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  • AboutBrisbane Kids Creative was created by me! Ngaire Stirling. I wont pretend to talk in the third person about myself, instead let me tell you a bit about me and how 110.232.142.129/~brisba22 came about. At the time the domain name 110.232.142.129/~brisba22 came up for purchase I was a stay at home mum in the middle of a degree centred around journalism and PR. a couple of years earlier I had been contemplating returning to my previous career in marketing management and for a while I even tried. 3 months into a new role and it was clear that I had no passion for my old life and to make the decision to quit easier, my almost 2 year old at the time was not coping with childcare. So, as a family we made the decision for me to return to becoming a stay at home mum. About 1 years later or so.. 110.232.142.129/~brisba22 came up for sale. My friends had often commented on my ability to know exactly what was happening in Brisbane for kids. I had my son enrolled in some awesome activities and we often visited some great destinations. I loved finding fun things for us to doโ€ฆ
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Home > Australian Family Travel > Family Friendly Holiday Destinations Near Brisbane

Family Friendly Holiday Destinations Near Brisbane

Last Updated: November 19, 2019
Coochiemudlo Island

Finding a suitable place to take the family on holidays can be a mission in itself so we asked real Brisbane families where they go and this is their epic list of family-friendly holiday destinations in Queensland. If you prefer to go camping then check out our other list.

Family Friendly Holiday Destinations

Murphys Creek Escape

Murphys Creek Escape is a great bush retreat close to Brisbane. 

murphys creek camping

The serenity of Murphys Creek Escape

Fraser Island

Whether you want to camp, stay in a house or even at a resort, there are accommodation ideas for every type of family, even if you don’t own a 4wd. Enjoy attractions like Champagne Pools, Eli Creek, Manchester Lake and the wild dingoes of Fraser Island.  

Lake Manchester, Fraser Island

Lake Manchester

Paradise Resort on the Gold Coast

Paradise resort offers affordable family-friendly accommodation featuring a kids club, kids water play area and kids activities to keep them busy. 

gold coast paradise resort water park

The Bunya Mountains

Bunya Mountains have a whole village of gorgeous houses for rent! kangas and birds everywhere, great for littlies.

Wallaby at Bunya Mountains Queensland Australia

Seaworld Nara Resort

Seaworld Nara is great of course – kids club is only for kids 4+ though which kinda sucks:( it’s also pretty expensive at times but having cuddles with Elmo and Grover at the breaky buffet make it special!

Sharks at Seaworld

Seaworld on the Gold Coast

Turtle Beach Resort

Turtle Beach Resort in Gold Coast should be considered one of the great QLD family friendly holiday destinations! Definitely recommend the wood-fired pizza! And from another Mum it was fabulous both for my 4 year old and 15 year old. Next to the woodfired pizza was a complimentary movie theatre so the kids could watch a movie while you had dinner or a few drinks! It was fabulous! (only one thing – check to see which floor you are on – we were on the 2nd floor which was fine for us – but not if you have a baby!)

turtle beach resort gold coast

Turtle Beach Resort aerial view

Treasure Island Resort & Holiday Park Gold Coast

โ€ŽTreasure Island Resort & Holiday Park Gold Coast is THE best place to stay with kids and so close to all the main fun of the Gold Coast. 

Caloundra -Bulcock Beach and Happy Valley

Caloundra – Bulcock Beach and Happy Valley. Everything is within walking distance and not overcrowded. Happy Valley features a massive playground and grassy recreational area and Bulcock Beach is a patrolled beach with smaller waves. Just around the corner is Kins Beach for those seeking bigger ocean waves. 

Sunshine Coast beach

Coochiemudlo Island

Coochiemudlo Island is so close to Brisbane and perfect for young children and you can find a range of places to stay on websites like Stayz and Airbnb

Coochiemudlo Island

 

Farm stays like Tommerups

tommerups

Farm stays like Tommerups offer families something different for their holidays with an opportunity to experience country life. 

