Must see attractions/places - travelling from VIC to FNQ up the coastline.

[DaintreeDream]

As the title suggests I am hoping people might share their number 1 (or 2,3,4...) top places/things to see and do while travelling the coast between the bottom of Victoria to Far North Queensland.

If you have been to an amazing (child friendly) festival or market or strawberry farm or animal santuary I would love to know!

We are looking at travelling the coast with 3 little ones (preschool aged) by car and although we are not going to plan our trip if there are any suggestions on things we must see or do then I welcome your suggestions. Exact time of year is to be confirmed but it will be in the warmer months

[Tinks]

Places we stopped at on the way to QLD were Ettamogah pub, there's a massive submarine in Holebrook which the kids absolutely loved, Dog on the Tuckerbox and the Big Banana.

We stopped overnight in Sydney and saw the sights there then drove up to QLD along the coast.

We only went as far as the Gold Coast but there's the Big Pineapple, Ginger Factory up further.

[aussienic]

Australia Zoo. We just went there and it was great

Where I live is pretty and its relaxing too (well I think so)

Cape hillsborough is gorgeous it is just past Mackay, as is Bowen and Eungulla

Agnes waters is another lovely spot to stop for a night or 2. (google all these names)

Are you camping or moteling it?

How exciting.. I love road trips

[DaintreeDream]

I just googled the big pinapple & banana I didn't realise that they had so much to see and do, I thought that it was like 'take a photo of the big banana' and keep driving

I like the look of the ginger factory.

[Tinks]

I've never been to the ginger factory but my nephew loved it and always talks about it.

[DaintreeDream]

I went to Australia Zoo about 10 years ago, it was very small then so it would be like a whole new place to me now

Ohhh I just googled all the names and had a quick look, they look beautiful!

We will be staying mostly in caravan parks (as we work in the industry it will be great to see other parks) although we will be either staying in a tent or cabin, we won't be taking a caravan/camper.

Back to look further into these places suggested thankyou!

[Rach75]

ok seeing as I have juts come back from travelling QLD

starting from the bottom, skip the expensive theme parks not worth it in my opinion kids too little to appreciate

agnes water beautiful relaxing I have a property there so I may be biased LOL
eungulla amazing little camp ground in eungulla its self they do have a cabin or 2 but if you have tents pick a pwd sit will cost you with the 3 kids $30 a night beautiful beautiful views over the pinoeeer valley below...you can go for a drive 5min to see platypus in the wild many many bush walks
bowen stunning peaceful quiet town (australia the movie was filmed there) you can walk out on the jetty pretend you are nicole kidman LOL ..big 4 park is the tops just beautiful
mission beach not a lot to do but because of the cyclone damage I encourage all to visit to help there economy
port douglas again big 4 park stunning.... close enough to drive into cairns to do usual tourist stuff
atherton just inland of cairns againn big 4 park LOL..there is a place called crystal caves amazing gem displays google it fantastic t

so those are my picks away from the usual tourist hype

[Epacris]

I love Tilba Tilba and Central Tilba on the NSW south coast.

[DaintreeDream]

I should proberly add that when we arrive in FNQ we will be staying so plenty of time to be a tourist at home there!

Did you happen to go to Paronella Park Rach? I could get lost there!

I agree that we won't be bothering with the theme parks and big tourist places as my oldest will be 3.5 years so to young to enjoy although DH does want to go to Seaworld. I want to do all the nature attractions, I also want to pick fruit lots of fruit! and hope to see a couple of wonderful markets along the way - homemade markets though not the markets you see in Melbourne, yuk!

I will add those places to my list since Rach & Nic suggested them, must be lovely. We are planning to drive about 4 hours a day so we will get time to enjoy different places everyday without the stress of being constantly in the car for long periods.

Mmm cheese factory at Tilba Tilba, no need to say anymore

[Rach75]

crap forgot to mention paranella yes a definate must do thought the kids will probably get bored, if you ring ahead you can stay a night in their park as part of the entry fee....and then you get to do the night tour as well ...

[aussienic]

Don't forget if you come to Boyne Island/Tannum Sands let me know I live here

[Just Me]

Strawberry Fields near the Sunshine Coast is fantastic for Strawberry picking. They have tables set up outside with a playground so you can stay and eat strawberries while the kids play. We go there everytime we go to the Sunny Coast. The kids love it and so do we because we can sit and talk while they play. It is also free entry - just pay for the Strawberries you pick (by the kilo) and anything you order from the cafe.

