Even grid connected homes with solar panels will be affected to some degree or other, depending on whether they have batteries or not. However, off grid systems such as at Huon Bush Retreats and Buttongrass Retreat in southern Tasmania are immune from such grid related issues. Read about these two eco retreats by clicking the pictures below.

This is due to a wide range of issues that will be discussed below:

• Low supply of cars

In most places around the globe, there is a shortage of car supplies. At first, the shortage was caused by Covid-19 which made it difficult for car manufacturers to work at their optimal level. However, another important problem is the shortage of chips. As chips are scarce, it is increasingly difficult for car manufacturers to produce high-quality cars that car buyers need. Of course, this problem is not peculiar to Australia.
Even if you are interested in buying used cars, you may still have challenges with getting them. This is because many car owners are not willing to let go of their existing cars. Even those that are ready to sell their vehicles will only do so at exorbitant fees… sometimes more than the equivalent new car price!
For the Tassie locals, start by checking the price on a new car in Tasmania and other areas within the country. Afterward, look for a reliable car dealership and check the waiting times.

• Increased competition

For car dealers, increased competition is a challenge that cannot be overlooked. Today, car dealerships are springing up in different corners of the country. While this is beneficial to the buyers, it is disadvantageous to the existing dealerships. Now, the dealerships have to compete with lots of others to get the attention of the would-be car buyers.
Generally, a potential car buyer can browse through a listing of numerous car sellers. Unless a dealership stands out, it will be difficult to attract buyers. Therefore, car dealerships now need to spend more on ads and other things that can give them a competitive advantage over others.

• The need to change to electric vehicles

Unless you live under a rock, you would have heard about electric vehicles. The truth is that these cars could bring a dramatic change to our environment and boost our overall well-being. However, there is still scepticism about the adoption of EVs in the country.
Firstly, the government authorities are not doing enough to encourage people to make the shift from fossil fuel-powered vehicles to EVs. Secondly, many individuals still fear the battery capacity of electric autos. Thirdly, many car dealerships are uncertain about whether they should start offering these cars or not. This is because they doubt the possibility of selling the cars as quickly as they would like.
Although various steps are going on to tackle these challenges, they are still affecting the auto industry in Australia. Nevertheless, we believe that improved battery technology, government programmes, and incentives can speed up the shift to EVs.

• Changing technology

Although changing technology is a positive phenomenon, it has brought lots of issues to the auto industry. This is because it is difficult for lots of auto industry players to stay up to date with the changing technology.
It takes lots of time and money to keep up with the changing technology in the car industry. But to be competitive, key players in the auto industry have to follow the technological changes.

• Cost of getting sales

Due to the increased competition, car dealers cannot afford to sit back and expect buyers to come to them. They need to invest in acquiring leads. Unfortunately, leads don’t automatically translate into sales as many people will check autos without buying them. According to a report, a few dealers are forced to spend more than $600 on ads before selling a single car.
If you are into selling cars, you must keep track of how much you spend on ads. Don’t lose sight of the leads and, most importantly, the paying customers.

• Covid-19

In addition to the problems above, we cannot help but mention the issues associated with Covid-19. The pandemic has affected the purchasing power of some buyers. Besides, some potential car owners now have lesser needs for personal cars as they work mainly from home. Even lots of small business owners are frustrated by the uncertainty surrounding businesses during this period.
Nonetheless, this is not going to last till eternity. So, we can look forward to enjoying a future without COVID-related problems for the auto industry.
In conclusion, all key players in the car industry need to come together to tackle these challenges.

The Department of State Growth is undertaking rock cutting stabilisation on the Huon Highway, between Sandfly and Lower Longley. The works involve installing rockfall mesh and rock catching fencing along the exposed rock face on the southbound side of the Huon Highway. The delivery of this project will reduce the risk of rockfalls on this section of road, creating a safer road for all road users.

We will be working from 7.00 am to 5.00 pm from Monday to Friday. The work is expected to
be complete by late October 2021, weather permitting. Occasionally we will need to work outside
these hours and will let you know in advance when possible.

