the ocean to Alexandra Headlands, Aussie World and awesome sunsets - wherever you stay on the Sunshine Coast and whatever you do while you’re there, this fabulous Queensland region delivers on its promise of a memorable family holiday, any time of the year. > visitsunshinecoast.com.au

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Visit Perception Deception at Questacon and discover that ‘reality’ isn’t what it seems!

Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre on light backgrounds standard

on dark backgrounds standard

King Edward Terrace, Canberra. Phone 02 6270 2800 Open 9 am – 5 pm every day. Closed 25 December. Admission fees apply. no gradients

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stacked logo (for sharing only)

www.questacon.edu.au SUMMER 2015 27 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

7. NRMA Holiday Parks, NSW & Gold Coast, QLD

Merimbula Beach Holiday Park

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

Murramurang Beachfront Holiday Park boasts absolute ocean frontage at Beagle Bay and is just 2 hours from Canberra. Accommodation ranges from your choice of camping, glamping, parking a caravan or camper or staying in a 5-star cabin. You’ll find onsite resort-style swimming pools, jumping pillows, playgrounds, TV and games rooms, funky restaurants and cafes, camp kitchens and BBQs, Wi-Fi, go karts and bikes, fishing gear, laundries and a program of kids activities on weekends and during school holidays. Destination and location + accommodation + facilities + activities + all budgets covered = fantastic family holiday in our books! PS. NRMA Holiday Parks offer special NRMA Member savings across accommodation, kids club and activities, as well as a range of other member benefits! > nrmaholidayparks.com.au

Most of us begin building our plans for a family holiday based on an agreed destination. Once that’s settled, the fun starts – deciding on what type of holiday we want, the kind of accommodation we need, what activity and facility inclusions are musthaves and how much we can afford to outlay. All five award-winning NRMA Holiday Parks have been planned similarly – starting with the stunning locations! Treasure Island Holiday Park sits in a prime position on Queensland’s fabulous Gold Coast; the ecofriendly Darlington Beach Holiday Park is situated at pristine Arrawarra Beach, just north of Coffs Harbour in northern NSW; Ocean Beach Holiday Park at Umina Beach on the NSW Central Coast is just 1.5 hours from Sydney; Merimbula Beach Holiday Park sparkles on the renowned Sapphire Coast, overlooking the ocean on the NSW south coast; and

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

8. BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, QLD With the friendly McKinnon family and their gorgeous staff as your hosts, a holiday at BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort in Queensland’s beautiful Airlie Beach promises a warm family experience in more ways than one! A balmy tropical climate and a super-family-friendly resort is a winning combination, and as you step into the resort’s 10 ha of beautifully landscaped tropical gardens you really do experience what it is to be embarking on a Whitsunday adventure! The multi award-winning resort offers 45 designerdecorated, self-contained cabins and 120 caravan and camping sites plus Airlie Beach’s largest resort lagoon-style swimming pool and water slides, full-size

floodlit tennis court and mini-golf course, an outdoor cinema and the only mainland Kid’s Club in Airlie Beach! The full-time Activities Co-Ordinator keeps kids of every age entertained and engaged in fun games and activities and making new friends. And these are just some of the well-deserved reasons BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort welcomes repeat family visitors year on year! With capacity for 700 guests and easy access to the Great Barrier Reef, Whitsunday Islands and a vast array of trips and water activities, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort offers the best location for a fun, value-packed, memorable Whitsunday family holiday. > adventurewhitsunday.com.au SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

Enjoy family time while they’re still kids From relaxed coastal villages to bustling cities, Wyndham offers 26 exciting, family-friendly destinations across the South Pacific. Combining style with comfort and size, you’ll find your home away from home with Wyndham. Our spacious, self-contained apartments are perfect for families looking to stretch out, relax and reconnect. Spend precious time together and discover a world of activities and attractions the whole family will love.

www.wyndh amAP.com/h otels/deals FROM

$ BOOK Port Douglas • Couran Cove • Gold Coast • Shoal Bay • Torquay

NOW

129

per room per night + Extras

* Conditions apply. Subject to availability. Minimum night stay and black out dates apply. Rate is subject to seasonal fluctuations and inclusions only apply during the school holiday periods: Dec/Jan: 18 December 2014 - 5 February and April School Holidays: 19 March -26 April 2015 inclusive. Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific Ptd Ltd ACN 090 083 613. Resort Management by Wyndham Pty Ltd ACN 099 634 830. WHG9388

WHG9388 - Out & About with Kids Spring.indd 1

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Operating daily, the new Wild Oceans EcoBoat tours take thrill seekers on a high speed tour to the local Australian fur seal colony and the base of Summerland Peninsula’s cliffs. With over 20 years of experience, our operator and ranger guides are experts at finding seals, whales, dolphins, penguins and other seabirds. Seating up to 47 people and operating year round, our world-class RIB (rigid-hulled inflatable boat) is also equipped with Wi-Fi. Fitted with four high-powered but quiet outboard engines, the Wild Oceans EcoBoat tours are the fastest tours available to Seal Rocks. FREE

Bookings and tour information +613 5951 2820 marketing@penguins.org.au

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

on boat

penguins.org.au

Chifley Dam

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

2015 is a great year to visit Bathurst as this historic NSW town celebrates its Bicentenary – Bathurst200! A year- long calendar of events is planned with Illumination Festivals in May, July and October – and that’s aside from everything Bathurst has to offer at any time! > bathurst200.com.au There’s plenty to see and do in Bathurst, which is also the home of Australia’s most famous racing circuit track at Mount Panorama. You can drive on the race track, stop at the top and enjoy the most amazing views and have a play or a picnic in the grounds at McPhillamy Park then head to the National Motor Racing Museum. And if you prefer speed and adventure of the two-wheel variety, Bathurst has an amazing mountain bike track, multiple cycling paths and routes for cycling enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. Go gold panning, take a step back in time at the Historical Society Museum in the majestic courthouse building or visit historic Abercrombie House. The Bathurst Visitor Information Centre has a multi-venue pass, CBathurst that saves over 25% on entry to five amazing tourist attractions (family pass $75.00). Sofala Gold and Bridle-Track are synonymous with the region’s gold rush times, but they are also the names of two of the most popular house-made ice creams at local ice cream institution, Annie’s. Enjoy a generous scoop (which is actually a double!) Bathurst’s dinosaur adventure playground Is free and

T-REX

9. Bathurst, NSW

it’s right in town, with flying foxes, super slides, climbing wall and, of course, dinosaurs!. You can even bbq or picnic here. For all your water-sports, Chifley Dam is a 15-minute drive from Bathurst and is the perfect place for power boating, skiing, sailing and fishing with your family. Boat ramp, toilet, picnic and playground facilities are all available onsite. > bathurstregion.com.au SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

BIG4 SUNSHINE

SOUTH WEST ROCKS is all about families connecting and good old fashioned fun and family values.

OPENING FOR SUMMER 2014/15 IS OUR NEW

CASTAWAY WATER PARK!

Beach, bush and heaps of cool things for kids to do all over the park. Renowned for its beaches, history and unique beauty South West Rocks will draw you into it’s laidback lifestyle and will continue to call you back.

OUR EXTENSIVE FAMILY FUN & ATTRACTIONS include: • All weather undercover Jumping Pillow and Playground • Under 6’s Indoor Jumping Castle • Solar Heated Resort Pool • Waterfall Spa Cave and Wading Pool • Games Room • Movie Theatre Room • Inhouse Movie Channels (cabins & ensuites) • Peddle cart Hire • Bike & Canoe Hire • Half Court Tennis free • Sharky’s Putt Putt free • Volleyball Court free • Tiny Town (2-4yr olds) • Camp kitchens/ BBQ areas • Disabled Friendly Family Bathroom • Internet Kiosk & WIFI • Kids Club (school holidays and events) • Crazy characters • Walk to Trial Bay Beach • Surrounded by National Park ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS: • Luxurious Eco Friendly Retreats • Overnight or Deluxe Cabins • Spa Cabin • 3 bedroom Family Cottages • Ensuite Powered Sites • Powered Van Sites (sullage and concrete slabs) • Powered Tent Sites • Bush Camping Sites

F IND OUT M ORE: BIG4SU N S H IN E.C OM.A U | (02) 6566 6142

28/08/14

11:05 AM

• Trampolines • Tennis • Playground • Cabins

• Free Games room with Xbox • Ensuite & Powered Caravan Sites • Close to shops & local attractions • Great Park for young families

• Tropical pool with slide • Softplay Centre • Kids Holiday Activities • Bike Track

Indoor heated pool with waterplay area BIG4 Soldiers Point Holiday Park 122 Soldiers Point Rd, Soldiers Point, NSW, 2317

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

P: 1800 827 300 E: holiday@big4soldierspoint.com.au W: big4soldierspont.com.au

elements Big4 A3 Brochure 2014.pdf

BIG4 Soldiers Point Holiday Park

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

10. BIG4 Holiday Parks, Australia-wide across the country – and if you prefer camping, caravanning or a comfy family cabin to 5-star, they can do that too! City, bush, lakeside, seaside, beachfront, ocean’s edge, national parks and country towns - with 180 parks to choose from, your Aussie holiday is easy to map out with the BIG4 Holiday Guide. A state-bystate, holiday park-by-holiday park comprehensive overview of each destination, park facilities and activities, (including region maps and easy-tofollow Legend Icons), the Guide also provides local information including what to see, where to go and what to do with your family in the surrounding region. You can download the Guide at big4.com.au/holiday-guide.aspx > big4.com.au

Port Elliot Holiday Park, SA

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

If the thought of a holiday at a holiday park makes you grimace, you’re living in the Dark Ages! All 180 BIG4 Holiday Parks are amazing, and it might be time to see and experience first-hand the modern day BIG4 interpretation of the iconic Aussie ‘caravan park’ family holiday of yesteryear! If you want a 5-star luxury experience, BIG4 will deliver it! Would you like to holiday in South Australia’s beautiful Renmark or Ceduna regions? How about Tassie’s stunning Freycinet Peninsula? Some snorkelling on WA’s spectacular Ningaloo Reef? Unwind in the Whitsundays or on the Fraser Coast in Queensland? See Alice Springs and the MacDonnell Ranges up close? Wander the vineyards of the NSW Hunter Valley? Explore Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula? Of course, there’s plenty for everyone at any BIG4

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

11. Sea World Resort Gold Coast It’s a marine park and an animal park and a theme park with rides, attractions and entertainment galore! It’s also a family-friendly resort with fantastic accommodation and a monorail at your door to whisk you straight into the park! Grab your park map and plan your day. The Sea World monorail and the Skyway make it easy to see all that the park below has to offer as you take in the action and excitement from your bird’s eye view. After that, you’re off on a family adventure you’ll never forget through Polar Bear Shores and Seal Harbour to Dolphin Cove, Shark Bay and Penguin Point; stop at Castaway Bay and be prepared for hours of ‘soaking’ fun on the Battle Boats and fire away at landlubbers when you take control of one of more than 80 onboard water canons; tackle five exciting levels of the Sky Fortress where you can climb,

Dolphin Discovery

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

crawl and clamber your way through rope bridges, tunnels and slides; meet and greet your favourite Nickelodeon characters and watch the SpongeBob 3D movie and face your fears on one of the thrilling rides! There’s plenty of great food outlets (or byo picnic), shady spots to stop and recharge, fantastic shows and parades to watch, an incredible water park’s worth of fun (open during the warmer months) to be had and much much more! Sea World Gold Coast has built its deserved reputation with families on the mantra that everyone - from tiny tots to teens, and even grandparents - has an absolute ball on a day out at the park- and that gets a big tick from us for delivering a total ‘family’ holiday experience. > seaworld.com.au

12. Phillip Island Nature Parks, VIC

Penguin Parade

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

Phillip Island Nature Parks’ team and partners are not only dedicated to the conservation of, and research into, the unique wildlife habitats of Phillip Island, but also provide hands-on educational programs for all ages and invite families to take part in eco-tourism experiences through fun activities. It’s just a 90-minute drive from Melbourne before you find yourself in another world – wandering the two treetop boardwalks of the Koala Conservation Centre for superb upclose koala viewing, looking out for wallabies, echidnas and colourful native birds on easily accessible bushland trails, and finding out what community groups are doing to help local wildlife. Get among the action at Churchill Island Heritage Farm, with cow milking and sheep shearing, watch working farm dogs in action, learn to whip crack and meet Clydesdale horses. Dive into the free Nobbies Centre and immerse yourself in the fantastic marine life displays – you can even use the interactive ‘seal spy’ cameras to zoom in on one of Australia’s largest fur seal colonies! Get ready for the famous Phillip Island penguin parade at sunset with some prep work at the Penguin Parade visitor centre, where you’ll learn all about the cute little guys you’re about to meet, who make up one of the largest penguin colonies in Australia. And who knows? Your Phillip Island Nature Parks experience may well inspire one of tomorrow’s environmental leaders! > penguins.org.au

relax the mind and spoil the senses in our luxury oceanfront penthouses and apartments mooloolaba’s only 5 star beachfront resort

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

13. Darwin, NT

Lagoon

Crocodile feeding

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

Australian families are discovering the delights of Darwin in growing numbers, and airlines are adding more direct flights from other cities to the Northern Territory capital just to cope with demand! While it might be our smallest capital city, Darwin lives large in the Top End and is not only a drawcard for tourists but also a drawcard for families from far and wide across the territory. Base yourselves at the Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront with great rooms, views across the lagoon and a bright and funky energy that suits families to a ‘tee’. Cool off in the swimming pool and step out into the colour of the Darwin Waterfront Precinct. > tfehotels.com/brands/vibe-hotels/vibe-hotel-darwinwaterfront A real hub of family, fun, ‘the Waterfront’ is full of restaurants, cafes, entertainment and friendly faces and the famous Wave Lagoon! The man-made lagoon is safe and ‘croc and stinger-free’, covers 4,000 square metres and generates a different range of waves at ten minute intervals. Toddlers can happily paddle in the still, shallow area while bigger kids and mums and dads can boogie board on waves up to 1.7 metres high! > waterfront.nt.gov.au/darwin-waterfront-precinct/ If you want to meet some of the Northern Territory’s famous crocs, there’s no better place to see these mighty creatures than at Crocosaurus Cove. A Darwin family must-do, you can hold baby crocs, watch adolescent crocs leap out of the pool to feed from high-dangling chicken-baited ropes, handle different snakes and, for an extra cost over the entry price, try your luck in the ‘cage of death’ – as you’re lowered into a pool of fully-grown crocs! Of course the good people at Crocosaurus Cove are experienced handlers and the safety of their guests is paramount, so you can be pretty certain you won’t be lunch when you visit – but you will be educated and entertained! > crocosauruscove.com Entry is free at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory where you can learn about the Larrakia (Saltwater) people, the traditional custodians of Darwin, and take part in a simulation of the devastating Cyclone Tracy that hit Darwin on Christmas Eve in 1974. > magnt.nt.gov.au If fish are your thing, you’ll see hundreds of mullet, milkfish, bream and catfish, swimming to ‘Doctors Gully’ in the heart of the city, at high tide each day at Aquascene. The daily visitor handfeeding is super fun (and a little wet!) as schools of hungry fish urge you to ‘hurry up’ and attend to their tummies! > acquascene.com.au A day in Darwin really is like no other –laid back and lively and brimming with world-class natural and cultural attractions, at the very top of Australia, in a tropical zone, sitting on a harbour bigger than Sydney’s!

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

Indulge in a little island time at Eurong Beach Resort on your next family beach holiday. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 75 miles of golden beach front to enjoy and plenty of sand tracks in between to explore. Bask in the fresh water swimming spots; land the catch of the day and reconnect with the ones you love on your next Fraser Island family holiday.

1800 111 808 â&#x2DC;&#x17D; www.eurong.com

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au * Conditions apply. Subject to availability, minimum two night stay.

On Sale from 5 Jan 2015 until 28 Feb 2015, for travel from 6 Jan until 2 April 2015.

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Book online, enter OAWK into the Discount Code to receive 10% discount on rates and packages.

25 8

per night, tri ple sha re sha re in a two bedroom apa rtment with brekkie.

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

14. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD at Darling Harbour, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is one of the city’s truly world-class must-see attractions! You can even treat your family to a Behind-the-Scenes experience on a unique 45-minute tour where you’ll get to see the inner-workings of an aquarium and feed the fish (and sharks!). Take the family to meet Wuru and Pig - two of only 5 dugongs on display in the entire world! Dugongs are one of the most amazing creatures on the planet. These gentle sea creatures are closely related to elephants and they can live for more than 75 years. They’re vegetarians who, like humans, form strong family bonds. Pig is 15 and was given that name because of his eating habits! (Don’t worry, he doesn’t take it personally.) Wuru is younger, but like Pig, she was orphaned early and kept in captivity for fear she wouldn’t survive in the wild. And why not add four more of Sydney’s top family attractions to your SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium visit and save! Special offers and family combo passes include WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Madame Tussauds, Sydney Tower Eye and Manly Sea Life Sanctuary! > sydneyaquarium.com.au

Dugong Island

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

15. Cosmos Centre & Observatory, Charleville, QLD There’s sky-gazing, and then there is SKY GAZING – and the difference is as immense as the universe! Seriously! The stars and planets we can see with the naked eye in our suburban backyards represent only an iota of what can be seen in the night sky in outback areas of Australia. Using powerful Meade telescopes, Charleville’s Cosmos Centre & Observatory lets visitors in on a few universal secrets. Astronomy by Night rolls back the roof to reveal an indigo sky, in which you can see the Milky Way stretching from horizon to horizon on moonless nights; you’ll watch the soft colours that stars emit suddenly burst into red, orange, yellow, blue and white stars in front of your eyes; a little fuzzy star becomes a star cluster with hundreds or even thousands of stars suspended in space; globular clusters appear like diamonds in the sky, and when the moon is out you will marvel at the sheer depth and size of its craters.

