Every month is a good month for a trip to Australia with the fam. Check out our monthly guide for all the best festivals and attractions to explore with the kids in the Land Down Under.
Part of the planning for family vacays is finding the best time to visit our destination. What’s the weather like: would it be too hot, too cold, or too rainy? Are kid-friendly attractions open during our travel period? What else is there to see and do besides the usual tourist spots?
When it comes to planning a trip to Australia, we believe there’s no bad time to visit. Not only is it family-friendly, every Australian state has its own unique appeal during each season, with a number of signature attractions open to families every time of the year, rain or shine.
To help you with your planning, we’ve prepared a monthly guide to all the best things to do with the fam in Australia.
Pro-tip: Love travelling but not the planning? EU Holidays has a range of carefully curated itineraries for all the top destinations in Australia. The travel agency also offers flexi holiday options for families who prefer to explore at their own pace.
Without further ado, here’s a list of top things to check out in Australia for every month of the year!
Monthly guide to all things family-friendly in Australia
May: Sydney – Vivid Sydney festival
Watch Sydney transform every May to June through the annual Vivid Sydney festival. Expect vibrant art installations, music performances, pop-up markets, and curated food trails that celebrate everything this city has to offer. Keep an eye out for its family-friendly programme listings, which usually includes immersive workshops as well as sing-and- dance-alongs. While you’re in Sydney, don’t forget to visit the famous Opera house, Taronga Zoo, and Luna Park.
June: Darwin – Territory Wildlife Park
Travel tip: did you know that Darwin is just a five-hour flight away from Singapore? This makes it a perfect destination for families with young kids, or families who are looking for destinations with mid-haul flights. You get to enjoy cooling weather in Darwin during this month, which makes it a great time to check out rich wildlife at Territory Wildlife Park. This park allows you to get up close with wallabies, emus, bandicoots, and a host of other native Australian animals. Fancy a splash? Visit the Darwin Waterfront man-made beach, a saltwater recreation lagoon that’s toddler-friendly with free entry!
July: Melbourne – Mount Buller ski trip; or Sydney – Yulefest in the Blue Mountains
It may not snow in the cities, but Australia has some fantastic ski resorts that come alive during the winter months. Mount Buller is one of the many family-friendly ski resorts in the country, as it’s not too far from Melbourne city and has many beginner-friendly slopes. It even has a toboggan park that you can slide with the kiddos.
Not a fan of winter sports? Celebrate ‘Christmas’ in July at the Blue Mountains near Sydney. Settle in for a sumptuous dinner and cosy stay at any of the mountain’s luxe hotels, complete with singalongs by the fireplace, and an appearance by none other than Santa!
August: Brisbane – Moreton Island
Dubbed Brisbane’s secret garden, Moreton Island has everything from wildlife encounters, sparkling waters, and old shipwrecks. Pack more than one set of swimsuits for the fam, as you’ll be spending quite some time in the waters: snorkelling around the Tangalooma shipwrecks, getting up close and personal with wild dolphins, and swimming in the therapeutic Blue Lagoon. Not a fan of the waters? You can slide on a toboggan with the fam at the Tangalooma Desert!
September: Perth – Wildflower season
Western Australia is home to the biggest wildflower collection on earth, which comes into full bloom in September. What’s most impressive is that 60% of these flower species are only found in Australia! You can find them almost everywhere: from the botanical gardens to national parks, and maybe even in the neighbourhood fields near your accommodation. Some of the best places that are within or near Perth to check out wildflowers are Kings Park, Swan Valley, and Margaret River.
October: Canberra – Floriade
Join the biggest celebration of spring in Australia in Canberra in October! Floriade usually takes place around mid-September till mid-October, where you’ll see a stunning display of colourful blooms and art pieces. There’s also a NightFest that’s held together with the annual flower festival that’s bound to dazzle the kiddos with illuminated plants. Entry to the festival is free, with guided tours and a food market serving a variety of dishes. The festival is baby-friendly as well, with on-site baby rooms for nursing, feeding, and diaper-changing.
November: Melbourne – city tour
Always wanted to visit Melbs? Head to the city during the end of spring, before the Australian summer school holidays start to enjoy shoulder season fares and low crowds at all major attractions. We highly recommend you visit the Museum of Play and Art and Children’s Gallery in the Melbourne Museum with the little ones; stroll along Degraves Street for some of the city’s best coffee; shop and eat at the famous Queen Victoria Market; and make a day trip to catch the Puffing Billy steam train at Yarra Valley.
December: Adelaide – Beerenberg Family Farm
Love strawberries? Then you should definitely make plans to visit Adelaide’s Beerenberg Family Farm in December! The farm welcomes families to visit its strawberry patches from November till April, where you can pick (and maybe snack on some) strawberries for yourselves. This is a paid activity, but kids below 12 years old can join for free. While you’re there, do grab some of Beerenberg’s famous jams and relishes, all of which you can sample at its Farm Café.
Pro-tip: Want a ripe and juicy strawberry? Just look for the reddest and shiniest ones!
January: Tasmania – Bridestowe Lavender Estate
Get ready to walk into a fairytale scene when you visit Tasmania’s Bridestowe Lavender Estate in January. You’ll be greeted by a sea of purple and a soothing lavender scent in the air. Be sure to book a walking tour while you’re there, which will bring you around the farm, visit its historic oil distillery, check out the fragrances available, and sample the must-have lavender ice cream.
February: All around Australia – beach season
Mid-summer in Australia means clear blue skies and warm weather, perfect for beach holidays! Pack your swimming things for the Bondi Icebergs in Sydney, Burleigh Heads in Gold Coast, Cottesloe Beach in Perth, Brighton Beach in Melbourne, Wineglass Bay in Tasmania, Moana Beach in Adelaide, Mindil Beach in Darwin, and Streets Beach in Brisbane.
March: Gold Coast – theme parks
Just in time for the March school holidays! Head to Gold Coast with the kids and check out its many theme parks. There’s the huge Dreamworld which has rides, a waterpark, and a wildlife conservation park. Wet’n’Wild for the most thrilling waterslides and movie nights with a twist during the waterpark’s Dive’n’Movies sessions. Kids (and parents) get to live out their superhero dreams in Warner Bros. Movie World with out-of-this-world rides, live shows, and 4D experiences. Last but not least, play and meet marine animals at Sea World, including coming face-to-face with sharks.
April: Tasmania – autumn road trip
Known for its natural beauty, Tasmania is one of the best places to see Australia’s autumnal foliage. Hire a car in Hobart and go on the Northern Forage drive, where you’ll get to spot wildlife, admire the beautiful fall colours, visit vineyards, and check out some family-friendly farms.
Every month is a good month to say “G’day to Australia”
And there you have it – a selection of the best festivals and attractions Australia has to offer for every month of the year. Start planning your next family vacay to the Land Down Under now; or leave the planning to EU Holidays while you sit back, relax, and get ready to explore. Check out the website for a list of Australian travel itineraries, or speak to its tour managers for tour recommendations that best suit your family.
This post is in partnership with EU Holidays.
