Family Holidays in Australia

Family Holidays in Australia: The Ultimate Guide for Travelling Families

Australia is one of the best destinations in the world for a family holiday. From world-class beaches and wildlife encounters to epic road trips, outdoor adventures, and vibrant cities, family holidays in Australia offer something for every age, interest, and travel style.

It’s also a huge country. Covering more than 7.7 million square kilometres, Australia isn’t a destination you “see in one go.” Most families choose a single state or a small cluster of regions and explore them well, rather than trying to do too much in one trip. That’s where planning (and realistic expectations) really pays off.

This guide is designed as a starting point for planning family holidays in Australia, with links to in-depth state guides, itineraries, accommodation reviews, and first-hand family travel experiences across the country.

Quick Facts About Australia (for Visiting Families)

• Capital: Canberra
• Population: Approximately 26 million
• Official language: English
• Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)
• Time zones: Ranges from UTC+8 to UTC+11 (varies by state & daylight savings)
• Landmass: 7.7 million square kilometres
• Emergency numbers: 000 (police, fire, ambulance)
• Electricity: 220–240V AC, three-pin plugs
• Religion: Predominantly Christian, with growing religious diversity
• Wi-Fi: Widely available in hotels, cafes, and public spaces

Australia is divided into six states and two territories, each offering very different landscapes, climates, and experiences. It’s one of the reasons it works so well for repeat family holidays.

Things to Do in Australia with Kids

One of the best things about family holidays in Australia is the variety. Highlights families often love include:

• Sydney (New South Wales): Harbour cruises, Taronga Zoo, coastal walks, and iconic landmarks
• Queensland: Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, adventures in the Daintree Rainforest, Gold Coast theme parks, and island escapes
• Melbourne & Victoria: Cultural attractions, wildlife parks, scenic railways, and the Great Ocean Road
• Tasmania: National parks, wildlife encounters, short scenic hikes, and compact road trips
• Northern Territory: Uluru, Kings Canyon, gorges, waterholes, and Outback experiences

Further down this page, you’ll find links to state-by-state family holiday guides, each with detailed guides and local tips.

Explore Australia State by State

Queensland

Often considered the classic choice for family holidays in Australia, Queensland combines warm weather, beaches, islands, rainforests, Outback landscapes, and family-friendly cities.

Top experiences include the Great Barrier Reef, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, the Whitsundays, K’gari (Fraser Island), Carnarvon Gorge, and the Sunshine Coast. It’s particularly popular with families travelling with younger kids, thanks to its relaxed vibe and wide range of accommodation options.

Queensland inspiration, guides and news:

Tasmania

Tasmania is ideal for families who love nature and want to pack a lot into a shorter trip. Over 40% of the island is protected as national parks, making it one of Australia’s best destinations for outdoor-focused family holidays.

Highlights include Freycinet National Park, Cradle Mountain, Hobart, MONA, the Bay of Fires, Port Arthur, and Maria Island – plus excellent wildlife spotting along the way.

Tasmania inspiration, guides and news:

Northern Territory

For adventurous families, the Northern Territory offers some of Australia’s most iconic landscapes. From tropical Darwin and Kakadu to the red heart of Central Australia, this region delivers unforgettable experiences.

Must-see locations include Uluru, Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta, Alice Springs, the West MacDonnell Ranges, Katherine Gorge, and Kakadu National Park. Timing your visit for the right season is key when planning family holidays here.

Northern Territory inspiration, guides and news:

Victoria

Victoria punches well above its size when it comes to family-friendly experiences. Melbourne is a cultural hub packed with attractions, while regional Victoria offers beaches, mountains, wildlife, and classic road trips.

Families often base themselves around Melbourne before exploring the Great Ocean Road, Gippsland, alpine regions, or coastal towns – making Victoria a flexible option for short or longer family holidays.

Victoria inspiration, guides and news:

South Australia

South Australia is known for its wine regions, wildlife experiences, and relaxed pace. Adelaide is an easy city to explore with kids, and Kangaroo Island offers some of the best wildlife encounters in the country.

You’ll also find unique family stays, Outback landscapes, coastal road trips, and emerging attractions that make South Australia an increasingly appealing family destination.

South Australia inspiration, guides and news:

Western Australia

Western Australia is vast, beautiful, and perfect for outdoors-loving families. From Perth’s beaches to Rottnest Island, Ningaloo Reef, Karijini National Park, and the Margaret River region, WA offers space, sunshine, and adventure.

