From amazing swimming pools to interactive kids’ club that could keep the little ones entertained for days on end, these resorts are the best in Australia for families…. voted by you!
From amazing swimming pools to interactive kids’ club that could keep the little ones entertained for days on end, these resorts are the best in Australia for families…. voted by you!
This resort is fast approaching a perfect decade at the top of this category, with 2018 representing its ninth consecutive year taking out first place. Clearly, Sea World Resort is doing things right, particularly as it is the only resort with direct access to one of the Gold Coast’s fabulous theme parks and only a four-minute walk to its iconic beaches. With multiple-park package deals on offer, daily Nickelodeon character meet-and-greets through its next-level kids’ club and well-appointed rooms, it’s easy to see why this resort continues to dominate for families.
A five-minute walk from picturesque Mermaid Beach, the apartments at Turtle Beach Resort are fully self-contained, offering between one and four bedrooms for families of all shapes and sizes. Whatever the size, you can count on a private patio or balcony overlooking lush gardens, an exciting kids’ club, a 22-seat cinema and an arcade games room. To top it off, kids can enjoy the Splash Zone Waterpark with four water slides, two toddler slides, a dumping bucket and water cannons, while mum and dad indulge in a spa day or retreat to the adults-only pool.
A comfortable, upscale base from which to explore the action-packed thrills of the Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa is just a few short minutes’ drive to theme park favourites including Sea World and Dreamworld. Families can also while away the day at the sandy edge of the lagoon-style pool and exploring the grotto hidden behind the waterfall. Drop the kids off at the kids’ club and spend a day in the fully serviced spa, or if you’d prefer, bring them with you; the spa also offers a range of kids’ services.
Placed in the middle of paradise, this resort is surrounded by beautiful beaches, rivers and the lush hinterlands of Queensland’s coastline. The water slides here are heated, and a splash park makes entertaining the kids effortless without leaving the park. But venture just beyond its borders for great surfing or a 4WD adventure on Fraser Island. Adults can enjoy the infinity-edge heated pool and for those looking for a little glam for the fam, the expansive Enclave Luxury Villas offer three bedrooms plus private plunge pools, lifts and a rooftop terrace.
As the Gold Coast’s only beachfront resort, The Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Gold Coast is conveniently located within walking distance of Surfers Paradise. This resort offers 295 contemporary guest rooms, many with ocean views and a private terrace and all with Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience beds. Kids will enjoy the Oasis Pool, while parents might prefer to seek a little indulgence at the Golden Door Spa & Health Club. The resort offers numerous in-house dining options and there are tennis courts and a range of activities close by.
The Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains is a boutique hotel packed with personality. Set in the stunning Jamison valley, the resort offers mountain views and an idyllic location close to the enticing Leura village and fabulous walking tracks. Though with three kids’ games rooms, billiards rooms, both indoor and outdoor pools and a fully equipped gym, there is plenty to entertain a family within the resort. Foodie families will enjoy the culinary offerings at the resort’s three restaurants and bar and active families can enjoy the nearby tennis and golf facilities.
Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa is the perfect place for families to unwind and enjoy the famous Broome sunsets. The resort offers bungalow-style accommodation that is ideal for families, with kitchens, lounges and dining tables, as well as studios, villas and suites, all styled to reflect the Asian and colonial influences of the region. Kids can enjoy the family pool, water playground and on-site mini golf and tennis courts, while mum and dad will love the lure of The Chahoya Spa by L’Occitane, the adults-only Ocean Pool and great choice of restaurants.
The only resort on this picturesque island in the Great Barrier Reef, Fitzroy Island Resort raises the bar for family fun. Its idyllic beaches offer a safe, sheltered day in the water for younger swimmers, while more adventurous kids will be blissed out snorkelling the reef, or getting their dive accreditation at the on-site diving school. If you’d prefer to stay dry, take a glass-bottomed boat tour to see the incredible reef, or just flop and drop by the pool, making use of the swim-up bar while kids go to the resort’s movie theatre or games room.
A choice of a one, two or three bedroom room fully self-contained apartments cater to any family size and budget at Q1 Resort & Spa. In each room you’ll find a spa bath, large dining and living area and a glass enclosed balcony to sit back and enjoy the ocean or hinterland and city views. Kids will play for hours in the outdoor lagoon pools, indoor pool and spa and the games room, while parents sit back and relax. Take a boogie board across the road and try out your surf skills at the patrolled beach, or simply enjoy some of that Queensland sun for a little. If the kids still want more, don’t forget a day at a theme park, or even excite the older kids with a SkyPoint climb to the tip of Q1.
Tucked within the beautiful surrounds of Sanctuary Cove, this Gold Coast accommodation oozes estate grandeur you might not have expected just 10 minutes from the theme parks. Relax by the resort’s own lagoon beach and grab a light bite just beside at family-friendly dining venue, The Pool House. Babysitting, organised children’s activities and daily housekeeping take the pressure off for parents, leaving you free to enjoy the resort’s luxurious facilities for a day when you’ve had enough surf, sand and sunshine.
This resort is already famous for its 27-hole golf course, but you may not know that it’s also a real winner for families. With child-friendly dining, in-house movies and a water park and playground, the resort makes planning a family getaway so much easier. Especially during school holidays when you can enjoy the added perks of a holiday program. All rooms include wide-screen TVs, air conditioning, a mini-bar and in-house movies for relaxed evenings after a day out exploring Surfers Paradise, whose irresistible beaches, entertainment and shopping are just 12 minutes away.
This latest accolade in Jamala’s repertoire comes as no surprise to the HWK team, since it offers something truly unique. This place is an aspiring zoologist’s dream, varied depending on a choice of three accommodation precincts. At uShaka Lodge, enjoy your own pool, spa and tropical gardens. Inside you’ll find that the wall is a shark tank, and on the opposing, three monkeys will surely be laughing at your shocked faces. Or, stay in a Giraffe Treehouse and feed a gentle giant from your own balcony! In the Jungle Bungalows, all that separates you from a lion, tiger or Malaysian sun bear will be a glass wall – oh my.Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort, Yamba
It’s a tremendous achievement to have your property recognised by the people who matter most: the families who stay there. We love seeing how many wonderful options there are for travellers with kids in tow all across the world, and every year the list is expanding.
As you can probably imagine, it’s a massive job to compile the Top 10 each year, and the Holidays with Kids team has been hard at work for the last few months compiling all the survey responses and sorting them into categories.
Holidays with Kids was the first travel magazine in Australia to do readers’ choice awards all the way back in 2001, our editors are pretty much certified experts in this field.
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