The Queensland guide to travelling with a toddler

Wildlife weekend

Feel a world away from city living with a countryside stay. Your toddler will love getting up close and personal with sheep, horses, cows and chickens on a farm stay in the Scenic Rim, Sunshine Coast Hinterland or Southern Queensland Country.

If you want more rural options, here’s a rundown on the best Queensland farm stays.

Beach getaways

Discover some of Queensland’s secret beaches in Yeppoon, Agnes Water or Seventeen Seventy. Soak in the relaxed vibes of these coastal communities while watching your toddler splash in the water, make sandcastles, and chase seagulls.

If you want to introduce your toddler to beach camping, head to Caloundra or Maroochydore; there’s pram-friendly beach walks, safe swimming options, and an abundance of excellent playgrounds on offer.

City breaks

Base your family getaway in Brisbane City and you’ll be spoilt for choice with activities. For sunshine and water, look no further than South Bank; it’s equipped with playgrounds for all ages, shaded picnic spots, a man-made beach patrolled by lifeguards, and kid-friendly eateries. For a no-fail entertainment/education combo, QAGOMA, Queensland Museum, Workshops Rail Museum and the State Library are top options. All these locations run engaging, age-appropriate activities your toddler will love.

Tropical time

All that toddler time got you craving a cocktail under a palm tree? Bunker down in Cairns or Townsville for some r&r.

These Tropical North Queensland locations are bursting with swimming spots, animal experiences and national parks; plus they’re the perfect launch pad for exploring the Great Barrier Reef as a family. Jump on a boat and venture to Green and Fitzroy Islands from Cairns, and Magnetic Island from Townsville for some family island time.

Rainforest

Explore the world’s oldest rainforest with a visit to Daintree in Cairns. The discovery centre is a world-class interpretive facility where you can learn about the natural wonder from every level. Your toddler will be fascinated by the Jurassic Forest walk; it features simulated life-like dinosaurs from 100 million years ago, as well as recent mega fauna guaranteed to get little eyes popping.

How long to go for

Holidays with a toddler can be done over a weekend, but you’ll have more time to relax and truly sink into the holiday vibe with a week or more up your sleeve. As long as you have activities planned for your little person and some home essentials to keep your routine ticking, you’ll be well set up to explore the wonders of Queensland as a family.

How to road trip with a toddler

If you want to go on an extended drive with your toddler, here’s a few tips to keep them entertained:

• Pack a couple of their favourite toys and books
• Pack a non-spill sippy cup and snacks in sealed containers. Foods that work well include sandwiches, apples, muesli bars, rice cakes, dry cereal, vegetable sticks and popcorn.
• Play some board-free games, like spotting fun things you see along the way (think animals, vehicles and buildings) to make the hours whizz by.
• Turn on your little one’s favourite tunes so they can sing their heart out (or, if you’d prefer they sleep, something soothing to get those eyelids heavy).

How to fly with a toddler

Booking

Every airline has different rules when it comes to young travellers, so make sure to check with yours before booking any tickets. For the most part, though, airlines classify little ones under two as a baby, and kids between two and 12 as a child. Babies can cosy up with their parent on a shared seat, while a small child will need a car seat or restraint system for the flight.

Seat selection

Airlines do their best to keep families together on flights. If you’re able to select your seats beforehand, aim to get a window seat for your toddler; they’ll love watching objects shrink in size as you take off and marvel at the white clouds out the window.

Airport tips

Arrive earlier than you would on your own, as everything takes a bit longer with a little person in tow and toddlers need lots of stuff.

When you get to the airport, head straight to check in and make it clear that you’re travelling with a child. Check in whatever you can, so you have less to carry, but don’t forget the essentials like, nappies, wipes, a change of clothes, some books and toys and, of course, snacks!

What to pack for the flight

Pack a small backpack for your toddler that has all the essentials (aka things to keep them clean, comfortable, full and entertained). Include nappies and wipes, spare clothes for you and your little one, blankets, toys and books to keep them busy, and their favourite snacks and drinks (in sturdy containers).

Bring a device full of movies and shows your toddler never gets bored of, as well as kid-friendly headphones for optimum comfort. For non-screen activities, consider packing travel games, playdough, pencils and colouring-in books or stickers.

