Out & About with Kids - Issue 47 Summer 2016

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FAMILY | TRAVEL | HOLIDAY | LEISURE | ENTERTAINMENT

OUT&ABOUT

SUMMER 2016

R R P $ 7. 9 5

KIDS

WITH

47

47

No.

SPECIAL LIFT-OUT SUPPLEMENT

in South Africa PLUS

THE

ISSUE

Queenstown NZ, Rail travel in Europe with babies and toddlers, Waikiki Beach Honolulu, Red Bluff WA, Victoria (with babies and Nanna!)

Out & About with Kids Print & Digital outandaboutwithkids.com.au Publisher Elisa Elwin elisa@oawk.com.au 0413 770 550 Editor Christine Kane christine@oawk.com.au Digital Content Manager Lisa Monk lisamonk@oawk.com.au © Shutterstock / Sunny studio

Associate Publisher Richard Bunting rbunting@oawk.com.au 0424 138 806

O

ut & About with Kids heads into 2016 with the announcement of a very special new relationship!

We are now a proud supporter, and media partner, of CAMP QUALITY, Australia’s most trusted children’s charity* which provides essential support services to kids with cancer, aged 0-13, and their families, and supports children with a parent or sibling with cancer.

Head to PAGE 9 to learn more about the wonderful work CAMP QUALITY does to provide the best quality of life for every child in Australia who is living with cancer.

This issue includes our fabulous Out & About with Kids in South Africa flip book for families, with a special fun section just for kids!

Discover the vibrant “Rainbow Nation”, where ‘fun’ and ‘friendly’ truly do go hand-in-hand with ‘family’!

The Out & About with Kids team *According to the 2014 AMR Charity Reputation Index, a yearly survey which measures the overall reputation of Australia’s 40 largest charities

Contributors Richard Bunting The Byrne Family Jennifer Cook Charli Kane Catherine Lawson Yumi Stynes Sue White Print Design Magnesium Media Print Art Director Louise Summerton Advertising Enquiries Richard Bunting rbunting@oawk.com.au 0424 138 806 Published by Elwin Media Pty Ltd ABN: 22 159 093 606

PO Box 4148, Balgowlah Heights NSW 2093 0413 770 550 Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the editorials are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Publisher and Out & About with Kids. Information provided was believed to be correct at the time of publication.

Copyright © Out & About with Kids 2016 Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. All reasonable efforts have been made to contact copyright holders. Out & About with Kids cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If such items are to be sent to the magazine they will be returned.

outandaboutwithkids.com.au 2

SUMMER 2016 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

There is a whole country to discover.

Experience more of the United States with Hilton.

Play more with 12 unbeatable hotel brands and over 3,700 hotels across the U.S.A. Book now at Hilton.com.

Š2016 Hilton Worldwide.

contents

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We Review

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YUMI STYNES It’s an iconic drive: The Hume Highway connects Sydney and Melbourne, and Yumi says the route grows more beautiful every time she travels it - even with kids, toddlers and babies in the backseat!

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CAMP QUALITY Learn more about the extraordinary care Camp Quality provides to children with cancer, and their families. Out & About with Kids is proud to support this wonderful organisation and the work they do to create the best quality of life for every child in Australia who is living with cancer.

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DID YOU KNOW …?

From cruise to airlines and airports, the latest tech gadgets and apps, to baby animals and cruise news, stay up-todate- with what’s happening in the world of family travel, holidays, leisure and entertainment!

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WE REVIEW We’ve stayed there and played there: Four Points by Sheraton Bali, Kuta; Outrigger Waikiki Reef, Honolulu, Hawaii; The Escape, Shallow Crossing, NSW; Ramada Marcoola Resort, Sunshine Coast, QLD.

41 THE

© Ramada Marcoola Sunshine Coast

ISSUE

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Who doesn’t love a list? We sure do! From the fanciful to the frivolous, and the factfilled to the just-plain-fun, we’ve compiled over 20 different lists for easy and enjoyable summer reading - and you may just learn something new, with inspiration for your next family holiday, quirky (true!) tales and surprising statistics… !

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104 Queenstown

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Europe by Train – page 100

Europe’s rail network makes travelling with babies and toddlers easy and stress-free; explore New Zealand’s Queenstown, renowned for its fabulous ski resorts, but also its exciting offslope fun for families; travel to the edge of Western Australia’s stunning Ningaloo Marine Park and the surfing playground that is Red Bluff; find out what makes Melbourne and her coastal towns a wonderful holiday choice, even in winter; enjoy the scenic wonders of Waikiki, Honolulu – and the not-so-scenic (but equally enjoyable!) shopping and eating on Hawaii’s Oahu.

I N A S S O C I AT I O N W I T H

KIDS in South Africa

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27/10/2015 1:37 pm

IN THIS ISSUE

Discover the extraordinary ‘Rainbow Nation’ - South Africa – you’ll be amazed at the diverse choice of wonderful family-friendly holiday destinations and unique activities this gloriously vibrant country offers. In association with South Africa Tourism, find inspiration on every page of the special liftout, ‘Out & About with Kids’ in South Africa.’

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YUMI STYNES The drive from Sydney to Melbourne

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he first time I drove the Hume Highway was back in 2009. I was a single mum and had only just got my driver’s licence that year.

“Ok, I’m just going to lie down in the playground for ten minutes,” I remember saying to my two daughters. “TEN MINUTES.” We were stopped at a park just off the highway.

My eyes had been doing that slow-lidded blinking for about 30km, so I decided to take heed of the current ‘Stop Revive Survive’ tv commercials.

At the rest stop other travellers groaned as they staggered out of their cars and hobbled to and from the toilets.

“Don’t fight, don’t go near the road,” I say, “Don’t talk to anyone and, whatever you do, don’t disturb me!”

I lie down on the playground turf and cover my eyes with my arm. The kids start running around.

If they call my name, I’ll rouse, and I simply cannot go on without rest.

“Mum, mum.”

“Please don’t say ‘mum’.”

“Mum. Mum, mum, mum.”

“Sweetie, please stop saying ‘mum.’”

“Yumi. Yumi. Yumi-Yumi-Yumi-Yumi-Yumi!”

“Don’t say ‘Yumi’ either!”

I laugh-groan. Sure, I’m drowsy, but I can still chat. This is parenting, 2009-style.

Here are two of the world’s most exciting cities, connected by one of the world’s most boring roads. You just have to grit your teeth

and get through it. It’s an Aussie rite of passage, and the three of us made it without incident, arriving in Melbourne to start our new lives. Now when I look back I wonder whether it was safe to drive with such a broken heart…? And did I notice that some of the trees on that drive are actually quite beautiful? If only I could grab that Yumi and have a chat with her, I would tell her everything was going to be okay.

Seven years on I’m doing the drive again and so much has changed.

My daughters are now called “the Big Girls” and are interstate with their dad. In the intervening years I’ve been hired and fired, moved house four times, suffered the worst career lows and ridden the greatest career highs and, most unexpectedly, made two new babies, a girl and a boy. If you had told me then that I would have two more children, oh how I would have laughed!

Like being a single mum, the Hume Highway is a test of endurance. My theory is that you’re not really an adult until you’ve done the drive between Sydney and Melbourne.

My husband, Martin, for reasons he doesn’t share, finds my poor eyesight unnerving and so chooses to do most of the driving. I get to play podcasts through my phone, pass food back to the toddler and wipe drool off the baby’s face.

Apparently there are worse things in the world than travelling with a toddler, but four hours into this Sydney-to-Melbourne drive, my head is feeling so bad from her shouting that I can’t think straight enough to name one.

In this particular version of the drive (which, going slow, took roughly 11 hours), my 18-monthold slept a total of, oh, 15 minutes? When she did finally doze off it was so genuinely amazing I had to take a photo.

(I think she may have spent a lot of her waking hours planting some sort of miraculous food tree back there because it’s been weeks now but I’m still finding biscuits in her baby seat. And cheese. And apple. And…is that a pickle?)

Between battling babies and mopping up sick, I did notice that the more some things change, the more they stay the same.

Lessons from the Hume

1. Good coffee is still hard to find but fast food is everywhere.

2. Driving great distances on one cruise-control speed can be diverting but slightly dangerous.

3. Baffled expressions on the faces of international tourists at the Dog on the Tuckerbox - ‘…five miles from Gundagai …’ - may actually be more entertaining than the statue itself.

4. Don’t buy a car charger for your phone at a servo because you’ll be 50km down the road before you realise it doesn’t work.

5. Stopping around the halfway point of the journey for the night lengthens the whole trip, but you’ll feel ten times better when you arrive.

Luckily, this time we have arranged an overnight stop at a little NSW town called Jugiong. (When I was a single mum, we couldn’t afford to pay for a hotel so we had to do the drive in a day. Brutal.)

We’ve stayed at the Bed and Breakfast here called ‘The Old Hall’ once before - and love it because they welcome our dog, set up a cot, the bed has beautiful sheets, and there’s a great fruit

shop around the corner where you can stock up on healthy snacks like crunchy cucumber, stone fruit and bananas (instead of chips and fizzy drink).

I had a chat with the lady running the vegie shop - the staff were up early packing boxes of internet orders for residents in neighboring towns. Amazing, and good prices too, as this is the region that produces more than a quarter of the fruit and veg for all NSW! Before we ship out the next morning, we head to Jugiong’s other landmark - an excellent café that serves good coffee. (The Long Pantry also has delicious preserves and dressings that make great gifts.) We don’t stay long because the toddler is working hard to single-handedly demolish every display in the store.

I don’t know if I had finally grown up that first time I arrived in Melbourne by car, nor whether I was any more adult this time around, but the honest truth is, the road seems to grow more beautiful every time I travel it.

The Old Hall Bed & Breakfast Stapylton Street Jugiong NSW Tel: 0400 701 563 theoldhallbedand breakfastjugiong.com The Long Track Pantry Riverside Drive Jugiong NSW Tel: 02 6945 4144 Open: 8:00am – 4:00pm

Other good coffee on the drive The Early Bird Cafe Shop 3/586 Dean St Albury NSW Tel: 0404 272 691 Open: 7:00 am – 2:30 pm

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GetaWays The whole family WilL love Featuring 7 unique locations from the Gold Coast to Merimbula, we have you covered for your next family holiday.

Book now Visit nrmahp.com.au or call 1300 414 448 Treasure Island, Gold Coast | Darlington Beach | Myall Shores | Ocean Beach Sydney Lakeside | Murramarang Beachfront | Merimbula Beach 8

SUMMER 2016 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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

Out & About with Kids …

proudly supporting CAMP QUALITY Did you know that cancer is the second highest cause of mortality in children under 14 years, and second only to injuries and poisoning?

That shocking statistic means that, sadly, every one of us will, at some point in our lives, be touched by childhood cancer, either within our own family or through our friends, neighbours, workmates and school communities.

Camp Quality’s mission is to create the best quality of life for every child in Australia who is living with cancer, by providing essential support services to kids and their families. Through every stage of the cancer journey - from diagnosis, treatment and remission to heart-breaking bereavement Camp Quality is there to help at school, at home, in hospitals and out in the community.

With over 1,800 volunteers nationwide, but just over 100 staff members, Camp Quality programs supported 12,000 family members in 2015, and those volunteers donated approximately 300,000 hours to Camp Quality last year!

Camp Quality’s unshakeable passion for positivity, and a resolute belief in the power of positive psychology to build optimism and resilience (and a belief that laughter is the best medicine!) forms its foundation.

The award-winning FREE Kids’ Guide to Cancer App is the first app to explain cancer to kids aged 8 - 13 and is available now to

download from iTunes and Google Play.

The Kids’ Guide to Cancer App won “Best in Class” at the 2015 IMA Awards – their highest honour!

The Camp Quality Primary School Education Program was seen by 174,803 students across Australia in 2015.

Camp Quality’s Family and Hospital Support Coordinators work across every paediatric oncology ward in Australia.

In 2015, Camp Quality supported 6,800 play therapy sessions in hospitals across

Australia. Qualified Child Therapists supported children with pain management and coping strategies to ease anxiety and phobia during treatment.

As a not-for-profit charity, Camp Quality relies heavily on the generosity of everyday Australians and corporate partners to maintain these valuable programs. > campquality.org.au Join the Camp Quality Facebook community > facebook.com/CampQualityAU SUMMER 2016 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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DID YOU KNOW...?

Did you know …?

National Parks turn 100!

The first ever national park originated in the USA, and today 300 million visitors a year enjoy the more than 400 national parks across America. In 2016, The National Park Service turns 100 and it’s the perfect excuse to plan a holiday to visit one of these remarkable, and diverse, natural spaces and their national heritage areas, trails, historic landmarks, and other sites that preserve America’s cultural heritage and natural spaces and tell the American story.

To celebrate the milestone, a specially-created, giant-screen film -‘National Parks Adventure’ narrated by legendary actor and director, Robert Redford, will hit cinemas and IMAX screens across the world, from 12 February 2016.

For more information about the film, and events celebrating The National Park Service Centennial, visit FindYourPark.com.

Next-gen kids clubs for modern families Introducing Le Méridien Family, a newly-launched, exciting reimagining of the kids club concept across Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts.

Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Golf Resort & Spa, hosted the official launch event in December, attended by nearly 100 children from Bangkok, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Sydney, for a fun-filled day of activities inspired by the brand’s Filters of Discovery: Coordinates, Culture and Cuisine. Channelling their inherent creativity and curiosity, the children joined a sing-along session with French Bossa Nova band, Nouvelle Vague, and watched an east-meets-west interactive performance with a Thai puppet show troupe, and People Pile from London. The event also featured an éclair decorating session and a hot chocolate art lesson for kids – a playful nod to the brand’s Parisian heritage.

“With multigenerational family travel on the rise, the initiative specifically caters to the way modern families travel - with any combination of parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents traveling with children of all ages,” explained George Fleck, Vice President, Le Méridien and Westin Hotels & Resorts.

For more information about Le Méridien Family, visit: lemeridien.com/family

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HAVE A WHOLE 'BUNCH' OF FUN! The Big Banana Fun Park is the biggest and best day out on The Coffs Coast! Stay the day and share the memories with rides and attractions for the whole family - It’s a whole bunch of fun!

Have an action packed day with a BIG BUNCH OF FUN pass.

Buy online or at the park!

(02) 6652 4355 fun@bigbanana.com 351 PACIFIC HWY COFFS HARBOUR, NSW

BIG BUNC H

OF FUN!

www.bigbanana.com SUMMER 2016 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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DID YOU KNOW...?

Chill out on world’s first interactive ‘Antarctic Journey’!

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has teamed up with Phillip Island Nature Parks to present the world’s first interactive Antarctic experience – and this is the first attraction in Australia to share the famous WWF brand. The three-level walk-through adventure at the Nobbies Centre, at Victoria’s Phillip Island, provides a virtual and educational insight into the wonderful world of the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic, via the sensational ‘Antarctic Journey’, featuring state-ofthe- art multimedia technology including an augmented reality screen which will allow visitors to appear as though they are patting a penguin,

… there were real Cowgirls in the Wild West?

Fort Worth, Texas - the City of Cowboys - is one of the USA’s largerthan-life cities and a popular family-friendly destination that offers everything you would find in a cosmopolitan city, with a touch of ‘country’ on the side! One of the most famous drawcards is the Fort Worth Stockyards, an historic district where real western cattle ranchers, rodeos and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame loom large. Fort Worth is a great place to delve deep into the ‘Wild West’ and explore America’s unique cowboy heritage through culture, art and adventure experiences suitable for all ages. The city also boasts one of the country’s best animal encounters at the Fort Worth Zoo and a museum all about Cowgirls! The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is the only museum in the world dedicated to honoring trailblazing women of the American West - Girl Power! > fortworth.com

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playing with a seal or within arm’s reach of a magnificent whale! In ‘The Lab’ you can feel the freeze as you enter the Antarctic ‘Chill Zone’, try to sink a bowling ball, compare your thermal image with an Emperor penguin, or check out a sea spider under a microscope!

The Antarctic Journey is open daily from and costs $18.00 per adult and $9.00 per child. A proportion of each Antarctic Journey ticket sale will go towards WWF-Australia’s conservation work, including vital Antarctic whale research. > penguins.org.au

Jurassic World: The Exhibition comes to Melbourne

Big, really big, prehistoric creatures will arrive at Museum Victoria in March 2016 with the world premiere of Jurassic World: The Exhibition, based on the blockbuster movie, Jurassic World!

A unique, immersive exhibition experience for the whole family, ‘Jurassic World: The Exhibition’ will bring you closer to dinosaurs than ever before, and features encounters with realistic, life-size animatronic dinosaurs set in highly-themed environments inspired by the film.

And the dinosaurs are actually being developed in Melbourne by Creature Technology Company, who are renowned for producing the world’s most technologically sophisticated and realistic animatronics for arena spectaculars and stage shows, including the worldwide hit ‘Walking with Dinosaurs! ‘ Be sure to book your tickets early, as this is one extraordinary experience that no family member will want to miss! > JurassicWorldTheExhibition.com

© Jürgen Otto

Now open Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre King Edward Terrace, Canberra. Phone 02 6270 2800 Open 9 am–5 pm every day. Closed 25 December.

Admission fees apply.

Exhibition partner

#spiders

www.questacon.edu.au SUMMER 2016 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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PURE JOY FOR KIDS AT THE GREAT BARRIER REEF THE WHITSUNDAYS ALL KIDS!!! (big & small)

Visit one of Australia’s most acclaimed outer Reef locations from the Whitsundays Explore, share fun and get real hands on learning at the Great Barrier Reef aboard Cruise Whitsundays Full Day Cruise Adventure! We’ll get you there by comfortable high speed Reef catamaran, to our large “Reefworld” pontoon. There’s an underwater viewing chamber, a glass bottom boat, semi-submersible, a perfect environment to go snorkelling amongst over 150 different types of coral and around 200 types of fish, a Marine Experts presentations for inquisitive minds. All snorkelling gear, a delicious buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea is included. Lifeguards, floatation devices and rest stations in the water. Optional activities include heli scenics, massage and diving is available. Book now and kids receive a free “Pirates Activity Booklet”.

Departures from Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island, Daydream Island. Phone 4846 7000 7am - 8pm daily

#cruisewhitsundays.com

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info@cruisewhitsundays.com

© Shutterstock/Giorgio Art

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

Fancy a family farm stay … in Umbria?

