Choosing the best destination for your next family holiday can feel like a balancing act when you’re trying to accommodate so many different wishes, needs and travel dreams. We’ve searched out incredible locations that combine amazing, kid-friendly activities with amazing cultural, culinary and experiences to ensure that your next family getaway earns a tick of approval from every member of the family.
Approved by kids: if you’re looking for a holiday destination that’s basically one big adventure playground, welcome to Queensland’s famous Gold Coast. It’s home to Australia’s biggest and best theme parks, where the family can spend endless hours riding rollercoasters, watching fun live shows and experiencing incredible animal encounters.
There are more than seventy kilometres of idyllic beaches to choose from, including pristine islands like South Stradbroke and Moreton Island. There are plenty of great kid-friendly dining options to choose from, including themed restaurants, mouthwatering gelato stalls and budget-friendly beachfront surf clubs.
Approved by adults: if you love outdoor adventures, the Gold Coast has plenty of adrenaline-fuelled activities that are suitable for all ages. You can take family surfing lessons at Broadbeach, go on a sunset sailing trip on the Broadwater and even have a good at indoor skydiving.
Shop until you drop at one of the Gold Coast’s immense retail destinations, which include Pacific Fair, Marina Mirage and Harbour Town Premium Outlets. Head inland to the Gold Coast Hinterland to find spectacular rainforest hikes and wildlife experiences, then browse the local markets which feature food and crafts from talented artisan producers.
Approved by kids: Denarau is a fabulous choice for a tropical family holiday, especially if you want to minimise your travelling time. It’s only a 3 hours 30 minutes – 4 hours 45 minutes flight from Australia’s East Coast to Nadi, and then you can hop on a shuttle bus for an easy, breezy fifteen-minute journey to your resort.
Once settled, the kids are likely to be swept away by the family-friendly set-up, which includes water slides, kid-friendly swimming pools, and of course, that famous Bula welcome. It’s a fabulous destination to try a range of water sports, offering everything from kayaks and stand-up paddleboards to banana boat rides.
Approved by adults: Denarau’s resorts are famous for their fabulous kids’ clubs, where your kids will be spoilt rotten while you slip away to enjoy a cocktail at the adults-only pool or play a round of golf. You can treat yourself to an indulgent spa ritual, unwind with a yoga class or browse the boutiques at nearby Denarau Marina, then reconnect with the kids in time to debate your numerous restaurant options for tonight’s dinner.
If you’re craving that true desert island holiday experience, you can take a day trip to one of the nearby islands, where you can laze on blissful white sand beaches and go snorkelling through pristine coral gardens.
Approved by kids: this is one of those rare destinations that manages to combine incredible wildlife, cultural and culinary adventure into one spectacular, kid-friendly package. Chiang Mai is renowned for its ethical elephant encounters, with elephant sanctuaries that place the focus is squarely on the wellbeing of the pachyderm population.
It’s also packed with fun experiences in and around the city that have your youngest travellers’ eyes shining with delight. Take a tuk-tuk tour through the old city, browse the night markets for tasty treats like mango sticky rice, or join a fun-filled craft workshop where they can learn how to make their own paper lanterns.
Approved by adults: immersive travel experiences in Chiang Mai are not just for junior travellers – you can treat yourself to little moments of luxury along the way. As a popular hub for wellness travel, you can set aside a few indulgent hours to enjoy the bliss of a traditional Thai massage, take early morning yoga classes or go hiking along lush jungle trails.
The Old Town of Chiang Mai is a wonderful place to shop for handmade textiles, pottery and silverwork. If you sign up the family up for a cooking class, you’ll have the kids begging to recreate their favourite dishes for dinner back home.
Approved by kids: Vanuatu’s combination of exquisite tropical scenery and incredible cultural experiences is definitely not just for the grown-ups. On the main island of Efate, they can enjoy the thrill of riding horses bareback along a pristine white-sand beach, go snorkelling with clownfish and turtles in the turquoise sea, and experience traditional village life, complete with dancing, singing and coconut husking demonstrations.
On Espiritu Santo, they can swing from a vine into the sparkling waters of one of the island’s legendary blue holes, then drink fresh coconut water, straight from the source, at a roadside stall.
Approved by adults: it’s easy to find your own patch of paradise in Vanuatu, whether it’s watching the kids learn to snorkel in a colourful coral garden, or thrilling at the untamed power of a live volcano during a scenic flight over Tanna.
A visit to a kastom village is a fantastic way to experience the centuries-old traditions of ceremony and story-telling, and world-class dive sites provide a spectacular view of this Pacific nation’s more recent history.
