The 50 best family holiday destinations

Make it happen: Broome gets mighty hot so be sure to book accommodation with a pool and air-conditioning. Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa, one of Broome’s top resorts, is right on the iconic stretch of sand and offers a play area, mini golf, and a huge pool with a waterfall and water playground. Or try Oaks Cable Beach Sanctuary which offers five pools and in-room laundries (handy with all that red dirt). See oakshotels.com; cablebeachclub.com; visitwesternaustralia.com

The place: Byron Bay, NSW

Perfect for: Tweens and teens

Why we love it: Watego's Beach is an awesome long-board ride for surfers, with gentle waves for body-bashers. Or drive to Bangalow in the hinterland for locavore delights. Teenagers will love the laid-back, funky atmosphere (although not necessarily my tragic use of the word "funky").

Make it happen: Jetstar and Virgin Australia fly into Ballina Airport, a 20-minute drive to Byron Bay. However, we recommend staying out of the township because it becomes too crowded during holiday periods. Consider Carinya Byron Bay near Bangalow where kids can wake to cows grazing outside the window and pet miniature horses. There’s a fully accessible villa, too. See carinyabyronbay.com.au; visitbyronbay.com

The place: Canberra, ACT

Perfect for: Tweens and teens

Why we love it: The marvellous museums and galleries. Our favourite is Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre. There's also plenty of affordable, self-contained accommodation (outside of parliamentary sitting weeks). It's an excellent educational trip for school-aged kids.

Make it happen: Family-owned and run, the stylish 140-room East Hotel offers a mix of studio, apartment- style rooms and suites plus complimentary bikes for a spin around Lake Burley Griffin. Or flash your room key for free entry into Manuka Pool nearby. See easthotel.com.au; visitcanberra.com.au.

The place: Cook Islands

Perfect for: Toddlers, five to eights and tweens

Why we love it: The extraordinary marine life. The kids and I saw a huge orange octopus while snorkelling two metres from the beach at Rarotonga. You can drive around the main island in under an hour.

Make it happen: Air New Zealand has flights from Sydney to Rarotonga International Airport via Auckland while Jetstar launches direct flights from June 29. Stay at the 4.5-star Nautilus Resort, a boutique eco property with kid’s concierge and salt-water plunge pools right on Muri Lagoon. See cookislands.travel; nautilusresortrarotonga.com

The place: Daylesford, Victoria

Perfect for: Five to eights and tweens

Why we love it: Equally ideal for adults and children. Catch and cook your lunch at Tuki Trout Farm, visit Sovereign Hill in nearby Ballarat and the Chocolate Mill then book in for a family wellbeing session at Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa.

Make it happen: Stay at Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel Hepburn (close to Hepburn Bathhouse) with its miniature hedge maze or RACV Goldfields Resort in the heart of the Goldfields, Macedon Ranges, and Spa Country. See visitvictoria.com; racv.com.au; peppers.com.au

The place: Far North Queensland

Perfect for: Five to eights, tweens and teens

Why we love it: Spectacular scenery, where the rainforest meets the sea. The locals are lovely, with a sense of humour as dry as the air is wet. Take the Skyrail Railway up to Kuranda in the Daintree and soar above the canopy on the return leg via the Rainforest Cableway, join a Ngadiku Dreamtime Gorge walk at Mossman Gorge (mossmangorge.com.au) with an Indigenous guide and set sail for the Low Isles for a blissful day of sun and snorkelling.

Make it happen: All the major airlines fly to Cairns. Book a self-contained apartment at the Alamanda right on the beach at Palm Cove, a 20-minute drive north of Cairns Airport or a swim-out apartment at the Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa for direct access to the 3000-square metre lagoon pool. See pullmanportdouglas.com.au; lancemore.com.au/alamanda; queensland.com

The place: Fiji

Perfect for: Babies, toddlers and five to eights

Why we love it: There is no better place for parents with small children, I guarantee it. Fijian nannies can calm the wildest beast. Many resorts offer one nanny per child, so you and your loved one can have some special time together. Ahhh …

Make it happen: Fiji Airways flies direct to Nadi from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. Our top picks for family accommodation are Jean Michel Cousteau Fiji Resort (fijiresort.com), maloloisland.com or Castaway Island Fiji (outrigger.com/fiji/castaway-island-fiji). See fiji.travel/au; fijiairways.com

The place: Hawaii, US

Perfect for: Five to eights, tweens and teens

Why we love it: Waikiki is a feast for the senses: the sight of green turtles swimming in the shallows; the smell of Korean barbecue restaurants; and the sounds of the hula shows. It’s perfect for an active family, with surfing, paddleboarding, swimming with dolphins, diving, and hiking.

