australia trip with baby

Flying With A Baby To Australia: Our Experience & Top Tips

Jayne Gorman

January 24, 2020

I wish I’d written a few more notes at the time of flying with a baby between Australia and the UK but I think I was so relieved to have survived the journey I wasn’t ready to relive it right-away!

We flew to Australia with our son when he was 9 months old. In case you’re new around here; I’m English, my hubby is Aussie, and we currently reside in the UK . We didn’t choose to travel with a child across the world for 27+ hours for sport, but rather to introduce our little one to his furthest and dearest relatives in Melbourne. We had initially planned to do this trip when Miles was smaller, around 3 months, but had to delay the trip while we sorted out a UK partner visa for my husband. (Always a visa/travel drama going around here.)

So, back to that flight with a 9 month old baby. Overall, I remember thinking it was better than I imagined. We did have meltdowns (the baby, not me, although I came close), we did have other passengers sigh ‘oh no’ very loudly when they boarded and saw our little cherub (I’ve thought the same thing but never been so rude as to voice it!) and we even had a mini drama on the way home when Miles fell ill during our stopover in Singapore and was deemed unfit to fly. FOR 5 DAYS.

But, rather than put you off ever flying long-haul with a baby , I’m hoping that by sharing my less-than-ideal experiences, you’ll feel more prepared for your own journeys. I’ve gone into quite a bit of detail about our specific experience here, but you can just scroll down for the top takeaways if that’s all you need!

Flying with a baby between the UK and Australia

Flying with a baby on qantas.

We were initially due to fly with Singapore Airlines, which is my airline of choice when flying internationally, but when we had to cancel our first trip it worked out too expensive to rebook with them.

Instead we flew with Qantas, which was perfectly fine, but does mean we were in a bit of a lottery in terms of getting a bassinet seat, as Qantas don’t preassign them like Singapore Airlines. Instead you put in a request for the baby bassinet and they are assigned at check in with priority given to younger babies. (At least that’s my understanding – although personally I think that makes little sense as the lighter ones are easier to hold for 14 hours straight compared to a 10kg lump!)

As it turned out we were assigned bassinet seats for all 4 legs of the journey there and back, just unfortunately one of the aircrafts wasn’t equipped with the actual bassinet.

(This was on the Singapore to Melbourne leg so just an 8-ish hour long journey lol. We had looked up the aircraft in advance and knew there was a danger that if we were assigned the centre bulkhead seats there wouldn’t be a bassinet there, but 2 different members of staff swore at check in – in London and again in Singapore – that we had a bassinet. They were wrong – their systems obviously weren’t as familiar with the plane as SeatGuru !)

Luckily, the staff on board were kind enough to reseat the gentlemen who had been assigned to our row (and he was very good to move!) and we ended up with 4 seats in the middle of the plane that we could lie Miles down in when we lost feeling in our arms from holding him.

What we didn’t realise is that with Qantas you also have to request meals for the babies. We had bought enough of our own supplies, but it would have been nice to amuse him for a little while with a pouch or snack he hadn’t seen before. I was able to get my hands on some pouches on one of the flights but was told that technically I should have requested it in advance as they don’t carry baby food as standard. We also weren’t given an amenity kit for Miles for this reason.

If you’re still deciding which airline to fly with, I would say that overall the Qantas crew were kind and the food was quite good, but if I’m honest the crew on our Virgin Atlantic flight to New York had been much more helpful. (They made sure we always had water and staggered our meals, for example, as they knew we had our hands full.) I appreciate the crew have a lot of people to look after on these long-haul journeys but if I was weighing it all up again, I’d go with Singapore Airlines like we initially intended.

Packing baby food and formula for a flight

I think what I googled most before the flight was how much formula and food I could take on board for the baby and in what quantities. The answer is you can take as much sealed baby food and formula (or breast milk) as you like, it will just be subject to additional checks at security.

Baby food and formula are exempt from the 100ml limit rule on liquids. Find the official rules from Heathrow here .

We decided to pack instant formula for Miles, so I didn’t have to worry about sourcing cooled boiled water. I’d given these to him at room temperature since he was little, so we didn’t have to worry about heating them either.

I ended up packing a lot – I think about 10 bottles of 200ml each – to account for all the travel time either side of the flight and a 7hr stopover in Singapore. I also picked up 4 more in Boots airside just for good measure.

You can pre-order formula to be collected at Boots at the airport, but I don’t like doing this as I’ve experienced some lengthy queues that just put a time pressure on you. I prefer to come with as much as I need and then buy a bit more off the shelves if I have time to duck in.

I also packed 6 pouches of Ella’s Kitchen purees – so 2 days’ worth of food – and I put these along with the sealed bottles of instant formula in a separate packing cube , so they were easy to grab out of our hand luggage at security.

Don’t bother putting baby food/formula in clear bags as they get taken off for separate checks.

Security took a little longer while they took these off for testing, but it buys you some time to get the baby in and out of the buggy as you can’t wheel them through in it. (Even if they’re sleeping unfortunately.)

In terms of arriving in Australia, just make sure you declare that you’re bringing baby food and milk in. Throw away any opened items and discard any fresh fruit etc if you have it. I wrote on the customs card that it was baby food we were declaring and thankfully we weren’t searched. We had a lot of bags they would have needed to get through!

Bassinet seats on planes

We’ve taken 6 long-haul flights with Miles and learned that not all bassinet seats are created equal. While Virgin’s are more like a bouncer with a harness (which Miles hated as he sleeps on his side and couldn’t curl up in it) the Qantas bassinets are actual cribs that they can lie flat or sit up and play in.

When they are sleeping in them there is this weird net-like cover attached to a steel bar that you have to cage them in with, so we found we had to rock Miles to sleep in our arms and then very carefully transition him to the bassinet, so he didn’t get weirded out by it. It worked and he slept for the majority of all our flights, it was just very awkward trying to get him successfully in it with very limited movements!

Worth noting is that the weight limit is 11kg on the bassinet and they are not the longest. At 9 months old our leggy baby had to poke his feet out the end of it!

Toys to entertain a baby on a plane

Letting Miles sit up and play in the bassinet was a game changer. He could see most of economy from his lofty perch and, whether they enjoyed it or not, he smiled and played peekaboo with different passengers. On one flight he was awake at the same time as a neighbouring baby, so we sat them up facing each other and they cooed across the plane.

If I’m totally honest, the things he enjoyed playing with the most were the in-flight safety card, an empty water bottle, and my seat buckle when I let him sit in it. (On one flight I had a window seat and sat on the floor so Miles could play in my seat.)

Other items that were worth packing were:

Lift the flap board books

Banana teether toothbrush

Skip Hop activity toy

Buckle book toy – for older babies, we didn’t have one of these but I’m getting it for our next flight!

There are many more things we could amuse him with now, but at the age he was at the time he wasn’t into much of anything apart from the above items. I tried to get him to watch cartoons without success, he did enjoy playing with the telly handset though.

Our Singapore Stopover

If there is any way you can make this happen, I 100% recommend you plan a short stopover mid-way, even if it’s just to get a shower. On our outbound journey we gave ourselves a break of 7 hours before our second leg from Singapore to Melbourne and it was a lifesaver on many levels.

We booked a 6 hour stay at the Aerotel Transit Hotel in Terminal 1 and just having that time to put Miles on the floor, eat some food, have a long, hot shower and parent in private was so necessary.

For me, one of the worst things about flying long-haul with a baby is the anxiety from trying to keep the baby happy (and quiet) for many hours, in front of many people, in a very confined flying vessel. A lot of tension melted away once we could close the hotel room door, make as much noise and mess as we please, and starfish in comfy beds. (Even Miles had a cot to get a decent sleep in.)

We didn’t stay any longer than 7 hours on the way out as we did want to get the outbound journey over and done with, but we booked a few nights in Singapore on the way back. The intention was to relax and enjoy a mini holiday while breaking the flight up, but that plan went a little awry when Miles fell ill just hours before our departure. (Perhaps I should share this whole saga in a separate post?!)

Anyway, my point is, book yourself a bed/room half way even if it’s just for a few hours. It will do your mental health wonders!

Find lots more ideas for things to do at Singapore Changi Airport here.

The meltdowns

For the sake of full disclosure, I do need to tell you that our generally angelic child did melt down on 2 separate occasions. It happens. Each time it was because we had a late-night departure and he was overtired and overstimulated after being in the airport.

Unfortunately flying around the baby’s nap/sleep times is almost impossible to do when you’re dealing with a 24+ hour journey from one side of the world to the other. We went with flights that landed at decent hours, but the compromise was we departed late and had tears before take-off.

In each case Miles got seriously upset, the kind of crying you only see if they are teething, badly , and it’s very hard not to question all your life decisions and feel like a terrible parent. Then, after about 10 minutes, usually once we were air bound and the engine noise kicked in, he fell asleep, and there were no more tears until landing. The challenge is to hold your nerve in the heat of the melt down!

Top tips for flying with a baby internationally

So that’s a summary of our experience of flying to Oz with a baby. Here are my top takeaways:

• Pack as much food and formula as you deem fit for the journey. Have it packed in a separate bag or packing cube in your hand luggage ready for extra checks at security.
• Get anally organised. I touch on more of this here , but be sure to arrange your hand luggage, of which there will be many bits, in as smart a way as possible. Brief your partner/travel buddy so when you’re hissing ‘pass me the Bongela’ in a darkened cabin they know exactly where to look.
• Buy The Travel Hack Cabin Case which has a separate handbag compartment (I use this for snacks and liquids) and heaps of space for spare clothes and toys in the main section. Find a full review here .
• Get a travel buggy that you can take on the plane with you to lessen the load through the airports. We have the Silver Cross Jet that connects with our car seat but have my eye on a Babyzen Yoyo for our next trip.

• We bought a baby carrier on board for the way out but didn’t bother on the way back as Miles slept fine in the bassinet or while being gently rocked in our arms. We didn’t end up pacing the aisles with him on our front like I pictured, but you know your own kid, bring it if you think it will help!
• Pack a large muslin/swaddle blanket ( we have this ) for the baby to sleep in. I bought Miles’ usual sleep bag on board with us and it was way too much of a faff trying to get him into it. When he fell asleep on us he would get really hot so I just draped my scarf across him and that’s what he ended up being wrapped up in in the bassinet as I couldn’t extract it.
• Miles travelled in Bonds Wondersuits which really are wonderful for flying. It was easy to pop a few spares in the bag and change him in the toilets when he got covered in food/dribble.
• Stopover, even if it’s just for a few hours, and hide away in an airport hotel .
• Request bassinet seats and infant meals in advance. Some airlines don’t make you do this but ours did.
• Use what’s around you – safety cards, water bottles, seat buckles, other (hopefully willing) passengers – to amuse the baby. If they are sturdy enough prop them up with pillows in the bassinet seat so they can have a look around without you holding them.
• Create a mini nappy changing kit with a packing cube so you don’t have to take your whole bag to the toilet with you.

• Buy a flight log book and ask the crew if the captain will sign it. They might even invite you onto the flight deck to see it being done.
• Don’t forget to look after yourself. Pack snacks in case you don’t have a free lap at mealtimes and pop a Kindle in your hand luggage in case that’s the only entertainment you can reach. You might also want to check out these tips for how to sleep on a plane .
• Most of all don’t panic. Little ones always sleep eventually and hopefully the engine hum will help them happily snooze a lot of the way.

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And that’s it! Wishing you very happy travels with your little families. Let me know if any of these tips help you on your way.

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I’m Jayne, a travel blogger, content creator and mum to a 4-year-old son. I’ve been blogging since 2010, travelled to 65 countries and share travel guides and tips to help you plan stylish, stress-free trips.

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My daily blogging routine with a 1-year-old baby, 5 thoughts on “flying with a baby to australia: our experience & top tips”.

OMG so many great tips! You are amazing and inspiring! My Ben is 6 mo and we’re planning a Big Vacation soon. I am wondering if it’s going to work but with your post I believe it will! I’ve already sleep trained him (with HWL method from parental-love.com – highly recommended!), we tried a short plane trip visiting grandparents (went pretty smoothly) sooo… fingers crossed!

Hi Joanne, so glad you found this useful! Having a short practise run is a great idea, we did the same and it def helped us narrow down what to pack and what to expect. Having a baby that sleeps well is also a blessing when it comes to these things haha. Hope you have a happy and safe trip.

We have our first long haul flight with Oscar coming up. Thanks for the tips!!

How exciting! Enjoy the adventure :p

Cannot get over how adorable Miles is! Such great tips for flying with a baby.

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Travel Stories: Australia with Baby

I’m delighted to share another story from Kelly Burch. We first met Kelly when she shared her stopover in Dubai en route to Australia to visit her husband and family. She also took an adventurous Eastern Canada road trip with her baby AND extended family!

Here is her story of visiting Brisbane, Australia with her infant daughter. I admit the thought of flying to Australia with kids is incredibly daunting. But it looks like visiting Australia with baby is well worth the effort!

Visiting Brisbane, Australia with Baby

I never imagined I would be flying to Australia with my child before she was a year old. However, when she was just four months old a health crisis in the family brought my husband – an Australian – back to his home country. Not one to miss an adventure, I quickly arranged a passport for the baby and met my husband in Brisbane three weeks later.

Good News = Great Adventure

Although the trip stemmed from a crisis, it ended up being a great adventure. Even more so because the day we landed our family member received good news medically. This freed us to enjoy our trip. We were able to introduce the baby to her grandparents, and enjoy an adventure through Queensland, Australia , bringing the baby to places my husband had visited as a child and that we enjoyed during the 18 months we lived in Australia.

My love for the country’s striking natural beauty and laid-back people was deepened after visiting Australia with baby. Here’s what we did – and didn’t do –during the trip:

Australia with Baby: The Sunshine Coast

No matter how wonderful Australia is and how smoothly the flights go, one thing is unavoidable when visiting down under: jet lag . Luckily, my husband flew a few weeks before us and was able to help with the baby while I slept.

Australia with Baby: Beach Time

For our daughter, who was still in the fourth-trimester bliss of waking every three hours around the clock, the time difference didn’t seem to matter much. However, for me it was brutal. To relax and ride the wave of jet lag we headed the to the Sunshine Coast  soon after we arrived. Brisbane is an inland city and doesn’t have easy access any great beaches. However, it is flanked by some of the most beautiful beaches in the world – on the Gold Coast to the south and the Sunshine Coast to the north. 

We were lucky enough to stay in a family friend’s apartment in the beach town of Caloundra , one of the closest beach towns to Brisbane , about an hour north of the city. Caloundra was a perfect destination for a jetlagged couple with an infant.

Tropical Feel + Urban Amenities

When you are facing the ocean or watching the waves crash on Bribie Island you feel as if you are on a remote resort in the south pacific. However, when you turn your back to the beach you remember that there is a good-sized city with everything that you could need just beyond the sand. This came in especially helpful when our daughter developed a bad cough and had to visit urgent care . We were able to get her a doctor’s appointment and pick up her prescriptions easily, and the staff were familiar with tourists paying cash for medical care.

Getting Around Caloundra with Baby:

The easily accessible beaches and paved, shady walkways made strolling with the baby easy and enjoyable. The numerous coffee shops and cafes were perfect for taking nursing breaks . A short drive up the coast brought us to Noosa , an absolutely stunning upscale beachside village that is home to a national park famed for koalas. Although we weren’t able to spot any on our hike, the views over the ocean made up for the lack of wildlife.

Australia with Baby: Brisbane City

Brisbane is smaller than other Australia capital cities like Sydney and Melbourne. That allows visitors to feel as if they truly know the city. The relaxed atmosphere and outdoor focus make sub-tropical Brisbane an enjoyable, easy place to live – or to visit – traveling to Australia with baby.

A Bit About Brisbane with Baby

Brisbane is a walkable city that is slightly smaller than Boston. But, despite its size, there is always something to do. One of our favourite activities during our trip was to visit Southbank , the man-made sand beach and saltwater pool that overlooks the Brisbane CBD (Central Business District, or downtown) from the other side of the Brisbane River.

Aussies are very keen on sun-safety, so there is plenty of natural shade provided by the landscaping along the pool. The baby loved splashing in the warm water, and I loved that the sand was safe for her to crawl around in. I didn’t mind that there was no easy beach access from Brisbane because Southbank was a perfect alternative with close parking, restrooms, and easy access to shops and dining.

Enjoying Southbank

Playgrounds, a boardwalk through a small tropical forest, and the huge Riverwalk (a paved path along the Brisbane River) make Southbank the perfect place to spend an afternoon, and we returned often throughout our trip. The weekend markets, beginning on Friday nights and lasting through Sunday, bring even more life to the area.

From Southbank it is easy to take a short ferry ride to many points in the city, including Kangaroo Point Cliffs (another beautiful recreational area along the river) and Eagle Street Pier, a trendy riverside area full of bars and restaurants (although here you’re more likely to encounter city workers having a drink after work than families).

If you’re up for a longer ferry ride (which can be an event in and of itself for older kids), New Farm Park is a beautiful grassy park, complete with paved trails and a fantastic playground about a 15-minute ferry ride from the CBD. A ten-minute walk inland from the river will bring you into the newly gentrified suburb of New Farm, full of boutique shops and cafes.

Mount Coot-Tha

If you have access to a car, it is worth driving 15 minutes outside the CBD to Mount Coot-tha, a small mountain with a beautiful overlook. From the overlook, which has a restaurant and ice cream stand, you can see all of Brisbane city: the winding course of the Brisbane River, and all the way to the ocean. Adventurers can hike to the top of the mountain (a fairly short, easy climb), but you can also drive all the way to the outlook.

Australia with Baby: What We Missed…

One of my only regrets of our trip to Australia with baby is that we didn’t make a trek to Fraser Island, one of my favourite spots from previous trips.

Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand-dune island located three hours north of Brisbane . It’s accessible only by ferry and four-wheel drive vehicle. Fraser Island is what people picture when they think of Australia – it is truly wild.

Access to the island is controlled by the tides, and campers must carry in everything they need, including drinking water, fuel, and cooking supplies. There are no designated campsites; rather, Aussies just set up camp behind the dunes. The Pacific Ocean rails against the island and the shark-filled surf is unsafe for swimming. Wild dingoes watch campers, hoping for food left unattended. Not exactly baby-friendly 🙂

Wild Australia with Baby?

However, Fraser Island’s untouched wilderness is breathtaking. The freshwater lakes are simply amazing and the four-wheel drive tracks through the hills and rainforests are unlike anything else I’ve done. Yet, despite my willingness to adventure to the other side of the world, I couldn’t work up my courage to take an infant to Fraser. Although I’m not usually cautious, the idea of being out of cell reception with no access to emergency services was too much with a baby.

My husband finally convinced me that we should stay at Kingfisher Bay Resort , one of the only resorts on the island. Set on the inland side of Fraser Island,  Kingfisher provides housing, dining, and tour options. It is also an easy ferry ride away from the mainland. It was a compromise that would allow us to go to Fraser with more support.

Unfortunately, we left Australia quickly because of a job offer, before we could make the trip.

Tips and Tricks for Traveling to Australia with Baby:

Why Brisbane?

I may be partial to visiting Queensland because I’ve lived there, but I believe a visit to Brisbane offers the most bang for your buck on a trip to Australia with baby.

From  Brisbane , you can visit the beautiful mountains, rainforests and waterfalls of the Gold Coast Hinterland (about an hour south of the city). To the North, you have the  Sunshine Coast , with Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo (an hour north); Mon Repos Turtle Centre , where you can watch sea turtles nest and hatch, depending on the season; Fraser Island; and access to the Southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef from the Town of 1770 (About 6 hours north of Brisbane ). Having visited the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns and from 1770, I found the snorkeling equally breathtaking at the southern tip of the reef.

Flying to Australia with a Baby

When people learn that I took my infant to Australia, they all have the same first question: How did you survive the flight? It’s true that the flight to Australia is brutal. It’s about 24 hours of travel if you time it perfectly from Boston. But really,  flying with an infant wasn’t any worse than flying down under usually is. I knew from experience that having one stopover rather than two is worth the extra money.

Flying from Boston to L.A. or Dallas, and then direct to Brisbane on Qantas makes the trip much easier, despite the 14- to 17-hour flight over the Pacific. Because my daughter was still an infant we booked a bassinet seat, which means that we were guaranteed a seat on the bulkhead. The extra legroom and the bassinet meant that flying with a baby was in some ways more comfortable than making the journey alone. It is worth noting that a lap child traveling internationally pays about 10% of an adult fare.

Final Thoughts on Australia with Baby

Logistically, Australia with baby was an easy visit. There were plenty of options for diapers (nappies). Although the brands are not the same the quality is great. I had no problem finding an equivalent of the dairy and soy-free formula that my daughter required. When we needed medical care on the trip it was easily accessible and affordable.

Everyone in Australia loved getting to know the “bub” who had travelled the world to come visit her father’s homeland. I was so glad that we made the trip.

Kelly Burch is a freelance writer living in New Hampshire, where she is probably planning her next trip. Connect with Kelly on Facebook , or read more of her work at  Burch Creative .

Have Baby Will Travel  is a participant in the  Amazon Services LLC Associates/Influencer Program . If you make a purchase through this site, we may receive a small commission.  Click here to check out our Amazon Store .

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12 Responses to Travel Stories: Australia with Baby

I’ve been wanting to travel to Australia since my kids were babies, and now they’re teens! Great tips, even if they’re too late for me! 🙂

Great tips on how to visit Australia with a wee one. I’ve yet to visit, but after reading about Fraser Island, I’m sold on why I should go!

Australia, such an amazing country to visit. Till now there was a big question in my mind was, how we can plan a trip with kids. But thank you Corinne, for sharing such a great tips with us. Nice article!

Oh how I hope to visit Australia someday!

It’s a long way to go … but with enough vacation time, worth it!

