 I’ve always loved travel. Long before I had children, I dreamed about exploring new places, wandering unfamiliar streets, and experiencing cultures far from home. But like many people, I didn’t always have the time or resources to travel as much as I wanted. Ironically, by the time I finally could take the trips I’d been dreaming about… I had two small children. And suddenly everyone had an opinion. I was told travelling with kids should be limited to “family-friendly” resorts. I was told long flights and exotic destinations were unrealistic. I was told to save those kinds of trips for when the kids were teenagers — or to travel solo instead. But I didn’t want to wait 10 or 15 years to see the world with my family. So we didn’t. Both of my children had passports by the time they were six weeks old. Before their first birthdays, they had already travelled to several overseas destinations. Was travelling with babies and toddlers always easy? Of course not. Family travel comes with its own unique set of logistical challenges. But over time we developed little systems and habits that made travelling smoother, less stressful, and — most importantly — genuinely enjoyable for all of us. And one of the simplest travel hacks we’ve adopted has made a surprisingly big difference.  Our Secret Weapon: Colour Coding It might not sound revolutionary, but colour coding has been one of the most effective ways we’ve simplified travelling as a family. The idea is incredibly simple. Each family member gets their own colour. When we buy travel gear — luggage, backpacks, accessories, and anything else that travels with us — we buy it in that person’s colour. My son’s colour is blue. So his suitcase, backpack, iPad case, packing cubes, toiletries bag, passport cover, and travel charger are all blue. My daughter, husband and myself all have our own colours and corresponding coloured travel items. This small system has made a huge difference. Why It Works So Well When the kids were younger and I was packing for everyone, colour coding made it incredibly easy to organise everything. I could lay all the items out and instantly see what belonged to whom. At the airport, it’s even more helpful. Our luggage is easy to identify on the carousel, and everyone knows exactly which suitcase is theirs. No confusion. It also prevents one of the most common travel annoyances: accidentally leaving things behind. If you have four identical phone chargers plugged into a wall in a hotel room, it’s surprisingly easy to miss one when you leave. But when everyone’s charger is a different colour, each person simply collects their own and packs it with their belongings. Over time, this also gave the kids a sense of ownership and responsibility. They became responsible for everything in their colour, which helped them become more independent travellers.  A System That Grew With Us
Originally, I thought this colour-coding system would only be useful when the kids were little. But it worked so well that we never stopped. Now it’s second nature for all of us. I don’t even consciously think about it anymore — it’s just how we travel. Every now and then we’ll get comments at the airport about our colour-coordinated luggage lineup, and it always makes me smile. Because sometimes the simplest travel hacks turn out to be the most effective.
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 Australia is a road trip paradise, offering an incredible variety of landscapes, activities, and attractions that are perfect for families. From sun-soaked beaches to rugged mountains and lush rainforests, there’s a road trip for every type of family adventure. Whether you’ve got toddlers in tow or teens who love to explore, here are three of the best Australian road trips for families: 1. The Great Ocean Road (Victoria) Arguably one of the most iconic road trips in Australia, the Great Ocean Road is a must-do for families seeking coastal beauty and outdoor adventure. Stretching over 240 kilometres along the southeastern coast of Australia, this route is dotted with breathtaking viewpoints, pristine beaches, and family-friendly activities. Highlights for families:
 2. The Pacific Coast Touring Route (New South Wales and Queensland) The Pacific Coast Touring Route offers an amazing blend of beaches, rainforests, and wildlife, making it an excellent choice for families looking to explore both urban and natural landscapes. The drive stretches from Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef, with plenty of family-friendly stops along the way. Highlights for families:
 3. Tasmanian Explorer (Tasmania)
Tasmania’s winding roads, charming towns, and unspoiled nature make it a top destination for families who want to immerse themselves in an outdoor adventure. The Tasmanian Explorer road trip is perfect for nature lovers, with plenty of opportunities for hiking, wildlife spotting, and exploring the island’s unique history. Highlights for families:
Australia’s road trips offer something for every type of family – whether you’re in the mood for coastal views, wildlife encounters, or immersive nature experiences. These three routes are just the beginning of the adventures awaiting you down under. So pack up the car, hit the open road, and create lasting memories with your loved ones! Once commonly thought of as a stopover or transit destination, Singapore is now definitely known as a fantastic holiday destination in its own right. A clean, safe and affordable city with world class attractions which are easy to access, Singapore is a melting pot of cultures from throughout the region. A great place to visit for a few days or more – there is plenty to see and do, especially for families. See our top picks of things to do for families in Singapore below. Universal Studios Singapore Located on Sentosa Island, Universal Studios Singapore is the only Universal Studios theme park in the Southeast Asia region. It features 24 rides, shows and attractions in seven separately themed zones. There is something for all the family here. Spend the day; take in a show, enjoy the rides and have some lunch.  Singapore Zoo Whilst there are zoos in many cities in the world, Singapore Zoo is a must see. The beautiful grounds and exhibits and the sheer size and number of animals make this a world class attraction. There is a fantastic wet play area for the kids to cool down and multiple food choices. Take advantage of the 4 parks pass which will give you access to the Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari and River Safari along with your zoo admission. Whilst the park is located a little further out of the city than most attractions, there are good public transport options.
