Top 10 Family-Friendly Stays in Australia

Only a 90 minute drive from the Sydney CBD, the Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel provides a great escape for families. Their KidZone activities include a merry-go-round, jungle gym, mirror maze, arcade games, table tennis, mini electric car rides, pony rides and the infamous Fairmont Express Train! And, if that wasn’t enough the hotel is currently building an ice-skating rink due for completion in 2021. Parents will also love the morning yoga, trail running sessions and the stunning Ubika day spa.

Image: Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel

Terrigal is the perfect location for a quick family getaway and it’s not hard to see why. Stay at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal, an easy 90 minute drive from Sydney, where you’ll find great ocean view accommodation options and plenty of activities and attractions to keep the whole family entertained. Plus, during school holidays, the Crowne Plaza Terrigal runs their VIK (Very Important Kids) program. Kids can enjoy the pool, mini golf, and arcade games by day and then enjoy their very own happy hour with a free poolside ice block. The kid-friendly celebrations continue into the night at the Kids’ Zone, where movies, games and karaoke disco nights are also on offer. Meanwhile, parents can indulge at endota spa, laze by the pool or wander through the shops at Terrigal village.

Image: Crown Plaza, Terrigal

Canberra is home to a wide variety of family-friendly attractions, outdoor adventures, wildlife encounters, educational museums and celebrated national landmarks. Here you’ll find chic accommodation options including The East Hotel & Apartments. The East Hotel & Apartments is located between the vibrant hubs of Kingston and Manuka, a five-minute drive to all of the top tourist sites in Canberra, including the kids’ favourite, Questacon. The hotel offers stylish one and two bedroom apartments that are perfect for families. They even have adjoining Kids Studios (known as Kids Cubbies) that are fitted out with bunk beds, beanbags, toys, games and even a kid-friendly mini-bar.

Image: East Hotel & Apartments, Canberra

Paradise Resort Gold Coast is the only resort in Australia where you’ll find a water park, ice rink, laser tag and kids’ club, as well as family rooms catering for up to six kids. So, yes it’s still within the city of the Gold Coast but as the perfect haven for family holidays (and also voted as one of Australia’s best family resorts) we just couldn’t leave this resort out. Located a few minutes-walk from the beach and the heart of Surfers Paradise, the Paradise Resort Gold Coast caters for families with kids of all ages. Plus, with wine tastings and cooking demonstrations for parents, you’ll never have to leave the resort.

Image: Paradise Resort, Gold Coast

Sea World Resort & Water Park is located on the Gold Coast about a 10-15 minute drive from the heart of Surfers Paradise. As Australia’s only theme park resort, Sea World Resort & Water Park is more than just accommodation and offers the perfect combination of fun, adventure and relaxation, guaranteed to keep the whole family happy. Within the resort, you’ll find a fantastic range of cool activities for kids of all ages including the kids’ club, water-park and SpongeBob Light Show & Aqua Play. The resort also offers package deals that include accommodation and entry to the Sea World Marine Park which is literally at your doorstep, making your family trip a little bit easier.

Image: Sea World Resort & Water Park, Gold Coast

If you’re after some privacy and a little bit of luxury, then the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort is for you. At this classy, feature-packed resort you can sail a catamaran or kayak on the private lagoon, enjoy a round of mini-golf, take a dip in the resort pool or treat mum to a luxurious spa treatment. During school holidays, take advantage of their adventure-filled family escape offers or simply get out and explore the nearby beaches and river. The resort offers accommodation options to suit all family types including studios, one and two bedroom suites and even overwater bungalows!

Image: Novotel Sunshine Coast

Hamilton Island is one of Australia’s most renowned, family-friendly holiday destinations and offers great value for families. For a memorable stay you can’t go past the Reef View Hotel with most rooms offering its to-die-for views over the Coral Sea. There’s plenty of room types to suit your family budget and you’ll discover a huge selection of fun, inexpensive and memorable activities to suit all ages. The hotel also boasts a 35-metre swimming pool and the pristine Catseye Beach is only a short walk away. Plus, the island itself has a wide range of activities on offer. Take a ride on a go-kart, enjoy a game of mini golf, check the kids in to the Clownfish Club, or spend your day exploring the Great Barrier Reef, Whitsundays, or Wild Life Hamilton Island.

Image: Reef View Hotel, Hamilton Island

Daydream Island Resort is located in the beautiful Whitsundays and has been the ultimate playground for families for many years. Having recently undergone a massive refurbishment, the island resort is one of the best family holiday destinations in Australia and offers plenty to see and do for both young and old. Get up close with stingrays, watch the sunset at Lovers Cove, splash about the pool or simply explore Whitehaven and the living reef. One of the newest additions to Daydream Island is the underwater observatory and living reef, which guests can actually snorkel in! The living reef is home to thriving coral, the stingrays and a plethora of colourful fish. Plus, the resort also offers a great range of childcare options should you need some ‘me’ time.

Image: Daydream Island Resort, Whitsundays

For a unique family holiday you can’t go past Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, Broome. Voted in the Top 10 for Best Family Resorts Holidays in the ‘Kids Readers’ Choice Awards’, Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa is the perfect place for families to unwind, relax and reconnect to create special memories. Spend lazy days by the pool or explore some of Broome’s unique wonders. Take a stroll down the famous Cable Beach and be captivated by epic sunsets you won’t find anywhere else. Activities for the kids are plenty too with a family pool, water playground, mini golf and tennis courts just waiting for the kids to enjoy. Families can stay in interconnecting studios or choose a self-catering option in bungalows that sleep between four and seven guests. Rooms sell out fast and are often booked well in advance of travel dates so you've got to be quick.

Image: Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, Broome

Looking for an extra special and luxurious escape? Then treat the family to a stay at the Jamala Wildlife Lodge. Located inside the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra, it’s the perfect place to get up close and personal with a wide range of exotic creatures. Go to sleep, side by side (but separated by glass), with animals such as giraffes, lions, tigers and bears. Some rooms even have giant reef tank! The lodge caters to children six and over, but they do offer special “Family Nights” once a month, where children 4 years and older are also welcome. Accommodation can be quite pricey but the memories will be totally worth it.

Image: Jamala Wildilfe Lodge, Canberra

Family holidays are great for relaxing, reconnecting and spending time with those you love. They’re even better when you find the perfect holiday destination with great accommodation options to suit everyone.