BIG4 Holiday Parks - Out & About with Kids #48

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FAMILY | TRAVEL | HOLIDAY | LEISURE | ENTERTAINMENT

OUT&ABOUT

AUTUMN 2016

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Toddler Travel

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YUMI STYNES

DID YOU KNOW …?

Destinations and attractions, apps, airlines & airports, cruises, entertainment and much more!

Explore Dubbo with BIG4

5 essential tips for entertaining kids when on rainy holidays Holidaying when it’s raining can be a challenge, and that hurdle is only enhanced if you are travelling with children. While cabin fever can strike us all, it certainly has a greater impact on kids: they appear armed with boundless energy.

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eing denied access to all the fun ‘stuff’ outside can lead to a nightmare situation for you and your kids. However, with the right preparation, you can make your wetweather holiday a memorable one.

We’ve put together a bunch of top tips to keep kids entertained when it’s raining on your holiday.

1. Indoor exploration One of the best things about a holiday is getting out and exploring your new surrounds. The rain does not have to prevent you unearthing fun and engaging attractions at your destination. Simply do your research (or ask a local) and suss out those indoor attractions that can entertain children in wet weather.

Wander through a local museum or gallery or visit an aquarium, science centre, or indoor play area. Head underground to explore caves, bathe in hot springs, or check out a show at the local theatre. The options are endless.

2. Check the weather forecast If the rain has set in, there’s not a great deal you can do about it. However, if you’re staying in a location where the forecast reads ‘a few showers’, then the situation is not all doom and gloom. See where there

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might be breaks in the weather and take full advantage to hit the outdoors and uncover your new surrounds.

If it’s raining outside, make sure are prepared to be entertained insyou ide.

3. Toughen up Just because it’s miserable outside, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t brave the elements. You just need to be prepared.

Put on raincoats, gumboots, gloves, and beanies, arm yourself with an umbrella, and set off on an adventure that will entertain kids in wet weather.

If you’re heading out on a walk, it’s best to have a plan rather than wander aimlessly, as this might prove irritating for younger ones. Show children a picture of where you are headed, so that there’s a clear target or reward at the end. A logical walk is to a local waterfall – after all, it’s likely this attraction will be at its best if the rain is tumbling down (or has been). However, check to see that walking tracks are open and safe, and have a plan in case the weather turns nasty.

4. Make your own fun If the weather is so inclement that you can’t possibly venture outdoors, it’s time to make the most of your BIG4 cabin accommodation. Be armed with ample play equipment, so children can go nuts with indoor activities.

There’s something to suit children of all

ages: toys, art and craft supplies, and cheap options like colouring-in books or old newspapers for paper mache.

Look on the bright side and use the opportunity as a way of creating family time; after all, that’s what holidays are all about. Play board games or card games, or complete a jigsaw puzzle.

Another great option is to bake. Allowing kids to be part of the process is sure to keep them entertained. Alternatively, make use of indoor or heated pools at your BIG4 accommodation.

5. Find the sun If the sun isn’t coming to you, go to the sun.

Head out on a road trip and find a patch of turf that lives up to the cliché that the grass is greener. It’s strange how one area can regularly receive a lot of love from rain clouds while a nearby location escapes these downpours. Again, ask a local if they know of a rain-dodging spot.

Start planning your next family getaway.

Explore your options by visiting BIG4.com.au.

Handy hints when taking a road trip with kids ‘Are we there yet?’ – if you’ve taken a road trip with children these four words are likely to resonate with you. Perhaps you asked the very same question when you were a child … possibly more than once.

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here’s no doubt travelling with kids can be a challenge, and it can be tough providing hours of entertainment on those long drives.

But it doesn’t have to be a journey akin to a roller coaster ride, and the time spent on the road can end up providing some of the happiest memories for the whole family.

We’ve put together a list of handy hints when taking a road trip with kids that aims to make the journey a smoother one.

While it’s important to have scheduled breaks, we want you to avoid unscheduled stops – and hopefully these tips will minimise the chances of such incidents.

Of course, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to travelling with kids – the relevancy of these hints will depend on the age of your child or children.

Involve your children In the lead-up to your trip, include children in your travel plans so they feel a part of the holiday and better understand what lies ahead.

Tell them where you are going and what there is to see along the way, perhaps using a map as a reference. Allow children to have a say in the choice of activities you partake in during the road trip or to choose a stopping point along the way.

Be prepared Pack a wide range of items and store them in an easy-to-reach location. The key is to ensure children are comfortable, entertained, and well fed.

Important items that are worth consideration include water, baby wipes or tissues, books and toys, neck support cushions, rubbish bags, and wide-brimmed hats and car sun shades for sunny days. For younger children, packing their favourite teddy or toy enhances familiarity and comfort.

Choose comfortable clothing and quick-dry items in case of spillages; dark-coloured clothes mask stains.

Bring healthy snacks as well as treats, being mindful to avoid foods that are messy or do not ‘travel’ well.

Play games

Play games

Plan a wide range of games and activities, especially for longer trips. This is important to ensure you hold kids’ attention and keep them entertained for as long as possible.

Portable DVD players, tablet devices, CDs, and audio books are handy modern-age gadgets that reliably keep children entertained. However, there are a host of time-honoured games, such as I Spy, that are great ways to pass the time and are interactive and involve the whole family.

One of the best tips is to avoid toys or games with small pieces that are easy to lose. There’s no

point packing an item where the entertainment value may only last five minutes or so.

Work around sleep patterns Consider hitting the road early and while children are still asleep, presuming you can get your child in your vehicle without disturbing them too much. This should allow you to complete part of the journey without having to keep children entertained.

