Traveling with Children
 

In mid-July we are traveling to Australia for 3 weeks. Our group consists of one senior, 4 adults, and 3 children ages 8-10. We plan on visiting Sydney, the Gold Coast, and the GBR. Friends have recommended that we stay in self-contained apartments. Does anyone have any such recommendations for those areas? Also, any "must" places to go to with the children? Thanks so much for your help.

If you're staying at Port Douglas for the GBR portion, there are plenty of apt. style places, which I agree might suit your party better. I stayed at the Hibiscus Gardens, and saw a decent amount of kids. Doing a search here on Port Douglas will probably bring many recommendations.<BR><BR>In Port Douglas, I'd recommend you take the Quicksilver reef tour. It's a huge catamaran. Normally, I'd recommend a smaller boat, but this one docks at a large pontoon out on the reef. There's an underwater viewing chamber for those who don't want to go in the water, and I hear they keep a solid eye on the snorkelers. Your children would probably feel less confined on the Quicksilver tour than the other boats (where you're stuck on the boat). I haven't been on the Quicksilver myself, but I spoke to some others that did, and I think it would work for people of all ages.

Hi, Michael!<BR><BR>In the Blue Mountains, a couple of hours west of Sydney by fast train, some agents rent holiday houses on a week-by-week basis, and if you have time for this, it might be a nice option for your large group (if you are interested, I can always chase up some names and numbers of agents for you). The Blue Mountains is chilly but quite magical at the time of year you're coming; since it's the only time this area gets an occasional snowfall, all the restaurants have "Christmas in July", with multi-course meals, Christmas trees, and Santa in attendance. There are lots of walks to do, including some easy ones for your senior, and the area is full of waterfalls and "grand-canyon-type" scenery. Daily access to Sydney is still possible (most Mountain people are commuters nowadays) so you are by no means confined to the area.

Mina, thank you so much for the recommendations. I will follow up on them. Alan, I loved your suggestion about the Blue Mountains, but our group wants to spend the time in Sydney itself. We will probably have 4 or 5 days there. Any other suggestions for Sydney?

Michael,<BR><BR>We're a family of four (two adults, two kids, 12 and 14) going in August, also for three weeks. While in Sydney, we're booked into the Medina Grand Sydney apartments. They are on the SW edge of the CBD, just a block from the Town Hall train station and within walking distance of Darling Harbour. Their website is http://www.medinaapartments.com.au/medina.cgi?rm=viewApartment&code=MGSK&section=intr o<BR><BR>We're visiting many of the same areas that you are. I have a detailed itinerary posted online with links to the properties & places that we are going. Drop me an email and I'll share the URL with you. <BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>John in Miami<BR>