Great Australian family holiday's made easy

Family Holidays are one of life’s great joys; spending time away from the distractions and dramas of day-to-day life and reconnecting with each other, as well as the simpler things in life. Whether you’ve got toddlers or teenagers in tow, a family adventure need not be stressful, given there are so many options to choose from, both in our own backyard and further afield.

This handy guide has got something for everyone, whether you are longing for a tropical island getaway, a glamping adventure in the great outdoors or an activity-filled city break. The common thread throughout though is that each and every destination will provide the perfect setting in which to enjoy each other’s company and make some lasting family memories.

Mirage Whitsundays

Get away from it all with a trip to one of Australia’s most luxurious resorts, the multi-award-winning Mirage Whitsundays Resort. Located on the serene waterfront of Airlie Beach, Queensland, Mirage Whitsundays offers guests a choice of opulent five-star waterfront apartments, villas and penthouses that provide luxurious contemporary living.

The spacious self-contained serviced apartments enjoy access to the best in resort facilities, ensuring that you will want for nothing during your stay. There are 2 lagoon swimming pools, a gymnasium and a luxurious day spa.

Known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Airlie Beach offers breath-taking panoramic views of the Whitsundays archipelago, which can be enjoyed from the comfort of your premium accommodation.

So, whether it’s luxurious break for the whole family or a romantic getaway, Mirage Whitsundays Resort is the perfect choice.

PHONE 1300 088 988 | WEB miragewhitsundays.com.au

Eurobodalla

From Batemans Bay to Moruya and Narooma, Eurobodalla is a stunning stretch of coastline boasting uncrowded beaches, river estuaries and ancient headlands. One of Australia’s best holiday destinations, families can discover 83 beaches, four major river systems, islands, vast tracks of national park and state forest, and an abundance of wildlife.

Cruise the Clyde River, the cleanest of all the major rivers on Australia’s east coast and famous for its oysters. Fill up on cheese and fresh farm products that are a highlight of these parts. Explore historic villages like Central Tilba, Bodalla and Mogo, where you can relax in cafes, wander through craftgalleries and snap up local artworks.

Just off Narooma’s coast is Montague Island, a haven for mammals and birdlife, where the clear waters teem with fish and a huge colonyof fur seals entertain snorkellers. Potato Point and South Durras are meccas for kangaroos, wallabies and echidnas.

Discover Eurobodalla and bring out your better nature.

PHONE 1800 802 528 | WEB eurobodalla.com.au

Doma Hotels

If you’re wondering what to do on your next short break that promises something for the whole family, look no further than Doma Hotels’ VIP Kids package.

Designed for even the most discerning of children, the package includes:

Overnight accommodation

VIP kids check-in with Experience Passport

A kids tent with bedding set up in the lounge area of your room

Buffet breakfast per adult booked

Kids under 12 eat breakfast free

A popcorn machine for use during your stay

Secure undercover parking for one car

Free wifi and on-demand movies

Late checkout

Once you’ve settled in, some of Canberra’s best-loved attractions are easily within reach, from the fascinating Questacon to the Australian War Memorial’s vast and moving collection to go-kart racing. And when you are finished with all of these, there’s a fabulous selection of galleries, restaurants, shopping and parks close by to enjoy as well.

PHONE 02 6163 1888 | W E B domahotels.com.au

Noonaweena

Noonaweena is an eco-certified bush retreat nestled in the New South Wales Central Coast hinterland.

Situated just an hour from Sydney means there are no long car rides to endure, yet the tranquility of the 100 acre property provides a much-needed escape from city life.

Its four elegant group-accommodation lodges cater to everyone from couples to large family groups of up to 32 people.

Guests can choose from self-catered or catered stay options, and have access to the restful Nourished Day Spa for pampering massages or facials.

There are also plenty of activities to d onsite including tennis, bush walking, mountain bike tours, swimming pools and outdoor Jacuzzis, ensuring lasting family memories will be made at Noonaweena’s unique ‘resting place in the bush’.

