Travel guide for Eco-friendly

Tucked into the sand dunes of Yorke Peninsula’s ‘shipwreck coast’ is an absolute jewel – Yondah Beach House. This architect-designed home is set in 300 private acres and offers spectacular sea views across rugged limestone cliffs to Kangaroo Island. The winner of the ‘Self-contained’ category in the 2009 TakeABreak Best Places to Stay Awards, this property offers everything you need for a wonderful holiday experience in a glorious location and is only 25 kms from Marion Bay and the stunning Innes National Park. Stroll from the front steps along the cliff tops and you may see whales or sea lions playing in the surf, or make your way down the cliffs and bask on a perfect sandy beach of your very own. Wander through the pristine mallee scrub and marvel a... Read more

Tanonga Luxury Eco Lodges Imagine a region the size of Tasmania, one that stretches from Whyalla to the Nullarbor, from the Gawler Ranges to Port Lincoln - with nearly 2000kms of unspoilt coastline, it is home to sheltered bays, surfing beaches, fabulous sailing and fishing. Imagine exploring from the limestone cliffs to the national parks, watching whales and dolphins and enjoying the birdlife that abounds… well don’t imagine it – visit the Eyre Peninsula and see it all. Another treasure tucked away into this magical region is Tanonga Luxury Eco Lodges. Its aboriginal name means ‘sweet water’ and refers to the permanent springs and billabong on the creek, which runs through the historic 200-hectare property.  This is purpose-built luxury accommod... Read more

Best Park accommodation BIG4 ANGLESEA HOLIDAY PARK, Victoria Your kids will be spoiled for choice at the BIG4 Anglesea Holiday Park … there is so much to do in the way of children’s activities that they may complain of being too busy! This popular holiday park located in the charming town of Anglesea on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria is a most worthy recipient of TakeABreak’s 2008 national award for best Park Accommodation and a great stopping point on a Great Ocean Road road-trip. The seaside town of Anglesea is situated between Torquay and Lorne and is an easy 90 minutes drive from Melbourne and 50 minutes from Avalon Airport. The town features  glorious patrolled surf and swimming beaches and is surrounded by  serene forest. Attractive parks and gard... 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

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

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

Blue Mountains – World Heritage area The Blue Mountains are just 90 minutes drive from Sydney, the perfect short break from the cosmopolitan city. Most famous for the World Heritage Blue Mountains National Park, this area is a great place to explore at a leisurely pace. The mountain air is fresh, waterfalls plunge into sandstone valleys thick with the eucalypt forests that create the blue haze. Elegant spa retreats and cosy B&Bs have serene valley views, there are golf courses and bushwalks and some of the best dining in the State. The adventurous will love this terrain where you can safely abseil, try canyoning or rock-climbing in pristine surrounds.    As a popular retreat for Sydneysiders for over a century, the Blue Mountains offers an excellent choice of accomm... Read more

"There is nothing like watching the sunset from the Point Hicks Lighthouse. It is the most spec... Read more

Tidy Towns Winner 2004 (Litter prevention Award) Clean Beach Challenge Winner 2005 Bargara is Bundaberg Region’s premier beachside resort, just 13kms – a short 10 minute drive – from Bundaberg city and only 4 hours from Brisbane.  Bargara has a picturesque, newly-developed esplanade, complete with BBQ facilities and a playground featuring a giant turtle for the kids to go wild in! It has excellent shopping facilities, both luxury resort accommodation and caravan parks, first-class golf courses and a range of choices for the angler, diver or swimmer. Just offshore, Woongarra Marine Park marks the beginning of the Southern Great Barrier Reef and offers numerous choice dive sites, such as Barolin Rocks, Hoffman’s Rocks and Double Rock. 4.5 kilometres out you wi... Read more