Accommodation is readily available but there are a few times each year when things get a little busy.  The Seafood festival in September is one of those times.  We stayed at the Tin Can Bay Tourist Park.  It was comfortable and very reasonably priced.

For the explorers among you there are plenty of places to visit within short driving distance.  We managed to take day trips to Rainbow Beach and Maryborough and there are plenty of houseboat and charter companies operating from the marina.

There is a thriving fishing industry operating out of Tin Can Bay.  Prawns, fish and spanner crabs seem to be the most sought after prizes in this area and there are also a number of fishing charter operators.  I have had the fortunate opportunity to take a three day charter from Tin Can Bay on the FV Nightbeat.

Possibly the most memorable activity of the weekend, certainly for the children, was hand feeding a dolphin.  If you go to Tin Can Bay with children you just have to head down to Barnacles Bait and Cafe between 7.00 and 8.00am any day of the week.  The dolphins (only one turned up when we were there) normally come in at around 8.00am, but being wild animals it’s impossible to know exactly when.  You can buy fish to feed them with at Barnacles for $5.00 but I would get there closer to 7.00am to buy your fish.  It’s getting more and more popular and the lines can be a killer for those of us with little patience.

Tin Can Bay is a great place for a relaxing weekend that won’t cost the Earth.  The locals are friendly, there are all the shopping options you will need (I think it was a Super IGA) along with some nice cafes and restaurants.  Most importantly there are plenty of beaches and parks and an abundance of water.

Google Map

Local Tourism Website

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All of the Gold Coast theme parks offer something unique and I’m pretty sure you can guess what White Water World has to offer – water and lots of it.  As much as White Water World is aimed at the kids, I must confess that I loved the rides just as much.  The only real difference was my lack of tolerance for queues and my lack of stair climbing fitness.

There is a full range of rides that cater for all ages, including two distinct zones designed specifically for smaller children.  There is a knee deep pool with water slides tame enough for the toddlers and an area that is essentially a very large play gym with water everywhere, including a very large bucket that fills every few minutes and dumps a huge wave of water on those below.

Those between toddler and ten are also well looked after.  The Little Rippers, The Bro and The Temple of Huey are areas with a number of rides that will keep them occupied for hours, though inevitably they will be moaning about not having access to the rides we ALL want to explore.

There are a few real thrill rides in White Water World and, despite the wait, I really enjoyed them.  The Green Room, The Hydrocoaster and The Wedgie (yes, that is what they called it!) are all teen sized fun.  Unfortunately you will only get a few rides of each on a hot day because it really does get that busy.

In between the queues and the rides there is no better place to hang out than in the wave pool.  While nowhere near as exciting as the thrill rides, it is a great way to relax and the little children especially love the waves.

If I could offer one piece of advice to those families visiting the Gold Coast, it applies even more to the theme parks.  Travel to the Gold Coast outside the school holiday periods.  I know there is nothing as beautiful as the Gold Coast in summer, and the same applies for White Water World but the accommodation is half the price, the theme parks have crazy price offers and there are very limited queues.  One other distinct advantage with White Water World is that Dreamworld is right next door – literally.  In off peak periods you can get some great deals that give you access to both parks for less than the normal admission for one.  If you must travel here in the school holidays I recommend you get to the park early and have a BIG breakfast.  Food is not cheap and you cannot take commercially prepared food into White Water World.  Indeed most Gold Coast theme parks do not allow you to take any type of food into their premises.

All in all this is a great day out for all involved.  I warn all of you unfit parents that this place will test you.  Walking up the stairs for my second ride is when I realised my legs were not what they used to be and it only got worse from there.  It wasn’t really a problem for me during the day, but I was asleep about an hour after getting home.

Check out the White Water World Website Here

Click here for a Google Map

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One thing you need to realise before going to Australia Zoo is that it’s aimed squarely at children.  While there is no doubt that the parents and older children enjoy the day, it is the smaller kids that enjoy the shows the most.  From the moment we enterred the gate until the time we left, my pre-teen children were buzzing with excitement.  As it turns out I took more photos of my excited children than I did of the park.  Having said all of that, I have to confess to several belly laughs in the Crocoseum show.

While certainly not cheap, Australia Zoo is not bad value for money.  Getting a family of eight (including grandparents) into the park cost us just under three hundred dollars.  While that certainly doesn’t make it the cheapest zoo in the country, the thing that sets Australia Zoo apart from the rest is the interactivity.  The kids (even us big kids) got to touch alot of animals, including very tame kangaroos and baby crocs.  There are displays and talks at most of the animal enclosures and the Crocoseum shows are fantastic.  One pleasantly unique feature among Queensland attractions is that you are welcome to bring a packed lunch.  Alot of the Gold Coast based theme parks now prohibit the consumption of food not purchased at the facility, and that can almost double the cost of the entire day.

