Travel guide for Romantic getaway

Australia’s favourite winter getaways. Where’s your favourite destination in winter? Heading for the cool of the highlands or north for the heat? Vote now on your favourite winter holiday destination. 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 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

The moment has come, and you know with absolute certainty that you have found your soul mate. You dream of spending the rest of your life with this incredible person and hope the feelings are shared. You want to propose, but know that this moment will stand out in both of your memories for eternity – so it has to be really special. Holiday Inspirations has searched Australia for the most romantic destinations and activities to enjoy while proposing to the love of your life. New South Wales Countless movies have shown Sydney Harbour to be a romantic spot to stroll, while gazing at views of the bridge or Opera House. But move out a bit further, and you have the wine regions, beautiful beaches and mountains. Whether you decide to jazz up your proposal with a limousine or fancy restaur... 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

As you drive the winding roads away from Adelaide, you may find yourself in a paradise of sweeping hills, forests, stone cottages, and historic towns. Look closely and you might encounter a koala peacefully munching a leaf. In contrast, you might wonder if you’ve been transported into 19th century Germany, as you wander through the picturesque and historic town of Hahndorf.    The Adelaide Hills are perfect for romantic retreats. Couples who want to connect can share excellent food and wine, gentle strolls around towns that are rich in character, or go for a quiet trek through the native bush. Friends and families will have a blast at the many festivals and celebrations held each year. In addition to the many historic towns, and fun attractions of the Adelaide Hills,... Read more