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Australia is what you would a family friendly country. In other words, the people are super friendly and everyone is made to feel welcome wherever they are from. Even better is that we have some of the most beautiful coast in the world. The miles and miles of beaches will bring smiles and smiles for a lifetime. Read on to see where my best 3 coastal holidays destination are for families!

QUEENSLAND

Below are my top Queensland holiday spots for families.

1. Gold Coast

Probably the most popular family destination in Australia. But look beyond the theme parks of Dreamworld, Sea World, Wet n Wild and MovieWorld to explore the hinterland as well as the magnificent beaches.

I recommend staying in an apartment where you cater for yourselves but I also suggest trying some of the great family friendly restaurants dotted all throughout the coast.

If you don’t have transport I recommend getting a hire car as the buses and train services are not as good as Australia’s capital cities.

Take he kids shopping to Pacific Fair, Robina Town Centre as well as Harbour Town only 15 mins from the Gold Coast.

2. Sunshine Coast

Less crowded than the Gold Coast the Sunshine Coast is a big win for families. Of course the big attraction is Australia Zoo. The kids will love the bird and crocodile shows and there are loads of animals to get up and close personal with. The Zoo is constantly getting updated and is a far cry from the the Reptile Park days. Steve and Terri Irwin have poured millions of dollars into the park and it really worth spending the whole day there!

Probably the most family friendly place on the Sunshine Coast is Caloundra. Great protected water and beaches of the Pumicestone Passage Marine Park, and fun water activities at Kings Beach makes this a winner with kids.

Surrounding the Sunshine Coast are family attractions such as Aussie World and the leaning Ettamogah Pub, The Big Pineapple, the Ginger Factory, Underwater World at Mooloolooba and Montville in the hinterland.

TRAVELER TIP Avoid driving to the Sunshine Coast from Brisbane on a Friday afternoon, the traffic is a nightmare.

3. Far North Tropical Queensland

26km of beautiful beaches just north of Cairns gets far north Queensland on the list. Visit Yorkeys Knob, Machans, Trinity, Holloways and Ellis beaches, or Palm Cove, which is absolutely charming with its panoramic beachfront, flanked by chic boutiques, colourful galleries and classy coffee shops.

Port Douglas famous with the rich is worth exploring with the kids for a few hours. Probably the pick though is taking the scenic railway from Cairns to Kuranda and spending the day exploring the markets. The kids will love the stuffed cane toads on display or taken them to the bat sanctuary. Then get the skyrail back down to Cairns.

Not to be outdone is the Cairns Esplanade lagoon. Millions of dollars have been spent on this family and the kids will love splashing about in this picturesque setting.

Perhaps book a mini bus tour for day trip up to Mossman gorge and the Daintree. You might just see crocodiles in the wild….don’t tip the boat!

Highly recommended is a trip out to Green Island for some snorkelling fun…

Cairns is a 24 hours drive from Brisbane or a 2 hour flight. Cairns itself has an international airport and takes flights from brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne.

NEW SOUTH WALES

1. Sydney

Not really considered a family holiday destination Sydney has loads of attractions for kids. Get a ferry from Circular Quay over to Taronga Zoo. Spend the day at Bondi Beach or Manly which is home to Oceanworld. Why not take the kids to the Powerhouse Museum. Climb the AMP tower building (used to be called Centrepoint) to get a birdseye 360 degree view of the city.

2. Northern NSW

Top 10 things to do:

• Visit Timbertown, a heritage village at Wauchope.
• Take the Yamba-Iluka ferry to the whale-watching platform on Bluff Beach, Iluka.
• Visit the Pet Porpoise Pool at Coffs Harbour.
• Do a night tour to see koalas at Pine Creek National Park near Coffs Harbour.
• Take the Everglades Waterbus Tour in Port Macquarie.
• Brave the Skywalk in Dorrigo National Park.
• Have a choc-coated banana at the Big Banana after you do all the rides.
• Try go-kart racing at the Raleigh International Raceway.
• Paint the breakwater at Nambucca – it’s legal!

