Sun, ski and kids' iPads apps for good, not evil: travel deals August 18

Ski-in, ski-out Falls Creek, Victoria

As the rain and hail beat down, a week in Byron Bay is sweet music to the ears in this office. But then, so is the idea of hot chocolate in the snowfields, especially as Falls Creek has cracked the one-meter mark! Sun, ski: choose your passion. There's also a cool new kids' iPad application that is (a) cheap (b) educational and (c) won't send you into a world of spam and irate sword-wielding cats demanding you buy more, more and more.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Sneak away to beloved Byron Bay for a long weekend of surfing, coffee and music. Save 15 per cent when you book a three-night package at BreakFree Eco Beach between September 21, 2013 – March 31, 2014. Costs from $432, three nights, studio room. breakfree.com.au.

VICTORIA

Stay three nights at Falls Creek and get a three-day lift pass and three days of ski or board rental, parka and pants and snowsports school for kids. From $499 adults, $405 kids (3-14 years) 13-29 September, quote ‘snowtime intro’. 1800 453 525, skifalls.com.au/deals.

CANADA & ALASKA

Get a free return flight to Canada (just pay taxes) and one free night when you book an APT Canada tour by October 25. The 19-day tour of the Canadian Rockies and Alaska departing April 14, 2014 costs from $10,395 a person, twin share. 131 398, travelscene.net.au.

KIDS

Turn the iPad into a weapon for good with the new Kid Tracks app, aimed at kids 6-12 years. Download the free app and then buy ‘tracks’ for 99c each, which lead kids (and their virtual pet) through 46 attractions in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.

The multiple-choice questions mean kids learn and earn, with prizes at the end. You get to visit the Old Melbourne Gaol, Harbour Bridge or even the Art Gallery of NSW with serenity and sanity intact. kidtracks.com.au. 

Source: Belinda Jackson, Sun-Herald newspaper