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10 best family holiday destinations in Australia
These are the spots to take the kids this year for the perfect school holiday escape.
Featured deals
We have also included our favourite sites to find a deal on your next holiday.
Our favourite family holiday spots in Australia
1. The Great Barrier Reef and Far North Queensland
A visit to the Cairns and Tropical North Queensland is a fundamental part of any Aussie childhood. From snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef to a day trip through the Daintree, it's an eye-opening experience that offers endless fun. It's warm year-round, so is perfect for any of the school breaks.
- Best for: Families who like to enjoy sun, sand and surf
- Where to stay: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort in Port Douglas, or Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort, which has a splash park for kids.
- What to do: Full day Great Barrier Reef cruise with snorkelling, enjoy scenic flights and learn to dive.
Deal
Up to 15% off Great Barrier Reef + Green Island 1 Day Tour Combo
Create memorable adventures with family and friends with activities like snorkeling, sunrise kayaking, island trips, and more at Experience Oz. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Sunrise kayak tour at the Great Barrier Reef from $95
Have fun on activities like snorkeling, sunrise kayaking, island trips, and more in the Great Barrier Reef at Adrenaline. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Boat tour at the Great Barrier Reef from $79
Experience snorkeling, sunrise kayaking, boat tours, and more at RedBalloon. T&Cs apply.
2. The Gold Coast, QLD
It's not called paradise without good reason. The sun and surf at the Gold Coast's Surfers Paradise could be classified as "pristine". It has plenty of theme parks in one space, with Dreamworld, WhiteWater World, Sea World, Movie World and Wet'n'Wild available to keep kids entertained all holiday long.
- Best for for: Thrills, spills and general adventure
- Where to stay: Sea World Resort in Main Beach, Q1 Resort and Spa in Surfers Paradise or BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park in Helensvale.
- What to do: Whale watching cruise, enjoying the views from the SkyPoint Observation Deck and high ropes course in the Gold Coast Hinterland.
Deal
Infinity Attraction Entry from $28.90
Experience infinity attractions, escape rooms, boat rides, and more on the Gold Coast at Adrenaline. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Things to do on the Gold Coast from $10
Explore famous beaches, theme parks, attractions, and more on the Gold Coast at RedBalloon. T&Cs apply.
Deal
$59 off 7 Day Theme Park Pass & Arro Jet Combo
Available for travel on select dates. 7 Day Pass to Movie World, Sea World, Wet ‘n’ Wild & Paradise Country. T&Cs apply.
3. Coffs Harbour, NSW
Coffs Harbour is right up there with other coastal holiday escapes for families from Sydney or Brisbane searching for a fun road trip. Naturally, you can fly into Coffs as well. The kids can encounter sea lions and dolphins at the marine park and spend their days playing along the beach.
- Best for: Relaxing beachside holidays
- Where to stay: BreakFree Aanuka Beach, Ambiance Holiday Apartments or Beach Haven Executive Apartments
- What to do: Stand-up paddle board Aboriginal culture tour, rainforest experience
Deal
High Ropes Climbing Course with Flying Foxes from $65
Enjoy the rush of a flying fox ride at Adrenaline. Available for booking on select dates. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Coffs Harbour Treetop Adventure from $65
Available for booking on select dates at Experience Oz. It includes training by a qualified instructor and junior and adult courses. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Tandem skydiving from $379
Experience 8,000ft tandem skydive over the Solitary Islands Marine Reserve with professional training and equipment at RedBalloon. T&Cs apply.
4. Kangaroo Island, SA
Kangaroo Island is a short flight from Adelaide or a short and scenic ferry from Cape Jervis. You'll find everything paradise is expected to inhabit, from resplendent vistas, native wildlife and powder soft sands. Exploration by quad bike or boat is a must, as is marine-life watching.
- Best for: Younger families and wildlife encounters
- Where to stay: Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge,Aurora Ozone Hotel or Kangaroo Island Cabins
- What to do: Wildlife discovery tours or visit Flinders Chase National Park.
