The 13 best family-friendly resorts in Australia

Where: The Whitsundays, Queensland

Best for: Beach babies who love activities

Surrounded by crystal-clear waters, soft-white sand and lush tropical gardens, Daydream Island Resort is a dream come true for beach-loving families. You and your youngsters can snorkel amidst vibrant coral reefs, embark on sailing adventures or simply unwind on the sandy shores. For those who prefer to stay dry, the resort's remarkable Living Reef, an expansive 200-metre outdoor aquarium, allows you to get up close and personal with more than 100 local marine species. While you're enjoying the bougie day spa, you can send the kids to the resort's dedicated kids club, which offers lots of entertainment, like treasure hunts, wildlife encounters, animal scavenges and rainforest walks.

Where: Monkey Mia, Western Australia

Best for: A chill family holiday by the beach

If your cheeky little monkeys have been on their best behaviour lately, reward them with a holiday at RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. Located in the stunning Shark Bay World Heritage Area – home to the famous Monkey Mia dolphins – this family-friendly resort is just steps from the sand. There is a mix of beachfront rooms and villas, along with caravan and camping sites (plus a camp kitchen for easy feeds). Don't worry about packing activities – your young adventurers will be entertained for hours with beach volleyball, giant chess, mini golf, a playground, fishing jetty, go-kart hire, kayaks and magical morning dolphin interactions. Bonus points – dogs are welcome too!  

Where: Jabiru, Northern Territory

Best for: A classic Aussie outback experience

Shaped like a gigantic saltwater crocodile, this wild hotel in Kakadu National Park embodies the Northern Territory’s irreverently irresistible spirit. Situated in the township of Jabiru, this croc-shaped paradise (spoiler: there are no real crocs here) is an excellent base from which to explore Kakadu. All rooms have big white beds and easy pool and courtyard access. With an on-site restaurant, shaded seating areas and lovely bright rooms, this (slightly) wacky accom is a comfortable place to retreat to after a day of adventuring in one of the most amazing national parks in the world. Plus, kids will enjoy identifying which part of the giant croc they're sleeping in. 

Where: Ballarat, Victoria

Best for: Little dreamers who think their life is a magical fantasy

If the thought of exploring a magical castle sings to you or your kids, look no further. Dragons, knights, archery and a mystical labyrinth are all on the cards at this wild castle experience in Victoria. With hundreds of epic experiences (including a Unicorn Festival) on offer, this is the perfect one-stop holiday for all kids obsessed with magic. You can stay in tents, cabins or luxe castle-themed suites at the Big4 Holiday Park on-site, take a dip in the pool, and then spend a day pretending you're an extra in Merlin, The Lord of the Rings and pretty much every Medieval fantasy movie ever made. 

Where: Sydney, New South Wales

Best for: Little ones who love wildlife encounters

This one's a little more bougie, but if you've got some cash to splash while you're in Sydney and want a child-friendly city trip with a twist, staying overnight at Taronga Zoo could be exactly that. Having a sleepover at the zoo is the stuff that most kids' (and adults') dreams are made of, and at Wildlife Retreat, it all comes true. From hearing lions roar at dawn to waking up to curious kangaroos sniffing outside your giant glass wall, this experience is a once-in-a-lifetime delight for the whole family.

Where: Gold Coast, Queensland

Best for: A five-stay stay by the beach

Soft white sand, bright blue waters teeming with tropical fish and a streaming waterfall – we’re not talking about the Great Barrier Reef, we’re talking about the JW Marriott’s dreamy lagoon, which was awarded Australia’s Best Hotel Pool in 2021. Everyone, from eight-year-olds to eighty-year-olds, is looked after at this family-friendly resort, which offers coastal activities like snorkelling, sandcastle making, garden tours, face painting, mermaid hair braiding and daily fish feeding, along with Jacuzzis, floating aqua pilates, poolside cabanas and aquatic scooter hire. It's also super close to the beach and all the many wonders of the Gold Coast, making it a family favourite for a reason. 

Where: Exmouth, Western Australia

Best for: A bucket-list family holiday

If you're headed our west, you're going to want to put Ningaloo Reef on your list of things to do. This resort is the only one of its kind in this neck of the woods, and is perfect for those who want to snorkel in one of the world's wildest and most magnificent places – but without having to rough it accommodation-wise. Expect resort-style accommodation, a kids' swimming area, an adults' pool, direct beach access, an on-site restaurant and bar, and a free shuttle bus into town. Getting to see the sunrise over the ocean from your bedroom window is a pretty fantastic highlight, too.

Where: Phillip Island, Victoria

Best for: A humble holiday far from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Phillip Island is a pretty special place. Perfect for a weekend getaway from Melbourne, this gorgeous island is full of little penguin colonies, beautiful beaches and plentiful adventure activities. If you're after an affordable resort that's built on being family-friendly, Silverwater should be high on your list. With heated indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, a kids' playground, an arcade games room, games courts and very exciting rainbow 'jumping pillows', there's a boredom buster for pretty much everyone. Plus, you're in a prime location to explore the countless wonders of this tiny Southern gem. How's that for a good time? 

Where: Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

Best for: Animal spotting adventures in the wilderness

Whether you want to take your teens on a super ’grammable stroll around Dove Lake or send the little ones on a wombat-spotting mission, World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain is the ultimate playground for adventurous kids. You and your fam can stay near the start of all the wilderness action at Cradle Mountain Lodge in one of two dedicated Pencil Pine Cabins that sleep up to five. You only have to walk five minutes from the lodge to arrive at a shuttle bus stop, which takes you to the start of multiple trails. The lodge’s scenery is enchanting, too – full of wombats, pademelons and even a little family of Tassie devils hiding under the main building when we visited. Tell the little ones to stay on the lookout!