Travel guide for Romantic getaway

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

Australia’s favourite winter getaways Where’s your favourite destination in winter? Heading for the cool of the highlands or north for the heat? We asked you to vote on your favourite winter holiday destination. TakeABreak.com.au, Australia’s only independent holiday rental website, initiated a first time ‘Best Places to Stay’ award for Australian destinations, which recognised towns and cities that have outstanding facilities in specialist segment categories. Winners were voted on by the public, with 8 categories presenting finalists across each state. Just some of the TakeABreak Winter Destination Finalists: Goldfields, VIC 0.70% Darwin, NT 2.82% ... Read more

The bronzed Aussie with a nose covered in zinc cream, a surfboard, and big happy grin is a stereotype held by many people throughout the world. The bronzed part is easy enough – even with sunblock, t-shirts, and hats, lovely tans are hard to avoid given our abundance of sunshine. The zinc cream is our way of saying, “Hey – it’s cool to be sun-safe – protect yourself!” The surfboard (or fishing rods, scuba gear etc) is because there are so many adventures to be had at each of our beaches. And the big happy grin? Hey – when you have thousands of kilometres of coastline, you just can’t stop smiling. For this reason, Australia welcomes millions of visitors to our shores, all hoping to catch a taste of the Aussie life, even if only for a week. ... Read more

It happens to every couple at some time or other. They find themselves staring wistfully at the romantic getaways on TakeABreak, with fireplaces, hot tubs, vineyards, and incredible ocean views. They imagine themselves running down the beach together, sipping wine by a roaring fire and relaxing together in luxurious spas. They dream of romance, gourmet food and the delicious extravagance of sailing on a private yacht. But then, sadly, many close TakeABreak’s window, with the realisation that it’s pointless – a romantic getaway simply isn’t romantic when the kids are fighting over the remote control or whining that vineyards are boring. Family holidays are a wonderful way to spend time with your children and have fun exploring together. Equally, time away as a cou... 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

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