Family trip to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane

Old Apr 10th, 2014, 06:53 AM
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Family trip to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane

My son & daughter in law are going to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane with 3 boys, ages 14, 12 and 9. Any ideas for what may apppeal to the boys, also, so they are not together 24/7, are there any attractions the boys would be safe at, so their parent could get a break? Or, something for the 2 older boys? Also looking for mysteries they might like that take place in Australia. Many thanks
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Old Apr 10th, 2014, 01:45 PM
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I don't know what you mean by mysteries?

Taronga zoo in Sydney is a highlight in my opinion. The location is fabulous and offers spectacular harbour views apart from anything else.

The only thing I can think of for some time out is to send the older boys to a movie. I wouldn't let my 14 and 12 year old loose in a city they aren't familiar with, or probably one they are familiar with to be honest.
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Old Apr 10th, 2014, 01:51 PM
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There are theme parks on the Gold Coast which is not far from Brisbane. Why are you going to Brisbane? I just wonder if 3 cities is going to be very interesting for the boys. Depending on when you are coming here, the Gold Coast (or Port Douglas) with its great beach culture might be a better destination in Queensland. If you do go to a beach PLEASE make sure you all swim between the red/yellow flags.
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Old Apr 10th, 2014, 02:13 PM
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Mysteries? Well, there's always Hanging Rock.... go and have a picnic....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picnic_at_Hanging_Rock

http://www.visitvictoria.com/Regions...e/Hanging-Rock
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Old Apr 10th, 2014, 04:59 PM
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When are they coming ?

The Gold Coast is about an hour south of Brisbane (by train or car) and has many options for kids that age. There's an entertainment centre in Surfers Paradise with a trillion games, a very trick laser bowling alley where they would be supervised, and at least five theme parks.

GC is the domestic holiday capital of Australia, so there's a huge variety of accommodation options, and not very expensive.
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Old Apr 10th, 2014, 05:06 PM
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You could also do a trip up to Australia Zoo - about 45 mins north of Brisbane.
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Old Apr 11th, 2014, 06:43 AM
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Thanks for the suggestions--they are going to those 3 cities beause my son has been invited to speak there--they will be there in June--don't think it will be warm enough to swim. I meant mysteries or adventure book that might give them some idea of those place.
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Old Apr 12th, 2014, 08:09 PM
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Not sure about books for kids introducing Australia; a lot of people have read 1788 as a kind of introduction to the historical aspects of the colony at Sydney:

http://www.penguin.com.au/products/9781921520044/1788

When I was a child my mother bought me two (factual) books on bushrangers when we had a holiday in a caravan in bushranger country. I thoroughly enjoyed them, but they wouldn't help with those three cities. Neither would Picnic at Hanging Rock although it is a thoroughly good read and a fantastic film, so maybe worth a look for that reason alone.

Near the centre of Sydney are Luna Park (amusement park) and the Entertainment Quarter, which has cinemas, a bowling alley, shops, restaurants, an indoor playground and a farmer's market on Saturdays. I wouldn't let the boys loose there but supervised, both would be good ways for kids to let off steam.

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Old Apr 14th, 2014, 12:56 PM
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Hi, I live in Melbourne. I also have 2 boys, a little younger than yours. Whilst i Melbourne (you don't mention when) your boys could do a tour of the Old Melb Goal (jail) - very interesting, a tour of the MCG - Melb Cricket Ground. Or , they could go ice-skating at the Icehouse at the Docklands. The Melbourne Zoo is nearly in the centre of town! with easy access via trams, but the Werribee Zoo is truly a great day out, with giraffes, hippos, wildebeest etc. It's about half hour from Melb but you could take transport out there. Within Melb itself, Luna Park at St Kilda would be a lot of fun, open on weekends.
Hope that helps.
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 04:11 PM
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Yeah, as others have said Brisbane doesn't really have much "touristy" stuff other than the nice Southbank area so they'll probably likely be a bit bored, especially after coming off more impressive cities like Sydney and Melbourne

as others have said I'd switch from Brisbane and instead go to the Gold Coast (1 hour south, bunch of theme parks to go to) or the Sunshine Coast (1.5 hours north, more laid back and a bit less trashy than the GC and has Australia Zoo - made famous by the Crocodile Hunter - that's pricey but worth it)
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Old Apr 19th, 2014, 09:41 PM
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While you're in Melbourne you could go to Ballarat, and see the historical gold mining theme park, where you can pan for gold etc. The Melbourne and Werribee zoos are great to, and Melbourne is a family-friendly city with lots to do and see.
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Old Apr 22nd, 2014, 11:16 PM
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If you're coming to Brisbane for your husband's work there are fun things to do - it's not as beautiful as Sydney but here are some ideas:
- South Bank for ice cream and the "beach" plus great exhibits and kids' activities at 2 art galleries, the museum and the science centre. There are markets at South Bank on Friday nights and the weekend.
- use the CityCycle bikes to do a loop along the river around the city botanic gardens, riverside centre area, story bridge, kangaroo point cliffs, southbank and goodwill bridge. Lots of places to stop and rest and look around, including a cool park and café at the top of the Kangaroo Point Cliffs. http://www.citycycle.com.au/
- catch a CityCat ferry to see the city from the river; maybe stop at new Farm Park for the boys to run around and check out the adventure playground. The Powerhouse performing arts centre next door is fun to poke around in too.
- try rock climbing, rollerblading or kayaking through Riverlife at Kangaroo Point http://www.riverlife.com.au/rock-climbing/
Public transport is not fantastic in Brisbane but all of these activities are in the inner city area. Go to http://translink.com.au/ to work out how to get around.
If you want to go further afield, most pools are heated - the Chermside Aquatic Centre is a fun, safe, affordable little water park. The Gold and Sunshine Coasts are very appealing. If your family are adventurous, my favourite tip for visitors is a day trip to North Stradbroke Island which is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. It's entirely possible to do it by public transport - train then bus then water taxi then bus - and a lovely place to visit.
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