The best places to holiday with kids in 2024

7A memorable family holiday doesn’t have to equal long, expensive flights or luxury resorts. Here’s a round-up of diverse Australian tourism locations – from the country to the coast – that offer plenty of fun (and sometimes free) activities, all within a few hours’ drive of a capital city.

Location: 3 hours’ drive from Canberra

Halfway between Sydney and Melbourne, the Sapphire Coast is famed for its secluded beaches and wild oysters – but wait, there’s more. At the heart of the region is Merimbula, a laidback town that promises the perfect swimming spot given that it’s bordered by two lakes, a surf beach and a bay. The cabins and camping sites at Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort

are a popular accommodation choice for families, and there are plenty of hotel options, too. 

After a long drive, stretch your legs exploring the Merimbula Boardwalk, which wraps around 3.4km of lakefront and passes mangrove forests, oyster farms and, if you’re lucky, a resident seal. Back around on the bay side, you’ll find Merimbula Aquarium and Wharf Restaurant

, where you can sample the local seafood (via a two- or three-course menu) and the kids can watch marine creatures (open Wednesday to Sunday) going about their business in the 70,000-litre oceanarium.

There are more than enough activities to warrant staying for a week: visit a mini theme park, Magic Mountain

; rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak at Mitchies Jetty

; feed native wildlife at Potoroo Palace

animal sanctuary; cruise around Pambula Lake on Captain Sponge’s Magical Oyster Tour

; and, of course, spend plenty of time at the beach (there are six to choose from).

Location: 2 hours (car and ferry) from Brisbane

Getting to North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) is part of the adventure. From Brisbane, drive to Toondah Harbour (45 minutes) then catch the vehicle ferry (booking required) over to ‘Straddy’: the second-largest sand island in the world. On the island, sealed roads connect the three main townships of Dunwich, Amity and Point Lookout – each with a range of accommodation options. This is a dream destination for nature-loving families and many of the activities are free (especially if you bring your own water sports gear).

The Gorge Walk is the top-billed attraction. From the 1.2km boardwalk you might spot turtles, dolphins, manta rays or humpback whales (during migration season, June to November), and there’s a gelato shop to refuel. Dolphins also visit near the Amity Swimming Enclosure – a calm, netted bay where little ones will love splashing around.

Brown Lake (Bummiera) is another popular swimming and picnic spot: a freshwater lake tinged brown by the surrounding tea-tree bushland. Bummiera is culturally significant to the Quandamooka People, who are the traditional owners of Minjerribah. You can discover more about Quandamooka Country on a cultural experience with Matt Burns

, who offers walking tours and activities ranging from boomerang painting to dance and didgeridoo demonstrations.

Other island activities include surfing, fishing, cycling, stand-up paddleboarding

and sandboarding

.

Location: 3 hours’ drive from Melbourne

The Murray River Region is growing in popularity as a family-friendly holiday destination, and the twin towns of Echuca and Moama (which sit on either side of the state border) offer everything you need for a unique – and covertly educational – bushland break.

Start at the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre

for a look back at the region’s colonial history and see the sawmill and steam displays, where the kids can tackle tasks set by engineers. Then hop aboard a paddlesteamer cruise

to learn more about the riverboat trade of the late 1800s.

Enjoy a peaceful walk or cycle among the gum trees, kangaroos and kookaburras on a self-guided trail, or embrace something a little less tranquil with a session at Aqua Island

, an enormous floating playground that’s guaranteed to burn some energy.

While you’re in the area, take a drive to take in some unique silo art

murals.

Location: 3.5 hours’ drive from Perth

It’s no secret that the Margaret River region is home to some spectacular vineyards and award-winning breweries. What you might not know is that many of these venues are also set-up for little people’s enjoyment. In Yallingup, Swings and Roundabout Cellar Door and Restaurant

has a takeaway option to picnic on the huge lawn while the kids explore the playground; Cheeky Monkey Brewing

also has an extensive playground (and great hot chips); while Aravina Estate

includes a surfing museum and sports car gallery, as well as a playground and gardens.

Add The Margaret River Chocolate Company

to your itinerary (tastings are free and you can watch chocolate being made through a window) and when you need an outlet for that sugar-high, Yallingup Maze and mini golf

has you covered.

• Blue Mountains, NSW (1.5 hours’ drive from Sydney) From the thrills of Scenic World
  to the wonders of Jenolan Caves
  and stargazing
  , there’s something for everyone in the serene Blue Mountains.
• Kangaroo Island, SA (1.5-hour drive from Adelaide plus vehicle ferry) Known as ‘the zoo without walls’, this wild and rugged island is the ultimate destination for wildlife lovers of all ages.
• Litchfield National Park, NT (1.5 hours’ drive from Darwin) This is one of the best camping spots in the Northern Territory, with spectacular waterholes and waterfalls that are easily accessible for family groups.
• Bicheno, TAS (2.5 hours’ drive from Hobart) Beautiful beaches and adorable Little Blue Penguins
  – plus a blowhole
  – makes this quiet fishing village a family favourite. 

^Disclaimer

^{Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.}