To assist with this, pack the car the night before your road trip to ensure a quick getaway the following morning.

Break up the journey Plan the journey, factoring in adequate rest stops and researching places that have inviting areas to picnic or play, for example playgrounds or parks.

Bring along sporting equipment or encourage activity so children can burn off energy; in theory, this means they should sleep better later in the drive.

Avoid travel sickness Unfortunately, travel sickness can be an issue – not just for kids –and it’s important to be prepared. This means choosing activities that encourage children to look out of the window rather than within the confines of the car: again, I Spy comes in handy.

It’s also best to avoid ‘heavy’ and greasy meals and snacks, and have ginger or lemon-based products at hand. If travel sickness appears imminent, open a window or encourage children to choose a subject on the horizon to focus on. For a worst-case scenario, pack a couple of thicker plastic bags.

A bit of planning and preparation will go a long way to ensuring your road trip is smoother and more enjoyable for the whole family. Safe and happy travels from the team at BIG4 Holiday Parks.

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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 Digital Content Manager Lisa Monk lisamonk@oawk.com.au Associate Publisher Richard Bunting rbunting@oawk.com.au 0424 138 806 Contributors Julie Jones Lisa Kable Barry Stone Yumi Stynes Louise Wedgwood Sue White Print Design Magnesium Media Print Art Director Louise Summerton Advertising Enquiries Richard Bunting rbunting@oawk.com.au 0424 138 806 Published by Elwin Media Pty Ltd ABN: 22 159 093 606

PO Box 4148, Balgowlah Heights NSW 2093 0413 770 550 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 Š Out & About with Kids 2016 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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E M I T T I T ISN’ Isn’t it time you gave a real gift?

Give the special gift of holidays with a BIG4 Gift Card. Buy online and receive instantly at BIG4.com.au

YUMI STYNES Melbourne is undeniably ‘cool’ and ‘hip’, but is it possible to rediscover the ‘grooviness’ in your hometown, and yourself, once you become a parent?

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s we pull up outside our rented apartment in inner city Melbourne, after driving from Sydney with a toddler and new baby, my husband Martin sighs deeply and says, “Why do we go on holidays?”

I’m totally exhausted too, but here we are finally in our old hometown to visit family and friends, and revisit old pre-kids haunts. Once inside the amazing warehouse conversion in funky Fitzroy, we’re reminded that having children makes it so hard to be cool.

We’re not feeling very hip, or even particularly human, but at least we’ve landed in a neighbourhood (the television series ‘Offspring’ was filmed just down the road) that IS hip – so there’s a tiny chance some might rub off on us!

Our Melbourne base has soaring ceilings, a rooftop hangout and a chef’s kitchen. The bath is big enough for the whole family to fit in and, as we wash the car trip away, I try not to lament (out loud) having too many children.

Melbourne is divided into two main territories, North of the Yarra River, characterised by hip inclusivity, and South of the Yarra, known for beachside chic. Locals joke about the fact that they won’t cross the river for anything BUT IT’S NOT A JOKE. Like with footy, you choose a side and you stick to it.

When I was a kid, much of Melbourne’s grooviness centred around Fitzroy’s Brunswick Street, where the

shopping and nightlife had the perfect mix of grungy and unique. In the intervening years that vibe has migrated to the square encompassed by Smith Street, Gertrude Street and Johnston Street, Collingwood.

Walk a couple of hundred metres in any direction and you’re sure to see world class street art – from giant frescos on factory walls to witty Lost Cat posters stickytaped to poles. In spite of the gentrification, there’s still an aura of excitement and creativity here.

Eat up Smith Street!

BREAKFAST Alimentari 304 Smith Street, Collingwood The people-watching at this café/foodstore is blockbuster! Chow down on ridiculously yummy breakfasts, like a whole mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto then baked and served with toast soldiers and fresh pesto!

LUNCH N. Lee 220 Smith Street, Collingwood All humans are equal when craving the greatest Banh Mi (Vietnamese Pork Roll) in Melbourne.

This great takeaway joint is genuinely cult in Melbourne.

DINNER Hell of the North 135 Greeves Street, Fitzroy Don’t let the name put you off – delicious seasonal food, great service and creative drinks are exactly what you want when you leave the kids with a babysitter for a special night out.

There’s almost no signage out the front of the building, but although you might tentatively creep in, you’ll leave walking on air!

As part of our Melbourne getaway, my youngest daughter experiences her first trip to the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). As she approaches the gallery’s famous ‘Water Wall’, that has been there since 1968, I’m reminded of my own first time here as a young girl, and that irresistible urge to reach out and touch the wall! The idea is that the wall filters out the chaos of the city from the art inside. I also like to think it’s there to tell the young visitors that it’s okay to touch. And that not all art is stuffy and formal.

(This backfires, of course, when she subsequently tries to touch a giant work by Andy Warhol! “Don’t touch!” I stage whisper.)

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Truly Melbourne experiences Hay’s Paddock Leason Street, Kew East This free children’s park is one of the greatest playgrounds in the country, with ample parking and a charter to include kids of all abilities. Bring a picnic, and thank me later!

Mario’s Café 303 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy It’s a classic, with career waiters, coffee of unwavering quality and hangover-neutralising polenta chips.

National Gallery of Victoria 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne Check the website for details but no matter what’s on, this is a must-visit for all ages.

La Latteria 104 Elgin Street, Carlton Blow your mind with a burrata – a famously decadent stretched mozzarella, filled with curds and cream. It’s like a large cheese dumpling, best served with salt, pepper, olive oil and crusty bread.