Italian countryside here we come! This is a farm stay holiday with a difference, on a beautiful organic farm in the heart of Umbria. Carmine Estate invites kids (and their folks) to experience a true Italian farm experience from garden-to-table (the gardens are bursting with courgettes, peppers, tomatoes and rocket), home-grown virgin olive oil, and the fun of preparing Italian cuisine including pizza and pasta dishes! Hop on the tractor for a family bbq in the spectacular vineyards; meet and feed the herd of alpacas; head off on beautiful nature walks accompanied by the friendly farm dogs; go on outings to chocolate and cheese makers; visit picturesque Lake Trasimeno and relish a charming family adventure in and around this delightful 200ha private estate.

Carmine Estate is so geared to providing families with a relaxing stay that everything from high chairs and cots to toys, games and books are included in the rental rate – and they will even arrange babysitting!

Choose from one of the two unique accommodation options on the estate: Chiesa Del Carmine, an ancient 11th century church with adjoining 18th century farmhouse transformed into a luxuriously chic country villa sleeping up to 14 guests, and Casa San Gabriel, a collection of three traditional small farmhouses, perfect for groups of three to five guests.

Beautiful gardens, cobbled terraces, pretty courtyards, spacious bedrooms and a large swimming pool greet guests at Chiesa Del Carmine, with state-of-the-art kitchen (in the converted chapel!), two sitting rooms, satellite tvs and dvd players, a retractable screen and projector, iPod docking stations, wood-burning stove and even a grand piano, plus 10 sunbeds, shady pergola, a children’s playground and awesome views!

Casa San Gabriel lies in a stunning valley, surrounded by a hectare of ancient olive groves, vineyards, woodlands and a scattering of beautiful Umbrian properties, and in the distance you can see the Basilica of San Francesco at Assisi and the mountain ranges of Le Marche. The three lovingly restored cottages, each with private terrace, are complemented by the swimming pool, children’s playground, vegetable and herb gardens, sunbeds and umbrellas for a totally idyllic Umbrian farm holiday!

So what are you waiting for? We’re already packed! > chiesadelcarmine.com > casasangabriel.com SUMMER 2016 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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“FOR GREAT VALUE

PARKING AT SYDNEY AIRPORT, PARK AT BLU EMU CAR PARK!”

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Check in to your Hawaiian home!

Hawaii is a perennial holiday favourite destination and, across Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Islands, whichever family holiday destination you choose in the 50th State of the USA, you’ll come up trumps!

The people of Hawaii really know how to welcome visitors - Aloha! - and the natural beauty, cultural delights and sensational warm climate of these islands are just some of the reasons a Hawaiian family holiday gets a big tick of approval from all ages, every time.

Settle into your own home-awayfrom-home at one of the many condominium resorts and villas that have been a part of the Aston Hotels & Resorts collection for over 65 years. We recommend Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel on Oahu (and receive a souvenir beach bag filled with fun-in-the-sun goodies!) and Aston Kaanapali Shores on Maui (check out the fun kids’ activities at Camp Kaanapali!) > AstonHotels.com

Self-service bike hire comes to Port Stephens Boomerang Bikes is a great new initiative to help visitors explore the beautiful region of Port Stephens in NSW. The region’s first 24/7 automatic bike hire station is a hi-tech, self-service installation at d’Albora Marina in Nelson Bay. Simply insert a credit card, select the bike and hire period and release the bike from the locks, and return the bikes to the same station. Bike hire costs $14 per hour, $28 for up to four hours and $47 for 24 hours. Free helmets and bike locks are available for bike hire customers from The Marina Ice Creamery and also Café on the Bay in the adjacent marina restaurant and shopping complex.

Each bike comes with a local map, and there are children’s bikes as well as bikes with child seats so the whole family can cycle and enjoy the sights. > boomerangbikes.com.au

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Top tech

First Qantas iPad app for kids

The free Qantas Joey Playbox is the airline’s first iPad app for kids, designed specifically for children from four to eight years. The fun app lets kids design their own airport, help prepare the runway for planes to take off, collect baggage, and decorate digital paper planes, postcards and bags. They can also scan their Qantas boarding pass to unlock additional features for the planes and postcards, which they can then share with friends and family. >Download the app for free at iTunes.

Keep kids safe with Moochies wrist phone

Moochies is a wrist-worn mobile phone, designed especially for children aged between three and 12 years, and equipped with GPS technology that connects to an app on parents’ smart phones. In an emergency, Moochies’ SOS button will send a 15-second sound recording of the situation to two pre-set phone numbers, and issue the child’s location, providing concerned parents with peace of mind as they create a way to contact and find their child. Using the app, parents can also approve a list of 10 phone numbers that can call the device, allowing family and nominated contacts only to call the child.

Available online in black, pink, blue, and orange. > moochiesforkids.com.au

Available for Android and iPhone

Niseko app update

If you’re heading to Japan’s famed Niseko for a spot of skiing ensure you download the latest version of the free Niseko App for the 2015/16 Season. With the Niseko App 1.7.1, snow enthusiasts can view daily snow reports, live lift status, dining, accommodation and Niseko services directory, bus timetables and maps, plus the app comes with a translator, and free giveaways and special offers.

In-car wi-fi for up to five devices!

On your next family holiday road trip, enjoy the connectivity of in-car wi-fi with the new Telstra Pre-paid 4GX Car Wi-Fi – a mobile broadband gadget that gives motorists the ability to turn their car into a travelling wi-fi hotspot!

Simply plug into your car’s USB slot or 12 volt power outlet, and connect up to five compatible wi-fi devices at the one time. Capable of the fastest 4G speeds in Australia when in 4GX areas, and with coverage across more than 2.4 million km², the Telstra PrePaid 4GX Car Wi-Fi also comes with an AC wall charger, so it’s perfect for every leg of the journey in Australia, turning a holiday house or hotel room in to a wi-fi hotspot too! > telstra.com.au

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CAIRNS | GREAT BARRIER REEF

Just 45 minutes from Cairns by Fast Cat, Fitzroy Island is nestled on a slice of tropical island paradise, positioned where the reef and rainforest collide. The 4 1/2 star resort is the ideal location for discovering the Great Barrier Reef, come for the day or stay overnight.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: GLASS BOTTOM BOAT | DIVING | SNORKELLING KAYAKING | TOURS OF THE TURTLE CENTRE

EXCLUSIVE OFFER Ocean Suite from $185 per night, min 2 nights.

Kids Stay, Eat Breakfast & Travel by Fast Cat FREE of charge.

Book now: Ph: + 61 (07) 4044 6700 E: stay@fitzroyisland.com W: www.fitzroyisland.com

Use code

FLIGHT16

Subject to availability. Based on 2 Adults. 2 night minimum stay.

Valid until 31st May 2015. Excludes all Public Holidays, School Holidays and Long Weeekends.

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i© Stock /Hiking on Mt Kosciusko

Did you know …? Thredbo Resort - not just for the ski season!

Small images © Thredbo Alpine Village

It’s one of our favourite ski resorts, with its picturesque village, set in the shadow of Mount Kosciuszko, in the spectacular NSW Snowy Mountains. Out & About with Kids loves Thredbo Resort in ski season, and during the months without snow when all of the beauty of the alpine scenery reveals itself as the white powder dissipates. A popular destination all year round, bushwalking, hiking and biking, horse riding and picnics on the climb up Australia’s highest mountain, events and festivals for every interest are laid out for families visiting Thredbo in the warmer months.

Start with a ride on the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift (open all year) for a panoramic view of the region from 560m above sea level, at the summit of Mt Kosciuszko!

Explore the resort on a mountain bike ride on marked cross-country trails, take a hike or a bushwalk in beautiful surrounds, spot native wildflowers and enjoy superb views across the Snowy Mountains, or try your hand at fly fishing in nearby Lake Jindabyne or Lake Eucumbene.

The Thredbo region also plays host to a popular program of events, allowing visitors to experience a taste of Australia’s highest mountains whilst also enjoying live music or food festivals.

The Snowy Mountains Country Music Festival (5 March, 2016) is set to be an incredible day of music, with two of country music’s hottest American artists, Kip Moore and Kelsea Ballerini, as well as Aussie music icon Daryl Braithwaite, headlining the festival.

Rising Australian country stars will rock the festival in Thredbo’s unique concert location and natural amphitheatre.

Easter Family Adventure Festival (25-28 March, 2016) will have kids and parents hopping into holiday mode, with plenty of free activities and big events on offer across four fun, and chocolate-filled, days.

Thredbo has a range of great value accommodation options available for all budgets, including event packages and offpeak rates. For more information on packages and what’s on visit thredbo.com.au or call the Thredbo Resort Centre on 1300 020 589. > facebook.com/Thredbo.Resort > instagram.com/thredboresort

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DI D YO U K NO W...?

Did you know …?

Airlines & Airports

Bula San Francisco!

Great news for families heading to the US who want to break up the trip with a pit stop in paradise! Fiji Airways has announced the 2016 introduction of direct Nadi to San Francisco flights, so you can flop and drop in Fiji, before heading Stateside to San Fran!

Fiji’s National Airline will start its seasonal twice-weekly (Thursdays and Sundays) direct services from Nadi to San Francisco in June 2016, and will operate the route through June, July and August, and again in December 2016 and January 2017. > fijiairways.com

Tigerair takes off to Coffs

Kids in the sky!

The new Emirates experience is so much fun!

Emirates’ Fly with me Animals are making their onboard debut to provide even more fun entertainment and educational value to young flyers. Across three product lines - the Travel Buddy, the Carry Buddy and the Magnetic Sketcher - characters including Lewis the Lion from Africa, Peek U the Panda from China, Enrico the Monkey from Latin America, and Leila the Camel from the Middle East, have been specifically designed to delight and inspire infants and toddlers, and kids up to eight years.

In addition to the Fly with Me Animals, Emirates has partnered with Lonely Planet to create activity bags - two specially designed Kid’s Retro-Style Rucksacks, and two Kid’s Cool Bags - containing travel content tailored for children up to 12 years.

More fun for flying kids on Emirates comes with special meals for children from two years to 12 years – and that’s just the start of the fantastic kids’ initiatives the airline has introduced to make flying a real treat for young ones!

Find out more about the Emirates family experience, including the new Fly with me Animals, in-flight entertainment for children, meals and more at emriates.com.

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Victorian families can now head to the holiday playground of the NSW North Coast with ease, following the recent Tigerair launch of three weekly return services between Melbourne and Coffs Harbour. The new flights depart Melbourne at 9:05am on Mondays and Wednesdays and 8:45am on Fridays, arriving into Coffs Harbour at 10:55am Monday and Wednesday and 10:35am on Fridays. Returning from Coffs Harbour at 11:25am Mondays and Wednesdays and at 11:05am on Fridays. > tigerair.com.au

‘Easy-Peasy’ Sydney Airport Parking Sydney Airport has launched a new campaign to help make it perfectly clear to travellers that short-term and longterm parking at the airport is ‘easy-peasy’ – and affordable – when you pre-book online. Sydney Airport car parks are the closest you can park to the terminals, or hop on the free shuttle bus from the Blu Emu Car Park to T2 and T3 Domestic Terminals. Book online with the Parkwiz technology that offers the best available price for your stay at the time of booking, use the map, drive through the gate, find a space and go! > prebook.sydneyairport.com.au

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

Did you know …?

Cruise

Explorer of the Seas © Royal Caribbean

Two megaliners sail into Sydney Sydneysiders were treated to an incredible sight on 28 November 2015 when the two biggest cruise ships in the southern hemisphere – Explorer of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas – met on Sydney Harbour. Thousands of people gathered around the foreshore and various harbourside vantage points to celebrate the historic event.

Both megaliners are between two to three times larger than conventional cruise ships currently based in Australia and, combined, the two ships can carry over 10,000 passengers and crew. At 138,194 tons, 311m long and 38m wide, Explorer of the Seas steals the crown of Australia’s Biggest Cruise Ship from twin sister Voyager of the Seas.

Record-breaking Oz cruises for 2016 We’ve rapidly become a nation of cruise lovers in Australia - with more and more families finding cruising an affordable and exciting holiday option that offers something for every member of the family.

Fabulous onboard waterparks, innovative kids clubs, new restaurants and dining options, sensational entertainment and a variety of itineraries to choose from have all contributed to making Australia one of the fastest-growing cruise holiday markets in the world.

Between February and March 2016, the Australian cruise season is expected to break all previous records with some of the world’s most amazing international vessels heading our way.

Super and mega liners, luxury liners and smaller ships - HapagLloyd’s Europa, Silversea Cruises Silver Whisper, Crystal Cruises Crystal Serenity, Ponant’s Le Soleal, Seabourn Odyssey, Azamara Quest, Oceania Marina, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria – are just some of the diverse array of ships making visits Downunder this season.

More than one million Australians now take a cruise every year, making us the fourth largest passenger source market in the world!

Legend calls Brisbane home Royal Caribbean International’s first ever cruise ship based in Queensland, Legend of the Seas, reached Darwin, her first port in Australia, in December 2015.

At 70,000 tonnes, Legend of the Seas is one of the largest ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet that is able to navigate the Brisbane River and dock at Portside Wharf, Hamilton.

The ship boasts a Central Atrium where high flying acrobats put on an incredible aerial show, an outdoor rock climbing wall, a mini golf course, six dining options, a poolside big screen movie area, 800-seat theatre, shopping arcade and even a babies nursery.

During her five month season, Legend of the Seas will embark on 15 itineraries in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific ranging from two to 18 nights. The ship will return to Brisbane for an extended summer season in October 2016. > royalcaribbean.com.au

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ADULTS @ KIDS PRICES* All guests $35 - save $14!

Present this voucher upon ticket purchase at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to redeem!

Blinky Bill and friends now call Currumbin Home!

Featuring in 2 shows and making 2 appearances daily, Blinky and his friends provide plenty of fun and smiles to kids of all ages.

www.cws.org.au | 1300 886 511 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin, Queensland Only 20 minutes from Surfers Paradise!

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*Not valid with any other offer. Valid until 31/03/16. Day admission only. Excludes Treetops high ropes course and Segway Safari.

Upgrades for both available at the gate. Open 8am - 5pm daily. Closed Christmas and ANZAC Day. PLU A 11876 CH 11878 CN 214

SUMMER 2016 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

© Taronga Western Plains Zoo

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

© Taronga Zoo

Did you know …?

Zoo Babies Baby boom

A bright orange Francois’ Langur baby has made his debut at Taronga Zoo. Keepers named him ‘Nangua’ after the Mandarin word for pumpkin, when he was discovered cradled in mother Meili’s arms on 7 November. One of the world’s rarest monkeys, Langurs are born with bright orange hair that becomes black as they get older. Nangua has begun to explore his exhibit on Taronga’s Rainforest Trail, to the delight of keen-eyed visitors.

♥ Mogo Zoo on the NSW South Coast welcomed two black and white ruffed lemurs on 17 November 2015, unofficially named ‘Lou’ and ‘Chalkie’ after two of the zoo’s keepers who each share a birthday with the bubs!

Black and white ruffed lemurs are one of the most critically endangered species and Lou and Chalkie’s parents are part of a controlled international breeding program to help build and maintain their population. ♥ Two new squirrel monkeys joined the family at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, when two mums gave birth a week apart at the end of 2015. The eldest was born on 23 November to firsttime mother, Tumaia, and the second on 1 December to Ayaca.

The babies are getting to know the world around them, clinging to their mums’ backs until they are old enough to explore on their own!

Three male African lion cubs, who were born at Victoria’s Werribee Open Range Zoo in October, made their debut in December 2015, with a gradual schedule of short appearances until they get a bit bigger.

Under the watchful eye of mum, Nilo, and keepers, the cute little trio has been delighting visitors with their playful antics and tentative discoveries.

♥ Congratulations to the proud parents and keepers at zoos around the world, who celebrated the arrival of end-of-year babies in December 2015 - Dubai zoo welcomed a female African gazelle, Fort Worth Zoo in Texas welcomed a male baby gorilla, and London Zoo welcomed a black and white colobus monkey! © Zoological Society of London/London Zoo

© Mogo Zoo

♥ Keepers at Dubbo’s Taronga Western Plains Zoo received a thrilling early Christmas present with the birth in December of a female white rhino calf, to mum Mopani. The new zoo baby has been named Kamari, which means ‘moonlight’ in Swahili.

© zoo.org.au/Werribee Open Range Zoo

Zoo debut

Those world-famous little penguins of Victoria’s Phillip Island are now starring in a completely new visitor experience, Penguins Plus, in partnership with RACV. Penguins Plus lets visitors view the penguins, who arrive at sunset every night, from a closer, underground vantage point as they pass by at eye level. There’s also a new FREE Phillip Island Nature Parks Australia - Penguins app available for Android and iPhone that lets you find out what the penguins are up to each month! Penguins Plus tickets are $47.20 per adult and $23.60 per child and Underground Viewing tickets are $60.00 per adult and $30.00 per child. General, self-guided viewing tickets are $24.50 per adult and $12.25 per child. > penguins.org.au

Penguins Plus on parade!

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Your next fun family holiday!

NEWCASTLE, NSW

Stockton Beach Holiday Park is located on a beautiful, patrolled, surfing and swimming beach, with white sand stretching 32km to Anna Bay. The park offers two and three bedroom accommodation options, as well as caravanning and camping sites, located close to camp kitchen, children’s playground and barbecues.

Jump on the ferry from Newcastle, and enjoy a family holiday at Stockton Beach Holiday Park.

BOOK NOW 02 4928 1393 stocktonbeach.com

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3 Pitt Street STOCKTON NSW 2295

WE R EV IEW

The Escape, Shallow Crossing, NSW

Location The Escape is located in the beautiful Shoalhaven region of the NSW South Coast, a short drive inland from Bawley Point on the aptly named River Road at Shallow Crossing. The Escape sits on 32ha with over 2kms of private Clyde River frontage, surrounded by National Parks and State Forests. Just a two hour drive from Canberra, or 3.5 hours from Sydney, there are 15kms of unsealed roads and, of course, you do indeed have to cross the Clyde River in order to access this beautiful property!

Glamping at The Escape The drive in takes you up to the main building, a double story timber structure that melts into the bushland with its natural materials and tasteful furnishing.

The owner operators, Col and Lucille Bailie, and their cute-as-a-button daughter, Finn, live unobtrusively upstairs, The lower level is comprised of an open kitchen, indoor/outdoor dining area and plenty of comfortable lounge seating around a fireplace. Two full bathrooms with all amenities provided

are located an easy 30m walk away, in the main building.

Accommodation Glamping is defined perfectly with the two permanent luxury tents each holding a queen size bed and a large day bed, converting into a cosy divan for up to two kids. Heavy thread count sheets, warm bedding and great mattresses make this tent a place of total sleeping comfort. Solar bedside lights and torches are on hand (with extra blankets to rug up) for stargazing if desired. Inside the tent is a small table and two chairs; on your private deck are relaxing lounge chairs perfect for watching the flow of the river and its flurry of bird life.

