kid world travel guide australia

Why Australia is one of the best places to visit with kids

Nov 10, 2023 • 8 min read

Find the best activities for all ages with our guide to family-friendly Australia © Rafael Ben-Ari / Getty Images

One of the best countries on the planet for kids is Australia .

It serves up a diverse range of experiences , with something to appeal to everyone from the youngest to the oldest member of your family.

From the northern tropics to the southern coastlines, this vast island is bursting with that rare double whammy: kid-tastic activities paired with a long pour of adult soul juice. Whichever way you spin in Australia, you’ll hit the family travel jackpot. 

What makes Australia good for kids?

Many of the best experiences for families in Australia are free; sharing the beach with kangaroos, for example, costs nothing more than a sand shovel. 

And Australians love kids, especially your kids. They’ll want to know where you come from, point you to the closest playground (even the smallest of country towns will have one) and there’s always a reasonably clean loo (bathroom) easily found at train stations, parks and restaurants.

Regarding those eateries, come hungry . Australia is ground-zero for kid-friendly smashed avocado on toast, which you can adult-elevate with some chili flakes. Even isolated areas aren’t chicken nugget-less for one-track eaters – but wait until your family discovers the crowd-pleasing sausage roll (meat mince in pastry). Wherever you are, there’s also always a pub; considered adults-only venues in many other countries, in Australia they welcome the family mealtime circus with open arms. Some even have dedicated playgrounds where little ones run barefoot and free, a reflection of Australia’s relaxed approach to parenting.

It’s a safe country, but dangers do exist – and we’re not just talking snakes and spiders. One is death by extreme boredom getting to Australia on what, for many visitors, will be a long flight or two (plan a stopover) or attempting long in-country distances in one hit. Australia is also not the cheap haven it once was; your foreign currency will likely go far, but budget for your must-do experiences.

Where are the best places to travel in Australia with kids? 

Mini wildlife warriors will love Queensland ’s lush Sunshine Coast , where they’ll find slithering, swooping and jaw-snapping animals at Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo . Meanwhile, parents might froth over the most craft breweries per capita, some boasting on-site playgrounds (try Your Mates Brewing Co . in Warana) or even petting zoos with farm animals (like at Terella Brewing in North Arm). 

Budding paleontologists will dig (literally) South Australia's  Naracoorte Caves (rated by UNESCO as one of the world's 10 greatest fossil sites) and Outback Queensland's Australia’s Dinosaur Trail , where they'll learn about Gondwana species they may have never heard of before. Queensland’s  Gold Coast is also a favorite with Aussie families. This is where you’ll find amusement and water parks, golden stretches of sand, and rainforest retreats a toe-tap from the coast. 

Future marine biologists can dive into the waters on Western Australia’s Coral Coast to swim with manta rays and the gentle giants of the seas: whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef.

The best things to do in Australia with kids

Imagine lying sundrenched on a pontoon boat, listening to your kids squeal through snorkels at underwater coral on the Great Barrier Reef; counting stars through the opening of an outback desert tent; splashing beneath a tropical waterfall or walking hand-in-hand amazed in world-class museums. This is just the start. 

To discourage overwhelm, here are some of our top recommendations for all age groups.

Best things to do in Australia with babies and toddlers

Visit one of australia’s 12,000 beaches.

Beaches come with the inbuilt entertainment of water splashing and soft falls for little learning legs. The most popular stretches of sand have barbecues, water fountains, public restrooms and on-duty lifeguards. (Remember to only swim between the red and yellow flags.) Situated oceanside, surf clubs are also ubiquitous across the country. They typically have family-friendly cafes attached and bottles of sunscreen on-hand, in case you forgot your own.

Australia has over 12,000 beaches spread along roughly 60,000km (37,285 miles) of coastline, resulting in staggering diversity. Standouts include the red cliffs at Maslin Beach in South Australia (where you can pass nap time by strolling through the multiple McLaren Vale wineries close by) and the car-free Rottnest Island in Western Australia (where you can hire a child trailer and bike from beach-to-beach). Also not to be missed are the country’s unique ocean pools (there are 35  ocean pools in Sydney alone), all offering sanctuary from rip currents and surf. 

In areas where the ocean is unsafe for swimming due to crocodiles or jellyfish, you’ll find resort-like public pools (called “lagoons”) with ocean views and splash parks. And on the Great Barrier Reef , tour operators will provide you with a stinger suit to keep your family safe.  

Visit one (or more) of Australia’s quirky “Big Things”

Australia is home to over 150 toddler-impressing "Big Things" (there’s even a Big Things of Australia  map ) including the Sunshine Coast’s three-storey-high pineapple, a walk-through Big Banana in Coffs Harbour or Ballina’s 35-tonne Big Prawn . More than just a photo opp, many have adjoining fun parks geared to the under-five set.

Best things to do in Australia with kids aged 4 to 11 

Learn more about australia’s indigenous people.

It’s never too early for a cultural deep-dive into Australia’s ancient and living Indigenous cultures. Dreamtime storytelling keeps kids enthralled, with a multitude of offerings in the Discover Aboriginal Experiences collection. Your family can learn to make traditional dot paintings near Uluru or dig for mud crabs on a Daintree Rainforest coastal walk. Or head to the Tiwi Islands , where your offspring will be doted on, as you meet local artists and partake in “billy” tea, prepared over a campfire.  

Go wild with wildlife

Wildlife encounters at this age are forever tattooed on impressionable minds, so don’t be surprised if your critter-obsessed kid turns into a conservationist after visiting Australia.

Opportunities to learn more about the country’s endemic and sometimes unusual species are countless. At the Wildlife Retreat at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo , koalas appear right at your room’s window, while night tours and harbor views come as part of the package. At Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort on the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll find manta rays and turtles, while the jumping crocodiles in the Northern Territory’s Adelaide River take the cake – or rather the bait – for show ‘n’ tell school reports. 

But even just wandering at the local park or along a bush track will result in free wildlife sightings , especially at dawn and dusk. Even in densely urban areas, brush turkeys, kookaburras, rainbow lorikeets and cockatoos are a dime a dozen, while further out you’ll find brush-tailed possums, wallabies and kangaroos in the wild. 

Take advantage of Australia’s top-notch museums and science centers

Your kids may be loath to “learn” on holidays, but they’ll change their tune as soon as they step into one of the country’s world-class museums. Case in point: Questacon , in the capital city of Canberra is an “edutainment” science-based extravaganza. Learn about energy, then unleash it by planting yourself at the National Arboretum Canberra’s POD Playground .

With the exception of charges for special exhibitions, admission is free for children at many museums, galleries and science centers, including Sydney’s dino-tastic Australian Museum and Melbourne’s Scienceworks . 

Best things to do in Australia with tweens and teenagers

Catch waves in an insta-friendly surf town.

Celebrities aren’t the only ones won over by the lure of Australia's seaside escapes. A once-tiny surf town near the New South Wales–Queensland border, Byron Bay now has international cachet, drawing high-wattage residents like Chris Hemsworth. Your teen will say “it’s a vibe,” especially when you check into a retro-cool motel like The Sunseeker , with its complementary skateboards and nature-inspired playground for younger siblings. Sign them up for surf lessons and you’re set. Equally TikTok-worthy are Noosa ’s buzzing beaches in Queensland, or the steamy sunset backdrops of Broome in Western Australia.

Take the family on a hike

Older kids may appreciate exploring one of Australia’s many multi-day trails , such as Tasmania ’s Three Capes Track . Just as spectacular are the hikes that can be tackled in a day, like the walk to Kakadu National Park ’s Jim Jim Falls through monsoon rainforest and over boulders to a plunge pool surrounded by dramatic 200m-high (656ft) cliffs. Before you head out, download the free Australian Bites and Stings app as a handy “bushwalking” (Aussie for hiking) prop.

Planning tips for traveling in Australia with kids  

The nuclear-grade Aussie sun means you’ll want to lather on the sunscreen (reef-friendly brands if swimming or snorkeling), hats and long-sleeved rashguards or swimsuits. All can be easily purchased in Australia on arrival. For longer days spent oceanside, consider renting a beach shelter. Portable and offering 50+ SPF, CoolCabanas are the most popular brand, but you can also purchase knock-offs at retailers like Kmart Australia. 

Like anywhere, formal dining and kids don’t mix, unless you’re eating at 5pm. Instead, look to RSLs ( Returned & Services League of Australia ) and surf lifesaving clubs, which are beloved by communities, and serve cost-effective meals in often spectacular locations, such as Sydney’s Bondi Icebergs or Melbourne’s St Kilda RSL . 

Outside of major cities like Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, pharmacies (called "chemists") close by 5pm and may not be open on Sundays. Supermarkets also carry basic medication and baby supplies, but may not be open in the evenings in regional areas.

Public transportation and pathways in urban centers are usually pram (stroller) friendly. (Although sidewalks can be narrow in city's historic areas.) Some major beaches even have access mats that create a pathway across the sand, which make it possible to push a carriage or pull a wagon down to the water. However, a baby carrier for adventures further afield and to most beaches is a good idea.

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21 Best Places to Visit In Australia with Kids

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Best Places to See In Australia with Kids

Australia is the ultimate playground for families who love to travel. Australia is a huge country with beautiful nature, two of the most beautiful reefs in the world, animals you won’t see anywhere else and cities you’ll want to revisit time and time again.

Australia, or Oz as the locals like to call it, is an easy country to travel through. It’s best explored by car or campervan and the ideal country for an ultimate family road trip. A road trip with kids from Perth to Darwin (or the other way around) or along the east coast is on many people’s bucket list.

Australia is huge and you’ll need multiple trips to see what this country in Oceania has to offer. It’s impossible to compile the ultimate guide to Australia with kids. This post covers a selection of 21 best places to visit in Australia with kids. The list covers some of the best cities in Australia to visit and the best islands in Australia for families. In addition to that, historical and national parks are also amongst the best places to go in Australia with children.

Getting to and around Australia with kids

When booking international flights, we always use  Expedia . We also used them for our flight to Australia with kids. And we use 12Go  to book domestic flight, bus, train and transfer tickets.

Australia is a great country to road trip through by RV. And there’s also the awesome option of renting your own car for your ultimate family road trip from Perth to Darwin or along the East Coast of Australia. We always opt for  Discover Cars .

Book your rental car here

How to plan a family trip to Australia

Like I said, Australia is a relatively easy destination for families. There’s so much to offer for parents as well as kids of all ages. When thinking about traveling to Australia or when you’re already planning a family road trip to Australia my free ultimate beginners guide to planning a family road trip  might be helpful.

If you’re a seasoned family traveler do some cherry picking from this list of best places to visit in Thailand with kids and check out this  Perth to Darwin family holiday itinerary . This itinerary takes you through the country in about 2,5 weeks and along some of the most kid friendly places in Thailand.

Read more >>   Ultimate Family Road Trip Guide: Perth to Darwin

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Best spots to visit with kids in Australia

Now without further ado, let’s dive into this list of 21 best places to visit in Australia with kids. From North to South and from East to West our contributors share the family friendly destinations you should visit when on a family vacation in Australia.

Book your tours and entrance tickets for Australia here

21 Best Places to Visit in Australia with Kids

Cities and towns.

Margaret River

Mount Gambier

Nature and National Parks

The Great Barrier Reef (Queensland)

The Blue Mountains (New South Wales)

Uluru (Northern Territory)

Kakadu National Park (Northern Territory)

The Gippsland Lakes (Victoria)

Kangaroo Island (South Australia)

Fraser Island (Queensland)

Phillip Island (Victoria)

Norfolk Island (external territory of Australia)

Tasmania (Tasmania)

Brisbane – Queensland

Contributed by Lanie from Make More Adventures

Brisbane is a kid-friendly city with plenty of fun things to do for all ages. But what are the top things to do in Brisbane with kids?

The most popular spot for kids in Brisbane is South Bank, located south of the Brisbane River. Not only are there multiple playgrounds at Southbank, but they also have 3 public swimming areas that have free entry. My kids love playing in the sand at Streets Beach.

In the Culture Center you’ll find some museums. Queensland Museum is a science, culture, and natural history museum where some exhibits have free entry. Inside this museum you’ll find Sparklab, aimed at kids from 6 to 13, a great interactive museum for children to enjoy. And inside QAGOMA you’ll find Children’s Art Centre which offers free entry and includes multiple interactive activities for kids under 6.

There’s more to Brisbane than interesting museums. Off the coast of Brisbane, you’ll find 2 of the largest sand islands in the world,  Stradbroke Island  and Moreton Island. Both islands have fun activities for kids including snorkeling, sandboarding and hiking.

My family moved to Brisbane a few years ago, and even though it is a small city, there is always something fun to do with kids of all ages. One of our favorite things about living in Brisbane is the proximity to both the beach and the mountains. In an hour, you can get from Brisbane to many different beaches, country towns, and waterfall hikes.

Summers in Brisbane can get hot, but the winters are mild. Spring in Brisbane is beautiful, especially when the jacaranda trees bloom.

Here are your accommodation options for Brisbane

Top tours in Brisbane with kids

Sydney – new south wales.

Sydney has so much to offer for young and old that everyone in the family will have a great time in Australia’s most visited city. You’ll find lots of family friendly activities to do in Australia’s largest and oldest city. With some beautiful harbors, lush green parks and amazing beaches it’s easy to find things to do for kids of all ages.

One of the best things to do in Sydney with kids is wander around Sydney Harbour . Not only will you find world famous sights like the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge here, but this is also the place where you can hop on a ferry to explore one or more islands. The Museum of Contemporary Art is also located here, entrance is free and there’s lot to enjoy for kids ages 5 and up.

A family trip to Sydney isn’t complete without a visit to Bondi Beach . This beautiful sandy beach is a great one to spend a day at. Roll out your beach towel, build sandcastles, admire the surfers and go for a swim. Bondi Beach is buzzing with people from early morning to night. A great way to relax during your family visit to this city.

For the best views in Sydney, visit the Sydney Tower Eye . Sydney’s tallest structure and that’s why this is the place to be to admire the city from above. And an activity that most children will love.

It’s hard to write such a small piece about such an amazing and kid friendly city as Sydney. Sydney is a personal favorite of our family. It’s one of the most culturally rich cities in the world and we can’t wait for our next visit.

Read more >> 10 Things to Do In Sydney With Kids

Here are your accommodation options for Sydney

Top tours in Sydney with kids

Gold coast – queensland.

Contributed by Holly from Four Around the World

Growing up as a child in South-East Queensland, the Gold Coast was always a favorite holiday destination of ours and now it’s the same for our 2 kids. We regularly visit the Gold Coast with kids for day trips or extended stays. As it’s a fantastic place for families, with lots of top  things to do on the Gold Coast with kids .

Theme parks are often the first thing everyone thinks of and yes, the Gold Coast theme parks and water parks are some of the best in Australia, with rides and attractions for all ages.

There are beaches galore and national parks to explore together if you prefer to spend time outdoors. The Tallebudgera Creek Inlet or Currumbin Creek Inlet are both great places to swim with kids, with playgrounds nearby.

And as far as playgrounds go, there are some epic playgrounds on the Gold Coast.

Older kids will appreciate the whacky Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Odditorium in the centre of Surfers Paradise. We visit here every few years as there are always new exhibits added, plus a 7D movie theatre too.

There isn’t really a bad time to visit the Gold Coast since the weather is mild even during winter and in Summer, it’s perfect for water activities. Even on a rainy day, there are plenty of fun indoor activities the kids will love.

Here are your accommodation options in Gold Coast

Top tours in Gold Coast with kids

Melbourne – victoria.

Melbourne is known as the cultural capital of Australia. But culture isn’t the only reason you should plan a family trip to Melbourne. Here are some of the top things to do in Melbourne with kids.

Let me start with a visit to a place every kid wants to visit: Legoland Discovery Centre. Check out miniature Melbourne landmarks made from Lego bricks, play with Lego in one of the many indoor playgrounds and go on rides, like Kingdom Quest and Merlin’s Apprentice.

The Melbourne Museum is also great with kids. There are interactive activities to enjoy, view skeletons of dinosaurs and check out the displays filled with hundreds of bugs. For small kids there’s the Children’s Gallery, an indoor discovery playground.

A must is a trip in the City Circle Tram. It’s an old school tram like they don’t make them anymore. You can hop on for free when you remain in the Central Business District.

Visiting Melbourne was one of the highlights of our family road trip through Australia . It kind of felt like home, we felt a European vibe we didn’t encounter anywhere else in Australia. And we loved that we could enjoy food from all over the globe, every nationality can be found in Melbourne and that’s very noticeable from all the world kitchens you can enjoy here.

Read more >> 10 Things to Do In Melbourne With Kids

Here are your accommodation options in Melbourne

Top tours in Melbourne with kids

Margaret river – western australia.

Contributed by Donna from Accommodation Margaret River

Margaret River, in Western Australia, is known for its beaches, wineries, caves and abundance of amazing local produce. My family and I absolutely love it here, so much so that we moved here in 2016! The region of Margaret River is a perfect place for families because it’s safe, beautiful and there’s something for everyone.

There are many  top things to do in Margaret River for the whole family . Our family suggests a visit to the Busselton foreshore, where you can swim in the calm waters of Port Geographe Bay, your younger kids can play at the playground, you can walk along the Busselton Jetty. Finish your day with a nice cold beer at one of the nearby breweries.

A great thing to do in Margaret River with kids is visiting one of the six limestone caves open to the public in the Margaret River region. There are more than 100 caves in the area and they’re labeled one of the natural wonders of Australia’s South West.

Lastly, Margaret River is home to some of the best chocolate producers in Australia. So don’t skip a visit to one of our chocolate factories.

