Travel guide for Cruising

Best Aussie Adventures Where do you think is the best adventure holiday destination in Australia? The 2009 votes are still being counted to find the best place to take yourself and your friends, partner or family on an adventure holiday. Where are the best places to go, things to do and things to see? TakeABreak.com.au, Australia’s only independent holiday rental website, has initiated a first time ‘Best Places to Stay’ award for Australian destinations, which recognises towns and cities that have outstanding facilities in specialist segment categories. Winners will be voted on by the public with 8 categories presenting finalists across each state. Just some of the TakeABreak Adventure Destination finalists… Freycinet P... Read more

Lucky enough to have a weekend in Melbourne, we decided to do something different and head down to the Docklands to enjoy a sail on gorgeous Port Phillip Bay. Once aboard we were given a quick safety lesson and shown where to stow our valuables – important, as if anything goes overboard – that’s where it stays, except people, of course! We motored up the Yarra River to Port Phillip Bay, passing the navy port and multi-million dollar homes of Williamstown, and watched the spectacle of the loading and unloading of the cargo ships in the docks. The crew are happy to adapt the day to the wishes of those on board, so if you prefer a sedate motor while you sip a glass of champagne and enjoy the scenery and passing parade of vessels, no problem.  However, if you love to ... Read more

With sandy beaches, sparkling blue waters, and abundant fresh seafood, Merimbula is a paradise for anyone who appreciates the ocean. Nestled into the Sapphire Coast along the southeast of Australia, this town boasts more than its fair share of attractions. There are calm beaches to suit families with young children, and faster waves for surfers intent on a thrill ride. There are boat tours to take you whale watching and fishing, as well as a fabulous wharf where you can throw your line in deep without going out on the sea. Sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, Wake boarding / water skiing and canoeing are all fun pastimes of the region. But while Merimbula has something for every person who visits, it isn’t just people who enjoy the area. You may also encounter penguins, seals, and dolphi... Read more

To the south of Adelaide is a beautiful peninsula with dozens of towns scattered along hills, coasts, and vineyards. Stretching from Aldinga to Delamere, and all the way across to Strathalbyn and Goolwa – Fleurieu covers a massive area and has plenty of holiday options for everyone. Whether you are after a quiet retreat to get away by yourself, or want an action-packed holiday with friends, you’ll be sure to find the perfect break. Wine and dine The region is famous for its excellent produce, world-class wines, and gourmet restaurants. With more than 75 different vineyards, there are many boutique wines and emerging vineyards to sample – you may find a new favourite. Tours are available, or you can drive to the different vineyards for tastings on your own. Getting back... 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

We know that our teenage children can be delightful, exasperating, funny, sullen, adventurous, shy, talkative, slothful and manic – and sometimes that is just in the space of an hour!  All these moods are magnified when it comes to travelling, be it in Australia or overseas, as teens and parents are forced into one another’s company without a ‘get out of jail free’ card, such as time with friends. Travelling overseas with teenagers tends to be a better experience for a number of reasons, such as the brilliant entertainment systems now available on most flights, menus that let them eat things they like, resorts that have activities that cater for most age groups and the “wow” factor.  So let’s concentrate on surviving travelling in Austra... Read more

Cairns is the gateway to the tropical north and provides myriad activities for those who go there to sail, swim, surf, dive or explore the amazing shops, restaurants and cafes and the even more amazing hinterland.  Cairns truly has it all… the Great Barrier Reef, primeval rainforests and the modern luxuries of any major city.  No wonder it is a ‘must see’ destination for so many sailors. Cairns Seaport is Australia’s busiest cruise port with over 200 international and domestic cruise ship visits every year, and it is also home to Australia’s largest fishing fleet.  Its location virtually in the heart of the city is one of its many attractions.  When entering Cairns Shipping Channel, contact Cairns Harbour Control on VHF Channel 16, with ... 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 appeals to 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 H... Read more

If you want to see Tasmanian wilderness, but see it in comfort, then the West Coast is the place.  Strahan, tucked inside Macquarie Harbour, is in many ways the tourist capital of Tasmania, and with good reason.  Your first stop there should be the Tourist Information Centre on the harbour-front which has plenty of useful information and there is a theatrical play ‘The Ship That Never Was’, on there every day.  The Ship that Never Was tells the amazing story of the last convicts on Sarah Island who escaped on the ship they built, sailing it out “Hell’s Gates” and all the way to Chile.  If you’re disabled however, you might find the rustic planks surrounding the centre rather hard to negotiate.  The entrance isn’t that e... Read more