11 Nostalgic Summer Holidays To Relive Your Childhood

Summer holidays never lose their charm, but there’s something especially magical about viewing your family trip through the lens of childhood.

As adults, certain smells, sounds, activities and even temperatures can take us right back to the nostalgia of our childhood summer holidays – so imagine how refreshing a trip to our old favourites would be when we’re old enough to be planning the itinerary.

We asked around the Australian Traveller office to see which places ignited our childhood excitement.

1. Townsville, QLD

Alma Bay sunrise, Magnetic Island — Enjoy the animals, flora and serenity of Magnetic Island, no matter how old you are. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Nothing says ‘family road trip’ like arriving in Townsville. With a family who lived in a small town two hours further north, Townsville served as the gateway to a tropical north adventure.

High humidity, slapping on copious layers of sunscreen and the scent of ocean mixed with cane fields in the air takes me right back to being a 10-year-old taking a ferry ride out to Magnetic Island and jumping on an inflatable tyre being pulled by a small boat and snorkelling and diving, before continuing the trek to Ingham and my Grandparents’ cane farm.

The best change to happen in Townsville since childhood is that it now has a booming foodie scene. Fish and chips were always a good bet, but now cute cafes covered in street art and high-end restaurants take tastebuds to a whole new level.

2. Palm Beach, NSW

Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk, Palm Beach — Take the Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk for the best views of Palm Beach. (Image: DNSW)

Sydneysiders are very familiar with Palm Beach, heading out there to surf (or learn how to) or take their kids for a swim in the southern end at Cabbage Tree Boat Harbour or in the iconic rock pool.

Add to that the nearby cafes and corner stores for essential ice cream treats and hot chips for lunch, plus a fairly easy walk Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk for awesome views of the coastline: it’s the perfect day out from your childhood that still leaves you happy, sandy and satisfied as a grown up.

3. Rottnest Island, WA

quokkas on Rottnest Island — Release your inner child with the quokkas of Rottnest Island. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Rottnest Island is a Western Australian gem that never loses its charm. As the perfect day trip to take the kids on (or a great place to spend a few days more) the pure thrill of getting up close and personal with those smiling quokkas is especially thrilling as a child.

Add to that pristine beaches for swimming, snorkelling or diving, a rich Indigenous history and tours to help you understand it, ice cream, not to mention the ferry ride over from the mainland, and you have a trip with plenty of things to do (although no judgement if you spend the whole time lazing on the white-sand beaches) that hits right in the childhood.

4. Hunter Valley, NSW

Tinklers Wine, Pokolbin — Take your bike through the wineries, now you’re old enough to do it. (Image: Destination NSW)

While the Hunter Valley is one trip that could be claimed to only get better once you become of drinking age, there’s nothing like remembering the wholesome thrill of riding a bike through the beautiful countryside along Hermitage Way Cycleway as a kid.

Not to mention other kid-friendly attractions, like the botanic gardens, Hunter Valley Zoo and more than one chocolate shop. Of course, it only gets better going back once you can join a winery tour.

But if you get sick of soaking in the beauty at ground level (impossible), then you’re in the perfect spot for an iconic hot air balloon ride to get a load of vineyards from a bird’s eye view.

5. Portland, Vic

Portland Marina, Victoria — Walk out to The Corkscrew, munch on salted peanuts or just enjoy the serenity of the marina.

This Victorian beach town is the perfect getaway, which is probably why a lot of us have fond childhood memories of the place. Despite its beauty, Portland remains something of an uncovered gem along the famous Great Ocean Road, making it a more relaxed stop for families.

It honestly has it all, whether you want to stick to the (mostly) free entertainment of walking out to the locally famous Corkscrew Observatory , walking along the beach munching on salted peanuts from the local store or soaking in the beauty of the marina.

For those seeking more adventure, you can hire kayaks and get out on the water, or explore the BMX Track in Alexander Park. A range of museums – from maritime history to World War Two to model trains – means you can learn something while still enjoying yourself.

6. Yamba, NSW

Il Delfino Yamba — Relax and enjoy the beautiful sleepy town of Yamba at Il Delfino. (Image: Elise Hassey)

It’s impossible not to feel relaxed in the New South Wales surf town of Yamba. Here, it’s all about the beach life, that is, slowing down and chilling out.