It’s especially popular with families who enjoy road trips, camping, snorkelling, and uncrowded natural attractions.

Western Australia inspiration, guides and news:

New South Wales

New South Wales is one of Australia’s most popular destinations for family holidays, thanks to its mix of iconic cities, national parks, beaches, and easy-to-access regional escapes. With Sydney as its capital – and a major international gateway – it’s often the starting point for families visiting Australia for the first time.

Beyond the bright lights of Sydney, New South Wales offers huge variety. The Blue Mountains deliver dramatic scenery, waterfalls, and family-friendly bushwalks, while the coastline is dotted with relaxed beach towns ideal for summer holidays, swimming, and surf lessons.

Further afield, families can explore the vineyards and countryside of the Hunter Valley, or head south to the Snowy Mountains for winter snow play, skiing, and cool-climate adventures. With short driving distances between landscapes, New South Wales is an easy, flexible choice for families wanting variety without long travel days.

New South Wales inspiration, guides and news:

Australian Capital Territory

Small but packed with experiences, the ACT is centred around Canberra, Australia’s capital city. Families love the museums, galleries, green spaces, and easy access to nature.

Highlights include Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, Questacon, Floriade, national parks, and scenic viewpoints like Mount Ainslie.

ACT inspiration, guides and news:

Family-Friendly Accommodation

Australia offers a huge range of accommodation suited to families, including:

• Holiday parks and caravan parks with pools and playgrounds
• Family-friendly hotels and serviced apartments
• Farm stays and wildlife lodges
• Resorts and island stays

Throughout Family Holiday Destinations, you’ll find honest accommodation reviews written from a family perspective, covering everything from facilities to location and value.

Family-friendly accommodation reviews, round-ups and news in Australia:

Best Time to Visit Australia with Kids

Because of Australia’s size, the best time to visit depends on where you’re going:

• Spring (Sep–Nov): Ideal for cities, outdoor adventures, and road trips.
• Summer (Dec–Feb): Best for beaches and coastal regions; very hot inland.
• Autumn (Mar–May): Excellent weather for touring and regional travel.
• Winter (Jun–Aug): Snow in alpine regions, warm weather in tropical Queensland.

Family-friendly events like Vivid Sydney, the Royal Melbourne Show, and major school-holiday festivals also influence travel planning.

Getting Around on Family Holidays in Australia

Getting to Australia:

Australia is well-connected to international destinations, with major airports in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. Airlines like Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar operate domestic and international routes. Search for a great deal on flights at either Flight Centre or Sky Scanner.

Getting around on your family holiday to Australia:

• Domestic flights: The quickest way to travel between major cities. It’s a 27-hour drive between Sydney and Cairns, so often, flying is your only choice if you’re determined to tick some iconic items off your bucket list in the time frame you have.
• Trains: Scenic journeys like The Ghan or the Indian Pacific could be a little boring for kids; however, trains can be used to get around capital cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
• Buses: Affordable and extensive, though much slower.
• Car rentals: Ideal for exploring outside of capital cities and road trips.

Dining with Kids in Australia

From casual beachside fish and chips to vibrant city markets, eating out rarely feels stressful when travelling with kids in Australia.

Australia’s food scene is relaxed and family-friendly, with options ranging from casual cafes to high-end restaurants.

• Kid-friendly restaurants: Look for venues with dedicated kids’ menus and play areas, like Pancakes on the Rocks in Sydney or kid-friendly pubs in regional areas.
• Food markets: Visit places like Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market or Adelaide’s Central Market for fresh produce and snacks. For those self-catering, supermarkets like Woolworths, Coles or Aldi will have you covered for the week.
• Dietary needs: Vegetarian, vegan, and allergy-friendly options are widely available.

Pro tip: Don’t miss iconic Aussie foods like lamingtons, meat pies, and Vegemite toast.

Start Planning Your Family Holiday in Australia

Whether you’re snorkelling coral reefs, hiking national parks, exploring Outback landscapes, or enjoying city life, family holidays in Australia are as diverse as the country itself.

This page is your hub – use it to explore each state in more detail, dive into itineraries, read accommodation reviews, and plan a trip that suits your family’s travel style.

For official travel advice, visit Tourism Australia – and for real, first-hand family experiences, keep exploring Family Holiday Destinations.

YouTube – Family Holiday in Australia

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