You cannot go to Australia Zoo and watch the Irwin family go through their paces without thinking about Steve.  Terri, Bindi, Robert and the staff at Australia Zoo have done a magnificent job to keep the place thriving in his absense and to go on too much about Steve would be unfair to them.  I can only hope they have been able to slowly recover from the loss of their Husband, Father and friend as well as the Zoo has.

All in all it was an almost perfect way to spend the day as a family.  The kids had a great time and learned alot too.  The only downside was that I was sore after all the walking!

For more information visit their website here.

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Most families travelling to the Gold Coast will have their days jam pack with sight seeing, beaching, theme parks and a seemingly never ending assortment of activities.  With so much to do in the region, it can be a very busy and tiring time.  For those looking for a bit of relaxation while the kids burn off some of their infinite energy reserves, there are a number of parks around the Coast that offer swimming, activities, BBQ’s and seating.  Let the kids run around, swim and play while you eat, drink and relax.

One such place is Harley Park in Labrador.  Harley Park is right on the shores of the Broadwater and offers a swimming area protected by sand banks (Ian Dipple Lagoon).  The water in the pool washes in and out with the tide, which conversely changes the height of the surrounding banks of sand.  There are also plenty of shaded picnic tables and children’s play areas.  There are toilets and showers (cold) so you can hang around for as long as you like.  To top things off, Charis Seafood has a shop right on the edge of the park that offers both cooked and fresh seafood.  The range is enormous and I can vouch for the freshness, it’s fantastic!

There are often cultural performers at Harley Park on a Friday and Saturday night during summer and the daily highlight for most children is the pelican feeding at around 1.30pm.  You will see the pelican population building up from around midday at the rear of the Charis Seafood shop until feeding time.

One final piece of advice to anyone that plans using Harley Park – get there early.  This park is becoming increasingly popular on weekends and by mid morning most of the shaded picnic tables are taken, as are all of the car parking spaces.  The BBQ’s are council provided and are free.

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Google Map

Far from being “just a pass through town”, Ballina is a great place to spend some time with your family, particularly if you like the water, be it surf or still water.  There is far too much to explore in Ballina to do it justice in a weekend, so we will certinaly be heading back to sample some more of the areas natural playgrounds.

Our recent weekend was spent at the Gunundi Youth Camp.  5 Star it is not, but it does have all the facilities you would need for a camp or conference, the accommodation is clean and honest and the amenities are plentiful and clean.  Gunundi offers great value for larger groups and is also located within a short walk to the beach via a quaint bush track.

Ballina offers all the aminities you could possibly need for a family holiday, without the fuss and crowds that are synonymous with South East Queensland.  Accomodation is also comparatively good value.  There are two large shopping centres plus a main town square that offers shopping, eating and of course a couple of old pubs.

The only real disappointment for us was what looked like the beginning of the end for one of our favourite landmarks, the big prawn.  It’s funny how old landmarks like these are still great references for the kids.  When travelling the Pacific Highway we would pass through a hundred little towns, and the kids would barely remember any of them – but they always remembered Ballina and Coffs Harbour.  Hopefully the area is just being tidied up and given a coat of paint, but the construction barriers look ominous for our favourite crustacean!

If you are looking for an honest destination for a family holiday you could do alot worse than Ballina, particularly if you are lovers of the water.  Pack your surf boards, your ski boat or your tinnie and rods, and head of for a lazy weekend without the glitz, crowds and prices of South East Queensland.

Some places to check out before you head to Ballina.

Ballina Tourism Website

Map of Area

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Unlike beaches in our major cities, we were able to experience some of the most beautiful beaches in the country almost all to ourselves.  Some of the beaches are open to four wheel drives, and some were only accessible via a 4WD track and a short walk.  Either way it was well worth the extra effort.  Permits are required to drive on beaches in Hat Head National Park.  For further information on these permits please visit here.

With South West Rocks being so conveniently close, you can have the best of both worlds at Smoky Cape.  We “roughed it” in the camping grounds but were able to pop into town to have lunch at one of the many pubs, clubs, cafes or restaurants.  We were also able to travel relatively lightly and buy fresh produce daily.  Fuel, bait, ice and cold refreshments were also readily available at reasonable prices – remember, South West Rocks is a holiday town!

Trial Bay, South Smoky Beach and Gap Beach are all within a stones throw of the camping grounds and offer a good range of options, according to the swell and weather conditions.  It is important to note that none of these beaches were patrolled and you should be very careful when swimming.  Of these options, Trial Bay is probably the the safest.

The best advice I can offer for those heading to Smoky Cape is to do a little bit of research first.  There are plenty of great family activities but some require permits or advice.

Hat Head Beach information.

Hat Head Beach Driving Permits.

Google Map.

If you are heading to Smoky Cape from Sydney and want to try camping in style, try Sydney Camper Trailers for a selection of hire campers.  There were about eight of them in our area and they lived in soooooo much more comfort than us in our tent.

