How to Prepare for an Outback Driving Holiday

With so much amazing countryside to explore, choosing to take a driving holiday within Australia is a fun and often cheaper option than heading overseas. There are so many beautiful natural wonders to discover within a few hours drive of each of our main cities, and it is important to support our local tourism industry and businesses.
According to News.com.au, Tourism Queensland is trying to increase the number of Australian tourists staying in the country, hoping that Australians will recognise the great travel adventures in their own country.
Once you have decided where you want to go, you then are faced with a big challenge — what are you going to pack? When planning on driving for hours, the last thing you want is to be squished between suitcases, fishing rods and Eskies. It is important to plan your trip in advance to make sure your holiday is as fun and carefree as possible.

Before You Leave

Make sure you inform family and friends of where you are planning on going and for how long you expect to be away. Make sure your car has recently been serviced, and it is important that you have sufficient car insurance in case of an accident. Many insurance companies offer good deals that will give you peace of mind when driving on country roads without breaking the bank.

Do Your Research

Before you leave home, research into where you are going. There are hundreds of websites and blogs that offer great ideas on interesting activities , beautiful areas to discover and fabulous food to try. Learning about your destination to get more out of your holiday is possible if you do your homework.

What to Pack

It is good idea to pack your car light if you plan on being in your car for a good portion of the trip. If you need any extra items, you will most likely be able to find a shop on the road. Overloading your car can result in excess wear on your car tires, limited visibility of the road and can be dangerous in the event of an accident.
If necessary or possible, strap extra items to the roof racks and make sure they are well-secured and do not add too much extra weight to your vehicle. If you are planning on travelling in remote areas, make sure to have extra water and food in case of an emergency.

Travelling With Children

Family holidays can be great fun, but the car trip can be stressful for both parents and kids. Make sure you have plenty of entertainment for your children for long drives and try getting them interested in the countryside — family games like "eye spy" or a list of things to spot through the window can keep kids entertained for hours.
By being organised and planning your trip in advance, you are guaranteed to have an exciting and adventurous holiday on our great Australian roads.

Guest post by Kate Myers

100th ebook SOLD!

Thank you Brian Moffatt for being the 100th person to purchase a copy of Discover Australia Kids 'n' All!! I hope you enjoy it and find it useful.

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Hobart makes Lonely Planet Top 10 City Destinations for 2013

Wowed by dining hot spots, natural beauty, friendly locals and the marvellous MONA, Winsor Dobbin says the time to visit Hobart is now.

While the rest of Australia expressed amazement at Hobart being named by Lonely Planet as one of the top 10 city destinations for 2013, there was no such surprise among the capital's residents, who have long known they are on to a good thing.

There is a real vibrancy about Hobart these days.

According to Lonely Planet, Hobart's "allure has always been its natural beauty ... but the arrival of the world-class MONA museum has the waters rippling, hip tourists flocking and Hobart rousing from its slumber".

Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/travel/all-hip-and-happening-20121109-292ym.html#ixzz2CphVNCIq

ActiveActivities is an Australian website for Australians with the sole aim of bringing the widest range of kids activities, events, resources and kids activity providers together for mums, dads, grandparents, step mums and dads, aunts and uncles, carers or just about anyone looking to entertain a child.

Activeactivities.com.au has over 50,000 listings across Australia and growing, and our focus is only on kid’s activities for young children. We are continually expanding our listings, events, venues and resources guides as well as adding new functionality to bring you, the user the best possible experience.

Heading Off the Beaten Track

Each year hundreds of 4WD vehicles leave the bitumen for an offroad adventure! If you are looking to take on one of Australia's most challenging 4WD tracks, here are seven of the best:

The Cape-Telegraph Road / Penninsula Development Road, QLD

• The route to the northern-most point of mainland Australia
• Starts at Lakeland
• 743km - five days or more
• Best travelled April to October
• Archer River to Bramwell Junction is the longest distance between fuel and supplies (162km)
• Hard, rugged drive.
• Highlights include ancient Aboriginal art and the ruins of Somerset.

Simpson Desert, SA & QLD

• Birdsville to Dalhousie Springs
• 440km - four days or more
• Closed from last week in Nov until the end of Feb
• Always check conditions before setting out
• Mt Dare to Birdsville is longest distance between fule and supplies (511km)
• Extremely remote drive, crossing hundreds of dunes separated by salt and clay pans.
• Attach a flag to your aerial at all times for visibility in dunes. Dunes continualy moving with some steep drop offs. The grow in height as you travel east so crossing from west to east is best.
• Highlights include old ruins, The Knolls, Poeppel Corner (meeting of 3 states), Big Red highest of the sand dunes.

Binns Track, SA & NT

• Mount Dare to Timber Creek
• 2191km (at least 10 days) or break into four separate sections
• Always check road and weather conditions before trip
• Attach flag to your aerial in the dunes
• Longest distance between supplies and fuel - Mt Dare to Santa Teresa (344km)
• Highlights include Gregory National park, Simpson Desert, Old Andalo Homestead, rare acacia peuce trees, ancient rock carvings, Santa Teresa Aboriginal community, gem fossicking, Devils Marbles and more.