Travel

5 family-friendly destinations for the school holiday break

2 July, 2024 . 0

Need an escape that will keep the whole clan happy? These family-friendly holiday ideas will ramp up the fun factor.

Imagine riding a bike with your kids along a beautiful foreshore or helping them spot fairy homes nestled high in trees — the perfect way to create core family memories.

From island resorts to riverside holiday parks, there are plenty of spots around Australia that cater for families who like a bit of adventure and action on their breaks.

Give the kids a holiday to remember with a stay at one of these family-friendly destinations.

Big4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park, Renmark, SA

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to activities at this idyllic holiday park, right on the mighty Murray River, near the border of South Australia and Victoria.

The kids will be entertained for hours at the water park, indoor playland, jumping pillow and outdoor movie theatre.

Those feeling more adventurous can hire bikes or paddleboards, play basketball, air hockey or tennis, or scoot around the modular pumptrack.

If all of those activities haven’t tired out your family, the holiday park also allows guests to bring their own boat so you can get active on the water.

There is a range of accommodation available for guests, including glamping tents, cabins, powered and unpowered camping sites and villas.

RACV Cape Schanck Resort, Cape Schanck, Vic

Embrace the open green landscape and bushland setting of this resort on the Mornington Peninsula.

If a family bushwalk is high on your holiday wish list, try an ocean trail walk to Cape Schanck lighthouse.

The resort caters for families of all ages with facilities including a pool and fitness centre, playground, games room and tennis courts.

There is also an 18-hole golf course at the resort if you fancy a round or two.

Day trips will also keep the little ones entertained, with plenty of beaches to explore, hot springs to enjoy and dolphin cruises.

Accommodation ranges from single rooms to suites.

Mantra on Salt Beach, Kingscliff, NSW

Wake up to the crashing of waves on South Kingscliff Beach.

Opposite the long stretch of unpatrolled beach, the hotel has plenty of facilities to keep your family active.

There is the children’s wading pool and lagoon pool, tennis courts and an exercise room with gym equipment.

If you’re there on a Saturday, join in the Kingscliff parkrun, a free 5km fun run right outside the resort.

Exploring the area is easy with a shopping strip within walking distance and bike hire available from the resort.

Stay in a one- or two-bedroom suite with a kitchen and laundry facilities.

There are also barbecue facilities, making family dining easy.

Elements of Byron, Byron Bay, NSW

The shining jewel at the centre of this family-friendly resort is the lagoon pool, which keeps young and old entertained for hours.

About a 10-minute drive from the heart of town, the resort has standalone villas that give guests a sense of seclusion in the beach bushland setting.

If a walk or run along the coastline is top of your holiday must-do list, take advantage of the unpatrolled beach at the back of the resort.

Daily morning yoga classes are also available, overlooking the sandy shores.

The resort also has a fairy trail that keeps little ones busy and is a good excuse to tire them out on a walk around the resort’s bushland, plus there’s a wooden playground and tennis court.

If you can wangle escaping dependents for a few hours of solo time, there is a day spa and even an adults-only pool, complete with a cocktail bar.

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast, Qld

The beach is on your doorstep at this ideal spot for a family getaway on the Gold Coast.

Enjoy an ocean swim at the patrolled beach directly out the front or stay poolside at the resort’s lagoon pool.

If you are looking for a day trip to keep the kids entertained, the resort is just a minute’s drive to Sea World, while Main Beach and all its attractions are easily accessed by hopping on a hire bike for a short foreshore ride.

As well as hotel rooms, guests also have the option of staying in multi-bedroom villas with kitchen and laundry facilities, which are ideal for a family vacation.

For those who love a buffet breakfast or seafood buffet, don’t forget to book into the resort’s famed Terraces restaurant, which has food as far as the eye can see!

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Written by Erin Miller.