During the daylight hours (when the stars are sleeping), visitors learn about falling and shooting stars, hold a meteorite (it’s not what you would expect!) and find out what a dwarf planet is, how many we have and why Pluto is now one, too! In the Cosmos Theatre step forward to the year 3035 and, as’ Senators of the Intergalactic Union’, listen to a report on the state of play on the formation of the Earth. Try some astronomical fun activities – trivial pursuit, travelling to the nearest star, sending asteroids to hit Earth and a lecture theatre of 160AD where Ptolemy is the lecturer. The Cosmos Centre & Observatory, and its expert guides, offers visitors a truly out-of-thisworld experience that impresses big kids, little kids and even those who previously believed they had no interest in astronomy! > cosmoscentre.com

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

16. Dolphin Marine Magic, NSW Would you like to be kissed by a dolphin and a seal? Dolphin Marine Magic on the NSW north coast, near Coffs Harbour, not only provides such fantastic experiences for all guests, but is also renowned for their very important rehabillitation program for marine mammals who have been injured or who canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be returned to the wild. Working closely with NSW National Parks & Wildlife Services, for the benefit of our native marine animals, Dolphin Marine Magic rescued, rehabilitated and released over 60 beautiful creatures last year alone! Children will fall in love with the bottlenose dolphins, seals, little penguins, green sea turtles and fresh water turtles and, at the same time, learn about the important work performed here and the incredible marine conservation initiatives that are integral to the Dolphin Marine Magic ethos. Marine Discovery presentations run each day and everyone can feed the seals at the start of the show, feed the fish in the reef tank and feed the little blue penguins. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t leave the park without collecting your dolphin and seal kisses! > dolphinmarinemagic.com.au

Naturally relaxing Stay right on the beach or river frontage at all of the Sunshine Coast Holiday Parks at any of the 6 great locations: Dicky Beach Family Holiday Park

BOOK ONLINE Mooloolaba Beach Holiday Park

+617 5491 3342

Mudjimba Beach Holiday Park +617 5448 7157

+617 5444 1201

Cotton Tree Holiday Park

+617 5459 9070

Coolum Beach Holiday Park

+617 5446 1474

Maroochydore Beach Holiday Park +617 5443 1167

BOOK ONLINE

sunshinecoastholidayparks.com.au

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

Naturally relaxing

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

17. Central Coast Holiday Parks, NSW

Sydneysiders flock to the NSW Central Coast at the drop of a hat, and often just for the weekend, because with only an hour or so drive north on the M1 Pacific Motorway, the city is quickly left behind – replaced with beautiful beaches and a wonderful family-friendly holiday atmosphere. Talk about the ultimate escape! Two nights spent at any one of the four Central Coast Holiday Parks feels like a week of rest and recreation – and, of course, you can quadruple that blissful feeling during school holidays! Budgewoi, Canton Beach, Norah Head and Toowoon Bay Holiday Parks are all within walking

distance of just one of the many waterways that form part of the Tuggerah Lakes system, and they provide ample opportunities for relaxing, heading to the beach, fishing, kayaking and exploring. With your choice of location, caravan, camping and cabin accommodation (including accessible cabins and pet-friendly sites) and plenty to see, do and play onsite – and beyond the fringes of your park – Central Coast Holiday Parks get the big tick from us for providing the opportunity x 4 for a fantastic and affordable family holiday escape so close to home! > cchp.com.au

Beautiful Central Coast Views

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

18. Zagame’s Paradise Resort Gold Coast, QLD

Kids Club

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

suitable for children from three years. The teen-skewed ‘Chill Zone’ gives older kids the chance to hang out, make friends and play table games like air hockey, foosball and snowboarding and take part in special theme nights and teen activities. Choose from a range of accommodation that includes resort rooms, bunkhouses, family rooms and suites, and interconnecting rooms. Larger families and additional extended family members are all welcome at Paradise Resort! As for the ‘big’ people – does a holiday here deliver on the promise of ‘Paradise for parents?’ Absolutely! There’s Bistro Zagame’s, the Poolside Café & Bar, onsite mini-mart, gym, in-room massage treatments, internet kiosk, laundry and BBQ areas; plus the fantastic Zone4Adults with heated spa, lounge chairs and a poolside tapas and cocktail menu. (Paradise Resort recommends booking the children into kids club and taking the opportunity to unwind ‘child-free’!) If you want to see local attractions or head to the Gold Coast theme parks, Paradise Resort has partnered with Experience Oz to provide you with a full menu of local activities, with a best price guarantee on tickets! A Gold Coast family holiday couldn’t be easier, really could it? > paradiseresort.com.au

The friendly folk at Zagame’s Paradise Resort Gold Coast quite rightly boast that their resort is ‘Heaven for kids … Paradise for parents!’ and it’s that winning combination that sees so many families book a Queensland holiday here, year after year! Not only is Paradise Resort in a prime location – only minutes from the centre of Surfers Paradise, close to beaches and theme parks! – but it’s also Australia’s only resort with a waterpark, ice rink and kids club all under one roof. Add a lagoon pool, Dusty’s Playground, Dusty’s Rock Climbing and Dusty’s Jungle Gym, Giant Chess Board and a Games Room - and you begin to understand why Paradise Resort is ‘heaven for kids…’ And Zone4Kids is no ordinary kids club, either – catering for babies to 12-year-olds, with a range of age-appropriate activities across nine different themed zones; including Space Room, Captain’s Underwater World, Astro’s Space Station and Leonardo’s Painting Room. During the school holidays the full daily program of supervised activities for kids is unbeatable. There’s almost too much fun to be had at Giant Z4K Waterpark, which is a whopping three-storeys high across multi levels with slides, water cannons and climbing frames for bigger kids (and there’s a mini version for little ones.) Cool off in a different way at Planet Chill Ice Rink,

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

19. Fitzroy Island Resort, Great Barrier Reef, QLD restaurant overlooking the Coral Sea, or to sit beachfront at Foxy’s Bar and Café! Join a Rainforest Walking Trail, tour the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, swim at the beach or in the resort pool, take in a movie at the in-house cinema or at the video and games room, and be sure to see the friendly folk at the Dive Shop for an introductory scuba lesson, to hire snorkelling and dive gear and – for certified divers – to get all the lowdown on diving the world-famous reef! > fitzroy-island.com

Fitzroy Island is a true Queensland gem – a tropical paradise tucked away in the calm sheltered waters of the Great Barrier Reef, yet only a 45-minute trip on the Fitzroy Fast Cat across the waters from Cairns. The 4.5 star boutique resort blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings – reef and rainforest – and is the perfect base for a Great Barrier Reef holiday. Luxury Resort Studios and a choice of one and two-bedroom suites accommodate any family configuration – but you will have to make the ‘difficult’ daily decisions whether to dine – barefoot and a la carte – at the resort

Bring the whole family

Book a family getaway today

Freecall 1800 802 528 www.eurobodalla.com.au

eurobodalla unspoilt south coast nsw

batemans bay | moruya | narooma | surrounding districts SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

Cotton Tree Holiday Park, QLD

Framed by the Glasshouse Mountains and the Blackall Ranges, and with some of the best beaches in the country, (between Noosa in the north and Caloundra in the south), Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is a magnet for holidaymakers - and not only in summer! From the airport at Maroochydore, and within easy driving distance of Brisbane, Sunshine Coast Holiday Parks are all within easy reach, with great locations providing direct access to sun, sand and surf. Swimming, surfing, boating, fishing, bushwalking or just kicking back on the beach, there’s a park that’s right for your Sunshine Coast family holiday – and whether you camp, caravan or choose the luxury of a villa for your stay, the parks are all geared up to enhance the relaxing holiday experience for everyone. Choose from Dicky Beach Family Holiday Park near Caloundra, and Mooloolaba Beach, Maroochydore Beach and Cotton Tree Holiday Parks just south of Maroochydore, to Mudjimba Beach Holiday Park and Coolum Beach Holiday Park further north. You can also take a drive and explore a range of Sunshine Coast attractions including Australia Zoo, Underwater World SEA LIFE Mooloolaba, Big Kart Track, Aussie World, The Ginger Factory and the famous Eumundi Markets. > sunshinecoastholidayparks.com.au

20. Sunshine Coast Holiday Parks, QLD

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GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

Surfers Paradise Wyndham Resorts

21. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Self-contained apartments are a great choice for family holidays, giving you a home-away-from home base from which to explore, cook meals and chill out at the end of the day and Wyndham Resort locations, all located near awesome local attractions, make it too easy to have the holiday you want, where you want! With 25 hotels and resorts in the South Pacific Region, and growing, the Wyndham brand includes Ramada Hotels and TRYP by Wyndham with destinations across Victoria, Queensland and NSW. Holiday north at Surfers Paradise or Port Douglas;

head south to Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spectacular Great Ocean Road for a beach holiday in picturesque Torquay or stay on the doorstep on Phillip Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world-famous Penguin Parade; or find yourself close to fishing, whale watching, and the undisputed dolphin capital of Australia at the Ramada Resort Shoal Bay. Wyndham offers a great choice of accommodation types to suit all families with something different and family-friendly on tap at each destination as well as great packages and discounts, kids stay free deals, complimentary inclusions and bonuses. > wyndhamap.com SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

22. Australian Institute Of Sport, ACT

The best athletes in Australia all train here: It’s the legendary Australian Institute of Sport. Visitors to Canberra can experience the world-class sporting precinct with an indepth tour that is led by an elite athlete who actually trains there, so if you want to, you can ask lots of questions! While you’re trying out equipment and testing your ball skills, you may see gymnasts working on the bars or maybe some of Australia’s top swimmers doing their laps. Our Aussie swim team certainly puts in the longs hours in the AIS Swim Centre and when they’re not training, visitors are allowed to use the pool - both heated, 50m and 25m. Ninety-minute public tours depart daily at 10.00am, 11.30am, 1.00pm and 2.30pm and the AIS also runs kids holiday programs for 5-13 year olds and intensive camps for kids interested in tennis, soccer or swimming. > ausport.gov.au/visit

SYDNEY

ATTRACTION

PASSES FROM JUST $12.60* PER ATTRACTION

VISIT ANY OF OUR WEBSITES TO BUY!

* Prices are from $12.60 per attraction when you buy a ‘Combo 5 Pass’ online for just $63 adult, and just $36 child. On collection you will receive a ticket to each of the 5 attractions, with tickets valid for 30 days. Child age 4-15 years. Available for a limited time only.

TICKETS VALID

FOR 30 DAYS

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

www.sydneyaquarium.com.au www.sydneytowereye.com.au www.wildlifesydney.com.au www.manlysealifesanctuary.com.au www.madametussauds.com/sydney

For information call 1800 199 657

www.sydn www.sydn www.madam www.wild www.manlyse

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

Every year Questacon welcomes over 400,000 visitors through its doors. The National Science and Technology Centre in Canberra opened in 1988 and this fantastic hands-on attraction has been wowing kids big and small ever since, with amazing interactive and engaging exhibits designed to make the worlds of science and technology fun and accessible to everyone! Understanding the way in which things work, scientific advances, futuristic concepts (and even how to make cornflour slime!) are all given the Questacon treatment in an entertaining, fun, relevant – and sometimes messy! – discovery quest. As kids explore colour, movement, sound and measurement, the ‘big’ questions become instantly graspable because Questacon helps children understand the why and how of our modern world across a series of kid-friendly themed galleries, with hundreds of exhibits and hands-on activities. Create your own cloud in a bottle, make a balloon hovercraft, test your reflexes, discover the secrets behind popular illusions and find out how many drops of water can sit on a 20c piece. Generate a mini tornado, spot a rainbow in glass beads, use a mirror to read a secret message, untangle metal hoops, build a pyramid and test your senses. In H2O, the world of water comes to life. Get hands on and boil water, launch a hydrogen rocket, pump water towards the ceiling and find out how much water is used to manufacture food and clothing. Head to Excite@Q and bend your mind and muscle ... feel the adrenalin pumping as you free fall down a six-metre slide, battle a robot in a game of air hockey, test your reflexes against your friends or try to keep your balance as you move through the Rototron. Awesome Earth lets you feel the force of an earthquake, watch lightning in action and marvel at the universe. Find out if your brain really does play tricks on you at Perception Deception; and explore patterns, beauty and symmetry in Wonderworks, using light beams to create music. Little ones under six years will love exploring their environment at Mini Q, which has been specifically designed to gently introduce preschoolers to the hands-on wonder of the world around them. PS. Make sure you allow several hours for children to fully immerse themselves in all the marvellously magical, mysterious and mindboggling exhibits at Questacon – or they’ll never forgive you! > questacon.edu.au

23. Questacon, Canberra, ACT

Awesome Earth

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Grab yourself a copy of of thethe Eat See DoDo Grab yourself a copy Eat See Local Visitors Guide from the Greater Port Local Visitors Guide from the Greater Port Macquarie Visitor Information Centre at at Macquarie Visitor Information Centre thethe Glasshouse oror view online here. Glasshouse view online here. ww p .oprotrmt amcaqcuqaurai r e ii e N iFNoF. o c .oc m a .ua u ww w .w o .m

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GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

24. Daydream Island Resort, QLD jetty located right there. (It’s so streamlined that you can even check in and collect your room key from a kiosk at the airport.) After that it’s only a 30-minute ferry ride through some of the most stunning waters off Australia’s east coast, and before you know it, you’re barefoot, drinking out of a coconut and the kids are splashing in the water in front of you! There’s a range of accommodation, including panoramic suites facing Daydream’s stunning Mermaid Beach, and you’ll notice that all over the resort there’s a sincere emphasis on being familyfriendly. Booking is easy with an online system where, once you have entered the number of guests and their ages, all suitable bedding, room configurations and price-ranges appear for you to select. > daydreamisland.com

At Daydream Island Resort & Spa in The Whitsundays it’s not unusual to see families of three, sometimes four, generations holidaying together. Unique to Daydream is their Living Reef - the world’s largest man-made living coral reef. It’s located right near the entrance to the resort and it gives you and your kids a chance to see, up-close, the resident sharks, stingrays and barramundi. You may even get to feed some of them by hand! Kids with an interest in marine life will love the Reef Ranger program where they really get to find Nemo. There’s also a behind-the-scenes tour into the restricted areas and a walk among juvenile stingrays. At the end, they’re rewarded with a Living Reef Ranger Cap and a personalised Passport lanyard. The best way to get there is to fly in to Great Barrier Reef Airport (also known as Hamilton Island Airport). Cruise Whitsundays ferries leave from a

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

25. Jayco These Australian-made, award-winning holidayhomes-on- wheels have been sharing travel adventures with Aussie families since 1975. Every 12 minutes a new Jayco RV rolls off the production lines at Jayco’s state-of-the-art complex in Victoria’s Dandenong South, ready to set out on a motoring holiday with a brand new family! From camper trailers and pop-tops to caravans and luxury motorhomes, Jayco has the largest Australiawide dealer and service network in the industry. The mother lode of all caravans for families who like a bit of luxury, is the Silverline with its sophisticated style, meticulously crafted joinery and upholstery and impressive selection of quality appointments and appliances. Nothing has been overlooked! And with JTECH suspension and electronic stability control as standard features there’s no denying the comfort and on-road safety of the Silverline.

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With eight different and spacious floor plans to choose from, there’s a Silverline for every family - and if you plan to venture a little deeper into the country for your next family holiday, opt for the Outback version! > jayco.com.au > jayco.com.au/range/caravans/silverline

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

26. One & Only Hayman Island,QLD olds and for kids 6-11 years) to the tempting fun and hands-on excellence of the tiered children’s activities – everything from loads of craft to beach adventures, fish feeding and walks to spot the native wallabies. Add in babysitting services and a teens club for 12 to 17 year olds and you’ve got a real holiday for ALL the family!. From One&Only Hayman Island you can set out on amazing day trips fishing and exploring the Reef, or jump into island-based activities including bush walks, health and fitness classes, water sports, nature experiences, tennis, golf, snorkelling and photography. Or just relax and absorb the natural harmony and stylish elegance of this 5-star paradise. > hayman.oneandonlyresorts.com > tourismwhitsundays.com.au

Located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, on the northernmost Island of the Whitsundays, One&Only Hayman Island is a dream destination. Recently refurbished and reopened in July 2014, Hayman Island has reached a whole new level of luxury with its new multi million dollar overhaul. Divine, enormous rooms, a newly opened zeroentry children’s pool adjoining the designated family wing, restaurants to suit all styles of dining and preference, state-of-the-art fitness centre and a sublime spa are just some of the creature comforts and services at this sensational Queensland destination. Children will love the new, complimentary KidsOnly concept kids club. Warm, welcoming and experienced, the KidsOnly staff are there to greet you on arrival and to introduce younger guests (daily supervised programs for 2-5 year

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

27. redseason.com.au Joining a holiday or vacation club can offer real savings for families who like to travel to different destinations and experience a change of scenery from one holiday to the next. redseason.com.au offers both Accor Vacation Club and Worldmark by Wyndham memberships and will walk you through the benfits of the club that best suits your family without any high-pressure sales tactics and with friendly, helpful advice! And you can secure Accor Vacation Club and Worldmark by Wyndham memberships for a fraction of the price of many other holiday clubs. Both Clubs use a credits or points-based system to give you the flexibility to decide how, where and when you want to holiday. Each year you receive an allocation of points depending on the size of your membership and you can then use those points to book your accommodation at any of the club-owned resorts

and apartments - and even swap them for weeks at other resorts around the world through an exchange program. Or you might opt to save them up for a bigger holiday the following year! Unlike traditional timeshare where you are limited to holidaying at a particular resort during “your week” each year, the Worldmark South Pacific Club and Accor Vacation Club both give you much greater freedom to choose where to go, when to go and for how long. You can stay for just one night or for a long holiday, use your points to book holidays for friends and family and even sell, bequeath or give away your membership at any time (Memberships last a lifetime!). And since resort values always stay the same, if you buy enough points for a week per year in a particular resort then, in 20 years, that same number of points will still get you a week per year! > redseason.com.au SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

Only 90 minutes from Melbourne between Phillip Island and Wilson Promontory and opposite the beach

COMING IN015 SEPTEMBER 2 OR A FANTASTICPAINRDKO WATER

• Indoor Heated Swimming Pool • Basketball court • Tennis court • Games Room • Jumping Pillow

• Children’s Adventure Playground • Children’s Activities (selected peak periods) • Internet/wireless Access • Large fully enclosed camp kitchen

2 Cuttriss Street, Inverloch VIC 3996

(03) 5674 1447 or 1800 468 375 56

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

W: www.inverlochholidaypark.com.au/ E: reception@inverlochholidaypark.com.au

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

28. BIG4 Soldiers Point, NSW

They’re BIG on emphasising BIG family fun at BIG4 Soldiers Point Holiday Park and just 2.5 hours’ drive north of Sydney in the beautiful, natural playground that is Port Stephens, you’ll find everything for a great holiday both inside and outside the Park! BIG4 Soldiers Point Holiday Park has made it their mission to maximise the ‘family fun’ element with an outdoor tropical pool and award-winning indoor heated pool, playgrounds, trampolines, free games room, bike track, pedal karts, Kids Club, DVD library, movies and tons of open space to enjoy. This veritable adventure playground for kids and families is ready for fun the moment you peek from your tent flap, step out of your cabin or open the door on your campervan! > soldiers-point-holiday-park.nsw. big4.com.au/

29. Big 4 South West Rocks

Shipwreck Island

South West Rocks is a perfect northern NSW beach retreat, with ideal year-round swimming - which is why it’s a favourite destination for generations of family holidaymakers! The oceanfront holiday town is also within cooee of the famous Smoky Cape Lighthouse and Hat Head National Park, and now BIG4 Sunshine South West Rocks has added another family attraction to the area – a $750,000 castaway-inspired water park, ‘Shipwreck Island’! With its very own tall ship, partially submerged in a lagoon-style pool, a rock waterfall, two crows nests and rigging the kids can climb up, before slipping down one of the many waterslides, the awardwinning holiday park just got a whole lot bigger and better! You’ll find everything you need - choice of accommodation from camping to cabins, fabulous facilities – and a location at the mouth of the Macleay River that’s unbeatable for a family holiday – and we’re pretty sure that when you tell the kids will about Shipwreck Island you’ll have sealed the Sunshine South West Rocks deal! > big4southwestrocks.com.au SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

…

introducing the new Jayco Silverline You’ll sense there’s something special about the new range-topping jayco Silverline from the moment you lay eyes on its sleek exterior. But only when you step inside is the beauty of this five-star luxury Caravan revealed in full. From the meticulous craftsmanship of its joinery, to the phenomenal strength of its legendary jayco Tough Frame, nothing is overlooked. Nor is anything left to chance when it comes to your on-road comfort and safety, with our all-new jTech SuSpenSion now joining Electronic Stability Control as a standard feature. Silverline also offers you the luxury of choice, with eight spacious floor plans to select from. All are available in an Outback version, giving you the added freedom to explore beyond the bitumen, should you wish. in a jayco Silverline, every trip becomes a journey you’ll remember for a lifetime. So start planning your next getaway today. Visit jayco.com.au or call 1300 52926 78 to find your nearest Jayco dealer.

