Travel guide for Family Friendly

  Lake Macquarie is one of Australia’s largest coastal salt water lakes, four times the size of Sydney Harbour. It is a fabulous aquatic playground for boating, skiing, fishing, swimming and more and includes more than 90 villages between the coast, lake and mountains.   This is such a vast area, with so many things to do and see, and so close to Sydney!     Top 5 things to do and see   1. Caves Beach The caves at Caves Beach rate a first mention. Accessible from the southern end of Caves Beach at low tide, an area carved out by the sea with multiple caves, water channels and rock pools. You can even walk through some of the caves. You could literally spend hours here sitting in the shade, or the sun, climbing over rocks and discovering all the life ... Read more

  There’s an old saying that 'good things come in small packages' and when you look at the humble size of Balingup’s population, you can rest assured it’s all good. This delightful rural town in the southwestern part of Western Australia is a rare gem, filled with friendly people, fun-filled festivals and events, and beautiful scenery.   Situated on the edge of Balingup Brook, close to the Margaret River, the town is a part of the world famous Bibbulmun Track, where you can pack your bags and trek for weeks between Kalamunda and Albany. If you prefer to stay closer to town, there are plenty of festivities, ranging from the annual Small Farm Field Day in April, to a Medieval Carnival in August and the Bibbulmun Track outdoor concert in November. But even if yo... Read more

  A trip to Maldon is a treat for any history buff. Listed as Australia’s ‘First Notable Town’ by The National Trust in 1966, this old gold mining town has beautifully preserved buildings dating back to the 19th century and a genuine steam train. At one time in history, the town had some of the world’s richest quartz reefs, with wealthy fortune-hunters flocking to the area where they built luxurious homes and businesses at the height of the boom. Today, the miners have gone, along with the quartz and gold – but in 2006 The National Trust referred to Maldon as “…the most intact historic streetscape in Victoria.” It is truly a picturesque preservation of Australian history.   Fans of Australian literature and movies will be intere... Read more

Sometimes, a person wants to escape the rat race and get back to the simple life. But not if you live in Walhalla! If you lived there, you probably wouldn’t encounter much traffic, as today there are only ten permanent residents! But it is this simplicity that makes Walhalla such a delightful destination to visit. Over a hundred years ago, thousands of gold miners and support businesses made this town a thriving community, but today only their ghosts remain.   Ghosts? Well – friendly ghosts anyway. If you fancy some intrigue, a local favourite tour is the Walhalla Ghost Tour where you will hear eerie stories about the characters that once roamed the town (and never left…).    Things to do: If the idea of a ghost tour gives you the chills, conside... Read more

A recent visitor to the area referred to the town as “Pamperton” and for those who enjoy the finer things in life, like wine, art, spas, and gourmet food, a trip to Pemberton is a dream. Yet for those who prefer simple pleasures, like a walk through a forest, throwing a fishing line or swimming in a dam, Pemberton is a relaxing yet exhilarating break. Located in a region of Western Australia known as the South West, Pemberton is a delightful town close to the Margaret River. Like many towns in this region, it has gone through a series of changes, having first been settled as an agricultural town. Later, it became known for its timber, while today tourism and wine are its lifeblood.      Things to do:   Indulge:  Local spas offer relaxing treatments ... Read more

Everyone in Australia has a favourite family holiday place. The place that you might have gone to when you were a child, or that place that you go to with your family on holidays, every chance you can get. For us it’s Tathra on the NSW South Coast.     We know the area quite well, but there are always those wonderful spots that you always say you should visit but often don’t. This time we vowed to visit as many as we could. We based ourselves in Merimbula in a holiday house and this time we had more than just our family; we were accompanied by Greg’s brother Vince, and our niece Theresa. Our children, Jasmine (7), Jemma (5) and Teddy (15 months) are used to travelling, but the extra people made this adventure even more fun for them.   Working closely wi... Read more

In a tranquil valley in the Gold Coast hinterland is a rural gem. The pretty country town of Canungra has the feel of yesteryear with the amenities of today. Plenty of old-fashioned hospitality awaits in this delightful destination, where you can choose to kick back your feet and soak in the atmosphere, or float over the region in a hot air balloon or hang glider.   When people move here, they tend to stay. Many descendents of the original pioneers live in the area, although industry has changed somewhat. The town started with timber as its primary industry, but by the 1940s that era came to an end when the mills closed. Instead of departing the area, many chose to try their hand at dairy farming, beef cattle, and eventually – vineyards. Today, Canungra boasts a variety of del... Read more

Taking a break in Wynyard, Tasmania offers an unusual array of laid-back excitement. This delightful seaside town offers the best of relaxation, while providing adventure lovers plenty of scope to keep their adrenaline pumping. Spectacular views from Table Cape offer year-round enjoyment, made even more exquisite when the region brightens up with colour during the Wynyard Tulip Festival.   Once a major Tasmanian sea port due to its previous timber industry; today the town is a quiet haven of beauty and friendly locals.    Things to do: Tiptoe through the tulips: Wynyard is famous for its Tulip festival each October. If you’re in the area during late September or early October, also be sure to check out Van Diemen’s Bulb Farm where you can view fields of... Read more

Talk to any adult who grew up in Sydney, and there’s a good chance they have fond memories of spending family holidays driving up the Pacific Highway to the Mid North Coast. For decades it has been a popular holiday region, with plenty of farms, quaint towns, parks and wildlife to enjoy. Year-round pleasant weather combined with delightful scenery beckon families, couples and groups alike. Wauchope is a small country town, which was originally home to a thriving timber industry. Today the timber mill is gone but the town has immortalised its origins by building a historical tourist attraction called Timbertown, which recreates the early settlement of the area.   Wauchope also prides itself on a thriving dairy industry and within Timbertown itself, you can visit a cheese makin... Read more

  Apollo Bay lies on Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road and is less than three hours by car from Melbourne. Featuring stunning coastal scenery and nestled into rolling green hills, Apollo Bay is a treasure trove of things to see and do and features a wide range of accommodation options.  The Great Ocean Road stretches for 300km along the coast and is dotted with villages like Apollo Bay, which welcome the influx of visitors over the summer months and offer a range of experiences to enjoy, as well as glorious views around every bend of the road.   Featuring a variety of swimming and surf beaches, as well as a boat harbour, and with the marina home to a large fishing fleet, there is no shortage of attractions. Many visitors like to relax on the beaches, while... Read more