My Opinions works fairly well when you link up with your Rewards Central account and tranfer the points you earn from surveys into the eBank on Rewards Central. I have pretty regular $30 payments from these two combined. The interest you get in the eBank is pretty good.

The surveys you get from My Opinions are usually pretty fair for the reward offered. Don't expect to make a fortune though, its only pocket money :)

Finding accommodation in Chinchilla can be a challenge, particularly if there is a function happening. Lots of the motels are taking semi-permanant bookings for contractors who are working on the new project sites. I found a room at the Chinchilla White Gums Motor Inn. A lovely place, new, clean, comfortable. Its on the highway just before you get into town and you get a bit of noise at night, but nothing that will keep you awake.

I had a really nice lunch at Meadowbrook winery. It's around 20 minutes from Hobart in the Coal River Valley. To get there from Hobart you head toward the airport and at Cambridge take a left hand turn to Richmond. Follow that road for about 5-10 minutes and you will see Meadowbank on the right hand side of the road.

It's a fairly unassuming building from the outside, but it's an interesting experience walking inside. As you enter you pass through the cellar door shop and walk through to the restaurant which is a big open room with cathedral ceilings. Light natural timbers line the walls and ceiling, the floor is a matt polished concrete, and on the far wall a big cast metal fireplace and the room is complimented with several sets of wooden wine barrels on wrought iron racks.

Sitting down at the tables you take in the view through large french windows opening out on a panorama that spreads across the vineyard, to the scenic mountain rim in the distance, down across farms in the Coal River valley to the water, and right in the middle of the panorama, on a small hill, is a large (26metre) radio telescope owned by the University of Tasmania.

I'm no food critic but my experience was that the service was first class and food was top notch cuisine. The menu offers an interesting twist, you can select a specific meal, or choose a selection of any, or all of the choices on the menu, in an appropriately sized portion. No different to a chinese banquest I guess, but nonetheless unexpected and refreshing option in a fine dining experience.

This was my preferred hotel on busines trips to Melbourne for about 3 years. The room and service was good, and you could get a decent meal anytime of the day or night. There are also some wonderful places nearby for breakfast/lunch/dinner.

Approximate cost: $200 per night

This hotel is quite convenient and reasonably priced for Melbourne. When I stayed there it was looking a little dated and the rooms were a quite small. The staff were lovely, breakfast was ok and overall the stay was good.

Peppers Moonah Links is a golf course as the name suggests but is located at Fingal on the Mornington Peninsula and is handy to many of the tourist spots such as Sorrento, Arthurs Seat, Cape Schank etc.

The apartments are located away from the main golf / function centre and they were of a very high standard. Very comfortable bed, nice bathroom, functional kitchen, with dishwasher, small fridge, washer and dryer.

At $190 a night it isn't cheap but the apartment had 2 bedrooms which was great with 2 kids as most places want you to book a second room.

I have stayed here a few times on business trips to Hobart. This is one hotel where if you get the choice then it is worth spending the extra and getting a room with views. Wake up in the morning and take in the view across the harbour, you will love it.

Also if you ever catch the red eye into Hobart and arrive around 9.30 / 10.00 then this is about the only place you will get a meal in Hobart on a week night. I think the bistro is open till about 10.30.

Went looking for a bicycle for a birhtday present for my oldest boy. The range of bikes available and the service received was excellent. Highly recommend giving them a try.

This is one of the bigger Bunnings Store in Brisbane. The have everything you would ever need for that home project. I have been to a few different Bunnings Stores but the service I received from this one was much better than normal.

If you live in Brisbane and you would like to make some extra tax free money doing focus groups the Chitchat Research is well worth joining. I get an invite about once per fortnight to a focus group and the pay is usually in the order of $80 for a 1.5 hour focus group session.