3. Port Macquarie and surrounds

Port Macquarie, is about four hours north of Sydney on the New South Wales North Coast.

About halfway between Sydney and Brisbane Port Macquarie offers a top spot for families of all sizes.

There are no less than 15 beaches, long winding rivers, rainforests, breathtaking mountains, and a very friendly year long climate.

You could try:- horse riding, cycling, sailing, cruising, wind surfing, paragliding, waterskiing, kart racing, and tennis.

Why not take a Camel rides on Lighthouse beach.

Cuddle a koala at the Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park, do some dolphin spotting on the Hastings and Camden Haven Rivers, whale watch, relax on a Barbecue Boat or get some blood pumping by hiring a jet ski.

Take a river cruise, cast a line from any number of local “spots” or enjoy a swim or walk at one of the many beaches.

Top family beaches: Shelly Beach, Dunbogan’s Pilot Beach, and the beach inlet at Lake Cathie are more protected and ideal for young children and so is Settlement Point with its river frontage, play area and barbecues.

So there you have my top 3 Australian East Coast destinations for families. I trust you found this information helpful for your next holiday and I hope he kids will never say “I’m bored!”

Australia is a huge country based on geographical size, to be precise it’s 7,741,220 square kilometers, but is sparsely populated with just around 20 million residents. The reason for this is the varying ruggedness and condition of some of the land throughout the country. Australia is an island in the Southern Hemisphere and is close neighbors to Indonesia, New Zealand and Papa New Guinea. Australia has been populated for over 42,000 years by indigenous Australians. The island is made up f six large states which are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory.

Australia can cater for all types of holidays due to its vast plains and varying cultures. A popular vacation activity is visiting the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, which is the largest collection of barrier reefs in the world. Tourists can stay in a beach villa or Queensland apartment rental and scuba dive or snorkel through the barrier reef to experience some unforgettable underwater fights.

One of the most iconic destinations throughout the whole of Australia is Uluru, or Ayers Rock as it is most commonly know, it is located in the Northern Territory state. The amazing sandstone rock is scared to the local people and visitors should be privileges to experience the amazing sight. Alice Springs is the nearest town and the most accessible to get to Ayers Rock, there are numerous Alice Springs bed and breakfast accommodations available for a comfortable night’s sleep.

A visit to Australia would feel incomplete without exploring Australia’s most populated city, Sydney. Sydney apartment rentals give tourists a comfortable base to stay in between all the sight seeing and shopping. Amazing attractions such as the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and even its beautiful beaches are all factors why Sydney is a once in a lifetime vacation opportunity. Modern Sydney apartment rentals and holiday home rentals are available throughout the city and throughout the state of New South Wales.

Whether you will be enjoying the Australian outback or experiencing some of the country’s most beautiful and modern cities, Australia is a country brimming with pride, lure and has everything to offer in terms of relaxation, accommodation and activities for people of all ages and all backgrounds.

Apart from experiencing great shopping, great food and exciting entertainment in Australia, a tourist will be lured by the unique Australian attractions. Not many people know about the mind blowing attractions that Australia boasts apart from popular tourist attractions such as Sydney, Melbourne. Some of the most desired Australia tourist attractions include Fraser Island, Sydney Harbor Bridge, Great Barrier Reef, Scenic World, Kakadu National Park, Sydney Opera House, Port Arthur, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Amp Tower Centrepoint, National Gallery of Australia, Gold Coast, Ocean Road etc.

Great Barrier Reef :

One of the most visited tourist spots in Australia is the Great Barrier Reef which is also considered as the most well protected marine site in the whole world. The Reef is positioned close to the northern coast of Queensland and stretches for 2000 kilometers. The Great Barrier Reef with its awe inspiring coral beach islands offers a heavenly experience to the nature lovers. Divers and romantics consider the vibrant and colorful underwater reef to be a great treat for eyes.

