Discover Australia’s best kid-friendly resorts for 2025, including fabulous pools, super-fun water slides and fantastic kids’ club activities.
1. Paradise Resort Gold Coast, QLD
Dreams really do come true at Paradise Resort Gold Coast! This two-hectare oasis in Surfers Paradise is jam-packed with family fun, including two water parks, an ice-skating rink, on-site eateries and poolside movies. Families can also enjoy free character appearances, play on the giant chess board and take turns dunking each other in the Dunk Tank.
Like a mini theme park, the enormous Kids’ Zone is split into immersive themed rooms, where Paradise Resort’s Kids Club entertains guests from six weeks to 12 years old. Children also love playing on Dusty’s Indoor Jungle Gym in the lobby and at Dusty’s Outdoor Adventure Playground.
2. Sea World Resort, Gold Coast, QLD
Australia’s only theme park resort, Sea World Resort has direct access to Sea World, with its own large lagoon-style pool and water park. At night, kids dance and sing along to their favourite SpongeBob Squarepants songs under the musical water fountain in an event known as the SpongeBob SplashBash. It has several restaurants to choose from, including a Japanese restaurant, Italian restaurant and the Boatshed Bar & Grill.
3. Oaks Sunshine Coast Oasis Resort, QLD
Located in Caloundra, Oaks Sunshine Coast Oasis Resort features a water park, resort-style pool, putt-putt golf course, sandpit, climbing frame and giant jumping pillow, all set in lush tropical gardens. It offers two-and three-bedroom self-contained villas with a kitchen and laundry and an onsite restaurant with a kids’ menu. Bike hire is also available.
4. Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains - MGallery Collection, NSW
The Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains has nailed the perfect balance of luxury and family-friendly, with everything from a skating rink to miniature train rides on weekends and during school holidays, mini electric cars, pony rides and a merry-go-round. There’s also indoor and outdoor pools, a cinema, two tennis courts, a basketball court, outdoor gym, and an adventure park for kids over ten.
5. Kingfisher Bay Resort, K’gari, QLD
If you’re keen to explore the world’s largest sand island, join the Kingfisher Bay Resort rangers for bush walks, Segway tours, and more. Young rangers-in-the-making can explore the island’s beaches, mangroves, marine life, and native bushland and even join the rangers for night walks and campfire stories with the Junior Eco Ranger program.
6. Daydream Island Resort, Whitsundays, QLD
Beautiful Daydream Island Resort on the Great Barrier Reef is packed to bursting with adventurous activities that will make you want to come back for more! There’s adrenaline-pumping water sports including jet-ski safaris and parasailing, then stingray encounters at the Living Reef – one of the world’s largest man-made coral reef lagoons (where kids will love the Reef Ranger programme) – as well as a plethora of scuba diving and snorkelling opportunities.
7. JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, QLD
Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, the 28-storey JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa has a saltwater lagoon, sandy beaches and an artificial reef with tropical fish. Its Family by JW program includes cooking classes such as pizza making, Mini Misono sushi craftsmanship, and mini mixology lessons. There are five on-site dining options, a Ruby Spa and a gym.
8. Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, Lovedale, NSW
With everything from miniature train rides to an epic two-storey water park, Rydges Resort Hunter Valley is about as family-friendly as they come. Formerly known as the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, it’s just a two-hour drive north of Sydney and 30 minutes from Newcastle. Kids will also love riding the carousel and ferris wheel.
9. Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort, Twin Waters, QLD
Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort offers plenty to keep kids of all ages occupied right inside the resort complex. Just 5km from Sunshine Coast Airport, the beachfront resort is set among 36ha of bushland surrounding a private lagoon. The resort’s VIK (Very Important Kids) program is packed with activities like fish feeding, beach cricket and treasure hunts. Guests can also play mini golf, dine at the on-site restaurants, and enjoy the lagoon where you can kayak, stand-up paddleboard or take sailing lessons on a catamaran.
More OAWK Readers' Choice Awards winners for 2025
More results from the latest Out & About with Kids Readers’ Choice Awards:
Opening image: Paradise Resort Gold Coast water park