Summer is usually when most people flock to Margaret River for all the outdoor fun at the beach. But don’t overlook spring, when the wildflowers are in full bloom, or autumn, when the weather is mild. If you want to skip the crowds, and save money in the low season, choose winter, where you can also enjoy the lush green scenery!

Here are your accommodation options in Margaret River

Top tours in Margaret River with kids

Mount gambier – south australia.

Contributed by Josie from Exploring South Australia

Mount Gambier is a city located on the Limestone Coast of South Australia and is almost exactly halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide, making it a perfect place to stop and break up a road trip – especially when you have kids in tow.

Mount Gambier, aka Berrin, is one of Australia’s youngest volcanoes and is best known for the Blue Lake, a crater lake that turns from its steel-grey winter color to a cobalt blue in summer.

Nearby Mount Schank, another extinct volcano, is great for a hike around the rim of this volcano. If the weather is warm you can take a swim in a volcanic sinkhole at Little Blue Lake, 5 minutes by car from Mt. Schank.

Back in the city, you and your kids can learn more about the volcanos at the Riddoch Arts and Culture Centre .

My first visit with kids was when they were quite young, and it is still remembered today for our stop at the “possum hole” as my kids dubbed it. Umpherston’s sinkhole is a beautiful sunken garden, beautiful during the day, but if you visit in the evening as the sun sets, you will almost certainly spot possums.

A favorite with my teens on a subsequent visit was exploring the nearby forests to find the glow-in-the-dark Ghost Mushrooms.

Here are your accommodation options in Mount Gambier

Book your flight tickets here

Coral Bay – Western Australia

Contributed by Natalie & Steve from Curious Campers

The idyllic seaside holiday town of Coral Bay is on Western Australia’s Coral Coast in the heart of Ningaloo Reef. We visited here with our 8 and 10 year old kids. We loved Coral Bay for its simplicity. The town has two family friendly caravan parks close to the water and several casual eating options.

Your days revolve around the incredible snorkeling you can do right off the beach. The sheltered bay is perfect for families. The water is clear and calm. It is the perfect place to practice snorkeling, kayaking and paddleboarding. Or you can just relax on the sand.

Snorkeling is the number one activity in Coral Bay. Beginners can stick to the shallow water in the bay. Our kids had no trouble doing the deeper drift snorkel along Paradise Beach. Glass bottom boat, turtle, whale shark and manta ray tours are all popular activities in Coral Bay. The tours take the trip to the Ningaloo Reef from Coral Bay. The glass bottom boat tour and turtle tours are well priced for families.

The best time to visit Coral Bay is from May to September. It is busy so you will need to book ahead, but the weather is beautiful, and the holiday makers create a great atmosphere in the caravan parks and on the beach. Coral Bay is great for children 5 years and up depending on their ability and confidence in the water.

For a chance to spot whales, you should book between July through to October. For a swim with whale sharks your best chance is from March to June.

Read more >> Ultimate Perth to Darwin Family Road Trip Itinerary

Here are your accommodation options in Coral Bay

Top tours in Coral Bay with kids

Albany – western australia.

Contributed by Ariana from Western Australian Travel

My family and I love spending holidays in Albany, Western Australia . While Albany is generally not on bucket lists, it packs a lot of punch for kids of all ages and interests. On a family trip to Albany you can enjoy your time at white sand beaches and in turquoise waters and enjoy a great foodie scene with a couple of top breweries in the region.

Our family loves spending time around the National ANZAC Centre on Mt. Clarence. A war museum that honors Australians and New Zealanders that left from Albany bound for the Great War in 1914. Their stories are told through interactive displays. Outside the center you’ll find war paraphernalia. War museums are pretty grim places, so be careful when traveling with kids. Check if it’s an age appropriate place to visit for your family.

Another great day trip is exploring Torndirrup National Park and the Gap, which literally blows your mind with its beauty. The kids especially like the powerful wind turbines at the Albany Windfarm.  Or, if you head in the other direction Two People’s Bay makes a great excursion.

Finally, the Middleton Beach or Emu Point beach precincts are both spots you can spend a day soaking up the sun, swimming (or catching waves) as well as enjoying the playgrounds and the local cafes. Also don’t miss Chainsaw Drive, a collection of wooden sculptures carved out with a chainsaw.

Albany is a solid place to visit year-round; it doesn’t experience the insane heat of Perth and places further north, and while winter is wet we have always found it doesn’t cramp our style.  Wildflower season starts in late winter, so September and October are brilliant and bright months for a visit.

Here are your accommodation options in Albany

Top tours in Albany with kids

Canberra – new south wales.

Canberra is the capital of Australia. While it’s not as fascinating as neighboring cities Sydney and Melbourne there is a lot to see and do here for families. It’s especially great for foodies. Canberra is home to more restaurants per capita than any other Australian city.

A must for families with kids under the age of 10 is Cockington Green Gardens where you’ll find miniature monument from all over the world. Your kids will feel like giants!

Canberra is home to lots of great museums like the National Museum of Australia, the National Science and Technology Centre (aka Questacon) and the National Dinosaur Museum. In the National Dinosaur Museum you’ll be able to check out the largest permanent collection of prehistory in Australia. With around 25 complete skeletons of these prehistoric giants.

After a day of exploring your family will probably be hungry. Visit Patissez and enjoy a freakshake. Definitely not for the faint of heart and far from healthy, but you only live once, right? So order yourselves a mason jar filled with a yummy milkshake. But before you get to that you have to devour heaps of toppings like marshmallows, brownies and whipped cream.

Here are your accommodation options in Canberra

Top tours in Canberra with kids

Perth – western australia.

When craving a city trip while in Western Australia with family, Perth is the top choice. This metropolitan city is the capital of WA and there’s lots to do for kids in Perth. Think theme parks, museums, shopping and amazing food.

We loved wandering around Kinigs Park. one of the largest inner-city parks in the world. A quiet oasis in the heart of the city with some of the best playgrounds. You can enjoy yourselves for hours here, when you combine your stay with a visit to the Botanic Gardens, also located in Kings Park. Don’t skip a visit to the DNA Tower for great views of Perth.

Our second tip is to see Perth from the water. Take a ferry ride from Elizabeth Quay or Barrack Street Jetty and enjoy the views of the city. Or take a day trip to nearby destinations like Fremantle, the Swan Valley Wine Region and Rottnest Island. Kids will definitely enjoy Rottnest so they can hang with the cutest locals in the world: quokka’s. While in Fremantle we highly recommend an educational family visit to the Fremantle Prison, built by British convicts in the 1850’s and in use until 1991.

But, back to Perth! A fun thing to do in Perth with kids is a trip to the Perth Observatory. Here you can learn about astronomy in the oldest observatory in Western Australia.

Perth is also a great starting point for a family road trip through Western Australia .

Read more >>   10 Things to Do In Western Australia with Kids

Here are your accommodation options in Perth

Top tours in Perth with kids

Broome – western australia.

Broome is known as the gateway to the Kimberleys and offers lots of fun things to do with children. With its red cliffs, white sand, turquoise waters and fossilized dinosaur footprints Broome is a great city to visit with kids.

Our family loved Broome! There’s lots to see and do for parents and kids of all ages. We visited Broome while on a family road trip from Perth to Darwin and originally meant to stay for 2 nights. We liked it so much that we stayed at a caravan park near Cable beach for 4 nights.

Our son’s highlight was a visit to Gantheaume Point where you can spot dinosaur footprints. At low tide you can walk down towards the sea and spot prints of a Sauropod and Theropod. We really enjoyed our hunt for the footprints. It’s a slippery walk though, so wear sturdy shoes and hold on to smaller kids.

We also loved our time at Cable Beach. The fact that we could drive onto the beach with our 4wd campervan was amazing. We played at the beach, cooked at the beach and enjoyed the best sunset of our lives. That is quite the statement, so let me explain. The biggest reason for this being our all-time favorite sunset was that we spotted the Staircase to the Moon, appearing twice a month between March and November, when a full moon rises over the exposed tidal flats of the bay.

The fact we spotted camels on the beach also had a lot to do with it. We’re no fan of riding camels, forced to walk the same boring short route over and over again. Held on a leash, often with more than one passenger on their backs and looking distressed. We opted out the experience and hope someday soon this attraction will no longer be an option. But seeing them on the beach was a surprise and a great conversation topic.

Lastly a trip to the Bird Observatory is a must visit in Broome with kids.

Read more >>   Best campsites in Western Australia with kids

Here are your accommodation options in Broome

Top tours in Broome with kids

The great barrier reef – queensland.

Contributed by Katie from Trekking the Dream

The Great Barrier Reef is our family’s all-time favorite destination in Australia. At over 2,300km long it is the largest reef system in the world and is famous for warm, crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life.

Snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef with kids is our number one choice of activity. We were awestruck by the sprawling expanse of vibrant corals, multicolored fish and small reef sharks. Our kids were most excited though when ‘Wally’, a famous giant Maori Wrasse, swam up to say hello !

A semi-submersible tour is also an option and is a great way of seeing stunning reef views without getting wet!  What’s more, the onboard marine guide will ensure you don’t miss a thing. It’s not a submarine, but it’s close. Who doesn’t like a peak underwater without getting wet?

We decided to surprise our kids and took a helicopter back from the reef to Cairns; this was the cherry on top of what had already been an amazing day.

We fell in love with the Great Barrier Reef for its sheer beauty and took away incredible memories of a great day out.

The best time for a family trip to the Great Barrier Reef is during the Australian winter (June to August), when the weather is pleasant and the water is warm, making it ideal for kids to swim comfortably. We enjoyed fewer crowds but still had favorable conditions when we visited in October.

Top tours in The Great Barrier Reef with kids

The blue mountains – new south wales.

The Blue Mountains are located in New South Wales is one of the busiest tourist destinations in the area. Jaw dropping rock formations, waterfalls and valleys make up the Blue Mountains. And the best thing is that they’ve got a blueish hue. This is because of the eucalyptus forest. The oil droplets from the trees create the famous blue tinge.

While there are lots of trails for experienced hikers there are lots of family friendly hiking trails and nature walks to choose from. While hiking through the Blue Mountains your family can spot waterfalls (including some hidden ones), wildlife and get a chance to learn about the flora and fauna.

Definitely visit Scenic World for some amazing attractions. The best way to check out the famous Three Sisters is by getting into a gondola of the Scenic Cableway. And make sure to hop on a ride on the Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world, and get the best of both worlds by enjoying the Blue Mountains natural beauty while on a thrilling ride! The railway starts in a dark tunnel, so if your child is not a fan of the dark, that might be reason to skip this activity.

The last tip is to check out the interactive displays in the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre to earn all about the unique environment, history and culture of the mountains.

Top tours in The Blue Mountains with kids

Uluru – northern territory.

Uluru, aka Ayers Rock, is an iconic symbol of Australia’s cultural heritage. Ayers Rock is a massive sandstone rock formation that rises dramatically from the desert landscape in the southern part of Northern Territory. It is a deeply sacred place to the Anangu people about a 5 hour drive from Alice Springs.

When people think of Australia, Uluru is always a on top of people’s minds. It’s one of the most famous landmarks of Australia and a must visit with kids. First of all because children can learn about the culture of the first Australians. But also because this huge rock is a mindblowing thing to see.

Enjoy Uluru while following one of the walking trails around the rock. Mala Walk is a great option with kids. This is a guided trail where you’ll pick up information about the Anangu culture and hear about the history of Uluru and get to hear dreamtime stories about the origin of Uluru. One of the stories is about how animals gave shape to parts of Uluru rock. The story involves venomous snakes and is sure to interest kids of all ages.

One of the top tours in Uluru with kids is a stargazing experience. You’ll get special access to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park at night an hear amazing stories about stars and planets by an astronomy guide.

Top tours to Uluru with Kids

Kakadu National Park – Northern Territory

If you’re in Northern Territory, Kakadu National Park is a definite must-see! Kakadu is a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site. Where else in the world can you find Aboriginal Rock Art, six different types of terrain, watch unique Australian wildlife and swim in waterfalls, waterholes and billabongs?

There’s so much to see and do that your family can easily spend 5 days here. Let me share our family favorites with you. Start your exploration of Kakadu NP by visiting Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre. This centre is built on land owned by the Murumburr clan and is developed by the Bininj and Mungguy people. Here you can find the necessary information about local Aboriginal culture and gain understanding about the connection of the Bininj and Munnguy with Kakadu.

After absorbing this necessary information it’s time to wander around the park. Our top tip is to take a Yellow Water Cruise at sunset. Spot crocs, wallabies, and colorful birds while the sun goes down and the sky turns red.

Other amazing things to do in Kakadu with kids are swimming in a few of many waterholes, like GUnlom Falls and Maguk. And definitely check out 20.000 years old rock art at Burrungkuy and Ubirr.

Read more >> 8 Things to Do In Kakadu NP With Kids

Read more >> Ultimate Family Road Trip Guide: Perth to Darwin

Top tours in Kakadu NP with kids

The gippsland lakes – victoria.

Contributed by Bec and Mark from Explore Victoria Australia

The Gippsland Lakes are a family favorite. Mark spent his childhood summers  holidaying in Lakes Entrance  and his parents retire there giving our family unlimited access to one of the most stunning places in Australia.

The Lakes (as the locals call it) are a collection of lakes, lagoons and marshes that are fed from 4 main rivers all starting in the Victorian High Country the Mitchell River, the Nicholson River, the Tambo and the Avon River. This inland waterway with its main holiday town being Lakes Entrance, is separated from the majestical 90-mile beach by sand dunes. Many people come to swim here. But if you’re visiting The Gippsland Lakes with kids it’s a good idea to swim at the main Lakes Entrance Beach. This beach is patrolled, which is great since currents and waves are known to be strong at times.

If you’re holidaying here you’ll find lots of fun activities for kids at The Gippsland Lakes. From mini golf to trampolines your children will have a great time. You should definitely stop by the Riveria Ice Creamery for some amazing ice cream or a get a delicious donut at Big Bears.

When you’re keen on fishing you can hire a boat (you must have a boat license and a fishing license) or you can join an offshore fishing excursion. Taking a cruise on the lakes is a special experience too. You may see the Burrunan dolphin which is only found in the Gippsland Lakes and Port Philip Bay, or the cheeky seals sunning themselves on the rocks of the Entrance.

If you would like to get out of the main towns there are some stunning villages on the Lakes where you can have the best of both worlds. Like Paynesville and Raymond Island, home to the Raymond Island Koala Walk. This is a track around an island where you can see koalas in their natural habitat.

Australia’s summer months are great for a visit here, but you will find something amazing to do in the area in any season.

Top tours at The Gippsland Lakes with kids

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Kangaroo Island – South Australia

The third largest island of Australia can be found off the coast of South Australia and is named Kangaroo Island. Kangaroo Island is a great destination in Australia to visit with kids because of all the unique wildlife living here. Of course you get a chance to spot kangaroos, but also koalas, seals and echidnas.

There are lots of great things to do in Kangaroo Island with kids, so make sure you’ve got a few days to explore the island. A must visit is the Seal Bay Conservation Park. This is a protected area to keep the animals and the Australian seal lions safe. This endangered species can only be seen in Western Australia and South Australia and Kangaroo Island is host to the third largest colony in the world.If you want to go for a swim you should visit Stokes Bay. The hike to the bay is fun as well, because you access it via a natural rock tunnel. Once there jump into the incredible rock pools and chill out for a few hours.

Another great thing to do in the Galapagos of Australia is visiting Remarkable Rocks. Granite boulders carved into weirdly shaped formations because of millions of years of rain, sea salt and westerly winds.

Top tours in Kangaroo Island with kids

Fraser island – queensland.

Contributed by Jolene from Wanderlust Storytellers

Fraser Island has countless amazing locations to explore. Venture off the beaten track and discover its hidden secrets. With white beaches and diverse landscapes, it’s a perfect destination for the whole family.

We visited Fraser Island with kids, ages 5 and 8, and had an amazing time! Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island and is listed as a World Heritage Site. With its sandy tracks through ancient forests and ever-changing vegetation, it’s no wonder that it’s a world heritage site and a place that will keep your kids engaged. Just rent a 4WD, pack your esky, and you’re ready to go!

Our kids loved Lake McKenzie with its soft white sand and a shallow lake in stunning shades of blue. Bring toys and inflatables to make the most of it. Go early to enjoy the tranquility before the tour buses arrive. The lake is great for kids of all ages.

Eli Creek is the largest creek on the eastern beach and ideal for swimming and picnicking. Enjoy a day there with a boogie board or small pontoon and your family will have a great time.

Last, but not least: the Champagne Pools. Relax and float in foamy, shallow pools resembling a giant jacuzzi. Spend time on the beach, watch the kids build sandcastles, and enjoy the cozy cove. Unfortunately, you do have to bring your own champagne.

Top tours in Fraser Island with kids

Phillip island – victoria.

Contributed by Sharyn from Discover Australia Now

Visiting Phillip Island with kids is a great thing to do while basing yourselves in Melbourne. Drive to Stony Point in a little over an hour and then hop on a ferry that will bring you to Phillip Island in 45 minutes or drive onto the island via the bridge connecting the island to the mainland. A longer stay on the island is also possible, because there are lots of things to do on Phillip Island for families.

My kids love it at Phillip Island because of the great activities. The most popular is the penguin parade that happens every night. Phillip Island is home to Australia’s largest colony of Little Penguins, the smallest of all penguins. Around sunset the penguins come ashore at Summerland Beach after hunting for fish all day. They waddle out of the surf and up the beach to their burrows, oblivious to the people in the view areas. It is one of the best natural wonders to see, and the squeals of delight from kids of all ages makes the experience even better.

Phillip Island has many beaches we like to spend our day at. The best ones are Smiths Beach, Woolamai Surf Beach and Ventnor Beach. It is great fun jumping in the waves and playing in the sand.