Make it happen: The Hilton Hawaiian Village is set across nine hectares on the widest part of the beachfront, with five pools, waterslides, and a semi-submarine tour. See hiltonhawaiianvillage.com; gohawaii.com.

The place: Los Angeles, US

Perfect for: Tweens and teens

Why we love it: All of a sudden, you’re the best parents on Earth: Disneyland, Universal Studios, Hollywood, the LA Lakers, Venice Beach, Santa Monica. Need I say more …?

Make it happen: Multiple airlines fly non-stop from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Los Angeles or fly Fiji Airways and stop over on the return leg for some tropical R&R. Try to stay at one of the Disneyland resorts, for ease of access and early entry. Alternatively, lemeridiendelfina.com is close to the beach and shops at Santa Monica. See visitcalifornia.com.au

The place: New Caledonia

Perfect for: Babies, toddlers, five to eights and tweens

Why we love it: A slice of the south of France in the South Pacific, just under three hours from Australia. Live with a local family in a homestay, so the kids can learn a little French. You can pick up a bottle of Bordeaux for next to nix (for you, of course, not the kids). And the cuisine? C’est superbe.

Make it happen: Aircalin flies to Noumea from Sydney and Brisbane. See en.visitnewcaledonia.com

The place: Norfolk Island, Australia

Perfect for: Multi-generational travel

Why we love it: The history, beauty, and idiosyncrasy. Only three hours’ flight from Australia, this tiny island is home to Australia’s oldest convict sites, white-sand beaches, and friendly, albeit quirky, locals.

Make it happen: Choose from the sprawling homestead or smaller cottages at Tintoela, 4½-star boutique accommodation overlooking the ocean. There’s a fabulous foodie culture on Norfolk, too. See norfolkisland.com.au

The place: Paris, France

Perfect for: Tweens and teens

Why we love it: What’s not to love? All of the attractions have audio guides or apps for kids; the Metro is easy to navigate, and around every corner is a history lesson. Then there’s the cheese. And the bread. And the shopping …

Make it happen: Stay in The Marais, which is walking distance to Notre Dame and the ice-skating rink at the Hotel de Ville. We use airbnb.com.au to find self-contained apartments. See en.parisinfo.com

The place: Phillip Island, Victoria

Perfect for: Toddlers and five to eights

Why we love it: Well, the fairy penguins are an obvious attraction, as they waddle up the beach like little old men in three-piece suits. But the whole island is a theme park for kids, with mazes, carnivals and a chocolate factory.

Make it happen: Phillip Island is a 90-minute drive from Melbourne. A farm stay is a good option for families. Or, set high in the rolling hills around San Remo, Silver Water Resort is a contemporary work of art with one-, two- and three-bedroom self-contained apartments. See visitphillipisland.com; visitvictoria.com; silverwaterresort.com

The place: Phuket, Thailand

Perfect for: Toddlers, five to eights and tweens

Why we love it: It’s got a bit of a bad rap. But if you stay outside of Patong, you’ll find perfectly peaceful, pristine beaches. The food is cheap, delicious and healthy.

Make it happen: Jetstar.com flies direct to Phuket International Airport. From there, check in to the Slate Phuket with its fusion of postmodern and traditional Thai architecture or Anantara Mai Khao (the brand’s first Phuket resort) with 83 bougainvillea-covered villas, one of Phuket’s best beachfront pools and a kid’s club. See theslatephuket.com; anantara.com/en/mai-khao-phuket; tourismthailand.org

The place: Queenstown, New Zealand

Perfect for: Tweens and teens

Why we love it: This is the antipodean home of adventure tourism. Teenagers will go nuts over the jet-boating, bungy-jumping, black water rafting, river-surfing and canyon-swinging. The town is compact enough to get around on foot. And, in winter, skiing in the Remarkables is – well – just that.