Sydney Opera House:

Constructed by the famous Danish architect John Utzon in the twentieth century, Sydney Opera House is another world famous tourist attraction drawing a number of tourists from across the world. UNESCO has inscribed the Sydney Opera House as the World Heritage Building on the June 28 of 2007. People from across the world flock at Australia with the main purpose of catching a glimpse of this artistic monument which is also an Australian icon.

Uluru:

Visiting Uluru, Australia’s famous and iconic rock monolith is an unique experience. It is better known as Ayers Rock and the best thing about this rock is that it changes its colors as the day passes by. Uluru which is 348 meters high, 3.6 kilometers long and 1.9 kilometers wide is the second largest rock in the Universe.

Sydney Harbor Bridge:

Another reason to visit Australia is to take a peek at the world famous structure of the Sydney Harbor Bridge. This Bridge was opened in the year 1932 and since then it continues to be one of the prime attractions of Australia apart from being the connecting factor of the central business district of Sydney and the North shore of the harbor.

Gold Coast:

The most popular Australian tourist destination is the Gold Coast in Queensland. Gold Coast is one of the major reasons what makes Australia a dream tourist destination. Golden beaches under the soothing sun makes it a paradise for honeymooners. The 30 plus kilometers long stretch of golden beach is what attracts the foreign tourists to spend their dream vacation here in Australia.

Ocean Road:

The famous Ocean Road is the famous coastal route leading to the Twelve Apostles of Australia and it continues to be one of the major attractions in Australia. The Great Ocean Road was built in memory of the slain soldiers of World War I. This historic road leads a traveler to the famous Philip Island where one can catch a glimpse of the penguins.

You can travel around Australia with ease. Even though Australia is a vast country with many thousands of miles of roads they are all well maintained. This is a country that has an excellent system of transport whether it is flight, road or sea. There is no reason for any traveler not to combine all of these to have an unusual and exciting visit in Australia.

We all have our own idea of the perfect holiday. Some of us are not interested in adventure activities and sports. It is true that Australia is the perfect destination for those who do but it also provides an easy and relaxing time if you prefer. The Australian coast is world famous. There are few destinations that can match the blue ocean and soft white sands of this spectacular country. There are beaches such as Bondi Beach offering a standard of beach culture that only the best international resorts have. However, Bondi Beach and the surrounding area still retain its original beachside town atmosphere that is so appealing. Here you can enjoy cafes and restaurants serving up delicious seafood and excellent wines. You will also have the opportunity to spot local and international celebrities doing exactly the same as you. They travel around Australia to have a relaxing time.

If you want a boost of adrenalin then you can take part in exciting adventure activities in different parts of the country. You can go to Tasmania for white river rafting or you can fight the waters of the Blue Mountains Canyons. If white waters give you the thrills you seek then be assured you will always be accompanied by experienced and professional guides. Your adventure activities may be of the rugged kind but you will always be provided with comfortable to luxurious accommodation. It is very easy to travel around Australia if your trip is prepared by professional travel consultants. These can be found on certain trusted websites.

One of the best ways to see Australia is by taking a cruise. Since the continent is also an island, what better way is there to travel and see the best that “the land down under” has to offer? Australia’s endless miles of beaches and shores provide a great back drop for any cruise throughout the region and are just one of many attractions that travelers can enjoy while at sea.

It’s almost always a great time to take an Australian cruise. The Australian cruise season officially runs from October through March, and is counter season to many other countries, which is great for travelers who are seeking to escape winter or holiday traffic. I mean who wouldn’t rather escape mounds of snow for tropical beaches? There are nearly 30 different ports that you can cruise from in Australia, depending on your travel destination, and the average cruise lasts between 12-16 days, but can be shorter.

