Guide to family holidays in Australia
Australia is one of the best destinations for a family holiday in the world. However, with a total area of 7.7 million square kilometres, it’s also really large. As a result, it’s impossible to see it all in one two week family vacation. This means you’ll need to choose a region or a few key attractions that are on your bucket list.
Australia is the smallest continent and the six-largest country in the world, with a population of around 26.63 million people. Situated between the Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east, Australia is divided into six states and two territories, each with its own distinct features and attractions to discover. Many visitors choose to remain in just one state for their family holiday to Australia as domestic flights between states are fairly pricey.
If you’re unsure of what you’d like to see in Australia on your family holiday, make sure to read the below two articles first. Alternatively, scroll down a little further to explore Australia state-by-state.
States and territories to explore on your Australian family holiday
Queensland
Queensland covers an area of 1,72 million square kilometres and is Australia’s second-largest state. The coastline traverses a whopping 7,400km with Brisbane City as its capital.
Known as the ‘Sunshine State’, Queensland has beautiful beaches, national parks, rainforests, tropical reefs, the Outback and cities. This diversity of experiences and the warmer weather make Queensland a top choice when it comes to family holidays in Australia.
Major attractions include The Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Whitsunday Islands, K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island), Sunshine Coast, Australia Zoo, the Gold Coast, Brisbane City and Carnarvon Gorge.
Tasmania
Tasmania is a top choice for a family holiday in Australia if you’re short on time and love the outdoors.
Separated from mainland Australian by the 240 kilometre stretch of Bass Strait, Tasmania covers an area of 90,758 square kilometres. With Hobart as the capital, over 40% of Tasmania is protected in parks and reserves. This makes it an ideal outdoors destination for family holidays in Australia.
Major attractions include the Freycinet National Park, Hobart City, Cradle Mountain, Mona, the Bay of Fires, the Port Arthur Historic Site, Maria Island and the Tasman Peninsula. There are many other beautiful national parks and off-shore islands to explore here.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory covers an area of 1.35 million km2 with Darwin as the capital in the north. Central Australia and Uluru also lie within the Northern Territory in the south. It’s a top choice for families looking for an adventurous holiday in Australia.
From the green tropics of Darwin and Kakadu, to the plains surrounding Tennant Creek, to the red sandy desert of Uluru and Alice Springs, to the waterholes and gorges in the West MacDonnell Ranges, the Northern Territory’s landscape is diverse.
Don’t miss Uluru, Kakadu National Park, Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta, the Devils Marbles, Alice Springs, Edith Falls, Tiwi Islands, Katherine Gorge, and Ormiston Gorge on your family holiday to Australia’s Northern Territory.
Victoria
I can see why many international visitors don’t make it past Victoria and it’s famous capital, Melbourne. It’s chock full of culture, great things to do and has amazing beaches. Heading not too far out of Melbourne city provides you with a wealth of experiences from dramatic coastlines to national parks and country charms along the Great Ocean Road, a family-favourite holiday road trip in Australia.
Victoria has a land area of around 227,416 square kilometres, making it the second-smallest state in mainland Australia, after Tasmania. The Greater Victoria region has plenty of memorable destinations and experiences for your family holiday in Australia also. If you have more time up your sleeve or feel the urge to escape the hustle of Melbourne, take a detour out to the Gippsland region in Victoria.
South Australia
South Australia is the fourth-largest state in Australia by land area, covering around 903,482 square kilometres. It is famous for its wine regions, particularly the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, which both boast some of the world’s best vineyards and wineries.
The capital city, Adelaide, is often praised for its planned layout with parklands. It’s well known for its cultural events such as the Adelaide Fringe Festival and WOMADelaide. Jump on a ferry to Kangaroo Island, less than 15 kilometres from the mainland. Here you’ll experience diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes and pristine beaches.
Of interest is South Australia’s emerging space industry. With initiatives such as the Australian Space Agency and the construction of a space launch facility, this is one space to watch in the future.
Western Australia
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia by land area, covering an extensive area of approximately 2.53 million square kilometers. The state is known for a variety of attractions that showcase its unique natural beauty, resources and cultural offerings. As far as family holidays in Australia go, Western Australia is a top choice for laidback outdoorsy families.
The mining industry is big here, with a focus on iron ore, gold and natural gas and as thus, contributes significantly to Australia’s economy. Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, is one of the most isolated major cities in the world and is known for its relaxed lifestyle, vibrant cultural scene and beautiful beaches. As far as cities go for a family holiday in Australia, it’s one of the most enjoyable. The buck for beautiful beaches doesn’t stop in Perth through and you’ll find plenty of them along the entire coast of Western Australia.
Don’t miss Rottnest Island, Ningaloo Reef, Karijini National Park and the Margaret River Region, which is famous for its premium wines. The space and astromnomy industry is growing here also.
New South Wales
New South Wales covers an area of approximately 809,952 square kilometres and with Sydney as its capital, is one of the most populous states in Australia. Given that many international flights land in Sydney, it’s also a popular state for family holidays in Australia. Sydney is known for its iconic landmarks, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. However, there are plenty of other attractions in New South Wales outside of the city as well.
Located west of Sydney, you’ll find the Blue Mountains, known for their dramatic landscapes, eucalyptus forests and deep valley. All of which play host to numerous hiking trails, waterfalls and panoramic views. The coastline is nothing short of stunning either, popular with surfing, swimming and generally enjoying the coastal lifestyle. New South Wales’ smaller coastal communities have long been popular family holiday destinations in the summer months of Australia.
Also of interest is the Hunter Valley, a famous wine-production region and the Snowy Mountains, known for its alpine landscapes and winter sports.
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is a small territory of around 2,358 square kilometres. It surrounds the city of Canberra, the capital city of Australia. Don’t dismiss the ACT when considering family holiday destinations in Australia due to its small size as this destinations packs a large punch.
Most people think of Canberra City when they think of the ACT, which is known for its modern architecture, planned layout and important national constitutions such as Parliament House, the National Gallery of Australia and the Australian War Memoria. The ACT serves as the political and administrative centre of Australia.
Canberra is know for its green spaces, nature reserves and parks. As a result it’s been dubbed the “bush capital” of Australia. The annual flower festival, Floriade, attracts visitors from all over with its entertainment and floral displays and you’ll also find the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra. Make sure to head up Mount Ainslie and Mount Stromlo for panoramic views of Canberra.
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