Best family resorts and hotels in Australia

By Amy Fraser

Bursting with bucket-list experiences and awe-inspiring landscapes, Australia is one big family playground and boasts an incredible selection of child-friendly accommodation options to match. From beachside hotels to cosy chalets and waterpark resorts, here are the best family resorts and hotels in Australia.

Best family resorts near the Gold Coast 

Bursting with sun-drenched beaches, water parks and family thrills, Queensland’s the ultimate base for a family holiday and its epic selection of resorts just top it off. Oaks Sunshine Coast Oasis Resort and the Gold Coast’s Turtle Beach Resort are perfect examples. At these top-rated family resorts you can enjoy waterslides, swimming pools, putt-putt golf courses, climbing frames and the beach all on your doorstep. 

For families who find their fun among nature, head to one of Queensland’s island resorts which blend island life with top notch family facilities. At Fitzroy Island Resort you can snorkel around the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef by morning and take advantage of the resort’s swim-up bar and kids’ playroom facilities in the afternoon. For a trip on the wild side, a getaway to K'gari's Kingfisher Bay Resort will leave more than just memories, but a newfound appreciation for nature.

Best family resorts near Sydney

Whether you’re hitting the beach, exploring the mountains or perusing the city, New South Wales has your family covered. Sydney explorers will adore the Swissotel where kids can sleep peacefully in fully decorated bedrooms, equipped with age-appropriate toys. Further afield, Dubbo’s Zoofari Lodge is a must for wildlife lovers. Perched within a savanna, you’ll rise to an incredible sight of roaming animals before an action-packed day of family fun and wildlife encounters.

If the mountains are calling, look no further than the Blue Mountains’ Fairmont Resort which features its very own KidsZone complete with everything a child could ask for, from merry-go-rounds to arcades and horses. If you’re happy to splash the cash, the nearby One & Only Wolgan Valley is the ultimate spot for a meaningful and relaxing family holiday where kids can learn about the environment on the Junior Rangers program while parents unwind poolside. 

But if you’re craving the beach, create a home away from home at Port Macquarie’s Flynn Beach Resort which has a kids club and an abundance of family activities.

Best family resorts near Melbourne

Located in Melbourne’s city centre, Holiday Inn on Flinders makes a great base to explore the city’s best family attractions while enjoying the hotel’s child-friendly facilities, including a sundeck, heated pool and the special kids’ glamping package. Did we mention, kids under 12 eat and stay for free? 

Further south on the wildlife mecca Phillip Island, Silver Island Resort is the ultimate holiday escape. With activities galore, ocean views, swimming pools, a spa, and easy access to the phenomenal penguin parade – it’s a resort designed to please all. Victoria’s back-to-nature experiences only get better along the Great Ocean Road. Settle into a family room at the Lorne Hotel to make the most of the region’s spectacular surroundings, from swinging through the Otways National Park to surfing wild beaches. There’s no doubt the Great Ocean Road is stocked up on adventurous activities, but things don’t get more daring than the mystical Kryal Castle. From archery and knight school to a dragon’s labyrinth, staying overnight in a castle suite is bound to bring some thrills and fun.

For a more lavish stay, test your family’s ski legs at the beloved Falls Creek Ski Resort’s QT Hotel. With easy access to the slopes, you can hop off the ski lift and be splashing (or relaxing) in your two-bedroom apartment’s private balcony hot tub in no time.

Best family resorts near Adelaide

Between a dazzling coastline and charming outback towns, South Australia has all the ingredients for a memorable holiday, including a fantastic variety of child-friendly accommodation options. In Adelaide, book yourself into a one of Oaks Glenelg Liberty Suite's family apartments just metres from Glenelg Beach, playgrounds and family activities. For a beach apartment of a wilder kind, the Eyre Peninsula’s eco-friendly Camel House is a luxurious holiday home for your family. Wake up to dolphin and whale watching from your window – a taste of the marine life encounters on the Eyre Peninsula’s coastline.

Speaking of wildlife, you can’t go to South Australia without exploring Kangaroo Island, a long-time family favourite. Make it extra special by staying overnight at the child-friendly Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge.

Another childhood bucket list experience involves a journey into the outback. Homesteads, including Rawnsley Park Station in the Flinders Ranges, are great opportunities for families to connect while enjoying the wonders of the outback. Think horse riding, feeding farm animals, mountain biking and sitting by the campfire.

Best family resorts near Perth

Bursting with wildlife, culture, and aquatic activities, you can’t go wrong with a family holiday in Perth, especially if you’re booked into the Crown Metropol. Fitted with waterslides, water cannons and two pools, you can let the kids go wild while you relax in the sunshine. Sebel East Perth’s apartments are another great family option, located a short walk away from some of the city’s best child-friendly attractions. 

Further north in Exmouth, Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort is a fantastic option for families looking to explore the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef in comfort. 

Another sought after family holiday destination is the beautiful Broome. Soak up the dazzling Indian Ocean sunset at Cable Beach Club, located just metres from the shore. Between the beach, golf course, water park and kids’ activity program, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained.

Best family resorts near Canberra

There’s plenty of family fun to be had in and around Australia’s capital, Canberra. Get started at the funky East Hotel where kids can feel at home in their interconnecting children’s room, fitted with bunk beds, a play table, bean bags and an Xbox (available to loan). The apartments are perfectly perched in the heart of the city, an easy distance away from Canberra's best family activities. The Crowne Plaza and family-friendly Adina Serviced Apartments are two other great options for families looking to explore the city’s highlights.

Take the eccentric factor up a notch at Jamala Wildlife Lodge, known for their conservation efforts to protect endangered species. The African-inspired accommodation blends luxury with wildlife, offering a truly memorable family getaway. Book the monthly Family Night (for kids aged four and over) to enjoy your dinner in peace while your kids discover the aquarium's extraordinary marine life.

Best family resorts near Alice Springs

For a cultural getaway to the beating heart of the Red Centre, Ayers Rock Resort has an incredible selection of accommodation options, from the luxury Sails in the Desert to the back-to-nature family-friendly campground and the popular Emu Walk Apartments. Each has pool access, allowing little ones to cool-off after exploring Uluru and surrounds.

The Northern Territory’s ultimate family resort is no doubt the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel – it’s not every day you get to stay inside a crocodile! The hotel’s architecture is just a taste of what’s to come, with incredible wildlife and nature experiences to choose from in the Kakadu region.

Best family resorts near Hobart

Wake up to spectacular views of Hobart’s waterfront in one of Somerset on the Pier’s family apartments. Located in the middle of the city, these luxury digs make a great base for exploring the city’s family highlights. For a city escape to Launceston check into Peppers Silo to enjoy the region’s adventurous activities, or for a more budget-friendly option, opt for Nightcap at Riverside Hotel located just outside of the city centre.

When it’s time to step into Tasmania’s wilderness, book a self-contained chalet at Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village. Nestled in the heart of the World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain National Park, there’s no better spot to enjoy Tasmania’s breathtaking hikes and wildlife as a family. Further south in the Huon Valley, join Tahune Adventures for an epic few days of adventure. Book their family cabin to sleep beneath the forest canopy.

Holiday Parks across Australia

Across every state in Australia are an abundance of family-friendly campsites and holiday parks. Typically fitted with kid-friendly facilities – including swimming pools and playgrounds – and a selection of accommodation types, they’re great value for money for families looking for a low-budget, high-energy holiday. Look out for the highly rated BIG4, NRMA, Discovery Parks and RAC who run parks across the country.