The must-visit places across Australia every parent needs to know about
- Cold weather doesn't mean kids have to be stuck indoors for the holidays
- Experience Oz offers whale-watching, zoo tickets, snorkelling and more
- Activities are bookable across Australia in Sydney, Melbourne, and Queensland
- READ MORE: The $6.50 item from Coles and Woolworths that's flying off shelves: 'I'm fully obsessed'
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If keeping the kids entertained during the upcoming holidays has you prepping the TV remote and bribing the grandparents, don't worry - there's still time to plan some holiday fun for everyone.
No matter where in Australia you're based, there are a host of days out and even multi-day itineraries that will stop boredom in its tracks.
These range from whale-watching cruises in Sydney, to snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef and even riding a historic steam train near Melbourne, and they're easy to book in advance through Experience Oz.
If you're not sure where to start, or are planning a domestic trip with little ones and searching for ideas, look no further.
Read on for the best activities and attractions in every destination, and some helpful itinerary suggestions to take the stress out of planning.
Seeing wildlife up close is just one of the many family friendly activities you can get for less through Experience Oz, who have experiences and attraction tickets across Australia
Sydney
There's almost always something going on in Sydney, and with so many family-friendly activities on offer, it can be hard to find a way to make them exciting again for kids.
Some of Sydney's biggest and best attractions are also the most popular during the school holidays, so booking can end up being a nightmare to navigate.
A surefire way to keep everyone entertained is with Experience Oz's Sydney Attractions Pass, which lets you book four attractions using one ticket.
These are WILD LIFE Sydney, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye and Madame Tussauds Sydney and you have 60 days to use your pass, so you can snap it up now and use it when it suits you best.
Another outing kids will love is a whale-watching cruise - around 40,000 of these amazing creatures are currently swimming along our coastline, and you can hop on a boat to see them!
On a Two Hour Whale Watching Express Cruise, you'll sail past the city's iconic landmarks before heading out to sea for some guaranteed humpback whale sightings - if not, your next cruise is free.
Get four family friendly attractions with just one ticket, giving you access to WILD LIFE Sydney, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye and Madame Tussauds Sydney. It's fully flexible, meaning you have sixty days to use it after booking.
Melbourne
It's even colder down in Victoria and that can often mean trying to stay warm and dry indoors for most of the holidays, but here's why you shouldn't do that this year.
Fun neighbourhoods, animal encounters and some money-saving tricks make Melbourne the perfect place to explore with children.
Some of the best areas to check out in winter include Southbank, St. Kilda, Fitzroy Gardens and Chadstone, but you can find plenty to do across the city and beyond.
Best of all, you can do it on a budget: take the free tram around the Free Tram Zone and get a Youth myki card, so kids travel free, and don't forget to book tickets in advance for maximum savings.
Melbourne's quirky neighbourhoods and attractions such as Metart World, SEALIFE and LEGOLAND make it the perfect winter family short break destination
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is overflowing with things to do for families even in winter, thanks to its sunny days, beautiful beaches and stunning scenery.
We'd suggest starting in Surfers Paradise, where you can do a whale-watching cruise or an Aquaduck sightseeing tour.
You should also spend a few days exploring the theme parks, as there's a lot to cover!
Don't miss Dreamworld, Movie World, Sea World and Wet’n’Wild & Paradise Country - you can combine the last three easily with the 7 Day Theme Park Pass Gold Coast from Experience Oz.
And save some time for unique activities like the Australian Outback Spectacular and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, which younger kids are sure to enjoy.
Teens might be more interested in some thrill-seeking, in which case jet boating, zip-lining or iFLY Gold Coast will ensure they have a blast.
Visit Gold Coast’s favourite theme parks with a great value seven-day multi-park pass to Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet’n’Wild and Paradise Country, which all the family will love.
Sunshine Coast
Skip the cold entirely and head for the Sunshine Coast if you're looking for school holidays filled with great weather and plenty of sun, sea and sand.
Get ready to go full holiday mode, with days spent outdoors and on the water - remember to pack swimmers, towels and SPF.
For ultimate flexibility, hiring a car lets you get around easily, particularly if you like to stick to a schedule for little ones.
A warm weather holiday is guaranteed on the Sunshine Coast where you can explore nature in the Everglades or take a trip to the white sand beaches of Fraser Island
Driving also means you can easily explore the gorgeous beaches and restaurants in Maroochydore, Noosa and Caloundra, or leave the car for the day and take a trip to beautiful K'gari (Fraser Island).
The Sunshine Coast also packs in some incredible animal experiences - see native species at Australia Zoo, beautiful birds in the Everglades and marine creatures at SEA Life.
And the Sunshine Coast gives the GC a run for its money for thrill-seekers, with unlimited rides available with just one ticket at Aussie World.
Experience a close encounter with over 100 different species of wildlife to see. Don't miss the Wildlife Warriors show at the Crocoseum where you can watch a crocodile demonstration, birds of flight show and slithering snakes all in one place.
Cairns
If FNQ has been on your holiday wish list, Cairns will win you over as a family destination as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
Lazy beach days are the main attraction, whether you hop over to the white sands of Fitzroy Island, take a half day trip to Green Island or lounge at Palm Cove.
Kids of all ages will be amazed by the underwater life to be found too: Experience Oz' Great Barrier Reef Cruise to Reef Magic Pontoon will see you snorkelling around coral reefs and spotting tropical fish, with lunch and gear included.
But you can spot abundant wildlife on the mainland too, getting close to reptiles at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures and sea creatures at Cairns Aquarium, or why not grab a double pass to Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld?
There's so much to do, you'll easily be able to fill a week's holiday and you can be certain they'll return to school bursting with exciting stories from the trip.
Spend half the day exploring the beautiful Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef with a half day tour aboard a luxurious catamaran.
Visit two of the best wildlife facilities in Tropical North Queensland - Koala Gardens and Birdworld Kuranda, to see some of your favourite Aussie animals both on the ground and in the air.
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