As magnificent as Taronga Western Plains Zoo (aka Dubbo Zoo) is, planning a trip out here can be a daunting prospect, simply because it's so far away from anywhere. At approximately 5 hours from each of Sydney and Canberra, you definitely need to allow some time to get here. On our recent trip we headed off at lunchtime on the Friday before a long weekend, had two days at … [Read more...]
Australia & New Zealand Travel Blog
Which part of Australia or New Zealand are you interested in? Check out my guides to -
This super helpful guide to Weekend Getaways Sydney will give you plenty to do when you feel like getting out of the city.
And all the Best Bits of Melbourne are detailed in this guide.
Sydney to Dubbo drive | Get back to nature on this weekend away
Brought to you by Mitsubishi Motors Australia Way out to the north west of Sydney, in the flat sheep-covered plains of central New South Wales, lies Dubbo, home of the magnificent Taronga Western Plains Zoo. With the Sydney to Dubbo drive being over 5 hours drive, this road trip needs at least a long weekend to do it justice, preferably more. Especially when there's so much to … [Read more...]
IMAX Darling Harbour | Turning a movie into an event
You don't really watch an IMAX movie. You experience it. The 8-storey screen completely envelops you and draws you right inside the film. Especially if it's 3D! The movie becomes more intense - its impact seems amplified by the screen size. This is an experience so far removed from a DVD at home that it becomes an event. And being surrounded by cafes, tourist attractions … [Read more...]
Hunter Valley Gardens | Making Wine Country kid-friendly
There's plenty to keep Mum and Dad happy in the Hunter Valley, with incredible food, wine and views for days, but it is the Hunter Valley Gardens that excels in entertaining the kids. The Hunter Valley, Australia's oldest and best-known wine region, lies just over 2 hours north of Sydney CBD. The perfect distance for a weekend away! So this week, being school holidays, I … [Read more...]
Dream Lover – The Bobby Darin Musical – Win tickets!
Brought to you by Nuffnang and Dream Lover Blessed with a seductive voice and oozing charisma, legendary American singer, songwriter and actor Bobby Darin was a complicated and dynamic performer, who redefined the idea of rhythm in the 1950s and ‘60s. After suffering from rheumatic fever as a child, he always knew he would die young. So, as brand new Australian musical Dream … [Read more...]
Review | QT Sydney
When you have the rare opportunity for a night away without the kids, a bland and boring hotel room is just not good enough. Leave your responsibilities at home and step into a world of glamour at QT Sydney. Located next door to The State Theatre and sitting snugly between the shopping delights of QVB and Pitt Street Mall, QT is superbly central and walking distance to every … [Read more...]
Top 8 kid-friendly city hotels for a weekend in Brisbane
Reader Trudy is taking her two kids to Disney on Ice in Brisbane in June and wants to make a weekend of it with a stay at a CBD hotel. What a fabulous idea! I'm a big fan of the staycation and love playing tourist in my own city. Unless you work in there, most of us don't get into the city very often, so it's just like a weekend in a new place, but without all the transport … [Read more...]
Review | Crown Metropol Melbourne
The Crown Metropol is a glossy luxury hotel, which presides over the Southbank precinct of Melbourne. It is home to the most magnificent indoor swimming pool, and walls of windows that allow breathtaking views from every room. Crown Metropol review The Crown Metropol is a family-friendly hotel. It has standard rooms which can accommodate 4 in two queen beds, the best pool in … [Read more...]
Review | Atura Albury
The Atura Albury is a groovy family-friendly hotel. It brings a big-city, stylish vibe to Albury in country NSW, in a riot of colour, cool decor and quirky wallpaper. And it is FABULOUS! Atura Albury The kids and I recently did the 10 hour Sydney-Melbourne drive without hubster, so to break up the trip (and ensure I didn't fall asleep at the wheel!) we stayed a night at … [Read more...]
Top things to do on Hamilton Island with kids
Brought to you by Hamilton Island Primary-school age is such a perfect time to travel with kids. No longer are they too young, too short or too scared. Instead they're fearless and enthusiastic balls of endless energy, with an insatiable appetite for new adventures. If it involves water, sport or thrills, then they are there! Fortunately, there are plenty of things to do on … [Read more...]
