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| If there is anything you want to know about Australia-related travel and stuff just ask me. This goes direct to my email |
I read a story today in the London paper about a crocodile that has made a lake on the Willows Golf Course in Townsville his new home! Apparently, the croc is not a “significant threat” to players, but I wouldn’t be taking my time over my swing, that’s for sure!
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| Why not add a cycling tour of Sydney to your holiday itinerary |
The Sunday Times had an article today about “The world’s best cycling holidays”, and while I am certainly no Tour de France contender, there were a couple of Aussie city bike tours mentioned in the article that sounded really interesting (and manageable!).
First mentioned was Bonza Bike Tours based in Sydney, who offer all manner of tours in and around the city, taking in the major sights (and some pubs too, on some of the tours!). It looks great fun and is suitable for all ages and abilities, according to the web site (they factor in lots of stops!). Families are welcome.
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| The Australian national flag — symbolising the historical links with the British, along with the stars of the Southern Cross, and the larger 7-pointed star, representing the six original states and territories. |
Australia Day is a national holiday in Australia (although if it’s the weekend like today then the holiday is on Monday) with lots of celebrations across the country.
The official Australia Day website has links to all the state Australia Day celebration listings showing what is happening where. And there’s lots going on, from Dawn events to start the day with reflection, Australia Day lunches, Firework displays, festivals, concerts charity walks… to mention a few.
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| Father Christmas enjoying the beach in Noosa on Christmas Day… was it a coincidence our waiter was nowhere to be seen? |
I have written about travelling to Australia for Christmas before, and then I stated my best advice — which is to do everything early! Try and book early, and try and leave early!
By “leave early” I mean: try and leave a couple of weeks BEFORE Christmas, and you will save yourself a lot of £££. Airlines tend to have a cut-off date in December, after which they whack up their fares for peak-season travelling at Christmas. This date varies from airline to airline, and can be anywhere from the 4th December to the 9th December. This means you could travel, for example, on the 9th December and stay for 3 weeks and have yourself an Australian Christmas for around £800 for a flight… as opposed to around £1200! It really can be that much different in price.
Probably my best experience ever in Australia was a hot-air balloon ride at dawn over the outback!
Admittedly, we did have to get up VERY early (something ridiculous, like 3.30am!), but it was completely worth the bleary eyes once we took off…
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| Even airports with a baby can be lots of fun — or maybe it’s just the relief from being off the plane for a few minutes! |
Now I know I have already written about flights to Australia and taking a baby, but I didn’t cover everything — I am learning new things all the time — like how not all bassinets are the same!
Now, I have been doing a bit of research (OK, looking up flights for our next trip, I’ll admit!), and discovered that the size and weight restrictions for different airlines and their bassinets (sky cots) are really different (especially when you have a 1 year-old, who is on the verge of weighing too much for some, and not for others!).
Firstly, I have to mention this ridiculously low air fare to Sydney — £519!!
This is flying with Asiana Airlines, and the dates you can travel on this bargain flight are:
You have to book by 16th January, and there may be a ‘compulsory overnight in Seoul’ but still, it’s £519!! That’s just £519 to get to Australia… and back!!!
Happy New Year! And to be nothing if not predictable, my thoughts (like most people’s) turn to planning this year’s holidays…
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| As you can see, it wasn’t the school holidays when we were visiting Palm Cove, Queensland! |
So I thought it would be useful to look up when the main Australian school holidays are, as these can have a big impact on booking a trip (usually in terms of accommodation being booked up, and resorts and roads being more busy).
Right now in January is the biggest and busiest holiday time in Australia, as this is the long ‘summer holiday’ after Christmas, and all the southern states are in the middle of their hottest time of year. Lots of Australians will be on holiday for some or all of the month.
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