Apparently there is a free zoo in the Rockhampton botanical gardens - and it has a monkey. There is also a water park in Rocky.

There is a lagoon for swimming in Airlie Beach. My kids love it there.

Byron Bay in northern NSW is the most easterly point of Australia. The views from the lighthouse are really breath taking.

Townsville has a free water park at the Strand, Reef HQ (a reef aquarium), Billabong Sanctuary and me

Actually, if you do a search for RACQ top 150, it should come up with a webpage called 150 Must Dos in Queensland by RACQ. Have look through there. It was voted by Queenslanders in 2009 for our Q150 Celebrations. I think there are some good ideas listed on there.

And I have been to Paronella Park a few times. I love it! It is amazing!!!

[Rach75]

Townsville has a free water park at the Strand, Reef HQ (a reef aquarium), Billabong Sanctuary and me

actually I was going to say dont do reef HQ its a waste of money better of doing underwater world on the sunny coast much better IMO!!

yeah the botanical gardens in rocky are lovley....it has more than one monkey too

[Just Me]

They have just upgraded Reef HQ so it might be better - will let you know. I have year membership ... so I can go as much as I like for $37 per year with all four of my kids. It's great on days when it is hot or wet, which covers about 9 months of the year

If you keep an eye out on those Daily Deals through Lasoo and Cudo, I have seen some of those attraction passes come through on there with really good savings. Also check out Hot Dockets. They sometimes have some good discounts on there too. I never travel without checking out those things ... they often have good food vouchers and other things too so you can eat out for quite reasonable prices.

On the topic of discounts, do a google search for Entertainment Book. I got one that does Cairns, Townsville and Airlie Beach. It has so many discount vouchers for food, activities, sporting events ... it is really good value. We paid $50 for ours and made that back in two dinners out and we have a year to use it (it expires in June next year). If you are going to do the tourist thing around NQ and FNQ, the vouchers in there would be really good. Just something to think about anyway

[aussienic]

Oh if up near cairns try and get over to Green Island.. Although it might be to young for your kids but you might enjoy it..

[Phteven]

If you fancy big things.
There is a Big Prawn at Ballina. It is faded and sad and will probably be knocked down soon so you should get a photo.
I like the Big Avocado because it looks just like a pair of saggy tits by the road.
There is a Big Macadamia at the sunshine coast.

Byron is the most Easterly point in Australia. You could stop so you say you've been.

Some things are seasonal - whale watching is good if it is the right time of year.

[Rach75]

They have just upgraded Reef HQ so it might be better - will let you know. I have year membership ... so I can go as much as I like for $37 per year with all four of my kids. It's great on days when it is hot or wet, which covers about 9 months of the year

we were there 2 weeks ago and well to us it was over rated and over priced, underwater world on sunny coast is way better....

[feeb]

actually I was going to say dont do reef HQ its a waste of money better of doing underwater world on the sunny coast much better IMO!!

yeah the botanical gardens in rocky are lovley....it has more than one monkey too

They have just upgraded Reef HQ so it might be better - will let you know. I have year membership ... so I can go as much as I like for $37 per year with all four of my kids. It's great on days when it is hot or wet, which covers about 9 months of the year

If you keep an eye out on those Daily Deals through Lasoo and Cudo, I have seen some of those attraction passes come through on there with really good savings. Also check out Hot Dockets. They sometimes have some good discounts on there too. I never travel without checking out those things ... they often have good food vouchers and other things too so you can eat out for quite reasonable prices.

On the topic of discounts, do a google search for Entertainment Book. I got one that does Cairns, Townsville and Airlie Beach. It has so many discount vouchers for food, activities, sporting events ... it is really good value. We paid $50 for ours and made that back in two dinners out and we have a year to use it (it expires in June next year). If you are going to do the tourist thing around NQ and FNQ, the vouchers in there would be really good. Just something to think about anyway

We were in Townsville last week an we went to ReefHQ and it was crap a massive waste of money we were in and out in less than an hour and DS1 seemed confused as he loves melb aquarium and sees so much there that we stay hours!!

We did however LOVE billabong sanctury!!! and the free water park (look at pics on my fb DD)