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Holidays with children don’t have to be a misnomer – it all comes down to choosing the right place to unpack your suitcase and stroller. We’ve uncovered the best spots in Australia that cater to all your family needs, including wildlife, safe beaches, ice cream and kids’ clubs. Oh, and wine for the adults.
1. Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges, Victoria
An hour’s drive from Melbourne puts you in the clean air of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges where magic, nature and wineries await. Plan a day trip to the Healesville Sanctuary to see koalas, kangaroos, wombats, emus, dingoes, birds of prey and platypuses. Or stay longer and choose from trout fishing, amazing parks, playgrounds and bike trails, wine tasting, the chocolaterie and ice creamery, Hedgend Maze and a ride on the Puffing Billy Steam Railway through lush rainforest and fern gullies viewed from open-sided carriages. Visityarravalley.com.au
2. Daydream Island Resort, Queensland
Following an extensive $100 million redevelopment Daydream Island Resort is relaunching bigger and better than ever. Located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, guests can dive into a snorkelling adventure at any time of the day and explore the Whitsundays and surrounding reef or lounge by the revitalised pool landscape. The kids will be entertained with endless options at the premium resort, including the iconic Living Reef, an outdoor cinema and kids club. There are three relaxed dining options and the choice of interconnecting rooms to stay in for families. Opening in April 2019, daydreamisland.com
3. Coral Bay/Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
If packed water rides and adventure parks are not your idea of a good time, but you love being outdoors, head to Australia’s other stunning reef – Ningaloo in Western Australia. This has all the soft white sand and jaw-dropping blue waters you could want minus the crowds, and the kids can snorkel, scuba dive (for the teenagers), quad bike, swim with manta rays in the marine park and explore rock pools. Visitningaloo.com.au
4. Alice Springs/ The Red Centre, Northern Territory
Lonely Planet recently named the red centre one of the best places to visit on the planet in 2019 and it’s a place to make memories the kids will remember forever. As well as visiting the ‘jewel in the crown’ Uluru, Alice Springs is surprisingly kid-friendly in an entirely unique way. Learn rich Aboriginal history and culture together in the art centres (where the kids can make dot paintings) and go off the beaten track with a 4WD trip into the desert for a real adventure: swimming in gorges, eating bush foods and sleeping in swags under the stars. Northernterritory.com
5. Byron Bay, New South Wales
There’s a reason Byron Bay is a hugely popular family destination: it’s possibly the most relaxing place to visit in Oz. It’s a fabulous food and beachside destination for both kids and adults, and has accommodation to suit all budgets. There are so many family things to do, include hiring bikes, visiting the Crystal Castle, Byron Bay markets, Knockrow Castle and The Farm where the kids can pet animals and you can enjoy delicious food and coffee. Visitbyronbay.com
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