Out & About with kids - Issue 32 Autumn 2012

FAMILY | TRAVEL | HOLIDAY | LEISURE | ENTERTAINMENT

the

ISSUE 32 AUTUMN 2012 AUS$6.95 (inc gst)

BEST!

OUR READERS RATE THE WORLD’S BEST FAMILY HOLIDAYS

ARE WE THERE YET? DRIVING WITH KIDS

ice

SKIING WITH KIDS DOWN UNDER

MAGIC ALL AT SEA

CRUISING FOR EVERY AGE 32

WIN GREAETS PRIZ

COFFS COAST | CANBERRA | GOLD COAST | SUNSHINE COAST | KANGAROO ISLAND 9 771832 331006

NORFOLK ISLAND | VANUATU | FIJI | HONG KONG | THAILAND | MALAYSIA | HAWAII |USA | NEPAL

autumn | 12

Dreams come true at Walt Disney World Resort, Florida

Welcome A

fter a summer that was lacking its usual sizzle, autumn is casting its spell to add an injection of fiery colour, if not actual warmth, into our lives. But despite the seasonal sleight-of-hand, my troops are still hankering for some of that recalcitrant sunshine so we’re loading up our luggage and leaving behind the falling foliage for some enchantment of the tropical kind, in the Pacific Islands.

With the Aussie dollar still conjuring up great returns against international currencies, those of you who, like my family, are keen to take on the world will want to get the inside word on the absolute best family holiday experiences across the globe.

So we asked our discerning readers to rate the cities and countries they’ve visited, the hotels and attractions that hosted them, and the airlines and cruise ships that spirited them there, and we’re sharing the results right here. The team at Out & About With Kids tips its hat to all the winners and finalists for this well-earned recognition from those whose opinion counts most, their guests and passengers.

There’s plenty happening on the domestic front too and while my family might be seeking sun, it’s at this time of the year that plenty of others start thinking snow! So to get you rugged-up and ready for the upcoming ski season, we’ve also sprinkled this issue with a little ice magic to help you plan an amazing antipodean family ski adventure.

Whether you’re travelling with tykes from tot to teen, craving a holiday close to home or eager for some international intrigue, we’ve got oodles of magical holiday ideas to help carry your family away.

Happy holidays!

PS. Want even more? Head on over to www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au for loads of fab family holiday ideas and hot travel deals. And be sure to join our Facebook fan page for all the latest news and great giveaways.

Aleney de Winter Editor aleney@oawk.com.au www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

© Disney

© Disney

4 nights in 3-star

4 nights in 4-star

• Adults from $659* • Children from $355*

• Adults from $849* • Children from $355*

Disney’s All Star Music Resort, Orlando

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Orlando

Be a little bit country, a touch of jazz, a Broadway baby, a calypso crooner and a whole lotta rock and roll.

Sail away to the Caribbean, where lazy days are devoted to the beach, island foods and enjoying bright, inspiring colours.

4 nights accommodation, BONUS Kids stay FREE, 3-Day Magic Your Way Ticket with Park Hopper + Return Orlando airport transfers on Disney’s Magical Express.

4 nights accommodation, BONUS Kids stay FREE, 3-Day Magic Your Way Ticket with Park Hopper + Return Orlando airport transfers on Disney’s Magical Express.

Call 1300 747 400, visit creativeholidays.com or your local travel agent.

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AUTUMN 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

*CONDITIONS APPLY. Prices are per person family share based on 2 adults and 2 children under the age of 9 as at 27 Feb 12. Prices may fluctuate due to changes in charges, taxes and currency. Valid for sale until 30 Apr 12.

Advertised price valid for travel Sunday - Thursdays between 15 Apr 12 - 31 May 12. (Higher prices apply for Friday & Saturday night stays within these dates). Subject to availability. Seasonal surcharges apply. Cancellation fees & blackout dates apply. Minimum/maximum stay restrictions apply. An additional Credit Card Service Fee will be applied to the dollar amount paid by credit or charge card. Prices and inclusions are correct at time of issue and are subject to change. Offers may be withdrawn at anytime without notice. CH/498463. Issued: 27 Feb 12 10805CRMR

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Publishers Elisa Elwin & Tony Herbert Editor Aleney de Winter aleney@oawk.com.au 0400 808 108

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Domestic news

The latest travel news and offers from around Australia.

Deputy/Sub Editor Geraldine Cardozo

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Contributing Editor - Snow & Ski Helen Hayes Contributors Geraldine Cardozo, Rachel Davis, Deborah Dickson-Smith, Elisa Elwin, Ralph Kelly, Carla Grossetti, Colleen Hinch, Mark Sheehan, Tim the Yowie Man

22 Animal news All the best animal activities and encounters around the country.

28

What’s hot for baby

We review the latest products for tots.

32 Drive news The latest car, campervan and caravanning news.

Design Gadfly Media

82 Wish you were here…

Art Director Stéphanie Blandin de Chalain

A snapshot of Vanuatu

National Sales Manager Colleen Hinch colleen.hinch@gmail.com

84 International News

92

Departure board

Flight and airline updates.

Online Content online@oawk.com.au

126 Cruise news

Published by The City Publishing Group 50a Central Avenue, Mosman 2088 0413 770 550

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Photo Credits: Cover image- Signed model release filed with Shutterstock Images LLC Copyright: Gorilla 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 2012 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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www.kidunot.com autumn 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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The latest travel news and offers from around the Globe.

Special Projects Manager Nina Gale nina@oawk.com.au

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The latest news from the world of cruising.

128 Travel Doctor

features 24

Out & About With Baby

Driving with babies and toddlers.

30

Family Cars

Travel health tips.

drive.com.au’s Toby Hagon talks family cars.

130 Where in the World?

34 Camping

Nepal with kids.

Holiday Park Heaven

132 What’s Hot for kids

68 Ice Magic

We review the latest travel products, gadgets, books and entertainment for families.

Skiing with kids Down Under.

136 Dad’s Word Aussie actor Cameron Daddo shares his travel tips and memories.

94 The Best of International Travel All the winners in our inaugural readers’ choice awards.

summer 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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contents australian destinations 40

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Coffs Coast, nsW

Why Coffs is the coast with the most.

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Canberra, aCt

Quirky fun for families in the capital.

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Gold Coast, QLD

razzle Dazzle of the rainforest kind.

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sunshine Coast, QLD

new attractions meet old family favourites.

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Kangaroo Island, sa

Island magic for little adventurers.

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norfolk Island

a bounty of beauty on norfolk.

international destinations 100

Fiji

Cruising in paradise.

106 Hawaii surf, sun and sun in Waikiki

108 Florida, usa america’s funshine state.

110

thailand

the best of thailand from top to tail.

116

Hong Kong

a new “Buzz” in Hong Kong.

120 KL, malaysia stop and shop in Kuala Lumpur.

122 Cruising with kids the best cruise experiences for every age.

100 116 8

autumn 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

win 13

sebel resort and spa Hawkesbury Valley family break.

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Lego Friends’ stephanie’s Cool Convertible sets.

134 nature adventures books.

T GREAES PRIZ

135 Dirt Girl World DVD packs. summer 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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New Zealand holiday competition prize includes return flights from Melbourne or Sydney, 10 days vehicle hire plus Britz bonus pack. Pick up from Auckland or Christchurch. Prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash. Full competition details available on request.

Photo: Marcus Walters Photographer

AND YOU

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TRAVEL NEWS All the latest and greatest from around the country.

ANIMAL NEWS The latest animal activities and encounters.

DRIVE NEWS The latest car, campervan and caravanning news.

CAMPING Holiday Park heaven

COFFS COAST, NSW Why Coffs is the coast with the most.

46 50 56 60 62

CANBERRA, ACT Quirky fun for families in the capital.

GOLD COAST, QLD Razzle Dazzle of the rainforest kind.

SUNSHINE COAST, QLD New attractions meet old family favourites.

KANGAROO ISLAND, SA Island magic for little adventurers.

NORFOLK ISLAND A bounty of beauty on Norfolk.

AUTUMN 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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SHORT CUTS Domestic

DOMESTIC TRAVEL NEWS

National 2012 BIG4 Holiday Guide gets you mobile Choosing the right BIG4 Holiday Park for your next family getaway has just got a whole lot easier.

The holiday park group has updated its holiday guide for smartphone users, adding QR mobile phone readable barcodes for quick and easy access to park information. Simply scan the QR (or Quick Reader) code in the new 2012 BIG4 Holiday Guide with your phone, and users will be taken straight to the park’s homepage on their smartphone.

A first in the caravan and camping industry, each of BIG4’s 180 parks have their own QR code which will enable travelers to book their accommodation on the spot.

To take advantage of the new technology, users need only download a free QR reader app and scan the barcode next to a specific park’s profile in the guide. The BIG4 mobile site can also be accessed by visiting the BIG4 site.

The free book, which you can pick up at any park or order via BIG4’s website, still includes all the essential information it always has: colour-coded sections for each state, easy-to-read formats for each park, icons outlining the features, types of accommodation and facilities at each park – including whether or not a park accepts dogs – as well as all the necessary directions and contact details. www.BIG4.com.au.

NSW

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Wax works

Yoga mama

Go star-spotting in Sydney to see the likes of Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Johnny Depp and Lady Gaga. These are just some of the celebrities being immortalized in wax at the new Madame Tussauds in Darling Harbour.

Following in the footsteps of established international branches including London, New York, Hollywood, Berlin, Hong Kong and Shanghai, the famous waxworks museum Madame Tussauds is set to open this May and will be a place to get on stage with the stars, rub shoulders with powerful politicians and challenge your favourite sports heroes.

Australian actor Guy Pierce in his role as Felicia performing a bus top opera in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is one of the most iconic images of Australian film. And Guy, or Felicia, will be joining the unique line-up of local celebrities already announced to feature in Madame Tussauds Sydney including Dannii Minogue, Ray Meagher and Amanda Keller. www.madametussauds.com/sydney

Rejuvenation and relaxation is guaranteed at a series of yoga retreats on offer at Peppers Salt Resort & Spa at Kingscliff on the Tweed Coast. For a Mother’s Day present with a difference why not try the Mother & Daughter Retreat, May 18 to 20, focusing on women’s health, sugar cravings, stress release and core strength and hosted

by Yoga TV instructor Kris McIntyre.

The Yoga Retreat packages include two nights’ accommodation, full buffet breakfasts, five yoga classes, a yoga mat and DVD. In addition, workshops, Zumba classes and a 50-minute spa treatment at the onsite Golden Door Spa, wholesome meals including supper on Friday and lunch and dinner on Saturday at onsite restaurant Season. www.pepperssalt.com.au

Sydney lights up

WIN

Vivid Sydney, the largest celebration of light, music and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere, will once again transform Sydney’s world famous harbour foreshore, Circular Quay and the Rocks after dark.

Sydney Harbour will become the ultimate outdoor stage for over 50 light art sculptures, large-scale light installations and projections including the spectacular illumination of the Sydney Opera House ‘sails’. There will also be contemporary music performances at Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House. May 25 to June 11. www.vividsydney.com

Time for some time out?

Feel like an ‘almost trip to the country’ with the kids? It’s no stress to take the delightful drive just out of Sydney to the Sebel Resort and Spa Hawkesbury Valley, located in the delightful historic town of Windsor at the foothills of the Blue Mountains. It’s an easy 45 minute drive from the Sydney CBD that the kids will love as horses and cattle take over from cityscapes and freeways. Road side stalls with local produce tempt you to stop awhile. Before the kids even have a chance to ask “Are we there yet?” you’ll be announcing “Guess what guys? We’re here!”

Perched on the edge of the Hawkesbury River, Windsor offers plenty to keep everyone from the kids to the most avid history buff amused and the fantastic Sebel Resort & Spa Hawkesbury Valley is the only 4.5 star hotel located in the region. With 105 beautifully appointed rooms and suites it is the ideal choice for a weekend away and time out with the children. Set within eight hectares of manicured, landscaped gardens the resort boasts an indoor heated pool, two floodlit tennis courts, an on-site nine hole golf course and adjacent 18 hole championship course, great kids playground, and the only Villa Thalgo Day Spa in Australia.

Out & About With Kids is offering readers a chance to win a family break at the fabulous Sebel Resort and Spa. The package, valued at $700, comprises two nights’ accommodation for one family of two adults and two children including cooked breakfast daily and one family dinner. To enter visit www.outandbaoutwithkids.com.au

Chocolate heaven For an extra sweet family treat, chocolate lovers will adore the new Coco Chocolate Studio and Sydney Chocolate School, located on the harbour’s edge in Mosman.

Enjoy stunning harbour views as you enjoy a luscious chocolate high tea from the timber deck (on weekends by reservation) or sprawl on a rug under the shade of a tree as the kids entertain themselves with some of Coco’s fabulous retro toys in the expansive garden reserve.

You can also watch the Coco chocolatiers at work while you enjoy what in Out & About With Kids’ opinion is Sydney’s best hot chocolate or make a purchase from the chocolate cellar door of the fresh goodies made that day.

Keen kids from three up can also participate in the Sydney Chocolate School. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am 4pm, Sydney Chocolate School by appointment. www.cocochocolate.com.au

AUTUMN 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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SHORT CUTS Domestic NSW Mid North Coast magic

Silverneedle’s seven great reasons to head west For families looking for the perfect country escape a road trip to discover the delights of Central West region of New South Wales won’t disappoint. And when it comes to bedding down for the night Silverneedle Hospitality’s Country Comfort and Sundowner hotels, offer seven great stops in seven spots across the region: Orange has everything from great fishing spots and hot air ballooning to fossicking. Here Country Comfort Orange hotel offers warm country hospitality close to town.

A visit to Dubbo to explore the amazing Western Plains Zoo is a must. The Sundowner Aberdeen Motor Inn offers spacious units, an enclosed pool and barbecue area, ideal for families.

Give the kids a lesson in astronomy at Parkes radio telescope facility (made famous by the movie The Dish) before checking into Country Comfort Parkes - one of the newest motels in town located just a short drive from the CBD. In Cowra, enjoy a stay at Country Comfort Cowra Countryman Motel. Located on the main street, this lovely property offers easy access to attractions including The Cowra Japanese Gardens.

Country Comfort Greenway, overlooking the Brindabella Ranges, is 20-minutes from Canberra’s CBD and a perfect base for the family to discover the family attractions in the nation’s capital.

The charming town of Yass is recognised for its landscaped streets, heritage buildings, fine produce and cool-climate wines. A stay at the award-winning Sundowner Swaggers Motor Inn with its corrugated iron roofs and country style verandas is a must.

Wake up to the birds, instead of traffic noise, at the Sundowner Hume Country Motor Inn in the border town of Albury. All rooms have access to verandas that lead to a barbecue area, playground and swimming pool. www.silverneedlehotels.com.au

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Just 15 minutes from Forster on the NSW Mid-North Coast, the Australis Diamond Beach Resort & Spa is a coastal resort that’s a winner for beach-loving families who want to get away from it all in style. A range of accommodation options for two to eight guests in a choice of two and three bedroom villas and apartments, two outdoor pools, Sandy Toes kids club (with sand pit, table tennis, art and crafts, computer games, books and toys) and the on-site Endota Spa means there’s something to suit families of every size and shape. www. resortretreat.com.au

A great way to see the ‘Gong.

What better way to enjoy scenic Wollongong and its beautiful beaches than with a stay at the centrally located Chifley Wollongong, a modern hotel that’s perfect for families. The hotel offers guests a kid-friendly junior suites featuring a comfy king size bed in the bedroom plus pull-out sofa bed in the living area and a family size dining table in the basic kitchenette. The hotel’s great value family packages include tickets to some of Wollongong’s best family attractions including the adrenalin pumping Jamberoo, NSW’s biggest and wettest theme park and the lovely Symbio Wildlife Park, where kids can get up close and personal with some of the furry residents. www.chifleywollongong.com.au

Endless Summer Holiday Deals SilverNeedle hotels is offering a range of short breaks and holiday deals in some of Australia’s most unique holiday destinations, making this Autumn the perfect time to escape. Located in premier holiday spots, you and your family will be right in the middle of the action.

Experience spectacular beaches, amazing scenery, local attractions, theme parks and more! There’s always something for the family at SilverNeedle hotels.

OUTBACK AUSTRALIA - Chifley Alice Springs, NT • Stay in a Deluxe Room • Full buffet breakfast daily for 2 adults • Late 12 noon check out • Minimum 2 night stay DARLING DOWNS - Sundowner Goondiwindi, QLD • Stay in a Deluxe Family Room • Cooked breakfast delivered to your room • Refreshments at the pool area • Parking SURFERS PARADISE - Australis Sovereign Hotel, QLD • Stay in a One Bedroom Suite • Full buffet breakfast daily for 2 adults • Bottle of wine on arrival • Minimum 2 night stay NORTH COAST - Country Comfort Port Macquarie, NSW • Stay in a Water View Room • Hot buffet breakfast daily for 2 adults • Breezes Restaurant $20 dining voucher • Minimum 2 night stay

$179* Per Night

$170* Per Night

$145* Per Night

$149* Per Night

MID NTH COAST - Australis Diamond Beach Resort, NSW • Stay in a 2 Bedroom Resort Spa Villa • Bottle of wine on arrival • Parking • Minimum 3 night stay CENTRAL COAST - Country Comfort Terrigal, NSW • Stay in a Poolside Room • Full buffet breakfast for 2 adults • Homemade treat on arrival • Late 12 noon check out SOUTH EAST VICTORIA - Chifley Doveton, VIC • Stay in a Deluxe Queen Room • Full cooked breakfast daily for 2 adults • Complimentary slippers • Bottle of wine and a $50 Coldwater Creek Tavern dining voucher • Kids eat free • Minimum 2 night stay ADELAIDE - Grand Chifley Adelaide, SA • Stay in a Standard Room • Full buffet breakfast for 2 adults and 2 kids • Family movie pass

$135* Per Night

$145* Per Night

$149* Per Night

$199* Per Night

* Valid from 1st March to 31st May 2012. All packages are subject to availability and minimum night stays may apply including block out dates over the Easter weekend.

See website for terms and conditions. www.silverneedlehotels.com.au/endlesskids

For more Endless Summer holiday deals across Australia visit AUTUMN 2012 www.silverneedlehotels.com.au/endlesskids OR www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au CALL 1300 650 46415

SHORT CUTS Domestic

DOMESTIC TRAVEL NEWS

ACT

QLD Get excited at Questacon Canberra’s fabulous Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre just got even more exciting with a brand new exhibition that will bend both your mind and your muscles! Excite @ Q is a hands-on and minds-on experience, allowing families to test their reflexes, skills and perceptions. The brand new gallery will provide visitors with interactive, energetic experiences focusing on spectacular scientific phenomena.

To get the best from Canberra and its top attractions, try the great value 3infun pass which allows discounted admission to the Australian Institute of Sport, Cockington Green Gardens and Questacon all on one ticket. www.questacon.edu.au

Zoo much fun at Novotel Palm Cove

Going coconuts for Port Douglas Families searching for some R&R in tropical Queensland can look no further than Coconut Grove Port Douglas, which scooped three awards in the Travellers’ Choice Hotel Awards by website Tripadvisor.

The Port Douglas retreat was named one of Australia’s top ten hotels, the fourth top luxury hotel in Australia and 24th in Australia’s trendiest hotel category. The results are based on the opinions of millions of travellers globally. Situated in the heart of Port Douglas, Coconut Grove offers the ultimate in luxury accommodation. TheirTerrace pool apartments are situated are perfectly suited for families, with three bedrooms in twin, queen and master (with ensuite spa bath), bedroom configurations. With tranquil sleeping areas well separated from the kitchen and living room with plasma television, children can rest while the parents kick up their heels or entertain friends. www.coconutgroveportdouglas.com.au

Palm Cove is arguably one of Australia’s most beautiful playgrounds and, to make it even more attractive for families, Novotel Palm Cove Resort has launched an affordable new five-night family package.

Valid until September 30, Novotel’s new deal starts from $1150 for a family of two adults and two children sharing a resort room with two double beds, a children’s cuddly toy on arrival for each child, full buffet breakfast daily as well as a Quicksilver cruise to the idyllic Low Isles on the Great Barrier Reef plus a family day pass to the fabulous Cairns Tropical Zoo. The resort itself offers three swimming pools and the popular crocodile waterslide, two restaurants and a bar, a nine-hole golf course, sauna, bicycle hire, resort shop, internet cafe, 24-hour reception and tour desk.

Accommodation ranges from large spacious light-filled standard resort rooms up to suites and self- contained suites. www.novotelpalmcove.com.au

Capital savings

Great Canberra packages With so much to do in Canberra with kids it pays to be in the heart of the action.

Crowne Plaza Canberra has great deals for families, and being located in the heart of the city it’s easy to get around to the many attractions. Their Family Escape package includes overnight accommodation and breakfast for the whole family (two adults and two children). Children also eat free from kids menu when dining with a paying adult. Children 12 years and under dine free from the kids menu when accompanied by a paying adult. http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/crowneplaza

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Escape to the nation’s capital of fun for a weekend of shopping, dining and sightseeing with Mantra on Northbourne.

An ideal location for families, the hotel has one-bedroom apartments starting from $169 per night for Friday to Sunday stays until September 14 (conditions apply). Mantra Hotels, Resorts and Apartments are on sale with free night deals and discounted rates available at Mantra destinations across the country. www. mantraonsale.com.au

AUTUMN 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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SHORT CUTS Domestic SKIPPERS COVE NOOSA STYLE

QLD

DOMESTIC TRAVEL NEWS

VIC

Resort Report Phillip Island’s chocolate explosion Chocolate lovers visiting Phillip Island can experience more mouth-watering delights. Phillip Island Chocolate Factory has introduced more fun-filled chocolate activities to its interactive exhibition, Panny’s Amazing World of Chocolate. Delicious new displays include a three-dimensional zoetrope that allows visitors to watch chocolate characters come to life, a carnival sideshow alley of chocolate games offering visitors the chance to test their skills and win chocolate prizes, Panny’s very own replica penguin parade and a magical chocolate kitchen where visitors can play, smell, feel, touch and try the tasty ingredients.

The new displays and activities are in addition to the more than 30 pre-existing interactive, chocolate adventures already available at the chocolate factory. www.phillipislandchocolatefactory.com.au

N

urture yourself in Noosa and relax in this peaceful family haven right at the water’s edge. Choose from two- and three-bedroom Waterfront apartments with decks and balconies, all with superb Noosa River views, or two bedroom Poolside apartments with courtyards and access to waterfront facilities.

It’s a superb holiday setting for families of all ages, with kayaks, boat hire and mooring, a beach, tennis, heated pools, wireless broadband and tour options. It’s also close to Noosa’s cafe strips and public transport.

8-16 Munna Crescent, Noosa Sound, Qld P: 07 5449 8946 E: info@skipperscove.com.au W: www.skipperscove.com.au

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THE AUSTRALIS SOVEREIGN RESORT, SURFER PARADISE Situated on Ferny Avenue in Surfers Paradise, Australis Sovereign Resort is central to everything a family needs on a Gold Coast holiday.

It’s a short walk to the beach, shops and, being on the main road through Surfers, it’s easy to find your way from here to the outlying theme parks. The front desk staff are also a great help booking tours and organising transport to theme parks.

There is a wide choice of room configurations, but the best choice for families would be their family suites, which incorporate a one bedroom suite and adjoining room – effectively creating a two-bedroom apartment and enough room even for our family of seven to stretch out! The suite also has a well-equipped kitchen and (very conveniently when travelling with kids) there is a laundry on the same floor.

The main attraction for the kids (apart from the breakfast buffet) is of course the large lagoon-style swimming pool complete with waterfall. It’s big enough for the kids to splash madly at one end while not disturbing the couple in the spa at the other end or the groups of girls sunning themselves on deckchairs.

As well as serving pool-side lunch and dinner, Flavours Brasserie has a great breakfast buffet (pancakes, tick, hash browns, tick) and also serves a decent cappuccino. www.australishotels.com.au/sovereign

Melbourne - Living it, loving it.

If you’re heading to, or live in, Melbourne with kids and are seeking ideas and inspiration on places to visit and things to do, see, eat, play, create and explore then Little Melbourne will sort you out. Created by a mum of two when she discovered a need for a comprehensive guide to activities and events for kids, this site rectifies that as well as sharing the scoop on kid-tested products and reviews. Plus you’ll find school holiday activities, competitions, out-of-town hotspots, personal recommendations, kid-friendly cafes and party venues and the latest goss on all things kids. Little Melbourne lists almost every activity and event imaginable so you’ll never be caught short of something to do with your little ones. www.littlemelbourne.com.au

SA A taste of Adelaide Tasting Australia has become one of Australia’s most popular food and drink festivals. Held in Adelaide and various locations across South Australia, the biennial festival, now in its eighth year, will be a week-long festival of food from April 26 to May 3.

Budding little chefs will be able to explore food and cooking at a number of hands-on junior events designed to entertain and inspire a love-affair with healthy, delicious cooking. Celebrity chefs and presenters including Stephanie Alexander, George Calombaris, Matt Moran, Pete Evans, Maeve O’Meara, and local South Australian heroes Maggie Beer, Simon Bryant and Poh Ling Yeow will join visitors as they as they learn how to cook from the best chefs, taste local produce and take part in any of more than 80 public events. www.tasting-australia.com.au

AUTUMN 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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DOMESTIC TRAVEL NEWS

WA

NT Recycled retreat It was a case of uprooting and up-cycling recently for one Northern Territory eco-lodge, which is now open for business.

In a great example of recycling on a large scale, Wildman Wilderness Lodge moved from its previous location in Far North Queensland to the spectacular Mary River Wetlands just outside Kakadu National Park, two hours’ drive from Darwin. After being bought by Indigenous Business Australia, the entire resort was dismantled and transported 2800km across the country on 18 triple road trains.

The lodge offers a different experience for visitors with an abundance of native wildlife (and yes, there are crocodiles!) coupled with the tranquility of the wetlands and stylish accommodation.

New lodge chef, Nathan Cloros, has planned a menu that reflects the spirit of the outback with the area’s traditional owners teaching him how to find and use native herbs, spices and fruits. And tasting plates of buffalo, crocodile, barramundi and prawns along with emu sausages, tempura crocodile and kangaroo lasagna are sure to get lips smacking and tongues wagging!

There are 10 eco-style cabins and 15 new luxury en-suited safari tents to choose from. Each tent is ideal for families, sleeping four guests and with fan cooling and private bathrooms. The lodge is open until November 30, following the wet season. www.wildmanwildernesslodge.com.au

Rottnest redeveloped

Campers can now enjoy the revamped campground on Rottnest Island. New barbecue facilities, tent sites and landscaping are just some of the improvements. There are also new walking tracks from the barbecue facility to the beach and existing recreation.

Further planned upgrades include a makeover

and extension of the amenities block and a camp kitchen to provide a sheltered cooking zone and food preparation area.

The upgrades will make Rottnest Island an even more attractive option for families visitors, whether they want hotel-style accommodation, a bungalow or to pitch their own tent. www.rottnestisland.com

Darwin Delights After scouring the globe, a buzzing Darwin has been singled out by travel guide Lonely Planet as the only Australian city in its Best in Travel: top 10 cities for 2012.

Magical markets, fabulous festivals, Indigenous art and culture, fantastic food and world-class wilderness areas are just a few of the great reasons families should think about heading to Darwin, the toast of the Top End, in 2012 . www.tourismtopend.com.au

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SHORT CUTS Animals

ANIMAL NEWS

NEW ARRIVALS

Fish supper The fish are certainly biting at Melbourne Aquarium, which has launched a new fish feeding experience. Suitable for all ages, the fish feeding activity allows visitors direct access to the top of its 2.2-million litre oceanarium. Simply sprinkle the specially-developed food pellets into the water and watch the frenzy of fish activity as blue-line snapper, trevally, salmon and bream head to the surface for a nibble. The experience also allows visitors to get up close to huge sharks, stingrays and hundreds of other marine animals as they swim along the busy underwater highway right below. www.melbourneaquarium.com.au

Turtle tracking It was good news for an injured loggerhead turtlewho after being nursed back to health by vets at Taronga Wildlife Hospital, has been successfully rehabilitated and released into the wild. The endangered loggerhead turtle arrived at the Sydney zoo as a 61 gram hatchling with a fractured flipper. After initial veterinary care at Taronga, the little turtle was taken to Oceanworld Manly to grow before returning to Taronga Wildlife Hospital to ensure its fractured flipper was fully functional. He has since been successfully rehabilitated and released off Lord Howe Island

by Marine Park Rangers. The released Loggerhead has been fitted with a state of the art satellite tracker and will assist researchers with the mysterious migration habits of the endangered species. www.taronga.org.au

Are we there yet?

