30/10 - Category: Family, Me Time

"Those that say you can't take it with you never saw a car packed for a vacation trip." -Author Unknown

One of the great joys in life is travelling. For Australians it’s virtually a rite-of-passage. In my late teens I spent a year aboard and loved every moment of it.  Twenty years later I still experience a thrill every time I head to the airport or pack up the car. With school holidays upon us, here are my travel tips for those families embarking on a precious holiday!  

Where to go?

Keep it simple. The simplest holiday can often be the best. If you’re holidaying with young children it’s a good idea to stay in the one place. Travelling to many different places that involves lots of sightseeing can be stressful and perhaps better suited to older children. If you’re keeping an eye on cost, options like camping or a beach house can be both relaxing or adventurous and relatively inexpensive. 

Resorts that cater for families are appealing because there are usually activities to suit all age groups. But they can be expensive. So it’s a good idea to get a recommendation from someone you know and trust before choosing your destination.

Travelling overseas is wonderful and very exciting, but with little children it can be a lot of pain for not much gain. There is so much airport security these days; I find it hard enough travelling on a plane myself let alone with four young children! If the idea of international travel is too hard to resist, destinations closer to home are likely to save your sanity. 

Getting there

This can often be the hardest part. Whether it’s by plane, train, or car, a long trip with children can be taxing for those with the most even of temperaments! Not to mention the dangers of taking your eyes off the road to deal with distracting or fighting children. It’s really important from a safety point of view that children realise the driver has a very important job to do. Families need to plan ways for kids to be kept occupied in the car. 

Some of the best ways to keep children occupied and avoid the repetitive sounds of “are we there yet?” include:

Money tips

ANZ Travel Card† – a prepaid Visa card available in four different currencies USD, EUR, GBP and NZD. It gives you access to your own money wherever Visa is accepted. 

Credit Card – eliminates the headache of carrying cash. In most countries you can withdraw cash with your credit card from an ATM. These days most credit cards require you to have a PIN.

Cash – It’s always a good idea to have some local currency in cash. But carrying large amounts of cash is not a good idea it can’t be replaced if it is lost or stolen.

Traveller’s cheques* – the good old fashioned traveller’s cheque operates like cash but can be cancelled if stolen or lost. American dollars are the most commonly accepted traveller’s cheques.


* ANZ recommends you read the American Express® Purchase Agreement and Disclosure on Fees and the ANZ Financial Services Guide, before deciding to acquire or hold the product. Fees and charges apply. Travellers Cheques are issued by American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (incorporated with limited liability in New York, USA), and certain related entities and are arranged through American Express International, Inc., ABN 15 000 618 208. AFSL No. 237996. Incorporated with Limited Liability in Delaware U.S.A.® Registered Trademark of American Express Company.† Federal Government legislation requires ANZ to verify the identity of all ANZ Travel Card holders and, accordingly, if you are not already a current ANZ account holder, you must complete ANZ’s customer identification process.
ANZ recommends you read the Product Disclosure Statement and the Financial Services Guide (PDF 213kB) before acquiring the product.

Any advice does not take into account your personal needs and financial circumstances and you should consider whether it is appropriate for you.

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