This is one adventurous mom and baby. Way to go!

This is a great article. Thanks 🙂

I’m excited to pass this along to many of my friends and clients. I’ve travelled a little bit in Asia and am always impressed with those travelling with small children and especially infants. Its really living life to the fullest! It truly puts a massive smile on my face!

Being a man its hard to understand the problems a mother faces while handling her baby in travelling. But I am happy that my wife now can be a part of our travel plans. Thanks Corinne for sharing these travel tips!

Great article! I really love articles with tips and tricks. Thank you for sharing that. I’m from Australia by the way. Thanks for visiting here!

Great article! We are about to travel to Brisbane with our 11 month old in a couple weeks from Denver so this was very helpful!

My husband and my 9 month old infant are flying to Australia in October! 2nd time for us, first time for baby. We love Australia. Thanks for the tips!

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How to holiday with a baby; your ultimate 4-step guide

Quentin Long

Managing Director

16 July 2021

So, you’re really doing it? You’re taking your little dictator, sorry, little bundle of joy, on holiday. Here’s a guide to help you make the holiday a happy one.

We commend your brave commitment to the pledge made by every parent when they first hear of bub’s imminent arrival – the pledge to continue living life as you always have, just with a small, sometimes shouty third wheel in tow.

The ultimate guide to your first family trip.

While the thought of travelling with a baby can induce heart palpitations in even the most zen parents, if done right, it can be endlessly rewarding and there is, in fact, no good reason why you shouldn’t do it.

All it takes is a little preparation, a bit of research and a few positive mantras (just in case). Of course, there may still be the odd meltdown – it’ll just take place in a far more thrilling location.

Here is your ultimate need-to-know, nitty-gritty guide to your first family holiday.

1. Choose the best destination for a baby holiday

2. Find the best place to stay with a baby

3. How to prepare for a holiday with a baby

4. How to pack for a holiday with a baby

5. Survival tips

Hamilton Island has stunning, baby-friendly beaches and reef access for the whole family to enjoy.

Step one: choose the best destination for a baby holiday

A successful first family holiday often comes down to your choice of destination. If you’ve never flown or taken a long drive with your new bub before, it’s sage advice to pick a holiday within Australia that can be accessed in no more than a few hours.

There’s no point to arriving a frazzled mess, questioning your life choices, when a little planning can side-step travel trauma.

Remember, holidays are different now. You won’t be stumbling out of bars at 3am, trekking the wilderness or lounging by a pool from sunrise to sunset, so look for destinations that offer something the whole family can enjoy together.

Gone are the days of intimate late night feasts, a baby friendly restaurant on holidays is your new best friend. (Image Hamilton Island)

Generally, that means cities don’t make the cut. Trundling around a concrete jungle in a stroller is probably not your child’s idea of a good time either.

To get you started, here are our top-five picks:

1. Hamilton Island : We love Hamilton Island, not only because it’s easily accessible, has stunning, baby-friendly beaches and reef access, but because it caters specifically to new parents. The resort island offers child-minding services, a 24-hour on-call doctor and even child seats for those super-fun golf buggies.

2. Noosa : Thanks to beautiful, stroller-accessible walks, gentle bays and plenty of activities, Noosa is a hot spot for families. If you’re feeling up for the challenge, camping here is also a safe and easy option.

3. Tasmania : While road trips are generally not a great idea for baby’s first holiday, Tassie’s smaller size makes them entirely achievable. Just be sure to drive for no more than an hour at a time before stopping to take in the stunning scenery and to let toddlers stretch those chubby legs.

4. Lord Howe Island : Gentle bays, activities and incredible wildlife make Lord Howe an unforgettable destination. Hop on a bike and explore or let baby splash in the shallows while you take in the view.

5. Byron Bay : Byron is a good middle ground for parents who still want a taste of their old life. There’s a cosmopolitan vibe going on, but also beautiful beaches and plenty of farm and rainforest excursions that are baby friendly.

Bridestowe Lavender Estate is one of the most spectacular vistas during flowering in December & January. (Image: Cultivate Productions)

Step two: find the best place to stay with a baby

Before you book your usual accommodation, complete with glass coffee table and un-fenced plunge pool, stop and assess your needs travelling with a potentially powerpoint-poking mini-me.

Often, serviced apartments are a great option, as a kitchenette makes meal prep and milk-heating easy. Usually baby’s breakfast and dinner will take place back at your accommodation, so a stovetop and bar fridge will be a lifesaver.

However, there are upsides to resorts and hotels, too. Firstly, they will usually have a cot and stroller available, as with Hamilton Island, so that’s one less thing to lug with you.

Hamilton Island also offers child-minding options and dedicated programs for kids, giving you a brief respite to holiday like you used to.

Baby minding services enable parents to have some time for a break. (Image Hamilton Island)

Wherever you end up, it’s good practice to do a quick baby-proofing as soon as you’ve dropped your bags, such as moving any breakable items out of reach, blocking access to electrical cords and removing any furniture that could be pulled down onto their tiny selves.

Step three: how to prepare for a holiday with a baby

Alright, you know where you’re going and where you’re staying, but what on earth do you do with an out-of-routine bub once you’re there? You can still follow your regular schedule, but try to allow for a bit of flexibility – you’re on holidays, after all.

You don’t want to have to race back from the beach for nap time. Instead, try getting your baby used to falling asleep in a stroller before you go.

Holidays with toddlers and baby’s can be great fun for everyone., if you have done your homework.

Putting them into a sleep bag and giving them their comforter will help to signal it’s time for a nap, but be prepared for them to resist the urge to sleep if they’re having too much fun.

If your little one is already walking, then before you go, make sure you know the location of a nearby playground and dedicate some time for your toddler to play and interact with other littlies each day.

Some dedicated time for running around means they’ll be more willing to spend a bit more time on the things you enjoy, too.

Having a bag packed with essentials and snacks can help to stretch out the time to an impending meltdown. You’d be surprised how long a packet of sultanas or a toys like the Tangerine Studio toys will buy you.

As a parent, you already know that babies come with more accessories than Barbie, so it’s about finding the best and lightest versions of the necessities.

Step four: how to pack for a holiday with baby

Of course, packing light is the goal. But as a parent, you already know that babies come with more accessories than Barbie, so it’s about finding the best and lightest versions of the necessities.

For example, according to mamonlineshop , there are only a couple of travel strollers compact enough to be allowed in the overhead bins on a plane. These may not be cheap, but if you plan to travel regularly over the next few years, they are worth the money.

It also pays to research the lightest travel cots. Some touted as travel cots are strangely heavy and cumbersome, so look around.

It’s worth remembering, however, that most airlines will allow you to take a certain number of bulky baby items free of charge. Prioritise what you really need to take, and the rest you can hire. It’s usually not worth taking a baby car seat, and high chairs are often available at your accommodation.

Once the big items are sorted, it’s just a matter of making sure you have the essentials. Bottles, formula, painkillers (should a tooth erupt mid-holiday), bedding, swim nappies, and, for the love of peace, do not forget their favourite soft toy or bunny rug! There’s also plenty of baby shops in cairns that you can check out if you’re looking to buy a new stroller or other baby products that you might need on your holiday.

The more you prepare for flying with a baby, the more likely it is going to be less stressful.

Survival tips for a holiday with a baby

Even the most meticulous planning can go awry, so check out these tried-and-tested tips: 1. If flying, be sure to breast- or bottle-feed your baby on the ascent and descent to help their ears little equalise. Or try sugar-free lollipops for toddlers. 2. Buy a new ‘emergency’ toy and keep it hidden. Reveal only in crisis meltdown mode. 3. If driving, do a few longer car trips in the lead up to your holiday. 4. Make a pack list and check it, twice.

And finally… relax. In years to come you’ll only remember the good parts.

Quentin Long is the co-founder of Australian Traveller Media, Australia’s largest independent travel media company. Quentin is a sought-after travel media commentator. He is Australia’s most trusted source for travel news and insights, having held weekly radio segments across the country since 2006, and regularly appearing on Channel 9’s Today and A Current Affair programs from 2010. Dont ask him his favourite travel experience as that's like asking him to choose a favourite child. However he does say that Garma Festival is the one travel experience that changed him the most.

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Australia with Kids: Our Experience & Family Travel Tips

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: January 9, 2024

Are you thinking of traveling to Australia with kids, but are not sure what to expect? In this article, you can read about our experience visiting Australia with young children. We also included some practical tips for traveling Australia with kids. Find out!

We made a 35-day long trip to Australia with our three children. Our oldest son turned 5 the day we arrived in Sydney, and his twin brothers were just 3. Many people said we were completely out of our minds taking kids for such a long trip on the other side of the world, some others wished us courage…

If you are wondering whether you can travel to Australia with kids, and in particular with young kids, my answer is yes, absolutely! There are some places and some trips that you better postpone until the children are older, but Australia is a perfect choice when it comes to family travel. The country is so diverse that you can easily choose your destinations and activities in such a way that it would fit your family’s interests.

Before we jump to the practical tips for traveling to Australia with kids , I want to share a short story – what happened just before our family trip to Australia and what we learned from it. Read on!

Australia with kids – we also had our concerns before the trip

A few days before our trip, the biggest bushfires in 50 years were raging through the Blue Mountains – our first destination of the 5-week Australia trip with children.

We were glued to our TV and were seriously starting to wonder if it was a good idea to travel to Australia with toddlers. But just the day before we left, there was some good news at last: the fire was somewhat contained and the place where we were heading to in the Blue Mountains would be open for tourists…

That was not the only worry we had before the trip. The morning before our flight, one of our 3-year old twins woke up with a high fever. But as it often goes with children, he got much better after taking some medicine, and so we packed some antibiotics with us and left for the airport… With a 28-hour travel time ahead of us. The fact that he was sick was actually a blessing because he slept a lot and that made the flight so much easier for everyone. By the time we got to Australia, he was completely healthy again.

I’m only telling this so that you know that all kinds of things can happen when you travel. Just as anything can happen at home. Also, there is always a good excuse not to travel with kids . But as long as you keep an open mind and are prepared to deal with whatever comes your way, you have nothing to fear when visiting Australia with children.

Australia is an amazing destination and it’s perfect for a family trip! Find out!

Practical information and tips for a family trip to Australia

Below you can find some experience-based tips and practical information for traveling to and around Australia with kids.

Long flight to Australia with kids

Depending on where you are coming from, traveling time to Australia can be extremely long. We chose to fly without any stopovers (apart from technical stops). It resulted in a total traveling time of more than 28 hours.

When it comes to flying, we always prefer to keep the journey as short as possible. I rather have a day or two extra at the beginning of the trip at our destination than all the hassle of a 1-night stopover.

Of course, we could have chosen for a longer stopover somewhere in the Middle East or Asia, but then we would have had less time in Australia. If you decide to make a stopover, I can really recommend Dubai. It’s a great place for families with kids. Here you can read more about how to make the most of your Dubai stopover .

We also have an article with tips for flying with young children . Our flights to Australia were not very different from our other flights, and the kids handled long hours on the plane very well.

Dealing with jet lag when traveling to Australia with kids

The only thing we did on this trip that we have never done before, was taking some melatonin pills with us (melatonin is known to aid in reducing the effects of jet lag). We took the medicine on the last flight from Dubai to Sydney at the time when it was evening in Australia. That helped us and the kids to get some sleep, but of course, we were still exhausted when we landed in Sydney early in the morning.

We paid for an upgrade to a bigger room at the hotel just to be able to go to sleep as soon as possible (as it often happens, only the biggest suites were ready…). Later that day we forced ourselves and the kids out of bed and went to dinner, even though all we wanted to do was sleep…

We took melatonin for two more days at bedtime and that was it – none of us really had any serious difficulty adjusting to the 9-hour time difference. Here you can read more about how to beat jet lag .

Bringing food to Australia

There are lots of customs regulations in Australia, but here I’ll just mention one that everyone who is traveling to Australia should know. You are not allowed to bring ANY fresh food with you when you arrive in Australia (infant formula is ok).

On top of that, some states and territories prohibit the entry of fresh fruit from other parts of Australia.

There are quarantine bins provided at the airports where you can dispose of any food left in your hand luggage. Use them as the penalties can be harsh, even if you just have one apple with you. Here you can find some more official customs information on what you can or cannot bring to Australia.

Safety in Australia

Australia is a pretty safe country, as long as you don’t go swimming with crocodiles, go looking for snakes, or drive through a bushfire. Recently we saw a documentary about Australian wildlife and all the dangerous species that we never knew existed. My husband said something like, ‘It’s a good thing I didn’t see this one before we went to Australia, or I would have been terribly worried in the outback’.

The truth is, we never felt unsafe in Australia with kids – not in the city, and not in the outback.

We never saw a single dangerous animal (except for that one snake that happened to be crossing the road as we drove by). Now that I think of it, the only wild animals we saw in the Red Center , were a camel and a rock wallaby. But it’s wise to wear covered shoes in the outback rather than sandals – just in case.

One thing you should be very careful with in Australia is the sun. Sun is very dangerous Down Under and you can get burned in no time. The warmer it is, the more covered your body should be.

SPF50 sunscreen is essential, as are sunglasses and a sunhat. I advise wearing long-sleeved shirts, maybe even long trousers if you stay outdoors for a longer period of time.

Medical assistance

Medical infrastructure is supposedly very good, there is even the Royal Flying Doctor Service in the outback. Of course, that’s something you hope you’ll never need.

We were lucky and didn’t need any medical help during our trip, but it didn’t take us very long to find a pharmacy when we needed some medicine for the kids in Tasmania.

TIP: Make sure you have good travel insurance when traveling to Australia with kids. Some places are so remote that it will cost you a fortune if something were to happen!

Buying baby products when traveling in Australia with a baby

You can buy infant formula, baby food, and diapers pretty much anywhere in Australia. Of course, you should check in advance in case your baby has any specific needs.

It goes without saying that you shouldn’t count on finding everything you need in the outback, so stock up in bigger towns.

The food choices are plentiful in Australia and we never had any problems finding something the kids would like to eat, even in the most remote places.

In fact, our kids often preferred kangaroo steak to spaghetti (this is not something they would do at home – traveling does that to children).

None of us experienced any stomach problems or anything like that. So there is nothing to worry about when it comes to food when traveling in Australia with children.

Family accommodation in Australia

Australia has a lot of choices when it comes to family accommodation, so look for hotels with family apartments rather than regular hotel rooms. It’s not necessarily more expensive. Actually, it can be much cheaper to stay at a family-friendly hotel with 1-3 bedroom suites than in a big business hotel with regular rooms where you hardly have space to move.

There are several advantages of staying in an apartment. First, you usually have your own kitchen which can save you lots of time and money. Most hotels in Australia don’t have breakfast included in the rate or they simply have no breakfast at all. So it’s easier if you can get some food at a supermarket the evening before.

Second, you have some you time in the evening when the children are in bed since you are not cramped in a hotel room with the whole family. On top of that, the kids have more space to move and play.

Another advantage is that many apartments have a washing machine and a laundry dryer which is something you will appreciate a lot when traveling with the family for a longer time.

Most hotels in Australia have free laundry facilities, but it’s much easier if you can do your laundry without having to leave your room. Don’t forget to buy some washing detergent at a local supermarket as it’s not always provided.

Here are some examples of the family-friendly accommodation we stayed at during our trip to Australia with kids:

• Sydney: Mantra Sydney Central .
• Blue Mountains: Old Leura Dairy .
• Alice Springs: Alice on Todd Apartments .
• Glen Helen: Glen Helen .
• Kings Canyon: Kings Canyon Resort .
• Uluru (Ayer’s Rock): Emu Walk Apartments .
• Adelaide: Majestic Old Lion Apartments .
• Kangaroo Island: Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat and Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge .
• The Grampians NP: D’Altons in Halls Gap.
• Great Ocean Road: Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs in Warrnambool and Cumberland Resort in Lorne.
• Melbourne: Seasons Heritage Melbourne .
• Tasmania: Salamanca Terraces in Hobart, Freycinet Lodge in Freycinet NP, Leisure Inn Penny Royal in Launceston, Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village in Cradle Mountain NP, Strahan Village in Strahan.

Playgrounds and swimming pools in Australia

There are plenty of playgrounds in most places throughout Australia, and a lot of hotels have swimming pools.

Furthermore, there are also beaches, public swimming pools, and even some natural waterholes where it’s safe to swim. Australia is great for kids!

TIP: Limit driving times – Australia is huge

Australia is bigger than you think and if you are not careful in planning your itinerary, you may find yourself driving 400 – 500km (250-320 miles) a day.

That’s ok when you are just trying to get from one place to another, but don’t do this every day. Not with the kids, and not on your own.

If you have to drive longer for a few days in a row, consider flying instead. It will be easier and probably even cheaper in the end.

Child car seat requirements in Australia

You can find more detailed information online, but here is a summary of child car seat requirements you should know when renting a car in Australia with kids (this information was accurate at the time of writing, but may have changed, so double-check):

• 0 to 6 months: Approved rearward-facing baby seat.
• 6 months to 4 years old: Rearward-facing or forward-facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness. We rented car seats for our 3-year-old twins as it was too much trouble taking them with us from home. That’s a very expensive option if you fly between destinations as you have to pay for the car seat every time you rent a car (otherwise there is a maximum fee of 7 or 10 days, no matter how long you use them).
• 4 to 7 years old: Forward-facing approved child seat with an inbuilt harness or an approved booster seat. We took our own travel booster for our 5 year old and it saved us lots of money.
• 7 to 16 years old: Children who are too small to be restrained by a seatbelt properly adjusted should use a booster seat.
• If your child is too large for the child’s car seat specified for their age, they may move to the next level.
• Children under 4 years old are not allowed to travel in the front seat of a car with two or more rows unless all other back seats are occupied by children younger than seven years in an approved child restraint or booster seat.

Australian wildlife is what makes Australia great for kids

For us, Australian wildlife was one of the most important deciding factors when we chose a destination to go to with young children. In Australia, there are so many places where you can visit a zoo or a wildlife sanctuary where you can feed kangaroos or cuddle a koala or even a Tasmanian devil.

One of our favorites was Featherdale Wildlife Park near Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Also in the city, you can visit WILD LIFE Sydney or Taronga Zoo .

But that’s not all, of course.

No zoo can compare to seeing animals in the wild. Our kids loved running behind kangaroos, feeding the parrots, and touching an echidna (Ouch, that was sharp!). We saw so much wildlife in Australia! It was great fun for the whole family and one of the best experiences of visiting Australia for kids.

It might be a good idea to check which species can be approached safely and which not. If you are not sure, better keep a safe distance.

For example, our kids were very enthusiastic when they saw a wombat for the first time, but were warned by the locals that these animals can bite if they feel threatened.

So, this is our experience when traveling in Australia with kids and practical tips for your trip. I hope this information will help you prepare for your family trip to Australia and reassure you that traveling Down Under is something that can be done with children of any age.

We have many more articles about our trip, so make sure to check them for more inspiration. Here you can find our Australia itinerary and here you can find practical tips for planning a trip to Australia .

Here you can read more about some of our favorite places when visiting Australia with kids:

• Kangaroo Island
• One Day in Sydney
• Great Ocean Road
• Kennett River Koalas
• Things to Do in Hobart
• Uluru and the Red Center
• West MacDonnell Ranges
• One day in Melbourne
• Darwin Itinerary

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

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Tuesday 19th of March 2024

Hi Jurga, I really enjoyed reading about your trip! I will be visiting Sydney for a week in April with my 4yo. I applied for our visas through the Australian ETA app and was notified that both our visas were granted. However, I read in their Government website that I would also have to submit Form 1229 for my daughter, but there is no place to add it in the app.

Did you have to do this when applying for your kids?

Wednesday 20th of March 2024

Hi Nihan, we personally never had to do this. My understanding is that if parents travel together with the child, it's not necessary. I'm also not sure what the requirements are if only one parent travels. The best thing to do in situations like this is to check the official sources. If you are not sure where to look or can't figure out what the rules are for your specific situation, you can always contact the embassy. Good luck!

Wednesday 22nd of November 2023

We are looking to travel to Australia with our 3 year old next October but due to restrictions with work and home we will only get 15 days. Controversially, we want to stay in one location. Which area would you advise? We were considering Sydney due to the ease of being in a city and stuff to do with our little one but open to any tips!

Thanks so much this was an amazing read with great tips!

Thursday 23rd of November 2023

Hi Nic, Sydney is definitely a nice choice because you have a combination of city attractions (also lots of things for families - a zoo, a wildlife park, aquarium, etc.) and lots of nice beaches, some beautiful pools too. In addition, you can visit the Blue Mountains for a day or a few days. And there are lots of flights from everywhere. So if you are just looking for one location for two weeks, sure, it could be a very good option. Depending on the season and what you want to see/do, you could stay closer to the beach or in the center. Good luck with the planning and have a great trip!

Tuesday 17th of January 2023

Hi Jurga, Thanks for sharing this experience. We are planning a trip of a life-time with my 5yo and almost 1 yo before they start school in Sept. We flying in and out of Sydney around mid-May to mid-June for about 3 weeks. Love all the recommendations and want to go to them all - esp i think the kiddos will be excited to see all wildlife. But with our timeline, I am struggling to decide which region we should go to. What do you think are the best places in Australia to visit for May/June travels with littles for 3 weeks? Not sure if it is easier to do road-trip or fly --- we have so much luggage with the crib, formula, diapers and car seats. :( Thanks so much!!

Thursday 9th of February 2023

@Jurga, thanks so much. That’s great suggestion and advice.

Thursday 19th of January 2023

Hi Ed, that's a bit difficult one for a few reasons: mostly the season when you go (it's not ideal for the south where we always saw most wildlife), starting and ending in the same place, and all the stuff you are planning to pack...