An alternative to tents is the bush luxury of the ‘The Studio�. Pure riverfront views, plenty of space to stretch out inside, or out on the deck, and with an accessible bathroom, a kitchenette and bio-fuel heater. Of course the same bedding - with a queen size bed and turn out day bed for up to two children.

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The Escape, Shallow Crossing, NSW (continued)

OAWK Tip: We recommend booking “The Studio” with your family. The kitchen is more for snacks, as all meals are included, but the bathroom is well worth the extra $50 a night. Not quite the tent setting but saves a late-night torch run to the loo 30m away in the main house.

Explore The Escape overlooks the postcard perfect tidal Clyde River, perfect for days of water and bush adventures. Amongst the activities available are bocce, bushwalking, bush picnics, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, fishing, mountain biking, swimming and bird watching.

If you feel the need to venture further afield there are the wonderful close offerings of the South Coast. Take the kids to pick yummy treats at the Clyde River Berry Farm, ride a horse through the bush or head to the coast and catch a wave.

Why we stayed there To escape from the city to the bush, with none of the effort of camping in this five star all-inclusive bush and river setting!

The kids had a ball starting with being shown the ropes by Finn. They had a close up of the local kangaroo mob, skipped stones across the river, stood up and fell over on the stand-up paddleboards and kayaked with us to explore the tidal Clyde

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River. Kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and monitor lizards are all here to view, and of course the extensive and amazing bird life.

OAWK Tip: The Escape is also one of many fantastic and unique familyfriendly holiday accommodations available through the ever-expanding STAYZ network. STAYZ has 40,000 holiday rentals in over 2,000 different locations – from whole houses to glamping, historic cottages and beach retreats!

Food & Beverage Starting with freshly ground coffee and a cooked to order breakfast, the menu each day is created with the freshest, locallysourced produce, and a wine list to match.

Menus include local seafood, grass-fed Milton beef and a perfect vanilla bean panna cotta. Col wears his accomplished chef’s hat to prepare your meals at a time that suits you, and to any dietary needs. And the best part - all meals and non-alcoholic beverages are included in the package.

OAWK Tip: Make sure you and the kids take part in the Clyde River Oyster shucking before dinner. Everyone can have a turn at opening these tasty local treats; even the kids are offered a safely supervised turn and a taste.

The Escape 2408 The River Rd, Mogood (Shallow Crossing) NSW 2538 P: +61 2 4478 1212 E: info@the-escape.com.au the-escape.com.au

Discover the seven wonders of the Tweed

A choice of affordable accommodation with beachfront or riverside views available

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Paradise begins the moment you step on board

With Hawaiian Airlines, your family’s Hawaiian getaway starts the moment you step on board.

Fly non-stop from Sydney or Brisbane to Honolulu, or transfer to your favourite Hawaiian Island on one of 170 fights daily.

For more information or to make a booking, visit HawaiianAirlines.com.au or contact your preferred travel agent.

Plan your trip at visittheusa.com.au/usa/states/hawaii

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WE R EV IEW

Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii Location The Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is located on Waikiki Beach at 2169 Kalla Rd Honolulu, and is approximately 30 minutes from Honolulu airport. Both Jetstar and Hawaiian airlines offer great fares to Hawaii from Australia.

Accommodation With an impressive 635 rooms this resort caters for everyone!

Room types range from standard to the penthouse, which is a floor to itself with four individual rooms of varying sizes. The resort faces the ocean and overlooks Waikiki Beach with stunning views back to Diamond Head. All hotel rooms sleep 4 persons (except the standard which sleeps 3) and each includes a pull out sofa bed. Interconnecting rooms are available and the pinnacle is in the Ocean Tower, where four rooms interconnect to cater for big family groups. The resort also has seven types of suites (rooms with a lounge room) including a 1 bed City View, Ocean View and Oceanfront, to 2 and 3-bedroom Oceanfront suites. We found both the suites and hotel rooms were all well-appointed, and made a great base for our holiday.

Hawaiian vow renewal. Mum and dad can reaffirm their vows, with all the kids as witnesses, on the sands of Waikiki Beach. Spaces are limited so book in for this one early.

Food & Beverage At the Outrigger Reef you are spoilt for choice when it comes to food and drink across three restaurants, Starbucks and a small convenience store. The hero for us was the poolside Kani Ka Pila Grille. (open for all meals) With live Hawaiian music every night from 6 to 9 you can dine in an atmosphere that takes you to that restful holiday place. The food is first rate and includes a kids menu. The other restaurants are on the beach. Shore Bird Restaurant and Bar offers an all-you-can-eat salad and self-cook meat and seafood. The Ocean House restaurant, which is only open for dinner, serves delightful local

Activities Outrigger Reef places a great emphasis on activities and especially activities that share the Hawaiian culture with its guests. On arrival guests receive the weekly activity schedule and we recommend you sign up with the kids to enjoy these cultural experiences. Excluding Saturdays, the hotel runs a minimum of three complimentary activities, and all at convenient times. As a family why not try and learn to hula, make your own lei, become an accomplished ukulele artist or listen to some fascinating Hawai’i Myths and Legends. A special family activity on Tuesdays and Fridays is the beachside

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WE RE VIEW

Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii (continued)

OAWK Tip: Try the Crispy Coconut shrimp at Kani Ka Pila Grille. We did seafood dishes. three times.

Wow! Recommended Visit No visit to Waikiki is complete without visiting Diamond Head, the iconic volcanic crater that sets the picturesque backdrop for this paradise.

From the resort it is a fairly gentle walk of 4.5kms to the base, then another 1.5km the top. The view is eye popping.

Water Fun From swimming at the beach right at the hotel’s door, to taking a dip in the Outrigger pool, the hotel can organise a variety of different water activities for you, from a ride in a traditional Hawaiian canoe to surf lessons and snorkelling.

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OAWK Tip: Only 100m from the resort on Waikiki Beach Walk is a great ABC shop. The ABC shops are mini supermarkets where you will find not only sandwiches, snacks and souvenirs, but also inflatable rings and lilos, affordable at less than USD $10, to enjoy in the calm surf waters of Waikiki Beach.

Did you know: US resorts and hotels charge a room tax of around USD$30 a day. Unlike some other resorts, Outrigger adds amazing value to your stay. Known as the Waikiki Connection, you receive complimentary Wi-Fi, free travel on the Outrigger Trolley to Diamond Head and downtown, complimentary activities, Oahu discount shopping coupon book, a great quality tote bag and more.

Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach 2169 Kalla Rd Honolulu Hawaii P: +1-800-608313 (toll free) E: orf@outrigger.com outrigger.com

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Ramada Marcoola Resort, Sunshine Coast QLD Location Ramada Marcoola Resort on the Sunshine Coast, is located next to Sunshine Coast Airport at 923 David Low Way, Marcoola Beach. If you fly in it’s a quick 5 minute drive to the resort from Sunshine Coast airport. Driving from Brisbane takes just over an hour, and from Sydney approximately 12 to 13 hours.

Accommodation Ramada Marcoola offers a variety of one, two and three bedroom apartments allowing families to spread out and relax in true holiday style. (A standard hotel room is also available). Out & About with Kids stayed in a 3 bedroom apartment, which was absolutely perfect for our needs - spacious and wellappointed with modern appliances and furnishings, and a small library where we all found a good holiday read. Everyone can find their own space, or spend time together, in the large lounge, or on the beautiful balcony with ocean views. With a full kitchen and family-sized fridge, the apartment was all set up for us to prepare our own meals when we wanted.

Activities Ramada Marcoola Beach lies behind a grassed passage of 40 or so metres, before the golden sands of Marcoola Beach, where any activities such as surfing, swimming, sandcastlebuilding, kicking a footy or burying dad in sand can all take place! A stay at this resort gives you the sanctuary inside in the evenings but the space to be out and about by day. The reception desk at the resort offers bikes for hire and an assortment of dvds to hire. Reception can also book you a variety of local Sunshine Coast tours and attractions.

Food & Beverage The resort is serviced by a shared restaurant, run by the neighbouring property Surf Air. It is located

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WE R EV IEW

by the pool and serves a great variety of traditional favourites and a selection of gourmet options that will certainly keep the whole family happy and satisfied. Surf Air provides guests with drinks and snacks around the pool, and room service is available, however, you do have to collect the meal yourself.

OAWK Tip: We were very impressed with the Sweet Potato chips. A must try for any chip lover!

Recommended Visit Visit the secret fairground attraction of the Sunshine Coast’s Aussie World for a fantastic day out. Only a 20 minute drive from the resort.

Water Fun As a beachfront property, a lot of the water fun will take place on or from the sands of Marcoola Beach.

The resort also has two refreshing pools for you and the family to laze about in. The main pool is large with a grassy area on one side, and lounge chairs on the other. Adjacent is a children’s wading pool for families with younger kids.

Did you know …?

Marcoola is named Marcoola as it lies between MARoochydore and COOLum. – MARCOOLa!

Ramada Marcoola Resort 923 David Low Way, Marcoola Beach QLD P: 07 5412 0100 E: reservations@ramadamarcoola.com.au ramadamarcoola.com.au

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WE R EV IEW

Four Points by Sheraton Bali, Kuta Location The Four Points hotel is right in the heart of Kuta located on the street Jalan Benesari. Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport (DPS), is just south of Kuta about 15 minutes drive away (depending on traffic). Online you can pre-book a ‘Four Points’ private car for an airport transfer for up to 4 people for AUD $16, or grab a metered taxi for about AUD $5.00. We recommend the hotel’s car service, for peace of mind and easy transfer after your flight until you get your Bali bearings.

Accommodation This newest hotel addition to the Four Points brand has 185 guest rooms and suites all overlooking the two central pools. Rooms range from a compact 28sqm Deluxe Room through to spacious 55sqm Suites, with interconnecting options that are perfect for families. Each room is a testament to the Four Points by Sheraton signature style of clean lines, warm tones and comfortable finishes including 40inch LCD tvs. There is complimentary wireless internet access in rooms and all public spaces, daily bottled water and USB power port plugs.

For those with younger children the Family Suites offer extra in-room space and a balcony, with a king bed and sofa bed. (Kids under 12 stay free of charge at Four Points, with existing bedding.)

The spacious bathroom features a walkin shower and a separate bathtub. For older swim-safe kids or teens try two interconnecting Lagoon Access Rooms - the outdoor timber decks leading straight into the tempting water of the pool.

Four Points has three inviting swimming pools - the Lagoon Pool with Jacuzzi, Rooftop Swim-up Pool Bar and a supervised Junior Pool.

OAWK Tip: Visit nearby Waterbom Bali Waterpark

Food & Beverage With four dining options there is plenty of variety to keep the whole family happy. “The Eatery”, has all day dining and a well-supplied breakfast buffet,

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Four Points by Sheraton Bali, Kuta (continued)

perfect to set you up for the day. “The Best Brew” is an outdoor eatery that reinterprets pub favourites like woodfired pizzas, big stick kebabs, sausages, and grab-and-go options and, in the evenings, a local band is the perfect accompaniment to a balmy Bali night.

Kids can dance and you can even join in karaoke-style if you are in the mood.

At “Wrapped” you can grab a snack and coffee, desserts like gelato, chocolate crackles and delicious cakes, plus gourmet snacks and meals. “Vertigo” boasts rooftop views and the ‘family highlight’ - a free form pool with a swimup bar. Order mocktails for the kids and a sunset cocktail for the adults, with a snack of Tapas if you feel peckish.

Activities In the hotel itself is a large, wellequipped Kids Club that caters to both the hands-on, play activities and a separate IT centre and entertainment system for the older kids. The supervised Junior Pool completes the familyfriendly experience, ensuring hours of happy, active fun for all ages. All the staff bend over backwards to be

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helpful. The GM Masri is on site most days, smiling broadly and making sure everything is running perfectly in this shiny new property.

OAWK Tip: Feel like a full day of water fun? A few minutes away in Kuta is Waterbom Bali Waterpark.

Open from 9am – 6pm every day, there are water slides and play fun for every age group.

Why we stayed there To be right in the action and buzz of Kuta! This brand new property is only a seven minute walk to the beach with great shopping, endless numbers of restaurants, food outlets and beauty salons, tailors and more, just a few steps away outside the entrance. You can also take your laundry to any number of local services just outside the hotel for washing drying and folding by weight.

Expect to pay about AUD $10 for the whole family’s dirty holiday clothes, a joy to take back suitcases full of clean clothes!

Four Points by Sheraton Bali, Kuta Jalan Benesari Banjar Pengabetan · Kuta, Bali, 80361 · Indonesia P: +62 361 849 6606 fourpointsbalikuta.com

pack your bags for a family summer staycation WITH PLENTY OF ROOM FOR THE KIDS

$

99 from

*

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book now at

www.wyndhamAP.com/hotels/deals/schoolsout

UMM R 2015 2 0until 16 *Terms and Conditions apply. Subject to availability. Minimum night stay and blackout dates may apply at selected properties. On sale for bookings made between 30th April 2015 and 31 December 2016 and for travelSbetween 30thEApril 31 December 2016. For full terms and conditions visit http://www.wyndhamap.com/hotels/deals/schoolsout. Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific Pty Ltd ACN 090 083 613. Resort Management byoutandaboutwithkids.com.au Wyndham Pty Ltd ACN 099 634 830. WHG10213

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BALANCE BIG40041

?

E M I T T I ISN’T

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

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

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

Let’s connect!

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OURIT ’S FAV IA L A AUSTR

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

OUT&ABOUT

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THE

ISSUE

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Reconnect with your family at NANUKU AUBERGE RESORT FIJI

T

aking Fiji’s luxury resort offering to levels previously unseen, Nanuku Auberge Resort offers the perfect venue for families looking to truly reconnect while on holiday in the ‘land of smiles’.

Nestled in the very heart of Fiji’s cultural and soft adventure homeland on the shores of pristine Beqa Lagoon in Pacific Harbour, Nanuku Auberge Resort’s expansive beachfront residences offer the perfect family accommodation solution with huge air-conditioned living and entertaining areas, luxurious ensuites complete with spa baths, private yoga bures and plunge pools.

Book before 31 March 2016 to take advantage of a 20 per cent discount on all five-night bookings valid for travel until 31 March 2017* inclusive of all meals, villa mama, Nanuku buddy and nanny services, Wi-Fi and in-villa movies, all non-motorised water sports, a personal golf buggy, on resort and cultural activities and daily evening canapés.

Guest offerings extend to a dedicated spa, yoga classes and resident fitness instructor and one of the best organised children’s programs in Fiji with free access to the resort’s ‘Kids Adventure Park’ and a wide range of age appropriate, environmentally oriented activities for older children. *Conditions apply. For terms, conditions and more information call toll free on 1800 791501, email nan.reservations@aubergeresorts.com or visit http://nanuku.aubergeresorts.com.

THE ISSUE

30 THINGS

All images © iStock

mums want on holidays AT A BEACH RESORT 1 Time to swim and snorkel and relax on the beach or poolside - alone!

2 A pampering massage 3 Family fun without arguments or tears SIGHTSEEING 4 No lost kids!

5 No complaints or groans or whining from anyone about sore feet, boredom or any other apparent irritant!

6 Compromise when it comes to planning activities 7 Time to shop ON A ROAD TRIP 8 Shotgun position in the car (or driver’s seat) on a road trip!

9 No travel/motion sickness 10 No fighting in the back seats 11 Full advantage taken of every toilet stop!

CAMPING 12 An acceptance that if it wasn’t packed, it isn’t here and, no, we can’t drive home to get it!

13 Willing help with the cooking and washing up 14 Kids who fall sleep early (and sleep through the night) 15 Torches with new batteries 16 Sodden cozzies and beach towels hung to dry after use for the next day 17 No rain!

AT HOTELS 18 Manners!

19 Enough time for a visit to the Spa – alone!

ON PLANES 20 Kids who sleep for most of the trip 21 Inside voices!

22 Wide variety of children’s in-flight entertainment ON EVERY HOLIDAY 23 Someone else cooking, cleaning and washing (at least some of the time!)

24 Harmony among siblings 25 A few moments each day to herself 26 No holiday sicknesses/ accidents 27 Fun! 28 Memory-making family occasions – and yes, you DO have to be involved!

29 Family photos – and yes, you DO have to be in them!

30 A simple ‘Thank you!’

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15

BIG AUSSIE THINGS

Big Murray Cod Swan Hill

1

The Big Scotsman

Medindie SA Australia’s oldest BIG thing is a statue of a 5m high Scotsman, known as Scotty, erected in 1963 on the corner of Scotty’s Motel in the Adelaide suburb of Medindie! Scotty was designed by Paul Kelly, who went on to create The Big Lobster.

2

The Big Banana

Coffs Harbour NSW It’s been around for five decades and kick-started Australia’s love for BIG tourist attractions! John Landi wanted something to make passing traffic stop at his roadside banana stall and had heard of a “Big Pineapple” in Hawaii. He liked the idea, and the biggest banana in the world was officially opened on 22 December 1964.

3

The Big Merino

Goulburn NSW A tribute to the Goulburn district’s fine wool industry, The Big Merino is a life-like model of a famous local stud ram called Rambo! Erected in 1985 he’s over 15m high and 18m long, and weighs a whopping 97 tonnes.

4 Big Gold Panner Bathurst © iStock

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The Big Ned Kelly

Glenrowan VIC At 6m high this statue of Australia’s most famous bushranger and outlaw stands guard at the Glenrowan Heritage Precinct, which also houses the Ned Kelly Memorial Museum.

THE ISSUE

Anmatjere Man and his wife and child in Aileron NT © iStock

5

The Big Pineapple

6

The Big Golden Guitar

Sunshine Coast QLD The Big Pineapple was opened in 1971 and has since earned iconic heritage listed status! One of the earliest and most visited BIG tourist attractions in the country, even Prince Charles and Princess Diana stopped here during a Royal Tour!

Tamworth NSW Australia’s country music capital, Tamworth, boasts a 12m high Big Golden Guitar right at the entrance to The Big Golden Guitar Tourist Centre – where else? Check out the all-star tribute to country music greats at the Wax Museum, and visit the largest private collection of memorabilia honouring our Aussie cricketing legend, Sir Donald Bradman.

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The Big Rocking Horse

Gumeracha SA The Big Rocking Horse and the Toy Factory share the same site in the Adelaide Hills. Climb right to the top of the World’s Biggest Rocking Horse and take in the views from its head! You’ll receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of your climb – and make sure you visit the fabulous wooden toy factory too!

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The Big Crocodile

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The Big Prawn

Normanton QLD This 8.63m long statue immortalises ‘Krys the Crocodile’ –the biggest known crocodile in Australia, killed in 1957

by Krystina Pawlowski (a 30-year old Polish immigrant).

