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Travel Tips & Information
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 | Australian and International Weather Forecast
Want to know what the weather is going to be like at your holiday destination? Why not check out the Australian forecast by clicking here, and international weather here. |
 | Australian Customs
Are you sure you are not endangering Australia with a harmless looking souvenir? Check what you can and can't bring back into Australia |
 | Currency Converter
Use this currency converter to work out your costs when planning an overseas trip, or to check what you are spending while you are travelling overseas |
 | Family travel resource guide
These excellent resource guides will give you information and links to state tourism offices, motorist associations, farm stays, national parks and much more. They are available for New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and Victoria.
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 | Global Tourism Offices
Handy website addresses to help you plan your holiday with kids in Australia and overseas! |
 | Lonely Planet
Find more information on holiday destinations on this great site. You can also shop online for Lonely Planet books, maps and travel gear. |
 | MasterCard ATM Locator
Need to cash to buy friends back home that special souveneir? Find MasterCard ATMs anywhere around the world with just one click |
 | Passports and Visas
Are you ready to make that first family trip overseas, but are unsure of how to go about getting passports for yourself or your children? |
 | SeatGuru.com
Travelling with a baby or active younger children? This fantastic site has online seat maps for most major airlines. Whatever your travel priorities may be, SeatGuru.com will help you find the seat that best suits your needs |
 | Secure Sentinel
Secure Sentinel is Australia's leading provider of registration and protection services to minimise the risk of fraudulent use of lost or stolen financial cards and mobile phones, and to assist with the retrieval of personal possessions.
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 | Smartraveller.gov.au
Even the most experienced travellers need good travel advice. This government site contains handy tips for overseas travel, advice on issues commonly affecting Australians overseas and the latest travel advice. |
 | Star Ratings
Ever wondered what star rating of accommodation providers are based on? Here is a guide courtesy of Octopus Travel as to how they are rated.
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 | USA Information Web Service
The United States will introduce the new Visa Information Web Service and Appointment System in May. The service will provide timely and accurate information to the public regarding how to apply for a visa to enter the United States of America. |
 | Visa ATM Locator
Find Visa ATMs around the world. When you're strapped for cash and away from home, use this site to find ATM outlets |
 | World Time
Want to know the local time at your holiday destination? Do you want to check the time before calling a friend overseas? Why not use the World Time Server |
 | Sydney Motorways
The Sydney motorways website is your complete guide to using Sydney's motorway network. You can calculate the cost of your trip, check traffic conditions or find out about electronic tags and passes. |
 | Avoid A Hotel Horror Story This Summer
Best Western appreciates that accommodation is a crucial component of any holiday, as an unpleasant hotel experience can ruin all the fun and relaxation of an otherwise perfect trip. Each year, Best Western conducts research into what guests want from their accommodation |
 | Camping with Kids
If you really want to see pure, unconditional excitement, watch kids when they go camping. Camping with children is a fascinating experience that they will cherish for years to come. |
 | Camping with Pets
The Parks and Wildlife Services throughout Australia clearly state the following in regard to visiting, or camping, with your dog, or other pets for that matter, within National Parks.
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 | Childcare for all ages
You, the reader, asked for it, so here it is – finally a list of resorts that not only welcome the whole family, but can take care of the little ones as well. |
 | Do you understand what star ratings mean?
