Family Holidays: Where to Escape to During the School Holidays

With school holidays approaching fast and in light of the past couple of years, travel is high on the agenda for many families right now. With long-awaited freedom finally here, it's safe to start planning a family getaway - and it needn't be too far from home!

Here are our top family holiday destinations across New South Wales and Queensland that will make the perfect school holiday escape. 

Top Places To Escape To During The School Holidays

Queensland

1. Paradise Resort, Gold Coast

There are so many reasons to book a holiday in the glorious Sunshine State, but the 'Stay and Play' package on offer at Paradise Resort Gold Coast should be at the top of the list. Voted Australia’s best family resort 10 years in a row, Paradise Resort has an abundance of action-packed features including an ice-skating rink, a huge waterpark, kids’ club, teen club and amazing activities like a miniature train, teddy bear workshops, laser tag and poolside movies.

The new value-packed Stay and Play package is designed especially to welcome interstate visitors from across the country back to the fun-filled hotspot, with unlimited use of their awesome family-friendly facilities, discounts on activities and BONUS credit of up to $400 to spend visiting local tours and attractions. Get in quick - the ‘Stay and Play’ package is limited to the first 1,000 bookings!

 * Guest must be residents of NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS, SA, NT and WA (excludes QLD residents). T&Cs apply.

2. Daydream Island, Whitsundays

Serving up picture-perfect island beauty combined with the fruits of an extensive $140-million redevelopment, it’s safe to say that Daydream Island provides its visitors with style, tranquillity and convenience. We are talking restaurant and bar options, tropical vistas from pool and gardens to Great Barrier Reef and beyond—all whilst being home to all of the inhabitants of their very own Living Reef; the centrepiece of the island.

Kids will delight in getting to know more than 100 species of fish, 80 species of coral and plenty of starfish and crabs—in-between swims and non-motorised water activities, of course! There’s also a Kids Club for 4-12-year-olds, and activities include everything from wildlife experiences to beach sports, scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, kite making and more! For unforgettable family fun, look no further than Daydream Island and Living Reef.

2. Noosa

 

A true jewel of Queensland's Sunshine Coast, Noosa is one of the most popular family holiday destinations in Australia - and for good reason. This bustling seaside town has a truly unique feel to it, and it's perfect for family holidays thanks to a vibrant food scene, plenty of lakes, national parks, hinterland and beaches that are ripe for exploration. Access to a host of activities that will keep energetic youngsters occupied all holiday long is a plus, too!

If your kids are fans of the great outdoors, there is no end to things to see and do. Whether it's action on a jet ski or relaxing on a tranquil sandy beach or getting to know the diverse range of local wildlife—there's something for every type of family and every type of child in Noosa.

New South Wales

1. Caves Beach

If you're the type of family who loves escaping the business of day to day life and soaking in each other's company in a beautiful setting, Caves Beach is the perfect family holiday destination for you. Situated less than 100 km north of Sydney in the Lake Macquarie region and bursting with natural charm, kids will love spending a family holiday exploring the network of sea caves which earns the area its namesake. 

There are sand dunes aplenty for the kids to play on and if you fancy a change of scenery? The rest of the Lake Macquarie region, with its postcard-worthy surrounds, awaits! 

2. Byron Bay

Easily one of the most iconic family holiday destinations in Australia - if not the world! - Byron Bay is brimming with things to do for families, alongside a buzzing food scene, plenty of Byron Bay accommodation options and a laid-back vibe that makes it a huge hit with kids. 

Alongside the beautiful beaches that make it so famous, Byron Bay also boasts stunning hinterland rainforest, coastal trails and a diverse array of marine wildlife. Whale watching or a kayak with dolphins, anyone?!

3. Barrington Tops

If, as a family, you love nothing more than getting out and about in the great outdoors - bushwalking, fishing, or hiking to name but a few - Barrington Tops is the ideal family holiday destination for the school holidays. There are plenty of opportunities to get your kids involved in some serious adventuring - whether that's white-water-rafting, kayaking or canoeing; there's something for everyone in this gorgeous part of NSW.

Keen on camping or caravanning? You can really immerse yourself in the outdoorsy lifestyle and go off-grid at a selection of Barrington Tops campgrounds; the ideal base for a holiday full of rainforest exploring and bushwalking! 

4. Port Stephens

Renowned for its beautiful beaches, pristine waters full of incredible wildlife and epic sand dunes, a family holiday to Port Stephens will make the perfect getaway these school holidays. The ideal place to really switch off, relax and enjoy each other's company - Port Stephens offers plenty of chances to reconnect over watersports, whale and dolphin spotting or sandboarding down the famous Stockton sand dunes.

When it comes to Port Stephens accommodation, there is a heap of options from beachside holiday parks, hotels and motels to family-friendly resorts. The food scene is bright and bustling - meaning every type of eater will be catered for! 

5. The Blue Mountains

A sprawling collection of towns, villages and jaw-droppingly beautiful rainforest, a family holiday in the Blue Mountains will give you the chance to connect with your family in the context of nature, all whilst enjoying new experiences and breathing in lungfuls of fresh air. 

In terms of things to do in the Blue Mountains, a day at Scenic World will be a huge hit with young ones; or if they're happy to spend the days outside—there are bushwalks aplenty to be done! Jenolan Caves should also not be missed, as well as some gorgeous gardens that showcase the beauty of Australia's flora and fauna.

6. Central Coast

The Central Coast is beautiful, beachy and bursting with things to do! Renowned for the stunning great outdoors, the Central Coast is the perfect place to indulge in some outdoor pursuits like kayaking, swimming, bike riding and surfing. There are beaches galore, plenty of opportunities to do some boating, a vibrant arts community and an abundance of holiday parks and campgrounds for accommodation options. And one of the best parts? The local Central Coast Council often hosts an epic array of school holiday activities for kids so there's always plenty to keep them occupied!
 

BOOK YOUR SCHOOL HOLIDAYS FAMILY ESCAPE NOW VIA BOOKING.COM

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