Looking for the perfect family holiday idea in New South Wales? We’ve rounded up a shortlist of our favourite places to visit with kids, from the classic North Coast and South Coast beach vacation spots to the best NSW winter getaways for families. Dive into our top 12 holiday hotspots below!
1. Byron Bay
It’s become one of the hottest destinations in the state since the COVID-19 pandemic, but Byron Bay is definitely worth the hype. Popular with hippies and surfers since the 1970s, the town is attracting more and more families enticed by its beautiful beaches, lush hinterland and great eateries.
Learn to surf, book a dolphin kayaking tour, walk to Cape Byron Lighthouse to take in the views from Australia’s most easterly point, and swim in the natural pool at the bottom of Minyon Falls. You can also visit nearby family-friendly attractions, such as Crystal Castle and Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.
2. Port Stephens
Take your pick of any, or all, of the glorious Port Stephens family holiday destinations – Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay, Anna Bay, Fingal Bay, Tanilba Bay, Soldiers Point, Salamander Bay or Lemon Tree Passage – just over two hours north of Sydney.
3. Port Macquarie
‘Port’ is one of the jewels of the mid North Coast and a year-round drawcard for families, perfectly located midway between Sydney and Brisbane. Family-friendly attractions abound in Port Macquarie – many blessed by nature and others specifically created for fun! The region is also known for its incredible koala-spotting opportunities, so a visit to the famous Koala Hospital and to Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park is a must on any family holiday itinerary.
4. Coffs Coast
‘Coffs’ is cool! The region boasts holiday towns including Nambucca Heads, Urunga and Bellingen and Coffs Harbour itself and offers all of the must-haves for a great family holiday on the coast. Kid-friendly activities on the Coffs Coast include beaches aplenty, adventure, action, attractions and enjoying the laid-back vibe!
5. Broken Hill
Get a taste of Outback life with a visit to the former mining town of Broken Hill, which lies more than 1,000km west of Sydney near the border with South Australia. Surrounded by rugged, moonscape terrain, it has provided the backdrop for many films, including The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Mad Max II and Mission: Impossible II.
Take a tour of the working Royal Flying Doctor Service base and airport to view aircraft in the hangar, and see first-hand what school life is like for children in remote outback locations with a visit to the School of the Air. Don’t miss the 1950s-style Bells Milk Bar, where you can try a range of old-style milkshakes and banana splits and peruse the museum and retro gift shop.
6. Sydney
The family-friendly city of Sydney has a lot to offer in walking distance from Circular Quay, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, the iconic Sydney Opera House, the blooming Royal Botanic Gardens and the Art Gallery of NSW. Don’t forget Darling Harbour – there’s always something going on, from water fountains to movies, shops to the National Maritime Museum.
Why not explore the variety of weekend markets in the city and suburbs, or for the price of a ticket, go island hopping on the iconic Sydney harbour ferries and enjoy a picnic with one of the world’s best views? Explore the wonderful bush walks, from the inner harbour to the bush and waterways.
7. Pacific Palms
With its beautiful white sand beaches, lakes, national parks and subtropical rainforests, Pacific Palms is a real hidden gem. Named after the majestic cabbage tree palms that are abundant throughout the region, Pacific Palms is located on the Barrington Coast, just south of Forster, just three hours’ drive north of Sydney.
Encompassing the coastal hamlets of Blueys Beach, Boomerang Beach, Elizabeth Beach, Smiths Lake and Seal Rocks, you can while away your days surfing, swimming or fishing at the beach, go water skiing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding or boating on Wallis Lake, Smiths Lake or Myall Lake, or embark on a hike through the rainforest. Shop for local, handmade treasures at community markets, boutiques and galleries, and dine al fresco at one of the area’s cafés, clubs or restaurants.
8. Hill End
Wandering the streets of Hill End is like stepping back in time. This well-preserved 1850s gold rush town is located less than four hours’ drive west of Sydney in the Central West region, near Bathurst. The largest single mass of gold ever discovered, weighing in at 285kg, was found here, and occasional gems are still found in the Cudgegong River, including diamonds, sapphires and rubies.
Try your hand at gold panning, fossicking and visit an underground mine. The self-guided village walking track takes you on a tour of the town’s colonial treasures, including History Hill Museum, where you can also see rare artefacts from the era.
9. Hunter Valley
As well as its many family-friendly wineries, there are plenty of other ways to keep kids entertained in the Hunter Valley. Hunter Valley Gardens has ten internationally themed gardens to explore, including the magical Storybook Garden. There are also five rides open during school holidays and event periods, including a carousel, swing chair, giant ferris wheel, super slide and tea cup ride.
At Tulloch Wines, little ones can have a special Junior Tasting Experience of five snacks, paired with non-alcoholic drinks, while there’s indoor and outdoor games at Scarborough Wine Co., a cubby house at Whispering Brook, and play equipment at Gemelli Estate. You can also hire bikes and ride around the wineries, go horse riding, and visit Hunter Valley Wildlife Park.
10. Lord Howe Island
Spend your days on Lord Howe Island riding bikes to crowd-free beaches for barbecues or picnics, snorkelling the world’s southernmost coral reef, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding on the lagoon, and soaking in the scenery from one of Lord Howe Island’s many amazing hikes.
At any one time, only 400 visitors are allowed on the 11km-long, crescent-shaped island, which is around a two-hour flight from Sydney, Port Macquarie or Brisbane. Stay at a beach house, self-contained apartment or the family-friendly Pinetrees Lodge, which is consistently rated one of Australia’s best hotels on TripAdvisor.
11. Snowy Mountains
Make the most of winter in Australia and book a Snowy Mountains family holiday for a fun few days of snowball fights, building snowmen, tobogganing and learning to ski or snowboard. There are many NSW ski resorts to choose from, each with their own kid-friendly offerings, including Perisher, Thredbo and Charlotte Pass.
12. South West Rocks
Renowned for its beaches, history and unique natural beauty, South West Rocks on the Macleay Valley Coast will draw you into its laidback lifestyle. You can visit historic Trial Bay Gaol or Smoky Cape Lighthouse, take a bushwalk, canoe on the lagoon or take a bike ride to town, have a swim and grab an ice-cream.
It the ideal holiday destination for families and offers an array of water sports and activities including: fishing, swimming, wind surfing, kite surfing, snorkelling, water skiing, scuba diving, sea kayaking and canoeing. Hire a tinny and throw a line on the majestic Macleay River.
There are beautiful, sandy beaches to relax on or to go surfing. The area is a boating paradise with many river tributaries and estuaries to explore using your own boat where you can throw in a line and take home the catch of the day. Or if you prefer take an offshore fishing charter, where you may glimpse a migrating whale.
Opening image: Playing mini golf at Reflections Holiday Park North Haven
