In this issue - February 2010

Asus Eee PC 1005HA-H Seashell Review Reviewed 4-18th November 2009   The Asus Eee PC 1005HA-H Seashell is the perfect little laptop to take on your next family holiday. It is small, lightweight, yet still able to complete all of the holiday tasks while you are away.   The Eee PC is great for viewing those holiday snaps at the end of the day with the 10.1" LED screen and MMC/SD (SDHC) card reader (the memory card from your camera). You can delete the ones the kids took of the ground and the back of each other's heads (!) and transfer the rest onto the 250GB hard drive (yes, that'll hold a lot of photos) ready for the next day's adventures. The long battery life of this fantastic netbook is also a winner while on holidays. As I write, the battery is at 96% capacity wit... Read more

Think of a place that has a wonderful range of beaches – from secluded bays to surfing breaks, and almost everything in between – lying like jewels along its coastline … think of a place that offers wonderful restaurants to suit everything from a family dinner on summer holidays to a very special night out … think of a place with amazing views – above and below the sea, such as panoramic views of the entire region to underground caves … think of a place with accommodation to suit every pocket and so many activities that it would take many, many visits to do them all … and then imagine this place is within two hours or so of Sydney and one hour to Newcastle, and you have Port Stephens. Blessed with an embarrassment of riches, it is no wonder th... Read more

The one thing about luggage and bags is that they must leave the house - and our sight - in order to do their job. Make it easy to recognise your luggage, briefcases, school bags and more by using stylish, personalised tags from the Bag Tag Studio.  There are plenty of wonderful templates to help you on your way and the tags are delivered to you. You can even purchase gift certificates for friends. For your chance to win one of 3 gift certificates for 2 matching personalised luggage tags from The Bag Tag Studio , tell us your story - funny or disastrous! - about a time when your bags were lost. About Bag Tag Studio's Tags All tags are made of a durable plastic card - similar to, but thicker than, a credit or ATM card. Actual size: 54mm x 86mm. Straps are heavy duty plastic lo... Read more

91 Punch Street Gundagai, Murray-Riverina Region New South Wales This wonderful property has all the serenity of its past life as a church, including the original front door. It is beautifully decorated and has wonderful outdoor surrounds to complement the attractive interior. Overall rating?    Outstanding What makes Church House B&B different? Well, the name gives it away – its previous life as a 1930s Methodist church lends an aura of peace and tranquillity – just what you are looking for on a relaxing holiday. The property is immaculately clean and has everything you need for a comfortable and memorable stay. We arrived at night and the property was well-lit and warm and welcoming. Accommodation overview The three bedrooms all have que... Read more

TakeABreak Awards 2009 Winner, Hosted accommodation: A Rainbow’s End Bed & Breakfast The winner of TakeABreak’s 2009 Hosted Accommodation Award was difficult to choose because Australia is home to thousands of quaint, unique, warm, and friendly B&Bs. With so many outstanding hosted accommodation options vying for the title, the winner needed to stand out with exceptional service. A Rainbow’s End in the Adelaide Hills did just that, with many extras and special touches leaving guests feeling truly cherished. Upon arrival at A Rainbow’s End, visitors are treated to a charming afternoon tea on the patio, where they can enjoy the beautiful views of the valley. Hosts Pam and Dave go out of their way to make guests feel welcome in their home, and many rave... Read more

Kangaroo Island is a wonderful environment rich in nature’s treasures and with more than its fair share of breathtaking views and things to see and do.  Vivonne Bay on the island’s south coast is one of the standouts in an island of standouts, with its long crescent shaped beach, picturesque old jetty and access to many of the main attractions, such as Seal Bay, Kelly Hill Caves and the Remarkable Rocks. Living lightly in this environment is a holiday home that truly qualifies as unique.  It is not just the rammed earth, handcrafted and earth-friendly aspects, nor is it that it La Viv is one of those rare things – a completely wheelchair accessible holiday home.  It is all these things, as well as the location and the soul of the house, which its owners ... Read more

TakeABreak Awards 2009 Winner, Family-friendly Accommodation: Blue Breeze  There was once a time when families were expected to share a hotel room when they went on vacation. Together, they would squeeze into the small room, with the children sleeping on a foldout couch, floor or sharing a bed. Mum and Dad would need to decide whether to go to sleep early themselves, or stay up and quietly watch television or read while worrying whether they were keeping the children awake. Sure – parents could have chosen to pay for two adjoining rooms or a suite, but the expense was often prohibitive. Today, the options for economical family-friendly accommodation are endless and parents can happily take their children on holidays knowing that they can have the privacy of separate rooms, th... Read more

TakeABreak Awards 2009 Winner, Hotel and Motel Accommodation: Cygnet Hotel The historic Cygnet Hotel has two important accomplishments to celebrate. The first – reaching its 100th year of service in the pretty town of Cygnet which is nestled in the Huon Valley. The second is being chosen as the winner of the Hotel and Motel Holiday Accommodation category of TakeABreak Awards 2009! Building of this heritage-listed hotel began in 1907 and was completed in 1910. However, you won’t find one hundred years of dust and decay in this place; recent owners John and Helen have been busy with restoration projects to ensure this beauty easily wins awards for the next hundred years. Each room is clean, cosy, loaded with character, and lovingly cared for by friendly staff. With seven H... Read more

Glenside Lane Stirling, Adelaide Hills South Australia This amazing castle-like gothic building stands majestically on a leafy street. It feels grand, whimsical and straight out of a fairytale. Overall rating?    Excellent, with outstanding ambience What makes Castle Keep B&B different? Located in a relatively quiet lane in Stirling, Thorngrove Manor is surrounded by green and towering trees. The gardens and the greenery of the Adelaide Hills make you feel as though you are in your own private and compact castle in Europe. Accommodation overview An amazing experience! Climb the spiral staircase, marvel at the stone flagged floors and the Angaston white marble and arrive at the sleeping/living sitting area, with nine sides and a vaulted ceiling. The 19t... Read more