Australia with an 8 and 4 year old
May 16th, 2006, 06:12 PM
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Australia with an 8 and 4 year old
I am flying to Australia from Boston with a 4 day layover in Las Vegas on the way there and a 2 day layover on the way back. We will be in Australia from July 4th through the 18th spending 3 nights at the Sydney Harbor Marriott, 7 nights at either the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas/Rendezvous Reef Resort and 4 nights at the Sheraton Mirage Gold Coast.
Here are some of the things we wanted to take the kids to see and do. Cairns Tropical Zoo, Kuranda Koala Gardens/Butterfly Sanctuary or Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Australia Zoo, Mooloolaba Underwater World and a few days visiting the reef, one Low Island and one reef tour.
In Sydney we will be using public transportation. We will have a vehicle in Port Douglas and Gold Coast. I would like to take my 8 year old to an Aborignal Cultural Center since he is old enough to appreciate some of the things there. Any suggestions on one in the locations we will be visiting?
Any reviews, comments or suggestions on where we are staying or what we should see/skip would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Josh
Here are some of the things we wanted to take the kids to see and do. Cairns Tropical Zoo, Kuranda Koala Gardens/Butterfly Sanctuary or Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Australia Zoo, Mooloolaba Underwater World and a few days visiting the reef, one Low Island and one reef tour.
In Sydney we will be using public transportation. We will have a vehicle in Port Douglas and Gold Coast. I would like to take my 8 year old to an Aborignal Cultural Center since he is old enough to appreciate some of the things there. Any suggestions on one in the locations we will be visiting?
Any reviews, comments or suggestions on where we are staying or what we should see/skip would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Josh
May 16th, 2006, 07:03 PM
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Well, some of the things you have mentioned I haven't heard of (am a Sydneysider). Where is Australia Zoo? (do you mean Taronga Zoo in Sydney - it is an absolute MUST. It's a very hilly zoo, so take the ferry there (this gives you the added advantage of having a ferry ride on the harbour and seeing Opera House etc from the water) from Circular Quay (prounounced key) and take the cable car to the top, then walk down looking at animals on the way.
You can take a one-day outer reef tour from Port Douglas if you want. It will be lovely weather up there then.
The Gold Coast - hmm, beware! Very tacky, but good for kids. Good beaches, get out into the hinterland. Lots of theme parks, but you do that bigger and better in USA, why would you want to travel the world just to see a theme park?
I would have an extra night in Sydney and take one off the Gold Coast.
I don't know about Aboriginal cultural centres in Queensland, port douglas. In Sydney there is something at Darling Harbour, both kids can see that.
You can get around Sydney easily by bus and taxi. Take the kids to the Aquarium in Sydney, it's a really good one (it's also at Darling Harbour). You could stop at nearby Chinatown first for yum cha (from about 10.30am, try the Marigold or East Ocean in Dixon St).
For a very Aussie thing to do, go down to Bondi Beach and get fish and chips (french fries!) and sit on the grass to be surrounded by seagulls!
The Botanical Gardens are gorgeous for a walk - Enter via the NSW Art Gallery gates, feed the black swans, throw a frisbee and stroll around the harbour foreshore to the Opera House for lunch.
Good playgrounds if your kids need a break from tourist stuff - Double Bay Park; Lyne Park Rose Bay; Centennial Park; Darling Harbour near the carousel; Manly beach.
hope this helps
You can take a one-day outer reef tour from Port Douglas if you want. It will be lovely weather up there then.
The Gold Coast - hmm, beware! Very tacky, but good for kids. Good beaches, get out into the hinterland. Lots of theme parks, but you do that bigger and better in USA, why would you want to travel the world just to see a theme park?
I would have an extra night in Sydney and take one off the Gold Coast.
I don't know about Aboriginal cultural centres in Queensland, port douglas. In Sydney there is something at Darling Harbour, both kids can see that.
You can get around Sydney easily by bus and taxi. Take the kids to the Aquarium in Sydney, it's a really good one (it's also at Darling Harbour). You could stop at nearby Chinatown first for yum cha (from about 10.30am, try the Marigold or East Ocean in Dixon St).
For a very Aussie thing to do, go down to Bondi Beach and get fish and chips (french fries!) and sit on the grass to be surrounded by seagulls!
The Botanical Gardens are gorgeous for a walk - Enter via the NSW Art Gallery gates, feed the black swans, throw a frisbee and stroll around the harbour foreshore to the Opera House for lunch.
