How to holiday with a baby; your ultimate 4-step guide

So, you’re really doing it? You’re taking your little dictator, sorry, little bundle of joy, on holiday. Here’s a guide to help you make the holiday a happy one.

We commend your brave commitment to the pledge made by every parent when they first hear of bub’s imminent arrival – the pledge to continue living life as you always have, just with a small, sometimes shouty third wheel in tow.

Mum-dad-and-baby-in-pool — The ultimate guide to your first family trip.

While the thought of travelling with a baby can induce heart palpitations in even the most zen parents, if done right, it can be endlessly rewarding and there is, in fact, no good reason why you shouldn’t do it.

All it takes is a little preparation, a bit of research and a few positive mantras (just in case). Of course, there may still be the odd meltdown – it’ll just take place in a far more thrilling location.

Here is your ultimate need-to-know, nitty-gritty guide to your first family holiday.

1. Choose the best destination for a baby holiday

2. Find the best place to stay with a baby

3. How to prepare for a holiday with a baby

4. How to pack for a holiday with a baby

5. Survival tips

Family-on-Catseye-Beach, Hamilton Island — Hamilton Island has stunning, baby-friendly beaches and reef access for the whole family to enjoy.

Step one: choose the best destination for a baby holiday

A successful first family holiday often comes down to your choice of destination. If you’ve never flown or taken a long drive with your new bub before, it’s sage advice to pick a holiday within Australia that can be accessed in no more than a few hours.

There’s no point to arriving a frazzled mess, questioning your life choices, when a little planning can side-step travel trauma.

Remember, holidays are different now. You won’t be stumbling out of bars at 3am, trekking the wilderness or lounging by a pool from sunrise to sunset, so look for destinations that offer something the whole family can enjoy together.

Family restaurant, Hamilton Island — Gone are the days of intimate late night feasts, a baby friendly restaurant on holidays is your new best friend. (Image Hamilton Island)

Generally, that means cities don’t make the cut. Trundling around a concrete jungle in a stroller is probably not your child’s idea of a good time either.

To get you started, here are our top-five picks:

1. Hamilton Island: We love Hamilton Island, not only because it’s easily accessible, has stunning, baby-friendly beaches and reef access, but because it caters specifically to new parents. The resort island offers child-minding services, a 24-hour on-call doctor and even child seats for those super-fun golf buggies.

2. Noosa: Thanks to beautiful, stroller-accessible walks, gentle bays and plenty of activities, Noosa is a hot spot for families. If you’re feeling up for the challenge, camping here is also a safe and easy option.

3. Tasmania: While road trips are generally not a great idea for baby’s first holiday, Tassie’s smaller size makes them entirely achievable. Just be sure to drive for no more than an hour at a time before stopping to take in the stunning scenery and to let toddlers stretch those chubby legs.

4. Lord Howe Island: Gentle bays, activities and incredible wildlife make Lord Howe an unforgettable destination. Hop on a bike and explore or let baby splash in the shallows while you take in the view.

5. Byron Bay: Byron is a good middle ground for parents who still want a taste of their old life. There’s a cosmopolitan vibe going on, but also beautiful beaches and plenty of farm and rainforest excursions that are baby friendly.

Bridestowe Lavender Estate, Tasmania — Bridestowe Lavender Estate is one of the most spectacular vistas during flowering in December & January. (Image: Cultivate Productions)

Step two: find the best place to stay with a baby

Before you book your usual accommodation, complete with glass coffee table and un-fenced plunge pool, stop and assess your needs travelling with a potentially powerpoint-poking mini-me.

Often, serviced apartments are a great option, as a kitchenette makes meal prep and milk-heating easy. Usually baby’s breakfast and dinner will take place back at your accommodation, so a stovetop and bar fridge will be a lifesaver.

However, there are upsides to resorts and hotels, too. Firstly, they will usually have a cot and stroller available, as with Hamilton Island, so that’s one less thing to lug with you.

Hamilton Island also offers child-minding options and dedicated programs for kids, giving you a brief respite to holiday like you used to.

Child minding services, Hamilton Island — Baby minding services enable parents to have some time for a break. (Image Hamilton Island)

Wherever you end up, it’s good practice to do a quick baby-proofing as soon as you’ve dropped your bags, such as moving any breakable items out of reach, blocking access to electrical cords and removing any furniture that could be pulled down onto their tiny selves.

