The Best Family Holiday Destinations in Australia to Make Core Memories

Striking the right balance when it comes to family holidays can be tricky – you need somewhere easy to get to, with something for everyone, whether it's your pool-loving toddler or adventurer-seeker primary schooler. Plus, don't forget about some downtime for the parents, too. 

Luckily for us, Australia is brimming with outstanding options for the whole family, from the beach to the bush and everything in between, keep reading as we round up the best family holiday destinations in Australia to bookmark for your next escape. 

There’s no doubt that Byron Bay is one of the most iconic beach towns in Australia. The coastal gem is a destination for surfers, backpackers, creatives, yogis, and, of course, the annual schoolies crowd, too. 

his enclave more than provides with its chic beach bungalows, foodie hangouts and buzzing bar scene. However, existing alongside these, are a slew of family-friendly activities that make it an ideal spot to bring the kids come summer.

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Byron Main Beach and Wategos offer surfing lessons, kayaking tours alongside dolphins and turtles and endless sandcastle-making potential. Coastal walks are also a great way to use up that school-holiday energy the little ones have, even if it means you need to bribe them with ice cream at the end (pro tip: In The Pink Gelato, do decadent and delicious scoops). 

The Farm is an 80-acre working farm located in Ewingsdale and houses a collection of micro-businesses, all operating with the same motto — to grow, feed, and educate its guests. Here, you'll find the celebrated Three Blue Ducks, a much-loved restaurant and produce store, and The Bread Social, an artisan bakehouse baking everything from bio-dynamic sourdoughs to light buttery pastries. As well as food, there's so much your kids can enjoy here, from farm tours, sunflower fields, and picnic areas where you can BYO. 

A 50-minute drive from Byron is the Currumbin Wildlife Park. where you'll see native Australian wildlife, enjoy interactive animal encounters, and experience fun-filled activities for the whole family in a lush, natural setting.

11 Ewingsdale Road, Ewingsdale

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Crystalbrook Byron is an ideal base for families thanks to its beautiful rainforest surroundings, large pool and close proximity to the centre of Byron Bay. It's nestled in 45 acres of stunning subtropical rainforest and perfectly blends the magic of nature with responsible luxury accommodation and the local environment. 

77-97 Broken Head Road, Byron Bay

The nation’s capital has been the go-to place for school excursions for decades, and for good reason. This political playground has the perfect mix of educational activities, culture and fun.

And since it’s so small, you can cover a lot of ground in just a couple of days. Part scholastic, part leisure – Canberra is the kind of trip that will foster adventurous little minds and spark curiosity wherever you choose to go.

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Incredible galleries, museums, beautiful parks, and plenty of open-air activities promise to entertain everyone in the group. One place that’s sure to bring back your own nostalgia is Questacon. Tucked inside the National Science and Technology Centre, this interactive museum is an absolute must. It’s made up of seven science-filled rooms, each of which has hands-on experiences, experiments, and quirky displays.

King Edward Terrace, Parkes 

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Fox and Bow is a cosy café with healthy options, and something to please even the fussiest kids. While they’re waiting for their order, the kids can amuse themselves in the outdoor play area.

Little Oink in Cook is another kid-friendly café that ticks all the boxes for little ones. These guys have thought of everything, complete with a comprehensive kid's menu, a kiddy corner full of toys, a blackboard, and even a change table with spare nappies. 

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East Hotel has a bunch of cool, contemporary rooms and suites, including the Kids Cubby. Connected to the East Apartment, it’s decked out with bunk beds, kids' play and dining table, Lego, bean bags, and an Xbox. 

69 Canberra Avenue, Kingston

Heading to Cairns with kids means an adventure-packed escape that's all about enjoying one of our country's most incredible natural wonders - the Great Barrier Reef. The perfect trip for kids four and over; there is so much to see and do here. 

From swimming in the vibrant coral reefs, splashing in the Cairns Lagoon, and taking a thrilling trip to the Daintree Rainforest to spot crocodiles, a holiday here will inspire a lifelong love of nature in your kids.

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One of the most iconic attractions in Cairns is the Kuranda Scenic Railway, an incredible feat of construction and engineering that stands the test of time. Constructed over several years in the late 1800s, the railway now operates as a tourist attraction that winds around the craggy mountains and through the lush rainforest, stopping off at viewing platforms so that you can ogle at the Barron Falls lookout and snap some photos to remember your trip.

One of Cairns’ more adventurous experiences is the Wildlife Dome, perched above the Casino of all places. Scale a treetop challenge with a Zoom entry, or keep your feet planted firmly on the ground as you explore the Wildlife Dome, coming face to face with rainbow lorikeets, black cockatoos, galahs and an enormous estuarine crocodile.

Finally, no trip to Cairns is complete without a visit to The Great Barrier Reef. Departing from Port Douglas, Quicksilver Cruises has several tours that cater to young families with toddlers through to older kids. The Agincourt Reef pontoon (on the outer skirts of the Great Barrier Reef) has plenty of family-friendly activities, like an underwater observatory, semi-submersibles, snorkelling platforms, and specially designed introductory dive areas for kids.