During these works both lanes of traffic closest to the rockface will be closed for the duration of the project, including
outside of working hours. Traffic Lights will be used to hold both directions of traffic while work is
being undertaken. 

Road users should allow up to eight minutes extra travel time during this work.

Please refer to the map for location details. If you have any questions, please contact our Stakeholder Engagement Consultant, Louella Horne on 0491 696 701 or lhorne@pittsh.com.au.

Enjoy A Visit To Hobart’s Waterfront
When you start your trip to Hobart, which is the capital city of Tasmania, you ought to enjoy the beautiful local heritage there. The scenic waterfront nestles beautifully in the complex suburban infrastructure that you have to admire. You can enjoy taking pictures there for beautiful memories.

Explore The Salamanca Market
Hobart also offers a variety of goods made locally, such as timbers, handcrafted cheese, handmade glasses, jewelry, and much more. You will find the Salamanca market near the waterfront. Spend a few hours there to buy something that you like or enjoy watching the local craftsmanship.

Conquer Mt Wellington
From Hobart, you can also plan a hiking trip to Mt Wellington, which you can see from the city. You will need a whole day for this trip as you have to reach Mt Wellington Park to witness the breathtaking beauty of the whole island landscape from a decent height. You can drive up to the park if you have a campervan with you or choose a trekking path available to reach the top.

Dare Experiencing The Tahune Airwalk
For travelers who are accompanying kids, the Tahune Forest Adventures is a worthy place to visit when driving from Hobart. One of the key attractions there is the Tahune Airwalk, which is a platform suspended 50 meters above the forest region. If you are not afraid of heights, this could offer you a beautiful panoramic view of the canopy, mountains, and rivers.

Appreciate The Various Tasmanian Waterfalls
Moving forward from Hobart, you will reach several breathtaking waterfalls, and one of them is Russell Falls. It’s located in Mt Field National Park, which is considered the most exotic falls on the island. It’s also quite easy to reach. Besides Russell, you will also love Lady Barron Falls and the Horseshoe Falls along the way, which are worth reaching in your vehicle.

Get Goosebumps At Port Arthur
A drive from Hobart will also take you to Port Arthur, which is an exile settlement-turned-museum famous for its spooky and historic interiors. It has significance to show off the Australian colonial past, showcasing stories related to various convicts penalized there. Visit it if you want to have a chilling experience.

​Recycle
You’ve already probably heard of a lot of people encouraging recycling and, yes, you’re hearing it from us again too. This is because recycling is one of the most effective ways to conserve the environment.
 
Recycling reduces the need for extracting and processing raw materials, which causes negative effects on the environment. Also, advisers for change at www.trvst.world say that when you recycle, you’re reducing the amount of waste sent to incinerators and landfills. Therefore, you’re also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Grow a Garden and Keep it Chemical Free
Growing a garden has so many benefits for your health. It improves your mood, helps prevent diseases, and it can even bring food to your table. But it’s more than just that.
 
Believe it or not, growing a garden can also benefit your environment that animals, as well as the future generations, can enjoy. This is because when you grow a garden, you can control what goes in and out of your garden.
 
This benefits the environment because if you were to keep your garden free from chemicals, you’re not just able to provide healthier food for your family, but you can also prevent pollution in your environment as no harmful chemical will go into your area’s water supply and your soil will remain healthy.

Dispose Waste Properly
Have you flushed paper towels, condoms, dental floss, etc. on your toilet? Have you poured used oil or chemicals in your sink even once? If you did and if you’re still doing it, you might want to get rid of this habit now.
 
The way you dispose of waste can affect the environment too. Not only will the waste flushed down the toilet, as well as the waste poured down the sink, clog your pipes, but they can also contaminate the ground and surface water in your area. As a result, your waters may become polluted.
 
What you can do is dispose of your waste in the right bins they belong to. Throw the biodegradable waste in trash cans meant for biodegradable waste, non-biodegradable for its designated bin, and so on. This will help to recycle better and will prevent chemicals from mixing with other materials that could cause further damage to the environment.
​
Conserve Water
Another common and simple way to help the betterment of the environment is to conserve water.
 