P & O Cruises

P & O Cruises are a popular choice for many families seeking fun the whole family along with the option of a kids club so parents can enjoy some time together. 

Fraser Lodge Holiday Park

Fraser Lodge Holiday Park at Hervey Bay offers lovely cabins within walking distance to the beach. Also features a playground, tennis court and two swimming pools. Happy kids, happy holiday!

Girraween Environmental Lodge

Girraween Environmental Lodge is right next door to the National park and perfect for non-campers! They are family-friendly and have a pool and lots of short walks. Shops close by for top-ups and easy for a self-catering holiday. 

Gold Coast Tourist Park

You can camp/caravan, cabin or villa for the night or more & it is right on the water, opposite Seaworld. Shopping centre nearby for supplies. Mcdonalds across the road https://goldcoasttouristparks.com.au/parks/broadwater

โ€ŽEmerald beach big 4-holiday park 

Emerald beach big 4-holiday park features a heated pool, jumping thing for kids, games room, basketball courts and beautiful beaches. 

Jacaranda Cottages

Jacaranda Cottages at Maleny features a selection of holiday houses and cottages. It is only a short distance to Australia Zoo and the Sunshine Coast. The houses are well kitted out and feel like a home away from home. 

Cape Hillsborough Resort, Mackay

Cape Hillsborough Resort near Mackay is great, good prices, family-friendly.. ๐Ÿ™‚ two thumbs up from us ๐Ÿ™‚

Yamba big 4 van park

Yamba big 4 van park by the water, 2 big pools, spa, kids activities eg, treasure hunt, games room and baby games room, foot paddle boats.. cabins, camp powered sites or apartment-style accommodation… is only 2 mins drive to the waves

Paradise Palms at Cairns

Paradise Palms at Cairns has pools and a huge adventure playground complete with jumping pillow, jumping castle, several playgrounds that are age rated. They also offer a golf course, mini-golf for kids and amazing food. 

Rainbow Beach

Hire a house at rainbow shores, a room at a local apartment or camp on the beach. Enjoy a range of beaches including some dog-friendly beaches. 

The Retreat Beach Houses

The retreat beach houses at Peregian beach are great for a family holiday. Self-contained beach houses, no roads to cross to the beach, awesome restaurants at the village and a lagoon-style pool that is perfect for toddlers ๐Ÿ™‚ They also have beach toys, games and movies to borrow which makes it all a bit easier. 

Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park

Kurrimine beach caravan and holiday park in North Queensland has a fantastic outdoor playground suitable for crawling bubs up to older kids and a giant jumping pillow. They offer indoor games, a “blocks and art room”, pool, an onsite shop with some essentials and foods, and an outside undercover movie and bbq area. They have caravan, camping and cabins and are 200m walk to the beach. 

Cotton Tree Caravan Park

Nice and affordable beach front cabins and caravans with a lovely stretch of calm water perfect for littlies.

Gympie Terrace at Noosaville

Gympie Terrace at Noosaville is perfect for kids and parents with a great river for kids to swim and play in, with plenty of shade (trees) and no big waves. It features an excellent park with bike paths and playgrounds. It is not to far from the beach at Noosa, more shopping and nature walks. 

Princess Palms at Palm Beach

Princess Palms at Palm Beach is fabulous. The hotel has a pool, tennis court, small kids park and fabulous views of the beach. There is immediate access to the beach river, pirate park or the brilliant child-friendly cafe which are all a 30-second walk out the back gate. 

Finding suitable QLD Family Friendly Holiday Destinations is always a challenge but we hope the above suggestions give you somewhere to start. Should you wish to add anything or give a review of a destination then feel to leave in comments or email us at [email protected]

 

 

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About the author, Ngaire Stirling

Owner and Founder of Brisbane Kids, Ngaire grew up in Brisbane and lives with her husband, 3 kids and many animals. She has marketing and teaching qualifications and spends her spare time growing vegetables and advocating for wildlife including koalas. She loves long summer days, bright starry nights and working on Brisbane Kids. Read more about us

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