This article is based on Episode 8 of the Family Holidays Destinations Podcast, where we sat down with Intrepid and talked all things family group tours. If you’d prefer listening to reading, simply hit play below.
If you had asked me ten years ago whether I’d go on a group tour with my kids, I would have said a very firm nope.
The idea of being tied to a strict schedule for days on end, worrying if my kids were annoying other travellers, and having no flexibility sounded… stressful, to say the least. Family travel is chaotic enough without adding strangers into the mix, right?
But a few years ago, at a family travel conference in the USA, I chatted with someone from Intrepid Travel and realised family group tours can look very different to what I had in my head. Think: travelling with other families, slower-paced itineraries, built-in downtime, and the freedom to skip activities if you or the kids need a break.
Even better? Intrepid is B Corp certified, which means they’re independently audited to meet high standards around transparency, governance and sustainability.
I recently sat down with Brett Mitchell from Intrepid Travel to chat about what family group tours look like in practice – the pros, the challenges, and the best destinations.
Here’s what I learned (and yes, I’ve now booked our own Intrepid family tour for next year).
Who is Intrepid Travel?
Intrepid Travel is an Aussie-owned small group tour company that’s been around for more than 36 years. They run over a thousand itineraries in more than 100 countries, all built around one main idea: immersive travel.
That means:
- Meeting local people
- Learning about culture and daily life
- Trying local food
- Still seeing the big, iconic sights – but also getting off the beaten track
Brett explains that Intrepid focuses on doing this in a responsible and sustainable way, so the trips aren’t just great for travellers, but also for the communities and environments they visit.
How are family group tours different to regular group tours?
If you’re imagining dragging your kids along on a standard group tour and hoping for the best, this isn’t that.
Intrepid’s family tours are designed specifically for parents and kids, with:
- Experienced local leaders who know the destination inside out
- Fully planned itineraries that take the stress out of logistics
- Activities tailored to both kids and adults
“You’re really looked after,” Brett says. The trips are designed to:
- Take away the anxiety of catching trains, navigating language barriers or figuring out how to get from A to B with tired kids and luggage
- Balance kid-focused fun with purpose-led, cultural experiences that adults will enjoy too
- Help families get out of their comfort zones and try new things together
One of the biggest advantages? You’re not doing it alone.
“You travel with other like-minded families,” Brett explains. “The kids learn about the destination, and they learn about other cultures from the families they’re travelling with.”
Will my kids actually make friends?
If you’re anything like me, this is a huge part of the appeal. I love my kids, but I also wouldn’t mind if the soundtrack of “Mum, Mum, Mum…” eased off a bit on holiday.
According to Brett, kids tend to bond very quickly on family trips.
“The first day, the kids are a bit standoffish… it takes about 12 hours,” he laughs. “On every family trip I’ve been on, the kids bond very quickly. After that, as a parent, it’s much easier. They have a lot of fun together.”
So yes, built-in playmates for them, and a bit of breathing space for you.
How does Intrepid handle different ages?
Intrepid knows that a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old don’t travel the same way.
Most family trips have a minimum age of five, and there are also Teenage Family itineraries where the minimum age is around ten. That means:
- Families with tweens and teens can choose trips where there are similar-aged kids
- Families with younger kids can stick to itineraries designed with that age group in mind
Grouping similar ages helps the dynamics, but Brett points out it’s not rigid.
He’s seen trips where 15-year-olds naturally step into a big-brother/big-sister role with younger kids in a really positive way. And if you’re curious about ages before booking, Intrepid can give you a general sense (without breaching privacy) of the age range on particular departures.
Are there any challenges to travelling with other families?
Travelling with strangers will always come with a bit of apprehension. What if personalities clash? What if people don’t get along?
Brett says that in his experience of having been on five family trips himself, groups are usually very compatible.
“With Intrepid, we tend to have very like-minded people on our tours,” he says. “They’re global citizens, they’re open-minded, they’re social, and they want to try something new and different.”
You do need to be:
- Respectful
- Patient
- Willing to share space and experiences
But that’s part of the magic. You step out of your usual bubble and meet people from different places and backgrounds, something that can be an incredible learning experience for kids.
