Australia’s must-see and do travel destinations in 2014 by Donna Kramer.
Last year my family of six – the News Ltd Escape Family- took 15 trips around Australia where we experienced the best this country has to offer, here is a list of our top five family friendly activities and destinations to put on your to-do list for 2014:
1. Otway Fly Tree Top Adventures
Location: Weeaproinah Victoria
Flying 600 metres through the trees of the magnificent Otways rainforest 25 metres above the ground is an exhilarating outdoor family experience your kids will talk about for years. Our family completed the Zip Line Tour on a rainy day in spring and even though it was bitterly cold at times, the adrenalin-fuelled eco-wilderness adventure sits firmly at the top of the list of our most-loved family adventures. The guided tour across the rainforest canopy is suitable for children four years and older. The Zip Line Tour is $76.50 for children (4 -15) and $103.50 for adults and it operates rain, hail or shine – we experienced all three conditions on our 2.5 hour tour.
2. Port Arthur Ghost Tours
Location: Port Arthur – 30 minutes from Hobart
Port Arthur Ghost Toursare a ninety-minute lantern-lit adventure around Tasmania’s Port Arthur Historic Site as experienced guides share historical stories about frightful events and modern tales of unexplained ghost sightings. The World Heritage Listed site claims to be one of Australia’s most haunted, with two centuries of documented ghost sightings under its belt, so at AU$65 for a family pass, it is a bargain family experience steeped in history. On top of being entertained, my family learnt a lot about Australia’s settlement history from the tour which are big business at Port Arthur. Tickets $25 Adults, $15 Children, family passes AU$65.
3. Bay of Fires
Location – Tasmania Australia
The Bay of Fires is located within Mount William National Park which is a stunning region along Tasmania’s East Coast home to pristine white beaches, blue water and granite splashed with orange lichen. Our family recently spent three nights camping in the conservation area at Cosy Corner just north of St Helens and could have happily stayed for a month. Here we lived among nature, rose with the sun and spent days exploring the rock pools and fishing off the beach for Australia salmon (we caught and released three) and spent our nights around the campfire. A National Park Entry Permit is required for camping at the Bay of Fires. We purchased a holiday pass for $60 per vehicle (up to eight people) and is valid for eight weeks.
4. Mon Repos
Location: Bundaberg Australia
Queensland’s Mon Repos Beach is the largest turtle rookery in the South Pacific. Each November these magnificent turtles battle the elements to swim hundreds of thousands of kilometres to this very spot to lay their eggs. From January the gorgeous hatchlings make their way from their nests and out to the ocean and the world. Last Christmas our family ventured to Bundaberg to take part in the Mon Repos Turtle Encounter Tour where we watched a mother turtle come ashore onto the moonlit beach to lay her eggs. The experience was magical and we are heading back this year to try to catch a glimpse of the hatchlings side of the season. Tickets to the Mon Repos Turtle Encounter are $10.50 adults, $5.55 children (4-15); children under 4 are free. Family passes $25.15.
Location: Southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Within moments of arriving at Lady Elliot Island, your family can be snorkelling, swimming or diving next to turtles and manta rays above the beautiful corals of Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. The beauty of Lady Elliot Island is that it is a coral cay – the reef is right there, eliminating the need for long-distance boat rides and stinger suits. The fun continues when the tide goes out with a guided reef walk where the kids can touch and feel the living reef. Lady Elliot Island is located within the southern Great Barrier Reef just a four hour drive north of Brisbane or a short flight from Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Gold Coast or Brisbane.
Inspired to plan a family holiday? Browse our collection of family friendly accommodation.
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Image: News,