Make tracks at Australia Zoo Giraffes, rhinos and zebras are just a hop, skip and a jump away, with the opening of a new 700-metre track walking track linking visitors from Australia Zoo’s South East Asia Tiger Temple exhibit to its fantastic new 24-acre African Savannah exhibit. The new track means visitors can experience the African savannah at their leisure as well as offering different views and corners of the zoo to explore and greater flexibility. www.australiazoo.com.au

You come and relax we’ll wear the Kids out.

Mowbray Park Farm just 1 hour from Sydney off the M5 Animal nursery • Pony Rides • Camp fires • Collect the Eggs Cow milking (it’s from where?) • Crack a Whip Days of fun for everyone, this is life in the Country

Mowbray Park Farm Holidays

Web: www.farmstayholidays.com.au Email: mowbray@farmstayholidays.com.au 745 Barkers Lodge Road Picton NSW 02 4680 9243

■ Visitors to Taronga Western Plains Zoo can now see the Galapagos tortoise hatchling in a specially-made enclosure.

Weighing just 87.25 grams at birth, the little hatchling will take around 25 years to reach full size.

Saws and claws Sydney Aquarium’s Great Barrier Reef exhibit is now home to criticallyendangered sawfish. Measuring up to two metres in length, the sawfish are a sight to be seen. These evolutionary marvels have adapted to live in both salt and fresh water, while their long saw-like rostrum (nose) has evolved to expertly forage for food under the sandy, silty ocean floor.

The sawfish will join Sydney Aquarium’s other fascinating new residents, the enormous Japanese spider crabs, with their long spindly legs that can span up to just under four metres and bodies weighing as much as 20 kilograms. www.sydneyaquarium.com.au

Gorilla exhibit swings into action Little visitors to Werribee Open Range Zoo can now monkey around and hang out – literally with the zoo’s resident gorillas.

The Melbourne zoo’s spectacular new gorilla exhibit, Gorillas Calling, boasts an innovative play space mirroring the gorillas’ climbing areas inviting children to climb tree trunks and ropes while pretending to be gorillas themselves. Plus there are viewing platforms to watch these magnificent creatures.

The multi-million dollar exhibit is the new home for three western lowland gorillas – silverback Motaba and his two sons, Yakini and Ganyeka.

They are now settled into their state-of-the-art bachelor pad, complete with wading pool, large climbing poles and incredible views across the zoo’s open range savannahs. www.zoo.org.au

Kids go free at Zoos Victoria Kids under 16 can get in free to Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo on weekends, Victorian public holidays and Victorian school holidays. Plus zoo memberships are now more affordable for families with zoo members no longer having to pay for kids as part of their membership. It is hoped that as more people visit the zoos, as a result of more affordable entry, the zoos will be able to engage more people to save wildlife. www.zoo.org.au

■ Perth Zoo’s famous Rothschild’s giraffe Misha has welcomed a gorgeous baby Twiga (Swahili for giraffe), her seventh calf.

■ Canberra Zoo & Aquarium’s ring-tailed lemurs Lily and Indray are the proud new parents of cute and cuddly twins.

■ Taronga Zoo’s reptile keepers have welcomed a baby star tortoise, only the second to hatch at the zoo in 30 years.

■ Melbourne Zoo’s recently arrived group of coatis (members of the raccoon family) have settled so well that they have produced three litters, with a total of 21 kittens.

■ Sea World has welcomed its first baby gentoo penguin chick to first time parents Bella and JD.

Farmyard fun Enjoy some fun on the farm with a Mowbray Park pre-booked day visit. Not only can kids spend time getting to know the friendly faces on the farm and enjoying great hands on experiences at the nursery feeding the animals and milking the cow, you can also learn to crack a stock whip, throw a boomerang or cook some damper around the fire. Or perhaps your kids might prefer to head off on a trail ride, feed the cattle or horses or try their hand at archery, canoeing, and tennis. www.farmstayholidays.com.au

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8/03/11 12:40 PM

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OUT & ABOUT WITH BABY

Baby,

you can drive my car.

M

y best friend moving interstate from Sydney to Melbourne has given my family a great excuse to pack up and head off on our first long-haul road trip. Now, I’m sure I am not alone in being a little nervous about heading on a mammoth round trip with two little ones in the back (one of whom is prone to travel sickness). “They’ll be fine,” assures my confident other half. So in preparation I’ve armed myself with helpful hints, strategies and contingency plans for a smooth and stress-free journey.

WITH LITTLE ONES ALONG FOR THE RIDE, NO LONG-HAUL DRIVING HOLIDAY IS GOING TO BE COMPLETELY WITHOUT CHALLENGES BUT A LITTLE PREPARATION AND PLANNING COMBINED WITH A REALISTIC SCHEDULE WILL ENSURE THE ROAD AHEAD WILL BE A SMOOTH ONE. WORDS: GERALDINE CARDOZO

Before you go Visit an RTA authorised fitting station before you leave to check that your restraint is correctly fitted - call 132 213 for your nearest location. Plan your route carefully, taking into account how long the kids will last without a break. Two to three hours gives you around 200 to 300 kilometres at a time.

Use a route planner, such as the NRMA Trip Planner, www.mynrma.com.au/tripplanner to find the best places to stop. Being cooped up can wear toddler tempers thin so look for parks or interesting attractions along the way to let toddlers stretch their little legs and burn some energy. If baby needs a milk stop you’ll also want a shady spot to nurse.

If your little one has a daytime sleep, maximise this time and push on through while they’re snoozing!

Keep your itinerary simple. Plan only one major activity a day and you’ll find it easy to make adjustments for tired and temperamental tots.

Boredom busters For babies, it’s worth investing in a new car seat mobile (some come with mirrors) to calm them along the way. Get toddlers excited about the journey before you set off and explain where you will be travelling through and what they might see along the way. Arm them with a simple map, or if you’re feeling creative make a visual eye-spy game with pictures of trees, sheep, windmills and trucks or anything else you might spot on your trip. This way you can engage with the kids while chatting about your holiday.

Inevitably kids will become bored and this is where CDs, audio books and portable DVDs are your savior. If you want to avoid having to listen to The Wiggles for the zillionth time, you may also want to pack a small bag of toys (think small scale favourite toys, finger puppets, and board books) which kids can easily access. But be prepared to be fishing behind the passenger and driver’s seat for dropped belongings.

ArielMartin © Signed model release filed with Shutterstock LLC

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What to pack Have a small bag in the front of the car (don’t

make the mistake, as we have done, of packing it in the boot behind the suitcases) with essentials such as bibs, bottles, light snacks, wipes, nappies, a change of clothes in case of accidents and a few plastic bags for rubbish. Most importantly, don’t forget plenty of water for everyone.

If your little ones are prone to car sickness, place a small towel on their lap, just in case, and have a couple of sick bags at hand. If you’re having to heat bottles along the way take a portable bottle warmer or pre-heated baby food in special insulated containers.

Don’t forget the sunscreen and be sure to have a UV shade on the window to minimise sun exposure.

Pack your luggage in layers with the stuff you might need during the trip on top. It’s also worth considering hiring equipment at your destination to save lugging cots and prams around!

Travel sickness “Daddy, you know I vomit every two hours,” announced our eldest as we told him about our impending trip. The toddler years are the ones that often mark the arrival of motion sickness, particularly when it comes to car trips. If your little ones, like Xavier, are prone to car sickness and vomiting, there are things you can do to hopefully prevent or ease the nausea. Watch out for the early signs which may include sudden pallor, cold sweat and fatigue.

Avoid heavy, sugary or rich foods before or during the trip, instead try crackers and light sandwiches.

Looking at books in the car can make nausea worse, so try and encourage your child to look out of the window and concentrate on the horizon if they complain of feeling sick and stick on an audio book for distraction.

Leaving early in the morning or late at night, when children are more likely to sleep will also help avoid car sickness as will plenty of breaks and fresh air. Ginger is also said to have anti-nausea properties, so pack a few ginger biscuits or ginger candies if all else fails.

Potty pointers If you’re toilet training, dress your child in easy to remove clothes and make frequent toilet breaks. A plastic seat liner or folded towel can help protect seats from little accidents and a portable travel potty can be a lifesaver on road trips.

Toilet training outside of normal routines can be difficult so if the change of environment proves too much of a challenge take a temporary

AUTUMN 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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OUT & ABOUT WITH BABY

Ipatov © Signed model release filed with Shutterstock LLC

training break rather than getting stressed and overwhelming a little person trying to master a new and difficult task.

Readers’ road trip survival tips “Leave really early, like 4am. Get the kids straight out of bed and go! They may not go back to sleep but seem to stay pretty quiet, mesmerised by the night time lights and beautiful dawn. Of course that means having EVERYTHING packed and ready to go the night before.” Melinda Rugg “It is actually a really great learning curve going from excited to bored, happy to cranky, joyous to irritable. And then all these things make you love the destination more for all the good and bad shared. I think it builds stronger bonds and a more memorable trip. We did Southern France to mid Italy in two days (about nine or more hours each day).We are stronger for that!”

Amber Cardozo “Make sure you have up-to-date road service membership. If you breakdown, let the operator know you’re travelling with a baby as they may prioritise you.” Kate Russell Walker “My kids need music to sing along to and books. We play car bingo and they need LOTS of snacks along the way.” Amy Field “We always stop off at visitor centres to see if there is anything of interest for the kids to see or do at the various towns that we pass through.”

Melanie Dean “We carry a car-sickness kit on long journeys packed with water, wipes, an old towel, a reasonably sized container (with a fitted lid) and a change of clothes in a plastic bag (for storing soiled clothes).” Janine Mesham “Pack loads of drinks and light snacks. If they squeek feed them is my motto for long trips!” Ali Gawler “Wrap up a few toys before you leave and present your child with a surprise if they start to get bored.” Michelle Singh

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TOP TIPS FOR ACTIVE TOTS Travelling with our beloved little bundles of energy can be filled with challenges and frustrations, here are our top tips for travelling with active tots!

• Select a destination where there’s plenty of space to run about and plenty of safe energy depleting activities to keep them busy.

• Face facts, your toddler will undoubtedly find it tough to sit still for extended periods.

This can make travel quite the challenge and you’re going to need plenty of distraction in the form of engaging toys, games and picture books.

• An iPad or iPhone loaded up with kid friendly apps is a great time waster. And portable DVD player and some favourite movies can be a life saver on long journeys.

• Avoid sugary food at all costs!

This will only serve to hype them up.

• Keep them safe. All toddlers are curious and keen to explore and new environments can create temptation. Keep them supervised and out of danger by child proofing hotel rooms and rental cars on arrival.

• Changing nappies on the run can be difficult, especially when baby change rooms are few and far between. Do yourself a favour and invest in nappy pants for your travels. They

are much easier to get on and off, especially in (not always pristine) public facilities.

• Unlike their exhausted mums and dads, active toddlers aren’t going to want to lay about a pool reading magazines or swilling cocktails. Make sure to unleash them at playgrounds and age appropriate attractions to keep that will not only keep them entertained but wear them out so they’ll sleep well at night.

• Your little ones needs have to come before your own.

As much as you might want to visit that museum or art gallery your toddler (and the curator) would most likely prefer you didn’t. If you really can’t miss out, mum or dad may just have to fly solo and leave the kids with their other half, or a trusted alternative carer, while you soak up a little culture.

If your little one won’t take nappy changes lying down, get a wriggle on to HUGGIES® Nappy-Pants. They have all the absorbency you’d expect from a HUGGIES® Nappy with a unique 3 Layer Design for maximum protection. Plus they slip on like pants so you can change your baby in any position – even standing up. And coming in Crawler, Toddler, Walker, and NEW Junior sizes, they are also the only nappypant to have easy-open and resealable sides. So whatever stage your baby’s at, you can now both enjoy a struggle-free change.

® Registered Trademark Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. © 2012 KCWW. KIMCLA1653/OA

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WHAT’S

TOILET TRAINING

e l t t i l r u For yo earners Potette Plus

hot

FOR BABY

What’s hot for Baby

Essential Sippy Cup This fab leakproof Essential Sippy Cup is a must for bub. With an easy grip handle and an innovative weighted soft silicone straw that moves with the liquid, this nifty design ensures tots can drink to the very last drop. Available in three gorgeous colours it’s also BPA, phthalates and PVC-free. www.bbox.com.au RRP$14.95

Huggies Nappy Pants

®

The perfect solution for tots that make change time a challenge, these pull-on nappies slip on as easily as pants for struggle-free nappy changes. Great absorbency and re-sealable sides make for easy removal. Available in Toddler (10-15kg) and Walker (14-18kg) sizes for boys and girls. www.huggies.com.au RRP $20.98 (for a pack of 31)

2 in 1 portable potty and trainer seat Portable Potty:

• Full sized potty, folds flat super-absorben • Includes 2 super-absorbent liners and hygienic carry bag

Trainer Seat:

• Folding trainer seat • Comfortable, non-slip and durable • Hygienic, fits regular toilet seats

Coolpad

Melotote

Other great toilet training proucts...

Cushie Traveller™ Folding Padded Toilet Seat

Waterproof Sheet Protector Keeps sheets dry throughout toilet training

Compact.

Ideal for on the go

No more middle of the night bed stripping

This great nappy bag, available in four colours, can be used together with the Melobaby all-in-one nappy wallet and change mat, or on its own. Great to carry around or attach to any stroller it’s got plenty of room for all bub’s needs and it transforms into a great all-round tote for day trips. www.melobaby.com RRP $89.95

Potette Plus® Liners Disposable liners for portable potty

Tots and toddlers are particularly susceptible to fevers. While medicines can work their magic, the new Fridge-to-go Coolpads offer a little instant cooling relief for kids as young as 12 months - without the need for damp towels or packets of frozen peas. Re-useable and environmentally friendly, they are safe and easy to use. www.fridge-to-go.net.au RRP $19.95

Convenient and hygienic

Essential snack pack by

Ba

Cushie Traveller

U

to s le sa its of ge ta en rc pe a s t te no na o nt do ® d fa y ds in dl Ki y cts d an u an e od S rs pr ID do re *S en ca

ou

pr

To find out more about the range and for helpful toilet training tips go to www.babyu.com.au

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Like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/BabyUProducts

AUTUMN 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

Compact and portable, the Cushie Traveller is a clever padded folding toilet seat that’s ideal for toddlers on the go. This soft cushioned seat fits regular toilet seats and helps keep training routines on course when you are out and about.www.babyu.com.au RRP $13.99

This go everywhere lunch box for littlies from b.box has an excellent non slip base, two separate compartments to serve different foods and flavours and a soft tip spoon that clips conveniently inside the snap on lid. BPA, phthalates and PVC-free, it’s ideal for meals on the go. www.bbox.com.au RRP$14.95

AUTUMN 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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Drive

From left: © Signed model release filed with Shutterstock Images LLC

Ford Mondeo EcoBoost

T

he Drive Car of the Year Award for Best Family Car… was the Ford Mondeo EcoBoost.

It won because it’s a great all rounder. It has large car-like levels of space, an efficient yet punchy turbocharged four-cylinder engine and plenty of standard equipment, including a generous suite of safety features.

Rigorous testing is conducted by expert judges to determine the winners... judging takes place over six looooong days and this year involved 11 judges, who covered a combined 20,000km. It’s a massive event and one that involves strict processes and some enthusiastic discussions to arrive at the best new cars on sale today in Australia.

When buying a new family car… the first priority is to ensure the car will perform the duties expected of a family car, carrying the people, luggage, pets and whatever else anyone wants to take with them.

Then they should consider safety, and not just for the driver. Make sure there is side airbag protection for all passengers, not just those in the front. Also make sure there is a stability control system, which can work wonders in avoiding a crash in the first place. Other things to consider are fuel use. While it’s true that bigger cars will generally use more fuel, the increased focus on fuel efficiency means there are now some larger family vehicles that aren’t unnecessarily thirsty.

Small four-cylinder and diesel engines are increasingly being used to perform duties once left to six-cylinders - and the result is generally a lower fuel bill. Finally families should consider what the car will be worth in a few years. While a cheap, lesser known brand or model may look tempting on the showroom floor, you could end up paying for it with poor resale values in a few years. And with depreciation the single biggest cost of

The best and safest

family cars.

Following the recent announcement of the winners of the annual Drive Car of the Year Awards, Out & About With Kids talks family cars with www.drive.com.au editor Toby Hagon.

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AUTUMN 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

owning a car it’s worth doing some homework on what cars fare better when it comes time to trade them in.

Reversing cameras and reversing censors… are still a rarity on most new cars, although they are increasingly being fitted as standard or, at the very least, as an option. Rear vision in many new cars is poor, so a reversing camera can not only save you from an embarrassing parking ding, but also from backing over a toddler or child. Keep in mind, too, that there are some very affordable aftermarket reversing cameras available these days, which is a good way to improve the reversing visibility of an older model or a new car that doesn’t offer the technology.

Vehicle safety for drivers with kids over the last decade… has been big for overall improvements to occupant protection, brought about through smarter design and better features such as airbags. It tends to be an ongoing process and one where we are now seeing incremental improvements rather than giant leaps. Some of the better safety features we’ve seen for kids over the last few years include seatbelt warning lights for the rear seats (they’re usually only fitted to front seats), convex child watching mirrors that flip out of the roof, the increased fitment of rear side curtain airbags to protect occupants in a side impact, and even things like Volvo’s innovative built-in booster seats.

My idea of a top family driving holiday… is one where the kids like it more than the adults - that way there’s minimal whinging. It all comes down to the planning and ensuring you’ve got sufficient time for rests along the way, plenty of in-car entertainment to keep people busy and a comfortable car. Good roads and a brilliant destination also help!

AUTUMN 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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shORT CUTsDrive Magellan brings GPS to iPhone

Prius C set to expand appeal of hybrids. toyota australia is hoping the launch of its new Prius C – the new city-size hybrid – will make hybrid vehicles accessible to an even broader range of consumers. With 17 years’ expertise in developing hybrid vehicles, Toyota’s Prius C boasts a small, light and efficient 1.5-litre Toyota hybrid system with excellent fuel efficiency.

The exterior has a bold and modern design with a powerful and refined front mask. Inside, the design evokes a great sense of space with a modern and geometric layout. The hybrid battery has been placed under the rear seat for maximum occupant and luggage space.

Already on sale in Japan, the Prius C combines a comfortable and roomy interior with a stylish body, and spirited acceleration and agility and will be available to Australian buyers during the first half of 2012. www.toyota.com.au/prius

Those who love the convenience of having an all-in-one device will love the new magellan roadmate navigation app, brought to you by Navman, with sophisticated GPS technology available that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

The app includes advanced GPS capabilities usually only found on stand-alone sat nav devices, such as turn by turn navigation offering audio and visual instructions, spoken safety alerts, emergency contacts if your car breaks down, an uninterrupted GPS signal in tunnels and the ability to find the most efficient route at any given day and time.

There is also a premium car kit with an in-built GPS receiver, available for purchase on the Magellan website.

Essential for safety, the kit automatically enhances your navigation signal, has an amplified hands-free speaker and charges your phone when plugged in. A free version of the app that doesn’t include turn-by-turn navigation will also be accessible as a free download on iTunes. www.magellan.com.au

Protect your child Use an Authorised Restraint Fitting Station

WIN

Stephanie’s Cool Convertible

Hop into the coolest ride in Heartlake City to pick up the lego Friends for a road trip full of fun and adventure! Lego mini-doll Stephanie loves cruising in her Cool Convertible. Help her wash it to a sparkle and load her puppy into the backseat then collect the other Lego Friends to hit the beach, or go on a road trip with the girls!

The new Lego Friends collection tailors the Lego construction experience especially for girls ages five and up, delivering on a girl’s desire for realistic, relatable play.

Out & About With Kids has 15 Lego Friends Stephanie’s Cool Convertible sets to give away, each valued at $24.99.

To enter visit www.oawk.com.au

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AUTUMN 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

Movies on the road made easy Specifically designed for car travel, the DvD Fast traveller protects your portable DVD player as well as carrying the DVDs, the player, a remote and power cable all together in the one bag.

Handy adjustable straps hook around headrests to balance the DVD player, securely holding the player while the car is in motion, preventing any damage to the machine or the viewers. Available online for $29.95, the DVD Fast Traveller makes entertaining the kids on a long car drive a breeze. www.lifeliveitup.com.au

A correctly fitted and approved child restraint provides maximum protection for your child in a crash.

Use an Authorised Restraint Fitting Station to ensure your child is properly secured. Research shows children whose parents used an Authorised Restraint Fitting Station are twice as likely to be correctly restrained than other children*.

For a fee, an Authorised Restraint Fitting Station will: • Install and fit your child’s restraint correctly.

• Check your child restraint is installed correctly.

• Install additional anchorage points and accessories.

National child restraint laws mean all children up to seven years of age must be correctly restrained in the right restraint for their age and size. Children from 6 months up to 4 years old must be in either an approved rearward or forward-facing restraint, while children between 4 and 7 years old must be in an approved forward-facing restraint or booster seat.

Fines and demerit points apply to drivers who fail to ensure all children are appropriately restrained in a vehicle.

There are more than 240 Authorised Restraint Fitting Stations across NSW. To find your nearest fitting station, or for further information about child restraint safety ratings, call 13 22 13. *‘Incorrect child restraint use is reduced among restraint fitting station users’ Brown J, Finch C.F, Hatfield J, Bilston L.E. Neuroscience Research Australia and University of New South Wales.

CamPInG

Holiday Park

W

Heaven

ith loads of great activities, amazing locations and accommodation options – from canvas to cabin - there’s no wonder holiday parks are a top choice for families. Holiday parks have oodles of activities to keep kids and parents entertained. Look for swimming pools (often heated with water slides and a toddler pool), the obligatory giant jumping pillows and tennis courts. Some parks even have day spas for mum and dad!

We are spoiled for choice here in Australia with a plethora of great parks to choose from – too many to mention in one story! But here at Out & About with Kids we’ve put together a list of some of the parks, state by state, which offer great facilities, to help get your family ready for a little park life.

For a relaxed Family holiday that won’t break the bank it’s no wonder holiday parks are a hit with aussie travellers. words: GeraldIne Cardozo

Where to stay NSW BIG4 SoldIerS PoInt HolIday Park With a purpose-built ‘little explorers’ bike track and a new indoor adventure pool (just one of two wonderful swimming pools), this holiday park is an adventure playground for kids. There is accommodation to suit all budgets, from selfcontained cabins to powered and powered en-suite sites. www.big4soldierspoint.com.au

CrookHaven HeadS tourISt Park, CulBurra BeaCH Check out the new playground and climbing spider at this beachside park, at the mouth of the Crookhaven and Shoalhaven Rivers – one of Australia’s finest deepwater and estuarine fishing areas. The park also has a solar-heated swimming pool and jumping pillow. www.holidayhaven.com.au

Park BeaCH HolIday Park, CoffS HarBour Situated a short stroll from the main beach facilities include a recently refurbished resort pool with a new sun deck, waterguns and a rainbow snake. There’s also a giant jumping pillow and kids club while modern villas and a wide choice of campsites add to the appeal. www.coffscoastholidayparks.com.au

lane Cover rIver tourISt Park, Sydney It’s just a minutes from the Sydney CBD, yet this bushland setting is the perfect oasis packed with native birds and animals. With a choice of accommodation, from luxury eco tents and fully serviced cabins to camp sites, this park is great for a weekend getaway or as a Sydney base for family travellers. www.lcrtp.com.au

© Gorilla, Signed model release filed with Shutterstock Images LLC

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AUTUMN 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

SoldIerS PoInt HolIday Park, Port StePHenS With a string of tourism awards to its name this

Port Stephens park, which last year celebrated 10 years since its redevelopment, is minutes from Nelson Bay with a choice of accommodation offering stunning water views. There’s also the Sandicoots kids activity programme. www. beachsideholidays.com.au

twofold Bay BeaCH reSort, eden A real gem on the stunning NSW Sapphire Coast – halfway between Sydney and Melbourne. Set in five hectares of natural parkland with easy beach access and spacious accommodation overlooking the beach, this is a great holiday getaway.

Accommodation ranges from camping sites to villas and cabins and there are pools, pillows and more! www.aspenparks.com.au

Queensland aSPen ParkS ISland Gateway HolIday Park, aIrlIe BeaCH The closest holiday park to Airlie Beach, with access to the Whitsunday Waterways and Great Barrier Reef, activities include tennis, mini golf, playgrounds, and games room. www.aspenparks.com.au

BIG4 aSHmore PalmS, Gold CoaSt Great free kids’ activities, family-friendly facilities, extensive landscaped with plenty of room to run around and a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets this park has it all. The Paradise Lagoon and helpful staff make every stay an enjoyable one. www.ashmorepalmsgoldcoast.com.au

Broadwater tourISt Park, SoutHPort Boating one of the best locations on the Gold Coast, this park is on the water’s edge with views to Surfers Paradise and nearby Sea World. Choose from waterfront, powered and ensuite sites. Kids can have a splash in the patrolled surf beach or play in the tennis courts. There’s also a boat ramp. www.goldcoasttouristparks.com.au

CaIrnS CoConut HolIday reSort The new water park is certainly making a splash at this popular Cairns holiday institution. Set in lush grounds with palms, rainforest areas and tropical gardens kids also love the outdoor movies, giant chess, day/night tennis, kids’ playground, beach volleyball and bingo. www.coconut.com.au

kIrra BeaCH tourISt Park, kIrra BeaCH On the Queensland/NSW border this quiet and secluded park is walking distance from world famous Kirra Beach, which offers waves for beginners through to champion surfers. There’s a large lawn area, pool and children’s play area plus a wide range accommodation. This is a large, open park perfect for large groups. www.goldcoasttouristparks.com.au

AUTUMN 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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Life is too short and kids grow up quickly so take a break, relax and enjoy some family fun at one of Aspen’s Parks out & aBout wItH BaBy

CamPInG

s n o i t a n i t s e d y a d i l o H Australia wide Western Australia Woodman Point Holiday Park Coogee Beach Holiday Park Perth Vineyards Holiday Park Exmouth Cape Holiday Park Blue Reef Backpackers Pilbara Holiday Park Cooke Point Holiday Park Queensland Island Gateway Holiday Park Victoria Boathaven Holiday Park Geelong Riverview Tourist Park Golden River Holiday Park Yarraby Holiday Park Ashley Gardens BIG4 Holiday Village South Australia Port Augusta BIG4 Holiday Park Myall Grove Holiday Park New South Wales A Shady River Holiday Park Maiden’s Inn Holiday Park Magic Murray Houseboats Wymah Valley Holiday Park Twofold Bay Beach Resort Wallamba River Holiday Park

AUTUMN 2012 Visit our website for online bookings www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

This award winning holiday park enjoys an excellent location between the Gold Coast theme parks, facilities include jumping pillow, waterslides, tennis court, buggy hire, mini golf and playgrounds. All set in tropical gardens. www.treasureisland.com.au

See new dolphin calf Piper at this beautifully located resort on the beach with facilities including restaurants, pools, tennis courts, beach volleyball, snorkelling at your door, cruises, camel safaris, Aboriginal eco-adventures and, of course, dolphins. www.monkeymia.com.au

BIG4 adelaIde SHoreS Caravan Park The multi-award winning BIG4 Adelaide Shores Caravan Park offers 4.5 Star camping, caravan and cabin accommodation in an unbeatable location with a leisure centre and heaps of activities to keep kids entertained plus an indoor toddlers’ play space. www.big4.com.au

1800 244 133 1800 817 016 1800 679 992 1800 621 101 1800 621 101 1800 451 855 1800 459 999

vICtor HarBor BeaCHfront HolIday Park, vICtor HarBour

1800 466 528

BIG4 BeaCon reSort, QueenSClIff

BIG4 BellarIne HolIday Park, marCuS HIll

Situated close to Uluru in the MacDonnell Ranges, facilities include basketball courts, jumping pillow, playground, pools, go karts, games room and bike hire. www.macrange.com. au

Western Australia aSPen ParkS eXmoutH CaPe HolIday Park, eXmoutH CaPe

Set in the heart of the flourishing Bellarine Peninsula, the park has a purpose built walking/ bike track, an indoor heated pool complex, full-size footy goals, water playground and waterslide, giant jumping pillows and croquet lawn. www.big4.com.au

Gold nuGGet tourISt Park, BendIGo This is the perfect base to explore the central Victoria’s rich golden heritage and take in the stunning gold rush architecture of Bendigo. Kids will have a blast on the giant jumping pillow, in the solar-heated pool or may want to try a spot of mini golf or lawn bowls. www.goldnugget.com.au

Tasmania BIG4 St HelenS HolIday Park, St HelenS

At the gateway to Ningaloo Reef, the park has a new camp kitchen plus outdoor cinema, swimming pool and kids’ playground. www. aspenparks.com.au

Close to the Bay of Fires and Freycinet National Park there’s a wealth of attractions on the doorstep of this park, with a playground, games room and kids activities in the holidays. www.big4.com.au

BIG 4 BeaCHlandS reSort, BuSSelton

leISure vIlle HolIday Centre, wynyard

With a cinema-style TV room, giant jumping pillow, solar-heated water the whole family will have a ball here. Explore the park on the pedal kart hire, relax with a book from the lending library or test your general knowledge at the trivia night. www. beachlandsresort.com.au

2002

Where else can you stay within nine-kilometres of the CBD and experience a little bit of country in the city? Excellent alternative accommodation for visitors to Melbourne, with standard cabins to deluxe villas, plus powered and un-powered sites only 30-minutes from all the city action. www. aspenparks.com.au

Northern Territory

BIG 4 maCdonnell ranGe HolIday Park, alICe SPrInGS

1800 674 239 1800 356 801 1800 356 483 1800 776 523 1800 631 006 1800 268 176

aSHley GardenS, melBourne

This popular resort on the Bellarine Peninsula has just been inducted into the Victorian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame. The babysitting service, readymade meal and online grocery delivery service are just some of the reasons to book. www.beaconresort.com.au

Labelled the most picturesque park in Katherine, the park is close to Nitmiluk Gorge and Edith Falls. The park’s local indigenous guide can lead you through a hands-on cultural experience focusing on aboriginal issues, traditional art, bush tucker and medicine. www.big4.com.au

1800 833 444 1800 356 103

Victoria

Following a recent makeover, the park boasts brand new motel-style studio apartments plus new two-bedroom ‘Waterview’ villas, new ensuite sites and heated swimming pool, recreation room, jumping pillow and new camp kitchens. www.victorbhp.com.au

BIG4 katHerIne low level HolIday Park, katHerIne

1800 352 982 1800 336 225 1800 621 262 1800 222 052 1800 061 444

aspenparks.com.au

monkey mIa dolPHIn reSort, SHark Bay

South Australia

Something for everyone!

