Win a 28-day road trip with Apollo!

If you dream of a road trip around Australia but finances are an issue, there might just be another way!

A competition by Apollo Campers involves a bit of work but the winners get a luxury six-berth Apollo motorhome on a 28-day road trip following the itineray of their choice.

Entrants have to post blogs, photos and videos of their fantasy motorhome holiday for a shot at winning the $23, 000 holiday.

The prize also includes flights worth $5000, whale-shark diving in Ningaloo and trps to Kangaroo Island and Tasmania.

Yes Please!

www.facebook.com/ApolloCamper

Increasing number of families hit the road

Motorhome and campervan holidays are more popular than ever.
Research shows a steady increase in tourists hitting the road, with families leading the charge.
A recent survey by the Caravan and Recreational Vehicle Association of Australia (CRVA) found that:

• Visitors to campgrounds and caravan parks increased approximately 8% between 2008 and 2011.
• 7 million Australians have visited a camping ground or holiday park in the past 2 years, up from 6.5 million between 2006 and 2008.
• There was an increase in Australian families taking motorhome or campervan holidays, from 3.9 to 4.5 million visitors.
• 54% of visitors to caravan parks are holidaying with children
• Families with oldest child age 6 - 12 years found camping holidays the most relaxing.
• 58% believe these holidays are good value and the least expensive holiday you can have.

Kids Road Atlas - for the fun and the facts on your road trip

This fun atlas is designed for families by people with families to ensure it includes everything you need for travelling with kids. It doesn’t matter if you are planning a big road trip or a short break away, this atlas will help kids realise the journey from A to B isn’t just a mundane part to get through before you hit the fun stuff – it is part of the adventure.

No more choruses of “are we there yet” because each simple, fun atlas page is brought to life with a puzzle or game to help children pass the time. And every page wipes clean so the kids can use them again and again. Although the maps are easy for children to follow, they also show plenty of places of interest to younger travellers, including zoos and Australia’s famous ‘big’ things. It’s a chance for the whole family to stop at different places along the way and discover things they may not have known were there before.
Keep the kids involved in the progression of the trip by allowing them to keep track of the journey on their very own map. They can point out upcoming towns or attractions too. This atlas will make the idea of a family road trip less daunting and help you get your family out on the road making memories that will last a lifetime.

Features:
• 20 atlas pages covering all of Australia featuring zoos, theme parks and Australia’s famous ‘big’ things.
• Puzzles, activities and games to help children pass the time.
• Wipe off pages and a free reusable pen so the kids can use the book again and again.
• Suitable for children over four.

Purchase for $14.95 from the Exploroz Shop

Family Friendly Cafe open for Easter on Hume Hwy

On the Melbourne / Sydney route, Barney’s of Bookham is a kid friendly and pet friendly diner-style café located off the Hume Highway between Yass and Gundagai. It will be open throughout the Easter holiday to make sure that holiday-makers and locals have a place to stop and get some good, homemade food and coffee, rather than having to resort to the usual fast food.

Barney’s will be open every day from 9am-4pm including Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The café will be offering some special Easter treats including a Smoked Salmon Brekky Stack; a mouth-watering Smoked Salmon Baguette; Whiting Fillets and Chips served with a fresh side salad and for those people looking for a sweet alternative, special Easter Chocolate Muffins, all homemade on the premises.

The main menu offers a wide range of mouth-watering salads, sandwiches, homemade cakes and coffee, all made from locally sourced produce and freshly prepared in the café. Barney’s gourmet pies have been a firm favourite with visitors, offering a tasty range including Lamb and Rosemary, Pepper Steak, Curry Beef as well as a traditional Aussie Mince Pie. In fact the food has become so popular that it received a mention in the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2010 and 2011.

For customers wishing to take a piece of the country home with them, Barney’s stocks a wide range of some of the region’s best produce including La Barre olives and oil, Bush Roses and Barney’s own range of chutney’s, sauces and jams.

For further information on Barney’s at Bookham, call 02 6227 7220, visit www.barneysofbookham.com.au
Barney's of Bookham is located on Fagan Drive, Bookham, NSW 2582. 

Checklist helps to avoid disasters

The simple act of packing up and locking the fridge door is often overlooked by caravanners and can lead to one big mess when you end your journey.It's one of the tips within a comprehensive book on caravanning by noted tourer John Bashman. His book, Caravan Survival Guide, includes the raft of do's and don'ts, advice and hints and even cooking tips within its 320 pages. He has also included a check list to ensure everything is in order before setting off on your trip.

Available for $29.95 from www.exploreaustralia.net.au