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Top 10 Family Holiday Destinations

by Jackie Goldston - with a little help from and many thanks to BYO Kids (www.byokids.com.au) and Travel with Kidz (www.travelwithkidz.com.au)

Disneyland 

Highlights: I know that Disneyland was the dream destination for me from when I was young. And it was the resounding first choice for many readers. For young and old, big and small, Disneyland promises to be “the happiest place on earth”! It is truly a fantastic place to build memories with your family that will last forever 
Where to stay: With its two Disney Theme Parks - Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, three resort hotels - Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, Disneyland Hotel and Disney Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and an energetic entertainment, dining and shopping district, the Disneyland Resort is a child’s (and big kids) dream come true. The whole family can share a meal with your favourite Disney characters at the Character Dining experience offered throughout the Disneyland Resort. 

Sunshine Coast

Highlights: I had my first staycation on the Sunshine Coast a few months ago when we needed to move out of our home for a few days. And I am so glad we did. Exploring the Coast like a tourist was enormous fun and my kids still ask to go to our “holiday apartment” at Mooloolaba beach (if only!). We hit the beach each morning, climbed Mt Coolum, visited our local theme parks and enjoyed the many excellent cafes around the Coast.Where to stay: There are so many options available if you decide to stay away from home, from camping to 5 star resorts. A few ideas include the Novotel Twin Waters offers a central base with the Kidz Cove Kids Club caters for children 2- 12 years inclusive Friday and Saturday nights and during school holidays; the Sebel Maroochydore has a beachside position with magnificent views or the Hyatt Regency Coolum which has 9 swimming pools, tennis centre, privately patrolled beach, canoeing, creative arts and much more!

Fiji

Highlights: Fiji is regularly recommended as one of the best destinations available for family holidays. The highlight for many families are the Fijian people. They are among the friendliest in the world and will ensure your holiday is one to remember. Fiji consists of over 300 islands and is located less than 4 hours flight time from Brisbane.

Where to stay: There are many resorts in Fiji that cater for families. Castaway Island operates a complimentary kids club daily from 9am to 9pm, catering for children aged 3 – 12 years. It offers a variety of fully supervised fun and educational activities throughout the day and into the evening, with a distinctive Fijian flavour. The Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji is a luxury family resort set on a white sand beach. The resort’s facilities include extensive water activities, 24 hour fitness centre, tennis courts, an international standard golf training facility, 4 unique restaurants, 5 bars, 2 Kids Clubs, the famous Meimei nanny program and the world class Bebe Spa Sanctuary

Gold Coast

Highlights: For family fun it’s hard to go past a theme park holiday. The Gold Coast has the lot; from water parks, toddler playgrounds, shows, entertainers through to some really wild rides. A range of multi park passes are available and they work out really great value. And being only just over 2 hours’ drive away, it is a cost friendly location for us to travel from the Sunshine Coast.

Where to stay: Accommodation on the Gold Coast is very affordable with lots of specials on throughout the year. Try the family friendly Paradise Resort, which is located close to beaches, attractions, and in the heart of Surfers Paradise. With a firm ‘kids first’ philosophy, it has become renowned as a heaven for kids and paradise for parents. The Oaks Calypso Plaza is located opposite Coolangatta beach and its facilities include a large lagoon style swimming pool complete with dual waterslides, restaurant and bar.

Hawaii

Highlights: Hawaii offers beautiful year round weather, hundreds of beaches, fantastic shopping, and the world famous Waikiki Beach. If your kids enjoy walking, don’t miss the hike through the undisturbed Thurston Lava Tube on Hawaii Big Island, once passed through by a river of red-hot lava and today a spectacular walking route.

Where to stay: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa offers an exotic oceanfront setting, on top of an ancient lava flow and is popular with families due to the children’s beach area which includes interactive fountains and lava waterslides. In the heart of Waikiki beach, the Moana Surfrider Hotel introduced the world to Hawaiian hospitality in 1901. Often referred to as the “First Lady of Waikiki”, this oceanfront Oahu hotel is a legendary landmark. The hotel offers the Keiki Aloha Children’s program

Fraser Island

Highlights: World Heritage-listed Fraser Island is situated in Great Sandy National Park, only a few hours drive north of the Sunshine Coast. It is accessible by barge ferry from either Rainbow Beach or Hervey Bay. The world’s largest sand island, is a nature based holiday destination which offers spectacular white beaches, coloured sand cliffs, dunes, creeks, lakes, wildflower heath land and rainforest and is best explored by four-wheel drive or on foot.

New York

Highlights: From the Staten Island Ferry to view the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and Central Park to Coney Island and the New York Aquarium, New York offers an incredible array of places to explore. It is busy, it is noisy and it is great fun for kids. Check out this helpful website www.newyorkkids.net

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Highlights: At the tip of Mexico’s 1,000-mile long Baja California peninsula Cabo San Lucas is a combination of great weather, exotic and spectacular scenery with few crowds, warm hospitality, and excellent services and facilities. There is also a variety of activities available, including scuba diving, horseback riding along beautiful sand dunes,paragliding and mountain biking.

Byron Bay

Highlights: Byron Bay is a much loved snorkelling and beach family holiday destination which still has some influences from its bohemian past. Don’t miss exploring the beautiful beaches, magnificent coastal walks and the Cape Byron Lighthouse, which is the most easterly light in Australia, and one of the most powerful. Cape Byron is not all sand and surf. If you walk up Lee Lane from the Captain Cook lookout you will find yourself in a beautiful coastal rainforest.

Blue Mountains

Highlights: Just over an hour outside of Sydney, the Blue Mountains is a climber and walkers paradise. I took my son on his first hike (in a front carrier) when he was only 4 weeks old down the Giant Stairway, while visiting the Three Sisters and Echo Point in Katoomba, before relaxing at the many excellent, family friendly cafes and restaurants that are all over the upper mountains.