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FAMILY | TRAVEL | HOLIDAY | LEISURE | ENTERTAINMENT

OUT&ABOUT

AUTUMN 2016

R R P $ 7. 9 5

KIDS

WITH

48

48

No.

NEW!

Toddler Travel

Islands

Fiji • Vanuatu • Hawaii • Cook Islands Samoa • Tahiti • Solomon Islands • Tonga New Caledonia• Queensland • Maldives

A GOLD COAST Family Holiday Including airfares!

YUMI STYNES

NY & Chicago theatre magic, London for babies, Festive Hawaii, a 10-year-old’s fabulous adventures in Singapore

Explore Dubbo with BIG4

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

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

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

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

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

2. Check the weather forecast If the rain has set in, there’s not a great deal you can do about it. However, if you’re staying in a location where the forecast reads ‘a few showers’, then the situation is not all doom and gloom. See where there AUTUMN 2016 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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

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

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

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

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

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

There’s something to suit children of all

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

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

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

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

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

Start planning your next family getaway.

Explore your options by visiting BIG4.com.au.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Play games

Play games

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Out & About with Kids Print & Digital outandaboutwithkids.com.au Publisher Elisa Elwin elisa@oawk.com.au 0413 770 550 Editor Christine Kane christine@oawk.com.au Digital Content Manager Lisa Monk lisamonk@oawk.com.au Associate Publisher Richard Bunting rbunting@oawk.com.au 0424 138 806

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he beautiful islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean – including Australia – are blessed with stunning beaches and abundant sunshine. We’re also prone to seasonal tropical weather patterns between November and April that can bring storms and heavy rain, gale force winds and, from time to time, tropical cyclones. Thankfully, the cyclones that pack the biggest punch are few and far between.

In March 2015, Tropical Cyclone Pam wreaked havoc on the island nation of Vanuatu and now, 12 months later, it is our Fijian friends who have been doing it tough. Cyclone Winston made landfall in Fiji early in February 2016, devastating many outer islands, villages and communities. But Fijians rallied quickly, and the wider global community wasted no time lending support either, to get the country back on its feet again.

As we go to print, the good news out of Fiji is that, just like Vanuatu proved one year ago, you can’t keep happy holidaymakers away from paradise for long! We’re pleased to report that most resorts are up and running again and declaring ‘It’s BULA! as usual’.

Don’t forget voting is now officially open for our 2016 Best of Family Travel Awards – head to Page 7 for details of the awesome Gold Coast family holiday you could WIN just for having your say, thanks to Gold Coast Tourism and Tigerair Australia.

The Out & About with Kids team

Contributors Julie Jones Lisa Kable Barry Stone Yumi Stynes Louise Wedgwood Sue White

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Cover: Hamilton Lund/Malolo Island Resort 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.

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READY, STEADY…SKI!

2016 BEST OF

FAMILY TRAVEL AWARDS

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It’s time for you to vote in our 2016 Best of Family Travel Awards! Have your say and you could win a FUNtastic Gold Coast Family Holiday, including airfares.

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YUMI STYNES With the recent arrival of baby Magnus bringing her brood to four, can mum Yumi recapture some of her ‘cool’ on a hometown holiday in ‘hip’ Melbourne?

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DID YOU KNOW …?

Stay up-to-date with the latest family travel news covering destinations and attractions, apps, airlines & airports, cruises, luxury holidays, entertainment and much more!

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AUSTRALIA’S MOST INTERESTING PLACES TO SLEEP How about a restored railway carriage, or one themed for Barbie and Ken? From trains to treehouses, cabins to chalets and hotels to holiday parks, check out these fun, family accommodations around Australia.

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FAMILY HOLIDAYS IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS …

(Meet the amazing state of New South Wales!)

Take the family on a magical ‘digital detox’ holiday in Australia’s most geographically diverse state! Camping, caravanning or cabin-style, you won’t believe the awesome assortment of distinctly different regions and family adventures you can experience in the NSW great outdoors – together.

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WE REVIEW

© Perisher

We’ve stayed and played there: Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, Hawaii, BIG4 Dubbo and Thailand’s Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort and Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Golf Resort & Spa.

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52 Islands

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ISLANDS Make sure you’re relaxing when you read this special feature! Take a dreamy voyage to some of the most beautiful tropical islands on earth, and so close to home. Discover the essence of a family holiday in paradise – Fiji, Hawaii, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Cook Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tahiti and the Maldives.

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READY, STEADY…SKI! Our annual Ski News and Resort Round Up, across all of your favourite family-friendly slopes in NSW, VIC and New Zealand, ahead of the 2016 Southern Hemisphere Ski Season!

101 Getting around the city of London and enjoying a range of fun experiences with a

baby or toddler isn’t as hard as you might think. The city hosts plenty of interesting, age-appropriate activities and attractions to keep both bub and parents entertained; If a multi-gen Christmas and New Year holiday in Hawaii sounds appealing, you’re not alone!; the US cities of New York and Chicago are bursting with amazing live theatre magic for families to enjoy together; how much fun can a 10-yearold have with her aunty on her very first holiday in Singapore? Lots and lots – and then some!

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NEW! TODDLER TRAVEL WITH SUE WHITE Thinking of heading off on a travel adventure with your toddler? Our regular new column has you covered.

Journalist, travel writer, mum and founder of babieswhotravel.com, Sue White, shares her valuable first-hand tips and secrets to exploring the world with your little people.

Family Traveller p 101

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Red Hot Sale From

159

$

per night, twin share*

•

Unlimited entry to Sea World, Warner Bros.

Movie World and Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast during your stay

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25% off Kids Club and all food and beverage at the Resort

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One free entry to Paradise Country and so much more!

seaworldresort.com.au 1300 139 677 VOTED #1 FAMILY HOTEL IN AUSTRALIA AUTUMN 2016 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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*Terms and conditions apply.

1602227 SEA WORLD © 2016 & TM Sea World Property Trust.

GOLD COAST HOLIDAY COMPETITION

A FAMILY HOLIDAY including airfares

Have your say in Out & About with Kids’ 2016 Best of Family Travel Awards and you and your family could be jetting off to Queensland’s FUNtastic, and SUNtastic, Gold Coast!

Every year we ask YOU to tell US your favourite places to stay and play in Australia and around the globe – from ski resorts and camping spots, to best attractions, events and activities, plus resorts, hotels, cities and much more – and to thank you for your valuable input we’re giving you the chance to WIN a wonderful Gold Coast family holiday package, courtesy of Gold Coast Tourism and Tigerair Australia.

Head to outandaboutwithkids.com.au to enter…

And have Your Say in our Best of Family Travel Awards 2016 For generations, the Gold Coast has been embracing and entertaining its guests with a promise of big smiles and warm memories in a spectacle of golden beaches,

2016 BEST OF

FAMILY TRAVEL AWARDS

legendary theme parks, iconic rainforests and lively attractions. This is your chance to take the family to Australia’s quintessential beach holiday destination!

This great prize*, thanks to Gold Coast Tourism and Tigerair Australia, includes: • $750 voucher for Tigerair Australia flights to the Gold Coast • 5 nights accommodation at Paradise Resort Gold Coast in a Superior Resort Room • 1 x Zone 4 Kids Club session per child, per day • Unlimited use of the Zone 4 Kids Waterpark • Family Pass for Planet Chill Ice Skating Rink • Continental breakfast daily • Passes to Sea World, Tropical Fruit World and Ripley’s Believe It or Not *Visit outandaboutwithkids.com.au for full details and Terms & Conditions.

visitgoldcoast.com

If you’re after a beach getaway, a city weekend or a visit to your family, Tigerair Australia operates over 400 weekly domestic flights to 11 Australian destinations, and has also recently begun flying to Bali. tigerair.com.au

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eat up Smith Street!

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

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

This great takeaway joint is genuinely cult in Melbourne.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Locals know to go early before the crowds.

“Don’t touch the art work!”

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

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

Melbourne, you are pretty damn cool.

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

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OUT&ABOUT

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For the best family travel deals, latest news, tips, blogs and competitions visit Out & About with Kids website or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Did you know …?

The perfect Hong Kong fit for families – Kowloon Harbourfront Hotel

Roll up! Roll up!

Circus Oz is coming to a town near you, exploding with a fabulous new show TWENTYSIXTEEN – created in 2016, touring through 2016!

TWENTYSIXTEEN is cheeky, irreverent and hilarious - a refreshing cocktail of new and old, innovation and tradition with turbo-charged acrobats bringing amazing new skill and wizardry to the flying trapeze, the Chinese pole and unicycle adagio.

“The circus exists in everyone’s imagination and for some people that imaginary space is their real world. In the circus there is no editing, no replay button, no seven-second delay, no CGI, no sequencing, no sampling, no trickery – it is just really great tricks.

The circus is real people doing extraordinary stuff,” says Guest Show Director Anni Davey.

Don’t miss two hours of high-voltage acrobatics and explosive aerial antics all accompanied by the sensational Circus Oz band.

TWENTYSIXTEEN is classic Circus Oz: absurd Australian larrikins pushing the boundaries of possibility and defying the laws of physics.

Visit circusoz.com for tour dates and ticketing.

impressive QUAD suites are ideal for families, with twin beds and a double bed (or two double beds) and simply spectacular views that take in the world-renowned Victoria Harbour skyline, or the impressive Cityview! An incredible 60m tropical-style outdoor swimming pool is the centerpiece of the hotel, and facilities include a fitness centre, sauna and steam room, and the amazing Kids Paradise, with a ball pool and soft toy play area for little ones, a soccer machine, study room and even a children’s library. And if that’s not enough, there’s also an Entertainment Centre and Karaoke Room! > harbour-plaza.com/KowloonHarbourfront/AboutUs-en.htm

© Circus Oz/Rob Blackburn

Next time you’re visiting Hong Kong on a family holiday or on a family stopover, make the most of your stay in this vibrant and exciting destination and check into the fabulous Kowloon Harbourfront Hotel in Hunghom.

Its premium location, in family-friendly Kowloon, and its all-suite accommodation options and facilities make this hotel the perfect base from which to discover Hong Kong - just minutes from the famous bustling retail and dining hub of Tsim Sha Tsui, and a short ferry trip across Victoria Harbour to Hong Kong Island.

Relax in a comfortable and spacious 2-bedroom suite - the

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GATEWAY TO TEXAS AND THE SOUTH - RIGHT IN THE HEART OF THE USA

Experience Texas hospitality, great food and music plus some of the best museums and galleries in America.

VisitDallas.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION www.visitdallas.com www.fortworth.com

Family Turtle DISCOVERY

FortWorth.com

from $750* PER PERSON (2 ad, 2 kids u12)

SCHOOL HOLIDAY discovery tour to Heron Island with the Sea Turtle Foundation. Join STF’s founder Tim Harvey for an unforgettable experience for you and your kids on the Great Barrier Reef.

You’ll never forget your first turtle encounter

DATES

21 - 25 September 2016

ENQUIRIES

*Terms and conditions apply. Price shown is in $AU, ex Gladstone, per person, based on a family of 4 (2 ads, 2 kids u12) staying bed and breakfast in a turtle family room. For details and exclusions / inclusions, check website or enquire.

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AUTUMN 2016 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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

© iStock

Are you a Harry Potter trivia expert?

Venice IS for families!

The beautiful Italian city of Venice, renowned for its canals (and dashing gondoliers!) is more than just a city of romance. Le Boat specialises in all kinds of boating holidays - in all kinds of exciting and interesting destinations, and Venice definitely IS for families, they say.

Here are 5 great reasons why …

1. Aqualandia Aqualandia is the biggest water park in Italy, and has the only wave pool in the world with sand both inside and outside the water. Part holiday park, part tourist attraction, Aqualandia is ideal for every age.

2. Hit the beach Yes! Venice has beaches. Enjoy a dip in the Adriatic Sea, or make like the locals and catch the vaporetto (water bus) to Sant’Erasmo, the largest island in the Venetian lagoon, with its own little family-friendly beach.

What is Hermione’s middle name?

What kind of wood is Harry’s wand made from? Do you know the incantation for the Stunning Spell?

Grab your Remembrall and enter the magical realm of Trivial Pursuit WORLD OF HARRY POTTER, now in Australia. Test your wizarding knowledge against your fellow witches, wizards and muggles of all ages in the ultimate Harry Potter trivia challenge!

Try these on for size … What is Lavender’s nickname for Ron when they are seeing each other? Where does Professor Dumbledore first meet Tom Riddle? What medicine does Madam Pomfrey give to Harry to regrow the bones in his arm?

If you think you’re ready for Trivial Pursuit WORLD OF HARRY POTTER, you’ll find it at EB Games, Zing, ABC stores and all good independent games stores.

RRP $29.99 PS: Fans of Doctor Who, James Bond 007 and World of Warcraft can also have fun with these new dedicated Trivial Pursuit games.

3. Peggy Guggenheim Collection Children’s Workshops The Guggenheim Venice offers free workshops for children aged 4-10, on Sundays from 3pm. Some workshops are in English so contact the museum in advance to reserve a spot!

4. Arte al Sole Arte al Sole conducts art and cultural courses for kids (in English) where children can make new friends while enjoying fun activities like papier-mache mask making, glass pearl jewel-making and theatre activities. Decipher secret codes around the city, and then enjoy a cooking class, making delicious Venetian sweets!

5. Family tours Interactive 3-hour tours for up to six people include the Lion Hunt Tour, themed around the lion as a symbol of Venice, with clues and sleuthing on the menu, and the Daily Life in Venice tour for great family fun that brings Medieval and Renaissance Venice to life. > leboat.com.au/holidays/holidays-for-families

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OURIT ’S FAV IA L A AUSTR

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

Images © Fort Worth CVB

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

Visit The City of Cowboys and Culture!

From 28 April 2016 Qantas will operate daily round trip non-stop A380 services between Sydney and Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, which is great news for Aussie families because Fort Worth is where you’ll experience the real cowboys (and cowgirls!) and culture of the American West!

Just 30 minutes from Dallas, Fort Worth is an exciting city, in north central Texas, bursting with fantastic family-friendly attractions and experiences – not to mention fabulous food, shopping and entertainment. Try these boots on for size …!

1. Fort Worth Museum of Science and History Step inside a world of wonder at this spectacular museum that also houses the Fort Worth Children’s Museum (enter through a dragon head!), DinoLabs & DinoDig, Cattle Raisers Museum and Innovation Studios where you can let your imagination, curiosity, and creativity soar. > fortworthmuseum.org

2. National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame All ages will love discovering the cowgirl experience through interactive exhibits, sweeping film presentations, and intriguing stories. Half price entry is included with Fort Worth Museum of Science and History paid exhibit admission. > cowgirl.net

3. Six Flags theme park Enjoy thrills, spills and live entertainment on a big day out at this great family theme park. There are rides for all ages, including family rides – and be prepared to get wet on AQUAMAN Splashdown and El Aserradero! > sixflags.com/overtexas

4. Fort Worth Stockyards District See the Old West come to life as a team of cowhands drive a herd of longhorns along Exchange Avenue through the Stockyards in the world’s only twice-daily cattle

drive, and join in the excitement of a weekend rodeo! > fortworthstockyards.org

5. Texas Motor Speedway Take a high-speed visit to one of the world’s largest and most modern sports and entertainment facilities – where all the action of NASCAR and INDYCar racing happens! > texasmotorspeedway.com

6. AT & T Stadium Home of the NFL Dallas Cowboys, this mighty stadium has the world’s largest domed structure, an art museum, a

classroom, and with AT&T Stadium Tours, you can experience them all. > attstadium.com

7. Fort Worth Herd CowCamp Experience life on the trail first-hand in a fun-filled family outing across activities including roping, saddling, cattle drive demonstrations and chuckwagon stories. > fortworth.com/the-herd/ cow-camp Find out more by visiting fortworth.com

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E M O C L E W S DOG

At selected BIG4 Holiday Parks.

Keep an eye out for the green ‘Dogs Welcome’ symbol throughout our guide and head to BIG4.com.au/dogswelcome for more information.

Lets get social!

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OURIT ’S FAV IA L A R AUST

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

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© Steve Miller

Dive-ine Wakatobi – paradise in Indonesia!

© InterContinetal Bali Resort

© Didi Lotzer

© Didi Lotzer

Have you heard of Wakatobi? This amazing family-friendly, luxury Indonesian dive resort, in southeastern Sulawesi, has to be experienced to be believed, because Wakatobi is WOW! One of the country’s most sought-after nature resorts, Wakatobi’s beautiful beach is surrounded by kilometres of vibrant, unspoiled and protected coral reefs, and the paradise that is the resort – beautiful seaside villas and bungalows in a lush, barefoot setting – blends seamlessly with the natural environment. Plus, Wakatobi maintains a four-to-one staff to guest ratio to ensure the highest level of personal service, and provides direct charter flights from Bali to make it even easier for families. Keen divers can explore more than 40 dive sites, with a team of international dive professionals on hand and a fleet of spacious boats and ‘dive taxis’ taking you to drop offs, seamounts and caves several times a day.

Back at the resort, kids will love the fantastic entertainment and activities at Wakatobi’s Kids Club - staffed by trained nannies.

Now that sounds like paradise for the whole family! > wakatobi.com

New Planet Trekkers app for young InterContinental Bali guests!

If you’re staying at the family-friendly InterContinental Bali Resort make sure you direct your kids to the fantastic Planet Trekkers Kids Club and to the new FREE Planet Trekkers app, created in partnership with National Geographic Kids. Children aged 6-12 will love the fun travel journal and treasure hunt-style game that lets them discover indigenous wildlife, take part in active pursuits and local cultural adventures, and taste native dishes and new flavours!

The app’s ‘Play’ section challenges children to navigate through a series of questions, and receive gold stars to win the game. A built-in camera makes photo uploads easy so that every holiday adventure and memory can be stored! The Planet Trekkers app is available to download for iOS, and can be used offline. Guests can download the app directly from the Apple Store, or by visiting the app section on the homepage of intercontinental.com.

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Did you know …?

Canberra The Australian Institute of Sport.

The AIS. Australia’s premier elite sporting precinct.

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

Spiders @ Questacon

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

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

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

@ExperienceAIS

ASC 34415

/ExperienceAIS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Admission fees apply.

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© Questacon

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

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

Experience AIS

Images © The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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new season new adventures!

99

$

from

*

per room, per night PLUS EXTRAS

BOOK NOW AT: www.wyndhamAP.com/hotels/deals/schoolsout

*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 2016 and 31 December 2016 and for travel during school holiday periods between 30th April 2016 until 31 December 2016.

AUTUM N 2For 0 1 6full terms and conditions visit http://www.wyndhamap.com/hotels/deals/schoolsout. Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacifi c Pty Ltd ACN 090 083 613. Resort Management by Wyndham Pty Ltd ACN 099 634 830. (WHG10589) outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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

Did you know …?

Phillip Island, VIC

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

4

Right and top inset: © Phillip Island Nature Parks

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

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

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

2

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

5

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

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

© Ramada Phillip Island

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

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

DID YOU KNOW …?