On an afternoon, we like to head to our third favorite spot on Phillip Island – the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory. After watching the chocolate be made it is great to indulge in a chocolate treat washed down with a chocolate drink. You can also book a chocolate making class.

Top tours in Phillip Island with kids

Norfolk island – external territory of australia (1450km southeast of brisbane).

Contributed by Leah from Kid Bucket List

Nestled in the South Pacific Ocean, you’ll find Norfolk Island. This tiny Australian territory offers pristine beaches and lush forests. It also has a rich history, which is why it’s being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For our family, Norfolk Island is the perfect place to head to reconnect and detox from the hustle and bustle of city life. There is limited internet or phone connectivity. In fact, most holiday bookings come with a local phone as yours won’t work, so our tween and teen had no choice but to immerse themselves in island life! There are almost no crowds. The beaches are pristine and untouched, and the activities are limitless.

Our top adventures on Norfolk Island include snorkeling at Emily Bay, where we discovered the island’s resident sea turtle. We also loved Island’s Fish Fry , set on the cliffs of Puppys Point, Here you can marvel at the sunset while enjoying island dishes, homemade bread & fresh fried fish while local girls dance to traditional songs.

Another great thing to do in Norfolk Island with kids is exploring the Kingston and Arthurs Vale Historic Area  (KAVHA), especially the night tour where history was brought to life. KAVHA is one of Australia’s most interesting and important heritage sites and a living showcase of Polynesian, convict and Pitcairn Islander history.

The best time to visit Norfolk Island with kids is during the Australian spring and summer from September to April. This period offers pleasant weather, with warm temperatures and minimal rainfall. The ideal conditions for outdoor activities, beach adventures and family exploration of the island’s natural beauty and historical sites.

Top tours in Norfolk Island with kids

Tasmania – tasmania.

Contributed by Sharon from Tasmania Explorer

An amazing place to explore with a family is Tasmania . This island state is perfect for discovering the amazing wilderness and history attractions that Australia offers.

One of the big advantages to exploring Tasmania for families is that it’s Australia’s smallest state. You can drive around and visit many different places without the long drives that are necessary in the rest of Australia.

A great place to start is at one of Tasmania’s National Parks. Take a ferry to Maria Island for the day. Here, my kids loved spotting all the wild animals including wallabies, wombats seemingly everywhere and so much more. This used to be a convict settlement so you can also learn some history while you are here.

Freycinet National Park is another must visit for a hike and swim at Wineglass Bay. Finally, don’t miss Port Arthur Historic Site  in Hobart to visit this infamous convict prison.  My kids loved trying out the solitary confinement cells, chains and learning the personal stories of the convicts.

The best time to visit is in the warmer months from November to April. Definitely hire a car to get around as public transport is not very good. Tasmania is great for kids of all ages.

Top tours in Tasmania with kids

Faq – traveling to australia with kids.

Before I end this post let’s answer some frequently asked questions about a family trip to Australia. These are general questions lots of people have about an Australia family trip.

What are the best places to visit in Australia with kids?

Australia offers a plethora of family-friendly destinations that are perfect for creating lasting memories with your kids. From the iconic city Sydney, to the stunning Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef, the vibrant city of Melbourne and the breathtaking landscapes of the Blue Mountains, there is no shortage of incredible places to explore in Australia with kids.

Are there any kid-friendly activities in Australia?

Absolutely! Australia is known for its wide range of kid-friendly activities. You can take your little ones hiking with a chance of spotting wildlife like koalas, kangaroos, and wallabies. Or spot colorful coral and marine life while snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef or Ningaloo Reef. Additionally, cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Darwin offer child-friendly museums, amusement parks, and outdoor adventure parks that cater specifically to young travelers.

What are the top attractions for kids in Sydney, Australia?

Sydney offers a multitude of kid friendly attractions that will keep your children entertained throughout your visit. Take them to the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium to discover the wonders of the ocean. Or embark on a whale-watching tour during the migration season. Don't forget to spend a day at the iconic Bondi Beach, where the whole family can enjoy the sun, sand and surf.

Most children don't want to miss out on the opportunity to see the famous Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Are there any family-friendly accommodations in Australia?

Australia has a wide range of family-friendly accommodations that cater to the needs of travelers with kids. Many hotels and resorts offer spacious family suites or interconnected rooms, as well as amenities such as swimming pools, playgrounds, and kids' clubs. It's always a good idea to check the specific facilities and services offered by each accommodation to ensure a comfortable stay for your family.

And there are also lots of camping spots all over the country. Caravan parks as well as campsites in and near nature and national parks.

What are some outdoor activities suitable for kids in Australia?

Australia's diverse landscapes provide countless opportunities for outdoor adventures with kids.

Take them on a family hike in the stunning Blue Mountains or Karijini National Park, where they can marvel at waterfalls and unique rock formations. Explore the ancient rainforests of Daintree National Park in Queensland, spot camels in the vast Outback, or have a picnic at one of the many beautiful parks and gardens in cities all over Australia.

Are there any safety considerations when traveling with kids in Australia?

While Australia is generally a safe destination for travelers, it's important to take some precautions when exploring with kids. Stay vigilant when swimming in the ocean and always follow the instructions of lifeguards. When swimming in lakes or rivers always check if you can run into crocodiles.

If you're planning outdoor activities, make sure to carry sunscreen, insect repellent and sufficient drinking water. And be aware of signs warning you for run ins with wildlife like crocs and dingo's.

Did you enjoy this list of 21 Best Places to Visit In Australia with Kids?

If so, read more about family travel in australia, you might also like:.

• Ultimate Family Road Trip Guide: Perth to Darwin
• 10 things to do in Western Australia with kids
• Best campsites in Western Australia with kids
• 8 things to do in Kakadu NP with kids
• 10 things to do in Sydney with kids
• 10 things to do in Melbourne with kids

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Hi, I’m Saskia!

I travel the world with my family of 4 and write about our adventures.

Sas Crossing Countries is a family travel blog. It’s created to inspire other parents to travel the world with their kids. Gift your kids the world! It’s the most valuable present you can give them.

With all the experience I have as a traveling parent I’ve got lots of tools and tips for you. So on this site you’ll not only find family travel blog posts, you can also download FREE pocket guides, travel checklists and eBooks from my resources page.

All that I share can be used to plan your own ultimate family road trip!

You might also like

Ultimate Perth to Darwin Family Road Trip Itinerary

10 Things to Do In Western Australia with Kids

10 Things to Do In Melbourne with Kids

10 Things to Do In Sydney with Kids

8 Things to Do In Kakadu NP with Kids

Best Campsites In Western Australia with Kids

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Comments ( 1 )

Stamped Moments posted on 20 Sep 2023 at 8:30 pm

What a wonderful trip guide! Australia is a stunning country, and visiting there is on our travel bucket list. We will undoubtedly find it useful whenever we make plans. I appreciate the thorough narration.

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Australia with Kids: Our Experience & Family Travel Tips

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: January 9, 2024

Are you thinking of traveling to Australia with kids, but are not sure what to expect? In this article, you can read about our experience visiting Australia with young children. We also included some practical tips for traveling Australia with kids. Find out!

We made a 35-day long trip to Australia with our three children. Our oldest son turned 5 the day we arrived in Sydney, and his twin brothers were just 3. Many people said we were completely out of our minds taking kids for such a long trip on the other side of the world, some others wished us courage…

If you are wondering whether you can travel to Australia with kids, and in particular with young kids, my answer is yes, absolutely! There are some places and some trips that you better postpone until the children are older, but Australia is a perfect choice when it comes to family travel. The country is so diverse that you can easily choose your destinations and activities in such a way that it would fit your family’s interests.

Before we jump to the practical tips for traveling to Australia with kids , I want to share a short story – what happened just before our family trip to Australia and what we learned from it. Read on!

Australia with kids – we also had our concerns before the trip

A few days before our trip, the biggest bushfires in 50 years were raging through the Blue Mountains – our first destination of the 5-week Australia trip with children.

We were glued to our TV and were seriously starting to wonder if it was a good idea to travel to Australia with toddlers. But just the day before we left, there was some good news at last: the fire was somewhat contained and the place where we were heading to in the Blue Mountains would be open for tourists…

That was not the only worry we had before the trip. The morning before our flight, one of our 3-year old twins woke up with a high fever. But as it often goes with children, he got much better after taking some medicine, and so we packed some antibiotics with us and left for the airport… With a 28-hour travel time ahead of us. The fact that he was sick was actually a blessing because he slept a lot and that made the flight so much easier for everyone. By the time we got to Australia, he was completely healthy again.

I’m only telling this so that you know that all kinds of things can happen when you travel. Just as anything can happen at home. Also, there is always a good excuse not to travel with kids . But as long as you keep an open mind and are prepared to deal with whatever comes your way, you have nothing to fear when visiting Australia with children.

Australia is an amazing destination and it’s perfect for a family trip! Find out!

Practical information and tips for a family trip to Australia

Below you can find some experience-based tips and practical information for traveling to and around Australia with kids.

Long flight to Australia with kids

Depending on where you are coming from, traveling time to Australia can be extremely long. We chose to fly without any stopovers (apart from technical stops). It resulted in a total traveling time of more than 28 hours.

When it comes to flying, we always prefer to keep the journey as short as possible. I rather have a day or two extra at the beginning of the trip at our destination than all the hassle of a 1-night stopover.

Of course, we could have chosen for a longer stopover somewhere in the Middle East or Asia, but then we would have had less time in Australia. If you decide to make a stopover, I can really recommend Dubai. It’s a great place for families with kids. Here you can read more about how to make the most of your Dubai stopover .

We also have an article with tips for flying with young children . Our flights to Australia were not very different from our other flights, and the kids handled long hours on the plane very well.

Dealing with jet lag when traveling to Australia with kids

The only thing we did on this trip that we have never done before, was taking some melatonin pills with us (melatonin is known to aid in reducing the effects of jet lag). We took the medicine on the last flight from Dubai to Sydney at the time when it was evening in Australia. That helped us and the kids to get some sleep, but of course, we were still exhausted when we landed in Sydney early in the morning.

We paid for an upgrade to a bigger room at the hotel just to be able to go to sleep as soon as possible (as it often happens, only the biggest suites were ready…). Later that day we forced ourselves and the kids out of bed and went to dinner, even though all we wanted to do was sleep…

We took melatonin for two more days at bedtime and that was it – none of us really had any serious difficulty adjusting to the 9-hour time difference. Here you can read more about how to beat jet lag .

Bringing food to Australia

There are lots of customs regulations in Australia, but here I’ll just mention one that everyone who is traveling to Australia should know. You are not allowed to bring ANY fresh food with you when you arrive in Australia (infant formula is ok).

On top of that, some states and territories prohibit the entry of fresh fruit from other parts of Australia.

There are quarantine bins provided at the airports where you can dispose of any food left in your hand luggage. Use them as the penalties can be harsh, even if you just have one apple with you. Here you can find some more official customs information on what you can or cannot bring to Australia.

Safety in Australia

Australia is a pretty safe country, as long as you don’t go swimming with crocodiles, go looking for snakes, or drive through a bushfire. Recently we saw a documentary about Australian wildlife and all the dangerous species that we never knew existed. My husband said something like, ‘It’s a good thing I didn’t see this one before we went to Australia, or I would have been terribly worried in the outback’.

The truth is, we never felt unsafe in Australia with kids – not in the city, and not in the outback.

We never saw a single dangerous animal (except for that one snake that happened to be crossing the road as we drove by). Now that I think of it, the only wild animals we saw in the Red Center , were a camel and a rock wallaby. But it’s wise to wear covered shoes in the outback rather than sandals – just in case.

One thing you should be very careful with in Australia is the sun. Sun is very dangerous Down Under and you can get burned in no time. The warmer it is, the more covered your body should be.

SPF50 sunscreen is essential, as are sunglasses and a sunhat. I advise wearing long-sleeved shirts, maybe even long trousers if you stay outdoors for a longer period of time.

Medical assistance

Medical infrastructure is supposedly very good, there is even the Royal Flying Doctor Service in the outback. Of course, that’s something you hope you’ll never need.

We were lucky and didn’t need any medical help during our trip, but it didn’t take us very long to find a pharmacy when we needed some medicine for the kids in Tasmania.

TIP: Make sure you have good travel insurance when traveling to Australia with kids. Some places are so remote that it will cost you a fortune if something were to happen!

Buying baby products when traveling in Australia with a baby

You can buy infant formula, baby food, and diapers pretty much anywhere in Australia. Of course, you should check in advance in case your baby has any specific needs.

It goes without saying that you shouldn’t count on finding everything you need in the outback, so stock up in bigger towns.

The food choices are plentiful in Australia and we never had any problems finding something the kids would like to eat, even in the most remote places.

In fact, our kids often preferred kangaroo steak to spaghetti (this is not something they would do at home – traveling does that to children).

None of us experienced any stomach problems or anything like that. So there is nothing to worry about when it comes to food when traveling in Australia with children.

Family accommodation in Australia

Australia has a lot of choices when it comes to family accommodation, so look for hotels with family apartments rather than regular hotel rooms. It’s not necessarily more expensive. Actually, it can be much cheaper to stay at a family-friendly hotel with 1-3 bedroom suites than in a big business hotel with regular rooms where you hardly have space to move.

There are several advantages of staying in an apartment. First, you usually have your own kitchen which can save you lots of time and money. Most hotels in Australia don’t have breakfast included in the rate or they simply have no breakfast at all. So it’s easier if you can get some food at a supermarket the evening before.

Second, you have some you time in the evening when the children are in bed since you are not cramped in a hotel room with the whole family. On top of that, the kids have more space to move and play.

Another advantage is that many apartments have a washing machine and a laundry dryer which is something you will appreciate a lot when traveling with the family for a longer time.

Most hotels in Australia have free laundry facilities, but it’s much easier if you can do your laundry without having to leave your room. Don’t forget to buy some washing detergent at a local supermarket as it’s not always provided.

Here are some examples of the family-friendly accommodation we stayed at during our trip to Australia with kids:

• Sydney: Mantra Sydney Central .
• Blue Mountains: Old Leura Dairy .
• Alice Springs: Alice on Todd Apartments .
• Glen Helen: Glen Helen .
• Kings Canyon: Kings Canyon Resort .
• Uluru (Ayer’s Rock): Emu Walk Apartments .
• Adelaide: Majestic Old Lion Apartments .
• Kangaroo Island: Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat and Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge .
• The Grampians NP: D’Altons in Halls Gap.
• Great Ocean Road: Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs in Warrnambool and Cumberland Resort in Lorne.
• Melbourne: Seasons Heritage Melbourne .
• Tasmania: Salamanca Terraces in Hobart, Freycinet Lodge in Freycinet NP, Leisure Inn Penny Royal in Launceston, Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village in Cradle Mountain NP, Strahan Village in Strahan.

Playgrounds and swimming pools in Australia

There are plenty of playgrounds in most places throughout Australia, and a lot of hotels have swimming pools.

Furthermore, there are also beaches, public swimming pools, and even some natural waterholes where it’s safe to swim. Australia is great for kids!

TIP: Limit driving times – Australia is huge

Australia is bigger than you think and if you are not careful in planning your itinerary, you may find yourself driving 400 – 500km (250-320 miles) a day.

That’s ok when you are just trying to get from one place to another, but don’t do this every day. Not with the kids, and not on your own.

If you have to drive longer for a few days in a row, consider flying instead. It will be easier and probably even cheaper in the end.

Child car seat requirements in Australia

You can find more detailed information online, but here is a summary of child car seat requirements you should know when renting a car in Australia with kids (this information was accurate at the time of writing, but may have changed, so double-check):

• 0 to 6 months: Approved rearward-facing baby seat.
• 6 months to 4 years old: Rearward-facing or forward-facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness. We rented car seats for our 3-year-old twins as it was too much trouble taking them with us from home. That’s a very expensive option if you fly between destinations as you have to pay for the car seat every time you rent a car (otherwise there is a maximum fee of 7 or 10 days, no matter how long you use them).
• 4 to 7 years old: Forward-facing approved child seat with an inbuilt harness or an approved booster seat. We took our own travel booster for our 5 year old and it saved us lots of money.
• 7 to 16 years old: Children who are too small to be restrained by a seatbelt properly adjusted should use a booster seat.
• If your child is too large for the child’s car seat specified for their age, they may move to the next level.
• Children under 4 years old are not allowed to travel in the front seat of a car with two or more rows unless all other back seats are occupied by children younger than seven years in an approved child restraint or booster seat.

Australian wildlife is what makes Australia great for kids

For us, Australian wildlife was one of the most important deciding factors when we chose a destination to go to with young children. In Australia, there are so many places where you can visit a zoo or a wildlife sanctuary where you can feed kangaroos or cuddle a koala or even a Tasmanian devil.

One of our favorites was Featherdale Wildlife Park near Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Also in the city, you can visit WILD LIFE Sydney or Taronga Zoo .

But that’s not all, of course.

No zoo can compare to seeing animals in the wild. Our kids loved running behind kangaroos, feeding the parrots, and touching an echidna (Ouch, that was sharp!). We saw so much wildlife in Australia! It was great fun for the whole family and one of the best experiences of visiting Australia for kids.

It might be a good idea to check which species can be approached safely and which not. If you are not sure, better keep a safe distance.

For example, our kids were very enthusiastic when they saw a wombat for the first time, but were warned by the locals that these animals can bite if they feel threatened.

So, this is our experience when traveling in Australia with kids and practical tips for your trip. I hope this information will help you prepare for your family trip to Australia and reassure you that traveling Down Under is something that can be done with children of any age.

