Mother’s Day is just around the corner and the perfect way to spend some bonding time with Mum would be to plan a visit to various parts of Australia, which will offer you plenty of memorable moments and attractions as diverse as the country itself. Check out the cheap flight options available through Skiddoo and see our recommended destinations options below.
Whitsundays
Flights to the Whitsundays
Right within the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia is a collection of 74 islands called the Whitsundays. The islands have fantastic diversity, whether you are inland or on the coast, showering you with a sensual tropical feast, with friendly towns, great landscapes and seascapes, coral reefs, trail paths and plenty of time to island-hop or just while away the hours sailing on clear shallow waters. You can visit Whitsundays any time of the year, but September is the most ideal. October to May is also fine, although it is the “stinger season.”
Flights to the Whitsundays
Nonetheless there are still plenty of things to occupy you and your daughter, such as shopping or joining one of the varied tours via land, sea or air. Have a mum-daughter blast at the various shops in Airlie Beach and visit the Proserpine Historical Museum or the Colour Me Crazy shop for some amazing and unusual finds. There are so many things to see and do in the Whitsundays, you’ll probably run out of vacation time before you can see and do them all. Of course, there is always next Mother’s Day, right?
Melbourne
Flights to Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria and the cultural capital of Australia. The city is arty and stylish, with a laid-back atmosphere. It is multicultural and has stately architecture that reflects of the Australian gold rush. It’s chic, stylish, hip and cool, with the inner city neighbourhoods lined with restaurants, cafés and bars. March to May are the best months to visit Melbourne, when the weather is balmy and just right for some cool bonding moments with your Mum on Mother’s Day. Autumn is the season of flowers, food, fashion and festivals in Melbourne.
The Botanical Gardens, Melbourne
It’s a great time to visit the Melbourne Aquarium, the Botanical Gardens, the National Gallery of Victoria, Fitzroy Gardens or the Melbourne Museum. A great day tour destination is the Yarra Valley to have a great dining experience at The Botanical Dining Room in South Yarra, right on the edge of Melbourne’s Botanical Gardens. It serves a contemporary Mediterranean and provincial French cuisine, incorporating high quality produce, perfectly complemented with the restaurant’s renowned wine list.
Hamilton Island
Flights to Hamilton Island
In the Whitsundays in Queensland, the largest inhabited island is Hamilton Island. It is the Great Barrier Reef’s only island with a commercial airport, servicing short flights from Cairns, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. It is a place that is great to visit anytime of the year, with the temperature ranging between 23 °C to 30 °C (73.4 °F to 86 °F), depending on the season. For most visitors, the perfect time is between the months of April to June when the weather seesaws from mild to warm and there’s less rainfall.
Hayman Island Resort
Hamilton Island offers plenty of things to do. You can go kayaking, snorkelling, have a round of golf, or have a pampering and soothing spa treatment. Still, a day spent on the beach is fun as well. If you want to do that, there’s Catseye Beach right on the island. It’s Hamilton Island’s main beach, a beautifully curved beach with white sand, sitting right on the island’s resort side, thus there’s plenty of accommodation around. There are snorkelling gear, windsurfers, paddleboards, paddle skis and catamarans for hire. Or you can simply laze around, work on your tan, read a book or take a leisurely swim.
Sydney
Flights to Sydney
Sydney is the capital of New South Wales, located on the east coast of Australia. It is the home of the world-famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. Blessed with the largest natural harbours in the world, there are numerous beaches along its shore, with Bondi Beach as one of its most famous beaches. There’s something to do and places to visit in Sydney each month. The month of May signals the approach of winter and the nights start to get cooler although the days are still a bit warm with a cooling breeze. At this time of the year, the accommodation rates are cheaper, so it is an opportune time for travellers on a budget.
Langham Sydney Spa
May is also the month for the Food and Wine Festival at Hunter Valley. There are plenty of outdoor activities to do in Sydney, what with its plethora of museums, galleries, natural and manmade attractions such as the city’s landmark buildings and parks. So after a tiring day, reward yourself with some pampering treatment at the Langham Sydney Spa. It is uniquely located in an underground sanctuary along Kent Street at Sydney’s CBD. You and your mum could take a dip at its 20m indoor heated pool or choose from a variety of spa treatments to relax, rejuvenate and recharge you.
Victoria
Flights to Victoria
The state of Victoria may not be as popular as its capital city, Melbourne, but it’s still a place that is full of history and whimsical charm. It is still dotted with architectural wonders that have been turned into wonderful art galleries, luxury hotels and grand theatres. Victoria has great beaches and an exciting wilderness area rich in wildlife and beautiful mountains. It has quaint towns that still bear traces of the pioneering days and Australia’s gold rush in the 19th century. Autumn, which falls in the months of March to May, is the perfect time to visit Victoria. The weather will be balmy and the surroundings will be changing colours.
Yarra Valley, Melbourne
One of the best places to visit in the fall is the wine growing regions of Victoria, namely the Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges. The views in these regions are simply stunning. Some of the structures are quite rustic and seem like a throwback from yesteryears, with the 70 wineries still exuding a warm, homey ambiance. Sample some of the region’s grapes, and the exquisite wines that fully complement the sumptuous culinary delights prepared by award-winning chefs in any of the region’s winery restaurant. After touring Yarra Valley, why not continue your journey and visit Dandenong Ranges as well? It’s a place where you’ll be delighted with what you are likely to discover anywhere you turn – from quaint villages, artist studios and delightful craft stores to enchanting gardens.