We all know skiing and boarding can be expensive, right? If you don’t have your big 4WD, a private chalet and the latest gear it can be a bit daunting.

Skiing with kids really can go either way. At one end of the spectrum it can be all snowballs and hot chocolates, but on the other it can be meltdowns in puffy clothes with heavy ski boots on. Either way, where you stay while you’re at the snow has a massive bearing on how these things play out – with kids in tow or not!

Imagine hiking to view a volcanic archipelago; plunging into the chilly waters of a limestone cave; and dining with locals in remote island villages. That’s a nirvana found in Fiji.

As the crow flies, the Mornington Peninsula is practically part of Tasmania. But with wineries, chic restaurants, boutique hotels, shopping and beaches galore on offer, it suddenly becomes a hot destination for a weekend getaway.

I’ll confess that I had anxiety about snorkelling for the first time. It certainly didn’t expect it to be quite so life changing I’ll explain.

On a private headland between Cairns and Port Douglas, a small collection of deluxe stilted bungalows sit amongst the treetops, protected by native forest, as far as the eye can see.

Most Australians have heard of Florida’s Everglades but most don’t know there’s a version here in Australia. Well-known for its beaches and laid back lifestyle, Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is also home to one of only two ecosystems of this kind in the world.

Despite the recent fires, Victoria’s Gippsland region, just a threehour coastal drive from Melbourne, is welcoming visitors – especially if you’re after swathes of space, beautiful nature, and plenty of things to do, as active or as relaxed as you choose.

The Blue Mountains and surrounding areas suffered greatly during recent bushfires but slowly the National Parks in New South Wales are reopening, with some ready to welcome visitors back.