Travel guide for Luxury

If the idea of running along the beach barefoot with your wedding gown streaming behind you sounds more tempting than walking down the aisle of a church or registry for your big day, you’re not alone. More and more couples are opting to seek out exciting destinations for their ceremonies rather than have their weddings closer to home. Australia is one of the most spectacular and diverse countries in the world to hold a destination wedding. You could choose to tie the knot on top of a hill in the Snowy Mountains. You might decide to say your vows on a sailboat while drifting around the Whitsunday Islands. Perhaps your dream wedding is out in the Red Desert on top of Kings Canyon or in a remote part of the Daintree Rainforest. There are countless breathtaking destinations in our vast ... Read more

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

Terrigal is the perfect base to explore the Central Coast as there is so much to see and do. It is halfway between Sydney and Newcastle, which makes it a great holiday destination without having to travel too far, although we came from further afield and it was definitely worth the trip.   Things to do Terrigal has something for everyone... one of the great pleasures is walking along the beach with your loved one and hearing delighted squeals as children play in the water and build sandcastles on the beach. There are many activities in the area from sailing to kayaking, and pelican feeding tours to horseriding, which are all available on Holiday Inspirations under Terrigal activities.   If shopping is your thing, then you will enjoy the many great shops, with everything fr... Read more

TakeABreak.com.au Inaugural Winners announced The 2007 votes are in for the leading accommodation sites across Australia with guests rating their favourite hotels, motels, hostels, B&Bs and accommodation parks. TakeABreak.com.au, Australia’s only independent boutique accommodation website, has initiated a first time “Best Places to Stay” award for the tourism industry which recognises outstanding service in specialist segment categories. Winners were selected via an exhaustive process from over 11,000 properties in 1400 localities and 39 accommodation types. 16 categories were judged in total with winners awarded in segments such as Beach, Budget, Eco, Gay and Lesbian-friendly, Romantic and Self-contained accommodation. TakeABreak Romantic Accommodati... 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

If you’d like a break on an island with stunning scenery, adorable little penguins, koalas and Australia’s largest colony of fur seals; then there are plenty of reasons to visit Phillip Island. But if that isn’t enough to entice you, there is also the excitement of the motorcycle grand prix, the lure of gourmet food and fine wines, as well as romantic hideaways and family-friendly holiday accommodation all around. Discovered by George Bass in 1798, the island was first settled in Rhyll in 1826. Tourists have been enjoying the beauty of Phillip Island since the 1840s. In the late 1800s, the island was also an agricultural centre for the production of chicory (for coffee), so you will encounter many chicory kilns. The island is easy to get around by car, and as it is on... Read more

Long white sandy beaches, dinosaur footprints, sparkling skies and lunar phenomena set in a rich cultural landscape make Broome an unforgettable holiday destination. The perfect place to unwind and rejuvenate, Broome's Cable Beach is arguably one of the most spectacular in the world. Lazing under the stars in the evening while listening to the waves, or running along the surf enjoying warm water and soft sand, you will be wistfully planning your return visit as soon as you leave. History When people refer to Broome as a "pearl" of a place, they're not kidding. This beautiful town set on 22km of white sandy beach began European inhabitation as a pearling settlement, which survived many tumultuous times thanks to two world wars decimating its pearling industry. During the wars, t... Read more

  To many throughout the world, it must seem unfair that – in addition to having beautiful beaches and scenery, a warm hospitable climate and adorable fuzzy animals with pouches, Australia also has the best wines. In any country where reds or whites are appreciated, you are bound to encounter Aussie wines proudly adorning the shelves of the best shops, or prominently listed on the menus in fine restaurants. The reason – our wines are truly special. And many of the best Australian wines call The Barossa Valley home. The Barossa Valley is made up of several small towns, villages, and hamlets, each with their own unique character and historical significance. A short drive from Adelaide, the region is approximately 40km long by 40km wide and consists of such historic towns ... Read more

The beautiful Southern Highlands region lies to the southwest of Sydney on top of the escarpment overlooking the South Coast.  The region enjoys four distinct seasons and stunning scenery ranging from native wilderness to cool misty pastures reminiscent of England, to hidden valleys with remarkable waterfalls.  All this and only 2 hours away from Sydney! There are many reasons why you should visit the Southern Highlands aside from its rolling green farmscapes and rugged natural beauty.  There are historic villages, superb gardens (and special events like the Tulip Festival held in late September when many gardens are open for display). There’s a wide range of accommodation - everything from farmstays to motels, and antique and book shops that entice you in - with enou... Read more