4 Winter Family Activities

Ice skating

Australia’s favourite Winter Festival celebrating all things winter is back in 2012. Ice skate on Australia's largest outdoor ice skating rink, experience a multitude of Alpine inspired food, have a warming drink and some comfort food at the cozy alpine hut complete with warming fires. Bring the whole family along to watch the festivities including ice hockey and figure skating demonstrations. Locations of the festivals include Brisbane, Bondi Beach, Melbourne and Fremantle. Tickets can be purchased through the Winter Festival website.

Hiking

Why not take the family on a hike to warm up the body from those winter temperatures! Sydney siders only have to travel 50 minutes in order to reach the heavenly Blue Mountains. If you are in the Brisbane area why not take the family for a hike around the Mount Tamborine National Park. It’s only an hour’s drive and most tracks are short and relatively easy. If you’re in Melbourne and have a bit more time for driving, then why not venture to the Great Ocean Road. It’s a three hour drive but totally worth it! You can take the Great Ocean Walk where you will see the Twelve Apostles, then why not weave your way through beautiful National Parks.

London Bridge - Great Ocean Road

QLD winter weather

If you and your family are finding the winter weather unbearable, then why not consider a Queensland escape? Queensland’s climate is not as distinctive as the cooler climates of Australia’s southern states. In winter, Queensland has one of the world’s most delightful climates. The days are invariably mild, fine and sunny. If you head to Queensland’s coastal areas such as Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast or the Whitsundays you will experience warmer temperatures and rid of those winter blues!

Alexandra Headland - Sunshine Coast

Australia Zoo

Australia Zoo has great activities to entertain the family these winter school holidays. Watch Terri, Bindi and Robert feed their croc’s in the world famous Crocoseum during the 12noon Wildlife Warriors show. Don’t miss free wildlife shows, free kids rides, free face painting, free colouring competition and pony rides daily between 11am-3:30pm. Admission tickets can be purchased through the Sunlover Holiday website. Don’t miss the jaw snapping action!

Bindi Irwin - Australia Zoo

qualia - Hamilton Island

Located on the secluded and breathtakingly beautiful northern-most point of Hamilton Island is qualia. This beautiful resort has been named Best Australian Island Resort by Australian Gourmet Traveller’s 2012 Travel Awards and it is easy to see why. 

Set amongst native Eucalypts, and with breathtaking views of the luminous Coral Sea and neighbouring Whitsunday islands, the 60 luxurious pavilions with a sundeck or private infinity edge plunge pool provide the perfect space for guests to unwind in.

 

Outlook - qualia Resort

 There is plenty of space to soak up the island atmosphere in your personal pavilion which has all been designed with ocean views. Before you know it you will be relaxed from your head to your toes. 

The resort features two tranquil infinity-edged pools, two bars and exclusive restaurants, a private dining room, library, fitness centre and Spa qualia.

Spa quale is an award winning spa that offers you a completely unique sensory experience. The spa features an extensive range of luxurious local and international treatments.  

As you are so close to the Great Barrier Reef you can spend a day exploring above or below the surface. For the keen golfers, you can get picked up by helicopter and taken to Hamilton Island Golf Club. Take a cruise to the beautiful white sands of Whitehaven Beach or the Whitsunday Islands. 

Whitehaven Beach

How to get there? Hamilton Island has its own commercial airport with flights arriving daily from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns. When you get off the plane there will be VIP transport that will take you to your pavilion at qualia which is just minutes away.

Our Staff share their favourite Australian Holiday Experience

The staff at Sunlover Holidays have travelled extensively around Australia and are full of travel ideas, making them the perfect people to share with us their 'favourite Aussie holiday experience'.

Monique from Reservations

“Tangalooma Island Resort is one of my favourite ‘best kept secrets’!  Each time I go there I’m always amazed that this piece of paradise is just off the coast of Brisbane. I always feel as though I am in the Whitsundays!  Crystal clear water and perfect white sand. A unique highlight is the nightly feeding of the wild dolphins!”