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nrma treaSure ISland HolIday Park, Gold CoaSt

Opposite the beach at East Wynyard this park is central to all attractions of North West Tasmania, such as Cradle Mountain, the Tarkine Wilderness and Stanley and has a heated indoor pool, spa, games room, tennis/basketball court and playground. www.leisureville.com.au

JOIN THE CLUB Some parks run kids clubs - a favourite with both children and parents – on weekends and during school holidays. Check activities with reception before you book, but you can be sure the kids will be kept amused with an array of indoor and outdoor activities. Some holiday parks also host regular movie nights and have entertainment rooms with TVs, table tennis, pool tables and video games to keep visitors amused during the evening.

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out & aBout wItH BaBy

23 beautiful coastal locations SOME OF THE BEST KEPT SECRETS ON THE COAST... FOR AN AFFORDABLE FUN GETAWAY WITH THE CHILDREN

Canvas vs Caravans vs Cabins whiCh one is riGht For your Family?

Canvas 4km BRISBANE 10 Coolangattta Tweed Valley Tweed Heads t Hastings Poin HEADS BRUNSWICK BYRON BAY

Northern Rivers Region

Lismore e

Upper Clarenc Region

BALLINA

Pack up the car and head off in search of one our 23 holiday parks. Which so much choice to keep the whole family entertained, which one will you choose?

EVANS HEAD

Grafton

worst thinG For adults Planning what to pack, setting up camp (with the aid of little ‘helpers’) and packing it all up again. Communal toilets are never pretty and cold showers can be hard to bear.

RED ROCK CORINDI MOONEE Coffs Harbour MYLESTOM URUNGA D HUNGRY HEA DS HEA NAMBUCCA OTTS HEAD SC New England Region y

worst thinG For kids Trying to keep quiet early in the mornings and some littlies may be frightened of the dark and creepy crawlies. best thinG For adults Star gazing, re-embracing the art of conversation with friends, enjoying the great outdoors and watching kids play happily with nature (with no TV or computers!).

Yamba

Macleay Valle

best thinG For kids Totally different experience to home, sleeping under the stars, more adventure and freedom, less rules, chilled out pace and way more interesting chores!

in wet weather If you have a large tent you can stand up in with a communal area you could hold out for a day or two with card games, books and craft.

Make the most of the campsite’s indoor activities and games rooms. If you’re near civilisation head to the movies. If you’ve packed wet weather gear head out for a rain-walk and let the kids have a splash.

Kempsey

quarie Port Macq ONNY HILLS BO H HAVEN RT O N Taree ps Barrington To TUNCURRY rk Pa l na io at N FORSTER SEAL ROCKS Singleton HAWKS NEST km SYDNEY 160 Newcastle AUTUMN 2012 38 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

GREAT LY WEEK * DEALS

FIND US ON Terms & conditions apply – please visit our website.

www.northcoastholidayparks.com.au

Caravan/RV best thinG For kids The novelty factor, fold-down bunk beds, TV, hidden nooks and crannies and travelling in the back. It’s drier than a tent! worst thinG For kids Can get a little squished and there’s no escaping mum and dad (and their snoring!) and annoying little brothers and sisters. best thinG For adults No need to pack camping equipment or set up a tent on arrival. All mod cons are available and you’re more protected from the elements. Great for a family road trip. worst thinG For adults You will be one of the slowest vehicles on the road and while your motorhome may have toilet facilities it may be wise to use the amenities block for a happy home. It is also harder to escape from squabbling siblings. in wet weather Caravans are a cosy retreat from the rain especially if you attach an annex or awning. Plus it’s easy to pack up and drive somewhere else to escape the wet.

real Cost Camping in a holiday park can cost between $25 to $50 per night or up to $100 per night for a powered site. Factor in the gear costs – tents from $150, sleeping bags from $50. Additional gear such as camp tables, torches can be borrowed from friends to keep costs down.

real Cost A Britz Renegade (for four adults and two children) to rent costs from $147 per day plus full insurance (off peak) and to around $280 per day (peak season). Remember to factor in fuel costs. A caravan site at NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Park starts around $36 off peak to $125 peak season, per night for a family of four.

kids verdiCt: “I love playing shadows in the tent with my torch and staying up late to watch the stars with a hot chocolate.”

kids verdiCt: “It was fun travelling in the back and I like all the secret compartments in the caravan.”

Cabin best thinG For kids Home away from home, with sofas, TV a shower and/or bath and plenty of space to play with their toys. Plus their own bedroom (often with bunks!) away from grown-ups. worst thinG For kids As it is a bit like home, the routines apply too – same meals and same bedtime instead of staying out under the stars and playing with torches and sleeping in sleeping bags. best thinG For adults No need to run to the toilet block and a fully equipped kitchen means there’s no need to pack up your whole kitchen from home. An easy holiday, especially getting up for night feeds with heater, kettle and morning cartoons a life-saver. worst thinG For adults A step away from the campfire traditions and ghost-story telling campground antics.

It can be easy to slip into home habits, such as surfing the net and watching TV. in wet weather Rug up with wet weather gear and have fun exploring the outdoors before heading in to the cosy comfort of your cabin to get warm and dry. real Cost Cabin costs vary depending on the season and your choice, size and location of cabin.

Expect to pay from $60 to $300 per night. kids verdiCt: “I like eating outside on the deck then snuggling up inside I love getting the top bunk.”

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COFFS COAST

Coffs revisited

UNPARALLELED NATURAL BEAUTY, AMAZING ATTRACTIONS AND A WEALTH OF ACTION PACKED ACTIVITIES ARE ENOUGH TO ENSURE YOUR COFFS HOLIDAY IS ONE TO REMEMBER. WORDS: DEBORAH DICKSON-SMITH

Photographer: Rob Cleary

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COFFS COAST

GET

CLOSE TO NATURE

Learn the secrets of the fascinating life cycle of the butterfly...

Stroll among 100’s of live Australian butterflies in our tranquil all weather rainforest.

Bring your camera and get amazing photos.

Have fun finding your way through our Maze.

See the beautiful items created in our Wood Turning Gallery and browse the Gift Shop.

Enjoy lunch, refreshments, ice creams and our famous scones in our shaded Tea Rooms.

Open 9am - 4pm Tues - Sun & 7days during NSW school holidays

COFFS HARBOUR

Butterfly House MAZE & TEA ROOMS

02 6653 4766 5 Strouds Road Bonville Approx. 9 kms south of Coffs Harbour Take the Lyons Rd exit of TD 18 from the Pacific Highway w: butterflyhouse.com.au

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here’s something about Coffs Harbour that stirs emotions and brings back childhood memories of family road trips. In those days the most exciting feature was the Big Banana. And I must say, that banana has staying power. Our kids are as excited about being the first to spot it as we were all those years ago.

The drive from Sydney to Coffs is certainly shorter these days – and made infinitely more bearable by the spacious Ford Territory we’re driving and its built in DVD player. There’s plenty of room for our five kids to make themselves comfortable and an adjustable sound system, meaning that we can direct the audio to the rear speakers. Perfect.

Segways and circus tricks The Banana hoves into view, the kids cheer and we turn into our chosen accommodation a few hundred metres on the right, the Novotel Pacific Bay Resort. The family suite here is incredibly roomy – there’s enough space for a family of seven to sleep comfortably (and with some degree of privacy), a well-equipped kitchen and a magnificent view of Charlesworth Bay. Because we’ve just driven solidly for six hours we ignore the kitchen and head for Charlie’s Restaurant which provides a great kids’ menu and activity packs for the hordes and a lovely house red for me.

Our first activity the is a Segway tour with the Timeout Xperiences at the Novotel. These odd-looking devices are all the rage and the kids have a ball whizzing around the resort on them.

There are several tours available and while younger kids are limited to the training course, older kids can join the longer guided off-road tours in the beautiful surrounding bush.

Our next activity is also at the Novotel at the Zip Circus Flying Trapeze School where we all have a go at throwing ourselves off a high perch and swinging into the arms of an awaiting instructor.

The school has classes catering for everyone from three-years old and up. For those of us who suffer a fear of heights, the professionally-trained instructors really do put you at ease – plus there’s a big net beneath us and we’re harnessed in.

Dancing with dolphins Next on the agenda is possibly the most memorable experience the kids have ever had (seriously) - the Dolphin Family Swim at The Pet Porpoise Pool.

We hop in the pool with our charming, knowledgeable trainer and Calamity the dolphin. We get to stroke her, throw balls for her, cuddle her and even ‘dance’ with her. She’s beautiful. You can’t swipe the smiles off the kids’ faces with a sledgehammer – even the sarcastic, super-cool teenagers.

Calamity was brought to the Pet Porpoise Pool in 1994 having been found in the Tweed River in an emaciated state after becoming entangled in fishing line. At death’s door when she was rescued, she needed a year to recover – and she still bears the scars.

We’re also joined in the pool briefly by one of the 15 seals that live here, a playful critter that swims up and sniffs us all like an eager puppy.

During the school holidays the Pet Porpoise Pool is also home to Steve McEwen’s Reptile World – an bonus activity which gives the kids another opportunity to get up close and personal with some more cold-blooded creatures.

TOP TIPS FOR AN ECO-FRIENDLY COFFS COAST HOLIDAY •

Avoid takeaway food and the food waste that generally comes with it by packing lunches and booking accommodation with a kitchen so you can prepare home-cooked meals. Kids are usually overly ambitious when ordering food in a restaurant but rarely finish it. If you do eat out – insist they order from the kids’ menu.

• Don’t use bottled water.

We always take our own stainless steel drink bottles to avoid having to purchase bottled water. It also saves arguments about whether or not they are allowed soft drinks.

• Drive a fuel-efficient car. The diesel Ford Territory got us from Sydney to Coffs Harbour on one tank with plenty to spare – and that’s with a

carload of kids and all their paraphernalia.

• Minimise your washing (and use of the dryer).

Make sure the kids use the same towels over and over and hang their swimmers up. If you do need to use the washing machine while on the road – I highly recommend taking an Ecowasbal. These marvelous inventions replace soap powder in your washing machine and are much kinder to the environment.

• Walk – leave the car behind when you can and take in the scenery. Coffs Coast is surrounded by beautiful beaches and rainforest walks to enjoy. Encouraging your kids to appreciate the natural world that surrounds them will give them incentive to help protect it.

Photographer: Rob Cleary

Going bananas And then of course, the heavens open which effectively rules out our planned visit to nearby Park Beach. Instead we head back to the Novotel, arm the kids with tokens for the games room and book in for a couples massage at Tranquility day spa (opting for the dreamy signature treatment - the pohaku hot stone therapy).

Having delayed our visit to the Big Banana two full days, the kids

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COFFS COAST

happy days

COFFS COAST is a magical adventure playground and one of Australia’s great family holiday destinations.

ARE HERE AGAIN

Swim with the dolphins, say hello to majestic humpback whales, jump on board for a camel ride or walk in rainforests where dinosaurs roamed. At Coffs Coast there are activities and adventure around every corner.

Coffs Coast – where memories are made.

For a great family holiday deal at Coffs Coast, contact our Visitor Centre: Free call 1300 369 070 or visit www.coffscoast.com.au

Park Beach Holiday Park

www.coffsholidays.com.au Reservations: 1800 200 555

GO S D KI E*

really can’t wait any longer and so follows a morning of toboggan rides, waterslides and ice skating before indulging in a frozen chocolate-dipped banana (just like I remember them).

Another great Coffs attraction for rainy days is Tabatinga, a fantastic indoor play centre with features such as glow-in-thedark mini-golf and balladium – an actionpacked air cannon arena. There’s also a computer games area suitable for toddlers and pre-schoolers and a huge indoor jungle gym.

Rafts of fun Back to the great outdoors and getting wet for fun, we opt for an activity that is possibly unique to Coffs: surf rafting. Nearby operator

Liquid Assets can take you from freshwater to saltwater and from whirlpools to waves.

It’s tremendous fun as we test our team work as a family to ride the waves safely to shore without losing family members along the way.

This is followed with a kayak around the headland where we encounter dolphins and turtles and glimpse abundant marine life through the crystal clear water.

Beyond that banana there is more to Coffs Coast than what’s stored in my memory of childhood holidays. It’s a beautiful sub-tropical destination with abundant opportunities for wildlife encounters – whether it’s at the Pet Porpoise Pool or walking through the many national parks and is well worth revisiting.

Photographer: Rob Cleary

FAST FACTS GETTING THERE QantasLink, Virgin Blue and Rex fly from Sydney, Brisbane and Newcastle. Driving time is around six and a half hours from Sydney and five hours from Brisbane.

MORE INFORMATION Coffs Coast Visitor Information Centre www.coffscoast.com.au

FRE

• • • • •

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Free Stay for Kids Free BBQ’s & Tennis Court Hire Resort Pool & Jumping Pillow Modern Villas Large Camping Sites

AUTUMN 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

Follow us on CoffsCoastHolidays CoffsHolidays

*The Kids Go Free deal is valid for cabin bookings of 3 or more nights. Maximum of 3 children. Valid from 10 April to 20 September 2012 (incl. school holidays)

AUTUMN 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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CANBERRA

AUTUMN

flow

THINK OF CANBERRA AND MOST THINK OF THE PARLIAMENTARY TRIANGLE, NOT QUIRKY FARM STAYS, SECRET BIRD HIDES AND MINIATURE TRAINS. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN AUTUMN GETAWAY, DON’T GO PAST OUR CAPITAL. WORDS: TIM THE YOWIE MAN

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve © Christopher Meder Photography , Shutterstock

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CANBERRA

W

ith binoculars dangling around our necks, hand-in-hand we tippy-toe along the winding path through the early morning light. Ever so quietly I lead Sarah, my four-year-old daughter, into one of five timber bird hides nestled around the edge of Canberra’s Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve at the eastern end of Lake Burley Griffin. Each hide has a narrow slit behind which you can sit on a wooden bench and peer out and spy on some of the 170 species of birds that have been recorded at these wetlands.

I can almost hear Sarah’s little heart beating with excitement as she kneels on the bench and pulls her binoculars up to her eyes. Suddenly, the silence inside the hide is broken. At the top of her voice Sarah repeatedly shrieks, “Birdy where are you!”

Birdy, where are you!” In response, there’s a chaotic commotion as all manner of birds flap, flee and fly from their morning slumber.

As the hullabaloo subsides, in hushed tones, I explain to Sarah that a good bird watcher can’t make so much noise. “Alright, I’ll be quiet for a little while,” she faithfully responds. However, as any parent will know, a four-year-olds definition of “a little while” is somewhat different from an adult’s, and

Above: A family enjoy the scenery from the Red Hill lookout © Australian Capital Tourism

Left: Father and daughter riding in Lake Burley Griffin park. © Australian Capital Tourism

suMMeR fun at questacon n

January—focus on engines, transport and motion.

Februar y—take a look inside the human body.

www.questacon.edu.au

AUTUMN 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

After a couple of hours, Sarah finally gets the hang of bird watching, and ironically when it’s time to leave, I have trouble tearing her away from quietly spying on the magpie geese.

Eventually, I coax her away with the prospect of a milkshake with a bird’s eye view of the lake at Telstra Tower - the almost 200m high communications tower which is perched on the top of nearby Black Mountain.

On the way, (a 15-minute drive) to the tower, I try explain to Sarah that one of

Farming out One of the best places to crunch your way through these autumn leaves is Weston Park (in the suburb of Yarralumla, a 10-minute drive from the city), which apart from harbouring a small, but friendly population of kangaroos (don’t forget your camera), also has a knockout playground and miniature train rides.

Three rides later, it’s mid afternoon and time to head towards our digs for the evening.

For this trip, we’ve decided to stay a little

bit out of town at Eaglewood Farm Stay.

About half-an-hour’s drive from the city, and located near the village Murrumbateman this self-contained cottage offers the rare opportunity to stay (and play!) on a working alpaca farm. It has oodles of green lawns for the kids to run around on and apart from the cute alpacas is home to a menagerie of other critters. Heck, even before dinner Sarah has befriended Bella the miniature pony, CharlieBrown the rabbit, Rainbow the border-collie and Arthur the cat. She even tries her newly acquired bird watching skills to creep up on a cockatoo.

Later we drift off to sleep, in full knowledge that we are only a short hop, skip and jump away from all that Canberra offers.

In fact, in the morning it might be a game of paper, rock scissors which determines which of the kid-friendly national institutions we’ll head to. I’m keen to check out the Australian Institute of Sport where kids (oh, and big kids too!) of all ages can test their sporting prowess, but I suspect Sarah will be hoping for a visit to her favourite, Questacon (the fun-filled National Science and Technology Centre). I explain that maybe we’ll do both.

Now, if only explaining to a four-year-old how television works was just as easy.

Come and visit some of the most extraordinary animals on the planet

02 6270 2800 King Edward Terrace Canberra

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Lofty heights

its jobs is to transmit television signals.

However, in typical preschooler fashion, Sarah interprets my explanation to mean that Peppa Pig, Dora the Explorer and her other favourite cartoon characters who appear on TV, actually live in the tower. Kids’ logic, you’ve got to love it!

Not surprisingly, we don’t come face-toface with Peppa, nor Dora, but do enjoy a bite to eat at the tower’s lofty eatery (truly a cafe with a view). The tower’s viewing deck is a great place to get a perspective of where we’ve been this morning, as well as to map out the rest of our trip. It’s also the perfect vantage spot to marvel at the autumn colours which reach out into the suburbs like rivers of gold and crimson.

Enjoy the experience of a lifetime...

Questacon’s brand new gallery, Q Lab, allows visitors to discover the fascination of scientific inquiry. New themes every month! n December—farewell the International Year of Chemistry. n

so after, well, at least four long seconds of strained silence, Sarah screeches out another “Birdie, where are you? Thankfully, this time there are no birds left in the vicinity to scare.

Sarah eventually quietens down and we spot all manner of waterbirds – from ducks to exotic snipes which migrate annually all the way from Siberia. Even if you aren’t an eager birdwatcher, wandering around the wetlands on is an enjoyable way to spend a morning.

One of the most surprising things is just how close you are to Parliament House – it’s one of the few buildings you can see form the wetlands. It’s also a great flat spot for a bike ride (bring your own or hire from Mr Spokes at Regatta Point) around the lake.

Scrivener Dam, Lady Denman Drive Yarralumla ACT

• TOURS OPERATE DAILY • BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL

Book online at www.nationalzoo.com.au Ph (02) 6287 8400 Fax (02) 6287 8401

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Gold Coast

The Hills Are

Alive AwAy from the glitz of the gold CoAst beAChes, Adventure-loving fAmilies CAn heAd to the hinterlAnd for A little rAzzle dAzzle of the rAinforest kind. words: Carla Grossetti

T

he paramount ingredient for the perfect holiday is sunshine.

Not so if you are in the rainforest. The law of the jungle states: expect rain in a rainforest. And that’s precisely when to enjoy this luxuriant greenery at its best.

Rainforest retreat Although we are only an hour or so away from the sun-kissed Gold Coast, it feels like we have journeyed back to the Jurassic era. Just moments after settling in to our accommodation in the heart of the World-Heritage-listed Lamington National Park, I hear the bloodcurdling screech of what I am certain must be some kind of feral creature. Yep, it’s my eight-year-old son, Finley, bellowing “THIS IS WILD!” And no, he’s not talking about this piece of Amazonianlike paradise: instead, his exuberance is directed at the spa located on the balcony of our luxurious mountain villa at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. With a happy sigh, I realise he and his sevenyear-old brother Marley might need a few days to get amongst the environment as, right now, they can’t see the forest for the trees.

After a wonderful night’s sleep, we attack the breakfast buffet like hunter-gatherers. Everything about this place – which has been in the same family for near to a century – has been designed to intensify appreciation of the natural habitat. Forget video games. Here, at the breakfast table, my boys are entertained by cameo swoops from the striking regent bowerbird outside our window.

Wild ones The feathery fun continues later that morning when we join tour guide Mark for the birds of prey show. “Who knows what Australia’s largest carnivorous marsupial is?” he asks in a lugubrious tone. “A dingo!” shouts one brave soul. “The dingo is NOT native to Australia.

It arrived about 5000 years ago. And it is not a marsupial. Next!”

“The Tasmanian devil,” suggests a bold Brisbane teenager.

Mark shakes his head slowly, admonishing the mostly Australian

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Gold Coast

from top: View from Binna Burra Rockclimbing in Bunna Burra Cabin at Bunna Burra

audience about how little we know about our own native wildlife. “I bet you know Africa’s largest carnivorous animals!” he says. Point taken.

Clearly affronted by our collective ignorance, Mark darts off into the bushes and returns with the flesh-eating marsupial in question: it’s the spotted-tail quoll and it’s no bigger than a domestic cat. “I’m gob-smacked!” says Marley, who is currently obsessed with catchphrases.

After watching the quoll devour what looks like half a guinea pig, we are joined by the wedge-tailed eagle, which is one of many aerial predators that crash-land into the middle of the amphitheatre.

Moments later, the marble-like eyes of a tawny frogmouth glower at me, as if I’m to blame for the rain and stultifying humidity. Mark is like a walking edition of the Field Guide to Australian Birds and the show is fabulous.

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Above it all We decide to get our own bird’s eye view of the rainforest the next day when we wade through the mist along the 180-metre-long treetop suspension walk. “This is freeeaky,” says Fin, bouncing along the bridge, which slices through the soaring canopy. We aim for new heights again the next day when we whiz along a wire 25-metres above the ground on a flying fox stretching through the trees.

After all this action, the boys happily retreat to the Eco Rangers program, while I spend two hours losing myself at the lush Lost World Spa. Nearby Binna Burra Mountain Lodge – nestled on a neighbouring spine of the Springbrook Plateau – is also famous for its bushwalks and birdspotters. Like O’Reilly’s, Binna Burra is proud of its eco cred: both resorts are dedicated to preserving the local wildlife and educating visitors about the environs.

Although we are cocooned in one of the older cabins at Binna Burra, there is also the luxe Sky Lodges, perched like eyries over the clifftop. Binna Burra is about switching off. There is no TV or mobile phone coverage in our dinky log cabin and the only sound we hear at night is the light opera of insect song.

Although 4am is much earlier than I would normally deign to rise while on holiday, we have a dawn appointment with Hot Air. Cutting through the calm while floating through the air is the occasional roar of the gas burners igniting. Oh yes, and the relentless chorus of “I’m hungry”.

“Although it looks like we are in a picnic basket,” I say, through clenched teeth, “there are no provisions on board”.

Marsupial madness Luckily, there is plenty to distract my boys with until we return to O’Reilly’s Vineyard

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Gold Coast

SAVE 65% t gh ni r pe om per ro

$159 for 2 adults and 2 kids. * Includes theme park entry!

from top: Beautiful road into Bunna Burra Hot Air Balloons Tawny Frog Mouth Owl

For every night you stay you’ll receive entry to either Sea World, Warner Bros.

Movie World OR Wet’n’Wild Water World. So if you stay 3 nights you can visit all 3 theme parks!

And if you stay 2 nights or longer you’ll also receive a FREE Dolphin Discovery Presentation at Sea World, exclusive to resort guests.

All NEW Nickelodeon SpongeBob SplashBash!

This Red Hot Sale is selling fast.

Call 1800 074 448 or visit myfun.com.au to book your red hot holiday today.

Valid for stays 23 April to 22 June or until sold out. Subject to availability. *For every night you stay you’ll receive entry to either Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World OR Wet’n’Wild Water World. Payment required in full by credit card at time of booking. No refunds. Date may be changed subject to availability and within the sell period timeframe. Based on Resort Room accommodation. Surcharges apply for other room types. Please note Sea World 1.30pm Aopens U T UatM N 2 on 0 1Anzac 2 Day. Movie World and Wet‘n’Wild are closed Anzac Day. Visit myfun.com.au for full terms and conditions.

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SEA WORLD © 2012 & TM Sea World Property Trust. © 2012 Viacom International Inc. All rights reserved. Nickelodeon and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. SpongeBob SquarePants created by Stephen Hillenburg.

for a bounteous breakfast. I point out kangaroos and cows, a floppy-eared hare and a tractor tootling through the pretty patchwork fields. It’s seriously surreal.

Back at Binna Burra, Fin and Marley have shrugged off their city slickin’ ways with an archery class, a bush tucker tour and several laps of the obstacle course. They also beg us to go bushwalking in the sun-dappled forest after joining the Kilometre Club, an initiative designed to motivate children to want to walk.

And the nearby circuits are stunning: a rich palette of 1000 shades of green broken only by arrangements of iridescent fungi.

As we say farewell to our fellow bushwalkers, ready to roll down the coast, I hear my son Marley whisper, “I’m gob-smacked.” What is it?” I ask.

“That koala is waving goodbye!” In actual fact, says a resident wildlife expert, “it’s swatting a bee.”

Even so, it’s still pretty special. And, as I stand there watching my sons wave back at the koala, I feel kissed by the warmth of the moment and the beauty of our surrounds. I, too, am gob-smacked.

Around the worlds There’s no ignoring the glitz of the Gold Coast

when you have kids. In fact, once your children hit 130cm in height – which enables them access into even the most screw-tightening rides – you are contractually obliged, as a parent, to take them to a theme park or two.

And so we dedicate a day or two to copping an Olympic-pool sized soaking at White Water World and, well, having a lot of family fun. If it’s adrenalin you are after, you can wend your way from Whitewater World to Movie World, Dreamworld and Sea World. After ticking all the boxes – screaming our lungs out, see our life flash before us, swallowing a bucket of water, doing a spot of sunbathing – we make a beeline for our lush pad at Peppers Broadbeach. With access to a private cinema, teriyaki bar, fab infinity pool, iPad and Wii for the kids, our stocks of bonhomie are restored.