Water plays an important role in the environment. We don’t just need it to stay hydrated, but it is also essential in keeping our belongings and surroundings clean, it helps with growing plants and more.
 
When it becomes contaminated, we’re at risk of many diseases and outbreaks. And, needless to say, we won’t have something to drink. It’s a basic and important necessity, which is why we need to conserve it too.
 
To conserve it, one of the things you can do is to manage your waste properly and prevent using harsh chemicals in your garden to keep contamination at bay. Additionally, if not in use, turn off faucets so the future generations will still be able to enjoy a clean and enough supply of water.

​

1.   Fishing
Fishing is an age-old boating activity that seems to be getting more popular by the day. If you are planning your maiden trip to the sea or lake and don’t know where to start, the important thing is to ensure your boat is ready and safe for fishing. Ensure the engine is working properly, and there are no leaks or safety hazards. It would also help if you fitted your vessel with a shade top if you are going to fish under the hot summer sun or expect rain. Dedicated vendors such as Stryker T-Tops offer a great range of shades for just about any taste and boat type, so take your time to understand your needs before making your purchase.

​2.   Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding is a relatively new boating activity, having been invented just 30 years ago. This sport is quite popular among adrenaline junkies. New and innovative equipment has simplified the learning curve and made it possible even for novices to get on a wakeboard and have fun.

3.   Tubing
Tubing is a great entry to water sports for children and greenhorns. Also known as towed tubing, inner tubing, or bumper tubing, the activity involves an individual riding on top of an inner tube being towed by a motorboat. What makes tubing fantastic for beginners is that it can be done with any boat. So, it doesn’t matter if you own a deck boat, cruiser, ski boat, or bowrider; anything works, including vessels with small engines such as pontoon boats.

4.   Barefooting
Of today’s mainstream water sports, barefooting is perhaps the most difficult to learn and excel in. It is best suited for people who have mastered and grown tired of waterskiing and wakeboarding. Stepping off a moving ski is one of the most common and, perhaps, the easiest ways of getting up on the water when barefooting. However, if you prefer more adventurous routines, you can try the deep-water start. This involves lying on your back with the feet facing the boat, sitting up upon getting on the water, and slowly adjusting yourself into the chair position.

5.   Photography
If you are not into water sports and want to enjoy a boat ride, bringing a camera may help perk up your experience. Nature photography can help you capture moments and features that you are less likely to experience or see again. You can always use your smartphone if it has a decent camera, but for the best results, consider investing in a professional camera.

Endnote
The sea provides you with a wealth of unique features to explore; it’s up to you to understand your needs and head out for the waters with a clear objective. The above activities provide a fantastic place to start if you are new to boating.

Are you planning for a vacation? Of course, there are essential things which you’ll want to see in
the rental property or to have them in case you are the person renting. Different properties have
different items and amenities which fit different classes of people. Vocational properties need to
have better things as compared to hotels. Other than the advanced features and amenities,
there are standard items that matter to every visitor, making them feel at home. Some of these
little things include the below.

1. Guidebooks and Maps
Guidebooks and maps are some of the essential things vacation properties must-have. Guests
who have visited the property would like to see the nearby areas they can explore during their
visits. Guidebooks and maps come in handy since they give directions and places which your
guests can visit. The best things you can provide your visitors are guidelines and suggestions
for your city, and the only way you can do that is by providing maps and guidebooks in your 
rental property. Ensure the maps and books are updated and that they are reliable. Ensure
there is enough stock for every visitor that gets into your property.

2. Free Wi-Fi
With advanced technology and readily available internet, your visitors will expect readily
available free Wi-Fi in your vocational property. In most cases, visitors will inquire about the
availability of free Wi-Fi before they even check-in. Most travel experts recommend their client’s
hotels, which have a Wi-Fi connection and other advanced features. According to the travel
experts, whom you can visit their website, most travelers will want to keep communicating with
their friends and families at home and check on other updates. The best way you can facilitate
this activity is by providing them with a free, fast, and reliable Wi-Fi connection for their devices.
Free Wi-Fi is one of the best incentives you can give to your clients as a way of appreciating
them for choosing to stay at your vacation property. Ensure there is a reliable internet
connection to make the visitors recommend your hotel to others.