Tangalooma Island Resort, Moreton Island via Brisbane 



Daniel from Sales

“I love Byron Bay in Northern NSW. It offers an eclectic blend of beach culture, rural farming, with the modern conveniences found in a thriving town. The people are the binding element to this area, from the characters you will meet at the Byron farmers market to the international visitors that are drawn here from all over the globe. Just in case you have not been tempted enough, the sheer natural beauty of Byron’s coastline and beaches will leave you feeling refreshed, inspired and wanting a taste for more.”

Lourdes from Sales Support

“My favourite holiday experience was Tasmania; Cradle Mountain in particularly, the place was simply out of this world, totally in tune with nature, the accommodation, the animals and just the general ambiance fantastic!”

Cradle Mountain - Tasmania



Breeze from Reservations

“The Whitsundays is my favourite holiday spot. From the pristine white sand that covers Whitehaven beach to one of the 74 magical islands, they all offer a different adventure to be had or a hammock to laze away your days.”

Whitehaven Beach

Julie from Sales

“I love Sydney! It is such a beautiful place to visit with so much on offer. Whether it be festivals, markets, shopping, dining or touring activities. You can either do as much or as little as you like. Did I mention the choice of accommodation options? Where do you begin? From budget to 5 star the choice is yours.”



Sydney City



Brooke from Reservations

“My favourite holiday experience in Australia would have to be Port Douglas. Not too big, not too small, great mix of fine dining and casual eating experiences. Four Mile Beach, backed by the beautiful Daintree Rainforest, is one of the jewels in Australia’s sandy crown! The Great Barrier Reef with its amazing marine life, pristine Cape Tribulation and the farmlands of the Atherton Tablelands are easy day trips from Port Douglas, all must-sees when you are in Topical North Queensland.”

Port Douglas

Hannah from Sales

“Last weekend I travelled to Broome which was incredible; the highlight being the day tour with Kimberley Wild, up the coast of Cape Leveque – stunning colours of the beache, red earth, white sand and blue skies of course! A must do for anyone travelling to Broome. Cable Beach Resort is excellent with fantastic facilities and I must say sipping cocktails watching that famous sunset was hardly tough work on a Saturday evening!”

Kimberly Wild Tour - Cape Leveque

Roylene from Reservations

"My favourite holiday destination in Australia is Palm Cove – no particular hotel, just the whole township. As soon as I drive in, along the Esplanade, I automatically feel like I’m on holidays and feel relaxed. The sea air, the relaxed feeling of the locals, the fact that it’s Australia’s Day Spa capital :) it just feels like holidays! The fact that it is so close to Cairns to restaurants and nightlife and also easily accessible to all day tours that operates in the fantastic Tropical North Queensland makes it the ideal holiday destination for me!"

Hamilton Island - Events in 2012

Hamilton Island will be hosting the Great Barrier Feast from 6 - 8 July 2012. This weekend will showcase the best of Australian haute cuisine with the chance to get up close and personal with the leading culinary and wine making experts. Guillaume Brahimi will swap his Sydney Opera House Kitchen for one with island views, when he joins the Great Barrier Feast event.

If you are not fussed about food, then check out the Gatorade Battle of the Paddles from 14 - 18 June 2012. The annual event offers competitions in four disciplines - Surf Ski, Stand-Up Paddle Boarding, Board Paddling and of course Outrigging.

Athletes will return to the island between 9 - 11 November for the Fujifilm Hamilton Island Triathlon and Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim. Consisting of a pictureque 750 metre swin in Catseye Bay, 20km cicle and 5km run through the Hamilton Island Marina Village the event has attracted some of the best Australian Olympic and Ironman athletes. 

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week occurs from 17 - 25 August this year, bringing one of the most superb sailing regattas in the world to the Whitsundays. The event mixes awe-inspiring sailing and glamourous on shore dinners and parties with over a thousand competitiors gathering on the island.

The magical Pas de Deux in Paradise by The Australian Ballet will return to qualia again this year for a weekend of remarkable performance, behind the scenes access and fine dining. To join this incredible event book your accommodation package with qualia for the 16 - 18 November 2012. 

To book your Hamilton Island getaway click here.