An Australia Family Vacation for Spring Break? Yes!

Australia doesn’t often come up in the spring break conversation, but it should! Although it feels like a long way to travel for a short escape, spring is a perfect season to visit — it’s Australia’s fall, when mild temperatures, fewer crowds and endless family opportunities await you for a great adventure.

If you have only a week to 10 days, finding the best place to begin and end your Australia family vacation can be a challenge, particularly because moving from one side of the continent to the other turns into a multi-day road trip unless you fly from point to point. CB Senior Travel Advisor Cary Walker Collett, who has explored multiple regions of Australia, recommends starting in either Melbourne or Sydney and pairing it with one other region. From Melbourne, you can easily access South Australia and its capital, Adelaide; Sydney blends well with either the Red Centre and Uluru or Queensland, which includes the Great Barrier Reef. Or if you want a city-focused vacation with a taste of both Melbourne and Sydney, it’s easy to spend a few days in each and enjoy the 8- to 9-hour coastal drive between them.

Where to Go for an Australia Family Vacation in Spring

Melbourne

A sophisticated cultural hub known for its food, cafes and thriving arts scene, Melbourne is a great stop for the foodies, art and cultural enthusiasts, and sports fans in your family. Here are some must-do activities while in town:

Food and coffee tours: Melbourne offers a variety of wonderful culinary tours that allow visitors a taste of local produce and artisanal foods. Paired with its renowned coffee culture, it is a haven for coffee connoisseurs and fans of the flat white.

The arts: Melbourne offers vibrant street art in places like Hosier Lane, AC/DC Lane (yes, named after the band) and Central Place. For those looking for a more traditional art experience, the National Gallery of Victoria features a broad range of Australian and international artists.

Scenic drives: En route from Melbourne to Adelaide, the Great Ocean Road is one of the most famous drives in the world, boasting spectacular views and iconic stops like the Twelve Apostles, a cluster of towering limestone stacks just offshore. By car, it’s about eight hours between the two cities.

Penguin spotting: The littles will enjoy one of the nightly Penguin Parades at Phillip Island, where they can watch adorable penguins cross the beach back to their nests at sunset. The island is just off the coast of Melbourne and accessible by either car or ferry.

TIP: After a few days in Melbourne, consider renting a houseboat on the Murray River (about three hours’ drive north) for a memorable off-path experience. Our Travel Advisors can arrange this for you as part of our vacation planning service.

Sydney

Known for scenic beaches, sunny weather and iconic sights like the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, Sydney is ideal for nature lovers, cultural explorers and young children.

Natural wonders: Sydney has a plethora of opportunities to engage with nature in a way that aligns with Australia’s commitment to sustainability. Sydney Harbour National Park, Bondi Beach and the Royal Botanic Garden are all right in the city, while Blue Mountains National Park, about an hour and a half away, makes a beautiful day trip.

Cultural exploration: For those looking for a more culture-oriented experience, the Rocks District, the Australian Museum and Bangarra Dance Theater allow families to immerse themselves in indigenous culture and Australia’s heritage.

Just for kids: The younger set will enjoy sites such as the Taronga Zoo, which allows them to get up close with kangaroos, koalas and other animals native to Australia. Another great option is the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium for a hands-on way to learn more about local marine life.

South Australia/Adelaide

South Australia and Adelaide are great for family-friendly winery tours, farm-to-table dining and the opportunity to visit cheese and chocolate factories. Shiraz lovers might enjoy touring and tasting at wineries in Barossa Valley, such as Penfolds, Seppeltsfield and Jacob’s Creek, as well as a visit to the Barossa Farmers Market to sample regional produce.

TIP: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparkling wines are readily available in Tamar Valley in Tasmania, which is a full day’s ferry trip from Melbourne. If you have enough time, consider this island as an alternative to South Australia. You can get a reasonable overview in four days, but a full week is better.

Families in search of an interactive experience with animals should look to Cleland Wildlife Park on the outskirts of Adelaide, which allows kids to hand-feed kangaroos and engage with other creatures. Or take the 45-minute ferry ride to Kangaroo Island, a “zoo without fences” that allows visitors to get up close with kangaroos, koalas, diverse bird species and more.

The Red Centre/Uluru

If you’d like to visit the Red Centre, home to Uluru, it’s simplest to fly as the drive will eat up more than a day of your limited time. Pair it with Sydney as flights to Ayers Rock Airport (AYQ) depart daily. There are flights from Melbourne (as well as Brisbane and Cairns) on select days, but the schedule may not work as well with your itinerary.

Daytime temperatures in Australia’s autumn range from 70° to 90°F, so visit Uluru and other desert landmarks in the cool of the morning, then return to your accommodations for lunch and afternoon downtime. End the evening with a sunset experience and dinner.

Queensland/Great Barrier Reef

Those looking for thrilling ways to experience the underwater world will love spending time at the Great Barrier Reef in northern Queensland, which offers great visibility for snorkeling and diving. Water temperatures are steady throughout the year, fluctuating from 75° to 85° F. For a home base, consider staying right on the reef at Lizard Island (minimum age 10 years) or on Orpheus Island or Hamilton Island.

At Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary near Brisbane, visitors can get up close with Australia’s wildlife — hold a cuddly koala, hand-feed kangaroos or even catch a rare glimpse of a platypus.

Families Should Know

• Why spring? With milder weather and lower prices in comparison to peak season, spring in Australia can be the perfect opportunity to beat the crowds and explore at leisure.
• Recommended ages: Australia is for any and all ages! However, those coming from the U.S. may want to consider traveling with school-age children and up due to the long-haul flights and the travel time involved in getting around.
• Direct flights to Sydney are available through some airlines from Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Honolulu (HNL), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Houston (IAH). Direct flights to Melbourne depart from LAX and SFO.

Spring break time is precious, so our CB Travel Advisor team can help you design an Australia itinerary that makes the most of it, partnering with on-the-ground local guides and specialists for a trip customized just for your family. Reach out to us for more info.

Relevant Links:

Browse all accommodations and activities in Australia on Ciao Bambino

A perfect 2-week itinerary for Australia with kids

Essential tips for climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Best New Zealand travel tips for a family vacation

72 hours in Auckland, New Zealand with kids

Photos by Cary Walker Collett except where noted.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.