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The Big Miner

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The Big Lobster

Ballarat VIC One of the more recent additions to Australia’s wealth of BIG statues, The Big Miner is a tribute to the gold prospectors who flocked from around the world to this part of Victoria during the gold rush of the late 1800s. It’s 8m tall and hand-sculpted from polystyrene, and was officially unveiled in 2006.

Kingston SA Much-loved by thousands of locals and tourists, Larry the Lobster made his public debut in 1979 and was created to entice passing motorists to stop at a seafood restaurant - and at 17m high and 15m wide there’s no way you can miss this giant sea creature!

The Big Pineapple Sunshine Coast © iStock

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The Big Gold Panner

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The Big Murray Cod

Bathurst NSW Located outside the Gold Panner Motor Inn, this giant statue makes a striking sight and gives a nod to Bathurt’s gold mining heritage.

Swan Hill VIC Here’s a mighty fish! 15m long and 6m wide, the Big Murray Cod was originally created as a movie prop.

The locals adopted him in 1991 and nicknamed him ‘Arnold’, and now he sits outside the Swan Hill train station.

Ballina NSW Weighing 35 tonnes and standing 9m high, the NSW north coast’s homage to a crustacean, found in plentiful supply in these parts, was built in 1989 and after a $400,000 makeover in 2013 it’s looking more resplendent than ever!

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The Big Aboriginal Hunter and his wife and child

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The Big Galah

Aileron in Anmatjere Community NT (150km north of Alice Springs) In 2005 the giant 17m tall Anmatjere Man first loomed on the hill at Aileron. In 2008 this impressive indigenous warrior was joined by an equally impressive representation of his wife and child.

Kimba SA The town of Kimba is notable for being the halfway point between the east and west coasts of Australia and for being home to an 8m tall galah set amid huge wheat silos! Visit the Kimba Half Way Across Australia Gem shop and the Kimba and Gawler Ranges Museum while you’re there.

The Big Lobster Kingston SA © iStock

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Š Shutterstock

AUSSIE COASTAL HOLIDAYS

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Hamilton Island

THE ISSUE Fitzroy Island

B

lessed with almost 26,000km of coastline, Australian families long ago discovered this country’s prime water’s edge playgrounds - so idyllic that no time was wasted turning them into our most popular holiday spots! Compiling a true list of every family-friendly coastal holiday destination in Australia would be an impossible task, so we’ve cherry-picked some of our favourites, and yours, to bring you our List of 20 Aussie Coastal Holidays!

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ISLANDS

Yes Australia has sensational islands -from Tasmania, Lord Howe in NSW and Queensland’s fabulous Fitzroy, Daydream, Hamilton, Heron and Lizard Islands (and the ultra luxury of One&Only Hayman Island) to beautiful Norfolk Island which, after 1 July 2016, you will no longer need a passport or visa to visit!

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Sydney’s NORTHERN BEACHES NSW

Right on Sydney’s doorstep are some of the city’s most beautiful, and popular, beaches - all perfect for day trips, including Newport, Mona Vale, Palm Beach, Whale Beach, Freshwater, Collaroy and Avalon. But Manly still holds the crown as the #1 stay and play family holiday fun spot in the area.

Manly Beach

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Pelican feeding at The Entrance

CENTRAL COAST NSW

So close to Sydney and Newcastle yet worlds away in lifestyle, families flock to the NSW Central Coast during the holidays and for weekend getaways - from Terrigal and Avoca to Budgewoi, Norah Head and The Entrance and Lake Macquarie – for sand, surf, sun, boating, fishing, camping and relaxing family escapes.

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PORT STEPHENS NSW

Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay, Anna Bay, Fingal Bay, Tanilba Bay, Soldiers Point, Salamander Bay or Lemon Tree Passage – take your pick of any, or all, of Port Stephens’ glorious, and timehonoured, family holiday destinations, just over two hours north of Sydney.

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PORT MACQUARIE NSW

Images this page © iStock

Camel Riding on Stockton Beach at Anna Bay

‘Port’ is one of the jewels of the mid North Coast and a real drawcard for families all year ‘round, perfectly located midway between Sydney and Brisbane. Family-friendly attractions abound – many blessed by nature and others specifically created for fun! The region is also known for its incredible koala population so a visit to the famous Koala Hospital and to Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park are a must for any family holiday itinerary.

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THE

Images this page © iStock

ISSUE South West Rocks

Phillip Island

Hyams Beach

12 Apostles

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COFFS HARBOUR NSW

‘Coffs’ is cool! The region boasts holiday towns including Nambucca Heads, Urunga and Bellingen and Coffs Harbour itself and offers all of the must-haves for a great family holiday on the coast. Beaches aplenty, adventure, action, attractions and a laid-back vibe permeate here!

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MACLEAY VALLEY COAST NSW

South West Rocks, Hat Head and Crescent Head have been welcoming families for decades. Surf’s up, the water is clear and the sun always shines in this naturally awesome part of the NSW North Coast.

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BALLINA & BYRON BAY NSW

Byron’s beaches are legendary – and sparkling – and Main Beach is a family favourite.

Likewise, Ballina and Lennox Head beaches beckon – try Lighthouse Beach and Lennox Head Beach – but be sure to explore beyond the golden sands into the rainforest and the Byron Bay Hinterland! Fly into Ballina or drive north on The Legendary Pacific Coast that

runs all the way to Brisbane from Sydney, and pit stop at beautiful coastal towns including family favourites Yamba and Evans Head.

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SOUTH COAST, NSW

Where to start with the multitude of coastal holiday destinations that dot the stretch from The Royal National Park just south of Sydney to the border of Victoria?

Much-loved towns like Kiama, Gerringong, Jervis Bay, Nowra, Mollymook, Ulladulla, Batemans Bay, Moruya, Mogo, Bega, Merimbula, Pambula, Eden and Tathra await what a smorgasbord!

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PHILLIP ISLAND VIC

Home of the little penguins and renowned for the nightly beach parade of these gorgeous creatures, Phillip Island really is a playground destination for families. The famous Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is here plus the new Antarctic Journey at The Nobbies Centre, the crazy Amaze’N Things, the Chocolate Factory and, of course, Penguins on Parade, and all under 2 hours’ drive from Melbourne!

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GREAT OCEAN ROAD VIC

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GIPPSLAND VIC

A spectacular scenic drive leads to famtastic coastal towns and beaches in south-west Victoria - from Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula, to Barwon Heads and Queenscliff, and Torquay, Lorne and Apollo Bay. This is one of the most popular family-friendly holiday regions in the state - look out for the world-famous 12 Apostles near Port Campbell!

One of the longest uninterrupted beaches in the world– Ninety Mile Beach – stretches all the way from Port Albert, two hours out of Melbourne, north to the famous seaside holiday destination of Lakes Entrance.

The beach is actually a 94 mile spread of golden sand as far as the eye can see, separating the Gippsland Lakes from Bass Strait. Gippsland is also home to Wilsons Promontory National Park. Affectionately known as ‘The Prom’, it is one of the state’s best-loved parks.

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THE ISSUE Bicheno

Dunes at Ningaloo

Children at Beach in Noosa National Park

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THE GOLD COAST QLD

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND QLD

It’s consistently at the very top of the pile when it comes to favourite Aussie family holiday destinations, and while Gold Coast beaches (Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Miami and Burleigh Heads to name just a handful) are inducement enough, the extra lure comes from the Gold Coast’s deserved reputation as the ‘Theme Park Capital of Australia’ with Sea World, Dreamworld, Movie World and Wet ‘n’ Wild all must-visits on any Gold Coast family holiday!

Spectacular coastlines and beautiful beaches are hallmarks of South Australia’s Limestone Coast. Holiday here and explore picturesque seaside villages like Robe, Beachport, Southend and Port MacDonnell.

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THE SUNSHINE COAST QLD

Beautiful one day… beautiful the next … they don’t call it the Sunshine Coast for nothing! Stretching along the Coral Sea are the premium coastal holiday towns of Noosa, Coolum, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba and Caloundra. You want beaches? You’ll run out of fingers and toes to count them on - all the way to the multi-coloured sands of the aptly named Rainbow Beach.

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You’re in Great Barrier Reef territory when you arrive in this exotic part of Queensland where reef meets rainforest - Cairns, Mission Beach, Palm Cove and Port Douglas – and where the locals greet you with ‘Welcome to Paradise!’

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LIMESTONE COAST SA

EYRE PENINSULA SA

Right at the Spencer Gulf, this stunning region is a marine-lover’s paradise and the natural habitat for Bottlenose dolphins, Australian sea lions and whales. You can see all this– and more – from one of the state’s most iconic national parks, Coffin Bay.

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THE CORAL COAST WA

Over 1000kms of white sandy beaches hug this incredible stretch of coastline in Western Australia. Shark Bay World Heritage

Area and the clear turquoise waters of Shark Bay, the friendly dolphins of Monkey Mia and the gateways to the incredible Ningaloo Marine Park – Coral Bay and Exmouth – make the WA Coral Coast one of the most exciting coastal family holiday destinations in Australia.

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KIMBERLEY COAST WA

Adventure-loving families are drawn to explore the stunning and remote Kimberley Coast. A region of rugged natural beauty covering nearly 13,000km of coastline, the Kimberley coast also boasts more than 2,633 largely uninhabited islands, fringed by reefs, and is definitely a destination to place on the family wishlist!

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EAST COAST TAS

Pristine and peaceful, this beautiful coastal part of Tasmania is famous for Bay of Fires, one of Lonely Planet’s top 10 regions in the world, and the stunning white beaches and crystal clear sea of Freycinet National Park. Families love making their holiday base at the beach at Bicheno and in the lovely township of St Helens, and venturing out for fun from there!

Images this page © iStock

Gold Coast

Find out more at

visitmanningvalley.com.au tourism@visitmanningvalley.com.au facebook.com/visitmanningvalley Visitor Information Centre 21 Manning River Dr, Taree North Ph: 6592 5444 or 1800 182 733

Top10 things to do

Lookouts From the coast to the hinterland, we have some spectacular lookouts! A few of our faves include Brushy Cutting, Apex, Flat Rock, Crowdy Head and Vincent’s.

Sky Dive The Manning Valley has its very own Skydiving NSW Drop Zone where you can jump from 12,000 feet and experience a bird’s-eye view of the Valley.

Ellenborough Falls A trip to the Manning Valley is not complete without a visit to one of the longest single drop waterfalls in the Southern Hemisphere! Why not take in the stunning hinterland scenery and enjoy historical Wingham along Tourist Drive 8.

Beach 4WD For the more adventurous travellers we allow 4WD access to many of our beaches.

Fishing

Mountain biking

With 150 kilometres of navigable waterways, it is not surprising that the Manning Valley is a fisherman’s paradise, with a place to drop a line or experience adventure fishing around every corner.

Get close to nature as you bike the coast or discover 40 kilometres of challenging mountain bike loop tracks, hidden deep within our forests.

National Parks

Cattai Wetlands

The 9 stunning National Parks and Reserves within the Manning Valley are perfectly placed for day-trippers to explore by car, bike or foot. You’ll discover waterfalls, lookouts, walking tracks and the perfect picnic spot!

Don’t forget your camera!

Here you’ll find over 180 species of birds, kangaroos, goannas and more including beautiful black swans!

Wingham Brush A nature reserve with a difference – take a stroll along the gently winding boardwalk, spot the resident endangered flying foxes and stand in awe of the giant Moreton Bay fig trees.

Beaches We have 45 kilometres of pristine coastline to discover, whether you go to the beach to swim, surf, fish, picnic, sunbathe or 4WD, we’ve got all your bases covered.

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Cabins, c a mping and family fun!

NT QLD

Escape2 Holiday Parks offer an unforgettable family holiday experience and the ultimate outdoor getaway. Situated in idyllic east coast locations, our holiday parks offer something to suit every taste and budget.

SA NSW

VIC

Gather your loved ones together, pack your bags and start your holiday adventure today!

TAS

BOOK NOW

escape2.net.au

Escape to one of the 13 spectacular destinations: Palm Cove QLD | Cairns QLD | Lake Monduran QLD Somerset Dam QLD | Snowy Mountains NSW | Lakes Entrance VIC | GippsLand VIC Bright VIC | Great Ocean Road VIC | Victor Harbor SA | Port Arthur TAS

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of the BEST Cruise Ship Water Slides

© Disney/Kent Phillips

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The Ultimate Abyss The largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas, will make her debut season in May 2016 and onboard is a brand new, supersized interactive waterpark - Splashaway Bay - that boasts a 10-storey slide, for thrill-seeking kids, called The Ultimate Abyss the tallest slide at sea!

The ride begins in the Pool and Sports Zone with two sideby-side slides. Hop onto the special slide mat and off you go! Spontaneous audio effects create a thrilling multi-sensory experience as you whoosh and spiral from high above the seas to the centre of the ship!

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The AquaDuck Disney Cruise Line ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy promise guests ‘a quacking good time’ as you hurtle through the

water-gushing AquaDuck tube that takes you all over the ship!

More like a roller coaster than your average water slide, and developed by Disney Imagineers, AquaDuck is the first of its kind at sea. Whiz through 230m of snaking tubes, and take in breathtaking views of the ocean and ship below as powerful water jets propel you and your two-person raft through uphill climbs, before splashing into a lazy river at the end of the plunge.

Carnival Waterworks © Carnival

New waterslides on Harmony of the Seas © Royal Caribbean

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WaterWorks Carnival WaterWorks is the cruise line’s exciting onboard waterpark that includes the Twister Waterslide - almost 100m of spiralling awesomeness that starts you off high in the air and gets you down low with one of the fastest, wettest rides you’ll find anywhere at sea!

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OF THE WORLD’S TALLEST HOTELS

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J W Marriott Marquis Dubai UNITED ARAB EMIRATES An astonishing 7 of the Top 10 tallest hotels in the world are in Dubai, but the title of World’s Tallest Hotel officially goes to Dubai’s J W Marriott Marquis at 355.35m high. The Guinness Book of Records has awarded the title to the 5-star hotel, housed in two 72-floor towers boasting over 1,600 rooms, 18 shops, 9 restaurants, 5 lounges, spa and health club.

JW Marriott Marquis Dubai © iStock

Burj Al Arab Dubai

© iStock

Here, in no particular order, are some more of the world’s tallest hotels, guaranteed to thrill the kids and offering skyhigh, bird’s eye views from your hotel room!

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Courtyard/Residence Inn Manhattan/ Central Park New York USA The 68-storey building comprises two Marriott hotels - the Courtyard on levels 6-33 and the Residence Inn (for stays over 5 nights only) on levels 37-65. The

228.6m tall hotel took out the title of North America’s tallest hotel when it opened in 2013 and with a prime NYC address - within strolling distance of famous family-friendly attractions like Times Square, Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) and Central Park - what’s not to love?

Burj Khalifa Dubai If you’re visiting Dubai, check out the World’s Tallest Building from the Highest Outdoor Observation Deck in the world (on Levels 125 and 148). At 828m and with 160 storeys, the building is truly a feat of modern design and engineering - see Tom Cruise dangle precariously from the outside of the tower in the 2011 film Mission Impossible IV: Ghost Protocol to get a real appreciation for the sheer scale and height of this mighty manmade structure!

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Grand Lisboa Macau © iStock

Q1 Gold Coast

© iStock

Jin Mao Tower with Grand Hyatt Shanghai

© iStock

Hotel Everest View, Nepal © Hotel Everest View

Centara Grand Bangkok © Centara Hotels & Resorts

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Burj Al Arab Dubai UNITED ARAB EMIRATES The 7-star Burj Al Arab is perhaps the most well known of the tallest Dubai hotels.

Kids will marvel at the sight of this distinctive 321m high edifice (which sits on its own man-made island) and, once inside, a world of fun awaits at the complementary 18th floor Sinbad’s Kid’s Club. And, bonus! Wild Wadi Waterpark sits opposite Burj Al Arab and offers 30 amazing rides and attractions for the whole family.

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Grand Lisboa MACAU For total luxury at 260m, Macau’s Grand Lisboa offers a choice of an astonishing 14 dining establishments, including

Michelin-starred restaurants!

The Grand Lisboa & Casino is also the tallest structure in Macau.

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Centara Grand at CentralWorld Bangkok THAILAND The 5-star, 55-storey Centara Grand in Bangkok boasts spectacular city views from its guestrooms and four restaurants, all connected by skywalk to CentralWorld with 100 restaurants and 500 shops!

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Q1 Gold Coast QLD The tallest building in Australia at 323m, Q1 even has its own SkyPoint Observation Deck and Climb, high above the action of Surfers Paradise, with views of the Gold Coast, and beyond.

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Gran Hotel Bali Benidorm SPAIN Don’t let the name fool you – this ‘Gran’ Hotel is not in Indonesia, but is located in the Spanish coastal holiday town of Benidorm, and it is Europe’s tallest hotel.

Super family-friendly, you’ll find a children’s play area, children’s pool, and, in high season, a seemingly endless program of fantastic kids activities and entertainment!

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Grand Hyatt and Park Hyatt Shanghai CHINA Set across floors 53 to 87 of the 421m Jin Mao Tower, the Grand Hyatt in Shanghai offers guests panoramic city views from its spectacular 16m indoor Skypool, one of the highest swimming pools in the world! Its taller counterpart,

the Park Hyatt, occupies the 79th93rd floors of the Shanghai World Financial Center which, at 492m high, just pips the Jin Mao Tower.

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Hotel Everest View NEPAL It doesn’t exactly fit into a list of some of the World’s Tallest Hotels, but it does lay claim to the title of the World’s Highest Hotel! Opened in 1971, the Hotel Everest View is, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, officially the Highest Placed Hotel in the World, at almost 4000m above sea level! Situated within Sagarmatha National Park in Nepal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the hotel boasts a 360 degree view of the Himalayas, and awesome Mt Everest can be seen from every room! Mt Everest itself, the highest mountain in the world, is 8848m above sea level!

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surround yourself with options Mall of America速 is the largest U.S. shopping and family entertainment center located next to Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP) in Minnesota. Enjoy world-class shopping at 520 stores with no sales tax on clothing and shoes. Experience hours of family fun at the biggest U.S. indoor theme park, aquarium, zip line, 50 restaurants, 400 free annual events and much more. Select from over 50 hotels located within 10 minutes, all offering free shuttle service to the Mall and MSP Airport. mallofamerica.com

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bloomingtonmn.org

THE

Uluru at sunset

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7540 Marketplace Drive, Minneapolis MN 55344 Trim: 210 x 275

Z I M M E R / M A D I C H 2015 MOA Tourism | Out & About with Kids

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Uluru - the gigantic rock is said to be around 700 million years old and is sacred to indigenous Australians.