1300 SUMMER 2 0 1 5 JAYCO outandaboutwithkids.com.au

jayco.com.au

BaroSSa © SaTC / randy Larcombe

MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

30. Macleay Valley Coastal Holiday Parks, NSW Even the names of the spectacular locations of the five fabulous Macleay Valley Coastal Holiday Parks are evocative of wonderful family holidays on the NSW Mid North Coast â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Crescent Head, Horsehoe Bay, Hat Head, Stuarts Point and Grassy Head. Macleay Valley Coastal Holiday Parks is a family run business and the whole team is truly dedicated to the spirit of a relaxing beachside holiday where celebrating the Great Outdoors, cricket on the beach, making new friends around the bbq and nights spent under millions of shining stars are what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about! Crescent Head Holiday Park boasts a beach and creek front location - watch surfers tackle the world-renowned long break or enjoy a round of golf at the fully accredited six-hole golf course. Horseshoe Bay Holiday Park is one of the most picturesque holiday parks, located on absolute beach frontage at South West Rocks. Nestled under shady pines the Park is within easy walking distance to shops and dining plus fabulous fishing and diving spots! Hat Head Holiday Park is surrounded by the unspoiled grandeur of Hat Head National

Park and offers the ultimate beachside escape for nature lovers. There is access to a boat ramp and a diverse range of magnificent fishing spots. Go snorkelling in the pristine waters of Korogoro Creek or bring your kayak or surf ski and explore the waterway. Watch the whales from the headland as they migrate between June and August. Nestled on the banks of the Macleay River, Stuarts Point Holiday Park is a secluded and serene riverside hideaway. Offering boat ramp and mooring, anglers have an almost unlimited choice of fishing spots! The Park is also close to local shops, the Tavern and the Workers Club. Hidden amongst lush coastal forests and pristine golden beaches, Grassy Head Holiday Park offers an abundance of fishing and nature lovers will delight in the wildlife and beautiful bushland surrounds. The popular River Walk follows the riverbank from Grassy Head to Stuarts Point and you can take a scenic drive to Yarrahapinni Lookout, or a basket lunch to the Pines picnic area. > mvcholidayparks.com.au

Horseshoe Bay

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THE PERFECT BEACH HOLIDAY DESTINATION! Our family friendly park has an array of accommodation to suit everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs from waterfront Beach Retreats and Villas to our Ensuite and Powered Sites. Relax and enjoy a swim or a game of beach cricket on our beautiful Easts Beach. Have a hit of tennis or catch a fish or two. The kids will love our 25m resort pool,

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

toddlers wading pool and childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s playgrounds. Kids activities and movies in our holiday periods will keep the kids busy. Our holiday park is the ideal location from which to explore the south coast, with popular tourist attractions such as Jamberoo Action Park and the Minnamurra Rainforest just minutes away.

For further information please contact: BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park Ocean Street (PO Box 10) Kiama NSW 2533 Freecall: 1800 674 444 P: 02 4232 2124 F: 02 4233 1009 E: holiday@eastsbeach.com.au www.eastsbeach.com.au

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

The growing trend for Australian families to camp, glamp and gramp (camping with grandparents) shows no signs of slowing. In fact, in the past few years more and more families have opted for a holiday in the great outdoors, hitting the highways in droves in a fully equipped home-on-wheels. The holiday park boom has also given rise to the increased popularity of self-drive holidays, with campervan hire an easy and affordable (as well as convenient and comfortable) option to tents, caravans and cabins. Carrying your holiday home with you provides ultimate freedom, allowing you to make up your itinerary as you go, stopping to ‘set up camp’ wherever and whenever - and Britz makes it very easy to start planning that ideal family road trip.

Choose the perfect camper from the range, including the popular 6-berth Frontier and the 4-berth Explorer, from one of many vehicle hire options and configurations. You’ll definitely get the kitchen sink too – as all Britz campers from the 2-berth Venturer across the whole fleet have a range of onboard kitchen facilities. You can even have a toilet and shower, LCD screen and DVD player, cooking gear, linen and a host of other inclusion! Britz will also provide you with baby carriers and booster seats for the youngest travellers! You’ll find Britz branches in Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Broome, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, so it’s a cinch to head off on a campervan holiday from almost anywhere in Australia! > britz.com.au

Football at Monkey Mia

31. Britz

Goulet Bluff Campfire

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32. Norfolk Island History, culture, friendship and an island lifestyle can all be found in less than 3 hours flying time from Sydney or Brisbane! Norfolk Island is a popular travel spot for Australian families and offers a variety of great family accommodation and dining options amid a relaxed, safe and friendly (and naturally picturesque!) environment. A holiday destination brimming with opportunities for excitement, fun, relaxation, adventure, indulgence and surprises, Norfolk is renowned for its stunning swimming beaches and majestic coastlines that contrast with lush rainforests and bushland, and for its beautifully-appointed hotels, apartments and houses- provide a perfect island home base catering for any family size. But there’s more to Norfolk Island… Absorb the unique history and culture of the island and its community with a visit to the fascinating Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama mural, depicting the story of the Mutiny on the Bounty, and the World of Norfolk Exhibit;

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

enjoy a family game of mini golf and giant chess or a round of golf at a stunning seaside course before indulging in cliff top fish fries at sunset! Take a glass-bottom boat tour in a coral-filled lagoon, or an ocean trip to deserted Phillip Island; swim, snorkel and surf or try a spot of deep sea fishing; let the little ones loose at the fun Baunti Kids Club, browse the markets featuring exquisite arts and crafts and home grown farm produce ,or relax with a pampering spa treatment. Norfolk Island is also bursting with high quality culinary experiences showcasing the impressive abundance of locally sourced fresh, wholesome and organic produce. There are over 35 restaurants and cafes where you can try fresh fish, succulent beef and pork and boutique products including coffee, honey and cheese, a local winery and even progressive dinners hosted by proud islanders! > norfolkisland.com.au

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

33. Trafalgar Tours The UK and Europe hold a wealth of fabulous experiences for holidaymakers, and when you have England, Scotland, Wales, Italy, Switzerland and Spain (to name just a few countries!) in such close proximity to each other, that’s a whole holiday smorgasbord laid out for every family. Would you like to search for the Hogwarts Express at platform 9¾ at London’s Kings Cross Station? What about making authentic pizza in Rome? Learning the basics of gladiatorial sword fighting at a Gladiator Training School? Trying Flamenco Dancing in Spain? Tasting world-famous Swiss chocolate in Switzerland? A Trafalgar Tour is the perfect way for families to see and taste their way around the UK and Europe – with something for all ages and interests on every itinerary and without having to worry about the planning and the details! Embark on a hassle-free adventure on one of 15 expertly-planned itineraries from Trafalgar’s 2015 Family Experience program. Authentic Insider Experiences - including exciting family-friendly activities plus quality, hand-picked accommodation and the choice of customising your

holiday with optional experiences - guarantee a European Vacation far removed from the Griswolds! Take Trafalgar’s 10-day Castles and Kilts holiday and experience the mystery and magic of England, Scotland and Wales (that includes Harry Potter adventures!) Gladiators, Gondolas and Gold gives you ten glorious days in Rome, Florence and Venice – with gladiators, pizzamaking, fresh gelato and fabulous food all on the menu. Visit Camp Nou football stadium in Barcelona, follow the tales of the legendary Don Quixote and learn to Flamenco Dance on the 9-day Spanish Salsa holiday, and visit four countries in five days from Rome to Siena, Venice and Lucerne on the European Wonderland family road trip! With 15 itineraries to choose from families can easily take a side trip of a few days, or longer, from a London stay, and experience so much more, so close! Culturally, gastronomically and entertainingly unforgettable, Trafalgar puts Europe at your fingertips and treats every member of the family to a delicious feast of fun. > trafalgar.com

London

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GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

34. Acacia Africa

Acacia Africa small group safaris are ideal for families - with a maximum group size of 12 people, children in particular love the personal experience and reap all of the benefits that come from having expert local guides on hand for authentic African encounters that are friendly, safe and exciting! A range of tours, anywhere from three to 17 days, cover the very best of Africa on a comprehensive, fun holiday that’s also great value! Try the popular family-friendly “Coast to Cape Town” 8-day tour which takes in the world - famous Garden Route in South Africa. From Durban set out for the Wild Coast and elephant encounters at Addo Elephant Park, hike at Tsitsikamma National Park, visit beautiful Knysna and experience a spot of whale watching in Hermanus, before ending this incredible journey at the foot of Table Mountain in picturesque Cape Town, the mother city. Unforgettable! > acacia-africa.com/acacia_small_groups/

35. The Palace Of The Lost City, Sun City South Africa A grand entrance, stunning architecture and 25 ha of lush botanical gardens make you feel like you’ve walked onto the set of a fantastic movie at The Palace of the Lost City, the flagship hotel in South Africa’s amazing Sun City Resort. This opulent and magical property has a uniquely African flavour and family-friendly ambience and offers a whole range of incredible experiences. Step into one of the most exciting water parks you’re ever likely to find, at The Valley of Waves, and choose between gentle rides like Lazy River or the adrenaline-pumping 70-metre slide, aptly named The Temple of Courage! Explore the biggest permanent maze in the Southern Hemisphere, plus there’s a host of fun on the menu here including up-close encounters with small animals, miniature steam train and bumper boat rides and even treasure hunts! Kamp Kwena Fort has a range of fantastic programs and activities for bigger kids, while Kwena Crèche and the Thula Baba babysitting centre will take great care of little ones. And for a once-in-a lifetime family experience, just 5 minutes from the resort, visit Pilanesburg National Park - the only place in South Africa where you can enjoy a hot air balloon safari! > suninternational.com/sun-city/palace/

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Swap the local pool for the open ocean 66

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Treat your family to the ultimate hassle-free holiday on an ocean cruise. Nothing brings a family closer together than the thrill of sharing an ocean cruise. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ideal for those who hate packing, but love waking up to a new destination every day. Watch the kids hit the pool, try one of the many great onboard activities or choose a Disney cruise for a little added magic! On a cruise there is time to truly unwind, while looking forward to exploring your next exotic destination and experiencing yet another way of life. From the Bahamas to Asia and the South Pacific, the whole family will love life on the ocean waves.

call 1300 559 864 visit escapetravel.com.au

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

It’s not known as ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’ for nothing! In 2015 it almost seems inconceivable that Walt Disney could ever have imagined that his dream destination for families would be bigger and better than ever - six decades after his original theme park, Disneyland, in California, welcomed its first Guests in 1955. Since then, millions upon millions of families have been making their own dreams come true, and staring in starry-eyed wonder when they approach the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough at Disneyland > Park for the very first time! The amazing thing about Disneyland is that it never stops expanding, innovating, creating and imagining - and as it celebrates a milestone 60th Anniversary in 2015, the dream looms large. Disneyland Park is now part of the massive 200 ha destination known as Disneyland Resort – home to not one but TWO incredible Disney Parks, three Disney hotels and the Disney Downtown District! Staying at Disneyland Resort means your Disney holiday fun doesn’t have to end when you leave the Parks at the end of an exhilarating day! Settle the family in to the Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa or Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, each with a range of accommodation types to suit all family sizes and budgets, and fabulous Disney themed rooms and suites too. And from there, whichever hotel you choose in the Resort, you can use the facilities across each hotel and, at every turn, wherever you are, you’ll be warmly greeted by Disney Cast Members, you can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime Character Dining over breakfast or lunch with some of your favourite Disney Characters and you’ll be totally immersed in everything Disney! Stroll down to the Downtown Disney District and you’ll discover FUNtastic shops, eateries and entertainment and you can even board the legendary Monorail here and be transported straight into your adventures at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park …

Mickey & Minnie in front of Castle, Disneyland Park

©Disney

36. Disneyland Park, California, USA

you really won’t believe your eyes when you step into the Disney Parks – a whole world of wonder awaits, so allow several days to experience it ALL! And from the late US Spring 2015 through to 2016, Disneyland Resort is raising the bar with the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration expect spectacular surprises that promise an unforgettable family holiday experience – a once-in-a-lifetime experience! “A dream is a wish your heart makes” … > travel.disney.com.au SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

37. Centara Hotels & Resorts resorts with onsite water parks! Browse across Centara’s exotic destinations and choose the perfect holiday experience for your whole family. And in keeping with Centara’s commitment to the environment and conservation, in the second half of 2014 alone, the Group has been recognised for forward-thinking initiatives – joining the Fin Free Thailand campaign to abolish shark fin menus, opening a water bottling plant at Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi, earning Green Fins certification for environmentally responsible diving at Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives and receiving the award for Sustainable Travel Company of the Year for Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin at the 25th Annual TTG Awards in October. > centarahotelsresorts.com

Beaches and tropical islands are waiting to be explored with Centara Hotels & Resorts, Centra Hotels & Resorts, Centara Grand Residences & Suites, Centara Boutique Collection and the 5-star Centara Grand brands – all offering a range of locations, accommodation types, facilities and activities, as well as top notch kids clubs and babysitting services. The leading hotel chain in Thailand – with properties in Bangkok, Hat Yai, Pattaya, Khao Lak, Koh Chang, Phuket, Samui, Krabi and Hua Hin, just to name a few – promises amazing holidays in idyllic locations. Not only in Thailand, Centara can also be found in the Maldives, Mauritius, Bali and Sri Lanka. ‘Kids just want to have fun’, says Centara, and each resort offers something different – from complimentary activities throughout the day, to

Centara Grand Beach Resort, Phuket

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GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

38. Sun Peaks Resort, Canada

There are very good reasons why Sun Peaks Resort in Canada has cemented itself as a firm favourite with Australian snow-loving families. It’s family-friendly, affordable, surrounded by three majestic mountains, renowned for its high falls of ‘easy-to-ski’ powder, boasts a beautiful European-style village and has a range of accommodation types across multiple properties offering over 7,000 beds. There’s an Adventure Park just for kids, sleigh rides, dog-sledding, restaurants, shops, events, festivals, family activities and … … well that’s just the tip of the tallest ice-capped mountain at Sun Peaks! So how much do Australian families love Sun Peaks? The hugely successful and mega-fun Sun Peaks Family Cup event week, now in its 8th year and held each January, is thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Australian Sun Peaks Family Cup Committee and the resort and tourism partners at Sun Peaks. And the feeling is reciprocated! Sun Peaks Resort loves welcoming both familiar and new families from downunder and regularly offers specials and deals throughout the year to make it easier for Aussies to book that holiday! > sunpeaksresort.com

for free

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www.plantationisland.com email: reserve@plantationisland.com

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

Saletoga Sands Resort

39. Samoa Samoa is so hot right now – and that’s not just its year-round, average 30-degree daily temperature! Australian families are flocking to see for themselves just why this friendly, unspoilt South Pacific paradise is emerging at the very top of some of the world’s most trusted ‘must visit’ holiday lists. Fantastic new resorts are springing up and others have been refurbished, rebuilt and upgraded to make way for a new generation of Aussie families seeking something different. And because Samoa delivers on so many fronts, the holiday market in the ‘Treasured Islands’ is booming, with 2014 visitor arrivals surpassing previous years.

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Located halfway between New Zealand and Hawai‘i, Samoa consists of ten distinctly different islands with landscapes that vary from rainforests and volcanic mountain peaks to cascading waterfalls and white sandy beaches, and the coral reefs and blue lagoons of the Pacific Ocean. But it’s not just the scenic and natural beauty of Samoa that enchants holidaymakers. Culturally and historically, Samoa is an enriching South Pacific experience. Fly into Samoa’s capital Apia on the north coast of Upolu Island, and then set out to your chosen resort! > samoa.travel

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

40. The Naviti Resort, Fiji

Fiji’s Naviti Resort has earned its well-deserved reputation as a fabulous Coral Coast family resort for many reasons, but the all-inclusive accommodation, meals and drinks packages offered here are a sure-fire winner for families! You won’t blow the budget at Naviti Resort with pre-purchase meal deals that include breakfast, lunch and dinner and all-day free drinks (local beer, house wine and soft drinks). Designed to ensure your holiday is cash-free and stress-free, Naviti’s famous family packages offer a choice of accommodation and meal and drink inclusions to suit every family, with a range of affordable price points. The resort is expansive and set on the water’s edge on the stunning Coral Coast (approximately 90 minutes’ drive from Nadi Airport), on 15ha of lush tropical gardens! Relax from the moment you arrive with daily and nightly entertainment, the Bamboo Terrace and Grill restaurants, swimming pools, spa treatments, a 9-hole golf course, glass-bottom boat excursions, sunset cruises, gym, babysitting services, kids club and much more ... right at your fingertips. > navitifijiresort.com

41. South Pacific Cruises

Rhapsody of the Seas outdoor screen

Pack your bags, grab the kids, walk the gangway and settle in for an all-inclusive holiday on the ocean, cruising to exotic tropical ports like Vanuatu, Fiji, Isle of Pines, Lifou, Loyalty Islands and New Caledonia with your accommodation, dining options, games and kids clubs, pools and adventure, live entertainment and shopping all under one roof! South Pacific cruises are fun for the whole family and are a fantastic and affordable holiday experience that takes in multiple holiday destinations. Shore excursions give you the opportunity to see a new place and its people, swim and snorkel and soak up the culture. The 2014/2015 Australian summer cruise season is already our biggest season ever, with more and more Australian families embracing cruise holidays and many families returning for their second or third cruise! Some of the biggest and best ships in the Royal Caribbean, Carnival and P&O fleets are ready to set sail from Australia – each with all-modcons, loads of exciting extras onboard and new friends to meet! > royalcaribbean.com.au > carnival.com.au > pocruises.com.au SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

42. Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Hawai‘i Imagine combining a Hawaiian holiday with a Disney experience? A vacationing Mickey & Minnie are no strangers to Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa, and who could blame them for heading to Aulani for some Hawaiian fun in the sun? This fabulous family-friendly resort is set on a white sand beach, on the island of O‘ahu, and once you check in you won’t want to leave! Walt Disney Imagineers worked hand in hand with locals to create Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina and you can expect 5-star inclusions, as well as Hawaiian hospitality and a liberal sprinkling of Disney - from the in-room Disney Channel and Ohana Disney Movie Nights under the stars, to the opportunity to share a Disney Character Breakfast with some of your favourite Disney friends and fun nightly entertainment. And of course there’s also plenty of ‘Aloha’ action to be enjoyed in this amazing Hawaiian resort. Hang out at Aunty’s Beach House (for kids 3-12 years) and let Aunty show you how to dance the hula and make

traditional Hawaiian leis. Explore the amazing network of interconnecting pools, float down the lazy river on tubes, tackle the water slide, swim with colourful fish in Rainbow Reef, Oahu’s only private snorkelling lagoon, and enjoy plenty of water fun at the beach. Little ones will love the playground and slides at Menehune Bridge and the Keiki Cove Splash Zone. Teens 13-17 can head to their fun hangout, Painted Sky and enjoy teen-only daily and evening events, computer stations and, of course, teen-specific spa treatments! Taste everything from ‘Mickey’ waffles to kids mocktails, delicious pineapple whips and mouthwatering tropical fruits from the extensive kids’ menus across all of Aulani’s dining experiences. Best of all … you won’t believe how many activities and experiences are included with every stay! For an allin-one fantastic Hawaiian family holiday with the magic of Disney, Aulani is simply brilliant! > resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort/

©Disney

Mickey & Minnie

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©Disney

Tokyo Disneyland

43. Tokyo Disneyland, Japan The wonderful, immersive Disney experience is everything you would expect at Tokyo Disneyland and, for Aussie families, so close to home! When it comes to everything Disney, Tokyo Disneyland has it all and getting there, staying within the Tokyo Disney Resort and having the family holiday of a lifetime, is a seamless and unforgettable experience! In just an hour by direct bus from Tokyo’s Narita Airport (35 minutes by bus from Tokyo Station) you’ll be unpacking your bags at one of three sensational hotels in the Resort – choose from Disney Ambassador Hotel, Tokyo DisneySea Hotel Miracosta, and Tokyo Disneyland Hotel. Then pop your skip-the-queue, pre-booked and printed Tokyo Disney Resort ‘eTicket’ in your pocket and head

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

straight to Tokyo Disneyland for your first full day of fun. And why not purchase a special value’ Passport’ that combines both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea? This 2-day special value passport offers great savings on two park entries (one park per day)! As you start your Tokyo Disneyland adventure, exploring any one of the seven sensational themed lands – Critter Country, Fantasyland, Toontown, Tomorrowland, World Bazaar, Adventureland, and Westernland – you’ll meet your favourite Disney characters, ride on umpteen rides, tour jawdropping attractions and constantly pinch yourself – just to be absolutely sure you’re not Disney dreaming! > tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

44. Plantation Island Resort, Fiji bures and open pavilion-style dining areas. The Fijian home-away-from home options include low-rise poolside hotel-style rooms, garden and beachfront bures and two-bedroom family bures - each with their own shady porch. From the free Coconut Kids Club, the Creche and Indoor Activities Centre, and child minding and nanny services (at very affordable rates), to the Lairo Club for kids 12-16 years - a holiday at Plantation Island Resort really gives mums and dads the opportunity to relax, knowing there’s not a bored child anywhere to be seen! All-day grazing fills little tummies whenever they’re hungry, with yummy eats and drinks available at the Kana Vale Snack Bar and the Cocohut Espresso & Frappe Bar, and a choice of restaurants with varied menus for lunch and dinner (not to mention the huge buffet breakfasts!) The supermarket stocks fresh-baked bread, cheeses and deli meats and naughty-but-nice nibbles, plus a wide range of baby supplies and personal items, all at mainland prices! If you want more, there’s always the nightly entertainment for the whole family, boat excursions, tennis, a nine-hole golf course, boutiques, beauty salon, hair braiding and even a handy DIY laundry! > plantationisland.com

How’s this for a list of activities for kids? Jumping castle, treasure hunt, stick dance, balloon dance, ball pit, fish feeding, handline fishing, canoe races, crab hunting and crab races, movies, concerts, putt putt mini golf, beach games and sports, the limbo, T-shirt painting, weaving lessons, beading, face painting, ‘Dance Off’ competition, Earth day, ‘Amazing Race’ and Polynesian dancing – all part of the Plantation Island philosophy that if the kids are happy, the parents are happy! And, of course, there’s the water! Two fantastic pools, each surrounded by loungers for easy and relaxed parental supervision of little ones; and the gentle ripples of the calm lagoon, with plenty of beachside hammocks strung between towering coconut palms! The fabulous new Malolo IV operates several times daily on a 40-minute scenic cruise from Port Denarau to the resort’s beautiful sand-fringed lagoon. When you arrive at the jetty, expect to be welcomed by a chorus of glorious voices and accompanying guitars, setting the mood for a Plantation Island Resort holiday that can be as relaxing or activity-filled as you and the kids want! Thoughtfully designed for families, the resort is navigated along level, meandering paths past thatched

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45. Courtyard by Marriott Bali Seminyak Bar’ – and yes, that means dining poolside! The Courtyard by Marriott Bali Seminyak hotel is just 400m to the beach, in one direction, and to the vibrant retail precinct in the other. Walk, stroll and soak it all up without having to venture far from all of the comforts and facilities at your hotel. Enjoy Zanti Retreat, the signature spa, and 24-hour complimentary guest access to the fitness centre while the children take part in fun activities at the hotel’s Kids Club, and migrate from one pool to another– there are three! - for a different vista each day of your holiday! > marriott.com/hotels/travel/dpssm-courtyard-bymarriott-bali-seminyak/

The new 5-star Courtyard by Marriott Bali Seminyak hotel boasts (apart from everything else!) a fantastic location in the heart of Seminyak with beaches, shopping and dining all within easy walking distance. Perfect for a Bali family holiday, this 287-room ‘resort with the lot’ features room and suite options with private balconies, free Wi-Fi and even 42-inch flatscreen TVs! Head to the resort’s ‘Seminyak Kitchen’ for fantastic buffet breakfasts and casual meals the kids will love including favourites like spaghetti bolognese, mac and cheese, pizza, fish fingers and ‘Yummy Burger’ with ice cream and sorbets for dessert. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are also all catered for at the sensational ‘Pool

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GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

46. Embassy Suites, Waikiki Beach Walk, Hawai‘i All of the clues you need for a great holiday in Honolulu are contained in the name: Embassy Suites, Waikiki Beach Walk! This is the only all-suites resort in the ‘heart of Aloha’ – mere steps from Waikiki Beach and located in the exciting Waikiki Beach Walk on Lewers Street – a 3ha leisure hub, modern-Waikiki-style, with restaurants, shops and entertainment right at your door. Beyond a hotel room, Embassy Suites invites you and your family to spread out and settle in for a Honolulu holiday break that befits this fantastic location, in newlyrenovated one and two-bedroom suites, with separate living room, sofa bed, mini kitchen, cable TV, in-room

games, complimentary Wi-Fi and no resort fees! Head down to the hotel’s open-air Grand Lanai complex and kick-start your Waikiki days with free breakfast daily, relax on a sunbed by the pool and unwind at the end of a fabulous day at the Evening Poolside Reception with complimentary drinks, snacks and weekly live entertainment. And when you’re not at the beach or exploring the Walk, or enjoying the onsite facilities, it’s easy to ‘day trip’ from Embassy Suites to nearby Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium and museums and enjoy Honolulu’s fabulous cultural and outdoor activities. > embassysuiteswaikiki.com SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

47. Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji tone for your holiday within moments of your arrival! Fun for kids is an essential part of the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort family holiday experience – the Bula Kids club is one of the best in the South Pacific, complete with a freshwater swimming pool, waterslide, jungle gym, sandbox, arts and crafts and a dedicated dining area. Changing daily activities and a fun and educational program keeps children engaged and enthralled and every child under 6 years (from babies aged 2 months) is assigned their very own nanny for the duration of their stay at and older kids, in groups of four, even get their own buddy! Allow at least one week to gently unwind in this extraordinary resort and it’s almost assured that yours will be one of the many families returning year after year for a very special annual Fiji holiday! > fijiresort.com Book your JMC vacation with Creative Holidays > creativeholidays.com

Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is not only one of the South Pacific’s most idyllic 5-star family destinations but it is also renowned for a commitment to the natural surroundings, marine conservation and respect for local landowners and Fijian culture and traditions. Located in Savusavu on the island of Vanua Levu, the Resort is set on six verdant hectares, right at the doorstep of a pristine marine reserve. With just 25 Bures, every guest can enjoy a boutique experience and, best of all, once you’re there everything is all-inclusive in the price! Pay per bure, and all meals, non alcoholic drinks, water sports, most activities and one-on-one nannies and buddies are included. The resort itself is built in the style of a local Fijian village and is closely aligned with the local Nukubalavu people – see the resort ethos of ‘giving back,’ in practise during your stay, with many of the local village people working at, and with, the resort and guests. The warmth and heartfelt hospitality of the gorgeous staff sets the

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GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

Hogsmeade™ and Hogwarts Castle™

48. Universal Studios Japan With Japan closer than ever for Aussie visitors, Universal Studios Japan has a new attraction that will blow your kids’ minds: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Scenes that came to life so vividly in the Harry Potter books and films have been recreated on a breathtaking scale. You can experience the wizard village of Hogshead first-hand in the stunning new attraction that has even impressed the author of the books J. K. Rowling who said, “I’m delighted that Harry fans can experience a physical incarnation that is so close to what I imagined when writing the books!” After the grand opening in July 2014, Harry Potter’s creator praised the experience, saying, “The craft and attention to detail across The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan is incredible and I will take away the memory of Hogwarts castle reflected on the Black Lake in particular.”

In August and September, the two months following its opening, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter brought a huge increase in visitors from the Kanto area and all over Japan each month. As well as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter there are 38 other attractions. Of course you can expect to see the most popular rides and shows from Universal’s Hollywood movie studio like ‘Shrek’s 4-D Adventure’ and ‘Jurassic Park - The Ride’. Parents will be thrilled to go ‘Back to the Future The Ride’. Guests board the DeLorean time machine and set off back to the Ice Age and forward to a future world set in 2015! Distinctly Japanese experiences lie within Universal Studios Japan: not least of which is ‘Hello Kitty’s Cupcake Dream’ and a stylish Japanese restaurant ‘Saido’ where children are welcome, jazz music plays and delicious Japanese food is available. > usj.co.jp/e/ SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

Malolo Island Resort is a standout as far as familyfriendly Fiji island resorts go ... the seamless melding of a distinctly colonial feel with traditional Fijian elements has created a beautiful haven, set in lush tropical gardens. Malolo Island is big and majestic by Fiji island standards, contrasting green mountains with secluded beaches and sparkling blue water, with coral reefs at your door. Malolo Island Resort tips its hat to its origins, back when much of the region was given over to copra plantations. A firm favourite with families, the recently refurbished Malolo Island Resort has been thoughtfully designed, with the sprawling Terrace Restaurant complex as its centrepiece. The plantation homestead charm is alive and well at the Terrace. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners on the open, wide verandahs are a pleasure. With the towering coconut palms as a backdrop and golden sands and glistening water in the foreground, it would be impossible not to feel instantly at home and relaxed here! Family accommodation options include a choice of Ocean View bures, Deluxe Ocean View bures and Family bures, each spacious and contemporary with vaulted ceilings. Kids will have a ball getting back to nature and taking part in the Yanu Yanu kids club program at Tia’s Treehouse ... and they won’t miss the TV! Fabulous Fijian babysitters are always on hand and are very affordable. While the kids are busy, fill your days with

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49. Malolo Island Resort, Fiji

swimming, snorkelling, boat trips, kayaking, banana boat rides, a rainforest spa treatment, laze in a hammock or unwind in the Talei Lounge - where you can read a book from the library, watch a movie, play board games and connect to the complimentary Wi-Fi, if you need to stay in touch. But we’re guessing you won’t think about connectivity unless you really have to, because you’ll be far too busy not being busy, kicking back at this idyllic resort! > maloloisland.com

GREAT HOLIDAY IDEAS

50. Grand Nikko Bali

The Grand Nikko Bali sits on a 40-metre cliff top in the resort destination of Nusa Dua, and with 70% of the rooms facing the Pacific Ocean, the resort offers everything you need for a restful recharge. Choose any of the family room options in this 5-star hotel - from a dedicated family level in the main tower to interconnecting rooms and private villas – and begin your ‘famcation’! For eats, take your pick from eight restaurants and brassieres or sign up for The Club Lounge membership during your stay and you’ll reap the benefits of enjoying a private dining area, lounge and pool, complimentary daily breakfast, high tea, happy hour and complimentary access to the Jungle Camp Kids Club. Pools, pools, pools. The Grand Nikko has an eclectic mix of pools with different options for every member of the family to cool off. The main pool has a 30-metre water slide plus there’s a kids’ beach pool and ice creams available at anytime. If you’d like to explore Kuta or the Bali Collection shopping and restaurant precinct in the centre of Nusa Dua, the concierge at reception will happily organise a transfer, or you can jump on the complimentary shuttle service that runs throughout the day and night. > grandnikkobali.com

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ISNEYLAND… It may be one word, but it’s a word that is universally known and loved and in a mere ten letters evokes the ‘Happiest Place on Earth!’ Walking into Disneyland for the very first time is a WOW! that’s hard to beat– particularly when you’ve dreamed of that moment forever! Ask most Aussie kids what holiday destination is at the top of their wish list and they’ll tell you – Disneyland! In fact, you could ask many adults the same question and get the same answer because when it comes to Disneyland, once on your must-visit list, always on your must-visit list, no matter how old you are! It’s that kind of place. Recent advancements in frequency, quality and affordability of flights from Australia to California, bring a Disneyland holiday within the reach of more and more Australian families. Research shows that today’s parents of school-age children are more inclined than any previous generation to place a high value on family holidays, and to work and plan to ensure that memorable experiences in memorable destinations are high on the family leisure agenda. And if Disneyland is on your family’s list then now is a great time to start planning that dream holiday because an exciting new era of Disney magic is about to begin when the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration gets underway! 60 years after Walt Disney opened his family park, on what was once an orange grove in Anaheim just outside Los Angeles, the Disneyland dream is not only alive, but positively flourishing. During the Diamond Celebrations, Disneyland Resort will be shining brighter than ever before, with sparkling surprises, liberal sprinklings of pixie dust and breathtaking new entertainment. There really is nothing like a Disney celebration to delight young and old - and during the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration there’s no better time, or place on the planet, to celebrate than at the Happiest Place on Earth! Out & About with Kids is proud to bring you the Disneyland Diamond Celebration guide, created especially for every Disneyland dreamer. Everything you need to know about Disneyland Resort is included in our special ‘Insider Guide’, including fun, interactive elements your family can enjoy together, and the ‘insider’ lowdown on getting the most out of your Disneyland adventure, to help you plan your once-in-a-lifetime ‘whole’ family holiday – and make those dreams come true in the coming year!

Disneyland Diamond Celebration

ÂŠ Disney

guide

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Have you been to Disneyland?

You’re Invited!

n the US Spring 2015, an exciting new era of Disney magic begins as the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration gets underway! For 60 magical years, the Disneyland Resort has been the place families come back to—again and again, generation after generation—to make lasting memories – and you’re invited to join the 18-month long celebration! Our ultimate ‘insider’ guide to the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration has been designed to help you and your family start planning a Disneyland holiday – covering everything you need to know about Disneyland Resort. Once-in-a-lifetime celebrations will descend on Disneyland Resort in California, beginning in the late US Spring 2015 and you won’t want to miss it! The momentous occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Happiest Place on Earth is the perfect excuse for a Disney celebration and what could be more unforgettable than being a part of that excitement? Disneyland Resort is a destination in itself with two massive Parks, three hotels and an entire Disney Downtown District to enjoy – and that’s just for starters!

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Out & About with Kids is kicking off 2015 with its own party downunder for the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration festivities! Join in this special celebration, which begins on our Facebook page. Simply head to facebook.com/OAWkids and share your Disneyland memories for the chance to win fantastic prizes. Whether you were a Guest at Disneyland in the 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s or in the last few years, we’d like to hear your wonderful stories and see your fabulous family photos! Sssshhh … our fantastic Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration surprises will continue throughout 2015 at outandaboutwithkids.com.au. Join us on Facebook and visit our website to subscribe to our newsletter and make sure you don’t miss the special celebrations!

Follow our guide to the ultimate Disneyland Resort need-to-know: Getting to know Disneyland Resort Disneyland Park Disneyland California Adventure Disney FASTPASS Attractions Character dining Special attractions, events, shows Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique experience Resort Hotels Getting there and getting around Insider tips Planning and booking your holiday

Look for the Diamond on every page of our guide – each one contains a link to fun videos that will transport you to the heart of Disneyland Resort! Enjoy an insider’s virtual tour (or two) of the Happiest Place on Earth with your family before you leave home!

Getting to know Disneyland Resort

isneyland Resort is never static. In 60 years, the promise of ‘…never being completed…as long as there is imagination left in the world’ has delivered constant innovation, expansion, excitement, entertainment and inspiration –all for our enjoyment! When you hear friends and family say that they spent a day at Disneyland Resort in California and still didn’t see, do and experience everything, you may wonder just what kind of ‘theme’ park is so extensive that a solid day’s outing barely scratches the surface! That’s because Disneyland Resort is immense in both its sheer land size and its breadth of attractions - two Disney parks, three beautiful hotel properties and the exciting entertainment, dining and retail fun of the Downtown Disney District across a sprawling 200 ha. Disneyland Resort deserves a minimum of three full days set aside to really explore, enjoy and absorb the Disney experience, so make the absolute most of your once-in-a-lifetime family holiday and opt for a totally immersive Disney adventure. Staying onsite in one of the three fabulous Resort hotels places the Disneyland Resort experience right at your door and allows the whole family to enjoy ‘Disneyland with the lot!’ - where the fun lasts 24 hours a day. Watch the kids pinch themselves, over and over again, just to be sure they’re not dreaming, when they arrive at the magical, newly-renovated Disneyland Hotel or the colourful ‘day at the beach’-themed Disney’s Paradise Pier

Hotel or at the luxury Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, to begin their holiday! Between them these FUNtastic hotels offer over 2000 rooms, and each has its own truly unique, engaging appeal that promises a warm and welcoming Disney stay to all families. Plus you’ll get to experience all of the admission-free entertainment, dining and shopping of the high-energy Downtown Disney District right at your hotel door! You’ll find your favourite snacking stops, restaurants, boutiques, art, gifts and entertainment here as well as World of Disney™, one of the biggest Disney shopping experiences on earth, offering an incredible selection of Disney toys, souvenirs, accessories and collectibles in a variety of colorful and imaginatively decorated themed shopping areas. Oh … and did we mention the Monorail? The iconic Disneyland Monorail is the only Disneyland Park attraction that can be boarded outside of the Park, at the Downtown Disney District. Sit back and enjoy the views during a 13-minute ride that takes you above and beyond the park scenery, passing through Fantasyland and Tomorrowland in Disneyland Park and Condor Flats, Buena Vista Street and Hollywood Land in Disney California Adventure Park. When you stay within the Disneyland Resort your guest experiences include all this and more, and that’s before you’ve even stepped into the magic of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure!

Pick up a few tips from Goofy on making the most of a Disneyland Resort holiday in ‘Goofy visits Disneyland in The Art of Vacationing’ at outandaboutwithkids.com.au/ category/features/disneyland/

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Two spectacular Disney parks!