Wild Wild Wet Singapore Singapore can be hot and humid. What better way to cool down than to take the kids to a water park. Wild Wild Wet provides plenty on water based fun for the whole family. Why not spend a day at the park and hire a cabana which comes with towels, snacks and drinks. A great way to relax and have some fun.  Singapore Flyer 165 meters high at its tallest point, the Singapore Flyer, located at Marina Bay, is a great way to view Singapore. The Ferris Wheel is the world largest observation wheel (being 30cm taller than the London Eye) and has 28 airconditioned capsules which can carry up to 28 passengers each. A complete rotation of the wheel takes approximately 30 minutes, so there is plenty of time to take in all the sights.   However you are travelling and whoever you are travelling with, Cairns is a destination which really delivers. There is so much variety – rainforests, beaches, tropical islands, green tablelands and of course The Great Barrier Reef – your biggest dilemma will be trying to fit everything in. Here are our five “must do’s” for visiting Cairns. 1. Hang Out Downtown – just wander around this tropical city and take in the relaxed vibe. Visit Rusty’s Market and pick up some tasty local produce or a unique souvenir, take a stroll along the Cairns Esplanade and stop off for something to eat at one of the many bars or restaurants, or explore the boutique shopping on offer – everything is close and easy to get to.
3. Drive to Atherton Tablelands – An easy day trip from Cairns, jump in the car and head out to the Atherton Tablelands. Sitting at over 700m above sea level the landscape changes dramatically from the tropical beaches of Cairns. Visit cascading waterfalls, volcanic craters, and a variety of produce farms. Plenty of beautiful places to visit for a day, or for an extended trip.  4. Port Douglas – Need we say more! A beautiful destination in itself, Port Douglas is only an hour or so north of Cairns and offers beautiful beaches and a relaxed tropical resort town vibe. Drive yourself and stop off at the many amazing beaches along the way including Palm Cove, Trinity Beach and Ellis Beach. Fantastic scenery and a wonderful place to beach/bar hop!  5. The Great Barrier Reef – You can’t come this close to the Great Barrier Reef and not visit Australia’s own natural wonder of the world. There are a multitude of options here, whether you want to snorkel, scuba dive, sail, hot air balloon, helicopter or take a glass bottom boat there is a tour and price point for everyone. Make sure you choose a high standard tourism operator and explore this amazing area – you will not be disappointed.  Have a “must do” recommendation for visiting Cairns? Share it via the comments section and don’t forget to like and share our Facebook and Instagram pages – links below
 Photo by Hanson Lu on Unsplash Whether you are taking your first trip with a child, or have taken many with several children – travelling with children can fill you with anxiety. Our recommendation is always say yes to travel – but maybe with some extra planning. So read on to check out our top tips for travelling with kids below:
Research A little time spent researching your destination up front will make a huge difference to your ability to enjoy things when you arrive. It isn’t worth packing a stroller if there aren’t good paved sidewalks at your destination. Does your child need any vaccinations before they travel? Does the villa you have booked have a pool fence? Does your baby need a Visa? Research your destination well before you begin to pack to save yourself time and unnecessary drama when you arrive. Pack something new for the plane / train / car An oldy but a goody – pack a new toy, snack, book etc to distract your child whilst travelling to your destination. For babies this could be a new teething ring or toy, for older children this could be a new book, a game or movie downloaded onto the iPad. Save this to be pulled out just when they are getting bored and unsettled – the ultimate distraction for them and sanity saver for you. Consider an apartment rather than a hotel room As great as hotels are for getting away, it is nice to know that when you get to your destination you can stock up a fridge and make some of your own meals, or do some clothes washing mid trip. For this reason, a hotel suite with a kitchenette and laundry or an apartment might be better suited. It doesn’t sound as glamorous, but when you have baby vomit all over every outfit you have brought with you two days into your holiday you will be thankful for the washing machine. Having an apartment or a suite with a bedroom door you can close will also mean that the whole family doesn’t need to go to bed when it is lights out for the 5 year old. Take enough nappies and baby food Whilst usually we would always advise not to overpack - this is one exception. Pack all the baby milk formula, baby food and nappies you may need to take with you. Don’t rely on picking some up at your destination – its never fun to run around at 2am in a strange city looking for the right sized nappies. You can always pick up other items at your destination – but you don’t want to mess with these essentials. If you are travelling overseas you may also want to take sterilizing tablets and any basic medication your child may need during the trip. Give Yourself Time! Don’t make things more stressful than they need to be by not giving yourself plenty of time to get places. Toddlers (and more often than not – teenagers) will always need to go to the bathroom right as you are ready to leave. Sure, you can rush everyone along, but it is just going to increase the stress levels for everyone. Give yourself enough time to get places, for transit and enough downtime in between sightseeing to relax. Have any great tips and tricks for travelling with children? Share them via the comments section and don’t forget to like and share our Facebook and Instagram pages – links below. |