3. Books, Movies, and Games
Your visitors need to be occupied in their stay when they are done with exploring the areas.
Books, movies, and games are part of leisure and entertainment items preferred by many and
will be a significant boost in making your property worth staying. At times, visitors may feel tired
to walk out, or the weather might make them spend the day indoors. When you stock enough
books, games, and movies, it will keep them occupied until they are ready to go out again.
Ensure your entertainment area or one of the separate rooms has the latest movies and most
popular games, which visitors can use at will. The books also need to be specially selected for
travelers. These might include traveling guides to spice up their trips.

4. Cable TV or Streaming Services
Your visitors will want to catch up with the world news and their favorite programs during their
stay. Despite vacations not being meant for watching programs and live TV, a hard day’s travel
requires a quiet rest in the evening while watching favorite programs and keep up with the
news. If you want to furnish your guests with the amenities they get at their homes, a Cable TV
or the best video streaming services will be essential. Some of the cable and streaming services
you can include in your property include Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. Ensure a reliable internet
connection backs up these streaming services.

5. Kids’ Stuff
If your vocational property is suitable for families with kids, do not forget to include kids’ stuff.
While parents will be reaching and watching TV and other streaming services, kids also need to
stay occupied, and the best way you can facilitate this is by including kids’ items, including toys.
Other than just toys, you may want to have kids’ games, books, DVDs, and the kids’ movies, 
including cartoons. Besides leisure and play items, kids also require cribs, playpens, and other
supportive equipment for parents with children. The visitors will appreciate and recommend your
property to other visitors terming it as kids friendly when you offer these services. Ensure all the
items get updated once in a while and stay in good working condition.
​
The list of these items is endless. There are so many items you can enclose for your visitors.
What you need to remember is to keep the essentials first, as highlighted in this list. Besides
providing all these items, ensure that you become responsive to your visitors’ queries. Ensure
that every visitor gets attended appropriately, in a friendly and courteous manner. If you are a
visitor, take care of the things provided.it.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr, who announced a Labor pledge to inject $3 million over four years into tourism marketing partnerships to attract more direct domestic flights to Canberra, said Tasmania was the next state on the ACT’s radar. More info at ​https://the-riotact.com/airport-launches-direct-flights-to-sunshine-coast-and-cairns-and-hobart-may-be-next/407115

While the world may seem like a very big place, it is made much smaller when you start to make friends from around the world. Thanks to various modes of transportation and available delivery options, it seems that borders keep shrinking all of the time. It is now common to have friends from many different places in the world. This creates an enriching experience and certainly adds enjoyment to the lives of many people. You might be in the position now of having some international friends and you would like to demonstrate how much you appreciate them. Here are five perfect ideas to do exactly that.

Send Them a Plane Ticket

If your friends like to travel and you have the means to do so, you can consider surprising them with a plane ticket. This is a great way to reunite in person and spend some memorable moments together. Just let them know ahead of time so that you can arrange dates that work for both of you. You can shop around online for the best fares available during those times.

Use Local Stores to Deliver Something to Them

There are times when you can best show someone in another country that you are thinking of them by purchasing a few items from a local store and having them delivered directly. Thanks to the availability of online shopping, this is easier than ever before. You can use a service like Western Union to send money to India from Australia. That makes it even easier to pay for items if the merchant accepts it and get them on their way to your friend's location.

Consider a Gift Card

You do not always have to buy a physical gift to show your friends that you are thinking of them. In fact, a gift card will do just fine. This will allow those people you are close to internationally to purchase something that they need or would enjoy themselves.

Go See Them and Bring Some Souvenirs

If you are ready to take a trip yourself, then buy a plane ticket and go see your international friends. Before you go, get some souvenirs from your own country to take to them. This will make for a great gesture as they spend some time showing you around their own city.

These are five great ideas to show off your love for the friends you have made around the world. It is the thought that counts. The key is to embrace this newfound cultural diversity, learn from another, and continue to grow. Having international friends will broaden your perspective and make you realise just how small the world actually is.

