5 fab family city breaks in Australia
Our top picks for a quick getaway
Whether you’re visiting a new city or playing tourist in your own hometown, a quick city break is a great way to have fun and reconnect with your family. Here are our picks for some of the best places to stay in Australia with kids.
Four Seasons, Sydney, NSW
Set right in the heart of the city centre, the Four Seasons is old-school elegance at its best. Situated right beside The Rocks and Circular Quay, everything you need is within easy walking distance, including the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, plenty of great restaurants and cafes, as well as the MCA Australia. Check in and take a wander through The Rocks markets (Friday to Sundays) then grab a burger at Ribs & Burgers, a cute family friendly restaurant overlooking the water. Stroll around the harbourfront and indulge in some gelato or pancakes from Pancakes On The Rocks before heading back to your room.
Hanging out in a kid-sized tent at The Four Seasons, Sydney
Leave the curtains open all night so you can watch the sun rise over Sydney in the morning from your bed. The Four Seasons currently has a ‘Family Fun’ package which includes one night’s accommodation, a special gift for the kids on arrival, themed bedlinen, a free in-house kids’ movie and special bath packs. If you book a suite, your little ones will be treated to an amazing in-room tent experience too. The package also includes a delicious buffet brekkie for four. There’s also a spa and a beautiful heated outdoor pool if you feel like a splash. The views of the city, Opera House and Harbour Bridge are pretty spectacular too.
More info: The Family Fun package starts from $430 for two adults and two children under 12. Visit fourseasons.com/sydney for more information.
The Pan Pacific Hotel in Melbourne, Victoria
Pan Pacific, Melbourne, Vic
This hotel is located right on the Yarra River and is a great base from which to explore the city, offering family-friendly two-bedroom suites. Their fab family package includes an overnight stay in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite, full buffet breakfast, roast dinner served to your room, free in-house movie with popcorn and more.
The hotel is just a short walk to many attractions including Sea Life, Melbourne’s aquarium. Other highlights of the city include the National Sports Museum, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Zoo, Queen Victoria Markets and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Beautiful Phillip Island is only 90 minutes drive away and is a great spot for viewing wildlife, including koalas and little penguins.
More info: Rates at the Pan Pacific Melbourne start at around $580 a night for a two-bedroom suite. Visit panpacific.com
Views of Darwin's wave pool from the Vibe hotel
Vibe Hotel, Darwin, NT
For some weekend fun in the sun it’s hard to go past beautiful Darwin, and the Vibe hotel is in the heart of it all right on the waterfront. Choose from luxe hotel rooms or a serviced apartment at the Adina Apartment Hotel in the same complex. Right on your doorstep you’ll find a wide range of cafes, bars and restaurants to choose from. There’s a small pool in the complex or head outside and you’ll find the wave pool and beach lagoon which provide hours of fun for a small fee. Take a stroll around the waterfront in the evening and head over to Stokes Hill Wharf for great fish and chips.
During the Dry season, the Mindil markets are a great place to visit, especially at dusk, when you can enjoy the best sunset in Australia on Mindil Beach. Other fab attractions for families include Crocosaurus Cove, where you can get up close with reptiles, turtles and a saltwater crocodile in a viewing cage, and the stunning George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, which features a café, children’s playground, community garden and baobab tree collection. Last but not least, head to the gorgeous The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory for the beautiful artworks and wildlife displays. Entry is free and the Gallery runs regular kids’ programs and workshops too.
More info: Rates at the Adina Apartment Hotel start from around $183 per night (max room capacity 3). Premier two-bedroom apartments sleep four and start from around $423 a night. Visit tfehotels.com for more information.
The family-friendly Brisbane Marriott
The Brisbane Marriott, Qld
This five-star hotel is in a prime position in the city centre, and offers beautiful views of the city skyline or Brisbane River. There’s something for everyone including a fitness centre, outdoor pool, spa, and casual dining at Motion Bar & Grill, which has an extensive kids’ menu. There is plenty to do within walking distance of the hotel with kids, particularly along the Brisbane River. You can catch the free City Hopper ferry, which will bring you to the Queensland Maritime Museum and water play area Aquativity, at South Bank Parklands.
More info: Prices start from around $290 for a Superior room with a view, and include two double beds. Visit marriott.com
Adina Serviced Apartments in Dickson, Canberra, ACT
There’s plenty to see and do in our nation’s capital with kids, and most of the sights are within close proximity, making it the perfect spot for a family weekend away. The Adina Apartments offer spacious, modern rooms and apartments, located just a few kilometres from the city centre. As far as activities go, Questacon is a must for mini budding scientists and is free for kids under four. The National Arboretum is a beautiful natural space for kids and adults alike and has an excellent playground and family-friendly cafe.
The nature-inspired playground at the Arboretum, Canberra
Other highlights in the capital include Boundless Playground, National Museum of Australia, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve with lots of walking trails, and Cockington Green Gardens, which features a model village and miniatures of iconic build. During winter, head to nearby Corin Forest snow field for skiing, snowboarding, or a good old snowball fight.
More info: Prices for a two-bedroom suite start from around $300, but search around for deals, adinahotels.com
Nicola Conville has worked as a journalist and editor for more than 20 years across a wide range of print and online publications. Her areas of expertise are parenting, health and travel. She has two children; Lucy, age eight, and Nathan, age five.