Opposite: Like all kids since 1968, Mercy tries to touch the ‘Water Wall’ at the NGV

Smith Street Bazaar 305-307 Smith Street, Fitzroy If you had to sum up the look and feel of Melbourne in one shop, this would be it.

Beautifully curated pieces of furniture, bric-abrac and art with a love of Aussie history and industrial aesthetics.

Queen Victoria Market 513 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne Go for the fresh produce on Tuesdays to Sundays.

Locals know to go early before the crowds.

“Don’t touch the art work!”

My mother – bless her – babysits one night so Martin and I can head out to a local pub to see a band. The door charge is only ten dollars, and there’s a secret special guest due to perform. Paul Kelly!

They’re teaching the lyrics of Paul Kelly in schools around Australia now. My daughters have studied his poetry. He’s an Aussie legend! My husband has love hearts in his eyes.

Melbourne, you are pretty damn cool.

Above: Paul Kelly From top: Baby Magnus checks out Mario’s Café in Brunswick Street Melbourne’s new ‘coolest’ strip – Smith Street Breakfasts at Alimentari are unbelievable!

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Phillip Island, VIC

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The only Go Kart track of its kind in Australia Phillip Island’s famous Grand Prix Circuit is home of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, a World Superbikes round, and V8 Supercars. The Go Kart track is a scaled replica of the famous Grand Prix Circuit, with absolutely amazing views!

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Right and top inset: © Phillip Island Nature Parks

Australia’s largest fur seal colony Seal Rocks provides a magical sight for wildlife lovers – a colony of fur seals just 2km off the shore of The Nobbies, home to 30,000 seals - about one quarter of the entire seal population of Australia! You can take a tour for a close up look, or use state-of-the-art viewing cameras at The Nobbies Centre to see them play!

Victoria’s spectacular and fun-filled Phillip Island, just 2 hours drive from Melbourne, is a veritable all-year-round family playground and one of the state’s most popular tourist destinations. At just 26km long and 9km wide, it packs a surprisingly big punch for a tiny island! Offering so many great adventures by day and night (the evening excitement of the Penguin Parade!) it’s worth setting aside a weekend, or a week, to thoroughly explore.

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Phillip Island has Australia’s largest 3D Timber maze A Maze N Things is a crowdpleaser for the young and young-at-heart alike, full of optical illusions, activities, puzzles and the highest vertical indoor slide. The Maze alone has an average completion time of 45 minutes.

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You’ll find one of Australia’s largest penguin colonies here The Penguin Parade begins every night at sunset when a colony of penguins waddles up the beach to their homes. Known as Little Penguins (as they’re the smallest in the world), these famous residents can be seen via general admission or on a special ranger tour.

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The world’s first interactive Antarctic Experience Phillip Island Nature Parks and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) have created the first interactive journey to the Antarctic, across three levels in The Nobbies Centre. Stateof-the-art multimedia technology takes you on a virtual adventure where visitors appear to be within arm’s reach of a whale, patting a penguin and playing with a seal. Enter the Arctic Chill Zone for a real ‘freeze’!

Learn more about Phillip Island at visitphillipisland.com Phillip Island Nature Parks > penguins.org.au Stay at Ramada Resort Phillip Island > ramadaphillipisland.com.au

© Ramada Phillip Island

Ramada Resort Phillip Island is set across 26ha of beautiful countryside, surrounded by native gardens and natural bushland. Settle the family into a studio, or choose a two or three-bedroom cottage and experience a real Phillip Island escape! Relax at the resort’s café and bar or pizzeria, have a bbq, swim in one of two fabulous outdoor pools (plus children’s pool) and enjoy the gym, spa and sauna, an indoor lap pool and three tennis courts!

The resort’s guarantee is that you won’t be bored on Phillip Island, and they know this wonderful destination inside, and out! Here, they share a few BIG things you might not know about this TINY island!

DID YOU KNOW …?

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Did you know …?

Canberra The Australian Institute of Sport.

The AIS. Australia’s premier elite sporting precinct.

AIS Visitor Centre Everyone’s welcome. Pop in and purchase exclusive merchandise at the AIS Shop and enjoy great coffee & café-style food at GG espresso.

Spiders @ Questacon

AIS Tours Go behind the scenes on an award-winning guided AIS Tour. Challenge yourself in Sportex, offering fun and interactive sporting exhibits. Daily 10am, 11.30am, 1pm & 2.30pm. Fees apply.

AIS Aquatic & Fitness Centre Dive into our world-class swimming pool or try out our fully equipped gym. Visitors welcome. Fees apply.

Leverrier Street, Canberra, ACT Phone: (02) 6214 1010

@ExperienceAIS

ASC 34415

/ExperienceAIS

Imagine if you could taste with your fingers and hear with your hair!

Spiders - a joint exhibition between Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre, and the Australian Museum - will help you to unlock the secretive world of these captivating creatures.

Weave your way through the fascinating exhibits and interactive displays to discover how these web-weavers, hunters and burrowers outlived the dinosaurs to become one of the most successful creatures on earth.

Bravely step into the web of a net-casting spider to get your photo taken or peer into spider innards using 3D scanning technology – what do you see?

Challenge a peacock spider to a dance-off or, if you dare, ‘hold’ a virtual wolf spider in the palm of your hand!

Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of spiders as you listen to Australian scientists detailing their latest discoveries and learn how you can get closer to spiders in your own garden.