Good playgrounds if your kids need a break from tourist stuff - Double Bay Park; Lyne Park Rose Bay; Centennial Park; Darling Harbour near the carousel; Manly beach.
hope this helps
May 16th, 2006, 07:25 PM
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Australia Zoo(Steve Irwin's) is at Beerwah, SE Qld, easily reachable from Gold Coast which I'm sure Nords 25 realises.
the kids would enjoy Tjakupai Aboriginal Cultural Park near Cairns, its right next to Skyrail and can easily be combined with a Skyrail/Kuranda Scenic Train trip. At Tjakupai the kids will get to throw boomerangs, woomeras, play a didg, under Aboriginal guidance. Just near Mossman Gorge, a little north of Port Douglas the Kuku Yalanji people will take you on a guided rainforest walk.
Butterfly Sanctuary at Kuranda is worth a visit, you'll see more native and other animals at Cairns Tropical Zoo, near Palm Cove than at the Koala Gardens in Kuranda. As you'll have a car in Port Douglas, do visit Daintree Mangroves Wildlife Sanctuary, amazing collection of Australian parrots as well as crocs, emus, cassowaries,kangaroos,quolls, dingoes and the beautiful tiny sugar gliders. Its on right hand side of road heading towards Daintree River, 13kms north of Mossman. www.daintreewild.com.au
the kids would enjoy Tjakupai Aboriginal Cultural Park near Cairns, its right next to Skyrail and can easily be combined with a Skyrail/Kuranda Scenic Train trip. At Tjakupai the kids will get to throw boomerangs, woomeras, play a didg, under Aboriginal guidance. Just near Mossman Gorge, a little north of Port Douglas the Kuku Yalanji people will take you on a guided rainforest walk.
Butterfly Sanctuary at Kuranda is worth a visit, you'll see more native and other animals at Cairns Tropical Zoo, near Palm Cove than at the Koala Gardens in Kuranda. As you'll have a car in Port Douglas, do visit Daintree Mangroves Wildlife Sanctuary, amazing collection of Australian parrots as well as crocs, emus, cassowaries,kangaroos,quolls, dingoes and the beautiful tiny sugar gliders. Its on right hand side of road heading towards Daintree River, 13kms north of Mossman. www.daintreewild.com.au
May 16th, 2006, 07:31 PM
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Australia Zoo is on the Sunshine coast north of Brisbane and is the home of Steve Irwin the Croc Hunter. Well worth a visit. The animals are in exceptional condition - kangaroos, koalas, snakes, birds, wombats and of course gorgeous crocs. I went up not expecting much but was pleasantly surprised. It's been a very long time since I visited Lone Pine but they had an extensive display of animals. I think I'd prefer Australia Zoo though.
Even though you have theme parks in the U.S. Dreamworld does tend to have an Australiana theme and I think the kids would love it. Sea World and Movie World would be quite similar to Universal (though not as big as yours) and your own Sea world. So I would definitely recommend Dreamworld on the Gold Coast. There are Aussie animals such as koalas etc on display here as well.
I seem to recall near the Skyrail chairlift in Cairns there is an Aboriginal Cultural display - I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I think your kids will love the reef and swimming up on the Great Barrier Reef.
People love to put the Gold Coast down but it all comes downt to your perception of a place and how much fun you have whilst there...one man's treasure etc etc. I personally quite like the Gold Coast particularly the southern end but even Surfers Paradise will be nothing like you would experience in Boston and so I think you should experience it for yourself and I'm sure that with your kids in tow they will have a ball.
I don't know a great deal about Sydney to be honest but there are the obvious destinations such as Sydney Opera House, Manly Ferry, Bondi Beach etc.
I hope you have a great holiday !
PS. Have the fix 'the big hole' in Boston yet? I was there December 03 and wondering if all the works are completed?
Even though you have theme parks in the U.S. Dreamworld does tend to have an Australiana theme and I think the kids would love it. Sea World and Movie World would be quite similar to Universal (though not as big as yours) and your own Sea world. So I would definitely recommend Dreamworld on the Gold Coast. There are Aussie animals such as koalas etc on display here as well.
I seem to recall near the Skyrail chairlift in Cairns there is an Aboriginal Cultural display - I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I think your kids will love the reef and swimming up on the Great Barrier Reef.
People love to put the Gold Coast down but it all comes downt to your perception of a place and how much fun you have whilst there...one man's treasure etc etc. I personally quite like the Gold Coast particularly the southern end but even Surfers Paradise will be nothing like you would experience in Boston and so I think you should experience it for yourself and I'm sure that with your kids in tow they will have a ball.
I don't know a great deal about Sydney to be honest but there are the obvious destinations such as Sydney Opera House, Manly Ferry, Bondi Beach etc.
I hope you have a great holiday !
PS. Have the fix 'the big hole' in Boston yet? I was there December 03 and wondering if all the works are completed?