On July 17, 1955, Walt Disney opened a groundbreaking new concept in entertainment. He had imagined a place where adults and children, families and friends of all ages could have fun together – and he called it Disneyland. Over six decades the original 18 attractions that comprised Disneyland Park have expanded into a world beyond Walt’s imagination, and since the opening of Disney California Adventure in 2001, millions of guests have thrilled to the magic and excitement offered across two spectacular Disney parks!

Disneyland Park It’s impossible not to launch yourself with gusto into Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country, Fantasyland, Mickey’s Toontown and Tomorrowland. But pace yourself, because within each of these lands you’ll discover 60+ Disneyland adventures and attractions whose names you know so well - Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, “it’s a small world,” Matterhorn Bobsleds, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage and Indiana Jones Adventure – and you will want to try them ALL! And look! Is that a Disney princess waving and smiling your way? Be swept along with the colour and music of a celebratory street parade featuring all of your favourite Disney characters…the only question you’ll need to ask yourselves is ‘What are we going to do next?’!

Head to outandaboutwithkids.com.au/category/features/disneyland/ and watch Darth Vadar on a day out at Disneyland Park in ‘Darth Vadar – What are you doing next?”

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

SPECIAL TIP

DISNEY INSIDER TIPS

Allow at least three days, and ideally five days, to soak up the magic of Disneyland Resort. With two amazing theme parks to explore and incredible shows and attractions, parades, celebrations, events and merchandise at every turn, you won’t want to miss a thing! Plus, with a multi-day Hopper Pass you can go backwards and forwards across both Parks as often as you like – and can even return again and again to your favourite attractions!

HAPPY HOPPER

DON’T WAIT – USE FASTPASS

Why queue for some of your favourite attractions when you could be using that time having so much more fun? The Disney FASTPASS is Disney’s virtual queuing system and is included FREE with your ticket price – and it’s simple to use! Insert your park ticket into the FASTPASS terminal found at the entrance to each attraction that uses FASTPASS, and you’ll receive a voucher telling you what time to return to take your place, and then be ushered into the FASTPASS priority queue to board the attraction! HOT TIP: Want to avoid the crowds? Then we recommend you hit the park anti-clockwise. There are also times of the year that are quieter so if you can, plan to visit in mid-late January, February, May, early June, late August or September.

Disney California Adventure Park

A multi-day Hopper Pass is the best way to enjoy both Parks, allowing you to go back and forth between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure as many times as you want! HOT TIP: Stay in the time zone – if you’re visiting Disneyland during the summer, the park stays open as late as midnight, so make the different time zone work for your family! Sleep in until lunch and then hit the park from early afternoon until late at night – the kids will be well-rested and will enjoy an even more magical time.

Head to outandaboutwithkids.com.au/category/features/disneyland/ and see it all for yourself in ‘13 Moments at Disney California Adventure Park’

Disney California Adventure, located across from Disneyland, offers guests even more fun with some of the most popular attractions and shows at the resort. From the entrance, Buena Vista Street, you’ll embark on a Californian adventure through Hollywood Land, “a bug’s land,” Pacific Wharf, Paradise Pier, Grizzly Peak, Condor Flats and the spectacular 12-acre Cars Land, inspired by the Radiator Springs setting of the Disney•Pixar movie Cars. One of the signature attractions at Disney California Adventure is Soarin’ Over California – a breathtaking virtual hang-gliding tour over some of the state’s most amazing landmarks and scenic wonders, and there’s the 4D world of gameplay that is Toy Story Mania!, and the thrilling twists and turns of the California Screamin’ roller coaster.

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Something EXTRA Special! Meet Anna and Elsa From “Frozen”

For an unforgettable up-close encounter with your favourite character, pre-book a unique occasion and enjoy a Character Dining experience! Meet, greet and share a photo opportunity with Disney Princesses, or Minnie & Friends, or Mickey himself, over a yummy breakfast or lunch, across a range of special locations at Disneyland Resort. HOT TIP: Pre-book your Character Dining experience well in advance to ensure you don’t miss out on this magical Disney family moment.

Character Dining

Use your FASTPASS to obtain a Return Time Ticket to meet these famous sisters in person, in their special FROZEN location in Fantasyland in Disneyland Park!

Mickey’s Soundsational Parade

No visit to Disneyland Resort is complete with out some very special Royal Treatment at the amazing Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique! Girls and boys aged between 3 to 12 years old will be transformed, with a royal head-to-toe makeover by a Fairy Godmother-in-Training. An elaborate hairstyle, elegant princess accessories and shimmering make-up will make your little girl will feel like royalty! Boys can fend off imaginary dragons, save fanciful damsels and feel like a noble young man with sensational sword, shield and sleek hairstyling included in the boys-only Knight Package. HOT TIP: Be sure to pre-book your appointment for this exciting and unmissable Disney experience! Reservations at one of two Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique locations can be made up to 180 days in advance and are highly recommended. You’ll find Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Fantasyland at Disneyland Park and in the Downtown Disney District.

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Rhythmic beats hit Main Street USA at Disneyland Park daily – with drummer extraordinaire Mickey Mouse out front of the parade of whimsical floats, Disney characters and leading the colourful band of his Soundsational musicians! HOT TIP: Pre-Parade Frozen Fantasy A flurry of Frozen fun makes this the coolest addition to Mickey’s Soundsational Parade! During the Pre-Parade Frozen Fantasy, behold Princess Anna, Olaf and Queen Elsa, creating winter wonder on a float made of snow and ice. This brrr-illiant event is destined to melt hearts of all ages at Disneyland.

Fantastic Fireworks!

In Radiator Springs you’re bound to run into some familiar faces including Lightning McQueen, Mater, Sally, Luigi, Guido, Mack, Ramone and Doc Hudson — who will welcome you to the big race and help you along the way! HOT TIP: This is one of the most popular attractions at Disneyland so be sure to get in early to get your FASTPASS and if you’re a Disneyland Resort Hotel guest, grab your FASTPASS during Magic Hour to secure your special ride time.

World Of Color

Radiator Springs Racers

When the sun has set, you won’t believe the dazzling Disneyland nighttime celebrations as spectacular fireworks burst into the dark sky above Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland Park. HOT TIP: This nightly extravaganza is a don’t-miss Disneyland event and promises to be even more spectacular during the Disneyland Diamond Celebration! If you’re travelling in a non-peak period check the schedule as the fireworks may only be on selected nights.

What ever you do, make sure you see World of Color at Disney California Aventure, a spectacular outdoor nighttime show unlike anything you’ve ever seen before - and guaranteed to give you the “Disney goosebumps”! HOT TIP: Reserve a preferred viewing spot in Paradise Park - World of Color is all about the right view, so be sure to grab your World of Color FASTPASS the moment you enter the park that morning. You’ll find the Disney FASTPASS Service Machine at Grizzly River Run in Disney California Adventure.

Jedi Training Academy

Don’t miss this thrilling car race competition! Head to Disney California Adventure and get ready to start your engines! Zoom through the desert landscape of Cars Land, inspired by the Disney•Pixar movie Cars. Before you hit the open road, you’ll stroll through the original settlement of Radiator Springs. See how Stanley capitalised on a natural cold spring and built a series of ingenious attractions.

Young Padawans aged 4-12 years can take the Jedi Oath and train in the ways of the Jedi! Randomly selected volunteers from the audience don famous brown robes and, after promising to use all new powers for good, the young Jedi Knights-to-be are handed a training lightsabre and taught ancient battle techniques from a true Jedi Master. HOT TIP: To improve your chances of being selected from the audience, jump up and down with excitement when the Jedi Master starts looking for his new students! Dress the part – what would a young Jedi in-training wear on the first day of Jedi Training School? Take along a Star Wars-themed sign to make sure you stand out and catch the eye of the Jedi Master!

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

hen you stay at Disneyland Resort your family holiday-of-a-lifetime instantly transforms into a WHOLE Disney experience! Forget about long faces leaving the Park each day, counting the hours until daylight and a promised return to the magic … the magic is all around you long before the Park opens and long after the Park closes for the day when you stay at one of the three Disneyland Resort hotels! From the moment you arrive, you’ll be greeted by the smiles of Cast Members who are known worldwide for their attention to detail, personalised care and commitment to your holiday satisfaction – all part of the Disney service! Aside from all the excitement and entertainment on tap at the Resort’s Downtown Disney District, each of the Resort’s hotels magically augment every aspect of your Disneyland family holiday in a way no other accommodation can … imagine staying in a hotel where everything from décor, in-room design and enhancements, Disney dining and loads of indoor and outdoor Disney fun is yours to enjoy and all within the huge Disneyland Resort complex?

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Disneyland Hotel The original Park hotel has been reimagined as a fun, family destination that pays tribute to the early days of Disneyland, complete with the Fantasy Tower lobby’s “it’s a small world” theme, the Frontier Tower with its scale model of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Adventure Tower, where you’ll see Jungle Cruise characters incorporated into the design. With over 900 rooms, the Disneyland Hotel also boasts a unique collection of themed Disney suites including the Mickey Mouse Penthouse, Pirates of the Caribbean, Adventureland, Big Thunder and Fairy Tale suites! The water play area and courtyard, complete with fantastic water slides, pay tribute to nostalgic Disneyland while ulta-modern features include a Minnie Mousethemed outdoor spa and cabanas each with a flat screen TV, refrigerator, safe, phone, and ceiling fan! Use the touchscreen to order delicious island-inspired fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner at Tangaroa Terrace at the courtyard, or join Chef Goofy and other Disney friends at Goofy’s Kitchen, a whimsical buffet-service restaurant where everyone’s a kid! (Try Goofy’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Pizza!)

Staying at Disneyland Resort

INSIDER TIPS Extra Magic Hour

Disneyland Resort Hotel Guests can enjoy early admission, during every day of their hotel stay, to select attractions in either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park one hour before the park opens to the public!

Disney Character Wake-Up Calls

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

3 Hotels In One! Guests of any Disneyland Resort Hotel can use many of the amenities at all three of the hotels including the Mandara Spa, the convenient entrance to Disney California Adventure Park (located in the Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa) with valid theme park admission, and Pinocchio’s Workshop child activity center. HOT TIP: As a Guest of any of the three Disneyland Resort hotels you’ll enjoy priority access to board the Disneyland Monorail!

Don’t know which hotel will suit your family’s needs and budget? Take a tour inside the Hotels of Disneyland Resort at outandaboutwithkids.com.au/category/ features/disneyland/ and peek into the storybook magic of each hotel – with special tips to help you get the most out of your Disneyland Resort experience!

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is a deluxe 948-room AAA Four Diamond hotel located right inside Disney California Adventure park (it even has its own entry gate into the Park!) This grand hotel has a real Californian heritage feel and celebrates the majesty of the state’s great outdoors, including a stunning 6-story lobby constructed of stone and wood and impressive American Craftsman-style décor in all rooms. Rooms overlook both the theme park and the exciting Downtown Disney District and with two heated pools and a themed water slide, two whirlpools, a children’s pool there’s fun galore here 24/7. At Pinocchio’s Workshop, kids 5 to 12 years of age can play games, enjoy dinner and snacks, make crafts, watch Disney movies and spend time with new friends—while parents enjoy an evening to themselves at one of the hotel’s beautiful restaurants.

Is Mickey Mouse really calling YOU? Start your day off with a special wake-up call from a Disney character.

Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel

Loaded with special Disney touches, this fun seaside-themed hotel, that celebrates the heyday of California’s boardwalks, overlooks Paradise Pier, one of the most colorful sections of the Disney California Adventure. Here you’ll be treated to charming facilities and superb service, with a fun California beachfront vibe! The 15-storey hotel features 481 guest rooms and, if you’re lucky, your room may even enjoy a bird’s eye view of the amazing “World of Color” nighttime water spectacular! There’s even a rooftop pool where you can thrill and spill on The California Streamin’ slide, designed to resemble its namesake attraction in Disney California Adventure! And don’t miss the extra-special, daily “Surf’s Up! Breakfast with Mickey & Friends.” This fantastic and memorable character dining experience gives families the opportunity to snap photos, practise hula hooping and learn how to ride a wave with Mickey Mouse, and other favorite Disney characters, over a delicious Disney breakfast. SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

1 Disneyland Railroad 2 Horseless Carriage 3 Fire Engine 4 Horse-Drawn Streetcars 5 Omnibus 6 The Disney Gallery 7 The Disneyland Story Presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln 8 Main Street Cinema 9 Enchanted Tiki Room Presented by Dole® 10 Jungle Cruise 11 Indiana Jones Adventure 12 Tarzan's Treehouse 13 Pirates of the Caribbean 14 Disneyland Railroad 15 Haunted Mansion 16 Splash Mountain 17 Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes 18 The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh 19 Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island 20 The Golden Horseshoe Stage 21 Frontierland Shootin' Exposition 22 Mark Twain Riverboat 23 Sailing Ship Columbia 24 Big Thunder Mountain Railroad 25 Big Thunder Ranch 26 Royal Hall 27 Royal Theatre 28 Pinocchio's Daring Journey 29 Snow White's Scary Adventures 30 Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

31 Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough 32 King Arthur Carrousel 33 Casey Jr. Circus Train 34 Dumbo the Flying Elephant 35 Mr. Toad's Wild Ride 36 Peter Pan's Flight 37 Mad Tea Party 38 Alice in Wonderland 39 Pixie Hollow 40 Matterhorn Bobsleds 41 Storybook Land Canal Boats 42 "it's a small world" 43 Fantasyland Theatre 44 Disneyland Railroad

55 Disneyland Railroad 56 Innoventions 57 Space Mountain 58 Magic Eye Theater 59 Starcade 60 Star Tours—The Adventures Continue 61 Astro Orbitor 62 Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

49 48

42 25

28 31 29 30

Frontierland

RIVERS OF AMERICA

New Orleans Square

45 Goofy's Playhouse 14 46 Donald's Boat 47 Gadget's Go Coaster Presented by Sparkle® 48 Chip 'n Dale Treehouse 49 Mickey's House and Meet Mickey 50 Minnie's House 51 Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin 52 Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage 53 Disneyland Monorail 54 Autopia

Fantasyland

19 17

Critter Country

Mickey’s Toontown

3 61

Tomorrowland

60 9

13 10

58 57

Adventureland

7 6 CITY HALL

3 2

Attractions and entertainment may be seasonal and are subject to change without notice.

4 1

Main Street, U.S.A.

Cars Land

Paradise Pier

21 20 33

“a bug’s land” 22

Pacific Wharf

Grizzly Peak

1 3

Buena Vista Street

Condor Flats

STAgE 17 1

©Disney

©Disney/Pixar

MUPPETVISION 3D ©The Muppets Studio, LLC.

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30 29

Hollywood Land

8 12

1 Red Car Trolley 2 Disney Junior—Live on Stage! 3 Muppet Vision 3D 4 Sorcerer's Workshop 5 Character Close-Up 6 Animation Academy 7 Turtle Talk with Crush 8 Red Car Trolley 9 The Hollywood Backlot Stage 10 Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!

11 Disney's Aladdin—A Musical Spectacular 12 The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13 It's Tough to be a Bug 14 Francis' Ladybug Boogie 15 Flik's Flyers 16 Tuck and Roll's Drive 'Em Buggies 17 Princess Dot Puddle Park 18 Heimlich's Chew Chew Train 19 Mater's Junkyard Jamboree 20 Luigi's Flying Tires 21 Radiator Springs Racers 22 The Bakery Tour, hosted by Boudin® 23 California Screamin' 24 King Triton's Carousel 25 Toy Story Mania! 26 Games of the Boardwalk 27 Mickey's Fun Wheel 28 Silly Symphony Swings 29 Goofy's Sky School 30 Jumpin' Jellyfish 31 Golden Zephyr 32 The Little Mermaid~ Ariel's Undersea Adventure 33 World of Color 34 Redwood Creek Challenge Trail 35 Grizzly River Run 36 Soarin' Over California

The Twilight Zone is a registered trademark of CBS, Inc. and is used with permission pursuant to a license from CBS, Inc. ©Disney/CBS, Inc.

CS-14-34889

Tarzan’s Treehouse™ TARZAN™ Owned by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. and used by Permission. COPYRIGHT ©1999 Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. and Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin ROGER RABBIT Character ©Disney/Amblin Entertainment, Inc. Indiana Jones™ Adventure and Star Tours ©Disney/Lucasfilm Ltd.

Planning and booking your Disneyland Resort family holiday

o … are you ready to pack your bags and take that family holiday of a lifetime? Preparations are well underway for the exciting Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration, which will kick off in the US late Spring 2015. With the promise of even more spectacular surprises and dazzling Disney magic, what Aussie family wouldn’t want to be right there in the thick of the action and attractions when Disneyland Resort marks the momentous occasion of its 60th year? Some of the Out & About with Kids team have been lucky enough to experience the Disneyland Resort magic first hand, both as kids ourselves or with our own children, and when it comes to a Disneyland Resort, seeing really is believing! Take it from us - this is one family holiday that will not only exceed the imagination but will also surpass all of your expectations! And, believe it or not, our super special Out & About with Kids Insider Guide to the Disneyland Resort provides a mere tempting teaser to all of the possibilities! We want to help you make the most of your holiday and we don’t want you to miss a thing! We recommend that you consult with an experienced Disneyland Resort

travel agent when it comes to planning and booking your family holiday. Your favourite travel agent has helped many families plan the ultimate Disneyland Resort holiday and knows their way around the sheer scope of all of the unforgettable experiences on offer. And with our Insider Guide in hand, you can easily map out the where and what, and let your travel agent take care of the how as they work with your dream itinerary, and within your budget, to create a tailormade holiday package that ticks all the boxes! ( Don’t be surprised if they even have a few insider tips of their own to share with you!) The Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration gets underway as the 2015 northern hemisphere Spring segues into Summer, and the celebration will continue well into 2016! As the official Diamond Celebration date approaches, Disney will be releasing even more details of the wonderful surprises and entertainment that this wonderful occasion has in store for Guests. Contact your travel agent and stay up-to-date with all of the latest news at www.travel.disney.com.au and order the special Holiday Planning DVD at.disney.com. au/disneyland/dvd/Disney …and start the countdown to the once-in-a-lifetime

DISNEYLAND RESORT DIAMOND CELEBRATION Celebrating 60 Dazzling Years

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

A whole new world of

“This is the Hawai‘i we all dreamed of.”

From the moment you walk into Aulani, you’ll agree this beachfront paradise, set on the shores of Ko Olina, is a whole new world of family

fun.

So much is included with your stay, from a massive, interactive kids club and world-class entertainment to our unforgettable pools, lazy river, waterslides, special splash zones for the little ones and more. To learn more, visit DisneyAulani.com or call your Travel Agent.

WELCOME TO ©Disney AUL-14-37315

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

ÂŠ iStockPhoto/kate_sept2004

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contents

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Sailing the Whitsundays

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Bali beckons – again! Bali is one of those wonderful destinations that, once visited, is hard to resist, again and again. Return holidaymakers wax lyrical about Bali’s charm and agree that no matter how many times they visit, how comfortingly familiar and welcoming Bali is, there’s always something new, delightful and surprising to discover.