We drop down a gear for our final day when Get On Your Bike delivers four green bicycles at our hotel for us to sample some of the 600-kilometre Gold Coast cycleway. It is the perfect way to end a holiday that pulls us between the attractions of the coast and the hinterland, and we manage to find the equilibrium.

FAst FActs Where to stay Paradise resort www.paradiseresort.com.au o’reilly’s rainforest retreat www.oreillys.com.au binna burra mountain lodge www. binnaburralodge.com.au Pepper’s broadbeach www.peppers.com.au mantra Crown towers www.mantracrowntowers. com.au sea world resort & water Park www.myfun.com.au What to do hot Air www.hotair.com.au get on your bike www. getonyourbike.com.au More InforMatIon gold Coast tourism www.visitgoldcoast.com

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sunshine coast

Coastal Going

Noosa River © Tourism Queensland

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THE FUN NEVER STOPS ON THE SUNSHINE COAST, WHERE NEW ATTRACTIONS AND OLD FAMILY FAVOURITES OFFER MORE REASONS THAN EVER TO HAVE A THRILLING ADVENTURE AT THIS QUEENSLAND GEM. WORDS: GeraLdine cardoZo AUTUMN 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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sunshine coast

O

kay, so it’s no secret that Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, just north of Brisbane, is a top family holiday destination with a host of great attractions to keep the troops entertained whatever the weather. But now there’s even more reason to get excited about this beautiful stretch of the coast, with even more new wild exhibits, thrilling rides and awesome experiences to enrich your visit.

Seals and safaris

From left: Redback at Aussie World Australia Zoo Underwater World Big Kart Track

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Kids can go wild – literally – at the new Africa exhibit at Australia Zoo. The open-range attraction - the only African multi-species exhibit in Queensland – gives visitors to this Sunshine Coast institution the chance to explore the wide open plains of the African savannah and see exotic animals such as giraffe, rhino and zebra interacting together.

And don’t miss the cute baby rhino, aptly named Savannah. Cheeky Savannah is no doubt the star attraction of Africa, and Australia Zoo staff say she loves to run, jump and play with some of the other adult southern white rhinos and is known for running at top speed around the new exhibit! Africa also showcases the Queensland bottle tree which reflects the native boabab tree in Africa. And since the 24-hectare exhibit’s official opening late last

year, a new 700-metre walking track has been unveiled, linking guests from the Tiger Temple to the African savannah. There are also free shuttles to and from the exhibit. www.australiazoo.com.au/africa Nearby award-winning tourist attraction Underwater World is famed for its seal and otter shows. And now you can go behind the scenes and become part of the Underwater World Marine Mammal Team and learn how the staff care for and rehabilitate the animals on the new Seal Trainer for a Day experience. This five-hour package kicks off with a tour of the Seal Island behind the scenes area, a personalised welcome from the presenter of the seal show followed by a Seal Encounter experience. The aquarium is currently revamping its Sharks Alive zone but there are plenty of other encounters with some wet and wild creatures available, including the very cute Otter Encounter. www.underwaterworld.com.au

log before plunging down a ramp at super speed and getting thoroughly saturated in the process. The Redback is a giant spinning rollercoaster and like its name seems designed to strike terror into anyone who comes near it while the Giant Slide is a 46-metre long and nine-metre wide slide. If you can make it up the five flights of stairs to the top you’re doing well. There are also not-so-scary rides for little ones (and those with more delicate stomachs!). www.aussieworld.com.au Top Shots Fun Park in Maroochydore is another great attraction for all the family.

From rock-climbing to mini-golf, for water sport lovers the blaster boats; you’re sure to have a memorable day. Now with the addition of the new massive Blue Crush inflatable waterslide it’s perfect family fun on a hot day! www.topshotsmaroochydore.com

Bigger and better

Ride of your life

If you feel the need, the need for speed, then the new faster go-karts at Big Kart Track will have you racing to the Sunshine Coast. The new streamlined cars with precision steering, for drivers aged 12 and over (minimum height 152cm), operate on the Big Kart Track - the largest commercial go-kart track in Australia. At 1.2 kilometres

With new rides sporting monikers like the Redback, Plunge and Giant Slide, it’s clear that Aussie World – home to 30 rides and games - is a thrill-seeker’s paradise. If you want to cool down from the Queensland heat, get soaked on the Plunge. Ascend up not one, but two steep climbs in a hollowed-out

long you can pit your wits against big sweeping bends, challenging chicanes, hairrising hairpins and supercharged straights.

Meanwhile under-12s can have fun on the fully supervised Kids Track with double and single-seater cars. www.bigkart.com.au

Be amazed For something completely different head to the Cirque Espace circus school at Novotel Twin Waters Resort. Kids as young as 18 months can take part – classes include juggling, static trapeze, flying trapeze, tight wire and bungee tramp with trained professionals (different age restrictions apply according to the activities, so check before booking). The school is open to nonresidents of the resort, which also runs the All Terrain Segway Xperience – a guided tour of the resort grounds on a two-wheeled Segway. www.twinwatersresort.com.au Bellingham Maze in Tanawha is yet another great spot for everyone from toddlers to grandparents. There’s a huge hedge maze and one of it’s newest offerings is an 18-hole par 2 mini golf course. Plus a tyre maze, rope maze, two tile puzzle mazes and a huge walkthrough aviary. Keep an eye out for Snow White and her cottage and a fun hunt to find the seven dwarves. www.bellmaze.com

Fast Facts Getting there The Sunshine Coast airport is located in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, just north of Maroochydore. Virgin Australia and Jetstar have daily flights available flying from both Sydney and Melbourne.

Getting around To make the most of all that the Sunshine Coast has to offer you’ll probably need a car. Most major car rental companies are represented at the airport.

More information www.visitsunshinecoast.com.au

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KANGAROO ISLAND

Animal Kingdom

SECRET BEACHES, ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS AND WEIRD AND WONDERFUL LANDSCAPES MAKE KANGAROO ISLAND A MAGICAL DESTINATION FOR LITTLE ADVENTURERS. WORDS: HELEN HAYES

L

et’s face it. Any holiday that includes spotting wildlife, gallivanting on beaches and exploring other-worldly landscapes makes for the perfect family holiday. Which is what you have to look forward to in the pristine wilderness of Kangaroo Island (or KI as it is affectionately known by the locals) – off the coast of South Australia.

Action stations

From top: Vivonne Bay. Sandboarding and Quad biking rding with Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action.

A lazing local at Seal Bay Conservation Park.

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For some kids it’s all about doing fun stuff and there is plenty of that on KI – an island seven times the size of Singapore. We hook up with Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action, which offers quad biking, sandboarding and kayaking. Quad biking is first, and everyone – kids included – does a few runs around the test track after being kitted out with gloves and helmets. We follow our guide Brenton around dirt tracks, across green fields and down bumpy, rocky tracks. The bikes handle it all with ease and even the kangaroos don’t move as we drive past them.

Next up it’s sandboarding on Little

Sahara sand dunes. It’s a real workout to climb up but once we get the hang of it we’re zooming down the sand, hooting and hollering. A tip – if you have teenagers head for a dune that is untouched as that means more speed! To cool down, we venture to stunning Vivonne Bay, home of the KI SurfPro and Music Festival for a surfing lesson with KI Surf School.

stop should be Remarkable Rocks, incredible rock formations that are like something out of a sculptor’s dreamscape. Some of them are perfect for kids to sit on or walk through, but it can be dangerous so keep them close. Next stop is Admirals Arch, accessed by a boardwalk from the Cape du Couedic Lighthouse. Down near the bottom we spot sleeping fur seals.

to them squeak and squawk and click and show off their extraordinary speed and agility.

Before we leave, Andrew puts the boat in reverse and we are flabbergasted as dolphins race to loll in the wash. They are blissed out by their dolphin massage; we are equally blissed out by the whole experience.

Sealed with a kiss

Swimming with dolphins

There are plenty of seals on Kangaroo Island with one of the main attractions being Seal Bay Conservation Park. It’s well set up and educational without being boring for kids.

We join a tour and head down the boardwalk to the beach, where we have our first look at the beautiful Australian sea lions sunning themselves on the sand. It’s impossible not to melt when you look into these doe-eyed sea creatures’ eyes.

At Flinders Chase National Park, it is New Zealand fur seals that you will see, but they are not the only attraction. First

Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures meets us at Emu Bay – a peaceful town with plenty of holiday homes – and we set off across the bay for a half-day Island Explorer cruise. The coastline is stunning and our guide Andrew points out an osprey’s nest, a sea eagle’s nest and fur seals hanging out on a rocky outcrop.

Some dive in and come up to the boat for a closer look. There are about 300 dolphins living in this bay and we soon spot them, and some of us take up the offer of going into the water to swim in their watery world. It is a magical experience and we are able to listen

On the island’s north coast, we find a hidden treasure at Stoke’s Bay. At first look, the rocky beach doesn’t look that appealing, but we see a sign for a beach with an arrow pointing towards the cliffs. We go closer and find a secret walkway, between rocks and through caves, and emerge onto a perfect white-sand beach with a few in-the-know families enjoying their piece of paradise. It has a natural lagoon that provides a safe place for younger children to play and swim and look for sea creatures.

From discovering hidden caves to spotting koalas in the trees, this natural wonderland is sure to keep your little princes and princesses under its spell.

Stoked at Stoke Bay

FAST FACTS GETTING THERE Regional Express (REX) Airlines operate regular flights to the island from Adelaide – they take about 30 minutes. www.rex.com.au You can also take your car on the Sealink ferry. www.sealink.com.au GETTING AROUND It’s best to have a car so if you don’t take yours, hire one.

Most of the roads are dirt so take it easy and watch out for kangaroos at dusk.

MORE INFORMATION Tourism Kangaroo Island www.tourkangarooisland.com.au South Australian Tourism www.southaustralia.com

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Norfolk Island

Island time

An extraordinary history and culture combined with pristine natural beauty makes Norfolk Island the perfect place for families to wind down, get back to nature and rediscover family time. words: Elisa Elwin

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Norfolk IslaNd

ish, of course.

Everyone on Norfolk speaks Engl tionists of erva cons d prou But the people are is a unique ’k Norf . uage lang and re cultu their of the Bounty language blended from the speech tian) and the Chris her Fletc by (lead s neer muti ed Pitcairn Tahitian men and women who settl phrases few a learn not Why .

1790 in d Islan fun. dly frien the to before you go to add • “Watawieh yorlyi?”

Hello and how are you?”

• “I guud” I’m good” • “Se yorlyi morla” See you tomorrow • “dem es sweet wettles” That is sweet (delicious) food

Amongst the Friendly Folk With a population of only just over 1800 most Norfolk Islanders are related, with many sharing the same legendary last name of the Bounty’s famous mutineer Fletcher Christian. The island radio station announces at whose home lunch will be hosted that day and the local phone book is the only one you’ll find in the world where people are listed by nicknames. The sense of safe, small community is redolent from the time you step off the plane. From the small “Norfolk wave” as you

Hibiscus RESORT & MOTELS

drive the island roads, to the locals’ helpful nature it really feels like everyone is pleased to see and welcome you to their paradise home. And you’ll quickly get to know some familiar faces as they pop up in different roles. The kids club is run by the same waitress in the restaurant who works in the airline office when staff are short.

View to blues Hidden cove beaches, majestic coastline walks, museums and world heritage-listed historical sites, with everything a few minutes away you can

UP TO 30% DISCOUNT

FOR TRAVELLING IN APRIL & JUNE TO AUGUST 2012 Please, visit our web site for more information:

hibiscus-resort.com or call: 0011-6723-22325

Hibiscus Resort & Motels will be honoured to be your host while you are enjoying yourself on Norfolk Island

NORFOLK ISLAND’S HOME AWAY FROM HOME

• 4 Central Locations to Choose From • 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Units playground in the adjacent park • Fully Self Contained close to shops & cafes • Baby amenities provided free of charge • 2 min drive to the beach with Hibiscus hire cars at a low cost with free car seats • Swimming Pool (Aloha)• Group Discounts available • Airport Transfers • 1/2 Day Island Tour • BBQ’s, Guest Laundries • Departure Lounge

T: Int+6723 22325 F: Int+6723 22908 E: hibiscus@ninet.nf W: hibiscus-resort.com

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Norfolk IslaNd

NORFOLK ISLAND Discover a World where you can be as busy or as laid back as you want to be...

EXPLORcEe Experien

ENJOY

...Welcome to Our World.

Where the only fast food is pulled fresh from soil or sea. Where there are no traffic lights. Ours is an island of unspoiled natural beauty, where we tread lightly upon the earth.

We are a unique people, descendants of the famous Bounty mutineers. We speak our own language, and will welcome you in our own unique way. Welcome to the World of Norfolk!

quickly explore the island in a hire car. But don’t forget road rule number one! Cows and horses have right of way on Norfolk Island roads. As does anything else you might come across boasting fur or feathers.

There is a delightful kids club (check with the local tourist office) in the holidays that makes the most of the local lifestyle and culture. Plus loads of organised activities from horse riding, mini golf, canoes, swimming, bike riding, archery, and even a visit to the local chocolate factory. Try a steak at the Norfolk Blue Restaurant Bar & Grill. The owners will even take the kids to meet some of the Norfolk Blue cattle on their property adjoining the restaurant.

And yes, they really are Blue!

Cultural learning curve The history, language and culture of Norfolk Island and its people offers a wonderful learning opportunity for kids on an important part of Australian and Colonial history with its Bounty, Pitcairn, Tahitian and British penal colony heritage.

All museums on the island are free for kids under 12 with many interactive displays. Wandering through the remains of the jail and cemetery are amazing experiences and teens will love the cemetery at night, especially on a full moon.

Home away from home

There’s a range of accommodation options on Norfolk for every budget. Renting a holiday home is always a great option for families and there are many to choose from.

There are, of course, child-friendly resorts as well as self-contained units and hotels.

It’s wise to do a little research as some accommodation is targeted more toward senior travellers and you may feel a little self-conscious of the kids running around all the their walking frames.

It’s also wise, if you need essential supplies, to bring them along with you (as long as they are sealed in packages). With deliveries to the island dependant both on boats and weather, items can sometimes run out on the supermarket shelves.

So nice, so near Norfolk Island is only a two and a half hour flight from Sydney and just over two hours from Brisbane There are no time zone issues, no long-haul travel tantrums, no money to exchange and it has a beautiful year-round subtropical climate. What’s not to love?

FAST FACTS GETTING THErE: You will need a current passport or document of identity to enter and there are very strict quarantine restrictions to preserve this beautiful natural wonder.

Air New Zealand now operates all flights to Norfolk Island. www.airnewzealand. com.au MorE INforMaTIoN: Norfolk Island Tourism www.norfolkisland.com.au

To explore and discover more about the World of Norfolk, visit: 66

www.theworldofnorfolk.com.au

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Skiing with kidS

Ice

Magic SkIIng wIth kIdS downunder

winter iS on the horizon and that meanS it’S time to Start thinking about a Ski holiday. it iS Something you can all do together, iS fantaStic exerciSe, and after a buSy day on the SlopeS you can all chill out around the fire laughing about the thrillS and SpillS of the day.

So where Should you go? Out and abOut with Kids ShareS a guide to Ski reSortS in auStralia and new zealand... So Step into your SkiS, Strap on your helmet and let’S go! wordS: Helen Hayes

Snow fun at Perisher

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Australia SkI

S

o we’re known for our beaches, but Australia also has snow. The season generally starts on the Queen’s Birthday weekend and finishes on or before the October long weekend. Keep your eyes open for deals early and late in the season.

The major ski resorts are located in NSW and Victoria and most offer accommodation. Staying at the snow means less lugging of gear, easy access for tired children and the excitement of waking up to see if any snow fell overnight. Stay in a nearby town for a choice of restaurants, things to do and a better price.

Wherever you choose, prepare for fun and frivolity.

to keep adrenalin-fuelled kids happy, and for the real thrillseekers, the Monster Bag Jump is sick! One of the great things about Thredbo is that there are green runs at the highest lifted point. Catch the Kosciuszko Express chair up and then enjoy the gentle runs around the Basin T-bar. Thredbo’s village offers plenty of family-friendly restaurants and accommodation. other things to do: Have some aquatic fun at the Thredbo Leisure Centre, watch the flare run on Saturday nights. contact: www.thredbo.com.au

NSW

CHaRlotte pass

peRisHeR Perisher is the Big Daddy of ski resorts, with seven mountain peaks, 1245 hectares of terrain, and 47 lifts.

Ski lessons at the Snowsports School start for kids at age three, while for boarding, there are private lessons from age five or group lessons from seven. There are five terrain parks, but make sure your kids understand the rules before you let them in. There are many areas to explore, with my favourites being Mount Perisher, Happy Valley, Pretty Valley and Blue Cow. Daycare is available.

Tip - buy your tickets online through MyRide, and you can save up to 30 per cent if you purchase lift and lessons before 31 May. other things to do: Tubing, tobogganing, ice skating. contact: www.perisher.com.au

tHRedBo For beginners or advanced skiers, Thredbo has it all.

Thredboland is brilliant for kids from three to six, with Freeriders teaching skiing and boarding for kids seven to 14. All beginners will learn at Friday Flat, before moving on up the mountain for more action. And there is plenty of action to be had with many black runs that make the hair curl. There are terrain parks

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Early Birds get more value and flexibility

Even getting to Charlotte Pass is fun –via a snowcat from Perisher. This resort is perfect for beginners and intermediates, and there are no queues and no crowds. Accommodation is all on-snow, allowing time for snowman making and snowball fights. New this season, Charlotte Pass Ski Resort is offering an all-day kids program for children three to eight, including two two-hour group lessons, a hot lunch and fun indoor activities. Also new this season is a kids’ flare run. other things to do: Back-country ski tours for competent skiers and snowshoe tours for everyone. contact: www.charlottepass.com.au

Buy before 31st May and save up to 30%!* > FREE afternoon lift access on all 3, 4 and 5 Day Lift Tickets and Beginner Lift & Lesson Packages.

selwyn snowfields

> Save more on 3 and 4 Day midweek prices.

Selwyn Snowfields is a great introductory option. It’s only open for day visits, with plenty of family-friendly accommodation nearby. It’s great value for money and has mostly beginner and intermediate terrain. The Snow Sports School has group lessons for kids seven to 15 and for those who aren’t sure if they will like skiing, try the two-hour Give It a Go lesson. Check out the website for some excellent deals. other things to do: Tubing, tobogganing, snow biking, cross country skiing and snow shoeing. contact: www.selwynsnow.com.au

> Save when you book your ski or board hire online. > Great flexibility with new 5 or 6 Day Lift Ticket used across 7 days. > Mix and match when and how you use your Lift Tickets packaged with your purchased Lessons or Perisher Kids bookings. *

Visit perisher.com.au for more details.

HURRY, BOOK NOW 1300 655 811 | perisher.com.au

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Skiing with kidS

Mount HotHaM Because Hotham’s village is up on the ridge, the views are spectacular and most accommodation is ski in, ski out. The Snowzone ski school has programs for kids three to 14, with group boarding lessons from age seven. Younger children will love Harry the Snowdragon’s all-singing all dancing shows and parents will love that you can fly into Hotham, meaning no long car trips. Daycare is available and the good thing is that kids under five and adults over 70 ski for free. Make sure you visit Dinner Plain while you are there. other things to do: Kat skiing for experts, snowmobiling, tobogganing, night skiing and fireworks. At Dinner Plain, don’t miss sled dog tours and snowshoeing.

Contact: www.mthotham.com.au

Victoria falls CReek Falls Creek is Victoria’s largest ski resort with 14 lifts delivering skiers to 92 runs. One of its best attributes is its European-style village. The Snowsports School is great, and beginners of all ages are very well looked after. There’s even a women’s only program meaning ladies who want to learn can do so with other women.

Wombat’s Ramble is the longest beginner run in Australia.

There’s plenty of killer black terrain, and as for terrain parks – Falls Creek really rocks. New this year along with Hotham – electronic ticketing so you can organise tickets, hire gear and lessons before you leave home. other things to do: Snow bungy trampolines, snow tubing, snow bikes, snowshoeing, night skiing and snowmobiling.

Contact: www.skifalls.com.au

Mount BulleR Being able to ski straight from the slopes to your front door is one of Buller’s main attractions. This season there is a brand new quad chairlift on the northside of the mountain as well as new B-tags that allow you to organise all your snow activities before you leave home. The kids will be well looked after with a creche for little ones from three months to three years, and ski school programs for kids from three to 14. For first timers there is one free two-hour lesson lift ticket. There are terrain parks for all levels, as well as a rider

Family Fun in the Snow

From $1174.00 per family 2 nights’ accommodation • Hot breakfast daily 10% discount at Harro’s ski hire • $70 Crackers Cash to use at outlets throughout the Resort Perisher Experience Pass including Skitube and either Perisher Express Quad chairlift ride or 5 rides at Tubetown per paying guest.

Bookings 1800 020 524 reservations@lakecrackenback.com.au

15 minutes along the Alpine Way, next door to the Skitube

www.lakecrackenback.com.au Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability.

From price based on a bronze mountain view chalet sleeping 2 adults and 2 children under 14 years of age.

From top: Falls Creek Terrain Park action at Mt Buller

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Skiing with kidS

5 Night Fa m i ly Pa cka g es M O U NT B U L LE R DUCK INN ★ ★ ★ from

MT BULLER CHALET ★ ★ ★ ★

$2599

*per family

Based on 5 nights accommodation midweek in a 4 share room including daily breakfast and a 5 day lift pass for 2 adults and 2 children 12 years or under.

Valid 3 Sep – 30 Sep

from

$3099

*per family

Based on 5 nights accommodation midweek in a 1 bedroom Apartment including daily breakfast and a 5 day lift pass for 2 adults and 2 children 12 years or under.

Valid 2 Sep – 30 Sep

FA L L S C REE K KILIMANJARO APARTMENTS ★ ★ ★ from

$2499

*per family

Based on 5 nights accommodation midweek in a 1 bedroom apartment and a 5 day lift pass for 2 adults and 2 children 12 years or under.

Valid 17 Sep – 30 Sep

ASTRA LODGE ★ ★ ★ ★ from

$3372*

per family

Based on 5 nights accommodation midweek in a Family Classic Room including daily breakfast and a 5 day lift pass for 2 adults and 2 children 12 years or under.

Valid 17 Sep – 30 Sep

*Conditions apply please contact Mogul Ski World for details

LIC31304

mogulski.com.au

1800 335 724

reservations@mogulski.com.au

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Lake Mountain snow angel

SkI

cross course. All children doing a lesson must wear a helmet. other things to do: Tubing, tobogganing, snowshoeing, the Gnome Roam, indoor rock climbing and night skiing.

Contact: www.mtbuller.com.au

Mount Baw Baw Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort is just two and a half hours from Melbourne and has seven lifts covering 35 hectares. Half rated beginner, so it’s fantastic for the first-time skiing family. The ski school teaches kids from six to 15, with snowboard lessons for kids eight to 15. Thrill seekers can tackle the Cactus Rail Park or the massively sick Big Air Bag – not good for nervous mums. Helmets are compulsory for kids doing lessons. New this season are Sherpa snowmobile tours. other things to do: Cross-country skiing, snowmobile tours, snowshoeing, guided walks and dog sled tours.

Contact: www.mountbawbaw.com.au

lake Mountain alpine ResoRt For Melbourne families that want to experience some snow fun before committing to a full-on ski holiday, or for serious cross-country skiers, Lake Mountain is the way to go. It is Australia’s premier crosscountry resort, with over 30 kilometres of groomed trails that cater to all levels – from absolute beginner to advanced. There is a ski school, kids club and an excellent bistro for growling tummies. For accommodation, stay in beautiful Marysville. other things to do: Toboggan runs, snowshoeing and snow sculpting.

Contact: www.lakemountainresort.com.au

New Zealand Skiing in New Zealand is a little different to Austalia, in that the major resorts don’t offer accommodation. Stay in town and decide where to ski depending on conditions, and enjoy the fantastic atmosphere of a plethora of restaurants, most with roaring fires.

Stay in Methven to ski at Mount Hutt, Queenstown to ski at The Remarkables or Coronet Peak, and Wanaka to access Cardrona and Treble Cone. The season starts in June and finishes for most resorts in early October, but best to check the websites.

North Island Mount RuapeHu Mount Ruapehu is an active volcano about four hours drive from Auckland or two from Rotorua. Whakapapa is on the north-western side and Turoa on the south-western side. Whakapapa’s Happy Valley is New Zealand’s biggest beginner area and for those who like it black, there’s no shortage of runs. Both resorts have ski schools. Accommodation is offered at Whakapapa Village or National Park Village with shuttles to the ski fields. Turoa has skiing for all abilities with intermediate and advanced skiers sure to have a blast. There’s a terrain park, and you can even ski on a glacier! Stay at Turoa Alpine Village or the nearby town of Ohakune. other things to do: Tobogganing, tubing, indoor rock climbing. contact: www.mtruapehu.com

All smiles at Coronet Peak

South Island Mount Hutt

Driving up to Mount Hutt you’ll have magnificent views over the patchwork of the Canterbury Plains. Mount Hutt has excellent facilities and brilliant skiing for all levels, as well as lessons with the Skiwiland and Kea Club and some great cafes. Methven has a spectacular deal for families; offering free travel, free accommodation, free meals and free skiing at Mount Hutt for kids 10 and under – if accompanied by a paying adult. Check it out at www.kids4free.co.nz. other things to do: Dinner with the Stars followed by snowtubing, a husky sled dog ride or skidoo ride. contact: www.nzski.com/mthutt

oHau snowfields This is a small skifield in the Mackenzie High Country but teamed with a stay at Lake Ohau Lodge, will turn a holiday into a family tradition.

The Lodge is a special place for families and it’s just a 20-minute drive to the skifield. It may look small but there is plenty of fun to be had there. The Mountain Goats ski school caters to kids, and absolute beginners are looked after with the Never Ever package. It’s worth the trip up just to sit on the cafe deck and take in the views. others things to do: Have a spa, a drink, play pool and have fantastic meals at the Lodge. contact: www.ohau.co.nz

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Care, activities, lessons and FUN! 4 dedicated kid’s centres (for 3 mths -14 yrs) An easy drive or bus ride from Queenstown or Wanaka Check out our kid’s site www.Cardrona.com/KIDS For more information, to buy your lift passes, rental, or to book your kids in for heaps of fun, come and see us at either: 35 Shotover St, QueenStown, or 18 Dunmore St, wanaka www.cardrona.coM

www.onepassnz.com

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www.nzski.com

tReBle Cone

CoRonet peak

Treble Cone is the cool kid on the block and is known for its fun, fast, steep terrain. But it is also a great place for kids to learn with TC Cat Club. Because we, as parents, were not confident black run skiers, we hired an instructor for our two kids and they were doing things that they never would have done with us. Check out the keas when you’re having lunch at the cafe – these naughty parrots are very entertaining. New this season is TC’s first terrain park. The Jazz Fun Park is for kids four to 13 and is entry level. other things to do: In Wanaka, visit Puzzling World and experience a Wanaka River Journeys jetboat tour. contact: www.treblecone.com

Coronet Peak is the closest skifield to beautiful Queenstown; just 20 minutes drive. Coronet is easy for families just starting out, thanks to excellent facilities and the Big Easy beginner area. The Skiwiland Early Learning Centre looks after kids from three months to five years with the Skiwi Kids and Kiwi Kids programs, while for older children, the Kea Club ensures fun and learning for kids up to 15 years. The views from the top of the Coronet Express Chair are awesome, and the runs down from the top exhilarating. Night skiing is a big drawcard – on Fridays and Saturdays. other things to do: After skiing, visit the Onsen Hot Pools. contact: www.nzski.com/coronet

CaRdRona alpine ResoRt

tHe ReMaRkaBles

Everything about Cardrona is pretty, from the welcoming white of the wide, groomed slopes to its brightly-coloured buildings and clock tower. Cardrona’s undeniable edge is its ski school. There are four separate kids’ centres for varying ages, starting with a nursery and kindy for kids three months to four years, Ski Kindy for three and four year olds, a week long ski and snowboard school for five to 14s or choose one or more day- or half-day lessons. There are terrain parks, a superpipe and half pipe for added excitement. There is some accommodation here as well. other things to do: Have a meal at the Cardrona Hotel, drive a monster truck or a quad bike at Cardrona Adventure Park. contact: www.cardrona.com

The Remarkables is on in the ruggedly beautiful mountain range of the same name. It has something for everyone, with beginners utilising Alta, intermediates loving the Sugar Bowl and for advanced skiers and boarders, the Shadow Basin chair takes you to paradise. The resort has a creche, ski school, and a cafe with a sunny deck. The coolest thing is the terrain parks – the Stash, Dirty Dog and Beginner Park. Kids under 10 ride the lifts for free. Also, the Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Mount Hutt all offer the MyPass card system. Tip - go up on the bus on your first day. other things to do: Tubing, Skyline Gondola, Ziptrek, pizza at The Cow. contact: www.nzski.com/remarkable

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SKI NEW ZEALAND & AUSTRALIA

SHORT SHORT CUTS CUTS Ski

I T ’ S A LL S M I L E S...