May 17th, 2006, 05:06 AM
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Since you are going to be in PD, you should go to "Breakfast with the Birds" at the Rainforest Habitat. It's a cold and hot buffet breakfast served under a huge tent of netting so that the birds can perch nearby or fly around as you eat. The Rainforest Habitat has lots of animals and birds in open enclosures so the kids can get a good close look. Great fun for both kids and adults.
If you don't plan to drive to Kuranda, I would suggest taking the Skyrail both ways as opposed to taking the train one way and the Skyrail one way. The train can get quite crowded in July and you can't be assured of having a seat by the window, so I think it could be a loooong trip for the kids, particularly the 4-year-old. On the other hand, riding the Skyrail over the tops of the trees should be like an amusement park ride to them.
If you don't plan to drive to Kuranda, I would suggest taking the Skyrail both ways as opposed to taking the train one way and the Skyrail one way. The train can get quite crowded in July and you can't be assured of having a seat by the window, so I think it could be a loooong trip for the kids, particularly the 4-year-old. On the other hand, riding the Skyrail over the tops of the trees should be like an amusement park ride to them.
May 17th, 2006, 05:10 AM
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That's OK, stormbird, looks like we posted at the same time.
Its funny how people like to put the Gold Coast down even though it has some of the best surfing beaches and hinterland in the country and a mostly good climate. It makes one wonder why there's such an enormous movement of population from southern states permanently relocating to SE Queensland.
Its funny how people like to put the Gold Coast down even though it has some of the best surfing beaches and hinterland in the country and a mostly good climate. It makes one wonder why there's such an enormous movement of population from southern states permanently relocating to SE Queensland.
May 17th, 2006, 08:12 PM
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Thanks for all your suggestions. We are going to try and squeeze in as much as possible while leaving a few days open to just relax at the beach.
Stormbird,
For the most part the underground portion of the "Big Dig" is done. It was hectic for a while when you would have a different route to get to the same destination on a weekly basis. My 2006 GPS data disk is already obsolete. They are still doing work above the underground portion. All of the areas that used to be an above ground highway are now being converted into a greenway with walking trails and trees.
Lawsuits are in the works against quite a few of the contractors because of faulty work. Some have been accused of watering down the cement used for all of the tunnels. There are a number of leaks, well over 200. I drive through the tunnels every day and I can tell you something just does not seem right when you see ice formations inside a tunnel during the winter.
Considering the problems and the cost over runs in the billions it seems like a typical Massachusetts project. Why do the politicians care when they can just pass it off on the tax payers.
Once again thanks for all your suggestions and I will let everyone know how the trip goes.
Josh
Stormbird,
For the most part the underground portion of the "Big Dig" is done. It was hectic for a while when you would have a different route to get to the same destination on a weekly basis. My 2006 GPS data disk is already obsolete. They are still doing work above the underground portion. All of the areas that used to be an above ground highway are now being converted into a greenway with walking trails and trees.
Lawsuits are in the works against quite a few of the contractors because of faulty work. Some have been accused of watering down the cement used for all of the tunnels. There are a number of leaks, well over 200. I drive through the tunnels every day and I can tell you something just does not seem right when you see ice formations inside a tunnel during the winter.
Considering the problems and the cost over runs in the billions it seems like a typical Massachusetts project. Why do the politicians care when they can just pass it off on the tax payers.
Once again thanks for all your suggestions and I will let everyone know how the trip goes.
Josh
May 18th, 2006, 04:45 PM
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There is a new "Theme Park" on the Gold Coast or rather an "Outback Extravaganza" which consists of rather fabulous horseback riding Australian outback style and this includes dinner and the show. The reports coming from the people who have been there since its opening a couple of weeks ago say that it is fantastic.
I would miss out going to Lone Pine Sanctuary in preference to going to Currumbin Bird Sanctuary on the Gold Coast because everything that is at the Lone Pine is at the Currumbin Sanctuary and much much more especially a lovely nocturnal house, little train that takes you around the Sanctuary which the kids love and an area where you can pat the kangaroos, emus etc. They also have some of the more exotic animals and it is set in nice park like surroundings. The wild birds come in twice a day and visitors can feed them - quite a performance.
In fact I would go as far as to say that if you have limited time then the Aquarium in Sydney could take over from Moolooolaba Underwater World, certainly Currumbin is better than Lone Pine and they also have crocs as does places in and around Cairns, take in the new Outback Extravanza on the Gold Coast and add a day there instead of taking one off. There is much more to see than people who do not live in the area know about and Pat is absolutely right in saying that as 3,000 people come to live in this area per week, if it is so bad then why do they come?
Actually there is a "tacky" bit of the Gold Coast which is very touristy but the remainder together with the hinterland is some of the best country in Australia and more diverse than most other places other than perhaps around the GBR areas.
I too do not know of anything in the USA that has a theme like Dreamworld on the Gold Coast either so you would not be duplicating what you have over there.
