Christmas Newsletter 2008
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 When all the shopping is done and the presents are wrapped, it’s time to sit back and enjoy what Christmas is all about – spending quality time with family, friends and loved ones.
For our Christmas newsletter we have handpicked a selection of holiday ideas and specials to keep the family entertained over the Christmas break. Whether it’s a quick getaway for a European style white Christmas or simply turning on the television to see the best Christmas lights in the country, we have all the inspiration you need to make this a truly special holiday period for your family.
Christmas is also the perfect time to reflect on the year that’s been. In 2008 we have sincerely enjoyed bringing you the best family friendly destinations here in Australia and beyond. We appreciate the support of all our readers and look forward to seeing you in 2009.
From the team at Holiday with Kids, we wish you all the best for Christmas and the year ahead.
Cathy Wagstaff
Editor
Holidays with Kids magazine
www.holidayswithkids.com.au
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 White Christmas at Lake Crackenback: 25 December
Enjoy a traditional white Christmas down under at the Novotel Lake Crackenback Resort with a delicious buffet in temperatures that will make Santa feel right at home. Choose between lunch or dinner in the resort’s stunning waterfront restaurant, Cuisine on Lake Crackenback Resort. Santa’s little helpers will prepare a delicious Christmas buffet including mouth-watering seafood, traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings, a wide selection of hot dishes, gourmet salads and delectable desserts.
Christmas Lunch – adults $115, children (under 12) $49.50
Christmas Dinner – adults $ 60, children (under 12) $25
Bookings are essential, for further details please contact the resort on 02 6451 3000. www.lakecrackenback.com.au |
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 Australiana School Holiday Fun - Hunter Valley:
3 - 18 January
Not just for couples, the Hunter Valley also has lots to offer kids. From 3-18 January 2009, Hunter Valley Gardens is offering two weeks of Australiana School Holiday Fun, including Aboriginal craft and painting, face painting, Australian flag tattoos and Aboriginal dance and musical performances.
And to celebrate the school holidays, family accommodation packages are also available (valid from 1 Jan to 31 Jan). Starting at $189.00 per room per night at the Grand Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens packages include accommodation for two adults and two children under the age of 12; free breakfast for two children when their parents buy breakfast; free dinner for two children from the kids menu when dining with their parents; and a free gift for children on entry into the adjacent Hunter Valley Gardens.
For bookings phone the Grand Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens on (02) 4998 2000 or see www.grandmercurehuntervalley.com.au |
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New Year festivities in Singapore:
3 January - 15 February
The long awaited Year of the Ox begins on 26 January 2009 and the party to mark the occasion will be one to behold. Visitors to Singapore during January will be mesmerised by the island-wide celebrations. Watch the streets come alive with cultural displays, enchanting performances and of course, Singapore’s famed ‘light-up’ spectaculars which set the city ablaze with glittering lanterns and fairy lights. Highlights include the Chinese New Year countdown on January 25, the Chingay Parade January 30 and 31 January and the Singapore River Hongboa beginning January 24.
For further information about Chinese New Year festivities in Singapore log onto www.visitingsingapore.com or contact the Singapore Tourism board on 02 9290 2888 |
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 Be dazzled by Christmas lights on ABC TV:
24 and 25 December
Ever wondered what drives people to spend up to 11 months of the year and thousands of dollars on Christmas lights? Meet the Watsons, the Greenways and the Overtons, some of Australia’s most passionate Christmas enthusiasts, and discover the meaning and motivation behind their curious and creative passion.
Made by first-time director Lizzie Fisher, Christmas Lights introduces the characters behind some of Sydney’s most spectacular lighting displays, looking at the labour and motivation behind what for each family has become an obsession.
Christmas Lights premieres Wednesday 24 December 2008, 8.05PM on ABC2 and Thursday 25 December 2008, 10.05pm, on ABC1. |
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 Kids ride for $1 on Victoria's magical steam train
Australia’s most famous steam train – Puffing Billy – guarantees families a magical experience this school holidays with its special summer school holiday discounted family deals.
Purchase two adult return tickets from Belgrave to Lakeside or Gembrook and take up to four children for a total of only one dollar extra. That’s a great saving of up to $87. The whole family is sure to enjoy travelling 24 km through mythical forests, from the fern gullies of the Dandenong Ranges to Emerald Lake Park and Gembrook.
For further information visit www.puffingbilly.com.au for timetable details or phone 03 9757 0700 or email info@pbr.org.au |
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Rhythm of Africa at Weribee Zoo, Victoria:
3 January - 8 March
Give the kids a taste of African culture this summer. The Werribee Open Range Zoo is offering a line-up of exceptional musical acts and entertainment for the 2009 Rhythm of Africa summer season. This premier African music event will take place over 20 big nights in a savannah village where you will discover dancing, drumming, workshops, face painting, hair braiding, the food of Africa and more.
