Family Travel

It's sometimes easy to forget how fascinating the real world can be. Forget TVs and Xboxes and take your kids out of their bedrooms and into the great outdoors. With these coastal holidays you'll help them discover the events that made Australia what it is today and have fun at the same time.

Step back in time

Where: Darwin, Northern Territory

What:

During World War II, Darwin was badly damaged when it suffered numerous air-raid attacks. Much of the city’s military history can be discovered by visiting various WWII sites, including ammunition bunkers in Charles Darwin National Park and tunnels and airstrips around the city. A short walk from the city centre is Doctors Gully. Here young kids can feed the hundreds of fish that come to shore each day. Call (08) 8981 7837; www.aquascene.com.au.  East Point Nature Reserve is home to the Military Museum and has excellent walking and cycling paths, picnic areas and year-round swimming in Lake Alexander.

Activities

To explore Darwin by boat, hire a motorised pontoon from NT Pontoon Hire (08) 8941 9204; www.ntpontoonhire.com.au. See crocodiles, tigers, lions, primates and birds at Crocodylus Park (08) 8922 4500; www.wmi.com.au.Or try kayaking and four-wheel driving with Gecko Tours (08) 8972 2224; www.geckotours.com.au.

Close By

Darwinis an excellent base to explore the World Heritage-listed Kakadu, Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Parks. Here you can stand under fresh waterfalls, see magnetic termite mounds or explore the sandstone towers of the Lost City. For those brave enough, the Jumping Crocodile Cruises on the Adelaide River let you get up close to wild crocs. Visit www.jumpingcrocodilecruises.com.au.

Top Tip

Visit Mindil BeachMarkets and sample  food from 20 different countries. STAY:Novotel Atrium with its indoor rainforest (08) 8941 0755; www.accorhotels.com.au

Extra Info

www.travelnt.com. Feeding the fish at Doctors Gully, NT

Listen to the whales’ tales

Where: Eden, New South Wales, 3 hours drive south-east of Canberra.  

What:

With its golden sandy beaches, forests and parklands, Eden is the southern gateway to the Sapphire Coast. Its colourful whaling history can be seen at the fascinating Eden Killer Whale Museum and Davidson Whaling Station. Watch the trawlers at Snug Cove unloading their catch of the day or try your hand at some fishing of your own. A short walk up the hill from Eden Wharf is Lookout Point, Rotary Park and Seamen’s Memorial Wall, which offer a picnic area and playground for the youngsters. Eden has several great beaches with many fascinating rockpools and caves for the kids to play in.

Activities

Eden has some of the best whale watching in Australia and tours run from October to November. Contact Freedom Charters (02) 6496 1209; www.freedomcharters.com.au. Other activities in Eden include swimming, snorkelling, sea kayaking, boogie boarding, boating and bushwalking.

Close By

About 20 minutes south of Eden is Wonboyn Lake. Best discovered by boat, its sandy channels open to rolling surf, and dingoes, dolphins and deserted sand hills can all be discovered on the untouched beaches. Head inland to dairy country, the pretty town of Bega is famous for its tasty cheese. Visit Bega Cheese Heritage Centre for a taste; www.begacheese.com.au.

Top Tip

When the alarm sounds at the Killer Whale Museum, whales have been spotted in the bay.

Stay

Kids will love the playground at ShadrackResort 1800 111 419; www.shadrack.com.au.

Extra Info

www.visitnsw.com.au

Do 'time' in gaol

Where: Fremantle, Western Australia, 30 minutes drive south of Perth.

What:

The historic port of Fremantle shouldn’t be missed. Its marine heritage can be seen at the WA Maritime Museum which overlooks the working port. The Museum’s shipwreck gallery features Australia’s earliest shipwrecks and tales of travel, mutiny and murder. Contact (08) 9431 8444; www.museum.wa.gov.au/maritime. If you’re really brave you can step inside and do ‘time’ at Fremantle Prison; tour the prison cells and museum and learn of the convict tales from days gone by.

Activities

Explore the darker side of the Fremantle Prison at night on a spooky Torchlight Tour. For more information, contact (08) 9336 9200; www.fremantleprison.com.au.

Close By

20 minutes by ferry from Fremantle, Rottnest Island’s white beaches and beautiful reefs  are perfect for a day trip. Discovered in the 17th century by Dutch explorers, the island has a rich colonial history, which you can discover by visiting the Rottnest Museum, (08) 9372 9732. You can also take the free guided history walk to see where gaolers and ship pilots lived and worked. The island is a car-free zone – making it both peaceful and safe – so take your own bike or hire one from Rottnest Bike Hire (08) 9292 5105. Best of all, just take a dip in the beautiful waters or snorkel around the reefs.

Top Tip

Try the centrally located Esplanade Hotel opposite Fishing Boat Harbour. (08) 9432 4000; www.esplanadehotelfremantle.com.au.

Extra Info

www.rottnestisland.com and www.westernaustralia.com

Source: Tourism Australia 2006

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