Featuring up to 200 spider specimens including live Australian tarantulas, funnel-webs, redbacks and giant water spiders, you will learn there is more than meets the eye to these beautiful creatures.

For more information on what’s on at Questacon visit questacon.edu.au.

Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre King Edward Terrace, Canberra Open 9 am – 5 pm every day except 25 December.

Admission fees apply.

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© Questacon

Only minutes from Canberra’s CBD with plenty of free parking.

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

Experience AIS

Images © The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) is Australia’s premier elite sports precinct, opening its doors year-round to over 200,000 visitors from Australia and overseas.

Only minutes from Canberra’s CBD, with plenty of parking, the AIS is set amongst 65ha of native bushland, and offers a glimpse into Australia’s sporting past, and a window into its future.

Go on an award-winning guided 90-minute AIS Tour and you might catch some of Australia’s top athlete’s in training! Discover where Australia’s sporting champions are created and gain an insight into their lives.

Challenge yourself in Sportex, one of Australia’s leading interactive sports exhibits, part of a unique collection of Australian sporting memorabilia. Best of all, Sportex is included as part of every AIS Tour.

Tours operate daily at 10am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm. Fees apply.

Don’t miss the AIS Shop for a great collection of exclusive AIS merchandise and souvenirs, or take a moment to relax, refuel and enjoy great coffee and café-style food at GG Espresso.

Or why not get fit like a true champion and dive into the world-class AIS Aquatic & Fitness Centre with both 25m and 50m heated indoor pools. All visitors are welcome. (Fees apply). > experienceais.com

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DID YOU KNOW...?

Did you know …?

Cruise

It’s Whale Watching season on Sydney Harbour Captain Cook Cruises guarantees a 99% success rate for its fantastic whale watching experience off the heads of Sydney Harbour during this year’s whale watching season.

Between 21 May to 1 November 2016, the cruise operator says if a whale is not spotted, passengers will be offered the opportunity to cruise again for free on the ocean-going catamaran, Maggie Cat! Begin with the backdrop of Sydney Harbour before cruising outside the Heads on the lookout for some Humpbacks and maybe even a Southern Right.

Oh my! Ovation!

Ovation of the Seas, the biggest, newest and most technologically-advanced ship ever to call Australia home, set sail from Southampton in England in April to Dubai, Singapore and Beijing, and will be ready to welcome Aussie guests at the end of the year!

On 30 November 2016, she heads out on a 15-night Singapore to Sydney voyage via Fremantle, before settling into her new home down under. There will be three Australia and New Zealand cruises offered in the season, as well as the return sail to Singapore, departing Sydney 23 January 2017.

Royal Caribbean’s ‘$1 Billion Baby’ is the third largest ship in the cruise line’s ground-breaking Quantum Class and introduces a new set of first-at-sea onboard experiences to Australia including the Ripcord by iFLY, a heart-pounding skydiving experience; North Star, a thrilling adventure that will transport guests as high as the Sydney Harbour Bridge; cutting-edge transformative venues including SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, a circus school and more; and the robotic Bionic Bar. Ovation has also reimagined dining, and guests can choose from 18 unique restaurant concepts, including Jamie’s Italian, Michael’s Genuine Pub, the enchanting Wonderland and Royal Caribbean favourites including Chops Grille steakhouse and Izumi Japanese. > ovationoftheseas.com.au

April Fool’s Day prank inspires the imagination!

TIP: Why not experience a whole ‘wildlife’ day with a Taronga Zoo and Whale Watching Cruise Combo, that includes a rocket ferry to Taronga Zoo from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour, entry into the zoo, Sky Safari cable car and a Whale Watching Cruise departing from Taronga Zoo Wharf! Ticket prices are $99 for an adult and $55 for children (4-15yrs). > captaincook.com.au

Carnival Cruise Line Australia had (nearly!) everyone superexcited when it announced, on 1 April 2016, the launch of nextgen cruising – the Carnival Submarine! Claiming a ‘world-first in ocean tourism’, the cheeky cruise line chose April Fool’s Day to ‘reveal’ the highlights of a holiday under the sea, with Carnival Submarine’s maiden voyage ‘diving’ in January 2017!

“Your kids will love the newer, truer Camp Ocean, now with a full-length acrylic glass feature wall, transforming the space into an underwater aquarium.

Break out the bright colours for our newest theme night: Octopus’ Garden – bonus points for best sea creature inspiration. And for those who love the Green Thunder, be sure to try The Green Under – the fastest and steepest water-slide under the sea.”

Oh, and Carnival will provide snorkels for guests in ‘Balcony Suites’! … maybe one day …

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Did you know …?

Airlines & Airports

New Brisbane-Vancouver flights

New Tigerair to Bali service!

Tigerair Australia is now flying to Bali, operating daily return flights to Denpasar from Melbourne and Perth, along with five weekly return flights from Adelaide to Denpasar.

The airline is using three recently reconfigured Boeing 737-800 aircraft for its international services, each with 180 all-economy seats, including five rows of seats with extra legroom (18 seats in the front of the cabin and 12 seats in exit rows).

For the first time, passengers will also be able to access a mix of free and paid wireless inflight entertainment for use on their own devices. > tigerair.com.au

From 3 June 2016, Air Canada is introducing a new year-round service from Brisbane to Vancouver, with three flights per week, increasing to a daily service on 19 June, aboard the 787 Dreamliner.