First, maybe you should reconsider what you pack. Car seats can be rented (we never took them when our kids needed big car seats. We started taking this booster seat/backpack after they were older than 4). Cribs are usually available at all hotels/accommodations. Diapers and baby food can be purchased there (Australians have babies too ;). With our 3 kids, we took just 2 suitcases for 5 weeks. So it's doable to pack lighter - also because so many accommodations in Australia have washing machines. And if you pack smart, you really don't need that much. Take clothes that dry quickly and don't need ironing (fleece, sportswear, etc.). If you are going to more remote places, be sure to stock up on diapers/food in the bigger town where you start that part of the journey.

Anyway, I think I'd put all the practical issues aside for now and try to decide which parts of Australia you want to see. Do some research about the weather so that you know what to expect at that time of the year. I think I'd still opt for a few areas (flying between them) rather than a road trip of 3 weeks. You will see much more diverse scenery that way. With just three weeks, it's the best way to get a much better view of how diverse Australia is. I do see advantages of a road trip too, so it's really up to you. But having done a long road trip in Australia once, we really much more preferred the fly&drive approach.

As for where to go, the north of the country is perfect at that time of the year and also the Red Centre should be just fine. You can also stay in Sydney (and its surroundings) for a few days - there is a lot to see and you will find wildlife too, e.g. in the Blue Mountains. If you decide to go towards the north, you could potentially start with a few days in Sydney, then fly to Darwin for 5-6 days, then Cairns/Port Douglas area for another week or so, and back to Sydney. Another option is the combination of Sydney, the Red Center, and either Cairns or Darwin. If you opt for fly&drive approach, I think I'd do 3 areas - so Sydney and two more, also because you also have to get back to Sydney at the end.

An alternative is to fly up to Cairns or Port Douglas and then drive back towards Sydney following the coast (this is the trip we once did in about 3.5 weeks, starting in Cairns and ending in Sydney). But there will be lots of driving and not always much to see (+ you'll have to be selective what you do with just 3 weeks for the entire trip).

Hope this helps a bit. Good luck with the planning!

Sunday 31st of January 2021

Hi Jurga, thanks a lot for sharing your experiences! how long was your roadtrip in total and what your itinerary?

Friday 5th of February 2021

Hi Rebecca, this trip we did with kids was 5 weeks and you can find our complete itinerary here. As you will see, we visited many different parts of Australia in one trip. You can easily pick the places/areas that interest you most and make your own itinerary based on ours, to adjust it to your interests and the time you'll have. Hope this helps.

Thursday 8th of October 2020

Hi Jurga, Thanks for sharing your experience in Australia. I'd love to take my kids to these places. They would love it for sure. But for now, we're just in the dreaming phase.

Wednesday 14th of October 2020

Hi Art, yes, traveling to Australia for holidays from abroad isn't for any time soon it seems. Hope you can make it happen. It's a wonderful destination for a family trip. So much diversity!

Home » Travel » Best Places To Visit With Kids And Family In Australia

Best Places To Visit With Kids And Family In Australia

Australia's top attractions and must-visit places.

Australia has it all. Beaches, surf, mountains, countryside, animals, wine and so much more. It’s a fabulous country to visit with babies, toddlers, kids, and teens. With so much on offer, it’s hard to decide where to go and what to do. For those looking for the must-do things with kids in Australia – we have you sorted. Here are some of our favorite attractions and best places to see and do with kids in tow, no matter where you are in Oz. Be sure to bookmark this one for your next itinerary!

Travel To Australia

Starting  6 July 2022 , travelers to Australia no longer need to :

• Provide evidence of vaccination status
• Complete the Digital Passenger Declaration or Maritime Travel Declaration
• Apply for travel exemption to travel if they are unvaccinated
• Provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test to enter Australia, prior to boarding your flight

As of September 9 2022, masks are no longer required on flights to Australia.

More information on entry to Australia HERE .

Want more? Check out these more in-depth city guides for family travel to Australia!

SYDNEY WITH KIDS:

• Family-Friendly Guide To Sydney – Stay, Eat, Play
• Top Family Hotels In Sydney

PERTH/MARGARET RIVER WITH KIDS:

• Family-Friendly Guide To Perth
• Top Family Hotels In Perth
• Family-Friendly Guide To Margaret River

CANBERRA WITH KIDS: 

• Family-Friendly Guide To Canberra

MELBOURNE WITH KIDS:

• Family-Friendly Guide To Melbourne
• Top Family Hotels In Melbourne

BROOME WITH KIDS:

• Family-Friendly Guide To Broome

*This guide will be continually updated with the latest travel requirements and restrictions in light of the COVID-19 situation. 

SYDNEY HARBOR - Gardens + Ferries + Opera House

Sydney Harbour is one of the most famous landmarks in the world. Home to the Sydney Opera House, the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens, and the ferry pier at Circular Quay, it’s a place to have fun with kids in tow. We recommend taking one of the many ferries to Manly, Watson’s Bay or Rose Bay - the ferry ride alone is breathtaking. Stroll through Circular Quay and watch the buskers, or grab an ice cream and enjoy the view. The Opera House is worth walking around, and there are plenty of spots to have a bite to eat before heading to the Botanic Gardens. Check out the architecture and watch the tourists milling around for that all-important selfie. If you’re there for New Year's Eve, make sure you get a good spot to watch the fireworks. On the western end of the harbor, The Rocks area offers a glimpse into Sydney's fascinating history, while the Museum of Contemporary Art is a must for a bit of culture and kid-friendly interactive exhibits. Looking for adventure? Then climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The view has that amazing wow factor.

BLUE MOUNTAINS - Hiking

There are many national parks in Australia, so no matter where you travel to there’s one you and your family will love. We like the Blue Mountains, a short one-hour train ride out of Sydney. When you get there, take the Scenic World Cable Car Ride. You will get a spectacular view of the valley below and see the famous Three Sisters rock formation. Stay the night and go camping and enjoy all the outdoor adventures on offer. The small towns in the mountains also offer a great selection of luxury boutique hotels and some amazing gourmet food year-round.

Blue Mountains, www.us.sydney.com/destinations/blue-mountains

GREAT BARRIER REEF - Snorkeling + Diving

Far North Queensland is full of family-friendly spots but Cairns is probably the most accessible, with its international airport and plethora of accommodation options. The city is home to bustling markets, the Cairns Skyrail, and great beaches only a stone's throw from the world’s largest coral reef. One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef stretches for over 2000 kilometers along the northeastern coast of Australia. As well as being one of the most famous snorkeling and diving spots in the world, it's home to thousands of species of marine life - many of which you won't find anywhere else on Earth. To explore the reef you can stay in Cairns and book a day trip, or set yourself up on one of the many islands, from The Whitsundays to the Northern Islands. While many like to get up close and personal with the reef, one of the best ways to appreciate its vastness and sheer beauty is from the air .

Great Barrier Reef , www.cairnsgreatbarrierreef.org.au

CANBERRA - Capital Hill + Parliament House

There are plenty of fun things to do for families in Canberra, Australia’s Capital city. Whether it’s visiting one of the many museums, a simple pleasure like rolling down Capital Hill and seeing the parliament buildings, or treating the whole family to brunch at one of Australia’s best concentration of cafes. You can take a tour of Parliament House and see where all the country's important decisions are made. But this little city offers more than just politics. As the nation's capital, Canberra is also home to the National Library , The National Gallery of Australia , and the National Science and Technology Center , each with great facilities for families.

Parliament House, www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament

Canberra, www.visitcanberra.com.au

KANGAROO ISLAND - Kangaroos + Nature

Outdoorsy kids will love it here! Considered one of Australia’s best wildlife experiences, Kangaroo Island offers miles of striking natural landscapes and pristine scenery, brilliant local cuisine, small-batch wines and a leisurely way of life. The kids will love the baby sea lions and the Koalas! Stay the night in one of the island's amazing accommodations, and watch the stars at night twinkling above.

Kangaroo Island, www.tourkangarooisland.com.au

PHILLIP ISLAND - Penguins!

Phillip Island is a magical place where you and the kids can watch penguins in their natural habitat. Take a hike around the main headland and watch the birds and penguins on the mountainside. The view is quite spectacular. As dusk comes in, go to the beach and simply wait. You’ll start to see these amazing little animals come in from the sea, follow them as they waddle down the beach to the edge of the mountain, looking for a place to sleep for the night.

Phillip Island, www.visitphillipisland.com

MELBOURNE - Beach + Animals + Culture

St. Kilda, www.stkildamelbourne.com.au

Melbourne Zoo, www.zoo.org.au/melbourne/wonder

Weribee Open Range Zoo , www.zoo.org.au/werribee

Top Family-Friendly Hotels , www.littlestepsasia.com/all-cities/articles/travel/top-family-hotels-melbourne

NOOSA - Hit The Beach

If the main attraction you're looking for is the beach, then head to Noosa. The shire of Noosa is located in Queensland on the Sunshine Coast. It offers amazing beaches, a national park, boutiques, restaurants and bars, and plenty of family-friendly things to keep the kids and grown-ups happy. Feed the pelicans at Tewantin, stroll down Hastings Street for some of the region's best food and shopping, hike in the national park, or seek out Noosa's best-kept secret Little Cove to escape the crowds.

BUNDABERG - Turtle Hatching + Snorkelling + Surf Lessons

Get ready for an amazing adventure at Bundaberg, a city located just a 4.5-hour drive away from Brisbane. For starters, you can watch turtles hatch and take their first steps toward the ocean at Mon Repos. It’ll be a spectacular site for the children, and they’ll be in awe of the experience. The family can also take a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef and catch a glimpse of sea animals while snorkeling. For the more active members of the family, why not head for a surfing lesson at the Agnes Waters Main Beach and pick up the basics of riding some easy waves?

Bundaberg , www.bundabergregion.org

ROTTNEST ISLAND - Meet Quokkas + Whale Watching + Glass Bottom Kayaking

Animal lovers, you’re going to love Rottnest Island. Here, you get to meet the adorable quokka up close ! They’re curious creatures, so chances are they’ll come up to you, but do remember to keep a respectable distance so as not to scare or stress them. They’re generally roaming all around the island, so it’ll be pretty easy to meet some of them and snap a quick pic! If you’re at Rottnest Island from September to November, it’s prime time for whale watching as well. For something more active, the family can go glass bottom kayaking , where you can spot and admire all the vibrant corals and marine life living in those crystal clear waters.

Rottnest Island , www.australia.com/rottnest-island

GOLD COAST - Warner Bros. Movie World + Dream World

Got a family full of adrenaline junkies? Why not take a trip to the Gold Coast, where you can visit some of Australia’s best theme parks! Spend at least one full day at Warner Bros. Movie World , a film-related theme park where the kids can say hi to character mascots and take pictures together. Besides the usual roller coasters, the park also has attractions that educate guests about the process behind filmmaking. Dreamworld is also located on the Gold Coast, and is an amazing place to try out thrilling rides and the tallest drop tower.

Gold Coast , www.destinationgoldcoast.com

CAIRNS - Aquarium + Hot Air Balloon + White Water Rafting

Enjoy a range of different activities within Cairns. Start the day with a hot air balloon ride for the family, with tours that start before dawn so that you can all watch the sunrise during the hot air balloon ride. It’s an amazing experience with an amazing view of the Antherton Tablelands, and you can snap some awesome photos while suspended in the sky. For a more adventurous activity, hit the rapids and try white water rafting  on the Barron River. Feel the thrill of working your way through grade three rapids with your raft mates and instructor, and laugh and scream to your heart’s content while you’re at it! End the day with a more relaxing activity at the Cairns Aquarium , where you’ll get to see 15,000 marine and land animals from the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest.

Cairns , www.queensland.com/cairns

MONTAGUE ISLAND - Penguin And Seal Tours + Fishing + Whale Watching

If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, why not do a short stay at Montague Island? It’s serene and peaceful, making it the perfect getaway if you need some quiet time. There’s a nature reserve that’s home to penguins, seals and other marine life, and they provide tours so you can get up close to them. From September to November, you can even whale watch as part of the tour. You can also go out to sea and learn how to fish with the team at Charter Fish Narooma , made up of passionate locals with decades of experience on the water.

Montague Island , www.montagueislandadventures.com.au

MOUNT HOTHAM - Skiing + Snowshoeing + Outdoor BBQ

If winter resorts and holidays are your thing, you might want to consider staying at Mount Hotham. They have a range of activities to keep you and the family occupied throughout your stay, including private skiing lessons and helicopter rides over snowcapped mountains. If you just want to try something more relaxing, snowshoeing is a unique and great way to explore the area together as a family. After a fun day of activities, wind down at the All Terrain BBQ for an exclusive dinner experience at a picturesque eco-village.

Mount Hotham , www.mthotham.com.au

GREAT OCEAN ROAD - Swim With Seals And Dolphins + 12 Apostles + Hot Springs

Experience a lovely, scenic coastal drive that snakes along the Southern Ocean. Besides the amazing view, you can also visit the 12 Apostles , the iconic limestone pillars along the route. Enjoy the sea breeze and snap a few family photos against the stunning view. Rejuvenate in the later part of the day at Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs , a sanctuary where you can opt for the afternoon bathing session or even salt therapy in the sanctuary’s relaxing salt room. For water activities, why not swim with marine animals? See All Dolphin Swims offers tours, where you get to swim side by side with seals and dolphins, as well as the opportunity to get up close and personal with other incredible wildlife without even getting wet!

Great Ocean Road , www.visitgreatoceanroad.org.au

CRADLE MOUNTAIN - Tasmanian Devil + Canyons + Hiking

Explore nature and the wilderness at Cradle Mountain, where you can hike the Overland Track , an iconic six-day alpine hike that is recommended for more experienced hikers. You can also explore the canyons on a tour, where you can even jump off waterfalls and abseil down cliffs. Sounds exciting, right? For animal lovers, get to know the Tasmanian devil and other threatened species at Devils@Cradle , a conversation center that you and the family can visit.

Cradle Mountain , www.discovertasmania.com.au/cradle-mountain

THE GHAN TRAIN - South Australia + North Australia

Get aboard the Ghan Train and spend 3 days enjoying the sights while it travels from North Australia to South Australia (or vice versa). It stops by places like the Red Centre, an extraordinary landscape of desert plains where you can learn more about Aboriginal culture and dine under the outback stars. You’ll also be passing by an outback town called Alice Springs where there are beautiful views of the mountain ranges and you can take part in activities like camel rides or experience the magic of the Milky Way.

The Ghan Train , www.australia.com/the-ghan-train

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Spain family vacations, japan family vacations, australia family vacations, a perfect 2-week itinerary for australia with kids.

• By Leslie Rich
• March 5, 2024

Australia is a vast and beautiful country. In two weeks you can see a lot, but you won’t have time to see it all. With everything that Australia has to offer (and not knowing if you’ll ever make it back because it’s so far away), creating the right itinerary for your family can be daunting. Here are our planning tips and a great 2-week itinerary that helps you maximize your time Down Under.

Best 2-Week Itinerary for Australia with Kids

To get started, decide how many moves you are comfortable making during your holiday. Australia is renowned for its beautiful beaches, rugged outback and cosmopolitan cities. The formula for the perfect 2-week Australian itinerary with kids incorporates all three of these elements: city plus beach plus outback or bush. In that spirit, Sydney , the Great Barrier Reef and  Uluru are a fantastic combination for families. This does require a significant amount of moving around, though, so I’ve included alternate options for those who want to simplify their travel plans or want to pack in a bit more.

TIP : The outback typically refers to Australia’s more remote areas, whereas the bush encompasses rural areas closer to civilization. The bush, which includes more accessible rainforests, countryside and mountain ranges, makes for a great substitution or addition to the outback component in our recommended itinerary.

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Sydney (4-plus nights)

Sydney is a great place to begin your holiday and a must for first-time visitors to Australia. Regularly found at the top of “World’s Best” lists, Sydney is a laid-back city with top-notch restaurants and plenty of activities to keep families happy. Our 72 hours in Sydney guide provides details on where to go and what to do with kids. Highlights include the coastal walk from Bondi Beach toward Coogee, family surf lessons and climbing over the Harbour Bridge.

TIP : Sydney has great public transportation, so being close to a ferry and/or a train station will serve you well. Most international flights arrive into Sydney in the early morning. Make arrangements for an early check-in at your hotel so that you can hit the ground running. If visiting in the summer, pack swimsuits in your carry-on luggage. In the event your luggage is delayed or your hotel isn’t ready, you can start your vacation on the beach without missing a beat.

Blue Mountains — Bush (2 nights)

The Blue Mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage Site located about two hours by car from Sydney. The scenery is spectacular and dramatically different from the city. Go for a ride on the Scenic Railway, the world’s steepest incline railway, or the Scenic Skyway, a glass-bottom sky tram that offers stunning views of the Three Sisters, Wentworth Falls and the Jamison Valley. A bit further afield are the Jenolan Caves, also well worth a visit if you have the time.

Uluru — Outback (2 to 3 nights)

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is in the Northern Territory, about a three-hour flight from Sydney. It’s home to the iconic red monolith known as Uluru or Ayers Rock. A rock may not seem like much of a reason to board a flight and consume precious vacation time, but it’s a magical place, and the landscape is what everyone imagines when they picture the Australian Outback. If you are able to stay at Longitude 131 , do it — this property will take your visit to another level. In addition to guided tours of Uluru and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), I recommend the camel rides and sightseeing by helicopter.

Great Barrier Reef (3-plus nights)

The Whitsunday Islands are a gorgeous group of islands set on the fringe of the Great Barrier Reef.  Just eight of the islands have hotels, and these are only accessible by infrequent flights or boat launches. Getting here will require patience and time, but the sugary white beaches, amazing resorts and proximity to the reef make it worth the effort. Every water activity imaginable is available on the reef; sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, submarine sightseeing and, of course, scuba diving are family favorites.

TIP : If you fly, be first to call the window seat — the views coming in are fantastic. If you are planning to visit the Daintree Rainforest as well, staying on the mainland may be preferable. Both Cairns (pronounced cans ) and Port Douglas are gateway towns to the reef. I’d opt for Port Douglas, as it is more relaxed and less touristy than Cairns, and also closer to the rainforest.

Daintree Rainforest — Bush (1 to 2 additional nights as part of Great Barrier Reef visit)

If you want to check yet another World Heritage Site off your list, include a visit to Daintree National Park, home to the oldest rainforest on the planet. The Daintree Discovery Centre is an excellent way to start your exploration. Here you can learn all about the region, wander the forest from elevated boardwalks and take in scenic views from the canopy tower. Other family activities in the region include zipline tours, horseback riding, and duck boat and 4WD adventures. If staying in Port Douglas, visit the Wildlife Habitat, where you can have breakfast with the birds and visit with kangaroos and koalas too.

Relevant Links:

Browse all family-friendly accommodations and things to do in Australia on Ciao Bambino

An adventurous 10-day family road trip in Western Australia

Thala Beach Nature Reserve: Oceanfront luxury next door to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest

Essential tips for climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Best of Australia: Kids share why they loved their trip Down Under

72 hours in Sydney with kids

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Australia was one of my favorite trips! When we travel as a family, I love to find engaging books for the kids to read before and during the trip. As a librarian, educator, and mom – here are some of my choices that other travelers to Australia might enjoy! http://storybooklists.com/country/storybooks-with-australia

I love Australia and can’t wait to go back.

That’s a great itinerary! Western Australia, although more remote, offers a lot of great places and beaches to visit, especially when traveling with kids! And for the little ones I put up a list with some great, fun fact about our county: https://worldoftravelswithkids.com/fun-australia-facts-for-kids/

I just booked some tickets for my family of 5 to Australia on the whim. Wasn’t sure if I would keep my plans because Australia is so huge. This guide is great and I will likely follow it. thanks!

Australia is among the most incredible places I have visited in the last year and indeed these places mentioned in the post are very good for sightseeing and sightseeing. I like the region because of the variety of options for having fun with friends. I also recommend the local restaurants where they offer different kinds of different foods and very tasty. I loved the post 🙂

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Australians have an easy-going attitude to children and in most places they are welcome – small luxury hotels may stipulate no under-12s and tots are discouraged in upmarket restaurants. With beautiful beaches, parks and playgrounds, and all sorts of wildlife to discover, travelling Australia with kids can be great fun.

The national online hub Web Child (webchild.com.au) has a calendar of child-friendly events in all states plus links to online listings for Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth. In the cities and larger towns, general facilities are good – changing tables are found in most restaurants and public toilets, and staff in cafés may warm a bottle if they have time. Breastfeeding in public has been a legal right in Australia since 1984 – something to remember if you receive comments in small country towns – and individual states have implemented laws to protect you from harassment.

Getting around

The catch with touring Australia with children is its size – fail to appreciate the distances involved in road travel and the jolly family hols can be a disaster of 14-hour drives. Domestic airlines may be the best bet for interstate travel. Some airlines offer discounts for children between 2 and 11 years. However, you may find that a discounted adult ticket is even cheaper. Infants usually travel free.

Long-distance bus travel with kids verges on the masochistic; most interstate buses offer discounts for under-14s. Long-distance train travel, though limited, has the advantage of sleepers and a bit more freedom of movement. Discounts are generally available up to 11 or 12 years old and children under 4 generally go free. Most train companies offer family fares, too, allowing discounted or free travel for children who travel with at least one adult. Otherwise, there’s always the option of self-drive. Car rental is reasonably priced, and motorhomes and campervans are also available for rental.

Within cities , metropolitan buses and trains give discounts of around fifty percent for children and many allow children under 4 or 5 to travel free.

While resorts and motels often provide child discounts and may offer a baby-sitting service or organized activities, most families on extended trips find self-catering provides the most flexibility. Similarly hostels are not exclusively for backpackers and most have affordable family rooms – some en-suite. A few modern hostels are positively luxurious, and most are in good locations. All have communal kitchens, lounge areas and television, and there are usually plenty of books and games.

