Glorious coastline, abundant nature and a laid-back vibe.
Let me tell you about a school holiday idea that will make you very popular with the kids! GC Aqua Park is a giant inflatable water park at Broadwater Parklands in Southport on the Gold Coast. Think huge inflatable slides, towers to climb, obstacles to clamber over...
When I started planning our first trip to Japan, two weeks felt like the perfect amount of time. Japan is a long way from Australia, there’s so much to see, and I wanted to experience more than just Tokyo. In the end, we spent 13 days travelling through Osaka, Kyoto,...
Getting a ticket to the Abbey Medieval Banquet is definitely not easy. Held annually the week before the Abbey Medieval Festival and seating only 300 people, these highly sought-after tickets sell out within minutes. I've been trying to secure a spot at the banquet...
Alexandra Hills Hotel is a huge resort-style complex in Brisbane's southeastern bayside. Near coastal suburbs like Cleveland and Wellington Point, this pub with a playground leans into its coastal setting, with white furniture, leafy palms and a breezy ambience....
Dig IT is Australia's first excavator site designed for kids, located in Thunderbird Park on Tamborine Mountain, only an hour from Brisbane. It's a fantastic day out with the kids, perfect for the school holidays. Thunderbird Park Thunderbird Park is an adventure park...
We are lucky to have some wonderful animal experiences in South East Queensland. This guide to the best farms and zoos in the area includes family-friendly farms, zoos and animal encounters in and around Brisbane, including easy day trips to the Gold Coast and...
Everton Park Hotel is a massive hotel, pub and events venue in the Brisbane suburb of Everton Park. This newly renovated pub has one of the best outdoor playgrounds we've seen in Brisbane. Looking for more venues like this? Check out my full guide to Brisbane...
The Glen Hotel in Eight Mile Plains is a popular pub, hotel and event space. It's one of our favourite Brisbane pubs with a playground. Looking for more venues like this? Check out my full guide to Brisbane Pubs with Playgrounds – I’ll be adding more as I visit them....
Located in the Pacific Fair shopping centre in Broadbeach, the new Hello Kitty Café is fast becoming a Gold Coast icon. This Japanese café is cutesy and eye-popping and will be a huge hit with the kids. It’s no wonder it’s attracting quite a buzz. The Cafe The Hello...
Tamborine Mountain, only an hour from Brisbane, feels like another world. Climb the mountain and enter the rainforest, and you'll be met with tranquil settings, stunning views and excellent food and drink. Here's how I'd spend a perfect day in Tamborine Mountain....
The Pineapple Hotel in Brisbane is a historic bar and restaurant in Kangaroo Point. Built in 1864, this family-owned pub complex is the fifth oldest pub in Queensland. There isn't much left of the historic building frontage, but if you go out on the street, you'll see...
The QT Hotel is a modern, funky spot on the Gold Coast, so it stands to reason that their high tea offering would be just as contemporary and fun. I took my 9 year old daughter Rose with me to sample their Halloween high tea, "Trick or Tea", available daily throughout...
The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is a month-long annual festival of flowers held every September in the "Garden City" of Toowoomba. Throughout the city, parks and gardens burst into colour with spectacular floral displays. Think chrysanthemums, pansies, poppies and...
Just steps from the rainforest and a short stroll from Gallery Walk, Mountain Sanctuary B&B on Tamborine Mountain is a warm, welcome hideaway. This award-winning B&B offers a cosy base in the Gold Coast Hinterland, where you can expect a friendly welcome,...
Coolum is a beachside suburb at the northern end of the Sunshine Coast. This relaxed coastal town is known for its beautiful beaches, cafe culture and laid-back vibe. Here are five things to do in Coolum. 1. Hit the Beach If you're coming to the Sunshine Coast, you're...
The Full Moon Hotel is a bayside pub with a playground in Sandgate, just across the road from the ocean. Looking for more venues like this? Check out my full guide to Brisbane Pubs with Playgrounds - I'll be adding more as I visit them. Here's my full review of The...
So we all know I'm a self-proclaimed high tea expert. I'm from the UK, where afternoon tea is a big deal, and it's always been one of my favourite things to do. These days I live in Brisbane, but I definitely haven't lost my love of afternoon tea - or high tea as it's...
The Ekka is Brisbane's "Country to City" show. Officially titled the Royal Queensland Show, it's a massive annual event that showcases the best of Queensland and has been a tradition for 140 years. I was honestly sceptical at first - the thought of massive crowds, the...
Chocolate Country is a beautiful artisan chocolate shop in Montville, in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Selling handcrafted chocolates made locally in their factory, this is a true chocolate lover's dream, and a must-visit in Montville. The Chocolate Factory in Hunchy...
The Hills of Rivermakers is new lifestyle precinct in a historic setting by the river in Morningside. At the heart of the complex is Revel Rivermakers - a Brisbane pub with a playground that attracts groups and families looking to enjoy a relaxed Sunday afternoon...
The Coolum Social is a modern cafe and brunch spot in the Sunshine Coast suburb of Coolum. Just across the road from the beach, you'll find this light and airy cafe serving coffee, breakfast and lunch. The Setting Coolum is a beachside suburb at the northern end of...