Travel guide for Art & Craft

Pregnant women frequently hear, “You should put your feet up while you can because once your baby is born, you’ll be too busy for ‘me’ time.”  While there is some truth to this, 'me' time can involve much more than sitting around waiting to pop. Instead, consider exploring the wonderful country you’re bringing your baby into, while crossing some items off your life’s 'to-do' list! Now may not be the best time to try out every wild attraction available in Australia but letting your baby have their first adventures in utero doesn’t need to involve skydiving. Maybe snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef is something you’ve always wanted to try. Or perhaps camel-riding through the vast red deserts of Central Australia, or cycling aro... Read more

Holiday journalling for kids: It can be exciting for a child to develop their own scrapbook, and with the many family-friendly accommodation options on takeabreak.com.au, you’ll have endless choices to explore with your children. Each evening, have them write, type, or illustrate their experiences. It may be as simple as asking a preschooler to draw their favourite memory of the day, or asking a toddler to paste ticket stubs, pamphlets and photos into a book alongside their photos. Older children can use the computer to write out their journal entries, or if doing it the old-fashioned way, can neatly write onto the pages and then attach their favourite photos and travel memorabilia.   Including the family pet: If you’ve travelled to one of the many pet-frie... Read more

Tasmania is blessed with a landscape of incredible natural beauty, a climate that truly reflects the four seasons and a sense of history that evokes memories of our convict past.  One of the best ways to see a fabulous selection of the treats on offer in this island state is to travel the Heritage Highway. This historic highway was built using the plentiful convict labour and runs from Hobart to just south of Launceston, and a journey along it takes you many beautiful places that tell the story of Tasmania’s convict past. One of the most memorable towns you will visit is Ross, a former garrison town brimming with history and the 2008 winner of the Keep Australia Beautiful Tidy Towns Culture and Heritage Award, as well as being winner of Tasmania’s Tidiest Town Award.... Read more

Those of us who live in Australia grow up understanding the joys, dangers and safety rules that make it such a great place.  However, many visitors to our country find Australia an alien, but starkly beautiful country, and they have little or no understanding of the best way to stay safe and enjoy their time here. A few very simple rules can help to make a visit to Australia a safe and pleasurable experience, and Tourism Australia has a brochure available for download that lists safety tips in a variety of languages. Driving tips One of the first things to remember is that speed limits are strictly enforced in Australia, more so than in many countries overseas.  Generally, when driving in urban and suburban areas, the speed limit is between 50 and 60 kilometres per hour. When ... Read more

The closest point north of Brisbane to the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, the Town of 1770 is a haven for exploring the magnificent Queensland coastline and surfing its most northern surf beaches. 1770 is also an ideal place to escape the winter chills of more southern points in Australia. The Town of 1770 was named after the year that James Cook landed on nearby shores. As a result, it is claimed as being the 'Birthplace' of Queensland. Things to Do and See Surfing Agnes Water, 6 km to the south of 1770 is home to the northern-most surf beach in Queensland. Both surfboards and bodyboards are available for hire and there's even a surf school to accommodate beginners. Fishing Both estuary and reef fishing are possible in the area, either in Round Hill Creek or on the ... Read more

Byron is one of those places that attracts almost everyone – because it offers something for everyone.  Once nothing more than a sleepy little surfing village, it has enjoyed a special place in the tourism world for some time now, as it manages to be a hippy haven, upmarket holiday retreat, shopping mecca, dining delight and more. These days Byron seems to be edging more towards the visitor with money to spend than the backpackers, but there is no doubt that all the market segments are catered for when it comes to accommodation and activities. As the eastern-most point on the Australian mainland, Byron commands magnificent views and also boasts a very rare north-facing beach at Watego’s.  Main Beach is a glorious stretch of sand, as is Tallow Beach, Broken Hea... Read more

Too often, discussions about the Northern Territory centre around Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata-Tjuta (the Olgas) and Kakadu National Park. The reason for this is clear to anyone who has ever laid eyes on these places – they’re truly amazing. But sometimes, it’s the lesser known places that make a holiday really special - the little surprises you see along the way. Like the luxurious hot springs of Mataranka. To the south of Katherine, with a population around 250, this little town boasts a truly magical spot to rejuvenate and ponder why nature decided to put a hot tub in the middle of nowhere. The lagoon is surrounded by palm trees, and the sandy bottom is lovely to run your feet through as you luxuriate in the warm water. Of course, you wouldn’t fly across the world f... Read more

Imagine beginning a dinner party conversation with, “Back when I found myself in The Jaws of Death…” You’ll certainly get everyone’s attention. If the mere thought leaves you quaking however, fear not! The Grampians’ remarkable cliffs overlooking the picturesque Lake Wartook and Victoria Valley are easily accessible and nowhere near as scary as they look. In fact, just a short walk can lead you to a view you’ll never forget, as well as the opportunity to snap photos that will impress your friends, without risking your life. (Note: These cliffs have been renamed “The Balconies”, which doesn’t sound nearly as dangerous, but don’t worry – we won’t tell your mates.) The 400 million-year-old series of four distinct ... Read more

It can seem like a contradiction in terms – a holiday destination that is perfect for families in search of fun yet also perfect for couples looking for a quiet, romantic break. However South Australia’s Riverland is just that – a place where couples can connect and relax, enjoying fine wine and food, strolls along the river bank, candlelight picnics and a quiet federation-style floating cottage built for two. Families, in contrast, can have fun at an adventure park, zip about in watercraft, try their luck at fishing, rent a paddle steamer, and frolic along the river in a manner normally reserved for nostalgic American movies. Riverland, the stretch of the Murray River between Renmark and Waikerie, is beautiful… with limestone cliffs, vineyards, art galleries, ... Read more

At one point in time, Australia’s vast deserts were teeming with marine life and completely underwater. The Eromanga Sea that once covered Australia’s outback disappeared between 100-120 million years ago, leaving behind fossils and opals, as well as terrain that is both rugged and beautiful. It’s hard to imagine the deep flowing water of this sea however, as today South Australia is the driest state in the driest continent on earth. But this is a good thing – it’s unlikely to rain on your holiday, and the flora, fauna, and desert features that are the result of this change from sea to desert are utterly fascinating. Coober Pedy is at the northern end of the South Australian outback, and here you will find an underground town with some buildings bobbing abo... Read more