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DID YOU KNOW...?

Did you know …?

Cruise

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

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

Oh my! Ovation!

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

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

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

April Fool’s Day prank inspires the imagination!

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

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

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

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

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

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Did you know …?

Airlines & Airports

New Brisbane-Vancouver flights

New Tigerair to Bali service!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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DI D YO U K NO W...?

© AKARYN Hotel Group

Did you know …?

LUXURY

Take a Family First break in Thailand!

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AUTUMN 2016 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

One&Only luxury (and fun) for the kids too!

The luxury One&Only brand has made its mark on two distinctly different Australian properties in two distinctly different locations – One&Only Hayman Island in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, and Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in the NSW Blue Mountains region.

One&Only Hayman Island is the northernmost of Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef setting is perfect for snorkelling, boating, diving and every water-based activity imaginable. Special school holiday activities are created exclusively for kids from 4 to 11 years and One&Only’s KidsOnly provides fully-supervised entertainment, excursions and meals as well as fun activities like treasure hunts, fish feeding and baking competitions. > oneandonlyresorts.com/one-and-only-hayman-island-australia At Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley kids will love the unique blend of native wildlife, breathtaking landscapes and Australian history, discovered through wildlife safaris, horse riding, mountain biking and nature walks. The resort’s supervised kids play room includes nature-based activities too! > oneandonlyresorts.com/one-and-only-wolgan-valley-australia

© One&Only Hayman Island

The AKARYN Hotel Group has introduced fantastic new enhancements to family and Kids Club programs at Thailand’s beautiful Aleenta Phuket Resort & Spa and Aleenta Hua Hin Resort & Spa. On arrival, children receive a goody bag bursting with colouring books, painting sets and a guide to all activities taking place during their stay. A new children’s concierge at each resort can organise everything your kids desire during their stay - from surfing lessons on the beach to trips to the local markets.

Fantastic age-appropriate kids clubs (from 6 months) and activities range from batik painting, chocolate-making and Thai dance to coconut beach petanque, kite-making and cake making and decorating!

A Family First break at Aleenta Phuket or Aleenta Hua Hin includes accommodation, daily breakfast, a children’s concierge, unlimited babysitting services, kids welcome activity packs and free dining for all children under the age of six. High chairs, baby cots and car seats are all available free, and single adult families can enjoy a 15% discount! > aleenta.com

Private rentals in picturesque Pacific Palms

Enter the wonder-full world of Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Pacific Palms is an iconic family holiday destination on the NSW Mid North Coast, just three hours’ drive north from Sydney, that encompasses the iconic Blueys Beach and the equally-iconic Seal Rocks, amid the equally-famous, and beautiful Great Lakes region!

Now that’s a star-studded line-up! And while we’re talking sensational holiday spots, aside from the aforementioned Blueys and Seal Rocks, the area also boasts Boomerang, Elizabeth, One Mile and Hawks Nest beaches.

Blessed with the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, and Wallis, Smiths and Myall Lakes, Pacific Palms is surrounded by lush rainforest and the magnificent Myall, Booti Booti and Wallingat National Parks, and Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Park.

Pacific Palms Real Estate likes to ensure that holidaying families experience the very best of the region, and offers accommodation choices that range from private beachfront houses and apartments overlooking the ocean, to amazing lake, hill and rainforest abodes!

Images © Pacific Palms Real Estate

© Grootbos

Named by National Geographic as one of the ‘Unique Lodges of the World’, South Africa’s Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is not just a luxury eco-paradise, it’s a family-friendly walk with extraordinary elements of nature, just two hours from Cape Town. And here, holidaymaking families have a front row seat to spot South Africa’s “Marine Big 5” - whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins!

Tailor-made adventure packages at Grootbos encourage kids to learn about the symbiotic relationship between animals and plants in a gentle, non-intimidating manner - a dedicated playground with paddocks, petting zoo and trampoline, guided daily horse rides through the reserve’s 2,500ha of fragrant indigenous fynbos, and lazy days cuddling a bunny, feeding a piglet, and collecting free-range eggs for breakfast. > grootbos.com

BLUEYS BEACH HOUSE: Set in a breathtaking absolute beachfront position, this exclusive home is a genuinely special place to holiday with the family!

Visit Pacific Palms Real Estate for more properties and hot deals! > pacificpalmsholidays.com.au

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DI D YOU K NO W...?

Did you know...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?

E M I T T I T ISN’ Isn’t it time you gave a real gift?

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

DID YOU KNOW...?

Did you know …?

Events

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

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

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

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

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

Dubbo, NSW - Dubbo Stampede Running Festival – 28 August

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

Mindil Beach Sunset Markets

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

© Tourism Northern Territory

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

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

?

E M I T T I T ISN’ Isn’t it time you spoilt someone?

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

Discover this land, like never before.

Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas AUTUMN 2016

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outandaboutwithkids.com.au

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

Did you know …? Events (continued) © Henley On Todd_com_au

Australia’s largest kite flying festival is on again at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach. The skies will be full of kites of all sizes and shapes flown by professional local and international kite flyers, whilst below, dance and music from around the world will entertain.

Festival of the Winds also brings you face painting, kite making stalls, animal farm, jumping castles and much more - a great day out for all the family.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Family & Community Day 2016 – 26 September Alice Springs, NT - The Henley-On-Todd Regatta – 20 August 2016 A boat race with a unique difference - on the dry sands of the Todd River - the annual Regatta is a day of fun where teams and individuals race ‘boats’, in the dry bed of the Todd River in outback Alice Springs. Have fun and enjoy the hilarity as you watch seemingly sane people race in bottomless ‘eights’, ‘Oxford tubs’, ‘bath tubs’ and ‘yachts’ through the deep coarse sand.

The event had its origins in 1962 when an Alice Springs local proposed holding a regatta based on the famous Henley-on-Thames Regatta in England - the fact that the town was 1,500kms from the nearest large body of water was never seen as a problem! All proceeds go to local Rotary Clubs. > henleyontodd.com.au

Family and Community Day is a public holiday for the ACT on the first Monday of September/October school holidays – which means a day off work for most people in the ACT. The idea of the public holiday is to foster quality time for workers to spend with their families on this day!

Sydney, NSW - Kids in the Park 24 September-3 October

Cairns, QLD - The Cairns Festival – 26 August-4 September The annual family-friendly Cairns Festival runs for 10 days across multiple locations, and features parades, visual arts, theatre, music, dance, film and community events for all ages.

© iStock

SEPTEMBER 2016 Bondi Beach, NSW - Festival of the Winds – 11 September

AUSTRALIA New South Wales visitnsw.com

Sydney Olympic Park’s fabulous Kids in the Park has many free activities and value-packed boredom-busters to stimulate all ages, and help relieve some of the financial strains of school holidays on families. Kids can take aim at archery, flip and twist in gymnastics, fly a trapeze or build robots at fizzics science workshops or excel in their fictional writing plus so much more. With so many options for all interests, ages and budgets, it’s little wonder Sydney Olympic Park is the official home of the biggest range of school holiday activities of any single location in NSW. > sydneyolympicpark.com.au/whats_on/kids_in_ the_park If you’re heading off on holidays, check your destination tourism website ‘What’s On’ and ‘Events’ calendars before you leave home, for special family activities you can participate in during your stay.

Victoria visitvictoria.com Queensland queensland.com/events Gold Coast, Queensland visitgoldcoast.com Sunshine Coast, Queensland visitsunshinecoast.com South Australia southaustralia.com ACT/Canberra visitcanberra.com.au Western Australia westernaustralia.com Tasmania discovertasmania.com.au Northern Territory travelnt.com

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E M I T T I T ISN’

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

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

Lets get social!

E

RIT FAVOU ’S A I L STRA

AU

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

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

© Healesville Sanctuary

Did you know …?

Zoo Babies Baby boom

© Mogo Zoo

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

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

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

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

© Memphis Zoo

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

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

© Australian Reptile Park

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

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

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

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© 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

Australia’s most interesting places to sleep You won’t believe some of the cool and quirky, family-friendly places you can sleepover in Australia! LOUISE WEDGWOOD has done the homework – beyond hotels, resorts and your own bedroom … so why not try something a little different for your next family holiday?

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IN TERESTING PLA CES

1. Sleep on a heritage train Dunsborough Rail Carriages and Farm Cottages, Margaret River region, WA

This 40ha farm is just 2kms from Australia’s western coast, and about 2.5 hours southwest from Perth.

From the verandah of your lovingly restored, historic, jarrah rail carriage (with kitchenette and en suite and all mod cons), you can watch kangaroos and native birds, wander around and collect fresh eggs, paddle in the creek and explore the bush, and white sandy beaches are just a few minutes drive away! The carriages suit small families, with a queen bed and a double sofa bed, and dogs are welcome too!

For more railway-themed adventures, drive 25 minutes east to the Busselton Jetty. You can catch a train nearly 2kms out to sea on the southern hemisphere’s longest timber jetty and, while you’re there, descend the stairs to the underwater observatory for a close-up encounter with vibrant fish and coral! > dunsborough.com

Madison’s Mountain Retreat, Blue Mountains, NSW Top from left: Madison’s Mountain retreat - train interior with bunks Canopy Tree houses - creek Canopy Tree houses - Bower House

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This alpaca farmstay borders the Wollemi and Blue Mountains National Parks in Kurrajong Heights, just over an hour northwest of Sydney, and Madison’s two, selfcontained, air-conditioned ex-railway carriages can each sleep up to 5 people. There’s also a heated pool and spa and, of course, alpacas! (Madison’s is pet friendly too!)

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Enjoy the mountain air and wildlife on a private trail, and in the national parks next door, or at the nearby Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens. Head out on a Garden Safari, including hands-on activities, while you marvel at the sweeping views! > madisonsretreat.com.au

Quirky Cottages, Coochiemudlo Island, QLD A 10-minute ferry ride from Victoria Point (45 minutes southeast of Brisbane) brings you to “Coochie” where you can choose between two fun and colourful carriages: Jeannie’s Carriage or Barbie and Ken’s Carriage! Inside, the kids will be tickled pink discovering the toys, dress-ups, DVDs and books.

Outside, mango and lychee trees shade a playground (including a fun Kombi van cubby).

The island also has 4kms of beautiful, safe beaches explore them all from a hired paddleboat or tinny. > quirkycottages.com

2. Wake up to a water park Paradise Resort, Gold Coast, QLD

Even the busiest children are hard-pressed to exhaust all the fun on the menu here. They’ll probably go for the water park first, with two aqua playgrounds (one for littlies), a paddling pool, lagoon pool and 9m-high slide.

But then it might be tough choosing between the ice rink, rock climbing wall, laser tag, outdoor playground and kids club.

BIG4 North Star Holiday Resort and Caravan Park, Hastings Point, Tweed Coast, NSW Half an hour from Gold Coast airport, this resort is a dream for active kids. On hot days, they’ll be in the two-storey-high water playground with four waterslides, a wading pool, and Australia’s first water piano! On dry land, there’s an indoor playground (plus ball pit), a shaded outdoor playground, and a free kids club on weekends and school holidays.

You can head out from the resort on your scooters, bikes and strollers along 10km of safe beachfront footpath, or take the family fishing, canoeing or kayaking in the creek and estuary. From June to November, watch out for whales cruising past.

Accommodation ranges from camping sites to 4.5star villas, catering for groups of up to 12. > northstar.com.au

Novotel Twin Waters and Aqua Fun Park, Sunshine Coast, QLD An hour north of Brisbane (5km from Sunshine Coast airport), this beachfront resort is set among 36ha of bushland surrounding a private lagoon.

The natural setting provides for a huge program of

organised activities, from fish feeding to frisbee; sailing lessons to sand art. You can tour the resort and beaches by segway or hire a stand-up paddleboard or kayak to paddle at your own pace.

But the biggest attraction onsite is the Aqua Fun Park. Picture a playground floating on a lagoon inflatable slides, runways, and soft pillows for clambering, running and jumping on (and off). Life jackets keep little ones safe. > novoteltwinwatersresort.com.au

3. Nod off in a natural wildlife sanctuary

Aqua Fun Park

The Canopy Treehouses, Atherton Tableland, QLD Travel 90 minutes southwest from Cairns and climb about 700m above sea level to an ancient rainforest canopy, on the banks of the Ithaca River, that hides six self-contained luxury two and three bedroom glass and timber treehouses!

From your lounge room high in the trees of this eco rainforest resort, you might even spot brushtail possums and bright red and green king parrots.

Meander along the paths below looking for cassowaries,

at Novotel Twin

Waters

© Novotel Twin Waters

There’s a variety of rooms, including family rooms that let everyone stay close but keep their space. Some even have brightly coloured bunk beds and Xbox. > paradiseresort.com

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S Y A D I L O H LOVE

Join the club.

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

Lets get social!

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

I N T E R E S T I N G P LA C ES

Hanson Bay Beach Cabins platypus, rare tree kangaroos and endangered green possums.

Just 15 minutes down the road, marvel at the spectacular Millaa Millaa waterfalls – perhaps the most photographed falls in Australia - and swim in the safe waterhole underneath. > canopytreehouses.com.au

Hanson Bay Cabins, Kangaroo Island, SA Kangaroo Island is known for its untouched wilderness and these cabins make the most of it. There are six selfcontained cabins (most with two bedrooms) just 100m from a safe swimming beach at Hanson Bay. Kids can get a natural workout by poking around historical ruins, clambering over rocky cliffs, sandboarding down dunes and sprinting along pristine beaches.

You can take the Koala Walk to see koalas in their natural environment, and there are plenty of wallabies, kangaroos, bats, echidnas and birdlife in the area. Guided night tours let you check out the many animals that party when others sleep!

From Adelaide, Kangaroo Island is a 30-minute flight, or a two-hour drive plus ferry ride. > hansonbay.com.au

Girraween Environmental Lodge, Ballandean, QLD Set in 162ha of private bushland, and surrounded by the Granite Belt’s Girraween National Park, you only need to step out of your recycled-timber chalet to set off on an extraordinary bushwalk!

Girraween means ‘place of flowers’ but, along with wildflowers, there are also striking granite formations, balancing boulders and swimming holes to enjoy.

Refuel at the Chocolate Shop (two minutes drive from the Lodge), or head to Sutton’s Farm, around 30 minutes’ drive, where you can pick fresh fruit and sample the most flavoursome apples you’ve ever tasted! Many of the boutique wineries dotted throughout the area also welcome families.

As far as old-fashioned road trips go, the threehour drive back to Brisbane or the Gold Coast is a pleasure. Pass grazing cows and colourful crops, and stop at a country bakery for morning tea. > girraweenlodge.com

SLEEP AT A ZOO! Werribee Zoo’s Slumber Safari, VIC zoo.org.au/Werribee/wildencounters/slumber-safari Camping in Mansfield Zoo, VIC mansfieldzoo.com.au/stayovernight Taronga Zoo’s Roar and Snore, Sydney, NSW taronga.org.au/tarongazoo#accommodation

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BALANCE BIG40041

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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?

Lets get social!

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OURIT ’S FAV IA L A AUSTR

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

D E S T I N AT IO N NS W

Family holidays in the Great Outdoors …

(Meet the amazing state of New South Wales!)

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f you’re over 25 you will remember a time when the only electronic devices that went on holidays with the family were a Nintendo Game Boy, a portable dvd player, and maybe one basic mobile phone, that could (possibly) text, but most likely could only make and receive phone calls! Back then these items didn’t provide the holiday fun, they were peripheral, because being on holidays was all about getting outside and exploring - straight after breakfast!

Today, electronic devices are with us 24/7, and an increasing number of Aussie families are craving a digital detox – a chance to spend time outdoors together, discovering new places and building wonderful memories, far away from touch screens.

Imagine then … a holiday destination that was close at hand – fly, drive, take a train – and full of attractions, activities and adventures galore, that seem almost tailor-made for your family … … where the year-round climate is largely temperate, making outdoor activities a pleasure in all seasons (while also providing an abundant winter snow playground option for families who love skiing and snowboarding) … … Meet the State of NSW - a quite extraordinary destination that is home to over 720 beaches, around 900 national parks, six World Heritage-listed sites, Australia’s highest peak, Mt Kosciuszko, and the renowned skifields of the Snowy Mountains!

Clockwise from top left: Horseriding at Glenworth Valley © Hugh Hartshorne/ Destination NSW

Cycling on Newcastle Foreshore © Newcastle Council

Surfing at Minnamurra River Mouth Beach, Illawarra © Hugh Hartshorne/ Destination NSW

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo © Taronga Western Plains Zoo

DESTINATIO N NSW

Find a NSW destination Blue Mountains Country NSW Lord Howe Island Outback NSW Central Coast Snowy Mountains South Coast Hunter Sydney & Surrounds North Coast

But wait … there’s more! Scratch the shiny surface and you will also discover that in NSW you can fossick for gold, sapphires, opals, topaz, quartz, emeralds and every other gemstone you can imagine, and learn about mining and the history of the 1800s Gold Rush; explore thousands-of-year-old caves full of glowworms and spectacular stalactites and stalagmites; be astonished by 30,000-year-old Aboriginal rock art; slide down sand dunes, climb hills and mountains, explore lush valleys; shear sheep, milk cows, go on a muster, meet a real stockman, thrill at a rodeo; pick fruit and vegetables and eat them fresh; take leisurely bushwalks, plunge into the Pacific Ocean, play on rivers, in lagoons

visitnsw.com/destinations

Top from left: Mullumbimby markets © Sharyn Cairns/Destination NSW

Jenolan Caves, Blue Mountains Schofields Orchard, Richmond, Hawkesbury Valley © James Pipino/ Destination NSW Opposite page:

Glamping @ Bonny Hills, Greater Port Macquarie © Lisa Willows

Central Coast Holiday Parks - four terrific locations © Central Coast Holiday Parks

© Michael French/ Destination NSW

© Michael French/ Destination NSW

Camping © Destination NSW

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Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk, Southern Highlands

and creeks; venture to islands; go fishing, boating, paddle-boarding, snorkelling and kayaking; see the universe through mighty telescopes; spot koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas and wombats on land, and dolphins, whales and fur seals at sea; ride horses, camels, bikes and boards; fly through rainforest treetop canopies; delve into the state’s history and culture in small heritage towns; marvel at the tallest tree in NSW, the Kiama Blowhole, ‘The Dish’ at Parkes, the Three Sisters in Katoomba, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House; visit museums dedicated to cricket, cars, outback, country music, motor sport, trains, airplanes, toys, convicts, art, technology – the list is endless; wander through exquisite gardens and vineyards; meander through zoos, nature and marine reserves and wildlife sanctuaries; size-up against the Big Banana, the Big Merino, the Big Golden Guitar and the Big Prawn; travel on scenic railways and cableways, across bridges, spectacular mountain-top viewing platforms and coastal boardwalks; have fun at festivals, live like a local – and don’t miss a thing!

Phew! Now, how’s that for an exciting (but not complete!) NSW To-Do List?