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Alice Springs, in the heart of the MacDonnell Ranges, hosts unique Aussie annual events including the Alice Desert Festival Camel Cup and the Henley-on-Todd Regatta - an unusual boat race held on the dry, sandy bed of the Todd River!

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Hot air ballooning over The Alice, followed by a bush tucker tour!

of the Best of the Top End for Families – the Northern Territory

Get slitherin’ at The Alice Springs Reptile Centre - play with a python, watch the lizards feed, spy on secretive geckos, see crocodiles from underwater, and meet resident goannas and frill-neck lizards.

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Take a virtual journey of the World’s Largest Classroom at The Alice Springs School of the Air Visitor Centre.

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Discover stunning Kakadu National Park - learn about ancient aboriginal culture, see amazing rock art, giant termite mounds, natural waterholes, and take a boat cruise on the Yellow Water Billabong where you can spot exotic birds and crocs!

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Head to Darwin’s famous Crocosaurus Cove and come face-to-face with some of the largest saltwater crocs in the world, as well as 70 reptile species only found in Australia’s Top End. Crocosaurus Cove

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Cool off at the fabulous Darwin Wave Lagoon - a palm-fringed swimming pool that turns into a tuberiding, boogie-boarding barrel of family fun when the ‘swell’ is generated in twenty minutes bursts! Wading pools and fountains keep little ones happy too.

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Henley-On-Todd Regatta © travelnt

Aboriginal art

© Keringke Arts, Alice Springs travelnt

Darwin’s Waterfront Precinct is a great place for families to explore, chill, eat, swim and shop – and grab an ice-cream or fish ‘n’ chips, take a harbour cruise or do a spot of fishing.

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New York City film locations you MUST visit

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The Mall Central Park, Manhattan

This beautiful open air thoroughfare through Central Park, lined by four rows of American Elm trees, is also known as The Promenade, and leads to the Bethesda Fountain. You will easily recognise The Mall from the films Enchanted, The Smurfs, Big Daddy, Breakfast at Tiffanys and Maid in Manhattan, among others.

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Rockefeller Center Midtown, Manhattan

A complex made up of 19 buildings between 48th and 51st streets, including the famous Rockefeller Plaza and Radio City Music Hall, you may remember Rockefeller Center from Ghostbusters (in front of the Prometheus statue) and Crocodile Dundee and the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and ice rink from Elf and the end of Home Alone: Lost in New York 2.

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Grand Central Terminal Midtown, Manhattan

People still refer to this iconic railway terminal as ‘Grand Central Station’, and it certainly is grand covering 19ha, with its hub, the 42nd Street subway station. Many film directors have used parts of Grand

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Central in a range of films including Little Nicky, Men in Black and as the backdrop to the fight scene in The Avengers (2012).

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Bethesda Terrace & Fountain Central Park, Manhattan

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The Tavern on the Green Central Park, Manhattan

Central Park is the verdant heart of Manhattan and the famous Fountain and Terrace, overlooking the lake, are meeting places in real life, and on celluloid, in scenes from a host of films including Enchanted’s dance number ‘That’s How You Know’, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Stuart Little 2, Uptown Girls and Elf. You’ll find this great movie location Mid-Park at 72nd Street.

Built in 1870 to house the sheep that grazed in Central Park’s Sheep Meadow, Tavern on the Green is a landmark Manhattan restaurant that has proudly served locals, presidents, royalty, artists, actors, and first-time visitors since 1934 – and, of course, featured in many family movies! Look for the Tavern on film in Mr Poppers Penguins, Ghostbusters, Beaches, both the original Arthur (1981) and Arthur 2 (1988) and, in person, at 67th Street & Central Park West.

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Bethesda Fountain & Terrace

Times Square

Ice Skating at Rockefeller Plaza

All images © iStock

Iconic Grand Central

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Times Square

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Empire State Building Midtown, Manhattan

The heart of the world-famous ‘Broadway’, Times Square is an instantly recognisable NYC landmark.

Home to the city’s Broadway Theater District, Times Square has featured in many movies over the decades including Fame, Captain America, BIG, Spiderman 3, Crocodile Dundee, Enchanted, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Times Square runs from West 42nd Street to West 47th, between Broadway and 7th Avenues.

Inspired by the meeting of two lovers atop this towering edifice in the classic 1957 film An Affair to Remember, starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, Meg Ryan’s Annie in Sleepless in Seattle suggests the same, on Valentine’s Day for her first ‘real’ encounter with Sam - who could forget either film moment? The 102-storey NYC Art Deco cultural landmark, officially opened in 1931, has also starred in the 1933 classic King Kong (and the remake in 2005), Muppets Take Manhattan, Elf, Enchanted and Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. Take a trip up to the observation deck for a crowning view of Manhattan, at Fifth Avenue between West 33rd and 34th Streets.

Regular readers of Out & About with Kids will know what fans we are of The Hotel Beacon NYC for family holidays in Manhattan.

Located on the historic Upper West Side, amid tree-lined streets and landmark buildings, the Beacon’s rooms and suites include fully-equipped kitchenette, with microwave, coffeemaker, complimentary coffee and tea, and spacious living area, ideal for families to call home while visiting the Big Apple. Plus, you’ll be right in the centre of the action when you start sightseeing around this fabulous, and iconic, family-friendly city and its movie locations! > beaconhotel.com

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Docklands and the Observation Wheel

Luna Park St Kilda

The National Gallery of Victoria © Tobias_Titz

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Queen Victoria Market calls itself ‘the heart and soul of Melbourne.’ Eat, shop, explore and discover iconic food halls and heritage Sheds. During school holidays little marketers can enjoy a range of fun activities including the Market Make It Zone and the family event, Merry Go Market.

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The Melbourne Star Observation Wheel at Docklands has 21 spacious, airconditioned cabins and offers a 360-degree view of the city. At night, LED lights on the giant wheel dazzle, with over 15 million different light combinations!

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Visit Docklands Wonderland Fun Park dodgems, carousels, the Wacky Worm roller coaster and more! Afterwards, try some glowin-the-dark mini golf at Glow Golf.

Queen Victoria Market Melbourne

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The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is the oldest and most visited gallery in Australia. Situated in two locations - NGV International and NGV Australia - the Gallery hosts a wide range of interactive childfriendly programs. The current Our Land is Alive: Hermannsburg Potters for Kids is on until April 2016 at the FREE at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia in Federation Square.

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The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) is a popular Melbourne must-see for all ages, located in the heart of Melbourne’s iconic meeting place, Federation Square. Through fun interactive displays, get hands-on celebrating and exploring the world behind the moving image in all its forms - film, television and even digital culture!

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St Kilda and iconic Luna Park - visit the beachside suburb of St.Kilda, one of Melbourne’s most colourful destinations and home to iconic Luna Park, fabulous Acland Street (renowned for its array of continental cake shops!) and a veritable family seaside playground.

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Located on the Yarra riverside opposite the Crown Casino, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is home to thousands of animals, including sharks, turtles, stingrays, sawfish, tropical fish and much more. The hilarious ICE AGE 4-D cinema is now a permanent exhibit and included in admission!

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Melbourne Zoo boasts over 300 different species from around the world - simply unmissable!

All images unless otherwise indicated © iStock

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MAGICAL MELBOURNE MOMENTS

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Luna Park Sydney

TOP SYDNEY OUTINGS

for Families

Iconic Sydney Ferry on the harbour

Bondi Beach

All images © iStock

The residents and visitors enjoy the views from Sydney’s Taronga Zoo!

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Marvel at The Sydney Harbour Bridge Be amazed by The Sydney Opera House Catch a ferry from Circular Quay across the harbour

Discover the history of Sydney’s first settlers at The Rocks

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Play, eat, shop and have fun at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour

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Take selfies with celebs and historical wax figues at Madame Tussauds Sydney

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Explore Sydney’s exciting Chinatown and the beautiful Chinese Garden of Friendship at Darling Harbour

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Relax at Centennial Park Swim at iconic Bondi Beach

Get a bird’s eye view of the city at Sydney Tower Eye & Skywalk

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Be entertained … at the Entertainment

Quarter

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Talk to the animals at Taronga Zoo

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Shop, eat and soak up the atmosphere at the beautiful Queen Victoria Building (QVB)

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Visit the National Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour and discover naval, pirate and mini mariner history.

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Play, eat, swim, surf, shop and explore family-friendly Manly

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Spend a day at the exciting (and fun!) sport and activity precinct of Sydney Olympic Park

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Snap up a bargain or two at Paddy’s Markets in Chinatown

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Enjoy thrills and plenty of fun at Luna Park, right on the harbour’s edge at Milson’s Point

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Learn about Sydney’s convict past at Hyde Park Barracks

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Kids under 16 visit FREE at the fascinating Australian Museum

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Meet marine creatures up close at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium SUMMER 2016 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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Little Penguins at Phillip Island

© iStock

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AUSSIE ANIMAL ATTRACTIONS Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

© iStock

See Eastern Water Dragons at Australian Reptile Park © iStock

Jungle Bungalow

Australia Zoo, Beerwah QLD 1 The Winner - as voted

by Out & About with Kids readers - Best Australian Animal Attraction in our 2015 Best of Family Travel Awards.

Finalists in the Category included: 2 Taronga Zoo, Sydney NSW 3 Melbourne Zoo, VIC

4 Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo NSW 5 Sea World Resort & Water Park, Gold Coast QLD 6 Werribee Open Range Zoo, Werribee South VIC 7 Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville VIC 8 Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast QLD 9 Featherdale Wildlife Park, Blacktown NSW 10 Mogo Zoo, Mogo NSW

… and we’d like to add: 11 Little Penguins and Penguin Parade, Phillip Island Nature Park, VIC 12 Coffs Harbour Butterfly House, NSW 13 Billabong Koala Wildlife Park, Port Macquarie NSW 14 SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, NSW 15 SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, VIC 16 Australian Reptile Park, Somersby, NSW

© Jamala Wildlife Lodge

♥ The ultimate Aussie Animal Attraction might well be the new Jamala Wildlife Lodge luxury overnight safari at the National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra! Choose from one of three incredible accommodation options - Ushaka Lodge, Giraffe Tree Houses and Jungle Bungalows - each with its own unique wildlife experience … but you’ll have to see it to believe it!

Head to jamalawildlifelodge. com.au and prepare to be amazed!

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

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

For further information please contact: BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park Ocean Street (PO Box 10) Kiama NSW 2533 Freecall: 1800 674 444 P: 02 4232 2124 F: 02 4233 1009 E: holiday@eastsbeach.com.au www.eastsbeach.com.au SUMMER 2016 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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OF AUSTRALIA’S FAVOURITE HOLIDAY PARKS

1 NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Park, Gold Coast QLD 2 NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Park, Umina NSW 3 Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort, Yamba NSW 4 NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Park, NSW 5 Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort, QLD 6 Central Coast Holiday Parks, Toowoon Bay/Budgewoi/Canton Beach/Norah Head, NSW 7 BIG4 Easts Beach, Kiama NSW 8 Geelong Riverview Tourist Park, VIC 9 BIG4 Sunshine South West Rocks, NSW 10 BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, Airlie Beach QLD 11 Discovery Holiday Parks Pambula Beach, NSW

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12 BIG4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park, SA 13 BIG4 Dubbo Parklands, NSW 14 NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park, Narrabeen NSW 15 Adelaide Caravan Park, SA 16 BIG4 Bendigo Park Lane, VIC 17 Tathra Beachside Holiday Park, NSW 18 Caloundra Waterfront Holiday Park, Sunshine Coast QLD 19 Boathaven Holiday Park, Albury Wodonga NSW/VIC Border 20 BIG4 MacDonnell Ranges Holiday Park, Alice Springs NT 21 BIG4 Whiters Holiday Park, Lakes Entrance VIC 22 Eastern Beach Holiday Park, Lakes Entrance VIC 23 Twofold Bay Beach Holiday Park, Eden NSW

24 Cooke Point Holiday Park, Port Hedland WA 25 BIG4 Airlie Cove, Airlie Beach QLD 26 NRMA Darlington Beach Holiday Park, Coffs Harbour NSW 27 Victor Harbour Beachfront Holiday Park, SA 28 Coolum Beach Holiday Park, Sunshine Coast QLD 29 BIG4 North Star Holiday Resort, Tweed Heads NSW 30 Lake Keepit Holiday Park, Tamworth/Gunnedah NSW 31 BIG4 Wye River Holiday Park, VIC 32 Koala Shores Port Stephens Holiday Park, Lemon Tree Passage NSW 33 BIG4 Batemans Bay Beach Resort, NSW 34 Wallamba River Holiday Park, Forster NSW 35 Woodman Point Holiday Park, Fremantle WA

All images © iStock

Yamba

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North Narrabeen Geelong Pier

Norah Head Lighthouse

The Murray River

The famous Kiama Blowhole

Bendigo VIC

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

BOOK ONLINE Mooloolaba Beach Holiday Park

+617 5491 3342

Mudjimba Beach Holiday Park +617 5448 7157

+617 5444 1201

Cotton Tree Holiday Park

+617 5459 9070

Coolum Beach Holiday Park

+617 5446 1474

Maroochydore Beach Holiday Park +617 5443 1167

BOOK ONLINE

Naturally relaxing

BOOK ONLINE

sunshinecoastholidayparks.com.au

Be free at Malolo!

Malolo Island Resort is about a bure near the beach, surrounded by the world’s friendliest people with a living and authentic culture. Perfect for families and couples alike, you can fill your day with a myriad of activities or simply unwind and do nothing at all.

Year round choose from F$200 resort credits, Kids Eat FREE with 5 night stays, or between November and March, stay 5 nights and get an extra night FREE! Malolo. This is the way the world should be.

AHU577/M-OAWK

T +679 672 0978 | enquiries@ahuraresorts.com www.maloloisland.com

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AUD$ from

260* per person

For reservations and information visit www.maloloisland.com *Conditions apply. Approx rates only – check daily FOREX rates.

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Ready for take off © iStock

AUSSIE TRAVELLER FACTS

© Disney/Kent Phillips

© iStock

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According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 9.2 million resident Australians left the country for short-term travel overseas in 2014/15 and while this figure includes people visiting family in other countries, it’s a fair bet that a large slice of those travellers were off on a family holiday!

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The top 10 countries visited by Aussies in 2014/15 were: i) New Zealand ii) Indonesia iii) USA iv) UK v) Thailand vi) China vii) Singapore viii) Fiji ix) India x) Japan

© iStock

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Australians LOVE cruises more than anyone else in the world! It’s estimated that 1 million of us will take a cruise holiday in 2016, according to a Cruise Industry Report.

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The Tourism Research Australia National Visitor Survey showed that there were over 30 million domestic visitor nights spent in a holiday park or commercial camping ground in Australia in 2013.

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In 2011 The Real Richness Report concluded that 85% of Australians have had a caravanning or camping experience at least once in their lifetime, and 88% of campers said they believed it is something that every child should experience!

Rhapsody of the Seas in Sydney Harbour

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tourismthailand.org/au

FAMILY FUN HOLIDAYS

CREATED FOR YOU Thailand has always been a fantastic place for family holidays because of its affordable luxury, warm hospitality and variety of attractions and activities for everyone to see and do.

Central Hospitality International (CHi) offers luxurious family-friendly accommodation which is perfect for family holidays in gorgeous, tropical Thailand.

Relax in the comfort of top-quality rooms, suites and pool villas, with glorious beaches, exhilarating water activities, local culture and thrilling nightlife just moments away, and indulge in our ultra-lavish spa treatments and multitude of dining options. Meanwhile, kids can go wild at our sensational waterparks and at our fully-supervised, multi-age kids’ clubs.

Just decide which of our balmy, blissful Thailand destinations best suits you. centarahotelsresorts.com BANGKOK

•

PATTAYA

• •

T: 02 9018 9322 HUA HIN

•

•

PHUKET

E: rsoaus@centralhospitality.com •

SAMUI

•

KRABI

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Vana Nava Waterpark in Hua Hin

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TANTALISING Thailand Tips

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Phang-Nga Bay Marine National Park in Phang-Nga is home to the famous ‘James Bond Island’, so-called for its iconic appearances in the films, ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ and ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’.

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Vana Nava Hua Hin waterpark is Asia’s first water jungle with over 200,000 living species from across Thailand!

And, of course, there are water rides and slides galore providing hours of fun, plus a ropes course, climbing wall and Chang Surf Zone.

4

Bangkok’s Chatuchak Weekend Market is one of the largest outdoor markets in the world, with over 15,000 individual stalls spread across 14ha!

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Take in the fascinating experience of one of Thailand’s fabulous Floating Markets - Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi, Amphawa Floating Market in Samut Songkhram are the most famous - and you’ll find floating markets in Bangkok, Pattaya and Hua Hin too.

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The Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho, is an awesome Bangkok highlight. The famous, and much-revered, Buddha is 46 metres long, 15 metres high and covered in gold leaf!

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There are over 30,000 Buddhist temples in Thailand called wat.

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The Royal Grand Palace

Chao Phraya River flows through Bangkok, and a cruise is a wonderful way to see the city and all its sights, with a new perspective from the water! River ferries operate on fixed routes up, down and across the River. Stop at Wat Arun, a spectacular Buddhist temple, and one of Thailand’s most famous landmarks on the riverside.

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Visit Bangkok’s fabulous cultural attractions and temples including Wat Prakaew and the Grand Palace.

Cycling in Sukhothai

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Enjoy a ziplining adventure at Flying Hanuman in Phuket, Flight of the Gibbon in Chiang Mai and Pattaya, Flying Squirrels Chiang Mai.

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Take a family-friendly cycling tour through Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya and Sukhothai – there are several great operators in these areas including Spiceroads, Grasshopper Adventures and Bangkok Food Tours.

All images © © Tourism Authority of Thailand

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Beautiful beaches, sensational food and incredible shopping opportunities abound in Thailand, but there are also over 100 spectacular national parks and marine national parks waiting to be explored, including Khao Yai National Park, one of Asia’s largest forests and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho

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THE ISSUE Parliament House

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Capital Capers in Canberra for Children A whole universe waiting to be explored

Sumatran Tiger

All images © iStock

The Australian War Memorial

1 Questacon – The National Science & Technology Centre 2 The National Zoo & Aquarium 3 The Australian War Memorial 4 Cockington Green Gardens 5 The Australian Institute of Sport 6 Parliament House 7 Canberra Walk In Aviary 8 The National Gallery of Australia 9 Royal Australian Mint 10 Canberra Glassworks 11 Big Splash Waterpark (open Nov-Mar)

12 Jet Flight Simulator Canberra 13 iPlay Australia 14 National Dinosaur Museum 15 Canberra Reptile Zoo 16 Power Kart Raceway 17 Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex 18 Namadgi National Park and Visitors’ Centre 19 Australian National Botanic Gardens 20 Commonwealth Park SUMMER 2016 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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

For more information or to make reservations, ring us at +62361 8499 600 or visit courtyardseminyak.com

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

THE

All images © iStock

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of the Best of Indonesia for Families Pura Ulun Danu Temple

1 Indonesia is made up of over 17,000 islands, including the island of Bali.

2 Over 80% of Bali’s population is Hindu.

There are thousands of Balinese Temples and each is unique – make sure you visit some of them!