PHONE 02 4376 1290 | WEB noonaweena.com.au

Rottnest Island

Located 19km off the coast of Perth (and just 25 minutes from Fremantle), Rottnest Island feels a million miles from everything. Rediscover life’s simple pleasures as you follow a sandy track, run barefoot through the waves or experience intriguing wildlife along the Wadjemup Bidi, a network of picturesque walk trails.

As an A-Class Nature Reserve surrounded by the sparkling Indian Ocean, Rottnest is home to 63 beaches and 20 secluded bays, as well as its most friendly resident, the quokka; the cute marsupial has made the Island is world-famous (Huffington Post recently dubbed the quokka the “happiest animal on earth".

Relax beach-side, snorkel through vibrant coral reefs and shipwrecks, climb a lighthouse, or fish for delicious local seafood. Bicycles are the most common mode of transport which makes it perfect for families wanting to stay active and get back to nature.

PHONE 08 9432 9300 | WEB rottnestisland.com

Wilpena Pound Resort

Only half a day’s drive north of Adelaide, Wilpena Pound is an extraordinary 800-million-year-old natural amphitheatre situated in the heart of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, traditional homeland of the Adnyamathanha, or Yura, people.

The Wilpena Pound Resort serves as the only accommodation within the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and includes hotel rooms, ‘glamping’ safari tents and campsites, as well as scenic flights that provide breathtaking views of Wilpena Pound and the surrounding National Park.

As one of only a few Aboriginal owned and operated resorts in the country, the hallmark feature here is its Aboriginal cultural experiences; visitors to Wilpena Pound Resort set off on a journey with the Traditional Owners to uncover the rich history and mystique of ancient and contemporary Aboriginal culture. Yura guides provide unrivalled insight into their timeless land, which is one of Australia’s true natural wonders.

PHONE 1800 805 802 | WEB wilpenapound.com.au

Holiday Haven Tourist Parks

Only two to three hours drive from Sydney or Canberra, Holiday Haven’s 12 tourist parks make escaping to the scenic South Coast of NSW a breeze. With beach, lake and riverfront locations, the parks are conveniently located in or close to major South Coast townships including Kangaroo Valley, Berry, Huskisson and Ulladulla.

With easy access to waterways and national parks, guests can explore ample bush walking trails, enjoy more than 100 unspoilt beaches or make a splash at surfing, fishing, kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddle boarding.A full range of accommodation options are available from campsites to luxury camping with ensuite facilities, glamping in safari tents or fully self-contained cabins with water views.

The are a variety of onsite recreational facilities on offer including jumping pillows, splash pads, swimming pools, children’s playgrounds, mini golf, and organised school holiday activities. There really is something for all the family at Holiday Haven Tourist Parks.

WEB holidayhaven.com.au

Kingfisher Bay Resort

Kingfisher Bay Resort is the perfect base for your next family adventure, with World Heritage-listed wilderness to explore, endless activities to enjoy from the resort, and immersive nature experiences for all ages.

Fraser Island offers breath-taking scenery guaranteed to impress, outdoor options that get teens away from their screens, and picture-perfect moments for the whole family. The resort’s renowned Junior Eco Rangers program is as popular with parents as it is with the kids; mum and dad can relax with a drink as experienced rangers take their children out on an interactive nature experience.

In fact, the entertainment options at Kingfisher Bay Resort are endless:

Junior Eco Rangers program

Canoe paddle

Archery and laser skirmish

Ranger-guided walks

Hiking and fishing

Bush tucker talk & taste

Whale watching cruises (Aug-Oct)

PHONE 07 4120 3333 | WEB kingfisherbay.com

Noosa

You can’t help but fall in love with Noosa, the relaxation capital of Australia! From beautiful beaches to jumping headfirst into a new adventure each day, it has everything you need to relax.