Make it happen: There are direct flights to Queenstown on qantas.com and jetstar.com, from Melbourne and Sydney (virginaustralia.com flies direct from Sydney too). Stay at the Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park located five minutes from the airport. The 182-room property’s Very Important Kids (VIK) program means guests 12 years and under stay and eat free as well as receive discounts at attractions including SITE Trampoline, Game Over indoor karting, and Basecamp Adventures. See queenstownnz.co.nz; queenstownremarkables; holidayinn.com; newzealand.com

The place: Samoa

Perfect for: Babies, toddlers, five to eights and tweens

Why we love it: Samoa remains relatively untouched by tourism, compared with its Pacific neighbours. It’s cheap to stay in a fale — an open-sided hut — right on the beach. And the water off Sava’i, the smaller of the two islands, is the colour of Bombay Sapphire.

Make it happen: Virgin Australia flies to Samoa's capital, Apia, from Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland. At the top end, stay at Le Lagoto Resort & Spa. See samoa.travel; lelagoto.ws

The place: Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Perfect for: Five to eights, tweens and teens

Why we love it: The diversity of topography, activities, and attractions. A short drive from the sparkling coastline is the lush rainforest of the hinterland. There's a thriving paddock-to-plate culture here, too.

Make it happen: Fly into Sunshine Coast Airport at Marcoola, or drive an hour-and-a-half north of Brisbane. The newly renovated Novotel Twin Waters Resort is always a good option for families with large inter-connecting rooms or check into HOLA (House of Local Art), a 15-room boutique retreat split over two levels found behind the iconic Imperial Hotel (and by the same owners) at Eumundi. Time your stay to visit the famous Eumundi Markets. visitsunshinecoast.com.au; novoteltwinwatersresort.com.au; holaeumundi.com.au

The place: Uluru, Northern Territory

Perfect for: Five to eights, tweens and teens

Why we love it: What better way to teach kids about our rich Indigenous history than take them to the beating heart of Australia? Do a dot-painting workshop, take an Astro tour and walk or cycle the rock.

Make it happen: There are many levels of accommodation, from the five-star Sails in the Desert to the campground. Information on accommodation, attractions and tours can be found at Ayersrockresort.com.au. Also see travelnt.com

The place: Vanuatu

Perfect for: Tweens and teens

Why we love it: Price points and proximity. Under three hours’ flying time from Brisbane, this archipelago offers everything from resort-style accommodation, to huts in remote villages close to an active volcano. Trek through jungle, swim in water the colour of sapphires and see the world’s most accessible volcano.

Make it happen: Family-friendly stays include Iririki Island Resort and Spa a short ferry ride from Port Vila with deluxe family fares and kids club. On Espiritu Santo, Aore Island Resort offers rustic chic beachfront villas, snorkelling and a safe languid beach. Air Vanuatu flies from Sydney and Melbourne to Port Vila. See vanuatu.travel/airvanuatu.com; aoreislandresorts.com; iririki.com

The place: Vietnam

Perfect for: Multi-generational travel

Why we love it: The chaotic street scenes, flavoursome food, and exquisite tailoring. While initially an assault on the senses, travelling to Vietnam teaches the kids important lessons about the war, religion and poverty.

Make it happen: Take an Intrepid tour, to share the experience with other families, or check into the InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort with family suites, villas, kids’ club, five restaurants, four pools, a cooking school and stunning bamboo spa. See intrepidtravel.com/au; phuquoc.intercontinental.com

BEST OF THE REST

AUSTRALIA

BARWON HEADS, VICTORIA

No wonder this town was chosen as the location for the TV series, Sea Change. Children can paddle or make sandcastles on the river beach, while stellar surf spots are just around the bluff. See visitvictoria.com; barwoncoast.com.au.

