Pleasing the entire family on holiday is an issue which takes some serious forethought and planning each year. But there is an easy way out. Go somewhere which offers everything in terms of entertainment and adventure, for all ages. Do a little research and make a list of all that everyone can do and see while on location, and then unpack your rod and basket, find a sun hat and off you go!

Australia is one such destination. And there are many options in every corner of the continent. Sydney, Perth and Darwin are cities from where great fishing expeditions can begin but here are just a few suggestions for other cities popular with GCC tourists. Plan ahead and search the internet for many options � or ask your travel agent for ideas and then start packing.

If you and the family are into theme parks and shopping and would love to holiday on the Gold Coast in the state of Queensland, then you are indeed in luck! As from the Gold Coast, some of the best angling fishing in the area can be organized and catches include a wide variety of delicious, local fish, including Bream, Snapper and Tailor. All of these fish can be caught along the beaches with Bream and Tailor also able to be caught in some of the estuaries. Gold Coast, Queensland - : If you wish to go further off shore, there are a number of charter operations on the Gold Coast offering everything from saltwater and estuary fishing tours to deep sea blue water sport and game fishing trips. Fish caught on these organized fishing trips include Snapper, Cobia, Kingfish, Amberjack, Sharks, Mackerel, Tuna, Sailfish and, Marlin. Further north, the Sunshine Coast is another fantastic spot for entertainment and fishing at all levels.

The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland - : Cairns, further north from the Gold Coast and still in Queensland, is another wonderful destination for the entire family for a few days of action including a day trip to the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, many local indigenous attractions, the rainforest, and at least a day or two of, what else, fishing for you! For without a doubt, the 150 mile stretch of the Great Barrier Reef between Cairns and Lizard Island provides the finest fishing in the world for very large Marlin. The mere mention of the name Marlin conjures up a vision of this most splendid of creatures, glistening and shimmering through the air on a gigantic leap from its blue ocean home, thrashing the ocean surface wildly and powerfully. Each year these giant fish migrate here to breed. The area has yielded more Marlin weighing in at 1000 pounds and heavier than any other part of the world. Anglers travel from across the globe to Cairns each year to experience some of the most exciting game fishing imaginable and if you are a serious big game angler, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. For while you may not see yourself as a Hemmingway character capable of taking on a long battle with a Marlin, the experience is sure to be one that dreams are made of.

Day trips from the tropical tourist city of Cairns or from the exclusive resort at Lizard Island can be arranged and �granders� are caught each year by anglers on day charters. But you increase your chances at the biggest fish by chartering a multiple-day trip and living on the reef, diving or snorkeling or reef fishing in the morning, trolling for giants in the afternoon, and relaxing amidst the beauty and solitude of the reef at night.

Anglers can either live comfortably aboard the game fishing boat or charter a �mothership� from 60 to 120 ft and live in luxury comparable to a 5-star hotel.

This allows anglers to follow the fish with the freedom to move where the fishing is best on the reef at the moment.

The large fish are of course the main attraction, but Cairns is also famous for its diversity in light tackle sport fish. The morning's bait fishing can give the anglers great enjoyment on light tackle, catching such species as Wahoo, King Kackerel, various Tuna species, Giant Trevally and Mahi Mahi. In a typical season, a charter of one week generally provides a 50-50 shot at landing a marlin over 800 lbs, though of course there are no guarantees.

Perth, Western Australia -: On the other side of Australia lies Perth, Western Australia (WA), just a ten hour flight from Dubai and a world away from the heat of the GCC this time of year! Here too families can enjoy shopping, aquariums, zoos, theme parks and activities galore and dine on some fantastic fare.

Perth is known for its seafood restaurants so whether you catch anything or not, there will always be fish on the menu! WA�s abundant coastline and rivers make for excellent fishing conditions as well. Fishing is the State's largest recreational activity and is well supported with information booklets, websites, magazines, charter fishing boats, self-drive runabouts and Professional Fishing Guides.

Among the most prized trophies is the exciting and elusive Barramundi, found in the far northern rivers. These spectacular fish grow to around one meter in length and are famous for their strength, endurance and fighting tactics. You will often see them jumping high out of the water to toss the bait and in Australia, you will also often find them on the menu as they make wonderful, tasty eating.

Off the coastal reefs, anglers will find hundreds of species including enormous Snapper, hungry Cod, delicious Coral Trout, Sharks and other giants such as the massive Cobia.

Sailfish are also popular in the north, and Marlin too are not uncommon along the deeper, blue-water trenches.

Fishing can also be good closer to Perth, with Herring, Tailor and Dhufish caught off the coast at Perth and Rottnest Island, either from boat or from shore, so venturing far from the city is not essential either.

Melbourne, Victoria -: And although the State of Victoria in the south will be cold during the months of July and August, it is worth mentioning as a beautiful and abundant spot for future trips. Melbourne, the capital, a gracious and family-friendly city, is easily accessible from the GCC, with many flights from all major cities coming in via Singapore or direct from Dubai. About a two hour drive south will get you to Port Phillip Bay, where the Morwong and many abundant fish species are found. Of these, the Flathead is arguably the most abundant, making up the bulk of recreational boat anglers catches. The most highly prized fish, the Snapper, is another species to be found here and makes characteristic seasonal appearances in the bay. Rounding off, Mullet, Garfish, Australian Salmon as well as a host of others are fished throughout the year.

End

For further information please contact Alison Holmes, Public Relations � Bahrain Tel: +973 17 564531 Fax: +973 17 581457 Email: alisonh@batelco.com.bh