Explore bays and rock pools along Noosa National Park’s coastal tracks – you might even spot dolphins, turtles or a koala up in the tall eucalypts. Australia Zoo, Aussie World, The Ginger Factory, SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast Aquarium and Big Kart Track are all within easy reach, or discover the beautiful Noosa Everglades and World Heritage-listed Fraser Island. The whole family can learn to stand-up paddle along Noosa’s river, try surfing at the calm Noosa Main Beach or learn to sail.

Accommodation here caters to all budgets, from riverfront camping to five star beachfront properties, family-friendly apartments to hinterland B&Bs; there are even houseboats!

A Noosa holiday will create moments and memories the whole family will treasure.

PHONE 1300 0 NOOSA | WEB visitnoosa.com.au

From cabins to canvas, craft distillers to destination dining, Heathcote locals reveal their eco-savvy passions in ways that resonate with those seeking to travel lightly.

Heathcote , on traditional Taungurung Country in Central Victoria, is synonymous with its garnet-hued shiraz, but wine isn’t the only string to its bow. The town itself is sprinkled with heritage buildings from the gold rush era, and beyond that a growing collection of sustainable gastronomy and eco-friendly escapes. Nearby Bendigo, one of only 65 cities in the world recognised as a UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy, plates up an astonishing calibre of produce, wine and food for its size. Increasingly the entire region is taking up the challenge, though Heathcote in particular shines with its focus on sustainability.

Pink Cliffs GeologicalReserve — The dramatic landscape of Heathcote’s Pink Cliffs Geological Reserve. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Goodfrey)

The eco-stays bringing sustainability to Heathcote

Yellow BoxWood’s safari-style tents — Yellow Box Wood’s safari-style tents are nestled on 40 hectares of bushland. (Image: Emily Goodfrey)

Andee and Lisa Davidson spent years working in southern Africa before settling in Heathcote. “We had a vision of how this could be,” explains Andee. “We wanted a retreat, but one that was off-grid and environmentally sustainable.” Now, at Yellow Box Wood , two luxury safari-style tents are at the heart of 40 hectares of rolling hills and native bush, with kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, goanna and birdlife aplenty. It’s all solar-powered, wood for the fire is mainly fallen timber, and water is collected on the carport roof. No lack of creature comforts though – en suite with rain shower, espresso coffee maker, comfy seating, wood-burning fire all set to go. There’s also a solar-heated, mineral salt pool in a bush setting, walking tracks, and even a mini bush golf course. On my visit, I put the vision to the test. Cocooned in the plush four-poster bed I can glimpse the stars, while the heater casts a golden glow on the canvas. In the morning, I wake to a blush-pink sunrise, kangaroos feeding and a soundtrack of magpies.

If a tent is not your style, Stephen and Cally Trompp’s carbon-neutral Mt Ida Eco Cabin might entice with its generous deck and farmland views. Inside the cabin, corrugated iron walls as rusty as a shearing shed, gleaming (recycled) floorboards, timber truss ceiling (crafted by Stephen), wood-fired heater and an old-school turntable with a pile of vinyls to spin. It’s fun, and a little boho. “Everything is recycled. The cabin takes maximum advantage of the sun in winter. It’s all solar-powered. Don’t panic, though,” says Stephen, “you can still charge your phone and get 4G reception!” Settle into an Adirondack chair on the deck or pedal off on a mountain bike to suss out the wineries.

A taste of Spain in Central Victoria

Another person with a vision is Evan Pritchard at his Three Dams Estate where the wines reflect his deep love of Spain and of Spanish-style grapes, such as tempranillo. Afternoons in the ‘wine shed’ or cantina are matched with music (flamenco is a favourite), Spanish bites from tapas to paella (with Evan on the pans!) and views to Mount Alexander. Sustainability is also a passion. “You don’t need to buy anything. We decided to be off-grid from the start, but it is a lifestyle change,” he says. “You need to think about it and be careful.” Everything here is recycled, reassembled, refurbished. Evan has an electric car (with solar-powered charger), solar-power for the winery, and even a jaunty little electric tractor/forklift. “I love the idea of all the things you can do using the sun.” Sipping a crisp rosado (a Spanish rosé) with Evan in the sunshine, I couldn’t agree more.

