Family Holidays Australia 2026
Theme parks, beach resorts, and wildlife encounters — holidays the whole family will remember.
Planning a family holiday in Australia means balancing everyone's wish list — the kids want waterslides and animals, the teens want adventure, and the parents want a comfortable room and a moment's peace. The good news? Australia delivers on all fronts. From the theme parks of the Gold Coast to the coral wonderland of the Great Barrier Reef, there's a destination to match every age group and budget.
The key to a stress-free family trip is choosing the right accommodation. Self-contained apartments give you space and a kitchen for early breakfasts and snack prep. Family resorts with kids' clubs offer supervised activities while parents enjoy the pool or a spa treatment. And many Australian hotels let children under 12 stay free when sharing a room with parents.
At LP Travel, we make it easy to filter hotels by family-friendly amenities — pools, interconnecting rooms, kitchenettes, and proximity to attractions. Compare real-time rates across hundreds of properties and book the holiday your family deserves.
Theme Park & Adventure Holidays
Australia's Gold Coast is the undisputed theme park capital — Dreamworld, Movie World, Sea World, and Wet'n'Wild are all within 20 minutes of each other. Stay at a family resort in Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach and you'll have easy access to all the action, plus beautiful beaches for downtime days.
Theme parks, SkyPoint observation deck, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Taronga Zoo, Luna Park, SEA LIFE Aquarium, and harbour jet boat rides
Melbourne Zoo, Scienceworks, Great Ocean Road day trips, and Puffing Billy Railway
Rottnest Island quokka selfies, Adventure World, and Kings Park playground
Beach & Coastal Family Breaks
Nothing beats an Australian beach holiday with kids. The Sunshine Coast delivers calm, patrolled beaches with national park walks and Australia Zoo nearby. North Queensland offers the reef and tropical rainforest. Even in winter, northern beaches stay warm enough for swimming — perfect for school-holiday escapes.
Australia Zoo, Noosa National Park, calm beaches, and Eumundi Markets
Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tours, Daintree Rainforest, and Skyrail Cableway
All-inclusive family resorts with kids' clubs, snorkelling, and island-hopping
Whitehaven Beach day trips, coral viewing, and resort pools for little ones
Nature & Wildlife Experiences
Australia's wildlife is a built-in attraction for families. Kids can hand-feed kangaroos, spot koalas in the wild, watch fairy penguins waddle ashore, and snorkel over coral teeming with tropical fish. National parks offer boardwalks and easy trails suitable for younger children, and many wildlife parks have interactive encounters.
Seal Bay, echidnas, koalas, and Remarkable Rocks — a living nature documentary
Scenic World rides, glow-worm tunnels, and easy bushwalks with waterfall picnics
Wombat spotting, lake walks, and cosy family lodges in Tasmanian wilderness
Reef tours with glass-bottom boats, Wildlife Habitat, and Mossman Gorge
Family Travel Tips
Practical advice to keep everyone happy (and on budget).
Choose self-catering
Apartments with kitchens cut food costs by 40% or more and let you handle fussy eaters and early bedtimes.
Book interconnecting rooms
Give older kids their own space while keeping everyone close. Many hotels offer these at no extra charge.
Travel off-peak
Outside school holidays, family rooms are 30–50% cheaper. February and late October are sweet spots.
Pre-book attractions online
Theme parks and zoos offer 10–20% online discounts and skip-the-line options — worth it in peak periods.
Pick resorts with kids' clubs
Free kids' clubs give parents a few hours of downtime. Many operate from age 4 and include meals.
Pack for the pool
An on-site pool is non-negotiable with kids. It fills downtime and the kids never get bored of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best family holiday destinations in Australia?
The Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, and Sydney are Australia's top family destinations. The Gold Coast offers theme parks (Dreamworld, Movie World, Sea World), Cairns has the Great Barrier Reef and rainforest, while Sydney delivers beaches, zoos, and harbour cruises.
What should I look for in a family-friendly hotel?
Look for interconnecting rooms or suites, on-site pools, kids' clubs, laundry facilities, kitchenette or self-catering options, and proximity to attractions. Many Australian resorts offer free stays for children under 12 sharing parents' rooms.
How can I save money on family holidays?
Book during school term time if possible, choose self-catering apartments to reduce food costs, look for family bundle deals that include attraction tickets, and consider driving holidays to save on airfares. Many attractions offer online-only discounts of 10–20%.
Are Australian beaches safe for children?
Patrolled beaches are very safe — always swim between the red and yellow flags. Popular family beaches include Burleigh Heads, Noosa Main Beach, Manly Beach, and Airlie Beach. Many have rock pools and calm lagoons ideal for toddlers.
Plan Your Family Adventure
Compare family-friendly hotels, resorts, and apartments across Australia's best destinations.
