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Family Holiday Ideas and Planning Guide

Family trips go well when the room layout, the transport and the daily pace suit your children's ages—not when you fit in the most attractions. Use this guide to plan around the youngest traveller, then compare family-friendly stays in six Australian destinations.

How to plan

Plan Around the Youngest Traveller.

Start with your youngest child's limits rather than a wish list. Toddlers need naps and familiar bedtimes, primary-school kids can manage fuller days with breaks, and teenagers want some say in the plan. One main activity a day, with pool or beach time around it, usually beats a packed schedule.

The room matters more than the hotel name. Count every sleeping spot, check whether "sleeps five" relies on a sofa bed, and look at two-bedroom apartments when the children go to bed before you do. A kitchen and a washing machine save time and money on stays of four nights or more.

Transport follows the same logic. Theme parks, wildlife parks and regional beaches are easier with a hire car—book child seats when you book the car. In Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, staying near a train line, tram stop or ferry wharf can make a car unnecessary for most of the trip.

Family room planning guide
Aerial view of the forested Burleigh Heads headland, with surfers in turquoise water and apartment buildings at the foot of the hill
Burleigh Heads, Gold CoastBeach, headland walks and apartment stays

Where to go

Six Family-Friendly Destinations.

Each destination links to our full guide where we have one, plus a Booking.com search for family stays. We don't show live prices—rates change with school holidays and room type.

Aerial view of Surfers Paradise high-rises lining the beach and turquoise surf on the Gold CoastQueensland

Gold Coast

Theme parks and patrolled surf beaches
Why go
Dreamworld, Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World and Wet'n'Wild sit alongside long patrolled beaches and wildlife parks such as Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Best ages
School-age kids and teens who meet ride height limits get the most from theme parks. Toddlers enjoy beach mornings and the calm water at Tallebudgera Creek.
Where to stay
Broadbeach and Main Beach for the light rail and quieter evenings than Surfers Paradise; Burleigh Heads for a relaxed feel. Two-bedroom apartments with pools are common.
Getting around
The G:link light rail runs along the coastal strip and meets Brisbane trains at Helensvale. Theme parks are easier by car or park shuttle—check parking charges.
Check availability Gold Coast guide
Ferries crossing Sydney Harbour towards Circular Quay, with the Opera House and CBD skyline behindNew South Wales

Sydney

Ferries, the zoo and calm harbour beaches
Why go
Ferry rides double as sightseeing, Taronga Zoo sits on the harbour, and calm harbour beaches such as Balmoral and Manly's Shelly Beach suit younger swimmers.
Best ages
All ages. Walking-heavy city days suit primary-school kids and up; toddlers do better with a ferry, a beach and a nap than a full museum day.
Where to stay
Darling Harbour puts playgrounds, the aquarium and museums within walking distance; Manly gives you a beach base with a direct ferry to the city.
Getting around
Trains, ferries, light rail and buses cover most family sights. Children pay reduced fares and young children travel free—check Transport for NSW for current rules.
Check availability Sydney guide
Melbourne CBD skyline reflected in the Yarra River, with autumn-tinted trees along the riverbankVictoria

Melbourne and Phillip Island

Museums, the zoo and little penguins
Why go
Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks and Melbourne Zoo cover rainy days, and Phillip Island's Penguin Parade is roughly two hours' drive from the city.
Best ages
Primary-school kids and teens. Melbourne's weather changes quickly, so pack layers and keep an indoor option up your sleeve.
Where to stay
Southbank or the CBD for trams and riverside walks; St Kilda for a bayside suburb; Cowes if you'd rather stay overnight on Phillip Island.
Getting around
Trams and trains cover the city, and trams inside the Free Tram Zone in the CBD cost nothing. Hire a car or join a tour for Phillip Island.
Check availability Melbourne guide
Aerial view of a crescent-shaped sand cay surrounded by coral reef on the Great Barrier ReefQueensland

Cairns and Port Douglas

Reef, rainforest and lagoon swimming
Why go
Reef pontoons with viewing areas let non-swimmers see coral, the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is free to swim in, and the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail make a rainforest day out.
Best ages
Snorkelling days suit children who are confident in the water; pontoon trips with glass-bottom boats suit younger kids. Check each operator's age rules.
Where to stay
The Cairns Esplanade for the lagoon and reef departures; Palm Cove or Trinity Beach for a quieter beach base; Port Douglas for resorts near Four Mile Beach.
Getting around
A hire car helps for the northern beaches and Port Douglas. In stinger season (roughly November to May), swim inside stinger nets and wear stinger suits.
Check availability Cairns and the Reef guide
Perth city skyline and the Swan River seen from Kings Park under a blue, cloud-dotted skyWestern Australia

Perth and Rottnest Island

Calm beaches, bikes and quokkas
Why go
Rottnest Island has no private cars, so families cycle between sheltered bays. On the mainland, Kings Park, Perth Zoo and the calm beach at Hillarys Boat Harbour fill easy days.
Best ages
Rottnest suits kids who can ride a bike; bikes with child seats and the island bus help younger ones. Look at quokkas but don't touch or feed them.
Where to stay
The CBD near Elizabeth Quay for ferries and free CAT buses; Fremantle for Rottnest ferries and the Maritime Museum; Scarborough or Hillarys for beach mornings.
Getting around
Transperth trains, buses and ferries cover the city. Book Rottnest ferries and island stays early for summer and school holidays.
Check availability Perth guide
View down Anzac Parade across Lake Burley Griffin to Old and New Parliament House, CanberraAustralian Capital Territory

