Adventure 28-Oct-2009
Remember before you had kids? Remember thinking “it won’t slow me down, I will just take my baby with me… after all, the women of India pick tea all day with a baby on their back!” It all seemed so easy…
Then your bundle of joy arrived needing more paraphernalia than the Moscow Ballet. All of a sudden your car was too small and car journeys were planned around feeding times.
Travelling families have totally different needs than singles. When our babies are little we need to know what restaurants have change tables and whether we can access our hotel room without carrying a stroller and toddler up flights of stairs. As they get older we need to know whether a bus tour has adequate stops for a fidgeting preschooler. Before too long we want to know age restrictions on fair-ground rides, if a restaurant has an activity room and who can be included in a family packages price. It’s a mine field out there and getting the answers can be a challenge..
Three years ago, I embarked on a mission to make travelling easier for families and I couldn’t be prouder this week as I launch my guidebook Kids Welcome to Queensland. To research the products within, my chief expert, Amber, and I climbed hills, swam at beaches, bounced on bus journeys and yes, even found playgrounds and public toilets. “It’s rather like a Lonely Planet for families!” my mother exclaimed, and I couldn’t have put it better myself. .
While I recuperate from a celebratory book launch and settle in to writing the next one, I thought I would share some of our SE Queensland favourites. .
Queensland Art Gallery and GOMA, Brisbane
Address: Stanley Place, South Bank. Phone: 3840 7303
Web: www.qag.qld.gov.au
Price: Free If you think art galleries contain stuffy halls of silent people, think again..
The programs for children at The Queensland Art Gallery are nationally renowned. A Children’s Art Centre has been created at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) and the galleries are only 150m apart. Regular workshops each Sunday allow kids to interact with artists and learn the use of their favourite materials. Toddler Tuesdays are designed to instil little kids with a love of art using specially designed games, movement. The program changes every two months so call ahead for the theme and movement of the day. Special tours have been designed for kids from 4-10 (with accompanying adult). They are usually about half an hour long and run twice each day..
Binna Burra Kids’ Club
Address: Binna Burra Road, Beechmont. Phone: 1300 246 622
Web: www.binnaburralodge.com.au.
Price: Free to small cost Even if you aren’t staying at Binna Burra Lodge, the kids can immerse themselves in the kids’ activities. It’s rather like a huge summer camp where all tours are hands-on and educational. Parents are welcome to participate (and this is essential if you have preschoolers). Learn how to create a worm farm, ride the flying fox (six and up), make a volcano, or harness up and learn to climb. Teens might find things a little tame, but primary age will be in heaven. In the evening the lodge runs spotlighting walks and guests gather around the campfire. All facilitators have blue cards and most are qualified teachers. The program runs during school holidays and long weekends and changes weekly, so it’s worth calling ahead if you want to experience something in particular. .
Sunday lunch at the Apollonian Hotel, Boreen Point
Address: Laguna St, Boreen Point. Phone: 5485 3100
Price: $10-$20, under 3 free
This region is known for old Queenslander style pubs, and there is none finer than the Apollonian. Moved from Gympie in 1987, this stunning building is set midst grassy lawns giving the kids plenty of room to move. Sunday spit roast is a local favourite with plenty of salads and vegies, but a bistro menu and kids’ menu is useful for fussy eaters. High chairs are available and kids are always made to feel welcome. Live music starts at 12pm and the spit is usually ready shortly after. Sunday lunch is so popular, it’s essential to book. Why not take the whole day and have a swim in freshwater Lake Cootharaba, or even camp at Boreen Point Camp Ground (5485 3244).
Feed a dolphin, Tin Can Bay
Address: Barnacles Café, Tin Can Bay boat ramp. Phone: 5486 4899
www.barnaclesdolphincentre.com.au.
Price: Free, cost for food Over 30 years ago, residents of the sleepy town of Tin Can Bay started feeding a female called ‘Scarry’ and, although she is long gone, her relatives still regularly visit the boat ramp (on the northern tip of the peninsular) most mornings for free fish. In many parts of the country this wild encounter would have become a money making venture but not at Tin Can Bay where access is free and all you need are a few coins to buy a fish. Feeding is controlled by the EPA and feeding times are limited so the dolphins don’t rely on it exclusively. Fish can be purchased at Barnacles Café and you are not permitted to bring your own because of the potential risks of disease. Call ahead to confirm feeding times.
Kids Welcome to Queensland is packed with family-friendly activities, attractions, tours, places to stay and places to eat. It includes free activities as well as paid ones and takes the hard work out of planning your next holiday. It retails for $29.95 and is available at major bookshops and through the website at www.kidswelcome.com.au.
Sarah will be signing books from 10am to 12pm at Angus and Robertson: November 6 – Kawana, November 21 – Maroochydore and Written Dimension Noosa – November 12.
