5 Queensland family resorts that pamper parents too

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These Queensland family resorts keep kids entertained and adults sane; it’s play time for the children and spa time for the adults…

1. Turtle Beach Resort Mermaid Beach, Gold Coast

2346 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

 

Just 5 minutes’ walk from the white sands of Mermaid Beach on Queensland’s Gold Coast lives Turtle Beach resort. This tropical haven is celebrated for their apartment accommodation offering with plenty to do for the whole family. 

Family fun

Water babies will love this aquatic playground. Turtle Beach Resort has a waterpark with four waterslides, two toddler slides, a water dumping bucket and cannons. There’s also four separate swimming areas, spas and saunas. Play putt-putt, old-school arcade games, watch movies in the mini cinema and play tennis.

Adult time

When family time is over, check the ankle-biters into the kids’ club that caters to ages four to 12 for some art and craft, Xbox, music and dance, and movie screenings. Meanwhile, check yourself into the day spa, laze around the adults-only pool with cocktail in-hand or head into swanky Mermaid Beach, which is known as ‘Millionaire’s Row’.

2. Paradise Resort, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast

 122 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise

 

Renowned as a “Heaven for Kids…Paradise for Parents!", this is the kind of place that will make you never want to leave.

Family fun

Phew! You know the kids will sleep well after an action-packed day here. Paradise Resort has a water park, an ice rink, games room, rock climbing, laser tag, jungle gym, discos, and more.

Adult time

The kids’ club accommodates tiny tots (aged zero) up to tweens (12 years) and has awesome activities such as a glow-in-the-dark space room, an underwater world, and lots of arts and crafts, including a dedicated painting room. Leave them to find their inner artist and head to the adults’ zone, where there’s a large heated spa and lounging area. Order an in-room massage or head into lively Cavill Ave for a taste of the night life.

3. RACV Noosa, Sunshine Coast

94 Noosa Dr, Noosa Heads

 

RACV Noosa Resort on the Sunshine Coast is surrounded by pristine beaches, rivers, hinterland and national parks.  It offers stylish accommodation surrounded by a conservation sanctuary.

Family fun

We suspect it’s not just the little kids who will love the many different pools (one with a beach-like entry, another with slides and a splash park, a toddler-sized one, and private plunge pools in some of the rooms). Plus RACV Noosa has bicycle hire, tennis courts and a playground.

Adult time

When they’re waterlogged, kids aged four and over can take part in the kids’ holiday program or you can organise a babysitter. Once they’re taken care of make a beeline for the luxe day spa, have a drink at the resort bar, or wander around Noosa’s lovely Hastings Street boutiques.

4. Heron Island Resort Great Barrier Reef

Heron Island

If you love nature, Heron Island is truly a very special place. As a natural coral cay located 72 kms off the coast of Queensland, and situated in the midst of the famous Great Barrier Reef, few places let you explore a fascinating marine ecosystem as Heron does.

Family fun

Families who love the outdoors won’t get bored with Heron Island Resort’s guided reef walks, birdlife walks, snorkelling, turtle nesting viewing, swimming pool, kayaking, and semi-submarine tours. There’s also friendly trivia nights!

An aerial view of paradise

Adult time

No ordinary kids’ club, the Junior Ranges program offers mites aged between seven and 12 educational, nature-based experiences led by a team of marine biologists. While they’re busy nurturing a respect for flora and fauna, indulge in a spa treatment, enjoy a gourmet beach picnic, play a game of pool, or set sail on a sunset cruise.

5. Novotel Twin Waters Mudjimba, Sunshine Coast

270 Ocean Dr, Twin Waters

 

Located on Queenslands Sunshine Coast, the Novotel Twin Waters Resort is set in tropical gardens surrounding a central private lagoon nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Maroochy River.

Family fun

It’s on for young and old at Novotel Twin Waters waterpark with inflatable slides, runways, segway tours, laser skirmish, arcade games room and family pool.

Adult time

If you can lure them in from the lagoon, Kidz Cove caters to children aged two to 12; they host daily themed sessions in the morning and afternoon, and on Friday and Saturday nights, giving you the chance to head to the Lagoon Day Spa, have a drink at the lounge, play a round of golf, or explore the Sunshine Coast sans kids!

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The ultimate 8-day Brisbane to Port Douglas road trip itinerary

    Lucy CousinsBy Lucy Cousins
    Continue
    Explore some of Australia’s most stunning coastlines on this epic route.

    This scenic, 1800-kilometre Brisbane to Port Douglas road trip takes in some of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes, from the wildlife on Bribie Island to the rainforests of Far North Queensland. Our advice? Slow it down, take your time and really get to know this part of Australia.

    Day 1: Brisbane to Noosa

    Wake up in the luxurious Sofitel Brisbane Central , enjoy a hot buffet breakfast and a swim in the outdoor pool before hitting the road to travel north. Take the exit to Bribie Island to view the abundant wildlife.

    aerial view of bribie island
    Enjoy the beauty and animals of Bribie Island. (Image: TEQ)

    In the afternoon, check into Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas hidden near Noosa National Park and spend the afternoon relaxing at the luxury Aqua Day Spa. Daredevils can book a seat on an Ocean View Helicopters tour and experience the adrenaline of exploring the Glasshouse Mountains from the air.

