32 amazing things to do during school holidays in Queensland

1. Escape to tropical paradise, Fitzroy Island. Spend your days snorkelling the reef, learning new water skills like kayaking and standup paddleboarding, and walking through the luscious wilderness. Explore the island over 48 hours and find out why it’s one of the best islands to take the kids.

2. Soar to new heights with Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Glide over Barron Gorge and the World-Heritage-listed Wet Tropics Area, which is home to the oldest surviving tropical rainforest on earth. Stop off at the viewing points for a breath of fresh forest air and picturesque views.

3. To cool off and find a place that feels like a slice of undiscovered paradise, head to one of these epic waterfalls near Cairns.

4. Scoot off the mainland for sand and sun on Magnetic Island. Kayak or cruise around the island, walk towards WWII history on the Forts Walk, spot rock wallabies and visit the eco-accredited Bungalow Bay Koala Village.

5. Take a short drive north of Townsville to discover wild swimming holes and waterfalls at Paluma Range National Park. Surrounded by rainforest, natural swimming spots like Little Crystal Creek and Big Crystal Creek are where you can spend the day hopping between rock pools and picnic spots. Hot days call for refreshing treats; stop in at Frosty Mango to find ice-cream and sorbet flavours made from only the freshest seasonal fruits. 

6. Befriend Australian wildlife at Billabong Sanctuary in Townsville. The kids can cuddle koalas, pat kangaroos, feed cassowaries, and play with wombats. You’ll obtain a wealth of knowledge from the rangers who are passionate about animal conservation.

7. Hire your own yacht and sail The Whitsundays with your family. With a fully equipped kitchen, fresh linen and toilets, you can live on the water for a couple of days. No licence is required to drive the eco-accredited boats; all you need to bring is a sense of adventure!

8. Venture to Daydream Island for relaxation and education. Meet marine life and chat with marine biologists at the 1.5 million litre coral lagoon called the Living Reef; sign the kids up for a kids program such as Reef Rangers where they’ll have behind-the-scenes access to the on-land reef; and take a day trip to the pristine Whitehaven Beach.

9. If you’re looking for a resort that has it all for school holidays in Queensland, look no further than Big 4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort. Located just minutes from Airlie Beach, this holiday park is the most awarded in the region and it’s no surprise why; there’s a games room, outdoor cinema, mini golf course, lagoon pool, 13-slide waterpark and more.

10. Witness wallabies in their natural habitat with a visit to Cape Hillsborough. These furry creatures scramble to the beach at sunrise feast and frolick. At Cape Hillsborough you can also learn about the Yuibera tribe who once occupied the land and how they used rich natural resources to survive. Evidence of their history is most prevalent on the Diversity Boardbark and at the Hidden Valley.

11. Meet other cute critters on your school holidays in Queensland at Eungella National Park. Platypus are aplenty in the Broken River, which makes for a perfect spot to whip out the picnic blanket and indulge in good food and better views. As well as animal spotting, you can embark on hiking trails that wind through rainforests, bushland and freshwater creeks.

12. If you or the kids have a sweet tooth, the Sarina Sugar Shed tour is a must. You’ll learn how sugar is grown in the cane fields, processed, then delivered to you. Don’t forget to pick up some fairy floss before you leave!

13. Jump aboard Keppel Explorer for a day trip around Great Keppel Island, or stay for a few days at the holiday village. Fill your days with swimming, snorkelling and diving. When you want to swap the sea for land, go bushwalking and discover the beautiful flora and fauna. 

14. The kids can live out their Indiana Jones fantasies by delving into the limestone-filled Capricorn Caves, located north of Rockhampton. Discover how the caves came to be, how scientists use the caves to learn about climate change, and the native wildlife that call the rocky wonder home. If you’re up for a thrill, sign up for one of the adventurous tours on offer.

15. Visit the only wildlife sanctuary in Central Queensland that nurtures sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. Besides saving animal lives, Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary is a prime destination for holding and petting all kinds of creatures; watch the kids smile as they cuddle a koala, feed kangaroos and hold a baby crocodile.

