Wippa’s top family travel tips

Radio host and dad-of-two Michael Wipfli offers some savvyypplanningg advice

Let everyone speak up now

Everyone one involved needs to state whatw they’re hoping to achieve on the holiday. If you want to go to a fun park, or if you want to visit a giant man-made potato in the town of Robertson, NSW, where you can walk inside and it looks like mash, now is the time to put your hand up.

Take the time to make memories

Family h holidaylid photosht can bhdbe hard work. Fact: It’s impossible to keep two young kids in one position for longer than two seconds... unless they’re in a cage or tied to a post. Try taking a photo of kids at the beach – you put both down, one goes left, the other heads right and you just hope they come home at the end of the day.

Know your aircraft

Besides childbirth or being on death row, flying with kids is one of the most confronting things to consider. The first time we flew, we took 30 packets of ear plugs for other passengers, just in case everything got ugly. Another realisation is that changing a nappy in the toilets down the back of the plane doesn’t leave you much room to move. Anyone that can hear you in there would probably think you’re trying to make a baby, not change one.

Live like a local

Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk reckons if you’re booking through the service, ask your host for local recommendations. “From restaurants or where to get the freshest produce to cook your own meals, to playgrounds and even babysitters,” says Nathan. Adds Wippa, “Introduce yourself to the bloke in the coffee shop, shake the hand of the girl in the chemist, let them know you’re new to the area.”