While most cruise travelers enjoy the offered excursions, it is important to remember that most of your time will be spent aboard ship. Therefore, it is important to make sure that your accommodations and ship surroundings are comfortable, and that there are activities onboard that you would find entertaining. A great magic show or funny comedian could serve as your saving grace if there is a change in your itinerary or cancellation altogether. Purchasing travel insurance is also a great way to guard against any cancellations that may occur while you are cruising. Besides, having travel insurance is a great way to ease your mind while taking in the tropical and exotic Australian scenery.

One of the most popular cruise destinations in Australia includes the Western Coast. Areas like Kimberley Wilderness, the Abrolhos Islands, Rottnest Island, and The Ningaloo Reef are included in this region, and are frequently traveled by cruise ships such as North Star Cruises’, the True North. This multi-million dollar ship was designed with the expedition traveler in mind, and caters to both traveler’s expensive taste and their love for nature. The True North even includes its own helicopter and has a “no shoes” policy onboard to protect the floors. Now that’s class!

Coral Princess Cruises also travels The Kimberly, but offers cruises to what is known as The Top End, as well. The Top End is a national park that includes the Coburg Peninsula, The Great Barrier Reef, Arnhem Land, and Cape York Peninsula. Almost every sea lover dreams of exploring The Great Barrier Reef at some point in their lives. The pristine waters, tropical marine life, and one-of-a-kind corals are a snorkeler’s paradise and offer a rare view of nature undisturbed.

No matter where you are going on your next Australian cruise, you can be sure that there is a destination with your name written on it. What are you waiting for?

One of the most beautiful countries of the world. The name Australia was derived from the Latin word that means “Southern”; it is an apt name for this country that lies in the southern hemisphere. People around the world also refer to it as Aussie which is pronounced as Oz. The first signs of habitation in the country date back to 42,000 to 48,000 years ago and were hunter gatherers who have been known to arrive through land bridges from South-East Asia. The Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon was the first European who had sighted the Cape York Peninsula near Australia in 1606.

Modern day Australia or the Commonwealth is constituted of the six states of Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, South, Western, Victoria and the two major mainland territories Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory. The total area of is 2,941,300 sq mi, of which it has a coastline of 21,262 mi and an exclusive economic zone of 3,146,060 sq mi. It is the flattest continent of the world with the least fertile and oldest soils, it is also the driest inhabited continent. They also have the world’s largest monolith Mount Augustus in Western Australia that lies 1105 m above sea level and stretches over an area of 47.95 km². The world’s largest coral reef The Great Barrier Reef that comprises of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretches for 2,600 kms and covers a total area of 133,000 sq mi.

Australia is a multicultural country with a total population of 21,370,800 people. Every year thousands of people migrate there. The people of speak English, it is the national language. It is a country that has a sign language called Auslan which is used by about 6,500 deaf people residing in the country. The most common religion in is Christianity with 64% people following it, 26% of the people are Roman Catholics and 19% are Anglican and 5% of the population is Non Christian. The largest and most populous city is Sydney with a population of 4,336,374 and an area of 4,689.1 sq mi; it is also the capital. The other big cities in are Melbourne with a population of 3,806,092 and an area of 3,400.0 sq mi, Brisbane with a population of 1,867,594 people and an area of 2,279.9 sq mi.

The most popular sports played in are field hockey, cricket, rugby, soccer, horse racing and motor racing. They have international teams in sports such as field hockey, cricket, rugby, netball and football. The Australian cricket team led by Captain Kevin Petersen is one of the strongest cricket team in the world. They have always participated in every Commonwealth Games and summer Olympic Games. The people of Australia love theatre, ballet and music. There have been many international rock bands from here such as Silverchair, INXS and AC/DC and international singers like Kylie Minogue and Olivia Newton-John. There have been many famous movie actors like Hugh Jackman, Judith Anderson, Geoffrey Rush, Russell Crowe, Errol Flynn, Naomi Watts, Heath Ledger, Nicole Kidman, and Toni Collette who have called it their home.