by Jennifer Fontaine – Australia is built for family travel – an extraordinarily distinct country sprinkled with neon reefs, laid-back beaches, and snow-covered mountains. An Australia vacation is the stuff that dreams are made of for any outdoorsy family with a need for adrenaline. We’ve rounded up the top five Australia vacation ideas for your family, filled with adventure and fun, meant for all types of travelers.

Top 5 Australia Vacation Ideas

Whether you’re planning a camping trip or a day trip to the zoo, make your plans with your kids in mind and take a look at some of these family-friendly Australia vacation ideas you should consider for your next family trip.

1. Sydney Harbor

No Australia vacation is complete without visiting the Sydney Harbor. Show your kids a piece of architecture wonder when you pile the family onto a Sydney ferry and see, with your own eyes, the Sydney Opera House. After that tour on the water, take the family for lunch at Cockatoo Island or Fort Dension.

You can also go to Manly Beach where surfing can be taught safely for the beginners in your family. No matter what you choose to do in Sydney Harbor, you are sure to find an activity for you and the kids to enjoy together.

If you’re looking for the perfect family friendly hotel with a view of the harbor, check out Pier One Autograph Collection, the Park Hyatt, and The Langham. All are centrally-located and perfect for soaking up the city.

2. Touring Tasmania

Tasmania may be small in size, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth seeing. In fact, its size is an advantage, because it makes for a great road trip idea for you and the kids. Put your Australia vacation into hyperdrive by renting a campervan and driving for a ‘lap of the map’.

Here, you can explore all fascinating Tasmanian geography, including Freycinet National Park, Coles Bay, and Ocean Beach. You can also choose to go to the Tahune Forest Airwalk where you can scale the treetops for the best bird’s eye view you could dream.

Use Freycinet Lodge as your adventure hub to explore the island or go for a more urban vibe with Hobart’s Custom House located in the heart of the city, with plenty to see and do.

3. Kangaroo Island

Just the name itself is enough to get your kids jumping for joy. The island itself has a lot to offer its guests, including Seal Bay Conservation Park, the aptly named Remarkable Rocks in Flinders Chase National Park, and so much more. Adding this to your Australia vacation itinerary will have your kids exploring running with the kangaroos and discovering all the other incredible wildlife that inhabit the area. Stay at Waves & Wildlife Cottages on Stokes Bay and view the wildlife without ever leaving your private balcony.

4. Gold Coast Theme Parks

A more traditional destination to include in any Australia vacation are the theme parks in the Gold Coast. There are several theme parks you and your family can choose to visit, including Dreamworld and Movie World. If you want to have a bit of fun and enjoy some adrenaline pumping water slides, then Wet’n’Wild and WhiteWater World are the places to go. Getting a VIP Pass can save you and your family a few dollars in the long run.

5. Victoria’s High Country

Try out something different with your family and choose to go skiing in Victoria’s High Country. They have a variety of jumps and slopes for people with varying levels of experience. It’s the perfect Australia vacation idea to get away with your family in the winter. Mount Hotham’s Snowbird Inn offers families complimentary breakfast and dinner, daily, and the family friendly Breathtaker All Suite Hotel & Alpine Spa Retreat, complete with game room, playground, and ski-to-door access will guarantee fun for the entire family.

This spot is also popular in the summer months for thrilling mountain biking adventure. Out of all the Australia vacation ideas mentioned here, this one is a bit on the expensive side, however the experience and the view make it all worth it.

No matter where you and the fam go on your Australia vacation, the one thing that will remain with them forever is the cherished memories you all make together. So, make it a point to choose a place and an activity where you and your kids will spend time together creating those memories.

What To Know Before You Go On An Australia Vacation

Cars drive on the left. Driving in Australia is quite common as public transport isn’t necessarily the best, but remember to keep left. As part of your Australia vacation preparations, you might want to consider hiring a car from a company like Alpha Car Hire. They can help you find the best car for your Australia vacation, at a family-friendly price.

If you’re going to Australia as a tourist, you will need a visa. The only exception is if you’re a citizen of New Zealand. Citizens of the US and Canada, as well as Brunei, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea, can apply for the ETA online here. Cost is about US$18.50.

The time of year you choose for your Australia vacation depends largely on what part of the country you’re traveling to. Remember that Australia is in the southern hemisphere, so their seasons are opposite of those in the northern hemisphere.

You don’t need any vaccines before traveling to Australia. However, if you have come from or have visited a yellow fever infected country within six days of your arrival in Australia, you will need to show proof of a yellow fever vaccination.