Australia with Kids

Australia is an excellent destination for families. The country is in many aspects geared towards children, offering a wealth of activities and amenities that make traveling with little ones easier and more enriching. Here you will find a safe environment, a relaxed culture, and impressive nature that delights young and old alike.

General Suitability for Families

Australia is very well suited for travel with children due to its high safety standards, excellent infrastructure, and widespread understanding of family needs. The relaxed Australian mentality ensures that children are welcome in most public spaces and you'll encounter much understanding. While the climate varies greatly regionally, it offers pleasant conditions for outdoor activities in most inhabited areas. However, be aware of the high temperatures in summer (December to February) in the northern regions.

Activities for Children

Australia's diversity offers countless opportunities to entertain and excite children:

• Nature & Wildlife: Discover Australia's unique wildlife with your children in parks like the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane or the Taronga Zoo in Sydney. Many national parks offer child-friendly hiking trails and nature paths.
• Beaches: Australia's beaches are ideal for families, with shallow sections for splashing and generally good infrastructure. Pay attention to supervised areas and information regarding currents or marine creatures.
• Museums & Science Centers: Cities like Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane boast interactive museums and science centers (e.g., Questacon in Canberra) that impart knowledge in a playful way.
• Theme Parks: Theme parks like Dreamworld or Movie World on the Gold Coast offer entertainment for all ages.
• Playgrounds: You'll find excellent, often thematically designed playgrounds in almost every city and suburb.

Practical Tips for Parents

Supplying baby products in Australia is easily done. In supermarkets like Woolworths or Coles, common brands of baby food, diapers, and wipes are widely available. Medical care is of a high standard; paediatricians and hospitals are available in cities and larger towns. It is strongly recommended to take out comprehensive travel health insurance before your trip, which also covers children.

Accommodation & Dining

Most hotels, motels, and holiday apartments in Australia are geared towards families. You will often find:

• Family rooms or apartments with separate sleeping areas.
• Cots (cribs) available on request, often for a fee.
• Pool areas that are often designed to be child-friendly.
• Restaurants usually have high chairs and often offer special children's menus. Australian cuisine is diverse and offers many child-friendly options.

Mobility with Children

Getting around with children in Australia is uncomplicated. In cities, sidewalks and public transport (buses, trains, trams) are generally stroller-friendly. When renting a vehicle, the provision of a child car seat is legally required and must be booked in advance. Taxis and ride-sharing services can also be booked with child seats, often for an extra charge. For longer journeys in more rural areas, your own rental car is the most flexible option to plan breaks and stops at child-friendly locations.