Aside from camping, the most economical way to see the country is the thousands of caravan parks . Most have on-site vans or self-contained cabins at reasonable family rates. Check with visitor centres for details.

Since they take a relaxed attitude to dining, Aussies welcome children in most cafés, restaurants and pubs, with some providing a decent children’s menu . Smart upmarket restaurants are the exception, but really, why would you want to?

The ubiquity of British and Italian favourites such as fish and chips or pasta, plus the fast, casual service typical of ethnic Chinese and Thai restaurants make for kid-friendly dining. Children are allowed in the dining section of most pubs (they are banned from the gaming and bar sections, however), and typical counter-meal menus and eating hours of 5 to 8pm will suit. The airy modern-bistro style of pubs in large towns is child-friendly too. Elsewhere, it’s a judgement call – Aussie pubs can be fairly rowdy even though you’ll be in a separate dining room, and some maintain an over-18s-only policy. Most country towns also have an RSL club (Returned Servicemen’s League), a bastion of older, usually male, diners but a cheap way to feed the family on pub grub.

Airlines will allow you to carry a pram, push chair or travel cot for free. For car seats , Australian law requires that all children below six months are in a rear-facing safety seat; from six months to four years are in a rear- or forward-facing child seat; and those from four to seven are in a forward-facing seat or on a booster seat. Exemptions are in taxis. Car and van rental companies provide child safety seats at a cost. Keep in mind that your own seat may not fit standard attachments in Australian cars.

The Australian sun is ferocious, so sensible skincare is essential for outdoor activities. A “no hat, no play” policy operates in school playgrounds and most kids wear legionnaire-style caps, or broad-brimmed sun hats. Most kids wear UV-resistant Lycra swim tops or wetsuit-style all-in-ones to the beach.

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Australia with Kids

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Australia with kids. What does it have to offer? Is it worth the mammoth flight to take your kids to Australia from the US, UK, or Europe for a family holiday? If you’re already in Australia, where are the best places to take kids? What should you see in Australia and what are the practicalities of visiting Australia with kids? We talk about some of the epic, unique, and awesome things your kids can experience in Australia. Australian fun things, educational things, and, are there any negatives other than drop bears?

Travelling Australia with kids is incredibly popular, plenty of families are on the road at any given time with camping set-ups doing a “big lap”. If time is limited, what does Australia offer in terms of vacation or holiday travel and things to do with kids that are fun and uniquely Australian?

Most overseas visitors stay in hotels and resorts, so where are the best child-friendly places to stay in Australia?

A lot of your choices in organising an Australia itinerary for your family will be based on your flights. More flights arrive in Sydney, The Gold Coast and Melbourne than in places like Cairns (Far North Queensland). There simply aren’t as many direct flights into the more out-of-the-way places and internal flights in Australia are long and expensive.

So where you can fly to, will be a big consideration in planning your family vacation.

It’s common to fly to Australia via Singapore. This is a good route and if you can, have a few days stop over to see Singapore, it’s small and doesn’t take long to see. We have a guide to Singapore with kids too.

The other big consideration is what do you want to see? Do you need to see The Great Barrier Reef? In which case you’ll likely need to fly to Cairns. Do you want to see Uluru? That’s an expensive flight into the heart of Australia. For Kakadu, you’ll need to get to Darwin.

Australia is a very big country, don’t underestimate the distances involved.

Our history of travel in Australia is as follows, just so you can be sure I know my topic. In 2001 I toured The Great Southern Land as a young (ish) backpacker on my first RTW.

It was an awesome experience, camping at Uluru, taking The Ghan, diving on The Great Barrier Reef , and patting my first kangaroo.

I made 2 more trips to Australia from the UK over the next few years, after I married the Aussie Chef .

When my first child, now a teenager, was born in London he had to go and see his relatives, so I made the trip to Australia with an 11-month-old baby.

Three years later we moved to Port Douglas, Australia with our second 11 month baby plus a toddler and spent 6 glorious years living in Oz with the kids. We later took off to travel the world for 6 years, before returning and buying 5 acres of tropical paradise in Far North Queensland. My husband works as crew on a Great Barrier Reef snorkelling boat, so reef visits and marine conservation are a major area of expertise for us.

Australia is a great place for kids and for families, so here are some reasons to visit Australia with kids. Maybe even reasons to consider moving to Australia with young kids.

Australia is a great place to take kids with plenty for them to see, do, and enjoy. However, Australia is expensive, there’s no real way to make it a budget destination, but we’ll try to help.

Australia is very child-friendly but you may find long distance drives between cities difficult with kids. Also, for overseas visitors, the flight is a long one, be prepared.

The Flight to Australia with Kids

I know everybody thinks flying for 24 hours plus is tough, but honestly, it’s not so bad flying with kids.

The flight is normally broken up into manageable chunks with a change in between.

We flew to Dubai on Emirates, that’s just under 7 hours, then carried on into Sydney that first time with baby D.

These international flights are really quite comfortable for me, they feed you well and the in-flight entertainment is fantastic. I would not be happy to take a budget airline on these routes, we’ve done it, many times, on Air Asia. Air Asia are great for short flight but these longer flight are hard with no comfort.

If your child is old enough to watch movies or read, you’re good, nothing to fear on long flights.

Hotels and Accommodation in Australia With Kids

Australia has a lot of resort-style hotels, near beaches, which are great for kids. Kids clubs aren’t as common as in Asia or Europe but you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding family rooms and family-friendly hotels. What might be difficult is finding cheap family hotels or accommodation. Even Airbnb can be very expensive in Australia. We found you a few kid-friendly options below.

• Sydney . At the budget end the Sydney Central YHA has affordable family rooms and a superb location. Look here. Novotel (this chain is usually superb for families) also have a very well located Sydney property right on Darling Harbour with family rooms (the price isn’t bad!), check it out here. For a two-bedroom luxury family suite, this one fits the bill.
• Brisbane . For a family apartment, with kitchen and laundry, right in the heart of Brisbane, don’t go past this one, Macarthur Chambers. This building has a very interesting history too. The other side of the river, closer to the very kid friendly pools and playgrounds, there is Rydges South Bank, with American style family rooms. For Brisbane on a budget, there is also a YHA with family rooms. That’s pretty much as cheap as you’ll get and they have private quad rooms.

Australian Wildlife and Nature Parks Kids Will Love

You really can see kangaroos, cockatoos, galahs, possums, crocodiles and wallabies wild.

You’ll see them from your car, from the train, even in suburbia. I’ve been lucky enough to see wombats, echidnas, dingos and cassowaries on the road, too.

If time is short and the children want to get up close and personal with Australia’s fauna, there are wildlife parks and local zoos everywhere.

My personal favourite is the Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas, my children used to go every week and never got tired of hand feeding the wallabies and lorikeets (top picture).

You will find wildlife parks like this all over Australia, plus there are several zoos that also have petting areas for native animals.

Taronga Zoo in Sydney, New South Wales, is a good one, as is Australia Zoo near Brisbane, Queensland.

Swimming and Snorkelling in Australia With Kids

Australia is famous for beaches and surfing. and has miles and miles of glorious coastline. You will likely stay near a beach in Australia with your children.

Sydney has Bondi, plus some less famous beaches, The Gold Coast has miles of sand and surf, but usable beaches stretch all the way up the East Coast to Port Douglas in FNQ.

North of there the crocodiles get too bothersome.

The west coast, around Perth and further north also has swimming beaches.

But is it safe to swim on the beaches in Australia? Big surf can be dangerous for anyone, particularly kids.

There are sharks, jellyfish and various other marine creatures to worry about. In the north there are crocodiles. There are also lifeguards, netted swimming enclosures, shark protection devices and hundreds of other people swimming in the sea at any given time.

I’m not going to guarantee safety but my kids survived just fine.

The Great Barrier Reef is a must-see for many people and fleets of boats take visitors out to the marine park pretty much daily.

A big storm can cancel trips, but you can visit The Great Barrier Reef with kids year-round.

I’m not suggesting you take the kids scuba diving (my kids scuba dive, they had to wait until they were 12), but even young children can enjoy a day on the  Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

They can snorkel and use flotation devices such as lifejackets and pool noodles, as can adults. You do not have to be a great swimmer to see the Great Barrier Reef for yourself.

My boys truly started snorkelling at 6 and 8 years old, but I know kids who started younger. Before that we still went, the big reef operators have mini-subs and underwater viewing areas that are great for kids. The boys would splash about on the sidelines and watch the huge maori wrasse coming for food.

A day on the GBR really is a day like no other.

Aboriginal Culture and History For Kids in Australia

I really think children should find out about Australia’s history and the incredible culture of the Aboriginal people.

If you can’t make it out to Uluru, which would be my choice, there are plenty of places to meet Aboriginal people and learn about their world.

Everything from the didgeridoo players at Sydney’s Circular Quay to ancient cave paintings, guided cultural walks and Aboriginal Culture Parks.

We had a wonderful day at Tjapukai , a culture park just outside Cairns, learning about dance, music, weapons and medicines. This park has now closed sadly, but nearby there are opportunities to interact with Australia’s original inhabitants through Dreamtime Tours at Mossman Gorge, part of The Daintree Rainforest.

Australian Museums, Zoos and Aquariums for Kids

As part of your Sydney itinerary , don’t miss Taronga Zoo.  Taking the ferry from Circular Quay across the harbour is an iconic trip. The water sparkles beneath the Harbour Bridge and you can see dolphins sometimes.

The zoo itself is excellent and has the best view of any zoo in the world, right across the harbour to the CBD. You’ll find Australian wildlife along with the usual zoo animals.

Canberra has Questacon , the National Science and Technology centre. It’s a full, hands-on day for curious little scientists.

Townsville , Perth, Sydney and now Cairns, have excellent aquariums, sorry if I missed out your favourite, these are the ones I know and highly recommend.

As you travel around the country you’ll find smaller, more quirky museums, like  Herberton Historical Village  on the Atherton Tablelands or the Old Melbourne Gaol.  Ned Kelly was executed there.

There are still plenty of unique tourist attractions, restaurants, and sites to see aside from the smaller museums of Melbourne. If Melbourne seems like a place that you want to check out, then by all means you should try to visit at least once in your life. And it’s a great place to take the family, too!

Just Google museums and attractions for whatever part of Australia you’re visiting, there are some fascinating places to visit.

Australian Beaches with Kids

There are 11,011 beaches, in total in Australia.

Seek out the quiet calm beaches for smaller children, Australia can have some pretty powerful sea conditions.

Port Douglas ‘s Four Mile Beach is sandy, gently sloping and calm and has a stinger net for the summer months .

You could check out iconic Bondi Beach in Sydney and see if you can spot the Bondi Rescue crew. Or head to The Gold Coast for Surfers Paradise.

There is a beach for every age group and every activity in Australia.

Swimming Pools and Water Parks for Kids in Australia

Australia does water attractions really well. In Far North Queensland, where we have a few issues with stingers and crocodiles , there are plenty of places to take the kids for a swim or a splash around, best of all, they’re free.

Try The Lagoon or Muddies Playground in Cairns or the Esplanade in Townsville.

If you’re looking for big water parks, The Gold Coast has Whitewater World and Wet ‘n Wild. Perth has at least ten water parks, you’ll find them dotted all over the country.

What to Pack for Australia With Kids

A wide-brimmed sun hat is essential for your kids at any time of year. We have incredibly strong UV Downunder and you need to protect your children’s skin and stop them from getting heat stroke.

Most kids in Australia wear long-sleeved, long leg swim gear in Australia, it protects them from the sun and any possible jellyfish.

My son recently had heat stroke while wearing a hat on a beach conservation project. Keep your kids in the shade as much as you can.

Waterproof shoes, Crocs, or Flip Flops (thongs) are a good idea because your feet are likely to get wet. Also, bring comfortable shoes that you can walk in.

In winter don’t underestimate how cold southern and central Australia can get (winter being northern hemisphere summer, of course). Australian homes have aircon, but good heating is rare.

You’re very likely to be cold indoors down south. A good fleece should be all you need unless you are heading to the ski slopes.

Wet season in the tropical north can bring torrential downpours but it’s very rare that we wear a waterproof jacket, it’s too hot. Skin is waterproof.

This is where waterproof footwear is essential.

Also don’t underestimate how hot Australia can get in summer. The heat may force you to take part in activities early or late, full afternoon sun can be too much.

Bring whatever clothes you and your kids feel comfortable in. I wear jeans and running tights, others prefer shorts and dresses. It’s really up to you. There’s no pressure to be “dressed up” in Australia but some establishments have dress rules, for instance, no baseball caps, no shirtless men, no singlets (vests) for men and no bare feet.

Yes, Australians do go barefoot in the supermarket sometimes, and on the street.

Swim shorts are common for women, as are bikinis. A long-sleeved rashie (rash vest or swim shirt) to keep the sun off is a very good idea.

Bucket List of Things To Do in Australia With Kids

You won’t be able to fit all of these into your vacation, but here are some of the best things to do in Australia with kids and for families:

• Pat a kangaroo, cuddle a koala.
• Learn to surf.
• Snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef.
• See as many of Australia’s “Big Things” as possible.
• Go to Bondi Beach and see the guys from Bondi Rescue.
• Go camping in the bush and admire the Milky Way.
• Swim with wild dolphins
• Visit Australia’s Gold Coast theme parks.
• See wild crocodiles and visit a crocodile show.
• Visit Australia Zoo, Steve Irwin’s legacy to all kids.
• Visit Questacon Science Museum in Canberra.
• Visit a sheep station and see shearing.
• Attend one of Australia’s iconic local “shows”.
• Play the didgeridoo and throw a boomerang.
• Pan for gold.
• Walk in the world’s oldest rainforest. (The Daintree Rainforest )

There are many more things to do in Australia that kids would love, what would you add?

Australia With Kids – Practicalities

Australian English is spoken in Australia, it has similarities with both American English and British English.

The currency in Australia is the Australian dollar. Australian money is waterproof, which is handy at the beach.

The American dollar is not accepted in Australia although American visitors do tip in US dollars sometimes, these notes then have to be exchanged for Australian currency.

Tipping is not expected, as it is in the US, but it’s nice to reward good food and service where you receive it. Tips are normally split fairly between all staff at the restaurant, it’s not for the server. The chefs deserve praise too!

Don’t forget a power adaptor or two for Australia, electrical sockets are different. This is an international adapter for Australian sockets.

Food in Australia for Kids

Australian cuisine is very Western, expect all the usual burgers, fries, pizzas, salads and ice creams.

A few unique Australian dishes may include local wildlife like kangaroo, crocodile, camel and emu.

You can dine in Australian pubs with kids, in restaurants, cafes and bakeries.

Australia is famous for the Aussie meat pie, and these come in many flavours. It’s traditional to put a dollop of ketchup on the top.

Australia is also very fond of barramundi (Asian sea bass) and reef fish like coral trout and snapper.

Prawns (they’re not shrimp) are often served cooked (boiled or steamed) and cold, with mayo of some kind.

My kids’ favourite foods in Australia are chicken parmie and fish and chips. Alcoholic beverages are only for big kids over 18 in Australia.

Do try some Australian grass-fed beef, it’s good. I’ve also just been told that Tasmania is the only place where they produce grass-fed wagyu beef.

You can also find Indian food, Thai, Mexican, Vietnamese, and just about any country’s cuisine, represented in Australia.

More Reasons to Love Australia for Kids

How am I doing? Is that enough reasons?

Do I need to mention the climate, you’ll always find somewhere that’s just the right temperature for you.

You can enjoy just about any sport or activity you like, including skiing, or sample the incredible food and wines Australia produces.

The children should enjoy Australia’s chocolate, tropical fruits and dairy products, some of them will enjoy the fantastic seafood.

Camping is immensely popular, in a tent or a mobile home, facilities are great. You can even find free camping and public gas barbecues are everywhere, often in the many kids’ playgrounds.

I hope I’ve convinced you, go on, take your kids to Australia, click “like” if you want to go! Want more info on Australia with kids – head to our main Australia Travel Blog page and start planning your itinerary and figuring out the logistics. If you haven’t booked flights yet, open our Skyscanner post here and use our tips to find the best route. Also, ask me anything in the comments, I’m here to help you organise your dream family trip to Australia.

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If you'd like to hire a car during your stay, use this car rental comparison tool to find the best deal! We also suggest you take a look at this company to get a quote for all kinds of the more tricky adventure or extended travel insurance. Try Stayz / VRBO for an alternative way to find rentals on homes/apartments/condos in any country!

Related Posts:

Alyson Long

Our laos budget. we’re spending $40/day, sort of.., vang vieng, laos with kids, 29 thoughts on “australia with kids”.

Australia was one of my favorite trips! When we travel as a family, I love to find engaging books for the kids to read before and during the trip.

That’s something we always did when they were small, too. I have my own list and collection! As they get older we dive into history and culture, more adult topics, but we live in Australia so we reached full immersion!

Hey Alyson,

Your arktickles are so great! They are helping me a lot to organize and have a courage to travel the world with our three kids 😉 we are planning a trip to Australia, we will travel in campervan but i am little bit nervous of all the wilde side of Australia ( of cours snakes, spiders, scorpions 😬🫣)do You have any advice for traveling safety with kids around this beautiful country? Thx a lot! Mirka

HI Mirka, well we live with them, so yes! My biggest fear in a camper van would be the heat though. Don’t even think of being in the hot parts in summer. We’ve done Far North Queensland in a camper van in February – don’t even think about it! So now we live in the countryside on 5 acres, we see A LOT of snakes. Mostly tree snakes and pythons arnd they are totally harmless to us really. Although we’ve had pythons take guinea fowl and even adult geese. In cities and busy camp sites you’re very unlikely to see one at all. We do have taipans and eastern browns in our area, but I’ve only seen one or two on the road, not on our land, ever. But we just try to remember there always could be a snake if we have to go anywhere overgrown or not on the lawn, sort of thing. Now I’m an arachnaphobe, I really hate spiders. I’ve seen two huntsman spiders in Australia – EVER! The spiders in the UK are way, way, worse. I think because we have a lot of chickens, they take care of them for us, but in and around cities people use surface spray and get their homes treated so that the spiders just die. We don’t have redbacks up here, they do down south, but I’ve never seen one. There are scorpions, but again, you never see them. The only time I’ve seen scorpions is when we go out in the dark with a blue light and shine it around rocky walls with cracks, they’ll be in the cracks and they glow in the dark. We do have various tarantulas, I’ve seen 2, both times cats had got them. Be aware there could be crocodiles in any body of water up north. They say to keep 10m from the edge of rivers etc. And also be aware of marine stingers. Drop bears aren’t real. And while you’re not going into overgrown / bush areas because of snakes, you’ll also be avoiding gympie gympie, stinging plant. We do have a post called stinging plant and other dangers of Queensland on here somewhere. We’ve had gympie gympie on our farm, it’s quite common on rainforest areas. We take campers here sometimes, give us a shout when you’re up this way. Personally I just supervised the heck out of my kids for their own safety. Ticks can also be a problem, and leaches. On the whole though, we very rarely even think about any of those things, but I totally get why you’re worrying because I used to be the same. Once you’re here and see for yourself you’ll be good. I do make my husband check public bathrooms in bush – like areas for spiders before I’ll go in though 🙂 And always keep all doors and windows closed. Windows have screens here, so you can open them for air and not let anything unwanted in. You’ll see lots of people and kids barefoot, that’s something I’d never do.

I would like to visit Australia with my kids . my kids re very young , pls where can we visit nd av much fun

Well it depends what your kids find fun. Do they like beaches, would they like to meet Australian wildlife? Are you more interested in attractions like theme parks? Sydney, The Gold Coast, Cairns or north Queensland for snorkelling on the reef.

Hey, Alyson What a fantastic Post! This is so chock full of useful information, most concise step-by-step guide, I was looking for some places around Australia, and your blog really helped me. Thanks for sharing the information.

Glad to be helpful. Thanks.

We have set the goal of visiting in March 2020. Our twin boys will have just turned 5. Travelling from England seems a bit daunting – we will have 4 weeks. We love taking our children on holiday with us – its amazing how much they remember…. I’m conscious of wanting to see and do so much – but not wanting to rush the kids around so they dont have time to just be – and enjoy. Being in England, i need to get my head around how long it will take and the best ways to travel from one place to the next in Australia. Do you have any recommendations for sites or companies who can help with planning. Its been such a huge dream for me – i really want to make sure i get it as right as i possible can for our family. Thanks so much for your words of wisdom.

No, but what do you want to see in 4 weeks? In 3 months we only did the East Coast, Uluru ad the famous train journeys up the middle, how far do you plan to get? I’d say that in 4 weeks…presuming you’re flying into Sydney, you’d want maybe 4 days in Sydney, then what? will you fly? Or are you planning on bus / train / hired vehicle? These are the sort of posts I’m working towards creating now, as we’re actually based up in Queensland again for a while. You managed to find a very old post!

Well… Google found the post for me – and I’m greatful for that. I’d love to take a train, and travel in an RV, camping for a little bit, if that’s possible. We want to do Sydney but thinking of flying to Perth as we have a friend there. Apart from that we love nature, culture and beaches. I’ve only just started the journey to research exactly what and how so all suggestions greatly received. Many Thanks….

Would you take a tent or prefer to hire a camper van? If you had your tent would you need a hire car ?

I would defiantly prefer a camper van – I love the idea of driving and stopping at different places and staying wherever you want to. But in England your not allowed to just park and camp anywhere so I’m not sure if that’s possible. Also not sure on dear laws for the kids ext…. so much to look into.

Dear laws? You can’t just park anywhere, it’s against the law, but there are free camps and some people just do it anyway and get away with it. But I know the cops here in Port check because we’ve historically had a big problem with this around town.

Oops.. sorry. Car Seat laws for chilren. Good to know camper vanning isn’t like in the movies – lol. Same as the UK.