You’ll want to go back to Crackenback lake crackenback resort is located 15 minutes from Thredbo or Perisher, and is the perfect place for the first-time skiing family, or families that just want to have some snow fun. Accommodation is in multi-roomed chalets or apartments, facilities really are fantastic with an indoor pool, trampolines, and segway eco tours, and there are some wonderful deals available that incorporate accommodation, meals, ski hire and more. www.lakecrackenback.com.au.

WH E N KIDS S TA Y F REE!

OnePassNZ

MT HUTT

SKI from

735*per adult

Kid’s 10yrs & under stay, ski, travel & eat for FREE!

$

Includes: - 7 days Economy car hire - 7 nights in Standard Room at Ski Time Lodge, Methven - 5 day NZ Superpass

from

859*per adult

$

Includes: - 7 days Intermediate car hire - 7 nights in Lodge Room at Abisko Lodge. Methven - Daily continental breakfast - 5 day NZ Superpass

At Mt Hutt in 2012, Kids Stay, Ski & Eat for Free! Every child 10yrs & under receives FREE skiing at Mt Hutt, FREE travel, FREE accommodation and FREE meals when accompanied by a paying adult.

SKI

THREDBO

Kid’s 14yrs & under stay FREE!

from

885*per adult

$

Includes: - 5 nights in Standard Room at River Inn, Thredbo - Daily Breakfast & 2 dinners - 4 day ski pass

SKI

In an innovative move, eight of New Zealand’s ski fields have joined together to create onepassnz – an e-card that allows visitors to book ski product as well as 42 off-snow activities, ranging from scenic flights to restaurants, and hot springs to jet boats. Simply load up your card with snow dollars then use it to purchase lift tickets, hire ski gear or even lessons at Cardrona, Treble Cone, Ohau, Snow Park, Snow Farm, Roundhill, Porters and Mt Dobson. The OnePassNZ will be particularly good for families that are good skiers or boarders and want to check out more of the South Island’s ski fields.

It is flexible and if you buy something and don’t use it – it will be funded back to your card. You can purchase the OnePassNZ in Australia through Skimax. Check it out at www.onepassnz.com

Perisher power I learned to ski at perisher as a 20-something city slicker, so it made sense that my husband, then kids, also learned on Perisher’s wide, snowy expanses. More importantly, they love it just as much now that they can zoom down black runs as they did when they were snowploughing on the beginner slopes. What I love about Perisher is that there are so many different areas to ski in, from the easy green runs of Front Valley, to Pretty Valley, Smiggin Holes and Happy Valley, to Mount Perisher, Sun Valley, Guthega and Blue Cow for the more advanced. We have many happy memories of taking the trail from Blue Cow to Perisher and stopping off for a hot chocolate at the Avalunch Café, racing each other down Mt Perisher, tackling the terrain parks – all five of them – and just enjoying each other’s company as we blast down the hill.

This year the snow experience will be even better, with more lifts now automated and part of the revolutionary MyRide system, the introduction of the Freedom Pass for regular visitors, heaps of great deals, the savings and flexibility of purchasing products on-line, more groomers, better hire gear and better snowmaking. I particularly like that you can enjoy free lift access on the afternoon you arrive, if you have purchased a three, four or five day lift ticket or beginner lift and lesson package. www.perisher.com.au

MT BULLER

Kid’s 15yrs & under stay FREE!

from

845*per adult

$

Includes: - 5 nights in Fernery Room at Arlberg Hotel, Mt Buller - Daily Breakfast - 4 day ski pass

Call SKIMAX 1300 136 997 email skimax@skimax.com.au visit skimax.com.au or see your local travel agent * Conditions apply. Book & pay by 15 May 2012. Mt Hutt packages valid for travel 15 Jun – 30 Sep 2012, surcharge may apply for travel during peak & school holidays. Australia packages valid

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for0travel AUTUMN 2 1 2 9 – 22 Jun 2012. Prices are per adult subject to availability and change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Adult price is based on 2 adults travelling with 1-2 children in existing bedding. Ski Time Lodge accommodates max 2 adults & 1 kid. Abisko Lodge, River Inn & Arlberg Hotel accommodate max 2 adults & 2 kids. Mt Hutt KIDS4FREE offer includes free kids travel www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au Christchurch to Methven return airport transfers, free travel on the daily Mt Hutt ski bus, stay free at selected Methven hotels and eat free at selected Methven hotels & restaurants. Kid’s meals at Thredbo & Mt Buller are additional. Airfares are additional. A credit card fee of minimum 1.5% will apply. LIC No. 2TA4787. Photo courtesy of Andrew Railton, Mt Buller.

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T H E

R A R O T O N G A N

B E A C H

R E S O R T

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S P A

PLAY FREE IN PARADISE!

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

international Holidays

Now your family can feel the freedom of Paradise with the NEW DIRECT FLIGHT from Australia to the heart of the South Pacific, Rarotonga! At the 4-star Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa your family can enjoy the island’s best beach and lagoon, including ALL-TIDE safe swimming in the Aroa Lagoon Marine Reserve, the island’s best snorkelling lagoon protected by a natural coral reef from the open ocean (no stingers or sharks to worry about!). KIDS STAY FREE! KIDS PLAY FREE @ the amazing Moko’s Kids Club – includes KIDS NATURE & CULTURE DISCOVERY PROGRAMME! FREE Snacks & Drinks at Kids Club sessions! FREE Kids Welcome Pack! NEW Banana Beach Playland crèche (0-3 years; charges apply). NEW Teen Zone!

Extensive FREE Activities Programme for all the family with snorkelling, kayaking, tennis, beach sports, games room, learn to dance the hula, play the ukulele & log drums, make a lei, husk a coconut + much more. Around Rarotonga enjoy 4WD Safari Tour, Glass-Bottom Boat Lagoon Cruise, rainforest trek to see one of the world’s rarest birds, Saturday Market, cafes & restaurants – all minutes away! The tropical island family holiday of your dreams awaits you at The Rarotongan!

R E S O R T :

A I T U T A K I

L A G O O N

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S P A

WISH YOU WERE HERE

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THE BEST OF INTERNATIONAL FAMILY TRAVEL

Get happy in Vanuatu.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS The latest news and holiday offers from around the globe.

Our readers have their say.

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FIJI Cruising in paradise.

HAWAII

Aroa Beach + Lagoon Marine Reserve l Rarotonga l COOK ISLANDS P (+682) 25800 l F 25799 info@rarotongan.co.ck | www.TheRarotongan.com S I S T E R

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Surf, sun and sun in Waikiki

108 110 116 120 122 130

FLORIDA, USA

America’s funshine state.

THAILAND The best of beautiful Thailand.

HONG KONG

A new “Buzz” in Hong Kong.

KL, MALAYSIA Stop and shop.

CRUISING Cruising for every age.

WHERE IN THE WORLD? Nepal with kids.

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Wish you were here

Come on and get happy

Vanuatu While the swimming is sensational and the turquoise waters a snorkeler’s dream, there is so much more to discover in Vanuatu’s necklace of 83 sleepy islands.

A visit to the nation’s capital, Port Vila, on the beautiful island of Efate might see you swimming at a postcard-perfect beach, sailing on the harbour, splashing about in a jungle waterfall, learning Indigenous history and culture, watching a fire walker in a local village or even paddling up a river in an outrigger canoe.

For the more adventurous, it’s just a short flight to one of the outer islands including volcanic Tanna Island, stunning Santo, a must for scuba and snorkeling enthusiasts, and Pentecost Island, where locals jump out of tall wooden towers precariously tethered by their ankles (definitely a spectator sport only).

Add fantastic resorts with a range of kid-centric activities, great kid’s clubs and the attentiveness to the children of the doting locals (the ‘ni-Vanuatu’ people) and it’s no wonder Vanuatu has been voted the world’s happiest place.

Getting there Less than four hours flying time from Australia’s east coast, Air Vanuatu flies direct to Vanuatu from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

More Information www.tourismvanuatu.com

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SHORT CUTS International

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL NEWS

Lay by your next holiday

Fit families in California

See Canada like a local No one knows a country like a local and now travellers to Canada can access real local knowledge and travel tips via social media with the the Canadian Tourism Commission’s new Explore Canada Like a Local online travel tool. The onestop site offers travellers direct access to honest, tell-it-likeit-is recommendations on restaurants, shopping, attractions events and more through the website. There are real time reviews, comments, images and videos from other travellers who have ‚checked in‘ at the destination. Travellers can then create their own online itineraries by theme based on recommendations from Canadians and Canada devotees and carry them on their smart phones for instant access. www.explorecanadalikealocal.com

Instead of throwing your family’s health and fitness out of the airplane window on your way to paradise, why not mix it up a bit? Or even give your family a kick-start to a healthier lifestyle. Loews Beach Hotel in Santa Monica has introduced a new wellness program to keep families healthy and happy.

The Fit for Fun wellness program includes family yoga and Rings & Swings playtime on famous Muscle Beach, minutes from the hotel. The program also includes culinary tours of the famed Santa Monica Farmers’ Market, adventure bike rides along Muscle Beach’s star-studded bike path, guided hikes through the mountains, a Run from the paparazzi jogging tours, surfing and stand-up paddle lessons as well as indoor fitness classes which can be customised to meet each family’s needs and fitness levels.

Santa Monica is within an hour’s drive of all Los Angeles’ major attractions, including Hollywood, Disneyland and Universal Studios. www.santamonicaloewshotel.com

With hiking petrol prices and household bill increases, saving up for the annual family holiday can be a struggle.

Now my Layby offers a great alternative with small weekly payments and no interest. You can pay off your flights, accommodation and transfers well before you leave, which means you’re left with more in your pocket to really enjoy your holiday. The my Layby service offers family packages to great destinations around the world such as Fiji, Thailand, Bali, Hawaii or the ultimate family trip to Disneyland.

Plus the company offers P&O Cruises and Virgin gift cards, which makes saving for a flight to see family at home or abroad, that much easier. my Layby makes holidaying affordable and stress free. So why not go ahead and book that trip you have been longing to take with my Layby. www.mylayby.com

International swap shop If you thought there wasn’t room in your budget for a mid-year holiday, think again. Home swapping is revolutionising the way Australians travel, according to house swap website Love Home Swap.

Properties in over 70 countries have already registered with the site. “Swappers can save themselves up to $2000 per exchange, meaning they can holiday for longer and more often,” said Love Home Swap founder Debbie Wosskow. “With the London Olympics taking place in August, there has been a huge amount of interest from Australians looking to swap with Londoners. Other dreamy destinations such as Sri Lanka and Costa Rica are also sought after locations.” Along with England, Sri Lanka and Costa Rica, Love Home Swap’s list of must-visit international destinations for 2012 also includes South Africa, Greece, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland and Canada. www.lovehomeswap.com.

Happy Api Flower Powered France

Science comes alive in Utah Holidaymakers to America can now experience the new Natural History Museum of Utah in Salt Lake City. The extraordinary copperclad building contains 1.2million specimens and many hands-on experiences that are sure to inspire kids and adults alike. Explore all the exhibits – Sky, Land, Life, First Peoples, Great Salt Lake and Past Worlds – where there are a number of dinosaur bones all discovered in the Utah area. Our Backyard is a fun play space complete with live insects and an ‘underground’ crawl space. www.nhmu.utah.edu

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Take a trip back to the Seventies with a groovy adventure in France. Flower Power Experience offers mind-blowing multigenerational holidays in France for families with a taste for happiness, adventure, discovery and freedom. Enjoy a Flower Power Experience in Provence in one of their vintage VW Campervans, the legendary hippie van. The idyllic setting of Provence makes it a perfect region for road-tripping and what better way than in a compact and cosy campervan that can seat and sleep up to four people. An integrated kitchen, table and chairs, fridge, gas and water mean you have everything you need at your convenience. www.flowerpower experience.com

There’s a reason Apisai Vasu, of Fiji’s Plantation Island Resort, is living up to his nickname of Happy Api.The sales manager of the popular resort was recently named Frontliner of the Year at the 2011 Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards.

Happy Api, as he is best known, has been working in Fiji’s hotel and tourism industry for over 20 years. As sales manager for Plantation Island Resort, Vasu has travelled extensively throughout Australia and New Zealand promoting the spirit of the Fiji Islands to travel agents and potential guests. Vasi - who has also worked as Plantation’s guest relations officer and principal wedding coordinator - is a well known figure on the island for his affable nature and infectious smile.

“Api is a fantastic ambassador for Plantation Island Resort and we’re extremely proud of him,” said Plantation Island Resort Director of Sales and Marketing Hannah Raffe. Receiving the Frontline of the Year Award is an outstanding achievement in the Fiji tourism industry as this category recognises the contribution and commitment of an exceptionally-dedicated employee who goes beyond their job description to enhance the visitor experience. www.plantationisland.com

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INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL NEWS

Get away to Hideaway

Iririki opens up for families.

Iririki Island Resort Vanuatu, set on a 69 acre island of lush tropical garden, private beaches and great snorkelling, in Vanuatu’s Port Vila Harbour. This iconic tropical oasis features tropical fares (bungalows) and very spacious family friendly apartments and the whole island is now open to kids.

The resort offers plenty of enjoyable leisure activities for families, including two pools, water sports and an excellent kids club, and their experienced guest relations team is on hand to help make the most of your time on and off the Island. If you do decide to tear yourself away from the resort, their 24-hour

complementary ferry puts the town centre and easy access to all the wonderful shops and markets in Port Vila a mere three minutes away.

Iririki’s great Island Family Pass package, for two adults and two children, offers excellent value and fantastic inclusions from buffet Dinner for two adults and two kids, basket weaving, hair braiding and a 20% discount at Spa Frangipani on all manicures and pedicures. Plus three hours free baby-sitting service and a lunch at Sunset Café and a full bottle of Iririki French Champagne for mum and dad, ensuring you’ll never want to leave. www.iririki.com

An adventure of a lifetime Action packed fun for the whole family

Families looking for the perfect beach hideaway can now experience the recently renovated beach restaurant at Hideaway Island Resort & Marine Sanctuary in Vanuatu.

The resort’s refurbished On the Beach restaurant gives guests the chance to sit with their toes in the sand overlooking coral reefs while enjoying delicious meals or a well-deserved pre-dinner drink!

Hideaway Island Resort & Marine Sanctuary is a secluded island in a marine reserve connected to the mainland by a ferry running 24 hours per day. Yet this unspoiled paradise is only 15 minutes away from Port Vila.

Perfect for families, the 12 spacious one-bedroom bungalows, each with vaulted ceilings and private veranda, are set within tropical gardens and can accommodate up to five people. For the budgetconscious travellers, twin and quad dormitory-style accommodation is available on the waterfront.

Activities include snorkelling and scuba diving and the resort’s PADI dive crew are on-hand, offering a program of diving packages and courses for firsttimers. Guests can also enjoy some activities for free, including a cultural walk and kava tasting, a trip on a glass-bottom boat (minimum four-night stay), the use of snorkel gear, kayaks, paddle boat and a sailboat and a snorkel safari.

Plus don’t forget to share your holiday with friends and family back home by using the world’s only underwater post office.

Hideaway Island is offering several special “free night” deals throughout the year. Check with your local travel agent for details. www.hideaway.com.vu

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

Escape to a tropical paradise playground

+678 23388 I info@iririki.com I iririki.com

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SHORT CUTS International

Get wet in Thailand with Centara

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL NEWS

Have a splashing good time in Thailand with the fabulous water worlds on offer at Centara Grand Resorts in Phuket and Pattaya.

Five star Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket at the northern end of Karon Beach, a short walk to the restaurants, shops and markets of Karon, is not only situated right on the beach but offers four swimming pools and its own fabulous water park with lazy river, waterfalls, cliff jumps and slides. Not to mention a kids club with plenty of daily activities to suit kids and teens. All the accommodation has ocean-facing balconies and are family-friendly with choices of rooms with two double beds (easily accommodating 2 adults and 2 children), connecting rooms, pool suites and one and two bedroom private pool villas.

The five star Centara Grand West Sands is situated on more than 40 acres with 500 metres of beachfront on the beautiful white beach of Mai Khao. Staying at the resort gives you free access to the resort’s own extensive water park which has 12 slides including a super bowl, a wave pool and a huge lazy river amazing fun for all the family. Accommodation is varied with rooms, suites and villas to suit every family.

The truly unique Centara Grand Mirage Pattaya is located on Wong Amat beach in the north of Pattaya, only an hour from Bangkok International Airport.

Located right on the beach 10 minutes by shuttle to downtown Pattaya and the extensive shopping available at Central Festival Centrem the resort boasts a lost world theme with extensive grounds and a large water park including a lazy river, slides and waterfalls.

Families will love the choice of accommodation which includes double rooms plus duplex and family suites. www.centarahotelsresorts.com

Get creative in Phuket With its supervised kids club, dedicated Horizon Wing for families, excellent pools and free bus shuttle service to the beach, Horizon Karon Beach Resort & Spa is great for families Creative Holidays is offering a family package including four nights’ accommodation for the price of two at the fourstar resort in a superior pool view room with kids staying free.

The package includes return airport transfers by coach, full breakfast daily, complimentary buffet dinner for adults and accompanying children, 20 per cent discount on all food and beverages consumed during the stay, 20 per cent discount on spa treatments plus complimentary baby sitting at the kids club for children aged four to 11 from 9am to 6pm.

Package is for sale until April 30 and valid for travel between April 1 and 31 October 2012. Visit your local travel agent and ask for your Creative Holidays Phuket package or visit www. creativeholidays.com

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Idyllic Malaysian escapes with Berjaya

Sunwing’s blissed out babes Phuket’s Sunwing Resort and Spa, Bangtao Beach and Sunwing Resort, Kamala Beach are fully contained family resorts offering something for everyone, from kids looking for a little fun to mums and dads looking for a quiet moment alone. And young families have extra reason to choose Phuket’s Sunwing resorts. Babies staying at either resorts will surely be happy babies thanks to their extremely infant-friendly accommodation offerings. The Happy Baby Studios at both resorts are custom-designed ground-floor self-contained units with gated terraces that come fully equipped with a cot, high chair, baby-bath, potty, bouncer, children’s dinnerware, safety locks and even a stroller for when the family wants to get out and about. All mum and dad have to do is turn up and everything is there ready and waiting for bub. Both resorts cater extensively to the family market with comprehensive kids’ entertainment programs and activities. www.sunwingphuket.com

Bali made easy for families.

Families travelling to Bali can check out a new travel guide to help plan the ultimate family holiday. Bali with Kids is a wealth of information for families of kids of every age, from baby to teens. Covering a wide range of topics from nature, action, animals, culture, attractions and shopping to kid-friendly hotels and restaurants Bali with Kids offers up-to-date information including great discounts. www.baliwithkids.com/Guidebook/

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Berjaya Hotels & Resorts offers families a perfect holiday at each of its idyllic Malaysian locations.

Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur is an ideal choice for a family stay. Situated in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s golden triangle, amid plenty of must-see attractions including museums, botanical gardens, parks and galleries plus the bustling Berjaya Times Square Mall and Theme Park next to the hotel, there is something for every member of the family. And with eight room categories there is accommodation to suit families of any size.

Berjaya Tioman Resort, with its miles of secluded palm-fringed beach, clear turquoise waters, abundant marine life, misty mountains and lush greenery is a sanctuary for families with loads of activities to enjoy.

A choice of pristine dive sites and the resort’s own PADI dive centre offering courses for parents and kids, makes diving must, plus there’s an 18-hole golf course.

The stunning Berjaya Langkawi Resort, nestled perfectly in a rainforest sanctuary, offers sensational views of Langkawi’s famous emerald waters and verdant mountains. While the kids enjoy the resort’s fabulous activities including snorkelling, windsurfing, parasailing, kayaking, waterskiing and island hopping tours, mum and dad might prefer to indulge themselves in a soothing treatment at Berjaya’s Ayura Spa. To take advantage of early bird specials, head to the Berjaya Hotels & Resorts website to book your Malaysian holiday. www.berjayahotel.com

THE INSIDER ON THE EVE OF CELEBRATING ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY, LEADING CHINA SPECIALIST HELEN WONG’S TOURS HAS ADDED AN EXCITING TWOWEEK FAMILY-FRIENDLY GROUP TOUR TO ITS PROGRAM FOR 2012 TO 2013. HERE, THE INSIDER TALKS TO HELEN WONG ABOUT TRAVELS IN CHINA AND FAMILY HOLIDAYS.

tour of the old quarters of Shanghai, where Megan and Ryan were educated on Chinese calligraphy, and the writing of a poem which was translated into English. It was a truly enjoyable and educational moment.

My most memorable family holiday meal was… dining on the fantastic international buffet dinner at the Grand Lisboa Hotel in Macau – a truly grand banquet. Delicacies range from fresh seafood, Mongolian grill and Cantonese barbecue to tempura, teppanyaki and Indian curries - all cooked right before you! Something for everyone and the kids learn so much about international cuisine and its way of being prepared.

My ideal family holiday is… Travelling with my nephew and his two children – Megan, aged 10 and Ryan, eight, to any destination that will allow all of us to enjoy the food and drink, play, and learn the culture.

Many family travellers are not aware of… how much more entertaining and educational it is to have a local Englishspeaking guide escort you while you travel in China. Not only will you learn a lot more about the destination but you won’t miss any major attractions.

My fondest family holiday memory is… of a

Every family should experience… a visit

to a local family’s home in China to share a meal while learning about the family’s way of life. Children will cherish the experience.

I’d really love to visit… historic Lijiang with its cobblestone streets, ancient architecture and streams. For a breathtaking experience, Jiuzhaigou with its alpine valleys and crystalline lakes is a drawcard along with the giant pandas. Both would be great for the children.

My top tips for travelling with kids are… to let them bring along a favourite toy and some games. Be sure to find a hotel with a swimming pool and always reserve interconnecting rooms with a lounge so there’s a common space for the whole family. But it’s also good to let them have their own time to rest in their own rooms.

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FLYING WITH KIDS

DEPARTURE

BOARD

flight news and updates Garuda’s immigration on-board Don’t trip up, with TripAdvisor

Insider tips to flying with kids Is it possible to prepare kids, and yourself, for a long flight that’s stress-free and kidfriendly? British Airways has prepared – with help from its crew – a list of top tips for travelling with children. Over 1.5 million children fly with British Airways each year, and during the peak school holiday period alone the airline flies half a million young travellers.

Senior first officer and mother of two, Carley Lear, says: “Many pilots, including myself, fell in love with flying at a very young age so we are usually pleased to share our enthusiasm with kids who want to learn more. Children of all ages are very welcome to come to the BA flight deck to meet the pilots. The best time is after landing when passengers are disembarking. We sometimes have stickers and postcards for children and will be more than happy to talk about flying and what all the controls and buttons on the flight deck do. Budding young pilots of the future can also ask their pilot to sign their junior flight log-book which they can get from the cabin crew for free during the flight.”

Father of two and senior cabin crew

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member, Justin Cox adds: “As a parent I understand that travelling with kids can at first seem like a daunting prospect, but it really needn’t be. After my 12 years as BA cabin crew I have found that flying can be made more comfortable and even fun for kids by following a few simple pointers.”

• Before your child’s first flight in their own seat, sit them on the sofa at home with a cushion between you as the armrest, explaining how it’s going to be on board.

• Take a small compact travel pushchair for easy cabin stowage onboard.

Regular-sized pushchairs or strollers will normally have to go as hold luggage.

• Pack their favourite teddy, pillow or comfort blanket to help them get to sleep more easily and make it feel more like home.

• Sometimes waiting for take-off or leaving the aircraft can be boring for young children. A bag of treats can work well at this point as a distraction.

• While visiting the flight deck mid-flight is no longer allowed, if you ask the crew they are usually happy to arrange for

children to see flight deck after landing.

• If you are flying somewhere with a big time difference try to allow yourselves two days when you get back to give your children time to get back into Aussie time and their normal routine, before they go back to nursery or school.

• Keep your child entertained. The inflight entertainment system provides a wide range of kids’ programmes, movies and music. Pack a portable DVD player or a pre-programmed iPod with your kids’ favourites. However, try to avoid taking games with lots of fiddly bits like jigsaws. They’re likely to get lost during the flight and cause upset upon arrival.

British Airways prides itself on the levels of customer service it offers to families and children. On long-haul flights the airline has a special child friendly menu, which parents can book free of charge in advance. Children are also given entertainment packs as they take their seats. The airline will also help to arrange seats in advance of check-in opening to ensure families can sit together on their holidays. www.britishairways.com.au

Australian families looking for online help when booking a holiday can check out the flight search engine on TripAdvisor. Travellers simply enter their travel destination, travel dates, number of travellers, including options for return, one-way or multi city and TripAdvisor returns hundreds of options to find the best price and itinerary.

The search engine offers a fees estimator, which breaks down the true cost of their flight including baggage charges, meal and credit card fees displayed in Australian dollars. Offering a wide selection of flight choices, travellers will be able to see direct booking links to local online travel sites, plus domestic and regional budget airlines. www.tripadvisor.com.au

In a world-first for all airlines flying to Bali, Garuda Indonesia will expand its immigration on-board services, following the success of a trial for flights from Sydney to Jakarta. The service allows passengers to fast-track through immigration, avoid currency exchange and airport queues. Garuda Indonesia passengers taking advantage of the new services will have their visa processed by immigration officials on-board their flight after payment on check-in at Sydney airport. www.garuda-indonesia.com

Smelly travellers top crying kids Australians would rather sit travel alongside someone with bad body odour than parents with crying kids! More than 40 per cent of travellers ranked neglectful parents with crying children the number one flight nightmare according to a survey by online travel agent Zuji Australia. Of the 2000 Australians surveyed, one in five listed sitting next to someone who hadn’t showered as their worst nightmare. Nonstop talkers and arm rest hoggers where also ranked as top aggravators. Noisy, smelly and inconsiderate travellers aside, Australians are not deterred. The results found that, over three quarters of Australians were planning to spend their holidays with family and 40 per cent were planning to travel interstate or internationally to be with friends and family.

App, app and away

The race is on with Virgin

Passengers are now able to check flight schedules, get real-time arrival and departure updates and information about visiting Sydney Airport with a new iPhone app and Sydney Airport’s official Facebook page. The free iPhone app is fed directly by Sydney Airport’s Flight Information Display System, so checking departure and arrival information will be as if you’re looking at one of the departures and arrivals boards in the terminals. You can find out what check-in counter to go to before you go to the airport. Information on getting to and from the airport, public transport, parking – including great value weekender deals – terminal maps and a full directory of the great range of shopping and eating options are also on the app, so you can plan and make the most of your airport visit.

