In it together: family holidays in Queensland

Holidaying with young kids? There’s so much more to interactive adventure experiences in Queensland than the theme parks and wildlife sanctuaries on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Having said that, if you haven’t experienced Australia Zoo (Sunshine Coast hinterland) or Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (Gold Coast), what better time than right now?

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Never cuddled a koala? Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the world’s largest koala sanctuary, is located in Fig Tree Pocket a little south of the Brisbane CBD. With over 130 resident koalas, there’s no shortage of koala hugs for the whole family, along with lots of other native animals to meet.

Australia Zoo

Made famous by “The Crocodile Hunter”, Steve Irwin, Australia Zoo is located on the Sunshine Coast, an hour’s drive north of Brisbane. Book an animal encounter to get up close and personal with an array of Australian and international wildlife. Don’t miss the Wildlife Warriors Show in the world-famous Crocoseum.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Set among 27 hectares of rainforest a short distance from the beach, a day out at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is an interactive experience the whole family will love! Be sure to check out the Wildlife Hospital where you can watch vets treating injured local wildlife, and “Lost Valley”, the new rainforest precinct. Book early so you don’t miss the koala cuddles.

Eco-tourism tours, day trips & holiday accommodation 

If you’ve been teaching your kids to be mindful of their carbon footprint, sustainable travel will surely be high on your holiday agenda. Eco-awareness and eco-friendly travel helps to protect the unique flora and fauna that we’re blessed with an abundance of in Queensland. And with accommodation and tourism operators across the state upping their sustainability game big time, going green on holiday in Queensland has never been so easy.

Eco tours, day trips and experiences

From eco-friendly day trips in your local area to guided eco-tours and trips statewide, there’s an abundance of eco-experiences awaiting sustainably-minded families in Queensland. The Great Barrier Reef is an eco-friendly haven and a must-visit if you haven’t yet experienced its many natural delights. But you’ll find eco-experiences wherever you holiday across our stunning state, from the Gold Coast to Cape York and everywhere in between.

Our top picks for sustainable travel destinations include natural wonders like the famous Great Barrier Reef, the little-known Noosa Everglades and Carnarvon Gorge. For eco day tours, we love whale watching in Hervey Bay, local Brisbane eco-tours and guided walks through the Gondwana Forest. Not to mention family days out in one of the 450+ national parks, state forests and marine refuges we’re so lucky to have right on our doorstep.

Don’t have time to get away but fancy a relaxing day at the beach with the kids? Check out our guide to the best kid-friendly beaches in Queensland. There’s plenty of family-friendly accommodation if you decide to stay a little longer. And with beaches and waterways the calibre of Coolangatta, Burleigh Heads and Tallebudgera Creek on the Gold Coast — and countless more stretching along the exquisite Queensland coast . You know you will.

Eco-friendly accommodation 

Looking for eco-friendly holiday accommodation? There’s no shortage of eco-friendly — and family-friendly — accommodation in Queensland, along the coast and inland. Take only photos and leave only footprints in one of Queensland’s 165 national parks with campsites, or experience eco-friendly indulgence at an eco resort.

Our top island picks: Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort for pristine waters with giant turtles and manta rays. Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island for kid-friendly interactive wildlife experiences and gorgeous surrounds. Thala Beach Lodge at Port Douglas is another top choice — it’s recognised as one of the world’s best sustainable resorts.

Our top countryside picks: Australia’s first carbon-neutral resort, Hidden Valley Cabins in the Paluma Range, with its Platypus Safari and Night Safari tours. And O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat on the Gold Coast Hinterland with its dedication to green experiences and eco-rangers school holiday program for the kids.

Indigenous experiences 

Looking for meaningful and fun ways to connect with Indigenous cultures first-hand? You may not have to travel far at all. Learning about Queensland’s Indigenous cultures is super easy, even in and around Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

In Brisbane, head to the Nudgee Waterholes where you can join a tour with Nyanda Cultural Tours or catch the ferry over to North Stradbroke Island, known as Minjerribah by the local Quandamooka people. Holidaying on the Gold Coast? Take a tour of Burleigh Head National Park with Jellurgal and get to know the story and customs of the Yugambeh people. On the Sunshine Coast, don’t miss the Glass House Mountains with phenomenal views from the lookouts at Beerburrum, and the legendary dreamtime stories that explain their creation.

Visiting Gold Coast theme parks over the holidays? Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary offers a glimpse into the ancient world of the Yugambeh people at the Aboriginal Dance Show. Also, Dreamworld offers interactive Aboriginal Culture lessons at its Corroboree attraction.

Hunting for teenager-friendly ideas for your next Northern Queensland holiday? Learn traditional hunting and gathering techniques with Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours in the Daintree. Or discover first-hand the local hunter-gatherer traditions of spearfishing and mud-crabbing at Cooya Beach near Port Douglas. These are perfect day tours for teens.

World-class theme parks and attractions  

The Gold Coast is the theme park capital of Australia and the ultimate family-holiday destination in Queensland. With no shortage of exciting shows to suit visitors of all ages, abundant family-friendly accommodation and the breathtaking beaches the Gold Coast is renowned and named for, where better to take the family on holiday?

When do Queensland’s theme parks reopen? 

While no Queensland travel restrictions currently apply to Queenslanders holidaying locally and most theme parks have reopened, it’s still wise to check before heading off for a family day out to the Gold Coast.

Gold Coast theme parks which have reopened include Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet’n’Wild and Australian Outback Spectacular at Oxenford, and Sea World at Main Beach. WhiteWater World and Dreamworld at Coomera are currently closed but are scheduled to open in September 2020. Reopening dates are expected to be confirmed by the end of August 2020.

Not sure which theme park best suits your family? Check out our Gold Coast theme park guide.

Offers you can’t refuse: accommodation, attraction and tour deals

Whatever your family’s travel plans and preferences, there’s always somewhere perfect to stay in Queensland. Have your heart set on a family beach holiday? There’s no shortage of family-friendly accommodation stretching along the Queensland coastline. That means regardless of budget, there’s sure to be a destination that’s perfect. We’ve picked the state’s best beach holiday deals to make it easy for you.

Looking for great deals on family-friendly attractions and tours for the holidays? From surf schools to sunset safaris, Indigenous experiences to thrilling theme parks, check out our pick of the best attraction and tour deals in Queensland for families.

Whether your dream family holiday involves sun, sand and fun, connecting with nature among waterfalls and rainforests, or hitting the open road on a road trip, Queensland has so much to offer. And don’t forget, with travel restrictions easing — Queensland is good to go.