Papatura family getaway

My family and I recently returned from a fabulous 10-day holiday at Papatura Island Retreat. Travelling with our 6 and 9 year old daughters is something my husband and I had waited to do until now, because we wanted to enjoy our time away, and we wanted them to enjoy it too. For any parents wondering, travelling with a family comes with a lot to consider — for us, the Solomon Islands ticked every box. Our children had such a ball experiencing a three-hour plane ride, taxi, small plane, then boat ride, all in one day. What an adventure! We left our home on the Gold Coast that morning, and by the afternoon we were swimming in warm, crystal-clear water in what can only be described as paradise.

Our hosts Marg and Pete were so welcoming and made us feel at home instantly — they have grandchildren themselves, so they understand what holidaying with children is all about, and were able to cater to the kids' food choices as well as our own. The girls absolutely loved hearing the lunch and dinner bell ring and running down excitedly to see what was in store. On the rainy tropical days we enjoyed card games and reading from the Retreat's library; on sunny days, the walk to the waterfall, squid fishing on the jetty, trekking to Dolphin Cove, snorkelling at the blue lagoon and out the front of the resort, dolphin boat rides, jumping off the jetty, watching daddy surf, lots of swimming and many, many hours of fishing. For all of us, the visit to the local village was a highlight — meeting the Solomon Islands people and seeing how they live was eye-opening and thoroughly enjoyable, and we were welcomed with open arms. We were also lucky enough to visit "Honeymoon Island" and enjoy being marooned in tropical paradise for the afternoon.

Our family would highly recommend Papatura Island Retreat as a wonderful and unforgettable family getaway. We came back feeling connected to nature, relaxed and happy. A few tips for families thinking of visiting:

• Pack activity books, drawing, colouring-in and reading material for the plane and for rainy island days.
• Bring snacks for between meals — our kids got hungry between meals thanks to all the swimming, sun and activity.
• Zinc was priceless.
• Take thin, quick-drying beach towels — the tropical moisture means towels and clothing take a lot longer to dry.
• The retreat has a clothes-washing service, great to use about halfway through your stay for fresh clean clothes, especially for the flight home.

We enjoyed island life so much that we'll definitely be returning to this beautiful getaway.

Happy travelling! — Jasmin Wickham, Gold Coast, Australia