Calling all little Roary the Racing Car and Lightning McQueen fans. Virgin Australia has teamed up to be the official domestic airline of the V8 Supercars which will see the airline transport V8 Supercar staff, some of the teams and offer fans savings on flights and holiday packages to the events. Families with engine-loving kids can book in for some savings – and could even find themselves sitting next to their favourite driver! With 16 events scheduled on the calendar, the 2012 V8 Supercar Championship will take place at locations including Adelaide, Melbourne, Philip Island, Bathurst, Gold Coast, Darwin and more. V8 packages being offered by Blue Holidays include airfares, accommodation and tickets. www.virginaustralia.com.au

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READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

The Best Of International Family Travel

THEBestOF

FAMILY TRAVEL

AWARDS

OUT & ABOUT WITH KIDS QUEST TO UNCOVER THE BEST FAMILY HOLIDAY EXPERIENCES IN THE WORLD HAS COME TO ITS EXCITING CONCLUSION. OUR READERS HAVE HAD THEIR SAY, THE VOTES HAVE BEEN TALLIED AND (DRUM ROLL PLEASE) THE WINNERS ARE…

Best International DESTINATION WINNER Fiji With so many great resorts catering to families, the friendly locals who bend over backwards to make you feel at home and a wealth of exciting activities (in, on and off the water) on offer – not to mention the stunning natural beauty all around - Fiji ticks all the boxes for a guaranteed good time for all. Add fascinating local culture and history and the fact that it’s only four hour’s by plane from Australia’s East Coast, family holidays in Fiji are a must according to our readers! www.fijime.com

FINALISTS New Zealand Whether skiing in winter, or heading to the Land of the Long White Cloud in the warmer months, New Zealand (or Middle Earth for Lord of the Rings fans) offers a perfect mix of jaw-dropping scenery, from volcanoes and glaciers to fjord and forests, and adventure. Cultural diversity, city attractions and plenty of activities for all ages make it a top choice for family getaways. The locals are super-friendly, getting around is a breeze (self-drive holidays are a top choice) and it’s just a hop, skip and jump from Australia. www.newzealand.com.au

Jean Michel Cousteau FIji Island Resort.

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Thailand Tropical islands, excellent beachside resorts, mouthwatering food and a fascinating history and culture make Thailand a winner with most families looking for the perfect break. And

that’s not to mention the friendly Thai locals (including the elephant kind!). From temples to street markets, for a family break with an exotic flavour Thailand is top of the list.

Australian families are drawn to Thailand’s tropical islands, magical beaches, fascinating culture, great shopping, mouthwatering food and amazing family-friendly resorts. It’s a destination that offers families a holiday experience rich in culture with a choice of exotic city, mountain and seaside experiences.

The capital, Bangkok has a wealth of family attractions including amusements parks and over 400 wats (temples). Away from the city there are top beach resorts and palm-fringed islands.

For the more adventurous, a homestay with a hilltribe family is a fun and educational option for the whole family. Chiang Mai is Thailand’s second largest city and an ideal base to explore the mountains and villages. Families can also enjoy getting to know this spectacular region of forests, rice fields and national parks by riding an elephant, trekking or rafting.

Hawaii Sun, surf and fun. These are just three of the reasons Australian families are saying Aloha to Hawaii. Warm welcomes at the amazing resorts, sensational beaches and learning to surf in the world-famous waves are just some of the highlights of the cluster of beautiful islands that make up this picture perfect paradise. The stunning natural beauty, active volcanoes, whale watching and excellent shopping only add to the list of reasons why Hawaii made our readers list of top international destinations. www.gohawaii.com.au

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Best International FAMILY RESORT WINNER Jean Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort The beautiful five-star Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort is one of the most celebrated in the Pacific, so no wonder it’s topped our list. The exclusive island resort is particularly kind to parents with the renowned Lei Lei Bula kids’ club program where kids can explore and learn about Fijian culture, the environment and the natural world around them. Best of all, the resort offers a dedicated nanny for every child under five so mum and dad can catch up on all important couple time. www. fijiresort.com

FINALISTS

From top: Disneyland’s Paradise Pier Hotel.

Kids explore and learn at Jean Michel Cousteau FIji Island Resort.

Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, USA Turn a magical day into a magical stay at Disneyland Resort. Join Mickey and Minnie for the ultimate Disney experience as you check in to one of three unique hotels within the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. Whether it’s the recently transformed Disneyland Hotel, with classic styling that pays tribute to the park’s 1955 opening, to the new luxurious Grand Californian Hotel & Spa or the Paradise Pier

Hotel, guests of all ages will be charmed.

Best of all, there’s a whole world of Disney right outside your door. www.disneyland. com.au Radisson Blu Resort, Denerau, Fiji With great beach frontage and a tranquil tropical garden setting this luxurious Fiji resort offers the perfect escape for each and every member of the family. With five lagoon swimming pools (including a family lagoon, a dedicated shaded children’s pool, and a private adults only relaxation lagoon area) a sensational spa, a choice of on-site restaurants and great kids club as well as Fiji’s only whitewater tunnel waterslide, it’s easy to see why our readers have fallen in love with this resort. www.radisson.com Hard Rock, Penang, Malaysia Malaysia’s first Hard Rock Hotel is set on three kilometres of magnificent beachfront at Penang’s Batu Ferringhi, one of Asia’s most popular island destinations and just a short 45 minute plane trip from Kuala Lumpur. The sprawling resort offers a choice of amazing kids clubs, plenty of water sport action and loads of family-friendly amenities and activities. Add to that list, the largest free form pool in northern Malaysia, waterslides and the soft water play shallow zone and this is one resort that most definitely rocks! http://penang.hardrockhotels.net

Best International FAMILY ATTRACTION WINNER Disneyland, Anaheim,USA Disney is always a winner with kids and grownups alike, and Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California scored top marks with our readers. Encompassing two parks - Disneyland Park (Walt Disney’s original theme park) and Disney California Adventure Park -this one-of-a-kind resort never fails to impress with fun attractions for every family member - from colorful journeys that little ones will love to exciting thrill rides for bigger and braver kids. And it’s easy to extend the magic with three hotels on location. www.disneyland.com.au

FINALISTS Disneyland, Hong Kong With the recently opened Toy Story Land offering visitors the chance to meet Buzz, Woody and the

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gang, there’s more reason than ever to head to Hong Kong’s Disneyland. With plenty of rides and attractions for little kids, teens and mums and dad too, this park has all the right ingredients for a fun day (or two) out in Hong Kong.

Getting there is a breeze (with a direct train from the airport and the city), but you may never want to leave! www. hongkongdisneyland.com Sentosa Island, Singapore Sentosa Island in Singapore is now even more exciting for families with the opening of Resorts World Sentosa and the highly anticipated Universal Studios Singapore, South East Asia’s first Hollywood movie theme park.

With more than 20 rides and attractions, you can enter the thrilling world of movie magic as you “ride the movies” on rollercoasters and other great attractions.

With themed zones including The Lost World, Far Far Away and Madagascar, there is something for the young and young at heart. www.rwsentosa.com

From top: The fab five, Disneyland Anaheim. © Scott Brinegar Disneyland

Disneyland Hotel © Paul Hiffmyer Disneyland

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READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

Best International SKI RESORT FOR FAMILIES WINNER Park City, Utah, USAWith 3,800 hectares of what’s been dubbed “the greatest snow on earth”, 426 runs, bowls, terrain parks and 58 lifts, skiing and snowboarding, Park City wins top marks from Out & About with Kids readers. Home to three world-class resorts (Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort, and The Canyons Resort), Park City has something for everyone, ranging from lessons for beginners, to moguls and chutes for expert skiers, and everything in between.

Bobsledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, snow-tubing and sleigh rides only add to the fun. www.parkcitymountain.com

FINALISTS

Best AIRLINE FOR KIDS WINNER Singapore Airlines There’s a reason Singapore Airlines was named the Best Airline in Asia at the prestigious 2011 World Airline Awards. With attentive on-board service, priority boarding for passengers with young children, bassinets available on all flights, excellent Kris World on-demand in-flight entertainment service (with parental block) with kid-friendly TV, movies, audio and games, the airline also scores across the board with our readers for service and amenities with their kids meals, activity packs and emergency baby supplies all getting the thumb up. www.singaporeair.com

FINALISTS

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The Best CRUISE LINE WINNER P & 0 Pacific Jewel Offering a range of Pacific Island itineraries, Pacific Jewel is packed bow to stern with a raft of activities to please the whole family.

There are aerial acrobatic performances from Pacific Cirque, musical and theatre performances, audience participation game shows and karaoke, comedy clubs and new release movies on the big screen. Then there are the great free kids and teens programmes at Turtle Cove (ages three to six), Shark Shack (ages seven to 10), HQ (ages 11 to 14) and HQ+ (ages 15 to 17). www.pocruises.com

FINALISTS

Emirates Its attention to detail that has won Emirates praise, both from our readers and internationally too - the airline scooped World’s Best Airline In-flight Entertainment award at the 2011 World Airline Awards.

Travel packs include a cuddly toy that comes with his own travel wardrobe, a Dr Seuss book and a cute childsized eye mask. Birthday cake can be arranged on the kids birthday and the lovely crew will even snap a family Polaroid as a high-flying memento. The baby pack’s also got the tick of approval from parents. www.emirates.com

Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas The good times never stop on superliner Rhapsody of the Seas as she cruises the South Pacific. Families can enjoy great entertainment, great dining, swimming and sports activities including a 30-foot rock-climbing wall. Plus there is the free Adventure Ocean kids’ programme which includes Aquanauts (three to five), Explorers (six to eight) and Voyagers (nine to 11). Teens can hang out in their own lounge or the teen-only dance club and parents with littlies (aged six to 36 months) will enjoy Royal Babies & Tots. www.royalcaribbean.com.au

Cathay Pacific Even the smallest of passengers are well catered for on Cathay Pacific with an ample supply of bassinettes and goodies including a wide range of baby food. Our readers also rated the brightly-coloured cutlery and exciting take-home kids packs stuffed with stationery, games, activity books, stickers and straws.

There was also plenty of praise for Cathay’s on demand in-flight entertainment system with music, radio, hundreds of movies and TV Shows including a dedicated Disney children’s movie/feature channel which is a big winner with little ones. www.cathaypacific.com.au

Captain Cook MV Reef Endeavour Captain Cook Cruises small cruise ship, the MV Reef Endeavour offers three-toseven night cruises t explore the islands, beaches, rivers, rainforests, history and culture of Fiji. Her size makes her ideal for negotiating remote reefs and shallow bays but there are still big ship comforts including a swimming pool. And families have never had it better with the ship now offering interconnecting family rooms which sleep two adults and two children and inside family cabins which sleep four people in bunk style accommodation. www.captaincook.com.au.

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Club Med Sahoro, Japan This familyfriendly resort offers Club Med’s convenient all-inclusive packages and loads of activities for the kids. You can ski to your door and there are heaps of non-skiing activities too.

Club Med Sahoro welcomes children from three months old, with supervision from two years old. The resort has speciallydesigned children’s areas and kids’ programs for two to 18-years-old. Plus extensive English-language ski and snowboard lessons are offered and there’s the Ofuro hot tub to look forward to at the end of the day! www.clubmed.com.au Cardrona, New Zealand One of the only resorts in New Zealand where guests can stay right on the mountain, this familyfriendly resort offers four dedicated Kids Centres, including two fully licensed early childcare centres for children aged from 3 months to 4. There are half-day, single and multiple day lessons available for five to 14s including a week long ski and snowboard school. Adventurous kids will especially love the beginner terrain park with its mini jumps, rails and boxes – perfect for polishing their freestyle skills. www.cardrona.com

Best International FAMILY TOUR COMPANY WINNER Trafalgar is a world-leader in providing great value holidays to worldwide destinations, and that’s why our readers rate this tour company which can take you from Buenos Aires to Belarus and everywhere in-between.

The company, which has been operating since 1947, prides itself on uncovering hidden gems, cultural highlights and notto-be-missed attractions, and their Family Experiences capture the real essence of their destination while also offering little ones plenty to keep them entertained. www. trafalgar.com

FINALISTS Intrepid For families looking to get off the beaten track, Intrepid offers adventurous travel packages that will appeal to mum, dad and the kids in equal measure. Meet Terracotta Warriors in China or the “big five” in Africa’s Serengeti on one of Intrepid’s Family Adventures – a great way to spend time together in a stimulating way. The company is also a leader in responsible travel, with the aim of helping conserve the areas they visit and making a positive benefit to the communities which host them. www. intrepidtravel.com

From top: Trafalgar Tours Adventures of the Old West Park City, Utah

Value Tours Leaders in international ski, self-drive and coach holidays, Value Tours impressed our readers with their familyfriendly tours and wealth of knowledge about their destinations – in New Zealand, USA, Canada, Alaska, Europe and Japan. For those seeking a great value getaway with loads of inclusions the company has recently introduced a series of fantastic new tours to the United States and Canada developed by families for families with plenty of activities for the kids and parents, while keeping fun and safety in mind. www.valuetours.com.au

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FIJI

Into the Blue

Fiji

WITH ATTRACTIONS DELIVERED BY NATURE AND LOCALS DELIGHTED TO NURTURE, FIJI IS HARD TO BEAT FOR A RELAXING FAMILY BREAK. WORDS: RALPH KELLY

©Ilja Mašík Shutterstock

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FIJI

Kids Stay, Play and Eat Free!

Special Offer!! Stay 7 nights and only pay for 5!! 2 kids under 12 years stay, play and eat for FREE!! For travel until 31 March 2013. Conditions and block out dates apply.

One of Fiji’s most popular family resorts, Plantation Island Resort is located just 15km from the mainland on beautiful Malolo Lailai Island. Plantation is a true Fijian holiday paradise. Located on the shoulder of a blue lagoon with 7kms of sandy white beach, fringed by coral reef and crystal clear waters. Plantation has all the ingredients for a great family holiday, including the free Coconut Kids Club with three supervised activity sessions from 9am till 9pm. You’ll all have a truly enjoyable Fijian family break.

www.plantationisland.com

Exceptional Offer for Families - from the Best Exceptional Offer for families – from the Best Family Resort in Fiji* Family Resort in Fiji* Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands is an inclusive eco sensitive, luxury resort offering one of Fiji’s most comphrensive and responsible children’s programs.

This together with outstanding facilities for both adults and children, creative gourmet cuisine and stylish Fijian designed bures ensures that all members of the family have a relaxing, fun and enriching experience.

Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort is an inclusive eco-sensitive, luxury resort offering one of Fiji’s most comphrensive and responsible children’s programs. This together with outstanding facilities & activities for adults, babies and children, creative gourmet cuisine and stylish Fijian designed bures ensures all members of the family have a relaxing, fun and enriching experience.

REJUVENATION PACKAGE Stay 6/Pay 4: stay for 6 nights or more and receive two free nights per stay.

Complimentary sunsmart Bula (kids) Club operates daily for all children up to 12 years 8am-9pm.

Complimentary dining for 2 children up to 12 yrs sharing with two adults. Free nanny for each child under 6 yrs 8am - 9pm *As voted by Readers of Luxury Travel Magazine. Conditions apply.

sales@fijiresort.com t: 03 9815 0379 1300 306 171 www.fijiresort.com

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Validity: 1-31 May, 14 Oct-21 - Dec 2012 , 7 Jan - 31 March 2013.

Rate includes Free Nanny service, Bure accommodation, all gourmet meals, unlimited bottled non-alcoholic drinks, most activities, & free extra bonus of Diving & Massage.

More packages are available for travel on other dates

Free nanny service for each child under 6yrs, 8am-9pm Complimentary sunsmart daily Bula (Kids) Club operates 8am-9pm for all babies & children up to 12yrs.

Complimentary accommodation, dining and activities for two children up to 12yrs when sharing a buré with two adults. *As voted by Readers of Luxury Travel Magazine. Conditions apply.

From top: © PFS , Shutterstock © Fiji Me

I

take planning our family holiday seriously. With busy lives and rushed family time most of the year, holidays provide the best opportunity for us to reconnect. And keeping teenagers willing and happy to be with us, and not their friends, only adds to the challenge of getting it right.

Fiji was an easy choice. Easily accessible from Australia, Fiji offers an excess of fun activities for every age, great accommodation choices for every budget and, best of all, friendly English-speaking locals.

In finding the perfect balance for parents and teens we spent a little over two weeks immersed in the magic of Fiji. Just enough time for mum and dad to really wind down and not too much of an interruption to the kids’ social lives.

Denerau days On arrival we headed for Denerau Island, an easy 20-minutes drive from Nadi International Airport on

the western coast of Viti Levu and a lovely place to begin our holiday wind down and get over what little jet lag a plane trip to Fiji presents.

We split our time between the stunning Westin Denerau Island Resort & Spa, an appealing blend of oceanfront luxury and warm Fijian hospitality and the equally lovely and welcoming Sheraton Denerau Villas - a great choice for our family with loads of living space and separate rooms for the kids.

While there is plenty on offer on Denerau Island for parents - think luxury day spas, fine dining, fabulous bars and an 18-hole international standard golf all set within 670 acres of tropical palms - it’s also the perfect spot for taming easily bored teenagers.

When mine weren’t pool hopping from resort to resort or lazing by the beach they would set off on the Bula Bus to the Denarau Marina, gateway to the Mamanuca Islands, for endless activities including parasailing off the beach, day trips to turtle hatching grounds and boat rides out to the surf breaks.

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FIJI

Smooth sailing

© frantisekhojdysz, Shutterstock

The 4 star Naviti Resort is cocooned on 38 acres of tropical gardens alongside golden beaches and tropical palms. Situated on Fiji’s famous coral coast the Naviti Resort is a famous All Inclusive resort. where guests can enjoy all meals, unlimited drinks, free golf green fees, Sunset Cruise, nightly entertainment, and many other activities.

For more information or to make a reservation Ph. (679) 653 0444 Fax. (679) 653 0099 Email : navitireservations@warwickhotels.com Website: www.warwicknaviti.com

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Teen Travel Talk YASAWA ISLAND CRUISING

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TEEN TRAVELLERS MADELEINE KELLY (16) AND STUART KELLY (14) SHARE THEIR BLUE LAGOON FAMILY CRUISING EXPERIENCE.

hat better way to start off the New Year than on a seven-day Yasawa Island cruise with family, friends and the Fijians?

As we arrived at the ship on our first day of our Yasawa Islands cruise, we were warmly “sung” aboard Blue Lagoon’s Fiji Princess by the crew. After finding our cabin and quickly messing up the tidy and well-attended room, it was time to begin the festivities and meet the crew and our fellow passengers at the hourlong pre-dinner cocktails (a nightly occurrence) as the ship sailed away from the port.

A warm greeting from everyone was followed by complimentary champagne (for the grownups!) dancing and singing to help break the ice. Then there was an a la carte dinner in the amazing restaurant that opened up to the back of the ship where we could look out over the water and the stunning sunset on the horizon.

Each day we’d be woken up in the morning by the roaring laughs of the Fijians as they would be playing pranks on each other as it is tradition and good luck to soak each other with water during the beginning of the New Year. Waking up to laughter, picturesque crystal waters and bright green islands was amazing, and that was only the beginning of each gorgeous day ahead.

The new friends and atmosphere on board the Fiji Princess made our days on board unforgettable. Every day was just as spectacular as the last; each one consisting of eating, snorkelling, swimming, playing games with the Fijians, and of course more eating (you’d never go hungry on board this cruise!).

Although there were no other teenagers or children on board on this trip (although apparently there were 13 on board the week after), the Fijian crew adopted us like their own family and on each of the islands we’d play

games like volleyball and soccer with them. And just like siblings when we cheated, because they were just too good, they would throw us into the surrounding clear blue sea.

Not only was the cruise utterly relaxing and fun, learning about the Fijian culture and how they lived in different island communities was very memorable. At one of the villages, the entire community came to an ancient yaqona ceremony to welcome us into their village. As the Fijians gave us cava (a traditional drink), the village people did their customary dances and sang, as their children watched from window laughing boisterously at their elders.

Every night, apart from the last, came to an end with drinks and dancing, dinner and games with the Fijian crew aboard the ship. On our final night, we were lucky enough to have fine weather and not a drop of rain, so the ship was tied up to a palm tree at the private Blue Lagoon Island, Nanuya Lailai, where we enjoyed a traditional magiti (feast) on the beach, followed by short skits performed by each of the people from the different countries on the cruise. With all of the crew and passengers joining in the fun, it was the perfect way to end to an outstanding cruise.

From my experience, the best part of the cruise was most definitely how the Fijians treated us. Not only did they treat us with the utmost grace and respect, they made everyone on board feel as if they were among family or long time friends.

Although it was hard to say goodbye to the new friends we have made, are going to keep in touch on Facebook. A Blue Lagoon Fijian cruise is definitely something we would happily do again and we won’t ever forget the remarkable places and people that we had the honour of going to and meeting.

© Selfiy, Shutterstock.com

Though it was tough to tear ourselves away from Denerau’s myriad charms for us, a Blue Lagoon Cruise was the star of our Fijian holiday. I had heard nothing but good things about this cruise before we left for Fiji. A gorgeous small vessel cruise ship, amazingly friendly and attentive staff and seven glorious days of blue water cruising and swimming, plus visits to the Yasawa Islands for an experience in Fijian culture and hospitality with the island locals?

It’s not hard to understand why. And it certainly lived up to the hype.

The adorable crew became like a second family to my 13-year-old son who they quickly adopted during our week on board. We all loved our time with Blue Lagoon and disembarked feeling genuinely sad to say goodbye.

Rather than me sharing my experience of Fiji cruising with teens in tow, I thought I’d throw it over to my kids Madeleine and Stuart to share their thoughts on what made it a great escape, even with their parents in tow.

Thank you, Fiji. Now it’s back to the burn of our busy lives, the memories of that holiday will be an anchor for our family. Exactly what I’d hoped and planned for.

FAST FACTS WHEN TO GO The most stable weather occurs in the ‘dry season’ between May and October. In some parts of the country though, ‘wet season’ may just mean short evening showers.

GETTING THERE Just four hours by plane from Australia’s east coast, Virgin Australia offers regular flights to Nadi. www.virginaustralia.com/Fiji GETTING AROUND A Blue Lagoon cruise is an idyllic way to see the islands. www.bluelagoon.com VISAS Entry Visas are granted on arrival to Australian and New Zealand citizens MONEY The currency is the Fijian Dollar (FJD). At the time of writing, AU$1 buys you FJD$1.88 WHERE TO STAY Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort www.fiji resort.com The Naviti Resort Viti Levu www.warwicknaviti.com Plantation Island Resort www.plantationisland.com Sheraton villas www.sheratondenarauvillasfiji.com Westin Denarau www.starwoodhotels.com MORE INFORMATION Fiji Visitors Bureau www.fijime.com

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HAWAII

Hawaiian Interlude HAWAII IS KNOWN FOR ITS SURF, SUN AND FUN, AND FOR ONE AUSSIE FAMILY, IT’S ALSO THE PERFECT TRANSATLANTIC STOPOVER FOR SOME WELL EARNED REST AND RELAXATION. WORDS: COLLEEN HINCH

Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii © Tomas Del Amo, Shutterstock

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aving lived in Australia for 16 years, I’ve made the long non-stop trip home to the USA’s North Carolina many times and it never got any less grueling, especially once adding a child to the travel equation. Until that is, we discovered the perfect way to break the long journey was with a bit of sun, surf and fun in Hawaii.

For our little family, beautiful Oahu (or as it’s known to the locals, the Gathering Place) proves to be picture perfect for a weekend of rest and relaxation, abundant with familyfriendly activities and convenient home to Honolulu International Airport.

Aloha Spirit There’s nothing quite like being greeted with a warm “Aloha” as you are adorned with a colourful flower lei on arrival in Hawaii.

These traditional garlands were worn by ancient Hawaiians to beautify themselves

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and it still works today, because the Hawaiian people are nothing if not beautiful! It’s the only way to begin a Hawaiian holiday.

Unfortunately, on our most recent trip, our holiday planner (me) forgot to place an order for the traditional greeting and we arrive at Honolulu to no lei and much disappointment from my daughter Savannah, 10 (and, if truth be told, Mum too).

Our disappointment is very short lived as we arrive at the luxurious Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa where, to our pleasant surprise, we are each regally adorned with the fresh flower necklace we’d so sorely missed at the airport. This glamorous resort offers the warmth of authentic Aloha spirit combined with amazing family amenities including the fabulous Camp Hyatt kids club and Hyatt’s Toy Box filled with an assortment of toys and games for little guests to enjoy, and a Babies Travel Light

programme that allows you to shop online for brand name baby products including nappies and formula that will be waiting for you on arrival. All conveniently located across from Waikiki Beach, and an easy walk to the nearby attractions of Diamond Head, Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium.

The resort’s recently renovated and revamped swim and entertainment area is nothing short of paradise and beckons us for a refreshing dip, the perfect thing to wash away the jetlag. But with the most famous two miles of sand in the world, Waikiki Beach, just a few steps away Savannah and I are soon tempted by the lure of the beach, stopping only for a fun family snap at the iconic symbol of Waikiki - the statue of Duke Kahanamoku, Olympic medalist and father of modern surfing.

Alongside the statue is the Hyatt on the Beach Snack Bar where we spot the most gigantic and utterly Hawaiian concoction of

shaved ice we’ve ever seen – we have to have one!

That night we take in the resorts wonderful hula show and dine at the Hyatt’s new Shor American Seafood Grill restaurant, with its unparalleled vistas and innovative menu it’s been embraced by guests and locals alike. The restaurant offers exceptional sustainable fish and shellfish as well as delicious cuts of meat and the freshest of produce… and it’s all delish!

Surf and strings The Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa offers guests a fabulous Explore Waikiki Surf package with the renowned Ty Gurney Surf School. Savannah twists my arm just hard enough to enjoy a private twohour surfing lesson. Her lovely instructor, Troy, promises he’ll have up on her feet

and surfing in no time. While my daughter and her new surfing buddy seemed like mere specks on the horizon at times, Troy, true to his word, has her standing on her board three times! “Wow. Can I go again tomorrow?” she begs.

But alas, on this particular trip the answer is no as other treats beckon.

Aloha Friday is on in the resort’s great hall and what better place for us to soak up some of the lovely local culture with hula performances and lessons, live music, fire-knife dancing, lei making and henna tattoos. And best of all it’s free for hotel guests. After plenty of hip swiveling fun, we hit the pool and entertainment area one last time and are blown away by incredible local musician Taimane as she plays everything from Beethoven to a jamming Pink Floyd on the ukulele, a perfect soundtrack to our dazzling Hawaiian interlude.

FAST FACTS WHERE TO STAY Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa www.hyattregencywaikiki.com MONEY The currency is the US dollar. At the time of writing, AU$1buys you US$1.07 VISAS Most Australian residents holding an Australian passport do not require a US visa providing the duration of stay is not more than 90 days and travellers hold a valid outbound ticket.

MORE INFORMATION www.gohawaii.com/au

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CrUiSinG WitH KiDS

Cruising for all ages

FROM BABIES TO BABY BOOMERS, CRUISING OFFERS SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR HOLIDAYMAKERS OF EVERY AGE AND STAGE. WORDS: ALENEY DE WINTER

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ruising might just be the ultimate multigenerational family holiday experience. With today’s family-friendly cruise ships more like floating resorts there is an incredible array of entertainment for guests of every age. From pool spas to day spas, kids clubs to night clubs, there’s plenty to appeal to every member of your crew.

Oh baby!

Royal Caribbean’s Royal Babies & Tots means there is even something for bub on board. The program offers little ones (accompanied by a caregiver) the chance to play, move and create with a variety of age appropriate developmental and creative activities that focus on parent/child bonding. And the Fisher Price Toy Lending program means your little one can also enjoy playtime in the comfort of your own cabin.

There’s also a great Babies 2 Go program that allows parents to pre-order nappies, wipes, and organic baby food for their cruise.

Keen to take bub cruising to North America, the Caribbean or Europe with a famous mouse for company? Disney Cruises are great for little cruisers.

While international public health guidelines mean that only children who are toilet trained are permitted to enter swimming pools and spas, Disney also welcome little ones in swim diapers to enjoy the fountain play area near the Mickey Pool on their ships. It’s also worth noting that while cruise lines have a minimum age for passengers (generally six months) Disney Cruises not only welcomes younger bubs but offers group babysitting in their nursery for infants and toddlers aged from three months to three years where they can enjoy infant swings, assorted toys, board books, arts and crafts for toddlers.The gift shops stock disposable nappies and formula and their kitchen will prepare pureed fruits and vegetables upon request.

Although parents do need to supply their own nappies and wipes, Carnival Cruise Line is one of the few where carers will change nappies of non-potty trained tots as their youth program, Camp Carnival, starts at age two. Accompanied children under two can also take a turn with the toys in Camp Carnival during designated family play times. Carnival also offers a babysitting service for under-twos at Camp Carnival during limited hours, though not in room. Their shipboard shops sell nappies wipes and ointments but you’ll need to BYO food!

Doing it for the kids

DIsney Cruises Sailing Away Deck Party Photo credit: Diana Zalucky

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Kids and cruising is a no brainer, there is so much to do it would be impossible to list but there are some cruise lines who offer that little something extra for the young, and young at heart.