Search for flights to the Kangaroo Island
Tip: If travelling as a whole family, it may be cheaper to fly into Adelaide and transfer to Kangaroo Island by ferry.
Deal
Premium Gin Tasting from $40
Experience the rich flavors and incredible mastery of world-class gin. Available for booking on select dates at Experience Oz. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Guided Koala Walk and Bush Fire Ecology Tour from $18.50
Learn about the species of Hanson Bay and their responses to bushfires at RedBalloon. Available for booking on select dates. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Offshore Fishing Adventure from $270
Get out for an exciting offshore fishing full-day adventure at Adrenaline. Available for booking on select dates. T&Cs apply.
5. Canberra, ACT
Canberra offers a laid back, quiet city break with more than a dash of culture and education attached. Visit the War Memorial, Parliament House, National Gallery and Questacon, and then take a foodie break at the Old Bus Depot markets while you wait for your Brodburgers to fry. Canberra is also a good gateway to get to ski resorts like Thredbo and Perisher during the winter months.
- Best for: Educational escapes
- Where to stay: Abode Woden, Novotel Canberra or Mercure Canberra
- What to do: Hot air balloon ride over the city and visit the city's many museums and galleries.
Deal
Electric Picnic Boat Hire For 1 Hour from $149
Explore Lake Burley Griffin on your own private boat. Available for booking on select dates at Experience Oz. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Paintball Half Day Game from $152
Run wild on a large themed movie-set quality paintball game zone at Adrenaline. Available for booking on select dates. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Brunch with the Bunch Alpaca Experience from $10
Enjoy meeting, feeding, patting and cuddling alpacas and llamas at RedBalloon. Available for booking on select dates. T&Cs apply.
6. Rottnest Island, WA
If you're heading to Western Australia, or planning to explore your own backyard, a definite contender for family-friendly adventure is Rottnest Island. Teeming with marine life and water activities, kids can splash around at on one of 65 pristine beaches if the weather is warm enough, or hop in a kayak and paddle about from sun up to sun down.
- Best for: Water babies
- Where to stay: Esplanade Hotel Fremantle, Arundels Boutique Accommodation or Hotel Rottnest.
- What to do: Bike and snorkel gear hire which includes a ferry ticket.
Deal
10,000ft Tandem Skydive over Rottnest Island from $399
Skydive 10,000 feet from above to see stunning views of the entire island & Perth City. Available for booking on select dates at Experience Oz. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Rottnest Island Return Ferry Ticket from $84
Enjoy a day of discovery and exploration on Rottnest Island at Adrenaline. Available for booking on select dates. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Rottnest Island Return Ferry from Hillary's Boat Harbour from $50
Discover the beauty of Rottnest Island at RedBalloon. Available for booking on select dates. T&Cs apply.
7. Kakadu National Park, NT
Head inland for a historical and cultural adventure through Kakadu National Park. Start in Darwin and make your way down to explore the unique landscape. It's hot all year round in the Top End, so to cool down, make a well-deserved pit stop at Leanyer Water Park.
- Best for: Land lubbers, outback encounters
- Where to stay: Kakadu Lodge or Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, both in Jabiru
- What to do: Yellow Water boat cruise and explore the park's waterfalls like Jim Jim, which has a 2-km return walk and a family-friendly pool (seaonal).
Deal
Kakadu In A Day Scenic Flight, Cruise & Cultural Centre from $899
Enjoy 1.5 hours of spectacular scenic flying over Kakadu National Park and surrounds at Adrenaline. Available for booking on select dates. T&Cs apply.
Deal
2 Day Kakadu and East Alligator River Tour from $1,129
Enjoy a Yellow Water Billabong Cruise and explore Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Available for booking on select dates at Experience Oz. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Kakadu National Park Scenic Flight from $169
Look down over the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park at RedBalloon. Available for booking on select dates. T&Cs apply.
8. Sydney, NSW
Head to the big city over the school holidays and visit Australia's most popular icons. There are always child-friendly activities in Sydney throughout the school holiday periods, be it the Easter Show or Cool Yule during winter.