How it works.
Note that you do NOT present us with the voucher. You need to:

1. Book your accommodation and pay direct, for a stay in Sept, Oct, Nov
2. Register to receive your voucher, opens 7 Sept
3. Complete your stay
4. Use your voucher to get our travel dollars refunded from the Government after your visit

For full details about this Government scheme, see https://buysomethingtasmanian.com.au/tourism/voucher/

Subject to availability and eligibility, you can register for the following voucher types:

1 adult registration (maximum claim of $150)

• 1 x $100 accommodation voucher and/or
• 1 x $50 experience voucher

2 adult registration (maximum claim of $300)

• 2 x $100 accommodation vouchers for use on different nights and/or
• 2 x $50 experience vouchers

Family with children registration (maximum claim of $550)
Family of 2 adults:

• 2 x $150 accommodation voucher for use on different nights and/or
• 2 x $50 experience vouchers

Family of 1 adult:

• 1 x $150 accommodation voucher and/or
• 1 x $50 experience voucher

Children:

• 1 x $50 experience voucher per child capped at three or $150

There are a limited number of vouchers available. Register early to be sure to get at least one voucher. Pending availability, you can register for additional vouchers only after your first voucher has been redeemed.

Regional public transport in the is pretty limited. Fortunately, there are plenty or rental cars available in Tasmania. Normally, it is always a good to book your car at least a few months before your trip. However with the current low numbers of non-Tasmanians, there are plenty of cars available.

​Tasmania is home to some of the best cool climate wines in the world, especially pino noir. Many of the wineries are located in beautiful surroundings: Enjoy views of rolling hills while you sample top-quality wines.
Many wineries also have award winning restaurants so be sure to leave plenty of time in your day to linger.

Following an active twelve-month-long review of its visitor information services, the Huon
Valley Council has made the difficult decision to close its Visitor Information Centre in
Huonville and visitor information space in Geeveston.

The comprehensive review of Council’s continued management and ownership of the
centres showed that operating circumstances have become more challenging over the past
12 months. At its March 2020 Special Meeting, Council resolved to continue to operate the Huonville
and Geeveston Visitor Centres, with a view to move towards a cost-neutral service model
for their continued operation.

“Unfortunately, due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the back of the downturn following the 2019 bushfires, this was going to be a very difficult task,” said Huon Valley Council Mayor Bec Enders.

A further review was undertaken to address new challenges and the rapidly changing
circumstances brought about by the current health crisis. At its 29 April 2020 Ordinary
Meeting, Council resolved to wind up operation of both centres due to the loss of tourism in
the region and budget constraints.

“The COVID-19 Emergency will continue to have effects on visitation in the Huon Valley in
the medium and long term, with limitations and restrictions on travel, public gatherings and
social distancing,” said Cr Enders.

“Many people have lost employment and probably won’t have funds available for leisure
travel for some time until the COVID-19 emergency is over. People are also likely to avoid
international travel for some time.

“The decision to close the centres has come after a thorough, comprehensive review of
Council’s visitor information services, and was not taken lightly. The approach to supporting
the visitor economy in the Huon Valley needs to be considered in the context of and in 
response to the health crisis, and unfortunately this means closing the visitor centres in
Huonville and Geeveston.

“Community engagement will commence soon on re-imagining the use of the vacant spaces
within the Geeveston Town Hall. We are excited about facilitating the discussion with our
community about how the Geeveston Town Hall can become not only a tourist destination
but also a vibrant community hub.”

Council’s decision to no longer provide visitor information centre services will ensure that
we can appropriately manage Council’s budget impacts of COVID-19, and continue to deliver
the services our community really needs.

“Council acknowledges that the visitor centres have provided significant value to the
community, local economy and the tourism sector, with many small tourism operators and
artisans having relied upon them,” said Cr Enders.

“Investment in dedicated and passionate people is a crucial part of providing and
showcasing the best of what the Valley has to offer, because it means we see more people
visiting the region, and more new residents joining our community.”

