Vacations were great when you were a kid – boarding a plane, jumping into swimming pools, and running amuck in the hotel corridors while your parents yelled at you from afar.
But now you’re a parent…and you don’t understand how your parents ever managed to survive so many hours in a confined space with you, let alone how they managed to entertain you for so long! If you’re stuck in a pickle and you’re wondering how to plan a holiday that will keep both the kids happy and yourself, choose one of these destinations in Australia and have a holiday the entire family will love.
1) The Gold Coast, QLD
This theme park haunt has entertained kids and adults alike for generations. But, if you’ve already spent hours at Dreamworld or Wet n Wild, why not think about taking a trip to some of this beautiful areas lesser known attractions? Muster sheep at the Australian Outback Spectacular, or climb Australia’s largest ropes course at Adventure Parc. If you’re up for a drive, why not check out Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo? It’s just a short trip up the highway.
2) Merimbula, NSW
If you’d rather a simpler trip away, look no further than Merimbula Beach Holiday Park. With a giant bouncy pillow, swimming pool and amenities this family friendly campsite offers everything you need for a great Australian summer getaway during the school holiday. Camp under the stars, or stay in one of their luxury cabins and enjoy the beautiful vistas of this seaside town.
3) Melbourne, VIC
While mums might come to Melbourne for the shopping and fathers for business trips in a convention centre, there’s one reason to bring the whole family to Australia’s capital of culture; museums. Take your budding physicists and biologists to Scienceworks in Spotswood (and while you’re travelling west, a trip to historic Williamstown Beach and a paddle in the surf always goes down a treat.) Closer to the city, be sure to pay a visit to The Melbourne Museum which has plenty of interactive exhibits to help your little ones learn about this diverse city.
4) Strahan, TAS
No trip to Tasmania is complete without a visit to this little seaside town on the west coast. There’s one thing that makes this place incredibly popular, and that’s the seaplane. Pile the family into this rickety (well, maybe ‘authentic’ is a better word) vessel and set off on a journey over the forest. Just make sure you’re back in time to enjoy some yummy fish and chips for tea; there are several shops along the shore.
5) Canberra, ACT
While adults joke about Canberra being the most boring city in the country, through the eyes of a child, there is no better place. They can try the freefall and Questacon, or sit in the Speaker’s Chair at Old Parliament House. Better yet, everything is nice and close, so it’s the perfect place for little legs to walk around.
Linda Campbell is a lover of Australian tourism. When she’s taking a break from her conferences in a local convention centre, she likes to reminisce about school holiday camp and her fun family vacations.
Aussie Aussie Aussie! Best Holiday Family Destinations In Australia