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Adels Grove is an eco-sensitive tourist camping facility on the edge of the National Park that caters for all levels of self suffiency.  Even though we took everything we needed, there is nothing better than and ice cold beer at the casual bar after a long day exploring.  Exploring is surely the best word to describe our time at Adels Grove.  We all tried our hands at fishing, though fish need not tremble, most of our time was spent detangling.  We hired canoes, went swimming, walked some bush trails and took a relaxed tour to look at some of the indigenous sites in the area.  There are dedicated and cleared camp sites from the riverbank and up on the hill for a few hundred metres.

As with all adventures there are things to be wary of.  It can get seriously hot out here, but if you have ventured this far out, you would already know that.  The other thing to watch is mosquitoes.  While the campsites close to the river are the most attractive, and offer the best shade, there is alot to be said for being up the top of the hill.  There are less mosquitoes and you are closer to the all important ablution block – along with it’s hot showers!

If coming from the South there are really two ways to get to Adels Grove and the Lawn Hill National Park.  From Cloncurry head North on the Burke Developmental Rd and turn left after the Four Ways or, for the more adventurous, head North from Mount Isa on the Barkly Hwy and venture off road to the  Gregory Downs Camoweal Rd.  The latter is a fantastic (and quite sedate) drive on dirt roads and tracks.  The only real caution is to check the river levels in Mount Isa.  There are a couple of water crossings on this route.  In the dry season they are quite tame, but after heavy rain they are for the hardcore 4WDers only.

Get off the beaten track and treat your family to one of the most rewarding, yet relaxing, holidays you can experience.

Google Maps link for Lawn Hill National Park

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If you could only choose one word to describe Bower Retreat it would be “relaxing”. Even though we spent the bulk of our days checking out local attractions and activities, everything in this region oozes with the relaxed atmosphere you can only experience in rural areas. Adding to the generally slow pace of the area was the homely welcome you get from the owners of the retreat. Little touches like fresh eggs in the fridge, chopped firewood next to the fireplace all added to the experience.

Apart from all the new sights, sounds and smells to explore around the house, there were also bikes to ride, toys to play with and a table tennis set in the shed. The kids were entertained from dawn until dusk, which ensured their parents got some much sought after recuperation.

The house itself is in good condition without being as clinically maintained as a city based apartment. While respecting somebody else’s property, you never get the feeling that you have to follow the kids around to make sure they weren’t touching anything. Everything you need is in the house along with two toilets and two showers, including one outside.

There is a vineyard, horse riding, walking trails, heritage landmarks, dairy farms and much more nearby and Dungog is just down the road for supplies.

All in all, this was one of the most relaxing and value for money holidays we have had in years.

Google Maps link for Bower Retreat

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The area is steeped in indigenous culture, including the story behind the formation of the Three Sisters.  The Darug and Gundungurra tribes in particular have a strong connection to this area and to nearby Echo Point.

My family braved the walk downstairs to the Three Sisters.  While only a very short walk, the stairs were very steep and I would recommend a good pair of shoes for anyone visiting this site.  We spent around an hour at this site (we had a few sites on our wish list this day) and made our way to the gift shop for a browse afterwards.

Norah Head has all the ingredients for the perfect family holiday along with a few hidden attractions that are available for those that like to explore.  By mid morning there is a steady stream of families heading for the relative safety of the rockpool.  The water is largely sheltered from the waves that break prior to the rock wall and whether swimming, snorkelling or just playing in the sand, there is at least a few hours of fun to be had – remembering of course to slip, slop, slap.

With space at a premium in the rockpool confines, we decided to head off on a trek along the beach to the most famous landmark at Norah Head, the lighthouse.  Having been to Norah Head before, I was wary of the wear and tear on the feet caused by the rocks and I made sure we all wore appropriate footwear for our little adventure.  While the beach was fantastic, it was the rocky areas that the kids really wanted to explore.  Crabs, starfish, fish, shells and more were on offer as we climbed and searched the rocky coastline on the point.

After an hour or so exploring we made it to the base of the point and made our way up the stairs to the base of the lighthouse.  There are guided tours of the lighthouse on weekends and public holidays.  They start at around 10.00am and run every half hour until 3.00pm.

There are plenty of parks and covered public eating areas, along with restaurants and takeaway outlets.  The Norah Head Sports Club has meals, a courtesy bus and plenty of cold beer on tap!  Toukley is also only five minutes away for those that cannot find food to their liking.  Soldiers Beach is a patrolled beach with a good surf break (so I’m told).

Accommodation at Norah Head ranges from holiday apartment rental to the Norah Head Holiday Park, the latter containing a variety of options from camping to on site cabins.

My family thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Norah Head and found it an excellent place to explore.  As a bonus it is also only minutes away from places like Toukley, Budgewoi, The Entrance and all the other towns on the great lakes of the Central Coast.  The only real advice I would give is that you have all your sun safety gear well prepared, including hats, sunshirts and plenty of sunscreen.  With all the sites, parks and water in the area, we spent most of our waking hours outdoors.  The one benefit of all that excercise was that the kids went to bed without any arguments at all.  The downside was that their parents were also too tired to take advantage and went to bed soon after.