They’re pretty tight. We brought our UK car seats over and used those, or you can hire one with the car. You’d need to check weights and heights.

Yes, Australia is the best place for the kids, also it has some amazing local playground which is best for the kids to play in free time

I want to bring the kids to visit Brisbane.. any suggestion to plan to routes.. First time trying to worldschool the kids

Sorry Fancy, I don’t know Brisbane well at all, we lived in Far North Queensland and only went to Brisbane for the airport usually.

It will be better that i wont teach anyone math 🙂 maybe hebrew

Plus we are super-friendly, amazing people!

Yes, I should have mentioned, because Ingrid will crack open a bottle of bubbles and cook you dinner if you turn up on her doorstep with your kids. And teach them maths.

I think you forgot one BIG reason-the oz people! I traveled in Australia many years ago and i promised to come back with my family.hopefully it will happen soon LOVE AUSTRALIA

Wish I had taken them years ago. My daughter went before we did and loved it especially Sydney. I ache to go back with the now grown up kids. 🙂 We fell in love with Melbourne. If I went with kids I would take them out of school for a year and they would learn more in a year there than they would at school.

What a wonderful comment Coral! I’m all for taking kids out of school, mine love their freedom and their way of learning.

Ok I’m sold 🙂 We’re going.

Glad to hear it Sarah! Take plenty of sunblock and watch out for drop bears.

Australia is a great country in many aspects, culture, beer, history, landscape and not least cricket. So would love to visit Australia with my kids. The under sea life something that my kids would like.

I forgot to mention cricket! I have to say, I’m not a fan of Australian beers at all Shalu, I’ll get in trouble for saying that. Thanks for commenting and I just followed you on FB and Twitter, India is very special to me, we’ll be there next year.

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Top family destinations in Australia

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With its natural beauty and laidback lifestyle, Australia is the perfect playground for families.

By Allie Metz and Sue White

The sandstone ridges of the Grampians, three hours west of Melbourne , offer family-friendly adventure alongside a sophisticated food and wine scene. Kangaroos and emus roam the quiet bushland, while adrenaline-inducing activities will turn the mountain range into your personal playground. Test your strength on a rock climbing session, be immersed in Aboriginal culture at Brambuk and paddle canoes on Lake Bellfield.

Guide to the Grampians

This majestic mountain range is home to a huge array of wildlife and adventure activities alongside a rich and continuing Aboriginal history.

With beautiful coastal walks, Aboriginal tours and wildlife experiences available right in the heart of the city, Sydney is the perfect spot to balance coastal adventures with cultural immersion. Kids and teens alike will love surfing, snorkelling and soaking up the vibes on any of Sydney's beautiful beaches . Create unforgettable memories as you ferry across the harbour and climb the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Top things to do in Sydney with kids

From splash pads to roller coasters, Sydney is the ultimate family destination.

Read time • 4min

With its world-class museums (many of which have experiences just for kids ) and a buzzy dining scene, Australia’s capital city of Canberra is an ideal getaway for culture-lovers of all ages. The city’s compact size and proximity to nature make it easy for families to hop between award-winning cultural institutions and thrilling outdoor adventures on the same day. Go hot air ballooning, cycle beautiful bike trails, or spend the day on Lake Burley Griffin.

Top things to do in Canberra with kids

Canberra abounds with kid-friendly parklands, nature reserves and national attractions that include tailor-made spaces for youngsters.

Read time • 6min

A family trip to Cairns is all about sharing the magic of one of the world’s greatest wonders – the Great Barrier Reef . Start your adventure with a splash around in the Cairns Lagoon before heading out for a snorkel above the colourful coral. There's plenty to do between Cairns, Kuranda and Port Douglas , so having a flexible itinerary is ideal. Spot crocodiles in the Daintree Rainforest , take a train to see waterfalls and ignite a true love of nature.

Top things to do in Cairns with kids

Show the family a good time in the tropical city of Cairns.

Queensland’s Gold Coast is known as the ultimate family beach getaway. You’ll find a beguiling mix of things to do with the kids, from dining and culture to adventure and nature experiences – all alongside 57km (35mi) of white, sandy beaches. Visit Australia’s biggest selection of theme parks , meet native animals at a wildlife sanctuary and explore World Heritage-listed rainforests in the Gold Coast hinterland.

Top things to do on the Gold Coast with kids

World-famous sandy beaches, exciting theme parks and the chance to see Australian wildlife up close, the Gold Coast offers plenty for those on a family getaway.

Read time • 5min

Dazzling white sand beaches and a range of laidback accommodation have seen Rottnest Island become one of Western Australia’s most beloved family escapes. On arrival, do as the locals do and hire bicycles. A car-free zone, ‘Rotto’ is a wonderfully safe place for little ones to roam on two wheels, while older kids will appreciate having the freedom to explore the island’s 63 beaches. The island is also home to one of Australia’s cutest animals , the quokka. These adorable marsupials make for great holiday photos.

Guide to Rottnest Island

When it’s time to relax and recharge, swap the rush of the city for an idyllic escape on Rottnest Island.

Boasting dramatic wilderness and exciting cities, Tasmania has a lot to offer families. You can explore Hobart with the family , or take off in a campervan to discover the Wilderness World Heritage area that awaits to the west. Time seems to stand still as you explore hiking trails, spot wildlife and admire a sky full of stars. Give your legs a rest as you take in the scenery from a historic train, a boat cruise or a rafting adventure.

Guide to Tasmania

Reconnect with nature, wildlife and your taste buds on a trip to the impossibly beautiful island state of Tasmania.

Off the coast of South Australia , Kangaroo Island is a natural playground combining fresh local food, stunning scenery and easy access to nature. You're likely to see more kangaroos than cars here, making it perfect for families. Stroll the beaches where sea lions snooze or join a tour to swim with wild dolphins. Kids can scramble over unique rock formations or glide down the sand dunes of Little Sahara on a toboggan. For something a bit more calming, visit a lavender or honey farm to taste some of the foodie delights the island has to offer.

Guide to Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island is a nature lover's paradise, with prolific native wildlife, dramatic coastal sightseeing and bountiful farmlands.

At roughly half the size of Switzerland, Kakadu National Park is both vast and spectacular – a gem for families to explore just three hours from Darwin . You can spot wildlife, admire rock art galleries, explore waterholes and learn about Aboriginal cultures from the land's Traditional Custodians (the Bininj/Mungguy people). Exploring such a wild, remote place has an impact on everyone who visits; expect to leave with a renewed connection to nature and to each other.

Guide to Kakadu National Park

Experience the magic of World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park on an outback adventure that defies expectation.

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Survive long haul travel with kids when moving to Australia

10 Apr, 2022 | Discover Australia , New Life Maker

If you’re planning on moving to Australia soon, and if you have young kids, there’s a pretty good chance you might be nervous about the flight. You might even have found this post by Googling: ‘surviving long haul flight with toddlers.’  If that’s you, I’ve got your back! This post is all about taking a long-haul flight with a toddler (actually three!) and it includes my tips on how to survive your flight to Australia.  

When we moved to Brisbane, our twin boys were four and our VERY headstrong daughter had just turned two a few days before. The idea of travelling for 24 hours with three pre-schoolers terrified me. I was convinced we’d lose someone in the terminal. I had no idea how everyone would settle on the plane. I wasn’t looking forward to juggling all of our luggage at the airport (which was way more than you’d take on an average long hail holiday!). I didn’t know what to pack for the flight for a long haul with kids as we’d only travelled short-haul with toddlers before. I didn’t know how any of us were going to get any sleep…

I spent hours Googling travel gadgets for kids, toddler plane activities and how to entertain a toddler on a plane. I wanted to find as many tips for travelling with toddlers and long haul flight tips as I could. My grand plan was to be as prepared as possible to make flight to Australia as calm and stress-free as possible. I ended up buying plenty of travel toys for toddlers, kids’ airplane games and lots of extra things that were supposed to make flying with a toddler (or three) easier!

Table of Contents

Long haul travel with kids tips

I learnt so much after making that journey and I’d love to share some of that here – both our successes and our mistakes. Read on to find out what to pack in your travel bag for Australia, what not to take, flying to Australia tips and tricks and learn about some of my favourite travel gadgets which can make flying with a baby or toddler a little easier. If you don’t have time to read the whole thing, you can sign up to access my FREE resources library which contains my hand luggage packing list here .

We’ll soon be flying back to the UK for our first trip since we arrived in Australia (pending a few things falling into place!) I no longer have to stress about taking a long haul flight with a toddler or baby, as now I’ll be travelling with a primary schooler and two tweens which should be waaaaay easier! I still learnt an awful lot from my experience of flying to Australia with three little ones though and I’m excited to share my tips below. 

This post about surviving long haul travel with toddlers contains affiliate links

Travelling to Australia with young kids

The first thing I want to get out of the way before we get started is this: prepare all you can for the flight to Australia with kids, check out all of these tips for flying to Australia and buy all of the toddler airplane activities, but remember that no matter what happens, it’s just a day of your life. If the long flights with kids proves to be challenging, just remember that it will be over soon.

If you’re emigrating, you’re only travelling one way so you don’t have to think about boarding an airline again for a while. If your kids refuse to eat airline food, it won’t hurt them to miss a meal or eat ice cream and chocolate for a day. If nobody sleeps, you’ll all get some rest when you land. Keep it in perspective – time will pass and none of this will really matter. Being organised will definitely help, but there are no guarantees everything will run smoothly as there is so much out of your control. Take the day as it comes. Long haul flights with a toddler or baby can be unpredictable! 

I found this hard to get my head around – my husband and I are both control freaks who like to plan everything and we love to manage projects down to the fine details. But that was the biggest thing I learnt about our journey over to Australia – whatever happens, will happen. Go with the flow!

Flying with kids on long haul flights: Reality check

If you’ve travelled long haul before having kids you may need to give yourself a quick reality check. Your long haul flight to Australia won’t be as relaxing as a pre-kids flight. You probably won’t be able to watch endless movies this time (not if you’re flying with a baby or flying with toddlers), and you might not be able to sleep as much as you’d like.

On our flights to Australia, I think I spent 12 hours trying to get to the end of ONE MOVIE! Thankfully, I made it to the end just before we landed, but there wasn’t really any time to concentrate on anything as one of our three always needed something. Whether it was trips to the toilet (I swear they played tag!), or help with food, opening up packs of stickers or just having a cuddle – I was on duty pretty much the entire 24 hours and so was Matt. But that kept all of us occupied which was also good as having things to do makes the time pass quicker and 24 hours can feel like a long time.

I had expected a bit more quiet time when they went to sleep but, unfortunately for us, this didn’t really happen (hopefully you’ll have more luck!) – they took turns having very short naps but while one slept, we still had two awake. I think we were particularly unlucky that none of our three slept very much on either of the flights but I know other people with kids that sleep for ten hours straight on planes, so I guess it’s a combination of setting things up for success as well as a bit of luck on the day.

I’m sure if we’d invested in a kids’ flight pillow so the kids could stretch out, they would have all slept much longer. Read about the best kids flight pillows here. (Be sure to check you can use a particular brand on your flights as they can’t all be used by all airlines). In hindsight, investing in at least one of these would be my top tip about how to survive a flight to Australia with toddlers. It would have been worth every penny (plus they retain their resale value so when you’re kids are too big for them you can just sell them on). So if your kids are aged five or six and under, it’s well worth reading this post and considering your options! 

Travel long haul with kids: Big decisions when flying with a toddler or baby

Fly direct or layover.

The biggest decision you have to make before you plan to travel with kids to Australia is whether to have a layover or fly straight through. There are pros and cons for each.

Pros of having a layover when long haul travel with kids

• You can get some rest in between flights, meaning you all arrive in a better mood.
• If any of your kids are struggling (i.e. not eating, refusing to sleep, not wanting to wear their seatbelt) then you can take a break and come back to it again fresh on the next leg.
• It makes you feel less stressed to know you only have to keep everything together for 12 hours or so before you can relax.
• If your kids get travel sick, this gives them time to recover before continuing the long haul journey.
• You can eat some real food at the end of the day – everything looks better after a proper dinner that isn’t served on a little tray!

Cons of having a layover long haul travel with kids

• You need to pay for an extra night or two at another destination. This can add £££ to your migration costs .
• You need to think about car seats and logistics to get to the hotel.
• Booking layover accommodation and transfers is an extra job on top of a million other admin jobs on your list.
• If the first flight wasn’t fun, nobody is going to want to get back on a plane again after an overnight stay somewhere nice.

There’s no right or wrong answer. After much debating, we decided to fly straight through which I think was right for us at the time as we wanted to save the money and get started in our new lives. Next time we go back to the UK for a visit, I’ll be tempted with a layover to break things up as the finance and time pressures won’t be as great.

(If you’re looking for layover hotels, my favourite travel booking site is Booking.com . Register for free to get access to the best deals. From my personal experience, the last-minute deals on here can be much cheaper than other booking sites.)

Where to sit on your long haul flights when travelling with kids

When travelling long haul with toddlers or flying with a baby, it’s a good idea to request the bulkhead seats when booking your tickets as these give you more space and if you have a baby they can use the sky cot. Unfortunately, these seats tend to book up quickly (priority will go to those with young babies needing the sky cot/bassinet so if you have a baby, make sure you book as early as you can). If you’ve booked your tickets online using a comparison site (rather than through an agent on the phone where you can chat about seats), log into the airline website as soon as you can after booking to secure your seats.

Pro tip : Make sure you ask for children’s meals when booking. We booked our flights with a really helpful company over the phone but they never mentioned children’s meals. When we were on board our first flight, we realised every other child was getting special children’s meal boxes and our kids were being given adult meals. They didn’t have any extra kid’s meals on board, so it meant our three only ate crisps for the whole first flight as they’re all picky eaters. Thankfully they realised what had happened on the first flight and they called through to the second flight and organised kids’ meals for us on that one. Not that they ate those either, but at least they could have had chicken nuggets if they wanted to.

How many seats there are in a row depends on the size of the aircraft. In economy, the A380s I’ve travelled on have rows of three on the outside and a middle block of four. The smaller 747 we travelled on for the second leg of our flight to Brisbane had two seats by the window and four in the centre. It worked out well for us to have the entire window seat row with the rest of us sitting in the middle, broken with the aisle. It meant we could all swap seats to get a change of scenery. Think about what seat configuration will work best for your family, and remember the later you book the fewer options you’ll have. (Also, if you plan on using a flight pillow or foot hammock , check out the best place to sit to use it as this will depend on the brand).

Pro tip : I know people who deliberately plan to leave one seat in between their family when booking flights. When they’ve boarded, they ask the airline staff if the person they’ve seated in that seat might prefer to be moved (usually when they see they’re surrounded with young kids they are more than happy to move). This then gives them a free seat to spread out a bit. This comes with a risk – if the flight is full, or the person doesn’t want to move, you could end up with a stranger sitting between you all.

Be aware : If two adults are travelling with twins or two infants under two on laps (as we have twins this is something we discovered on our holiday flights before moving to Australia), you can’t usually sit in the same block of seats as there is only one extra oxygen mask per section of seats. In this case, you’d need to sit across the aisle from one another or in the row directly behind. But double-check when booking your flight – they should be able to advise you of the rules for your particular aircraft. If the infants have their own seat, they’ll have their own oxygen mask – it’s only an issue when travelling with multiple lap babies.

Flying with kids: Practicalities

How to get around the airport with kids safely.

When you’re moving abroad, you’ll have a lot of luggage. You may have been given an extra luggage allowance for migrating too (check with your airline when booking).

Pro tip : If you have a lot of travel luggage, like we did, then paying the porters at the airport is worth every penny. We were in a total panic when we got out of the taxi at Heathrow and realised our luggage wasn’t going to fit on two trolleys. There was no way we could push three trolleys and manage three kids between two of us. We didn’t pre-book the porter service – we just picked up the phone to arrange it on arrival and a few minutes later we had help. It cost us about £27 and for that they took our luggage right to the check-in desk. I’d have personally paid £££ for the service as it meant we could focus on looking after our kids while we waited in line to check-in. Not every airport offers the service, but if they do, use it!

Pro tip : If you know you need to take a lot of gear plus you have a few young kids, do yourself a favour and consider sending a bag or two with a luggage shipping service. The bag will be delivered to your hotel/accommodation and it will free up your hands at the airport. You can find out about Send My Bag services and get a 5% discount in this post . 

Reins or wrist straps to keep your kids close

For your peace of mind, it’s a good idea to bring a wrist strap for toddlers or baby reins.

Shop for toddler backpack with reins on Amazon

Shop for toddler wrist straps on Amazon

Security ID bracelet in case they get lost

It’s important that if you’re travelling with toddlers that they have your phone number on them somewhere for your peace of mind. Nobody plans on losing their kids, but it’s good to be prepared just in case. It’s also important to talk to your kids ahead of time to explain what they need to do if they get lost. Whether you want them to stand still and wait for you to find them, or you want them to find a member of staff at the airport to ask for help and show them your phone number. Having a clear plan will make sure your toddler doesn’t panic if this happens.

Shop for security ID bracelets on Amazon 

Travelling with a buggy

For pre-schoolers, you might want to take your buggy to the gate as it makes everything so much easier (it also means your toddler can’t run off if they’re strapped in! Plus your buggy can carry some of your hand luggage). Check that this is allowed when booking your flights. If your child is under two this shouldn’t be a problem.

Our daughter was just turned two when we travelled to Australia and we bought a seat for her. We were told we had to wrap her buggy and check it in. We later met other families who had brought their buggy to the gate with kids older than her, so just make sure you ask when booking and if you don’t get the answer you want from the booking agent, call the airline direct to check. Some airports have prams you can use in the terminal and luggage trolleys with baby seats so you can get by without your own buggy. Just remember, if you’re bringing your buggy to Australia that you clean the wheels as they may get checked when you arrive in Australia.

Pro tip : If you have a toddler or baby, it’s a good idea to bring a baby carrier that you can fold and store in your hand luggage. You never know when you’re going to need it. Also, make sure you use a rucksack for travelling as your hand luggage as this keeps you hands-free.

Hand luggage options for travelling with kids or travelling with a baby

The big question I get asked all the time is ‘should I buy a kids ride on suitcase for my kids?’ Trunki ride on suitcases are really popular and oh-so-cute. I fell into the trap. I bought three Trunkis especially for the journey to Australia (the Gruffalo, a t-rex and a cow) as I wanted the kids to be excited about the journey. And it worked! The kids adored them and couldn’t wait to set off for the airport with their cases.

After travelling for a full day with our Trunki ride-on suitcases, I can safely say that I both love and hate them. My husband downright hates them though. Here are the reasons for and against Trunkis if you’re wondering: should I buy a Trunki ride-on suitcase?

Pros of Trunki pull along suitcases

• Kids love them! Trunkis makes trips really exciting and fun.
• They are great to sit on when waiting in line – they really do stop your kids from running off as they feel responsible for them – even my runners were happy sitting on them and playing.
• You can pull your kids along on them when they get tired. Which is apparently most of the time when you’re in an airport.
• They are super cute.
• They fit a lot in – cuddly toys, a few books, some travel games and a pair of pyjamas can easily fit.
• They are sturdy and will last for years.

Cons of Trunki ride on suitcases

• Trunki suitcases are bulky and awkward which matters as you WILL end up carrying them.
• Your kids might like the idea of pulling them, now. But at some point they will stop pulling them and you’ll have to back track your route to figure out where they left them (this happened a lot of times to us!).
• Carrying a Trunki suitcase plus a small child and other hand luggage is really tricky. Carrying multiple Trunkis, plus a small child and other hand luggage is downright impossible. Again, in this case, your own hand luggage MUST be a rucksack or you won’t make it!
• Trunki ride on cases aren’t easy to open on a flight so you’ll need to pack a little bag inside the case that you can keep out during the flight to save the hassle of opening it multiple times.

So my verdict about Trunki ride on cases? For one child, maybe even two, Trunkis are cute and super fun. For three kids, take them at your peril knowing you’re going to end up juggling awkward, bulky cases, plus small kids plus your own luggage. You’ve been warned 🙂

Cute as hell – yes, totally impractical for more than one child – also yes!

Shop for Trunki ride-on cases on Amazon

Onward travel with kids

After reading lots of reviews I went for the Bubblebum seats which are inflatable and useful for squeezing in your travel bag.

In the end, this proved to be a waste of money as when we landed in Brisbane, we found out they weren’t legal in Australia (luckily our taxi driver had three seats we could use anyway). Boosters without backs have since been banned in the UK too, so we won’t be able to use them when we go back for visits either. They are, however, useful for using in other countries so if you have a layover somewhere it’s worth checking if they are legal in that country as they could still get you out of a spot. 

Shop for Bubble Bum seats on Amazon.

Pro tip : Use Hire for Baby to get your baby gear and car seats ordered so they’re waiting for you when you land in Australia. You can have car seats or baby seats professionally installed in your hire car so it’s waiting for you when you land, and they can arrange to have things like a travel cot waiting for you. Find out about car seat laws in Australia and learn about Hire For Baby here. 

What to pack in your hand luggage when travelling long haul with kids

On a long haul flight with toddlers or babies, do your best to keep your hand luggage light (obviously, that’s easier said than done when you’re emigrating). There will be times you end up carrying all the bags (see above!), and a child too. And carrying heavy bags just makes you more hot and sweaty than you need to be.