Approved by kids: whether they’re building sandcastles on the beach at Jimbaran or gliding through jungle-clad valleys on a rafting adventure, your kids are going to love every moment of a Bali adventure. There’s every imaginable source of entertainment, ranging from fabulous water parks to a sacred monkey forest, and everywhere you go, they’ll be greeted with smiles and high-fives.
There’s an endless array of fabulous food to try, from noodles and pizzas at beachfront restaurants to mouthwatering tropical fruit at a local farmer’s market.
Approved by adults: from surfing lessons at Kuta to sunrise atop a dormant volcano in Bali’s lush hinterland, a family holiday in Bali is sure to be packed with shared experiences that will become core memories.
When you’re not busy experiencing all that the island has to offer, you can be lazing on a lounger at your resort while the kids play in the pool or disappear to join their new friends at the on-site kids’ club. Balinese people famously adore kids of all ages, so your biggest challenge might be persuading your offspring to spend any time with you at all.
Approved by kids: if ever there was a city that seemed to have been designed with kids of all ages in mind, it would be Tokyo. It’s imaginative, playful and packed with colourful experiences that combine innovative technology with creative whimsy. You can explore incredible theme parks like Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, experience immersive technology at teamLab, and devour animal-shaped doughnuts and vending machine ramen.
There are plenty of incredible cultural experiences on offer in Tokyo, ranging from immersive ninja demonstrations to temple tours. If you’re travelling with older kids, you can show off your driving skills on a guided group tour of the city in your own Mario Kart.
Approved by adults: If your kids are animal lovers, a visit to one of Tokyo’s famous themed cafés is a must – they can cuddle with cats, owls, hedgehogs and even pigs while you enjoy your morning coffee. The city is also renowned for its serene park spaces, especially during spring when cherry blossom viewing season (Hanami) is in full bloom.
When you’re ready for a change of pace, you can take a day trip to the Fuji Five Lakes region, where you can hike through pristine forests and take a boat ride spectacular Lake Kawaguchi, with the added bonus of a thrilling ride on Japan’s famous bullet train. Add a touch of luxury to your Japan experience by treating the family to a scenic helicopter flight over Tokyo.
Approved by kids: Vietnam is a destination that makes learning about history and culture fun for kids of all ages. They can explore the historic streets of Hoi An’s Old Town by cyclo, experience the magic of a water puppet show in Hanoi and shop for dragon fruit in the floating markets of the Mekong Delta.
There are plenty of amazing interactive and meaningful experiences to share with your kids, such as helping to hiking through verdant rice terraces in Sapa, exploring through the historic Cu Chi tunnels, and savouring the stunning views from the iconic Ba Na Hills Bridge.
Approved by adults: whether you’re looking for an adventure holiday or a flop and drop beach retreat, Vietnam truly has something for everyone. There are plenty of great family-friendly resorts dotted along its coastline, where you can relax under a palm tree while the kids frolic on stunning white-sand beaches.
Experience the stunning bays and islands of Ha Long Bay with an overnight cruise on a historic wooden junk. You’ll have opportunities to go snorkelling or explore limestone caves by kayak or paddleboard, then snuggle together on the open deck to watch the night sky light up with countless brilliant stars.
Approved by kids: imagine an outdoor adventure playground that’s bursting with fun activities and set in one of the world’s most spectacular alpine environments. Whether you’re leaping off a bridge into a ravine, attached to an oversized elastic band, or diving beneath the pristine waters of Lake Wakatipu in an oversized shark-shaped jet boat, Queenstown offers endless ways to satisfy your kids’ appetite for hair-raising thrills.
Cruise by historic steamship to Walter Peak Station, where the kids can enjoy farm animal encounters and tractor rides. Take a heart stopping, high-speed jetboat ride through Skipper’s Canyon, then treat the family to mouthwatering gelato during a stroll along the lakefront.
Approved by adults: the historic village of Arrowtown is a short drive from downtown Queenstown, where you’ll find cute boutiques and cafes as well as an extensive network of scenic hiking and mountain biking trails.
With three world-class ski resorts located within an hour’s drive, Queenstown is also a fabulous destination for a winter holiday. You can book the kids into ski school or kids’ club, then hit the slopes or head to the mountain café for a glass of mulled wine or a steaming hot chocolate.
A great family holiday is one that strikes the perfect balance between fun, relaxation, adventure and connection, all while creating magical shared memories. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach break or an intrepid adventure, your Personal Travel Manager can help you tailor a family holiday that keeps everyone happy.
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
