Hello,

We are traveling to Australia for 10 days in January with our 3 year old daughter. We're planning to stay in Syndey for 6 days and would then like to venture out for 3 nights/2 days. We're considering the Blue Mountains and the Hunter Valley. Any recommendations/suggestions re. where to go/stay/activities? We are both enthusiastic wine tasters, thus the desire for the Hunter Valley experience, but realize that we may be limited with our daughter. (Although we found the Crowne Plaza in Lovedale, that has a Kid's Club to keep our daughter occupied while we tour some wineries...).

Appreciate the feedback re. our last post - appreciate in advance any additional information/suggestions re. our new "dilemma."

Cheers!

G'day mcsims,

As far as the Blue Mountains go, you would want to see Govett's Leap, the Three Sisters as well as the Katoomba Scenic Railway and the Zig-Zag Railway. You might want to look at staying at Lilianfels and eating at Darleys Restaurant.

As far as the Hunter Valley is concerned, you might want to look at staying Peppers Convent at Pokolbin although it is boutique. Dining at Roberts Restaurant in Pokolbin is recommended and they also have a 5 star boutique accommodation at Tower Lodge.

With a little one I would pick Blue Mountains over Hunter Valley - Hunter Valley has more adult pursuits like wine tasting which would bore little ones to sobs. In the Blue Mountains you might try some very gentle bushwalks (there are quite a few that you can just do part of). Zig-Zag Railway at Lithgow is good for kids (there is a Thomas the Tank Engine train there). I also recommend Jenolan Caves near Oberon, which is just the other side of the mountains. The road is a bit windy but once there you can actually stay in their lodge overnight, and the caves are very interesting, even for kids. To make travelling easier with a little one you might consider renting a house in the mountains for a few days. Katoomba is a good base, Leura a little more expensive, Blackheath a good choice for the Megalong Valley. Practically everywhere in the mountains has interesting shops (lots of antique shops for the adults). You can also get local honey at many stops on the highway and apples and apple juice in Bilpin.

Lavandula

My family goes to the Hunter Valley every year and my sister has a 3 year old and a 6 month old baby. If you are going to the Hunter try the Cypress Lakes resort, it is designed for families and has swimming pools for kids and there are often kangaroos on the property which the kids love. They may possibly have child care activities but I'm not sure, I wouldn't be surprised if they did as they are family oriented.

Both the Blue Mountains and the HV are likely to be very hot in January so keep that in mind when planning.

We love the Hunter Valley and I think you could have a lovely few days there.

As Cathies says, this is a hot period, but the Blue Mountains is typically a few degrees cooler than the Hunter Valley throughout the year. As Lavandula has said, there is much more of interest in the Blue Mountains for children. Our children used to love the Zig Zag Railway for example,

Actually, I agree with MT, it's really hot in January, I love the HV but I wouldn't go there in Summer, we normally go in winter. The Blue Mountains are cooler and there is also a lot to explore and do up there. The Highlands may be nice too, especially Fitzroy Falls and Bowral.