I would miss out going to Lone Pine Sanctuary in preference to going to Currumbin Bird Sanctuary on the Gold Coast because everything that is at the Lone Pine is at the Currumbin Sanctuary and much much more especially a lovely nocturnal house, little train that takes you around the Sanctuary which the kids love and an area where you can pat the kangaroos, emus etc. They also have some of the more exotic animals and it is set in nice park like surroundings. The wild birds come in twice a day and visitors can feed them - quite a performance.
In fact I would go as far as to say that if you have limited time then the Aquarium in Sydney could take over from Moolooolaba Underwater World, certainly Currumbin is better than Lone Pine and they also have crocs as does places in and around Cairns, take in the new Outback Extravanza on the Gold Coast and add a day there instead of taking one off. There is much more to see than people who do not live in the area know about and Pat is absolutely right in saying that as 3,000 people come to live in this area per week, if it is so bad then why do they come?
Actually there is a "tacky" bit of the Gold Coast which is very touristy but the remainder together with the hinterland is some of the best country in Australia and more diverse than most other places other than perhaps around the GBR areas.
I too do not know of anything in the USA that has a theme like Dreamworld on the Gold Coast either so you would not be duplicating what you have over there.
May 19th, 2006, 07:54 PM
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We did a similar trip last August with my 6 and 8 year old. 6 nights at the Cairns Hilton, 1 night at the Mirage in Port Douglas, 6 nights at the Courtyard Marriott in Surfer's Paradise, and 6 nights at the Sydney Harbour Marriott.
In FNQ, my kids very much enjoyed:
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures (the guides are very entertaining, and there were lots of crocs to see),
Tjapukai (they were not scared during the historical film on aboriginal treatment), and my son spent the next three weeks trying to get me to buy a digeridoo,
Rainforest Habitat - they could feed and pet the kangeroos and wallabies, and have a photo next to a koala.
Frankland Island cruise and dive - I chose this one because I was concerned that one or all of us would get seasick. Winter in Australia isn't really "winter" for a Canadian, but it is windy and thus the ride choppier. Frankland Islands are not far off the coast, and provided good enough snorkeling for us, plus the benefit of a small island for the kids to run around on and explore.
Mossman Gorge - well, a bit of a letdown only because we have a lot of similar geography nearby.......
Flecker Botanical Gardens - we all enjoyed the gardens, and nearby is the airport and a boardwalk through the mangroves.
We went for lunch at the Red Ochre Grill in Cairns. On the kids menu is kangeroo, which my son insisted on. It's sort of like a dense steak with a gamey edge.
Surfer's Paradise was a quieter week for us. Try to get to O'Reilly's, unless one of you is susceptible to carsickness. It was a great day trip, and we all really enjoyed it. Burleigh Heads has a nice beach. The David Fleay Wildlife Park was also quite interesting.
In Sydney be sure to take the ferry to Manly. We had dolphins follow us into the dock! Of course the aquarium is excellent. We took the bus to Bondi, but liked Manly much better.
I really wanted to get to the Atherton Tablelands and the lava tubes, but that will have to be another trip.
You will have a great time, there is so much to see and do.
In FNQ, my kids very much enjoyed:
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures (the guides are very entertaining, and there were lots of crocs to see),
Tjapukai (they were not scared during the historical film on aboriginal treatment), and my son spent the next three weeks trying to get me to buy a digeridoo,
Rainforest Habitat - they could feed and pet the kangeroos and wallabies, and have a photo next to a koala.
Frankland Island cruise and dive - I chose this one because I was concerned that one or all of us would get seasick. Winter in Australia isn't really "winter" for a Canadian, but it is windy and thus the ride choppier. Frankland Islands are not far off the coast, and provided good enough snorkeling for us, plus the benefit of a small island for the kids to run around on and explore.
Mossman Gorge - well, a bit of a letdown only because we have a lot of similar geography nearby.......
Flecker Botanical Gardens - we all enjoyed the gardens, and nearby is the airport and a boardwalk through the mangroves.
We went for lunch at the Red Ochre Grill in Cairns. On the kids menu is kangeroo, which my son insisted on. It's sort of like a dense steak with a gamey edge.
Surfer's Paradise was a quieter week for us. Try to get to O'Reilly's, unless one of you is susceptible to carsickness. It was a great day trip, and we all really enjoyed it. Burleigh Heads has a nice beach. The David Fleay Wildlife Park was also quite interesting.
In Sydney be sure to take the ferry to Manly. We had dolphins follow us into the dock! Of course the aquarium is excellent. We took the bus to Bondi, but liked Manly much better.
I really wanted to get to the Atherton Tablelands and the lava tubes, but that will have to be another trip.
You will have a great time, there is so much to see and do.
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