The vineyard redefining sustainable winemaking

Silver Spoon winery — The Silverspoon Estate winery is completely off-grid. (Image: Graham Hosking)

On the other side of Heathcote, Silver Spoon Estate demonstrates sustainability on a more extensive scale. Tracie and Peter Young’s winery, cellar door, award-winning restaurant and their own house are all solar-powered and off the grid. Sustainability is intrinsic to everything they do. The property sprawls across 100 hectares, with 20 hectares under vine – shiraz, viognier, grenache, tempranillo. As the climate has changed, so too has the approach. These are dry-grown vineyards. “We prune for drought. That means lower yields but more intense flavours,” says Peter. The fine-dining restaurant offers sweeping views, a wood-burning fire and a deck for languid lunches. Head chef Ben Hong sources regional, sustainable ingredients and weaves estate wines into the menu – think crispy wild mushroom arancini, viognier-infused chicken breast.

Silver Spoon’s award-winning restaurant.

Heathcote’s other hidden gems

Not all local wineries have a cellar door, but I find local treasures at the Heathcote Wine Hub , a petite 1855 timber church in the main street, lovingly returned to life by Karen Robertson and Carey Moncrieff. “Carey is a scrounger,” says Karen. “He doesn’t throw a single thing away.” He does, however, craft things into something quite special. Heritage floors, light-filtering lancet windows and shelves of regional wines create the perfect ambience for wine tasting. Or order a glass and linger over a cheese platter.

Heathcote is not all wine, of course. Nathan Wheat and partner Vanessa Curtis run Envy Distilling with a committed sustainable ethic – and a serious love of gin. Their small-batch distillery produces grape-based gin, and soon brandy. Distilled water is reused in an ingenious cooling system. All waste is treated on site. They buy excess wine from winemakers to distil and buy recycled barrels. “Distilling with the sun,” as Nathan says. Each Envy gin has its own story. Spicy, award-winning The Dry, is designed to capture the region’s dry, rugged nature. Pull up a stool at the bar (reclaimed timbers and tiles, of course), order a Gin Flight, or kick back with a cocktail and let Nathan share his eco journey.

Envy gins — Sample gins at small-batch distillery Envy.

A traveller’s checklist

Getting there

It’s less than two hours’ drive from Melbourne. The scenic route we take goes past Sunbury, then along a splendid country road through Romsey and the magic, boulder-strewn landscape of Lancefield. Watch for kangaroos on the road!

Staying there

Go off-grid in style at Yellow Box Wood for glamping or try Mt Ida Eco Cabin for a couple’s weekend hideaway.

Eating there

French dishes at Chauncy — Award-winning French restaurant Chauncy.

At award-winning Chauncy , French chef Louis Naepels and sommelier wife Tess Murray have created a tiny, elegant pocket of rural France. Meticulously restored 1850s sandstone building, sun-drenched dining room, impeccable service, a menu suffused with local flavours and thoughtful wine pairings.

Fodder is both cafe and social hub. Chef Mo Pun and sister Lalita serve classic Aussie breakfast-to-lunch fare, though their Nepalese heritage sneaks through.

Playing there

Sanguine Estate ’s cellar door and terrace overlook bucolic vineyards. Its award-winning, dry-grown wines include the distinctive D’Orsa Blanc dessert wine, reflecting the family’s Swiss-Italian heritage. Order a charcuterie board and stay a while. Keep it carbon neutral by cycling some (or all) of the 50-kilometre O’Keefe Rail Trail to Bendigo.

At Bridgeward Grove , learn about the property’s Old Mission Grove heritage olive trees, do a sommelier olive oil tasting, and stock up on sustainably grown olives and oil. Explore the unique landscape, wildflowers and wildlife of pink cliffs geological reserve.

Great Australian family holidays made easy