What to do with kids in The Whitsundays?

My boys are still young enough to love a family holiday; however they are getting more independent (11 & 12 years) – the question is always where to travel so they can be active, without Mum and Dad constantly hovering?

My own childhood was spent in the great outdoors of New Zealand.  With adventurous parents our holidays revolved around sailing in remote locations, we went to the same destination regularly and my sisters and I loved the familiarity of it. Happy school holiday memories…

With my own children I seek out a relaxing antidote to the life we lead in the Urban Jungle. Often we escape to The Whitsundays, North Queensland.  There the land is vast…

From East Coast Australia, it is an amazing destination. Just over two hours flying time and you arrive – access to the mainland is via Proserpine Airport and for the Islands, Hamilton Island Airport is the most convenient.  

In April, Autumn nips the air – taking the harsh bite from the sun. Leaving clear, balmy days. The sea rewards with warm waters and an abundance of wildlife.

We walk through bush down to a coral fringed beach, we fish – catching nothing except the straggled conversations of accents broader than ours.  We swim in the pool before breakfast; with loads of fresh fruit to eat.

Nightfall finds us spending hours outside under rugs watching stars appear.  Listening to evening sounds that seem deafeningly silent after the city hum we are accustomed to. I cannot get enough of the rugged magnificence, the pure hearts of the people that live there. For the most, unconcerned with the trappings that send us city folk into a frenzy.

Our base is generally on the mainland – Airlie Beach, a huge, free lagoon keeps the kids ‘holiday busy’ for hours – followed by Fish and Chips on the foreshore (I wrote more about activities to enjoy in the great outdoors here). Other times we might stay on one of the islands – Daydream Island or Hamilton Island – where there are always a tribe of other kids to hang around , with plenty to occupy ‘tweens’

All this activity and fresh air calls for a hearty ‘smoko’ or afternoon tea snack; I can hardly keep up with filling the cake tin during school holidays (this recipe is easy enough to get the boys in the kitchen to make it themselves).

Flapjacks in all their caramelly, chewy divineness hits just the spot.  I prefer mine with the addition of walnuts, but as I never want to tempt myself to devour too many, I accommodate the boys nut free preference.This slice is a version of Anzac Biscuits – easy and great energy fuel. Be warned – these are oh so buttery and addictive.  Best served chilled…

FLAPJACKS/ANZAC SLICE

Ingredients

250 Grams butter

4 Tablespoons golden syrup

1 Cup brown sugar

2 ½  Cups rolled oats

½ Cup wholemeal flour

½ Cup dried fruit or nuts – optional

Method

Pre-heat oven to 150 degrees Celsius.

Melt butter, golden syrup and brown sugar until liquid and bubbling.

Take off the heat and stir in the remaining ingredients.

Press into a lined baking tin (20x 30cm approx).

Bake for 40 minutes.  Keep an eye on it towards the end as you do not want it to burn or overcook.

We prefer our slice slightly chewy, so while still hot mark out the bars with a knife and place tin in the fridge to cool.

Slice when almost cold and store in an airtight container – I leave mine in the fridge.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE CHILDHOOD HOLIDAY MEMORIES?