Cr Enders says Council remains committed to supporting the Huon Valley tourism and
business community as we respond to COVID-19.
“With a renewed focus, drive and dedication to deliver on our promises, we look forward to
progressing initiatives under the Huon Valley brand program.
“Council sincerely thanks each and every staff member for their dedication and passion in
delivering professional and well-regarded visitor information services to our community and
our visitors over the past ten years.”
​
For more information: Mayor Bec Enders (03) 6264 0300

​Remarkable Tactics to Boost Your Sales

1.   Virtual Tours
One of the main problems that face real estate agents is that some potential customers don’t have enough time to follow all the procedures and check all the houses in person until they find the one for them. So, to avoid this issue, you can start offering virtual tours for your customers so they can only visit the house they like the most. That way they will not waste their time visiting all the properties you have and they will know all the details they need to know about a place before they schedule a visit. Virtual tours give you an advantage over your competitors because customers will know that they can have an accurate image of a house before they see it in person, which will answer all the questions they have and will avoid wasting their time.

If you don’t work in a real estate company, and you’re just trying to sell your old house, you can hire a professional photographer with a 360º camera and upload all the videos and pictures on a website or social media platforms. You will be saving time for yourself and potential buyers because when someone contacts you, you’ll be sure that they’ve seen an accurate image of your house and that they’re interested in buying it. However, as a customer, there are some houses that you should see, because the air quality and the view will matter, especially if you’re looking for houses in big cities. If you’re moving to a bigger city, Jeff Stewart of Stewart Realty says it’s ideal to live near a greenbelt, which provides recreational opportunities, better air quality, and a way to enjoy nature. Such features will not be seen through 360º images and videos, so it’s better to check out these properties in person.

2.   Social Media Marketing
As a real estate company or someone trying to sell their own house, your online presence matters. Start by setting up accounts on all social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. You will be able to target more people that way and opportunities to sell will increase. You will have to interact with your followers and promote your properties on these platforms. To allow more people to see the houses you're selling, add images, videos, and all the available details on property pages, and make it easy for customers to contact you. However, before you start sharing your properties online, identify your target market and set a certain budget for online marketing. That way you will know who’s interested in your property and how much it will cost you to pump up your sales.

3.   Website
Having a good website will allow more people to find you, and can also reduce the total cost of online marketing. You should make it easy for potential customers to find you on google. To do that, you should invest in SEO to improve your ranking, update your location so those who are near you or looking for properties near you can find your website easily, and add as much information, images, and videos as you can on your site. By doing that you’ll be able to reach more people interested in your properties and the cost you spend on marketing will decrease.

4.   Invest in PPC Advertising
Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is one of the best techniques to utilize when you’re marketing for your properties. You will choose your target audience based on their interests and the location, and you will only pay when someone visits your site or clicks on your ad. It's a great way to ensure that the leads you're collecting are interested in real estate. However, if you don't know how it works, you should hire an expert because otherwise, you could end up paying a lot of money without reaping the desired results.

5.   Publish a Newsletter
For long-term success, it's recommended to publish a real estate newsletter on your website. The newsletter can include why people should invest in real estate, why they should own a house, updates about mortgage rates, or anything related to real estate in general. However, in order for this newsletter to be successful, you should be consistent and publish monthly or weekly if you could. You can also send the newsletter to your customers or new leads via email. Email marketing is beneficial for your company as it will show you who's interested in knowing the updates you publish, who unsubscribed from the newsletter, and whether they opened the email or not. These insights will help you improve your newsletter, which could increase your sales as well.

Selling a property is a long process that requires a lot of effort, which is why it’s important to make it as easy as possible for your customers. No matter what tactic you want to follow to boost your sales, you should first know who your target market is and the things they’re interested in. Knowing these two points will ease a lot of things for you and you will know which marketing way will increase your sales. If you’re not a professional real estate agent and you want to sell your property, consulting or hiring a real estate agent will be better for you and will save you a lot of time.

Travelling to a new place is always exciting, especially when you’re going to an entirely
different continent that’s located on a completely different hemisphere. Not knowing what to
expect or what awaits you can be thrilling, but it can also be a bit scary.

