Find something different to do on holidays with our easy ABC guide!

A - Abseiling and Rock Climbing. Get the adrenalin pumping with a beginners lesson on rock climbing and abseiling, the technique used for travelling down a rope. At the end of the day youll be able to step over the edge of a cliff! Outdoor courses for kids and adults are available in bush land throughout Australia, and indoor climbing centres in major cities.

B - BBQ Sports. Get the neighbourhood together for a cricket match on the nearest oval. For the younger ones, substitute the cricket ball with a tennis ball or organise a game of rounders.

C - Camping. Get back to nature by packing the tent and sleeping bags and finding a beautiful space under the stars for a few nights. Build a fire at night (fire restrictions permitting), toast marshmallows and tell tall tales. Visit state tourism bureau websites. If you dont own equipment, check out your local camping stores for purchase and hire, or visit www.britz.com for campervan hire.

D - Diving and Snorkeling. Dive with dolphins for a magical experience there are lots of tours around Australia. Melbourne Aquarium has shark diving, Sea World on the Gold Coast has diving and snorkeling. Sea World has Rock Pool adventures for the ones. Visit www.melbourneaquarium.com.au, and www.seaworld.com.au.

E - Expeditions. Create your own to discover something new by making a day of it. Test all the theme park rides in your nearest city to determine the scariest, go on an ice-cream shop tour, or find the best bike path.

F - Fishing. Go beach fishing, from a jetty, squid fishing at night or fly fishing upstream. The Compleat Angler has 36 stores around Australia, visit www.compleatangler.com.au Local bait and tackle stores can help with recommended spots and the right bait.

G - Go-kart racing. For the rev-heads in the family. Most centres offer Formula 1 style lap racing with starting grid, and plenty of jockeying for position on the turns. Age restrictions apply.

H - Houseboat. Hire a houseboat to holiday on a river. Find a secluded spot to drop anchor and let the kids swim and play.

I - IMAX Theatres. Larger than life expeditions into nature and culture that jump out of the giant screen. Visit www.imax.com.au for whats on and session times.

J - Jet boats. Hang on and get wet! Jet boat experiences are on the Gold Coast, Cairns, Sydney Harbour and the Huon River in Tasmania. Theres adrenalin pumping action including wave surfing, fish tails, and spins at speeds of up to 80km.

K - Kiteboarding. For those with surfing or wind-surfing experience, take it to a new acrobatic level with a kiteboarding lesson. All you need is sun, surf and wind.

L - Learn to surf There are surf schools dotted all around the coastline to get beginners, young and old, into the groove. Boards and other equipment are usually provided. Surf Life Saving clubs can provide further information.

M - Mountain Biking Breath in the fresh air and pedal hard on a guided mountain bike tour in a State forest. Tours range from a few hours to all day, some include overnight stays.

N - National Parks Pack a picnic or BBQ supplies and head to one of the many magnificent national parks in your state for walking, swimming and lots of fresh air.

O - Orienteering Contestants use a map and compass to navigate between checkpoints through bushland. Orienteering events cater for all ages and most have courses for beginners. www.orienteering.asn.au lists all state organisations.

P - Planetarium Discover the incredible world of star gazing at an observatory or planetarium. Learn to identify some of the main star patterns and marvel at the galaxy. Visit www.astronomy.org.au for observatories and planetariums in each state.

Q - Quiver Enrol the family in an archery course and learn to shoot a quiver of arrows. Most clubs cater for all ages and have introductory courses. Visist www.archery.org.au for a club near you.

R - Riding Jump in the saddle and get close to nature on horseback. Most operators have horses for all levels and provide riding helmets. Mooch along a bush track or gallop through the forest.

S - Sea Kayaking Visit places only accessible by water, explore the coastline and sea ecology with an experienced guide. Sea kayaking is best for adults and teenagers 15 years and over with swimming skills.

T - Trekking A good pair of hiking boots, hat, and supplies including a compass, map, water and munchies are all you need to take to some of the great trekking trails around Australia.

U - Urban Journeys Cities are full of exciting experiences. There are indoor climbing gyms, trapeze lessons, parks for picnics, science exhibitions, movie festivals, fares with rides and lots more. Your state museum is a great place to start.

V - Volleyball The perfect summer sport, what better way to while away a few hours on a beach! Check out your local beaches to see if there is equipment and teams organised. Or buy a net and ball and set one up yourself.

W - Water Parks When the heat gets too much, pack up the kids and head to a water park for hours of cool entertainment.

X - Xtreme sports Not for the feint hearted! But you can always be a spectator. These include motorcross, skateboarding and BMX biking. Visit www.planetx.net.au which includes a section on Grom Sessions, events where the kids can learn tips from professionals. Another cool site is www.skateboard.com.au.

Y - Yachting Sailing lessons are a seafaring way to enjoy learn about boats and enjoy being on the water. Check out the yacht clubs in your state to find lessons for the family.

Z - Zoos Major zoos around Australia have holiday programs for kids, and summer family programs. The Melbourne Zoo has the Twilight Music series over 29 summer evenings. Visit www.zoo.org.au and www.zoo.nsw.gov.au.