Top 5 Family Friendly Travel Destinations in Queensland

Queensland offers no shortage of family-friendly fun in the sun. From the reef and the rainforest to cities packed with culture, the hardest part of booking your family holiday in Queensland is deciding where to go.  

We’ve rounded up our five favourite family-friendly Queensland destinations that have loads of things to do that will entertain kids of all ages, plus give mum and dad time to simply relax. 

The Sunshine Coast

Between the stretches of golden sandy surf beaches and the lush green hinterland there’s dozens of activities to keep everyone entertained and happy on the Sunshine Coast. This family-friendly destination is a favourite for good reason!

Spend your days lazing on the beach at Caloundra’s kid-friendly Kings Beach, or venture into the verdant hills and let the charming villages of Malent, Montville and Mapleton enchant little ones. Connect with wildlife with a day out at Australia Zoo or dive under the ocean at SEA LIFE.

Step your family vay-cay up a notch with an epic family-friendly resort. Our Oaks Sunshine Coast Oasis Resort recently added a waterpark, complete with water slides, fountains and interactive activities. Plus there’s a tropical lagoon pool, triple galaxy climbing frame, kangaroo jumping pillow, floodlit tennis court, 18-hole mini golf course, beach volleyball court and spa. Sounds perfect, right?

Hervey Bay

Between the months of July and October the calm coastal town of Hervey Bay becomes the whale capital of the world. The region, a four-hour drive north of Brisbane, was recently recognised as the world’s first Whale Heritage Site for its responsible and sustainable whale watching practices. During the winter months some 25,000 Humpback whales use the calm, protected waters around K'gari (formerly Fraser Island) and the Bay to teach their calves how to 'adult'. Take your own family out for the day and witness the magic as these majestic creatures show off with flip slaps, blowhole spurts and full, 40-tonne out-of-water aerial displays.

Back on dry land, wander down Hervey Bay's picturesque Esplanade, visit family-friendly beaches, laid-back coastal eateries and bars, and shop at small boutiques.

Coolangatta

A family holiday on the Gold Coast doesn’t mean you have to base yourself in Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach. Stick to the quieter, calmer southern end of the GC and discover a more local side to the coastal capital of fun.

Right near the airport, Coolangatta offers a relaxed stay with easy access to gorgeous beaches, a cinema and loads of great restaurants. Jump in the car and you can wind your way between the natural beauty and quaint seaside villages of Northern NSW and the Tweed Valley, or venture north to hit the famous Gold Coast theme parks.

If you need a great family base, look to our Oaks Gold Coast Calypso Plaza Suites, complete with a great swimming pool with a slide.

Port Douglas

Explore the rainforest and the reef on your family vacation in Port Douglas. An hour drive north of Cairns, Port Douglas is the perfect base for a relaxed and safe stay in the Queensland tropics. Spend your days wandering the lush Daintree Rainforest in search of cassowaries and fairies, or look for Nemo and his friends while snorkeling or boating on the Great Barrier Reef.

Between grand adventures ticking off these wonders of the world you can simply relax. Enjoy a stroll with your significant other along Four Mile Beach while the kids build sand castles or hunt for shells, or simply just kick back by the pool and soak in that Queensland sunshine.

Brisbane

Queensland’s capital is absolutely packed with things to do with kids of all ages. Start your Brisbane family adventure at the Cultural Centre in South Bank. Depending on your interests, pop into the Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), Queensland Museum or State Library and see what fun children’s activities or exhibitions are running that day.

From there, wander through South Bank and stop for gelato and a dip at Streets Beach, a sparkling blue lagoon with a white sandy beach in the heart of the 17-hectare South Bank Parklands. Don’t miss Aquativity next door, an interactive water-play park.

Across the river, explore the Museum of Brisbane for another dose of local culture, and take a free 15-minute tour up the City Hall Clock Tower. Then venture out to Mt Coot-tha to connect with nature with bush trails across the mountain or an exploration of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens.

Are you planning a Queensland family holiday soon? Make sure you check out the family-friendly facilities at our Oaks hotels and resorts. Between our 28 Oaks properties in Queensland we have fun activities like interactive waterparks, kangaroo jumping pillows, tennis courts, mini golf course and so much more.