BLUE MOUNTAINS, NSW

Riding the Scenic Railway past the Three Sisters is simply otherworldly. Do a half-day bushwalk then indulge at Josophan's Fine Chocolates. See bluemountains.com.au; visitnsw.com

FALLS CREEK, VICTORIA

This is our favourite ski resort in Australia because of the wide range of dining and skiing options. You can also snowbike, snowtube, or play snocce (snowbocce). See fallscreek.com.au

FLEURIEU PENINSULA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

A 45-minute drive from the Adelaide, the Fleurieu Peninsula features animal farms, adventure parks, and beautiful beaches. See fleurieupeninsula.com.au; southaustralia.com

FRASER ISLAND, QUEENSLAND

No traffic, caster-sugar sand, towering rainforests and freshwater lakes. World Heritage-listed Fraser Island is the ideal place for an eco-adventure.

See visitfrasercoast.com; queensland.com

HAWKS NEST/TEA GARDENS, NSW

A morning of kayaking, swimming or surfing, followed by scoffing lollies at the Ice Cream Shack. Is there anything better? See greatlakes.org.au; visitnsw.com

HUNTER VALLEY, NSW

Despite the focus on wine, there’s plenty for kids to do, including the Storybook Garden, hot-air ballooning, aqua golf, and putt putt. Oh Oh, and the wineries, of course. Gemelli Estate and Peter Drayton Wines are particularly kid-friendly. See winecountry.com.au; visitnsw.com.

LORD HOWE ISLAND, NSW.

You can walk or cycle everywhere, snorkel straight off the beach, hand-feed the kingfish, and trek Mount Gower. See lordhoweisland.info; visitnsw.com

MOUNT TAMBORINE, QLD.

Base yourselves in the Gold Coast hinterland to visit Dreamworld, MovieWorld and Whitewater World, within half an hour of the beaches. O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in the Lamington National Park is terrific for families. oreillys.com.au. discovertamborine.com.au.

PERISHER, NSW

On snow adventure zones, plus seven terrain parks with different degrees of difficulty, mean the kids will never be bored in Perisher Valley or Smiggin Holes. See perisher.com.au

SCARBOROUGH, WA

This glorious spot, half an hour north of Perth, has been revitalised, with a whale-themed playground, rock climbing and cool eateries like the Fam Bam Burger Bar and General Public Food Co. Stay in modern interconnecting rooms, and watch the sun set over the ocean, at Rendezvous Hotel Perth. See rendezvoushotels.com; westernaustralia.com

STRADBROKE ISLAND, QLD

Hire a holiday home here for a digital detox. Tea-tree lakes, wide beaches, and rock-pools teeming with marine life: this is truly a special place. See stradbrokeisland.com; queensland.com

SYDNEY, NSW

Climb the Harbour Bridge, see a show at the Opera House, or hit the waves at Bondi Beach. Book a family fun package (includes in-room tent) at the Four Seasons or treat the kids with a night at Taronga Zoo's Wildlife Retreat. See sydney.com; taronga.org.au; fourseasons.com/sydney/offers/family-fun

TASMANIA

Outdoors, teens will love the hiking and bushwalking; indoors, they'll be bemused by the oddities at the Museum of Old and New Art. see discovertasmania.com.au.

ASIA-PACIFIC

BALI

Steer clear of Kuta to find the pleasures of this paradise: resorts in Nusa Dua, villas in Seminyak, or hotels in Sanur. See balitourismboard.org; indonesia.travel

HONG KONG

The Octopus Card makes it easy for families to get around this bustling city, which boasts Disneyland, Ocean Park, Peak Tramway, Ladies' Market and delicious dumplings. See discoverhongkong.com

SINGAPORE

Universal Studios, 4D Adventureland, the Skyline Luge, MegaZip Adventure Park, and Gogreen Segways are all found on Sentosa Island. Don't miss the solar-powered Supertree Grove, at Gardens by the Bay in the city. See yoursingapore.com.