As different as they each are, every region of NSW shares something in common – together they form Australia’s most geographically diverse state. All YOU have to do is decide whether your next family holiday will be in the north, south, east or west of the state; on the coast or in the hinterland; in and around the beautiful harbour capital of Sydney and its surrounds; high in the mountains, out in the outback, in the snowfields, near surf, in a rainforest, riverside, lakeside, in a lush valley, in the bush, near a lighthouse … you get the idea!

depending on location), lounge and dining, bathroom and verandah to 3-and 4-bedroom variations, and big lodges where several families can bunk down together. You’ll find some parks have eco-cabins too, or novelty cabins including converted buses, railway carriages, log cabins and treehouses. (Ask about Accessible Cabins for family members with limited mobility).

You’ll find the perfect holiday park for your family anywhere from Bourke and Broken Hill to Byron Bay and Ballina, and from Dubbo and Deniliquin to Moruya and Mudgee!

In fact, many beautiful holiday parks are located in, or adjacent to, NSW national parks, and there are 35 coastal and inland holiday parks that make their home on crown land in some of the state’s most iconic locations including Lennox Head, Evans Head, Red Rock, Coffs Harbour, Nambucca Headland, Seal Rocks, Forster Beach and Hawks Nest on the North Coast; Lake Keepit, Burrinjuck Waters and Lake Burrendong on the Inland Waters; and at Bermagui, Eden and Pambula on the South Coast.

Convene a family pow-wow and have fun researching your ideal NSW holiday destination. Get ready to leave the digital world behind and create real-life adventures when you wind back the (nondigital!) clock and set off. With so much to see, do and experience on an extraordinary NSW holiday, we guarantee there will be no meltdowns when the favourite electronic device runs out of charge! © Macleay Valley Holiday Parks

Take a tip from us and really make your next NSW holiday awesome for the whole family, by choosing to stay at one of the many fantastic holiday parks dotted throughout the state. You can camp out (byo tent!), enjoy a motorhome or caravan adventure, stay in an allmod-cons onsite cabin or even try ‘Glamping’. Modern holiday parks provide all the comforts of home in a safe, family-friendly environment and in a staggering choice of exceptional, and unique, locations that bring the great outdoors to you.

You’ll find holiday parks with tropical swimming pools and great water parks, a seemingly inexhaustible array of indoor and outdoor games and recreation facilities, and age-appropriate school holiday activity programs that will keep children busy, entertained, and constantly making new friends! Kids on bikes, scooters and skateboards can wheel along safe, landscaped park pathways to the next daily fun activity, or to rendezvous with new pals. The social value holiday parks offer holidaying families can’t be underestimated. This is where a real sense of community thrives – at bbq spots, in camp kitchens, at movie nights, in onsite cafes, at fun family activities and events.

Holiday Parks are also a great place to try ‘Glamping’.

Stay in a luxurious family-sized, safari-style tent with your own deck, lounge room, kitchen, comfy beds, tv, air conditioning and heating and ensuite bathroom! For a taste of the wider range of glamping options in NSW, check out BIG4 Bonny Hills at Rainbow Beach (near Port Macquarie), Tandara in Lane Cover River Tourist Park (12kms from Sydney CBD), Ocean Beach Holiday Park, Umina (Central Coast) Tathra Beachside (South Coast) and Kingscliff North Holiday Park (North Coast).

Onsite cabins run the gamut from 2-bedrooms with full kitchen, tv and dvd (many also have Wi-Fi,

Crescent Head

Find Holiday Parks and Campgrounds Head to visitnsw.com and click on ACCOMMODATION to find a fantastic holiday park or campsite in NSW for your next family holiday!

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BIG4 Deniliquin Holiday Park is a multiple award winning resort style Holiday Park located on the banks of the Edward River in the Murray Riverina region. Loads of family fun with pool, water splash park, mini-golf, go-karts, jumping pillow, giant chess, barbecues, water sports and water skiing. Luxury accommodation in cabins or large powered sites makes this ideal for families, friends and travellers.

BIG4 DENILIQUIN HOLIDAY PARK

Come as strangers, leave as friends!

FREECALL 1800 227 217

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Ochtertyre Street, Deniliquin NSW 2710 W big4deniliquin.com.au E info@big4deniliquin.com.au P 03 5881 1131

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Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort Location Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort, is a tropical oasis situated on over 16ha on its own secluded sandy cove, ‘Relax Bay’, on the southwestern coast of Phuket. The resort is a beachfront paradise only 45 minutes from Phuket International Airport (50kms).

Accommodation There are 416 rooms and 54 luxury suites all decorated with woven silk textiles and hand-carved teak, infusing each room with the warmth of the rich Thai culture. All rooms have private balconies with views over either the tropical gardens, azure Andaman Sea or the enormous lagoon pools. Each has a satellite LCD tv, data port and laptop connection. Extra beds and non-smoking rooms are available on request.

Why we stayed there To swim! Endless happy hours spent swimming at the beautiful beachfront location and the two lagoon style pools, all supervised by lifeguards with Australian-standard certification. And to experience the excellence of Le Méridien five-star service from a team of smiling staff. Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort is Phuket’s first 5 star luxury resort and arguably still its best.

OAWK Tip: Pick up the daily “7-Day Discovery” pamphlet for a detailed list of nightly, themed buffet dinners, sports and recreational activities, kids’ centre activities, and the latest spa promotions.

You don’t want the kids to miss out on the super-hero dance off by the pool!

Activities All energetic members of the family will find something to do at this resort. Head to the beach for the free use of non-motorised sports equipment, a game of beach volleyball or footy . There are tennis and squash courts and mini-golf with complimentary golf balls and clubs. The Teen Club caters for 12 to 19 year olds with a variety of activities including Thai Boxing, Archery, Beach Volleyball, Sand Castle Art and more.

The complimentary LM Family Kids Club is a perfect place to keep children between 4 and 12 years of age safe, happy and entertained.

Activities include paper crafting, ice cream making, Batik painting, Thai dance and sand castle sculpting in a fun, safe and nurturing environment. In-room babysitting is also available.

Explore Phuket is rich in shopping fun, local tourist attractions and cultural landmarks all in easy proximity. This includes the buzzing shopping and restaurant district of Patong, 29 ornate temples and hiking trails through ancient limestone caverns.

OAWK Tip: Twice a day a young elephant and his mahout stride from their hillside home down to the beach.

Not always punctual, your patience will be rewarded with the joy of this playful pachyderm and his smiling carer playing ball, hanging out at the bar, eating all fruit offered and having a shower to wash off the sand before they amble off again.

OAWK Tip: Venture out to Siam Safari ‘Elephant Trek’ and visit the Elephant Information Centre for a half -day excursion. The kids loved learning about, and interacting with, these gentle giants and their lifetime carer mahouts. siamsafari.com Food & Beverage Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort showcases its dining options and skill with ten restaurants and bars including buffets for endless variety, wood-fired pizza and freshgrilled seafood on the beachfront, as well as authentic Thai and Japanese eateries.

Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort 29 Soi Karon Nui, Tambon Karon, Amphur Muang · Phuket, 83100 · Thailand P: From Australia call: 1-800-622-240 lemeridienphuketbeachresort.com

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Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Golf Resort & Spa

Location Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Golf Resort & Spa is located between Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Bangkok’s city centre, perfect for a Bangkok stopover with an easy 15 minute drive from the airport.

Relax and rest here to enjoy all this resort has to offer, then shop up a storm in the nearby shopping mall heaven of Mega Bangna, or take a trip into the delights of Bangkok at your leisure.

Accommodation Each of the 223 simple and elegant rooms and suites features contemporary furnishings and a large balcony overlooking the gorgeous greens of the 18 hole golf course. Equipped with generous bedding, luxury amenities, large bath and shower and 24-hour room service, relax and enjoy the selection of leisure facilities including a fully equipped 24-hour fitness centre, an outdoor swimming pool, kids club and the holistic Explore Spa. Why we stayed there We chose this gorgeous property for very simple reasons - the peace and beauty of rural Thailand combined with proximity to the city and mega shopping - and to try the fabulous

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complimentary brand new Le Méridien Family Kids club.

Activities Free bike hire to explore the resort and the region. Kid Heaven in the Le Méridien Family Kids Club - discover this together.

Food & Beverage The whole family will love eating here. Our favourite was the incredible selection from the buffet menu of ‘Latest Recipe’ - from simple fresh options to keep even the fussiest eaters happy, to the international flavours tempting adult taste buds. Even better, you can dine by the pool while the kids hop in and out of the water. Make time for the Italian option of the signature all-day dining restaurant, ‘Favola’, or grab a tempting bar snack at Latitude 13° 39’.

OAWK Tip: Spend some down time in the Le Méridien Hub, the innovative and re-interpreted traditional hotel lobby . Grab a drink or snack at the bar and enjoy the art, projections and unique soundscapes; much of it created by members of the LM100TM Creative Community.

Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Golf Resort & Spa 789 Moo 14, Bangna-Trad Road, Km 10.5, Bangpleeyai, Bangplee · Samut Prakan, 10540 · Thailand P: From Australia, call: 1-800-622-240 lemeridiensuvarnabhumi.com

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Le Méridien Family programme Discover Together Launched in 2015, ‘Le Méridien Family’ redefines family travel with its incredible new kids clubs and curated local activities, providing inspiration for children and their families to connect with the destination.

The clubs are beautifully and thoughtfully designed to be completely interactive, with a focus on celebrating music, art and food. Play serves as a vehicle to explore, learn, develop new skills, express ideas and build relationships with others, without cultural borders or language barriers.

Congratulations Le Méridien, you have it so right!

Activities ‘The Universal Language of Play’ Discovery begins for children the moment they check in at their Le Méridien resort, with an amenities pack containing a complimentary LEGO® toy and a Discovery Guide listing family-friendly excursions customised for exploring local culture and the destination. The kids club at each resort caters for children 4 to 12 years, offering exciting and inspired activities with professional, fun and caring staff - and it’s free! Each kids club holds a huge LEGO® wall, a magnetic map of the world (to show where each of the guests are from), musical instruments, puppet play, story time, board games, sports, painting and craft, and so much more.

There is also the innovative large soft block playground appropriately trademarked ‘The Imagination Playground™’. Your kids will spend hours building castles, forts, or anything their imagination desires in a world of make-believe and real life adventures, with their new friends from other countries.

OAWK Tip: Are your kids junior foodies? Inspire their love of cooking, or just have plain old delicious fun with the pizza or éclair making classes. Kids Club is a complimentary service for guests of the resort. These activities may attract a fee. Meals in the club are available for a fee as well. Contact the concierge at least 24 hours in advance to make a reservation.

#DISCOVER TOGETHER Experience Le Méridien Family programme currently available at more than 100 destinations around the world with more rolling out in 2016.

Le Méridien Family lemeridienfamily.com #DiscoverTogether

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Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, Honolulu,

Location The Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort is located on Waikiki Beach at 2335 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, and is approximately 29 minutes from Honolulu airport. Both Jetstar and Hawaiian Airlines offer great fares to Hawaii from Australia.

Accommodation Like its sister property the Outrigger Reef, this resort caters for everyone. A variety of room options – from standard to interconnecting and one-bedroom suites – make it easy to choose the right accommodation for your family. The pick of the bunch (and the room we were lucky to stay in!) is an Oceanfront Suite, with unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean and the promise of spectacular sunsets every evening from any one of two balconies!

The rooms are well-appointed with

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all the mod cons you need and plenty of cupboard and drawer space in the bedroom. Hawaiian décor creates the right ambience in the comfortable lounge room, which also has a sofa bed. From our room we had stunning views across to Diamond Head and back down the beach.

The Outrigger Waikiki Beach is one of only seven hotels in Waikiki that sit directly on the beach!

Activities Outrigger Waikiki Beach offers an endless choice of activities and, like its nearby sister hotel Outrigger Reef, there’s a real focus on ensuring you and your family experience a variety of elements that are central to Hawaiian culture – learn to hula, make leis, play the ukulele, discover the myths and legends of Hawai’i.

At check-in you will receive a weekly planner with timetables for scheduled

in-house activities and entertainment. If you stay at either the Outrigger Waikiki Beach or the Outrigger Reef you enjoy the benefit of being able to share facilities and activities at both resorts!

Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort also has an activities booth on the beach and you can hire surfboards, paddleboards and beach toys.

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Hawaii Food & Beverage This resort is host to one of the most iconic restaurant/bars in Hawaii and the USA – the famous Duke’s, situated on the ground floor and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The breakfast buffet will set you up for the whole day and our highlight was the made-to-order omelette - fresh off the frying pan.

The second restaurant at the resort is Hula Grill. It is also open for all meals and specialises in seafood dinners. Kids meals are delicious, and the famous Hula Pie will cap off your dinner perfectly. For snacks or a sandwich on the go, the foyer includes a couple of small takeaways, and directly across the road is an ABC convenience store selling sandwiches, bagels and salads along with souvenirs and toiletries.

venues. Enjoy a snack or a meal while you experience world class jazz and blues every night of the year.

OAWK Tip: Look for a shave ice vender and enjoy the cooling powers of this flavoured icy mountain. Unique to Hawaii, shave ice (not it’s not ‘shaved’ ice!) will tantalise the taste buds and temper the temperature!

Water Fun No holiday to Hawaii is complete with out a swim. The resort has a beautifullypositioned pool looking out to the ocean, with table service available from Duke’s and a wide selection of poolside loungers.

Of course you are right on the doorstep of the world-famous Waikiki Beach so make sure you eexperience the warm waters and gentle surf of the Pacific Ocean.

Recommended Visit Iconic Waikiki Beach is essential; Diamond Head and its volcanic crater is a must; and, check out the fabulous Honolulu Zoo, or the many shops found on Kalakaua Ave. For families with older children, visit the newly-opened 300-seat Blue Note, part of an exclusive chain of jazz and blues

Did you know: An underground river that flows from the mountains runs under the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort and has led to the clearing of all rocks and debris from the ocean floor at the front of the resort. This means beach- goers can enjoy a rock-free experience when it is time for the morning or afternoon swim!

Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort 2335 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, Hawaii Ph: +1-800-608 313 (toll free) Email: reservations@outrigger.com outriggerwaikikihotel.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WE R EV IEW

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

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

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

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

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

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ISLANDS

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ree from the strictures of our everyday lives, barely-clad and barefoot on sunkissed sands, splashing in translucent, warm waters, snoozing under the shade of majestic palms, sipping coconut milk, shooting the breeze without a care in the world … it’s hard to deny that there is just something about the picture of island life that’s dreamy and idyllic.

If you haven’t heard of the book, Swiss Family Robinson, then it might be time to do a little research. Taking its title from the 1719 novel, Robinson Crusoe, it was one of the earliest pieces of fiction to employ the theme of a shipwrecked family finding themselves on a deserted island – with all the trials and tribulations, experiences and exhilaration of being far away from so-called civilisation. Disney saw the family appeal of the storyline and created a wonderful film of the

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book in 1960, (and recreated the Swiss Family Treehouse at Disney Parks so families could really immerse themselves in the adventure) capturing the imaginations of adults and children the world over…. what if WE found ourselves on a tropical island …?!

You don’t actually have to be shipwrecked to grab your own slice of island life on a family holiday! All manner of unbelievably fabulous resorts on spectacular islands abound so close to our shores - spread across Australia, lying in the Pacific and Indian Oceans - beckoning families to come stay, and play at being the Swiss Family Robinson on a tropical island - without roughing it!

For the Swiss Family, the heart of the storyline comes at the end, of course- given the opportunity to return to the real world, the family chooses to stay in paradise. Ahhhh … we wish!

© iStock

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FIJI Just weeks after Cyclone Winston made its dramatic entrance into the beautiful South Pacific nation of Fiji on 7 February 2016, the warm Fijian people were beaming big beautiful smiles again and welcoming holidaymakers returning to their shores in droves. It’s no surprise that Fijians - named ‘The Happiest People on Earth’ in a 2012 Global Gallup Survey - are cheerfully spreading the word that it’s already “BULA!” as usual in paradise!

F

iji is an island nation comprised of over 300 tropical islands, and replete with brilliantly colourful soft coral reefs, lagoons, white sands, aquamarine ocean as far as the eye can see, and a balmy year-round climate perfect for sunning, swimming, snorkelling and shady siestas. Many of the islands are uninhabited and others are home to local villages, but scattered across the stunning seascape are islands that range in size and shape – from coral atolls to small volcanic islands – with familyfriendly, Fijian-flavoured resorts within, and all you have to do is take your pick!

The largest, and most populous, island is Viti Levu (home to Nadi and Suva). Fly into Nadi and choose from any number of fabulous water’s edge resorts in Denarau, and along the beautiful Coral Coast, south towards Sigatoka and Suva.

The second largest island, Vanua Levu, is home to the lush and beautiful town of Savusavu and, dotting the Koro Sea, northeast of Suva, are a handful of islands, where holidaymakers can find a slice of paradise, like Toberua, and Taveuni.

The most popular holiday islands extend in a northwesterly arc from Viti Levu, in the spectacular Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands chains. Resorts here are easily reached by water, seaplane, and helicopter from Viti Levu.

Wyndham Resort Denarau Island provides two and three bedroom standard and deluxe apartments.

CORAL COAST, VITI LEVU InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa is a family-friendly resort right on Natadola Beach, and it boasts the world class Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course; also at Natadola is Yatule Beach Resort & Spa; the fabulous Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort is famous

for its fantastic MeiMei nannies and great kids and teens activities; Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa has been a family favourite for decades, starting life as The Fijian. Drive across to the private island Yanuca - and settle into a prime beachfront position; The Naviti, halfway between Nadi and Suva, is popular with families for its all-inclusive accommodation, meals and drinks packages; The Warwick is located approximately 90 minutes’ drive from Nadi and boasts a great kids club.

The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa and Sheraton Fiji Resort offer guests of either resort the exclusive use of facilities at the other. This means twice the number of pools, dining experiences and activities, with a handy free shuttle running between both properties.

Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa is adjacent to the renowned Denarau Golf and Racquet Club; Radisson Blu Resort Fiji offers spacious guest rooms and self-contained two bedroom suites;

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© Tourism Fiji

DENARAU, VITI LEVU

© iStock

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SAVUSAVU, VANUA LEVU

MAMANUCA ISLANDS

Discover a ‘different’ Fiji on Vanua Levu, the country’s second largest island.

Connecting flights to Savusavu run daily via Fiji Link (Fiji Airways) and Island Hoppers. In Savusavu, in addition to pristine beaches, you’ll experience a landscape of rainforests and waterfalls – and truly spectacular views. There’s also amazing diving and snorkelling! The world-famous eco-resort - Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort - is here, and welcomes families with engaging kids activities, one-on-one nannies for little ones, and an active involvement in local conservation projects. A nature-lover’s paradise, Koro Sun Resort ‘s chefs gather most of the resort’s fruits, vegetables and root crops fresh from the resort gardens daily.

The closest islands to Viti Levu, the resorts of the Mamanucas are popular destinations for families. South Seas Cruises operates daily schedules that will deliver you to your island resort between 30 minutes and 2 hours of leaving Denarau Marina, depending on where your island is located and the route taken.

