Family Vacation In Australia
Families can travel to Australia over six months and can get four types of visas. In case they travel on Gold Visas, they do not require to get sponsored by any employer. You know yourself that you will love your time in Australia when you’re there as well as during your vacation.
What do you think about taking a family vacation in Australia? If you have never been there, then that could be an interesting prospect. Unlike other countries around the world, Australia has a population of just over 21 million people, which is pretty small. It’s hard to imagine how a country can survive without a lot of people. Well, that’s something you need to find out for yourself.
Do you want to know my secret as to why we have such a successful vacation every single year? I’ve written extensively about destination birthdays (see below) but this is about holidays in general. You see, once you’ve arranged an incredible holiday for your family, you are likely to return to that location again. Most of our itineraries now revolve around returning to the same place we had an amazing time. So if you are planning a family vacation and want to avoid the mistakes most people make on their trip, then read on!
Family Vacation In Australia
It’s an event that takes place once in a year, maybe two years and when it does you take the vacation of your lifetime. In your mind you have already seen yourself there. If you have done this before, then it would be easy for you to visualize yourself here as well. Your kids will enjoy themselves with so many things on hand they would never want to leave and at the end of the vacation they’ll say ‘we want to come back’!
TOP FAMILY DESTINATIONS IN AUSTRALIA
With its natural beauty and laidback lifestyle, Australia is the perfect playground for families.
By Allie Metz & Sue White
Australia’s diverse cities and natural landscapes have something for everyone – from young adventurers and teen beach-seekers to culture-craving grown-ups and foodies of all ages. Here are some of the top places to make special family holiday memories in Australia.
THE GRAMPIANS: FOR THE ADVENTURE-LOVING FAMILY
Hangin’ Out, Grampians, Victoria © Hangin’ Out
Great for: Outdoorsy and adventurous families
The sandstone ridges of the Grampians, three hours west of Melbourne, offer family-friendly adventure alongside a very sophisticated food and wine scene. Kangaroos, emus and even deer roam the quaint historic towns in the area while adrenaline-inducing activities will turn the mountain range into your personal playground.
Get the wiggles out on one of the incredible hikes on offer. Trails will take you past cascading waterfalls up to panoramic lookouts with sweeping views across the region’s peaks and valleys. Be immersed in Aboriginal culture at Brambuk, paddle canoes on Lake Bellfield or test your strength on a rock climbing session. Your adventurous days can be wound down with incredible local dining options and a smattering of cellar doors to visit in this celebrated wine region.
Find adventure in The Grampians
SYDNEY: EXPLORE AUSTRALIA’S HARBOUR CITY
Bondi to Coogee Walk, Sydney, New South Wales © Destination NSW
Great for: Beautiful beaches and cultural experiences
Did you know?
Pretty Shelly Beach, near Manly, has been voted one of Australia’s best. Find two electric barbecues at the grassy reserve adjacent to the sand. They’re free to use, and perfect for a family picnic.
With beautiful coastal walks, fantastic museums, Aboriginal tours and wildlife experiences available right in the heart of the city, Sydney is the perfect spot to balance coastal adventures with cultural immersion.
From Manly Beach in the north to Bondi in the east, kids and teens alike will love surfing, snorkelling and soaking up the vibes on any of Sydney’s beautiful beaches. Take a scenic ferry ride from Circular Quay to spot the harbour’s famous landmarks, stroll through the historic district of The Rocks with an Aboriginal guide or climb to the top of the Harbour Bridge for the best views of the city. Sydney is the perfect city escape for families with children of all ages.
Find family fun in Sydney
CANBERRA: AUSTRALIA’S KID-FRIENDLY CAPITAL
Pod Playground, National Arboretum, Canberra © VisitCanberra
Great for: Kid-friendly museums and outdoor fun
7 meaningful family holidays to start planning now
With its world-class museums and galleries (many of which have experiences just for kids) and an inclusive, buzzy dining scene, Australia’s capital city of Canberra is an ideal getaway for culture-lovers of all ages. The city’s compact size and bushland location make it very possible for families to hop between award-winning cultural institutions and thrilling outdoor adventures in the same day.
Go hot air ballooning, cycle one of many beautiful bike trails, or spend the day doing any number of activities on Lake Burley Griffin. Canberra is also a fantastic base from which to take one of several great day trips. It’s the ultimate getaway for those wanting a taste of Australia made easy for families – all in one compact place.
Explore the best of Canberra
CAIRNS: NATURAL WONDERS AT YOUR DOORSTEP
Green Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland © Jemma Craig/Tourism & Events Queensland
Great for: Appreciating the world’s great natural wonders
Kids will love all the action and adventure of Cairns, while parents will adore the natural wonders on full display; seeing first-hand the importance of preserving and maintaining these icons for their children and future generations.
Start your adventure at the Esplanade and splash around in the Cairns Lagoon before heading out to explore the area. There’s plenty to do between Cairns, Kuranda and Port Douglas, so having a car and a flexible itinerary is ideal. Spot crocodiles and cassowaries in the Daintree Rainforest one day and head out to the snorkel the Great Barrier Reef the next.
Read our Guide to Cairns
GOLD COAST: FOR MODERN BEACH EXPLORERS
Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa, Gold Coast, Queensland © Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa
Great for: Laid-back beaches and high-energy theme parks
Queensland’s Gold Coast is sometimes referred to as the family beach holiday capital of Australia – and for good reason! You’ll find a beguiling mix of things to do with the kids, from dining and culture to adventure and nature experiences. All of that alongside 57 kilometres (35 miles) of white, sandy beaches.
Visit Australia’s biggest selection of theme parks, meet native animals at a wildlife sanctuary and explore World Heritage-listed rainforests in the Gold Coast hinterland. Surfers Paradise is the area’s most famous precinct, but there are a dozen other charismatic beach villages to explore. On weekends, don’t miss the region’s much-loved markets. If it’s a buzzing beach culture you’re looking for, the Gold Coast is packed full of unique opportunities to be together in a whole menu of different ways that will excite, relax and bring together parents and kids.
Get inspired by the Gold Coast
ROTTNEST ISLAND: A SPECTACULAR, BEACH-FRINGED ESCAPE
Rottnest Island, Western Australia © Tourism Australia/Dan Avila Photography
Great for: A quiet island escape
Rottnest Island might be easy to reach from Perth – it’s only a 25-minute ferry ride from the city’s Victoria Quay – but its sense of seclusion, dazzling white sands, and range of lovely, laidback accommodation have seen it become one of Western Australia’s most beloved family escapes.
On arrival, do as locals do and hire bicycles. A car-free zone, ‘Rotto’ is a wonderfully safe place for little ones to roam on two wheels, while older kids will appreciate having the freedom to explore the island’s 63 beaches. The island is also home to one of Australia’s cutest animals, the quokka. These adorable marsupials make for great holiday photos. Spot them all over the island, best seen during mid-to-late afternoon.
Discover why families love Rottnest Island
TASMANIA: A LITTLE ISLAND OF BIG ADVENTURES
Montezuma Falls, Rosebery, Tasmania © Jess Bonde
Great for: A family campervan adventure
Dramatic wilderness, a fabulous food scene and hip, happening cities: Tasmania has a lot to offer but, for families, it’s the island’s compact size that makes it an outstanding holiday option. You can explore Hobart with the family, or take off in campervan to discover the wilds that await in western Tasmania.