Family holidays with your kids can be a fantastic experience, both for you and for them. Travelling helps build confidence, exposes kids to other cultures and different ways of living, and helps create wonderful memories. If you’re planning a trip down under, you’ll find plenty of amazing things to do and see as a family. These family holidays in Australia showcase the best that this majestic continent has to offer.
Family holidays in Australia: Queensland
Brisbane
Queensland is home to many beautiful regions, including the stunning Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast, and the fast-paced city of Brisbane. If you’re planning a family holiday in Queensland, basing yourself in Brisbane is a great option. The city has tons of family-friendly hotels, like the Flynn Brisbane or the View Brisbane, and fun attractions for a great day out.
One of the best places to visit with kids in Brisbane is the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which is located around a 20min drive from the city centre. The centre is home to around 70 native Australian species and visitors get the chance to hand-feed and interact with adorable koala bears. You can buy tickets online before your visit and day passes cost around A$35 (£20) for a child and A$55 (£28) for an adult.
Sunshine Coast
True to its name, Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is famous for its gorgeous white sands, turquoise waters, and balmy weather. The beaches alone make the Sunshine Coast a brilliant place to visit with kids, who will enjoy playing and paddling on the wide-open shores. The Sunshine Coast is also home to the Australia Zoo, where you can see reptiles that were rescued by the legendary Australian Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. The zoo also houses tigers, tortoises, lizards, and ringtail lemurs.
Another great spot on the Sunshine Coast for family holidays in Australia is the Queensland Air Museum, which is located just over a 1h drive from Brisbane. The museum has over 70 historic aircrafts, including examples from early aviation and fighter jets. The air museum is open every day and entry costs around A$20 (£12) for adults and AS10 (£6) for kids.
Family holidays in Australia: New South Wales
Sydney
One of the most exciting places to visit in New South Wales is undoubtedly Sydney. Sydney is the largest city in Australia and has plenty of fun activities that kids will love. Aside from sightseeing at famous attractions, like the Sydney Opera House or the Hornby Lighthouse, Sydney is also home to a ton of family-friendly amusement parks and museums.
Family groups can visit the Australian Museum to see dinosaur skeletons, and marine life, and learn about indigenous Aboriginal culture. The museum has lots of interactive rooms where kids can learn, play, and interact with the artifacts. For kids who enjoy swimming, the Aquatopia Prairie Land Water Park is a great day out. You can also enjoy family-group water sports at the nearby Bondi Beach, with surfing lessons, boat tours of the bay, and whale-watching excursions available.
Family holidays in Australia: Victoria
Melbourne
Melbourne is a bustling city and a lively place for family groups. One of the first stops you should make on your Melbourne tour is at the ArtVo interactive art gallery. This immersive space lets you walk through a series of magical murals that are super kid-friendly and make for some highly entertaining family photos. You could also call in at the Scienceworks Museum, which has tons of great hands-on exhibits and a planetarium.
Another great family-friendly spot in Melbourne is the SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, where you’ll get the chance to see exotic marine life, such as stingrays, penguins, and tropical fish. Melbourne Zoo is also a great day out for budding naturalists, with giraffes, gorillas, elephants, orangutans, and many more fascinating species. Pro tip: the zoo is vast, so make sure to get a map before your visit so you can choose the animals that you want to see.
Warrnambool
If you’re looking for a peaceful family getaway on the coast, Victoria’s Warrnambool might be an ideal option for you. With miles of secluded shoreline and a whale-watching platform on Logan’s Beach, Warrnambool is a wonderful place to relax and feel at one with nature. Heart set on seeing whales in Warrnambool? You’ll get reliable Humpback sightings throughout September and October, whereas March through May is the best time to see Orcas, Minkes, and Grey whales.
Family holidays in Australia: South Australia
Adelaide
Adelaide is a great place to base yourself, especially if you’ve got an epic family holiday planned. Adelaide city centre has numerous outdoor playgrounds, such as The Paddocks Reserve, the Glenunga Hub Playground, and the Dunstan Adventure Playground. You could also enjoy a day out at the Mega Fast Karts go-kart course or head to the Bounce Inc Indoor Trampoline Park.
Adelaide is also home to the Australian Space Discovery Centre, where kids can learn about the history of Australian space exploration. The National Railway Museum is also a great spot to check out if you’ve got kids who love trains. The exhibitions feature old steam engines, a light railway, and modern vehicles.
Port Lincoln
If you’re planning a family holiday in South Australia, Port Lincoln has a great range of both kid-friendly activities and opportunities for parents to unwind. Only a 15min drive from Port Lincoln Centre, you can visit the Glen-Forest Tourist Park & Vineyard. The Park features a petting zoo and is home to a range of cuddly Australian critters, like koalas, wombats, and kangaroos.
You can also take a tour of the Lincoln Estate Wine Cellars, which are open every day from the late morning into the early afternoon. Perfect if you’ve got a day away from the kids and want the chance to sample some local vintages.
Family Holidays in Australia: Western Australia
Perth
If you’re looking for an Australian city with a thriving atmosphere and tons of great family-friendly attractions, Perth in Western Australia should definitely be on your list. Take your kids on a trip to the Perth Mint Museum, which features a range of interactive exhibits about the Australian gold rush and modern gold mining. You could also climb the iconic Bell Tower, which offers amazing views over the city and the chance to ring one of the historic bells inside.
Perth also has a fantastic science museum, called the Scitech, where kids can enjoy interactive science-based games or visit the planetarium. For a lovely free day out with the kids, you can also wander around the Kings Park and Botanic Gardens. This area boasts beautiful flower beds, thriving wildlife, and plenty of green spaces where little ones can run around.
Family Holidays in Australia: Northern Territory
Darwin
Swim with crocs, enjoy some wild river swimming, or ride the swell in Wave Lagoon. Darwin in the Northern Territory is a great place to be if you love water-based thrills. At Crocosaurus Cove, you can dive into a clear pool teaming with wild crocs and observe them from the safety of your own protective tank.
For river swimming, you can stroll along to the pools in Berry Springs Nature Park. These freshwater pools are surrounded by shallow falls and are ideal for a cooling dip. Be aware that from October to April, the pools may sometimes be closed due to high water levels after rain.
Family holidays in Australia are the stuff that epic memories are made of. With so many amazing places to visit, you’ll want to go back every year. These recommendations will help you plan your future travel schedule for the next time you head down under.