It’s a great spot for families thanks to many activities and accommodation options for any budget – from beachfront camping spots to high-end luxury hotels. The beach, movie theatre and farmers’ markets always provide just enough entertainment to keep everyone happy, without ever adding the hassle of running from activity to activity.

Revisiting as an adult means that you’re also able to take advantage of the increasing number of foodie delights on offer. It might be a relaxed place, but Yamba does not sleep on culinary delights, with plenty of restaurants, distilleries and craft breweries to keep your tastebuds very happy.

7. Port Stephens, NSW

Stockton Sand Dunes, Port Stephens — From quad-bikes over the Stockton Sand Dunes to endless stunning beaches, Port Stephens is the perfect spot for nostalgia. (Image: Destination NSW)

A beachside holiday is a solid family holiday win. So when there are multiple beaches – each more stunning than the next – you really can’t go wrong.

Port Stephens is also a haven of cute cafes and tasty restaurants, plus nearly every beach has its own top-notch fish and chip shop, and really who could complain about sun, sand and full bellies?

When it comes to wildlife, Port Stephens really has it all. From whale watching, to actually swimming with wild dolphins, to some of the best free diving spots in New South Wales. Then there’s the pure joy of jumping on a quad bike and joining a tour around the stunning 32-kilometre-long Stockton Sand Dunes – the largest moving dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. The list of things to do here is endless.

8. Gold Coast, Qld

Warner Bros. Movie World, Gold Coast — Let a trip to Movie World take you right back to childhood. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Heading to the Gold Coast and getting a family Theme Parks Pass was never dull. While one could debate for hours over which major three Goldie theme parks were the best, nothing says ‘childhood joy’ like Movie World .

Between rides and shaking hands with iconic movie characters, Gold Coast beaches would be calling. This was a family holiday for those who like plenty of things to do so they can keep moving; and who like a touch of glitz and shopping with their beach vacation.

After a swim, surf or snorkel, while away the afternoon at the famous Harbour Town shopping centre or find one of many markets. And if you could find yourself a carved wooden dolphin necklace while you were at, all the better.

9. Gongolgon, NSW

Camp along the Bogan River for country serenity and family bonding. (Image: Destination NSW)

For a truly outback family adventure, Gongolgon is the road trip to set out on. An eight-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney, or almost two hours from Bourke, this red-dirt country town has serenity, river activities, wildlife and more to make a kid’s dream come true. Not to mention the drive includes a stop at Nyngan, home of the ‘Big Bogan‘, which is always a fun family tale to tell.

Set up camp by the Bogan River then get out on the water. Bring your own tinnie and set out for a day on the river.

For land activities, wait until the sun goes down and whip out the torch to play spotlight with the area’s nocturnal animals or, during daylight hours, get out the motorbikes and zoom around the dirt trails.

10. Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, NSW

West Head Beach, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park — Find secluded beaches, rivers and hiking trails in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. (Image: Destination NSW)

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park really is a natural wonderland. The fact that it’s also an easy one-hour drive from the centre of Sydney, it’s also the perfect day trip (or weekender, if you love family bonding over a campfire in the Basin campground).

This is a place for some of the best bushwalks in Sydney, many of which end in secluded beaches or water holes so you can cool off before you head back. For those who love watersports, pull out the kayak, SUP board or swimmers and get out on the Pittwater estuary.

11. Nowra

Challenge yourself to Trees Adventure in Nowra Park. (Image: Dee Kramer)

Set beside the Shoalhaven River, Nowra has just about everything you need for a family getaway, whether you’re into relaxing by the hotel pool, getting out on the river or adding a little adventure to your trip.

No matter what age you are, renting a kayak or blowing up a pool inflatable to float along the gentle currents of the Shoalhaven provides endless hours of entertainment. There’s also nothing like using up your excess energy climbing through the ropes course at Treetops Adventure in Nowra Park . Then there’s Shoalhaven Zoo and the Fleet Air Museum , so all kid interests are covered.

Makers, bakers, artists, chefs, crafters – Ballarat and its surrounds are overflowing with creative spirits. All dedicated to keeping traditional skills alive for a city that is humming with artful energy.