THE MALDIVES

It's not just for couples. Club Med Kani has 75 over-water suites, fanning across the lagoon like a giant palm tree. Holiday Inn Kandooma Resort meanwhile has 160 villas, an exclusive surf break, resident marine biologists, three restaurants and a superlative kids club. See clubmed.com.au; visitmaldives.com; maldives.holidayinnresorts.com

THE PHILIPPINES

El Nido is one of more than 7000 islands in this archipelago. The resorts are set in a marine reserve, for world-class snorkelling and diving. Another island worth visiting is Bohol, with its famed Chocolate Hills. See itsmorefuninthephilippines.com

TAHITI

Yes, the accommodation is expensive. So, hire a boat through moorings.co.uk and buy fresh produce from local supermarkets. This was the best family holiday we've ever had. See tahiti-tourisme.com.

UNITED STATES

DISNEY DREAM CRUISE

I guess, technically, it’s not a destination. But the Disney Dream Cruise is a floating theme park. The highlight is the Aquaduck: the first water coaster at sea. Experience “Disney Magic at Sea” in local waters when Disney Wonder sets sail from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland. See disneycruise.disney.go.com; disney.com.au/disney-magic-at-sea

FLORIDA

This place is custom-built for families, especially the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando. See visitflorida.com

SAN FRANCISCO

The spooky tour of Alcatraz is a hit with tweens and teens, while a bike ride over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito is nothing short of spectacular. See sftravel.com

ROCKY MOUNTAINS

An RV trip through Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho will take the kids straight back to the Wild West. Yee-har! See rmi-realamerica.com.

EUROPE & THE UK

LES 3 VALLEES, FRANCE

Skiing in the south of France sounds like an expensive family trip. But, when you take into account the extortionate cost of snow resorts in Australia, it's comparable. This is the biggest ski area in the world, with chocolate-box villages at the bottom of the slopes. See Les3vallees.com

LONDON

Most of the museums are free for kids; some have backpacks with activities inside. But Buckingham Palace is difficult to visit with small children because of the crowds. See visitlondon.com

ROME

It's dirty, I know. But the breathtaking sight of the Colosseum, Forum and Vatican makes up for that. Contexttravel.com runs family tours, guided by academics who speak in terms children can understand. See turismoroma.it

AFRICA

MAURITIUS

A jewel in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius has dozens of five-star family-friendly resorts, where the kids clubs offer language classes and water-skiing lessons. The food is an exotic mix of French, Creole, and Indian. See mymauritius.travel

MOROCCO

The beaches of Essaouira; the jagged peaks of the Atlas; the vast expanse of desert: there's nowhere quite like Morocco for an adventurous family holiday. Base yourselves in Marrakesh near Africa's Disneyland, the UNESCO-listed Jemaa el-Fnaa. See visitmorocco.com

SOUTH AFRICA

Check out &Beyond’s Phinda Mountain Lodge in KwaZulu Natal. There are four lodges, plus a homestead with private staff. Game drives can be tailored for the shorter attention span of young children. See andbeyond.com; southafrica.net

INGREDIENTS FOR A DREAM FAMILY DESTINATION

THE CHILD CARERS OF FIJI

The Fijian nannies can coax smiles from the crankiest kids. It took two minutes for a carer at Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Island Resort to turn our six-month-old screamer into a picture-perfect smiler. As a parent of a small child, this is priceless.

THE ADVENTURE SPORTS OF HAWAII

Regardless of which island you visit, there's an endless array of activities, from swimming with manta rays to climbing a volcano. This is ideal for active families, especially with tweens and teens.

THE THEME PARKS OF LOS ANGELES

Disneyland, Universal Studios and Legoland (further south) are fun for all ages. I remember saying, “This is the best day of my life!“, after my debut at Disneyland, despite earlier disparaging it as Merchandiseland.

THE FOOD, MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES OF PARIS

Let the kids guide you around the Louvre by hiring a Nintendo 3DS, with inbuilt GPS. Download the Eiffel Tower app, to learn how it was built. Stay in the Marais, a foodie and fashion district, walking distance to Notre Dame. This is the kind of holiday that brings history to life.

THE INDIGENOUS CULTURE OF ULURU

Many of the performances are aimed at children, with lessons in how to throw a spear, do a dot painting, and respect their elders. It's a magical experience for adults, too.