Australia’s Best Luxury Family Resorts

We have travelled across Australia to bring you the best luxury resorts for families. Think amazing pools, stunning locations and interactive kids’ clubs that could keep the little ones entertained for days on end. These are the best resorts in Australia for families, as voted by our readers.

These luxury resorts in Australia have used these last two years to reimagine already exceptional facilities with new amenities, exciting experiences, action-packed kids’ clubs and versatile family dining.

Not surprisingly, Queensland resorts dominate this list thanks to their warm climate and sunny hospitality.

1Sea World Resort
GOLD COAST, QLD

Topping the list of the best luxury resorts is Australia’s only theme park resort. Sea World Resort just can’t be budged from its number one position in our best family resorts awards. Its because of its cool kids’ club, an aquatic adventure playground and daily Nickelodeon character meet and greets. Not to mention the massage and beauty salon for parents. Perhaps the biggest draw of a stay at Sea World Resort is the deal-laden packages, which include entry to the ever-popular Sea World Marine Park.

=2Turtle Beach Resort
GOLD COAST, QLD

Also one of the best family resorts on the Gold Coast is Turtle Beach Resort. Families can choose from fully self-contained one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Each one boasts a private balcony or patio overlooking lush gardens, conveniently located just 300 metres from Mermaid Beach. Not that you’ll be able to tear the kids away from Turtle Beach Resort‘s four separate swimming areas and Splash Zone Waterpark, 15-hole putt-putt golf course, arcade games room and Club Turtle, which offers a program packed with fun activities.

=2JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa
SURFERS PARADISE, QLD

This five-star hotel is a haven for holidays with kids, with brand new guest rooms and suites, award-winning service, a full-service spa, a choice of world-class cuisine, and an unbeatable location just minutes from the Gold Coast’s Main Beach. The kids will love the swimming pools and tennis courts. While you will will want to make a beeline for the spa. The resort also offers inspiration for young travellers through its Family by JW program, with activities from kayaking to sushi-making.

3RACV Noosa Resort
NOOSA HEADS, QLD

An incredible location on the Sunshine Coast – surrounded by pristine beaches, rivers, hinterland and national parks – is just one of the reasons RACV Noosa Resort has held on to its top-three position in the best resorts in Australia. The retreat has so much to offer families, with apartment and villa accommodation to fit every requirement and facilities ranging from an outdoor infinity-edge heated pool to waterslides, a splash park and kids’ club so parents can take advantage of the fabulous spa.

4Fitzroy Island Resort
CAIRNS, QLD

The 99-room Fitzroy Island Resort is an unspoilt tropical island retreat smack-bang in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef. The penthouse here fits eight people with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, but you can book rooms for four as well.

The reef is the biggest attraction and you can see it on a dive adventure or in a glass-bottom boat. The resort has snorkel equipment, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for hire. Families can tour the nearby turtle hospital and join in daily fish feeding. Or, simply laze around the enormous swimming pool (with a swim-up bar).

5Daydream Island Resort & Living Reef
WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS, QLD

Just as the name suggests, Daydream Island Resort & Living Reef is where your Whitsunday daydreams come true. After extensive redevelopment, the secluded island resort offers 280 newly refurbished rooms and suites, three restaurants and three bars. It also features Australia’s only Living Reef – a free-form coral lagoon that wraps around the resort’s central building.

Children will be entranced by the Reef Ranger program and be able to snorkel with more than 100 species of local marine life. Families can also partake in Whitehaven Beach adventures, an island-style Amazing Race or day tours exploring the Great Barrier Reef.

6Peppers Salt Resort & Spa Kingscliff
KINGSCLIFF, NSW

Just metres from Salt Beach, Peppers Salt Resort & Spa Kingscliff offers stylish coastal accommodation ranging from hotel rooms and apartments that sleep up to six, to luxury Bale Rooms with their own private entrance and pool. When you’re not lazing by the lagoon-style pools or treating yourself at the spa, the tennis court awaits. Or, you can hire bikes to explore nearby beaches and World Heritage-listed national parks. When it’s time to refuel, you’ll find the best of the region’s finest food and wine at Season Restaurant.

7Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel
LEURA, NSW

The Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel is known for jaw-dropping escarpment views, delicious high teas and bushwalks to suit all abilities. But while those features are outstanding, it was the train our readers raved about. This puffing billy runs circles around the resort and kids love hopping on for a ride.

The Fairmont also has pony rides, a cinema, mini electric cars, a mirror maze and a garden maze. And soon the resort will add an ice-skating rink to its upper lake. Parents will love the morning yoga, trail running sessions and the stunning Ubika day spa.

8Jamala Wildlife Lodge
CANBERRA, ACT

Jamala Wildlife Lodge – nestled within the grounds of the National Zoo & Aquarium – allows guests to get up close to the wildlife during their stay. In a Jungle Bungalow, you can ‘tuck in’ with a tiger or have a banquet with a bear. In a Treehouse, you can have a carafe with a giraffe and, in a uShaka Lodge, you may have meerkats or lemurs watching you.

Wine and dine with a lion in the unique African-themed restaurant. During dinner, kids can go on an aquarium tour while you enjoy the main course. 

Free behind-the-scenes zoo tours will encounter some of the zoo’s most popular residents, such as rhinos, lions, tigers, giraffes, monkeys and meerkats. Kids must be aged six and over to stay at this awesome luxury lodge.

9InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort
SANCTUARY COVE, QLD

Tucked away amid 4.2 hectares of Sanctuary Cove’s lush greenery, InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort offers a slice of paradise for kids and parents alike. The Planet Trekkers kids’ club features a roster of unique activities, from torch safaris to golf buggy tours, and caters to little tastebuds with an extensive kids’ menu. Families can spend their days by the expansive lagoon-style pool with a coconut drink in hand, master their golf swing on one of three renowned golf courses, or explore the boutiques and restaurants of the Marine Village, just two minutes’ walk from the resort.

=10Crown Metropol Perth
PERTH, WA

Luxuriously appointed rooms and world-class fine-dining experiences are all part of the upscale offerings at Crown Metropol Perth.

Parents can relax the day away in a glamorous cabana while the kids enjoy the large pool, complete with waterslides, or the poolside Kids Hub games room. After some water-fuelled fun, explore the Swan River by bike or foot for a picturesque afternoon away followed by a live performance at the Crown Theatre.

=10Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa
BROOME, WA

Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa caters to families wanting an action-packed holiday without compromising the luxury resort experience. Splash around the family pool and water playground, enjoy a game of mini golf or tennis and then refuel at one of the resort’s four restaurants. Parents can sneak off for alone time at the adults-only ocean pool, book in for a pamper session at the Chahoya Spa by L’Occitane, or seek peace in the meditation room.