AMELIA ADAMS
Mother of two, Australian Journalist, TV Presenter and Producer
FEATURED DESTINATION
CALOUNDRA, QUEENSLAND
With a toddler and a baby, right now family holidays for us need to be as simple and relaxing as possible, which is why we love Caloundra on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
There are so many beautiful beaches and playgrounds to choose from, as well as great cafes and small bars popping up right along the coastline. Traditionally a low-key coastal town with an old-school feel and plenty of retirees, Caloundra is attracting more young families these days and it’s easy to see why.
Kings Beach is a lovely surf beach, great for long walks and building sand castles, and there’s a beachfront salt water pool which is perfect for kids. Our favourite breakfast destination is Coffee Cat right on Kings where you can sit under the pandanus trees and enjoy great coffee and food.
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For swimming with kids you can’t go past Currimundi Lake, it’s calm and protected from the weather; we often grab some fresh prawns from Caloundra Seafood Market and have a picnic on the grass.
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Head over the headland to Moffat Beach for more good coffee at The Pocket Espresso Bar, grab a takeaway because there’s a brand new fantastic pirate ship playground opposite, so the kids will be entertained while you sit and admire the stunning view. Pocket also serves up some delicious cocktails and tapas after 5pm if you can find a babysitter, or leave the kids with the grandparents as we do!
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On Sunday we head to the Caloundra Country & Farmers Market in Currimundi to stock up on fresh local produce for a big family lunch. Eumundi Markets are a 40 minute drive if you’re looking for a road trip with plenty of entertainment for kids, including camel rides and face painting.
At night, the Pelican Waters Power Boat Club is family friendly, with live music and a great Asian kitchen. We also love a pre-dinner drink at Mets on Kings (the Surf Life Saving Club) watching the sun set over beautiful Kings Beach.
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The best thing about our Caloundra holidays are the simple things we do as a family; fishing off the pontoon in Pelican Waters, long lunches on the deck, taking the kids hunting for soldier crabs at Golden Beach. If I can squeeze in a morning run along the Esplanade and a cheeky margarita at the Power Boat Club while the kids eat then life is amazing.
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Images courtesy of @milladams