Modern makers: a new generation of artists and artisans

“Keeping craft alive is a noble cause,” says Jess Cameron-Wootten, a charming and passionate master leathercrafter and cordwainer, who handmakes traditional leather boots and shoes in Ballarat’s old Gun Cotton Goods Store.

Ballarat was recognised in 2019 as a UNESCO Creative City of Craft and Folk Art, and today it’s a place where craft traditions converge with contemporary needs. Nothing quite captures this convergence as a visit to Wootten , the workshop and store of Jess Cameron-Wootten and his partner Krystina Menegazzo.

heritage buildings in Ballarat — Ballarat’s streets are lined with heritage buildings. (Image: Matt Dunne)

Jess’s father was an artisan bootmaker, or cordwainer. Now Jess and Krys and their small team of artisans continue the tradition, but with a modern spin. The company’s boots and shoes, made completely from scratch, are renowned for their quality and longevity. Wootten also craft shoes, bags, belts, leather aprons, wallets and more.

Cosy beanies, gloves, alpaca socks, “unbreakable” shoelaces and various other goods – many from local craftspeople and small-scale makers – fill the shop’s shelves. “We’re always happy to support a mate,” says Jess. “People love to see the workshop and where things are made. Our clients care about quality and sustainability,” Krys comments. The company slogan ‘Made for generations’ says it all.

Ruby Pilven’s ceramics at Ross Creek Gallery. (Image: Tara Moore)

For Ruby Pilven, craft is also in the DNA – both her parents were potters and with her latest porcelain ceramics, Ruby’s young daughter has been helping add colour to the glazes. “I grew up watching my parents in the workshop – I’ve always been doing ceramics,” she says, although her Visual Arts degree was in printmaking. That printmaking training comes through particularly in the rich layering of pattern. Her audacious colour, unexpected shapes and sudden pops of 12-carat gold are contemporary, quirky – and joyful.

You can see Ruby’s handcrafted ceramics, and work by other local and regional artists, at Ross Creek Gallery , a light-filled space surrounded by serene bushland, across from the mudbrick house her parents built in the 1980s. A 10-minute drive from Ballarat, it’s a tangible link to the region’s well-established craft traditions.

How Ballarat is preserving the past

artisans making crafts at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades, Ballarat — The Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades holds workshops to preserve crafts and skills.

While tradition is ongoing, there’s a danger that many of these specific type of skills and knowledge are fading as an older generation passes on. Step forward the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades .

The seven purpose-built studios occupy a fabulous modern building adjacent to Sovereign Hill, with state-of-the-art facilities, enormous windows and landscape views across to Warrenheip and Wadawurrung Country.

artisanal works at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades, Ballarat — Check out artisanal works at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades.

Practising artisans run hands-on workshops. Fancy making your own medieval armour? Or trying your hand at blacksmithing, spinning wool, plaiting leather, weaving cane or craft a knife? Book a class and learn how. “It’s about creating awareness and also sharing knowledge and skills before they are lost,” explains Deborah Klein, the centre manager.

A city steeped in food and flavours

Chef José Fernandez preparing American streetfood at Pancho — Chef José Fernandez creates vibrant South American street food at Pancho. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

One skill that hasn’t been lost is that of cooking. Ballarat’s burgeoning gastronomy scene runs the gamut from an artisan bakery (the atmospheric 1816 Bakehouse) to cool coffee shops, speakeasy cocktail bars and distilleries to fine-dining venues. But I’m still surprised to find Pancho , José Fernandez’s South American street food restaurant, serving fried cheese tequeños, fiery fish tacos, Argentinian grilled chicken.