And if you’re worried about being “stuck” with the group 24/7, don’t be.
“Our trips are designed so that you can opt out of activities and have flexible time,” Brett says. “There’s plenty of time to do your own thing as a family.”
Is there downtime, or is it go-go-go?
This is where family group tours really differ from your average whirlwind bus tour.
Intrepid’s family itineraries:
- Build in downtime, especially for younger age groups
- Often include pool time in the afternoons (very important!)
- Keep travel days shorter
- Aim for two to three nights in each hotel instead of constantly moving
“It’s a more balanced way to travel,” Brett explains. “It slows you down so you can enjoy destinations in more depth.”
What does it mean that Intrepid is a B Corp?
You’ve probably seen the B Corp logo floating around, but what does that actually mean when you’re booking a family holiday?
Intrepid spent around three years becoming certified as a B Corp and is independently audited every two years. It’s not just a badge – it comes with a lot of scrutiny.
Brett sums it up like this:
- B Corps must meet high standards across transparency, governance and sustainability
- They’re required to consider all stakeholders, not just shareholders
For a travel company, that means thinking about:
- Travellers
- Staff
- Suppliers and local partners
- The communities they operate in
- The environment
On the ground, this often looks like:
- Partnering with small, family-run restaurants and businesses
- Keeping money in the local community
- Travelling in ways that try to tread lightly and minimise negative impacts
Being a small-group operator allows Intrepid to choose those smaller, local places where you can actually meet the owners and see where your money is going – which is a big plus for families who care about travelling responsibly.
Where are families going right now?
Out of Australia, Brett says Asia is the big favourite for family travel.
Why?
- Great value
- Shorter flights from Australia than to Europe or the US
- Huge cultural contrast to Australia, which kids tend to find fascinating
Popular family destinations with Intrepid right now include:
- Vietnam – beautiful food, diverse landscapes, welcoming to kids
- Borneo (Malaysia) – wildlife and nature lovers will be happy
- Japan – a long-time favourite and currently booming
- Sri Lanka – rapidly rising in popularity and likely to be huge next year
For many families, these destinations hit the sweet spot between adventure, culture and practicality.
What’s the difference between Standard and Comfort family trips?
You’ll notice some Intrepid family tours are labelled Comfort. If you’re wondering whether that’s worth the extra, here’s the difference.
Comfort trips generally include:
- Higher-standard accommodation – usually in the 3.5 to 4-star range
- Slightly slower pace and longer stays in each place
- More time to properly sink into a destination
The experiences themselves are still classic Intrepid: small group size, immersive activities, and local leaders. The main change is the level of comfort and how fast you move.
Bucket-list dreams (and new tours)
On the personal side, Brett’s favourite family trips so far have been Japan and Vietnam, both of which are active, diverse and great for parents as well as kids.
He’s got his eye on:
- South Africa – particularly Botswana and Zimbabwe, where Intrepid now runs family comfort trips and where Brett is originally from
- Turkey – with direct flights from Australia and an amazing mix of history, culture and food, it’s high on his wishlist
Morocco also gets a special mention. It’s currently Intrepid’s number-one destination out of Australia across many itineraries, not just family trips.
So… would you go on a group tour with your family?
I used to be firmly in the “no thanks” camp. But after learning more about how Intrepid structures their family tours and chatting with Brett – I’ve changed my tune.
We’ve actually booked an Intrepid family tour to Bali for the April 2026 school holidays. It’s designed for kids aged 10 and up, so mine will be 11 and 13 when we go.
The itinerary includes:
- Snorkelling
- White-water rafting
- Visiting a turtle rehabilitation centre
- Plenty of opportunities to learn about Balinese culture
After this conversation, I’m genuinely excited instead of nervous. Yes, there’s always that tiny voice in my head asking, “What have I gotten us into?” but now it’s mostly in a good way. Stay tuned to see how it went!
If you’re curious about family group tours, but not quite sure they’re “your thing”, you’re definitely not alone. But if you like the idea of:
- Built-in friends for the kids
- Less planning stress for you
- Deeper, more meaningful travel experiences
- Supporting local communities while you explore
…then a family group tour might be exactly what your next adventure needs.
Where to next?
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Let me know what you think!