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A Winning Destination: Mission Beach

Places We Go Team | August 16, 2013 | 3:53 pm | Comment

Exploring Mission Beach, Queensland
Ready to explore Mission Beach with this Subaru Forester!

Ann Gurney was the lucky winner of our 2013 Subaru Choose Your Own Driving Adventure competition! Not long home from Mission Beach, Ann shares her experience and a few holiday pics with us…

Ann’s Experiences in Mission Beach

Ever wondered who wins travel competitions? Well, now I can say I have!

I was watching Places We Go on Channel 10 one Sunday afternoon and was inspired to enter the viewer competition. A month or so later, Jen Adams rang me out of the blue and asked: “Do you enjoy holidays?”

To my sheer delight, Jen went on to tell me I’d won! I chose the 7-night holiday in Mission Beach, Queensland and Jen reeled off the prize to me… Return flights for two, accommodation and daily breakfast at Castaways Resort and Spa, the loan of a Subaru Forester, an Antler luggage set plus a $500 Patagonia voucher/

Pinch me, I’m dreaming. I got off the phone and did a happy dance around the kitchen!

I decided to take my beautiful mum Lorraine for a special holiday to celebrate our birthdays.

So we packed our new suitcases, boarded our Virgin flight and made like locals at Mission Beach for a week, escaping Melbourne’s wintry weather to enjoy a balmy 27 degrees every day.

And our resort location was amazing, located right on the beach overlooking Dunk Island.

We had a ball. Imagine our surprise when we checked in at Castaways Resort and were upgraded to the penthouse! The management and staff were incredibly helpful and really made us feel like we were a part of the family. Nothing was too much trouble.

Cairns Subaru loaned us their latest Forester 4WD to explore Mission Beach in comfort and style. It was such an easy vehicle to drive and so incredibly economical that I didn’t want to give it back!

Mum and I drove to Lacey Creek, which flows through Djiru National Park, with a yummy gourmet picnic hamper packed by the resort chefs. We strolled a rainforest track and watched the colourful Ulysses butterflies dance in the sun.

Another day we sailed out to the reef, where we were excited to see migrating whales! I also snorkelled, not wanting to miss an opportunity to see the beautiful coral and tropical fish. Mum took advantage of the comfort of the glass bottom boat to view the reef from above.

It really was the most magical time – we will never forget it. Thanks to Places We Go and the generosity of Subaru, Castaways Resort and others that contributed to this amazing holiday.

Subaru Forester in Mission Beach, Queensland
Enjoying the benefits of the Subaru Forester sunroof!
Cairns Subaru
Handing over the Forester keys at Cairns Subaru.
Exploring the Mission Beach region
A walk in the rainforest at picturesque Lacey Creek.
Castaways Resort, Mission Beach, Queensland
Happy and relaxed at Castaways Resort.
Castaways Resort team, Mission Beach
Feeling at home with the Castaways Resort team!
Sailing the Great Barrier Reef, Mission Beach
A stunning day out on the Reef.

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I was lucky enough explore regional Victoria earli I was lucky enough explore regional Victoria earlier in the year (between lockdowns!), and tour the Goldfields with @big4holidayparks – Sure, I got my much-needed fix of the outdoors and was able to feed my insatiable curiosity as I explored the regions utterly fascinating history & culture, but it was sitting up at the old bar of family run Munari wines, just outside of Heathcote that got me.
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 Chatting to the chief winemaker Adrian Munari, and his daughter India (over a lovely red, of course) I heard all about the historic sheep station that was established in 1871, and life on the property today. (I wonder how the farmers endured the pandemic in 1919?)  
 .
Here’s to a happy summer holiday for us all, of enjoying those ‘moments’, wherever we are. 
.
 I based myself at the @BIG4BendigoAscotHolidayPark 
.
 See link in bio if want to plan your own getaway 😍
 .
#holidayhearthisyear #ExploreBIG4 #BIG4HolidayParks #VisitVictoria @visitmelbourne
WHO WANTS TO **WIN** A LUXURIOUS 2-NIGHT GETAWAY? WHO WANTS TO **WIN** A LUXURIOUS 2-NIGHT GETAWAY?
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How would you (and a friend!) like to escape to NSW’s New England Tablelands on a 2-night LUXURIOUS getaway, experiencing the best of Armidale’s premium accom, stunning food, wine & beer, an immersion in the local arts AND a World-Heritage Listed backyard to cap it off? 
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Your weekend will include: 
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- 2 night premium suite package at the historic Tattersalls Hotel (including food & drink from their award-winning restaurant & breakfast included) 
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- A special "Private Directors Tour" at the New England Regional Art Museum of HINTON: Treasures of Australian Art, plus some goodies to take home! 
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- Grabbing a beer at Great Hops Brewing Company PLUS some special gifts delivered to your home
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- A special Hema Australian Atlas & Guide plus a NSW State Map 
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Take it from me, this is worth entering, and if you do in fact WIN, set your alarm and get up for sunrise in the New England National Park, followed by a trip to Wollomombi Falls (the second highest falls in the county!) - it was sincerely exceptional.
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Oh and say hello to John at the Tattersalls Hotel, Rachael from the Art Gallery, and Sam from Great Hops Brewery. 
.
 **TAG A FRIEND YOU'D  LOVE TO TAKE, and increase your chances of winning by both entering.. I know I would 😉❤
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 **LINK IN BIO **
Good luck, 
Jen xx
WE HAVE LIFT OFF!!! ON TV TODAY 😎🕺 . Would WE HAVE LIFT OFF!!! ON TV TODAY 😎🕺
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Would love you to join me as we celebrate the locals of #armidale on TV today
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Tune in (or set your record buttons) @ 1.30pm, ON TEN **TODAY**
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A special thanks to all those that not only shared their magnificent backyard with us, but who opened their hearts and let our TV cameras in.
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Armidale, you can no longer use the term “hidden treasure” 😉
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Ps did I say “today” enough times? 😆🤪🙏 Jen xx
ARMIDALE IN THE SPOTLIGHT Ready for another cele ARMIDALE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
 
Ready for another celebration of a brilliant person and travel experience for us all?
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Meet James Rainger from @fleetadventures 
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He not only spends his life taking us travellers on scenic chopper tours over his World-Heritage Listed backyard of the #newengland region – he’s one of the many brilliant pilots who you’ll find hovering above the blazing heat helping fight our Australian Bushfires.
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When I shared my nerves about flying, he settled me with in seconds. Super grounded, in safe hands kind-a-feeling, with the biggest sparkle in his eye.
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“To be part of the firefighting team is being in the #armidale  community - we all live here, our kids go to school here, so we love it. Armidale is a community where we all band together, we’re very passionate about our backyard, and we hope it shows.. and we certainly hope people come and see what it’s like. We’ve got a unique view of part of the world that not many people get to see. And there are not hordes of people here, so it’s very personal, we like to bring people into our world and our life – and share it – thank you for taking the time to come and visit us… “
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As for the flight? Put it on your @theaustralianbucketlist
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Jen xx

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