Where’s a great place in Australia to take kids for the summer holidays?

Question

What's a great location that is affordable and close to a wide range of activities to stop the kids from getting bored?

I'm looking forward to reading your responses - and when you've answered my question why not visit the new Yahoo!7 travel site My Australia - http://au.travel.yahoo.com/my-australia/

- Mike Whitney

Answer 1

Hi Mike

My husband and I have 7 kids ranging in age from 17 down to 3 years old. We've been on some great family holdiays over the years but as the family grew the choices became limited because not many places can cater for such a large family or the activities may suit a certain age group but not another. Even though there are not many families as large as ours there are a lot of blended families that holiday together and as such would face similar problems as we do.

My suggestions from experience are:

1. Broome, WA - great beaches, great outback places to see, good food and people but may be a bit restricted in activities for teenagers.

2. Tasmania - Hire a troop carrier and visit the many fabulous locations, Cradle Mountain, Freycinet, Hobart, Launceston, etc. The kids loved the trip across on the boat - recommend bungey straps for little ones!! A bit nerve wrecking for Mum !

3. Kingfisher Resort on Fraser Island or one of the other resorts, great 4WD, pools, nice facilities and lots to do for all ages.

4. Lindemand Island - Fantastic Circus school suits all ages, packages include all you can eat food, beer, wine and soft drink. But a bit pricey when your family gets to our size, we got a quote recently to go back there - $20,000. We'll give that one a miss.

5. Couran Cove - all round good spot.

6. Gold Coast - but I think it's been done to death and wouldn't go back there except maybe to Dream World or Wet 'n' Wild.

7. Sunshine Coast, QLD - we enjoyed this spot so much we now live here. The Big4 caravan parks have good self-contained lodges, we got two side-by-side which the older kids liked having a place of their own away from the little ones.

8. But my absolute all time must go back to loaction is for Mum and Dad only - Orpheus Island - devine, my husband and I hope one day to be able to go back there, fantastic, luxurious and pampering. Makes having kids all worthwhile if you can get a break at a place like this.

Overall, simpler is better, don't sweat the little stuff, the kids have fun just going somewhere, having nice food and a few extra treats can be novelty enough for most. Experience what your own local areas have first, check out the national parks and other interesting locations. you might be surprised how much is on offer close to home.

For the teenagers ensure you've got internet access and mobile phone coverage or they get sever withdrawals !!! We always bring a laptop and mobile phones with internet access, also useful for checking out what's on and places to go.

Answer 2

Hi Mike
I think the Sunshine Coast has more going for school children as you have got.......
1.) The Beaches
2.) Aussie World Fun Park
3.) Under Water World
4.) The Big Pineapple
5.) Ginger Factory
6.) Your not far from Australia Zoo, Home of Steve Irwin.
7.) Markets are on all over the Sunshine Coast but Eumundi Markets are suppose to be the best.
8.) Plus you have the Towns to visit up on the ranges, especially the montville shops which your wife will love.
9.) Glass House Mountains and do some bush walking.
10.) Wappa Dam picnic area for more walking and a picnic.
11.) Hire a boat for the day at Maroochydore.

Well if this isn't going to convince you with this great list, then I feel your going to be one hard case to please. Cheers.

Answer 3

Hi Mike,
Here are just a couple of my thoughts.
The obvious choice is always the Gold Coast. However, during summer holidays, it is way too busy - unless you wait until near the end of the holidays. Near the end of the holidays, accommodation is easier to come by and you may even find the odd discount here and there if demand begins to drop off. The theme parks are very full also during the summer holidays and therefore not as good value for money - i.e. waiting in extraordinary long queues.
Whilst the Gold Coast has probably the widest selection of things to do, it can be expensive and also very crowded. Having run apartments on the Gold Coast for 6 years, I know how many people feel even more tired at the end of their holiday than in the beginning!