The sightseeing alone is worth the longer journey, as you cut across the beautiful waters and spot one island here, another over there, and another ahead. Each is different from the next - from very small atolls to mountainous and lush islands with protected lagoons tucked around their perimeters. The Malolo Cat also leaves from the Marina and services the resorts on Malolo Lailai. The Mamanucas are home to the popular family resorts of Bounty Island, Treasure Island, Malolo

Island, Plantation Island, Musket Cove, Castaway Island, Mana Island and Sheraton Tokoriki Island.

YASAWA ISLANDS The remote Yasawa Island Group is a must-visit for intrepid backpackers and flashpackers from around the world. In this part of paradise, you will find a handful of luxury resorts, and resorts that cater for the island-hopping market that also offer a selection of suitable family villas and bures in addition to standard dormitory-style accommodation. Barefoot Manta has bures to suit families, and Octopus Resort Waya Island offers Gardenview and Beachfront bures. Children over 12 years are welcome at the beautiful adults-only Yasawa Island Resort & Spa.

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Complimentary

Kids Club open from 10am–10pm

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

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

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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© InterContinental Resort & Spa

FIJI - Island Living

E

co tourism is an important, all-in initiative across Fiji, and most resorts have implemented wonderful projects that are not only a bonus for the environment, but also for their guests, with hands-on conservation participation via fabulous kids club activities and fun family experiences.

Getting the balance right is key, and ensuring that tourism and the environment happily co-exist is paramount. You’ll be able to say you helped nurture beautiful underwater coral gardens, lent a hand with baby turtle breeding, learnt about the protection of Fiji’s delicate flora and fauna, went on a bush tucker trail, discovered how precious fresh water supplies are on smaller islands (and why island desalination systems are important), and contributed to the love and preservation the people of Fiji have shown for their island paradise for thousands of years.

Accommodation Most Fiji resorts offer a choice of accommodation styles that also include beach, or garden, bures. These traditional Fijian huts typically have high vaulted ceilings and thatched roofs and range

from ultra-luxe to contemporary and comfortable, depending on the resort. Stay in a bure for a real Fiji experience - it will definitely add to the island living vibe of your holiday!

Dining Traditional Fijian cuisine is often a fusion of locally-produced staples including fish, taro, sweet potato, cassava and coconut, and the flavours of India. Try kokoda, a delicious dish of marinated raw fish in lemon and lime and served with a thick coconut cream. Almost all resorts hold a weekly lovo night where you can feast on mouth-watering, smoky barbecue chicken, fish, pork and vegetables that have been covered in banana leaves and cooked underground for several hours.

Kava is a traditional beverage for many Pacific Islanders, including Fijians. Made from the powdered roots of yagona plants, kava has tribal and celebratory significance in villages, and many resorts offer the opportunity for guests to try a bowl! If you visit a Fijian village you will be invited to drink kava with the chiefs in a ceremony that is integral to your welcome by the village elders. It is considered rude to

refuse so, if you’re not fond of the taste, just take a small, polite sip from the bowl when it is offered.

Of course you’ll also find contemporary western and Asian cuisine as well as kids’ favourites at most resorts, with a range of fine dining options, casual buffets and celebrity chef-created menus, as well as picnic-hamper yummies so you can escape to a secluded beach for the day and really play at being the Swiss Family Robinson.

Village Life The village is central to island living in Fiji and many villages welcome visits from families that can be arranged through your resort. If you have the opportunity, don’t miss it, because the cultural experience is not only fun and fascinating but also provides an insight into Fijian island life. Out of respect women, in particular, should wear clothing that covers below the knee, shoulders and décolletage, and always remove your hat or cap before entering a village. Kids love meeting their friendly Fijian peers and looking around village schools – it becomes obvious very quickly that a classroom is a classroom and schoolwork is schoolwork wherever you live!

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It’s always

t h g i n e dat here.

www.fij i.travel

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FIJI - Island Hopping Taste Fiji island life while staying on Viti Levu and enjoy a full or half day trip to South Sea Island, an easy 30-minute ferry ride from Denarau Marina with South Sea Cruises. South Sea Island is one of the treasures of the Mamanuca Islands, with crystal clear waters, coral reefs and thousands of colourful tropical fish - perfect for families and loved by kids of all ages.

Everything is taken care of on your day trip including delicious food and drink, fun activities in and out of the water, and hammocks under the coconut palms. > ssc.com.fj/day-cruises/south-seaisland

Mamanuca Islands The closest family-friendly resort to Denarau (20 minutes by boat transfer) is Bounty Island Resort, an affordable eco resort on a small island known for its spectacular reefs. The focus here is definitely back-to-nature, and the unspoiled surrounds, white sand creeping up to the door of the beachfront accommodation, and a hammock overlooking the water are quintessential elements of any island imagining! > fiji-bounty.com Its sister property, Treasure Island Resort, is 10 minutes away and is a natural marine reserve with coral and tropical fish only metres from the shore. The resort also has a dedicated Environmental Officer, and many family and kids-only activities here involve being hands-on, helping to protect and nurture the island’s unique plant and animal life. > treasureisland-fiji.com The island of Malolo Lailai (also known as Plantation Island) is home to two popular family-friendly resorts – Plantation Island Resort and Musket Cove Island Resort – a 40-50 minute boat transfer from Denarau.

Plantation Village Resort (as it was first named) opened to guests in 1969 with only six rooms and today, still owned by the same family, the expansive resort remains one of the most popular family holiday spots in

© Chris Kane Photography

Dip your toes into island life

Plantation Island Resort

the Mamanucas. Its neighbor, Musket Cove Island Resort, opened in 1976, and guests at each resort can enjoy the benefits of sharing many facilities at the other, as well as the airstrip, 9-hole golf course and two tranquil lagoons! > plantationisland.com > musketcovefiji.com Malolo Island Resort (an hour by boat from Denarau) is famous for its intimate and rustic ambience, authentic culture, and true Fijian hospitality. Do plenty, or do nothing at all, is the mantra. Stylish and simple, families love Malolo (and Kids Club is free for 4 to 12 years!). > maloloisland.com Two beaches mean whichever way the wind is blowing or the tide is turning, there’s an ocean ready and waiting to be enjoyed at Mana Island Resort! (1.5 hours by boat transfer from Denarau). Try the North Beach and the South Beach and enjoy different vistas and adventures on opposite sides of the island. Get involved in the resort’s eco tourism endeavours including a coral regeneration project and turtle breeding program. > manafiji.com Castaway Island’s caretakers are dedicated to preserving its lush tropical vegetation, white sand beaches, and vibrant coral reefs. It’s hard to overlook the beauty of Castaway and, coupled with a casual, friendly atmosphere and loads of island activities for all ages, it may be just two

hours’ away from Denarau by boat, but it’s blissfully miles away from anywhere in the imagination! > castawayfiji.com The northernmost island in the Mamanuca group is Tokoriki Island, (reached in 1.5-2 hours by boat from Denarau) and, from its high ridge above the beach, the panorama across the ocean, to the islands of Yanuya and Tavua, Matamanoa and Monuriki, is unsurpassed! Guests staying at Sheraton Resort & Spa, Tokoriki wake up to this view each day of their island escape! Take a short boat ride out to explore Monuriki, where Tom Hanks spent weeks ‘stranded’, filming (with his friend Wilson) for the 2000 movie, ‘Cast Away.’ > sheratontokorikiisland.com

CRUISE Criss-cross vast waters sparkling in the sunlight, in all shades of blue. A cruise is a fun way for families to enjoy an island hopping holiday in Fiji. Captain Cook Cruises Fiji offers 3, 4, 7 and 11-night itineraries all suitable for families, with special group rates for 16 or more travelling together, and great value single cabin fares for accompanying nannies or sole grandparents. Children under 5 years cruise free when you book a special Blue Lagoon Cruises ‘Family Cruise’, operating during the Australian and New Zealand school holiday periods. Both cruise lines depart from Denarau Marina. > captaincookcruisesfiji.com > bluelagooncruises.com

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FIJI - Island Time

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FIJI INFORMATION

hen you’re in Fiji, remember you will be on ‘Fiji Time’ – it won’t take you long after your arrival to work out exactly what that means, but if you need a hint …

Fiji Time operates with no watches, no clocks and no stress!

In the Mamanucas and Yasawas, Fiji Time is amplified and becomes ‘Island Time’. When you’re on a beautiful island paradise in the sea there are no cars and buses, no sirens, no high-rise and no white noise, except for the gentle lapping of water and birds tweeting, and the frequent sound of happiness that emanates with every Bula! Everything moves at an unhurried, relaxed pace - and footwear is optional!

Wherever you lay your head on a Fiji holiday, embracing Fiji Time is essential, and you can be as active or idle as you please, whenever you please!

Fiji is an easy 3-4 hour flight from Sydney and Brisbane and just under 5 hours flying time from Melbourne. The seasons are the same as Australia but, while some of our states shiver between late May and the end of August, Fiji has a balmy average daily temperature in winter of between 26°C and 31°C!

TOURISM FIJI

> fiji.travel > twitter.com/TourismFiji

DENARAU

> sheratonfiji.com > westindenarauisland.com > sofitel.com/Fiji-Denarau > wyndhamap.com > radissonblu.com/en/resort.fiji

IDLE

ACTIVE

• Adventure out to other islands on a snorkelling boat trip • Join a fishing tour • Kayak and paddleboard in calm lagoons • Visit a village and meet the locals • Surf like a pro at the world-famous Cloudbreak and Wilkes • Golf • Explore your environment – on foot or bicycle or on the water • Wander through lush tropical gardens • Enjoy a day or sunset cruise • See under the sea on a glass-bottom boat • Search for hermit crabs, frogs, skinks and geckos • Windsurf

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CORAL COAST

© iStock

• Swim all day, every day, in the gloriously warm, clear ocean • Snorkel over coral reefs with colourful, friendly fish for company • Spread out on soft sand and relax • Snooze in a gently-swaying hammock under a tall coconut palm • Kick back on a poolside sun lounger with an ice-cold drink at hand • Weave your own holiday hat from palm leaves • Wear a hibiscus in your hair • Collect beautiful shells • Feed schools of tiny fish at the water’s edge • Unwind with a massage • Feast on a fresh coconut • Gaze out to sea and watch the world go by …

• • • • • •

Take a Banana Boat ride Jump on a jet ski Parasail Play beach volleyball Experience an exhilarating river cruise safari Discover waterfalls

… and so much more!

Choose your ideal location and book the resort that best suits your family’s interests and budget … ask about daily activities programs, tours and facilities including kids clubs, nannies and babysitters, spas and dining.

Most Fiji resorts offer complimentary use of non-motorised water sport equipment so check what is and isn’t included when you make your booking.

Find out about cultural activities and events happening at your resort during your stay – it’s great fun for the whole family to get involved in uniquely Fijian experiences on a Fijian holiday!

> intercontinental.com/Fiji > outrigger.com/Fiji > shangri-la.com/yanucaisland/ fijianresort > warwickhotels.com/navitiresort > warwickhotels.com/Fijiresort > yatulefiji.com

SAVUSAVU

> fijiresort.com (Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort) > korosun.com

FLIGHTS FROM AUSTRALIA Virgin Australia, Jetstar and Fiji Airways fly daily to Nadi from Australian capital cities. For schedules and more information: > fijiairways.com > jetstar.com > virginaustralia.com NADI to SAVUSAVU (and other domestic routes) > fijiairways.com/about-fijiairways/fiji-link/

PUB: Out and Ab With Kids Property: AST Issue: Jan 29, 201 Client: Aston AD: AST Size: 1/2PH non b (177mm x 110m 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

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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HAWAI’I

© iStock

The most populated island, and home to the Hawaiian capital, Honolulu, Oahu blends all of the excitement and buzz of a modern city with the best of island living. From the long arc of the world-famous Waikiki Beach to the volcanic peak of Diamond Head and the surf breaks (and shrimp trucks!) of the North Shore, Oahu bursts with endless opportunities for family exploration, adventure, shopping, dining, cultural activities, water activities, entertainment and education. > gohawaii.com/au

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Accommodation on the Waikiki beachfront and Waikiki Beach Walk is plentiful, and these convenient locations make it easy for families to venture out to swim, shop, eat and explore nearby attractions. > waikikibeachwalk.com

Macy’s, and squillions of other fabulous brand name and specialty shops. > pearlharboroahu.com > honoluluzoo.org > alamoanacenter.com

MAUI

Make your first stop the must-visit Polynesian Cultural Center, and tour the village by canoe! Fun hands-on activities and entertainment bring the Hawaiian islands to life with luaus, hula and fire twirling.

Special tours, cultural dinner shows for the whole family, and much more, provide kids with a magical, first-hand experience of Polynesian island life. > polynesia.com

The “Valley Isle” is a pretty picture of lush greenery, quaint towns and almost 5kms of white sand and crystal clear water known as Kaanapali Beach – one of the best beaches in the world. Most of the popular familyfriendly resorts on Maui front this beautiful stretch of beach so, day or night, your Maui holiday entertainment playground is right at your door. > gohawaii.com/au/maui

Visit the famous Komodo Dragons, along with over 900 other animals from the tropics, at Honolulu Zoo; visit Pearl Harbour, where the USS Arizona Memorial commemorates the 1941 attack on Oahu by Japanese planes during World War II; spend a whole day at the world’s largest outdoor shopping centre and Honolulu must-do - Ala Moana - with iconic American department stores like Bloomingdale’s and

A short stroll from Kaanapali Beach is the former whaling town of Lahaina, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a hub of 1800s charm and modern eateries, entertainment and shopping. In winter you can take a whale watching cruise from Lahaina Harbour – this is one of the best places in the world to see humpback whales! > lahainatown.com

Waikiki Beach

© iStock

OAHU

© iStock

H

awai’i became the 50th state of America in 1959, yet it is unique in the USA for being the only state not located in the Americas, and the only one made up entirely of islands.

The Polynesian heritage looms large in this South Pacific paradise and, combined with a spectacularly beautiful landscape, firsttime visitors quickly appreciate that Hawaii is truly blessed! (The number of return holidaymakers is staggering, and completely understandable.)

Around the world, when people hear the word Aloha! - the joyful Hawaiian greeting alluring mental images of sun-kissed beaches, pacific palms, surfers, ukulele players and hula dancers are instantly evoked. Even if you haven’t (yet!) holidayed in Hawaii, it’s a safe bet you know this picture well!

Beautiful Hawaii is made up of thousands of volcanic islands, the most popular with families are Oahu, Maui and Kauai and, for the more adventurous who like to really ‘get away from it all’, the islands of Hawai’i (known as The Big Island), Lanai and Molokai.

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Frangipani

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Kaanapali Beach Maui

KAUAI

HAWAII

MOLOKAI

The oldest and most northern island, Kauai is known affectionately as “The Garden Isle” for its green valleys and mountains, spectacular cliffs and waterfalls, and all of this ringed by 80km of beautiful white sand. Great family accommodation options range from 5-star resorts to budget hotels and private rentals in the most popular areas of the island including Princeville on the North Shore, Poipu on the South Shore, around Lihue/Kalapaki, and on the Coconut Coast. > KauaiDiscovery.com

The “Big Island” earned its name because it is the largest of all the islands that make up Hawaii, and it truly is ‘big’ in more ways than one! Boasting an awesome landscape, you can see everything from white snow-capped peaks on Manukea to black sands at Punaluu Beach - with rainforests, waterfalls and molten volcanic magma thrown in for good measure!

Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park for a close-up look at mighty Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes on earth; discover ancient petroglyphs carved into rocks along the Kohala Coast; explore the planetarium and interactive exhibits in the amazing Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii; learn about real-life paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) and take a wagon ride at the Kahua Ranch in Waimea. > nps.gov/havo > imiloahawaii.org > kahuaranch.com

For a real Swiss Family Robinson experience in Hawaii, Lanai ticks the boxes. This unspoiled paradise has no traffic lights and no resorts, and the pace is gentle and relaxed. A special mana (power) protects the island, and visitors can experience that quiet serenity emanating all the way from Maunaloa (the only village in the West End and said to be the birthplace of hula) to the beautiful Halawa Valley in the East End. Build sandcastles on one of Hawaii’s largest white sand beaches – Papohaku; visit the quirky Big Wind Kite Factory, and send a real coconut to family and friends back home from Hoolehua Post Office in Central Molokai! (They supply the coconut!)

Comfortable family accommodation can be found at Hotel Molokai in Kamilolo and at B & Bs, and private rental beach houses and condominiums. > gohawaii.com/au/Molokai

The island’s most popular resort destinations are the Kohala Coast and the Kona area, with accommodation options ranging from 5-star hotels to charming inns. > gohawaii.com/au/big-island

Kauai

LANAI Lanai is a 227km2 playground with sun-soaked beaches and a huge variety of family activities to keep everyone happy.

Stay at either the Four Seasons Resort Lanai (overlooking Hulopoe Bay), or the Four Seasons Resort Lanai, The Lodge at Koele (due to reopen late 2016 following extensive renovations). gohawaii.com/au/lanai/guidebook/ first-trip

© iStock

Swim, relax and picnic on familyfriendly Poipu Beach, with shopping, dining and attractions all around; little ones as young as 5 years can learn to surf safely with Hawaiian Surfing Adventures in Hanalei Bay – or get ‘on board’ for a fun family lesson!

Kids will love playing in the children’s garden at Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Gardens and watching the hula show at Smith Family Garden Luau.

Visit the Kokee National History Museum, and hire bikes for the whole family (including tandems, kids bikes and bikes with baby carriers) at the Kaua’i Coastal Park. > poipubeach.org > hawaiiansurfingadventures.com > naainakai.org > smithskauai.com/garden-luau > kokee.org

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HAWAI’I - STAY

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Kauai

H

awaiian Airlines, Virgin Australia (codeshare with Hawaiian Airlines), Qantas and Jetstar each operate regular services from Australia’s eastern state capitals, to Honolulu. Flight time from Sydney is approximately 9-10 hours. > hawaiianairlines.com.au > virginaustralia.com > qantas.com > jetstar.com.au Island hopping direct flights from Oahu to other islands is serviced by Hawaiian Airlines. > hawaiianairlines.com.au

STAY OAHU The spacious all-suite Embassy Suites hotel on Waikiki Beach Walk is a great base for families to spread out - and handy to everything, including the beach - with complimentary, made-to-order, breakfast daily. > embassysuiteswaikiki.com Aston Hotels & Resorts have fantastic Waikiki hotel and resort options for all family sizes and budgets, or stay in one of Aston’s great condominiums, with fabulous views, each offering a variety of onsite facilities. > astonhotels.com

Outrigger Hotels & Resorts offer a selection of resort and hotel accommodation in Oahu across both the Outrigger and OHANA brands, including the Outrigger Waikiki Beach and Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach. > outrigger.com/hotels-resorts/ hawaiian-islands Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina combines everything Hawaiian with everything Disney in one fabulous family resort! There’s even a dedicated spa for teens and, of course, plenty of Disney characters, entertainment and activity to keep all ages enthralled.

