KIDS RULE THE HOLIDAYS
- Donna Rishton
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
Think family holidays and you picture cannonballs in the pool, sandy feet piling into the car, and board games that last way past bedtime. If you’re chasing a summer break that ticks the excitement box for the kids too, we’ve got you covered. From jumping pillows and bike tracks to river adventures and water parks — these stays are guaranteed to get the kids off their iPads and pumped for some family time. Core memories: unlocked.
Paradise Resort – Gold Coast
A mega-resort built entirely around fun
Paradise Resort is what kids imagine when they daydream about holidays. There’s an actual ice-skating rink, a multi-storey waterpark, laser tag, a Kids Club that feels like its own mini-city, and a non-stop roster of activities from cupcake decorating to slime workshops. Parents get to reclaim holiday mode while the kids bounce between splash zones, discos and treasure hunts. Add its location just moments from Surfers Paradise Beach and you’ve got the ultimate stay-and-play escape that families return to year after year.
Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park – Gold Coast
Creek swims, calm coves and classic camping
If your crew loves the water, Tallebudgera Creek is pure summer magic. Calm, turquoise swimming holes, three pools, a boat ramp and an easy wander to patrolled surf — you can swim from breakfast until sunset. The park sits between the sparkling creek and Burleigh Headland, meaning bike rides, SUP sessions, fishing missions and nature walks are all on the agenda. Creekside camping is iconic here, with BBQs, playgrounds, a rec room and tennis court. And don’t miss the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre for an enriching, kid-friendly wander through local stories and culture.
Oaks Calypso Plaza Suites – Coolangatta
Beach days + waterslides = guaranteed kid joy
Right in the heart of Coolangatta, Oaks Calypso delivers the kind of effortless family holiday parents dream about. Greenmount Beach is right across the road, while the resort’s lagoon pool and spiralling waterslide keep kids happy for hours. Spend mornings scooting the beachfront path, afternoons at Livvi’s Place playground or duck into Timezone for air-conditioned fun. Cinebar is a must-try for parents — luxury recliners and snacks delivered to your seat. Ocean-view apartments, undercover parking and walk-everywhere convenience seal the deal.
Tweed Holiday Parks – Tweed Heads
Where riverside magic meets non-stop play
With the Terranora River on your doorstep and a private beach to explore, this park is a winner for outdoorsy families. Kids race from the heated pool’s waterslide to the playground to the games room, while parents soak up waterfront views and easy fishing access. Bring the kayaks, wander the riverside paths or jump on the pontoon for paddle adventures. From cabins to villas and spacious camping spots, this is a choose-your-style stay with plenty of room for sandy toes and good old-fashioned outdoor fun. Just minutes from the airport make this stay a no brainer.
Tasman Holiday Parks – Hastings Point
Slides, splash zones and barefoot holiday bliss
Hastings Point is the holy grail for water-loving families, and at Tasman Holiday Parks – North Star, family holidays are done the real way - barefoot, joy-filled, and unforgettable. Nestled between the beach and the bush, this coastal haven is packed with ways to reconnect and let loose. Kids can splash, slide, and laugh their way through Sammy’s Adventure Lagoon, while parents unwind at the Seascape Leisure Centre or share easy moments together under the palms. Whether it’s a beach day, movie night, or barbecue under the stars, North Star is where families turn up the real, because the best memories are the ones made together.
Tweed Holiday Parks – Pottsville North
Active kids? This one’s for you
Pottsville North brings that relaxed, old-school coastal holiday vibe — with plenty to keep energetic kids entertained. A fully fenced, temperature-controlled pool, basketball and volleyball courts, a playground and loads of open space mean they can run, ride and explore freely. You’re also just 200 metres from the beach and Mooball Creek, both beloved for swimming and fishing. Choose cabins, Surfari tents or grassy camp sites, and wander to the village for weekend markets and easy family meals.
Discovery Parks – Byron Bay
A kid paradise tucked beside Belongil Creek
If you want Byron vibes without giving up the kid fun-factor, this is your spot. Discovery Parks packs a water park, two pools, a giant jumping pillow, a tennis court and loads of room to roam, ride and explore. Accommodation options range from safari tents to cabins and powered sites, surrounded by wildlife and nature. It’s just minutes to the beach and close to The Treehouse, a beloved local spot for wood-fired pizzas and live music. Kids get their freedom; parents get their holiday.
BIG4 Saltwater @ Yamba Holiday Park – Yamba
Adventure on 130 acres of riverfront fun
Set on a huge stretch of the Clarence River, this BIG4 is built for families who love the outdoors. There’s a waterpark, playground, jumping pillow, BMX track, sports courts and wide-open parkland for bike rides and exploring. Launch kayaks from the boat ramp, drop a line in the river or simply wander the bush tracks. Cabins, villas and spacious powered sites give you options for every style of stay — but the vibe is always the same: go outside and play!
Blue Dolphin Yamba Holiday Resort – Yamba
Riverfront adventure and newly revamped fun
Blue Dolphin has long been a Yamba favourite — and its fresh new upgrades have made it even better for families. Set on the riverfront with its own jetty and boat ramp, it’s adventure central: island explorations, dolphin spotting, kayaking and more. On land, kids love the safari mini-golf, playgrounds and waterpark, while parents relax with cocktails at the swim-up pool bar (yes, really). Accommodation ranges from waterfront villas to pet-friendly camp sites. It’s the kind of place where kids make friends by lunchtime and sleep like logs by night.
Ocean Stays – Northern Rivers / Yamba
Family homes made for sun-drenched summer memories
Ocean Stays offers the kind of family holiday homes you dream about — stylish, spacious and actually set up for groups with kids. Expect fenced yards, bunk rooms, beach gear, games and big communal spaces perfect for cooking, relaxing and reconnecting. Their Yamba home, Ohana, is a standout: five bedrooms, a sparkling pool, outdoor games, generous living areas and a festoon-lit dining space ideal for long summer nights. It’s where cousins bunk together, parents switch off and everyone settles in like it’s their own beach house.
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