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Kayaking never-ending rivers, exploring rockpools and caves, snorkelling in tropical waters, mountain biking through undiscovered rainforests, sailing unchartered seas… give your kids memories they can treasure for a lifetime with an Aussie adventure holiday like no other
Calling all explorers
where: Fraser Island, Queensland, 45 minutes by ferry from Hervey Bay
what: 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 ideal for swimming, giant multicoloured sand dunes and rocky outcrops Whether you choose to follow the numerous tracks by foot or in a four-wheel drive, Fraser Island will not disappoint Not only will you discover ancient shipwrecks, you'll see possums, tortoises, flying foxes, echidnas, dingoes and over 300 species of birds And when you're tired of exploring the rainforests, you can head to the beach to see dugongs, dolphins, turtles and whales before retiring to one of the island's luxury resorts
activities: Kingfisher Bay Resort has tours for juniors and teens that include orienteering, animal tracking, stargazing, sand sculpture building, story-telling and singing around the campfire They also organise ranger-guided canoeing, fishing, swimming, bushwalking and four-wheel driving
close by: Across the water is Hervey Bay, Australia's whale watching capital During whale watching season see the mammals from a boat with Blue Dolphin Marine Tours (07) 4124 9600 Other activities in and around Hervey Bay include horse riding, swimming and snorkelling
top tip: 75 Mile Beach, the island's main beach, is a functioning road and air strip
stay: The award-winning Kingfisher Bay Resort 1800 072 555; wwwkingfisherbaycom
extra info: wwwfrasercoastholidaysinfo and wwwqueenslandholidayscomau
Water works
where: Yamba, New South Wales, 15 hours drive north from Coffs Harbour Airport
what: Located at the mouth of the Clarence River in northern New South Wales, 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 for families with young children, while the beach has some of the best surfing in Australia The Clarence River can be explored on kayak tours or relaxing cruises
activities: Action Adventure Tours specialise in kayak tours exploring the surrounding waterways Contact (02) 6646 1137; wwwyambakayakcomau Other activities include snorkelling, swimming, surfing, rowing, bushwalking, birdwatching, paintball, go-karting and rodeos
close by: 5 minutes drive south of Yamba is the village of Angourie Here you can hire bikes and ride out to the famous Blue Pool Originally a rock quarry, the pool was formed when works disturbed an underground spring Lying just metres from the ocean, it is a great swimming spot The nearby parks of Yuraygir and Bundjalung offer day trips where coastal bushwalks lead to caves and lookouts
top tip: Learn to surf with Jeremy Walters, 1998 Australian World Champion, at Yamba-Angourie Surf School (02) 6646 1496
stay: Kid-friendly Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort (02) 6646 2194; wwwfreespiritresortscomau
extra info: wwwvisitnswcomau
Coastal retreat
where: Fraser Island, Queensland, 45 minutes by ferry from Hervey Bay
what: 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 ideal for swimming, giant multicoloured sand dunes and rocky outcrops Whether you choose to follow the numerous tracks by foot or in a four-wheel drive, Fraser Island will not disappoint Not only will you discover ancient shipwrecks, you'll see possums, tortoises, flying foxes, echidnas, dingoes and over 300 species of birds And when you're tired of exploring the rainforests, you can head to the beach to see dugongs, dolphins, turtles and whales before retiring to one of the island's luxury resorts 
activities: Kingfisher Bay Resort has tours for juniors and teens that include orienteering, animal tracking, stargazing, sand sculpture building, story-telling and singing around the campfire They also organise ranger-guided canoeing, fishing, swimming, bushwalking and four-wheel driving
close by: Across the water is Hervey Bay, Australia's whale watching capital During whale watching season see the mammals from a boat with Blue Dolphin Marine Tours (07) 4124 9600 Other activities in and around Hervey Bay include horse riding, swimming and snorkelling
top tip: 75 Mile Beach, the island's main beach, is a functioning road and air strip
stay: The award-winning Kingfisher Bay Resort 1800 072 555; wwwkingfisherbaycom
extra info: wwwfrasercoastholidaysinfo and wwwqueenslandholidayscomau |
A week of adventure
Life beyond Mardi Gras!
Victoria