Luxury hotel rooms and family suites available. > resorts.disney.go.com/aulanihawaii-resort

MAUI ‘Hawaii’s most Hawaiian Hotel’, the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel, sits on Maui’s most famous beachfront, with 432 rooms and suites in a choice of Pacific Ocean View, Garden View and Pool View locations.

Connecting rooms for families are also available. > kbhmaui.com

Aston at the Maui Bunyan, Aston Maui Hill and Aston Maui Kaanapali Villas are among a great choice of family-friendly Aston properties across the island. > astonhotels.com Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa offers a choice of rooms and suites, and almost all of them directly face the stunning Pacific Ocean. The ‘Ohana (Family) Suites include two spacious rooms with two double beds and a deluxe pull-down wall bed. > sheraton-maui.com

KAUAI Choose from the Hilton Garden Inn Kauai, Wailua Bay, the Aston Islander on the Beach (Coconut Coast), or the Aston at Poipu Kai. > astonhotels.com The Sheraton Kauai sits on the island’s southern shoreline, with suites and connecting rooms perfect for families – and keiki (kids) eat free! Daily resort activities for the whole family include hula lessons, lei making, island crafts, fish feeding and nature walks. > sheraton-kauai.com

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t only takes around three hours to fly from Australia’s east coast to Vanuatu but once you arrive, you’ll feel like you’re world’s away. The Republic of Vanuatu is actually a ‘Y’ shaped volcanic Pacific archipelago made up of some 80 islands, many of which are uninhabited, but others like Efate, Espiritu Santo and Tanna are welcoming destinations where a fun-andadventure-filled island holiday is guaranteed.

A warm Vanuatu ‘Welkam’ awaits you!

Although there are over 120 distinct languages (and many more dialects) spoken in Vanuatu, the three official languages are English, French and Bislama (pidgin English). 98.5% of the population is native Melanesian, or Ni-Vanuatu, and with no written language, it is through storytelling, songs and dance that the nation’s rich heritage and culture is preserved and shared.

All forms of art - from body decorations and tattoos to carvings and ceremonial masks - are central to Ni-Vanuatu island life, and

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Giant Zorb

all cultural and community tours (a mustdo for every visitor) are 100% owned and operated by local Ni-Vanuatu. > vanuatutravel.info

EFATE The capital, Port Vila, is on the island of Efate, the most populated island and the first port of arrival when you fly in from Australia. Situated around a magnificent natural harbour with stunning views of Iririki and Ifira islands, the pretty town is also fast becoming known as the gourmet capital of the South Pacific. A fusion of cultures is reflected in the vast

© Lisa Willows

© iStock

VANUATU

variety of delicious cuisines (French, European, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Mexican, Thai, Melanesian and Mediterranean), and you can find everything from Aussie meat pies to patisserie items, fine cheeses and pâté.

Efate has an abundance of beautiful sandy bays and lagoons, lush countryside, rivers and waterfalls. Spend lazy days swimming, snorkelling over coral reefs, kayaking and paddle boarding, and enjoying a refreshing dip at the Mele Cascades. Visit the markets and take a village tour, then head to Wet ‘n’ Wild for some exhilarating fun hydro-zorbing, or horse ride through tranquil rainforests and on stunning beaches at Club Hippique Adventure Park.

Popular family resorts in Port Vila include the luxury Iririki Island Resort & Spa and Warwick Le Lagon Resort & Spa. Families with adventurous teens will love Hideaway Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary, with fabulous diving and

Mount Yasur

snorkelling, and the opportunity to send a waterproof postcard from the deep at the world’s only Underwater Post Office! > iririki.com > warwickhotels.com/le-lagon-resort > hideaway.com.vu > vanuatupost.vu

ESPIRITU SANTO The largest of Vanuatu’s islands, stunning Espiritu Santo is famous for its ‘hidden treasures’ including beautiful white sands, amazing blue holes, incredible caves and world-renowned diving and snorkelling, Catch marlin, wahoo and Spanish mackerel on fishing charters, kayak from island to island, explore, relax and enjoy nature’s gifts.

TANNA ISLAND Tanna is home to one of Vanuatu’s most popular tourist attractions - the Mount Yasur volcano. Considered one of the world’s most accessible volcanoes, this is

the place to come face-to-face with huge black sand dunes, a stark moonscape, and a sensational nightly fireworks display courtesy of Mother Nature! Mt Yasur is just an hour’s drive from Tanna’s White Grass Airport and a short 10 minute walk to the crater rim – and from there … it’s simply awesome! > Visit vanuatutravel.info and click on ‘PLACES TO STAY’ for fantastic accommodation options, from top end resorts through to camping, across Vanuatu’s amazing islands.

Air Vanuatu flies direct to Port Vila from Sydney and Brisbane, and direct to Espiritu Santo once a week from both capital cities. The airline also services the domestic daily flights from Port Vila to Espiritu Santo (45 minutes flight time) and to Tanna Island (35 minutes flight time).

Sunset cruise in Vanuatu

© Lisa Willows

© Vanuatu Tourism Office. Photographer David Kirkland.

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NEW CALEDONIA & THE MALDIVES New Caledonia

The Maldives

You’ll find a great selection of family accommodation in New Caledonia – ranging from Le Meridien to Hilton and Best Western, and everything in between – with the greatest choice in and around Noumea. Le Meridien Ile Des Pins is a fantastic resort for families.

Learn more about New Caledonia > visitnewcaledonia.com

but English is widely spoken so you’ll have no problems conversing with friendly and helpful resort staff.

Male’, the capital, is located on North Male’ atoll, and is a vibrant, densely populated urban centre. Ferries bustle to and from the International Airport on the island of Hulhule to Mali with great frequency.

The atolls are widespread across the vast ocean, but there is only one resort per island so, once you have selected the resort for your family holiday, find easy inter-island connections that include speed launches and seaplanes.

The Maldives is renowned for being a great place for kids - away from distractions, on their own little island, in a truly exquisite turquoise ocean! And with fantastic all-

inclusive resorts and family-oriented resorts to choose from there’s no end to the fun activities for kids of all ages, including teens and toddlers. Over-water villas at Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa, on South Ari Atoll, include awesome family villas with bunk beds in a children’s area, ensuring that everyone has space and privacy, and childproof locks to the terrace. > centarahotelsresorts.com/ centaragrand/cirm/

Qantas and New Caledonia’s national carrier, Aircalin, fly to Noumea from Australia.

Check websites for details and schedules. > au.aircalin.com > qantas.com

There are no direct flights from Australia to The Maldives, however, flying time is only approximately 4.5 hours from Singapore and from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Speak to your travel agent to find the best stopover and airline to suit your family’s travel plans. > visitmaldives.com

Images © iStock

Two island chains in the Indian Ocean comprised of 26 atolls – the Republic of the Maldives is located on top of a vast underwater mountain range of over 1000 islands and sandbanks.

The Maldives is one of the most photographed destinations – holidaymakers work overtime in an attempt to capture amazing pictures of the breathtaking islands, blue waters and white beaches right before their eyes!

A once remote yet frequented Indian Ocean trading route, the culture of the Maldives is a fusion of influences from its many and varied visitors over the centuries including Indians, Sri Lankans, Arabs and North Africans. The national language of the Maldives is called Dhivehi,

Isle of Pines New Caledonia © iStock

New Caledonia is a French territory in the Pacific, just 3 hours flight time from Sydney and made up of – you guessed it – lots of small islands. The capital, Noumea, is on the main island, La Grand Terre, and nearby are the famous Loyalty Islands of Lifou, Maré, Tiga and Ouvéa. South of La Grand Terre is the untouched paradise of the Isle of Pines (L’Ile-des-Pins), a 20-minute flight south of Noumea. (If you’re looking for deserted beaches, natural pools and shady banyan and pine trees for your island holiday, this is the place to be!)

Although the Kanaks are the indigenous Melanesian inhabitants, French is the official language of New Caledonia, and the Gallic influence is most evident in Noumea, with its fabulous shopping and dining and blend of Melanesian and French culture.

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COOK ISLANDS & SAMOA Cook Islands

Rarotonga

Aitutaki

options, including resorts with fun kids clubs and self-contained beach houses. > therarotongan.com

Air New Zealand flies direct from Sydney to Rarotonga twice weekly. Virgin Australia flies from all major Australian cities via Auckland to the Cook Islands four times per week. > airnewzealand.com.au > virginaustralia.com/au/en

Images © iStock

The islands of Rarotonga and Aitutaki are rated as two of the most beautiful in the world, and they are both part of the stunning archipelago that is known as The Cook Islands, located north of New Zealand and southwest of Tahiti, just six hours flying time from Sydney.

These Polynesian islands are incredible places for families to holiday and so easy to explore. It only takes 45 minutes by car to travel around the whole island of Rarotonga but it will take at least a week to experience all of the fun adventures on offer. And a 45-minute flight from Rarotonga will find you at the bluest of blue lagoons in Aitutaki.

Kids will be saying ‘Kia Orana’ before you’ve even unpacked! Families are important in the Cooks, and child-friendly activities are abundant. The Cook Islands offer a great range of family-friendly accommodation

Learn more at Cook Islands Tourism Corporation > sale.cookislands.travel

Samoa Australian families have recently begun to discover the ‘Treasured Islands’ of Samoa and, with an average year-round temperature of 30°C, and its reputation as ‘the adventure-seeker’s paradise’, it’s no surprise this unspoiled Pacific paradise keeps finding itself at the very top of world travel lists as a must-visit destination.

Located halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii, Samoa’s main island is Upolu where the capital, Apia,

Images © iStock

Samoa

is found. Volcanic mountain peaks, rainforests, fabulous waterfalls and lagoons, amazing beaches with white sand and the lure of the waters of the Pacific Ocean make Samoa a holiday paradise for all ages. > samoa.travel Samoans are friendly and fun – and resorts like Saletoga Sands and Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Resort are perfect for families – but you might also like to try sleeping out in a Samoan fale for a real Swiss Family Robinson experience. Fales are open-air huts on the beach designed for chilling by day and comfortable sleeping with the sea breeze and the sounds of the ocean by night, and Samoa offers a range of fabulous family-friendly fale accommodations to suit all families. A quintessential Samoan island experience not to be missed! > saletogasands.com > sheratonsamoaaggiegreysresort.com > samoa.travel/accommodation/ beach-fale-accommodation-insamoa Virgin Australia flies to Apia from Sydney and Brisbane.

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So Solomons,

So Different !

Explore the hidden paradise of the South Pacific, an archipelago comprising a vast group of 992 breathtaking tropical islands.

Feel the spirit of adventure and enjoy your own special piece of paradise - dive, fish, surf, hike, kayak or simply relax and discover a culture with a welcoming smile.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau PO Box 321, Mendana Avenue, Honiara, Solomon Islands call (677) 22442 or email info@sivb.com.sb

www.visitsolomons.com.sb www.facebook.com/VisitSolomonIslands

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TONGA & SOLOMON ISLANDS The Kingdom of Tonga may be in the Pacific but it has a hierarchal system of monarchy very similar to the royal houses of Europe. Family values are an extension of that, and lie at the core of Tongan Society, intertwined with a deeply ingrained Christian Faith. Sundays are devoted to family, community and Church, and there are no flights scheduled on the Sabbath. Visitors (and especially children) are made welcome and invited to share the legendary Tongan hospitality and warmth.

Tongans proudly retain a very authentic Polynesian culture and commitment to traditions, and that loyalty to their heritage in an unspoiled paradise (and observance of an unhurried and uncomplicated lifestyle based on ‘Island Time’) is what provides the unique, ‘real’ Pacific island experience here for holidaymakers.

Most of the accommodation in Tonga is locally-owned and ranges from village

Solomon Islands If you have a family of marine-loving, adventurous teens, then a holiday in ‘the Solomons’ is about as back-to-nature, Swiss Family Robinson-esque as you will find in the South Pacific. And what an adventure!

The archipelago of 992 tropical islands and atolls lies between Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu in an area known as the Coral Triangle, where the waters are so pristine, and abundant with a huge diversity of corals and tropical marine life, that they have been described as the ‘Amazon of the Ocean’.

Images © iStock

Tonga

homestays and guesthouses to boutique resorts and eco-lodges. Wherever you stay, you’ll have pristine beaches and sensational marine-based adventures, including amazing snorkelling and diving, at your fingertips. You may also spy some of Tonga’s other regular visitors – majestic humpback whales.

And because Tonga’s 170 islands lie just east of the International Date Line, you can greet each new dawn before anyone else in the world!

Virgin Australia operates flights to Tonga (Nuku’Alofa) from Sydney. > tongaholiday.com > virginaustralia.com

Titan trigger fish, green and orange neon slugs, superbly-coloured sea fans, large schools of jacks and barracuda, and grey reef sharks share the ocean with the migratory routes and spawning grounds of over 1000 reef fish species, dolphins, rays, sharks, and six of the world’s seven species of marine turtles.

Music, art, local traditions and customs infuse an exotic Melanesian flavour into daily life and, coupled with phenomenal land and sea adventures,

the Solomon Islands are really quite remarkable. > visitsolomons.com.sb Accommodation ranges from authentic village stays and eco-lodges to smallscale hotels, motels and resorts. > visitsolomons.com.sb/accommodation Solomon Airlines flies direct to Honiara, Solomon Islands from both Sydney and Brisbane. > flysolomons.com

Images © iStock

Solomon Islands

School of Jacks in Solomon Islands

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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

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arlon Brando famously fell in love with French Polynesia (and with a Tahitian woman who became his third wife) when on location filming ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’ in 1961 - so much so, he bought his own private island!

“My mind is always soothed when I imagine myself sitting on my South Sea island at night,” he reputedly said of his special slice of Tahitian paradise, Tetiaroa.

Until his death in 2004, Brando was committed to the long-term goal of ensuring the beautiful atoll was preserved as a sustainable, ecological habitat for the enjoyment of all – including you – and the iconic actor’s dream for Tetiaroa was realised with the creation of a luxury eco-resort, named in his honour - ‘The Brando’. Families now have the unique opportunity to experience this South Sea island staying in the resort’s eco-friendly one, two and three bedroom private villas, and through fun activities and interactive conservation initiatives. > thebrando.com

Bora Bora

as young as two years (without any water skills needed) can take part in a range of interactive programs including swimming and playing with gentle dolphins in the beautiful lagoon. > moorea.intercontinental.com

BORA BORA

Tetiaroa is just one of 118 spectacular islands in the ‘Tahiti Islands’ archipelago, which is spread across five distinct island groups – The Society Islands, The Austral Islands, The Tuamotu Islands, The Marquesas Islands and The Gambier Islands. Tahiti is the largest of the islands and is part of the popular Society Islands archipelago, along with Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea and Taha’a.

Tahiti’s capital, Papeete, was once a gathering place where Tahitians came to fill their calabashes (gourds fashioned into bottles) with fresh water. Now it is the gateway of the country, via Fa’a’ā International Airport, with world-class resorts and restaurants, and vibrant markets, entertainment and boutique shopping.

Images © iStock

MOOREA Moorea, 30 minutes by catamaran from Papeete, is great for families, with plenty of fun activities happening in the aquamarine waters of the island’s wide, tranquil lagoon.

Kids will love staying at InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa because it has its very own Dolphin Center where children

In just an hour’s flying time, from either Papeete or Moorea, the tropical slopes flowering with hibiscus, shimmering lagoons and gorgeous over-water villas, bountiful coral gardens and pure-white sand beaches of the stunning volcanic island of Bora Bora will take your breath away!

Familiar luxury and family-friendly resort and hotel names are here - Le Meridien, Four Seasons, InterContinental and St. Regis - but you won’t find any high rise. Accommodation is in superb low-rise, over-water bungalows and villas on translucent lagoons. > lemeridien-borabora.com > fourseasons.com/BoraBora > lemoana.intercontinental.com > starwoodtahiti.com Discover the sensational, family-friendly island paradise of Tahiti by visiting Tahiti Tourisme Australia > tahitinow.com.au Air Tahiti Nui flies to Tahiti from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Flight time is approximately 7-9 hours, depending on city of departure, and destination in Tahiti. > airtahitinui.com

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Your own piece of

PA R A D I S E SECLUDED. REMOTE. BOUTIQUE. OCEANFRONT. RESORT.

Only 16 elegantly appointed Fijian Bures and Vales, Paradise is perfect for family groups of all ages family beach picnics oceanfront spa treatments snorkelling in crystal clear waters ...lose your self in the magic that is...Paradise Taveuni Experience ‘Real Fiji!’ Experience Paradise!

Mention this ad when booking, to receive a Pure Fiji Gift on Arrival

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p: (679) 888 0125 f: (679) 603 0847 A U T U m: M N(679) 2 0 1 6999 0125 outandaboutwithkids.com.au

Info@ParadiseInFiji.com www.ParadiseInFiji.com skype: paradise.taveuni

P. O. Box 69 Waiyevo,Taveuni.

The Fiji Islands

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QUEENSLAND Scattered to the east of the Pacific coast, all the way north from the Gold Coast to Cairns, Queensland islands are perfect destinations for Aussie families who want a sunny beach escape in the tropical north and you won’t need a passport to get there! Here’s just a sample …

© Fitzroy Island Resort

Fitzroy Island Resort

GOLD COAST South Stradbroke Island A relaxing 25-minute ferry cruise from Hope Harbour Marina will deliver you to Ramada Couran Cove Island Resort, a familyfriendly paradise committed to ecotourism with an emphasis on fun activities that complement the resort’s unique location.

There are 28kms of cycling and walking tracks here and you can hire bikes for the whole family or byo wheels! Play mini golf, head to the Kids Club or playground and enjoy everything from table tennis to shuffle board activities. Two swimming pools and a beautiful beach lagoon provide ample opportunities for water fun and water sports, and you can even try your luck fishing off the marina.

Accommodation includes eco cabins and apartments to suit families. > courancove.com.au

BRISBANE Moreton Island Tangalooma Jet, Flyer and Express catamarans depart up to four times daily

from Brisbane’s Holt Street Wharf for the 75-minute journey to Moreton Island and Tangalooma Island Resort. A beautiful, family-friendly resort famous for its dramatic sunsets, Tangalooma even has its own Eco-Rangers and Marine Education Centre. The resort is also famous as the place where guests can safely feed wild dolphins - just one activity in a seemingly endless list of optional land and water-based activities for all ages, including fun entertainment like movie, trivia and karaoke nights.

The resort offers a wide range of accommodation options - hotel rooms and units, 2-storey two bedroom beachfront villas, holiday houses that sleep up to 12 guests, family suites with living room and full kitchen, and luxury apartments that can accommodate up to 10 people. > tangalooma.com

The world’s largest sand island can be found on the sensational Fraser Coast, a destination full of natural and spectacular adventures. Start from Hervey Bay, just 2 hours from Noosa, between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. (Hervey Bay offers the world’s closest whale watching encounters with humpback whales.) From there, explore the unforgettable eco-splendour of World Heritage-Listed Fraser Island, and Lady Elliott Island, the first coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef. > visitfrasercoast.com

WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS Fly into Whitsunday Airport at Proserpine, near Airlie Beach, or to Great Barrier Reef Airport (also known as Hamilton Island Airport) – the gateways to Queensland’s beautiful Whitsunday Islands, including Daydream, Hamilton and Hayman – and the marine marvel that is our very own World Heritage-Listed Great Barrier Reef!

