Pack up the car and the kids and head off on a coastal holiday. From adventure to discovery, there’s something in Australia for everyone.
Fraser Island, Qld
Every little explorers’ dream, the 120km long World Heritage-listed Fraser Island is a place unlike anywhere else on earth. With pristine white sandy beaches lapped by crystal clear waters, its magnificent rainforest is dotted with freshwater lakes, giant multicoloured sand dunes and rocky outcrops. Discover ancient shipwrecks or spy possums, tortoises and dingoes or watchout for dugongs, dolphins and whales. Kingfisher Bay Resort has tours for juniors and teens including orienteering, animal tracking and stargazing.
Details: www.frasercoastholidays.info,
www.kingfisherbay.com and
www.queenslandholidays.com.au
Yamba, NSW
Located at the mouth of the Clarence River, the historic town of Yamba offers the best of both worlds: 11 spectacular beaches with rolling surf and the biggest river on the east coast. Main Beach, which is patrolled during summer, has a huge 33-metre rock pool that offers excellent swimming, while the beach has some of the best surfing in Australia. Action Adventure Tours specialise in kayak tours exploring the surrounding waterways. Other activities include snorkelling, swimming, surfing, rowing, bushwalking, birdwatching, paintball, go-karting and rodeos.
Details: www.visitnsw.com.au and
www.yambakayak.com.au
Related video: Yamba
Coles Bay, Tas
If you’re looking for adventure in a unique, world-class destination, explore the east coast of Tasmania. Renowned for its white sandy beaches and national parks teeming with wildlife, Coles Bay is the perfect spot for a family holiday. Sitting at the foot of the pink granite mountains, where the cliffs meet the sea on the edge of Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay, the small town has everything you could possibly wish for. Freycinet Adventures offer great ways to explore the peninsula. Hire bikes or join a kayaking, walking and climbing.
Details: www.discovertasmania.com.au and
www.freycinetadventures.com.au
Baird Bay, SA
Located on the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula, Baird Bay is a small fishing village that offers a chance to experience the natural wonders of the Australian coast and its wildlife. The town's biggest drawcards are the local sea lions and dolphins. Take a boat tour with Gawler Ranges Safaris or join a ranger from Baird Bay Eco Experience in the shallow lagoons with the sea lions. Or go bushwalking through the national parks, throw in a fishing line to catch your dinner or simply comb the beach for shells.
Details: www.southaustralia.com,
www.gawlerrangessafaris.com,and
www.bairdbay.com
Phillip Island, VIC
A great spot for families, Phillip Island is one of the most diverse nature-based destinations in Australia. Here you can come face to face with koalas, penguins, seals and sea birds. Take a treetop boardwalk from the Koala Conservation Centre or head to the sea to watch the little penguins parade up the beach at sunset. Not far from here is Seal Rocks, where you can find fur seals sunning themselves and feeding their young. Paddle or swim at the beaches or try kayaking, surfing and fishing.
Details: www.visitvictoria.com and www.visitphillipisland.com
Busselton, WA
Offering a wide range of fun activities and calm, safe waters for playing, Busselton is ideal for families. Between September and December, the southern right, humpback, pygmy and blue whales can be seen migrating across the waters. The popular Busselton Jetty’s Underwater Observatory lets visitors descend below sea level to view schools of fish. Nautical Lady Entertainment World opposite the jetty has water slides, racing cars, a skate park, mini-golf, trampolines, a jetty museum, fantasy castle and haunted hollow.
Details: www.westernaustralia.com, www.busseltonjetty.com.au and www.nauticallady.com
Darwin, NT
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. Feed the fish at Doctors Gully or walk, cycle or swim at East Point Nature Reserve. See crocodiles, tigers, lions, primates and birds at Crocodylus Park, or try kayaking and four-wheel driving with Gecko Tours.
Details: www.travelnt.com, www.wmi.com.au and www.geckotours.com.au
Eden, NSW
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. A short walk up the hill from Eden Wharf is Lookout Point, Rotary Park and Seamen’s Memorial Wall. Freedom Charters runs whale watching tours from October to November. Other activities include swimming, snorkelling, sea kayaking, boogie boarding, boating and bushwalking.
Details: www.visitnsw.com.au and www.freedomcharters.com.au
Fremantle, WA
The historic port of Fremantle shouldn’t be missed. Its marine heritage can be seen at the WA Maritime Museum (www.museum.wa.gov.au/maritime) which overlooks the working port. The Museum’s shipwreck gallery features Australia’s earliest shipwrecks and tales of travel, mutiny and murder. If you’re really brave you can step inside and do ‘time’ at Fremantle Prison (www.fremantleprison.com.au); tour the prison cells and museum and learn of the convict tales from days gone by. Explore the darker side of the Fremantle Prison at night on a spooky Torchlight tour.
Details: www.rottnestisland.com and www.westernaustralia.com
All kinds of fun family tours and activitiescan be booked around the country.
Created by Donna Hay Magazine for Tourism Australia