Air Canada is also the latest international airline to launch satellite connectivity, allowing passengers to email, surf the net and stream entertainment at broadband speeds while flying anywhere in the world. The airline will begin installing its Gogo® 2Ku satellite technology on its widebody fleet from September 2016, starting with its Boeing 777 aircraft. > aircanada.com

Big brands come to Sydney Airport Due for completion in the first half of 2016, the new T1 International terminal luxury precinct at Sydney Airport is shaping up to become one of the world’s premier fashion destinations. The fabulous and iconic Tiffany & Co will join leading fashion brands including Kate Spade New York, Michael Kors and TUMI at T1 - all part of the airport’s improvement program to deliver an enhanced experience for passengers. Expect more luxury retailers to be announced in the coming months! > sydneyairport.com.au

A Melbourne Airport lounge with a difference PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport has introduced a swim and lounge package for only $15 per person, for staying guests and for day guests!

Why linger in the airport lounge when in just a two minute walk from both domestic and international terminals via two pedestrian sky bridges, you can chill with a bit of plane spotting and free WiFi, from the comfort of AIRO Restaurant & Bar, set overlooking the International Terminal?

Relax, refresh and rejuvenate in the hotel’s gym, heated pool, whirlpool bath, sauna, and steam room, and enjoy complimentary amenities. AIRO Restaurant & Bar serves tea and coffee as well as a diverse selection of beers, wines and specialty cocktails, plus light bar snacks including burgers, pizzas, and gourmet mains.

Visit parkroyalhotels.com/en/hotels-resorts/australia/ melbourne-airport and click OFFERS for details.

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DI D YOU K NO W...?

Did you know...

CAMP QUALITY In March 2016, Camp Quality brought another wonderful initiative to seriously ill Australian children when it launched the internationally respected Beads of Courage Program at Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick. The Program is already in operation across 90 hospitals around the world, but this is a first for Australia, thanks to the efforts of Camp Quality, in conjunction with the Fairbridge Foundation.

Designed to support and strengthen children and families coping with serious illness, Beads of Courage allows children to tell their story using colourful beads, as meaningful symbols of courage and hope that commemorate milestones they have achieved along their unique treatment path. When a child enrols in the program they receive a length of string and beads that spell out their first name. From there, throughout their treatment, professional health care providers supply the child with colourful beads to add, each colour representing a different milestone.

At the Sydney Children’s Hospital launch on 10 March, seven-year-olds, Zoe and Khyla, became the first Australian child cancer patients to receive their official Beads of Courage Kits, for bravery shown throughout their treatment. They also received the first Camp Quality bead!

Khyla was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in 2015 and has only spent a handful of nights at home, outside of the hospital wards. She has been hoping to have her central venous line – which was used to give her chemo and other medications

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Zoe and Khyla become the first children in Australia to receive their official ‘Beads of Courage’ kits. © facebook.com/CampQualityAU

– removed soon, so she could get in some pool time before the warm weather is over!

Zoe was diagnosed with Lymphoblastic Leukaemia when she was 6 years old and is now in the maintenance phase of her cancer journey, responding well to treatment. Her mum, Sam, is thrilled that the Beads of Courage program has come to Australia.

“A family friend wanted to give something special to Zoe and found out about Beads of Courage online. The concept was fantastic, but as the program was based in the USA it would have been expensive and quite a task to import the exact number and relevant beads for Zoe over her two year treatment plan.

When I learned that Camp Quality and the Fairbridge Foundation had generously

offered to fund a Beads of Courage program for Sydney Children’s Hospital I was delighted.

I believed it would help Zoe develop more positive coping strategies, help her make sense of all that she was going through and feel more empowered during her treatment.

For her, each bead would turn a difficult to understand medical procedure into a symbol of her courage and the fact that she had gotten through another tough day.” > campquality.org.au > facebook.com/CampQualityAU > beadsofcourage.org

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© Healesville Sanctuary

Did you know …?

Zoo Babies Baby boom

© Mogo Zoo

Zoo debut ♥ It’s a baby giraffe boom at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, NSW, with the arrival of a female calf, Zane, and a male calf, Amahle, born 10 days apart. The zoo babies share the same father, Unnami, but were born to different mothers – Zane to mum Tulli in late February, and Amahle to mum Asmara at the beginning of March.

♥ Mogo Zoo, on the NSW South Coast, has also welcomed a baby giraffe - its fifth pure Rothschild giraffe - born on 27 January to mum Shani. The proud Mogo Zoo team was on hand to witness the birth of the 1.5m tall bundle of joy! The Rothschild giraffe, from Kenya and Northern Uganda in Africa, is one of the most endangered species of giraffe.

♥ A pair of platypus babies made a ‘double debut’ at Victoria’s Healesville Sanctuary, 133 days after they hatched.

Healesville was the first sanctuary in the world to breed these unique creatures in captivity when Corrie was hatched in the 1940s, and the new twins are Healesville’s 13th and 14th platypus births!

© Memphis Zoo

♥ A baby tamandua has arrived at Memphis Zoo in Tennessee.

What’s a tamandua? It’s a largely nocturnal type of anteater found in Central and South American forests! They have no teeth but eat an average of 9,000 ants a day, with a tongue that can be up to 38cms in length. They’re also known as ‘stinkers of the forest’, as tamanduas emit an off-putting smell, said to be four-times worse than that of a skunk! The newborn is the first baby for parents Mary Ann and Mr. Wendell.

© Australian Reptile Park

♥ The world-famous San Diego Zoo Safari Park in California has welcomed an endangered male southern white rhino, born in the first week of April.

Keepers say mum, Holly, and dad, Maoto, are being very protective of their precious newborn. San Diego Zoo Global has been working for over 40 years to keep a sustainable population of rhinos safe under human care, while working to protect them in sanctuaries in the wild.