- Best for: City escapes
- Where to stay: Swissotel Sydney, Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Central or Ibis Sydney World Square
- What to do: Trip to the Blue Mountains, Taronga Zoo with Sky Safari cable car and visit museums and galleries like the Powerhouse Museum and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Deal
21% off whale watching at Sydney Harbour
Book at Adrenaline and score 21% off whale watching at Sydney Harbour. Limited time only. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Sydney whale watching cruises from $59
Selected whale watching tours in Sydney available from May to November at Experience Oz. T&Cs apply.
Code
Up to 10% off Sydney helicopter flight experiences
Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of $300. T&Cs apply.
9. Hobart, TAS
Rent a car or campervan and drive around Tassie. Hobart is the ideal starting point, as the city offers a more vibrant atmosphere than Launceston and features the Salamanca Markets and spooky ghost tours. Venture further to see Port Arthur and hike through the lush bushland of Cradle Mountain, Freycinet National Park and Tahune Forest.
- Best for: Seeing a lot over a short period of time
- Where to stay: Quest Savoy, Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel or Grand Chancellor Hobart.
- What to do: Kayak tour, Tahune Adventures with Airwalk and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary feeding animal feeding tour
Deal
Bruny Island Sightseeing and Lighthouse Tour with Lunch from $260
Enjoy exclusive access & tour of Cape Bruny Lighthouse. Available for booking on select dates at Experience Oz. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Hands-on Trial Instructional Flight from $299
Learn how to pilot a plane under the guidance of a professional at Adrenaline. Available for booking on select dates. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Tasman Island Nature Cruise from $490
Join the search for dolphins, fur seals and seasonal whales at RedBalloon. Available for booking on select dates. T&Cs apply.
10. Mount Hotham, VIC
Family snow and ski holidays are best had at one of Australia's most popular ski resorts. On top of Jindabyne, Perisher and Thredbo, Mount Hotham is a child-friendly resort ideal for anyone coming in from Melbourne. Family activities occur all year round, with the DP Tube Park being a hot favourite with the kids during Easter.
- Best for: Snow bunnies
- Where to stay: Mountain Dreaming Apartments or Rundells Alpine Lodge.
- What to do: Go skiing, tobogganning or enjoy other snow sports, and check out our family snow and ski holidays in Australia section below.
Deal
2 Night Luxury Hotham Getaway with 2 Course Meal and Wine from $780
Enjoy a two course meal with a bottle of wine on your selected night at RedBalloon. Available for booking on select dates. T&Cs apply.
Beach holiday destinations for families
Sand is practically synonymous with summer, so you shouldn't overlook a family getaway to one of Australia's many enviable beaches.
The east coast of the country offers more than its fair share, with stretches of sand from the Gold Coast and Cairns in Queensland to the Central Coast and Bondi Beach in New South Wales.
Head to the other side of the country for Rottnest Island and Eighty Mile Beach in WA, or travel south for Glenelg in South Australia and the Bay of Fires in Tasmania.
As you can tell from our top holiday destinations list above, Australians are spoiled for choice when it comes to beach breaks. Now it's up to you to decide which one you'll visit during the school holidays.
Where to find a deal on family holidays online
1. Best for cheap local breaks: Groupon
A name that should be on every budget savvy parents' radar, Groupon is a daily deals website that sells it all - from household goods to holidays - and all at a bargain price.
Holiday packages come and go on the site - so keep your eyes peeled because big discounts for large parties are plentiful.
- New deals every day
- Local escapes from coastal beach breaks to snow trips available
- Instant online bookings for select holidays
2. Best all-rounder:
Practically a household name, Flight Centre is one of Australia's biggest travel agencies. What we love about it is that he has a special "family holidays" section online with discounted breaks during those peak school holiday periods.
