Recommendations: Holidays in Australia

Australia is a must-visit if you’re living in Singapore; flight times are manageable and there are some cheap options if you keep an eye out for offers and shop around with different airlines. We asked readers and Expat Living staff – including a few Aussie expats – where they’ve been on holiday in Australia and the places they’d recommend.

Visiting the Gold Coast

Travellers: Kel and Michael Flanders, Australian; Avery (4) and Alexia (2)

After deciding to join our extended family on their Easter camping trip, we realised it would be more cost-effective (and more fun!) to hire a motorhome and drive from the Gold Coast to Airlie Beach. We opted for a six-berth van to give us a bit more space. The girls’ car seats were easily fitted (including Isofix points) to the forward-facing bench and off we set. I even surprised myself by driving on the first day!

It took us two days to get to Airlie; we loved the freedom of being able to pull over whenever we wanted and not having to wait for rest stops with fast food outlets. The girls also really loved being up high and seeing the amazing Australian countryside. The highlight of the trip was going to Cedar Creek Falls. Definitely a must-visit – the gorgeously cool fresh water and the roar of the very full waterfall were amazing!

Visiting Sydney

Traveller: Monali Anandpara, Indian

We’ve been to a few places in Australia in the last couple of months, including Sydney in May. The best thing about the country is its nature and untouched beauty; you have to see it to believe it. Australia is home to many different species of birds and animals not seen anywhere else in the world. It’s a delight for nature lovers like us who can fully immerse in its surroundings. Must-visits in and around Sydney are the Blue Mountains, Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Bondi Beach and Barangaroo area.

When we visited the Blue Mountains (a two-to-three hour drive from the airport), we stayed at Wombat Cottage at Majestic View, an Airbnb in the Hampton area. It was away from the main tourist attraction, the Three Sisters, but closer to the Jenolan Caves. We chose it as it was amidst the mountains overlooking the valley. It’s also known to have kangaroos in the backyard (we were not disappointed). An area which stands out for its nightlife in Sydney is Barangaroo. It’s home to several pubs and bars and also offers tourists an option to take a sunset cruise with meals on board.

Visiting the Southwest

Travellers: Juliet and Jason Keys, English and Australian

The southwest coast of Australia is one of our family’s favourite holiday destinations, and we have visited numerous times. A leisurely flight from Singapore and a three-hour drive from Perth, it’s an easy option for a short getaway. Having said that, you do you need longer to explore the region more thoroughly.

The drive along the coast road from the regional centre of Busselton, via the holiday towns of Dunsborough and Yallingup, through the world-famous surf beach of Margaret River and finishing at Augusta on Australia’s southwest corner, captures some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, and you feel a million miles away from the bustle of Singapore.

We usually stay in Dunsborough on Geographe Bay, which has a range of holiday accommodation options and a well-equipped shopping area. The turquoise waters are stunning and it’s the perfect place for families, whether it’s swimming, stand-up paddleboarding or fishing for dinner! There’s a great choice of restaurants and heaps to do with kids, from play parks and caves to animal farms and mazes.

A short drive around Cape Naturaliste to the Indian Ocean are some fantastic surf beaches where the white sands seem to stretch for miles. If the beach is not your thing though, there are plenty of other options, from exploring Margaret River town, known for its craft breweries, boutiques and world-class wineries, to coastal hiking trails and adventure tours. We particularly enjoyed kayaking on the beautiful Blackwood River.

Visiting Melbourne

Traveller: Veena Bajaj, Singaporean

While in Melbourne, I recommend taking the tram up to St Kilda for an afternoon basking on the beach. The area has a chill indie vibe, offering a feel of the laid-back Australian culture. There are also loads of fabulous eateries and ice cream parlours (Piccolina Gelateria is a must-try for authentic Italian gelato) within walking distance of the beach.

The main highlight of our trip was the coastal drive along the Great Ocean Road. Stops worth visiting along the way include Torquay for a surf on the beach, Port Campbell for fish and chips, and Kafe Koala at Kennett River for a chance to see wild koalas relaxing in their natural habitat. Also, don’t miss the famous Twelve Apostles rock formation and dropping by the Otway Harvest Trail, which highlights the best of the region, with local wineries, breweries, gourmet chocolatiers, fine cheese-crafters, home-made jam and spread makers, cafés and bakeries that use fresh organic produce.

We stayed at a genuine farm-stay accommodation called Johanna River Farm and Cottages, where we got up close to friendly sheep and llamas. We had a cosy cottage, perfect for two, with a lovely wood fireplace and a spacious patio. They also have larger cottages to suit families with kids and provide farm tours where you’ll get to feed animals, collect eggs from the chicken house and pick fruit from the orchard. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot some glow worms under the starry skies during night-time walks – or perhaps even a platypus! Owners Helen and Julian are fantastic hosts who are able to offer dining and recreational suggestions to suit your needs.

