By Nikki Bayley
Fancy taking the whole family down under? Here are some cool ideas to keep kids of all ages entertained on holiday. For babies, toddlers, schoolkids and even hard to please teens there’s something for everybody.
Best for babies
That first holiday with a baby can be a challenge, so if you want a break that offers the best of everything from beaches to shopping and culture to cuisine, then sophisticated Sydney has it all. You’re never far from civilisation but can always go walkabout and feel miles away from everything. If you’re looking for relaxing baby-friendly beaches then take your pick from sheltered coves like Shelly Beach (just up the road from Manly) or superbly equipped public beaches like Bondi. Want to hit the high street? Sydney’s shopping is second to none with everything from upmarket one off shops to fabulous markets and of course, their restaurants and culture are famous the world over.
Somewhere to stay: Fancy staying right in the heart of central Sydney but without any of the restrictions of a hotel? The Medina Grand Apartments, are an easy walk from Darling Harbour, Cockle Bay, the Entertainment Centre and Chinatown. Staying in stylish serviced apartments offer all the space and comfort of home with the service and facilities of a hotel.
Top Tip: Sydney’s Taronga Zoo makes a fantastic daytrip for all ages, see if you can spot kangaroos and koalas, platypus and Tasmanian devils! It’s one of the world’s largest zoo’s, home to over 2,600 animals on 21 hectares. Take the special Zoo Ferry and cable car to take advantage of the ‘ZooLink’ ticket which covers transport and entry fee.
Top for toddlers
Melbourne is a wonderful centre for a family holiday with endless attractions within the city limits including golden sandy beaches and a world of possibilities which lie just a few hours drive or train ride away. Fancy taking your toddler tobogganing? During Australia’s winter months (our summer!), the Mount Buller Alpine Village is a real wonderland and is 3 hours drive through the gorgeous Yarra Valley, so set off early, taking advantage of nap time!
Just an hour away, old-fashioned pleasures abound onboard the historic Puffing Billy steam train which is over 100 years old! Toddlers will love the regular visits that Thomas the Tank Engine makes to the Emerald Town station and they even run a Santa special throughout November and December - magical!
Somewhere to stay: Little legs can get quite tired, but the Holiday Inn on Flinders is a short walk away from attractions like the fantastic Aquarium and there’s even a Free City Circle Tram stop just 100 m away which will whisk you wherever you want to go. Water babies will love the swimming pool and mums and dads can unwind in the sauna and the on-site gym.
Top Tip: A trip to the magical Phillip Island is a must, just 90 minutes away from Melbourne, every evening at sunset there’s a real-life penguin parade as the Little Penguins leave the sea for the day and waddle to their sand dune burrows. There’s plenty to keep you busy in the day too with Koala bears, colourful birdlife and a true bushland experience.
Cool for school kids
Just an hour away from bustling Brisbane, the Gold Coast is one of the jewels in Queensland’s glittering crown with a sunny subtropical climate, wonderful surfing beaches and a family-friendly atmosphere. Boasting a beautiful rainforest area to the west of the city and some of the most buzzing nightlife and shopping areas, it really has the best of both worlds.
Somewhere to stay: Heaven for kids and perfect for parents, the Gold Coast Paradise Resort has absolutely everything to help you have a dream family holiday. The ‘Zone 4 Kids’ offers a free 3 hour session every day for each child aged between 5-12 and has a packed programme of activities and means your little ‘uns are free to make some new mates while you can either relax by the pool or enjoy those famous beaches and malls!
Top Tip: The Gold Coast is home to Australia’s favourite family theme park, Dreamworld; 30 hectares of rides, shows and attractions from the koala and kangaroo sanctuary to Wigglesworld, if you’re looking for a bonzer Aussie experience, they don’t come better than Dreamworld!
Pleasing For Teens:
As a hub for many of the wonders of the natural world, Cairns is unusually well situated; it’s bordered by the Great Barrier Reef on one side with the mountains of the Great Diving Range on the other and has a rainforest just an hour away from its centre. It’s also pretty hard to beat when it comes to scuba diving and teens will love discovering the vivid landscape of neon coral where an abundance of marine life from turtles and reef sharks to dazzling coloured tropical fish live. Padi qualified diving courses start for kids from the age of 10.
Somewhere to stay: For families who like to play hard, the Lake Cairns Resort is a great choice with 4 large pools and a tennis court. Instead of rooms you stay in an apartment with a fully equipped kitchen (great for keeping costs down) and roomy outdoor and indoor living space. They’re set in 11 acres of beautiful gardens which means there’s plenty of place to throw a few shrimps on the public barbecues!
Top Tip: Onsite laundry facilities mean you can give yourself the best going home gift ever - the day before you leave, get the kids to learn how to use the washers and dryers and bingo! You go home with a case full of clean clothes!
Fancy an Australia family holiday? Check out our latest deals now
Nikki Bayley is a freelance travel writer. She writes regularly for the Daily Express and Sunday Mirror. Her favourite cities are San Sebastian, Mexico City and San Francisco.