Three Capes Track, Tasmania

Okay, so your youngest just turned seven and your oldest is still young enough to appreciate family holidays – it’s time to walk the Three Capes Track, one of Tasmania’s newest and most invigorating forays into this southern Australian state’s coastal wilderness. The four-day, three-night, easy-to-moderate walk crosses 46 kilometres of coastline: head any further south from here and you’ll end up in Antarctica. Walkers (a limit of 48 per day) are required to carry all their own equipment and food, but accommodation is in the form of new eco cabins kitted out with shared kitchen-dining areas, heating, running water – and even a cold shower. For parents who think this sounds like hard work, specialists Three Capes Gear & Gourmet can provide posh food and all the equipment you need for the trip.

Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, Victoria

In northeastern Victoria, the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail is a 100 kilometre walking and cycling path on terrain that’s mostly flat, making it ideal for cyclists and pillion passengers alike. Depending on which section you cover, the track traverses river flats, wine country and alpine terrain. The nine kilometre Rutherglen to Wahgunyah leg is an ideal starter section with flat trails and a river swim along the way. The 16 kilometre Beechworth to Everton station leg is downhill all the way and features old brick bridge crossings and cellar doors (including this writer’s aunt’s Pennyweight Winery). Foodie families will appreciate the 18 kilometre Wangaratta to Milawa via Oxley leg, which has pit stops for cheese, mustards, olives and apple juice.