Visiting Dandenong

Traveller: Monica Pitrelli, American

We visited the Dandenong Ranges, a one-hour drive from Melbourne, and rented a house through Valley Ranges Getaways. We travelled here with our three daughters, ages six, four and three. The rental home was exquisite. It was as if Martha Stewart tossed you her house keys for a week – and we spent a good amount of time at the house eating charcuterie and cheese purchased from gourmet delis while the kids played in the shady three-acre yard. Despite the flight, this trip is easy for families, which is not a word I have ever connected to travelling with small kids. We dined at restaurants without reservations, parking was abundant, activities were close by and everyone was extremely friendly.

There are lovely restaurants in the mountain villages of Sassafras and Olinda, especially Proserpina Bakehouse (diet be gone!), King Henry Arts Cafe (wonderful playground for kids) and Brunch Cafe (best coffee and lovely owner). Healesville Sanctuary is an hour away, so you can get up close and personal with kangaroos, koalas and more. William Ricketts Sanctuary is a mossy hike through the forest to learn about one man’s dedication to preserving Aboriginal culture. Puffing Billy steam train is a must-do train ride, though we did miss it as there is so much to do – hikes, a kids’ maze, farmers’ markets, relaxing and letting the kids run around the yard. On our return to Singapore, I immediately booked the same house for the following year – a first!

Most memorable moments? The twilight feedings of the kookaburras that landed on our verandah every evening and the kids running semi-naked through the yard in the rain (their idea!).”

Visiting Point Leo

Traveller: Matthew Elton, British

I visited the beachside enclave of Point Leo, located on the stunning oceanside of the Mornington Peninsula. It’s just a 90-minute drive from Melbourne Airport, all on freeway until the last 20 minutes. It’s impossible to get lost but you need a vehicle to make the most of the stunning area.

Point Leo has two beautiful and very different beaches between the “point”. There’s a calm sandy beach with plenty of shallow water and rock pools for kids – it’s perfect for exploring with a paddle board (you can rent one from iconic local surf shop Trigger Brothers), and a wider, dune-backed surf beach where you can watch the locals performing tricks.

Point Leo is a five-minute drive from the laid-back charming peninsula villages of Flinders and Red Hill. They have amazing fresh produce and farmers’ markets, and there are over 30 cellar doors to explore within a 30-minute drive, including some of Australia’s best, such as Crittenden, Polperro, Foxeys, Quealy and Rare Hare. I have a beach house that I rent on Airbnb: Tranquil Point Leo Beach House (@pointleobeachhouse). It’s my bolthole, away from the hustle and bustle of Singapore. It’s a traditional cedar house with a couple of acres of lawns, a five-minute stroll from the sands. There’s something magical and calming about sitting on the deck and looking at the stars, with the sound of the waves crashing down on the beach (ideally with a glass of Point Leo Estate Chardonnay in your hand).

Visiting Tasmania

Traveller: Rebecca Simpson, Australian

Imagine if your favourite family road trip from the 80s had a baby with the best food and wine holiday you had pre-kids. That baby is a Tasmanian family holiday! It’s good ol’ fashioned family fun, with a side of locally grown food and pit stops at cellar doors for delicious and affordable wine. Heaven.

We visited Tasmania in January, which is quite a busy time because it’s the Australian school holidays. But January is a beautiful time to go – warm days and cool nights. Two holiday highlights for our family were a farm stay at Twamley Farm and watching the penguins at Bicheno Diamond Island Resort and the Penguin Parade.

Here are three tips for your journey. Firstly, slow down as there’s a lot to do. In a do-over, I would stay an extra night at each place and cover less. Secondly, get your city-slicker kids reconnected to the land at a farm stay if you can. Thirdly, invest in a collapsible Esky to leave in the car. It’ll keep lunches fresh or side-of-the-road food purchases cold.

Visiting Albany

Traveller: Verne Maree, South African

If you’re in Western Australia and you have the time, why not drive to Albany for a few nights? It’s about 400 kilometres (4.5 hours) from Perth. Both Albany and neighbouring Denmark (50 kilometres west) feature picturesque bay after halcyon headland after idyllic, white-sand beach, with one sweeping vista after another – simply magnificent!

We stayed at the comfortable and reasonably priced Dog Rock Motel. It’s just a couple of minutes’ walk from Albany town centre, and its Lime 303 restaurant was outstanding. It’s also just a five-minute drive from there to lovely Middleton Beach and also to the scenic old port. For me, the highlight was the nearby Torndirrup National Park and its impressive geological formations – The Gap and The Bridge. Full marks for the site’s safe accessibility via paths and viewing platforms, plus explanatory signage.

Albany is both geographically gifted and historically significant, so don’t leave without visiting Anzac Heritage Park and its state-of-the-art National Anzac Centre.

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This article first appeared in the August 2019 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!