When Catriona Rowntree was growing up, she and her family would hop into the station wagon and head off on a school holidays road trip. She has happy memories of loads of activities and loud singing — possibly with lots of "are we there yets".
Now that she's a mum it's time to create new family holiday memories with husband James and their nine-month-old baby Andrew.
As all mums and dads know, if trips aren't planned and organised, they can be a nightmare, so Catriona and family headed to Victoria's Mornington Peninsula and promised to pass on helpful hints from their first family road trip.
Give the children a few of their favourite toys, snacks and play the kind of music they normally enjoy at home. Leave plenty of time to take breaks along the way on longer drives and time your departure to an hour before their usual sleep time. That way they should occupy themselves and then fall asleep — hopefully! Or on shorter trips, bundle them into the car at nap time and they will sleep for the drive.
Pack plenty of wet wipes, diapers, a change of clothes, sunscreen and hat. Have a pram or baby sling for getting around. Choose child-friendly accommodation with cots and high chairs and if the baby is sleeping in a separate room, pack the baby monitor. A room with bottle and baby food preparation facilities is a good idea, and ground-floor accommodation makes access easier with a pram and luggage.
Keep doors opening to balconies closed and make sure pool gates are closed.
Chat with other mums who have been on a holiday with a child or children around the same age as yours and they will no doubt pass on additional useful tips.
Peninsula Hot Springs
Just a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, Peninsula Hot Springs is Australia's only natural mineral hot springs and day-spa centre. Hot and cold mineral waters flow from underground and contain naturally occurring minerals, including sulphur, calcium, magnesium and potassium.
The hot springs come from an aquifer 637m below the surface, rising under its own pressure through a bore and pumped into pools. Temperatures vary from 37°C to 43°C.
The springs are set in 17 hectares of the rolling sandy dunes of The Cups in Rye. There are purpose-built baby pools where children play happily. It's all very international for grown-ups, with Japanese reflexology walks, a Swedish sauna and a plunge pool from Russia.
In December 2009 a new development opened and it focuses on health, beauty, relaxation and wellbeing. There is a range of private thermal mineral bathing pools and a luxury Spa Dreaming Centre with natural and integrated spa treatments and therapies.
There are public baths which don't require bookings.
Blue Moon Cottages
Also in Rye, Blue Moon cottages are run by a local family who understand what travelling parents need. They supply a portacot, linen and high chair, toys, games and DVDs for children. They have also installed night lights and safety plugs to keep inquisitive little ones away from harm.
The cottages are walking distance to shops and the beach, so pop the bucket and spade in the pram and head for the sand.
Catriona stayed in St Ives Cottage, a beautifully presented classic beachside cottage. The three-bedroom self-contained cottage has a deep spa bath, open fire in winter and sunny garden for warmer months.
Sandpiper is a charming log cabin cottage is perfect for a couple or small family. The two-bedroom cottage is on a block with two other cottages. It's completely private and fully self-contained and there's a closed wood-burning fire in the cosy lounge.
In summer French doors open to a sunny courtyard. There's a barbecue and setting for outdoor eating in warm months and plenty of firewood to keep you cosy when it's cold.
Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm
The next new adventure for Andrew was to taste his very first strawberry. Sunny Ridge has half of its 300-hectare farm under strawberries, raspberries, cherries and blueberries.
From November to the end of April, Sunny Ridge throws the gates open for the public who can pick their own fruit. If you're short on time, fresh produce is available at the farm gate, dessert café and gift shop which are open year-round.
The owners told Catriona the darker the fruit the sweeter it is and that certainly worked for Andrew. He's now a fan of the healthy finger food which has more vitamin C than an orange.
Frankston Sand Sculptures
Every year between December and April, Frankston Waterfront is transformed with 3500 tonnes of sand which is carved into spectacular sculptures. Sculptors from around the world take part and every year it becomes a bigger and better exhibition. They work tirelessly for three weeks to create enormous but finely detailed sculptures depicting people, places and events.
There are plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained and the little ones can get the bucket and spade out again and build castles.
Shops and the beach are 250m away so you can pack a picnic or eat in one of the local cafes or restaurants or stop for a drink at one of the many watering holes.
By the way, the family pet needn't miss out. Sandpiper welcomes well-behaved pooches and will even provide a kennel.
For more ideas for family holidays, get yourself a copy of Travel with Kidz from your newsagent.