3 Located in the mountains about an hour’s drive from Bali’s main resorts, Ubud is a flourishing craft centre and famous for its fabulous rice terraces and the cheeky primates of the Sacred Monkey Forest.

4 Visit the Elephant Cave and Temple at Goa Gajah.

5 Discover the white sand beaches and crystal blue waters of Lombok.

6 Experience incredible swimming and snorkelling on the coral-fringed Gili Islands.

7 Spend a day on Bali’s family-friendly Sanur Beach.

8 Catch a traditional Indonesian Shadow Puppet Show, known as wayang.

9 See over 5000 birds at the Bali Bird Park.

10 Let loose and have some fun at Waterbom Bali and Bali Safari & Marine Park.

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Photo by Tiiu Loigu

Top of the World... It’s that moment when you just want to stay in it.

Learn more at VisitTucson.org/TopOfTheWorld

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The WIzarding World of Harry Potter - Forbidden Journey © Universal Studios

The World’s

Biggest and Best Theme Parks

Universal Studios Japan

World of Colour at Disneyland Resort Anaheim © Disney

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Disneyland Park, Anaheim California The original and, arguably, the world’s best, (if not the world’s best-known!) theme park, Walt Disney’s wonderful world began celebrating its Diamond Anniversary in 2015 and the special festivities continue through to the middle of 2016.

60 years after the gates first opened, and countless millions of visitors later, with the addition of a second theme park - California Adventure - the fairy dust never stops showering down on “The Happiest Place on Earth!”

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Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, Shanghai Disney Resort Each international Disneyland Park incorporates all of the

magical ingredients that represent the original Disneyland brand, but each also includes cultural elements specific to its location. Tokyo Disneyland is now the third most visited theme park in the world! Shanghai Disney Resort will open in China mid-2016.

3

Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando Florida Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom opened in Orlando in 1971 and grew into a resort that is now so extensive it covers over 11,000ha and has over 30 hotels and resorts, four theme parks - the amazing Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom - two water parks and even a camping resort!! No wonder they call it a ‘world’!

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Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles California Combine Hollywood and a theme park and this is one HOT experience for all ages!

A California family holiday is incomplete without a visit to this thrilling theme park. Rides, shows, and a real working movie studio, Universal Studios Hollywood will take you on journeys through some of your favourite movies – behindthe-scenes on the lot and on rides that emulate the excitement and fun of those movies, including Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem, Transformers™: The Ride-3D, and the latest addition, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ opening April 2016!

Universal Studios Orlando, Florida opened in 1990 and features Universal’s Islands of Adventure (including the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park®), Wet ‘n’ Wild Waterpark and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™!

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Universal Studios Japan Located in Osaka, USJ’s Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ in 4K3D and Flight of the Hippogriff™ join Jurassic Park-The Ride®, Jaws ®, and Back To The Future® rides, as well as Sesame Street Fun World™, Shrek’s 4-D Adventure™ and Hello Kitty Avenue plus many more attractions. Over 100 million visitors have gone through the gates since USJ opened in 2001!

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INSPIRING IDEAS FOR AN AUSSIE INLAND HOLIDAY

V

enture away from the coast to some of our fabulous hinterland regions; head further west from the east coast into our friendly and interesting inland towns; explore the interior of our country and experience the real outback! Inland holidays give us the opportunity to learn about life in ‘the bush’; swim and fish in lakes, streams and creeks; delve into caves and climb mountains; soak up our pioneer history; pan for gold; ski and snowboard; learn about our true Aussie cowboys and Australia’s Indigenous heritage; find out first-hand how we farm and shear and muster; pick and eat fresh produce; sit around a campfire; find bush tucker; see galaxies and planets in the clear night sky … and so much more!

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The Murray River

2

Tamworth NSW

Australia’s longest river is the third longest navigable river in the world, after the Nile and the Amazon! It spans three states - NSW, Victoria and South Australia - meandering through great holiday towns including Albury (NSW)-Wodonga (VIC), Echuca, Moama, Mildura, Renmark and Goolwa.

Australia’s Country Music capital is nestled in the New England Region of NSW where national parks, waterways, horse riding trails, gold and gem fossicking, trout fishing and, yes, plenty of country music, are on the holiday checklist of fun activities!

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Echuca

Barossa Valley South Australia

Aussie Stockman

Barrington Tops

All images © iStock

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7 AUSTRALIAN & 13 QUEENSLAND TOURISM AWARDS Trip Advisor Hall of Fame 2015

FREE

• • • • • •

Splash Waterpark 2 Resort Pools (one heated) Air Conditioned Gymnasium 2 Giant Jumping Pillows Pancake Breakfast (Thursday) Free WiFi hotspots

• • • • • • • •

Neos Interactive Play Hub Mini Coconuts playground 18 Hole Mini Golf Aqua Aerobics Heated and Cold Spas Outdoor movie screenings Barbeques Outdoor Exercise Equipment

• • • • • • •

Day/night Tennis Adventure Playground Table tennis Beach volleyball TV/Movie Room Tour booking desk City Courtesy Coach... and much, much more

• VILLAS • CABINS • CARAVAN & CAMPING • TROPICAL CAFÉ • MINI-MART

ONLY 7 MINUTES TO CAIRNS CITY CENTRE RESERVATIONS: (07) 4054 6644 23-51 Anderson Road, Woree, Cairns, Qld www.coconut.com.au E: coco@coconut.com.au

Wild Oceans EcoBoat Tour

Parents and children alike will love discovering

Lake Macquarie

Lake Macquarie is the largest permanent salt water lake in the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy an aquatic playground with 110 square kilometres of water, pristine beaches and majestic mountain ranges. Lake Macquarie offers accommodation from absolute indulgence to budget friendly.

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

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thenobbies phillip island

penguinparade phillip island

koala

conservation centre

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All images © iStock

Bilbies Crossing!

Mt Hotham

Gold Panning at Sovereign Hill, Ballarat

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Charleville QLD

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The Snowfields

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The ‘B’ towns …!

Visit the largest town in south-west Queensland, with a history dating back to the 1840s! See The Royal Flying Doctor Base; spot rock wallabies and bilbies; stargaze at Cosmos Observatory, learn about top secret World War II events that actually happened in Charleville!

In the warmer months and in the snow season our alpine areas are simply stunning places to escape on a family holiday. In Victoria, Mt Hotham, Mt Baw Baw and Falls Creek are popular family ski fields and in NSW, head to Thredbo and Perisher in the Snowy Mountains, home to our highest peak, Mt Kosciuszko.

Revisit history in Victoria’s Ballarat and Bendigo, and in Bathurst NSW and the Barossa Valley in South Australia, and try your hand at gold panning; get outdoors and breathe in the Victorian Alpine air in Bright, renowned for its caves, mountains, fishing and wildlife; explore Bairnsdale, the largest city in Victoria’s East Gippsland region, situated on the Mitchell River; discover nature at Barrington Tops National Park and surrounds in the NSW Hunter Valley; browse beautiful Bellingen in the heart of the Bellinger Valley on the NSW mid-north coast … pick a letter of the alphabet, find an inland town, and holiday somewhere excitingly different!

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• Guided tour through six tree platforms & seven ziplines, plus the Human Hamster Wheel!

• Over one hour in the rainforest canopy with Eco-talk on each platform • Eight tours daily from Cape Tribulation

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All images © iStock

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TREETOP

Adventures

Play at being Tarzan (or Jane!), in the spectacular rainforest bordering Daintree Cape Tribulation National Park, with Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours in Queensland’s Cape Tribulation. Get a bird’s eye view of the ocean, rainforest and Great Barrier Reef from high in the treetops.

2

Try Acrobranching in Johannesburg, South Africa! Swing through treetops on ziplines, manouevre around obstacles and cross bridges – even kids as young as 3 years old can safely take part, with different level courses and ageappropriate adventures for all.

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Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures in the NSW Southern Highlands offers a Treetop Walk and a Zipline Tour (officially the highest in Australia!) in native rainforest.

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Stop at Otway Fly Treetop Adventures, on the Great Ocean Road at Weeaproinah in Victoria, for an experience on the longest and tallest Treetop Walkway of its type in the world, or try your hand at the Zipline Eco-Tour.

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A theme park in the trees?

The TreeTop Challenge is Australia’s first adventure theme park in the trees, with two locations on Queensland’s Gold Coast - at Mount Tamborine and inside Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

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Fly through a tropical rainforest canopy over streams and waterfalls on the Sleeping Giant Zipline in Fiji, a 14ha eco-friendly adventure park, just 25 minutes’ drive from Nadi Airport.

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!

5 r o f y a p y l n o d Stay 7 nights an

FJ$200

PLUS receive a food & beverage credit per room* Hurry book now, Sales end 31 March 2016.

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

An Enriching Experience For All Ages At the award winning inclusive five star Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort – Fiji you will rekindle romance, savour creative gourmet cuisine, relax, rejuvenate with a massage and enjoy snorkelling and fishing while your treasures are nurtured by fantastic Fijian nannies. The only resort in Fiji to employ a marine biologist, it has created a wonderful program for children (Bula Club 9am-9pm) which focuses on fun, culture and the environment. It creates time for families to bond and allows parents some wonderful “couples time out”. Two children under 12 are free with 2 adults.

For enquiries on family packages inclusive of 2 free nights + bonuses

call: 1300 306 171 email: sales@fijiresort.com www.fijiresort.com or see your local Travel Agent

Free nanny for each child under 6 years 9am-9pm

www.fijiresort.com

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Fiji islands in the Mamanuca Group

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Fascinating All images © iStock

FIJI FACTS

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Fiji is an island nation with over 300 islands and approximately 110 of these are inhabited. There is no one island called Fiji.

In Fijian villages, only the chief can wear hats and sunglasses. The top of the head is sacred, and you should never pat or touch a Fijian’s head.

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The International Date Line runs through Fiji’s island of Taveuni, where you can stand with one foot in today, and the other in yesterday or tomorrow!

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Fiji has six native land mammals, all of which are bats, including the Fiji monkey-faced bat and Fijian blossom bat which eat only fruit, and the Polynesian sheath-tail bat and Fijian mastiff bat which both also eat insects.

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The Fijian ‘sulu’ (also known as pareau, lavalava or sarong) is Fiji’s most distinctive and versatile form of dress and there are at least ten different ways a sulu can be worn by a woman, including as evening wear!

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Over 330,000 Aussies departed for a Fiji holiday in 2014/15, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The Happiest People on Earth

Fijians have been named ‘The Happiest People on Earth”. A 2014 global survey found that Fiji’s people are the happiest of any nation, with a whopping 93 percent of Fijians answering they were either “happy” or “very happy” with their lives, and expected to be happy in the future!

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You’ll find the delicious, traditional Fijian dish ‘kokoda’ (pronounced kokonda) on just about every menu. It’s a marinated raw fish (usually mackerel) generally prepared with lime juice, chillies, onions and coconut milk.

Traditional bure in Navala Village Viti Levu

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The Fijian greeting ‘bula’ is translated as ‘life’ and is liberally offered by Fijians as a joyous means of conveying everything from hello and how are you to welcome, and bidding farewell. Make sure you offer it heartily in return!

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PUB: Out and About with Kids Issue: Jan 29, 2016 (Summer) Client: Aston Property: AST (Asto Size: 1/2PH non ble (177 mm x 110 mm Colors: Full DUE: 1/18

Collect stories, not selfies.

You won’t remember the time you spent staring at your screen, but you’ll never forget your time with us in Hawaii. + 1·808·924·2924 | astonhotels.com

Be free at Malolo!

Malolo Island Resort is about a bure near the beach, surrounded by the world’s friendliest people with a living and authentic culture. Perfect for families and couples alike, you can fill your day with a myriad of activities or simply unwind and do nothing at all.

Year round choose from F$200 resort credits, Kids Eat FREE with 5 night stays, or between November and March, stay 5 nights and get an extra night FREE! Malolo. This is the way the world should be.

AHU577/M-OAWK

T +679 672 0978 | enquiries@ahuraresorts.com www.maloloisland.com

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AUD$ from

260* per person

For reservations and information visit www.maloloisland.com *Conditions apply. Approx rates only – check daily FOREX rates.

THE ISSUE The spectacular OCBC Garden Rhapsody Light & Sound Show

Bikes for hire at Pulau Ubin

10 SINGAPORE SURPRISES!

bumboat ride will cost SGD $2 per person and, once on the island, you can hire bikes and have some fun exploring - for only SGD $8 per person for the whole day!

3

Singapore’s beautiful Botanic Gardens were recently accorded the honour of being added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The National Orchid Gardens boast the world’s largest orchid display - over 60,000 plants!

Singapore is made up of 63 islands.

The first night safari in the world - Singapore Night Safari - opened in 1994 and welcomes you into a world of nocturnal creatures at dusk.

There are 107 markets and Hawker Centres in Singapore.

To make eating like a local easy for families, all hawker centre food stalls are given a hygiene rating A, B, C, D. This unique dining experience gives a perfect snapshot of the multiculturalism that is at the forefront of Singapore today.

6 7

Visit Maxwell Road Food Centre, which is one of Singapore’s most popular hawker centres and home to the renowned Tian Tian Chicken Rice.

The magical Gardens by the Bay is the city’s pocket of greenery, and home to the tall and impressive supertrees, which are solar-powered and function exactly the same way a real tree does. Don’t miss the fantastic daily (and free!)

OCBC Garden Rhapsody Light & Sound Show at 7:45pm and 8:45pm.

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8

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A 10-minute bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal will get you to Pulau Ubin, a must-visit island for families. The

Did you know the iconic Merlion statue is angled at exactly 45 degrees? Visit one of Singapore’s national icons (there

Feast on fabulous food at Singapore’s famous Hawker Centres

are five in total), dotted across the city-state. Hint: the most iconic one overlooks Marina Bay at One Fullerton.

9

Singaporeans believe turtles are good luck. Visit the Turtle Temple and Museum, home to over 900 turtles, and thousands of turtle-shaped ceramics and furniture.

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Fit in with the locals by trying these simple customs: 1 Put anything from a tissue pack to an umbrella on a chair to reserve your seat at a hawker centre while you hunt down delicious food.

2 Everyone is your family - call anyone older than you an ‘Aunty’ or an ‘Uncle’ (it’s a sign of respect).

3 Add ‘LAH’ to the end of your sentence for emphasis. Did you know that LAH was the 1st ‘Singlish’ word to be accepted into the Oxford English Dictionary in 2000? Cool, LAH?

All images © Singapore Tourism

1 2

The iconic Merlion statue

Don’t miss the Night Safari!

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© Shutterstock

OF THE PACIFIC’S BEST FAMILY BEACHFRONT RESORTS

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Fitzroy Island Resort © Fitzroy Island Resort

Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Island Resort © Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Island Resort

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Fitzroy Island Resort, Queensland, Australia

Nestled between the rainforest and coral beaches, Fitzroy Island is one of the unspoiled islands on the Great Barrier Reef, and an easy 45 minute ferry transfer from Cairns. Kids of all ages can learn to safely snorkel right off the beach!

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Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, Honolulu, Hawaii

3

Maui Kaanapali Villas, Maui, Hawaii

4

InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, Natadola Fiji

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Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Island Resort, Savusavu Fiji

The sands of one of the world’s most famous beaches Waikiki - are right at your door!

Boasts a beachfront location on one of the finest stretches of Maui’s finest beach.

Experience beachfront living with direct access from your accommodation to one of the best beaches on Viti Levu, at beautiful Natadola Bay. Let the lapping surf lull you to sleep and enjoy a front row seat for the nightly, breathtaking, sunsets!

7ha of private peninsula overlooking Savusavu Bay, with pristine white sand and turquoise waters - this is a worldrenowned, luxury, family-friendly eco beach resort!

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Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort © Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort

Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket © Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket

InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa © InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa

Rarotonga Cook Islands © iStock

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Castaway IslandFiji © Outrigger Hotels & Resorts

THE ISSUE Amazing snorkelling in Bora Bora © iStock

Kaanapali Beach Maui © iStock

Port Vila Vanuatu © iStock

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives © Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives

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The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa, Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Wake each morning to a kilometre of white sands, a blue lagoon, swaying palm trees and colourful reef fish.

Paradise on an unspoiled Pacific island!

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Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, Thailand

This stunning resort is set directly on the sands at Karon Beach, the third longest beach on Phuket, and one of the most popular holiday destinations in Phuket (with excellent snorkelling!)

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Malolo Island Resort, Fiji

A bure on the beach, barefeet and azure seas – what more could you want from a beachfront resort? Popular with families, Malolo is owned by a local Fijian family, and promises an authentic, relaxing experience under blue skies, with swaying coconut palms and the ocean lapping the shore!

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Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives

A barefoot paradise surrounded by the blue ocean of

the South Ari Atoll, with villas set overwater, and a palm-fringed beach - definitely an idyllic, spectacular destination for families!

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Le Meridien Bora Bora, French Polynesia

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Iririki Island Resort & Spa, Vanuatu

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Castaway Island Fiji Resort, Fiji

They call Bora Bora the ‘Jewel of French Polynesia’- it truly is beautiful! The overwater bungalows at Le Meridien feature the largest glass floors of any other resort in French Polynesia!

A beach alreadt set up with picnic tables, sun loungers and beach volley ball - families love Iririki for many good reasons, including a second beach, at Snorkeler’s Cove, with an activities hut and snacks!

A family favourite holiday destination, this beautiful atoll in the Mamanuca Island Group is beachfront all the way, ringed by blue sea and fantastic swimming and snorkelling.

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

PLAY FREE IN PARADISE!

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!

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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Ash boarding down the slopes of Yasur volcano

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Cultural Village on Espiritu Santo

VANUATU There is SO much for families to experience on the main island of Efate and around the capital, Port Vila: 1 Marvel at this exquisite destination!

