4 Spots For Family fun in Australia

Cairns, Queensland

No visit to Cairns is complete without cruising the world’s largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef. Stay dry on a glass-bottom boat tour while observing the beauty of the underwater world beneath you. More active family members can go snorkelling or diving to get even closer to the diverse marine life.

Prefer land? Enjoy stunning scenery as you soar above Cairns’ tropical rainforest on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Continue your exploration of the area by boarding the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Chug leisurely through a tropical paradise with towering mountains, glistening waterfalls and deep gorges on an almost-two-hour nature discovery, including a stop at Kuranda’s “Village in the Rainforest”. Stretch your legs visiting marketplaces and galleries, or have a drink at one of the Village’s many cafes.

Kangaroo Island, South Australia

For animal-loving families, Kangaroo Island is must-visit destination. If you have always longed to get close to a seal in the wild, visiting Seal Bay Conservation Park will make this a reality. Hit the beach for a 45-minute guided tour of Australian sea lions and discover insights on the seals around you.

If you prefer to interact more with the local wildlife, Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park allows visitors to hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies, and cuddle a koala.

Round this up with farm visits such as to Clifford's Honey Farm, a third-generation producer of pure ligurian honey. The whole family will be fascinated watching the honey extracted live, and don't leave without trying some of the flavours on offer. Get to Kangaroo Island by taking a 45-minute ferry ride from Cape Jervis (roughly two hours by car from Adelaide) to Penneshaw, or hop on board a 30-minute flight from Adelaide Airport.

Phillip Island, Victoria

There are so many things to see and do on Phillip Island that time will seem to pass in a flash. Undertake a virtual expedition to the Antarctic via the Antarctic Journey at the Nobbies Centre for a taste of the weather, wildlife and environment of the Southern Ocean and Antarctica.

Stop by the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory to drool over yummy-looking exhibits, discover fascinating facts about chocolate and even bring home your own chocolate creation.

End your day with the enthralling spectacle of fairy penguins waddling up the beach against the backdrop of the setting sun at Summerland Beach. Go on a behind-the-scenes tour, which includes an interactive session with puppets for kids, to learn more about these adorable flightless birds. Phillip Island is approximately two hours from Melbourne by car. 

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Canberra is home to many renowned national attractions. For a fun and educational outing for the whole family, stop by Questacon (also known as the National Science and Technology Centre). It boasts eight interactive exhibitions offering more than 200 hands-on experiences, including simulations of earthquakes and lightning strikes.

Visit the Australian War Memorial for an experience that is both historical and insightful. After a family tour, you can let your kids explore the Discovery Zone, open all day on weekends, public holidays and Australian Capital Territory school holidays. The Discovery Zone is an experiential exhibit for children that features five environments inspired by Australia’s military history.

If you are a family of art buffs, spend a day at the National Gallery of Australia and ogle at its collection of more than 160,000 historical and cultural artefacts. There are regular programmes and interactive activities that families can participate in.