Fun places to visit with your family around Australia

Traveling with your kids and making memories as a family is essential. It not only gives you something to look back on when your kids are older, but it also strengthens your bond as a family.

And while you look for places to go, choose to visit the smallest continent in the world: Australia. It has everything you could ever ask for in a family vacation: it’s educational, it has beaches, and it’s downright awesome! Now that you’ve chosen to go to this fantastic land, here are a few itinerary tips for when you go with your kids in tow:

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Sydney

One of the first places to stop by in Australia is of course Sydney. There are plenty of family-friendly activities for you and your family to try. Some of these include the coastal walk from Bondi Beach to Congee, family surf lessons where everyone can participate, and of course, climbing over the Harbor Bridge.

The city also has a great public transport system, so you shouldn’t find it too hard to get to places you need to go. What’s more, there are a variety of restaurants and museums to check out.

Blue Mountains

Located two hours from Sydney, the Blue Mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers an experience unlike any other. Take a ride on the Scenic Railway, also known as the world’s steepest incline railway or the Scenic Skyway, which is a glass-bottom sky tram that can raise you up and give you the best way to see everything the Blue Mountains have to offer. From here, you can see the Three Sisters, Wentworth Falls as well as Jamison Valley. If you have enough time, you can take the family to see the Jenolan Caves.

Uluru

One of the most famous attractions of the Northern Territory, the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a must visit place for anyone who wishes to see this most talked about landmark. The Uluru is best viewed at sunset or sunrise, where it is said to change colors as the light hits it just right.

While waiting for the Golden Hour, you can take this time to go on other adventures in the area including camel back riding.

Great Barrier Reef

Getting to see the Great Barrier Reef in all of its…. Greatness requires time and patience. That is because the Whitsunday Islands are only accessible through infrequent flights and boat launches. But when you arrive at one of the few resorts on the island, you will see that it was all worth it. Here, you can check out the sandy white beaches as well as proximity to the reef that will allow you to get close and personal with it.

A helpful tip for those who want to fly to the islands: Book window seats to catch a first glimpse of the reef. They will make for great photos to remember your trip.

Daintree Rainforest

While you’re out there checking off World Heritage Sites off your “To-Go” list, then might as well stop by Daintree Rainforest. Located within Daintree National Park, Daintree Rainforest is the oldest known rainforest on the planet.

While here, you can check out the Daintree Discovery Centre where you can learn all about the region. A great way to give your kids a quick history lesson without being too dull. Next, you can wander through the forest through elevated boardwalks and marvel at the plant and wildlife that live there. Other fun activities you can try out as a family include zip line tours for thrill seekers and horseback rides.

When it comes to family, more often than not, the journey is what matters most. Learn more about each member of your family all while enjoying everything the great country of Australia has to offer.

Going on a trip requires you to take on a long drive. And sometimes, your family car just isn’t up for the task. If that’s the case, then you should look into finding a mid-size car rental to ease your worries and ensure that your family is safe on the road.

Australia with kids: Night Fire at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

The following is a guest post from reader Heather Hoeffling.

While in Cairns, Australia, looking for something “different” for dinner and a way to learn about Aboriginal culture, our family of four (including two boys, age 12 and 16) decided to try Night Fire (think Hawaiian luau) at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Our evening began with getting our faces painted in an art gallery by members of the Bama tribe, indigenous people of the rainforest, in traditional warrior paint and costumes.

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We then moved through four more locations around the gallery complex. Three of the locations are outdoors, so if you go in August, like us, wear a jacket.  We followed torch-carrying warriors to a fire pit where appetizers were served, emu or kangaroo on crackers served with sparking wine or fruit juices. The food was all very good (and I was glad we tried them because dinner wasn’t served until 8:30). Aboriginal stories, music, and traditional dances were performed around the fire. We followed dancers and musicians by torch light to the next location. This location turned out to be a dance theater, where guests were encouraged to participate or just enjoy the performances. Didgeridoo demonstrations, dance lessons, fire making lessons, and more tribal stories were all part of the next two locations. At each location, we were also taught words or songs from the Bama tribe.

The last location was a dining room, with a stage for more entertainment, which is where the buffet was set up. Many different salads and breads accompanied choices of prawns, roasted lamb, crocodile, kangaroo, pork, fish, and chicken. Roasted pumpkin, other vegetables, a few Asian dishes, and a variety of desserts were all available.  The food was good and my family of picky eaters all found things they liked.  A full bar was available, but drinks beyond water, tea, coffee, and juice were extra.

Don’t rush out through the obligatory gift shop at the end of the evening, as performers move back outside to answer questions and pose for pictures with guests. All in all, we felt this was a great experience for the whole family.

night fire

If you go:

Reservations aren’t required, but highly recommended. Remember seasonally-appropriate clothing, as many of the activities are outside. The cultural park is open during the day as well, for families who’d prefer to tour the sites without the dinner experience. This may appeal to families with younger kids. Shuttle transfers are available from local lodging as well.

Cost:

Adult- $123.00

Child- $75.00

Family-$321.00

Location: 

Caravonica, Australia: Find directions from Cairns here.

 

 

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