2 Bask in the warm and welcoming Vanuatu hospitality 3 Swim at the beautiful Mele cascade waterfalls 4 Snorkel gorgeous coral reefs 5 Visit a traditional village for a fun educational and cultural experience for all ages 6 Take the ‘Eden Experience’ at Eden on the River where all ages can spend the day strolling around tropical gardens, take a tour over the suspension bridges and on the ziplines, have a dip in the calm river or go snorkelling 7 Kids 6 years and up will love ‘Kayaking Vanuatu’ - safely

exploring Port Vila’s tranquil lagoons from a glass bottomed kayak 8 Hydro Zorb at Wet ‘n’ Wild – kids 5 years and up will squeal with delight as they roll down the picturesque Mele hills inside a 2.5m giant inflatable hydro ball!

9 Spend a day at Club Hippique Adventure Park and ride horses on the beach or even through rainforest 10 See the amazing tropical fish at Hideaway Island from a glassbottom boat 11 Send a postcard from the world’s only Underwater Post Office!

12 Paddle board around Port Vila’s bays with La Bodego or Lagoon Paddle 13 Hire a buggy from Buggy Fun for an off-road family adventure

Mele Waterfall and Cascades

14 Take a thrilling Tropic Thunder jet boat ride on Port Vila Harbour with Adventures in Paradise On other islands: 15 In Espiritu Santo, take an outrigger canoe down one of Santo’s beautiful Blue Water Swimming Holes 16 Snorkel with a thousand tropical fish in crystal clear waters 17 Trek through untouched rainforest discovering WWII history on Espiritu Santo 18 On Tanna, climb one of the world’s most accessible volcanoes - Mount Yasur 19 Sand board down the ash planes of Mt Yasur!

20 Walk to the crater rim to witness spectacular natural fireworks in the volcano!

All images © Vanuatu Tourism Office. Photographer David Kirkland

for families

Mount Yasur

Port Vila

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MUST-SEE HAWAIIAN MOVIE LOCATIONS OAHU

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The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Fans of this blockbuster franchise will love escaping into the North Shore of Oahu to discover Kawela Bay, where Panem’s annual battle-to-the-death match was filmed. Visit the North Shore’s famous Waimea Valley and listen out for jabberjays while you pretend you are racing through the jungles just like Katniss and Peeta did here!

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50 First Dates

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Kualoa Ranch, Oahu

The Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler rom-com was filmed on Oahu across several locations including Waimanalo Beach, Dillingham Estate, Ka’a’awa Valley, Kualoa Ranch (Hukilau Café), Waimea Bay, Sea Life Park, Kaneohe Bay, and Waikane Pier.

Take a fabulous 90-minute tour of Hollywood’s ‘Hawaii Backlot’, Kualoa Ranch in Ka’a’awa Valley, where scores of Tinsel Town’s biggest blockbuster movies and tv series were filmed. Hop aboard a vintage school bus and take a photo of yourself at the iconic Jurassic Park fallen tree, find Godzilla’s footprints, see the road site from You Me & Dupree, the house structure from

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Mighty Joe Young, and scenes from Hawaii Five-0 and LOST! Full of movie posters, props and memorabilia from movies filmed at Kualoa through the years.

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Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Most of the action takes place in and around Peter’s (Jason Segel) resort accommodation, filmed at the real Turtle Bay Resort at Kahuku.

Base yourselves at Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk, an all-suite family-friendly hotel right in the heart of the action. Two-bedroom suites are equipped with king and queen-sized bed options, two bathrooms, spacious living room, microwave, refrigerator, wireless internet and more. It’s easy to explore movie locations on Oahu from here and, with complimentary made-to-order breakfast daily, the whole family will be full of energy for a day of exciting sightseeing, and ready for a refreshing swim in the pool at the end of the day! Familyfriendly Honolulu attractions, dining and shopping are all at your doorstep - including Waikiki Beach. embassysuiteswaikiki.com

THE ISSUE

Breakfast at Embassy Suites Waikiki © Embassy Suites Waikiki

© iStock

Sea Life Park © iStock

Kualoa Ranch © iStock

KAUAI

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The stunning island of Kauai

has been used for more film locations than anywhere else in Hawaii.

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Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Enter the world of Jack Sparrow and Co on location at Kilauea Falls, Waikapala’e Wet Cave, Ha’ena and Honopu Beach.

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Blue Hawaii

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Lilo & Stitch

One of the classic Elvis Presley films, adored by generations for its Hawaiian-flavoured storyline and real Hawaiian locations. The famous wedding scene was shot on Kauai at the then premier Kauai hotel, Coco Palms Resort Hotel. Forced to closed after Kauai was hit by Hurricane Iniki in September 1992, the resort is due to reopen in 2017 under the Hyatt banner. You can still see the original coconut grove that the hotel was built on, planted in 1896!

This much-loved Disney Studios animated feature, released in 2002, tells the story of Stitch, an alien experiment designed to wreak havoc wherever

Kauai’s Na Pali Coast © iStock

he goes, but who escapes to Earth and is adopted by a little Hawaiian girl on Kauai.

Impressed by the beauty of Kauai, the film’s creators decided that the best way to recreate the island visually was to use a technique that had not been employed by Disney Animation in over 60 years – watercolour!

The production team spent weeks in Hawaii studying the geography, buildings, vegetation, and even the way the light falls from the sky at different times of the day. They incorporated real Kauai locations including the bridge to Hanalei, the Kilauea Lighthouse, the Princeville Hotel, and the Na Pali Coast to produce a beautiful family movie that truly captures the spirit of Hawaii.

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THE ISSUE

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OAWK PREDICTIONS FOR HOT FAMILY HOLIDAYS IN 2016 Gold Coast Townsville

All images @iStock

Dubai

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The Gold Coast, Queensland It’s always at the top of any Aussie family holiday destination and for many, many good reasons – the climate, the beaches, the natural attractions, the great food and shopping and – of course – the theme parks!

With a seemingly inexhaustible range of holiday accommodation options to choose from to suit all family sizes and budgets, we tip ‘The Goldie’ will be at the top of the HOT LIST for family holidays again in 2016!

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Cruises Australia is the fastestgrowing cruise market in the world and Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess and P&O are all bringing more of their fabulous ships to our shores each summer cruise season.

South Pacific cruises remain ever-popular with families, but new itineraries let you holiday in Queensland and The Great Barrier Reef, Tasmania and New

Zealand. If you’re not familiar with a cruise holiday why not try a short cruise between 3 days and 7 days? Cruising is a terrific all-inclusive holiday that works for every member of the family and with everything onboard you could possibly want – and then some! – plus shore excursions in fabulous new destinations, we tip that family cruise holidays will be hotter than ever on the HOT LIST for 2016!

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Dubai This exciting and exotic destination is firming up as a favourite with Aussie families, many of whom have had a taste of the delights of the futuristic, yet traditional, city in the United Arab Emirates, on AustraliaEurope stopovers - and decided to come back for a real holiday!

From mega shopping malls with aquariums, indoor ski slopes and entertainment/play zones to fascinating open air markets (souks); desert adventures and Arabian feasts; and some of the

most jaw-dropping, skyscraping towers and hotels you’ve ever seen, we tip Dubai as one of the emerging HOT family destinations in 2016!

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Sunshine Coast, QLD Glorious weather, laid-back lifestyle and sensational beaches make the Sunshine Coast a favourite go-to holiday spot for families with even more on offer beyond the coastline. The Sunshine Coast hinterland is a natural playground dotted with historic towns and villages and exuding a cultural charm all its own! The Sunny Coast is also home to fantastic family attractions including Australia Zoo, The Ginger Factory, Aussie World, The Big Pineapple and The Glasshouse Mountains.

Any time of the year, the sunny Sunshine Coast lays it on for families so we’re tipping that this popular and fun destination will be right at the top of the HOT LIST for 2016!

Our recent Wotif.com competition entries revealed the places on YOUR family holiday wishlist. Wotif.com says our readers should start planning, so that they can make their holiday destination dreams come true in 2016!

• Fiji is an all ‘round crowd pleaser when it comes to family travel and ticks the box for all family traveller types.

• Hamilton Island in Queensland boasts a water temperature that rarely drops below 23 degrees, and as many fun family activities as you could imagine – in and out of the water!

• The Gold Coast – voted as the #1 favourite family destination by Australians in a recent Wotif survey!

• Townsville, QLD - the perfect escape when winter is coming and you’re looking for a tropical getaway right here in Australia!

• Hawaii - a growing favourite family destination and, with more flights from Australia into Honolulu than ever before, it’s also an affordable destination wotif.com/families

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DENVER, COLORADO Gateway to Family Fun & Adventure!

Denver, Colorado, is a walkable, outdoor city offering urban adventures, from hiking and biking to art, culture and family attractions. The brilliant blue skies, 300 days of sunshine and magnificent views of the Rocky Mountains inspire all ages to explore The Mile High City. Find out more at VISITDENVER.com

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Surfing the Bluff

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Fearless or fabulous? Intrepid traveller and mum to baby Ollie, SUE WHITE, shares their travels together and inspires other parents to try Europe by train.

Hawaii’s Waikiki Beach certainly has the WOW factor. Right at the heart and soul of Honolulu, Waikiki is the perfect place for families to base themselves for a holiday that’s guaranteed to impress. RICHARD BUNTING explores Oahu’s most famous landmarks, and samples the island’s delicious eats and treats along the way!

Baby On Board – see Europe by train

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Queenstown, New Zealand

Holiday Hawaiian-style – page 112

Dad had planned to ski, ski, ski on a recent New Zealand holiday, but Queenstown proved to be a surprising playground for families, offering as much fun off the slopes as on! THE BYRNE FAMILY takes us around this fabulous South Island city.

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Nanna’s Farm For toddler Sam, a farmstay in Victoria with mum and dad, baby sister Polly and Nanna! – was a holiday he will never forget. JENNIFER COOK invites us to join her family for a week in Melbourne and on The Great Ocean Road.

Holiday Hawaiian-style

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Surfing the Bluff The southern edge of Western Australia’s famed, and stunning, Ningaloo Marine Park is a real surfer’s paradise! CATHERINE LAWSON revisits Red Bluff after 20 years - this time with her bouncy three-year-old daughter.

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Baby On Board see Europe by train

Fearless adventurer and mum, SUE WHITE, recently travelled through Europe with her 10-month-old son, Ollie, and having done her homework first, advises families who plan to do the same to … take the train! Here’s why …

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ne of the many wonderful things for Aussies visiting Europe is that, once there, everything feels so close. But how best to make the ‘hop’ between cities or countries with a baby onboard? Train, of course.

It’s not hard to see why. With plane travel you can often be met with long transfers to the airport, fiddly check ins, seat belt signs, sore ears and luggage carousels. And train travel? Departures and arrivals from the centre of town, no lines if you’ve got a Eurail pass, space for the baby to play while you enjoy the view, and luggage is within arm’s reach.

No prizes for guessing which feels less frazzling.

However, these are my first-hand tips for helping your European rail journey with little ones run smoothly.

1. Book everything in advance The first is to book in advance. It’s easy to think, “I’m in Europe, there are so many trains”, but that’s the wrong approach, at least if you’re travelling between countries or on the high-speed intercity trains, especially in peak season. If you’re travelling with a baby, you’re not going to be flexible about days and times. Instead, you’ll want train departures to coincide with accommodation check out times (you are pre-booking accommodation, right?). Plus, many intercountry tickets are much cheaper when booked ahead. Some high-speed intercity or intercountry trains require seat reservations: this means even if you’re using a Eurail pass you’ll still need to secure the actual seat on a specific departure.

2. Get the right Eurail passes Around for decades, Eurail passes are still going strong. But before you buy, you’ll need to sit down and calculate what the best pass is for you. Will you be in one, two or more countries?

Which countries? (If they are adjoining countries, a Eurail Select Pass might be the best value). Will you be doing lots of daytrips (where you can make good use of an unlimited “Global” pass) or only using the Eurail pass for long distances? (In the latter situation a flexible pass offering five days in a month might be best.) If you’ll be mainly in one country, a train pass might be the best value. Rail Europe sells passes and has loads of information (and forums) helping travellers choose the best pass for their trip. raileurope.com.au You may find in some cases buying individual tickets works out cheaper: the only way to figure it out is to spend time crunching the numbers online.

A word about seat reservations …

If you’re travelling on a pass – like a Eurail, or a country-specific train pass – the idea of seat reservations may feel redundant. Don’t you already have a pass? Yes, but this gives you ‘access’, versus an exact seat. Some journeys require either a rail pass + seat reservation (or simply, a firm ticket), whereas for other routes, seat reservations aren’t necessary. It’s because when criss-crossing Europe you are switching between both train companies and countries: each with their own requirements. As a general rule, if you’re travelling in peak or travelling with a baby on a set schedule (ie: it will be a real hassle if your preferred train is full), make seat reservations as a matter of course.

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3. What to expect from onboard facilities Once on European trains, bub can move around; there’s always a decent café selling meals (or if you’re in first class, meals are often provided – as is WiFi); and you can usually set up the pram somewhere at the end of the carriage for the baby’s sleep while you sit and watch the view.

Most trains also have a baby change room, and if you’re travelling in Switzerland, don’t miss the ‘family carriage’. Not only does it have loads of space downstairs perfect for prams, but upstairs is a playground. Yes, a playground on a train! Travelling babies’ utopia.

4. Travelling by Eurostar This high-speed train whips passengers from London to Paris in just over two hours. Everything about the experience feels easy; in fact, so easy it’s joyful.

At St Pancras station in London, you’ll go through customs – simultaneously checking out of the UK and into France. The quick and painless process couldn’t be further from an airport experience. There are lifts in St Pancras station, and plenty of place for luggage on board. (In theory there are limits, but in reality just load it on and you’ll have no problems.) There’s also a baby change room on the Eurostar. Tickets are cheapest purchased in advance (you can’t use your Eurail on the Eurostar, but it may entitle you to a discounted ticket).

5. … speaking of luggage …

Trains allow more flexibility with luggage than planes, but you’ll still want to pack smart for your European jaunt.

The best combination for travelling with a baby in Europe by planes or trains is: A four-wheeled (not two-wheeled) suitcase - shared

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between one adult and the baby. Put everything in tough zippered bags (like those from Kathmandu). Even better, label each with a key ring - Pants, Tops, Personal is a good division. Use additional zippered bags for toiletries (shared between adult and baby), a ‘roaming’ nappy change bag and a bigger zip bag for books and toys (keep the last two in your hand luggage).

A rolling backpack - as your carry on luggage – use this on flights and in transit days on trains (not a handbag).

A baby carrier - I found the Ergo to be the most comfortable. Use the outside zip pocket as your handbag when out exploring – let’s face it, you’re not going to be looking super stylish with a baby strapped to you anyway, so go for practical!

A pram - if your baby has day sleeps in it.

For more travelling-with-baby tips, take it from a mum who travels with baby -Sue White - and visit babieswhotravel.com

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Queenstown, New Zealand

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With the 2015 Australian ski season at an end, the BYRNE FAMILY headed for New Zealand to catch the spring snow on the mountains of Queenstown, and found so much to see and do off the slopes that their white adventure evolved into a much broader family holiday!

Why New Zealand?

Dad: We were busy with other activities over most of the winter school holidays and had missed our chance to ski in Australia. The New Zealand ski season is a little longer so we jumped at the opportunity to try Queenstown in spring, and it didn’t disappoint! I wish we could have spent more time on the slopes.

Mum: New Zealand is so close to Australia. It took us less time to fly there and set up in our hotel than it does for us to drive from Sydney to the NSW snowfields and, with three kids, anything that makes travelling quick and easy is a good holiday for me.

We hired a car that we picked up at the airport, and getting around was a breeze, allowing us to explore lovely satellite towns like Arrowtown and Glenorchy at leisure, which were easy drives just outside Queenstown.

And, the best part for me was that I didn’t cook once!

That was a huge and welcome break from the parade of breakfast, school lunch packing and preparing dinner options to suit three kids with varying tastes.

On-piste Dad: The skiing was fantastic! My only lament is that we didn’t have more time on the slopes. Out of the eight days we spent in Queenstown we only managed two full days skiing, but those two days were awesome.

Mum: It was brilliant, good spring snow coverage and easy access from Queenstown. Everything - from the transport up there to ski hire and passes - went like clockwork and made getting to the slopes, as a family of five, so simple and fast.

I loved looking down at the lake and green scenery below from a solid spring cover of snow. The three children all have different skiing abilities and the variety of suitable runs was great for them. We were able to ski as a family too and really had a ball.

Audrey, aged 13: I loved being in the snow, and the skiing, It was so much fun and beautiful.

Lilla, aged 9: On the first day that we went up to the snow we woke up nice and early so we could go skiing at Coronet Peak. It was only a 30 minute drive from our hotel in Queenstown, The Heritage. We hired our ski gear and then we went on three runs – The Meadow’s Run, the Meadow’s trick section and Coronet Express.

It was great!

Felix, aged 5: When we were at the snow dad and me saw a person who lost a ski! Then they had to walk all the way down. It was funny.

Family at ziptrek

Opposite: Audrey ‘loved being in the snow’ Above: Lilla at Below Zero Ice Bar

“There were so many best things about our New Zealand holiday. The “Men in Black” safety video on Air New Zealand was really fun. And we all had our own screens and could choose movies and tv shows without having to share!” LILLA, AGED 9

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Queenstown Family Holiday

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Air New Zealand airnewzealand.com.au Heritage, Queenstown heritagehotels.co.nz/Queenstown Queenstown queenstownnz.co.nz Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mount Hutt nzski.com

The Skyline Luge Access to the multi-track Luge attraction is via the Skyline Queenstown Gondola 450m above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu to the top of Bob’s Peak. The Luge is part go-kart and part toboggan, a fun-filled 800m gravity ride for all ages and abilities. Then you catch the Luge chairlift back up to do it again! skyline.co.nz/queenstown/luge And of course all this is to be found at the top of the Gondola, the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere. Sit back and relax as the best views in the region unfold before your eyes. skyline.co.nz

6 Adventures in Queenstown Mum: I could not believe how beautiful the area was.

Queenstown is breathtaking and like a postcard at every turn. I loved waking in the morning to the lake view from our hotel room at The Heritage - a beautiful start to every day.

The food was fantastic too. We had a huge buffet at the hotel each morning and found many fun and family-friendly restaurants in the area. Ferg Burger was a hit with us all.

Audrey: The Luge [The Skyline Queenstown Luge] was my favourite activity! You have to go up the Gondola to get there. We all had a turn, even Felix and he’s only five. I wanted to go again and again. I also really liked the zipline [Ziptrek Eco Tours].

Lilla: I liked Dark Ride [Dark Ride XD Interactive Motion Ride] and also the Luge and the zipline. First, we had two goes on the luge. Then we went and got all harnessed up ready for ziplining (there were four lines).

As soon as we took our feet off the ground we flew all the way to the end in seconds. They kept getting steeper and on the second last one I didn’t think I could do it.