We have many more articles about our trip, so make sure to check them for more inspiration. Here you can find our Australia itinerary and here you can find practical tips for planning a trip to Australia .

Here you can read more about some of our favorite places when visiting Australia with kids:

• Kangaroo Island
• One Day in Sydney
• Great Ocean Road
• Kennett River Koalas
• Things to Do in Hobart
• Uluru and the Red Center
• West MacDonnell Ranges
• One day in Melbourne
• Darwin Itinerary

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Tuesday 19th of March 2024

Hi Jurga, I really enjoyed reading about your trip! I will be visiting Sydney for a week in April with my 4yo. I applied for our visas through the Australian ETA app and was notified that both our visas were granted. However, I read in their Government website that I would also have to submit Form 1229 for my daughter, but there is no place to add it in the app.

Did you have to do this when applying for your kids?

Wednesday 20th of March 2024

Hi Nihan, we personally never had to do this. My understanding is that if parents travel together with the child, it's not necessary. I'm also not sure what the requirements are if only one parent travels. The best thing to do in situations like this is to check the official sources. If you are not sure where to look or can't figure out what the rules are for your specific situation, you can always contact the embassy. Good luck!

Wednesday 22nd of November 2023

We are looking to travel to Australia with our 3 year old next October but due to restrictions with work and home we will only get 15 days. Controversially, we want to stay in one location. Which area would you advise? We were considering Sydney due to the ease of being in a city and stuff to do with our little one but open to any tips!

Thanks so much this was an amazing read with great tips!

Thursday 23rd of November 2023

Hi Nic, Sydney is definitely a nice choice because you have a combination of city attractions (also lots of things for families - a zoo, a wildlife park, aquarium, etc.) and lots of nice beaches, some beautiful pools too. In addition, you can visit the Blue Mountains for a day or a few days. And there are lots of flights from everywhere. So if you are just looking for one location for two weeks, sure, it could be a very good option. Depending on the season and what you want to see/do, you could stay closer to the beach or in the center. Good luck with the planning and have a great trip!

Tuesday 17th of January 2023

Hi Jurga, Thanks for sharing this experience. We are planning a trip of a life-time with my 5yo and almost 1 yo before they start school in Sept. We flying in and out of Sydney around mid-May to mid-June for about 3 weeks. Love all the recommendations and want to go to them all - esp i think the kiddos will be excited to see all wildlife. But with our timeline, I am struggling to decide which region we should go to. What do you think are the best places in Australia to visit for May/June travels with littles for 3 weeks? Not sure if it is easier to do road-trip or fly --- we have so much luggage with the crib, formula, diapers and car seats. :( Thanks so much!!

Thursday 9th of February 2023

@Jurga, thanks so much. That’s great suggestion and advice.

Thursday 19th of January 2023

Hi Ed, that's a bit difficult one for a few reasons: mostly the season when you go (it's not ideal for the south where we always saw most wildlife), starting and ending in the same place, and all the stuff you are planning to pack...

First, maybe you should reconsider what you pack. Car seats can be rented (we never took them when our kids needed big car seats. We started taking this booster seat/backpack after they were older than 4). Cribs are usually available at all hotels/accommodations. Diapers and baby food can be purchased there (Australians have babies too ;). With our 3 kids, we took just 2 suitcases for 5 weeks. So it's doable to pack lighter - also because so many accommodations in Australia have washing machines. And if you pack smart, you really don't need that much. Take clothes that dry quickly and don't need ironing (fleece, sportswear, etc.). If you are going to more remote places, be sure to stock up on diapers/food in the bigger town where you start that part of the journey.

Anyway, I think I'd put all the practical issues aside for now and try to decide which parts of Australia you want to see. Do some research about the weather so that you know what to expect at that time of the year. I think I'd still opt for a few areas (flying between them) rather than a road trip of 3 weeks. You will see much more diverse scenery that way. With just three weeks, it's the best way to get a much better view of how diverse Australia is. I do see advantages of a road trip too, so it's really up to you. But having done a long road trip in Australia once, we really much more preferred the fly&drive approach.

As for where to go, the north of the country is perfect at that time of the year and also the Red Centre should be just fine. You can also stay in Sydney (and its surroundings) for a few days - there is a lot to see and you will find wildlife too, e.g. in the Blue Mountains. If you decide to go towards the north, you could potentially start with a few days in Sydney, then fly to Darwin for 5-6 days, then Cairns/Port Douglas area for another week or so, and back to Sydney. Another option is the combination of Sydney, the Red Center, and either Cairns or Darwin. If you opt for fly&drive approach, I think I'd do 3 areas - so Sydney and two more, also because you also have to get back to Sydney at the end.

An alternative is to fly up to Cairns or Port Douglas and then drive back towards Sydney following the coast (this is the trip we once did in about 3.5 weeks, starting in Cairns and ending in Sydney). But there will be lots of driving and not always much to see (+ you'll have to be selective what you do with just 3 weeks for the entire trip).

Hope this helps a bit. Good luck with the planning!

Sunday 31st of January 2021

Hi Jurga, thanks a lot for sharing your experiences! how long was your roadtrip in total and what your itinerary?

Friday 5th of February 2021

Hi Rebecca, this trip we did with kids was 5 weeks and you can find our complete itinerary here. As you will see, we visited many different parts of Australia in one trip. You can easily pick the places/areas that interest you most and make your own itinerary based on ours, to adjust it to your interests and the time you'll have. Hope this helps.

Thursday 8th of October 2020

Hi Jurga, Thanks for sharing your experience in Australia. I'd love to take my kids to these places. They would love it for sure. But for now, we're just in the dreaming phase.

Wednesday 14th of October 2020

Hi Art, yes, traveling to Australia for holidays from abroad isn't for any time soon it seems. Hope you can make it happen. It's a wonderful destination for a family trip. So much diversity!

A Family’s Travel Guide To Australia with Kids

Australia with kids, by james holland, family-friendly destinations.

Families looking to travel to Australia with kids should start with this guide to the country’s provinces. (Flickr: Alan Jones)

Australia is much more than the Hemsworth brothers, Vegemite and the blooming onion. This island continent is in fact a multi-faceted wonderland of vistas, cultures and activities. It may be the aqua blue of the Great Barrier Reef, the laid back Aussie attitude or the iconic Sydney Opera House calling you here. But touring Australia with kids will not disappoint. And while its enormous size may be daunting, hopefully this travel guide to Australia will get you started on the right path.

( MORE: 10 Tips for a Stress-Free Road Trip with Kids )

The Great Barrier Reef (Flickr: Kyle Taylor)

The multi-layered Sunshine State, occupying the northeast corner of the country, commands a place in every travel guide to Australia. It’s known for the Great Barrier Reef , tropical rainforests, and urban hot spots like The Gold Coast and Brisbane. It’s no wonder that a visit to Australia with kids will necessitate a trip here.

Start by heading up to Cairns on the north coast, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Enter a menagerie of underwater colors here or helicopter over the reef for a bird’s eye view. Cairns is also the base for the Kuranda Scenic Railway , which cuts through the local tropical rainforest to Kuranda . In this small village, you can visit the Koala Gardens or heritage markets to shop for toys and more (maybe skip the boomerangs).

Only a few hours north, you’ll find the Daintree Rainforest , a must on any trip to Australia with Kids. Explore the lush green of the tropical rainforest by gliding through on a Jungle Surfing Canopy Tour . Or see secluded swimming holes and the Mossman Gorge on one of the rainforest tours.

Back down South, take in surfing lessons in Currumbin in the Gold Coast. Later, visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to scratch that theme park itch.

New South Wales

Head South from Queensland to the cosmopolitan New South Wales. It’s home to world-class cities, striking skylines, beaches and more. The most iconic among New South Wale’s attractions may be Sydney and its harbor.

Traveling Australia with kids means starting your Sydney visit with the harbor where you can visit the famous Sydney Opera House and climb Harbour Bridge. After, visit Darling Harbour and the kid-friendly Sea Life Aquarium , home to a special Penguin expedition involving a boat tour and loads of waddling birds. And if you have time, head to Sydney’s coast to soak up sun at the ever-popular Bondi Beach .

The Taronga Plains Zoo in Dubbo is worth an addition to any travel guide to Australia. Kids will get to see animals, both native and exotic, in large open ranges. Drive or bike through the 6 km’s of pathways to see all the animals, including rarities like the black rhino.

To see all of Australia with kids, the capital Canberra and its host of national museums is worth a trip as well. Questacon in particular stands out where kids can explore the interactive science museum. Make colored shadows on the wall, manipulate a cloud chamber or, for younger ones, climb around the active play structure.

The Twelve Apostles (Flickr: Lenny K Photography)

On the Southeastern tip resides the relatively small state of Victoria. The culture capital of Australia, Melbourne, can be found here. Ski resorts are a quick inland trip and lining its southern coast is one of the country’s most renowned road trip destinations.

As the culture capital, Melbourne should be on every travel guide to Australia. People watch and shop at the Queen Victoria Market . Visit the children’s gallery at the Melbourne Museum . And while it may be on the southern coast across from Tasmania, you’re still with driving distance of multiple inland ski resorts. Take advantage of ski and snowboarding lessons for all levels.

Traveling Australia with kids also means road trips and Victoria is home to one of the best, the Great Ocean Road . This trip along the coast is a postcard in motion, winding along the coastline or looking down from cliff-top roads. One of the highlights is a collection of limestone pillars looming out of the ocean known as The Twelve Apostles (8 of which are still standing). Other worthy stops along the way include the Otway Fly Tree Top Adventures , a majestic skywalk through temperate forests and Lake Elizabeth in Forrest where you might just spot the ever-elusive Platypus.

Across the water south from Victoria lies Tasmania. Whether its because of the Tasmanian Devil or the mostly unspoiled landscape, wild is the word for this large island. A travel guide to Australia wouldn’t be complete without a deeper look at Tasmania’s natural ruggedness.

Near the Southwest National Park , the Tahune Forest AirWalk offers the perfect way to explore Tasmania’s ruggedness. Literally fly through the canopies on the Cable Eagle Hang Glider. Do the airwalk 20-30 meters above the forest floor. Take swinging bridges across the Picton and Huon rivers and sleep in somewhat secluded onsite cabins.

South Australia

Kangaroo Island (Flickr: Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble)

Nestled along the southern central coastline is the very relaxed state of South Australia. It’s known for its wine, ecotourism, and a more laid-back way of life. Traveling South Australia with kids is particularly special for animal lovers.

Start in Adelaide, the “city of churches”, for some architectural wonder. Visit Adelaide Hills’ Cleland Wildlife Park where you’ll see over 130 free-roaming species including koalas and kangaroos. Cross the water to Kangaroo Island where you’ll very likely cross paths with koalas, kangaroos and wallabies. With its 5 protected areas, you can take plenty of tours including visits to colonies of penguins, lighthouses, and all manner of wildlife.

Back on the mainland, the Eyre Peninsula offers opportunities to swim with dolphins and wild sea lions. For the more adventurous, cage diving with great whites is also a favorite activity.

Western Australia

Visiting the state of Western Australia with kids means quality time with nature. This state takes up the entire western third of the country and is largely defined by the vast expanse of outback. It’s still vibrant, however, with amazing old growth forest and abundant marine life.

Near the southwestern corner of the state, the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk provides a breathtaking path among the canopies of 400 year-old giant trees. If pristine blue waters are more your speed, go north to Shark Bay on Australia’s westernmost coastline to see turtles, dolphins, humpbacks, and stromatolites, aka living fossils.

For a completely different trip, check out Lake Cave , the deepest open cave which happens to house a permanent lake. Onsite is CaveWorks, the kid-friendly visitor center, a perfect kid-friendly look at the local caves.

( MORE: Kid-Friendly Things to Do in the British Virgin Islands )

Northern Territory

Any trip to Australia with kids requires a visit to the “real outback”, laden with natural wonders. Known for its red deserts, aboriginal communities, and surprising amount of cultures, the Northern Territory more diverse than you might realize. It’s also home to one of Australia’s most well known icons.

The bright red Uluru, deep in the bush (and south part of the state), is and should be on every travel guide to Australia. Go bushwalking, take aboriginal tours, and visit the cultural center to learn more about the area and the people who call this home. Visit the famous aboriginal rock art galleries in Kakadu National Park near the north shore. If you’re up for it, you can take a cruise here to get (safely) up close and personal with some of the largest crocodiles in the world.

Not too far from Kakadu is the town of Darwin. Spend an enchanting evening at the town’s Mindil Beach Sunset Market to take in a melting pot of cultures and cuisines. Eat some satay or taro custard while shopping for puppets, didgeridoos and other knick-knacks.

Looking for a dip? Two lagoons on Darwin’s waterfront offer safe and fun swimming. Both the Recreation Lagoon and the Wave Lagoon come with artificial waves. And experiencing Australia with kids wouldn’t be complete without a good wave pool.

James Holland of Another Spur on the Road contributed this to MiniTime .

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Planning a family vacation with kids? Looking for travel ideas for your next family getaway? MiniTime is different from other travel websites in that it’s 100 percent dedicated to helping parents plan vacations with kids that are better, cheaper, and less stressful. You’ll find reviews of kid-friendly hotels and attractions written by parents that travel with kids, so you will always find the best recommendations for your family on where to go and what to do with kids on vacation. MiniTime also features the best expert advice about how to plan affordable and fun family vacations with kids, with a community of parents dedicated to sharing their own family vacation experiences so that you can find the best family getaway ideas for your own family. Whether you’re planning a road trip, city break, adventure trip, or resort getaway with kids, MiniTime can help you save time and money when planning a family trip. Looking for vacation ideas? Ask us. We just got back.

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Adventure Family Travel

Australia Itinerary 4 Weeks with Kids

In: Australia , Blog , Itineraries , Oceania by Nicole Last Updated: June 23, 2021

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A month in Australia is a good amount of time for you to see plenty of the highlights and experience some of the best things to do in Australia. Visit Sydney, Gold Coast, Great Ocean Road, Melbourne, the Great Barrier Reef, Sunshine Coast and Fraser Island to name a few.

There are so many great places to see in Australia and planning a month can be overwhelming and confusing to know where to start. 

If you are looking to plan your Australia itinerary 4 weeks, you have found the right post to help you plan, decide and outline your Australia family trip. But, don’t worry hopefully after reading through this post your Australia travel plans will come together with a clearer understanding of the places to go!

For us, Australia was a much needed familiar type of culture for our family after spending 5 months in South East Asia on our 1 year of full time travel and being away from Canada for 8 months. We were getting a little homesick and Australia helped us feel at home. Oh, how I wish I could live in Aussie!

How to plan a trip to Australia

This is going to be fun, you get to be the Australia trip planner for your family, friends or that solo trip you are planning to take. Although our Australia trip was a family vacation, any of the destinations are geared towards anyone and everyone.

After reviewing the entire itinerary make some notes on which places you want to see and decide if you want longer or shorter in each of the destinations.

If you have less time like 3 weeks in Australia or 2 weeks in Australia you will just have to shorten up the time in each place and/or choose which ones you don’t want to visit as much. Not to worry, I would take any amount of time… even 1 week in Australia would be amazing :)

Please keep in mind that Australia is a very large country and almost impossible to see the entire country in 4 weeks. I am also in the mindset of not racing through the places just to say we have been there and not have enough time to really enjoy ourselves. 

The east coast travel route is a common path that many people take to travel in Australia, and this was the route we decided to take.

In my opinion, for your first visit to Australia, the east coast trail is the best Australia itinerary to start with. 

Top 7 places to visit on your 4 week Australian itinerary !

Ultimate australia itinerary 4 weeks :, 1) day 1 – 5: gold coast (brisbane, byron bay, surfers paradise, broadbeach).

The Gold Coast is located in south east Queensland (halfway up the east coast) and is a great place to start your Australia trip with kids. Depending on where you are travelling from, your family will most likely have jetlag and a few days of soaking up the sun on the beaches in the Gold Coast will probably help.

As far as the eye can see beaches line the coastline. White sand beaches, chill vibe and a few day trips from our home base in Broadbeach was just what we needed to settle into the Aussie life. 

Best Things To Do In Gold Coast

We spent one day and drove out to Byron Bay to visit the Cape Byron Lighthouse and hike around Cape Byron. Byron Bay is approximately 1 hour drive from Broadbeach so makes for a quick and easy day trip. 

We also spent one day walking along the beach and in the area of Burleigh Heads, which a very cool area. If there is one spot I would love to live this may be it!

Although we did not take part in any of the amusement or theme parks, one of the best things to do in the Gold Coast is to visit these theme parks that are scattered in the Gold Coast:

• Australia’s Sea World
• Warner Bros. Movie World
• Wet’n’Wild Waterpark
• Treetop Challenge
• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

One thing we wish we would have done was to go to the Skypoint Observation deck. It would have been amazing to see the coastline from this view.

Best Places to Stay in Gold Coast

We stayed at this Apartment in Broadbeach only a few minutes walk from the beach. We didn’t have a pool or other amenities, so it all depends on what you prefer.

If you are looking for hotels in the Gold Coast area here are some current deals.

Travel Tips

• We flew into the OOL airport, some flights are cheaper flying into Gold Coast versus Sydney or Melbourne so check it out to save you some money.
• The Gold Coast can be a great central spot to use as a hub to start travelling the east coast of Australia. Depending on how much you want to do in this area your days can go by very quickly. I would suggest that if are thinking about going to any of the theme parks those will take up a day on their own, so plan your Gold Coast Itinerary around that.
• Don’t forget to have travel insurance for when you are visiting from out of the country. We use World Nomads for our insurance and highly recommend it. Really easy to get a quote! You can read our entire review of World Nomads for travel insurance here .
• Another area if you prefer a busier more happening spot to be would be in Surfers Paradise. Jamie had stayed there years before on a backpacking trip to Australia, but for our family, we preferred to stay in a quieter area. All depends on what you like.
• We rented a car for our stay to get around the Gold Coast and to drive to Fraser Island .