P&O Cruises’ fleet of three ships – Pacific Jewel, Pacific Dawn and Pacific Pearl – each offers four children’s clubs catering to different age groups. Only kids with unlimited energy could tackle the long list of activities on offer. Dance parties, dress-ups, painting, pizza parties, craft, games, toys, talent shows and scavenger hunts are just the start.

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Pacific Jewel and Pacific Pearl feature floating circus fun with Pacific Cirque. And kids love Pacific Dawn’s Pirates of the Pacific stage show. The pirate fun doesn’t stop at the stage either, with shore activities from scavenger and treasure hunts to tugs of war on offer at island ports. And P&O Cruises partnered with Sydney Aquarium in 2009 to create Ocean Friends – an educational and fun program designed to teach kids about sea life and sustainability Royal Caribbean’s mega-liner Voyager of the Seas is joining sister ships Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas in Australia later this year and with it bringing some amazing treats for kiddie cruisers! Not only will they love the endless educational and entertaining offerings at the award-winning Adventure Ocean youth program and its selection of kids clubs where three- to fiveyear-olds can play their way to becoming certified junior adventure scientists, Kids from six to eight can celebrate in exclusive themed parties while nine to 11-year-olds can enjoy the tween-scene.

All three ships have the signature rockclimbing wall that will see adventurous kids, and parents, clambering high above the high seas, sports courts, pools and water play areas but Voyager offers even more including its very own ice-skating rink where the kids can chill out on ice! Voyager takes the kids experience even further when she arrives in Sydney in October with some of Dreamworks Animation’s most popular characters including Shrek, Fiona and Puss In Boots of Shrek fame, Alex, Mort, and the penguins of Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda’s Po and Hiccup from How to

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Train Your Dragon appear in shows, special events, parades and interactive character meals in the main dining room.

And, speaking of food, Royal Caribbean really takes care of the kids with ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s, great burgers at familyfriendly Johnny Rockets, loads of lunchtime buffet selections and a great kids menus in the main dining room where, with the My Family Time Dining option, the Adventure Ocean team can pick your kids up after they’ve finished eating so you can enjoy the rest of your meal in leisure.

Disney Cruise Lines are a no brainer for families with each ship boasting almost an entire deck devoted to the entertainment of young travellers. There’s non-stop fun for kids to enjoy each day from 9am to midnight at the kids clubs with Disney’s most popular characters on hand to entertain the kids.

Children from three to seven will learn to make magic at Disney’s Oceaneer Club while children aged eight to 12 can explore the universe at Disney’s Oceaneer Lab. There are also plenty of activities to share with mum and dad on board with kid-friendly pools and water play, stage shows, family games shows, parades, movies, deck parties and a selection special family-friendly shore excursions.

Carnival Cruise Lines is sending its amazingly revamped ship Carnival Spirit Down Under for the very first time this year, with cruises starting from October. And this ship is definitely one for the kids! The Camp Carnival kids club offers loads of activities specifically designed for children in three different age groups: two to five years, six to eight years, and nine to 11 years. There

are toys, arts, crafts, games, singalongs, talent shows, pool parties and plenty more supervised fun with Carnival Cruise Lines’ experienced youth staff. Camp Carnival Night Owls is also available featuring fun-filled children’s parties offering a full schedule of late-night activities and premium giveaways, along with nightly babysitting services.

Best of all is Carnival Spirit’s Waterworks water playground where kids can spiral round and round the Twister waterslide, get soaked in the Splashzone with the new Power Drencher tipping bucket, or race down the two mini racing slides - all of which are guaranteed to entertain the family for hours. The playground is also home to Carnival Spirit’s star attraction Green Thunder, the world’s steepest and fastest waterslide at sea.

music and discos. Plus teens will appreciate having the freedom of their very own Teen Card, a unique prepaid card that opens the door to entertainment and refreshment options onboard without bothering parents.

Carnival Cruises ensures that teens have lots of supervised social events with kids their own ages. This means plenty of teen-only dances, talent contests and sports tournaments and dedicated lounge and club areas created exclusively for teenage guests. Carnival Spirit has an elaborate video arcade with virtual reality games, special group shore excursions for them to explore exciting ports with their newfound friends and let’s not forget the thrills on offer on the phenomenal Green Thunder waterslide.

The folks at Royal Caribbean are particularly sensitive to the special needs of teens with dedicated programs offering parent-free games, tournaments, computers, PlayStation2, teen dinners, open mic night, ice-skating on all Voyager and Freedom Class ships, dive-in movies, a teen shore excursion program and great teen only venues like Fuel Night Club, with mocktails and visiting DJs. There is even a Scratch DJ Academy, where the youngsters will get trained in using turntables, teen casino and a teen spa night.

The only thing you might be left wishing for is a little more time with them.

While some teens might think they’re way too cool for the whole Disney thing, they’ll quickly change their mind once they step onboard a Disney Cruise. Their dedicated teen centre offers a parent-free hangout complete with overstuffed couches and chairs, big-

Teenage kicks Travelling with impossibly hard-to-please teens can sometimes be tricky, with some older kids horrified by the idea of hanging with boring old mum and dad. Cruising is the perfect compromise offering teens independence while still allowing for precious family time.

MSC Cruises offer a world of fun for all kids of all ages and their year-round special of children under 18 years cruising free makes family cruising one of the most economical ways to see Europe. And teens are taken especially great care of with dedicated entertainment for 13 to 17-year-olds from chill out zones and games tournaments to MTV-style dance classes or the Virtual World Arcade. Night-time brings dance comps, live

screen TVs, MP3 players, internet access and a bar serving soft drinks and smoothies.

There are plenty of organised events from karaoke to dance classes led by the coolest crew members. Outside their private playhouse, there are movies on the pool deck as well as Disney’s OTT deck parties.

P&O Cruises haven’t forgotten teenagers either, with a very full and suitably cool entertainment program that will keep them busy day and night. Activities include dance parties, late-night movie, pizza parties, a kids casino night and even hip-hop dance classes and HQ for kids aged 11 to 14 and HQ+ for those aged 15 to17 provides a special lounge area where teens can hang out, make new friends, play video games and check out movies under supervision of the trained youth staff.

Grown-up fun From the young to the young-at-heart, there is truly something for everyone on board a cruise ship. And while activities and amenities do differ from ship to ship and cruise line to cruise line, expect plenty to keep mum and dad entertained.

You’ll find luxurious day-spas, fitness centres, elegant and romantic dining options, nightclubs, lounges, casinos, bars and plenty of over 18s entertainment from karaoke and comedy gigs to concerts and Broadway-style extravaganzas. Plus plenty of quiet kid-free spaces including adults-only pool areas on most ships allow mum, dad, gran and grandad to sit back and enjoy a quite beverage while in transit without hearing a single “Are we there yet?” Bliss!

From left: Carnival Spirit’s awesome thrill slide “Green Thunder”.

The penguins of Madagascar take on Voyager of the Seas.

MSC Splendida’s “cool” kids space.

Decks of fun on P&0’s Pacific Dawn.

Fast Facts More information: www.carnival.com.au www.disneycruises.com www.msccruises.com.au www.pocruises.com.au www.royalcaribbean.com.au

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FLORIDA

Florida

FUNSHINE! OFFICIALLY, FLORIDA IS KNOWN AS THE SUNSHINE STATE BUT WHEN KIDS ARE PART OF THE HOLIDAY INGREDIENTS, THE FUNSHINE STATE IS FAR MORE FITTING.

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lorida has so many outstanding attractions and venues for families that you and your troops can easily spend an entire holiday here.

Florida boasts some brilliant national parks nested right alongside worldclass amusement parks, museums and incredibly rewarding educational opportunities of a man-made nature.

Around the worlds The center of the Universe for kids of all ages in Florida is Walt Disney World Resort and Epcot theme park, nestled on 7000 plus acres on the outskirts of Orlando. The Walt Disney World Resort has six theme parks – Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Blizzard Beach (with one of the world’s tallest and fastest waterslides), Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Epcot. Epcot theme park sprawls across 300 acres—twice the size of Magic Kingdom —and features attractions and entertainment dedicated to techonoogical innovation and the culture and cuisine of 11 nations. The park is divided into Future World and World Showcase.

You’ll need a multi-day pass to even get a decent bite of the place. It’s massive. And with multi-day passes you can soak in the hotel pool at midday, take an afternoon nap, and the return to the action when the sun’s sitting a bit lower in the Sunshine State sky. And stay for the fireworks - worth staying up a little late for. Many families arrive with the kids already in PJs. Surrounding Orlando, you’ve got no fewer than 15 other significant attractions, from SeaWorld, Universal Studios Florida, Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circusworld, Wet & Wild and many others.

Let your mouse do the hard yards for your family before you go

Subheader No matter what attractions you take in, Florida really needs to be accomplished by car or recreational vehicle (RV). Rental outfits have huge fleets, the best prices

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for hire in all of America, and the roads are wonderful and well-signposted. And the entire state of Florida is almost pancake flat, so there are no twisting switch-backs or saw-toothed mountain passes to maneuver. The place was made for driving delightfully.

From outerspace to underwater There are hundreds of things you can enjoy in Florida, including the warm weather that won’t set you back a cent.

You can visit NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, kick the tires on the moon-mobile, fly flight simulators and see the giant gantries and launching pads of America’s once-grand space mission program. In the afternoon, drive your wheels onto the sands of Daytona Beach – don’t worry everybody does it! The state website has things to enjoy which are free; linger there and pick up some pointers.

Florida has incredible beaches; some remote and wild, others full of activity and youthful action. The Florida Everglades is one of America’s largest nature areas, and it’s’ not just the alligators and other ‘critters’ that’ll have the kids oohing and ahhing for hours. The very tip of Florida is a country-unto itself in the Florida Keys.

Localspedal merrily around on their ‘conch bikes’ and sandals are considered ‘black dress’ apparel! Take your young Ernest Hemmingways to the tip of America, snorkel, fish and pedal rental bikes about and you’ll soon discover why the place is a magnet for kids of all ages. Just remember your sunscreen!

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Thailand

Thailand

top to tail

FAMILIES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN DRAWN TO THAILAND AND WHILE ITS BUZZING CAPITAL, BANGKOK, OFFERS ABUNDANT FAMILY FUN, DON’T LET ITS DAZZLE DIVERT YOU FROM A BIGGER COUNTRY THAT IS SIMPLY BEGGING TO BE EXPLORED FROM TOP TO TAIL. WORDS: aleney de WinTer

Ayutthaya temple ©Daria Miroshnikova Shutterstock

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Thailand

Located on the beautiful island of Phuket, the Sunwing Resort is a unique beachfront resort that provides a memorable holiday for the whole family. With its own restaurants, fun entertainment programs and a host of activities for all ages, Sunwing Resort is the perfect choice.

The resort is a paradise for children. They will be able to meet two very popular characters, Lollo the Giraffe and Bernie the Bear.

They both love to play and have fun with the children!

Fun activities include Miniland and Play & Chat House.

Sunwing Resort has a world of fun and entertainment for the whole family. With the activities and entertainment to please each and every taste in your family, from the smallest infant to the hardiest grandparent, Sunwing Resort makes everyone’s fantasies a reality and leaves you with memories that will last a lifetime.

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Head for the hills

Central charm

Eastern promise

Surrounded by mystical mountains, magical Chiang Mai is Thailand’s second largest city. And there is plenty to see and do with the city home to more than 300 temples, traditional practices, delicious authentic food (some of the best in Thailand) and the wonderful Walking Street Markets. And while this pretty moated city offers visitors rich history, culture and tradition, its mushrooming tourism industry means that it is also home to some of Thailand’s most luxurious and modern resorts, expansive shopping malls, superb restaurants and sublime spas. What’s not to love?

If you can drag yourself away from Chiang Mai’s vibrant colour and charm it is a great base for visiting the mountains and for exploring the neighbouring forests, rice fields, quaint villages and national parks and an idyllic spot for elephant riding, trekking and rafting.

Colourful Chiang Rai, with its minority hill tribes is a culturally diverse region and a fantastic place to introduce children to old Thailand. There is plenty of accommodation available for every budget and while the more adventurous family might prefer a homestay with a hilltribe family, those looking for some amazing animal encounters (and a touch of luxury) should visit the Anantara Golden Triangle Resort and Spa, a resort that supports an elephant and mahout (elephant handler)community by providing hands-on experiences with the affable pachyderms.

The UNESCO world heritage listed ruins of the capital of the ancient kingdom of Ayutthaya are just 90 minutes from Bangkok in Central Thailand, an area rich in nature and culture.

The concentration of ancient ruins, magnificent temples and colossal Buddhist monuments in and around the city offer visitors a spectacular mix of Khmer and early Sukhothai architectural styles.

Two hours from Bangkok, Kanchanaburi is a lovely area for families who enjoy nature and simple rural pleasures. Best known for its river, the River Khwae, and the notorious bridge that crossed it, it is also a place of magnificent beauty. While you can still visit the reconstructed bridge and Second World War monuments including an allied war cemetery and museum, there are plenty of less sombre activities that are more likely to appeal to the kids including fishing, rafting, canoeing, mountain biking, bird-watching, elephant and jungle trekking. Accommodation in the area is plentiful but for a total escape from everyday life why not try a floating raft hotel surrounded by thick jungle, where you’ll almost certainly spot an elephant or three, bathing with their mahouts.

On Thailand’s east coast you’ll find lively Pattaya, a busy resort town once better known for its seedier side that in recent years has been reinvented as a more family-friendly destination. Here you’ll find excellent dozens of welcoming resort, watersports, great shopping along with an enticing shoreline stacked with beach chairs, umbrellas and wandering vendors offering everything from tasty Thai treats to a beachside massage. There’s also an elephant village for animal lovers and Ripley’s World of Entertainment for visitors who prefer their holiday activities with a twist.

The east coast is also home to lovely Koh Chang (Elephant Island), a relatively unspoiled natural paradise of pristine beaches and forest and a dream spot for families who prefer to spend their holidays at one with nature snorkelling, camping, wildlife spotting and hiking.

Southern comfort Less than 200 kilometres south of Bangkok on the Gulf of Thailand is picturesque Hua Hin. Its powdery sand beach, seemingly limitless

From left: Royal Pavilion, Chiang Mai, © Caminoel, Shutterstock

View point of Ang Thong Islands National Park, © worradirek, Shutterstock

Snorkelling, Koh Samui © Studio 37, Shutterstock

Buddha monument, Krabi © S J Francis, Shutterstock

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beach activities, lively night market and delicious seafood restaurants make for another perfect playground. Home to the King of Thailand’s summer palace, Hua Hin also caters to non-regal visitors with great guesthouses, kid-friendly resorts and some of the best spa retreats in the world.

Further south Krabi is an otherworldly paradise where islands erupt dramatically from the green-blue water of the Andaman Sea. Stunning scenery, secluded beaches and amazing snorkelling in the warm coastal waters are just the icing on this very pretty cake, with so much to see and do.

Top of the list should be a visit to the famous Tiger Cave Temple mountain shrine, a hike in one of the many national parks, an elephant camp adventure and a leisurely bath in Klong Thom hot springs. Krabi is also an ideal base for island hopping and the easy day trip to Koh Phi Phi and the jawdroppingly beautiful Maya Bay is a must.

Koh Samui, is yet another island paradise that beckons families seeking sand, sea, sun and fun. Stunning white sand beaches with crystal clear waters are on the doorstep of most resorts and are ideal for safe snorkelling and swimming. If you’re prepared to head a bit further afield hop on a speedboat and head for the Ang Thong National Marine Park, just an hour from Samui for oodles of kid-friendly adventure.

Marvello u s FaM i ly H o l i d ay s M a d e r i g H t H e r e at Centara’s family-friendly resorts there is everything your family may desire from supervised Kids Clubs for little ones and teenagers, fabulously spacious rooms with separate children’s area to fantastic beaches. you will spend days splashing out in phenomenal water parks with lazy rivers, water slides and myriad of pools… a whole lot of fun!

PATTAYA

PHUKET

PHUKET

Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort

Centara Grand Beach Resort

Centara Grand West Sands

From $519 per adult; From $89 per child 8 nights for the price of 4 in a deluxe Family room Full breakfast daily return airport transfers from Bangkok airport valid for travel: 16 apr – 30 sept 12 Book by: 30 Sept 12

From $719 per adult; From $75 per child 8 nights for the price of 4 in a deluxe ocean Facing room Full breakfast daily Phuket introduction tour return airport transfers valid for travel: 22 apr – 30 sept 12 Book by: 30 Sept 12

From $908 per adult; From $70 per child 8 nights for the price of 4 in a deluxe Family suite Full breakfast daily Phuket introduction tour return airport transfers valid for travel: 22 apr – 31 oct 12 Book by: 30 Sept 12

Call Qantas Holidays on 13 14 15 or see your local travel agent to book your next Centara family holiday to thailand!

Fun in Phuket Of course, southern Thailand is also home to perennial family favourite Phuket. It’s the perfect location to pack a picnic lunch, some snorkelling equipment

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*agents may charge service fees and/or fees for card payments which vary. if you book with Qantas Holidays an additional 2 % fee applies to credit card payments. Prices correct as at 15 Mar 2012 but may fluctuate if surcharges, fees, taxes or currency change. Offers subject to availability. Amounts payable to third parties not included. Child prices are based on two adults and two children A U T UChild M Nage2is021–211 years.

sharing.

These property ratings are Qantas Holidays’ views, not official ratings. Hotel cancellation policies apply, which vary. Bookings must be made direct with Qantas Holidays or a travel agent. Package cancellation fees apply. Qantas Holidays and general Booking Conditions apply. Qantas Holidays limited aBN 24 003 836 459. licence No. NsW – 2ta 003 004, www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au viC – 31288, Qld tag 740, sa – tta 48 116, Wa 9ta 510

and hit the beach, and there are plenty to choose from. But beyond stunning beaches the kids can also try jungle trekking, rafting and elephant riding, experiences that will stay with them long after the journey is over.

A leisurely day trip cruising through the dramatic limestone islands and sensational beaches of Phang Nga Bay, home of the famous James Bond Island, is a lovely way to spend a day.

If the kids need further diversion, Phuket FantaSea is a brilliant family evening. The extravagant cultural show incorporates traditional Thai dance, elephants, acrobatics and magical illusions, all performed while you feast on a sensational dinner.

Luxurious family-friendly resorts abound in and around Phuket, with many offering such fantastic entertainment for the kids that you may struggle to even drag them out of the hotel.

Older families might like to take a break from the water at the brilliant Elephant Hills in Phuket’s Khao Sok National Park. An amazing interactive elephant experience where you can learn all about Asian elephants right in the middle of the rainforest. Stay in the luxury tented campsites or for something wildly different try the recently opened floating tents on Cheow Larn Lake.

From floating tents and idyllic beach huts to great family-friendly resorts and city hotels, no matter where you head in Thailand your troops are bound to have a truly magical holiday.

Longtail boats, Andaman Sea, Thailand © Pichugin Dmitry, Shutterstock

Fast Facts When To Go Thailand is generally hot and humid, particularly between March and May. November to February is cooler and dry and offers ideal tropical conditions.

Where to stay Sunwing Resort & Spa Bangtao Beach www.sunwingphuket.com Sunwing Resort Kamala Beach www.sunwingkamala.com Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket Centara Grand West Sands Centara Grand Mirage Pattaya www.centarahotelsresorts.com Getting There Numerous airlines offer direct daily flights to Bangkok and Phuket from most major Australian capital cities, with connecting flights easily available to the rest of the country.

Money The currency is the Thai Bhat (THB). At the time of writing, AU$1 buys you THB33 Visas Australians don’t require a visa for stays shorter than 30 days.

More Information www.thailand.net.au

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SHORT CUTS Cruise Cruise Guru Aussies thinking of booking a cruise should log on to the new Australian-owned and operated specialist cruise website Cruise Guru. The website offers a unique onestop shop for Australian cruise customers with best prices, up-to-date deals, a wealth of knowledge, unbiased experience and support and the convenience of full live online booking for major cruise lines.

Guru’s exclusive technology opens up unprecedented access to the most current prices, deals and information, all located in one easy-to-use online store. www.cruiseguru.com.au

World cruise trifecta with Princess Cruises From 16-day cruises to Asia to a trio of full world voyages visiting 29 different countries, Princess Cruises’ recently launched 2013 Australian programme offers a total of 10 different cruises sailing from Sydney and Fremantle with four new ports of call for the cruise line – Colombo in Sri Lanka, Mytilene on the Greek island of Lesbos, Christmas Island in Australia and Semarang in Indonesia.

A highlight of the 2013 program, superliner Sea Princess is remaining in Australian waters over the 2013 winter, sailing alongside its sister ships Sun Princess and Dawn Princess. Each tailored to the local market, cuisine and entertainment will reflect Australian tastes, offering Australian holidaymakers three round-trip world cruise options, ranging from 75 to 104 days. www.princess.com/australia

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CRUISE NEWS

THE INSIDER - AT SEA OUT & ABOUT WITH KIDS CHATS TO CAROLINE LOMBARDI - DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, OUTER DECK AMENITIES, CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES IN MIAMI.

Caroline Lombardi has awesome job of ensuring the outer deck experience on a Carnival cruise is exciting and memorable for guests – which means plenty of product testing. It’s been Caroline and her team’s responsibility to design the fabulous new Green Thunder Thrill Slide for Carnival Spirit, currently undergoing an Aussie makeover ready for her arrival in Sydney in October 2012.

How did you and your team come up with the idea for the Green Thunder Thrill Slide?

Our team tested hundreds of slides and met with the top slide designers in the world to identify the optimal thrill ride.

We wanted to deliver a slide experience that met Aussies’ expectations in terms of adventure and excitement. We know that this market takes play to the extreme and we think having the floor drop from underneath you in a near vertical drop 30 metres above sea level followed by a fun, fast twist will give Aussies a rush.

What do you have planned for future ships?

We are working hard to deliver fun, memorable experiences for kids and families on board our ships. Future WaterWorks installations will continue to bring people of all ages and adventure levels together to have fun in the water. We want to wow families with the variety of waterplay we offer.

Do you have a secret recipe for keeping kids happy while on holiday?

Make sure to find dedicated playtime opportunities for your kids. You might want to see the great museums and experience the local cuisine, but your kids have unique needs that if unmet, can turn into a meltdown! Kids need to have time for physical and imaginative play. Sometimes parents are so busy shuffling kids and families from one activity to the next that they forget kids need to be kids. And, it’s even better if the adults join in the fun! www.carnival.com.au

Sydney’s new glam Celebrity Modern, stylish and exciting, Celebrity Solstice will arrive in Australia in December and is set to rival the beauty of her new home port of Sydney.

Launched just three years ago, the 2850-passenger Celebrity Solstice will be the newest and most stylish superliner ever to be based in Australia and New Zealand. From her real half acre lawn, the region’s first glass blowing studio at sea and a whopping 85 per cent of cabins boasting their own private balcony, the glamorous newcomer will offer some of the most sophisticated facilities this region’s waters has ever seen. And, the kids are certainly not forgotten with plenty of activities for children and teens to do onboard and a range of age specific programmes and facilities including Toddler Time for under-threes, Fun Factory for ages three to11 and X-Club Teen Entertainment.

Celebrity Solstice will visit all major ports in Australia and New Zealand on a total of 17 sailings, comprising 11 unique itineraries that range from one to 18-night cruises, calling at 28 ports in seven countries. www.celebritycruises.com

New look for Pacific Dawn

P&O Cruises is undertaking a major refurbishment of Pacific Dawn this April, with the superliner to boast interconnecting family cabins as well as some of the cruise line’s favourite features, including a giant entertainment screen on deck.

The Queensland-based Pacific Dawn will also emerge from its scheduled dry dock with a state-ofthe-art LED big screen, a feature that has proved a big hit on sister

ships Pacific Jewel and Pacific Pearl.

Other refurbishments during the dry dock include a major revamp of several venues, including the Show Lounge and the buffet as well as several of the ship’s bar areas.

The scheduled upkeep just comes two years after Pacific Dawn underwent a multi-million dollar refurbishment, which included the addition of Salt Grill by Luke Mangan and the child-free Oasis retreat. www.pocruises.com.au

Fantasy at Sea The brand new Disney Fantasy continues the Disney Cruise Line tradition of blending the elegance of early transatlantic ocean liners with contemporary design to create one of the most spectacular cruise ships afloat. This ship, Disney’s fourth, offers modern features, new innovations and special Disney touches including phenomenal entertainment that will charm and bedazzle the entire family on her seven-night Caribbean itineraries.

Every night is show time with a lineup of some of the most elaborate original musicals ever presented at sea in the three-deck Walt Disney Theatre, incredible live entertainment on deck including an evening brimming with buccaneer fun as Disney Fantasy transforms into a pirate ship complete with a thrilling live-action pirate showdown which culminates in a spectacular display of piratical pyrotechnics. The only cruise line to feature fireworks at sea, Disney Cruise Line ups the entertainment ante and lights up the sky with the fireworks extravaganza. www.disneycruise.com

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HONG KONG

Hong Kong

Buzz FROM TOY FILLED MARKETS TO DISNEYLAND’S NEW TOY STORY LAND, HONG KONG IS HAPPENING FOR KIDS. WORDS: GERALDINE CARDOZO

W

ith two fun-loving boys, aged four and six, it’s a given that as a family we’ve watched almost every animated movie made in the last two decades. And without a doubt Disney Pixar’s classic Toy Story is the perennial favourite in our house. So imagine the look on my eldest son Xavier’s face when I tell him we were off to meet Buzz, Woody and the gang at the brand new Toy Story Land in Hong Kong Disneyland. Secretly, Mummy is just as excited...

Star treatment Xavier is kept well entertained on the afternoon Virgin Atlantic flight from Sydney with videos on demand and a great kids’ backpack filled with goodies. Arriving well after bedtime, the painless 15-minute trip from the airport to Disney’s Art Deco-style Hollywood Hotel (one of two Disneythemed hotels in Hong Kong Disneyland Resort) has us both tucked up in our king size beds before midnight.

A 6am wake-up call from Mickey Mouse (who can be cranky when awoken by that cheery voice) sees us ready for breakfast at the neighbouring Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel - a luxurious Victorian-style hotel with a Mickey Mouse inspired maze. As we devour our way through the international buffet (there’s everything from cute animalshaped dim sum to Mickey waffles with chocolate sauce), who should drop in but Goofy, Minnie and the main mouse himself.

Toy Story adventure

Junk on Hong Kong Harbor © leungchopan, Shutterstock

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The great thing about staying at either of the Disneyland Resort hotels, is that getting to the park is a breeze. We hop on a free shuttle and within minutes are racing to find Buzz, Woody and the rest of the Toy Story cast. “Andy’s backyard is this way,” says Xavier, pointing to a giant sign, as we look up to see a giant six-meter high Woody. “Is it just me, or have we all shrunk?” I murmur as I notice we’re surrounded by giant grass and huge toy blocks spelling out the entrance to Toy Story Land. “Attention!” booms a stern voice behind me. We turn to see three life-size toy soldiers - green from head to boot - marching, as we file behind.

I don’t know where to look first in this colourful oversized world. While I marvel at the attention to detail - from Andy’s giant footprints and the immense alphabet puzzle to the toilet building made out of bright building blocks - Xavier spots the Slinky Dog Spin and within minutes we’re rolling along in this giant springy dachshund ride. Next stop is the Toy Soldier Parachute Drop - our mission: to join Andy’s troops for a 25-metre high flying adventure. As Sarge yells “Go!” we are quite literally dropped, but luckily the landing is smooth (don’t close your eyes or you’ll miss the view from the top).

We refuel at Jessie’s Snack Roundup before braving the biggest ride here - RC Racer, where we sit in Andy’s

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HONG KONG

HONG KONG’S TOP TEN FOR KIDS •

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• •

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Boost your adrenaline at Thrill Mountain, Ocean Park’s newest attraction Snap up bargain toys at Stanley Market or Tai Yuen Street.

Ride the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak.

Head to Andy’s backyard at Toy Story Land in Disneyland.

Try a lunar landing and simulated moon walk at the Space Museum.

Catch the iconic Star

•

•

•

•

From left: Toy soldier parachute drop, Disneyland Geraldine and Xavier enjoy the view from the peak.

Tourist tram at the Peak, Hong Kong © leungchopan, Shutterstock

Giant panda bear in the Hong Kong zoo © Oleg Znamenskiy, Shutterstock

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Ferry across Victoria Harbour from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island.