Sign up to access my FREE resources library which contains my hand luggage packing list

This is my must-have hand-luggage packing list for moving to Australia:

• Visa letters
• Ticket print outs
• Baby wipes (I took a couple of half packs so Matt and I both had one – half a pack was a lot lighter and less bulky than a full pack).
• Nappies, nappy bags and a travel changing mat (again, we took some in both of our bags – take more nappies than you think you’ll need as air travel can do funny things to a baby’s digestion)
• One spare set of lightweight clothes for everyone (this was useful as our daughter was travel sick on one of the flights and the boys poured drinks all over the place) plus a set of pyjamas each for the kids. I put the relevant person’s clothes in their bag so I’d know where to go for things quickly
• Paracetamol (for me!)
• Sachets of Calpol for the kids  in case they need them on the flight (these need to go in the clear plastic bags they give you at security)
• Any other medication needed for the journey and arrival (ensure you have enough in your hand luggage in case your hold luggage gets lost or delayed)
• A folder of important documents including: passports, print out of tickets, visa letters, letters confirming any new passports you’ve applied for since being granted your visa are linked to the visas (you need to complete a form to do this a few weeks before travel), birth certificates, driving licences, the credit or debit card you booked the flights on or the bank statement showing the ticket purchase (this is usually a condition of travel, so make sure you have it), the address and phone number of your temporary accommodation and the phone number of the taxi company or car hire company you’ve booked
• Hand sanitiser gel
• Disinfectant wipes
• Some small sandwich bags (to put rubbish or dirty clothes in)
• A magazine (haha that was a joke – I knew there was no chance I’d have time to read a magazine but it was a nice idea!)
• Each of the kids’ favourite teddy bears which they all snuggled up to at nap time
• A few favourite story books for bedtime
• Tablet computers with apps loaded on (remember to check the apps you want are working before you set off as I found mid-flight some I had promised them weren’t working and it was too late to go back online and fix it). Also, remember not to run your devices too low before you board the last flight as they might ask you to boot them up at security and if you can’t turn them on you may have to leave them)
• A LOT of snacks and sweets. Airline food can be pretty awful, and your kids will probably just want crisps, raisins, crackers and snacks. I didn’t pack nearly enough of this type of food and I regretted it
• A lightweight jumper for each of you as planes can be chilly
• A couple of bottles of water bought just before boarding the flight. (They don’t bring enough drinks around and your kids will get through them quickly. Again, I didn’t buy enough and we had finished our first bottle before the seatbelt sign was off on the first flight.)
• Travel activities for the journey like sticker books, Where’s Wally etc.
• Crayons and colouring books
• Laptops and portable hard drives (not to use while travelling but just to keep safe)
• Notebook and pen (because I can’t travel anywhere without mine!)
• Kids’ headphones and adapters
• Anything else you don’t want to risk putting in your hold luggage e.g. bills and account details, any precious photograph prints that you haven’t scanned and any breakables.

Don’t bother with:

• Travel board games (pieces will get lost)
• Toy cars (they have a tendency to drive under seats)
• Anything with lots of small pieces or parts (as above)
• Trunki neck pillows (or any other brand of neck pillow) – you get pillows on board and it’s not worth the hassle of carrying one as you’ll have enough to carry as it is!

You might also enjoy reading this blog post about what to pack in your hand luggage when travelling to Australia . 

Travel tools and travel gadgets for babies and toddlers

Cares child safety harness.

The FAA-approved CARES safety harness provides more security and safety for young children than the airline belt. I also know this would have made a big difference to our trip (if only I’d heard about this travel gadget before our journey!). Our daughter is so headstrong and the whole flight she wanted to take her seat belt off – including refusing to sit in her seat when we were landing in Brisbane! This is more like a car seat harness so she’d have felt more secure and wouldn’t have been able to keep unbuckling it herself. Genius. (Again, you may need to check if your airline approves of this device). 

Shop for CARES safety harness from Amazon

Of course, it goes without saying that an iPad is a must-have essential for travelling with little ones. Download movies or your favourite Netflix shows and install all of your kids’ favourite apps.

Shop for iPads on Amazon 

Earphones for kids

With these soft headphones, your kids can sit back and relax in comfort.

Shop for kids’ earphones on Amazon 

Travel sickness bands

Two of my three kids suffer with travel sickness. These travel sick bands really do help a little – I can personally vouch for them as I wore them through both of my pregnancies when I suffered with reallllly severe morning sickness. On the days that I forgot to wear them, I felt so much worse! Now we always travel with them. 

Shop for travel bands on Amazon

A travel first aid kit

A little first aid kit is essential when travelling with little ones. Be mindful to remove any sharp items such as scissors and put them in your hold luggage, and also remember to put any liquids or creams in the small plastic bags at airport security. I find it helpful to make up my own little travel first aid kit with a few essentials, but you can easily buy a little portable first aid kit for travel and then take out anything that can’t travel in your hand luggage with you. 

Shop for travel first aid kids on Amazon 

Noise cancelling headphones for the parents

Bose Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones or ear buds  are one for the parents 🙂 These are probably more use on long haul flights if you have older kids who are entertained by movies so you can sit back relax. I finally got a pair of Bose noise cancelling headphones a couple of years ago and they are fantastic! I wouldn’t have been able to use them much on our flight to Australia with three kids under five, but on our next flight I plan on being able to use them now my kids are a bit older! I would love to upgrade to the earbuds next! 

Shop for Bose noise cancelling earbuds on Amazon 

Where’s Wally books

Where’s Wally books were a lifesaver for us on our long haul flight. Our boys sat for hours playing with them – they’re great a travel activities for toddlers and even primary school aged kids.

Shop for Where’s Wally books on Amazon 

Travel activity books

Travel activity books and puzzle books were another big hit with our kids.

Shop for travel activity books on Amazon

Sticker activity books were another great idea for our littlest. She was always happy sticking sticks everywhere!

Shop for sticker books on Amazon 

How did we get on?

We all survived our flight to Australia. It was tough but bearable. Our boys were absolutely awesome beyond my expectations and sat watching endless movies (once kids hit four things seem to get a little easier as they are more engaged with movies and games) and playing Where’s Wally for hours on end. I had no idea they were capable of sitting still for so long – they listened so well and only became tricky after we landed in Brisbane and they were overtired and emotional. Our daughter didn’t travel so well but then she had a cold which probably made her ears hurt, and she had just crossed the boundaries into the terrible twos which meant she didn’t want us telling her when to wear her seatbelt! She found it all pretty frustrating and we ended up walking up and down the aisles with her for hours on the flights! 

Be patient and try to be kind to one another as it’s so easy to snap with the stress of such a big move.

Be prepared but go with the flow

My final tip is to let your kids have whatever will make them happy in flight (within reason). The airline staff will do whatever they can to cheer up a crying baby or toddler, so if they offer you an ice cream or a bar of chocolate for them, take it! It’s only for one day and if they’re happy, you’re happy. And don’t panic about other passengers if your little one is upset. We had so much support from passengers who were sympathetic to our daughter’s cries and it really did bring out the best in people – it’s hard enough worrying about travelling with little ones as it is without worrying about what other people are thinking. We had strangers offering to walk her around, someone lent her an iPad and others pulled funny faces to make her laugh – it really made the whole things much easier.

You can prepare as much as possible for the journey, but you can’t control how your child/children are going to feel on the day. Just remember, the flight will happen and you will get to the other side. If all goes well, it probably won’t be anyway near as bad as you’re expecting and parts of it might even be fun 🙂

Sign up to access my Free resource library and get my hand luggage packing list. 

PS Did this list of tips for long haul travel with kids help? Have I included everything or is there anything you can’t travel without? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

This page contains some affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services which I feel will be of value to you.

If you enjoyed this post, you might also like… Choosing the best natural mosquito repellent for your family Protecting your children’s skin with zinc sunscreen Why the CoolCabana makes a great family beach shade

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Child and Family Friendly Australian Tours

Take your children on an australian family adventure holiday. we have plenty of great family tours in australia to choose from., in this article, we give you a rundown of the family tou rs you can go on in australia. tours can be a great way to take the family on holiday. you won’t have to drive for a start. or think about th e logistics of where to camp. you’ll have someone to show you around and advise on safety. plus it’s a full educational day out, the children won’t even realize they are learning as they are having such a good time..

These trips below in Australia are our rec ommended tours for families. 

Here we will go over some of our best trips that are family-friendly and perfect to take your children on. Time to plan a family adventure holiday in Australia. Ages, as stated, are welcome on the tours. Parents will always be responsible for their children at all times, with the tour guide there to facilitate the tour not as the babysitter. You will find your children are so engrossed in the flora and fauna of beautiful Australian outback regions they won’t have time to be bored or misbehave. A win-win for the whole family.

Australia is built for the perfect family adventure with so much wildlife, plenty of walking and swimming and total outdoor living. Get the children away from the TV and Ipad for some family bonding and lots of learning about the culture and the great outdoors! So much to keep the kids occupied from long overland family holiday trips to adventure activities.

There are special child rates but also special family prices on some of these tours. So ask us at the time of booking and we can put your family package to Australia together.

Meet Koalas and Kangaroos, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, explore the rainforest, and soak up the sun in Sydney! So much to do on your family holiday in Australia. 

We recommend our family-friendly tours here so you can have the best possible Australia vacation.

Don’t have time to read this article and just want a quick list of tours to check this out:  Family Friendly Tours

We have listed these family tours in Australia by the state that they operate in.

Northern Territory

• Western Australia

South Australia

The best child and Family Friendly tours around Australia

Ok, here is the list of all the tours for families on offer.. We have so many family tours Australia so this list is long… here we go.

Northern Territory tours with kids

Yes, you can travel in the outback in Australia with children as a family. No worries, we have the perfect tours tailor made for travelling in the Northern Territory as a family.  

ALL our tours below are family and kid friendly. Just make sure you book well in advance if travelling in the school holidays… i think we will be repeating that one many times in this list!

Uluru Red Centre Tours perfect for children

We have the ideal family tour to Uluru for you. 

This tour shows off the highlights around the Red Centre of Australia. You will see the highlights of Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), and Watarrka (Kings Canyon) traveling in a large 4WD vehicle with your guide and other travellers. The ultimate family adventure holiday in Australia!

Child and Family Friendly Australian Tours from Alice Springs or Ayers Rock.  Find out more about our Uluru tour here.

3 Day Uluru Tour for children over 8 years old

Starts: Alice Springs 

Finishes: Alice Springs  or Ayers Rock Airport

Accommodation: Permanent campsites with twin share tents

Child age: 8-15 years

Book your 3 Day Uluru Tour here.

Family tours to Uluru for a family with Children 7 and over 

Accommodation: Pop up twin share tents or Swags

Child age: 7-15 years

Book your  3 Day Uluru Tour here.

The ideal Kakadu National Park tour for a family

Kakadu National Park has animals, swimming, Aboriginal culture, interesting plants and a hot climate. It’s easily explored on a tour as a family with our child-friendly tours.

You will stay in comfortable twin share permanent tents as a family. We do have limited family tents so please request a booking and you can sleep together as a family. If not we would have one adult and one child per twin share tent.

Kakadu National Park is a great destination for children and a family-friendly adventure. It’s one of the few World Heritage sites to be listed for both its cultural and natural features. Kakadu is renowned for its rich Aboriginal history and biodiversity. Where else can you come and see towering red rugged escarpments, impressive gorges, floodplains, art galleries thousands of years old, pockets of rainforests, billabongs dotted with lotus flowers and lurking crocs, waterfalls cascading into plunge pools, over one-third of Australian bird species, and thousands of plant species such as pandanus and cycads?

Find out more about our family-friendly Kakadu Tour here.

Starts: Darwin

Finishes: Darwin

Book your child and family-friendly Kakadu tour here:

Between June and October book onto our 3 Day 4WD Dragonfly Dreaming Top End Tour.

Between June and October try a longer tour with our 5 day Jabiru National Park tour from Darwin.

School holidays fill super fast for our 3 day Kakadu and Litchfield tour so please book well in advance for Easter, July school holidays, and the end of September and October.

West Coast Family Tours

Pinnacles tour at sunset.

This 1 Day Pinnacles tour takes you north of Perth to Yanchep National Park and is  family friendly . A popular spot with kids as they enjoy spotting for Koalas. Then we head to the Pinnacles desert National park to look at the famous yellow limestone rocks,. You will see these at sunset where the children can throw shapes and take in some stargazing in Western Australia.

A very family-friendly day out from Perth.

Find out more about our Pinnacles tour here.

Starts: Perth

Finishes: Perth

Child age: 4 years and above.

Book your 1 Day Pinnacles family-friendly tour here.

Perth to Exmouth Tour suitable for children

Explore Western Australia on our 5 days one way or 7 days return Perth to Exmouth tour. This tour takes in the Pinnacles, Kalbarri National Park, Monkey Mia, Coral Bay and Exmouth. The perfect west adventure. Our guide is fun and knowledgeable and enjoys family groups on tour. Those from 8-70 years old. So take your children and their grandparents on this adventure.

Witness the wonders of Western Australia’s Coral Coast region! Get set for an outdoor adventure like no other. Head north past brilliant white sand dunes, hike through deep red gorges and dive into the pristine Ningaloo Reef all in one tour. West coast is the perfect family adventure holiday in Australia, during any time of the year.

Accommodation: Hostels. As a family you will need to upgrade to private rooms. Select Twin-share on tour.

Child age: 8 years and above

Find out more about our  Child and Family Friendly Perth to Exmouth tour here.

Perth to Exmouth one way tour

Family friendly holidays Queensland

Fraser island guided tours for families.

Planning your next family holiday to Queensland? Family-friendly is the word here on Fraser Island, with 184,000 hectares of fresh-water lakes and creeks, sand blows, sub-tropical rainforests and World Heritage wilderness just waiting to be explored. You could even call it the world’s largest sandpit!

We recommend a few great child-friendly tours to Fraser Island.

Our 2 day Fraser Island Guided Tour:

Starts: Hervey Bay

Finishes: Hervey Bay

Accommodation: Hostels. Will need to upgrade to private rooms. Select Twin share on tour.

Child age: 5 years and above

For bookings that include infants (0-4 years old) please let us know at the time of booking your Fraser Island tour. All infants must be able to sit upright in a booster seat. We do not provide booster seats, so please bring along.

Find out more about our 2 days 1 night Fraser Island Guided Tour here .

We also have 1-day tours to Fraser Island that are suitable for children over 5 years old.

On this, Fraser Island day tour you can expect to see: Central Station – this former logging station is now a tourist stop. Stroll along the Wanggoolba Creek boardwalk to discover the ancient King Ferns, towering Gum and Pine trees; Lake McKenzie – enjoy a revitalising swim in the crystal blue waters and relax on the sandy white beaches… it’s picture perfect; Seventy-Five Mile Beach – as you drive along this sandy highway, you may spot birds of prey flying above or humpback whales as they migrate past (between July – November). You may wish to join the Air Fraser team for a scenic flight over the island – book with your guide on tour (optional extra); Eli Creek – float down this fast-flowing freshwater creek pouring out 80 megalitres of water daily into the ocean; Maheno Shipwreck – enjoy a photo stop at the rusting wreck of the Maheno washed ashore during an out-of-season cyclone in 1935 – it’s one of Fraser Island’s most recognizable sites; The Pinnacles Coloured Sands – learn how these technicolour sand formations were created and the Butchulla legends surrounding them. We stop to take a picture as we drive along Seventy-Five Mile Beach. Itinerary order and inclusions can change due to tides and weather conditions.

Child and Family Friendly One Day Tours on Fraser Island:  Book your 1 day Fraser Island Day tour here.

Whitsundays Sailing Adventures suitable for Children.

The Whitsundays are the ideal place to vacation with your family. There are plenty of family-friendly trips available that will allow you to explore the stunning Whitsundays and Whitehaven Beach with your kids. A family tour in Australia is not complete without a visit to the Whitsundays. We all know our children love Nemo and cannot wait to try to snorkel with him.! 

Overnight Whitsunday Sailing adventure for a family

For an overnight sailing adventure, we have our 2 day 2 night adventurer

This 2 day Whitsunday tour is perfect for those children over 2 years old.

We have family cabins. Passengers under the age of 18 must be booked into a private cabin with an adult known to them.

One day Whitsunday family sailing adventure

We also have Whitsunday one day tours suitable for kids.

1 Day Whitsunday Bullet Beach and Snorkel Dive Tour

Whitsunday Bullet is built to high-speed specification with seat belts and fitted with sound bilge catamaran demi-hulls. This will make the vessel easier to handle on windy days, offering guests a safer and dryer tour while experiencing the very best of the Whitsundays. We visit Whitsunday Island for a walk to the renowned Hill Inlet Lookout, South Whitehaven Beach for a swim and to marvel at the white silica sands of the beach and time at the north end of Hook Island or Hayman Island for snorkelling.

This tour is suitable for those over 8 years old.

Find more options for Sailing Whitsundays as a family: Sailing Whitsundays Family tours

Great Barrier Reef Cruise Adventures suitable for Children.

Tours from cairns suitable for children and families., travelling victoria as a family, family tours from melbourne.

From Melbourne, we can help you get the most out of your time here and enable you to see all that our beautiful city and surroundings has to offer. Don’t be restricted in where you can go because you have little ones in tow. We have created a range of tours with kids (and parents!) in mind. We’ve also tailored our day tours to ensure little travellers can last the distance, with appropriate stops along the way to stretch their little legs.

Child and Family Friendly Australian Tours from Melbourne

1 Day Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour

This tour is great for those 4 years and over who want to get out of the city and see the Penguins. Victoria’s three wildlife and nature gems. The world-renowned Phillip Island Penguin Parade, hand feeding wallabies at Moonlit Sanctuary and the 1850s Churchill Island heritage farm with sheep shearing. Its always important on a  family tour in Australia to include some cute animals, and what could be cuter than Penguins! 

1 Day Great Ocean Road Tour

Discover Australia’s greatest coastal drive, the spectacular Great Ocean Road, including the world-famous 12 Apostles and the Loch Ard Gorge shipwreck legends. This Great Ocean Road tour is perfect for those children 4 years old and over. 

Family- friendly South Australia Tours

Kangaroo island family holiday packages.

From Adelaide, we have the perfect family adventure tour to Kangaroo Island for you and your family. Perfect for children Kangaroo Island offers native wildlife, short hikes to the best lookouts and plenty of accommodation options. Plus the ferry ride over to Kangaroo Island is a real adventure for children! 

Child and Family Friendly Australian Tours to Kangaroo Island 

Child age: 3 years and above. child pricing is from 3 – 14 years. 

2 Day Best of Kangaroo Island Coach and Hotel Tour

Or for a day trip:

1 Day Kangaroo Island Highlights TourFamily road trip Western Australia

Family-friendly holidays in Tasmania

Don’t just confine yourself to mainland Australia with children. Pop over to Tassie! Tasmania is a fantastic place to travel with children. We offer some really accessible day tours from Hobart and from Launceston that your children will love.

Most popular family-friendly day trip in Tassie has to be the Wineglass Bay tour.

1 Day Wineglass Bay

On our 5 day Hobart to Hobart tour we accommodate children from 8 years old. This tour takes in Wineglass Bay Cradle Mountain and Launceston. The perfect whistle-stop adventure tour of the whole island of Tasmania. 

Starts: Hobart

Finishes: Hobart

Accommodation: Hostels. As a family request a triple room.

From our more about our child-friendly 5 day tour: 5 Day Hobart to Hobart tour. 

Time to start planning your family tours in Australia now. 

We bet you can’t wait for your family adventure holidays in Australia now! So many options to take family tours, which encourage children to learn more about the environment, history, and wildlife.

As you can see all our kids tours are adventure based. So leave the devices at home and get out into the nature as a family. They are about bonding together as a family and learning about Australia. 

Check out our list of family friendly tours:  Family Friendly Tours

Real Aussie Recommendations

• On a family tour in Australia we would advise to sp end a few days exploring the city – before or after your tour explore the city on foot. 
• School holidays fill fast, so book well in advance. 
• Travelling with a family on a family friendly tour can be fun! Just contact us and we will do the rest. 

5 Day Red Centre Camping Tour (Alice Springs to Alice Springs)

1 Day Kakadu Wilderness and Cultural Tour

1 Day Katherine Gorge Tour

3 Day Uluru, Kings Canyon and Kata Tjuta Tour

3 Day Kakadu 4WD Accommodated Tour

3 day Camping Kakadu Tour

1 Day Thundercat Whitsundays Tour

1 Day Classic Kuranda Tour from Palm Cove

1 Day Langford Island snorkel and sunset sail

5 Day Red Centre Camping Tour (Yulara to Alice Springs)

3 Day Uluru Tour (Yulara to Alice Springs)

4 day Kakadu National Park Tour

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27 Best Places to Travel with a Baby (Safe + Baby-Friendly)!

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Home » 27 Best Places to Travel with a Baby (Safe + Baby-Friendly)!

Are you wondering where to travel with a baby?

Our youngest daughter, Avalee, was just 2.5 months old when we embarked on our very first trip with her. Our first trip with her took us to Bali, Lombok, and the Gili Islands.

After Indonesia, we ventured further afield to Australia and explored Perth and Sydney.

We then set off to Asia visiting Japan and Europe for a big extended road trip that included France, Switzerland, and Italy – all before Avalee had reached her first birthday! As seasoned family travelers (we have 3 children) we’ve learned a lot about what works best when traveling with babies in tow.

With input from other parents who have traveled with their babies too, we’ve compiled a list of the best places to travel with a baby along with practical tips based on our experiences on how to choose the perfect baby-friendly holiday destinations. 

Just because you have a new baby doesn’t mean you have to be stuck at home. Now is a great time to make memories with your little one and travel the world!

It might not always be easy to travel with a baby, but in my opinion, it is always worth any challenges.

Here is a list of the best baby-friendly countries to visit to ensure your trip will run as smoothly as possible.

27 Best Places to Travel with a Baby in the World

Wondering where to travel with your baby?

We love traveling with our baby as we scout out the best places to visit with an infant.

In our opinion, the best countries to visit with a baby in USA, Australia, South Africa, Japan, Italy, and the UK, but you can find more ideas on our list down below.