Canberra

Hands-on museums and national institutions
Why go
Questacon's interactive science galleries, the National Museum of Australia, the Australian War Memorial and the National Zoo & Aquarium—and several national institutions have free general entry.
Best ages
Primary-school kids and teens get the most from museum days; younger children enjoy Questacon's hands-on areas and the lakeside paths.
Where to stay
Civic and Braddon for walkable dining and the light rail; Barton and Kingston near the lake and the Parliamentary Triangle.
Getting around
Easiest with a car, and Canberra is about three hours' drive from Sydney. Bike paths circle Lake Burley Griffin.
Check availability More NSW and ACT ideas

Search links open Booking.com. We may earn a commission if you book, at no additional cost to you. Attraction details change—check official websites for opening hours and age rules.

Before you book

Family Holiday Checklist.

Run through these points before you confirm a booking—most family-trip problems start with the room or the transfer, not the destination.

Sun, Water and Car Seats

Sun: UV levels in Australia are high even on cloudy days. Pack broad-brimmed hats, SPF50+ sunscreen and long-sleeved swim tops, and plan shade around the middle of the day.

Water: Swim at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags, and actively watch children in and around accommodation pools—many aren't supervised. In tropical Queensland, follow stinger and crocodile warning signs.

Car seats: Australian road rules require children under seven to travel in an approved child restraint suited to their age and size. Book seats with your hire car, and check the rules for taxis and rideshare in the state you're visiting.

Planning Checklist

  • Count every sleeping spot and check whether "sleeps five" relies on a sofa bed.
  • Request a cot or rollaway bed, then confirm it with the property after booking.
  • Check how the property charges for extra guests—some count children at any age.
  • Plan one main activity a day for younger children, with pool, beach or rest time around it.
  • Book child seats with your hire car early, especially in school holidays.
  • Pack a small first-aid kit, regular medicines and wet-weather layers.
  • Download offline maps and the local transport app before you arrive.
  • Compare the total price on Booking.com, including cleaning fees and parking.
  • Save confirmations offline—The Trip Route doesn't manage bookings.

Budget planning

Budget by Category, Not Guesswork Prices.

We don't publish sample rates—they change with school holidays, room type and demand. Build your budget around these categories and compare the total for your dates. Our guide to the full cost of a hotel stay lists the fees to look for.

Accommodation

Usually the largest cost. A two-bedroom apartment can cost more per night than a hotel room but may replace a second room and adds a kitchen.

Getting There

Flights for everyone plus checked-bag allowances and airport transfers—or fuel, tolls and perhaps an overnight stop if you drive.

Getting Around

Car hire and child seats, parking at the hotel and attractions, or public transport, where children usually pay less.

Attractions

Ticket prices vary by age. Compare family tickets and multi-park passes on official websites, and mix in free beaches, playgrounds and museums.

Food

Self-catered breakfasts and picnic lunches keep daily spending predictable; save eating out for one meal a day.

Buffer

Keep part of the budget unallocated for a wet day, an unwell child or the one activity everyone suddenly wants to do.

When to go

Family Travel Through the Year.

School holiday dates differ between states and territories. Check the education department calendar for your home state and your destination—a week's difference can change availability.

December–January

Summer Holidays

The longest break and the busiest time on the coast. Book beach towns and islands early. The tropical north is hot, humid and in stinger season.

March–May

Autumn and Easter

Warm seas in the south and milder days for city sightseeing. The autumn school break is busy, so compare dates either side of Easter.

June–August

Winter Break

Dry-season peak in Cairns, the Whitsundays and the Top End. The NSW and Victorian snowfields are busiest in the July school holidays.

September–November

Spring

Mild walking weather, wildflowers in Western Australia and Canberra's Floriade. The spring holidays come before summer prices rise.

Keep planning

All Travel Guides

Family holiday FAQ

Questions About Family Trips.

How long should a family holiday be?

Allow one night for each main activity day, plus a lighter arrival and departure day. Five nights on the Gold Coast, for example, leaves room for two theme park days, a beach day and a rest day. Shorter trips work best when the travel time is short too.

Is a hotel or a holiday apartment better for families?

Hotels suit short stays, with daily housekeeping and breakfast on site. Apartments with a kitchen, a laundry and a separate bedroom suit longer stays and children who go to bed before their parents. Compare the total cost, including cleaning fees and parking, rather than the nightly rate alone.

Do children need car seats in hire cars in Australia?

Yes. Australian road rules require children under seven to travel in an approved child restraint suited to their age and size. Book seats with your car hire in advance or bring your own, and check the rules for taxis and rideshare in the state you're visiting.

Which destinations suit toddlers?

Choose places where the main activity is close to your accommodation and travel days are short: a calm-water beach, a pool, a zoo or a park. Noosa, Sydney's harbour beaches and the calm-water beach at Hillarys Boat Harbour in Perth all work well.

Does The Trip Route book family holidays?

No. We publish planning guidance and link to Booking.com, where you can see current rates, room types, availability and cancellation terms. Always check the total price before you book.

Search Family-Friendly Hotels.

Compare family hotels, apartments and properties with pools on Booking.com. Filter by number of bedrooms, kitchen facilities and cancellation policy for your dates.

Search stays on Booking.com

Search results, availability, prices and reservations are provided by Booking.com. We may earn a commission when you book through this link.