NOTE: We spent 5 nights here but I think we could have reduced it to fewer days, especially since we didn’t do any theme parks. But, flying the red-eye into the area we wanted a couple of days just to regroup on the beach.

2) Day 6 – 9: Fraser Island

Fraser Island is one of Australia’s east coast must-see! Fraser Island made up entirely of sand and a UNESCO site. I would highly recommend if you can squeeze this into your itinerary you will not be disappointed.  We stayed at Kingfisher Bay Resort and highly recommend this resort! They have all the amenities you’ll need for touring around Fraser Island.

You can read our guide about all the things to do on Fraser Island for more details.

Best Things To Do in Fraser Island

• Island 4WD Adventure Tour
• Lake McKenzie
• 75 Mile Beach
• Airplane ride over the island
• Whale Watching
• Wanggoolba Creek

A Fraser Island tour can usually hit many of the things to do on Fraser Island with kids! Although the price can be expensive for the day, it is well worth the value in our opinion. Here are some other tour options for Fraser Island to consider:

Best Places to Stay in Fraser Bay

We spent 2 nights at Kingfisher Bay Resort which was perfect for families. We loved this resort, set up perfect for families with cool activities for the kids in the evening and Jr. Ranger program.

There are a few other hotel options to choose from on the island including:

Best Places to Stay in Hervey Bay

We stayed the first night in Hervey Bay at the Ramada Hervey Bay . The kids loved the pool and we wanted to stay the night before to ensure we were on the first departure to Fraser Island so we had most of the day on Fraser Island. 

• Book your Fraser Island in advance and try to schedule around this for your east coast itinerary. There are a limited amount of places to stay on the island and the tours get booked up early.
• You get to Fraser Island from Hervey Bay, there is a regular Fraser Island Barge that departures throughout the day.

3) Day 10 – 13: Sunshine Coast

Our next few days were spent on the Sunshine Coast. Another area that is lined with beaches and has a much more relaxed vacation destination atmosphere over the Gold Coast. We felt like this is the spot that locals go to get away from all us tourists :)

Our highlights from Sunshine coast included hiking the Noose National Park, one of our best hikes we did in Australia! We were also on the lookout for Koala bears and trying to smell for them, but we weren’t lucky enough to spot any at this place. But, this kept the kids entertained for the entire hike.

The best place to visit in Sunshine Coast with kids has to be the Australia Zoo . Crikey, it was great! This is the ultimate zoo to visit with your kids because it teaches them about protecting the animals. The values that have about the rehabilitation of the animals provides so much for the kids to learn. It is also the home of Steve Irwin – The Crocodile Hunter! Our kids favourite was visiting the animal hospital and feeding the kangaroos. 

If hikes or zoos aren’t for you or your family, the beaches will be the next best place to visit. Lots of water activities available for you to spend the entire day at the beach.

Best Things To Do In Sunshine Coast

• Australia Zoo
• Noose National Park
• Beach activities

Best Places to Stay in Sunshine Coas t

We stayed in this apartment which was close to Noose National Park because that was one of the major things we wanted to see.

Otherwise, there are plenty of hotels in the area to choose from:

Travel Tips:

• The Australia Zoo is a full day, so plan to spend most of your time here walking around the zoo and going to live events they have in the park. 
• Bring plenty of water on your hikes, the forrest can be sheltered from the sun but the humidity can dehydrate you very quickly.

4) Day 14 – 17: Airlie Beach (Whitsundays & Great Barrier Reef)

After Sunshine Coast, we continued to drive south and then caught a flight from Brisbane up to Airlie Beach which is located in northern Queensland. If we had more time we would have done the drive all the way up to Cairns, but within our month in Australia, this wasn’t going to be an option for us. 

A bucket list item – snorkel and dive the Great Barrier Reef ! You have to go and see the Great Barrier Reef when you are in Australia. To me, that would just be silly if you went all the way to the other side of the world and not see this massive reef that can be seen from space. It is a must-see in Australia! Hopefully, you are catching onto not missing out on this!

I got to do my first 30 minute dive with our day trip to the Great Barrier Reef. While the kids and Jamie snorkelled from the main boat. Both were spectacular experiences on one of our best moments of the year !

Another reason why we chose Airlie Beach versus flying up to Cairns was that we wanted to visit the Whitsunday Islands and walk on Whitehaven beach. We took a fun speedboat experience out for the day to these spots and was one of our best days in Australia.

Whitsunday Islands will blow your mind away on how beautiful this Australian beach is. This may be the softest sand we have ever seen in the world!

Also, wildlife is a major part of travelling with kids and Airlie beach was our first spotting of a wild kangaroo! When we landed and left the airport, we saw kangaroos in the wild jumping along the road. Its a smaller center so with that comes more wildlife spotting opportunities. 

Best Things To Do In Airlie Beach

We took a day tour of both the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. The Whitsundays Ocean Rafting Tour was a full day and absolutely loved it, you can check out this page for more details. The kids loved the super-fast boat and loud music to pump them up. Not your typical boat tour!

We also took the tour for the Outer Great Barrier Reef to the ReefWorld Pontoon, check out what the boat looks like and more info here .

• Dive or Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
• Visit the Whitsunday Islands
• Spend the afternoon on Whitehaven beach
• Take a speed boat or sailboat through the islands

Best Places to Stay in Airlie Beach

We stayed at the BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort , you have to check out this place to stay. Our best stay in all of Australia, the kids loved the pool, waterslides, mini-golf and so much more. We stayed in a little bungalow. Loved it…. this is how Aussie’s camp – WOW! This is my one and only recommendation for where to stay in Airlie Beach.

• Plan for an extra day if you can to allow for some leeway for the ocean swells and weather. When we were there we had some big swells and had to go regardless because we only had a certain number of days. 
• Take the motion sickness pills if the boats provide them. Really people… if the captain is giving out motion sickness pill before we leave the harbour please listen to him/her to make your trip more enjoyable. We weren’t ill from the boat trips (because we took the motion sickness pills the boats provide), but many others were if you are not used to the ocean.
• The cost of the flight can be pricey, so weigh the extra cost if you are able to spare a few days on the road travelling versus flying. 
• Book your tours in advance if you can so you are not disappointed upon your arrival and things are all booked up.

NOTE: We stayed in Airlie Beach for 8 nights, this much time is not needed. Have 1 day for Great Barrier Reef and 1 day for Whitsunday, and 1 day free is the perfect amount of time. Our family also wanted to have some free days at our amazing resort we stayed at. We also met some amazing families that we still keep in contact with for Aussie.

5) Day 18 – 21: Melbourne

Melbourne is a city that is full of so much life and a melting pot of so many places from around the world. We found Melbourne to have so many familiarities and influences from around the world from the people who have immigrated to Australia. There are European touches to the buildings and architecture, Chinatown and Little Italy districts areas that are must to go see and eat at.

There is also a great vibe to Melbourne that made me love it with all their street art, a lively university city and sometimes an eastern European forward thinking atmosphere. 

Melbourne is also known for its food scene and they did not disappoint! We ate our way through Melbourne and enjoyed every minute of it. Queen Victoria market was one of our favourite spots with great food selections, coffee and atmosphere that we loved as a family. I would visit Queen Victoria market every week if I lived in Melbourne. 

Best Things to Do in Melbourne

You will have no problem finding things to do for a Melbourne 3 day itinerary. Here are some more ideas for the family:

• Queen Victoria Market
• Riding the city circle trams
• Federation Square
• Scene Worlds
• LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Melbourne
• Walk along the Yarra River
• National Gallery of Victoria
• Royal Botanic Gardens
• Flinders Street Station
• Day Trip to Brighton Beach (the colourful beach huts)
• Check out the Melbourne cricket ground or go to a cricket match

Best Places to Stay in Melbourne

We stayed at the Ibis Hotel , which was a two-bedroom apartment. We really liked this area since it was close to the Queen Victoria market and fairly accessible to all the spots we wanted to go see in Melbourne. Some other hotel options for Melbourne:

• We didn’t need a car rental in Melbourne, public transportation was great.
• We rented the car for our Great Ocean Road drive from the airport we were going to fly out of, this kept the cost down since we were picking up and returning the vehicle to the same place.

6) Day 22 – 24: Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road (GOR) is one of the best drives in the world. The twists and turns that hug the south eastern coastline of Australia let you get some amazing views from the road. It’s also known as the Surf Coast Highway. 

The Great Ocean Road is 243 KM highway in Victoria, it officially starts from Torquay and goes to Allansford. We only travelled from Torquay to Port Campbell, which is the most popular route since at Port Campbell is where the Twelve Apostles rock formation is.

Here is a quick overview of the road trip to give you an idea of what you can expect in each city along the way.

Great Ocean Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1: drive from melbourne to lorne.

Starting from Melbourne stop at Torquay and check out Bells Beach where the world renowned Rip Curl surf competition is held every year. Another amazing spot to stop is at Teddy’s lookout in Lorne for an up high place for everyone to have a really good look at the road below.

Day 2: Drive from Lorne to Apollo Bay

Halfway between Lorne and Apollo Bay is Kennett River, which is a well-known place to spot Koala bears in the wild. If you have kids, you know this is a highlight to see these animals in the wild. In Kennett River, look for Grey River Road by Kafe Koala or go further along Grey River Road if you want to walk to see them. This is also a good opportunity to break up the drive and have the kids stretch their legs from the drive.

Day 3: Drive from Apollo Bay to Port Campbell

Port Campbell area is where you will find the famous limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles, Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, The Grotto, and London Bridge rock formations. All of these spots will take a few hours to explore and check out.

On the way, we stopped at Great Otway National Park for a short hike. If you have some extra time you can also try going to see if you can spot some more koalas at the Otway Lighthouse Road.

Day 4: Drive from Port Campbell to Melbourne

If you didn’t get a good look (or it started to rain the day before like us) at the Twelve Apostles you can check out Port Campbell National Park before you drive back. It is approximately a 3 hour drive back to Melbourne but expect some slower travel along this highway. 

For more detail on all the best places to stop along the Great Ocean Road with full itinerary check out more details here .

Best Places to Stay in Lorne

We stayed at this apartment in Lorne , walking distance to the beach so we didn’t have to drive anywhere in the evening. But there are many hotels or bed & breakfast to choose from, go here for more hotel options in Lorne .

Best Places to Stay in Apollo Bay

We stayed at the Seaview Motel & Apartments , some other hotel options for Apollo Bay are here .

Best Places to Stay in Port Campbell

We stayed at the Southern Ocean Motor Inn with some other Port Campbell hotel options here that you can check out . We didn’t spend too much on accommodation since we were really just sleeping, packing and leaving the next day.

• Take your time driving TO Port Campbell. The drive on the left side of the road is the best because you are on the side closest to the ocean.
• If you are really short on time and/or want to condense this part of the trip there are GOR day trips that you can take from Melbourne. Buses that are a full long day that drives you out to Port Campbell and the Twelve Apostles with a few stops in between. You don’t need to worry about driving the road either. We preferred the slow travel of driving with the kids and taking our time in the smaller towns along the way. But, a day trip is an option if you don’t want to miss out!

7) Day 25 – 30: Sydney

Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The city is blessed with having ocean views forever, stunning bridges, endless waterways and architecture to line the Sydney harbour. Not to mention the most iconic building that is associated with Australia, the Sydney Opera House. 

There is no doubt that you must have Sydney on your trip around Australia. It is a big city with lots to do – the options are limitless here. Anything you want to go see or do is available. 

We spent one day walking around the Sydney Opera House , the Royal Botanical gardens and around the harbour. Lots of great views of the Sydney bridge ate at some of the cafes and wandered through the streets.

Another day we took a day trip out to Manly Beach and walked along the path, went to the beach and enjoyed a more suburban feel to Sydney.

We spent a day at Bondi Beach and watched the surfers, boogie boarders and played in the waves. We enjoyed the chill vibe of Bondi Beach and the kids loved saying that they had been to where Bondi Beach Rescue tv show has been filmed. They watched a few episodes while in Aussie! 

We also really liked the Sydney coastal walk from Bondi to Bronte. Walk all along the water with some great views.

Always great food in big cities and Sydney has some great options to choose from. Choose your cuisine of choice and search up on TripAdvisor for some best places to eat in Sydney for the most recent options.

Best Things to Do in Sydney

• Sydney Opera House
• Walk around Cirquay area
• Royal Botanical Gardens
• Sydney Bridge
• Darling Harbour
• Bondi Beach
• Sea Life Aquarium
• Taringa Zoo

Day Trips from Sydney

• Manly Beach
• Blue Mountains (we did not do this, but wish we would have)

Best Places to Stay in Sydney

We stayed in two different areas while we were in Sydney.  We first stayed at this apartment in Bondi Beach , which was great to visit the beach and relax.

We also stayed downtown, at the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay, prior to our departure on our Royal Caribbean South Pacific Island cruise . Downtown was awesome for checking out things close to the harbour, easy access and all fairly close. The hotels are generally more per night versus Bondi Beach, but you get the close proximity to the harbour. 

• Consider looking into day tours that make your life easier to plan, plus usually, the cost isn’t too much more. When we were looking at the Blue Mountains day trip this is the way we would have went.
• Take the local ferry to different spots if you want to feel like a local, it’s a fun way for the kids to experience it and see the city from the water.

Places on our Next Australia Itinerary

As I mentioned before Australia is a massive country and next to impossible to see all the highlights of Australia in 4 weeks. So these were the spots that were on our list that we had to scratch off until another time. 

If you have any extra days to make it 5 weeks Australia itinerary consider the following top spots to see in Australia that weren’t covered in this above itinerary:

• Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, Northern Territory
• Alice Springs, Northern Territory
• Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory
• Perth, Western Australia
• Tasmania Island

Transportation in Australia

• We rented a car for driving around Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Fraser Island and the Great Ocean Road . We found in those areas we needed to have a vehicle for our family. Although there were places we could walk to we found it easiest to drive and public transportation wasn’t a cheaper option.
• Don’t forget for all you North Americans, driving is on the left side (steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle)!
• We flew most of our flights with Jetstar Airlines within Australia.
• Australian’s generally do not tip! This threw us right off when going out with locals for supper and they told us not to tip.
• We looked into the train that could take you in one direction from all the way from Cairns to Melbourne, but for us, with the cost of 4 people, it was actually about the same to fly and rent cars for the spots.

Australia Travel Tips

• Feel free to change up the order of the destinations. We flew between most of the cities because we wanted to save travel time. You could also do a road trip and drive from Cairns to Melbourne or vice versa. 

• As noted for some places, we stayed for a bit longer in some spots for certain reasons. We also were trying to plan our Australia travel around a cruise that we booked out to the South Polynesian islands of Vanuatu, Fiji, New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands. Sydney Harbour has so many great cruises you can add onto if you want to go out to spots here. New Zealand, South Polynesian, Tasmania island and a few others. Maybe consider adding a 3 or 4 day cruise onto your trip :)

• School vacation days in Australia. If you are trying to plan around the school vacation days to help with getting better prices or more availability… good luck – lol. I found it very confusing to try and figure out each state’s school terms. But, for most the majority of the kids are off school for most of December and January. This is considered their summer holidays (I think – lol).

• Australia Weather Look into the weather in each of the places to find out when the best time to go to Australia is for you. We were there towards the end of February and into March. The east coast was comfortable weather for hiking, going to the beach and walking around. We happened to hit bad ocean weather up in Airlie beach at that time, but it was still warm enough for beach weather. In Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road, during the time we were there, it was more light jackets or sweaters and pants for the most part. For Sydney, we had great weather, very comfortable for touring around and going to the beach too!
• States visited within the 1 month itinerary of Australia: Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

• Australia is not a cheap country to travel to. It is about the same as travelling in the USA and Canada for the most part. We tried to keep to a budget and as you can tell spent our money on experiences and once in a lifetime opportunity versus theme parks. But, it just depends on what you like. We only had so much money to spend on the trip so for us spending it on snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, airplane ride over Fraser Island and a boat tour to see Whitsundays island were well worth the dollars spent.
• Data cards and phone – when we landed in Gold Coast, we bought a prepaid SIM card from the newsstand and registered online for the card. The prices weren’t too expensive for the amount of limited data that we needed. The process to register was a bit more time consuming than in other countries we visited on our world travels. I would still recommend buying an old-fashioned map though for your highway travels since data reception can be spotting in some areas.

• Wifi was available mostly everywhere including hotels, restaurants, and cafes for free.
• We found pricing of the food and drinks to be about the same as North America, but we did notice that any kind of junk food was definitely more. Fewer chips and pop for us on this trip, which is a good thing anyways!

We enjoyed travelling along the east coast itinerary and loved our month in Australia. Australia is truly an amazing county with a wide range of places to visit and experiences for families to have. We found Australia to be a very easy country to travel around with kids with no barriers.

So, if you are thinking of doing Australia for your first long term trip with your kids then this itinerary of Australia will hopefully be a good guide for you to feel more confident about booking that trip!

Are there any places that we missed on our Australia travel itinerary? Any tidbits about Aussie to share?

We travelled to Australia from February 22 – March 28.

Our kids were 5 (turned 6 in Sydney) & 8 years old.

Looking for more travel inspiration?

• Royal Caribbean South Pacific Cruises : Vanuatu, New Caledonia & Loyalty Island
• Review of Explorer of the Seas Cruise Ship from Sydney
• New Zealand Itinerary 4 weeks with Kids

Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. More Info:  Disclosure

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Lorena says

December 30, 2020 at 5:57 pm

What a great itinerary! We live in WA and plan to do our fare share of traveling on the other side of the country so I’ll make sure to use your tips and advices! Thank you for r the great read

The Passport Kids says

January 4, 2021 at 7:07 pm

Awesome – I am so glad it was a helpful itinerary!