Once we had finished ziplining we had two more goes on the luge. It was definitely the most exciting thing I have ever done.

Oh and the Ice Bar [Below Zero Ice Bar] was fun too!

And the hotel had a pool that was inside and outside, we could swim all the time even though there was snow on the mountains.

Felix: “Dark Ride” was the best because I like scary stuff, and it was really scary. I wanted to go back again but there was too much else to do.

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Below Zero Ice bar Kids and grown ups will love visiting the biggest ice bar in Australasia, with over 35 tonnes of ice carved by two of the world’s top ice carvers! Everyone is given super-warm jackets, gloves and boots, so the whole family can enjoy chillin’ while staying warm at Below Zero. belowzeroicebar.co.nz

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Ziptrek Eco Tours Ziptrek Ecotours offers a spectacular and fun zipline eco-adventure through the forest canopy high above Queenstown, on Skyline Gondola hill. ziptrek.co.nz

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Dark Ride and XD Theatre Immerse yourself in New Zealand’s only interactive motion ride. There are two different action-packed adventures (Dark Ride and XD Theatre) that make this a must-do Queenstown family experience! darkride.co.nz

Felix about to ziplin e

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Nanna’s Farm…

on holidays with babies (and Nanna!) in Victoria Rather than shiver at the idea of spending a week holidaying in Victoria in the middle of winter, JENNIFER COOK embraced her husband’s suggestion and, with toddler Sam, baby Polly and Nanna along for the ride, says exploring Melbourne and her coastal towns for the first time en famille was an experience of pure joy!

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till adjusting to life with two little ones, we made our plans for our Victorian holiday, with my husband’s mother joining us for the first leg of our trip. It was a holiday that introduced us to the upsides of spontaneous, loosely planned outings, making the most of good and not-sogreat weather, and co-ordinating the needs of a fourmonth-old baby and a toddler on the road!

Safety first We arrived in Melbourne and picked up our hire car, already pre-booked and fitted out with car seat and baby capsule, courtesy of Melbourne baby hire company, Just Take The Kids. The company liaises directly with the car hire company and installs the kids seats ready for your arrival - and we were even able to hire a box of toys for $15 which meant we didn’t need to pack our own.

Port Campbell bound Our first stop was Port Campbell, on the famous Great Ocean Road, to see its nearby attractions, including the Twelve Apostles. The drive from Melbourne was worked in around baby Polly, and necessitated frequent stops, but when we eventually arrived at Sea Glimpse Farm Stay, it was well worth the extra time taken to reach our destination! Warmly welcomed to the fantastic property by the owner, Donna, and her family, we were escorted to our lovely accommodation - a 3-bedroom cottage, newly opened to visitors. It had everything we needed - including fully-equipped kitchen and laundry - a must for us when travelling with the kids. After settling in, we made a quick trip into town to grab some items for an easy dinner, and enjoyed an early night after a long day of travelling.

Down on the farm On our first morning at the farm, we awoke to a chorus of animal sounds - chickens clucking, goats bleating and the strange grunt of Thirsty, the camel.

Sam couldn’t wait to get outside and meet our new neighbours! Donna’s delightful daughter, and one of her school friends, helped us feed the animals and collect eggs. (There is something super special about seeing a small child carefully collecting freshly- laid eggs and bringing them in for breakfast.)

Mid-morning, we set out to explore Port Campbell, and although the day was chilly and windy, we found a delightful sheltered area near the beach where father and son immediately got busy looking for shells, collecting sticks, digging holes and enjoying all of the usual beach caper, while Nanna was in her element browsing the great local shops!

A bright red tractor caught our eye on the drive back to Sea Glimpse, so we stopped and discovered an array of fresh local produce for ‘sale’ using an honesty system. We loaded up with potatoes, onions and lemons - and Sam enjoyed a ‘ride’.

Twelve Apostles Port Campbell has all the Great Ocean Road sights at its doorstep - the Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge were beautiful and the Twelve Apostles were stunning.

The Twelve Apostles site is very accessible, with a pathway going under the road to the viewing area. I had read about how the mighty rocks were formed, and retold the story (several times) to an awestruck Sam, as the ocean swelled around the sandstone formations. Definitely one of nature’s masterpieces!

Our next two stops also thrilled me - Apostle Whey Cheese and GORGE Chocolates. Wow…! At the cheese factory, I tried several specialty cheeses, each unique and delicious, and at GORGE, it was a great cup of coffee and caramel slice for starters, before stocking SUMMER 2016 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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up on “gifts” for family (which of course included myself!). We all enjoyed a relaxing afternoon back at the farm and finished the day with a bbq at Port Campbell Park – and there was even time for hubby to duck off for a quick fish on the wharf!

Geelong to Yarraville The next morning we said goodbye to our new farm friends and began the trip back to Melbourne via stops in Geelong and Yarraville. In Geelong we enjoyed a trip to the wool museum and marvelled at the record-breaking-attempt display of a woollen pom pom. Sam loved it almost as much as the dinosaur exhibition upstairs. Wandering down to the pier we discovered a great park that was perfect for a fish and chips lunch.

We stopped in Yarraville for the night and hit the hay after a short train trip into town and a pub pizza

dinner. The next morning we farewelled Nanna and spent the rest of the day discovering Yarraville –great little cafes with safe play spaces for kids, terrific family-friendly parks and, luckily for me, a fabulous massage/ beauty salon right at the end of our street!

Lovely to have some mummy R&R time.

Melbourne Zoo Back in the city, we set out to get-to-know Melbourne Zoo, a priority for all of us on this holiday. We are pretty lucky living within 20 minutes of Taronga Zoo in Sydney, but Melbourne Zoo was such a treat! The ease of parking (and low rates) was a bonus, but it was the layout of the zoo and enclosures that made this an unforgettable experience. Accessible and level, each trail returns to a central pathway to ensure you didn’t miss anything. Highlights for us included the Lemur exhibition, with the little critters running along the path in front of us, and the Butterfly House.

Melbourne Zoo also has a great play and picnic area that provided an oasis for us to enjoy some down time around lunch, before returning to the trails.

Iconic St Kilda What’s a holiday in Melbourne without a visit to the city’s famous beachside suburb? First it was a leisurely coffee and delicious cake at one of the many bakeries that line Acland Street, with our two little ones asleep in the stroller! (A rare moment.) In the afternoon we explored the shops, and strolled along the beachfront, eating ice-cream. We couldn’t miss the historic and colourful entrance to Luna Park on the esplanade, and made a note to include it as a must-see next time we visit when the children are a little older.

Our Victorian holiday was our first big adventure as a family of four (plus Nanna!), and one we thoroughly enjoyed and will remember fondly …. especially Sam, who still often talks about going back to ‘Nanna’s farm’ …

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HOLIDAY Hawaiian-style

T

he islands of Hawaii may be over 8,000kms away from our shores but, as Out & About with Kids discovered, the 9-hour flight is definitely well worth it - especially with 10 days to spend exploring and relaxing on the main Hawaiian Island of Oahu (home of the capital, Honolulu) and on world-famous Waikiki Beach!

Retail therapy

© Eddy Galeotti / Shutterstock.com

America is famous for its out-of-this-world shopping malls and the 50th State, Hawaii, is no different. We decided to head to Waikele Premium outlet in Waipahu, a mall with over 40 stores and great deals on clothes and accessories for the whole family.

If you’ve hired a car it’s an easy drive. The Outrigger Reef concierge was only too happy to organise a return transfer for us for around USD$15 per person.

If you have a penchant for the finer things then you will fall in love with the majority of the 290 shops at Honolulu’s iconic Ala Moana shopping centre - home to just about every high-end brand imaginable, and wellknown American stores like Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Nieman Marcus and Gap. We did return to Kalakaua Ave to shop, and can recommend you pop into the

Pool by the beach at Outr Waikiki Beach Resort igger Honolulu Cookie Company and try some of their free samples – you won’t be disappointed.

© Outrigger Wa ikiki Beach Resort

Our plane lands at 6.30am, just as the sun is climbing over the Ko‘olau Range. We check in at 8am to one of two hotels we’ll be staying at on our holiday, the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach (we also stay at Outrigger Waikiki Beach), and are kindly offered a day room until ours is ready, but it’s a beautiful morning, so we don’t waste any time checking our bags and heading out to explore paradise! We stroll down Waikiki Beach Walk to Kalakaua Ave, taking us past true American dining experiences such as Denny’s diner, The Cheesecake Factory, and Jimmy Buffets. We pass an endless line of high-end shops that we earmark to browse at length another day! The stunning natural backdrop of Waikiki - Diamond Head State Monument - beckons. This 230m high volcanic crater is one of Hawaii’s most famous landmarks and, although it’s only a short drive from Waikiki, we opt to walk the few kilometres to the crater entrance and enjoy other famous landmarks along the way, including the statue of Duke Kahanamoku (a Hawaiian Olympic swimming hero and surfing legend) and Honolulu Zoo. It’s a USD $1 entry fee and a 1.5km walk up to the summit, but we manage it comfortably. There are two sets of stairs, some steep, but take it at your own pace and even little ones should manage (with the occasional carry!).

The journey is worth it for the panoramic views back down to Waikiki Beach, taking in all the stunning waters, the reef, the skyline of Waikiki and much more. Photos are being taken quicker than you can say ‘cheese’, and with the blue skies and perfect temperature added to the views, who could argue with celebrating with a few ‘selfies’?

ikiki Beach Resort © Outrigger Wa

Waikiki to Diamond Head

of Outrigger View from the watehr Re Waikiki Beac sort

Waikiki wonders An important part of every holiday is food! America offers such a vast variety of yummy food options, (many of which are probably not super healthy choices) that it seems obligatory, when on holidays, to indulge.

So sample Hawaii’s delicious fare we do! Our hotel’s Kani Ka Pilla Grille has a varied menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a highlight at breakfast was the traditional Hawaiian dish of Loco Moco, (two eggs

Top: Waikiki Beach location © Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort

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© Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort

served on a beef patty and a bed of rice with gravy.)

Definitely worth a try! The Grille is also a great dinner choice, and traditional Hawaiian music adds to the atmosphere while you dine in this poolside restaurant/ bar. We also tried the famous Cheesecake Factory! The restaurant is busy so you will need to be happy to wait 20 minutes before being seated for dinner. (The wait is worthwhile!). The menu has to be one of the most extensive we have ever seen - and mouth-watering Southern Chicken Sliders are highly recommended.

(Just wait another 20 minutes while you make room for dessert, and you’ll need this time to decide which

More Information Hawaii Tourism gohawaii.com/au Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach & Outrigger Waikiki Beach outrigger.com The Cheesecake Factory thecheesecakefactory.com Hula Grill hulagrillwaikiki.com Dukes dukeswaikiki.com Kani Ka Pila Grille outrigger.com Waikele Premium Outlets premiumoutlets.com/outlet/ waikele

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Make sure you are seated before sunset at the Hula Grill and you’ll be treated to a stunning sunset ... your tastebuds will leave satisfied, especially if you try the Macadamia Nut-crusted Hawaiian fish dish, or the Mac Nut Butter Shrimp and Scallops ... complete your evening with Hula Pie ... holiday Hawaiian-style!

Cheesecake to order!) Another famous eatery is Dukes Bar and Grill in the Outrigger Waikiki Beach. Dukes offers a USD $17 buffet breakfast and, for seafood lovers, try the Hula Grill at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach – it’s the specialty. Both Dukes and the Hula Grill have fantastic kids meals too.

Exploring the Island At your doorstep is Waikiki Beach, and the Pacific Ocean. Stretching over several kilometres with many different access points, finding a spot to set up and relax is easy. Further afield, Oahu boasts many stunning beaches, and hiring a car to drive around the island is a great way to sightsee with the family. From Waikiki drive anti-clockwise and make your first stop Hanauma Bay, an ancient volcanic crater with crystal clear waters that are perfect for snorkelling. The beach here is suitable for kids of all ages. The famous body surfing beach, Makapu’u, is a little further on. There are no life guards here so swimming is best reserved for family members with surf skills!

Definitely stop at a shrimp truck on your drive.

Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck on the Kamehameha Highway on the North Shore came highly recommended, and it was ‘shrimply’ delicious!

Check out Turtle Bay, Pupukea Beach and Waimea Bay, and then finish your day at the town of Haleiwa where you can enjoy the Hawaiian treat of shave ice at Matsumotos.

Stay Waikiki Beach offers many options for accommodation. We stayed in both the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach and Outrigger Waikiki Beach.

Both properties have extensive activities programs, service with a smile, and well-appointed rooms, and the lobby areas of each property include retail outlets and restaurants.

CREATE LIFELONG FAMILY MEMORIES ON THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS Hawai‘i’s six islands offer an incredible range of unforgettable family holiday experiences. The culture of Hawai‘i is very family-friendly. The Hawaiian word for “children” is “keiki” and many hotels and resorts will offer keiki programs that may include lei making, ukulele playing and hula lessons. In Hawai‘i, fun for your keiki isn’t hard to find no matter which island you visit.

@gohawaiiau #gohawaiiau

© David Bristow

Surfing the Bluff CATHERINE LAWSON revisits the WA beach camp of Red Bluff, on the southern edge of the stunning Ningaloo Marine Park, after 20 years.

Not much has changed, except that this time she’s swapped surfboards on roof racks for beach buckets and sunscreen, and the company of her bouncy three-year-old daughter!

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N

oisy corrugations silence all conversation as we shake and rattle our way north, leaving Quobba’s explosive blowholes shooting sky high in our dust. Ahead of us, an hour’s drive alongside the surging Indian Ocean, lies the unashamedly rustic beach camp at Red Bluff, a one in a million west coast wave Mecca that has magnetised surfers and grommets for decades.

Back to Red Bluff Famed for a back-to-basics style of living that really shouldn’t appeal as much as it does, Red Bluff lies entirely off the grid: there’s no power, showers or flushing toilets, just a string of simple safari tents and sandy campsites nestled against a rocky cliff that cascades gently to the sea.

Fortunately, its location on the southern edge of Western Australia’s Ningaloo Marine Park means the allure of this remote wilderness camp eclipses any camping hardships.

The impressive list of things to do here starts with the world-famous surf break, the ‘Bluff Barrel’, and extends to fringing coral reefs and historical wreck sites you can snorkel and dive, angling adventures off pristine beaches, swimming and stellar Indian Ocean sunsets. The fact that you can also get a decent latte and a

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home-made pizza means that priorities are just right at Red Bluff.

Returning after a 20-year hiatus, I expect to discover this perfectly picturesque destination upgraded and tamed to accommodate a more luxurious crowd. Instead, the only sign of progress I can spot is a string of breezy eco-tents with timber sunset viewing decks positioned high above the camp. Everything else – the open-air beachfront humpies where you can unroll a swag under a roof of palm fronds, the spacious camp clearings and the sawdust loos – transports me back to my twenties when I arrived in a dusty red commodore sedan with surfboards strapped to the roof.

That was then … this is now Back then it was all about the surf, the roaring, nightly campfires and spending as much time on the sand as possible.

Fortunately it still is, although this time when I scramble down the dunes, I’m carrying beach buckets and sunscreen and the tiny hand of my bouncy three-year-old. Sandwiched between the sea and sand dunes at the base of rugged cliffs, a fine arc of sand disappears beyond view to the north, luring beach walkers far from camp, who can cover significant distance before vanishing

out of sight. At the southern end of the bay, Red Bluff’s flattop finger of rock stretches seaward, interrupting the swell that peels off its point and sending it curling and rolling over a reef break to form the legendary Bluff Barrel.

While my partner joins the boardriders out on the bluff, my daughter and I spend the morning establishing new Red Bluff rituals, digging and building, splashing in shallow rock pools filled by the receding tide and poking along the sand, collecting its treasures. As the sun rises high, we retreat to the shade, spreading out our towels inside a sea cave carved deep into the base of Red Bluff. Above us, surfers tread the rocky goat track that leads to the tip of the headland, carrying thick black wetsuits and helmets to brave the epic lefthander that flings them triumphantly out across the bay.

The morning crew – and coffee There’s an easy, breezy kind of pace to the morning, and so much to do and explore that it’s almost high-noon before the aroma of coffee on the wind finally rouses me, luring me back up the dunes to the weather-beaten Red Bluff Store.

This surprising seaside coffee house is almost as old as the surf camp itself, and has a long history of sustaining surfers, grey nomads and, today, a trio of fishermen propped up on stools who are warming their hands on steaming mugs of flat white as they survey the sea.

A simple menu reflects the truly remote nature of this little store that resupplies the travellers who habitually linger far longer than expected. There are icy poles and mango smoothies for kids, fresh brews for coffeehounds, and an utterly intoxicating view from the café’s shady deck where we sit to watch the waves, sun-kissed and sandy.

While admiring the store’s rack of fabulous beach-inspired jewellery, we meet the very creative Monique Durant who arrived at the Bluff back in 1995 with husband Reid, bought Red Bluff’s tiny timber store and transformed it into a stellar little café while building a completely self-sufficient home up the hill.

Somewhere in between running the store and tackling the four-hour return trip to the nearest supermarket, Monique tended to her evergrowing brood of eight little grommets.

The audacity of raising and schooling a family here renders me awestruck, but Monique is a sea of immense calm with a beaming smile and an unclouded love for the Bluff’s invigorating seascape – a poster-girl for the rewards of living simply. Now aged between eight and 22 years, six of the Durant kids still live at Red Bluff and even the oldest two haven’t ventured so far away that they can’t regularly return to hang out and surf the barrel.

Simple pleasures As the sun dips low, I finally tear myself away from Monique’s riveting company to return to camp, piggybacking my hungry toddler who is now sporting one of Monique’s magnificent gems. We shake out a row of camp chairs, hang our dripping board shorts and wetsuits in the nearest tree, and settle back with cold drinks to watch the sun set west. As we do, a mesmerising silhouette takes shape: a surfer poised momentarily on the lip of the famous Bluff Barrel before dropping down its face, a powerful curl of white water chasing and shooting her across the bay. Even from this distance the exhilaration is palpable, and we end the day beaming, eager for tomorrow’s rerun.

We’ve barely begun to tick off a long list of must-dos: climb the Bluff to watch the humpback whales spotted cruising close to shore, shake out the beach rods, drive north to neighbouring Gnaraloo Station where loggerhead turtles venture ashore to nest, or snorkel Quobba’s shallow, cerulean lagoon with a colourful coral garden that’s perfect for beginners and minisnorkellers. Our itinerary may well need to loosen up, but there’s no haste to escape this idyllic, bare-basics camp and the long stretch of isolated beaches and reef-fringed shorelines still to explore.

More Information quobba.com.au/red-bluff carnarvon.org.au australiascoralcoast.com

All images © David Bristow

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