Step three: how to prepare for a holiday with a baby

Alright, you know where you’re going and where you’re staying, but what on earth do you do with an out-of-routine bub once you’re there? You can still follow your regular schedule, but try to allow for a bit of flexibility – you’re on holidays, after all.

You don’t want to have to race back from the beach for nap time. Instead, try getting your baby used to falling asleep in a stroller before you go.

Swimming with babies, Family Holdiay — Holidays with toddlers and baby’s can be great fun for everyone., if you have done your homework.

Putting them into a sleep bag and giving them their comforter will help to signal it’s time for a nap, but be prepared for them to resist the urge to sleep if they’re having too much fun.

If your little one is already walking, then before you go, make sure you know the location of a nearby playground and dedicate some time for your toddler to play and interact with other littlies each day.

Some dedicated time for running around means they’ll be more willing to spend a bit more time on the things you enjoy, too.

Having a bag packed with essentials and snacks can help to stretch out the time to an impending meltdown. You’d be surprised how long a packet of sultanas or a toys like the Tangerine Studio toys will buy you.

baby-in-suitcase — As a parent, you already know that babies come with more accessories than Barbie, so it’s about finding the best and lightest versions of the necessities.

Step four: how to pack for a holiday with baby

Of course, packing light is the goal. But as a parent, you already know that babies come with more accessories than Barbie, so it’s about finding the best and lightest versions of the necessities.

For example, according to mamonlineshop , there are only a couple of travel strollers compact enough to be allowed in the overhead bins on a plane. These may not be cheap, but if you plan to travel regularly over the next few years, they are worth the money.

It also pays to research the lightest travel cots. Some touted as travel cots are strangely heavy and cumbersome, so look around.

It’s worth remembering, however, that most airlines will allow you to take a certain number of bulky baby items free of charge. Prioritise what you really need to take, and the rest you can hire. It’s usually not worth taking a baby car seat, and high chairs are often available at your accommodation.

Once the big items are sorted, it’s just a matter of making sure you have the essentials. Bottles, formula, painkillers (should a tooth erupt mid-holiday), bedding, swim nappies, and, for the love of peace, do not forget their favourite soft toy or bunny rug! There’s also plenty of baby shops in cairns that you can check out if you’re looking to buy a new stroller or other baby products that you might need on your holiday.

Flying with a baby — The more you prepare for flying with a baby, the more likely it is going to be less stressful.

Survival tips for a holiday with a baby

Even the most meticulous planning can go awry, so check out these tried-and-tested tips:
1. If flying, be sure to breast- or bottle-feed your baby on the ascent and descent to help their ears little equalise. Or try sugar-free lollipops for toddlers.
2. Buy a new ‘emergency’ toy and keep it hidden. Reveal only in crisis meltdown mode.
3. If driving, do a few longer car trips in the lead up to your holiday.
4. Make a pack list and check it, twice.

And finally… relax. In years to come you’ll only remember the good parts.

This remote corner of Australia is one of the world’s last frontiers. This is how to see it properly.

Vast, rugged and deeply spiritual, the Kimberley coast in Australia’s North West feels a world away from everyday Australia – and there are countless ways to explore it. But if you want to reach ancient rock art, hidden gorges and lonely waterfalls, it has to be by boat. Whether you’re aboard a nimble expedition vessel or a luxury yacht with all the trimmings, exploring by the water brings exclusive experiences, shows unique views and makes travel easier than any other mode. And that’s just the beginning of Australia’s North West cruises.

The True North Adventure Cruise in between sandstone cliffs. — Adventure starts where the road ends.

1. Discover Broome, and beyond

Explore your launchpad before you set sail: Broome. Here camels and their riders stride along the 22 kilometres of powdery Cable Beach at sunset. That’s just the start.

At Gantheaume Point, red pindan cliffs plunge into the turquoise sea, whose low tide uncovers fossilised dinosaur footprints. Broome’s pearling history runs deep. Japanese, Chinese, Malay and Aboriginal divers once worked these waters, and their legacy lives on in boutiques where South Sea pearls still shine.

If the moon’s right, you may catch the Staircase to the Moon over Roebuck Bay. Or simply kick back with a cold beverage and a film under the stars at Sun Pictures , screening since 1916.

