Travel guide for Winter Holiday

The Heritage listed country town of Adelong is nestled along the Adelong River to the northwest of the Snowy Mountains. This pretty 19th century town has an array of historic farmhouses, town buildings and plenty of trees, which change colour in a spectacular fashion in autumn. Ghosts of gold diggers long past would likely be thrilled to see how much of their history has been preserved, offering a mixture of charm and beauty to an area that is frequented by bushwalkers and skiers alike, staying in nearby tourist centres.   Things to do: Given Adelong is best known for its golden history, you may want to try your hand at fossicking for gold at Richies Gold Battery located at Adelong Falls Reserve.    Walking the streets of Adelong will provide a feel for the charm of the... Read more

The next time you plan to take a break, bring your pets with you! There was once a time pet owners wanting to take a fun-filled holiday would need to arrange for someone to watch their animals or pay to send them to a kennel. Today, thanks to countless pet-friendly accommodation options, owners can share their holiday fun with their four-legged mates. This is the ultimate way to enjoy a break; save money you would otherwise spend on a boarding kennel, avoid the worry and/or guilt you might feel at leaving them behind, and instead experience the joy of sharing your special times with a loyal friend. The wagging of a dog’s tail can add to the enjoyment of any special break. The question then arises – what do you do with your pets while on holiday? Few pooches would appreciate th... Read more

Ride a ferry to a beautiful natural landscape populated by fairy penguins, koalas, echidnas, kangaroos, and wallabies. Penneshaw, known as the 'gateway to Kangaroo Island', is the place where you first disembark a ferry from the mainland and open your eyes to see a wonderland of beauty. Kangaroo Island is a magical place to holiday, offering stunning vistas, tranquil waters, friendly locals and a place to truly appreciate the uniqueness of Australia’s animals.    Things to do: Fairy Penguin tour: This is certainly a highlight of Penneshaw. The fairy penguin tour leaves from Penneshaw Penguin Centre, and allows visitors to see these adorable creatures waddle up to their burrows from the beach after sunset. Tours last around 45 minutes and include entry into the interpreti... 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

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

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

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