Australia has everything from beaches to wine yards but that does not mean it cannot be enjoyed as a family vacation. It is suitable for kids of all ages and there are plenty of attractions as well. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Botanical Gardens, Melbourne Zoo, Kangaroo Island are some places that should not be missed. So, here is a list of places to visit with kids in Australia. You can also check out the amazing flight deals at Cathay Pacific by clicking on this link.
- SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is one of the best places in Australia to learn more about marine life. It is located in Darling Harbour and as of now, it provides a home to more than 10,000 marine creatures coming from 650 different species. There are vibrant fish, sharks, penguins and much more in this aquarium. There are five themed areas in the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. Your kids will surely love the Jurassic themed area which shows how life on Earth began through a display of fossils.
- Sydney Tower Eye
Sydney Tower Eye is one of the most popular places to visit with kids as it offers 360 degrees of panoramic views across Sydney’s skyline. The observation deck of the Sydney Tower Eye is located at the 4th level and offers views to a distance of 80 kilometres on a clear day. So, it will be an amazing experience if you visit this place in the evening. Then you can watch the sunset with your kids and let them walk in the glass platform that is built 268 meters above the streets of the city. This Skywalk experience is, however, accessible only by kids who are taller than 90 centimetres and possibly over age 10.
- Sydney Botanical Gardens
Sydney Botanical Gardens is easily reached by a short walk from Circular Quay. The botanical gardens are spread over an area of 30 acres. This is a good place to have a morning or an evening stroll with your kids. You can even have a little picnic and relax on the green lawns and admire the views of the Sydney Harbour, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. The entrance to the park is free of charge. There are four garden areas here known as Palace Gardens, Middle Gardens, Lower Gardens and the Bennelong precinct. Try out the train tour which is the ‘Choo Choo Express’ to learn more about the history of the garden, its flowers and other plants.
- Melbourne Museum
Melbourne Museum is one of the must-visits if you are travelling to Australia with kids, especially with those who love dinosaurs. You can visit the Dinosaur Walk in which there are about 15 prehistoric animal skeletons, learn more about the history and how they lived a million years ago on Earth. There is a Children’s Gallery, most suitable for kids age 3-5 as it offers interactive activities like digging out fossils from the soil. Don’t miss out seeing the skeleton of a giant pygmy blue whale and also the Bugs Alive Gallery which displays hundreds of bug specimens.
- Melbourne Zoo
Melbourne Zoo, which is considered the heart of wildlife in Australia is another must-visit if you are travelling here with kids. It was modelled as the London Zoo and was established in 1862. You kids will be thrilled by all the animals in the zoo! It is located about 4 kilometres away from the city centre and is easily accessible by public transport. It is home to over 320 animals and this includes animals like tigers, monkeys, lions, zebras, red pandas, kangaroos, orangutans, gorillas, baboons, giraffes, koalas. It is recommended to book a ticket online in advance to avoid any disappointments.
- Question
Questacon, which is also known as the National Science and Technology Centre is a place to visit in Canberra if you have kids with curious minds. There are interactive activities for kids of all ages, for example, they can try doing different experiments with the help of volunteers. You can ask any question related to science or technology and they will be more than happy to help. Make sure to check out the displays like Eaten Alive, Awesome Earth, Mini Q and Measure Island. It can be a little crowded but the trip will be worth it.
- Kangaroo Island
Your kids will love to be in Kangaroo Island, which is located about 13 kilometres away from South Australia’s coast. It is not only home to Kangaroos but also for other animals like sea lions and even for one of the best wine breweries in Australia. Visit the Seal Bay Conservation Park to see hundreds of sea lions, you can also arrange for the 45-minute tour and know more information about these amazing creatures. You can head to one of the conservation parks on the island to see kangaroos and wallabies. Get close to them and get one of a kind experience with your kids. Also, try hiking in the Kangaroo Island Hiking Trail to admire the scenery of the island.
- Phillip Island
Phillip Island is where your kids can see penguins and not one or two, a lot more existing happily in their natural habitat. It is located about 1.5 hours from Melbourne city. A suggestion would be to visit Phillip Island in the evening if you want to see how penguins come out of the water to have a night’s rest. But you can also spend the whole day here as there are many other activities to try out like visiting the island’s chocolate factory, the Koala Conservation Center, strolling in the beach, indulging in the amazing seafood or watching the seals coming to the coast of the island.