117

Winging it on Victoria’s most famous coastal holiday route

Dad rescued the family holiday plans when unexpected bad weather threatened to spoil the mood! To his great delight, and with enthusiastic approval from the family, ‘winging it’ on this holiday became ‘winning it’!

121 Okinawa

The heart of Thailand Duncan Robertson and his family are passionate about Thailand and take every opportunity to spend time there. The busy chef and restaurateur says the only thing better than soaking up the flavours and the culture of Thailand is the ‘inclusiveness’ and warmth of the Thai people.

103

DC Rocks!

Make Duncan’s ‘Moo Ping’ – page 100

In a city known for its wide avenues, striking monuments and political power, the US capital of Washington DC may not scream family holiday, but Rob McFarland uncovers the staggering range of family-oriented attractions and experiences that lie behind DC’s façade.

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Aloha Aulani The new kid on the Disney block sprawls across a sparkling Hawaiian location! Ko Olina, on the island of Oahu, is home to Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, and this 5-star resort promises Disney magic and Aloha adventures all the way!

The ‘Hawaii of Asia’ bursts with a colourful history and diverse culture – and stunning coral reefs and beaches! The jewel in Japan’s Ryukyu Islands chain is a truly unique and enlightening choice for a family holiday with a difference.

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Fraser Coast There’s whale watching... and then there’s whale watching! Up close encounters with these majestic marine mammals are just one of the many and varied spectacular drawcards of Queensland’s beautiful Fraser Coast.

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Kakadu in a campervan What do you get when you take one Britz Explorer 4-berth motorhome and the family and set out on a road trip from Darwin? … an unforgettable, real Top End adventure!

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Sailing the Whitsundays You don’t have to be a seasoned ‘boatie’ family to experience life on the sea! Be the Captain of your own chartered seagoing vessel for a family holiday sailing the waters of the beautiful Whitsundays - keep your mini-crew shipshape, make sure the galley is well-stocked with provisions and away you go!

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

The heart of

Thailand “Thailand has opened my eyes, my heart, my ears and my mind.”

o says chef DUNCAN ROBERTSON, of Duncan’s Thai Kitchen fame … and after a 25-year career as a chef in a variety of great restaurants, hotels, catering companies, patisseries and fine dining venues, his own tv program, books and dvds, and as owner of two renowned restaurants in Victoria, “Vanilla Orchid” and “River Kwai Thai and Burmese”, it’s his wife, Julia, ‘…an amazing Thai chef’, to whom Duncan credits his passion for Thailand, and for his prowess in the kitchen cooking delicious Thai food! “I feel I have “arrived home” with my Thai family, and have been cooking nothing but Thai food day in day out for many years now.”

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Love with a capital L I absolutely Love going to Thailand and I love it even more when I go with my family. The kids just can’t get enough of visiting there. I have three children aged 17, 14 and 6. One day I asked my 14-year-old son Jesse just why he loves Thailand so much. I thought he would say “Oh, because of the cheap gadgets and toys, and so on” ... but he surprised me when he said, “Dad, I love going to the villages and playing with the other kids. They are so friendly and it’s just fun to feel free!” It made me think, “That’s what it is for me, too!” To be able to go everywhere wearing your shorts and a pair of thongs, to feel accepted wherever you go and to be welcomed by everyone. That’s what makes Thailand special - the inclusiveness of its people.

Thailand for everyone It’s hard to imagine that with such a large age gap between my children, that we can all go to Thailand and still find something for everyone to do. Kids love having fun and in Thailand there are so many fun things to do. Start with the warm sunny weather and add in snorkelling, surfing and jet skiing ... horse riding on the beach, temples to look at, palm trees to play under and more. Then at the end of the day, Thailand offers night markets with very affordable games, books, DVDs, clothes, toys, jewellery and handmade novelties that kids just love. However for me, as a chef and a person who loves eating everything he sees, Thailand fully satisfies my tummy with the most amazing selection of snacks, treats, delicious food and drinks. Thailand really has everything covered for the whole family.

Beyond the cities If you are planning a trip to the countryside of Thailand, it’s well worth the money to invest in a personal driver and a guide with a van from a reputable company (I use Absolutely Fantastic Holidays). It means you can get a lift wherever you need to go, leave the shopping and the snacks in the car and not have to think about how to get around. It’s nice to watch the villages go by in air-conditioned comfort, but make sure you stop frequently and get ‘out and about’ with the community you are visiting. Everything you buy in a country town and village helps a hard-working family. I strongly encourage you to buy food and gifts, and your visit and interaction with the locals will really add to the joy of their day – and yours! The northeast Isaan region of Thailand is incredibly beautiful, with tiger and elephant sanctuaries, rice fields, all terrain vehicle (ATV) riding and paint ball. There are also rivers to fish in and forests full of waterfalls. In the far north near Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai

you will find famous zoos, temples, elephant rides, snake farms, amazing shopping and resorts, cool climate vegetation and rivers to cruise on. Travel west to Kanchanaburi and visit the famous bridge over the River Kwai and the war cemetery, and then stay the night on a floating house. Down south is a tropical paradise full of beaches and sun ... take a long-tail boat to the islands and sample all the food they have for sale. It’s affordable, even if you’re on a budget, and delicious too! Some great choices for the kids are Pad Thai, Gai Tord (fried chicken) and Moo Ping (grilled pork skewers).

Stay, play and eat! eat! eat! Two of my favourite places to stay with the kids when travelling south are Hua Hin and Krabi. Although wherever you go will be amazing, for me these two places have a nice balance of plenty of things for the kids to do, and it’s not too crowded for the parents. I love the phrase “never judge a book by its cover” and in Thailand it’s important to remember this. I challenge you to smile at a Thai person in Thailand (even if they are not smiling!) ... they will quickly return your smile, with a great big one of their own. They are one of the friendliest societies in the world and always willing to help. If you are going to get out and about with your kids, then get out and about in Thailand. It really is “the land of freedom”! And remember ... eat, eat, eat!

Duncan’s favourite

Thai phrases There are a few helpful phrases to know when travelling around Thailand. Here are some of my favourites and a few words that I think all travellers should learn. (Ka for females and krup for males at the end of a sentence makes all things polite). Sawasdee Ka (sa-wat-dee-car) = Hello and goodbye Aroy (Ah-Roy) = Yummy Khor ahn nee Ka (corr-arn-knee-car) = Can I have one of these please? Kop Khun Ka (cop-khun-car) = Thank you Hong Naam You nai Ka (hong-nahm-you-nigh-car) = Where is the toilet please? Kor tord ka (corr-tort-car) = Excuse me TIP: Remember, when you say hello, goodbye or thank you in Thailand, you should put your hands together with your fingertips on your chin (like you are praying) and look below the other person’s face to show respect. This will make Thai people feel very happy and they will be even more helpful. duncansthaikitchen.com au.tourismthailand.org

SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

moo ping

HINT: When marinating meat you can leave it in the fridge for several days to increase the flavour. However, when marinating with an acid such as vinegar, the time must be much less as the acids may harden the meat over time.

(Grilled Pork skewers)

â&#x20AC;˘ SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS

600 gm 2 tbsp 2 tbsp 2 tsp 1 tbsp

pork neck (sliced thinly) coriander root (crushed) white sugar black fine ground pepper dark mushroom soy

2 tbsp 4 tbsp 16

fish sauce oyster sauce wooden skewers (soaked)

Tamarind sauce 100 ml water 100 ml tamarind pulp 80 gm palm sugar 1 lime juiced 60 ml fish sauce

100

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On every corner of a Thailand street, you can find a variety of meats that have been grilled on a stick, marinated and served with sticky rice or dipping sauce. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a must try when in Thailand. The best cut of meat for grilled pork skewers is from the neck (pork scotch or pork neck). You need to have a cut of meat that has thin strips of fat running through the meat. This will baste the pork during the grilling process and add a lot of flavour as well. To make the marinade, simply put the coriander root, white sugar and black pepper in to a bowl then add the pork. Rub the mixture well into the pork. Add some dark mushroom soy, which gives mainly colour to the pork; then add the fish sauce and oyster sauce. Mix well and

leave to marinate for 1-hour minimum or over night for a better flavour. Soak the wooden skewers in water for at least 20 minutes to stop them burning when on the grill. Place a small amount of pork on each skewer (about 40-50 gm). Place on a hot open coal grill or BBQ and cook for approximately 2 minutes on each side until cooked through. Serve hot with tamarind dipping sauce. For the tamarind dipping sauce, simply place the water, tamarind pulp and palm sugar in to a saucepan and heat until dissolved. Remove from the heat and cool. Mix in the fish sauce and lime juice and serve with the grilled pork. Garnish with coriander leaves.

THE BEST THING IN LIFE Nothing but fun in the sun.

CENTARA GRAND BEACH RESORT PHUKET

Discover just how fun a little family time can be at Centara. Join the kids in some wet and wild antics in our water parks, complete with slides – or sit back and enjoy more tranquil times, secure in the knowledge that your children are professionally supervised while you lose track of the hours in our spas or poolside with a sumptuous cocktail selection. The serene sandy beaches that surround each of our stunning resort locations are the perfect middle ground, where you and the kids can stroll, explore and soak up the sun.

THAILAND Pattaya • Hua Hin • Rayong Trat • Koh Chang • Phuket Khao Lak • Krabi • Koh Samui

And you don’t even need to worry about watching your wallet – Centara’s exclusive privileges include free in-resort spending money, and at Centara your kids stay and play absolutely free.

BALI • MALDIVES • MAURITIUS SRI LANKA • VIETNAM

Discover our BEST Rate Guarantee www.centarahotelsresorts.com

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Our Family Experiences guided holidays are carefully designed and hassle-free so all the family can travel together and have the time of their lives. Whether you're hanging out in a ranch in Montana or exploring the magic of Harry Potter in London, everyone will take home unforgettable memories. GLADIATORS, GONDOLAS AND GOLD

CASTLES AND KILTS

WILD WEST COWBOYS & BUFFALOS

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9 days from $1,846^pp

Be a Gladiator for a morning in Rome, enjoy a trip on a gondola in Venice then be seduced by the romance of Florence.

Visit Edinburgh Castle to hear tales of bravery, treason and intrigue. Experience a Harry Potter themed sight-seeing tour of London and search for platform 9 ¾.

Get ready to hit the trail as you pass through the authentic American Old West. Learn about life on a ranch and be shown how to saddle a horse.

The colour and spectacle of Spain bursts throughout this fun family adventure – from the Kick-Off Party in Madrid to a visit to Camp Nou football stadium in Barcelona.

To book contact 1300 663 043, or visit your local travel agent. www.trafalgar.com *Condition apply. Prices are per adult (based on quad share with 2 Adults and 2 children), subject to availability and seasonal surcharge. Child must be aged between 5–17 years and be travelling with an accompanying adult. $261 per person, twin share based on maximum 7.5% Early Payment Discount saving on European Wonderland departing between 4 June – 25 June 2015; 27 August – 24 September 2015 when paid in full by 26 February 2014. Conditions apply; refer to individual brochure pages for each itinerary discount. ^ Advertised price inclusive of 7.5% Early Payment Discount and must be paid in full by 26 February 2015. Prices valid for travel: Gladiators, Gondolas & Gold, 31 July - 21 August 2015; Castles & Kilts 18 June - 9 July 2015; Spanish Salsa 27 June – 8 Aug 2015. ~Advertised price inclusive of 7.5% Early Payment Discount and must be paid in full by 29 January 2015. Prices valid for travel: Wild West Cowboys & Buffalos 16 May - 10 October 2015. 7.5% Early Payment Discounts are not available on all itineraries and are subject to availability at time of booking. Ask your travel consultant or visit www.trafalgar.com for confirmation of discount available. Black-out dates apply. Prices are correct as at 30 November 2014 & are subject to change without notice. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling SUM M E Ras part 2 0of1a5family group. For full terms and conditions see Trafalgar’s 2015 Family Experiences Brochure or visit www.trafalgar.com . Trafalgar is a participant of the AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme 2014. ATAS number: A10534 TT3684

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#TrafalgarInsider

DC Rocks! ROB MCFARLAND says â&#x20AC;&#x153;DC Rocks!â&#x20AC;? especially for families! Behind the imposing buildings and wide avenues of the US capital, a whole mini-city for kids is waiting to be explored ...

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n paper, Washington DC doesn’t exactly scream kid-friendly ... a grand city of imposing buildings, wide avenues and striking monuments; a bubbling political cauldron of ambition, intrigue and power. Surely, no place for a family holiday? On the contrary. Despite its adult facade, DC has a staggering range of familyoriented attractions and experiences. So, set aside the idea that political capitals can’t be fun, and read on to discover why DC rocks.

Free fun at the Smithsonian

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The world’s largest museum and research complex, the Smithsonian Institution has 17 museums and galleries in DC, plus the National Zoo. And the best bit? They’re all free. By far the most popular is the National Air and Space Museum, which presents an encyclopaedic history of man’s obsession with flight. Among its collection of 60,000 objects is a Saturn V rocket, the Apollo 11 command module and the Hubble Space Telescope. What makes the museum so compelling for kids is the range of hands-on activities – they can hop in a flight simulator, make and test a paper aeroplane and even touch a rock from the moon. For extra wow-factor, check out the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, an extension of the museum just outside DC that’s home to a Concorde, a Lockheed spy plane and the Space Shuttle Discovery. > airandspace.si.edu Coming a close second is the National Museum of Natural History with its stunning collection of animals, insects and jewels. Family favourites include the dinosaur displays, a life-size whale and the 3D IMAX theatre. Once again, the museum excels in

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experiential options, ranging from tarantula feeding demos in the Insect Zoo to scientific experiments for school-age kids in the Q?rius (pronounced curious) lab. > mnh.si.edu Completing the trifecta is the National Zoo. This sprawling 66-hectare complex is home to more than 2000 animals, ranging from elephants to gorillas to sloths. Little ones love petting the goats, cows and chickens at the Kids’ Farm, but the zoo’s star attraction is Bao Bao, an adorable baby panda. > nationalzoo.si.edu

Spies, crime and the news While you could easily spend your entire trip in the Smithsonian, be sure to save time for some of DC’s other museum gems. My first assignment at the Spy Museum is to pretend to be Colin Walker, an 18-year-old British art student who’s travelling to Turkey to exchange classified information with another undercover agent. Unfortunately, I’m rumbled at immigration. When the officer asks me where I was born, I panic and blurt out Blockley. I should have said Broseley. Clearly, I’m not cut out to be a spy, but if you have a budding 007 in the ranks, this is a fascinating place to learn about the art of espionage. There are videos on bugging and lock picking, plenty of spy paraphernalia and heaps of hands-on stuff, such as searching satellite images for military bases and crawling along airconditioning ducts to eavesdrop on conversations. > spymuseum.org Similarly engaging is the Crime Museum, which is full of activities for wannabe detectives. Under-9s can take the ‘Top Detective Challenge’ and hunt for a

missing medallion, while older kids can try cracking a safe and honing their skills on a high-speed driving simulator. > crimemuseum.org Last but not least, Newseum takes an engaging, interactive look at news reporting and the media. Kids can deliver a news report, get feedback from professional photojournalists and view front-page stories from around the globe. > newseum.org

Kid-friendly sleeps DC has all the usual big-name hotel chains but Kimpton has made an extra effort to be family-friendly at its two properties, Helix and Rouge. Both feature special ‘Bunk Bed Rooms’ that contain one or two double beds, plus a separate bunk bed area for the kids. Little ones will love the hula hoops and junior-sized animal print bathrobes at Helix; teens may never leave the room once they discover the Xbox 360, board games and kids’ minibar at Rouge. hotelhelix.com rougehotel.com

Get out and about Washington’s many memorials and monuments are deceptively spread out, so a bike tour is one of the best ways of getting around them. Bike and Roll offers a range of tours and can supply bikes with covered trailers for infants and tandem attachments for petite peddlers. If your kids are older, I’d recommend one of their night tours that depart at dusk. Not only is it cooler (Washington can get pretty sticky during the summer), there are fewer tourists around and you get to see the monuments and memorials lit up in all their twilight glory. During our three-hour Capital Sites@Nite tour, we covered all the must-see attractions including the White House, the Washington Monument and many of the war memorials, and enjoyed an entertaining commentary from local student Zac along the way. > bikeandrolldc.com To see DC from a different perspective, how about hiring a boat? Boating in DC rents canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards from its boathouse on the banks of the Potomac River. Either head downstream past Roosevelt Island to see the sights on National

Kids boating in DC Mall or head upstream and enjoy the serenity of the C&O Canal. > boatingindc.com If you’re planning to visit the National Zoo, schedule a couple of hours for neighbouring Rock Creek Park. With playgrounds and picnic spots galore, this sprawling 810-hectare parkland is the perfect place for kids to let off steam and is particularly beguiling in autumn when the leaves change colour (mid-late October). > nps.gov > More info: washington.org

Kid-friendly eats Regular winner of DC’s ‘Best KidFriendly Restaurant’, Ted’s Bulletin is famous for its homemade pop tarts and expansive milkshake menu (ask nicely and the Shaketender will whip you up a potent adult version). Thomas Sweet is the go-to joint for ice creams and it’s pretty much illegal to visit DC and not call into Ben’s Chili Bowl. Enjoy their trademark chilli half-smoke (a pork and beef sausage topped with mustard, onions and chilli sauce) for a wallet-warming $US5.95. tedsbulletincapitolhill.com thomassweet.com benschilibowl.com

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Aloha Aulani A family holiday to Disney or Hawai‘i? Why not do both with Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa in Ko Olina, the newest kid on the Disney block - with all the magic of Disney and the ‘aloha’ and real tradition of Hawai‘i. The resort is located on a white sand beach, with a protected bay of warm Hawaiian water, on a gorgeous piece of coast on the island of O‘ahu. And surprise! Aulani is not a theme park, but a five star resort. Out & About with Kids, and our children, were so lucky to be among the first handpicked group of media to visit the beauty and magic of this newest Disney destination!

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ÂŠ Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

Five star all the way It all began with our dedicated, divine Disney Airport Transfers, closely followed by a seamless check-in, complete with an enticing kids lounge ready to house travel-weary children. We had a wonderful family suite with two bedrooms, full kitchen (not that we used it!), laundry (that we used every day!) and all the 5 star inclusions, as well as the Disney Channel on the TV, of course! Nothing was too much trouble and the kids were treated as valuable guests from dawn till dusk.

Water, water everywhere Making the most of the warm tropical days and balmy nights, Aulani had us exploring Waikolohe Valley, the green space between the towers and the vast network of interconnecting pools. We swam in every pool, snorkelled with tropical fish, waded in the shallows in the littlies play area, meandered down the lazy river in tubes, slid down a pitch-black water slide to be spat out laughing at the other end, did aquarobics with Goofy and leaped off the pontoons into the azure tropical ocean. (Be ready with sunscreen and a couple of swimsuits for each of you!) We also visited the spa to spend lazy hours exploring each therapeutic water experience, before blissing out with an indulgent spa treatment.

