The Christmas break is the perfect opportunity to plan a family holiday, but we all know how expensive and difficult it can be to organise an international getaway. Fortunately, Australia is home to exciting cities and beautiful landscapes that will keep even the fussiest family happily entertained for an extended period of time.
We consulted with the travel experts at Wotif to determine the best family holiday destinations for Christmas 2019. “Wotif has crunched the numbers and analysed the predicted average daily rates over the upcoming Christmas and New Year holiday period,” says Wotif travel expert Chris Milligan. “The figures prove that while there’s lots on over the summer, a holiday with the family doesn’t need to break the budget.”
Perth, WA: accommodation on average $156 a night*
“The beautiful beaches of Perth skirt the coastline with barely a break from North Fremantle to Mullaloo. With plenty of family-friendly options available in the city, you can set off to your favourite beach for a picnic or barbecue, enjoy the national parks and waterways close to the city, or laze away in Perth CBD at a courtyard bar or on the foreshore,” says Chris.
“Whether you hire a bike and explore all that the city has to offer, cruise up the coast by car or take a day a day trip over to the beautiful Rottnest Island, Perth is the perfect base for an affordable family escape during the summer holiday season.”
Cairns, QLD: accommodation on average $165 a night*
“From the reef and the rainforest to the cosmopolitan town centre, take advantage of the good value on offer during the wet season in Cairns. Pick up some great Christmas gifts at The Esplanade Saturday markets, or bring in the new year with the kids at the free Cairns Esplanade NYE family event including fireworks, food stalls and entertainment.”
Newcastle, NSW: accommodation on average $181 a night*
“Escape the chaos of Sydney and head to Newcastle for some of the best surfing beaches, incredible views and Newcastle’s own vibrant arts, dining and bar culture. Visit the excellent Newcastle museum, behind the harbour to experience the town’s rich industrial past, or hop aboard the replica of the city’s original 1923 tram for a city tour, including the beaches and historical sites with insightful commentary on Newcastle old and new.”
Great Ocean Road, VIC: accommodation on average $248 a night*
“There’s beauty and adventure as far as the eye can see along the Great Ocean Road. Less than a three-hour drive from Melbourne lies one of Australia’s most famous sights, the 12 Apostles, a series of spectacular limestone spires rising out of the ocean. Beyond this, you can expect to find famous surf beaches and colonies of wild koalas. From Torquay to Portland there are hundreds of beaches to choose from and plenty for the family to enjoy, with accommodation options to suit all families.”
Coffs Harbour, NSW: accommodation on average $201 a night*
“Coffs Harbour, located on NSW’s mid-north coast is one of those classic Aussie beach break destinations. Whether you want to teach the kids to surf, build a sandcastle or have a beachside BBQ, it is the perfect base for a summer holiday. Make yourself at home at one of the many family friendly beaches or walk to the nearby Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve. Plus, no trip to Coffs is complete without a stop at the Big Banana.”
Townsville, QLD: accommodation on average $131 a night*
“Located on the north-eastern coast of Queensland, Townsville is the largest urban centre north of the Sunshine Coast. The wide variety of activities on offer makes it a great place to visit for a holiday with your family,” says Chris. “Visit the Museum of Tropical North Queensland for displays on living in the tropics or take a deep dive at Reef HQ, the largest living coral reef aquarium in the world.”
Darwin, NT: accommodation on average $120 a night*
“Darwin is truly magical all year round, but the city cranks it up a notch during summer, with spectacular tropical sunsets and breathtaking summer storms. Whether you’re a nature lover, an avid foodie, enjoy fishing, an art aficionado or a history buff, there’s plenty on offer in Darwin to rest and unwind form the year that has been.”
Geelong, VIC: accommodation on average $212 a night*
“About an hour and a half drive away from Melbourne, the ocean front town of Geelong is a nice destination to spend time together and make precious memories with fun activities for the whole family. Cruise into the Geelong and Bellarine region and discover a kids’ wonderland, full of seaside playgrounds and adventure parks, beaches, bushland and gardens,” says Chris.
“See the region’s marine life in natural surrounds, hop on a boat tour to watch dolphins, seals and local birdlife as they go about their day, or choose a sunny day and take the kids on a ride along the Bellarine Rail Trail.”
Hervey Bay, QLD: accommodation on average $189 a night*
“Hervey Bay is known as Queensland’s whale-watching capital as it’s the only place in the world where the whales stay and play longer than the summer school holidays last. But it’s not all breaching and fin-slapping here, there are plenty of on-land activities for the whole family to get involved in. With kilometres of parkland, bike paths and sandy shores overlooking the still waters of the bay, there is ample opportunity to rent bikes and ride the whole length of the 14km long pathway from Urangan to Gatakers Bay or break it up into smaller sections and discover piers, views, parks and playgrounds along the way.”
“The World Heritage-listed Fraser Island is also just a 45-minute ferry ride away, for families looking for more of an outdoor adventure.”
Swansea,TAS: accommodation on average $205 a night*
“With its natural beauty, spectacular landscapes and long beautiful beaches, Tasmania’s east coast offers a unique coastal experience for families. Along the coast you can discover the beautiful beaches of the Bay of Fires, along with historic townships like Swansea and Bicheno and fresh seafood – all on one of the best scenic coastal drives in the country. With five national parks that spread along the coast including Freycinet National Park with its pink granite mountains, white beaches and crystal-clear sea, there are a range of activities and adventures to choose from, for the perfect family getaway.”
*Best-value destinations are based on the average daily rate for 3 – 5 star-rated and self-rated accommodation demand on Wotif.com for travel from 1 December 2018 to 31 January 2019 for the described destinations. Prices shown are in Australian dollars and are not the rates displayed on the site. Rates are subject to accommodation selections made, and were accurate at the time of publication.
Looking for other family-friendly holiday ideas? Why not embark on a Disney-themed adventure and visit the cities that inspired the blockbuster movies?
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