Australia Queensland - any tips with a 23 month old?

buzzybee · 2003-12-22T02:47:10+00:00

Anyone have some good tips about places to stay and see in Queensland? Trying to decide between Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast (in late March). In particular recommendations for accommodation would be appreciated!

Original poster

buzzybee · 22/12/2003 20:55

Anyone?

OP posts:

Fennel · 23/12/2003 10:15

Hi

I really liked Cairns and all around there, and the Kuranda plateau above it (you go up on a mountain train which toddlers like), the beaches, the rainforest a bit north of Cairns (Port Douglas and Daintree). If you want cheap but child friendly accomodation the youth hostels have double and triple rooms, and kitchens, gardens/patios, swimming pools so lots of space to deal with a toddler. There's a good big aquarium in Townsville which is nice for toddlers but Townsville itself is boring.

marsup · 23/12/2003 10:37

Avoid swimming in rivers... have you seen the scary croc news?

slug · 23/12/2003 13:58

Another vote for Cairns. The village (Kurunda?) at the top of the cable car has lots of tourist things to do. The sluglet was utterly entranced by the butterfly scantuary and the bird place where thy came and ate out of her hands was worth the tacky money price just for the excited squeal. Rent a car and go up to the Atherton Tablelands. There's lakes, swimming and bush walks in the rainforest.

sjs · 23/12/2003 15:36

It's further up in North Queensland but highly recommend Port Douglas. Great town for family holiday we thought - nice cafes and friendly restaurants. Great beach (but can't remember if by March they will still have those jelly fish in Queeensland or not?). We stayed in self catering appts in centre of town - really nice with small swimming pool. Everything walking distance. Our dd was 18 months and we had a great time. There's a few things to do close by (wildlife parks to see kangaroos, birds etc). We flew into Cairns and then it was a hour or so in the car. Would definitely go back. If you are interested, I could post the accomodation we stayed at.

chloeb2002 · 26/12/2003 18:25

No advice on places im afraid but as an Aussie id make a couple of other recomendations.... assuming you havent taken Jnr before? When you get there go to coles or woolies and buy a bottle of Rid for children... or try the pharmasist? its an insect repellant that really works and stops bites itching too. Also very obvious but high factor sun cream buy it in Aus its better, and im not just saying that! I use supermarkey own ehrn we are own and zinc white so Dd looks like glen Mcgrath!! anyway enjoy travel safe!!! also aus has a differnt standard of car seat so if yours is still using one they are ace! should bolt into the boot of the car,
Very jealous dont get to go home till July! and only for 2 months before returning here to continue nurse training....

chloeb2002 · 26/12/2003 18:26

No advice on places im afraid but as an Aussie id make a couple of other recomendations.... assuming you havent taken Jnr before? When you get there go to coles or woolies and buy a bottle of Rid for children... or try the pharmasist? its an insect repellant that really works and stops bites itching too. Also very obvious but high factor sun cream buy it in Aus its better, and im not just saying that! I use supermarkey own ehrn we are own and zinc white so Dd looks like glen Mcgrath!! anyway enjoy travel safe!!! also aus has a differnt standard of car seat so if yours is still using one they are ace! should bolt into the boot of the car,
Very jealous dont get to go home till July! and only for 2 months before returning here to continue nurse training....

BadHair · 26/12/2003 23:45

Have relatives in Brisbane who are big fans of Gold Coast, so will mail them and get some advice. Let you know asap.

nutcracker · 26/12/2003 23:49

Sorry no advice but can i hide in your suitcase ???????

eidsvold · 27/12/2003 11:27

Sunshine coast - places like Caloundra - more family friendly than the gold coast... spent a lot of happy times as a kid on the sunshine caost - and now have taken dd there too and intend to do it a lot more when we move back to Brisbane

from Brisbane originally -

In April this year we took 8 month old dd -we stayed in a family villa type place - brilliant - but close to other places - you could walk everywhere - shops, cafes, beach - pool in the resort - very very reasonable - price wise Both of these were self contained so you could look after own food etc if you wanted to or if you wanted to dine out you could do that - or have a BBQ on the promenade of a night time.

First time - Golden Beach Resort (just dh and I)
last time with dd - Rydges Oasis resort

As well as using aussie sunscreen - ego sunsense - very good... we bought dd a sunshirt - 100% uv protection - then just had to sunscreen legs and bit of arms... for toddlers you can get ones that are like old fashioned swim suits but they are brilliant - cuts down on sand irritation and the amount of skin you need to apply sunscreen too. You can also get good legionaaires hats - flaps that cover ears and back of necks in the same lycra type fabric.

try these

here

rydges resort

Hope that helps.....

the other northern queensland places are good but I think they are just coming out of stinger season from memory.... and so you may be limited about where you can swim.