The school holidays are just around the corner so it’s time to start thinking about what you might do with your darling offspring - rather than leaving it till the last minute, scrambling to organise something and paying far more than you need to. Here are some possibilities to consider, depending on where you can go. As situations can change pretty quickly at the moment, please monitor websites to check these attractions are all open. While we love to give travel inspo, safety is always our first priority, so make sure to follow government recommendations on travel.
Fly into Gold Coast airport, rent a car and drive an hour to Byron Bay. Kids will love snorkelling and surfing (if they are first timers there are plenty of schools to show them the ropes). If you fancy a walk, Cumbebin Wetlands Boardwalk is very close to Byron CBD. Volunteers have transformed this wetland into a sanctuary for birdlife and frogs, so make sure to pack a picnic and look out over the shallow lagoons after your relaxing stroll through nature. This is a great trip for teaching kids how to have fun without screens!
Renting a car in the Adelaide area gives you so many options and one of the best is just a 50 minute drive from the CBD. Monarto Safari Park is amazing - you travel in a bus and animals like giraffes, gazelles and zebras roam freely around you (within reason, the lions aren’t allowed to hang with animals they might like to snack on). The giant park spans more than 1,500 hectares and is home to over 50 species of exotic and native mammals, birds and reptiles. There are also plenty of other family things to do in and around Adelaide like a beach day at Glenelg, or hiking in Morialta Conservation Park.
Fly into Perth and drive 25 minutes to Adventure World. Get your family’s hearts pumping and thumping on the new Goliath Pendulum swing ride or the longest, tallest and steepest funnel water slide on the planet! If the weather’s not on your side, they’ll love AQWA, the Aquarium of Western Australia. Located on the shores of the Indian Ocean at Hillarys Boat Harbour, kids are always delighted to see large sharks, turtles and rays from the 100m underwater tunnel. Rottnest Island is only a short ferry ride away too - for bike rides, lovely strolls - and of course, quokkas!
If you’re road tripping Tasmania, the kids will love a stop at Hastings Caves & Thermal Springs. Ancient caves, cave tours, thermal pools, forest walks - there’s something for everyone. If mazes and puzzles are more your family’s thing, drive to Tasmazia, 40 minutes south of Devonport (or 1.5 hours west of Launceston). There are eight mazes to tackle - all of varying sizes and difficulty - and other mini attractions for littler kids. When you’ve finished getting lost in the endless adventures, reward yourselves with a delicious treat at the Pancake Parlour.
There’s so much fun to be had just in our country. Start getting your kids excited about the next school holidays now. A fun road trip is a great incentive for good behaviour from now till then!
