Family getaways throughout Australia are so much fun! Families with children of all ages can have amazing holidays all over Australia. There is something for everyone and every type of vacation wish. Last week, we told you about this in part one of our Family Getaways throughout Australia.
For part one of our kid friendly holiday ideas, told you all about Selwyn Snowfields, Daydream Island, Kangaroo Island and Hobart, Tasmania. For more Kid Friendly Holiday Ideas Check Out:
Melbourne with Kids
Visiting the Great Barrier Reef with Kids
Visiting the Great Barrier Reef with Kids Part Two
Family and Kid Friendly Tourist Destinations on the Gold Coast
Sydney Holiday Ideas for Families with Kids
Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered from safe vehicles with plenty of room for the whole family to the right resorts and cities with kid friendly options. Today, we will be visiting Cairns, Ballarat, Sydney, and Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island.
Cairns
Cairns Landscape Photo Credit: (Wikipedia) By Imaposter – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44688352
Kuranda Scenic Railway in the Kuranda Rainforest Photo Credit: Kuranda.org
Great Barrier Reef Submarine Ride Photo Credit: blog.Queensland.com
Kuranda Koala Gardens Photo Credit: Kuranda.org
Cairns is located in north Queensland and is one of the major port cities with access to the Great Barrier Reef. That, in itself is a big reason why families might love this tropical location that is warm all year round. However, Cairns has much more to offer even though the Great Barrier Reef is a big reason to come to Cairns. The whole family can enjoy and underwater submarine ride over the reef to clearly see all of the amazing diversity and marine life without even getting wet or needing to know how to swim. Also near Cairns is some of the most amazing rainforests in Australia, beaches, the Cairns Zoo, and Paronella Park.
Hiring a Car in Cairns, Queensland
Cairns Car Hire Map Photo Credit: Budget.com.au
There are two car rental locations in Cairns. If you come in to the Cairns Airport, you can hire a car there. Alternatively, there is also a car hire service location in Cairns City. Our car rental agents can make sure that you have the right set of wheels for the terrain in this area and also offer up travel tips from the locals. Here are some other local travel ideas from our blog:
Magnetic Island and the Port City of Townsville
Day Trip from Cairns
Things to do in Cairns, Queensland
5 Great Barrier Reef Port Cities
Great Barrier Reef Holiday Excursions
Great Barrier Reef National Park
Kutini – Payamu (Iron Range) National Park
Hinchinbrook Island National Park
Mackay Region
The Waterfalls of Girringun National Park
The Tropical Delights of Barron Gorge National Park
Wooroonooran National Park and The Waterfalls Circuit
Explore the Beauty and Nature of the Daintree
The Great Green Way Road Trip
Ballarat, Victoria
Ballarat Collage Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Sovereign Hill Photo Credit: VisitVictoria.com
Sovereign Hill Photo Credit: VisitVictoria.com
Patrick the Wombat at Ballarat Wildlife Park Photo Credit: VisitVictoria.com
Ballarat is located in Victoria and is gold mining country. So you can combine your family holiday with a little history and a lot of adventure. Ballarat is in the centre of the Victorian goldfields. You can visit the recreated 1850’s gold rush town, Sovereign Hill, watch the sound and light show each night that tells the story of the Eureka Stockade. Plus there is the Ballarat Wildlife Park, Kryal Castle Adventure Park & Resort, and cultural attractions like Her Majesty’s Theatre, museums, galleries, and gardens too.
Hiring a Car in Ballarat
Ballarat Car Hire Map Photo Credit: Budget.com.au
Ballarat is located in Victoria about an hour and 20 minute drive northwest of Melbourne. You can hire a car right in Ballarat so that you and the whole family can get around on your own schedule with plenty of room and safety features. You can also hire a car at one of the many car rental locations in Melbourne. Be sure to tell our car rental agents your travel plans so that they can help you in any way they can with travel routes, tips, car recommendations and more. Here are some other Victorian holiday ideas from our blog:
Things to Do in Melbourne
Free Things To Do in Melbourne
Free Things To Do Near Melbourne
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
Melbourne with Kids
Refresh and Relax on the Mornington Peninsula
5 Stops on the Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road – Road Trip
Road Trip: Sydney to Melbourne
Escape to the Countryside South Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges
Outdoor Pools in Melbourne
Outdoor Pools in Melbourne (Part Two – Public Pools and Baths)
Foodie Tours in Melbourne Part 1
Foodie Tours in Melbourne Part 2
The Great Ocean Walk
Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island Queensland
Lake McKenzie Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Fraser Island Ferns Photo Credit: whc.unesco.org
Fraser Island view of the beach from Indian Head Photo Credit: (Wikipedia) By Rhain – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49000860
Fraser Island is 160,000 hectares just off the coast of Queensland. It is an island, and as such, comes with holiday fun built in. If your family is looking for an eco-friendly holiday, then Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island in Queensland is the best place for your family vacation. It is an excellent place to teach your kids about diversity and nature’s beauty. Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island. The kids will especially love the Junior Eco Rangers club where they can spend their time with others their age stargazing, sand sculpting, bush walking, and hanging around the campfire instead of the computer. Then there are all the really unique things about Fraser Island that add onto the eco-friendliness of this experience:
The island has over 100 freshwater lakes and natural springs.
