Australians travel widely with their own kids, so facilities for families, including family passes to attractions, are common.
A great accommodations option for families is Australia's huge stock of serviced or unserviced apartments (with or without daily maid service). Often less expensive than a hotel room, they offer a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom or two, and the privacy of a separate bedroom for adults. Most Australian hotels will arrange babysitting given a day's notice.
International airlines and domestic airlines in Australia charge 75% of the adult fare for kids under 12. Most charge 10% for infants under 2 not occupying a seat. Australian transport companies, attractions, and tour operators typically charge half price for kids under 12 or 14 years.
Many Australian resorts have "kids' clubs" with extensive programs designed for under-12s and, in some cases, teenagers. The French-owned Accor chain of hotels and resorts, which is Australia's largest chain, has kids' clubs, kids' menus designed by a nutritionist (and not just the same boring fodder you get everywhere else), and other family-friendly facilities including family rooms. Other resorts, such as Hamilton Island, have "kids stay, eat, and play free" offers, particularly during holiday periods. Many hotels will offer connecting units or "family rooms." Ask when booking.
Don't forget that children entering Australia on their parent's passport still need their own visa.
Rascals in Paradise (tel. 415/921-7000; www.rascalsinparadise.com) sells family vacation packages to Australia.
Recommended family travel websites include Family Travel Forum (www.familytravelforum.com), a comprehensive site that offers customized trip planning; Family Travel Network (www.familytravelnetwork.com), an online magazine providing travel tips; and TravelWithYourKids.com (www.travelwithyourkids.com), a comprehensive site written by parents for parents offering sound advice for long-distance and international travel with children. Australian travel magazine Holidays with Kids has a comprehensive website listing great options for family travel in Australia, www.holidayswithkids.com.au.
Australia Travel Experiences
-
Olympic City
Jim's old buddy Stuart hosted us in beautiful Sydney. He acted as social coordinator, surf instructor, chauffer, and city... Continue reading »
-
Life in Oz
Monday - PerthArrived early in the morning after a good flight where I had nobody next to me so I was able to grab about 4 hours sleep.&n... Continue reading »
-
North to the Australian Rainforest
Anna and Richard talked us into doing the most extraordinary thing! We took a bus to O'Reilly's, a resort i... Continue reading »
-
Australia - Sydney
We arrived in Australia with mixed feelings. Gutted that we were leaving Africa but excited about catching up with friends and having hom... Continue reading »
-
Australia Top Moments
Well, I figured since we had spent so much time in Oz.. I would compile a list of the best moments. Now.. if I missed a great one..... Continue reading »
