As I walked along my local beach, I saw a young father playing with his two small children. They were making the most spectacular sandcastle—an enormous, elaborate concoction, complete with moat, dribbled sand battlements, driftwood defences and seashell-crusted turrets. The little boy and girl were running back and forth between the castle and the water’s edge, squealing with excitement, cupped hands dripping as they tried to ferry enough of the sea in their tiny palms to fill their moat. They were in another world entirely, just the three of them.

It occurred to me that I had just seen a memory in the making. I suspect that those small children will never forget that castle, or those wondrous moments on the beach with their father. It was one of those childhood moments that have the power to last forever.

There are always precious moments to be enjoyed and memories to make, whether it’s a summer holiday, a day trip, or just a few hours in the afternoon. We hope these following moments from 2016 inspire you to create many more unforgettable moments in 2017. Take inspiration from Emily Dickinson and make the most of each moment,

“Forever is composed of nows.” – Emily Dickinson

Sean Scott explores the Bay of Fires

Elise Cook on her Great Eastern Drive road trip

Maria Island, East Coast Cruises by Sean Scott

Elise Cook lost in the moment at Wineglass Bay

Exploring Bay of Fires from the water with Bay of Fires Eco Tours, by @sideprjct

Picnic at Little Beach

Road-tripping the Great Eastern Drive

An afternoon at Peron Dunes by Lisa Kuilenburg

Choosing where to go next along the Great Eastern Drive

It’s all sunshine and watermelon

Capturing the moment to show your friends you really had the best time ever!

Picnic at Spikey Beach by @sideprjct

Cruising Freycinet National park with Wineglass Bay Cruises

Sunrise at Saltwater Sunrise by @sideprjct

Elise Cook at The Gardens with Scout

Sunset at Wineglass Bay by Sean Scott