Kids go free to the Great Barrier Reef

Kids go free to the Great Barrier Reef these School Holidays and all through April.

This tour takes you out to Moore Reef for a full day outer reef experience. The outer reef is where you'll see the best coral and there are a number of great activities for children of all ages to participate in while you're there:

• The touch tank & marine biologist's talk helps children to learn about the reef
  
• The children's fully enclosed shallow swimming area is perfect for under 5's to paddle in
  
• The Underwater observatory allows non-swimmers to see the reef without getting wet
  
• The semi submersible takes you on an underwater tour of the reef
  
• Glass bottom boats
  
• Fish feeding

Click here to find out more about this great deal.

Kids Go Free Wildlife Safari deal

Gone Wild tours are offering one child free with every two paying adults these school holidays! On this tour you'll have the chance to see friendly Rock Wallabies, amazing birds of prey, and you'll go looking for wild platypus. After a delicious dinner you'll go on a night tour in search of possums, banidcoots, pademelons and other nocturnal wildlife.

Tour Itinerary

1.30pm - Depart Cairns

1.50pm - Henry Ross Lookout for great views over Cairns

2.20pm - The Termite Fruits & Vegetable Stall to taste some seasonal fruit

2.50pm - Granite Gorge Nature Park to hand feed the rock wallabies

3.30pm - Go In Search of Wildlife on the way to our next destination

5.00pm - Bonadio's Mabi Wildlife Reserve

5.05pm - Birds Of Prey & Animal Show

5.30pm - Spot a Platyous on the banks of the Barron River

6.00pm - Dinner Time

7.30pm - Rainforest NightWalk

9.30pm - Return to Cairns

This offer is valid until 28 April 2009. Click here to find our more

School holiday fun

Here are my top 10 fun ideas for kids to do in the Tropical North region these school holidays:

1. Show your kids the Great Barrier Reef – Kids go free to Moore Reef (during April)



2. Spend the day at beautiful Green Island or Mission Beach



3. Take a walk in the rainforest – there are lots of great walking tracks, swimming holes and waterfalls. Some of our favourite spots are:
   · The Waterfall Circuit
   · The Misty Mountains
   · Local swimming holes



4. Get wild – head out to one of the Wildlife parks our favourites are:
   · Johnstone River Crocodile Park
   · Cairns Tropical Zoo
   · Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve



5. Discover Queensland’s No 1 attraction – Paronella Park in the Cassowary Coast


6. Learn more about indigenous Australian culture at Tjapukai or on a guided walk with Guurrbi Tours



7. Go camping at Lake Tinaroo



8. Step back in time on the Ravenshoe Steam Train



9. Visit the outback and spend a couple of days at Undara



10. Explore the Cairns Highlands – we recommend a visit to:
    · Crystal Caves
    · Lake Barrine
    · Mungalli Creek Dairy

Wordless Wednesday

Photo Friday - Island Life

This picture is a favourite of mine, of my youngest son taken at Russell Island a coral island of the Great Barrier Reef in the Franklin Islands group not too far from Cairns, Australia.

The island has a large natural lagoon, pictured here, which has coral, sea cucumbers, little crabs, fish and seastars, its quite shallow so its perfect for kids to explore. The island also has a large hill covered with thick rainforest, with a trail which takes you right up to the unmanned lighthouse at the top and has gorgeous views across the ocean and back to the coast. It's quite an adventure climibing the track though as it is often overgrown by wait-a-while and other vines, and populated by huge golden orb spiders and large colonies of noisy bats!

This post is part of a collection of travel photos featured at Delicious Baby, please click the link to see more great family travel pictures from around the world. A big thank you to Debbie at DeliciousBaby.com for organising this.

Peace

Green family travel in Australia

Fancy green family travel in Australia? Cairns Family Holidays offers exciting family-friendly packages in tropical North Queensland

One package is cruises by Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises, which has received the highest level of certification in Eco Tourism Australia’s Climate Action Certification Program. On Green Island, families can experience lush, tropical island life and the spectacular Great Barrier Reef.
The carbon neutral company reduces emissions and offsets remaining ones through Greenfleet Australia. Passengers can also offset their carbon footprint at cruise check-in.
For more info, visit Cairns Family Holidays online.

Article courtesy of Traveling the green way

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See the Great Barrier Reef with kids

Still on my list of must-sees in the wider world is the Great Barrier Reef, but I've been warned many times that I'll just have to wait until my children are older... and here we are with another one on the way. Friends and family members who have made it out to the reef have cautioned me from their own experiences that it’s a long monotonous haul just to get out there, involving small speed boats, choppy waters, etc., and then of course everyone abandons the boat to take to the water. In other words, it’s no place to take a baby.

Think again. If you’re considering a family vacation in Australia, don’t rule out an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef just because you have a baby, toddler, or any assortment of very young children along for the ride. With a Sunlover Reef Cruise, your entire family (even the non-swimming members in diapers) can enjoy a leisurely daytrip from Cairns to the outer Great Barrier Reef in total comfort with family-friendly amenities, including stroller-friendly decks.

Children who aren’t ready to test the open waters can enjoy finding Nemo with a guided viewing of the coral and its creatures from a “semi-submersible” and glass-bottom boat. They can also touch some of the unique marine animals they’ll see in a marine touch tank onboard. And when they’re finished with that, let them enjoy the children’s wading pool on deck while you relax at sea.

Parents may enjoy taking turns with their snorkels or taking advantage of Sunlover’s included introductory and certified scuba diving, plus world famous Seawalker Platform Helmet Diving (extra fee). All snorkeling equipment is provided, along with a hot buffet luncheon including fresh seafood, and afternoon tea.

Children under 4 years old are always free on Sunlover Reef Cruises, and from now through the end of January 2009, children 4 through 14 years may cruise free with paid adults. Find out more at the sites for Sunlover Reef Cruises and Cairns Family Holidays.

For more info: See more family-friendly vacation ideas and read reviews of family attractions in Australia’s Tropical North Queensland in this helpful section at Cairns Family Holidays. For help planning travel overseas with a baby or young child, check out Shelly's book Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide for Planning Trips with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschool-Age Children..

Article by Shelly Rivoli Author of 'Travels with Baby' Read More