16. Cross bright blue waters to reach an island that’s perfect for exploring the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Heron Island is a World-Heritage-listed national park with an impressive research station and a supreme vantage point for watching turtles enter the world. Spend your days learning about the reef (whether in or out of it) and discover why it’s one of best islands on the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

17. Get out on the water! Jump on board the 1770 Larc! Tours amphibious tour for a guided journey of the stunning beaches of Agnes Waters and 1770.

18. Marvel at the natural beauty of Lady Elliot Island—a coral cay with over 1200 species of marine life. Located 80 kilometres north-east of Bundaberg, this destination is renowned for having some of the best snorkelling and diving spots on the Great Barrier Reef. And it's home to an eco resort with incredible reef ranger programs for the kids. 

19. Witness a miracle of nature as baby turtles hatch and scurry to their ocean home. Mon Repos Turtle Centre offers guests this once-in-a-lifetime experience by taking them out to the beach after dark between January and March.

20. Take a day trip to Lady Musgrave Island for hours of memory making. This activity is one of the best for school holidays in Queensland as it combines travel, sunshine and sand. Hop on a cruise in Bundaberg to reach the island; when you arrive, dive into the protected lagoons and meet the local turtles, fish and manta rays.

21. Take a holiday on K'gari (Fraser Island) to get your fill of wild beauty and adventure. Depending on how you and your kids like to sleep, stay at Kingfisher Bay Resort or camp on the beach. The world’s largest sand island has a plethora of activities for the whole family to enjoy—from 4x4ing along 75 Mile Beach to relaxing by the crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie. Stay for a quick 48 hours or discover the ins and outs of the island over several days.

22. September school holidays mean one thing in Queensland—whale watching. From August to October, the giant humpbacks swim along the east coast as they migrate to the south, stopping for a play in Hervey Bay. Find out which whale watching tour suits your family here. Make sure to get beached at the many family-friendly stretches of sand too. 

23. If your kids are itching for quality time in coastal waters, head to the Sunshine Coast where they can learn how to surf. Family owned and operated Coolum Surf School has been teaching people how to ride waves since 2001, so you know your kids will be in good hands. Exploring the Noosa Everglades on an Eco Safari is another great way to get a dose of h2o.

24. Looking for a destination dedicated to animal conservation? Australia Zoo is the place. Nestled in the Sunshine Coast, just one hour from Brisbane, this zoo is home to one of the largest and busiest wildlife hospitals in the world. While wildlife warriors are busy saving Australian species, visitors can mingle with animals from all over the globe.

25. A day in South Bank will be a day worth spent. Here you can swim in Australia’s only inner-city man-made beach, Streets Beach, picnic in the parklands, check out the gardens, and cycle along the riverfront. When you want a break from the sun, head over to the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA); you’ll be wowed by the masterpieces that adorn the walls - and there's a kids craft centre too. 

26. Spend a day, weekend or a week at Tangalooma Island Resort on Mulgumpin (Moreton Island). Dolphin feeding, snorkelling through shipwrecks, and sand tobogganing are just some of the fun things to do in Australia's second-largest sand island.

27. Are your kids animal lovers? Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary will not disappoint. This destination is home to many creatures they can befriend as well as an epic TreeTop Challenge. For a slower afternoon, visit the nearby Currumbin Rock Pools and relax in the pretty pockets of rocks and water.

28. School holidays in Queensland aren’t complete without a day of thrills at a Gold Coast theme park. For a mixture of rollercoasters and waterslides, head to Dreamworld—Australia’s largest theme park. After your fun-filled day experiencing the 40+ rides and attractions, chill on one of the Gold Coast’s famous beaches and watch the sun set into the horizon.

29. Live like a farmer at Bestbrook Mountain Farm Stay. Stay in a rustic cabin and spend your days horseback riding, sharing stories in front of self-made fires, feeding animals, and learning how to make damper, billy tea and butter.

30. Take a trip to the Bunya Mountains for rolling hills and sweeping views. Explore the green wonderland over a weekend with this 48-hour guide.

31. Unearth fossils and dinosaur bones along the Australian Dinosaur Trail, an outback road trip that travels into our prehistoric past.

32. Make your way to Charleville where you can meet endangered bilbies, make sense of the universe with a stargazing trip to the Cosmos Centre, then catch thrills sandboarding giant dunes nearby.