Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory © Tourism NT/Salty Wings
Best family resorts and hotels in Australia
Make a home away from home at these epic family resorts.
Brimming with beaches, theme parks and natural attractions, Queensland’s Gold Coast is a brilliant destination for a jam-packed family holiday. Turtle Beach Resort is the ultimate base for families to savour the region’s spoils. Enjoy waterslides, swimming pools, putt-putt golf courses and the beach all at your doorstep. If you fancy a lunch with just the adults, you can even drop the kids off for a spot of fun in the Club Turtle kids club.
The South Australian outback is what childhood dreams are made of – where wide open spaces, abundant wildlife and outdoor adventures await. Journey into the ancient Flinders Ranges, where homesteads like Rawnsley Park Station invite families to soak in the weathered peaks and rugged gorges. Your home away from home comes complete with a private swimming pool and campfire. Outside of camp, embark on 4WD tours, guided hikes and scenic flights.
It’s not every day that you get to stay inside a crocodile, but you can seize this unique opportunity at the fun-filled Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel in the Kakadu region. The hotel’s architecture is just a taste of what’s to come, with incredible wildlife and nature experiences in the Kakadu region. During your stay, get to know the area’s rich cultural heritage during a Yellow Water Cruise alongside Traditional Custodians.
Jamala Wildlife Lodge takes zoo experiences to a whole new level of fun. From treehouses towering among giraffes to suites neighbouring curious meerkats, animal-loving families can wake up to some of the world’s most amazing animals. During your stay, you can join spectacular animal encounters that support global conservation initiatives and explore Canberra’s enriching galleries and museums.
Located less than a one-hour drive from the wondrous Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, Bullara Station offers families the unique opportunity to experience the coast and the outback in one unforgettable location. One day, you’ll be hiking through bushland, waving to resident farm animals and kicking back by the campfire, and the next you’ll be swimming with awe-inspiring whale sharks and manta rays out in the open ocean. Nights can be spent as lavishly as you like – choose from camping, glamping or chic country cottages.
From archery and knight school to a dragon’s labyrinth, staying overnight in Kryal Castle is bound to bring a touch of magic to your family holiday. At the Big4 Kryal Castle Holiday Park, you’ll find cabins and tiny homes fit for little kings and queens, but the real adventure awaits within the amusement park’s stone walls. Join a fantastic series of interactive shows and activities that bring medieval history to life in spectacular displays that will leave the kids in awe.
In the countryside of New South Wales, you’ll find Dubbo’s Zoofari Lodge – a must-stay for wildlife lovers big and small. Prepare to spend your days walking and cycling past adorable native animals and international residents before settling into your comfortable lodge. You'll feel like you’re on safari as you soak in views of the iconic Australian bushland.
Located on Queensland’s World Heritage-listed K’gari, Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a haven for families who love the coastal life. The property is a gateway to the island’s beautiful array of waterways, wildlife and landscapes. Sign the kids up for the Junior Eco Rangers Program, where they can embark on bush walks, roast marshmallows by a campfire and spot marine life at night. Or, you can make your own family fun by splashing about in the resort pool, exploring a nearby shipwreck or chartering your very own boat for the day.
