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In this issue - March 2010

Welcome to another jam-packed issue. Don't forget that while it seems that the kids have just returned to school, the autumn holidays and Easter are just around the corner, so be sure to book early to secure your preferred accommodation.

Once again, we are honouring the winners of the 2009 TakeABreak Awards. This month find out why Cedars Indulgence Retreat was a stand-out winner of the Romantic category, why Pobblebonk B&B won the Pet-friendly category, read about Old Dadswell Town - the first property to win in two categories and why The Stay at Tintagel was a most deserving winner of the Eco Accommodation category. There is now a category on TakeABreak to allow you to easily search for our award-winning properties.

Discover our Top 10 beach properties and complete our Domestic Tourism Audit for the chance to win a $300 accommodation gift voucher. Congratulations to Caroline Vogel, who was the lucky winner of the family pass to see the Masterpieces exhibition in Canberra. Our Delightful Destination this month is the Adelaide Hills region in SA, and our property reviews are Grass Trees Escape in laid-back South West Rocks, NSW and Old Bara Guesthouse in the beautiful countryside near Mudgee.

Remember that Anzac Day is next month - find your perfect holiday escape now. Do your bit for the environment and be a part of the worldwide Earth Hour at 8.30pm on 27 March 2010.

Story

Central Coast audio tour – Talk’N Tours

Central Coast & Lake Macquarie, New South Wales

By Lisa Monk

If you have ever had a guided tour that was less than informative, moved too fast or too slow, or just didn’t have the sort of information you were looking for, then Talk’N Tours may be the answer for you. There is a series of tours in podcast format, allowing you to go at your own pace, stop, start and rewind at will. The company provides tours in and around Sydney and Melbourne at this point, with more to come. I took the ‘Central Coast Day Tour’ from Sydney and found it to be an interesting and informative way to learn more about the areas mentioned. The tour leaves from Wynyard bus stand and has bus, ferry and rail legs. At all points there is something new to be learned and as a Sydney local and frequent visitor to the areas covered i... Read more

Do Right By Your Doggy (And Moggy) On Holidays!

Australian Capital Territory

By Lisa Monk

More Australian families are taking their furry kids on holidays. We all know that feeling… getting sorted for a holiday, packing the bags – and having to deal with the morose looks coming our way from the pets. At least dogs are so happy to see you when you get back that they quickly forgive you, but we all know how well our gorgeous feline friends can hold a grudge! It used to take my cat a good couple of days before she would talk to me again – and while there are many caring and well-run catteries and kennels who do their best to keep your pet’s spirits up, there really is no substitute for taking them with you. This is becoming easier all the time as accommodation operators (usually pet lovers themselves) realise that more and more people wa... Read more

Encounter Adelaide Hills

Adelaide Hills, South Australia

By Kylie Jane Degeling

As you drive the winding roads away from Adelaide, you may find yourself in a paradise of sweeping hills, forests, stone cottages, and historic towns. Look closely and you might encounter a koala peacefully munching a leaf. In contrast, you might wonder if you’ve been transported into 19th century Germany, as you wander through the picturesque and historic town of Hahndorf. The Adelaide Hills are perfect for romantic retreats. Couples who want to connect can share excellent food and wine, gentle strolls around towns that are rich in character, or go for a quiet trek through the native bush. Friends and families will have a blast at the many festivals and celebrations held each year. In addition to the many historic towns, and fun attractions of the Adelaide Hills, you’... Read more

Property Review

Review - Cedars Indulgence Retreat

Daylesford, Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges, Victoria

By Kylie Jane Degeling

TakeABreak Best Places to Stay Awards 2009 National Winner - Romantic Accommodation: Cedars Indulgence Retreat Every now and then, we catch glimpses of life for the extremely rich. On television, movies, and in magazines, we view stories featuring wealthy men and women immersed in lives of pampering and luxuries. Out loud, of course, we ridicule their excesses, their complete disregard for the real world and their obvious addiction to extravagance. We have to work, after all, and are proud of our accomplishments. But when no one else is around, when we’re all alone after a hard day at the office, cleaning our kitchens or stressing about the day’s events, we secretly wish we could be them…just for a day, of course. Maybe a weekend. Certainly not longer&hel... Read more

Review - Old Bara Guesthouse

Mudgee, Central West 'Explorer Country', New South Wales

By Penny Parsons

Old Bara Road via Mudgee New South Wales You feel as though you are the only people around - there is no sign of other houses, just paddocks and grazing cattle, which gives an amazing sense of peace and quiet. There are wonderful views of the Mudgee hills and the property. Overall rating? Excellent, with outstanding ambience and cleanliness What makes Old Bara different? The sense of peace and seclusion makes this a very relaxing place. It feels as though you are living on your own farm and the feeling of privacy is very relaxing. The house is set in 1300 acres and there is plenty of wildlife, including kangaroos, wombats and hares. Accommodation overview Old Bara has four bedrooms, two have queen-size beds, one has a double bed and t... Read more