But first! Sign up for our ‘Wanderlust Storytellers Family Tribe’ newsletter to get loads of helpful information about how to travel with a baby! 

1. Tuscany, Italy

For one of the best holiday destinations with a baby or even older kids, head to beautiful Italy!

Children are adored in this country, and you will find that Italians will often go out of their way to help parents. And expect them, to come to say hello to your little ones too.

Italy is one of the best places to go on holiday with a baby. It is easy to find some beautiful family-friendly accommodation options.

We chose Tuscany for our list because it has plenty of stroller-friendly destinations.

I recommend you choose either Florence or Lucca for a home base. Both cities are great for strollers, although we recommend a stroller with large cushioned wheels to handle bumpy or cobble-stone roads.

Florence has plenty of playgrounds for older babies and toddlers, and the restaurants typically can prepare a small plate for younger kids or a simple pasta dish (when Avie was a toddler, she often had simple pasta and butter).

If you decide on Florence, be sure to have a look at the best neighborhood to stay in Florence .

You can also find many beautiful small towns scattered through Tuscany that will allow you to explore this region of Italy without the masses of tourists.

Recommended attractions in Tuscany that you should see with your baby include the Leaning Tower of Pisa and The Boboli Gardens.

If time permits, you should also visit Capo Sant’Andrea on Elba Island (make sure to take baby beach shoes if you are planning to spend some time on the beach).

Personally speaking, Italy is arguably the best place to travel with baby options for us so far, as well as one of the best baby-friendly travel destinations and baby-friendly countries.

• Bring your baby carrier along, as you will often find stairs at the main attractions in Italy.
• Always have a baby change mat on hand, as change tables in public restrooms are rare.
• You can rent a stroller in Italy, and check out sites such as TravelBaby.It and BabyGuest.com.
• Pre-book your taxi online , that way, you can request a baby car seat for the transfer as well.

Where to Stay in Tuscany with a Baby:

We recommend basing yourselves in either Florence or Lucca (cheaper) and then planning your day trips from there.

Best Place to Stay in Florence with a Baby:

• Best Hotel: For a fantastic stay I would choose  MyFlorenceHoliday Gold Bridge . Their family room includes a cot and high chair and has a kitchen area where you can prepare bottles etc. The hotel is located 100 meters from Ponte Vecchio.
• Best VRBO: I love The Time Machine apartment which is located next to Palazzo Vecchio. It has 2 bedrooms and includes a travel crib, high chair, and dishes & utensils for kids- it also has a lift to the apartment which is on the second level.

Best Place to Stay in Lucca with a Baby:

• Best Hotel: The 4-Star Hotel Ilaria has a triple room that includes a cot. This popular hotel is located in the historic centre of Lucca.

Further Reading:

• Visit Tuscany with Kids (Tips and Information)
• See our full blog post with helpful information about traveling to Italy with a baby
• Watch our Video on YouTube: Italy with a Baby or Toddler .
• Florence with Kids

Wondering where to travel with a baby in Asia?  Japan is one of the best places to travel with an infant in Asia.

This destination is very baby-friendly. You can easily choose from some of these great destinations in Japan perfect for first-timers .

“ Baby Cafes ” located throughout Tokyo have childproof areas and food for mom and dad to purchase.

There are also family rooms throughout (mainly in the larger supermarkets) around, the larger cities where moms can nurse or change their babies.

Baby supplies are available from pharmacies, and let’s not forget how clean the country is (you won’t see rubbish anywhere!).

• Bring your baby carrier along and leave your stroller at home.
• You will typically find beautiful baby rooms in the larger supermarkets.
• Public restrooms should have change tables and a parent-friendly toilet with a baby highchair, so you have somewhere to pop baby while you do your business.
• Choose Airbnb over small hotel rooms.
• For toddlers, we can highly recommend some popular theme parks such as Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan.

READ MORE: See our helpful post on how to visit Japan with a baby

3. London, England

London is one of the best places to travel in Europe with a baby.

This city has parent rooms and changing facilities readily available, making it a great place to visit with a baby.

Many sights can easily be accessed by public transportation or on foot. We love how easy the city is to navigate with a stroller; simply use the   step-free Tube map to navigate the underground with your stroller.

Breastfeeding in public is accepted and considered perfectly normal. Children under five can travel for free on public transport, and there are plenty of family-friend restaurants.

If your bubs is a bit older, he/she might also really enjoy outings to a  baby disco, one of the children ‘s  theatres, the city farms, zoos, or a day out at one of the many parks.

• Top 10 Things to do in London with Kids
• Make sure you download NCT’s Babychange app, which will show you all the baby-changing facilities in your vicinity, and the Wowmum app, which lists baby change areas, as well as child-friendly activities, parks, and more.
• Book your taxi online. Book Taxi London is a reliable website that you can use to quickly and easily book your taxi (you can even select to have a car seat for your little one)!

After one of the most affordable places to visit with your baby?

With rice paddies, waterfalls, beaches, and great people, Bali certainly has it all.

This dreamy vacation is very baby-friendly, and nannies or babysitters are super affordable.  You can also very easily rent baby gear and equipment for super low prices if you need them.

Hotels and resorts will be equipped with baby cots and high chairs, and with a bit of effort, you can also pre-book transfers with baby car seats.

Avoid Kuta and head to more family-friendly areas such as Canggu, Ubud, Legian, Jimbaran, or Nusa Lembongan.

We love to combine some time in Ubud to soak up the peaceful rice paddy atmosphere with some luxury and relaxation at one of the beachside areas such as Canggu or Jimbaran.

Bali might be the best place to travel with a baby for those living in Australia.

• Bring your baby carrier along and leave your stroller behind
• Always have a baby change mat on hand
• Book a cheap nanny to tag along with you on your outings
• Pre-book your transfers if you wish to have a baby car seat
• Don’t forget to bring along your  sun tent for baby , as well as some handy and essential  beach items for baby

5. Tulum, Mexico

One of the best travel destinations with a baby if you are after some beautiful beaches and warm weather. This city can make for a very relaxing vacation.

Many family-friendly beaches and hotels accommodate those traveling with babies, as they often provide cribs and strollers.

If you are wondering if it is safe to travel to Mexico with a baby, you will be glad to know that it is.

What you will need to consider is taking enough baby formula if you are not breastfeeding your little one as the variety of formula available is limited.

If you do use baby formula, make sure to use bottled water when making your baby’s milk.

If you do take a baby stroller, take one that can fold up and will fit easily into any taxi that you may take whilst on holiday.

If you are planning on venturing out and about, a baby carrier is a great choice as you will be hands-free, and is perfect for any hikes are strolls on the beach.

Top places to visit include Sian Ka’an Biosphere and Playa Paraiso.  Mexico offers some of the best baby-friendly travel destinations for those in the USA.

6. Chicago, Illinois

One of the best places to travel to with a baby in the United States is Chicago. This city is so baby friendly making it hands down one of the best cities to travel with a baby and one of the best travel destinations with baby options.

The great thing about Chicago is that it has a ton of baby sights, attractions, and tours to enjoy.

Taking your baby out and about during the day is great for you and the baby and in Chicago, they celebrate that.

The town of Chicago has free stroller tours at some of the area’s major museums, including The Field Museum, The Art Institute of Chicago, and The Museum of Contemporary Art.

Besides the museums, you can also visit the Shedd Aquarium and Navy Pier.

If you are explicitly wondering where to travel with a newborn, this would be one of our top picks.

7. Montreal, Canada

After stroller-friendly places to visit with a baby? One of the nice things about Montreal is that it’s very stroller-friendly.

Numerous kid-friendly festivals occur throughout the year. Popular attractions include Jean-Talon Farmer’s Market, Clock Tower Beach, and The Botanical Gardens.

If you visit Montreal outside of these festivals do not worry because there is still lots to do. Experience much of the cultural scene in Montreal by visiting many of the galleries and museums. Kids under 12 can go free to many of these local Montreal attractions.

In summer there are many parks and open green spaces that you can enjoy as a family. Enjoy a picnic and the many playgrounds that can be found in the parks.

Montreal boasts a large variety of baby-friendly and welcoming cafes and restaurants, so when it comes to enjoying a bite to eat, you and your baby can relax.

8. Tasmania, Australia

Definitely, one of the most baby-friendly countries to visit.

Australia is another brilliant country to visit with a baby. While there are many baby-friendly places to travel to in Australia, we love Tasmania.

This Australian state is an excellent destination for children of all ages. You can easily find high chairs in restaurants, which typically have special kids’ menus to keep toddlers happy.

You can easily find all baby supplies in small or large grocery stores. Hotels have cots available (typically free of charge), and destinations are all stroller-friendly.

One of the nice things about Tasmania is that you don’t have to haul a stroller with you on your flight if you don’t want to because plenty of stroller rentals are available.

Many activities here are nature-based, including a visit to the Bay of Fires and Russell Falls. A great activity during the summer months is to head to one of the beautiful sandy beaches for some much-needed relaxation.

9. Wales, United Kingdom

Wales is another one of the best places to travel with a baby in Europe!  People love babies in Wales and will bend backward to ensure you enjoy your time here as much as possible.

Hotels will provide everything from cribs to baby gates and can even recommend babysitting services if you need some alone time. Good places to visit with your baby include Cardiff Castle, Tenby Harbour, and Bodnant Garden.

When you are out and about enjoying the lush Welsh countryside, be sure to take a baby carrier with you.

If you plan to spend more time exploring the Welsh villages and towns, a baby stroller will definitely come in handy. If you can, a stroller that folds up compactly is best as you are guaranteed it will be able to travel in your taxi.

10. San Diego, California

This is one of the most baby-friendly destinations on the list. There are a lot of boardwalks, walking trails, and plenty of beaches.

If you take a stroller with you when you travel to San Diego with a baby, you will be able to move around with ease.

If you are looking for some great baby-friendly activities then a visit to the Birch Aquarium, Mission Beach & Boardwalk, or the San Diego Botanic Garden are all great choices.

Be sure to also make your way to the San Diego Zoo. This huge zoo has so much to see and do and is a huge amount of fun for everyone.

If you visit during warmer months, be sure to pack sunblock and a swimming costume so you can take a dip at the many beaches.

Pack some kids’ beach toys or grab a set from one of the local shops on the boardwalk as all kids love to play in water and sand and most of all build sandcastles.

For kids big and small, head to Legoland which is under an hour’s drive from San Diego. The best part about the rides at Legoland resorts is that they do not have height restrictions so even the shortest of visitors can enjoy the rides when visiting.

Is it any surprise that Hawaii happens to be one of the best places to vacation with a baby? This island is a dream vacation for many due to the many resorts that cater to families.

So it is probably no surprise that Hawaii happens to be one of the best places to vacation with a baby!

If you do not want to explore the island and just need to relax and take it easy, then staying at your beach resort is great as you can lunge around the pool or on the beach.

Head to the beach for some sand and fun and when baby is tired and ready for a nap, the room is only a short walk away. If you want to do an activity that is a bit more strenuous, many of the resorts do offer activities at the resort that you can enjoy.

The best way to get around this island is with a rental car. You will be able to see plenty of amazing sights that will allow you to take unforgettable pictures of yourself and your baby.

Exploring Hawaii by car also means that your baby can take a nap when traveling and not be tired to enjoy the sights.

Baby-friendly places include Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail and Valley of the Temples.

12. Cape Town, South Africa

Not many people associate good places to travel with a baby, including South Africa. However, those who’ve been to Cape Town know it’s one of the best places to visit with a baby or even older kids.

Cape Town is also one of the best cities to visit with a baby because baby facilities are readily available everywhere.

There are plenty of picturesque views and things to do, visiting the penguins, heading out on a boat to see the seals, or having a picnic in a vineyard.

If you want to travel around Cape Town then make sure to rent a car. Many places that you will visit may be an hour or so drive out of the City center.

You do not need to take a car seat with you as many of the car rental companies will be able to offer you car seat rental.

Cape Town is known for its many wine farms. If you think that visiting is not great for kids, you will be pleased to know that many of the wine farms cater to all ages, with most offering children their own version of a “wine-tasting menu “with treats and kids’ drinks.

Nearly everywhere you visit a baby chair will be available to use. Most wine farms have play parks for kids to enjoy with swings, slides, and jungle gyms. If you are traveling with older kids.

Head to one of the many beaches, the most renowned being Camps Bay and enjoy a sunset picnic.

You can find our full guide on how to travel South Africa with a baby here. We visited South Africa with our youngest and two older kids and spent 5 weeks exploring various parts of the country and we loved it!

Further Reading

• Grab some ideas of what to do in Cape Town with kids here.

13. Taipei, Taiwan

Another popular destination for family travelers in Taiwan. This destination is very safe and the people of Taiwan are very welcoming of babies and children.

Many places in Taiwan have mothers’ rooms, similar to those found in Japan, but this city is a great place to travel with a baby because of its many attractions.

Unlike other places, you can easily strap a baby into a stroller and walk around, as the terrain isn’t tough to maneuver making it super easy to get around and explore.

This allows families to see a lot of exciting sights like Longshan Temple or Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.

The city of Taipei is exciting and colorful and at night looks a lot like Times Square in New York.

Head to the 101 Building which cannot be missed when you arrive in the city. You can go up this building and it is strongly recommended to buy tickets in advance rather than queuing.

Head out of the city and you will find the Silver Stream Cave which is a temple carved into the rock face behind a stunning waterfall. The nerve-wracking walk-up is definitely worth the trek and be sure to pack a baby carrier for this to make the walk easy.

Belize is one of the most baby and kid-friendly places to visit. It has so many different attractions and activities that everyone can enjoy.

One of the other biggest perks for families visiting here is its affordability.

The country is also English-speaking, so you don’t have to worry about the need to whip out your language translator while trying to balance a baby on your hip.

There are a lot of great places to take your little one in this country, including the Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm and the Mayan Ruins.

If your trip to Belize is to have some downtime and not be out and about too much, be sure to stay at one of the many resorts that offer guests all they need from horseback riding to pools and a health spa.

You can easily find what you need in the stores in Belize however if your baby is drinking formula, it is best to take your own with you as you may not be able to find the same make in Belize.

15. Ecuador

Ecuador may not be the first place you think of when traveling a with baby however you will find that this country is very welcoming of children and is affordable for a family vacation.

Ecuador is one of the best places to visit in South America , so you can’t go wrong with this destination!

The safest way to get around Ecuador is by renting a vehicle. Although there is a lot of public transport like taxis and buses, seatbelts are not always readily available and the maneuvers that the drivers take along the winding roads are quite hair-raising!

When it comes to mealtimes and feeding, you will be pleased to know that breastfeeding is very acceptable and normal. If you need baby formula, this is readily available however you may not find your usual brand.

The terrain is challenging to get around with a stroller, so you will need to use a baby carrier instead. You can even take a backpack carrier as this will be the easiest way to get around and carry your baby.

It’s worth exploring the city as much as possible with your baby as there’s a lot to see. This includes The Otavalo Indigenous Market and the Manabi Coast.

It can get pretty noisy at night too so you may want to bring along something to create white noise. Top tip – book hotels and places to stay that is away from main roads to help reduce the noise at night.

Wondering where to travel with your baby in Greece?

Those who visit Greece can tell pretty quickly that the culture is family-oriented. Often children can eat free at restaurants, stay free at hotels and ride public transportation for free.

While we recommend you leave the cliff-top towns such as Santorini for another year, you could visit many other beautiful destinations in Greece with your baby in tow. 

There are many islands that you can visit in Greece offering you and your baby warm beaches to enjoy like the infamous Mykonos.

Another great place to visit in Greece is Crete and the great thing is that this is not the first place most people think of visiting in Greece.

This makes it a great destination as it is not crowded and Crete also has a range of activities to do with kids.

Greece is also a very safe place to visit so it is a definite for any family vacation. If you want to explore by walking, a stroller may be difficult to use so a baby carrier may be best. Or a stroller with larger wheels will be ok.

Make sure you and your baby visit the Plaka District of Athens and The Castles Of Rhodes.

How To Get Around

Of course, the best way to get around Rhodes is with the locals. Get your local Rhodes taxi here.

And if you are staying in Athens (check out our list of the best hotels with rooftop pools in Athens here ), the best way to get around town is by taxi! Book your taxi here !

• The Best Places to Visit on a Family Holiday To Crete
• Where to visit in Greece for first-timers

17. Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm is full of incredible sights to explore; it would be a shame not to discover the elegant harbors because you have a baby. Instead, Stockholm is one of the best places to travel with a baby.

One of the best things about Stockholm is that you can walk almost everywhere. It is an incredibly safe city and is the perfect size for a family to explore.

Sweden is one of the best places in Europe to visit with kids , because there are plenty of age-appropriate entertainment spots, such as;

• Old Town – the quaint part of town with fantastic toy stores
• Vasparken – a massive park with a lovely playground
• Skansen – a giant ocean-air museum and zoo

It is a legal requirement for all city buses to ensure space for wheelchairs for disabled people and prams for children. This makes it easy to get around if you push a stroller.

A trip to Stockholm is one of the best baby-friendly vacations you can plan.

Tip: One of the best ways to check out Stockholm is from the water. Take a look at our list of best Stockholm boat tours here.

The USA is one of the best baby-friendly vacation spots in the world. There are so many different places in the USA that it is a hard choice of where to go when visiting the USA with a baby and young children.

Washington, DC, is such a vibrant, beautiful city, and it promises to be a memorable and enjoyable experience for the whole family. It is an icon of democracy, full of history and progressive happenings.

There is so much to see and do – a lot of which is free. The best time to visit Washington, DC, with your baby is during spring (March to May), as the temperature is pleasant, with the pink cherry blossoms blooming around early April.

Avoid July and August, which can get uncomfortably hot and cause your baby to fuss.

The city has an excellent public transport system, making getting around easy. While the law doesn’t require car seats for cabs, you can pre-request one for a taxi or Uber.

Florida is another great place to visit and has so many family-friendly resorts to choose from. Florida is well known for all the amusement parks for toddlers such as Disney World, Magic Kingdom Park, etc.

Your young children and even baby will love the splash pads inside Magic Kingdom

Take a trip to Utah to see Zion National Park. There are short hikes inside the park which will be enjoyable for the whole family.

If you do decide to hike in Zion National Park, make sure to take a baby hiking carrier. Find more tips for visiting Zion National Park with kids here.

The same applies if you visit Colorado and the Rocky Mountain National Park.

North Carolina has many fun activities for the family. There is the North Carolina Zoo which is bound to make your little one smile.

Spend a night or two under the stars in the Uwharrie National Forest. There are many activities that you can do from swimming to fishing and boating. Make sure that you put safety first and use life vests for water sports and activities.

If you happen to travel to New York, make sure to take a stroll around central park. It is perfect for walking with a baby stroller or baby carrier.

19. Reykjavik, Iceland

Due to the chilly temperatures, Reykjavik and the rest of Iceland are often overlooked when deciding where to travel with a baby.

However, the city is breathtakingly beautiful, and if you bundle up your baby, you can enjoy the Northern Lights, geothermal hot springs, and fascinating history without the fuss!

Boasting surreal landscapes and fascinating natural phenomena, your little one may be lucky enough to capture a memory.

Reykjavik is fast becoming a trendy tourist destination, so there have been increased tour options. Many of these tours are family-friendly and remove all the fuss when planning your trip.

Make sure you pack in a few extra warm goodies, and you and your baby are good to go.

20. Runaway Bay, Jamaica

Jamaica is known as a paradise getaway, and no reason having a baby should change this experience. Runaway Island in Jamaica prioritizes an atmosphere of relaxation and is one of the top places to travel with a baby.

As a fabulous family vacation destination, Runaway Bay boasts many villas, resorts, and accommodation options focused on the family. Many of these resorts offer family-sized rooms that can comfortably sleep up to three children.

Many of these resorts also help arrange the services of a nanny or babysitter to help you better relax on the beach. Some resorts even have a baby club where trusted employees mind your child during nap time.

If we can give you one little piece of advice, it’s to pack a lot of sunblock (keeping in mind that babies under six months can’t use sunblock). Chances are, your little one will enjoy the sun, sand, and clear waters as much as you.

21. Cascais, Portugal

Cascais is a quaint village in Portugal full of culture, history, and, most importantly, families. The laid-back destination promises one of the best vacations with infants possible.

There is a tangible warmth in the air reflected in the locals’ cheery expressions, and it is sure to be a holiday you will never forget.

If you don’t choose to push your stroller on the wide, open streets, you can be comforted that child seats in taxis are not mandatory, making taxi cabs easily accessible.

There is a wide selection of parks, calm beaches, and historical sites to explore. One thing to remember is that the rich traditions in the seaside village mean that local restaurants don’t necessarily serve chicken nuggets and the like.

However, if your baby wants to venture from their formula, you can rest assured that the local food isn’t particularly spicy and generally quite soft.

22. Vail, Colorado

Vail, Colorado, is one of the best places to travel with a baby.

The breathtaking images of gorgeous mountains, vast open spaces, and reflecting lakes may make you think Vail is better suited to adults; however, that assumption couldn’t be further from the truth.

There is an entire baby brand named ‘Travel Vail Baby’, which serves as proof of how excellent the destination is for infant-friendly vacations.

The baby and toddler equipment rental company provides cribs, strollers, high chairs, hiking backpacks, and bouncy seats (among many other items) to help parents enjoy Vail’s jagged peaks and slopes.

When ascending to higher altitudes, your baby should be fine, as babies older than three months old adjust to altitude much better than adults.

Handy Tip: The Vail Public Library has incredibly fun baby storytime!

23. Barcelona, Spain

A trip to Barcelona with your baby is a sure way to begin stimulating their creativity from a young age.

From the eccentric design of the Gaudi buildings to the intricate stained glass windows of the cathedrals, your baby will be so busy absorbing the environment that they’ll have little time to cry.

