We will be taking a 7 and 4 year old to Australia in November. We land in Sydney after an 11 hour flight and will regain our strength in Sydney for 2 or 3 days before heading to the Gold Coast. Any comments on such a long flight and how to get kids back in order during our time in Sydney? Also, any recommendations on short stay apartment-type hotels in Sydney?

Dear Howard <BR>In reference to the long flight with kids etc, the best thing to do is to change your watches to Australian time as soon as you board your flight and then try and live by Aus time from then on. Take plenty of amusements for the kids (my sister always makes up a bag each for her kids - same ages as yours)which contain puzzles, books etc. If you are on an overnight flight, encourage sleep! If you arrive during the day, get out into the daylight and walk around sightseeing. Don't have a nap or you will feel worse, instead go to bed at a reasonable hour! Hope this helps! <BR>Kate

Hi Howard. <BR>We have travelled with our small children, and I have found it a good idea to change your clock at home one to two hours in the direction of Sydney time about a week before you leave ie eating/sleeping patterns. That way the children are introduced to the different time zone a little less abruptly. The long flight often sounds much worse than reality - kids are often lulled to sleep for hours by the sound & motion of the plane. I always take a pack full of "goodies"& snacks, some wrapped like presents, which are brought out gradually during the flight. Ensure that you have ordered special meals for the children as they are brought out first and they are sometimes (but not always) more appealing to younger tastebuds. Take drinkbottles and ensure the children drink PLENTY - the frequent toilet trips break the flight & dehydration is prevented. Take clothes for the children to change into when they arrive & before leaving the airport if you are coming from a different climate - there's nothing worse than being bundled up in the heat. <BR>Hope you enjoy your holiday - they are fantastic destinations for families! <BR>NZER <BR>

Lucky you. Weather in Nov. is normally GREAT. So much here to do with young children. Make sure you catch a ferry or hydrafoil (faster) to Manly beach and walk from surf beach south to Shelley Beach - very safe for littlies. <BR>Our zoo has the best views! When you get here, pick up a free copy of Sydney's Child (a newspaper) from newsagents, libraries, child care centres etc for ideas on what to do and where to go. Apartment-type hotels? We call them serviced apartments. Many to choose from depending on where you want to be based....city, beach, harbour? I'm sure you won't have any problems finding somewhere. Enjoy your trip. <BR>Rhonda

The Gold Coast is ideal for families. You can pick up a Super Pass for 2 or 3 of the theme parks which cuts the cost down. <BR>For your kids I would recommend Sea World - great Aquatic shows: and the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctury (you can feed the parrots; see Kangaroos and other Aussie wildlife close up) <BR>As far as areas to stay - Surfers Paradise is very busy. Families tend to enjoy the quieter areas such as Burleigh Heads. Make sure you swim on patrolled beaches. <BR>As for Sydney - plenty of Service Appartments can be found and they are ideal for families. Try somewhere like Darling Harbour as there are plenty of restuarants around there. <BR>Thoroughly recommend the Taronga Zoo (take a ferry over there). <BR>If your feeling energetic a walk from the Rocks area (under the Harbour Bridge) around Circular Quay to the Opera House will give you some great views of the City.

I just got back from traveling to australia with my two kids. The plane ride is not so bad. Especially if you are flying Quantas- they are wonderful. Here's my tip: when you get on the plane, scope out any empty rows and change seats so that one of your group can "claim" an empty row even before the plane takes off. You can take turns sleeping and you will want to at least take a nap during the flight. <BR> On Quantas we had 5 first run movies to watch going over and 4 different movies coming back. Gameboys were a good distraction too.<BR> In Sydney, The holiday Inn in the Rocks is very central to everything and a short walk to circular Quay- where the ferries leave from. The aquarium is a must, and also the Tarronga zoo. We hated Manley- cheap little tourist town, reeking of fish and chips- but enjoyed the ferry ride. Take the kids to the Botanical garden and show them the giant fruit bats hanging from the trees sleeping during the day. Sulpher Crested Cockatoos roam the botanical garden just like pidgeons do in our parks.<BR> Have fun!