The island has the only rainforest that grows out of the sand.
Over 865 species of plants including some over 1,000 years old and some very rare species.
The island has 72 different colours of sand.
Over 350 species of birds call the island home plus other migrating birds as well.
The island is home to what is believed to be one of the last populations of purebred Australian Dingoes.
Getting to Fraser Island
Hervey Bay Car Rental Map Photo Credit: Budget.com.au
Fraser Island and the entire Fraser Coast including Hervey Bay is a big holiday destination, so you might fly into the Hervey Bay / Fraser Coast Airport. You can rent a car right from the Hervey Bay / Fraser Coast Airport. You can also hire a car from the Hervey Bay Budget location. If you are driving up to Hervey Bay from the south, you can also rent a vehicle at one of our Brisbane locations, or hire a vehicle in Sunshine Coast. Having your own vehicle means freedom to see the sights when you want and stay as long as you like. No need to be at the mercy of a tour bus schedule. It also means you can find the time to visit some of the other holiday hot spots in the region:
Fraser Island: World Heritage Site Wonders for Tourists
Great Sandy National Park
Noosa National Park: Australia’s Most Popular National Park
The Sunshine Coast Hinterland
5 Day Trips from Brisbane
Things to Do in Brisbane
Free Things to do in Brisbane
Something for Everyone in the South Bank of Brisbane
The Rainforest Way
Endless Holiday Possibilities in Mackay
Great Barrier Reef 5 Top Port Cities and Things to Do on the Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef Excursions
Great Barrier Reef Island Getaways
Great Barrier Reef with Kids
Sydney
Sydney Harbour Bridge Photo Credit (Wikipedia) By JJ Harrison – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9428075
Wylies Baths Photo Credit: Sydney.com
Sydney Sea Life Aquarium Photo Credit: Sydney.com
Luna Park Photo Credit: Sydney.com
Sydney tops many lists for best vacations with kids. It is a kid friendly city and there is such a long list of fun things to do that there is something for everyone. Touring around Sydney Harbour alone gives you a list of fun family holiday spots like the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Cockatoo Island, Fort Denison, and Manly Beach. In Darling Harbour there is the Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Quarter Playground, Sydney Sea Life Aquarium, and Wild Life Sydney Zoo.If animal watching is your thing, also check out the Taronga Zoo Sydney. In addition to Manly Beach, other Sydney beaches include Bondi, Coogee, and Balmoral. Many of Sydney’s beaches have shallows, pools, or baths that are netted off. Then there are the amusement parks: Luna Park and Wet ‘n’ Wild Sydney.
Hiring a Car in Sydney
Sydney Car Rental Map Photo Credit: Budget.com.au
It’s convenient and easy to hire a car in Sydney at one of many convenient locations. If you flew into Sydney on holiday, you can hire a car right at the Sydney Airport. Other locations in Sydney where you can rent a car at a great price include Sydney east location in Alexandria, or the Sydney southwest location in Ravensby. Click through any of the links to get a quick and easy rate quote for the best car rental rates in Sydney. Be sure to let your car rental agent know your travel itinerary so that they can ensure you have the best vehicle for your trip. Our helpful car rental agents can also assist you with local maps, holiday tips and pointers, and travel safety information. While in Sydney, in check out these other holiday ideas from our blog:
Best Scenic Drives in Australia: Greater Blue Mountains
Scenic Drives in the Snowy Mountains
Snow Valley Way: A Delicious Scenic Drive
Things to Do on Holiday in Sydney
Sydney Holiday Ideas for Families with Kids
Free Things to Do in Sydney
A Spectacular New Year’s Eve in Sydney
Places to See in and Around Sydney
5 Day Trips from Sydney
Sydney’s Famous and Secret Beaches
Scenic Drive from Sydney to Melbourne
Experience the Vast Beauty of Wollemi National Park
Royal National Park
Summertime is the Perfect Time for Sydney’s Outdoor Pools
Best Places to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Sydney