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• Australia & South Pacific

The Best Things to Do in Australia With Kids — From a Safari Sleepover to a Waterfront Theme Park

Australia is an immense and diverse country with endless possibilities. You can go from marveling at the dazzling coastline to exploring the Outback to hanging with some of the world's most fascinating animals (we're looking at you, echidnas) without leaving the country.

And if you're headed to Oz with kids, you're in luck: There are countless experiences that take advantage of the best Australia has to offer while remaining accessible for the smallest of travelers. You can meet real-life Tasmanian devils (not just the Looney Tunes kind, though he's fun too) on the island of Tasmania. And young children can explore the Great Barrier Reef without even getting wet thanks to an underwater observatory.

Traveling with kids can bring the whole family together (plus, it can help them in school) — and arguably no destination does it better than the hands-on friendly land Down Under.

Try these nine kid-friendly experiences on your next trip to Australia for the chance to combine educational opportunities with straight-up fun.

Snooze With Animals

Head out on a night safari to see some of Taronga Zoo Sydney's 4,000 animals from more than 350 species during their Roar and Snore program . You'll help out during feeding time, get some up-close-and-personal encounters with the zoo's animals, and enjoy incredible harbor views from the safari-style campsite (talk about glamping!).

The next day, you can see some of the zoo's cutest furry residents by daylight — like the red kangaroos and koalas — with complimentary admission.

Find it: Roar and Snore at the Taronga Zoo Sydney ; Sydney, New South Wales

See the Little Penguin Parade

Phillip Island is home to tiny penguins (known as Little Penguins) who take part in a nightly penguin parade when they waddle up the beach and back to their burrows at sunset after a day of fishing.

Kids can watch these little penguins (they weigh just about two pounds and are about 13 inches tall) from eye-level when you book an underground viewing experience .

Find it: Phillip Island Nature Parks ; Phillip Island, Victoria

Feed Wild Dolphins

You don't often get the chance to be close to wild animals, let alone feed them. And while it is not advised to do that on your own, the Monkey Mia Reserve offers a program that allows visitors to get up close while ensuring the area's bottlenose dolphins stay wild.

The dolphins at the reserve are free to come and go as they please (more than 3,000 live in the bay) and are offered food three times a day between 7:45 a.m. and noon. And you and your family could be the ones to feed them — a limited number of fish are handed out to people standing in the shallow water. The number of fish is limited because staff still want the dolphins to forage for a large amount of their food.

Find it: Monkey Mia Reserve ; Denham, Western Australia

Hang Out at Bondi Beach

Ana Alarcon/Travel + Leisure

Heading to the beach is one Australian experience that's hard to miss — the country has more than 31,000 miles of coastline. However, for younger swimmers (and older ones too, for that matter) rip currents are a legitimate fear.

Thanks to Bondi Icebergs Club — with two pools (one for adults and one for kids) — you can put safe swimming first without giving up great views of one of Australia's most popular beaches. When you're done swimming, head down to the beach for a little people watching on this iconic stretch of sand.

Find it: Bondi Icebergs Club ; Sydney, New South Wales

Cuddle a Koala

There's nothing as iconic as cuddling a cute koala in Australia — and there's no better place to do it than the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (which opened in 1927 as a refuge for orphaned, sick, and injured koalas).

Kids can pet or hold the fuzzy animals — there's around 130 of them — or check out one of the other 70-plus animal species living at the sanctuary (think kangaroos, platypuses, and dingos). Plan your visit around one of the hand-feeding times for the kangaroos, wallabies, and lorikeets for an extra dose of fun (and photo opportunities).

Find it: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary ; Fig Tree Pocket, Queensland

Get Up Close and Personal With Tasmanian Devils

Kids may know of the Tasmanian devil from the Looney Toons cartoon, but the real-life version is so much cooler (and cuter too). There are no cages and barriers at this "unzoo" which is focused on saving the devil, offering visitors "nose-to-nose" encounters, and the chance to feed wallabies and kangaroos.

After spending time with the animals, kids can play on the Little Devil's Playground, which includes an interactive display about Tasmanian devils.

Find it: Tasmanian Devil Unzoo ; Taranna, Tasmania

Experience Vintage Thrills

Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure

Modeled after Luna Park in Coney Island, this theme park first opened in 1935 and features the era's vintage styling. Kids will love a spin around the hand-painted carousel that features 1,640 lights or the challenge of balancing their way through the Barrels of Fun feature. Later, take in the view of the harbor from the top of the ferris wheel and play some classic carnival games.

Find it: Luna Park Sydney ; Sydney, New South Wales

Go Underwater at the Great Barrier Reef

No trip to Australia is complete without a visit to the awe-inspiring Great Barrier Reef . And while there are numerous ways to see the colorful coral, one of the best options for kids is from an activity platform. Hop aboard Quicksilver Cruises and travel to the Agincourt Reefs where kids will be able to snorkel (there's small snorkels and masks for toddlers) from a submerged platform that helps them get into the water.

If your child can't swim — or has had enough — there's an underwater observatory where they can watch the fish without needing to get in the water. The company also has a submarine that ventures out to the reef's lagoons for extra viewing opportunities.

Find it: Quicksilver Cruises ; Port Douglas, Queensland

Learn About Australia’s Aboriginal Heritage

One of the best parts about traveling is learning about the cultures of the places you travel to. And one of the best places to do that in Australia is at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Here, kids (and their parents) can take in the Aboriginal heritage through traditional dance and demonstrations like spear and boomerang throwing.

In the evening, participate in a night fire where you'll get traditional face paint, learn Aboriginal songs, and watch the ceremonial fire light up.

Find it: Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park ; Smithfield, Queensland

Related Articles

Itinerary: 2 Weeks in Australia with Kids

• May 25, 2020

Last summer we let our 14-year-old choose where to go on our summer trip. We gave him only one rule: he couldn’t recreate a trip we’d already been on. He chose Australia for two main reasons:

• He wanted to go to a new continent (his 5th)
• He wanted to see the Great Barrier Reef before it disappears (depressing, yes, but he had recently watched the documentary Chasing Coral)

I had been to Australia one summer in High School when my dad lived there, and Mike & I went again shortly after we were married. I knew we’d retrace our steps somewhat on this trip (can’t visit Sydney without seeing the Opera House!!), but I was also determined to steer my son in some new directions. That ended up being quite easy because as it turns out when there are 16 years between trips, and you add 3 kids to the mix, interests change.

And let’s just quickly talk about the weather. Whenever we mentioned we were going to Australia for our American summer, we would hear “Oh, you know it will be winter in Australia?” Yes, we knew and still wanted to go. Winter in Australia is mild, similar to winter in San Francisco where we’re from. We were fine in sweatshirts or a rain jacket most of the time, and up in Queensland it was in the 70s and we wore shorts. We ran into many people in Sydney wearing big boots, wool hats, scarves, and knee-length coats apologizing for the abnormally cold weather (low-mid 60s during the day). We were a little confused because again, we were fine in sweatshirts (and I always run cold!)

We broke up our long flight from San Francisco with a 4-day stopover in Fiji (more on that stopover coming soon!). We flew direct from San Francisco to Fiji on Fiji Airways and then continued to Sydney 4 days later, again on Fiji Airways. We arrived in Sydney at noon and were eating lunch in Barangaroo by 1pm.

One thing I learned last year on our trip to Asia is that the Marquez Five do much better on morning flights. It is best for us to get up (very early if we have to), grab breakfast at our hotel or at the airport and then fly to our destination ideally arriving around time for lunch. Yes, I plan our flights around meals. I also like to arrive at our destination with time to explore and get our bearings. However, sometimes this just isn’t possible given available flights.

Accommodations

We stayed at the Langham Sydney located in the historic Rocks District. We had a 2-bedroom suite with a living area, kitchen, and laundry. The location was fantastic – we could walk to both Barangaroo and Circular Quay in about 15 minutes. We’d spend our days exploring and return in the late afternoon to swim in the indoor pool & hot tub.

What We Did

Sydney harbour bridge climb.

When Mike and I were last in Sydney in 2003, Mike did the Sydney Bridge Climb and I (being massively afraid of heights) didn’t. It was one of those things in hindsight that I wished I had just done. Fast forward 16 years and I signed up the whole family! Everyone was excited except for my 9-year-old who maintained he was not going to do it until he was latched onto the bridge and beginning his climb. He was a good sport, but didn’t enjoy the long pauses on the way up as we waited for all the groups ahead of us to take pictures.

We were in harnesses and attached to the bridge so there was no chance of falling. We climbed 1,332 steps including some vertical ladders, but it was not strenuous as we went at a fairly slow pace with lots of stops along the way. The total climb time from suiting up to completion was about 3.5 hours. The views were spectacular on the entire climb. It was windy, especially at the top, and it rained before we left and after we got back, but was nice and clear for our climb! Everyone (even my 9-year-old) gave it a thumbs up at the end.

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

Living along the California coastline has spoiled me and set the bar high for other coastal views. The Bondi to Coogee Coastal walk did not disappoint! I think I had a huge grin on my face the entire time. We saw humpback whales, iceberg pools, so many surfers, and spectacular views around every corner! This is a must do when visiting Sydney!

We started in Bondi Beach with shopping and brunch at Trio (hands down the best meal we had the entire trip) and then followed the path to the Bondi Iceberg Club and then all the way to Coogee. We stopped a lot along the way to admire the views, look for whales and play at parks. There were plenty of places to stop for coffee or snacks, but we were all still full from our brunch. The entire walk took us a couple of hours, but again, we were going at a very leisurely pace.

VIP Tour at Taronga Zoo

The Taronga Zoo probably has the best views of any zoo in the world – Opera House and Harbour Bridge. We walked from our hotel to Circular Quay and caught a ferry (12 minute ride) to the zoo. It was an easy and fun way to get there. We had pre-booked tickets for a VIP Tour which included entry tickets to the zoo and a cable car ride from the ferry to the zoo entrance. We got there a bit early so we ate lunch and went to the Sumatran Tiger Trek before our tour.

Our tour included mostly Australian animals which we liked. We saw koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, cassowaries, and many more. Our favorite part of the tour (besides having two guides all to ourselves) was going into the kitchen where the keepers prepare the food for all the animals.

Where We Ate

Most mornings we enjoyed the breakfast buffet at our hotel, but our favorite meal of the entire trip was definitely brunch at Trio in Bondi Beach. The kids all got the Nutella French Toast, Mike got the Breakfast Burrito and I got the Trio Sampler which had a little bit of everything! Delicious! We had a great dinner at Bar Patron in Circular Quay where all the plates are to share – quesadillas, tacos, tostados, and great margaritas for the adults! Our favorite lunch was at Ribs & Burgers where we all indulged on burgers & shakes after our bridge climb.

What We Didn’t Have Time For

With only 3 full days in Sydney there was a lot we didn’t get to. I really wanted to go to the Hyde Park Barracks Museum which was unfortunately closed for renovation when we were there. We also would have liked to do a food tour with Secret Food Tours and a walking tour with Context Travel – the tour times didn’t line up well with our itinerary so we found ourselves having to pick & choose.

Uluru – Australian Outback

Luckily my 14-year-old wanted to visit the Outback on this trip which was fantastic since I had never been during my previous trips. It was a little out of the way, but well worth the travel time.

We flew Virgin Australia from Sydney to Uluru – it was a short 3 hour flight and we arrived at 1pm in time for lunch at our hotel. There is a 30 minute time difference between Sydney & Uluru. Yes, 30 minutes! I didn’t know that was even a thing, but our phones and GPS watches adjusted without missing a beat.

We splurged and stayed at Longitude 131 – I highly recommend staying here. Longitude 131 is essentially all-inclusive. Our stay included their signature excursions, but there are options for others at an additional cost. All of our meals, drinks & snacks were included. There may have been some drinks that cost more, but we never encountered those. We had two tents (the two in the picture below on the far left). We had unobstructed views of Uluru from our tents (same goes for all 16 tents). The hotel was at full capacity when we were there, but it never felt crowded. There is a minimum age of 10, but I reached out before booking and they made an exception for our 9-year-old. Our kids were the only ones there and they did great on all the experiences, but there was a lot of walking, listening to guides, and self-control needed. Most of the excursions would not have been much fun for younger kids.

Mala Walk – Uluru at Sunset

When we arrived, we were presented with a pre-planned itinerary for our stay. Our first evening we were whisked over to Uluru to enjoy the Mala walk along a portion of Uluru’s base. We learned about the history of the Mala people, viewed cave paintings and other sites important to both the Anangu and early explorers.

As the sun began to set, we entered Kantju Gorge to witness the rock walls ablaze with the light of the setting sun. Every minute, the color of the rock would change until it became bright rich orange and then began to fade again. The colors were so amazing and mesmerizing.

Field of Light

After enjoying Uluru at sunset, we experienced Bruce Munro’s internationally acclaimed art phenomenon, Field of Light. Created from 50,000 bud-like stems and crowned with radiant frosted-glass spheres, the installation blooms and appears to sway as darkness descends over Australia’s spiritual heartland. We arrived at dusk and meandered around the field enjoying all the lights around us as well as all the stars in the sky. This solar-powered exhibition lights up the outback until December 31, 2020.

Walpa Gorge – Kata Tjuta

We left the hotel before sunrise to explore the impressive formation of Kata Tjuta on a walk through Walpa Gorge. This was the coldest moment of our entire trip – it was quite cold to begin with and then the wind blew through the gorge with incredible force. We would have been ill-prepared if it weren’t for the fleece ponchos provided by Longitude 131. The kids and I loved them so much we tried to buy them from the hotel, but they weren’t for sale. Thanks to the planning of Longitude, we arrived a the gorge before anyone else and had it to ourselves. We discovered how eons of weathering and continental upheaval have created today’s landscape and learned about the animals who live here. Afterward, we visited the Cultural Centre where we learned about the spiritual and cultural meanings of Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

Uluru Base Walk

On another early morning, we set off to watch the sun rise over Uluru and then did the 10km base walk. From a distance, Uluru looks like a big rock coming straight out of the dirt, but up close we were able to discover acacia woodlands, grassed claypans, and the Mutitjulu Waterhole. Additionally, up close the rock has amazing features and details that are impossible to decipher from a distance. Our guides shared many stories with us about Uluru including the Anangu creation story of Kuniya and Lira.

Helicopter Ride

The only excursion we booked at an additional cost was a 30-minute helicopter ride over Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and Lake Amadeus, the largest salt lake in the Northern Territory. While it looks like a large lake from above, it’s usually dry and what we saw was just a dry salt crust in the shape of a lake. We felt like we had seen both Uluru and Kata Tjuta a lot from the ground so it was fun to see it from above. And the kids had never been in a helicopter before so it was a fun treat for them! It was also really exciting because we took off from the helipad right at Longitude 131!

Daintree Rainforest – Queensland

There was only one flight a day from Uluru to Cairns so we took it despite the less than ideal time. We arrived in Cairns at 6:30pm and then had a 2 hour drive to Mossman near the Daintree Rainforest. We arrived at our hotel around 8:30pm and luckily the restaurant at our hotel was still open for dinner since there was nothing else closeby.

Accommodation

I had a really hard time finding a place to stay for this leg of our trip. There were plenty of hotels in Cairns and Port Douglas, but we wanted to stay further north near the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation since that’s where we wanted to spend most of our time and wanted to cut down on driving time each day. I looked at Thala Beach Reserve, but wasn’t sure it would be kid-friendly enough for us (I think it would have been). Originally, I had booked at the Pullman in Port Douglas, but switched when I found Silky Oaks Lodge which is part of the same Luxury Lodges of Australia group as Longitude 131, Lizard Island, and also Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island where we considered visiting (which as a sidenote was destroyed in the Australian bush fires in the fall of 2019). Silky Oaks Lodge was not as updated as the other two resorts where we stayed, but we loved all the meandering paths, and the fact that our rooms were perched on a hill overlooking the river which felt like we were staying in a treehouse.

Mossman River

We spent our first day in Mossman around Silky Oaks Lodge. We swam in the pool, played tennis, kayaked along the river and hiked to Figtree Rapids to climb on the rocks and swim.

Cape Tribulation

On our second day, we hired a guide to take us through the Daintree Rainforest all the way to Cape Tribulation. Cape Tribulation is a significant UNESCO World Heritage-listed site where the Daintree Rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. We looked for wild cassowaries (didn’t see any), walked through old palm forests, explored the beach at Cape Tribulation, had lunch along a river, stopped for homemade ice cream and then finished the day with a river boat tour looking for crocodiles (we saw a lot!).

Lizard Island – Great Barrier Reef

Lizard Island is 200km north of Cairns on the Great Barrier Reef. The only way to get there is by private plane with 2 daily departures from Cairns. We drove from our hotel in Mossman to the Cairns airport to catch our flight. We waited in a small private area until they called our name and then were assigned to the smaller of two planes departing for the island. It was just the 5 of us and a pilot. While the flight over the reef was spectacular, I did not enjoy the small plane and was so relieved when we arrived safely on the island!

Similar to Longitude 131, Lizard Island Resort is all-inclusive and doesn’t allow children under 10. Again, they waived that rule for us and we had no issues bringing our 9-year-old. (Another sidenote: I had a difficult time finding a luxury resort that would accept children. We also considered Orpheus Island Lodge where our friends with 3 children younger than ours had recently stayed and loved). Lizard Island Resort is the only one on the island, which is also a National Park, and sits right on the Great Barrier Reef. We stayed in one of the Oceanview Villas with 2 bedrooms and a plunge pool overlooking the ocean. All meals, snacks & drinks were included. Each evening, they brought cocktails, drinks for the kids, and canapés to our room. One evening they served us a 7-course “chef’s dinner” on the beach. The day before the chef sat down with us to come up with a menu. Since our 9-year-old doesn’t eat any type of seafood, the chef instead brought him “club sandwich sliders” which he thought was the most amazing thing he’d ever eaten.