© Daydream Island Resort & Spa

Daydream Island Resort & Spa

Three Mermaids - Daydream Island Resort & Spa

Whichever airport you arrive at, you will be transported to Daydream Island Resort & Spa across stunning blue waters in just 30 minutes. Unique to this island is the world’s largest, man-made coral reef - Living Reef – where kids will thrill seeing, and feeding, resident sharks, stingrays and barramundi.

They can learn more about the island’s marine

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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

GREAT BARRIER REEF

EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR

OUT & ABOUT WITH KIDS READERS Enter the code OAWK01 in the booking button to receive 10% off accommodation 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 4½ 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

Ocean Suite from $265 per room per night Day trips on the Fitzroy Fast Cat from $78 per person

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Hamilton Island

life by taking part in the resort’s Reef Ranger program and go on a discovery adventure to ‘Find Nemo’! Great for families is the Skippers Club, catering for children from 6 weeks to 12 years in age-appropriate programs. The resort also provides evening babysitting service, and cot, pram and stroller hire.

Accommodation is across a variety of rooms and suites, each offering views of tropical waters or rainforest, and Family Suites consist of two interconnecting Resort rooms with spacious en-suites, air conditioning and modern appliances. > daydreamisland.com

Hamilton Island

© Ramada Couran Cove Island Resort

Relax in large rooms and enjoy magnificent views in the four-star Reef View Hotel, or

One&Only Hayman Island

the newly renovated, self-contained Palm Bungalows. There is also a wide range of holiday homes to suit families, ranging from ultra luxury to comfortable and casual.

Getting around this car-free island is easy, with the complimentary Island Shuttle Service or hire a buggy. Explore the island and its range of activities or join a tour to discover this beautiful region of Queensland. Take the 30-minute high-speed catamaran trip to one of the world’s most unspoiled and beautiful beaches (and Queensland’s cleanest!) – Whitehaven Beach, protected by the Whitsunday Islands National Park, and in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. > hamiltonisland.com.au

One&Only Hayman Island This 5-Star, family-friendly luxury resort island is the northernmost of Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef setting is perfect for snorkelling, boating, diving and every water-based activity imaginable. Special school holiday activities are created exclusively for kids from 4 to 11 years, and One&Only’s KidsOnly provides fully-supervised entertainment, excursions and meals as well as fun activities like treasure hunts, fish feeding and baking competitions. > oneandonlyresorts.com/one-and-onlyhayman-island-australia

CAIRNS Ramada Couran Cove Island Resort

Set in the calm waters of The Great Barrier Reef, Fitzroy Island Resort is a 4.5Star boutique resort ideal for families, just

© One&Only Hayman Island

© iStock

QUEENSLAND (continued)

45-minutes on the Fitzroy Fast Cat from Cairns. Reef meets rainforest on Fitzroy Island and activities for kids, and for families to enjoy together, include rainforest walking trails, a dedicated Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, in-house cinema, video and games room and every kind of water fun imaginable!

Luxury Resort Studios and a choice of one and two-bedroom suites accommodate any family configuration.

You can even visit Fitzroy Island on a day tour from Cairns, and spend your time in paradise snorkelling the fringing coral reefs, strolling through the National Park rainforest walking tracks and enjoying all kinds of island fun and adventure. > fitzroyisland.com Queensland Tourism > queensland.com Gold Coast Tourism > visitgoldcoast.com Fraser Coast Tourism > visitfrasercoast.com Tourism Whitsundays > tourismwhitsundays.com.au Tigerair Australia, Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas each fly from various capital cities of Australia to a range of destinations in Queensland. > tigerair.com.au > virginaustralia.com > jetstar.com > qantas.com

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Heart Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

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Ready... Steady...

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© Charlotte Pass

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

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

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

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SKI ASPEN SNOWMASS

BEST EVER DEALS TO SKI ASPEN

NOT LE AVAIL ABRT! O IN-RES

SKI10 Adults US$550* Child/Teen (7-17) US$365* New offer! 10 day lift pass.

SKI 30

SKI 30 Adults US$680* Child/Teen (7-17) US$365* Unlimited 30 day lift pass. Includes 2 days of skiing in Thredbo!

New this year: SKI30 includes a 10% dining discount at on-mountain restaurants.

KIDS SKI FREE (7-12 years) with purchase of discounted rental*. *Valid 1 Jan to 2 Apr 2017. Must be purchased in conjunction with discounted accommodation packages.

Converted at current exchange rate (at 1 April SKI10 Adults AU$733 Child/Teen AU$487, SKI30 Adults AU$907 Child/Teen AU$487). Early booking and other conditions apply to all offers.

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Contact us for a FREE World’s Best Ski

ski holidays ATheUworTld’s Ubes Mt JAPA N N2EUR 0 OPE 16 Holidays brochure USA CANADA outandaboutwithkids.com.au CMH Heli-Skiing

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Up to 40% Off Luxury Aspen Hotels & Apartments BOOK NOW for great fares to Aspen with American!

Call 1300 754 754

email ski@travelplan.com.au visit www.travelplan.com.au

Offices in Sydney and Melbourne. ATAS Accreditation No: A10479.

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Melbourne May 28 Brisbane June 4 Sydney June 5 www.skiexpo.com.au

SKI

Australian Ski News

© Thredbo

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

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

© Charlotte Pass

… and the Winner is …

Thredbo Resort!

What’s new for 2016 at Charlotte Pass?

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

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

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

Falls Bus to Falls Creek

© Falls Creek

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

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

Get the app!

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

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

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NSW RESORTS

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© Thredbo

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Thredbo

Following a record season in 2015, this popular NSW Snowy Mountains resort is gearing up for an even bigger 2016! Thredbo is a charming alpine resort with loads of family appeal, and all accommodation is within easy walking distance from the shops, restaurants and après ski activities of the village.

Family fun is a top priority during the ski season, with plenty of social events and entertainment off the slopes!

Accommodation: Choose from a variety of lodges, hotels and self-contained apartments, all on-snow.

Terrain Parks: 4 Lifts: 14 Terrain mix: Beginner 16%, Intermediate 67% , Advanced 17% For the kids: Thredbo Childcare – 6 months to 6 years Burton Riglet Program – 4 to 6 years Private and small group lessons for 3 years and up Thredboland programs for 3 to 6 years Ski and Boarding sessions for kids 7 to 17 years > thredbo.com.au

Accommodation: Choose from a variety of lodges, hotels and self-contained apartments, either on-snow or in nearby Jindabyne.

Terrain Parks: 5 - plus Australia’s only Superpipe!

Lifts: 47 Terrain mix: Beginner 22%, Intermediate 60%, Advanced 18% For the kids: Childcare Program – 6 months to 3 years Discovery Kids Program – 3 to 5 years Kids and Teens Program – 5 to 15 years 3 hour Group Lessons – 6 to 14 years > perisher.com.au

With four linkable resort areas across over 1200ha of skiable terrain, Perisher has something for everyone.

Aside from Perisher Valley, this is also the home of Blue Cow, Guthega and Smiggins Hole, so grab your skis or board, hop on the Skitube Alpine Railway and head for the perfect powder, in the Southern Hemisphere’s largest alpine resort.

© Perisher

© Perisher

Perisher

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Your cool home base for the Nation’s Capital 69 Canberra Avenue Kingston ACT 2604 | easthotel.com.au

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Images © Charlotte Pass

Getting There The beautiful NSW Snowy Mountains is ideally situated roughly halfway between Sydney and Melbourne - approximately 6 hours’ drive time from both capital cities (weather conditions permitting), and approximately 2.5 hours’ drive from Canberra.

From the start of the June Long Weekend to the end of the October Long Weekend every year, all vehicles (except 4WD vehicles) are required by law to carry snow chains (and fit them when directed by an authorised officer) when driving inside the Kosciuszko National Park.

Charlotte Pass

Australia’s oldest, and highest, resort sits at 1765m and is the closest village to the country’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. It is also completely snowbound in winter, and accessible only by oversnow transport – an adventure in itself!

From the Guest Services Office in the Perisher Valley Skitube Terminal (just 10 minutes from Charlotte Pass) board a state-of-the-art, purpose-built oversnow vehicle for a scenic trip through the main range to your mountain-top destination!

Accommodation: Stay at Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel, or one of the 12 lodges at Charlotte Pass Snow Resort.

Terrain Parks: 2 Lifts: 6 Terrain mix: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 20% For the kids: Kosi Kids Club – 3 to 12 years Kids Standard Race – Wednesdays in 2016 Children 4 years and under SKI FREE Christmas in July – including Santa! > charlottepass.com.au

Selwyn Snowfields

The only family-owned and operated ski resort in the region, Selwyn is a friendly, fun, family-oriented resort known for its gentle approach suitable for beginners of all ages, and young kids eager to earn their ski legs!

Progressive terrain allows you to work your way across the mountain from beginner slopes to intermediate and advanced trails. Snow Tubing and tobogganing not only provide heaps of family fun,

snowymountains.com.au

but also round out the Selwyn experience with ‘More Ways to Snow!’

Accommodation: Off-snow at nearby Adaminaby with a range of options to suit all families and budgets.

Terrain Parks: 2 Lifts: 11 Terrain mix: Beginner 40%, Intermediate 48%, Advanced 12% For the kids: Mini Mites – 18 months to 4 years Mighty Mites – 3 to 4 years Mega Mites – 5 to 7 years Snow Sports School Centre - 18 months to 7 years.

Group lessons for all levels of ability – ski and snowboard Private lessons – suitable also for up to 5 family members to learn together! > selwynsnow.com.au

Regional Express (Rex) airlines flies direct from Sydney to Snowy Mountains Airport near Cooma, augmenting its five return services per week, with extra winter services between 10 June 2016 and 2 October 2016, and additional services on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. rex.com.au

During the ski season, transfers to Jindabyne, Skitube, and Thredbo are available from Snowy Mountains Airport. snowymountainsairport. com.au

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Š Falls Creek/Charlie Brown Photography

VIC RESORTS

Falls Creek

From your first encounter with Falls Creek’s most famous resident – Pete the Snow Dragon – to snowshoeing, snow tubing, tobogganing, a Snowplay Park and Burton Riglet Park, this family-friendly ski resort in Victoria’s Alpine National Park promises Fun with a capital ‘F’ as soon as you arrive! And Falls Creek has over 35 options for dinner, lunch, breakfast or a quick snack on the slopes, plus a supermarket for selfcatering.

Accommodation: Choose from a variety of lodges and self-contained apartments.

Terrain Parks: 5 Lifts: 14 (+ Tube Park) Terrain mix: Beginner 17%, Intermediate 60%, Advanced 23% For the kids: Renault Snowclub Program – 3 to 6 years Junior Programs – 6 to 14 years Teen Academy – 13 to 17 years Private and Group lessons Group Snowboarding lessons – 15 years and up > fallscreek.com.au

Hotham

This ski resort, in the Alpine region of Victoria, lies on the slopes of mighty Mt Hotham, and is the secondhighest Australian resort village in Australia after Charlotte Pass in NSW. With a dedicated snowplay and toboggan area, snowmobile rides, dog sled tours and Harry the Snowdragon (who lives at the Kids Snowzone but is

© MtHotham.com.au

© Mt Buller/Andrew Railton

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often seen roaming the slopes) plus restaurants and cafes and a sensational high country location, Hotham has long been a favourite winter retreat for Victorian families.

Accommodation: On and off mountain accommodation options for families staying at Hotham include Davenport Village (ideally located near the Kids Snowzone) and Dinner Plain, a family-friendly alpine village only 10 km from the resort.

Terrain Parks: 3 Lifts: 13 (including Dinner Plain) Terrain mix: Beginner 20%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 40% For the kids: Hotham Day Care – 3 months to 5 years Big D Kids Snowzone – 3 years and up Kids Klub – 6 to14 years skiing, 7 to 14 years snowboarding Burton Riglet Program (learn to Snowboard) – 3 to 6 years > mthotham.com.au

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Mt Buller An easy 3 hours’ drive from Melbourne, Mt Buller is so close to the Victorian capital that many families escape the city in winter, just for a day on the slopes!

Of course, Mt Buller has so much more to offer than a day’s skiing and, for families, it’s an unforgettable snow-filled holiday destination.

The picturesque mountain village has over 30 eateries and all of the facilities and services you would expect from a resort offering more on-mountain beds than any other Victorian resort.

Accommodation: Choose from lodges, clubs, chalets, apartments and hotels. Mt Buller also offers a ‘Snow Guarantee’ - if insufficient snow cover means the resort doesn’t have at least four of its ‘Snow Guarantee’ lifts operating in the two days before your scheduled arrival, you get your money back on pre-paid accommodation.

Terrain Parks: 3 Lifts: 22

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Mt Baw Baw Mt Baw Baw Alpine Village offers affordable onmountain accommodation packages, snowsports, snowboarding beginner to intermediate terrain parks, cross-country, downhill skiing, dog sled tours and a diverse range of off-snow activities – and all of this just 2.5 hours‘ drive from Melbourne.

Discover over 35ha of downhill terrain for all skill levels and, with its gentle slopes, it’s a great place for kids (and adults) to learn the art of skiing.

Accommodation: Mt Baw Baw offers a range of lodges and apartments suitable for all family sizes and budgets.

Terrain Parks: 3 Lifts: 7 (including Magic Carpet)

All images © iStock

Terrain mix: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 30% For the kids: Yoplait Petit Miam Buller Kids’ Centre Creche – 3 months to 3 years Bunyips Ski Program – 3 to 6 years Buller Kids – 7 to 14 years Buller Teens – 15 to 17 years Snowboard, toboggan, snowshoe PLUS indoor rock climbing, movies Gnome Roam - collect a Gnome Roam guide and stickers from the village post office and venture out on a magical trail to discover signs of the mystical little folk who call Mt Buller home – how many can you spot? > mtbuller.com.au

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Terrain mix: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 64%, Advanced 11% For the kids: Skidoo Tours Snowshoe Tours Husky Dogsledding > mountbawbaw.com.au

Lake Mountain Alpine Resort

Getting There

One of the country’s premier cross country destinations nestled in the Yarra Ranges National Park, Lake Mountain Alpine Resort is a day-tripper’s paradise, with accommodation available at nearby Marysville for those who want to linger longer.

If it’s a winter playground you’re looking for, then this fun resort just 2 hours from Melbourne is the perfect place for a day of snowplay. Little ones and beginners will enjoy getting to know snow here … and to test-drive their first pair of skis without any pressure and on gentle terrain. Of course, serious snow bunnies don’t miss out either – Lake Mountain has 2400ha of skiable area and plenty of terrain suitable for intermediate and advanced skiers.

Accommodation: Marysville offers a range of cottages, guest houses, apartments and BIG4 Taggerty Holiday Park.

Terrain Parks: All cross-country terrain Toboggan slopes: 3 Terrain mix: Beginner 16%, Intermediate 67%, Advanced 17% > lakemountainresort.com.au

Falls Creek and Hotham are located in Victoria’s ‘High Country’ - in the heart of the Alpine region.

Both resorts (and Dinner Plain) can be reached in approximately 4.5 hours’ drive from Melbourne and 8 hours’ drive from Sydney.

Flying into Albury Airport is a convenient alternative for interstate visitors to access the Victorian Snowfields. Just 2.5 hours’ drive from Hotham and Falls Creek, Albury Airport receives regular services, throughout the ski season, via Rex, QantasLink and Virgin, from Sydney and Canberra, and from Melbourne.

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New Zealand Ski News 4 resorts, 2 countries, 1 lift pass!

© Coronet Peak

NZSki has just become the newest member of ‘The Mountain Collective’, joining with Thredbo Resort in NSW, to bring together its resorts - Coronet Peak and The Remarkables in Queenstown, plus Mt Hutt out of Christchurch – in one inclusive lift pass for all four resorts across Australia and NZ! A collaboration between the world’s best independent ski destinations, The Mountain Collective includes Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Sun Valley, AltaSnowbird, Mammoth, Stowe, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows and Taos in the US, and Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine Village and Whistler Blackcomb in Canada.

With The Mountain Collective pass, Australian and New Zealand skiers and boarders will receive two days at Thredbo and two days at either Coronet Peak, The Remarkables or Mt. Hutt. Additionally the pass includes two days skiing at every other Mountain Collective destination around the globe.

Buy The Mountain Collective 16/17 season pass now – plus passes just for kids! (under 12 years). > mountaincollective.com

Following a record season in 2015 - the highest visitation season since the ski field opened back in 1968 - Treble Cone has announced it will be extending the 2016 snow season by a week. Scheduled to open on 23 June, the season will run until 2 October 2016, which is great news for Aussie families, fitting in perfectly with our September/October school holidays period!

Treble Cone is also investing NZD $1 million on upgrading and modernising its six-seater Home Basin Express chairlift, and replacing two grooming machines with the latest, state-of-the-art PistenBully grooming technology, to ensure another fantastic season this winter! > treblecone.com

Exciting new features for beginners at Cardrona A brand new beginner trail, and a new Gallery tunnel, will be waiting for visitors to Cardrona Alpine Resort this season. The ‘longest beginner run in the country’ - A Real Journey - will be 3.2km long and take riders out through Captain’s Basin from the top of McDougall’s Quad, and back around to the bottom of Whitestar Express.

The exciting Gallery is a see-through tunnel that will sit over the top of Cardrona’s existing main learners’ slope conveyer and give skiers and snowboarders an exhilarating experience, and spectacular views!

Snow falls can often delay the opening of the long conveyor because lift operators have to shovel snow off the belt, but the new tunnel will mean a much more consistent operation of the entire learners’ area.

The resort is also adding a new café and two new car parks! > cardrona.com/winter-2016-developments

© Treble Cone - Thierry Huet

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© Cardrona

Treble Cone heading for another TOP season

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Š Queenstown Tourism

NZ RESORTS

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Treble Cone The South Island’s largest ski and snowboard resort has another claim to fame - the longest ski and snowboard runs of the Queenstown and Wanaka NZ ski resorts are at Treble Cone.

It’s also renowned as a family-focused resort and provides discounted Family Lift Passes, the fantastic Jazz Kids’ Fun Trail, Snowsports School featuring the resort’s mascot ‘TC Cat’, FREE dedicated beginner ski lifts and ski area, and First Timer packages (for kids and adults) to gently introduce kids and adults to skiing or snowboarding on the uncrowded beginner slopes.

Accommodation: A variety of family-friendly accommodation options are available in the pretty alpine town of Wanaka, just 30 minutes from Treble Cone. Self-drive from there to Base Lodge, or take the Wanaka Shuttle Service to and from the resort, with pick-up and drop off at your Wanaka accommodation.

