Choosing a family holiday destination can feel like a juggling act of budget, kids’ ages, travel style, school holidays and everyone’s expectations. To make the decision easier, I sat down with Melissa Delaware, travel agent at Mind and Body Travel and founder of both Thrifty Family Travels and Queensland Travel Guide. She books family trips every day and has travelled widely with her daughter, so she knows the trends, the pitfalls, and the practical way to land on a destination that actually fits your family.
If you’d prefer to listen to the full recording of this interview, simply press play on our Podcast episode below. But if not, keep reading for the highlights of this chat.
Europe is a surprising pick for an easy family holiday destination
Melissa’s most surprising pick when choosing a family holiday destination? Europe. While many parents think of it as a grown-up or older teen destination, she found it easy to navigate, well-connected by trains, and full of interactive museums that engage kids. Even weighty topics like the Berlin Wall are presented in ways children can connect with.
Why it works:
- Efficient transport = less faff, more exploring.
- Museums and attractions are designed with kids in mind.
- Variety. Every city offers something different without huge transfers.
The reality check:
- Getting to Europe for an Aussie family of four is not easy on the wallet. But if you can make it work, it’s far more family-friendly than you might expect.
Everyone wants to go to Japan right now
No surprises here. Japan is booming. It’s clean, safe, easy to get around, and teens adore it. Other perennial favourites: Fiji, Vanuatu, Bali, Thailand, and the USA (Disneyland).
Although Japan is popular right now, there are a few things you should be aware of. Here are some tips from Melissa on planning a family trip to Japan.
- Language can be a mild barrier (Google Translate helps a lot).
- Accommodation costs can be steep, especially for families needing more space.
- Don’t just book cheap flights and assume the rest will be cheap. A common mistake is focusing on a single bargain (like flights) without tallying up the total cost: accommodation, transport, food, activities, internal flights etc.
Melissa suggests that before booking those bargain flights, think about the following:
- Are accommodation options for your family size readily available and within budget?
- What do average everyday meal costs?
- Is your ‘deal’ in a city where everything else is inflated?
Don’t apply a cookie-cutter approach
Just because your friends love it doesn’t mean your family will. Choose a destination based on your own family’s interests. Melissa suggests thinking about the following questions:
- Are we a busy sightseeing family or a pool and beach lounger type family at this stage in our lives?
- Do we want city buzz, nature or adventure?
- Do we have teens who need novelty/photo-worthy moments (hello, Japan)?
- Are we travelling with toddlers (prams + footpaths can be tricky in parts of SE Asia)
The holiday type matters more than you think
Beach vs city vs adventure isn’t a minor detail – it’s the backbone of a trip your family will either gel with or struggle through. Be honest about your energy levels, the kids’ interests, and what season of life you’re in right now.
Burnt-out parents with young kids will probably enjoy a slower resort with beach time. Those with teens who don’t want to go anywhere may prefer destinations with novelty and interactive attractions, like Japan or movie set locations.
Underrated idea: tweak the classic
If you’re doing a tried-and-true favourite (say, Bali or Phuket), add a spin. A few days on a lesser-visited island or time in the jungle a couple of hours away. You’ll get the comfort of a well-serviced destination with a dash of adventure your kids will remember.
Don’t overlook your own backyard
For Aussie families, Melissa is passionate about Outback Queensland road trips and NT adventures (think waterfalls, national parks and big skies). Bank those memories while the kids are keen!
Kids are important, but parents matter too
If you only plan around playgrounds and theme parks, you’ll burn out. Melissa’s approach? Pick places you want to go, then verify the family-friendly layer. Usually, it’s there.
The biggest mistakes families make (and how to avoid them)
According to Melissa, here are some of the biggest mistakes families make when booking a family holiday destination and how to fix them.
#1. Trying to do too much
Back-to-back one-night stays and frantic checklists are a recipe for meltdowns. Focus on one region this trip; save the other dream spots for the next one. Packing up and moving hotels, plus flights and a long drive, is basically a lost day when you’re on holiday.
#2. Budgeting for one thing, not the whole trip
Flights might be cheap, but accommodation and meals might be quite the opposite. Price out the full itinerary before you commit.
#3. Following the crowd
Tokyo might be popular right now, but if you crave a lazy beach week, you’ll be cranky. Match the destination to your family’s style.
The final word
Choosing the right family holiday destination isn’t about the “best” places on the internet, it’s about the best fit for your family at this season of your lives. Start with budget and trip style, pick a tight cluster of destinations, and give yourself the gift of time in each place. That’s how you build a trip everyone enjoys – parents included.
Where to next?
Let me know what you think!