Following travel restrictions, drought, fires and floods, Andrew Woodward explores a few of the beautiful Australian towns and regions that are waiting for your family to visit and help aid their recovery while you enjoy a little holiday time.
Following travel restrictions, drought, fires and floods, Andrew Woodward explores a few of the beautiful Australian towns and regions that are waiting for your family to visit and help aid their recovery while you enjoy a little holiday time.
As Australia attempts to regain a sense of equilibrium, the most sustainable solution to rebuilding bushfire affected communities is to visit them, eat their produce and fill your bag with local goodies. Now that the only option is to holiday at home, we want to share the following regions that have as much to offer as ever.
Blue Mountains, NSW
The Blue Mountains’ tourism industry has suffered a double disaster with an estimated 80 per cent of the World Heritage-listed area affected by bushfires, followed by the coronavirus outbreak prompting mass cancellations from around the world. Despite this, the popular towns of Katoomba and Leura never closed, and all tourist attractions, hotels and infrastructure remain intact. Visiting families are still able to view incredible landmarks like The Three Sisters or Govetts Leap, explore Jenolan Caves or take part in the ultimate nature-based experience at Scenic World.

Bathurst, NSW
Bathurst has been hit hard by drought, with dams running dry and farmers forced to de-stock to survive. A continued stream of tourist dollars is instrumental in the battle to keep residents supplied with water. Rev-heads will relish the opportunity to cruise the Mt Panorama Motor Racing Circuit, or visit in October for the Bathurst 1000 Supercar race itself. The Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum – home to Australia’s only complete T-rex skeleton cast – is also sure to have kids roaring with delight.
Read: We explore Bathurst’s culture, history, food and regional charm

Braidwood, NSW
After engulfing more than 36,000 hectares around the town of Braidwood, an hour east of Canberra, fires are still burning a hole in the local economy with visitors at an all-time low. Braidwood enjoys a fascinating history – the colonial streetscapes and country pubs recalling its gold-rush past – and is home to a creative community of artists, craftspeople and designers. Learn about the town’s bushranger history at the Braidwood Museum, enjoy year-round events and join locals in the town’s cafes.
Kosciuszko National Park, NSW
The Selwyn area suffered two heavy losses with Selwyn Snow Resort and historic Kiandra closed due to severe fire damage, but it’s off-season business as usual for the rest of Kosciuszko National Park. Go camping (or stay in heritage accommodation), scale alpine trails to Australia’s highest peak, hit mountain biking tracks or discover the 440-million-year-old limestone formations of the Yarrangobilly Caves. There’s even a naturally heated thermal pool nearby, so don’t forget your togs.

Sapphire Coast, NSW
The Sapphire Coast is bursting with beaches, national parks, lagoons and rivers. Sadly, it bore the brunt of last season’s fires – particularly the towns of Cobargo and Eden, the latter losing its mill and primary source of income. The historic timbers of Tathra Wharf are standing proud, however, offering commanding bay views and world-class diving and snorkelling (keep your eyes peeled for seals, penguins and the occasional whale shark). Take a whale watching tour and learn about Eden’s whaling history at the Eden Killer Whale Museum.

Shoalhaven, NSW
The Shoalhaven comprises 170 kilometres of coastline, from Kangaroo Valley in the north to Pebbly Beach in the south. Fires burning for 74 days from each end wiped out around 499,000 hectares and destroyed more than 300 homes. After celebrating the heroic efforts of the firies and other emergency services, the locals are now doing everything they can to get back on their feet – and would love to see you drop by to stock up on local cheeses, wines and other gourmet treats at the many vineyards and cellar doors.

Drive the Canola Trail
Spanning the Riverina towns of Junee, Coolamon and Temora, the Canola Trail comes to life in springtime when the yellow flowers are in full bloom – becoming a sea of yellow as far as the eye can see. The golden paddocks are reason enough to take a detour, but there are also historic towns and delicious foodie stops along the way.
This article originally appeared in Holidays with Kids magazine. To subscribe to the latest issue, click here.
Main image: Echo Point, Blue Mountains National Park, NSW, Australia © Shutterstock/ Ian Woolcock
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NSW family accommodation
BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park
BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park
Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific
Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific
Star of the Sea Terrigal Luxury Aprartments
Star of the Sea Terrigal Luxury Aprartments
Tweed Holiday Parks
Tweed Holiday Parks
Mowbray Park Farm Stay
Mowbray Park Farm Stay
Q Station Manly
Q Station Manly
North Star Holiday Resort
North Star Holiday Resort
NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort
NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort
Del Rio Riverside Resort
Del Rio Riverside Resort
Holiday Haven Tourist Parks
Holiday Haven Tourist Parks
BIG4 Tweed Billabong Holiday Park
BIG4 Tweed Billabong Holiday Park
BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park
BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park
Secura Lifestyle Holiday Parks now Hampshire Holidays Holiday Parks
Secura Lifestyle Holiday Parks now Hampshire Holidays Holiday Parks
Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley
Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley
BIG4 Saltwater @ Yamba Holiday Park
BIG4 Saltwater @ Yamba Holiday Park
Tiona Holiday Park
Tiona Holiday Park
BIG4 NRMA South West Rocks Holiday Resort (formerly BIG4 Sunshine Resort)
BIG4 NRMA South West Rocks Holiday Resort (formerly BIG4 Sunshine Resort)
BIG4 Narooma Easts Holiday Park
BIG4 Narooma Easts Holiday Park
Toowoon Bay Holiday Park
Toowoon Bay Holiday Park
Budgewoi Holiday Park
Budgewoi Holiday Park
Norah Head Holiday Park
Norah Head Holiday Park
Barcoos Farmstays Bathurst
Barcoos Farmstays Bathurst
NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park
NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park
NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park
NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park
BIG4 Koala Shores Holiday Park
BIG4 Koala Shores Holiday Park
BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Bonny Hills
BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Bonny Hills
Ballina Beach Village
Ballina Beach Village
Novotel Sydney Manly Pacific
Novotel Sydney Manly Pacific
Great Aussie Holiday Park
Great Aussie Holiday Park
Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley
Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley
YHA Australia
YHA Australia
Holiday Inn Potts Point
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