The new Queensland tourism campaign, spearheaded by popular children’s animated TV series Bluey and Australia Zoo’s Robert Irwin, is a perfect example of why Australia is the ultimate travel destination for families visiting close friends and relatives. As a campaign contributor, Flight Centre is excited to help get South Africans “Down Under” for less so they can experience the countless family-friendly gems that await – from wildlife parks to rainforests, theme parks, aviation museums, and much more.
Here are a few top attractions and activities to add to your family’s bucket list:
- Go to Sydney’s Featherdale Wildlife Park (one of the largest collections of Australian fauna in the world), where you can hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies.
- Surround yourself with more animals at the iconic Australia Zoo, made famous by the late Steve Irwin and still owned and run by the Irwin family. It’s a must-see, especially the crocodiles at the Crocoseum.
- Go hiking in the Blue Mountains to admire the sandstone tablelands, dramatic peaks and valleys, waterfalls, rainforests, lookouts, and canyons.
- Get closer to the Great Barrier Reef with snorkelling or scuba diving.
- Explore the Daintree Rainforest, a World Heritage Site, or take a boat trip to the Whitsunday Islands, at the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.
- Spend an afternoon in Noosa National Park – it has a network of scenic walking trails with coastal views, private beaches (like Tea Tree Bay), and wildlife (including koalas).
- Spend the day at Luna Park, with rides and games for all ages, or head to the Gold Coast for even more theme parks, like Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, and Dreamworld.
- Give your trip an educational touch with a stop at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park (with interactive experiences like boomerang and spear throwing), and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
- Take a ride on the Wheel of Brisbane for sprawling city views.
- Soak up the sun and family fun at South Bank Parklands, a massive green space with a swimming lagoon, playgrounds, and restaurants.
- Take a short ferry ride from Townsville to Magnetic Island, offering calm bays, lots of wildlife (including koalas and rock wallabies), and kid-friendly activities (like hiking).
- Make your way to Mon Repos Conservation Park to see nesting sea turtles.
- Adventure through the interactive Hinkler Hall of Aviation, dedicated to the legacy of Bert Hinkler, a renowned Australian aviator.
- Stroll through the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens, full of gorgeous gardens, including a Japanese, Bromeliad, and fern garden and a rare fruit tree orchard.
- Camp in the remote Carnarvon Gorge National Park, where you’ll find ancient sandstone gorges, Aboriginal rock art, and a lush rainforest setting.
- Enjoy water sports on Lady Elliot Island, a coral cay on the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef known for its clear waters.
Ready to do more with the family “Down Under”? Explore current Australia travel deals and packages at www.flightcentre.co.za.