My choice over the Gold Coast would be the relatively less known and frequented Sapphire Coast in Southern NSW. This boasts some great towns and the area has lots of activities for the kids but is also away from the total hustle and bustle of the theme parks. Granted, there is no Tower Of Terror, Giant Drop or Lethal Weapon, however, there are still as many water activities that can give the kids a thrill just the same!

Answer 4

My husband and I have 7 kids ranging in age from 17 down to 3 years old. We've been on some great family holdiays over the years but as the family grew the choices became limited because not many places can cater for such a large family or the activities may suit a certain age group but not another. Even though there are not many families as large as ours there are a lot of blended families that holiday together and as such would face similar problems as we do.

My suggestions from experience are:

Answer 5

Hi Mike, East Gippsland in Victoria is a great place to take kids for holidays. There are plenty areas for bushwalking, 90 mile beach at Lakes Entrance, mini golf, markets, fishing, horse riding, affordable activities and enough to do to wear the kids out. A wide variety of accommodation is available also. Lakes is a very popular place in the Summer time and if you are around the area on New Years Eve they have a terrific fire works display. Have fun deciding. Cheers Deb.

Answer 6

Tasmania, it has everything for a safe, fantastic FAMILY holiday with heaps of fun stuff for all ages. Touring around the whole state and making it a family journey choosing activities far and wide. Heaps of local festivals and entertainment throughout the summer where kids and adults can be part of the community and really enjoy the area being visited not just pass through looking at the map for the next overcrowded theme park, beach or other attraction, your sure to have a fantastic time and the locals would show you a great time for sure. Check out wwwdiscovertasmania.com or any of the local council sites for up to date info on local events. Enjoy Tasmania, Perfect paradise

Answer 7

Ok there are three places that I remeber going on caravaning holidays with my grandparents and those were the best holidays I ever had...

1. Tumut - NSW - Tumut Caravan Park
(there are many activities you can do including trail rides, bush walks, markets, etc. plus the caravan park has it's own unique touch as there lives heaps of possums in the park and most are so tame they actually come into your van to eat... I loved it and I was 10 u could pat the possums without being bitten)

2. Racecourse Beach Tourist Caravan Park - Bawley Point - NSW... kids can ride bikes, swim in their awesome pool, at the beach, and in holidays they have school holiday programs and it's not far from Ulladulla, gold rush theme park, a zoo, rollerskating rink, Antiques of Distinction, Soul Rider Surf School, Birdland Animal Park, Fern Gully Winery, Kids Biz and funland.


3. Finally Oberon - NSW (Near the Blue Mountains) Need I say more!?! the most beautiful educational and fun place that creates awesome memories

Answer 8

for such a large family or the activities may suit a certain age group but not another. Even though there are not many families as large as ours there are a lot of blended families that holiday together and as such would face similar problems as we do.

My suggestions from experience are:

1. Broome, WA - great beaches, great outback places to see, good food and people but may be a bit restricted in activities for teenagers.

2. Tasmania - Hire a troop carrier and visit the many fabulous locations, Cradle Mountain, Freycinet, Hobart, Launceston, etc. The kids loved the trip across on the boat - recommend bungey straps for little ones!! A bit nerve wrecking for Mum !

Answer 9

A really good place to take the kids for a summer holiday is Port Fairy in Victoria. There is plenty to do for the kids and the adults can relax on the beach or go to the numerous cafés & lovely old pubs. If it is too wet for the beach Warrnambool is only 20 minutes up the road and it has shopping centre and cinemas. It is a nice relaxing place and there are at least 3 caravan parks for the budget conscious as well as all other forms of accommodation. I highly recommend it!

Answer 10

The absolute best place in Australia to take kids for a summer holiday is Denmark in the South of Western Australia. Stay at Ocean Beach Caravan park, tour the numerous attractions, admire the scenery between Albany and Walpole. While you are there. visit all the wineries, dine-out, swim, surf, fish, snorkel enjoy the sunshine and perfect weather. I've taken my own children there so many times over the years in the summer holidays so that now Denmark will always be in our minds for the great times we've shared together there.