Snorkeling & Scuba Diving

Before our trip, Mike, our 12-year-old daughter, and I all took a SCUBA certification course. The last thing we had to complete was our open water dives which we did through the instructors at Lizard Island. We had 4 dives over 2 days with our instructor Jason who was amazing! It worked out really well as we coordinated a separate snorkeling instructor for our boys so they could come with us on the boat and snorkel while we did our dives. We had many skills to cover during our dives, but Jason planned it so we completed all of our skills in the first 3 dives so the last was purely for pleasure. We dove along both the Inner Reef and the Outer Reef. Our Outer Reef dive was at Cod Hole which is considered one of the top 10 diving spots in the world. We saw turtles, stingrays, clams, so much coral, potato cod, pipe fish and so many others! It was an absolutely incredible experience that none of us will soon forget! Even the boys who stayed at the surface had an amazing time and were able to see the same things we did (just from another perspective). So even if you’re not a diver, you have to visit the GBR!

Kayaking & Paddleboarding

Lizard Island sits right in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef so we were able to view coral and fish right from our hotel’s beach! We took full advantage of the complimentary glass bottom kayaks and stand up paddle boards!

Motorized Dinghy

We took a motorized dinghy full of snorkel gear and snacks to a secluded beach on the island. We were the only ones there except for a handful of sea turtles. We all grabbed our gear and jumped in to snorkel with them!

With only 2 weeks to spend in Australia, I think we did a good job seeing different aspects of the country: city, Outback, rainforest, Great Barrier Reef. There are still so many places we left unexplored and we definitely need to go back. We typically try to spend 4 nights and 3 full days in each destination so we don’t feel too rushed and reduce the number of times we have to pack up. I think we did a good job except I would have cut one day from the Outback and added another day to both Mossman and Lizard Island. During my 3 trips to Australia, I have only been during their winter or spring. I would love to go back in the summer, but I wouldn’t be deterred by going again during their mild winter.

What are your favorite places to visit in Australia? Where should we be sure to go next time? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Kid-Centric Travel

4 days in fiji.

What an exciting trip!

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Spain family vacations, japan family vacations, australia family vacations, a perfect 2-week itinerary for australia with kids.

• By Leslie Rich
• March 5, 2024

Australia is a vast and beautiful country. In two weeks you can see a lot, but you won’t have time to see it all. With everything that Australia has to offer (and not knowing if you’ll ever make it back because it’s so far away), creating the right itinerary for your family can be daunting. Here are our planning tips and a great 2-week itinerary that helps you maximize your time Down Under.

Best 2-Week Itinerary for Australia with Kids

To get started, decide how many moves you are comfortable making during your holiday. Australia is renowned for its beautiful beaches, rugged outback and cosmopolitan cities. The formula for the perfect 2-week Australian itinerary with kids incorporates all three of these elements: city plus beach plus outback or bush. In that spirit, Sydney , the Great Barrier Reef and  Uluru are a fantastic combination for families. This does require a significant amount of moving around, though, so I’ve included alternate options for those who want to simplify their travel plans or want to pack in a bit more.

TIP : The outback typically refers to Australia’s more remote areas, whereas the bush encompasses rural areas closer to civilization. The bush, which includes more accessible rainforests, countryside and mountain ranges, makes for a great substitution or addition to the outback component in our recommended itinerary.

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Sydney (4-plus nights)

Sydney is a great place to begin your holiday and a must for first-time visitors to Australia. Regularly found at the top of “World’s Best” lists, Sydney is a laid-back city with top-notch restaurants and plenty of activities to keep families happy. Our 72 hours in Sydney guide provides details on where to go and what to do with kids. Highlights include the coastal walk from Bondi Beach toward Coogee, family surf lessons and climbing over the Harbour Bridge.

TIP : Sydney has great public transportation, so being close to a ferry and/or a train station will serve you well. Most international flights arrive into Sydney in the early morning. Make arrangements for an early check-in at your hotel so that you can hit the ground running. If visiting in the summer, pack swimsuits in your carry-on luggage. In the event your luggage is delayed or your hotel isn’t ready, you can start your vacation on the beach without missing a beat.

Blue Mountains — Bush (2 nights)

The Blue Mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage Site located about two hours by car from Sydney. The scenery is spectacular and dramatically different from the city. Go for a ride on the Scenic Railway, the world’s steepest incline railway, or the Scenic Skyway, a glass-bottom sky tram that offers stunning views of the Three Sisters, Wentworth Falls and the Jamison Valley. A bit further afield are the Jenolan Caves, also well worth a visit if you have the time.

Uluru — Outback (2 to 3 nights)

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is in the Northern Territory, about a three-hour flight from Sydney. It’s home to the iconic red monolith known as Uluru or Ayers Rock. A rock may not seem like much of a reason to board a flight and consume precious vacation time, but it’s a magical place, and the landscape is what everyone imagines when they picture the Australian Outback. If you are able to stay at Longitude 131 , do it — this property will take your visit to another level. In addition to guided tours of Uluru and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), I recommend the camel rides and sightseeing by helicopter.

Great Barrier Reef (3-plus nights)

The Whitsunday Islands are a gorgeous group of islands set on the fringe of the Great Barrier Reef.  Just eight of the islands have hotels, and these are only accessible by infrequent flights or boat launches. Getting here will require patience and time, but the sugary white beaches, amazing resorts and proximity to the reef make it worth the effort. Every water activity imaginable is available on the reef; sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, submarine sightseeing and, of course, scuba diving are family favorites.

TIP : If you fly, be first to call the window seat — the views coming in are fantastic. If you are planning to visit the Daintree Rainforest as well, staying on the mainland may be preferable. Both Cairns (pronounced cans ) and Port Douglas are gateway towns to the reef. I’d opt for Port Douglas, as it is more relaxed and less touristy than Cairns, and also closer to the rainforest.

Daintree Rainforest — Bush (1 to 2 additional nights as part of Great Barrier Reef visit)

If you want to check yet another World Heritage Site off your list, include a visit to Daintree National Park, home to the oldest rainforest on the planet. The Daintree Discovery Centre is an excellent way to start your exploration. Here you can learn all about the region, wander the forest from elevated boardwalks and take in scenic views from the canopy tower. Other family activities in the region include zipline tours, horseback riding, and duck boat and 4WD adventures. If staying in Port Douglas, visit the Wildlife Habitat, where you can have breakfast with the birds and visit with kangaroos and koalas too.

Relevant Links:

Browse all family-friendly accommodations and things to do in Australia on Ciao Bambino

An adventurous 10-day family road trip in Western Australia

Thala Beach Nature Reserve: Oceanfront luxury next door to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest

Essential tips for climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Best of Australia: Kids share why they loved their trip Down Under

72 hours in Sydney with kids

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Australia was one of my favorite trips! When we travel as a family, I love to find engaging books for the kids to read before and during the trip. As a librarian, educator, and mom – here are some of my choices that other travelers to Australia might enjoy! http://storybooklists.com/country/storybooks-with-australia

I love Australia and can’t wait to go back.

That’s a great itinerary! Western Australia, although more remote, offers a lot of great places and beaches to visit, especially when traveling with kids! And for the little ones I put up a list with some great, fun fact about our county: https://worldoftravelswithkids.com/fun-australia-facts-for-kids/

I just booked some tickets for my family of 5 to Australia on the whim. Wasn’t sure if I would keep my plans because Australia is so huge. This guide is great and I will likely follow it. thanks!

Australia is among the most incredible places I have visited in the last year and indeed these places mentioned in the post are very good for sightseeing and sightseeing. I like the region because of the variety of options for having fun with friends. I also recommend the local restaurants where they offer different kinds of different foods and very tasty. I loved the post 🙂

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Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island, South Australia © South Australia Tourism Commission

Family travel tips: how to plan a family trip

Make lasting memories on a family holiday with these helpful planning tips.

By Allie Metz

Exploring Australia with your children is an incredible way to create a deeper family connection. Quality time outdoors, in each other’s company and meaningful experiences will strengthen your bond as a unit while each of you grows as an individual. But of course, travelling with young ones can have its challenges. If you’re getting ready to plan a family holiday in Australia, be sure to consider these tips for making the most of your adventure.

Hill Inlet, Whitsundays, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

When travelling as a family, a bit of planning can go a long way to ensure a truly memorable break. One key consideration is time of year. With most families scheduling trips during the school holidays , it’s important to plan ahead to make sure you have access to your first choices for accommodation and experiences.

While it’s important to plan key elements of your holiday, strive to have a flexible itinerary in place to account for unforeseen circumstances that could disrupt your timetable. For example, the day you may have picked for a surf lesson could end up being rainy or windy. If you leave a few days in your schedule for downtime, that will give you the opportunity to move activities to other days if needed.

When planning your activities, be sure to check in advance with any organised tours or experiences you’d like to book. Some have limited capacity and may be fully booked weeks ahead of time. So if your family has their heart set on a specific experience, it may be best to secure your booking first and plan other activities around that.

Tips for activities and things to do with kids

Emu Bay Lavender Farm, Kangaroo Island, South Australia © South Australian Tourism Commission

Keep the kids entertained and the budget in check by taking advantage of free experiences. Many kid-friendly museums offer free general admission (although you may need to book in advance) and it’s easy to find incredible public parks, playgrounds, botanic gardens and water-play parks that are completely free. Even our dining scene is kid-friendly, with some restaurants offering free kids’ meals on certain days of the week.

A packed itinerary can wear out even the most seasoned of travellers, and kids are certainly no exception. Be sure to allow plenty of downtime between tours and activities to rest and reflect. It may also help energy and enthusiasm levels if your downtime coincides with the hottest time of the day. Give everyone a break from the sun, replenish your fluids and put your feet up for a few hours before hitting the tourist trail again.

Keep things exciting by including a range of different activities in your schedule. Cities and regional towns have kid-friendly museums perfect for stimulating your child’s imagination, many with interactive exhibits designed for specific age groups. Outdoor experiences also abound, with everything from amusement parks to beaches where adventurous kids can learn a range of watersports. There are also incredible Aboriginal-run tours targeted to children, teaching them about Australia’s unique Indigenous cultures, bush tucker and fun skills like throwing spears and boomerangs.

Tips on getting around

Blue Mountains Drive, Wentworth Falls, New South Wales © Destination NSW

Not only are frequent stops essential for road safety , but they are also a great chance for your kids to have a comfort break, stretch and release some energy. If you’re on a family road trip , you’ll find rest stops and service stations at regular intervals, but consider mapping out a few minor detours to combine your break with a kid-friendly attraction. Stop at one of the country’s famous “Big Things”, or take a Tourist Drive detour (you’ll spot brown road signs indicating where to turn off) to find historic towns, scenic lookouts, caves, waterfalls and other attractions. 

Take the pressure off travelling around the city by utilising public transport and hop-on hop-off tourist buses. Services are inexpensive (children generally pay a concession fee) and will take you to all the major attractions without the hassle of finding parking. Some services, such as Melbourne’s  City Circle Tram, are completely free! In Sydney , there are caps to weekly transport rates, so you will never pay more than the maximum weekly fare, regardless of how often you use the transport network. Most buses, metros, trains and trams can accommodate prams and other access requirements, making them a great option for getting around.

Having a few games on hand is a great way to keep kids engaged while travelling. They can be used to pass time while driving, to discover secrets of the city you’re exploring or to keep them entertained while dining out – all while reducing screen time. Colouring pages are a great option, as are bingo cards featuring Australian icons and wildlife. Discover some great ideas here. There are also some great apps you can download for city-based scavenger hunts that will introduce your family to a secret side of the city.

Kids Hiking the Grampians, Victoria © Visit Victoria

Ensure your holiday is memorable for all the right reasons by following some simple guidelines that will help keep you and your family safe and healthy. Australia is a safe country with a low crime rate, and some common sense will help keep you and your family safe during your visit. Always look carefully both ways before you cross roads and use marked crossings wherever available. If embarking on a bushwalk or visiting a wilderness area, make sure you do your research beforehand, pack sufficient water and food, stick to clearly marked trails, and always inform others of your whereabouts and plans. Visit our health and safety FAQ page for tips on water safety, road safety, bushfire safety and more.

As with anywhere in the world, if you are spending time outdoors it’s important to practice sun safety. Apply sunscreen regularly, wear a hat and sunglasses, and stay well hydrated. If swimming in the ocean, consider choosing a reef-safe sunscreen to help protect marine life and coral.

Make sure you have appropriate travel insurance when visiting Australia. Australia’s healthcare system is one of the best in the world, with hospitals and medical centres readily available in most urban areas if you need medical attention during your trip.

 Visitor Information Centre, Julia Creek, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

For help with booking, unbiased local recommendations and great deals and offers, your first stop in any destination should be the Accredited Visitor Information Centre . The friendly faces here can help you find everything from great tours and experiences to family-friendly restaurants and even discounts to help you get the most out of your visit. Some centres even have historical and cultural exhibitions right on site for kids to discover.

With so many kid-friendly activities on offer, it can be easy to forget to set aside some time for yourselves. Thankfully, there are some great experiences that are designed for mum and dad to enjoy while the kids are kept equally entertained. There are many themed museums that young and old will love, such as transport and military museums. If you’re a history buff with a brave brood, try a ghost tour at one of the country’s World-Heritage listed historical sights like Tasmania's Port Arthur. 

Finally, if a little down time is what you’re after, there are a number of wineries and breweries around the country with playgrounds, and even farm animals, to keep the kids busy while parents relax with some of the world’s finest craft beer and wine.

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Kids' Travel Guide - Australia

Sydney, melbourne, brisbane… whichever city or part of australia your family plans to visit, make sure you have the kids' travel guide — australia..

A unique travel guide and activity book in one, it’s the fun way to discover Australia!

• All about Australia, especially for kids— geography, fascinating history, and flags and symbols, as well as culture, food, and even Australian animals and sports!
• Fun, educational, and engaging— Leonardo, your kids’ tour guide, will take them on a journey through Australia and keep them interested with fun facts, “juicy information,” quizzes, special tasks, coloring pages, and their own travel diary.
• A bonus for parents —As a parent, you are invited to participate in your children’s activities or to find an available bench and relax while your kids learn and enjoy.
• A personal book that becomes your children’s souvenir of the trip —When you return home, the guidebook and diary will become a memoir of your Australian vacation that the whole family can treasure for a lifetime.

Make This book an even more special and exciting gift with  POSTER MAPS for Your Kids!   Choose the  world map, USA poster map , or a package of both.   With the dry-erase pens (included), kids can write down their names, what countries and states they've visited, and which ones they want to see when everything is back to normal! More fun and adventure!  The Kids' Travel Guide series includes many more destinations around the world , such as Italy, Rome, France, Paris, Germany, Spain, Japan, China, Bangkok, Thailand, the United Kingdom, London, the United States, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, New York City, Washington, DC, and many more! Grab a copy of the most fun, educational, and interesting travel guide for kids and enjoy a new family adventure!

FlyingKids® designs and publishes unique guides for the special journeys in young readers' lives. Join us on a journey in countries and cities around the world or on a personal journey of self-discovery. FlyingKids' interactive guides always take the young explorers on an exciting experience full of fun and memorable moments.

Kid's travel guide series  – for special journeys around the world (cities and countries), you can be whatever you want, girl series  – for girls' journey to becoming a better version of themselves., kids' activity books series  – for long hours on the roads., my maps series  – for expanding your kids' horizons in the comfort of home., share this product.

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Kids' Travel Guide - Australia: The fun way to discover Australia - especially for kids Paperback – February 18, 2017

Purchase options and add-ons, the best gift for any kid who is about to go to australia, has already been there, or is just curious about this special country, now more than ever let leonardo - the cutest tour guide, take your kids on a fun journey to discover the magic of australia, this unique travel guide and activity book allows children to experience australia even from home — as they explore this unique country in a fun and educational way.

Designed especially for kids, the Kids' Travel Guide – Australia teaches children all about Australia, including its cities and landmarks, geography, fascinating history, and flags and symbols — as well as culture, cuisine, and even Australian animals and sports! Fun, Educational, and Engaging! Leonardo will take your kids on an exciting journey through Australia, keeping them interested with fun facts, juicy information, quizzes, special tasks, coloring pages, and their own travel diary to keep track of what they've learned. After finishing the book, they'll have a sound knowledge of Australia, and will feel as if they've just returned from the country! Today, it's more important than ever to give our kids opportunities to expand their horizons and broaden their minds. Even if we have to stay close to home right now, it's still possible to teach our kids about new countries and cultures — and to do it in a fun and interactive way! With the Kids' Travel Guide series, exploring other countries and cultures is easy, fun, and educational. Expand your kids' horizons and introduce them to the wide range of surprises that this world has to offer! Make This book an even more special and exciting gift with POSTER MAPS for Your Kids! Choose the world map, USA poster map, or a package of both. With the dry-erase pens (included), kids can write down their names, what countries and states they've visited, and which ones they want to see when everything is back to normal! More fun and adventure! The Kids' Travel Guide series includes many more destinations around the world, such as Spain, Italy, Rome, France, Paris, Germany, Japan, China, Bangkok, Thailand, the United Kingdom, London, the United States, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, New York City, Washington, DC, and many more! Grab a copy of the most fun, educational, and interesting travel guide for kids and enjoy a new family adventure! Join us on a journey in countries and cities around the world or on a personal journey of self-discovery. FlyingKids' interactive guides always take the young explorers on an exciting experience full of fun and memorable moments.

