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Family holidays can be amazing, but boy do they take a lot of planning! Where to stay? What to eat? What to do? It’s hard enough getting two adults to agree, let alone a tired dad, an overexcited toddler and a grumpy teen.
With summer (and the school holidays!) fast approaching, now is the time to start planning your perfect family holiday. You’ll want to find somewhere with enough to do for all the kids and some great facilities to make handling any last minute issues a little bit easier.
To save you some hassle, we’re here to tell you why the Gold Coast should be your top pick. It’s hot, littered with stunning beaches and packed with top attractions like theme parks, hiking trails, wildlife sanctuaries and more. At this point, it’s basically Queensland’s worst kept secret.
So, if you’re looking for a hand planning the perfect Gold Coast family holiday, you’re in the right place. Join in as we explore the ins, outs and rentals of Gold Coast to uncover the best family-friendly options.
Why Choose the Gold Coast for Your Family Holiday?
There are loads of reasons why the Gold Coast is an easy sell as the perfect family holiday location.
With a population of over 560,000 people, the City of Gold Coast is Australia’s 6th largest city. From its glorious beaches and national parks to its internationally-renowned theme parks, anyone who’s spent a little time in the area knows why it welcomes almost 5 million tourists per year.
When you’re planning a family trip, the first thing on the agenda is making sure there’s enough to do.
Top attractions for kids on the Gold Coast include:
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary: As one of the Gold Coast’s longest-running tourist attractions, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a must-visit stop on any Gold Coast family holiday. From breakfast with Koalas to enchanted night walks, there’s simply loads to do for littles and the older kids too!
- Dreamworld: Australia’s biggest theme park is packed with amazing attractions for children and adults alike. From adrenaline-fueled coasters to kids clubs and wildlife walks, Dreamworld has got to be at the top of most people’s list of fun things to do during a family holiday on the Gold Coast.
- Sea World: For kids who love all things aquatic, Sea World is the place to be. Enjoy thrill rides, action stunt shows and insightful educational talks, alongside awe-inspiring exhibits like the park’s magical illuminated jellies experience and the only real-life polar bears in the whole of Australia.
- Springbrook National Park: If the great outdoors is more of your family’s thing, a day out among the ancient rainforests of Springbrook National Park will be right up your street. Fun fact for the kids – Springbrook sits on the site of a massive shield volcano that was active 23 million years ago!
- Surfers Paradise Beach: Finally, no Gold Coast family holiday would be complete without a visit to one of the area’s incredible beaches. Spanning a whopping 2km, Surfers Paradise Beach is one of the best beaches in the entirety of Australia and a must-visit location for both children and adults.
How to Pick the Right Gold Coast Family Holiday Rental
So, we’ve covered why to choose the Gold Coast for your family holiday, but finding a place to stay is usually the tricky part. Often, the only downside to choosing a super popular spot for a trip is finding accommodation that’s in a decent location, affordably-priced and, of course, family-friendly.
If you’re staying any longer than a long weekend, we recommend looking for a short-term rental. Not only can this help you avoid all the hustle and bustle of family hotels, but you can also settle yourself in a homely, relaxing space where the kids can play after you’re done with the day’s activities.
When looking for family-friendly Gold Coast apartments for rent, keep these 5 insider tips in mind.
1. Set Your Budget
Decide how much you’re willing to spend before doing anything else to help you filter your search by affordable options. Some sites will also let you add a kid-friendly filter to your search that can help to highlight family packages, as well as exclusive deals designed around family stays and larger parties.
2. Pick a Good Location
You’ll want a family-friendly area that’s not too far from most of the Gold Coast’s top attractions. Great spots to focus on include Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Coolangatta and Mermaid Beach. If you’re flying in, check how far your rental is from Gold Coast Airport to help minimise those grumpy car rides!
3. Consider Size
The best thing about choosing a rental over a hotel is the amount of extra space you can get. A longer trip over the school holidays will likely involve a lot of time in your accommodation. So, look for a spot with a dedicated lounge, breakfast room and outdoor area to make sure everyone has enough space.
4. Focus on Amenities
The best accommodation options for kids will have plenty of on-site amenities to keep them busy in between day trips. Spots with games rooms are the obvious choice, but rentals that offer a bit more variety are perfect for longer stays, such as swimming pools, tennis courts or even outdoor cinemas.
5. Check Reviews
Finally, instead of just taking a family-friendly label at face value, see what other families have to say. Looking through online reviews can help you get a feel for what it’s like to actually stay in a rental. So, have a glance and try filtering by keywords like noise, mess or hazards to bring potential issues to light.
Get Set for a Family Trip to Remember
The Gold Coast can be an amazing destination for the perfect family holiday. From the main beach of Surfers Paradise, to the stunning landscape of Springbrook National Park and the many theme parks of Queensland’s 2nd biggest city. One thing’s for sure, you and the kids will not run out of fun things to do.
Finding the right family-friendly accommodation will help you get the most out of your stay. To minimise hassle and keep everyone happy, choosing a short-term rental is your best bet. When browsing options, stick to a firm budget, choose a well-connected area and focus on rentals with plenty of fun amenities.
Follow this plan and you’ll be all set to enjoy the fun, sun and sand of Queensland’s glorious Gold Coast.