- Packages are broken into September, December, April and June/July to cover all major school holiday dates
- Hotels are specially chosen with families in mind with many featuring connecting rooms and self-contained apartments
- Features cruise holiday breaks
3. Best for beach escapes: Hamilton Island
Home to all things Hamilton Island you can browse a wide variety of accommodation and holiday packages on the official Hamilton Island site. Family packages often include discounted rates, daily breakfast, free activities and tours and the use of non-motorised water sport equipment.
- Choose from hotel accommodation to holiday homes
- Earn Velocity Points on accommodation bookings
Road trip ideas for families
Thinking of changing up the usual fly-and-stay holiday this year and taking the family for an adventure? We've put together some of our favourite road trip itineraries with details on where to stay and what to see along the way.
- New South Wales road trips
- Queensland road trips
- South Australia road trips
- Tasmania road trips
- Victoria road trips
- Western Australia road trips
- Australia road trips (Our favourite itinerary for each state)
Latest deals on family holidays
Experience Oz
Exclusive
5% off select activities with code FDEXOZ300
Available on activities like hot air balloon flights, skydiving, lunch cruises, passes to attractions including Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, SkyPoint Observation Deck, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Madam Tussauds and more. Minimum spend of $300 is required. T&Cs apply.
Exclusive
RedBalloon
Exclusive
Get 5% off activities with code
Available when you spend a minimum of $250 on activities such as hot air balloon flights, rally driving, skydives, high teas and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
Exclusive
RedBalloon
Exclusive
10% off activities with code FD300
Available on select dates on destinations including Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. Minimum spend of $300 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, skydives and high teas. T&Cs apply.
Get deal
Exclusive
RedBalloon
New Year's Eve Cruise in Sydney Harbour with buffet and bar from $950
Enjoy your New Year's Eve at Cruise in Sydney Harbour with a buffet and bar from $950 at RedBalloon. It includes a six-hour cruise on Sydney Harbour, a delicious five-course buffet dinner with seafood, a premium open bar including spirits, and more. T&Cs apply.
Groupon
Up to 65% off Sydney dining experiences
Save up to 65% with select food and drink vouchers on offer at Groupon. Limited time offer. T&Cs apply.
Experience Oz
Exclusive
5% off Taronga Zoo Sydney General Admission Tickets with code FDEXOZ300
Get 5% off Taronga Zoo Sydney General Admission Tickets at Experience Oz using the code. T&Cs apply.
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Experience Oz
Sydney city tours as low as $27.50
Available on selected Sydney city tours at Experience Oz. T&Cs apply.
Big Bus Tours
Sydney bus tours from $65
Available on tours daily. Sample rate is for a classic ticket.
RedBalloon
Up to 10% off Canberra hot air balloon flights with code
Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of $300. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
Buy 2 or more and get 10% off with code
Available on activities including skydives, whale watching cruises, day tours and getaways. Must purchase 2 or more vouchers. Destinations include Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. T&Cs apply.
Flight Centre
Holidays under $2,000 + up to $1,059 bonus value
Save on your next holiday and get up to $1,059 bonus value when you book your next trip on Flight Centre. Destinations include Gold Coast, Cook Islands, Bali, Fitzroy Island and more. Limited availability and for select dates only. T&Cs apply.
Experience Oz
Sydney attraction passes and entry tickets from $25
Available on selected Sydney attraction passes and entry tickets at Experience Oz. T&Cs apply.
Klook
Australia sightseeing tours from $20
Available on select travel dates in 2023. Destinations include Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne.
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Up to 34% off things to do in Australia
Available on select travel dates across Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and more. Activities include day tours, zoo and animal interactions, tandem skydives, hot air balloon flights and jet boat rides.
RedBalloon
Up to 10% off Hobart activities with code
Available on select dates when you spend a minimum of $300. Activities include winery tours, getaways, high teas, spas, sightseeing cruises and helicopter flights. T&Cs apply.
Klook
Taronga Zoo Sydney Ticket from $51
Get the Taronga Zoo Sydney Ticket for $51 at Klook. T&Cs apply.