The Rhythm of Africa season kicks off on January 3 with performances every Saturday and Sunday night from 5.30pm (until March 8). Last safari departs 7pm.
For more information see www.zoo.org.au |
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 Summer concerts at Australia Zoo, Qld:
27 December - 26 January
Australia Zoo is set to become the coolest place to be this summer with a series of awesome shows featuring some of the world's greatest performers. Every week from December 27, there will be live performances in the world-famous Crocoseum. Come along to see Brian McFadden, Guy Sebastian, John Edward, Bindi and the Crocmen, and John Williamson. Make this summer the hottest ever at Australia Zoo, enjoy your favourite performers and an action packed day at the Summer Down Under concerts.
Win tickets!
For your chance to win a family pass to one of the concerts below, click here and tell us why you would love to go to one of the concerts. Don't forget to let us know your preferred date too.
Choose from Brian McFadden - 27th Dec, Guy Sebastian - 3rd Jan, John Edward - 10th Jan and make sure you enter by 12pm 24th December! |
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 Theatre in paradise at Port Macquarie:
1 January – 25 January
The Sundowner Breakwall Tourist Park in Port Macquarie has the perfect family holiday package to see in the New Year, combining a pristine beach setting with the excitement and wonder of live theatre. The New Year Family Theatre Package provides modern and spacious accommodation for 2 adults and 2 children in a self contained Spa Riverside cottage for 3 nights. See ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ at Players Theatre that get a theatre mini bar pack consisting of lollies, choc tops, coffee and soft drink. Further inclusions include a complementary cheese and wine platter for Mum and Dad on arrival.
For more information and bookings call 02 6583 2755, email info@sundownerholidays.com or visit www.sundownerholidays.com |
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Readers' tips - Holiday homes
Keep an eye out in the next issue of Holidays With Kids magazine for our special story on renting a holiday house. We asked our readers to let us know about the best holiday homes and here is what you had to say. Click here to read more tips.
Hawks Nest, NSW
“We stayed with another family at a great beach house at 20 Bennett St, Hawks Nest. It was only 50 metres walk to a beautiful white sand beach, and we went on koala, dolphin and whale watching trips with the kids most days. Jacquie M
South Yunderup, WA
“Just an hour south of Perth, WA, is the hidden treasure of Pelican House, set on the canals in South Yunderup. The five-bedroom two-bathroom house is set up with everything you might need including a pool table! Pelican House has its own private jetty and paddle boats are available on the canal. Veronica Harrison
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 Wear the Aussie flag this Australia Day:
26 January
From thongs to caps and singlets, Australian Geographic has Australia Day covered for the whole family. Celebrate and promote your love for the great southern land by flying the Aussie flag with pride or dressing in it from head to toe. For sun worshippers the Flag Cap ($14.95) will keep the sun off your face, the white singlet ($19.95) featuring the flag is a true Aussie staple and women’s bikinis sporting the flag are also available.
To view the full catalogue online or locate your nearest Australian Geographic shop go to www.australiangeographicshop.com.au |
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HOT DEALS -
Click on the links below or go to our homepage for more great offers at www.holidayswithkids.com.au
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Top Christmas toys
Santa is one step ahead this year. His elves have hit the shops and reported back on some of the most popular toys for boys and girls. Here’s 12 of the best from Mattel. Go to www.mattel.com for more information on the products.
Boys |
Girls |
| Tyco Rc Wheelie Cycle RRP: $159.00 |
Princess Alexa and Princess Liana RRP: $49.95 |
| D-Rex RRP: $299.00 |
Stylin Studio RRP $109.99 |
| Hot Wheels Trick Tracks POWER LOOP Stunt Set RRP: $69.00 |
Barbie Cruise Ship RRP: $129.95 |
| Hot Wheels Hollowback Boombox RRP: $49.95 |
Barbie B-Smart Learning Laptop $119.99 |
| Imaginext Playsets - Fire Rescue/Ocean Boat RRP: $89.99 |
Little Mommy Gotta Go Doll RRP: $119.95 |
Boys and Girls |
| Disco Dancin' Wubbzy RRP: $79.99 Laugh & Learn Fun with Friend's Musical Table RRP: $99.99 |
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Win a 7-night family holiday to Club Med Lindeman Island!
Click here |
Win a Marley & Me family prize pack
Click here |
Win a 7-night family holiday in Vanuatu!
Click here |
Win a family pass to Australia Zoo!
Click here |
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About Holidays with Kids - we're growing!
Holidays with Kids is, officially, the most popular audited travel magazine in Australia reaching both consumers and travel agents with 60,000 copies and more than 600,000 readers. Holidays with Kids is also available in Air New Zealand and Virgin Blue airport lounges, on outbound flights for Garuda and Emirates and in the lounges and on the aircraft of Australia’s leading airline, Qantas. Our magazine is also available in the US and Asia.
To find out more about the magazine, the latest travel specials for families and our incredible competitions and giveaways go to www.holidayswithkids.com.au |
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