If you’re looking for a stress-free travelling experience, here’s a list of things you
should plan ahead for:
​
Parking
One of the things many people tend to forget when travelling abroad is where to park their
car. With high crime rates in Seattle, the thought of leaving your car unattended while you
travel internationally can be a bit worrying. Leaving your car at Sea Tac airport parking will
not only make it easier for you to get to the airport, but is also an excellent option in terms of
price. That way, you won’t only avoid the stress and worry concerning the safety of your car,
but you’ll also be doing it at a fraction of the usual cost.

Visa
In order to enter Australia, you’ll need a valid passport as well as a visa. If you’re planning on
visiting Australia for tourism or business reasons and will stay for a period less than 90 days,
then you can most probably obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). This is an electronic
visa that can be acquired through the ETA website. You can also find many travel agencies
or airlines that offer visa services at an additional cost. In all cases, it is important to obtain a
visa in advance in order to be able to enter the country without any issues.
​
Quarantine laws and regulations
Australians take quarantine laws and regulations very seriously. That’s why there are many
items that are either prohibited to enter the country, or need to be declared for them to
decide whether they could possibly carry any form of diseases or introduce pests that could
cause any problems to their environment. In order to avoid the stress of being searched and
even paying a fine, make sure you avoid bringing food, plants, animal products, seeds, fruits,
feathers, leathers and skins or anything made of wood when travelling to Australia.

Be prepared for the weather
If you’re not familiar with Australia’s moody weather, you’re in for a big surprise. In one day,
you could be going through four different seasons, which is something you’ll need to plan out
in advance. In order not to stir panic because of the weather when you get there, make sure
you always pack layers that you can put on and take off easily whenever the seasons
change within the day. It’s always best to have an umbrella or a waterproof rain coat too,
even if you’re heading there during the summer.

Enjoy your trip to Australia without having to worry with these tips. As long as you’re
prepared, know what to expect, what to avoid, what to pack and have done your proper
research, you’ll get the chance to experience a whole new continent with zero stress. Just
remember, Australia is like a whole other world and it is best to know the best places to visit
before you go!

 
Obstacle Course
Everyone loves a challenging race. Set up an obstacle course in your backyard using cones, old tires, ropes, and whatever you can find in your garage. Form teams and race with each other. You may even include a treasure hunt to make the race even more challenging. On the other hand, you can design a race course that matches the skill level of each member of the family to guarantee that everyone will have fun. You can also involve everyone in the preparation by asking them to contribute to the planning and come up with an obstacle of their choice.
​
Pools, Slides and Trampolines
If you do not have the luxury of time, as well as the budget to book a trip and visit a water park, then better create one in your backyard. Set up an inflatable pool where your kids cool down after jumping from a trampoline. You can also opt to set up a giant slide leading up to the inflatable pool, or better yet, put up a slip and slide. Several online reviews will give you an idea of the best inflatable pools, trampolines, as well as slip and slides for the summer. Among these online reviews, The Toy Report definitely provides a smart guide. Everyone in your family, kids, and adults alike, will surely have fun being under the sun with these easy to set up devices in your yard, transforming your backyard into your own water park. You can even enhance the fun with water guns and giant bubbles. Having fun in a water park, in this case, your own water park, truly never goes out of style.

Giant Board Games
Board games have been around since time immemorial. Playing giant board games in your backyard under the sun is a great way for you to teach your kids a nice game of chess, scrabble, or even snakes and ladders. There are also giant games of checkers and Tic-Tac-Toe that you can set up in your yard. Almost all board games now have giant counterparts, even Jenga blocks. Apart from being fun, these games will surely bring you back to the time when you were a kid yourself.
 
In conclusion, many summer backyard activities are timeless. Most of these you even remember from your childhood. Fill up everyone’s tummy with traditionally grilled barbeque and burgers after these tiring, but fun activities and games. Give your children the benefit of enjoying a pleasurable summer, much as you experienced, through these classic activities. Apart from the fun and exercise you get from these activities, what matters more is the quality time well spent with your loved ones.