• Kid's Travel Guide series – For special journeys around the world (Cities and countries)
• You Can Be Whatever You Want, Girl! Series – For girls' journey to becoming a better version of themselves.
• Kids' Activity Books Series – For long hours on the roads.
• My Maps Series – For expanding your kids' horizons in the comfort of home.

FlyingKids® designs and publishes unique guides for the special journeys in young readers' lives.

• Reading age 6 - 12 years
• Part of series Kids' Travel Guide
• Print length 44 pages
• Language English
• Dimensions 8.5 x 0.11 x 11 inches
• Publication date February 18, 2017
• ISBN-10 1910994545
• ISBN-13 978-1910994542
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Join us on a journey in countries and cities around the world or on a personal journey of self-discovery.

FlyingKids designs and publishes unique guides for the special journeys in young readers’ lives.

Whether exploring countries and cities around the world or going on a personal journey of self-discovery, young explorers will find FlyingKids interactive guides always take them on an exciting journey full of fun and special moments.

A great gift for any kid who is about to travel wants a souvenir of a past trip or is just curious about the places in the world.

The perfect gift to say, "I believe in you!".

A unique workbook, full of inspiring THOUGHTS, helpful TIPS, and practical TOOLS.

From the Publisher

Unique guides for the special journeys by flyingkids.

FlyingKids publishes unique guides for the special journeys of the young readers' lives.

FlyingKids' interactive guides always take the young explorers on an exciting experience full of fun and memorable moments.

Kids' Travel Guide Series

Easy, fun, and educational to explore other cities and places. Expand your kids' horizons and introduce them to the wide range of surprises this world has to offer!

Don't miss adventures with Kids' Travel Guides to Spain, Germany, Australia, Japan, China, USA, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, New York City, Washington, DC, Italy, Rome, France, Paris, United Kingdom, London, Thailand, Bangkok, Japan, China, and many more destinations…

Interactive poster maps for kids

Don't forget a perfect companion to any of our books! Add one of the FlyingKids poster maps for kids! Choose the USA poster map, the world map, or a package of both. With the dry-erase pens (included), kids write their names, the countries and states they've been to, and the ones they want to visit. They answer quizzes and enjoy a special place to write about and capture their adventures.

Coloring books series

Whether traveling or learning at home, the Kids' Activity Book series is ideal as an introduction to the world. These educational and entertaining coloring books are perfect for flights, car rides, and downtime when you aren't sightseeing. Your kids will color their way to learning about the United States and its major cities or central countries in Europe with their very own personal travel guide, Leonardo

You can be whatever you want, Girl! Series

This book series will help your girl reach her potential and achieve her dreams. It will remind every girl that there's a world of possibilities just waiting for her!

Book #1 -'YOU CAN BE WHATEVER YOU WANT, GIRL!' is an uplifting book that will help your girl discover how to find her strengths, how to use empowering tools that can make a big change in their life, how to celebrate and share successes—and deal with challenges!

Book #2 -‘MAKE IT HAPPEN, GIRL!’ is all about helping your young girl to set goals, achieve them, and deal with any challenges and failures along the way. It’s a step-by-step recipe to help your beloved teenage girl to get from where she is now to everything she wants to be in the future.

Discover your journey with FlyingKids!

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GIVE YOUR KIDS A TRAVEL ADVENTURE WHILE STAYING SAFE AT HOME.

The Covid-19 pandemic may have limited our ability to travel and introduce our kids to new places and cultures, but it has proved that we all live in a global village. And it has emphasized the importance of not only getting to know our neighbors, but also those in faraway countries at the other end of the world.

Today, it s more important than ever to give our kids opportunities to expand their horizons and broaden their minds. Even if we have to stay close to home right now, it s still possible to teach our kids about new countries and cultures and to do it in a fun and interactive way!

Now More Than Ever!

With the Kids Travel Guide series, exploring other countries and cultures is easy, fun, and educational. Expand your kids horizons and introduces them to the wide range of surprises that this world has to offer!

KIDS' TRAVEL GUIDE AUSTRALIA: Let your kids discover The Magic of Australia from the comfort and safety of their home!

This unique travel guide and activity book allows children to experience Australia from home as they explore this amazing country in a fun and educational way!

Designed especially for kids, this book teaches children all about Australia, including its cities and landmarks, geography, fascinating history, and flags and symbols as well as culture, cuisine, and even Australian animals and sports! words!

Fun, Educational, and Engaging! Leonardo, your kids cartoon tour guide, will take them on an exciting journey through Australia, keeping them interested with fun facts, juicy information, quizzes, special tasks, coloring pages, and their own travel diary to keep track of what they ve learned.

A Personal Book that Takes Your Kids on a Travel Adventure! This guide walks your children through the historic landmarks and unique attractions that make Australia so special. After finishing the book, they ll have a sound knowledge of Australia, and will feel as if they ve just returned from the country!

Make This Book an Even More Special and Exciting Gift with POSTER MAPS for Your Kids! Choose the world map, USA poster map, or a package of both. With the dry-erase pens (included), kids can write down their names, what countries and states they ve visited, and which ones they want to see when everything is back to normal! Children have fun answering quizzes and remembering and writing about the special places they ve been or the places they dream of visiting.

Poster Maps are a perfect companion to any of the Kids Travel Guide books!

More Fun and Adventure! The Kids Travel Guide series includes many more destinations around the world , such as Italy, Rome, France, Paris, Spain, Germany, Australia, China, Bangkok, Thailand, the United Kingdom, London, the United States, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, New York City, Washington, DC, and many more!

Choose from our country or city guides or get both in one COMBO edition.

Your kids can have even more fun learning about cities and countries around the world. Check out at TheFlyingKids.com.

>> FlyingKids® makes your kids learning activities fun, enriching, and unforgettable!

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ FlyingKids; Premium Edition, Newly Revised (February 18, 2017)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 44 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1910994545
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1910994542
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 6 - 12 years
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.4 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.11 x 11 inches
• #20 in Sydney Travel Guides
• #126 in General Australia Travel Guides
• #324 in General Australia & South Pacific Travel

About the authors

Shiela h. leon.

Shiela is a big fan of family adventures and trips, and the leading author at FlyingKids publishing house.

Shiela believes that kids learn best through experience and adventures. She developed a new learning method that turns every learning into a fun experience. Shiela’s book combine inspiring stories and kids’ friendly information along with fun activities, quizzes, and tips.

Shiela’s newly released book – BE A COVID SUPERHERO! – is a kid-friendly, visual story that uses a superhero theme to inspire children to step up and stay safe. And as always, she makes the whole learning process fun—with quizzes, tasks, and a diary to personalize the kids’ experiences.

KIDS’ TRAVEL GUIDES SERIES – Shiela’s created Unique travel guides and activity books in one! The Kids’ Travel Guides are a fun way to discover a new city or country. Educational and engaging. Perfect for flights, car rides, hotel rooms, and downtime while seeing the sights.

You can find more information and books at www.theflyingkids.com

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

FlyingKids® designs and publishes unique guides for the special journeys in young readers’ lives.

Whether exploring countries and cities around the world, or going on a personal journey of self-discovery, young explorers will find FlyingKids’ interactive guides always take them on an exciting journey full of fun and special moments.

***KIDS' TRAVEL GUIDES***

Whether traveling or learning at home, Kids’ Travel Guides are the fun way to discover new places around the world.

Together with Leonardo, their very own tour guide, your kids will have so much fun discovering new countries or cities with juicy information, challenging quizzes, special tasks, and coloring pages.

Your child will get excited and eager to explore new countries and cities around the world.

The unique concept of the Kids’ Travel Guide series provides high quality—and fun—learning. Keeps kids eager to explore, excited, and engaged.

Enjoy Kids' Travel Guides to worldwide destinations: Spain, Germany, Australia, China, Japan, USA, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Washington, DC, France, Paris, United Kingdom, London, Thailand, Bangkok and many more destinations...

Your kids can discover even more cities and countries around the world with FREE downloadable activities, coloring pages, tips and special offers at FlyingKids website www.theflyingkids.com

FlyingKids makes your family travel more fun, enriching, and unforgettable.

NEW!!! ***YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT, GIRL!***

A girl-power guide and workbook to help your girl boost your self-confidence and achieve your dreams—with practical exercises, tips, and advice

This empowering book series will remind every girl that there’s a world of possibilities out there just waiting for her! It will equip girls with the motivation, practical tools, and skills to reach their potential and achieve their dreams.

Designed to inspire girls (ages 11 to 16, and even older) with fun interactive exercises, questionnaires, journal prompts, and practical tools—the book’s eye-catching illustrations and unique style will give your girl a special experience and a roadmap to her dreams!

Customer reviews

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 73% 16% 2% 3% 7% 73%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 73% 16% 2% 3% 7% 16%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 73% 16% 2% 3% 7% 2%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 73% 16% 2% 3% 7% 3%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 73% 16% 2% 3% 7% 7%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers find the book excellent for kids traveling down under. They also say it provides useful information that helps them better plan.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the book an excellent resource for kids traveling down under. They say it provides information and an overview, as well as fun activities. Readers also mention that the reading level is good, and the book provides a good challenge and practice.

"...Very helpful and would be great for kids wanting to learn about Australia in a easy fun to read format with nice visual contents throughout the..." Read more

"...If you're traveling down under with kids, this book is a great choice to help kids connect with the history and culture they experience." Read more

"...It’s very engaging with lots of different activities and great pictures. Will definitely be buying more titles in this series." Read more

"...It’s got some good information an over view and some fun activities . It’s not a travel planner. Just a fun book about Australia." Read more

Customers find the book useful for parents. They say it's an excellent guide with interesting and useful information.

"... Very helpful and would be great for kids wanting to learn about Australia in a easy fun to read format with nice visual contents throughout the..." Read more

"...It’s got some good information an over view and some fun activities. It’s not a travel planner. Just a fun book about Australia." Read more

"...In fact, although an adult, I enjoyed reading it, and found a lot of useful information that helped me to better plan family holiday in Australia...." Read more

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Christmas Around the World

How children celebrate christmas .

On this page you can read some fun facts about Christmas around the world. Read how kids celebrate Christmas in different parts of the world and get some interesting insights about Christmas traditions and celebrations.

At Christmas, Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Traditional Christmas decoration often can be admired and festive celebrations can be joined in most countries, even in many of the countries where Christianity is not the religion of the majority of people. Christmas trees are a popular decoration as are tiny sparkling lights in windows and on walls.

Christmas all over the world: Christmas is generally celebrated on Christmas Day, the 25th of December. Some countries however have slightly different Christmas traditions and as such festive season celebrations take place over a longer period of time, from the beginning of December to the beginning of January. Below you will find some interesting Christmas facts for various countries. If you want to learn more about other interesting Christmas traditions in those countries simply click on the links to go to our country-specific Christmas pages.

Christmas Around the World: France

In many regions in France, Christmas celebrations start with St Nicholas day on the 6th of December. Then children get sweets and little gifts. 

Many cities in France are decorated during the weeks leading up to Christmas and children love to open the 24 little windows of their Advent calendar. In the Alsace region, the tradition of putting up decorated Christmas trees dates back as far as the 14th century. Towns and cities are also illuminated with Christmas lights.

On Christmas eve, Children put their polished shoes out in front of the chimney and hope that ‘ Père Noël’  (Father Christmas) fills the shoes with sweets. Christmas Day, 25th of December is a public holiday and families get together for a big feast. On this day also presents are exchanged. 

A special outing for many families during the festive season is this year an evening visit to the magical illuminated world of the Jardin des Plantes in Paris. 

Read more about French Christmas traditions on our  Christmas markets  and Christmas food pages.

Christmas around the World: Italy

In Italy, a nativity scene, a ‘ presepe ’, is usually put up in churches, town squares and often in homes. This is for many the most important part of the Christmas decorations. 

The nativity scene display with a crib filled with straw, originally stems from Italy and is now common occurrence in many countries around the world.  In Italy, ‘ Babbo Natale ’, that's how Father Christmas is called in Italian, hands out presents to children on Christmas Day.  Still in many families, gifts are exchanged only on 6 th of January  which is the Day of Epiphany.  In Italy, t he people wish each other ‘ Buon Natale’ , which means 'Merry Christmas'.

Read more about traditions and celebrations for Christmas in Italy

Christmas in Germany

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, festive Christmas markets are set up on main squares in many cities. 

Houses are often decorated with fairy lights and festive ornaments in December, however, in Germany the Christmas tree is usually only put up and decorated at the homes in the morning of the 24th of December.

Festive Christmas celebrations in Germany begin on the 24th of December, on Christmas Eve. Shops close early on Christmas eve, so remember that you have to get your Christmas shopping done until lunchtime. The 26th of December is a public holiday in Germany too and many families celebrate on this day together, go to Church or enjoy a little excursion to a nearby park.

Read here how Christmas is celebrated in German families.

Christmas in England

In England, most people start with Christmas decorations early, that is as early as mid of November. Many families decorate their houses with lots of fairy lights and sparkling displays. 

Often the house owners collect donations from visitors to their displays in aid of local charities. So remember if you like a display place some spare coins into the honesty boxes and help the good causes.

Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Day, the 25th of December. 26 December is a bank holiday as well.  On Boxing Day, the 26th of December, friends and family are usually visited to exchange gifts. 

Christmas in Norway

In Norway, children wait for ‘ Julenisse ’, the Norwegian Santa Claus. On Christmas Eve, the ‘ Julenisse ’, brings presents to the children. 

During the month of December, children wait eagerly for ‘ Jul ’, that is how they call Christmas.

The Norwegians wish each other God Jul! which means Happy Christmas!

Christmas in Iceland

In Iceland, children put their shoes on the windowsill so the ‘ Juletide Lads’ , the Santa Claus, fills the shoes with little goodies. 

Christmas celebrations in Iceland start on 24th of December, Christmas eve. Families get together and enjoy good food and many visit midnight mass.

Christmas in Portugal

The Portuguese celebrate Christmas on 24th of December. Houses are decorated for Christmas and many families put up a nativity scene (presépio), where Baby Jesus is added to the crib after the family attends Midnight mass. Children put out their shoes for Baby Jesus, not Santa, and gifts are exchanged after the family has attended a Christmas service on Christmas eve. In some towns and villages, the community gathers  then also around a fire in the church car park that has been lit and wish each other ' Feliz Natal' . Read more here.

Christmas markets are not this common in Portugal, however, the capital city Lisbon is known for its huge artificial tree has been which is sparkling with with thousands of green lights.

Christmas in the Philippines

In the Philippines there is a special tradition of having a Christmas lantern, which is called ‘ paról ’; the lantern is star-shaped, remembering the star of Bethlehem, and mainly made out of bamboo and paper. In the image below you can see how the lanterns look. 

The Christmas lanterns are on sale during Christmas time in the many markets in the Philippines.

Christmas around the World: Singapore

In Singapore, about two in ten people are Christians. Christmas, however, is very commercialised in Singapore and Christmas decorations are abundant in the city with masses of tiny fairy light decorations. 

Stunning decorations can be seen everywhere in the main shopping district, Orchard Road as you can see in the image below. Or visit the Gardens on the Bay for a truly stunning Christmas Wonderland with light installations and concert. The display there is open until 26 December.

Christmas around the World: Australia

In Australia , it is  tradition in the weeks up to Christmas to join in Christmas picnics organized by various churches and sing Christmas carols on the beach. As Australia is in the southern hemisphere, the festive season is during summer time and thus it is easy to understand that during Christmas time friends and family often gather at the beach.

Young people, families and friends gathering in Bondi Beach near Sydney on Christmas Day.

Christmas in Brazil

In Brazil , you will often find a ‘ presepio ’, a crib or nativity scene, in front of a church. ‘ Papai Noel ’, or Father Christmas, travels from Greenland to Brazil to give presents to Brazilian kids. Many cities display Christmas trees during the month leading up to the ‘’ and often the year end is celebrated with fireworks. The floating Christmas tree in Rio de Janeiro is said to be the largest Christmas tree in the world. It will be lighted on 14 December 2019.

In Brazil, you say ‘ Bom Natal’ or ‘ Boas Festes ’ if you wish somebody Merry Christmas.

Christmas in South Africa

In South Africa, the weeks before Christmas, people celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December. On Christmas Day the family gathers at a ‘braai’, which is the South African version of a barbecue (BBQ). In South Africa it is summer season in December. Many people visit Christmas mass on Christmas day as well. There are few natural Christmas trees, but some people put up decorated artificial trees in their homes.

Many shopping centres are transformed with Christmas decorations. Above you can see the modern Christmas tree which was standing in front of the V&A Waterfront Shopping Centre in Cape Town. In 2019, however, the shopping centre is decorated with African crafts such as woven baskets made by the Zulu people and other installations by local designers who use recycled material.

There are many festive concerts as well as gifts and arts & crafts markets held during the weeks leading up to Christmas Day.

Read more about Christmas in Cape Town here.

Christmas around the World: Christmas in the USA

In December many families decorate their houses with Christmas ornaments and Christmas lights. Read more about Christmas traditions here.

Christmas is celebrated on 25th December. On Christmas Day, families get together for a festive meal after exchanging gifts.

It is customary to send and give Christmas cards. People write on cards: 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Merry Xmas!' 

Xmas stands for Christmas, the X originates from the Greek letter ' Chi ' which represents the word ' Christós ' or  Χριστός  which means Christ in English.

Read here how people wish Merry Christmas in other languages.

Fun Christmas time in the ice-rink at Rockefeller Centre in New York City.

Image credits for Christmas Around the World : own images and shutterstock.com

Back from Christmas Around the World to KidsWorldTravelGuide Homepage

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