Watch the nightly Symphony of Lights light and sound show over the harbour.

Head to Hong Kong Wetland Park with indoor ‘swamp’ play centre.

Chill out at Repulse Bay – one of the most beautiful beaches in Hong Kong.

Get high at Sky 100 – the city’s highest indoor observation deck.

remote-controlled car as it hurtles along a 27-metre high U-shaped rollercoaster. It’s not called a thrill ride for nothing.

While Xavier could live in this parallel universe for the rest of his life, I suggest we explore some of the park’s more sedate activities (at least while my lunch settles).

With a two-day pass we have plenty of time to enjoy all the park has to offer, from the slick Broadway-style shows, heading into the unknown in the surprisingly-entertaining Jungle River Cruise (be prepared to get wet) and more thrills and spills on Space Mountain and the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster ride in Tomorrowland.

As the evening draws near on day one, we get swept along with the excitement of the Flight of Fantasy Parade before watching Tinkerbell light up the Sleeping Beauty castle to mark the start of the Disney in the Stars Fireworks. This

magical experience is sure to touch the inner child in everyone – all except my exhausted boy who falls asleep in my arms at the explosive finale!

Pandas and piranhas With such an entertaining introduction to Hong Kong, the Disney experience will be a hard act to follow, but my refreshed charge is thrilled with the promise of seeing real live pandas as we relocate from the cosseted safety of Disney to the real world of downtown Hong Kong and our family suite at the Harbour Plaza Metropolis.

Ocean Park is one of the largest aquariums and marine theme parks in Asia, and home to four giant pandas. It also boasts the first ‘aquatic dining experience’ at Neptune’s Restaurant (with unobstructed views of a 13-metre wide glasswalled aquarium) where we dine on a sumptuous seafood buffet as hammerheads and other

sharks look on hungrily. While the pandas are undeniably cute, and riding the rapids is a riot, it’s the Grand Aquarium and its 400 species of sea creatures that captures Xavier’s sense of imagination. Luckily for me, he’s too little for the park’s new Thrill Mountain ride (RC Racer was thrill enough for one holiday).

Island shopping Our last day is reserved for sightseeing and a spot of shopping, so after catching the iconic Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour to Hong Kong Island, we head to The Peak, with amazing views of the city and harbour.

Getting up to the top by the Peak Tram is a remarkable trip and transport-buff Xavier relishes riding this almost vertical bus!

We hold on tight as the tram climbs 373 metres along a super-steep track. We then head to the south-side of the island, past

the brilliantly-named Repulse Bay (with a lovely sandy beach, if you fancy a splash and escape from city life) and onto the laneway stores of Stanley Market (one of Hong Kong’s many colourful markets) for ridiculously cheap toys - think everything from Transformers and Ben 10 to remote control helicopters - and a new suitcase in which to squeeze them and our Toy Story Land stowaways - Buzz, Woody, Rex and Slinky.

After the built-up hustle and bustle of Hong Kong’s CBD, the largely ex-pat populated beachside suburb of Stanley, with a Mediterranean-feel promenade, English pub and restored colonial Murray House which is home to restaurants and the Hong Kong Maritime Museum is also a lovely relaxed spot to wind down and catch our breath before our looming flight home.

FAST FACTS GETTING THERE Virgin Atlantic flies daily to Hong Kong from Sydney and Melbourne.

MONEY The currency is the Hong Kong Dollar. At the time of writing, AU$1 buys 7.96 HK Dollars.

WHERE TO GO Hong Kong Disneyland www.hongkongdisneyland.com Ocean Park www.oceanpark.com.hk MORE INFORMATION Hong Kong Tourism www.discoverhongkong.com

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STOPOVER - KUALA LUMPUR

Mum’s the word

in KL STOPOVER IN THIS CITY OF LIGHTS, COLOUR AND CULTURE TO SOAK UP THE VIBE, SHOP TILL YOUR LUGGAGE EXPLODES, SPA YOURSELF DIVINE, OR EAT AND EAT AND EAT. OR JUST REST AND RECOVER BY A POOL BEFORE GETTING BACK ON A PLANE. WORDS: ELISA ELWIN.

I

t began as a wish. My 17-year-old daughter Sam had been away for six months travelling around Europe. We had spoken, Skyped, Facebooked and written to each other. I missed her warmth and happy presence in my everyday. I resisted regular temptation to fly over and rain on her independence parade by surprising her with a visit. Then came an offer I couldn’t refuse. A trip to Kuala Lumpur at exactly the time she would be flying home, via Malaysia!

Here was the chance to enjoy two nights together to reconnect before she hit home. Waiting for Sam to arrive at KL International airport I could hardly breathe with excitement. I broke all protocol as soon as I saw her exit, by barging through the throng waiting patiently for their loved ones and promptly bursting into tears once I had her in my arms.

Why KL? © joyfull Shutterstock

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I’ve love KL. I’ve always found this city of chaos and cultural contrasts exciting. I love watching families with kids enjoying

the malls, the amusement parks, the swimming pools and even the crazy concept restaurants like popular T-Bowl, (where you eat sitting on chairs that are actually toilets, in a dining room that is designed to look like a bathroom). But would I be able to convince my daughter of the delights of this city? Teenage girls are notoriously hard to please.

What did we do?

We reconnected, shopped, indulged, ate an endless variety of delicious meals and hit KL’s hottest of hot spots. We rested by the pool and then we shopped some more! But our most precious afternoon of mother-daughter time was spent simply relaxing together at the Traders Hotel.

First stop was the Chi spa and a seriously divine massage. Then off for a mocktail at the Skybar to watch the sun set over the iconic Petronas Towers. This amazing hotel also has an indoor pool and spa area where younger children can frolic happily while their parents delight in an evening cocktail.

But for this parent, the company of my

eldest child in a peaceful appreciative frame of mind was delight enough.

Where did we shop?

With more than 70 shopping malls to choose where do we start? One of our favourites was Sungei Wang Plaza, just a walk away from our accommodation in Bukit Bintang.

Overstuffed as it is with bargain beauty products, electronics and clothes amongst other temptations, this place left us gasping (and our luggage bulging). We ventured into the high-end Pavilion KL shopping mall - if Prada and Gucci are more your style then this is the place. Then there were more hours lost in the phenomenal Berjaya Times Square, conveniently located in our hotel.

With 10 floors, more than 700 retail outlets and even an indoor theme park just to keep the kids happy while you shop, you could spend a month here and still not see it all.

Where did we stay?

Our first night was spent at the Piccolo, a cosy boutique property which is suitably trendy, comfortable and reasonably priced.

And located right in the thick of the Bukit Bintang area, all we needed was to step outside to enjoy the buzz and all the shopping and feasting temptations.

Our next stop was the amazing Berjaya Times Square Hotel. Everything here is on a scale of grandeur befitting its international five-star reputation including rooms the size of apartments, a pool that goes on forever, and fellow guests well worth sitting in the lobby just to watch. And just so you never had to leave the property, that 10-story shopping mall.

How did we go?

I feel a teensy bit guilty we didn’t venture into the cultural arena and explore more but as a stopover and a bonding session, it was perfect. We spent time together and enjoyed incredible mother-daughter moments KL style that still see us in good stead months later. And I feel proudly responsible for my daughter’s love of travel.

After this small shared Malaysian glimpse of our common passion it’s a question of “Where to next Mum?”

FAST FACTS WHEN TO GO Tropical all year round (and always humid) the temperature varies between 21 to 32°C with peak season from December to February.

WHERE TO STAY Piccolo Hotel, Kuala Lumpur www.thepiccolohotel.com Berjaya Times Square Hotel www.berjayahotel.com/kualalumpur WHERE TO INDULGE Traders Hotel Chi Spa www.shangri-la.com/Traders Sky Bar www.skybar.com.my MORE INFORMATION www.tourismmalaysia.com.au www.facebook.com/ tourismmalaysiaaustralia

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Signed model release filed with Shutterstock Images LLC. © Vasaleks

TRAVEL DOCTOR

WE’RE

GROWING Br

Travel safe in

and new Brisbane CBD clinic at 75a Astor Tc e. ph 07 3815 6900

ASIA

TRAVEL, ESPECIALLY TO A DESTINATION THAT CAN OFFER SUCH A DIVERSE RANGE OF EXPERIENCES AS ASIA, CAN BE INCREDIBLY ENRICHING. MAKING SURE THAT YOU ARE ADEQUATELY PREPARED AND FOLLOWING A FEW SIMPLE GUIDELINES CAN HELP YOU AND THE FAMILY ENJOY AND REMEMBER A HAPPY AND HEALTHY HOLIDAY.

A

sia is becoming an increasingly popular destination for Australian travellers and families, offering a multitude of cultural and resort experiences. Travel Doctor-TMVC National Medical Advisor, Dr Tony Gherardin discusses some of the travel health issues that should be considered when visiting Asia.

All travellers should visit their travel health specialist at least four to eight weeks prior to departure so that any required vaccinations can be undertaken. For short trips to most Asian destinations vaccination against the major food borne diseases, Hepatitis A and Typhoid, is recommended for all travellers.

Childhood vaccines such as Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) and Tetanus and Diphtheria should also be up to date.

Diseases such as Rabies are endemic in many parts of Asia and as such, care should be taken with regard to patting animals such as dogs. This is especially important with curious children who can have a tendency

not to report animal bites and scratches. If you are planning on staying for an extended period of time, vaccination against Rabies should be considered. Similarly, those spending extended periods of time in rural areas of some Asian countries should also consider vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis. The specifics of your itinerary should also be discussed with a travel health professional to assess any requirements for Malaria Prophylaxis.

Tropical environments also present a range of other problems, such as exposure to the sun and coral cuts. Be careful to protect children from extremes of heat or cold. Offer fluids regularly as children dehydrate rapidly and their thirst sensation is unreliable. Use blockout when necessary.

All travellers, particularly those travelling with children, should follow the general eating and drinking safely rule of “boil it, cook it, peel it - or forget it” to avoid getting

traveller’s diarrhoea. Children under three years of age are susceptible to more severe diarrhoea that lasts longer than in adults. As much as possible watch what children eat and don’t let children drink untreated water, even for brushing teeth. Carry “wet ones” or antiseptic handwash so you can clean their hands regularly. A specialised Traveller’s Medical Kit like those available at Travel Doctor clinics will also allow travellers to self medicate.

www.traveldoctor.com.au AUTUMN 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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WHERE IN THE WORLD?

Nepal

Mountains and more

FOR MANY FAMILIES, A HOLIDAY IS ALL ABOUT CHILLING OUT BY THE POOL OR BEACH, BUT FOR THE DAVIS FAMILY OF SYDNEY, THAT’S A BIT TOO TAME. SO PARENTS RACHEL AND PETER PACKED UP THEIR TEENAGE DAUGHTERS, EMILY (14) AND SOPHIE (13) AND WENT TREKKING IN NEPAL.

N

epal might seem like an odd choice for a family holiday. But with Rachel’s business involving meeting cashmere suppliers in Nepal and partner Peter wanting to tick off one of the things on his bucket list before turning 50 – trekking on the Annapurna – they left behind a Sydney summer in favour of two weeks in the unknown.

The family spent a week in Kathmandu and another on the Annapurna Circuit – a section of the Himalayas in north-central Nepal. They were joined by one of the owners of Nepalesebased tour company Nozomi Treks (who is also an experienced guide) for their personalised adventure, plus two porters.

On trek The kids loved the trek – it was challenging in parts and there were a lot of stairs to climb. One day they walked up 3500 steps, so it’s important that kids are relatively fit to go on a trek like this. Along the way they walked through mountain villages that sold local crafts and had many cups of hot tea. The people are extremely friendly and accommodating.

The family slept in traditional wooden teahouses along the way which were comfortable and best of all, most had western toilets – not holes in the ground. The teahouses are basic and have steep little stairways and tiny doors, so taller folk can expect a few bruises on the head.

Even the food was excellent in the teahouses, with things like pancakes, muesli and pizza as well as tasty Nepalese dishes.

Worlds apart In Kathmandu the family visited the Early Child Development Centre orphanage. The

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orphanage, run by founder Pushpa, houses and schools children whose mothers are in jail.

Before Pushpa started it, the children lived in the jail with their mothers. She started the orphanage on her own and raises all the money herself through donations. The orphanage visit really struck home with all the family. “They couldn’t believe that an Australian family had wanted to visit them,” said Sophie. “We showed them on a map where Australia was! Their eyes were so wide with amazement when they saw how far away we lived.”

From there, the family headed to a cremation site at one of the holy Buddhist temples. It was built beside the river that runs through Kathmandu and runs directly into the Ganges River. This was definitely a cultural shock for the group, witnessing cremations and watching as ashes were swept into the river afterwards.

The girls asked a lot of questions about Buddhism that day.

As the majority of people in Nepal are Buddhist, part of their culture is burning offerings to the Gods. Nearly every building is burning something at some point during the day. The down side of this is that pollution can be bad – particularly for asthmatics – and it is common for tourists to wear masks. It made the family grateful for the fresh air they have in Australia.

Family time The family loved learning about new cultures and experiencing different things together.

And for Peter’s birthday, the girls suggested that instead of presents, guests to his party should donate money to the orphange. Life has definitely changed for these two teenage girls, now very much part of the global family.

FAST FACTS GETTING THERE Nepal’s only international airport is Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport and flights from Australia stopover in Delhi, Bangkok, Singapore or Hong Kong.

GETTING AROUND Nozomi Treks www.nozomitrek.com VISA REQUIREMENTS Visas are available on arrival and a passport-sized photograph is required.

MORE INFORMATION Nepal Tourism Board www.welcomenepal.com

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WHAT’S

hot

FOR KIDS

WHAT’S

WHaT’S hOT travel tech

WHaT’S hOT for Kids

hot

FOR TRAVEL

Gaming on the go The fantastic new PS Vita is a next generation gaming device designed to deliver the ultimate portable gaming experiences, anytime, and anywhere. Features include an OLED front touch screen and rear touch pad, dual analog sticks, motion sensors and dual cameras as well as 3G and Wi-Fi support, offering gamers connectivity to the world around them. au.playstation.com/ psp/ RRP $349.95 (Wi-Fi only), $419.95 (Wi-Fi and 3G)

LeapFrog Tag Solar System Adventure Pack Kids can take an out-of-this-world adventure with this interactive pack. With their Tag Stylus (purchased separately) kids can play more than 40 activities and family friendly games with the 2-in-1 Solar System map and game board. www.leapfrog.com.au RRP $29.99

Cafe Secrets Melbourne For Little Ones Cafe Secrets Melbourne - For Little Ones, opens up Melbourne’s cafe culture to all parents with 52 different options for kid-friendly cafes.

The compact deck of cards format makes them a must-have for every Mum’s handbag (or nappy bag!). www.deckofsecrets.com RRP $9.95

Kids Lantern Adventurous types will love this portable lantern designed especially for kids.

Perfect for camping and travel it has a lightweight funky design with a bright krypton bulb and comes with batteries included. www.kathmandu.com.au

MF12 cooler bag The super cool Mini-Fridge 12 (MF12) cooler bag from Fridgeto-go is a multipurpose chiller bag is the perfect size for keeping drinks and snacks cool on family days out and road trips. Made of durable fabric with an adjustable shoulder strap, its four removable chiller panels provide eight hours of cooling. www.fridge-to-go.net.au RRP $42.95

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Shoot and share

With coloured markers, pencils, pens, stencils, rulers, a pencil sharpener, eraser and notebook in a neat zip up case, this compact travel-friendly activity kit is sure to keep the kids’ creative juices flowing on the road. www.kathmandu.com.au RRP $29.98

Turn your iPad into an interactive colouring book with the Crayola ColorStudio HD from Griffin. It gives you all your favourite Crayola crayons, paints, pencils, markers and more in a convenient no-ink, no-mess, kid-safe package. store.apple.com/au RRP $39.95

App, app and away

The pocket-size Bloggie Duo from Sony integrates great design with clever features that make it easy to shoot perfect stills and videos, whether they’re of the kids, friends or even yourself. When you’re done, simply connect the Bloggie straight into a computer to share your pics with everyone else. You can even use it as a webcam! www.sony.com.au RRP $179

Perfect protection

Kids Travel Activity Set

Colour me happy

Kids + the beach + your mobile phone = potential disaster. If you are heading to the beach or anywhere near water this summer then a Dryz Digital Protector for your phone, MP3 player or digital camera is a must to protect your pricey digital devices from water, sand and dirt damage. www.lifeliveitup.com.au RRP $4.99

The new Australian Road Trips iPhone and iPad app has all the info you need to hit the road, including maps, where to go, what to do, where to stay and filters to assist you plan the perfect familyfriendly road trip. Available from the App Store.

Heading further afield?

Lonely Planet’s City Guide apps offer interactive mobile access to Lonely Planet’s expert travel content on more than 60 cities worldwide. Available for iPhone, Android and Nokia.

Lonely Planet eBooks are available for Kindle, iPad and Nook devices. www.lonelyplanet.com Share your experiences with friends and families while you’re travelling with the Off Exploring app for iPhone that allows you to update your free online travel blog and upload photographs. Available from the App Store.

For retro cool holiday pics the Hipstamatic is a fun iPhone app that gives images the look, feel and unpredictability of old point and shoot film cameras.

Available from the App Store.

Keep the kids busy with National Geographic Kids Weird but True app, for iPhone and iPad. With stacks of wacky facts it’s a brain-teasing treat for inquisitive minds of every age! Go to kids.nationalgeographic.com, available from the App Store.

We love the SunSmart app for iPhone and Android!

It will let you know when need sun protection and when it’s safe to get some sun for vitamin D, making it easy to protect precious skin all year round. Available from the App Store.

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WHAT’S

hot

BOOKS

WHAT’S

FOR TRAVEL

WHaT’S hOT Autumn’s Best Entertainment

BOOKS …FOR THE KIDS

…FOR THE FAMILY

PEPPA PIG: AMAZING ADVENTURES STICKER BOOK Ladybird Peppa and her friends love adventures - and now you can help create them using the hundreds of stickers in this book, and your imagination, to decorate wonderful scenes for Peppa.

Ladybird RRP $12.95

LONELY PLANET’S BEST IN TRAVEL 2012 Lonely Planet This annual collection highlights the must-see places to go and things to do around the world. As well as the hottest countries and cities to visit the guide contains inspirational ideas, by Lonely Planet’s travel experts, to get your feet itching.

Lonely Planet RRP $24.99

THE LITTLE REFUGEE Anh Do and Suzanne Do Anh Do’s incredible story about his family’s escape from war-torn Vietnam and his childhood in Australia is retold here for young children. This is a timely tale about a family’s survival against the odds and the power of hope and happiness. All profits will go to charity.

Allen & Unwin RRP $24.99 ONE BEETLE TOO MANY: THE EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES OF CHARLES DARWIN Kathryn Lasky Engagingly written, this strikingly illustrated book follows Darwin’s journey and takes a look at the man behind the bold theory that changed the way we think about the world.

Candlewick Press RRP $16.95

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BEST START Lynn Jenkins This engaging read explains how, through early experiences and interactions, parents and carers can help children to develop trust and confidence and to feel secure and valued, ensuring them the best possible start in life.

Exisle Publishing RRP $19.99 BEIJING TAI TAI Tania McCartney This collection of shrewdly observed, heartfelt and humorous insights into life in Beijing with two kids under five combines an entertaining glimpse of expat life with the challenging highs and lows of suburban family life.

Exisle Publishing RRP$24.95

MOVIE THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS (3D) Hugh Grant stars in his first animated role as the luxuriantly bearded Pirate Captain – a boundlessly enthusiastic, if somewhat less-than-successful, terror of the High Seas. With a rag-tag crew at his side, the captain dreams of beating his bitter rivals Black Bellamy (Jeremy Piven) and Cutlass Liz (Salma Hayek) to the coveted Pirate of the Year Award. It’s a quest that takes our heroes from the shores of exotic Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London. www.thepiratesmovie.com.au

SHOW CELEBRATE WITH DISNEY ON ICE Catch more than 50 Disney favourites as a new Disney party on ice skates into town. Join all your favourite characters for the ice skating spectacular Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! Join Mickey and Minnie as they celebrate a Very Merry Unbirthday Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter; Mardi Gras with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen; a Royal Valentine’s Day Ball with the Disney princesses; a Hawaiian luau with Lilo and Stitch; a winter wonderland with Woody, Jessie and Buzz; a Halloween haunt with the Disney villains and more. Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! opens in Wollongong on June 14 and will travel to Newcastle, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide until July 22. www.ticketek.com.au/disneyonice

DVD

Nature Adventures Mick Manning An exciting introduction to nature for school age kids, this treasure trove of activities, information and observation is sure to encourage families on their own wildlife adventures.

Out & About With Kids has TEN copies of Nature Adventures to give away, each valued at $16.95. For your chance to win visit www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

WIN

GAME KINECT RUSH: A DISNEY PIXAR ADVENTURE Through the magic of Kinect for Xbox 360 you too can head on adventures from Radiator Springs to Paris with the characters from Cars, Ratatouille, The Incredibles, Up, and Toy Story as they solve puzzles and uncover hidden secrets. Scan yourself into the game so you and your favorite Pixar character can interact on screen and play together to solve challenges. RRP $69.95

DIRTGIRLWORLD: SUMMER (VOL 5) Dirtgirl loves spending time in her backyard with Scrapboy and the rest of the gang. In this great DVD of the top rating pre-school show, Dirtgirl enjoys long summer days playing outside and eating delicious foods. The only problem for Dirtgirl and her friends is that having the sun around for so long will mean that no-one will ever want to go to bed! The popular ABC1 and ABC2 TV show has also found fame as the AFI 2010 Best Children’s Television Animation and is now an international hit screening on CBC Canada and CBeebies in the UK. Out & About With Kids has TEN Dirtgirlworld DVD packs to giveaway, each including a copy of Dirtgirlworld Summer (Vol 5) and Dirtgirlworld Winter (Vol 4) and valued at $39.99.

For your chance to win visit www.outandaboutwithkids.com.

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DAD’S WORD

Dad’s WORD LA-BASED AUSTRALIAN ACTOR, MUSICIAN AND PRESENTER CAMERON DADDO NEEDS LITTLE INTRODUCTION. HE’LL SOON RETURN TO LOCAL SCREENS IN A REGULAR GUEST ROLE ON SEVEN’S PACKED TO THE RAFTERS. HERE THE DAD OF THREE SHARES HIS FAMILY HOLIDAY MEMORIES. Where is your favourite Australian family holiday spot?

Yamba, NSW. As a family we trundled up the inland highways every September from Melbourne for three blissful weeks of sun, surf and fishing. There was also hunting for the elusive sugar-cane fire, day trips to Angourie Blue Pool and the Sunday smorgasboard at the bowling club. Predictable? Yes! Fun? You bettcha.

Where is your favourite international family holiday spot?

Muai, Hawaii. Sun, surf and fishing… are we hitting on a theme here?

Maui is one of the smaller islands and has everything from rainforest and volcanos to total luxury… the temperature is always nice and the people are brilliant.

What’s your fondest childhood holiday memory?

I’d had a little sailing experience so my brothers and I rented a dingy in Fiji. The wind came up and we were pushed well away from where we needed to be. The swell came up… (it was probably small) and I was terrified that I could not get back. That’s when it showed itself… something brown, like a walrus (in Fiji?) popped it’s head up, right in front of the boat and stared at me.

A monster! I got the boat and the bros back to dry land… and no-one believed me.

What is your top tip for a family driving holiday?

Humour! Books on tape… Harry Potter is awesome, and salty snacks. And when a kid says “I need to go”, they usually do. Stop!

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Any hints for flying with kids?

Stay AWAY from sugar! Bring activities for them to do such as colouring books. And gum is good (if they are old enough) to battle ear blockages that happen with take-offs and landings.

Describe your biggest family holiday disaster?

Taking a road trip from Los Angeles to Monterey Aquarium to see a great white shark in captivity. The hotels we stayed in were no better than boarding houses plus I had decided to go on a detox two days before we left so had some very close calls on the road that involved stopping at several bushes by the road side. To top the trip off, when we arrived, the shark had been let go - it had been eating too many of the prized salmon.

Describe your Funniest holiday moment?

Any moment that I can recall driving to/from Yamba as a kid, seven Daddos stuffed into a five seater for 18 hours of blissful driving.

Describe your favourite family holiday photo?

Taken on the back lawn of our rented home on Paia beach Maui, behind us is the Pacific Ocean, where I would surf off the rocks. All the family together.

A blissful time.

Do you have a dream family destination?

A Pacific island, three weeks, surf, golf, bushwalks, great fishing and food.

AUTUMN 2012 www.outandaboutwithkids.com.au

QUICKFIND ACCOMMODATION – OVERSEAS Berjaya Hotels & Resorts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.berjayahotel.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket. . . . . . . . . . .www.centarahotelsresorts.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114 Centara Grand Mirage Pattaya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.centarahotelsresorts.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114 Centara Grand West Sands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.centarahotelsresorts.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114 Hideaway Island Resort & Marine Sanctuary, Vanuatu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.hideaway.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Iririki Island Resort & Spa, Vanuatu. . . . . . . . . . . .www.iririki.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86 Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort . . . . . .www.fijiresort.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 The Naviti Resort, Fiji . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.warwicknaviti.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Plantation Island Resort, Fiji . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.plantationisland.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa, Cook Islands. .www.TheRarotongan.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 Sea Gypsy Village Resort, Malaysia . . . . . . . . . . .www.siburesort.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88 Sunwing Resort & Spa Bangtao Beach, Phuket. .www.sunwingphuket.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Sunwing Resort kamala Beach, Phuket . . . . . . . .www.sunwingkamala.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112 Walt Disney World Resort, Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.creativeholidays.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 ACCOMMODATION - AUSTRALIA Aspen Parks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.aspenparks.com.au . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 BIG4 Holiday Parks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.big4.com.au. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OBC Hibiscus Resort & Motels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.hibiscus-resort.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OBC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, WA . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.aspenresorts.com.au . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Mowbray Park Farm, NSW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.farmstayholidays.com.au. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 North Coast Holiday Parks, NSW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.northcoastholidayparks.com.au . . . . . . . . .38 Paradise Resort, QLD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.paradiseresort.com.au . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Park Beach Holiday Park, NSW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.coffsholidays.com.au . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Rendezvous Reef Resort, QLD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www. RendezvousHotels.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Sea World Resort & Water Park, QLD . . . . . . . . . . .www.myfun.com.au. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Silverneedle Hospitality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.silverneedlehotels.com.au . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Skippers Cove, QLD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.skipperscove.com.au. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 GREAT THINGS TO DO Butterfly House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.butterflyhouse.com.au . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Questacon, ACT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.questacon.edu.au. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 National Zoo & Aquarium, ACT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.nationalzoo.com.au. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 SKIING WITH KIDS Cardona, NZ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.Cardrona.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Lake Crackenback Resort, NSW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.lakecrackenback.com.au . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Mogul Ski World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.mugulski.com.au . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 NZ Ski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.nzski.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Perisher, NSW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.perisher.com.au . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Skimax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.skimax.com.au . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 TRAVEL Britz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.britz.com.au . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Creative Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.creativeholidays.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Norfolk Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.norfolkair.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 Qantas Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.qantas.com.au . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114 TOURISM ORGANISATIONS Coffs Coast Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.coffscoast.com.au . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Norfolk Island Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.theworldofnorfolk.com.au . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 India Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.incredibleindia.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Sultanate of Oman Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.tourismoman.com.au . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC South Africa Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.southafrica.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 BABY ON BOARD Huggies Little Swimmers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.huggies.com.au . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Potette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.babyu.com.au . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 OTHER Jetta Excess Baggage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.excessbaggage.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Kidunot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.kidunot.com.au. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 RTA Travel Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.rta.nsw.gov.au. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Travel Doctor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.traveldoctor.com.au . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

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IG B y b ralia

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The new 2012 BIG4 Holiday Guide places a whole lot more fun in the palm of your hand. Featuring over 180 spectacular park locations, our bumper 128 page Guide has your next family adventure covered. A short stroll from your site or holiday cabin, you’ll usually find a resort style pool, adventure playground and giant jumping pillow. Some parks even have their own waterparks, go-karts and outdoor movies.

Welcome to all the colour and life of Australia by BIG4.

IBIG310

For your free BIG4 Holiday Guide and details of each park’s family-friendly facilities visit BIG4.com.au

BIG4.com.au