Speaking of spas

Lei Making SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

ÂŠ Elisa Elwin

The resort has two award-winning spas ... Laniwai Spa has a family spa treatment in dedicated rooms and more than 100 treatments, as well as access to the 464.5 square metre hydrology garden. Bliss! Or let your older kids loose in the dedicated kids/teen spa Painted Sky for manicures, Disney princess makeovers or just pop in and grab a healthy frozen dessert.

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Insider tips • Head there outside the busy US summer school break, which runs across July and August, if possible. • Be sure not to miss the fun of the Disney Character Breakfast. • In the morning book the kids in to Aunty’s Beach House, the supervised activities club for kids from 3-12 years old. The club is open from 9am till 9 pm. Snacks are free and meals can be pre-ordered if the kids stay over lunch or dinnertime. Your kids may never want to leave, as they will be having so much fun climbing around the playground, hitting the video games, dressing up from the full closet of character costumes, and joining in the incredible Disney activities. And seriously, best of all, it’s FREE! • There are character meetings and greetings all day. Minnie and Mickey are there on holiday, so you will only see them dressed in their Hawaiian holiday gear. Find out more about Aulani resorts.disney.go.com/aulanihawaii-resort Get there with Hawaiian Airlines hawaiianairlines.com

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We started our day with a Disney Character Breakfast and met Mickey and Minnie and learned how to dance the hula with Aunty from Aunty’s Beach House. The kids and I loved every delicious bite of the tropical fruits, Hawaiian local breakfast treats and American staples, including signature ‘Mickey’ waffles. There are quick and healthy bites to grab in between your activities, delicious pineapple whips and tropical shave ice to ward off the heat, and water coolers are scattered around the resort. We loved the cocktails - the Mai Tais and Blue Hawaiians were my favourites – while the kids enjoyed sipping pineapple mocktails and watching the glorious sunsets. Then the restaurants! So many to choose from and each offers fantastic children’s menus. We dined on gorgeous salads, fabulous fries, fresh ocean fish and Mexican delights.

Evening magic After the sunset cocktails, we went to the evening performance of the signature show, Aulani Starlit Hui. Get there early so the kids can enjoy making leis with Aunty and take part in the other experiences there. Wonderful and talented performers relayed Hawaiian stories, told in stunning song and dance. No Disney show would be complete without the appearance of beloved characters and Mickey and Minnie took the lead in a parade that had our kids racing to the front of the stage to get close to their idols, and check out ‘Stitch’ up close. They sang, danced and learned the hula as the show came to its rousing conclusion. Another evening, we sat by the fire pit and Uncle told us enthralling tales during Mo‘olelo Storytelling. What a perfect way to end a magical Hawaiian Disney day.

Shop till you drop The store on site has ALL the latest Disney paraphernalia ... we almost cleaned the store out of Frozen goodies!

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Breakfast pro

gram

The market can cover any forgotten supplies and there are plenty of other tempting treats. However, no visit to the US would be complete without a trip to an outlet mall. And there is a beauty, the Waikele Premium Outlets, with all our favourite brands in one place, just a 10-minute cheap and easy cab ride away. Our baggage allowance was happily taken to the limit, stuffed with new sports shoes, Levi’s and great kids clothes.

Aulani is a holiday for all the family Aulani is magic. Immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture with the bonus of the fabulous Disney essence and attention to detail everywhere. From sun up to sunset and beyond, your whole family will love every second of your Disney experience at Aulani. The resort opened in 2011 and American families know all about the holiday wow of Aulani. While the resort is yet to really make an impact on Australia, we’ve let the cat out of the bag now, so get ready and make your holiday plans soon to be among the influx of Australians who will soon discover the Aulani magic.

Food, glorious food

Meet South Africa Go Go to to www.southafrica.net www.southafrica.net

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Bali beckons – again! Getting back to basics in Bali is as simple as adopting the happy, friendly outlook of its beautiful people and checking in at a ‘resort with the lot’! Bali is a once experienced, never forgotten holiday destination, as DEBORAH McMURTRIE happily discovered on her second visit to the island.

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INTRODUCING SEMINYAK’S NEW INTERNATIONAL PLAYGROUND Located in the heart of lively Seminyak, the new Courtyard by Marriott Bali Seminyak offers breezy balconies in all rooms, refreshing lagoon pools with swim-up Pool Bar, the coolest all-day breakfast experience at Seminyak Kitchen, and a Kids Club packed with fun activities. Of course we can go on and on about our location nearby Seminyak’s famous dining scenes, coolest beaches, and endless entertainment, but then again we prefer you to have fun your way. For more information or to make reservations, ring us at +62361 8499 600 or visit courtyardseminyak.com

Courtyard by Marriott® Bali Seminyak Jalan Camplung Tanduk No. 103 SP, Dhyana Pura T 0361.8499.600 F 0361.8499.200 courtyardseminyak.com

As our taxi weaves and dodges through stop-start traffic, avoiding multiple mopeds, I’m distracted by the quaint local street life observed along the way. Our 25-minute drive to the Courtyard by Marriott at Seminyak takes us past small homes and shops, some a mere shell of concrete with wooden beams, and scores of happy Balinese bustling about their day. Apparently, a special exemption is required in Bali to build anything higher than a coconut tree, so high rises are, pleasingly, few and far between. Kids are out and about playing and laughing and I’m reminded of the enormous appeal of the Balinese ‘simple life’, the pleasures of which are too easily forgotten in our hectic day-to-day life back home. It’s a timely reminder to embrace this perfect spring Sunday with gusto and to enjoy every experience, big and small, on our second Bali holiday.

Location, location, location! On arrival at the brand new Courtyard by Marriott, which opened its doors in July 2014, we’re warmly greeted and escorted to our room on the first floor of the 287-room resort. Stylish and instantly relaxing, our home for the next week is very well-appointed, with all modcons (including iPhone 5 chargers!) and our balcony takes in an expansive view of the resort, above three swimming pools set across a sensational split-level design! After a quick recce of our new digs and a refresh, we set out to explore the neighbourhood. The resort’s position in Seminyak is definitely a hit for us, with a mini-supermarket directly across the road, the beach a mere 400m walk in one direction and plenty of restaurants and shops in the other; including fabulous Balinese massage options and beauty spas, and an abundance of opportunities for retail therapy and delicious eats! Spoilt for choice of lunch spots, we head into Mozzarella after perusing its menu of burgers, sandwiches and Indonesian dishes – including satay, which came up trumps – all for just AUD $15! Re-energised, we continued exploring and couldn’t help but notice that Seminyak was much cleaner than on our last visit here in 2011 – clean streets and fewer hawkers, and those who did venture from their shopfronts to entice us to look at their array of singlets, keyrings, stickers and thongs, were polite and friendly whenever we declined the offer. A mandatory massage later, and a pit stop at the mini-mart to stock up on a few snacks and personal items, and we were back at the resort and eager to cool off with a dip in one of the pools.

Simply Bali

Seminyak Pancakes – Courtyard by Marriott Swimming, sunning and satay We discovered that the top pool has a bar with a chef ready to cook up lunch or light snack (as a satay tragic, I recommend you try their Chicken Satay sticks!) In keeping with the relaxed vibe, the barmen wear Okanuis (floral boardshorts) and white shirts and will rustle you up a fresh juice or cocktail with a smile. Under the beautiful Balinese sun, we lounged, swam and watched happy kids jump in and jump out of the pool with monotonous regularity – oh, and there was plenty of laughter and splashing. Perfect! For our first night’s dinner, we opted to try the resort’s Seminyak Kitchen, after first stopping for a relaxing pre-dinner drink at the pool lounge, where nightly live music sets the mood at sundown. The menu is comprehensive and delicious and the open kitchen is a fascinating distraction, as was the beautiful view from our table.

Kids Club – Courtyard by

Marriott

There’s no keeping out of the kitchen! We learn that the restaurant is also open each day for breakfast (until 11.30am) and lunch, so (of course!) our next day began back in Seminyak Kitchen where we maintained our commitment to overeating! On offer at breakfast was everything from Asian eats to Aussie cereals, waffles, pastries, made-toorder omelettes and even ice- cream. We spot the

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From left: Bali Safari & Marine Park.

resort’s general manager moving among the tables, making sure every guest is having the holiday they are there to have! We were lucky to meet the head chef Billy Costoglou, who is an Aussie putting his mark on the kitchen at the new resort. He is enthusiastic and happy to cater for anyone with allergies and food intolerances, and he also encourages budding masterchefs to take a ‘tour’ of his kitchen!

Ku De Ta

Beach eats

Orangutan and binturong! After breakfast we set out for one of Bali’s best attractions and although we’re not sure exactly what to expect, when we arrive at Bali Safari & Marine Park we quickly take advantage of the first attraction on offer – a photo op with an orangutan! Within ten minutes we’re all taking turns to be snapped as we hold this cute, friendly little guy, before checking out the brightly coloured macaws and watching Asian elephants bathing! We have our first encounter with a binturong, a ‘bearcat’ native to South Asia (it looks like a hybrid cat/possum!) before entering the world of Great Cats. We’re able to pat a very docile lion and spy on two beautiful white tigers playing in the sun before moving on to the Little Paws Tiny Claws hands-on experience, which is tailored to allow young children to get up-close with gorgeous critters. Yanti the elephant is our unusual and exhilarating mode of transport through the Safari Park, taking us on a ride that brings us within a couple of metres of rhino, zebra and wildebeest. After lunch we make haste to the Bali Theatre for a cultural show with a difference. Bali Agung –The Hidden Tale of Bali is a one-hour explosion of light, colour and sound, with amazing scenery and

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Waterbom Park costumes, that thoroughly engages and delights every member of the audience.

Suksma Bali!

In a week of exciting adventures that also included a day at Bali’s famous Waterbom Water Park and endless, amazing shopping, we enjoyed more therapeutic massages, loads of pool fun and poolside relaxation and innumerable mouth-watering meals at the resort and across a host of casual and diverse beachfront restaurants. Put simply, our second visit to Bali was nothing short of fantastic – and we definitely ‘got’ the wonderful holiday we were there to have - thank you Bali!

Ku De Ta is a famous familyfriendly beach restaurant bar only a 20-minute beach walk from the Courtyard by Marriott. It’s a great place to catch a sunset and perfect for a casual lunch, breakfast or brunch with a menu designed by the former chef of the two-hatted Bridge Room Restaurant in Sydney. Kids are always welcome and Ku De Ta runs a family fun day every Sunday. Only a 5-minute walk from the Courtyard by Marriott and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Chez Gado Gado is an outdoor dining delight with a wine sommelier and fresh produce that’s not only delicious but also presented with class. gadogadorestaurant.com kudeta.net marriott.com.au/bali mozzarella-resto.com balisafarimarinepark.com waterbom-bali.com

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Winging it on

Victoria’s most famous coastal holiday route

Inclement weather may have hijacked one family’s Great Ocean Road holiday plans, but as dad ‘DAVO’ WILLIAMS discovers, there are always plenty of silver linings to be found lurking behind heavy rain clouds!

Twelve Apostles - Great Ocean Road

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he Scottish poet Robert Burns famously wrote, “The best laid schemes of mice and men, Go oft astray…” and ‘oft’ it’s holidays that are put to the test, when elements out of our control contrive to thwart our ‘best laid’ plans.

Back to the drawing board Victoria’s Great Ocean Road is rightly one of the world’s renowned scenic routes. Incredible vistas – including the iconic 12 Apostles – accompany every picture-perfect, quaint and funky beachside town along this spectacular coastal drive. But there’s nothing like unexpected (and extreme) weather to force a change in the itinerary, and when we arrived at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport from Sydney to start our holiday, we were met by menacing storms, high winds and a weather forecast of cold, wet days ahead. Almost every adventure we had mapped out for our Great Ocean Road holiday was an outdoor one, and the bad weather had forced the closure of some attractions and had wreaked substantial damage on others. We had to forfeit our plans - Cape Otway Lightstation, Apollo Bay Surf and Kayak, Otway Fly Treetop Adventures, glow worms in the Otways and the Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park ... and go back to the drawing board. With collective thinking caps on, we came up with an alternative plan – and this is the story of where we ended up, and how much incredible fun we had on a revamped, spontaneous holiday itinerary that thumbed its nose at nature’s wrath!

Torquay And so we set off, motoring along this famous stretch of coastline in the spirit of adventure. In those moments when the rain let up and the sun peeked through the water-laden clouds, we were quick to grab the opportunity to stretch our legs ... and at Torquay we stopped a while and watched in astonishment as hardy wetsuit-clad surfers and wind and kite surfers thrilled to the spills the offshore weather conditions had served up. At the Front Beach Café overlooking magnificent Torquay Beach, we sampled some of the most delicious fresh food Victoria has to offer! The friendly café was buzzing with a mixed lunchtime crowd of young and old, prams and families, all enjoying the view and the eats. At Surf World Museum we checked out the extensive memorabilia that curator Brian has amassed into a fascinating collection. In fact, Brian is the fount of all knowledge on the subject, and with the world-famous pro surfers’ ‘paradise’ of Bells Beach just down the road, and an extraordinary number of surf beaches along the coast, there is plenty of local surf culture and history on display.

Lorne

The folk at Mantra Lorne greeted us with cheery smiles and the offer of a most welcome bowl of hearty warm soup (and a glass of mulled wine too!), when we arrived for our first night’s accommodation.

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...it pays to be flexible “ when you travel ... as we

delightedly discovered...

”

Mantra Lorne is a large complex built around the oldest guesthouse in Victoria and set in over 4 ha of beautiful beachfront gardens. Families can choose from a range of accommodation types – from hotel and resort rooms to apartments – to suit all budgets. Our suite was the perfect size and configuration and positioned within an easy wander to dining areas and barbecues, kids playgrounds and the great indoor pool (which gave us the opportunity to swim without having to brave the beach!). Just a short stroll later and we were happily sightseeing along Mountjoy Parade, the centrepiece of Lorne township, soaking up the quintessential Aussie seaside village atmosphere of cafes, boutiques and restaurants. An easy, stroller-friendly foreshore walk around Louttit Bay is punctuated by plaques commemorating shipwrecks dating back to 1841 and, despite the wild and woolly winds, we bravely ventured onto the pier for an exhilarating and bracing view far out to sea, imagining those formidable sailors of yesteryear! We wrapped up our first day with dinner at a great little find, Mexican Republic, tucked just off the main drag in Grove Road. The ambience is warm and friendly, the corn cobs are amazing – and best of all, children are well catered for across a very appealing and tasty menu.

Great Otway National Park The next day’s weather was far more benign, and after a delicious buffet breakfast with all the trimmings at a table in the sun, we continued our road trip – setting out for Erskine Falls, a quick and easy 10km drive

north-west of Lorne. The falls are located in Great Otway National Park and cascade over one of the highest drops in the Otways. Without the strong winds of the day before, we took our time marvelling at (and photographing) the spectacular vista from our vantage point. A slow-combustion wood fire, all amenities at hand and a spiral staircase leading to a loft room awaited us at our accommodation at Ti Tree Cottages in Forrest. Forrest is a small and charming town in the national park, nestled in the hinterland of the Otways, and the pitter-patter of rain on the tin roof of our cottage lent a lyrical quality to our stay in this cosy abode. We discovered Ride Forrest, which houses the local café and is the cyclists’ hangout. Here you can hire mountain bikes for all ages and get expert suggestions for suitable tracks to explore on two wheels – and the self-described ‘really great coffee’, really is! Our highlight was dinner at The Wonky Donkey Pub. Although the menu is small, the food is cooked to order using fresh ingredients to create simple, hearty meals – all served in generous portions. The locals love to eat and socialise here and happy families and a great atmosphere abound. Our last stop before heading back to Melbourne was a visit to Planet Mud Outdoor Adventures, for a Segway ride through the bush. Thankfully the day was not marred by bad weather and our enthusiastic hosts pointed us in the right direction, as we rode our Segways along some of the bush tracks in this 21 ha adventure centre. Planet Mud also offers plenty of paintball fun and challenges for kids over 12 years – and Globe Riding is an ‘extreme’ must – give it a go! So that was our spontaneous holiday on the Great Ocean Road! It pays to be flexible when you travel and, as we delightedly discovered, there is always plenty of fun to be had, even in wild weather. A return to this area of Victoria, to finish the rest of our Great Ocean Road tour, is definitely on the cards soon!

Great Ocean Road Front Beach Café, Torquay frontbeachcafe.com.au Surf World Museum, Torquay surfworld.com.au Mantra Lorne mantralorne.com.au Ti Tree Cottages, Forrest (03) 5243 3579 Ride Forrest rideforrest.com.au The Wonky Donkey Pub, Forrest wonkydonkey.com.au Planet Mud Outdoor Adventures planetmudoutdooradventures. com.au

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F EN RE TR E Y

Visit the Mint it makes cents See

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Free ADMiSSion AnD PArkinG open 363 days of the year

Okinawa

Described as the ‘Hawaii of Asia’, Okinawa is the southernmost Prefecture of Japan and part of the 1000km long Ryukyu Islands chain that stretches from Kyushu to Taiwan. Endowed with stunning coral reefs and beaches, Okinawa also has a colourful history and diverse culture and many of its ancient ruins, partially destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa in WWII, have been preserved as UNESCO World Heritage listed sites. The combination of unique location, natural beauty and cultural history makes Okinawa a truly unique and enlightening choice for a family holiday with a difference, as RICHARD BUNTING discovered.

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hile mainland Japan is on many a ‘bucket list’, a visit to Okinawa is not what you would expect from a holiday to Japan.

Naha city and surrounds

Getting there Japan Airlines, Qantas and Jetstar all service mainland Japan. You can connect to Okinawa on Japan Airlines from Narita, Haneda or Osaka Airports. The easiest way to explore Okinawa is to hire a car. The driving is similar to Australia, but take it easy ... the road signs are in Japanese! Okinawa Tourism beokinawa.com en.okinawastory.jp Japan Tourism jnto.org.au Ryukyu glass craft ryukyu-glass.co.jp/guide/en Okinawa World gyokusendo.co.jp/ okinawaworld/en Ocean Expo Park oki-park.jp.e.ms.hp.transer. com/kaiyohaku/ Nago Pineapple Park nagopineapplepark.com/ english

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Ensconced on the main island in the Okinawan capital, Naha, we first visited the ‘jewel in the crown’ - Shuri Castle. The original castle was destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, however it has been restored and is a fascinating opportunity to learn about the Ryukyu Kingdom that ruled these islands from the 15thC-19thC. It’s an easy walk around the castle and children are delighted to discover just how the ancient Okinawan royals lived all those centuries ago. Our next stop was a trip to the outer city limits to visit the Heiwa Kinen Gardens Memorial Park and the old Japanese Navy underground headquarters. The Memorial Park sits on the coast and is a beautiful and touching memorial to those who fought in the Battle of Okinawa, the only place in Japan to experience fighting on the ground in World War II. Kids will love the Old Navy headquarters in nearby Tomigusuku City - an amazing network of deep, narrow tunnels carved out of the earth, and not an experience they’re likely to find in Australia! Naha has lots to offer, from shopping on Kokusai Street and in the markets, to grabbing a delicious Japanese meal or just enjoying island life. Children are fascinated by the limestone caves at the Okinawa World theme park, which also offers a cultural music show, a reptile park and plenty of eateries to sit and take in the atmosphere. Close by is the Ryukyu Glass Craft factory, famous for its handmade glassware that boasts vivid colors and organic shapes that reflect the natural beauty of Okinawa. If you’re six years or older you can try your hand at blowing your own glass or vase to take home!