Flight

Don’t rush to get on the plane first; instead, run your toddler around the gate area so they can disperse their energy before sitting still for a few hours.

As you settle into your seats, introduce yourself and your toddler to the flight attendant as they can be very helpful with special requests during the flight. It’s also wise to give your little person something to suck on (e.g. sippy cup, chewy treats or a dummy) while the plane takes off and lands, as it reduces the chances of ear pain. Explain what’s happening during the flight so they know what to expect at every step.

Where to stay when travelling with a toddler

When choosing your accommodation, it’s important to pick somewhere with all the necessities of home. Here’s some things to consider when choosing your holiday base:

• Separate bedrooms are ideal for giving your toddler a quiet space to sleep in; holiday houses and serviced apartments typically have these layouts.
• Staying somewhere with a washing machine and dryer means you can keep on top of your laundry, so you can pack less. It also means there’ll be less to do when you get home.
• Bring snacks and easy-to-prepare meals so you can spend less time cooking and more time exploring. If you want to avoid the kitchen altogether, find accommodation with an onsite restaurant or strong cafe scene nearby.
• Check if the accommodation provider has portacots and single bed safety railings for use, as well as if you need to bring your own sheets and blankets (this is often the case for portacots).
• Most toddlers are comfortable keeping clean in the bath or shower, but if your little person has a preference for a bath, ask ahead (or make do with a laundry tub).
• Make sure you check out the accommodation website and social channels to get a feel of the rooms, layout and general level of child proofing. Think about stairs without railings, heirloom accessories, and high-end serving ware in unlocked cupboards.

Things to do when travelling with a toddler

Pending their sleep schedule, the morning tends to work best for little people. So aim to get out, explore and be back by lunch time.

Here are some activities you can get up to:

• A daily walk is a great way to take in the sights, sounds and smells of a new environment. Hopefully, you’ll spot a playground on your loop and somewhere to grab a morning coffee, so everyone wins.
• Want to ride instead of walk? Bring your bike (equipped with a child seat), or hire one from a nearby rental, to take in the surroundings at an alternate pace. If your toddler is capable of riding on their own, pack their balance bike or trike and let them zoom along safe pathways at the nearby parks and beaches.
• If you wake up to a rainy day, don’t fret; see if local galleries and museums have kid-friendly activities you can join for educational indoor fun.
• Visit a local food producer or forage at a foodie market, then dig into your local delicacies on a scenic park picnic.
• If you’ve got an animal lover on your hands, a short trip to a local farm, zoo, animal sanctuary or aquarium will go down a treat for both parties. If your toddler is a fan of farms, visit Paradise Country on the Gold Coast; if they prefer animals that can swim, Sea Life Sunshine Coast and Cairns Aquarium will put a massive smile on their face. For some Aussie action, check out snoozing koalas and feed kangaroos at Australia Zoo, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.
• And don’t forget to keep your eye out for local events such as live music sessions, foodie festivals, and farmers and craft markets, where you can eat, play and people watch till your hearts’ content.

What to pack

There’s nothing worse than getting to your accommodation and realising you’ve forgotten something that your toddler can’t live without. To ensure you have everything you need, follow this list when packing for your holiday:

• Clothes—for each day, pack two outfits and one set of pyjamas. Plus, shoes or sandals, socks, wet weather jacket, hats, togs and swimming nappies
• Meal time—plastic plates, bowls, cups or sippy cups, spoons and forks
• Sleeping—portacot, sheets, blankets and snuggle buddy
• Toys and books—pack all their travel-friendly favourites
• Toilet training—bring the essential items you’re using at home to keep accidents at a minimum
• Bathing—baby wash liquid, shampoo, bath toys, toddler toothbrush and toothpaste
• Out and about—travel size pram or toddler carrier, baby sunscreen, rug or picnic blanket and insect spray
• Nappies, wipes and nappy rash cream (work out the rough number of nappies per day and add a few extras, remembering you can restock pretty much wherever you go)
• First aid kit, band-aids, thermometer, baby Nurofen or Panadol, just in case.

Got a baby in tow, not a toddler? Use this handy baby travel guide instead.

Plus, here’s some other places to visit with the kids before they grow up.