School holidays and the Easter weekend period is the ideal time for a family getaway, and this year if you take just three days of annual leave, you’ll end up with a whole ten days off, the perfect excuse to pile into the car (or aeroplane) and take off to your favourite holiday destination.
So hop to it! Check out our list of the top family-friendly holiday destinations around the country below, put in your annual leave request at work and book your ideal Easter escape.
South East Queensland
The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s favourite family holiday destinations. With miles of endless beaches, plenty of shopping and dining and the thrilling Gold Coast theme parks just moments away, this is the top spot for an Easter break.
Gold Coast accommodation:
Anywhere that has the word “Sunshine” in its name is bound to be a winning destination, and the Sunshine Coast definitely lives up to its name. Dotted with seaside suburbs boasting beautiful beaches and attractions such as Australia Zoo, Aussie World and Sea Life Mooloolaba, this is one of our favourite family-friendly holiday destinations.
Sunshine Coast accommodation:
The River City, Brisbane, has so much to be discovered! Head to South Bank for a swim at Streets Beach or a show at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), visit Fortitude Valley’s cool laneways and dining hotspots, or enjoy a riverside dining experience at Eagle Street Pier.
Brisbane accommodation:
Credit: Tourism & Events Queensland
North Queensland
The Whitsundays is the perfect place for island hopping with the family. Stay in Airlie Beach, the perfect base to explore the Whitsunday Islands, and head out on a day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, a sailing adventure to Whitehaven Beach or a Jet Ski tour around the islands.
Airlie Beach accommodation:
Tropical North Queensland is a family holiday haven. Explore the Daintree Rainforest, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, shop and dine in Cairns or take the Kuranda Scenic Railway past mountains and waterfalls.
Cairns accommodation:
Northern NSW
The sleepy Salt Village is just a few minutes away from Kingscliff and approximately 20 minutes from the Gold Coast Airport. If you’re planning a holiday with the kids, this is the place to go. Hire bicycles and head off along the oceanfront pathways, pack a picnic or grab some fresh fish and chips and head to the beach, or simply relax by the pool at your resort.
Salt Beach accommodation:
There’s much more to Coffs Harbour than the Big Banana! Some of the top kid-approved things to do in Coffs Harbour include diving at the Solitary Islands Marine Park, picnicking at Jetty Beach and exploring the incredibly scenic Waterfall Way.
Coffs Harbour accommodation:
With 17 sparkling beaches, a Koala Hospital and the Timbertown Heritage Theme Park, Port Macquarie is a great choice for a family holiday, whether it’s over Easter, school holidays or any other time of the year!
Port Macquarie accommodation:
Credit: Destination NSW
Sydney and Surrounds
For a city break like no other, head to Sydney. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, visit Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, see a show at the Sydney Opera House or check out Darling Quarter's playground with water area, 21-metre flying fox and more.
Sydney accommodation:
Venture into the country for a relaxing family escape in the Southern Highlands. Explore national parks, visit charming towns or enjoy a fine dining experience at an award-winning restaurant.
Southern Highlands accommodation:
Albury
Whether you’re pulling into the grand colonial Albury Railway Station or flying into the Albury Airport, you will receive a warm welcome in the regional city of Albury. Some of the top Albury attractions include the Wodonga Creek Miniature Railway, Oddies Creek Adventure Playspace, MAMA (Murray Art Museum Albury) and riverboat cruises down the Murray River, making it perfect for family holidays.
Albury accommodation:
Canberra
Keen for a bit of culture? Canberra is the place to be! Visit the Australian War Memorial and Parliament House, take a guided tour of the Australian National Botanic Gardens or see the sun rise from a hot air balloon ride high above the city. These are only some of the many Canberra attractions to be discovered!
Canberra accommodation:
Melbourne and Surrounds
We could list all of the kids activities in Melbourne, but we’d run out of room! Of course there’s the famous Luna Park in St Kilda, but other popular Melbourne attractions include Pauline Gandel Children's Gallery at the Melbourne Museum, Wonderland Junior in the Docklands district, AFL games at the MCG and family-friendly performances at the Arts Centre Melbourne. Don’t forget to check out all of the school holiday events and programs popping up around the city!