If you want to make the most of your time in Barcelona, travel in the summer when you can enjoy the multiple parks and outdoors. Babies are often happier and more relaxed when moving about.

With so many sights and attractions, you can be sure your little one will be happy as a clam.

Top tip: Make sure to pack a sling or baby carrier. The streets in Barcelona are cobbled, and the bumps could make your baby uncomfortable.

24. Nice, France

Nice is a romantic and magical destination filled with bustling alleyways, quaint little shops, and outdoor restaurants.

One of the best parts about traveling to Nice, France, with a baby is the excellent promenade which offers surreal views while pushing a buggy.

As Nice is such a popular tourist destination, you’ll find that the hospitality industry accommodates babies.

From heating bottles to providing changing facilities, you can visit Nice quickly without any baby hassles.

The French Riviera offers sun, sea, and delectable food; it would be a shame to miss out on this. The charming city is easy to travel to with a baby, especially if you follow our tips on how to travel through France with a baby .

25. Seoul, South Korea

Seoul is one of the most accessible places to visit with a baby. The cosmopolitan city has a lot to offer the entire family and caters to its attractions.

In addition to fantastic shopping, music, and food experiences, there are a lot of free and budget attractions to enjoy.

Seoul has plenty of indoor playgrounds, known as Kids’ cafes that are great for toddlers under two years old. These are a great option during the extreme seasons when the weather can be icy or uncomfortably hot.

The city’s very efficient public transportation system and a wide variety of family-friendly accommodation options make day-to-day living in Seoul very easy.

If you prefer to walk, you’ll be pleased to know that Seoul is also fairly stroller friendly.

One piece of advice is to not breastfeed in public. The Koreans don’t make a habit of the practice, so choosing to do so will attract unwanted attention.

Although there are baby nursing stations in larger subway stations, department stores, and restaurants.

26. Dublin, Ireland

Dublin City and the rolling green hills surrounding the area are on the top of many people’s bucket lists – for a good reason.

There is a stunning culture of friendliness in the city, and the beautiful design of the city mimics the breathtaking landscapes on the outskirts.

Dublin is well-supplied with formula, food, nappies, and clothing for your little one. Most restaurants will go as far as to prepare a bowl for your child and offer high chairs and baby-changing facilities.

Getting around Dublin is very easy. In addition to speaking English, the city is also easy to navigate, and baby car seats are available for a small additional cost. There is even a child-friendly taxi service .

There are many baby-friendly activities to discover in the city, including live Irish music performances.

Be aware that Dublin has quite a vibrant pub culture, and while children are allowed in the pubs and bars during the day, they are not legally allowed entry after 9 pm.

27. Thailand

Thailand is such a great destination to travel with a baby as it is so baby friendly. We love traveling to Thailand and have done it many times with our daughter when she was a baby and a toddler.

The Thai people and culture are so welcoming it makes this country a perfect destination for families who want to travel to a beach destination with a baby.

Another perk is that there are quite a few 4+ star hotels that are more than willing to accommodate your baby’s needs.

Many of them include indoor pools and even water parks. If you are after great cultural travel destinations with a baby, you can’t look further than Thailand. Here is a list of the best resorts on Koh Samui for families .

Some of the best places and great destinations to travel with a baby in Thailand are Khao Lak, Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Samui .

How to Choose Infant-Friendly Holiday Destinations

Wondering how to choose the best place to travel with an infant? Find below some of our requirements when we decide where to travel next.

1. Is the Transportation Safe?

An important consideration when we choose holiday destinations with our baby is whether transportation will be safe for our little one.

For example, you might consider whether taxis and private transfers offer infant travel car seats. 

If they don’t, it might be best if you rent a car and add a child car seat onto the rental costs, or you might prefer to bring your own – find a post on the best infant travel car seats to travel with here.

(However, it is essential to check if your car seat can be adequately secured in a different country as they all have different systems to install car seats).

How safe are these to use if you plan to take public transport? Some countries are crazy when it comes to driving.

Think about what you are comfortable with and choose the best vacation that ticks your boxes.

2. Is the Climate Baby-Friendly?

Look at the average temperatures and how much rain the destination will get at the time of year you plan to visit.

We made the mistake of traveling to Asia during their hot season, and our baby developed a heat rash from the constant heat; it made life more challenging than it needed to be as she was unhappy and pretty grumpy.

We also went to Japan when it was freezing, and it was tricky to keep our little baby warm and snug in the temperature.

3. Keep Travel Time Short

Keep flight time as short as you can. It is much easier to fly with a newborn who sleeps a lot, in comparison to a baby who has just become mobile.

It might be a good idea to pick infant-friendly travel destinations closer to home.

An 8-hour flight overseas might be okay, but a 15-hour long-haul flight will be much more challenging (If you are traveling long-haul, you might appreciate our long-haul flight checking list for babies ).

So while we list baby-friendly holidays from around the world in our list below, it will be essential to consider the ones closer to your home.

Also, think about how long your transfers are once you land, and keep your travel days nice and short so that there is plenty of downtime for your baby.

4. Which Countries Are Safe?

The best countries to travel to with a baby are the ones that are safe for little kids. Have a look to see if there is any unrest in the destination you will be visiting.

Look at which vaccines you might have to get (and whether your baby can even get them).

It might be best to avoid rural and remote areas of a country until your baby is a bit older.

We visited Bali when our daughter was only six weeks old, but we stayed clear of the monkey forests and spent a lot more time on hotel grounds than we would typically have done to keep the trip safe for her.

5. Consider Health Care

Think about the amenities and healthcare facilities you would typically be comfortable with at home.

Are there good hospitals, and will the medical staff be able to understand you?

6. Baby Facilities

Another thing that will make traveling with a baby easier is choosing a destination with baby facilities readily available.

Can you find hotels that have baby cots available? You might prefer to travel with a crib; you can find our top recommendations for a lightweight travel crib here.

Are high chairs available in restaurants, and are there baby change rooms?

If not, you can always travel with your own high chair – find a post on the best high chair for travel here.

You can also find a list of all our recommendations for baby travel gear to make your life easier while on holiday here.

Consider how easy it will be to purchase baby diapers, formulae, baby food, or baby medication.

If you have to travel with baby food, you can find a post about TSA baby food and formulae rules here.

Also, think about your baby’s age; the best places to travel with a newborn will not be the same as the best places to travel with a 1-year-old, because a 1-year-old is mobile.

If your baby is at the age where they are eating and drinking water, it is also essential to consider how safe the water and food are to eat in the country you are visiting.

Hopefully, all the tips above are helpful and will guide you to choose one of the best baby-friendly holiday destinations from our guide below.

Jolene’s Pro Tips for Traveling with an Infant

• Do it your way: People seem to think that if you go somewhere and you stay in your resort you are doing it wrong! But there is nothing wrong with a holiday with your baby where you do nothing but stay on the resort grounds.
• Have plenty of time to rest: Everything needs to happen slower when you travel with a baby. Plan to have only half days of exploring and half a day to relax, plan to have relax days after big travel days.
• Stay longer in one hotel: Our baby took a few days to adjust to a new hotel/crib. Which meant we had a few rough nights before she settled back into sleeping better. So we learned to stay in one spot for at least 5+ nights.
• Beach vs City trips: We personally found it much easier to go on a beach vacation in comparison to exploring towns and cities in a country. Life moves slower on islands and so that is where we prefer to be with our baby.
• What works for someone else might not work for you: Babies are all different, just because someone else had an incredible road trip holiday with their baby, does not mean your road trip will go smoothly. Our baby hated the car and the stroller, so road trips or days exploring all day long in a stroller were not fun for anyone!

Final Thoughts On The Best Places To Vacation With A Baby

So hopefully, if you have been wondering where to travel with an infant, you have made a list of the best holiday destinations with a baby you would love to visit.

The best destination with a baby will be different for each of us as it depends on your current location, as well as what sort of current baby ‘comforts’ you might be used to.

Most parents feel most comfortable when they choose destinations that offer the same level of baby care as the country where they live.

Ultimately you can travel anywhere in the world with a baby; after all, babies are born in each country worldwide.

But the most comfortable holiday where you will be less stressed out will be the country that matches your current baby’s facilities, amenities, and healthcare standards.

And as a last resort, go with your gut instinct. If the destination doesn’t feel right, it might be best to leave it until your child is older.

• Wondering what to take along on your trip? Here is our guide to handy travel accessories for baby that you should take on your holiday.
• First time flying with your baby? Grab our top tips on how to survive your flight with an infant .
• Wondering whether you should take a car seat on your flight? Here is a handy guide to help you decide .

Leave us a Comment:

• Which of these destinations on our best countries to travel with a baby list do you want to see the most?
• Can you add other best places to holiday with a baby?

Jolene Ejmont

20 thoughts on “27 best places to travel with a baby (safe + baby-friendly)”.

Hi, totally understand where you are coming from, but we visited Bali, Lombok and Gili Islands with our 2-month-old baby and her normal vaccines that she needs to get anyways was sufficient to keep her safe. And that was on doctor’s advice. We have also just visited Vietnam (she is 2 now) and again her normal routine vaccines was enough for her to go. Always best to choose a destination that you are comfortable visiting though and make sure you pop into your travel doctor for advice as well.

I would add Reykjavik

Oh Great tip Ana! Can you tell me why you found it baby friendly? 🙂

I love this! You guys have had some pretty awesome places – all the pictures are simply beautiful. That has to be one of the most memorable, not many people get to say that they have accomplished that! Great Job! and one more question How difficult is it to travel with a 2 month old baby?

A 2-month-old is EASY 🙂 They sleep a lot, they fall asleep anywhere and when they cry you can breastfeed. The hard months arrive once a baby is mobile.

Very interesting article about traveling of the baby. The traveling helps a baby to grow their physical and mental health. Baby strollers and prams are essential things during travel. Thank you for your well-written article.

Thanks for your comment Donna. Do you have a favorite destination that you love visiting with your baby?

I love to travel with my baby. Very interesting & informative post. Just lovely. Thanks a lot for sharing.

We traveled with our 7 month old to Florence and Tuscany and had an amazing time. People are incredibly friendly and helpful. If you get an Airbnb be careful for stairs!

Hi Matt, we love Italy because Italians love our kids! 🙂 We are actually heading to Italy for a 13 week trip early in 2019 – so excited!! Great tip with the stairs, I think it is important to ask that question in all European countries.

Great article. Thanks for sharing this post about best places to travel with baby. It’s very informative and helpful.

Korea is also really great for young children. Lots of kids’ cafes, people love children, most people in the big cities speak at least some English, safe, clean and quite cheap (compared to Japan).

Autumn (September/October) is the best time to come, summer is too hot, winter is too cold and there is often dirty air in spring. The autumn leaves are beautiful and sky is usually blue. The best area to visit is Gangwondo, to the north east.

Thanks for all those wonderful tips 🙂

I would suggest Portugal as well. People there love babies. If you’re pregnant or have a baby you have priority anywhere, from the queue at the supermarket to being seated at a restaurant. The country is beautiful, especially if you don’t just stay in the hyper touristy places like Algarve. Alentejo has great beaches and skies that go on forever and the further up North you go the cheaper it is, with some great hidden gems for both culture and nature.

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing and for giving some info on why you found it to be perfect for babies! We have actually had a few recommendations of Portugal, so might have to add it to the list 🙂

Jolene thank you for your list, we waiting for our baby and looking forward to starting travel with our boy.

Glad you like the info. Hope you have a great time once you can travel again 🙂 All best.

Thank you for the comment. Much appreciated it!

Thank you for the comment

Hi! Great post! Where would you recommend to travel with a 6 month old in December (internationally)? We would like the weather to be around 70F if possible as we are traveling from Minnesota and crave warmer weather in the winter months. Thanks!

Comments are closed.

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Air travel with babies and children

7-minute read

• Air travel with your baby or young child can be an exciting or stressful experience.
• If you or your child have been unwell or have a medical condition, check with your doctor before you travel.
• If your child is travelling internationally with both parents, they will need a passport; if they are travelling with just one parent, they may need other documents as well.
• Different airlines have different rules about travelling with babies and children, so it's best to check with your airline before you buy tickets.

At what age can your baby fly?

Each airline has a set minimum age for flying.

Most children are able to travel by air, without any restrictions. If you are planning to travel with your newborn, especially internationally, it is best to check with your doctor first. If your baby is too young to be vaccinated against some diseases, they won't be protected from catching those diseases.

For older children, check with your doctor at least 8 weeks before you travel and ask if you or your child need any vaccinations or preventative medicines.

Planning your trip

Documents and travel rules.

Children travelling internationally with both parents will usually need their own passport and also their own visa, if the destination country requires it. Children who travel with just one parent, or no parents at all, may need other documents as well, such as a letter that gives the child permission to travel. It's best to check entry rules with the embassy or consulate of your destination country, or visit smartraveller.gov.au .

There are limits on the quantity of powders, liquids, aerosols and gels you can take with you on international flights out of Australia. These rules do not apply to domestic flights. You are allowed to take powdered baby formula on all flights, but you'll need to show it for screening. Other special items you are allowed to take on board flights include toddler products, prescription and non-prescription medicines (including special dietary products), and medical items that you need to use during the flight.

When to travel

Flying at night is a very different experience to flying during the day. Consider a night departure for long-haul flights, if you think your child will sleep for most of the flight. If you are travelling with a baby, remember that the flight might disrupt their regular sleep routine .

Airfares and seating

Different airlines have different rules about travelling with babies and children. It's best to check with your airline before you buy the tickets.

Airlines usually prefer to have a responsible adult for each baby or young toddler. Check with your airline if you are planning to travel with more than one baby or toddler without any other adult help.

If you are travelling within Australia, your baby should be able to travel on your ticket. If you travel internationally, your baby needs their own ticket.

Your baby is allowed to travel sitting on your lap with an extension seat belt supplied by the airline. For long-haul flights, check if you can book a bassinet for your baby to sleep in. Note that bassinets are only suitable for babies under a certain weight and this limit differs between airlines. If your toddler is over 2 years old, they will usually need their own seat.

If you want to use a child restraint (such as a child car seat) on board, you need to supply a child restraint that is approved in advance by your airline. Airlines may also have rules about seats that cannot have child restraints installed, such as seats in emergency exit rows and aisle seats.

When booking seats, consider whether you need easy access to toilets with change tables.

Checking in

Everyone will be screened at the airport, even babies, although there are usually assistance lanes. You will need to take your baby out of their carrier or stroller so they can be carried through the screening point. All strollers and baby carriers will need to go through the x-ray machine.

You can usually take a stroller up to the gate lounge where it will then be taken to the hold (storage area) of the aircraft.

On the plane

Find out which airline services and luggage allowances are available to you when travelling with your child.

Your airline may allow a compact lightweight stroller to be used right up until the boarding gate. The crew may help you stow it away as you board, so you have the stroller ready for as soon as you get off the plane.

You may be able to pre-order child meals and specify any dietary needs. It's a good idea to bring some food with you from home, in case your child is hungry between meals or won't eat the airline's food. Snacks are also useful to occupy children on a long flight.

Rather than relying on airlines to have suitable food and formula, it is best to bring your own. You can take expressed breast milk , boiled water to make up feeds or for drinking, formula powder and baby food on board.

Take enough nappies and wipes, and a change of clothes for you and your child in your carry-on luggage. Dress your baby in layers so that you can add or remove clothes based on the temperature in the plane.

Give your toddler something to eat or drink, or breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby during take-off and landing. This helps reduce the build-up of pressure in their ears, which can be painful.

It's a good idea to take a few of your baby's favourite toys, their blanket, dummies or any items that can be comforting or help provide distraction. Small toys, books or a tablet can help keep your child busy, especially during a long-haul flight.

After the trip

If you have changed time zones, your child may be affected by jet lag. They might be grumpy or tired and not want to eat or sleep at the right time in the new time zone. It helps if you plan ahead and try to adjust them gradually to the new time zone before you go.

When you arrive, get them outside in the daylight and let them have short naps if they're tired.

Health check

If you or your child have been unwell or have an ongoing medical condition, check with your doctor before you travel.

If travelling internationally, check with your doctor at least 8 weeks before you go to find out about any potential health risks at your destination. Ask if you or your child need any vaccinations or medicines to stop you getting sick.

If your child takes prescription medicines, make sure you have enough for your trip. Ask your doctor if you need a letter from them to travel with your medicine.

Resources and support

Read more health advice for travel .

Find a Travel health doctor using the healthdirect Service finder tool.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content .

Last reviewed: May 2023

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Flying With a Baby? Here’s What to Know Before You Go

Medical review policy, latest update:, how old should a baby be to fly, read this next, what do children need to fly, tips for flying with an infant.

What to Expect the First Year , 3rd edition, Heidi Murkoff.  WhatToExpect.com, Do Babies Need Passports? , May 2019.  WhatToExpect.com, Should You Bring Your Child’s Car Seat on an Airplane? , August 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Your Ultimate Guide to Traveling While Breastfeeding , August 2020. American Academy of Pediatrics, Family Friendly Flying , November 2015.  American Academy of Pediatrics, Flying With Baby: Parent FAQs , November 2019.   American Airlines, Traveling With Children .  Delta Air Lines, Infant Air Travel , 2021.  Federal Aviation Administration, Flying With Children , March 2021.  Transportation Security Administration, Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQ .  Transportation Security Administration, Identification .  Transportation Security Administration, Will Minors Need to Have a State ID to Fly Domestically? United Airlines, Traveling With Children , 2021.  U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Children – Child Traveling With One Parent or Someone Who Is Not a Parent or Legal Guardian or a Group , December 2019.

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Perfect places to travel with your baby

Jul 25, 2019 • 5 min read

Camper vans in New Zealand offer not just the freedom to roam with baby (and supplies in tow), but also astounding landscapes to discover © Justin Foulkes / Lonely Planet

Taking your baby away for the first time is a big milestone and choosing the right destination is key to making the trip a success. Unless you are super adventurous you will probably want somewhere that is neither too hot nor too cold, has a pretty good healthcare infrastructure and a good range of relaxed activities with relatively little travel involved. To help, we’ve pulled together eight destinations for your infant’s bucket list. For general tips, have a look at our article on travelling with your baby .

Mallorca, Spain

Partying in Magaluf probably won’t be on your agenda with a small baby but the north of the island has pretty market towns with promenades to push the stroller along, beautiful beaches for your bundle of joy to discover a love of sand and restaurants which really welcome babies. There’s also a fantastic foodie culture so you can take advantage of nap time and enjoy feeling like a grown adult again.

Ko Samui, Thailand

A perennial favourite whatever stage in life you are at, Ko Samui ’s popularity may be a detractor for some but it does means that you can find pretty much everything you need for travelling with a baby: nappies, formula, restaurants with high chairs, a range of family-friendly accommodation options and so on. Spending time at the beach is an obvious choice with an infant but when you need a break the temples and gardens can be surprisingly good for little kids (offering shade and new things to look at). But the best reason to take your baby to Ko Samui is the warm Thai welcome you will get wherever you go.

Norfolk, England

The east of England is known for being flat, making it a very suitable place if you have a stroller and like to walk while your baby sleeps. Being a bit further away from London but still a relatively quick drive, Norfolk offers good value in terms of accommodation and dining costs, and it has a relaxed easy-going vibe and plenty to keep parents of the very young happy. Think sandy beaches, sweet coastal towns, National Trust properties , and if your little one has become a walking one then a trip to the magical Bewilderwood is a must.

Tuscany, Italy

Like the Thais, Italians LOVE babies and believe us it’s so nice to be on holiday somewhere with a culture that embraces and adores your precious bundle. Toddling infants are welcomed at historical sites, and where better for that first lick of gelato or nibble of pizza. But why Tuscany particularly? With a babe in arms you can easily explore the museums and galleries of Florence and Pisa , the hilltop towns are perfect places to people watch with a coffee and a small person, and yes there are beaches if you want them. Stay on a working farm and enjoy watching your baby interact with animals too.

Quintana Roo, Mexico

Easily accessible with plenty of baby-friendly flight times and also pretty affordable due to the large number of options available, Quintana Roo is home to both  Cancún and Mexico’s Caribbean coast and welcomes families with open arms. There are baby-friendly beaches, plenty of family accommodation options (including all inclusive resorts with babysitting and all chores taken care of if you want to properly switch off) and opportunities for fun away from making sandcastles, exploring ruins or watching wildlife.

Sunshine Coast, Australia

With all the delights of Queensland packed into one easily-navigated area, the Sunshine Coast is a lovely place to take your baby. It’s warm without being too hot, there are loads of things to do whether you want to wander round markets, take the pram along a beachside path or hang out in the pool, and it has a reputation for some of the best family-friendly places to stay in Oz. For a treat, Noosa Heads is an upmarket town with a relaxed vibe, and easy access to the rainforest for walks with a baby in a carrier if you’ve had enough of the sand and sea.

Boston, USA

A city break might seem like an odd idea for new parents but while a baby still sleeps a lot there’s chance to visit that gallery or museum you’ve always wanted to, linger over a coffee as you people watch and even have dinner at adult’s dinner time and not 5pm. Boston is a great choice because it also offers plenty for the very little person, with lots of playgrounds to explore and fountains to frolic in as well as museums that specifically cater to the very small. Check out the Children’s Museum , the Museum of Science and the New England Aquarium for starters. And then plan to bring your son or daughter back when they are school age too!

New Zealand (by camper van)

If New Zealand has always been on your travel wishlist, then maternity or paternity leave can be a great opportunity to do a longer trip and visit a part of the world you’ve always wanted to. While you have to be careful with the amount of time your baby spends in the car seat, hiring a camper van allows you to keep exploring without having to unpack all the baby paraphernalia all the time. The freedom of the open road combined with the buzz of exploring somewhere in your new family unit is the stuff family memories are made of. Your baby might not remember the details as they get older but the fact you did it will always be part of their travel history. And as it's New Zealand, free camping is also an option .

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