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Within the Cairns Colonial Club Resort, you'll find a kid-friendly poolside bar and restaurant. While the parents sip cocktails and dine on fish and chips, the kids can run around in the playground strategically placed next to the bar! There's also a toddler play area for the younger bubs. 

Muddy's Cafe is another family fave. Situated within Cairns' largest playground and waterpark, little ones can cool down in the water and fuel up with a tasty meal or fresh juice.

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You’re not wrong in thinking that one of Australia’s most established wine regions is an interesting choice for a family holiday. But we promise there’s more to the Hunter Valley than meets the eye (and the palette!).

There is definitely a family-friendly side to the area, with outdoor activities in abundance, nature to explore and it’s all within an easy drive from Sydney. Some cellar doors around the Hunter Valley even cater to the entire family, namely Scarborough Wine Co with activity packs and giant Jenga, while Misty Glen Wines has a dedicated kid zone so you can try and sample a few local drops in peace. 

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The Hunter Valley Gardens are a beautiful backdrop to a family day out. Take the Gardens to train around the site to soak up the perfectly manicured gardens. The Shopping Village has general stores and wine cellars for a picnic among the sprawling grounds. Take a trip on the super slide or go around the ferris wheel. Come Christmas time, the Gardens are lit up in a festive spectacular.

For one of the best family holiday memories that will last a lifetime, head to the Hunter Valley Wildlife Park. There, you can get up close and personal in their feeding enclosures with kangaroos and all kinds of creatures. 

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Teeming with sweet treats, ice cream and drool-worthy fudge, the Hunter Valley Chocolate Company is a welcome break from the vineyards. Plus, the open grassy area is perfect for running off the sugar high.

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The Rydges Resort Hunter Valley has made it easy for families with their kids’ clubs. Featuring a games room, carousel, and train, there are fully supervised sessions available on weekends. With recreation and dining facilities on-site, you’ll be hard-pressed to get the kids to leave the resort. 

430 Wine Country Drive, Lovedale

Just 90 minutes from Sydney, the Southern Highlands is the perfect weekend getaway for families looking to escape the city, if only for a short while. With bushland and wilderness to roam, museums to explore, and villages dripping in history and charm, it’s an easy getaway with little munchkins of all ages.

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Visit the Southern Highlands’ gorgeous parks and playgrounds. So many slides, so little time! Make your way to Berrima Park, Bradman Park, or Lake Alexandra Reserve – just be sure to bring some bread to feed the ducks. Go chase waterfalls and splash around at Carrington Falls in Budderoo National Park. Belmore Falls and Nepean Dam are stunning, too.

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Treat the kids to a pastry at Gumnut Patisserie in Bowral, a quintessentially Southern Highlands haunt. Boasting a wide range of traditional French pastries, be sure to get in early, as lots of the delicious treats are sold out by the afternoon. From morning to afternoon, there is a constant stream of people selecting from the brimming display cases.

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For a boutique hotel experience that welcomes little ones with open arms, look no further than Berida Hotel. The historic and breathtaking estate, just a five-minute walk from the centre of Bowal, has large family rooms, an indoor heated pool, a spa and sauna, a gym, a tennis court, and a day spa for the parents.

6 David Street, Bowral

With the bush as a scenic backdrop and all that fresh, mountainous air, The Blue Mountains offer a charming escape from the bustle of Sydney and the opportunity to wind down amongst nature. With enough activities to keep the kids well entertained and enough adult-geared fun for the ‘rents, this holiday is sure to please all parties.

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Spend the day around Echo Point – the lookout for views of the Three Sisters and the dramatic Jamison Valley below is mandatory. Jazz up the experience for the kids by stopping by Scenic World and trying out the Cableway, Walkway, Railway or Skyway (if you dare) for a different perspective on the landscape.

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The Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains is known as being the pinnacle of upscale accommodation, so rest assured you’ll be lapping up luxury when staying here, but the kids will be more than entertained, too. The resort’s dedicated KidsZone is next level.

From ten-pin bowling, a merry-go-round and a jungle gym to electric car rides, pony rides and the famous Fairmont Express Train. Just in case that wasn’t enough, they also have a brand-new ice skating rink. 

1 Sublime Point Road, Leura

Pack your thermals and goggles for ski season in Mount Buller. Being only three hours from Melbourne, it’s a popular destination for snow-loving families keen to share their passion for skinning, snowboarding and tobogganing with the next generation. 

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You can have a ball at Mount Buller regardless of your skill level. They have various ski classes for kids, including the Bunyips Ski Program for ages three to six, where they teach them all the basics of learning to ski. 

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After a long day on the slopes, you'll have a ravenous appetite, so what better place to eat than a family-friendly pizza joint? The General at Hotham is well-known for its amazing pub grub, especially its pizzas and buzzing après-ski vibe. 

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Amber Lodge in Mount Buller is a cosy sanctuary for the family to call home. Surrounded by trees, these gorgeous alpine lodges have enough space for the whole family and are just a nine-minute walk from the National Alpine Museum of Australia and 10 minutes by foot from the nearest bus stop. It also comes with complimentary toboggans!

8 Goal Post Road, Mount Buller