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There are so many reasons to bring the family to Australia for the ultimate holiday. There are lush rainforests, numerous camping opportunities, beaches for days and so much more.
You can explore the big cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane or head out to stunning regional areas like Cairns (the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef) or Alice Springs (to access Uluru).
There are theme parks, islands, ski resorts, wineries, sporting events, art and cultural experiences, wildlife to see, unique flora to discover and traditional Indigenous historical trails to help teach you about the rich and long history of Australia.
Before you pack your bags and book your ticket, it is important to plan your family holiday. These tips will help you get the most out of your stay – including fun for the children and adults.
1. Plan a Visit to Australia’s Theme Park Capital
The Gold Coast is a sprawling region located just south of the Queensland capital of Brisbane and just north of the New South Wales border, featuring some of the country’s best beaches, hinterland and tourist attractions to suit every member of the family.
For the young ones, visiting the theme parks is an essential part of any Australian adventure. Here, you can get close and personal with marine life at Seaworld Resort, get your adrenaline pumping on the high-octane rides of Dreamworld (while also taking the time to visit Tiger Island), test yourself on the biggest water slides in the country at WhiteWater World and Wet’n’Wild and see Hollywood come to life at Warner Bros. Movie World.
You will also find plenty of Queensland accommodation options nearby, with many offering shuttle services to the theme parks as well.
2. Locate The Best Family Accommodation Spots Around The Country
If you are planning to explore Australia by car, caravan or trailer, you are going to need to take stops along the way. Don’t leave it to chance, put some research into your trip first. There are numerous camping and caravan sites around the country that include lush, self-contained cabins, swimming pools, tennis courts, dining facilities, children’s play areas (inside and outside) and much more.
You will be able to make your trip more affordable and more fun by selecting these accommodation options where the kids will have plenty to do and the parents will have a genuine opportunity to relax.
3. Plan Your Trip to Visit as Many Attractions as Possible
Australia is a big place, like, a really, really big place. In between a lot of the attractions like the capital cities, Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef, National Parks, Whale Watching experiences etc you will find long expanses of Australian outback. In fact, 70 per cent of Australia is outback.
While some families will enjoy days of driving through the bush, many children are going to get bored quickly. Plot the destinations you want to visit and plan your travel routes, choosing affordable flights for those longer journeys so you can get the most out of your Australian holiday.
4. Plan Your Trip Around The Weather
This may sound obvious, but Australia is a very diverse country and the weather can have a large influence on your trip. For example, visiting Queensland in summer is ideal, but you don’t want to visit when there is a tropical cyclone lurking off the coast.
If you are heading into the outback, some regions can soar over 40 degrees celsius during summer (The coastal Pilbara town of Onslow has the summer record of 50.7C). Tasmania is a beautiful place, but it can sit below zero degrees for most of the winter time. Unless you are planning a sky adventure, you and the kids might want to avoid that level of cold.
5. What to Pack For Survival in Australia
Some overseas visitors have heard horror stories about wild animals, snakes and spiders lurking in every corner of Australia. This is not quite true, you will experience the same level of insects and animals in metropolitan and regional areas as you will anywhere else.
However, Australian flies and mosquitos are especially annoying so packing a good insect repellent is essential. The Australian sun can be harsh as well, with a high UV index to pack broad-brimmed hats, sunscreen and it is recommended the kids wear rashies when swimming.
You will want light and comfortable footwear as well, many Aussies get around in thongs. But always ensure you have more rugged footwear if you plan on going hiking.
6. Prepare For The Long Flights
Australia is fairly isolated and the flight time is going to be fairly long, no matter where in the world you are coming from (unless you are in New Zealand). Ensure you pack plenty of snacks, neck pillows, comfortable clothes and games and activities for the kids so they don’t get bored.
Most international flights have entertainment options available as well, so explore options that offer the most comfortable experience for the best price.