♥ There’s more ‘double debut’ news, with the first appearance, in March, of twin baby bilbies, Adoni and Alkina at Australian Reptile Park in NSW. As part of Australian Reptile Park’s successful breeding program, in partnership with Save the Bilby Fund, the twin bilbies were born at the Park and debuted at 6 months old, after being weaned from their parents. The bilby, part of the Bandicoot family, is a threatened species with less than 1000 remaining in the wild and numbers decreasing.

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DID YOU KNOW...?

Did you know …?

Events

You can get Out & About with YOUR Kids at a whole host of fantastic family events and fun festivals in the coming months! Wherever you are, it’s a sure bet there’s something on near you, any time of the year, that plays right into the interests, and curiosity, of your family! Here are some of our favourite kids and family events coming up in the next few months!

MARCH – NOVEMBER 2016 Gold Coast, QLD - Chinatown Street Markets, Southport

with chairs, rugs and an esky and sit back to watch the gorgeous sunset over the Arafura Sea! > mindil.com.au

AUGUST 2016 Coffs Harbour, NSW - Australian Surf Festival © Gold Coast Tourism

Watch more than 500 surfers compete for the title of Australian Champion on the beautiful Coffs Coast. > visitnsw.com/events

Dubbo, NSW - Dubbo Stampede Running Festival – 28 August

APRIL – 27 OCTOBER 2016 Darwin, NT - Mindil Beach Sunset Markets Held on Mindil Beach every Thursday and Sunday evening the sheer variety of sights, smells and sounds at these markets will delight all ages. Enjoy an international feast, or browse the range of handmade jewellery and unique artworks, natural skincare and tropical fashion. Settle in on the beach

Mindil Beach Sunset Markets

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FIJI - Vodafone Hibiscus Festival – 13-20 August Suva’s annual Hibiscus Festival has grown into a nine-day event since its inception in 1956, drawing large crowds from around Fiji. Fiji’s oldest charity carnival, the event is held every August to coincide with the second-term school break. The annual beauty pageant and the crowning of the ‘Hibiscus Queen’ are the chief draws, but families also flock to the festival to ride creaky rides in the amusement park, browse stalls and listen to the live music and family-friendly entertainment. > fiji.travel/us/event/vodafone-hibiscus-festival

© Tourism Northern Territory

First launched in March 2015 to great success, until November 2016 you can once again taste your way through Asia at the Chinatown Street Markets held in Chinatown (Young and Davenport Streets) Southport. See the area transform into a vibrant Asian-inspired street food and entertainment scene with a huge variety of delicious cuisines available for everyone’s palate - nosh on noodles, down dim sims and savour all the other Asian style foods on offer!

The famous Dubbo Stampede is on again – a fun ‘running festival for everyone’ – and this unique event involves running through a zoo! Walk 5.5km, run 10km or go for the marathon, whichever you choose, you’ll go via Dubbo’s famous Taronga Western Plains Zoo past hundreds of animals! > dubbostampede.com.au

BALANCE BIG40041

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E M I T T I T ’ ISN

Isn’t it time the kids did all the running around?

Imagine a holiday where everything you need and want is in one place.

Kids’ activities are just a stroll away from your cabin or campsite, and finding a way to relax is easier. From splash pools to kids’ clubs, it’s all here for you to get a real break too. With 180 locations around Australia, the perfect family getaway is now within reach at BIG4. If you’re thinking about getting away from the grind and taking that well-earned break, ask yourself that simple question – isn’t it time?

Lets get social!

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OURIT ’S FAV IA L A AUSTR

BIG4.com.au Isn’t it time you visited?

Explore Dubbo with BIG4 Location Discovery Parks – Dubbo – part of the BIG4 Holiday Parks network – is located in Dubbo in Central West NSW; it is approx. a 5 hour (six hours with a stop or two) drive north west of Sydney, 4 hours and 40 minutes from Canberra (via Cowra) and 10 hours from Brisbane. The holiday park is located on the western outskirts of Dubbo and is bordered by Sir Roden Cutler Park and the Macquarie River.

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Accommodation Discovery Parks – Dubbo offers a variety of cabins along with powered sites and a designated camping area. There is also a 130-bed dorm for school and community groups. There are one and two bedroom cabins, Glamping tents for a family of four, plus the newly-opened three bedroom cabins which we had the opportunity to inspect during our stay. Each cabin has a bbq on the verandah, all new furniture and finishings, and are spacious and modern – they’ll be snapped up quickly!

Out & About with Kids stayed in a two bedroom Macquarie Suite. The Macquarie Suites are well appointed with a spacious kitchen/dining/living area that has room for up to six people to spend meal times and relaxing evenings. The kitchen is equipped with all the necessary items a family needs to prepare meals. The living space includes a tv with AUSTAR, a large sofa and a dining table that seats six people comfortably. The main bedroom is furnished with a soft double bed, big builtins and a tv, whilst the kids room also has a tv, built-ins and two bunk beds. The bathroom is large with a separate toilet allowing shared use, as you get ready for the day ahead. One thing that really stood out to OAWK was the cleanliness of both the cabins and the property.

the pool area. Dubbo can receive some high temperatures throughout the year so the water park, along with the pool, is perfect for young and old to cool off!