Melbourne accommodation:
Hepburn Springs in Country Victoria is located in the middle of Australia’s largest concentration of mineral springs and is the perfect place for a relaxing family escape. Just an hour and a half from Melbourne, you can explore quaint villages, enjoy country-style hospitality, take a llama trek to Hanging Rock, browse galleries and studios and enjoy farm-fresh produce in this beautiful country setting.
Hepburn Springs accommodation:
One of the most beautiful drives in the world, the Great Ocean Road is the ideal spot to take the family these Easter holidays. From the lush wilderness of the Otway Ranges to the awe-inspiring 12 Apostles to the charming town of Lorne, there are endless things to do on the Great Ocean Road. If you’re planning on visiting over the Easter weekend, the Rip Curl Pro surfing competition is a must-see, taking place at the well-known Bells Beach in Torquay.
Great Ocean Road accommodation:
Credit: Visit Victoria
Adelaide
Amazing adventures await in Adelaide! Get up close and cuddly with the animals at Adelaide Zoo, taste chocolates at Haigh's Chocolates Visitor Centre or spend the day at Glenelg Beach enjoying an ice cream, playing beach volleyball or having fun at The Beachhouse family entertainment complex.
Adelaide accommodation:
Tasmania
Tasmania’s rugged beauty is enough to warrant a holiday here, but there’s plenty of other things to do in Tasmania besides admiring its beauty…
With its captivating beauty and historic past, Hobart is a family holiday hot-spot. Stroll around Battery Point near the waterfront, drive to the summit of Mount Wellington for panoramic views of the city or grab some grub at Salamanca Market.
Hobart accommodation:
From the rare natural phenomenon of Cataract Gorge to the majestic Tamar River and picturesque Tamar Valley to the creatures and devils at Tasmania Zoo, the number of things to do in Launceston with kids is limitless!
Launceston accommodation:
Surrounded by rainforests, glacial lakes and unique vegetation, Cradle Mountain is a stunning setting for an Easter holiday with the family. Embark on a horseback ride, soar overhead on a scenic flight or walk around Dove Lake or Lake St Clair and breathe in the clean, crisp air.
Cradle Mountain accommodation:
Credit: Tourism Tasmania
Darwin
The balmy climate in Darwin means that water play is a must, and where there’s water there are kids! Take your family on a holiday to Darwin and explore all of the top Darwin attractions including the Wave Lagoon, Recreation Lagoon, numerous recreation parks and Lake Alexander, a safe swimming spot. Other things to do in Darwin with kids include visiting the crocodiles at Crocodylus Park or Crocosaurus Cove, watching a movie under the stars at Deckchair Cinema or exploring the treehouse at George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens.
Darwin accommodation:
Western Australia
If Perth is on your family holiday bucket list, now’s the time to cross it off! With so many kids activities, Perth is the ideal place for a school holidays getaway. For budding scientists, Scitech is an absolute must. Hands-on exhibits, science shows and a puppet theatre are just some of the things the kids will enjoy. On hot days, head to Elizabeth Quay’s water play area or one of the many stunning Perth beaches. After an animal adventure? Check out the sprawling Perth Zoo, snap a selfie with a Quokka on Rottnest Island or visit the Western Australia Reptile Park.
Perth accommodation:
Keep the kids entertained on a family holiday to Geraldton! With playgrounds, a waterpark, sandy beaches and trendy cafes dotted along the foreshore, your little ones will be kept busy for hours. If that’s not enough, check out some of the other popular Geraldton attractions including Greenough Wildlife Park, Geraldton Aquarena and Point Moore Lighthouse or head about an hour out of town to Port Gregory’s Pink Lake called Hutt Lagoon.
Geraldton accommodation
Known as the ‘Pearl of the North’, Broome is a holiday oasis. From iconic Cable Beach sunset camel rides to the full moon illusion “Staircase to the Moon” to the majestic horizontal falls to learning how to cultivate South Sea pearls, Broome is filled with many unique experiences that the whole family will enjoy.
Broome accommodation
Credit: Greg Snell
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