Most hotels/motels in Australia are rated by the Australian Automobile Association’s STAR rating system. Many people use this information to select their accommodation without fully knowing what they mean. Visit www.aaatourism.com.au to see how these are awarded and what you can expect from each star rating. |
 | FREE Travel Brochures
ETBrochures Australia is a FREE consumer travel brochure service with information, resources and holiday ideas for unique getaways. |
 | Holiday stress - spending time together can be stressful
A family naturally expects to have a good time on holidays. However, it is worth remembering that most families only spend a few hours per day together because of work, school and recreational pursuits. Find out how you can balance your time together and have a holiday to remember |
 | Kids in cars
Driving long distances with kids in the car can be a nerve-splintering experience. It can also be dangerous as accidents can happen when you’re distracted by the screams and cries of children fighting in the back seat. But don’t despair, there are ways of keeping kids amused |
 | Malaysia shopping tips
Here are a few shopping tips that Tourism Malaysia has put together to make your Malaysian shopping experience even more enjoyable |
 | Michelle's Kuala Lumpur shopping tips
Kuala Lumpur is a great place to shop. Read all about the location and opening times for the best places. Tried, tested and recommended by our editor, Cathy Wagstaff |
 | Park, Bark & Purr, Sydney Airport
Park, Bark & Purr, Sydney Airport is Australia's first on-airport pet boarding facility. It offers state-of-the-art boarding accommodation for cats and dogs. Located near Sydney Airport's Long Term Car Park they offer the ultimate in convenience. Simply drop your pet off, park your car and then catch your flight. While you're away your pet will play! |
 | Planning your holiday
Holidays are a vital part of life: not only for a change of scenery and the chance to do something different, but also for the opportunity to recharge your batteries and spend quality time with your family |
 | Readers' travel tips
Helping to avoid hearing those four, dreaded words, “Are we there yet?”, here are a few suggestions from your fellow readers that may keep your little ones happy during those long trips |
 | Responsible Travel
Kerry Lorimer investigates how to get the most out of your family holiday experiences while giving back to the local community. |
 | Tips for travelling with children
For many, the best part of a holiday is the 'getting there'. If your child is old enough, involve them in planning for the trip so they can get excited about it. There are many ways you can reduce the stress |
 | Travel Tips for Women
Information on dress codes in different countries, security suggestions, health concerns, pregnant travellers, travelling alone with children |
 | What NOT to pack
As you pack your bags to return home (or to begin your holiday), take special care to avoid packing items that could get you in trouble at customs. |
Travel Games and Activities |
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Are we nearly there yet?
Here are some suggestions to turn your journey, and your holiday, into an enjoyable family experience - and at least postpone the inevitable question! |
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Games to play in the car
Dreading a road trip with kids who are impatient to get out, pitch a tent, have a dip in the pool, or play some beach cricket? These games will help keep the kids amused in the car |
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Raising money for childrens' charities in India
Early in 2006 a group of enthusiastic parents with children at the International School of Hyderabad, kicked off a project to write a travel guide to India especially for children, in order to raise oney for childrens' charities in India. |
 | Personal Porter™
Personal Porter™ is the newest and most innovative service in the travel industry. Personal Porter™ provides a door-to-door luggage delivery service, allowing the traveller to embark on their journey with hand luggage only, whilst Personal Porter™ takes responsibility for the safe and reliable delivery of the luggage they would normally check-in at the airport. Using the most advanced eLogistic solution, Personal Porter™ provides a completely seamless and online booking experience. Automatically generating all documentation requirements and emailing them back to the customer, they simply print them off as per the instructions and along with their luggage, hand to the courier upon pick-up. With the increase in luggage mishandlings at airports, the reduction in luggage allowances and the increase in excess luggage fees, Personal Porter™ provides an essential service to the travel industry. |
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Hire all your baby needs
Lessen the burden of your next holiday by hiring what you need for the babies and toddlers at your destination. Bulky items (prams, cots and car seats) are all available to hire through baby equipment hire companies around Australia. If staying at a hotel, check to see what they can supply for you. |
 | Pack smart these school holidays
In the excitement of preparing for a road trip during the school holidays, safety can quickly be forgotten, warns motoring expert Repco. Aside from the essential mechanical roadworthy precautions before setting out on the open road, the journey can be a lot safer and more comfortable if the car is packed securely. |
 | Australian customs changes from February 1 2005
Changes to Australian customs by-laws governing passenger and crew duty-free concessions are to be implemented from February 1 2005, after recommendations for amendments were approved by the Australian Federal Government |
 | No Fruit. No Fine.