Water Fun The BIG news for Discovery Parks – Dubbo is the opening of a brand new water park. This addition of a water slide, spray jets and a tipping bucket was obviously a hit with kids as all day long we could see and hear screams of laughter and enjoyment coming from

Food & Beverage Discovery Parks – Dubbo is designed to be a self-catering park. A communal bbq area is onsite and the cabins all have the necessary bits and pieces for you to cook a meal. There is a dinner service available from the dormitory kitchen and it’s best to check with reception for opening hours. A

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selection of snacks and drinks are available throughout the day from reception. The town of Dubbo doesn’t fall short when it comes to restaurants, clubs and cafes. The main street is a quick five to ten minute drive away and en route you’ll also find a couple of familyfriendly clubs.

Activities Inside the park there is a huge jumping pillow, games/movie room and a BMX track to keep the kids entertained, Outside, a must-do when you are in Dubbo

WE R EV IEW

is a visit to Taronga Western Plains Zoo. The Zoo is a five minute drive from the holiday park and is a unique experience compared to traditional zoos. The animals are penned in open enclosures allowing them to roam freely whilst still giving the viewing public a good vantage point. You can opt to walk (around 5km for the entire zoo), ride a bike or drive, park and walk.

All options give you a great experience. taronga.org.au/taronga-westernplains-zoo

OAWK Tip: To get a true experience of Dubbo and its history book a ride with Peter from Trike Adventures. Trike Adventures runs tours around Dubbo showing the expansive parks, the highlights of the town and an experience that won’t soon be forgotten. Taking a ride on a Trike is safe as you are securely strapped in to the back seat and helmets are given to all. Up to three people can enjoy a ride at one time. Kids aged 6+ (height/weight restrictions may apply) can participate in this fun activity. A further tip, keep your mouth closed whilst onboard or you may have a few little insect snacks along the way!!!!

To book a ride visit trikeadventures.com.au or call 1300 874 537 Did you know Dubbo is known as the ‘City of Smiles’ so much so that the town logo is a smile!

Discovery Parks – Dubbo 154 Whylandra Street, Dubbo, NSW 2830 P: (02) 6884 8633 www.big4.com.au/caravan-parks/nsw/central-nsw/ discovery-parks-dubbo

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SKI

Ready... Steady...

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© Charlotte Pass

he first snow for 2016 will be falling on Australian and New Zealand ski fields before you know it, so it’s time to start planning a fabulous winter family holiday!

Every year, from the beginning of winter through to early spring, in the NSW Snowy Mountains and Victoria’s high country Alpine region, in Queenstown and Wanaka on New Zealand’s South Island, and on the slopes of the North Island’s Mt Ruapehu, Aussie and Kiwi families can be spotted, in their thousands, cavorting and snow-sporting on glorious powder-covered mountain summits and across expansive valleys shrouded in white.

A ski holiday is an annual ritual for many families and, for others, it’s a bucket-list ‘one day’, yet to be experienced. It doesn’t matter if you’re a family of seasoned schussers and shredders or a family of newbies, our Southern Hemisphere ski resorts provide sensational, family-friendly, snowy playgrounds for all ages and all levels of expertise - with fun activity programs, learn-to-ski and learn-to-snowboard schools, and the promise of endless days of snowfield adventures.

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SKI

Australian Ski News

© Thredbo

Family-friendly Thredbo Resort, in the NSW Snowy Mountains, was honoured at the 2015 World Ski Awards held in Austria last November, winning the award for ‘Best Australian Resort.’

The World Ski Awards are voted by thousands of travel professionals and skiers who select their favourite resorts, chalets and hotels. They are the only global awards to recognise, reward and celebrate excellence in ski tourism. > thredbo.com.au

© Charlotte Pass

… and the Winner is …

Thredbo Resort!

What’s new for 2016 at Charlotte Pass?

From mid-May, snow making at the resort will be expanded to take in Guthries High Speed Poma lift, and there’s expansion at the Kosi Kids club too, with children 3 to 12 years now welcome.

Wednesdays in 2016 are WOW! The Kids Standard Race becomes a permanent fixture every Wednesday (weather permitting) when children get the chance to show off their awesome skiing and boarding skills; kids get FREE popcorn on Wednesday afternoons, and Onesie Wednesday means everyone has to dress up in their favourite onesie!

Kick off the festive season early with Christmas in July, when the resort will be decorated with tinsel and Christmas trees, there will be a snowman building competition, prizes for the best decorated lodge, snow photos with Santa and Christmas dinner served in Arches Restaurant. > charlottepass.com.au

Falls Bus to Falls Creek

© Falls Creek

Falls Bus operates an affordable regular transfer coach service to Falls Creek Alpine Resort from Melbourne, Tullamarine Airport, Adelaide, Albury and Sydney, offering the cheapest coach fares to, or from, Falls Creek. Family return (ex Melbourne) coach ticket passes start from $399, and include resort entry fees.

You can also find great value holiday package deals, discounted online lift tickets, and snowboard and ski hire from two centrally-located outlets right on the snow at Falls Creek. > fallsbus.com.au

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Get the app!

Thredbo and Perisher in NSW and Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Mt Buller in VIC each have great apps to make your ski holiday even easier. Check weather conditions, buy passes, use gps tracking and maps, find your friends on the slopes, get live lift status updates, check out webcams, browse events, view deals and special offers and much more!

• My Thredbo Mobi App • Perisher • Mt Buller Live • Hotham • Falls Creek Head to the App Store for Apple devices and to Google play for Android.

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E M I T T I T ISN’

Isn’t it time you got a taste for road tripping?

If you’re planning the trip of a lifetime or you just need a weekend away, BIG4 Holiday Parks are perfect. There’s 180 locations all around Australia covering wine regions, coastal havens, the ski slopes and everything in between. Whether you need to pull in for a night or settle in for the week, you’ll find what you need at a BIG4 Holiday Park. If you think you’ve left it for too long, maybe ask yourself a question - isn’t it time?