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Awesome Aka Island Aka Island sits within a group of islands serviced twice daily by ferry (it’s a relaxing 70 minute ferry trip from the main island) and once you arrive at Aka, you really feel you have escaped modern day civilisation. This is a truly wonderful place to spend time as a family and relax. While the accommodation is basic and limited to pensions (think guest house) – you will be spending most of your time outside. The beaches are stunning, the water is warm and the reefs are amazing! Be sure to hire bikes or head off on a walk to explore the island. We clambered into kayaks and paddled to a deserted beach, where we spent time snorkelling over a reef that challenges the Great Barrier Reef for beauty ... the colours of the coral and the shoals of fish were breathtakingly lovely.

Southern Okinawa Stay a few nights in the region south of Naha, as there is plenty to do and yet more beautiful beaches that will (seriously!) take your breath away. Interestingly, American military bases take up 20% of Okinawa and you often see fighter jets shooting through the sky. Mihama America Village is a quintessentially American entertainment complex in Chatan and is the perfect destination for families, with a range of shops and entertainment facilities and plenty of American or traditional Okinawan restaurants. The Southeast Botanical Gardens offer kids the opportunity to take part in a variety of hands-on experiences – including painting large life-like cows! –amid the beauty of the gardens. Not many people know (and we certainly didn’t!) that Okinawa is the home of karate and at Murasaki Mura theme park you can have a lesson in a traditional dojo. Aside from the karate lessons you

can lose yourself for a day with many hands-on experiences that bring you and your family closer to Okinawan culture. Nago City is in northern Okinawa and home to the Ocean Expo Park (the largest aquarium in Japan) and some of Okinawa’s best family resorts. The city sits in a bay on the beautiful waters of the South China Sea. Nago is very popular with domestic holidaymakers from mainland Japan who visit to enjoy the resorts, beaches, activities, and restaurants and teahouses. The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is located within the Ocean Expo Park and we were gobsmacked by the very first tank! It was full of beautiful, bright fish, many of which you meet when you snorkel or dive on the reefs. As we came upon the next exhibit the kids audibly gasped, as three massive whale sharks, stingrays and even more fish loomed close! We finished our day watching the very entertaining dolphin show, which also offers a beautiful outlook to the ocean and islands beyond. Within the region other attractions that will bring smiles to the faces of your offspring include the Nago Pineapple Park, the Nakinji Sho Castle ruins and Ogimi village - known as the village of longevity - where life expectancy is higher than anywhere else in the world. Okinawa is an amazing destination ... reef-ringed islands and aquamarine waters juxtapose with vast fun, hands-on, cultural and historical experiences. All up our trip to Okinawa was eye-opening, refreshing and relaxing and a holiday that will live in our memories for years to come – you should quickly put Okinawa on your family’s bucket list!

Northern Okinawa

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Whale tales on the

Fraser Coast If the words ‘whale superhighway’ don’t get the kids excited, then nothing will. Throw in the spectacular natural beauty of the world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island, and the Great Barrier Reef-surrounded Lady Elliott Island, and the Fraser Coast combines to make one of Australia’s most attractive holiday destinations.

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ulling my kids to sleep with whale songs when they were babies may have influenced our family obsession with these magnificent creatures, and the Fraser Coast is the best place in Australia to witness their migration to winter breeding grounds so we were excited about our 5 day/4 night trip combining Fraser and Lady Elliott Islands, both whale ‘hotspots’, and looking forward to a few family activity treats in between!

Fun on Fraser Eager and excited, we flew into Hervey Bay, organising our arrival to connect with the Kingfisher Bay Ferry that whisked us across to the World Heritage listed Fraser Island, our base for the next few days. We had booked into Kingfisher Bay Resort on the western side of the island - a purpose-built eco tourism resort that has won numerous awards. The resort offers a range of accommodation options in this magnificent setting, and also runs guided walks, talks, tours and cruises, educating guests about this ecologically sensitive area and the critters that called it home. There are programs designed specifically for kids, including the Junior Eco Rangers program, which helps the little ones appreciate the importance of our natural heritage and what they can do to help protect the environment. With a host of activities in store for us over the next couple of days, we settled into our comfortable family room, ordered a gourmet pizza and hit the hay early in eager anticipation of tomorrow’s adventures.

A day on the road Fuelled with enthusiasm, we jumped into the 4WD provided by Aussie Trax - and after some expert

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training on how to tackle Fraser’s sandy roads ventured off for a full day exploring the beauty and breadth of this incredible island. Even if you’re an experienced 4WDriver, the soft sand and tidal conditions can be challenging and the training is highly advised! Taking in the magnificent scenery and occasional dingo, we headed for the eastern side of the island where I had a surprise in store for the family - a 15-minute joy flight with Air Fraser Island! With seat belts fastened and the kids wide-eyed with anticipation, we took off along the beach and veered west, scoping the island that lay beneath. Whoops of joy broke through the engine noise as one of the kids spotted whales below, together with a couple of lazy manta rays cruising the turquoise waters. Back on the ground and high on adrenalin, we continued to make tracks in the sand, stopping at beautiful Eli Creek to devour our picnic lunch. At Lake Mackenzie we relished a swim in the pristine, fresh waters of the deep inland lake. There was so much to do - Segway tours of the tidal flats, guided night walks to spot nocturnal native animals, a ‘Bush Tucker Talk and Taste’ session to explore the indigenous edibles of the region and a sunset cruise along the magnificent Great Sandy Strait !

Eco-bliss on Lady Elliott Island The following morning we were treated to another aerial spectacle - a breathtaking 45-minute small plane ride, complete with migrating humpback whales, from Hervey Bay across to the magnificent Lady Elliott Island. Nestled within the reef, and

home to a sparkling lagoon, this 42-hectare slice of paradise supports more than 1200 marine species, as well as ecologically-important bird rookeries. Our kids are keen nature-lovers and scoured the daily activities board as soon as we arrived, before sprinting off to the Junior Reef Rangers Kids club. Accompanied by a fun group of dedicated rangers, they fed fish, identified native birds and explored the lagoon, while learning about the island and its inhabitants. The next day we snatched the kids back for some family time ... and a glass bottom snorkel safari to view the vibrant coral life of the surrounding cays. We were left speechless by the myriad of fish we witnessed in this underwater wonderland, and also the sight of three humpbacks gracefully gliding past our boat, almost within arm’s reach. Lady Elliott Island really is eco-bliss - from sunset strolls around the island, to captivating guided reef-walking tours, to just kicking back on the beach - and we were sad to leave this natural gem as our flight took off back to Hervey Bay later that afternoon.

Thar he blows! Despite the adventures we had experienced, our last day on the Fraser Coast was definitely the highlight, with a half-day whale-watching cruise with Hervey Bay Whale Watch. Up to 1200 whales break their journey for a ‘rest stop’ here and this natural shelter offers unique opportunities to witness whale behaviour and interactions. The kids couldn’t contain their excitement at seeing so many whales up close and the possibility of swimming

with these giant beasts, as part of a brand new immersive experience being offered by Hervey Bay Whale Watch (conditions permitting). But after two hours spent enjoying the view, accompanied by multiple cups of tea and Milo, and only the occasional sighting of a whale ‘blow’ in the distance, we were feeling a little deflated. And then he arrived! It is hard to explain the excitement that gripped both crew and passengers as a sub-adult male swam towards our catamaran and began to playfully interact with our vessel. Swimming beneath us from side to side, ‘tail slapping’, ‘spy hopping’ and waving his flukes at his enchanted audience of admirers for around 40 minutes - we couldn’t believe our luck! Seeing whales from a distance was one thing, but being so close and able to engage with this magnificent animal was another. We were encouraged to wave and call out to the whale, and the kids posed for ‘Whelfies’ - a ‘selfie’ with a whale in the background - while our crew determined how they were going to start their propellers with a whale so close that had no intention of going anywhere. Eventually, another boat came to our rescue, luring the whale’s interest away from us, and we headed back to Hervey Bay, seriously late - but filled with awe and admiration. While the whale’s active behaviour prevented us from being able to hop in the water and have an eye-to-eye experience, the extended performance he gave was ample compensation for all on board. – Elisa Elwin

Fact Box When to go: Whale watching season is from mid March to November each year. Getting there: Fraser Island is just offshore from Hervey Bay on Australia’s east coast and Kingfisher Bay Resort passenger and vehicle ferry services depart daily from River Heads (secure parking is available). Virgin Australia and QantasLink provide direct flights to Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast from a number of Australian capital cities and the Kingfisher Bay Resort operates airport connections. virginaustralia.com qantas.com.au Fraser Coast Tourism Fraser Coast Tourism offers a wealth of information to help you plan your getaway. From accommodation, to activities, to transport options - they have you covered! visitfrasercoast.com kingfisherbay.com airfraserisland.com.au ladyelliot.com.au herveybaywhalewatch.com.au

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Kakadu

in a campervan JENNY GIFFORD embarks on a legendary family motorhome adventure through the Northern Territoryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s iconic wilderness

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he name ‘Kakadu’ is legendary throughout Australia. Immense, ancient landscapes overflowing with native bird and animal life, and infused with the spirit of one of the Earth’s oldest living cultures. As Australia’s largest terrestrial national park (at 20,000 square kilometres), what better way to explore this spectacular part of the country than on our first family campervan holiday? Arriving in Darwin, we collected our Britz Explorer 4-berth motorhome, our house-on-wheels for the next few days, and listened attentively as we were told about the ins and outs, ups and downs, and ingeniously hidden treasures of this compact contraption. Well, Dad listened attentively. The kids squabbled over who would sleep where and peered with great curiosity into the toilet and shower cubicle, amazed at the ingenuity of fitting a bathroom into the space! Meanwhile, I was pleasantly thrilled with the practicality of the Explorer’s construction – no detail had been overlooked - designed to ensure a comfortable experience adventuring in the great outdoors. Kakadu had long been on our travel wish list. The vast open spaces, ancient rock formations, spectacular waterfalls and indigenous cultural traditions were something we wanted to experience ourselves and to share with our children. Leaving behind the bright lights of Darwin we headed south, down the Stuart Highway and through the red earth expanse of the Northern Territory, taking in Australia’s iconic outback. It’s about a 2-hour drive to Pine Creek, where the Kakadu Highway branches to the east towards the south entry and ranger station of the national park. Our first stop was the Cooinda Lodge, an indigenousowned hotel and campground situated within Kakadu’s park boundary. We had chosen Cooinda for its proximity to the famous Yellow Water

Tour Guides

Cooinda Pool Kids at Cooinda Billabong and Warradjan Cultural Centre, as well as for its option of hooking up to a powered site. As first-time campervan travellers, reversing into the designated camp spot close enough to connect the power and water was, admittedly, a challenge. But Dad came through with flying colours and we were soon enthusiastically setting up camp. The kids couldn’t get to the pool fast enough, the cool water and cascading waterfall a welcome relief from a dusty day on the road … and reassuringly croc-free! A quick team meeting confirmed the following day’s plans for a sunrise Yellow Water Cruise, followed by a visit to the Warradjan Cultural Centre. With grumbling tummies we then headed to the on-site Barra Bistro for a tasty dinner of barramundi and chips. This lively joint was screening the evening’s AFL match and we shared in this Aussie jamboree with a boisterous crowd of locals (Go the Pies!). Considering the early start we had in store, it was lights off and air-conditioning on as we snuggled into the comfort of our campervan beds and drifted off into blissful sleep. Waking the kids before first light was a challenge, but the reward of watching the sun’s first rays break over the horizon, reflected in the pristine waters of the Yellow Water Billabong, was an experience we will never forget. This magical landscape is home to around 60 different species of birds, including dancing brolgas, and it was captivating watching them take flight and dive for fish in the wetland’s waters. Our indigenous guide had an impressive knowledge of the native wildlife and a keen eye for spotting crocs stealthily emerging from the water – all limbs in the boat! We returned to Cooinda for lunch and prepared an enticing spread served on the picnic table and chairs outside the campervan, the awning a welcome SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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Kakadu had long been “ on our travel wish list...

something we wanted to experience ourselves and to share with our children

”

Fact Box Britz Campervans www.britz.com.au Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel accorhotels.com.au Cooinda Lodge and Camping Spirit of Kakadu Adventure Tours Yellow Water Cruise Warradjan Cultural Centre gagudju-dreaming.com

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protection from the Northern Territory’s midday sun. The kids miraculously disappeared to the pool when it was time to wash up and we soon followed. The afternoon was spent at the Warradjan Cultural Centre, a kilometre down the road, where the traditional indigenous landowners, the Bininj people, share their knowledge and love of country with visitors. The displays and exhibitions offer an intriguing insight into the customs, stories and culture of the local Aboriginal people and the kids were fascinated to discover the traditional skills used in hunting, gathering and handicraft production. A traditional Aussie bbq was on the menu for dinner, served up under the impressively bright stars, and then we ventured to the shower block to wash off the day’s dust. It was a surprise to find I wasn’t showering alone, but with a gathering of ten tiny, shiny frogs at my feet, feasting on the insects that had been lured inside by the lights. All part of the outback experience! After a leisurely breakfast on our third day, we embarked on a Spirit of Kakadu Adventure Tour, accessing some of the park’s more remote areas. Their safari-style 4WD buses made for comfortable offroading and the passionate guides offered a wealth of information on the spectacular landscapes we traversed, as well as indigenous Dreamtime stories of Kakadu. In addition to a delicious packed lunch, the highlight was definitely the climb up to stunning Gunlom waterfall and plunge pool where magnificent, sweeping views across southern Kakadu offered a fantastic perspective on the immensity of the park. The whole family enjoyed a swim in the crystal clear pools, allowing us time to take in the incredible beauty we were experiencing together. It was then a short drive up the Kakadu Highway to the iconic Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel - a unique opportunity to sleep within a big saltwater crocodile! Located right in the heart of the park, this retreat is a great base for exploring Kakadu, evident when the hotel quickly emptied after breakfast, as everyone ventured off on their day’s adventures. Our room seemed enormous after the confines of the campervan, but we missed the intimacy of our home-on-wheels and the bond we had developed living on top of each other. The following morning we rattled and rolled west from Jabiru along the Arnhem Highway back towards Darwin. Drawn closer by our first campervan experience and drinking in our last glimpses of Kakadu, we reminisced about the adventures we had shared as a family in this beautiful Australian wilderness.

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Photographers: Joann oa e Buck + Paul Osta l www w.TheRaro rotong tongan.c n om

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Whitsundays Sailing in the Whistundays is bliss, even if you’re not a seasoned ‘boatie’ family, says FRANCES ESCAMILLA

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Sailing the

am a convert! Cheered on happily by my family, I have discovered that boating really is a super holiday. Days on azure seas connecting in so many uninterrupted ways with family, laughing, swimming and learning to ‘roll, pitch and yaw’ make for a phenomenal holiday. Dedicated ‘boaties’ will smirk at my newfound revelation! But the truth is that despite loving boating and sailing, we are not a regular ‘boating family’ and any maritime adventures had previously been limited to generous invitations from sea-going friends or on a Sydney ferry! So it was decided. It was high time we got the hang of a sailing holiday and, novice sailors every one, we set out for a family adventure and, seriously, what better place to experiment with a first time boat charter than the 74 magical islands of the Whitsundays? We planned to ‘test the waters’ on a two night excursion, and rented a Seawind 1000 Excel catamaran through Queensland Yacht Charters - or QYC, as we would come to know it through the Marine Band VHF. We flew in to Proserpine from Sydney with Tigerair. The flight was easy, direct and reasonably priced, leaving us extra money to spend on our holiday. We headed straight to the Abell Point Marina, where we were met with smiling Whitsundays warmth and given a super training session to make even a confirmed newbie (yep, point to me!) feel safe and competent. Four hours

...laughing, swimming “ and learning to ‘roll, pitch and yaw’ ... ” later, we had charts, safety books and daily ‘Scheds’ indelibly imprinted in our memories. Our 6-berth ‘cat’ had all the bells and whistles, with kitchen, toilet, indoor and outdoor showers, deck BBQ - for all the fish we didn’t catch! - and a sailing plan that was just right for newbies. I couldn’t get my head around a shopping expedition for the two days and left the catering for our trip in the experienced hands of Whitsunday Provisioning. This meant that three large polystyrene containers filled with ALL we would need for the next two days were already onboard, along with recipe ideas, delicious and perfectly portioned food, tissues, glad wrap and so on. What a relief not to have to plan, haul shopping or think about any of that! It was already 3 pm by the time we motored away out to our first evening mooring in the closest safe haven of Funnel Bay, only 20 minutes away. It was a perfect first night under the stars to sort our bedding options, unpack our provisions and get our sea legs. We had a fun night, with excitement building for the adventures ahead and then we were all gently rocked to sleep. SUMMER 2015 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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...the brilliant stars were “ reflected in the watery wilderness... ”

Fact Box Tourism Whitsundays tourismwhitsundays.com.au Tigerair tigerair.com Queensland Yacht Charters yachtcharters.com.au Whitsundays Provisioning whitprov.com.au

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The next morning we set sail, after calling in our ‘Scheds’ - an essential part of any sailing day. Twice a day you turn on the radio and wait for your boat name to be called on the channel. ‘My turn’ and ‘Can I do it?’ negotiations were had as each of the kids were given the morning and evening shifts to relay where we were and where we were heading for the day. We then motored off to our next destination, gorgeous Butterfly Bay. After a couple of hours of gently moving across the tranquil waters, we had our fishing rods out (but the fish were safe!) and spied turtles and flying fish, and waved happily with first-timers’ enthusiasm to every other boat we passed. Mooring in this serene bay, while sea eagles circled overhead, it was time to settle the perennial question of ‘what’s for lunch?’ Then it was on to our next adventure, as we successfully lowered the little motorboat and we puttered around the bay, exploring the mangroves and stopping for a swim at the isolated beach. Swimming and snorkelling the warm tropical waters was a pleasure that seemed to end too soon when the sun started to dip towards the horizon. Once back onboard our temporary home for our second night, the brilliant stars were reflected in the watery wilderness as we prepared our easy dinner, the adults enjoying a glass of wine and everyone marvelling at our good fortune and wonderful day. The ocean treated us to a display of brilliant sparkling phosphorescence and our stargazing was only punctuated with trying to see what made the splash in the water near us ... probably all the fish we didn’t catch, mocking us! There is nothing like sleeping on the water - we slept deeply and found it hard waking up to do our now habitual ‘Scheds’ and prepare for our motor back to Airlie. We sailed past Hayman Island and were escorted by a pod of playful dolphins that kept pace with us for over an hour. Wistfully, we slowly made our way into port - it was hard to believe we had only been on the water for two days! With our confidence up and a love and appreciation for boating fun firmly in place, we all agreed that next time our sailing holiday would last at least five days. And maybe we would ask another family or two to join us in their boats for a flotilla of fun! - Elisa Elwin

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