Terrain Parks: 2 Lifts: 4 Terrain mix: Beginner 10%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 45% For the kids: Kids Ski Group Lessons – 3 to 15 years Kids Snowboard Group Lessons – 6 to 15 years Kids TC Trail Maps Jazz Kids Fun Trail Kids First-Timer Group Ski Lessons – 5 to 14 years

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Kids First-Timer Group Snowboarding Lessons – 7 to 14 years Kids Snowsports School – from 3 years > treblecone.com

Cardrona Relaxed and family-friendly, Cardrona Alpine Resort sits high in the Southern Alps between Wanaka and Queenstown. Wide open beginner trails make it easy for children to find their ski legs with confidence and, with world class parks and pipes and pristine groomers, there is an awesome variety of terrain for more adventurous and experienced skiers and snowboarders.

Accommodation: Stay in one of Cardrona’s mountain apartments, each only a minute’s walk from ski lifts, or in nearby Wanaka at Wyndham Resort which offers one, two and three bedroom apartments and three and four bedroom presidential suites, perfect for families.

Terrain Parks: 4 Lifts: 8 Terrain mix: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 25%, Advanced 30%, Expert 20% For the kids: Cardrona Kids Club – 5 to 14 years Cardrona Nursery – under 2 years Cardrona Kindy – 2 to 4 years Ski Kindy – under 5 years Kids First-Timer Group Ski Lessons – 5 to 14 years Kids First-Timer Group Snowboarding Lessons – 7 to 14 years > cardrona.com

© Coronet Peak

NEW ZEALAND – SOUTH ISLAND

The Remarkables

The Remarkables shares many of the same fantastic features as Coronet Peak – all ideally tailored for families visiting this beautiful mountain region near Queenstown.

The season here begins on Saturday, 18 June 2016, and with two large learner areas, serviced by three conveyor

© The Remarkables

Coronet Peak © NZ Ski Camilla Stoddart

lifts, children and beginner skiers and snowboarders can gain confidence and skills easily in dedicated lessons.

The 2016 season at Coronet Peak, just 20 minutes’ drive Spike and Shred, the mascots for The Remarkables and from beautiful Queenstown, kicks off on Saturday, 11 June Coronet Peak, regularly join in the free on-mountain kids and a 3 Peak Pass will give you unlimited skiing at three activities and entertainment. amazing NZ mountains; Coronet Peak, The Remarkables Accommodation: Choose from a range of great family and Mt Hutt, and Night Skiing at Coronet Peak. accommodation in Queenstown.

Gentle learners slopes AND night skiing under the stars Terrain Parks: 3 on the weekend (plus appearances by the resort’s mascots, Lifts: 7 Spike and Shred!), guarantee that children will have Terrain mix: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 40%, snowballs of fun at this family-friendly resort.

Advanced 30% Accommodation: Choose from a range of great family For the kids: accommodation in Queenstown.

Skiwiland Early Learning Centre – 3 months to 5 years Terrain Parks: 2 Kea Club – 5 to 15 years Lifts: 8 (including 4 Learner Conveyor Lifts) School Holidays lessons Terrain mix: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 45%, Kruiser Squad School Holidays Kids Ski & Snowboard Advanced 30% Program For the kids: > nzski.com/remarkables Skiwiland Early Learning Centre – 3 months to 5 years Kea Club – 5 to 15 years School Holidays lessons Kruiser Squad School Holidays Kids Ski & Snowboard Program Freestyle kids ‘fun-zone’ with tunnel and jumps Snow tubing > nzski.com/coronet

Coronet Peak

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DISCOVER FAMILY FUN IN PHILADELPHIA First and Only World Heritage City in the USA 6.25 hours PHL - BOS

1.5 hours NEW PHL - NYC

BOSTON

YORK

PHILADELPHIA 2 hours WASHINGTON, PHL - DC

D.C.

Welcome to the Birthplace of America. We’re easy-to-get-to, affordable and there’s so much to do! Our walkable, safe and vibrant downtown allows visitors to spend quality time with the family while discovering some of our nation’s most historic landmarks, like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Add to that countless attractions for families and children, including America’s first zoo, The Franklin Institute and the Please Touch Museum, and you’ll see why Philadelphia is the perfect destination for your next American adventure.

Find out more about planning your Philadelphia A U T U M N 2 0 1 6adventure at discoverPHL.com.

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Getting There Wanaka/Queenstown Fly direct from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to Queenstown or Christchurch Airport. Daily flights are available throughout the winter season on several airlines. airnewzealand.co.nz qantas.com.au virginaustralia.com jetstar.com

© NZ Ski Patrick Fallon

Hire a car from the airport and self-drive to your accommodation and to ski resorts or use the regular shuttles operating between Queenstown and Wanaka to the slopes. Visit your preferred resort website for local transport options and contact/booking information.

Mt Hutt was voted New Zealand’s Best Ski Resort in 2015 and with such easy proximity (a 90-minute drive) from Christchurch, wide open terrain catering for all ski and snowboard abilities and a friendly, relaxed ambience, it’s not hard to see why.

Like its Wanaka pals, Coronet Peak and Treble Cone, Mt Hutt offers families a fabulous range of facilities and activities and entertainment, skewed to ensuring that young and old get the most out of their ski holiday. The kids’ Snowsports school has great skiing and snowboarding packages for all ages including ski or snowboard hire, lift pass and a group lesson – and lift passes are FREE at Mt Hutt for kids 10 years and under.

Mt Hutt opens for the 2016 Ski Season on Friday, 10 June.

Accommodation: Choose from a range of great family accommodation in Methven.

Terrain Parks: 2 Lifts: 4 Terrain mix: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 25% For the kids: Skiwiland Early Learning Centre – 3 months to 5 years Kea Club – 5 to 15 years School Holidays lessons Kruiser Squad School Holidays Kids Ski & Snowboard Program > nzski.com/mthutt

© Coronet Peak

Mt Hutt

Mt Hutt Self-drive or arrange Mt Hutt ski bus transport from Christchurch (90 minutes) or Methven (35 minutes).

For ski bus enquiries email info@methventravel.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND – NORTH ISLAND Mt Ruapehu One location, just a two hour drive from Rotorua, and two awesome skifields – Whakapapa and Turoa perched on two sides of Mt Ruapehu, which is actually an active volcano! Whakapapa is home to New Zealand’s premiere beginners’ area, Happy Valley, and Turoa has its own wonderful kids area, The Alpine Meadow, with toboggans, and a long carpet lift to make it easy for the littlest skiers. Both resorts have ski schools too.

Accommodation: There are a variety of accommodation options in the Mt Ruahepu region, across several lovely villages within 30 minutes’ drive of the skifields.

Terrain Parks: Whakapapa Terrain Park and Turoa Terrain Park Lifts: Whakapapa has 6 plus 4 T-bars; Turoa has 5 lifts Terrain mix: Beginner 20%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 25% For the kids: Turoa Yeti Childcare Centre – 2 to 5 years Private and Group Lessons for snowboarding and skiing (age appropriate) Beginners Packages > mtruapehu.com

Mt Ruapehu Mt Ruapehu is located roughly half way between Auckland and Wellington. Whakapapa is the closest resort, reached in approximately 4 hours’ drive time from Auckland and just under 5 hours from Wellington. Drive time to Turoa is approximately 4.5 hours from Auckland and just over 4 hours’ from Wellington.

From Rotorua, drive time to Whakapapa is approximately 2 hours, and just under 3 hours to Turoa.

Nakedbus.com operates daily services to Ohakune, Whakapapa and National Park from most major towns in the North Island, with fares from as low as $1 + booking fee. Once in the area there are plenty of local shuttles to get you to and from Whakapapa or Turoa ski area.

KiwiRail Scenic Journeys operates the Northern Explorer train service, which runs between Wellington and Auckland, stopping in both National Park Village and Ohakune. kiwirailscenic.co.nz

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Š iStock

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COME AS YOU PLAN AS

In the cool, pine-covered mountains of Arizona, Flagstaff offers year-round outdoor adventure, an eclectic 1890s historic downtown, and easy access to Grand Canyon National Park and other family-friendly attractions.

Plan your trip at flagstaffarizona.org

ARE,

YOU GO.

Navy Pier in Chicago Š iStock

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FAMILY FUN HOLIDAYS

tourismthailand.org/au

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

Centara Hotels & Resorts offers luxurious family-friendly accommodation 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. centarahotelsresorts.com

• T: 02 9018 9322

BANGKOK

•

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PATTAYA

HUA HIN

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E: rsoaus@chr.co.th •

SAMUI

• KRABI

© iStock

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When ELISA ELWIN was invited to Singapore to explore its delights for families, her 10-year-old-niece Lilla didn’t think twice about accepting the invitation to accompany her!

Organising the practical details of a Hawaiian holiday for seven people, across three generations, had its challenges for LISA KABLE, but being together, in an island paradise for Christmas and New Year, was the perfect reward.

A 10-year-old’s Singapore Adventures!

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London Calling!

Baby does The Ritz – page 111

Between Big Ben and black cabs, double decker buses and red phone boxes, exploring London with a bub in tow is different, says SUE WHITE, but with a bit of planning and a dash of courage, it is just as fabulous.

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Places where magic happens … in the theatres of Chicago and New York!

BARRY STONE was as spellbound as his two young sons when they discovered the ‘magic’ of theatre together in Chicago and New York City.

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Drac’s Pack is back

For a limited time, book three nights at Travelodge Hotels in Australia and select a free Hotel Transylvania ‘Drac Pack’ thanks to Hotel Transylvania 2 on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital now. Drac Pack includes one Hotel Transylvania 2 on DVD, Tote Bag, Dracactivity pack and colouring pencils. Available while stock lasts. #HotelT2MonsterParty

Wait, there’s more…

TFEhotels.com/travelodge

© 2015 Sony Pictures Animation Inc., LSC Film Corporation and MRC II Distribution Company L.P. All Rights Reserved.

A 10-year-old’s

Singapore Adventures!

When ELISA ELWIN was invited to Singapore to explore its delights for families, her 10-year-old-niece Lilla didn’t think twice about accepting her aunty’s invitation to accompany her!

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Satay by the Bay

I

was off on a 4-night Singapore family adventure, but the only problem was, I needed a child! My daughters are now young women with busy lives but, happily, my bright, adventurous, gorgeous niece Lilla leapt at the chance to go on her first big overseas trip – with me!

Lilla meets Singapore It was an easy decision to say yes to a Singapore holiday as my first overseas venture travelling with someone else’s child. Only eight hours flight time from Sydney, the journey was a breeze for both of us, with a daytime flight there and an overnight home.

Singapore is clean, safe and friendly with every convenience to make a stay uncomplicated and relaxed. English is spoken everywhere. Lilla soon discovered that Singapore delivers the complete multi-cultural experience without any hassle public transport is straightforward and reliable, and the food options in Singapore are a seemingly endless array of delicious temptations! All my ‘good aunty’ boxes were ticked.

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When we got to our awesome hotel and unpacked our bags and got ready for dinner, the staff called us VIPs! LILLA, AGED 10

Fun on the ground The only difficulty we had was working out what to see and do, with so much choice in this exciting city of contrasts. I was thrilled at the thought of visiting Chinatown in its colourful and buzzing Year of the Monkey Chinese New Year preparations, and keen to explore the neighborhoods old and new. I prepared a list of inspiring restaurants and must-visit shopping destinations, and a passion to explore the rich diverse culture of Singapore through its Museums and galleries.

Then the reality of a ten year old’s expectations dawned – this trip was all about

Lilla – and my excited little bubble of a niece had very clear ideas! Swimming every day (easy to do in the warm and steamy climate), theme parks (the more daring the better), animal adventures, a sensational selection of world class wildlife reserves beckoning and a list of food choices for both, (not too spicy for her, and more adventurous for me). Planning together, we came up with a holiday itinerary that was just perfect – for both of us!

Here is OUR list of tips and recommendations from an exciting and happy Singapore Adventure!

• Stay somewhere central and family-friendly, and there are many options. I chose Festive Hotel just one of the hotels in Resorts World Sentosa.

A huge buffet breakfast to set us up for the day, and a fantastic pool with fountains and a shallow section for smaller kids and, best of all, its location at the heart of the dining and shopping action near Festive Walk and World Square. Just a few minutes walk away is an array of theme parks. Perfect!

We had dinner at a Chinese restaurant. I had chicken, dumplings and soup. The next day we went to Universal Studios.

We got Express Passes.

The best! LILLA, AGED 10 • Have Breakfast with the Orangutans at Singapore Zoo. The extraordinary and adorable great apes, including comical youngsters, patiently sit nibbling on treats with their loving keepers permitting an upclose peek and treasured photo opportunity.

Then explore the 26ha hectare wildlife park housing more than 2,800 animals. See the zoo without tiring little legs by catching the Guided Tram ride - SPD$5 for adults and SPD $3 for children.

From far left: Getting ready to go Satay by the Bay Dinosaur kisses @ Universal Studios Puss in Boots @ Universal Studios Orangutans at the zoo

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Clockwise from top: Riptide Rocket and Tidal Twister © Singapore Tourism

Shrek @ Universal Studios Butterfly Garden Changi Airport Gardens by the Bay

More info Festive Hotel - Resorts World Sentosa > rwsentosa.com/Homepage/ HotelsAndSpa/FestiveHotel Singapore Zoo for Jungle Breakfast with Wildlife > zoo.com.sg/dining/junglebreakfast-with-wildlife.html Satay by the Bay > gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/ dining/satay-by-the-bay.html Gardens by the Bay, Garden Rhapsody Light Show > gardensbythebay.com.sg Universal Studios Singapore > rwsentosa.com/ Homepage/Attractions/ UniversalStudiosSingapore Adventure Cove Waterpark > yoursingapore.com/en_au/see-dosingapore/recreation-leisure/funthings-to-do/adventure-cove.html Changi Airport > changiairport.com

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• Spend a night enjoying the perfect outdoor climate over a hawker-style dinner at Satay by the Bay, before experiencing the magic of the Gardens by the Bay, Garden Rhapsody Light and Sound Show. Twice every evening, enchanting music synchronises with a breathtaking colourful light show showcasing the 16-storey, Supertrees. Local families and tourists alike converge to experience this wonderful nightly attraction. Lilla was so excited to go, but a little jetlag and a big day had her falling asleep with her head on my shoulder!

TIP: The satays can be a little spicy for sensitive palates but you’ll find plenty of child-friendly options are available.

• Plan a whole day at Universal Studios Singapore™.

We spent a thrilling, giddy and wonderful day exploring Universal Movie Magic - so much to see and so many rides, including Jurassic Park Rapids and, Lilla’s favourite, TRANSFORMERS The Ride, which left her breathless and proud of her bravery. After a few more rollercoaster spills, I was ready to take it easy in the fantasy of Madagascar: A Crate Adventure and the Shrek 4D Adventure.

TIP: Make sure you register for an Express Pass on entry to avoid the queues.

• Cool down with a splash on a fun-filled day at Adventure Cove Waterpark™. We tried high-speed water slides, drifted on a lazy river, snorkelled above 20,000 tropical fish and a colourful reef, and watched the rays from the safety of our floating tubes.

TIP: There are plenty of hire lockers at the park

entry for secure storage of all your valuables whilst you float, swim, surf, snorkel and slide through all the water areas on offer.

• Give your family a couple of extra hours at the multi award-winning Changi Airport before flying home – it’s a destination in itself!

Streamlined security and customs made checking in pain-free. We had time to discover the Changi Airport delights of The Sunflower Garden, burned off energy at the children’s playground, were landed on by flittering new friends in The Butterfly Garden, and played a little high tech fun on the Social Tree. Much to Lilla’s disappointment we didn’t have our swimsuits for the outdoor swimming pool, nor enough time to watch one of the free movies in the 24-hour cinema!

I loved my special Singapore holiday time with Lilla.

It took me back to travelling with my two girls when they were younger, and it was such a privilege to be trusted by her family, and by Lilla, to lead this adventure. We both have memories and photos of Sensational Singapore to last a lifetime. Now I have a brand-new dilemma –six other nieces and nephews waiting in line for their holiday adventure with me!

Three cheers for the legion of doting aunts, uncles, cousins and, of course, much-loved grandparents.

Hmmm…where to next …?

The writer and her niece were hosted by the wonderful Singapore Tourism Board.

To plan your Singapore family holiday visit yoursingapore.com

Discover this land, like never before.

Ever evolving, San Francisco is a richly diverse city with breathtaking scenic beauty. Explore incredible outdoor activities, discover the vibrant arts scene and experience for yourself why Bon AppĂŠtit is calling this the best food city in America right now.

Never the same. Always San Francisco.

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“FOR GREAT VALUE

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

LONDON CALLING! Between Big Ben and black cabs, double decker buses and red phone boxes, London is filled with icons from childhood. So there’s something special about heading there with your own kids. Of course, the London of those footloose, kid-free years is quite a different place with a bub in tow, says SUE WHITE, but with a bit of planning and a dash of courage, it is just as fabulous!

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The right approach There are a few ways to tackle London’s activities with a baby. If yours is under six months old, you will likely be thinking: “Well, the baby is pretty small and basically is happy almost anywhere”. Using this approach you can happily cart him or her around major tourist sites, particularly if you have a good day sleeper and time your activities well.

For slightly older babies, you’ll take a second option: combining major attractions with really baby-friendly play breaks.

Sharing the sights The London Transport Museum is super interesting, with two good kids’ play areas, and is a great place to pit stop after looking around neighbouring Covent Garden. The Victoria & Albert Museum has a gorgeous large courtyard with paddling pool that’s perfect for a break and some crawl time for baby. If you’re by the Thames, the Tate Modern gallery also has a fun kids area and a babyfriendly café!

While you’re riverside, the daytime activities at Southbank’s cultural precinct –think buskers galore and free puppet shows – are all naturally babyfriendly (and it’s near the London Eye ferris wheel, for the adults). For a more local take on the views across to Parliament and Big Ben, head to the café, bar and

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Tiny Explorers Messy Play at Kensington Palace rooftop community garden above Southbank’s Queen Elizabeth Hall. Prams can be carried upstairs if you have two people, or take the tiny cargo lift around the side (an experience you won’t forget in a hurry – you have to hold the button down the whole way up).

Continuing the approach of combining adult and baby-friendly fun, head to London’s wonderful parks. Because a baby is usually pretty happy on any old patch of grass, smart travellers will combine park

“Buses in London are very accessible and the city’s Docklands Light Rail is pram-friendly.

Whichever you use, purchase an Oyster card online from visitbritainshop.com before you leave home!” visits with another activity, like a day at Greenwich.

Gorgeous for wandering around, its covered sevenday market has delicious food for picnicking on expansive grassy areas below the observatory.

Afterwards, enticing your baby to stand with one foot either side of the Greenwich Meantime marker makes a fun photo, just remember: the observatory is on top of a very steep hill – a real workout if pushing a pram. (TIP: It costs £16.50 per adult to access the prime photo spot behind the museum.)

Photo or no photo, Greenwich is easy to combine with Southbank by taking a local boat, rather than booking a cruise tour, along the Thames. Allow the whole day to do both.

