There is no doubt that Australia is among the top destinations in the world right now. No wonder, as it makes for the perfect getaway for basically any type of holiday and any kind of traveler, whether honeymooning couples or families. If you are of the latter type, you are in luck as there are tons of kid-friendly places. Here’s the skinny on must-visit destinations and useful tips for family travel in Australia.
Preparation is key
As you might expect, traveling with kids (especially with more than one), brings challenges. You might not stress if something goes awry when you are traveling by yourself; carrying a child doubles the responsibility and you’ll find it’s quite different. You have to prepare well. Make sure you’re familiar with the documents your kids need for international travel. Check airline policies on family travel. And choose accommodations that are kid-friendly (that might include kids’ programs so that you can have some free time for yourself). It’s challenging but certainly not impossible.
On four wheels
You might have already heard that Australia is best explored by car. That way, you have the freedom to stop whenever you want or need to. This is especially important if you have little troublemakers in the backseat. If you plan to venture out on a road trip of your own, your best bet might be renting a car.
Nevertheless, thorough preparation is necessary. You might want to have the car double checked to make sure it’s up to the task. Get reliable child car seats and stock up on water and food. That way, you don’t have to worry about finding convenience stores on the road. All this preparation will be worth it, though, as some of the best sights in Australia are waiting for you by the road.
Theme parks
If you’ve decided to take on the road (great choice!), you might want to stop in Gold Coast. Take advantage of all the fun activities it offers, both for the little ones and for adults. Gold Coast is famous for having no less than five huge theme parks to choose from. There’s no doubt all of you will have a ton of fun spending a day taking different rides and playing different games.
For instance, if you and your children are keen on marine life, the Gold Coast Sea World would be an experience of a lifetime. You can even make contact with some of these creatures. On the other hand, if you are movie buffs, Warner Bros Movie World would probably make you even more excited.
Sydney fun
Enjoying family travel in Australia and missing out on Sydney is out of the question. Named “the greatest city in the world” by the Telegraph, you could easily spend weeks here and not get bored. Besides checking out all the most famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, you can (and should) also take one day to just relax on one of the beaches of the city and sunbathe a little while watching your kids splashing around. For instance, Coogee and Shelly beaches are great kid-friendly shores; the waves are gentle and there are plenty of activities for everyone.
Coogee, Sydney at sunriseUp-close with animals
There are probably no kids who don’t like animals to at least some degree. So if your little ones are fans of furry creatures, don’t miss out on getting them acquainted with the unique fauna of the Australian continent. If Tasmania is on your itinerary, visit a Tasmanian devil sanctuary to see this little cutie. If you’re going hiking in the mountains, you may spot wallabies, echidnas, possums and other creatures. You can even make a game of counting how many bird species you see along the way! It’s a great way to both have fun and teach your kids at the same time.
While family travel in Australia can be challenging, do it if you can. It would be a shame for your kids to miss out on seeing a bit of the world before school starts. Not only will it be fun for all of you, but they will later appreciate these memories and cherish them forever. In addition, you can still enjoy “adult” activities too if you organize your trip well and do ample research. All in all, it will be worth the time and effort.