Review - Grass Trees Escape

South West Rocks, North Coast, New South Wales

By Samantha O'Donovan

35 Fern Tree Close Arakoon NSW Grass Trees Escape is quiet and private and enjoys beautiful natural bushland surrounds. Overall rating? Excellent What makes Grass Trees Escape different? The property is peaceful and secluded and set in 2.5 acres of bushland full of birds and kangaroos, yet you are only minutes away from beaches and all the wonderful activities that South West Rocks has to offer. There is another house, Tallow Wood Pavilion, making this property perfect for larger families or friends getting away together. Accommodation overview There is one room with a queen-size bed and ensuite, another room with a queen-size bed and the third room has two single beds. Tallow Wood Pavilion has one queen room and one with two king singles. There is a tra... Read more

Review - Old Dadswell Town

Horsham, The Grampians, Victoria

By Kylie Jane Degeling

TakeABreak Awards 2009 Winner of two categories: Group Accommodation AND Unique and Unusual Accommodation. Congratulations to Old Dadswell Town! If a place wins two completely separate categories in the annual TakeABreak Awards, it must be something extraordinary. And that is exactly what Old Dadswell Town in Horsham, Victoria is… extraordinary! The 2009 winner of the Unique and Unusual and Group Stay categories provides atmosphere and fun for groups, families or couples in a completely bizarre (yet most enjoyable!) manner. Old Dadswell Town is like nothing else you will ever encounter, and the people who put it together clearly had a great sense of humour and an eye for detail. Set on 280 acres of bush land, Old Dadswell Town is a series of self-cont... Read more

Review - Pobblebonk B&B

Macclesfield Area, Adelaide Hills, South Australia

By Lisa Monk

TakeABreak Best Places to Stay Awards 2009 National Winner Pet-friendly Accommodation: Pobblebonk B&B The first thing you think of when you hear the name ‘Pobblebonk’ is probably frogs, not dogs – and the property is named after the Eastern Banjo Frog and the distinctive ‘bonking’ call it makes. However, it is four legged creatures of the furry persuasion who are the real winners at Pobblebonk – oh, and their owners, of course! This delightful B&B is the winner of the Pet-friendly category in the 2009 TakeABreak Best Places to Stay Awards for its outstanding dedication to ‘fur children’. Pobblebonk B&B is a truly pet-friendly property… one that doesn’t just allow dogs, but welcomes them and caters t... Read more

Review - The Stay at Tintagel

Tilba Tilba, South Coast, New South Wales

By Kylie Jane Degeling

TakeABreak Awards 2009 Winner, Eco-Friendly Holiday Accommodation: The Stay at Tintagel The winner of TakeABreak’s recent Eco-Friendly Accommodation Award goes to a quaint holiday cottage nestled on the South Coast of New South Wales. The Stay at Tintagel is a delightful adult retreat located in the historic, National Trust listed village of Central Tilba close to Batemans Bay. This eco-friendly paradise offers luxury without the guilt of a hefty carbon footprint. Set on 50 scenic acres, the two-story cottage is a private getaway separate from the main residence on the property. The ocean peeks out from the horizon of rolling hills in the stunning view from the lounge room window. Picture-postcard views are visible from all windows and angles of the pro... Read more

Things to do

	30 Minute 737 Flight Simulator Adventure West Coast, Tasmania By GoDo Database Rate this article from 1 to 5 by clicking on the colour bar: 30 minutes in a full-size 737 flight simulator. Fully guided with a choice of scenarios and exotic l... Read more

	Sydney Explorer Bike Sydney West, New South Wales By GoDo Database Rate this article from 1 to 5 by clicking on the colour bar: Coast alongside the sparkling harbour, Breeze through the historic Rocks, View the iconic Harbour Br... Read more

	Great Barrier Reef and Introductory Scuba Dive Whitsundays & Mackay, Queensland By GoDo Database Rate this article from 1 to 5 by clicking on the colour bar: Experience the marine life of the Great Barrier Reef by joining our Seawalker Helmet Diving adventur... Read more


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Experiences...

Beach holidays	Family Friendly Holidays

Pet Friendly Getaways	Romantic Weekends

4WD Touring	Accessible, Wheelchair Friendly

Just you two	Crafts and more

Pamper yourself	Out in the wild

Close to Public Transport	Out on the water

Eco Friendly	Fishing Holidays

Take to the skies	Just enjoy the view

Honeymooning	Fancy a canter

Up, up and away	A touch of luxury

Off we go	Skiing and Snowboarding

Lets tie the knot	Look a whale

Fancy a drop	Winter Getaways

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