If you’re jaunting to another famous spot of London greenery, Hampstead Heath, go on a Friday when historic Kenwood House holds its under 5s events for £1 (10.30am-12 noon). Combine baby play with adult art gazing (Monet’s et al) before exploring Hampstead Heath together.

Just for baby!

Given that London is also filled with incredible baby-only (and kid-only) activities there’s a third approach: schedule a few baby-specific outings during your stay.

Little Angel Theatre, a famous puppetry children’s theatre in Islington, schedules specific performances that babies can attend. In Covent Garden, The Royal Opera House has a wonderful children’s program: babies sit on a play mat in front of the stage watching kid-friendly opera performances. Go early: the upstairs bar area is a lovely space to wait and play.

Indulge in some messy play at London’s Palaces. Yes, you read correctly: for just £6 babies can attend the multi-sensory programs at Hampton Court Palace or (closer to town) Kensington Palace. (There are also sessions for toddlers to four year olds). Make sure to book – these sell out fast.

From far left: Relaxing by the pond at the V&A Play area for kids at London Transport Museum Playing in the family-friendly rooftop Community Garden, Southbank

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London essentials Blackberry car transfer from Heathrow you use, buy an Oyster card (purchase online from the Visit Britain shop before leaving home).

Sleeping If the budget allows, a stay at London’s Athenaeum hotel is superb – it was perfect! Yes, there are cots, baby toys and an excellent location opposite Green Park, and the hotel is just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace. You will be in love with this luxury property well before you arrive - the pre-visit survey from their kids’ concierge even asks what type of pillow you like! > athenaeumhotel.com Above: Stand with one foot either side of the Greenwich Meantime marker

Sue White is a travel writer and founder of babieswhotravel. com. She is also mum to little Ollie, and Out & About with Kids’ newest columnist – see TODDLER TRAVEL P. 126 of this issue!

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Transport

Eating

Forget about getting into the city from Heathrow by tube. Instead, either use the Heathrow Express train to town, then a black cab to your hotel. Or, for about the same price (cheaper if there’s more than one adult), book a Blackberry Car transfer from Heathrow. There’s nothing like spotting a guy with a sign bearing your name, after stepping off a long-haul flight with a baby; you won’t regret it.

London’s underground is famously pramunfriendly, but it can be done with two adults (or one adult with a baby carrier, pram and a willingness to ask for help). Ask passengers or staff to assist lifting the pram in and out of trains, up and down stairs and on and off the (often) long escalators. The new Jubilee line (out to Olympic Park) is a wonderful exception: finally, lifts! (If you’re out this way don’t miss the Discover Children’s Story - its play centre and story times are both superb. > discover.org.uk

High chairs abound in London’s cafes so you don’t have to limit your dining out to chain restaurants and kids eateries. For picnics in London’s parks, Marks & Spencer chains and Pret A Manger both have ‘food to go’, as well as ready-made meals.

Buses in London are very accessible and you can see the sights out the windows! The city’s Docklands Light Rail is pram-friendly. Whichever

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> littleangeltheatre.com > blackberrycars.com Messy play at London’s Palaces > hrp.org.uk – See “Tiny Explorers” > City Walks London (Bloomsbury). 50 adventures on foot. These gorgeous cards fit in your handbag – just choose an area and stroll for an hour or two following the itinerary and map. > Lonely Planet’s Make My Day, London. The handy ‘flip’ panels calculate travel times between activities so you can mix and match sensibly. > bringyourownbaby.com is brimming with ideas, from baby-friendly jazz performances and comedy clubs to a changing rota of fabulous baby-made cultural activities across London. > visitlondon.com > visitbritain.com

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Hawaii 7-OH! 116

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Organising the practical details of a Hawaiian holiday for seven people, across three generations, was time consuming but relatively easy, says LISA KABLE. The real challenge was juggling the very different expectations of the group!

“

W

hy don’t we go to Hawaii for Christmas?” It was my 80-year-old mother who suggested the family trip, and I embraced the task of organising all the details – flights, accommodation, car hire, day trips and one beachside marriage vow renewal ceremony – for our family group of seven! Our holiday to Hawaii over the festive season included me and my husbandPhil, my sister,Monique, our mum Pam, and three teens aged 13, 15 and 17.

Location! Location! Location!

Quality accommodation and location were my first priorities. At Waikiki I wanted proximity to the beach - as close as possible, a great pool for the kids, a room with a view and balcony, all within a stroll to shops and restaurants.

Hours online, trawling hotel deal websites and comparing offerings, location and price led me to The Outrigger Beach Resort, in the heart of Waikiki, and home to the famed Duke’s restaurant. In fact, it was the unique offering of a complimentary vow renewal ceremony from The Outrigger that really piqued my interest! Phil and I had just celebrated our 25 years anniversary, so, of course, I signed us up!

The early morning ceremony (even with six couples) was very Hawaiian, very personal, very special and an unforgettable part of our holiday.

Getting around Oahu The freedom a rental car offers ensured the first few days of our multi-generation holiday went smoothly; we were on the road exploring Oahu and everyone was engaged and upbeat.

We headed for the North Shore in search of Pipeline’s big waves and, yes, we did what all good tourists do in a foreign land, we got lost - thank goodness Oahu is a small island!

A must-do for fit families is the walk up, up, up Diamond Head! The summit trail leads to the peak of a tuff cone volcano, which also affords sweeping views of the Oahu coastline.

When in Waikiki, you must take at least one trip to Ala Moana Shopping Centre, the largest outdoor shopping centre in the world. A comfortable 30-minute walk from most hotels on the Waikiki strip lands you in shopping nirvana! To tackle Ala Moana, stamina and a healthy wallet are compulsory. Popular with everyone, the boys in our group made two visits! Waikele, an outlet shopping centre, enticed my mother Pam, who outdid all of us with her retail therapy and bargainsniffing ability!

The Kable Family in Hawaii

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Right: Surf’s Up for Jack, Charlie, Phil and Bella Mum and daughters in Hawaii - Pam, Lisa & Monique

Tips for a successful multi-gen holiday • Establish the holiday expectations of each person travelling well in advance of departure. What kind of holiday does each person want? Are there places they want to see or activities they want to do? It makes it easier to plan activities ahead, and reduce time wasted on indecision and negotiation when you’re at your destination.

• Sort the $$$$$$! The financial side of the holiday can be a daily source of pain and anxiety if you haven’t looked at everyone’s budget and expectations and agreed who will pay for what before you leave home!

• Energy levels and abilities; - everyone should be honest about how far and fast they can move to avoid potential frustration and to enable pre-planning.

• Dining out/meals – a daily activity often requiring lengthy discussions/ negotiations when you’re in a group. It’s a good idea to come together for one meal each day, either for planning the day ahead at breakfast or recapping on the day’s activities over dinner.

• Make sure accommodation rooms are close to each other; it saves time and energy, no crisscrossing vast resorts to find people.

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Christmas on Kauai We left the bustle and bright lights of Waikiki for a Kauai Christmas, and booked into The Sheraton Kauai on Poipu Beach.

Kauai is great if you’re seeking downtime, and really was the ultimate location for our group. As a family of surfers, the breaks in this area were sensational, catering for all levels - Lemon Drops for beginners and Waihai for some chilled intermediate fun.

Swimming was perfect too, with a bay beach and great resort pool.

Low-rise hotels sit on the beach and add to, rather than detract from, the relaxed ambience of the island. Even though our resort was at capacity, like all the others here at Christmas time, it certainly didn’t feel like we were ‘one’ of many!

Happy New Year in Honolulu!

We returned to Oahu and Honolulu to welcome in 2016, and checked into the low rise queen of Waikiki Beach - the Royal Hawaiian. Affectionately known the world over as ‘The Pink Palace’, this grand hotel of yesteryear sits right on the sand and is a Waikiki icon.

Having access to the pool and water park facilities of the Sheraton Waikiki next door was a bonus for my teens!

For another step back into Hawaiian history, and to enjoy the timeless, relaxed décor of yesteryear, take

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a stroll through the 115-year young Moana Surfrider Hotel., it’s elegance and sophistication right on the sand of Waikiki. If only the magnificent banyan tree centrepiece in the courtyard could talk!

A multi-generation holiday can be a great success – strengthening family bonds through shared good times.

Pre-plan, manage expectations, sort the money before you leave home and you will avoid a fair few headaches.

And if you’re thinking of spending Christmas and New Year in Hawaii, our ‘Party of 7’ can highly recommend it! > gohawaii.com/au > outriggerwaikikihotel.com > kauaidiscovery.com > royal-hawaiian.com

Discover this land, like never before.

There are 7 Wonders of the World, and not a single one of them is here in Oregon. All we can figure is whoever came up with the list must have never set foot here. They must have never seen Mt. Hood or the grandeur of the Columbia River Gorge. They certainly didn’t explore the Oregon Coast. Even Crater Lake, the deepest lake in America, was left off their list. So we see your Wonders, world.

And raise you 7 of our own.

Plan your trip at VisitTheUSA.com/Oregon

Discover this land, like never before.

I’ve spent years floating through Utah’s powder, soaring down its steeps, carving across its corduroy.

But when my daughter flew by me for the first time, yelping with joy in the clear mountain air, I really understood why they call it

THE GREATEST SNOW ON EARTH FINDYOURGREATEST.COM

®

PLACES WHERE MAGIC HAPPENS … in the theatres of Chicago and New York!

Traditional theatre is capable of being a child-friendly feast, says BARRY STONE. Magic happens on stage, and backstage, for this ‘sentimental father’ and his sons in Chicago and New York City.

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Jackson said it was the best experience he’d ever had in the theatre, and we’d seen WICKED only the week before!

Truman fell asleep that night with the Queen of Diamonds under his pillow.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Previous page: New Amsterdam Theater Marquee NYC © iStock

From above: “First one card, then two, three, four ...” © iStock

Chicago Shakespeare Theater © iStock

The neon lights are bright © iStock

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A wiry, impish-looking man, his skin a ghostly pallor, walks alone onto a small stage at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on the city’s famous Navy Pier. Pressed in on three sides by a savvy audience, whose breath he surely must be feeling on the back of his neck, he seats himself upon a wooden crate. There’s no fanfare, no orchestral overtures, no applause. This is edgy theatre.

After some minutes spent considering his audience, and we him, he extends a bare, sleeveless arm. And then from nowhere - and I mean thin air nowhere playing cards appear from his hand. First one card, then two, three, four . . . Magicians say this is by far the single most difficult illusion in their entire repertoire, even when performed with a nearby curtain, even with a sleeve. But the impish man had the benefit of neither of these. Hundreds of us were watching, staring. No one saw the trick.

It got even better. The cards went from a trickle to a torrent, dozens upon dozens of them, cascading down like some outrageous, harlequin waterfall. It was overwhelming. I wanted to cry. I think I may have. Is magic real, after all? The world sure needs it.

The impish man flicked cards into the audience and when the Queen of Diamonds landed by my feet I gave it to my 11-year-old-son Truman. Only then did I look at him, his mouth open in wonderment, his eyes

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wide as saucers. Even Hollywood, with its conga line of superheroes and CGI effects, never wrought a look like that. Before the night was done we would witness a man drown in a bowl of water, a royal crown spinning in mid-air, the impish man’s head turn 360 degrees, a woman levitate, and much, much more. We still talk about it. And guess what? It was Shakespeare . . .

My family and I were in on a new and critically acclaimed production of The Tempest, William Shakespeare’s story of the exiled sorcerer Prospero, abandoned with his daughter Miranda on an island after being banished from the Milan royal court, with Prospero obsessively planning his revenge and eventual redemption. The play’s themes of magic and illusion reach unheard-of heights under the direction of Aaron Posner and Teller (of legendary Penn & Teller fame), and though its run has now ended, it proved that more traditional theatre is capable of being a child-friendly feast, and in this case was so visually absorbing it didn’t matter a jot that its words and themes were Shakespearian.

Jackson, my 14-year-old-son, said it was the best experience he’d ever had in the theatre, and we’d seen WICKED only the week before! Truman fell asleep that night with the Queen of Diamonds under his pillow. So, what of the inevitable chorus that says children and Shakespeare don’t mix? Don’t

The neon lights are bright on Broadway …

New York’s legendary theatre district isn’t lacking its own magic either, with Broadway shows such as The Lion King, Matilda and the wonderful WICKED all running through till December 2016. WICKED in particular is a fabulous take on the Wizard of Oz story, explaining for the first time the origins of the Lion, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Wicked Witch of the West.

A walking tour of the theatre district on a “Disney on Broadway: Behind the Magic” tour with Walks of New York ends with a visit to the Beaux Arts and Art Nouveau triumph that is the New Amsterdam Theater (built 1902/03) on 42nd Street, and currently home to Aladdin. The New Amsterdam is the jewel in the crown of New York theatres. The Ziegfeld Follies were held there, and the story we hear of how it fell upon hard times and became abandoned prior to its restoration - with holes in the roof creating a putrid, ratinfested interior and its dark recesses providing shelter for the city’s homeless - reflects the 20th Century rise and fall, and rise again, of New York City itself.

In the New Amsterdam’s “costume and prop shop”, a typically cavernous backstage space fairly dripping with nostalgia and the stuff of dreams, children (and

© Barry Stone

you believe it! There are no limits on what children 10 to 14 years of age are capable of appreciating.

Chicago View the FREE Official Chicago Visitors Guide online choosechicago.com Chicago Shakespeare Theater chicagoshakes.com

New York For all things New York for families visit nycgo.com

The Lion King mask adults!) can try on Lion King masks still valued in the thousands of dollars, and see close up the details and elements of tribal motifs one misses from a distance. There are various props from Beauty & the Beast and Tarzan, and Mary Poppins’ hat, umbrella and coat that moved Truman to offer a lilting

Disney on Broadway: Behind the Magic walksofnewyork.com/newyork-tours/disney-broadwaytour-new-amsterdam To pre-book Broadway tickets prior to departing visit broadwaycollection.com

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Images © Barry Stone

The New Amsterdam Theater

Truman does his best ‘Bert the Chimney Sweep’ from Mary Poppins

Hotel Beacon, NYC The family-friendly Hotel Beacon is the official hotel of the Beacon Theater and is located in one of New York’s most desirable neighborhoods on the Upper West Side. Convenient to the Broadway Theater District and other great NYC attractions including Central Park, the Lincoln Center, the American Museum of Natural History and Midtown shopping, all guestrooms and suites come complete with fullyequipped kitchenette, including microwave, and coffeemaker, iPod dock, free in-room Wi-Fi and in-room movies.

Hotel Beacon 2130 Broadway at 75th Street New York, NY beaconhotel.com

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interpretation of a Cockney lad with a chimney broom!

Even Jackson, normally all reserved and proper, let his hair down and dressed himself in a jacket and red top hat from The Little Mermaid in a rare display of showmanship.

…and off-Broadway New York theater is, of course, about more than just musicals. The 39 Steps, an adaptation of Hitchcock’s 1935 film classic about romance and espionage, closed in January 2016 after 1,452 performances at Union Theater, just off Union Square at 100 East 17th Street.

Produced on a tiny budget with four actors playing a staggering 150 characters between them, on a virtually bare stage, it was the very essence of theatre: no fog machines, coloured lights or fancy hydraulics. Just a stage, stripped to its boards.

Imagine, if you can, a “chase scene” with actors running on the spot on chairs, using their hands to flap the tails of their coats to simulate the wind rushing past them as they sprint along the roof of a train carriage. Shows like this are a reminder that amazing acting and creativity are not hard to find here, and are often an inexpensive option for parents keen to inspire their children with the world of off-Broadway - and the even grittier “off-off”-Broadway.

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Jackson dons a costume from The Little Mermaid The off-Broadway musical STOMP, now playing in the 299-seat Orpheum Theatre in Manhattan’s East Village, has special weekend matinees where children can participate with the cast in making music from ordinary objects such as brooms and dust bins celebrating “percussive dance” in a production that took New York by storm when it opened in the early 1990s, and is still going strong.

For kids and grown-ups NYC’s Broadway, and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, represent more than just the summit of the actor’s craft. They are places where magic happens, where children and their hopelessly sentimental fathers come to sit in those dark places beyond the footlights with folded hands and eyes like saucers to watch actors who, in their silliness, remind us that grown-ups are no different from children, really. We like to play and pretend too.

We’re just older, is all.

Discover this land, like never before.

New England — the birthplace of America — is filled with rich history, cultural attractions, fascinating cities, scenic villages, and outdoor adventures at every turn.

Discover white sand beaches, and lighthouses, brilliant fall foliage, expansive lakes, panoramic mountain views, and dockside restaurants with delicious seafood chowder, lobster, and blueberry pie.

In New England, you’ll find a wealth of diverse travel experiences within just a few hours drive of Boston’s Logan International Airport.

Discover why visitors travel back to New England again and again.

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TODDLER TR AV EL

Toddler Travel WITH SUE WHITE

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

A

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

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

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

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

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

One to two year olds Your travelling tot:

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

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

Have some strategies for:

1

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

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

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

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

2 3

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

Equally unpopular: “Sorry, home time!”

Two to three year olds Your travelling tot:

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

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

Have some strategies for:

1

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

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

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

2 3

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

Three years old + Your travelling tot:

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

and the last remnants of that precious day nap.

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

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

Have some strategies for:

1

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

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

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

Take snacks, always.

2 3

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

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

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Mountain Buggy juno – a ‘hip-healthy’ carrier

The Mountain Buggy juno is the first multifunctional carrier that transitions seamlessly from newborn to toddler, providing a hands free, hands through connection. The juno was developed in collaboration with medical professionals to deliver the very best ergonomics for both child and adult, in all four carrying modes, and recently received news that the International Hip Dysplasia Institute has endorsed the Mountain Buggy juno carrier as a ‘hip-healthy product’, when used as directed.

And, of course, the hard working Mountain Buggy product design and marketing teams are proud as punch to be acknowledged by the International Institute for such conscientious attention to safe positioning in all four carrying modes!

Mountain Buggy juno is available through Baby Bunting.

Visit babybunting.com.au

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Get involved with Australia’s fantastic community Playgroups!

Today, across Australia, over 8,000 community Playgroups meet each week in church halls, public parks, local government buildings and wherever else a venue can be found, and every week 200,000 parents and carers organise, voluntarily participate in, and fund or partially fund, their own community Playgroup.

Community Playgroups help your child prepare for early learning and school, and support you as a parent or carer.

Did you know …?

• Children who did not attend playgroups were twice as likely to be

developmentally vulnerable at school entry than those who did.

Telethon Kids Institute Research 2016 • Community Playgroups are in 80% of postcodes in Australia.

Playgroup Australia 2016 • Community Playgroups connect parents and carers with others in their community and help families settle into new communities.

RMIT research 2016 • Playgroups are universally beneficial for children from a range of different backgrounds.

Telethon Kids Institute Research 2016 Find your nearest community playgroup by accessing your State or Territory Playgroup Organisations’ Find a Playgroup Page @ playgroupaustralia.org.au/Our-Members.aspx or call 1800 171 882.

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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