Ride a camel along Cable Beach as the sun sinks into the Indian Ocean, casting golden light across the sand and sea. — Ride a camel along Cable Beach. (Image: Nick Dunn)

2. Unmatched access to The Kimberley

Once you’re onboard, expect a backstage pass to some of the most isolated places on Earth. No roads. No ports. No phone reception.

At Horizontal Falls/ Garaanngaddim, 10-metre tides surge through twin gorges like a natural waterpark ride that’ll make your palms sweat. Then there’s Montgomery Reef/ Yowjab: a giant living platform of coral and seagrass, where the sea pulls back to reveal waterfalls, sea turtles and ospreys.

Up north, King George Falls/ Oomari rage 80 metres down red cliffs. Zodiac boats often nudge in closer so you can feel the spray on your sun-warmed cheeks. You might even fly in to reach Mitchell Falls/ Punamii-unpuu, a four-tiered cascade where you can swim in freshwater pools above the drop.

Come spring, some itineraries veer west to Rowley Shoals: an atoll chain of white sand and reef walls. Then it’s up the winding Prince Regent River to King Cascade/ Maamboolbadda, tumbling over rock terraces, and into a Zodiac to view the Gwion Gwion rock art, whose slender, ochre-painted figures are older than the pyramids.

A cruise drifts beneath King George Falls, where sheer sandstone cliffs frame the thunderous plunge into turquoise waters. — Get closer to the Kimberley than ever before.

3. Taste the Kimberley with onboard hospitality

You might spend your days clambering over slippery rocks or charging past waterfalls. But when you’re back on the water, it’s a different story. Meals are chef-prepared and regionally inspired: grilled barramundi, pearl meat sashimi, mango tarts, and bush tomato chutney. One night it’s barefoot beach barbecues with your shipmates; the next, alfresco dining on the ship.

Small expedition ships each have their own personality, but many carry just 12 to 36 guests, making being out on the water a whole other experience. You might sink into a spa on the foredeck or sip coffee in a lounge while watching crocodiles cruise by. It’s choose-your-own-relaxation, Kimberley style.

4. Expert-led excursions through the Kimberley

These voyages are led by people who know the Kimberley like the back of their sunburnt hand. Attenborough-esque naturalists might gently tap your shoulder to point out rare birds or tell the story beneath a slab of rock. Historians can explain exactly how that rusted World War II relic came to rest here.

If your ship has a helipad, you might chopper straight to a waterfall-fed swimming hole. If not, you’ll still be hopping ashore for that wet landing at a secret creek.

Then come the evenings: songlines shared by Traditional Owners under the stars, or astronomy sessions that link what’s overhead with what’s underfoot and what’s within.

A small group glides through Kimberley’s rugged coastline by boat, passing ancient cliffs. — Explore with naturalists and historians by your side.

5. Relax in luxurious lodgings

Just because you’re off-grid doesn’t mean you have to rough it. These Kimberley vessels are small in size, but mighty in luxury. True North’s ships come with their own helicopters and a no-sea-days policy, so you’re always in the thick of it. Try the luxurious offerings from Ocean Dream Charters for exploration in style. Kimberley Quest offers a fast boat for easy, off-ship adventures. On the larger end of the scale, Coral Expeditions has open-deck bars and curated wine cellars. And then there’s Ponant’s luxury yachts – sleek and incredibly stylish French sailing yachts.

A helicopter soars above the sea, with a sleek cruise ship gliding in the distance. — See the Kimberley from sky to shore.

6. The adventure continues with pre- and post-cruise experiences

You’ve already come this far – so, why not go further? Broome makes it easy to ease in before you board, or wind down when your voyage ends, and there is no reason to stop there.

Head an hour and a half south to Eco Beach to stay off-grid and off the clock. Join a Yawuru guide for a mangrove walk or ocean forage. Dive even deeper into Broome’s pearling past at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay, where divers and craftspeople still pull the seawater-slicked gems from the deep.

If you’re still craving adventure, it’s time to go further. Soar over the Buccaneer Archipelago, or detour inland with a 4WD trip along the Gibb River Road. Book a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles. Or – because you never know when you’ll be back – do all three.

aerial of people walking on eco beach in the kimberley western australia — Stay off grid at Eco Beach. (Image: Tourism WA)

Find out more about your trip to Australia’s North West at australiasnorthwest.com .