Best Family Holiday Destinations
Discovering new places, enjoying new experiences and immersing in new cultures – travelling with the kids in tow is a sure way to create memories that last a lifetime. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed beach escape or an action-packed adventure, here are eight of the best family holiday destinations.
Fiji
Just a short flight from the East Coast, sunny Fiji is a holiday mecca for Aussie families. The friendly locals love kids and will go out of their way to ensure your family getaway is one to remember.
Where to go: Fijian holidays are best spent by the beach or pool, although there are plenty of day tours to entice the older kids, such as the Sigatoka River Safari and Sleeping Giant Zipline. Plus, Fijian resorts are famous for their childminding offerings, giving mum and dad a chance to pamper at the spa or treat themselves to some well-deserved cocktails.
Where to stay: Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort is a firm favourite, having been named the #1 Best Family Resort in Fiji for several years running. The Naviti Resort offers a budget-friendly choice, while Radisson Blu Resort Fiji Denarau Island is a great option for families seeking accommodation close to the airport.
Gold Coast
Sandy beaches, fun-filled theme parks, wildlife encounters – you name it, you’ll find it on the Gold Coast. No wonder it’s Australia’s ultimate family-friendly holiday spot!
Where to go: No family holiday to the Gold Coast is complete without a visit to its iconic theme parks. Trust that the little ones will love meeting their favourite characters, while bigger kids will have a blast braving the thrill rides! Awe-inspiring animal moments await at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Sea World, and you can’t go past a day at the beach – Tallebudgera Creek is perfect for families, thanks to its clear, gentle waters.
Where to stay: Complete with an ice-skating rink, waterpark and games room, the aptly named Paradise Resort Gold Coast is a wonderland for kids and parents alike. For those seeking home comforts, like the ability to cook your own meals, the Gold Coast has no shortage of apartment-style accommodations.
Bali
Beautiful Bali offers both relaxation and adventure, all rolled up in one perfect holiday package. With so much on offer, Bali is a great destination for multi-generational families.
Where to go: Energetic kids will love Bali attractions like Waterbom waterpark and Bali Safari and Marine Park, whereas parents and grandparents won’t be able to resist the cheap shopping, food and drinks, and spa treatments. While in Bali, get the family together to learn something new, whether that’s by joining a cooking, yoga or surfing class, or visiting a temple for an insight into local culture.
Where to stay: Bali is famous for its villa-style accommodations, which give the entire family room to stretch out. If you’re travelling with younger children, opt for the resort haven of Nusa Dua to avoid the throngs of tourists. Both Mulia Resort Nusa Dua and The Westin Resort Nusa Dua offer plenty of kid-friendly amenities for a stress-free stay.
Phuket
Tropical weather, easy-going locals, diverse attractions and a range of resorts to suit every budget make Phuket an all-time favourite family holiday destination.
Where to go: Snorkelling, zip lining, elephant sanctuaries, temples, water parks and so much more – there’s something for every member of the family on this sun-soaked holiday island. Of course, with 35+ beaches to choose from, a beach day is a must while holidaying in Phuket, and Karon, Kata and Kamala are particularly good for families with younger kids. For a family-friendly nighttime activity, Phuket FantaSea delivers a glitzy Las Vegas-style take on Thai culture that’s sure to impress the whole crew.
Where to stay: Families with younger children should skip Patong and favour the more kid-friendly areas of Karon and Kata. Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket offers plenty of family fun, thanks to its sprawling water park, complete with a lazy river, multiple waterslides, a kid’s pool and an adults-only pool with a swim-up bar.
Singapore
If you’re looking for a family holiday that combines adventure with authentic culture, you can’t go past Singapore. This city-state may be small, but it sure packs a punch when it comes to family fun.
Where to go: Kids and parents alike will love Singapore landmarks such as Gardens by the Bay, the ArtScience Museum and the Singapore Flyer observation wheel. Catch the cable car over to Sentosa Island, which is essentially heaven for families. After all, this is where you’ll find attractions like Universal Studios Singapore, Adventure Cove Waterpark, S.E.A Aquarium and Skyline Luge Sentosa, along with plenty of kid-friendly restaurants and beaches.
Where to stay: Place yourself in the thick of the action by staying on Sentosa. The island’s popular integrated resort, Resorts World Sentosa, has seven hotels to choose from, in addition to a host of world-class facilities. Meanwhile, families seeking luxury will love Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa and Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa.
Hawaii
Palm-fringed beaches, immersive cultural moments and rugged outdoor adventures: it’s easy to see why Hawaii is considered heaven on Earth for families craving an experience-rich tropical holiday.
Where to go: World-famous Waikiki Beach is a firm family favourite, and for good reason. Surf lessons, canoe rides and sandcastle-making will keep the little ones busy while mum and dad catch up on holiday reads or work on their tan. Visit Hollywood movie sites and join ziplining, horse riding and UTV tours at Kualoa Ranch and don’t miss the chance to engage with local culture at a traditional luau, held at resorts across the islands.
Where to stay: Family-friendly resorts abound in Hawaii, especially in Waikiki. Sheraton Waikiki spoils with dedicated kids and adults pools, water sports and cultural activities like ukelele classes, lei making and hula lessons. Hilton Hawaiian Village is another excellent choice, with water slides, a saltwater lagoon, 18 restaurants and bars and weekly fireworks.
Vanuatu
Families with a keen sense of adventure need to add Vanuatu to their radar. This South Pacific oasis is a little further off the beaten path, yet it’s just a few hours’ flight from the East Coast of Australia!
Where to go: Travelling with teens who get bored easily? They won’t be in Vanuatu! This destination is a thrill seeker’s paradise, with activities like ash boarding, scuba diving, ziplining and canyoneering all on offer. If you need to cool off after all of this action, be sure to visit one of Vanuatu’s famous freshwater blue holes – the Blue Lagoon near the capital of Port Vila is perhaps the most accessible.
Where to stay: Warwick Le Lagon Vanuatu is a great choice for families of all shapes and sizes, with three pools, two tennis courts, a golf course, water sports and a kids club on offer. Families wanting a taste of private island life will love Iririki Island Resort which offers dedicated family rooms and exceptional facilities, plus the convenience of being just three minutes from the mainland.
Cairns
Gateway to two extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites, Cairns is the ultimate tropical playground and the perfect destination for families seeking a holiday close to home.
Where to go: You can’t holiday in Cairns without visiting the Great Barrier Reef. An outer reef cruise is a firm favourite amongst tweens and teens, while families with younger children will have a blast at Green or Fitzroy Island. For a taste of the rainforest, catch the Kuranda Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda Village, which is packed with family-friendly attractions, including heritage markets, a koala garden, riverboat rides and a butterfly sanctuary.
Where to stay: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort is celebrated as the best family resort in the Cairns region, thanks to its central location, large tropical lagoon-style pool and VIK (Very Important Kids) program. Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns is another excellent option, with three swimming pools, two tennis courts and specially designed family rooms.
Make family holiday planning easy with My Holiday
Whether your family are the type to spend holidays lazing on the beach or seeking out every thrill available, My Holiday has an adventure to suit. Our perfectly packaged holidays include stays at family-favourite resorts across the globe and plenty of extras the whole family will love, like resort credits, epic experiences and more.
Get in touch with our Holiday Experts or check out our latest Hot Deals to start planning the family holiday of your dreams.
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