Lets get social!

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RIT FAVOU ’S A I L STRA

AU

BIG4.com.au Isn’t it time you visited?

TODDLER TR AV EL

Toddler Travel WITH SUE WHITE

Thinking of heading off on a travel adventure with your toddler? Our NEW regular column has you covered!

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Meet Sue White - journalist, travel writer, founder of babieswhotravel.com and mum to Ollie, an energetic, welltravelled, toddler. She’s also the moderator of a Facebook community where travel-keen parents talk tips and tricks for family travel all welcome! facebook.com/groups/ KidsWhoTravel

hh, toddlers: those walking (okay – running!), pointing, smiling, self determined entities that keep us on our toes regardless of location …

The myriad contradictions that make toddlers simultaneously charming and challenging bring a few new considerations for parents. How do you travel with a 15 month old who is determined to be independent, yet has little idea that running onto a busy road isn’t safe? Or a two year old who, on one hand, will easily be entertained by an ant or a bee for ten minutes at a time, but who won’t sit still for the duration of a ninetyminute flight?

Welcome to our new Toddler Travel column! Each issue, we’ll tackle a different aspect of holidaying with your energetic, entertaining and exuberant one to three (ish) year olds.

Every child’s developmental milestones (and temperament) is unique, but our age groupings will help to you loosely predict where the wins, challenges and memorable moments will come from on your next holiday with a toddler.

One to two year olds Your travelling tot:

Within these ages your child will likely begin walking, soon followed by (for better or worse) running! Great for them, but a busy time for their adult travel companions. Be ready to spend your energy trying to entice your toddler back to your preferred location – multiple times! (No different to at home, right?) Remember, kids fly for free before age two, so this is a great time to get out there and travel.

Wins on the road: Good news! At this age your toddler is still easy to distract. Turn their attention to a passing bird, answer enthusiastically as they point at everything from buses to cars (“Yes! That’s a blue van!”), and they will quickly be pulled out of a funk.

Have some strategies for:

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Child-proofing your accommodation. Your child’s ‘safety inspector’ radar is evident; they’ll sniff out power points and scale tables and chairs within seconds. Keep your eyes peeled!

Being extra vigilant around road safety. In early toddlerhood children still delight in running onto roads without warning.

Getting through plane rides. Toddlers are notoriously bad at sitting still for long periods.

Take toys, books, and be ready to wander the aisle for most of the flight to keep your one to two year old entertained.

2 3

Try this: Beaches and parks are superb additions to a holiday itinerary. Just be prepared that every visit to a beach, regardless of the weather, will result in everyone getting wet – toddlers of this age don’t generally respond well to, “No, we’re not swimming now”.

Equally unpopular: “Sorry, home time!”

Two to three year olds Your travelling tot:

Your toddler has now truly left babyhood: he or she is falling over less and communicating more (the latter is very handy when travelling – they can now let you know, with words, what they need/want).

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Wins on the road: The downside of having to pay for your toddler on planes once they are two is balanced out by one thing: they now have their own seat, potentially making flights slightly more comfortable for you.

Have some strategies for:

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The optimum toys to take. Mostly you’ll want small and light, but consider taking a trike, bike or a scooter. If it’s easy to assemble it may even be worth dismantling one to pack for a flight, or pick one up cheaply when you reach your destination and leave it behind if necessary.

Helping them settle quickly into a new environment. Favourite doll? Blankie? This week’s high rotation books? All worth their weight in gold.

Keeping that precious day sleep while you’re on holidays (unless you want life at home to be vastly altered on your return).

2 3

Try this: Local playgrounds are a hit with two to three year olds. Do some research and you might even find some with a local twist: the Dutch have community-run playgrounds called Kinderboerjerij, where pigs, chickens and rabbits roam – great free entertainment!

Three years old + Your travelling tot:

In some people’s minds, three year olds are ‘kids’, not toddlers. But at the early end of this bracket you might still be working around nappies, toilet training (tip: don’t coincide this with a holiday)

and the last remnants of that precious day nap.

Wins on the road: By now, most parents have likely abandoned their aversion to toddler screen time – at least on long trips or planes.

This makes transit easier, but remember, audio books are great too.

Have some strategies for:

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Resorts’ kids clubs and cruises if your child is still in nappies. Double check when booking that they can use the kids club (resorts) or swimming pool (on a cruise) if not fully toilet trained. Once they are, consider travelling with a plastic under sheet for night time accidents.

Sleeping. If they’re already sleeping in a ‘big bed’ without side rails at home, great. If not, buy a purpose-built product to take (Shrunks sells an inflatable side rail) or consider a mattress on the floor.

Food on the road. When a toddler needs food it’s usually “NOW!” versus when it’s convenient.

Take snacks, always.

2 3

Try this: Three year olds can usually do well on short walks, especially if they’ve become used to this at home.

You’ll still want to take something to carry them in when they fade (an umbrella stroller would work for paved paths, otherwise consider a baby backpack – just check your child isn’t too heavy for it). While you’ll need to scale back length of hikes and bush walks now, train up the kids at this age and it will pay off within a year or so!

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S Y A D I L O H LOVE

Join the club.

Save 10%* on your stay and enjoy exclusive access to more than 900 member benefits. BIG4 Membership costs $50 for two years for new members, or $40 for two years for existing members. *10% discount is capped at $40 per stay for Blue members.

Lets get social!

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