Life can seem like a never-ending to-do list. The days are taken up by work, before/after school sports, extracurricular activities, laundry, groceries, paying bills, preparing meals, school lunches, and homework! Sometimes the best thing to do is plan ahead and book a family getaway where you can escape it all recharge.
The next school holidays coming up are from the 20th September for Queensland and 27th September for NSW. With Spring and Summer holiday accommodation often booking out far ahead of time, it could pay to start thinking about planning your next family trip now.
So the next question is, where will you go? Where is the best family holiday destination, and how can you make the most of it but in an affordable way? Luckily, Queensland offers up some of the most beautiful locations in Australia, with Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast being a family favourite for decades.
The Location
The Gold Coast is set along the Queensland coastline, the stretches of white sandy patrolled beaches have become world-famous. You can take your pick from huge shopping centres, and highly rated local eateries. From markets to sporting events, concerts to the casino, you've got big-city attractions but with unrushed coastal vibes. The Gold Coast Hinterland is just a short drive away, and you can experience lush rainforest explorations and hike to waterfalls.
The Weather
The sub-tropical climate is one of the biggest drawcards for a Surfers Paradise holiday. The hottest month of the year is January, where average temperatures are around 25 degrees. The coldest month is July, with average temperatures around 15 degrees. There are roughly 300 days of sunshine a year, and the beaches can be enjoyed year-round.
The Theme Parks
The Gold Coast is home to some of the best theme parks around. Dreamworld is Australia's biggest theme park and offers up to not only fantastic thrill rides but also White Water World, Tiger Island, ABC Kids World, and dozens of species of native wildlife plus animal experiences. Meet the tiger cubs, feed the crocs, get up close with dingoes, or cuddle a koala!
Seaworld is the top marine park in Australia but offers far more than just an incredible opportunity to view wildlife from the ocean. The iconic Thunder Lake stunt show will take your breath away, and you'll get your adrenalin pumping with your pick of thrill rides. View the park from above with a ride on the monorail, or take the kids to Nickelodeon Land for rides that suit little ones and meet your favourite characters like the Ninja Turtles. The Reef interactive splash zone is another family favourite. Let's not forget the diverse wildlife such as polar bears, jellyfish, seals, penguins, dolphins, sharks, and more!
Warner Bros. Movie World is a fantastic day out with roving performers absolutely everywhere you look - from Batman, to the Looney Tunes. Families will small children will especially enjoy the dedicated kids section, plus action-packed shows, parades, and of course movies! Wet 'n' Wild is the #1 Water Park in Oz, with water slides and rides, the wave pool, Calypso Bay, and Wet'n'Wild Junior.
So what are you most looking forward to?