A little bug could cost you big dollars. Take care when travelling by road - an apple snack in the car could cost you $200 |
 | The Paperboy
Want to be up-to-date with the current affairs during lengthy overseas trips? The Paperboy has links to over 5700 newspapers all-over the world |
 | Star Allergy Alerts
Donna Rendell is the mother of 5 year old Stella, who has life threatening food allergies. "It became apparent early on that simply telling people about Stella's allergies to nuts and eggs was not enough; I needed something for her to wear which was colourful and eye-catching". Star Allergy Alerts main aim is to promote allergy awareness in a fun, child-friendly and practical way. |
 | Travelling with Food Allergies
One of the great pleasures of travelling is the opportunity to sample different foods. But for anyone with a food allergy or food sensitivity, sampling new foods can be an uncertain or, at worst, a dangerous proposition.
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 | Air Travel Companion
Air Travel Companion is a new service making qualified carers available to escort young, elderly or infirm travellers on long journeys, ensuring they travel comfortably and arrive safely. Under the service, registered nurses will accompany a traveller door-to-door, from departure to arrival and hand-over to loved ones, organising wheelchair assistance and special seating, administering medication and providing any other necessary assistance throughout the flight. |
 | How to cope with motion illness
One of a parent’s most dreaded phrases to hear mid-way through a long car trip? “Mum, I don’t feel so good”. Worse yet: “I’m going to be sick”. The worst: regurgitation of lunch without warning. Beats “Are we there yet?” any day. |
 | The Travel Doctor
This site provides up-to-date information on medical news around the world. It provides fact sheets, Travel Health Advisory Report and Travel Doctor locations. Find out what vaccinations you and your family need to keep safe |
 | Keeping cool with St John this summer
As the weather heats up and people spend more time outdoors, St John is sending a timely reminder to keep first aid skills up-to-date. There are a number of common ailments that affect people more frequently in the summer months such as sunburn, bluebottle stings, bee stings, burns and heat exhaustion |
 | Safe motoring tips
Child occupant safety is of crucial importance at holiday time, when motorists undertake longer drives than usual. Here are some tips for keeping young travellers safe during the drive |
 | Travelling safe with Asthma
The following is a check list of tips for asthmatic would-be travellers by the National Asthma Council of Australia |
 | How safe is your child's car seat?
Holden is launching a free mobile child restraint inspection service in Sydney to raise awareness about the proper use of infant capsules and child seats |
 | Breastfeeding and travel
Breast milk is naturally sterile and contains immune factors, so it is the safest drink for your baby while travelling. |
 | Children – heat and safety
In hot weather it can be very easy for children to suffer from heat exhaustion, or worse still, heat stroke. Too much activity in the sun, not enough liquids, leaving kids in hot cars and unsuitable clothing can put your child at risk. Young children are very sensitive to heat and are at greater risk of heat stroke. |
 | Motion Sickness
Children between the ages of four and 12 years are particularly prone to motion sickness. Motion sickness is also known as travel sickness. Other popular terms depend on the mode of transport: for example, airsickness, carsickness or seasickness |
 | Flying with Kids
Helpful suggestions courtesy of Singapore Airlines for travelling with children on aeroplanes |
 | Jet lag and tips on how to deal with it
Jet lag is a subjective feeling experienced after a long flight through several time zones. It is caused by the traveller’s body clock - their “circadian rhythm” - being out of phase with the ‘real’ time at their destination. The following information is a guide on how to deal with jet lag |
 | Children and airline travel
Travelling by air with children can be challenging, but planning ahead can reduce parental stress. Young children may find the confinement difficult to handle, especially during long flights, and the change of cabin pressure during take off and landing can hurt their ears. On the other hand, travelling by plane can be an exciting adventure for children. |
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