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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Discover the remote Queensland lodgings bringing luxury to the outback

    Australian TravellerBy Australian Traveller
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    Adventure and refined Luxury combine at the stunning Rangelands Outback Camp.

    Iconic Australian red dirt, ancient rocky landscapes and bursts of greenery and wildflowers all make the small town of Winton, and its surrounds, a sight to behold. Escape the ordinary and unwind in the Queensland outback, where ancient landscapes and off-grid luxury await at Rangelands Outback Camp.

    cosy seats in Rangelands Outback Camp
    Unwind in the ancient outback.

    About Rangelands Outback Camp

    Unforgettable 360-degree views of this 95-million-year-old land await at Rangelands; bathed in style and positioned on top of a jump-up (or mesa), your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting.

    Set on the 53,935-square-kilometre Rangelands Station – a working cattle property – the abundant wildlife are your only neighbours; kangaroos, echidnas, eagles and other birdlife all call Rangelands home.

    Bathed in style, your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting. Indulge with carefully curated menus, personalised service and supersized luxury tents that guarantee a private experience. This exclusive camp only has a maximum of 12 guests at a time.

    Here, the aim is pampering. From tasty menus to supersized tents with all the creature comforts, to a range of guided tours around the property and beyond.

    Guests are transferred from Winton or Longreach by a dedicated Rangelands driver.

    aerial shot of Rangelands Outback Camp tent
    Soak in 360-degree views.

    Rangelands Outback Camp tours

    Join small-group tours and enjoy exclusive access to the ancient Rangelands Rifts with your Rangelands hosts. These incredible rock formations were formed by millions of years of erosion, leaving dramatic channels through the rock. Or explore the surrounds with Rangeland’s touring partner, Red Dirt Tours .

    Get sunset birds-eye views over dramatic mesa country in a helicopter, from Queensland’s own Three Sisters to Corey’s Range, stopping at the best lookouts along the way.

    Get up close and personal with this rugged land on four wheels, with expert drivers and guides leading guests through famous Bladensburg National Park, visiting Gondwana Stars Observatory and more.

    The Winton area is famous for its boulder opals (the second-rarest opal in the world, after black opals), and a stop at the mining community of Opalton sheds a fascinating light on the unique fossicking method used to find them.

    A trip to dinosaur country is a must, as this is the place that ramped up Australia’s dino contribution after a fossilised footprint was found in 1962; after more exploration, the discovery of 3300 footprints made it clear this was the world’s only evidence of a dinosaur stampede. Those same footprints are still on display today at Lark Quarry Conservation Park , a 90-minute drive from Winton. Also check out Australia’s largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils Australian Age of Dinosaurs, just 30 minutes from Winton. Here, join a tour through a working laboratory, dinosaur canyon and more.

    A twice-daily transfer into downtown Winton is offered to guests, where they can explore the Royal Outdoor Theatre, opal shops, Waltzing Matilda Centre and more.

    tour being led through Rangeland rifts
    Have an exclusive adventure through the Rangeland Rifts. (Image: TEQ)

    Sleeping in luxury

    After a day of exploring, return to your tranquil tent for a blissful open shower and uninterrupted views from your private deck.

    Designed to integrate guests into the surrounding nature, each tent feels like its own private haven. While being off-grid in the outback (in fact, each tent is powered by its own solar panels, with the added support of a backup generator), guests can also luxuriate in comfortable amenities like air conditioning, a supremely comfortable king-size bed and stylish designer touches.

    Guests can stroll to the open-air Sunset Deck for breathtaking panoramic views, or to the main lounge and dining tent, where books, on-demand coffee and drinks make it the perfect place to relax after a day in the outback.

    inside Rangelands Outback Camp bedroom
    Enjoy plenty of space inside, and stunning views outside.

    Rangelands Outback Camp dining

    As the sun starts to dip below the horizon, gather for drinks and canapés on the expansive Sunset Deck, watching the sun drench the landscape in pinks and oranges as it sinks below the horizon.

    Later, head to The Mahal lounge area and dining tent where mealtime magic happens. Savour a gourmet meal made fresh by Rangeland’s onsite chef. The meals use local produce to elevate classic outback dishes, and don’t worry, dietary requirements are happily accommodated.

    Enjoy an open bar filled with an expansive hand-selected list of wines and premium beers, with wine pairings offered by Rangelands hosts come dinner time.

    Discover more and book your luxurious stay at rangelandscamp.com.