    Before dinner, head to the Original Eumundi Markets just 25 minutes away or explore the nearby trails in the national park. For dinner, book a table at Park & Cove located just near your hotel and feast on a locally-sourced menu that changes with the seasons.

    table spread at Park & Cove Novotel Sunshine Coast
    Refuel at Park & Cove.

    Day 2: Noosa to Bundaberg

    Wake up to sounds of the rainforest outside your window and take the opportunity for a quick swim before you dive into a freshly cooked buffet breakfast at Park & Cove. After breakfast and an expertly brewed coffee, stroll down the hill and spend the morning shopping along Hastings Street in the various boutiques, or hire a kayak or surfboard and conquer the waves.

    After lunch, head north for the three-hour drive to historic Bundaberg . If you feel like feeding a kangaroo or wallaby, visit the Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary . Once in Bundy, head to Spitter’s Farm just outside of town. This 160-acre property offers a unique experience in their deluxe glamping safari tents, where you can listen to the cows mooing as the sun sets.

    baby kangaroo at australian wildlife Sanctuary
    Say hello to the adorable creatures of Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary. (Image: Jewels Lynch)

    Day 3: Bundaberg to Rockhampton

    Before getting back on the road, take time to visit the many museums, and, of course, the famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery for a tour. Then head to the Beef Capital of Australia, Rockhampton.

    Although, ‘Rocky’ is surrounded by beef cattle farms, your first stop should be to the impressive Rockhampton Museum of Art , which features an art collection valued at over $16 million. Rest your head at the centrally-located Mercure Rockhampton overlooking the mighty Fitzroy River. Grab a quick swim in their outdoor pool before enjoying a steak at their in-house restaurant.

    Rockhampton Museum of Art
    Take it all in at Rockhampton Museum of Art. (Image: TEQ)

    Day 4: Rockhampton to Mackay

    Grab a strong coffee at your hotel and drive the short distance to the nearby Capricorn Caves for a morning tour of these natural limestone beauties. Then hit the road for the four-hour drive to Mackay.

    Reward yourself with a swim in the large, resort-style pool at the Mantra Mackay . Overlooking the marina, it’s the perfect location from which to explore the city, before enjoying a sundowner and dinner at the popular Latitude 21 on the hotel terrace.

    woman exploring the Capricorn Caves in queensland
    Explore the Capricorn Caves. (Image: TEQ)

    Day 6: Mackay to Townsville

    Grab your breakfast to go, then head just out of town to Finch Hatton Gorge. Here, spend the morning ziplining 25 metres above the rainforest floor with Forest Flying . Head to Airlie Beach for lunch and a swim in the famous Airlie Beach Lagoon , before heading north to Townsville.

    Hop on a 20-minute ferry – they leave regularly – and check into the stunning Peppers Blue on Blue Resort . Spend the evening swimming in their two pools with views across the private marina to Mount Cook National Park, before feasting on fresh seafood at their on-site restaurant, Boardwalk Restaurant and Bar.

    aerial view of beach at Airlie Beach queensland
    Dive into the crystal clear waters around Airlie Beach. (Image: TEQ)

    Day 7: Townsville to Cairns

    After a morning swim on one of Magnetic Island’s beautiful beaches, hop back on the ferry and travel north to the sleepy Mission Beach for lunch. You’ll be sandwiched by rainforest on one side, and the beach on the other.

    Continue on to Cairns and check in at the centrally-located Novotel Cairns Oasis, where the lagoon-style pool and swim-up bar alone is worth the visit. Or continue north for 25 minutes to the coastal village of Palm Cove.

    Once there it’s a tough choice between the luxurious, five-star Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple, or the beautifully designed Peppers Beach Club and Spa Palm Cove , where the pool has its very own beach.

    two people in deck chairs by Novotel Cairns Oasis' lagoon-style pool
    Relax by Novotel Cairns Oasis’ lagoon-style pool.

    Day 8: To Port Douglas

    No matter where you spent the night, your journey to Port Douglas will be one of the most scenic road trips you’ll ever experience. Following the coastline, travel past champagne-coloured beaches, offshore islands and submerged reefs, before rolling into town at Port Douglas.

    Although you’ll be spoilt for choice with hotels, two of the best are Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas, which is closer to town (think stunning pool and walking distance to Macrossan Street) and the famous, five-star Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa , located a little further down the beach. If the 3000-metre-squared lagoon-style pool isn’t enough at this hotel, you’ll also find the exclusive Vie Spa and popular restaurant, Aluco Restaurant & Bar , widely known as being one of the finest restaurants in Port Douglas.

    aerial view of pool at Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple
    Revive from road-tripping in one of the best pools in Port Douglas.

     Start planning your Queensland adventure at all.com.