Experience Oz
20% off Sydney Whale Watching Adventure Cruise
Ends
Don't miss out on Sydney whale watching season with 20% discount on adult and child tickets at Experience Oz. Limited time only. T&Cs apply.
Adrenaline
Australia sightseeing cruises from $38
Available on select travel dates until 2024, including Easter and school holidays. Activities include whale- and dolphin-watching and lunch and sunset cruises in Sydney, Cairns, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth and Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
Experience Oz
Sea World Gold Coast Helicopter Scenic Flights: $89
Soar over Sea World, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise and more when you book a 5, 10, 15 or 20 minute helicopter flight from Experience Oz. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.
Experience Oz
30% off Great Barrier Reef Cruise to Hardy Reef Pontoon
Ends
Valid for travel until 13th September 2024 at Experience Oz. T&Cs apply.
Adrenaline
Kakadu In A Day Scenic Flight, Cruise & Cultural Centre from $899
Enjoy 1.5 hours of spectacular scenic flying over Kakadu National Park and surrounds at Adrenaline. Available for booking on select dates. T&Cs apply.
Experience Oz
2 Day Kakadu and East Alligator River Tour from $1,129
Enjoy a Yellow Water Billabong Cruise and explore Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Available for booking on select dates at Experience Oz. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
Kakadu National Park Scenic Flight from $169
Look down over the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park at RedBalloon. Available for booking on select dates. T&Cs apply.
Experience Oz
10,000ft Tandem Skydive over Rottnest Island from $399
Skydive 10,000 feet from above to see stunning views of the entire island & Perth City. Available for booking on select dates at Experience Oz. T&Cs apply.
Adrenaline
Rottnest Island Return Ferry Ticket from $84
Enjoy a day of discovery and exploration on Rottnest Island at Adrenaline. Available for booking on select dates. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
Rottnest Island Return Ferry from Hillary's Boat Harbour from $50
Discover the beauty of Rottnest Island at RedBalloon. Available for booking on select dates. T&Cs apply.
Experience Oz
Coffs Harbour Treetop Adventure from $65
Available for booking on select dates at Experience Oz. It includes training by a qualified instructor and junior and adult courses. T&Cs apply.
Adrenaline
Infinity Attraction Entry from $28.90
Experience infinity attractions, escape rooms, boat rides, and more on the Gold Coast at Adrenaline. T&Cs apply.
Experience Oz
Up to 15% off Great Barrier Reef + Green Island 1 Day Tour Combo
Create memorable adventures with family and friends with activities like snorkeling, sunrise kayaking, island trips, and more at Experience Oz. T&Cs apply.
Adrenaline
Sunrise kayak tour at the Great Barrier Reef from $95
Have fun on activities like snorkeling, sunrise kayaking, island trips, and more in the Great Barrier Reef at Adrenaline. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
Things to do on the Gold Coast from $10
Explore famous beaches, theme parks, attractions, and more on the Gold Coast at RedBalloon. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
Boat tour at the Great Barrier Reef from $79
Experience snorkeling, sunrise kayaking, boat tours, and more at RedBalloon. T&Cs apply.
Adrenaline
21% off whale watching at Sydney Harbour
Ends
Book at Adrenaline and score 21% off whale watching at Sydney Harbour. Limited time only. T&Cs apply.
Experience Oz
Up to $59 off Gold Coast theme park passes
Available for travel on select dates. Other attractions include Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World and Wet'n'Wild. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
Kid-friendly activities in Sydney starting at $1
Applies to selected Sydney tours, packages, entries and activities on offer at RedBalloon. T&Cs apply.
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Applies to selected family-friendly tours, packages, entries and activities in Sydney and surrounds available at RedBalloon. T&Cs apply.
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Available for travel on select dates and locations at TripAdvisor. Experience activities like land adventures, wine tours, water sports, and more T&Cs apply.
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Expedia.com.au
Member Price: Up to 30% off
Available for travel on select dates across Australia at Expedia. Destinations include Sydney, Sunshine Coast, Melbourne, Gold Coast, and more. T&Cs apply.
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