AUSTRALIA FAMILY HOLIDAYS
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Steve Irwin’s popular Australia Zoo. Destinations like Kangaroo Island are renowned for genuine wildlife watching opportunities where the tourist can get close to creatures in their natural environment. Also suggest places like Phillip Island Nature Park, an easy two- hour drive from Melbourne and famous for its Penguin Parade. Or, at Monkey Mia in Western Australia, explain how visitors can stand at the shore as dolphins swim around their legs.
CITI E S Even the cities have their share of animal attractions. Sydney Aquarium has a new A$2.25-million Seal Sanctuary and a new million-dollar LEGO exhibit here is Australia’s largest collection of super- sized LEGO models. There are 25 giant models made up of over 1.5 millions LEGO bricks, including a massive Moby Dick and jaw-dropping Great White Shark. A linked exhibition at
the Sydney Wildlife World houses a giant LEGO drover on horseback, a camel, water buffalo and huge boxing kangaroo. Across the harbour at Manly, Ocean World also offers hands-on fun. In the Melbourne Aquarium the new Shark Conservation Project includes a 60,000- litre tank for baby sharks.
TEENS For sporty kids, Australia is a seventh heaven. Everywhere is well set up for those who want to get active and top of the 'must dos' for many teenagers will be a surfing lesson or time body-boarding. These are easily arranged on popular Sydney beaches and many Gold Coast beaches and beyond. Australia is also an ideal place for the family to learn to scuba dive, sail, snorkel or try any other watersport in a safe and sunny setting. Teens who love to shop will love Sydney and Melbourne in particular, and if they are theme park junkies they can more than get their fill in Queensland’s
TOP SELLING TIPS Flag up the fun: Australia
is full of family-friendly activities and attractions. Oz is one destination where kids are welcomed pretty much anywhere
Focus on the seasons:
the six-week school summer holiday is a perfect time to visit northern Australia – and it is less expensive to travel there at this time
Sell safety: Australia is
easy and safe for families. Beaches are patrolled, the food is familiar, English is spoken – and most Brits feel instantly at home
Gold Coast. The region is home to Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World and Paradise Country. Sydney, too, has Luna Park across from the Harbour Bridge. For families interested in Australia’s
history recommend Sovereign Hill, in the historic city of Ballarat, which recreates the excitement of Ballarat’s gold rush era.
ON TRACK Most kids love a train trip and fun rail journeys through spectacular scenery are a great recommendation for families. Encourage them to check out The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, which takes families in six-passenger gondolas over the treetops of World Heritage-listed rainforest in Tropical North Queensland; or suggest the Puffing Billy Steam Railway, a scenic trip, east of Melbourne, through the Dandenong Ranges.
Wildlife interactions and family-friendly food and fun activities are available across Australia
www.sellinglonghaul.com • March 2011 71
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