The room is as lively as the food – a whirl of colour filled with gifted and thrifted paintings, photos, tchotchkes (trinkets), plants. There’s a Mexican abuela aesthetic going on here. Even before the music and mezcal kick in, it’s fun. Heads up on the drinks menu – an authentic selection of mezcal, tequila, South American wines and Mexican cerveza.

a cocktail at Itinerant Spirits, Ballarat — Enjoy a cocktail at Itinerant Spirits. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

The spirit is willing, so after lunch we head towards the gold rush-era Ballarat train station and across the line to the old 1860s Goods Shed for Itinerant Spirits . At one end, a massive German copper still looms behind a wall of glass. The fit-out embraces deep olive-green tones, original bluestone walls, steamer trunks as coffee tables, heritage timber floors, oversized lamp shades and cognac-hued modernist leather seating.

the Itinerant Spirits Distillery & Cocktail Bar, Ballarat — The distillery operates from an old goods shed. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

Gallivanter Gin, Vansetter Vodka and Wayfarer Whiskey – the key spirits distilled – star at the bar. The spirits are crafted using grains from the Wimmera Mallee region, and native botanicals foraged in the Grampians. Seasonal cocktails are inspired by local people and places (I loved The Headland, inspired by Sovereign Hill and flavoured with old-fashioned raspberry drops). Sample the spirits, and join a cocktail masterclass or a distillery tour. It’s a seductive setting – you’ll likely find yourself ordering a charcuterie platter or pizza as the evening progresses.

The Ballarat stay combining history and luxury

one of the rooms at Hotel Vera, Ballarat — The rooms at Hotel Vera have a contemporary style. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

New lives for old buildings keeps history alive. Vera, Ballarat’s boutique five-star hotel, has taken it to the next level: it’s a palimpsest, a subtle layering of early 1900s and 1930s Art Deco architecture with a sleek new wing. There are seven spacious suites, each a dramatically different colour, with designer chairs, blissful bathrooms. High-end pottery and hand-picked artworks imbue the spaces with personality.

Vera’s intimate, award-winning restaurant, Babae, is subtly theatrical with sheer drapes and gallery lighting, its bespoke timber furniture and brass-edged marble bench setting the stage for food with a sharp regional focus. “We have goat’s cheese from a local supplier, handmade granola from local Vegas & Rose, truffles from nearby Black Cat Truffles, fresh food from our garden, and regional wines,” says joint owner David Cook-Doulton.

Celebrating the local makers, bakers, growers and producers, and the master chefs who work their magic is all part of the rich tapestry that links Ballarat’s history to its vibrant present.

A traveller’s checklist

Getting there

It’s 90 minutes from Melbourne, either on the Western Freeway, or hop on a V/Line train from Southern Cross Station.

Staying there

Hotel Vera is a centrally located Art Deco boutique hotel. Consider Hotel Provincial , which feels like a sleek country house, but with its own restaurant, Lola.

a contemporary room at Hotel Provincial, Ballarat — Hotel Provincial has country house vibes.

Eating there

dining at Mr Jones, Ballarat — The table is set at Mr Jones. (Image: Tony Evans/ Visit Victoria)

Culinary whiz Damien Jones helms Chef’s Hat winner Mr Jones Dining with quiet assurance. His modern Asian food is deceptively simple with deep, intense flavours. Low-key, laid-back ambience, lovely staff, thoughtful wine list.

Cocktails are definitely a thing in Ballarat. Reynard (fox in French) is foxy indeed, a clubby space with top-notch cocktails and small bites. Grainery Lane is extravagantly OTT with its massive 1880s bar, myriad chandeliers, brass gin still, Asian-inspired food and lavish cocktails.

dining at Grainery Lane, Ballarat — Dining at Grainery Lane.

Playing there

a laneway filled with artworks in Ballarat — An artful laneway in the city. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

Check out local design legend Travis Price’s wall murals in Hop Lane with its colourful canopy of brollies, or in Main Street. The Art Gallery of Ballarat’s off-site Backspace Gallery showcases early-career artists in a stylish, contemporary space. First Nations-owned and run Perridak Arts connects people to place, bringing together art and crafts in this gallery/shop.

a woman admiring artworks at Perridak Arts Gallery — Perridak Arts is a First Nations-run gallery. (Image: Tony Evans)

The wineries of the Pyrenees are close at hand with their welcoming cellar doors and robust reds. Join a behind-the-scenes tour at the Centre for Gold Rush Collections .

Don’t forget the giant bluestone Kryal Castle , ‘the land of adventure’, for a little medieval magic, and not just for the kids: get ready for Highland-style feasting, jousting, even overnight stays.

11 nostalgic summer holidays to relive your childhood